Bow and Arrow
The first complex simple weapon...
An almost universally-developed tool for any species that advances past simply flinging rocks, this most ancient form of weapon can be used in any terrain and made out of almost any material: Wood, metal, and in some cases even bone. Unlike a clumsy throw or sling, a bow requires a steady hand and expert aim to make every shot count. Whether to bring down game for much-needed meat or slay a hostile foe in warfare, this simple weapon has helped turn the tide of many battles and shaped entire cultures and civilizations. In the vast Plains of Kundain, Freelanders make use of whatever materials available to fashion these critical tools that enable them to secure their next meal.
Manufacturing process
If made of wood, must be harvested fresh and strung before hardening.
History
“First off, kid; I don’t miss. Second; if I gave a hoot about subtlety, I’d subscribe to your theory and break out the moccasins. No bow-no matter how advanced- can match the ballistic power of a modern rifle,” Roxi stated as she thumbed bullets into the chamber. “Mankind used bow and arrow thousands of years before the invention of firearms. You get stranded out on your own with limited supplies, it’s much more practical to lash together something out of gut and wood. You can’t make a gun from scratch.” The two continued bickering, debating the merits of bow and arrow versus firearm. Rowen couldn’t help but chuckle from listening to the exchange. The two broke the conversation to resume their respective target practice. “You can reuse arrows at least. Bullets-once fired-can’t.” “That’s why you recast new ones. Metal lasts a lot longer than those kabob skewers you use…” Roxi snorted. Archie lowered his bow but released the arrow into the forest as he turned sideways to face Roxi. Neither of them noticed the distant faint high-pitched yelp. “Stone arrow-heads were used much longer than metal ones in ancient times.” “Yeah, and they make nice paperweights. You can talk all you want kid, but you can’t do this with a bow and arrow,” Roxi picked up her second practice rifle and prepared to display her award-winning ability of dual-wielding rifles. She took aim at the next tennis ball spat out of the machine and shot twice, striking the ball directly. She swung the rifles under her arms to reload. Rowen leaned forward in his seat and watched with great interest as Archie drew a fresh arrow and shot at the still-airborne ball. Before Roxi finished reloading, Archie shot the ball four times total and it dropped to the ground. It almost resembled a water skimmer with the bullet holes forming the eyes and the white striping forming a smiling mouth and the protruding arrow shafts forming legs. Roxi stared at the ball speechless then glanced at Archie. “…Now you’re just being cheeky…” she scowled. Archie merely grinned widely.Ancient Men used some form of bow as far back as the Dread Winter, but the precise date is unknown. The fictional tale "The First Freelander" claims the Man featured in the story created the first bow using bones recovered from his slain companion, the Beast. In the illustrated version it is depicted as being constructed of rib segments and spine from a land dragon. In the finale after he has exacted vengeance, he encounters another party of Men who are impressed with his panoply of bone. They ask him to share his techniques and he agrees, imparting his knowledge and accompanying them to the Northern Ring.
"Unless land dragons had particularly flexible bones, I don't see how one could have made such a weapon...what did he string it with? and how? Such equipment looks like it would be quite cumbersome and uncomfortable...unless he was that driven by vengeance? A very curious story, sometimes it's treated like historical fact rather than a work of pure fiction..."
Holding the skull close, he wept bitterly as he mourned the death of the Beast...but he did not grieve for long. His heart burned hot with vengeance, and he resolved to hunt each and every one of the Wild Men who had butchered his friend. Gathering the bones of the Beast and inspired by rage, he made armor, and weapons! The first of their kind! Thus equipped, he trudged out into the cold night, stalking the frigid wastes in search of his prey, his fury keeping the cold at bay.
Significance
Canon Lore: Original Animated Series
Ronin Warrior Rowen of the Strata has a reputation as the marksman of the team, on top of being a super genius. His 1.0 Strata armor makes use of a complex collapsible bow referred to in Japan as a hankyu. After his Armor is destroyed, he briefly wields a copy of his old Strata bow when Suzunagi confronts him in her Neo Stage and urges him to kill her. Unwilling to shoot after catching a glimpse of her tragic motivations, he throws down the bow in disgust, rejecting the fight. He is first to be captured by Suzunagi, but after she is healed and departs the Mortal Realm, she leaves him with the Strata 2.0 Armor, which uses a more traditional longbow.
RowenandRoxi1b.jpg
Sharpshooters Side-by-Side (Scene from Aftermath Ch. 12)
by
Mardrena
Made with Inkscape and BlackInk
"Rowen! I'm running out of bullets!" Roxi said suddenly and looked up at him worriedly. Rowen glanced at her and saw her bandoleers running dangerously low on ammo. To her credit, the expert markswoman had made every shot count; for every one bullet she fired she took down several soldiers, but she simply underestimated the sheer relentless numbers. "Well, if you used a bow instead I could always loan ya some arrows. I got a neverendin' supply," he said smugly and drew back on the bowstring. "Sorry, but I prefer a weapon with finesse." Rowen's eyes popped open and he almost dropped his weapon, arrow and all. "Finesse?!" he squawked. This time Roxi looked smug.
Item type
Weapon, Ranged
Related ethnicities
Raw materials & Components
Cured and treated wood, metal, leather binding for grip, refined gut or woven cord for string.
Tools
Can easily be assembled in the wild from scavenged materials.
All artwork used is self-made and belongs to me unless otherwise stated, such as kitbashes and commissions. Age of Defiance does not and will not use or feature RW/YST original artwork out of consideration for the OAS creators
Comments
Author's Notes
There's a old Louis L'Amour novel I read long ago called "Last of the Breed" about a man trapped in Siberia and ruthlessly hunted by Russian operatives. Bereft of technology, he falls back on skills passed down through his heritage and manages to stay one step ahead of his pursuers, who are led by a tracker nearly as skilled as he. He ultimately makes his escape and mails the Russian commander a package with a letter attached stating "I will collect two of these in my life time, this is the first". The commander opens the package and is horrified to find the scalp of the Russian-allied tracker, identified by the shock of white running down the middle.