Cog's journal of notes and studies

[Paha Poika]

The principles of making must never be forgotten.

Do not force. Persuade. Bend.

The planned steps to prepare a bow from top to bottom.

#
Step 1

Cut wood ( or stone) to accommodate the bow approximately one foot from the end. This should be a block cut that allows the bow to fit through.
#
Step 2

Drill two holes in the ends, then slide into the chassis. Use wedge blocks to secure in place.
#
Step 3

Hollow out a trench to accommodate the crossbow bolts. The depth and length needs to be determined.
#
Step 4

Cut out a one foot notch at the end of the beam (assuming wood, or even stone) to accommodate the hand-cranked winch. The winch is also something that much be made.
#
Step 5

Screw the winch in place with wood screws, then cut out a slot for a 2-inch fork claw at the end of the missile trench. This will hold the string/cable in place.
#
Step 6

Thread the string/cable through the bow and tie off with a pair of linemen. Attach the 2-inch fork claw to the winch line.
#
Step 7

Slacken the winch line and attach the claws of the fork claw to the string / cable.
#
Step 8

Once the string/cable has cleared the missile trench, secure the fork claw in the cut slot. This should provide a ready product of arbalet.

[Paha Poika]

Following the ideals of the eight steps, there are atleast half dozen parts that can be changed, engineered or enhanced to bring out new properties for the product.

Subject 1. Blackstone arbalet, small.

Made of strange, dark stone. Light despite it's material.

Differences to common products:
- Strange stone, instead of wood.
- Enhanced with divine powers. Runes of Jergal engraved on it's side.

Effects:

Somekind power to enhance the bolts it fires. These bolts are able to carry the enhancement of the Jergalite runes the short while they fly, and cause harm to undeads. They are as hard as any rock, crushing otherwise durable bone, necromantic enhancements and so.

As a drawback, it draws negative energy on it's wielder. Do not get hit by magic of necromancers.

[Paha Poika]

Subject 2. Common large Arbalet, heavy.

Made of stern and durable wood, many possible choices.

Effects:

Determined by the size and properties of materials.

Current product is stiff, possibly harmful if cranked with bare hands. Uses a mechanical winch. Do not yank with fingers.

Possibilities for upgrading:

Magical enhancements to the current body.
- Druids are masters of wood, their powers could enhance the properties of the bow and it's wood to unkown limits.

Imbue the power of magical matter into the material.
- Possible essences, jewels, stones, even strangest of plants?

Combination of different materials.
- Switching bow, string, claws or smaller parts to materials that compliment one specific aspect.

!Chance for loss of limbs!

[Paha Poika]

Substances used in experiments can be used to imbue the effects of the materials.

Proper combinations created during making alchemist fire and acid.

Substance used in tanglefoot bags.

Choking powder.

All of the materials used have certain properties. Must find out more of their properties to use them in other ways or enhance it further.

[Paha Poika]

Conclave

Caliphar of Second degree, Xeral Al-Reja.
- Aiding in finding of Materials
- Cunning, witty and swift thinking man.

Request for guidance in matters of enhancing and imbueing materials. May have important opinions or even will to experiment with new chances. Equal trade for his aid is necessary.

Stargazers

Forget. No aid available.

Note: Prepare a lot of smelly powder.


Stewards

Jean
- May understand reason.
- Make sure she sees the benefits of helping, rather than not helping. Takes time to search alone, or find alternative ways.

Notes: Without aid of Stewards, woods may be harmed in blind search and experimenting, or unneeded cutting be made. They can aid in finding suitable materials and ways to achieve what is needed, without causing problems between us and their balance.

[Paha Poika]

NOTE

Small crossbows are too weak against many foes in this island. They do not work alone, they need special bolts.

[Paha Poika]

Subject 3. Optional materials

Crystallized ooze

Decaying properties. Acid, burn, melting of several strong substances. Has crystallized over weapons and armors at times and provided with possible enhanced properties without damaging the actual 'host'.

Success rate for imbuing: From possible to likely

Icecrystals

Same as before. Very usable element for imbuing new enhanced properties. Dust seems to radiate coldness even with innate heat. Very interesting.

Success rate for imbuing: Very good.

Purest of crystals or metals (diamond,jade?)

Extreme well cared properties of delivering sound and waves. Could be attuned to vibrate with the product and enhanced with gentle enhancing magic to provide strong and piercing launching of common bolts.

Success rate for imbuing: Good.

Duskwood

Strong as iron. Excellent material for bow, and uses winch to the fullest. Needs somekind persuading to be formed into wanted form and gently woodworking to create wanted properties.

Hard as iron, but still living material as a wood. Could be enhanced with druidic help to still keep regenerating and growing. Wooden bolts as strong as iron - Good.

Success rate for imbuing: Moderate - alot of aid needed.

[Paha Poika]

Planned materials

Wood

Must be from one of the oldest and strongest tree. Only cut what is needed, no more. Location is often in middle of the forests, but so are monsters around it.

Coating

Substance forwarded from Duskwood sap

Imbuing, reinforcements and enhancements

Reinforcements: Brass. Leads heat, fire, even lightning. Can be engineered to most magnificent lengths.

[Paha Poika]

Elm wood

Very strong and durable wood, but still flexible and living. Perfect.

The flexibility prevents unnecessary splitting and there is no sign of decaying even with long exposure to the moist and wet.

Planks of this size, few should do.

[Paha Poika]

Mithral

Strong. Durable, flexible and compared to iron and steel, nearly indestructible. Perfect.

Needed amount: One bar should do

Parts to be made: Reinforcements and braided fine string

Problems: Expensive, hard to obtain.

[Paha Poika]

Working Mithral

Time consuming, risky. Material is too valuable and rare to be ruined. It'll take slow care and time.

Several steps must be made. Heating to cleanse the impurities. Temperin. More heat. Tempering. More heat. Tempering. Heat, heat, heat.

Through repeating and forming, it'll slowly take form. But for it to be formed so small, delicate, and yet still strong pieces - Difficult. Challenging. Achievement worth of notice. It is treated and processed like steel, but it's delicate and still stronger. Must be done with care. Good old halfling ingenuity.

[Paha Poika]

Details

One must not forget details. They are the signature of the maker.

Work that performs well, is not necessarily beautiful. Yes.

Through my journey and explorations, I've found few interesting ideas that must be used.

A hide of wondrous and beautiful beast

It will make a good support to prevent splinting and softening the handle, as well as the bow.

Scope

What a wonderful thing. I got this idea from Sugriam. Very, very useful. I simply need to buy small, durable crystals, or glass.

Runestone

I've made many trips into the depths of the ziggurat, with many people. This is what I found, and is most interesting of the ones I did.

I will study it's markings and properties. It's lasted all those ages and waited for me. Someone worthy of using it.

This will make a good trench cover for the bolts, if it can direct any energies.

[Paha Poika]

Sea ivory

Wonderful, crystallized material. Seemingly from the depths of the ocean.

It has good properties to make an excellent trench.

Enough crystal, acid and heat. That'll allow me to mold it into right form.

[Paha Poika]

On the top of papers and notes, one stylished paper with one word is added

Misfortune