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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><a href="http://www.uh.edu/engines/epi625.htm">http://www.uh.edu/engines/epi625.htm</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>A couple of years back, for Gulf Wars, a big push was made
throughout the Kingdom to deliver a substantial contingent of archers and siege
weapons. That particular year I was also Southern Regional Warlord, with privileges
as a field commander. In other words, I was to hang back out of harms way
and stay alive. To my shame, I got shot in the little toe by a ballista bolt.
Rules specify touch-kill, so I never swung a sword that battle….<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>We (Ravensfort) produced a couple of siege ‘crossbows’
that year. I’m not exactly straight on who all helped out, but Don
Zorcon and HE Brion were the two ….er, spearheads, for the construction,
which took a couple of months and turned out to be an interesting ‘hands
on history project’ for all involved. I recall they were based on a
Japanese ballista plan that Brion came up with. He and Zorcon reworked
the period plans to an acceptable SCA siege weapon plan and folks from the
Barony built them in Zorcon’s barn. The craftsmanship was awesome, and in
comparison, they made for two of the most impressive set of ballistae at Gulf
War. It was also a hoot for our Baronial contingent on the field. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Not sure where those weapons are these days, but it might be
worth dusting those guys off and prepping them for GW, next year…. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>At any rate, maybe we’ll spark some interest with today’s
episode. Crossbows….<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Take a listen,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Dsd<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Ref: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballista">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballista</a>
(the color pic is a close twin of the two we made)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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