<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0">Greeting all, <BR>
<BR>
I wrote the below piece about 5 years ago, It seems to be the perfect time<BR>
to resurrect it ( with a few minor changes) as the melee season is about to begin. Ansteorra needs<BR>
more combat archers,,,come on out and have a good time:<BR>
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++=<BR>
<BR>
Well, its that time of the year again. The weather is starting to cool <BR>
down(maybe) and the roars and grunts of the fighters can be hear echoing <BR>
through the wood and fields. Once again it is archery season. I have put <BR>
together a few tips for those of you hunting these extordinary creatures for <BR>
the first time. <BR>
<BR>
1. Baiting: the use of an object/s to encourage your prey to come to you. <BR>
<BR>
A. Heavy Fighters: The best bait for these massive animals is the use <BR>
of decoys. They cannot seem to resist the clashing and banging around of <BR>
thier own kind. When they see other fighters fighting, they tend to rush <BR>
headlong to join them. If you don't have access to such decoys, try spreading <BR>
some bright shiny objects around such as stainless steel gaunlets or a shiny <BR>
helm, using long peices as ratten is also effective. Heavy fighters are <BR>
drawn to such things as these. <BR>
<BR>
B. Light fighters: Oh, the rare and elusive light fighter, We usually <BR>
don't hunt these graceful creatures because of thier rarity. They don't seem <BR>
drawn to the noise of others fighting. So I have found that to effectively <BR>
bait them into range, one must use other objects to entice them. The use of <BR>
a few yards of expensive trim or lace seems to work, What always does the job <BR>
though, is the sight of very sharp, fancy clothing. This approach has never <BR>
failed me yet. <BR>
<BR>
2. Choosing your hunting Terrain: have a working knowledge of the terrain you <BR>
will be hunting in. <BR>
<BR>
A. Open field: The open fields are the most common area to find both <BR>
heavy and light game. This is the area they perfer to engage in their ritual <BR>
combat. Because of the lack of ready cover, an archer must stay alert and on <BR>
thier toes at all times. Being spotted by one of these fierce creatures can <BR>
be dangerous. <BR>
<BR>
B. Bridges: For some unkown reason, Heavy fighters tend to gather at <BR>
bridges. They strive to reach the other side, push and fighting thier way <BR>
through. Ironically, it doesn't seem to matter which side they start from, as <BR>
long as they end up on the opposite bank. It is here that we archers revel in <BR>
the ease of the kill. Often it is too easy to bag your limit and only the fact <BR>
that your quiver is empty do you stop. <BR>
<BR>
3. Types of archery equipment: What tips to use, and when. <BR>
<BR>
A. There are ,of course, a multitude of tips avaliable this season, the <BR>
Markland, Thistle and several types of Baldar blunts. We won't be discussing the <BR>
disgusting golf tube thingys. Remember, Heavy fighters are encased in an <BR>
armor-like skin. The thickness of this pelt varies with each individual. I <BR>
usually start with a fine Markland tip or perhaps a baldar blunt for average <BR>
game. I switch to my Thistle tips ,at close range, when I encounter thicker <BR>
pelted fighters. Often these massive animals are unable to feel that they are <BR>
dying, stuck on the end of a wonderful shot. It is during these times, One <BR>
should verbally remind them of this fact. Often a POLITE verbal reminder will do the <BR>
job. <BR>
<BR>
B. +++ Special note for the lighter game. Use only the foam covered <BR>
Marklands to hunt this prey. These animals tend to be VERY thin pelted and <BR>
are usually easily damaged. <BR>
<BR>
4. Safety tips: when to run like heck. <BR>
<BR>
A. A combat archer must ALWAYS be on thier toes and aware of what is <BR>
going on. For some reason, most of the massive heavy prey hate archers on <BR>
site and will go to extreme measures to kill us. Upon sighting archery <BR>
equipment, Heavy fighters tend to foam and fleck at the mouth, in a desperate <BR>
attempt to stop us. So be aware. One way to avoid such encounters when being <BR>
chased by these lumbering mammonths, is to run directly into another group of <BR>
heavies. This tends to confuse the pursuing fighter and they usually stop to <BR>
fight with the heavies you are hiding among. If you are caught out in the <BR>
open with no means of escape, Fall to the ground or your knees yelling "I <BR>
YEILD". This has 2 effects on these animals. 1st, they stop their headlong <BR>
charge on you and 2nd, instead of whompen you, they tend to just tap you. I <BR>
don't know if they are confused by the yelling or the falling to the ground. <BR>
<BR>
Well, These are all the tips I have for now. The season is opening for a <BR>
majority of us next weekend at Gothic Wars. Come on out if you can and go <BR>
hunting with us. <BR>
<BR>
Countess Octavia <BR>
<BR>
<BR>
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