A shortbow was a two-handed ranged weapon of the bow family.[3] The term was used in a general sense to refer to any bow that wasn't a longbow.[4]
Description[]
Shortbows consisted of a flexible shaft of wood (or horn or bone), measuring about 3 to 4 feet (0.91 to 1.2 meters) in length with the ends connected by strong cord or a gut string that is a little shorter than the shaft, causing the wood to bend and keep the string under tension. For a composite shortbow, the shaft was made from laminated materials (again, horn, wood or bone) and fashioned with a recurve, meaning the bow remained bow-shaped even when unstrung.[5] A typical shortbow weighed around 2 lb (0.91 kg).[3]
Weaponology[]
Unlike longbows, shortbows may be used while mounted. Composite bows are stronger than normal bows and therefore can translate more of the archer's strength into range and damage. Bows require two hands to fire and a good amount of practice in order to hit a target. Therefore, the shortbow is considered a martial weapon.[6]
History[]
Shortbows were one of the first types of bows to be developed on Toril, although they were not referred to by that term.[4]
The Calishites were one of the first human groups to develop the shortbow. During the 13th century before the Dalereckoning, they acquired captured elven longbows, and from these, they developed shorter versions that could be shot from chariots or from horseback.[7]
Notable shortbows[]
| This section is a stub. You can help us by expanding it. |
Appendix[]
External Links[]
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the following links do not necessarily represent the views of the editors of this wiki, nor does any lore presented necessarily adhere to established canon.
Shortbows article at the Baldur's Gate 3 Community Wiki, a community wiki for Baldur's Gate 3.
Shortbow article at Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (2014). Player's Handbook 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 149. ISBN 978-0-7869-6560-1.
- ↑ Gary Gygax (1978). Players Handbook 1st edition. (TSR, Inc.), p. 35. ISBN 0-9356-9601-6.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams (July 2003). Player's Handbook v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 117. ISBN 0-7869-2886-7.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Black Isle Studios (June 2000). Designed by Matt Norton. Icewind Dale. Interplay.
- ↑ Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams (July 2003). Player's Handbook v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 118, 120–121. ISBN 0-7869-2886-7.
- ↑ Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams (July 2003). Player's Handbook v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 120–121. ISBN 0-7869-2886-7.
- ↑ Steven E. Schend, Dale Donovan (September 1998). Empires of the Shining Sea. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 16–17. ISBN 0-7869-1237-5.