Questioning Chirine ba Kal on the Original Game(s)

[Deleted]

Understood; makes perfect sense to me, as I run into the same issues with some PDFs. I'd be making sure that everything was set up properly before I uploaded the thing, just to avoid these issues. You'd be amazed at how often supposedly-professional people forget to do the simplest proof-reading and trial printing of things.

Agreed about the costs, too. I'm in a little bit different position, as we routinely print things here in the home office using three-whole paper, and I get three-ring binders by the dozens for free. As the book is looking to be something like 600 pages in manuscript, even this is a little daunting, so my archive copy will likely be from lulu or PoD. They'll get any money, and I'll have you bemused by the book - and hopefully, our adventures!

[Deleted]

After watching some of the various threads on this very useful forum, I'm struck by just how little I have in common with most - if not all - of the people here. Not that I mind; different play styles for different people, as has been said by a number of good folks. So, to each their own, and have an enjoyable time.

If you need to get a hold of me, my e-mail address is on my blog, top of the right-hand column.

[foxroe]

Oh man.

[owlorbs]

Well, dang.

[jeffb]

??

[derv]

Jul 6, 2017 16:42:18 GMT -6 chirinebakal said:

Jul 6, 2017 9:57:34 GMT -6 foxroe said:

I'm a bit of an archery nut, so forgive these specialty-oriented questions. Did Phil ever describe (or have in mind) what the bows were like in the Five Empires? I picture Tsolyani bows to be very ornate, something like the bows produced by the Ottoman Empire, but that's just me. Is Chlen hide considered "springy" enough to make decent bows, or was there a particular wood species or creature/animal horn native to Tekumel that was preferred?

EDIT: Actually, digging through the Sourcebook, it looks like Seresh wood is the preferred bow wood; however, my other inquiries still stand (decoration, shape, type of horn used in composites, is chlen hide viable, etc.)

Yes, Phil did have this in mind and was very explicit about this. May I suggest reading the book he used as his guide to this subject?

www.amazon.com/Book-Crossbow-Additional-Catapults-Military/dp/0486287203

This book has all sorts of useful information, both about crossbows and bows, as well as about siege engines. Phil used the experimental data that the good Baronet generated for his missile weapons in his world. Phil was also right up front that his Tekumelyani archers had weapons that were as richly decorated and embellished as anything the Ottomans or Mughals had used, and he drew them that way. Phil highly commended this book, and I am the proud owner of a facsimile copy of the original edition.

The book is also available on the Internet Archive

[foxroe]

Awesome, thanks derv!