> The most fun (?) in clout archery is dealing with the weather
> influences. I've shot against gale-strength sleet pouring down on
us,
> which diminished the effective range a bit and hampered accuracy
> slightly. As long as the bow or parts of it don't dissolve from the
> wetness, Orlanthi-type weather is only slightly annoying. I suppose
that
> the basic Jorganos feat is "guide arrow through storm" or similar.
"Call
> arrow wind" might be an alternative, or a basic "attune arrow to
winds".
Wind? These are Orlanthi we're talking about. =) Mind you, I think that sinew, gut or hair strung bows are very vulnerable tio weather, especially if the string slackens. It was a major concern during the 100 Years War for the British.
I suspect that any archery using group would have a few special hero-cult derived feats such as 'Arrow Cuts Wind' or 'Wind Lifts Arrow' to add to their Combat/Archery affinities. Its very easy to do from the HeroWars RPG standpoint.
> I'd agree. The longbow was about equivalent to the crossbow in it
effect
> on armoured or unarmoured targets, and only the firing rate for
> experienced archers really made a difference. As long as the archers
did
> not have to face a charge, this was of little relevance, and with a
> cover of pikesmen or other heavy infantry, either missile units
could
> hurt the back lines of the foe.
Actually, the clothyard shaft had a lot more hitting power at range than a crossbow did. You also can'd do arcing fire with crossbows as readily. But I don't think that massed longbows are a common occurance in Glorantha...
> I doubt it. Archers are useful when the enemy advances through the
> firing range, best in close-order ranks. Few Heortling battles would
> work like this. The Lunars have ample experience fighting foot
archers
> (starting with the Dara Happan rebellion of the First Wane) and know
an
> entire set of counter-tactics.
This sort of archery would be effective aganist hoplite or other heavy infantry formations so beloved of the Dara Happans.
> As a regimental hero, Jorganos might grant a few coordinative feats,
> like "concentrate fire", "covering fire", or "fire volley".
Seems reasonable enough to me.
> Methinks that Greg wanted to avoid companies of "Welsh
> longbowmen" everywhere among the Orlanthi. To me, this reads
> like "of the Gloranthan humans, only the Rathori have the
> long bow with the mythical armor-penetration feats/talents
associated
> with Crispin's Day".
The St Crispin's Day Massacre. There's one on Brastalos' Day now too... but it was a much bloodier fight.
(The Darkness has come. Prepare for the fight)
> Besides, the Heortlings have Hedkoranthi thunderstone slingers,
which
> gives them the equivalent of light field artillery or grenadiers.
With
> this resource, why waste valuable time on archery training?
That's my thought. Anyone who can throw a stone through a building or a completely unsuspecting moon-boat (much fun that!) is deserving of respect!
Jeff
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