> Jane Williams caught me in one of the rare weeks away from the computer...
Aargh, the horror!
> For massed defensive actions, self bows or composite bows with shorter
> staves might be preferable for shooting down fortifications.
Shorter? I'd seen the nomad bows as being pretty short. I've a got a few pictures of this bow in use, have one at random... http://www.flickr.com/photos/janewilliams/2395469994/ and here's the same (quite short) guy with a longbow http://www.flickr.com/photos/janewilliams/2393163645/in/set-72157600349062892/
>Archery can cover from the sides if there are
> platforms or towers sticking out of the wall line.
I'm sure we can manage platforms and towers.
> There's nothing to ruin your shot (or bow) like having one of the bows
> arms hit an obstacle. Such as a crenellation you are careful not to lean
> across (in order to avoid enemy arrows).
Good point.
>Given the elevation of
> the wall, the defenders may have an almost unholy range if they get
> sufficiently powerful bows.
"Mile throw javelin" with a bow, and no magic.... well, maybe not quite.
> I'd hate to shoot an Impala bow, personally...
Yes, but you're seven feet tall :)
> I guess the Zebra, Unicorn,
> Sable and Pol Joni bows will be ok. Especially the latter, given the
> number of Grazer recruits following Derek into the Praxian Marches.
> Pol Joni own Pentan cattle, Sables have their own tribal beasts. Both
> would be prime sources for horn for bows.
Sounds good.
> If they start working on additional bows as soon as
> Fazzur sets off, they might have some ready a year later.
That sort of timeframe? OK. For the Penny Love novels we're looking at pre-1619 anyway.
> There might be a side scenario bringing a huge stock of horns into the
> dead place for rapid drying, though...
Sounds like a good idea!
Getting a huge supply of Sable horns would be fun, too.
> Given my extreme draw length, I prefer the 6 foot self bow (I don't own a
> longbow reaching up to the top of my head) to the 4 foot horse bow for
> lateral stability.
I only draw 26", so less of a problem. What's your draw length? 32" plus?
> Bison hide is quite tough, too, if you leave the fur on (and make it into
> felt padding). It would make good ballistic hangings to top the
> crenellations.
And you shoot out from between the hangings? I can't quite visualise how this works.
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