Molock on 7/12/2007 at 22:36
Rope fixed at the metal arrow head with rope wrapped around the arrow shaft. While shooting the arrow Garrett hooks one end of the rope to his girdle so the rope unwraps itself during flight. The metal arrow head has a very small diameter and is covered with a lot of tiny hooks. The arrow has a very limited range because of the unstable flight and weight of the arrow.
In other words the rope arrow is a small harpoon like the ones which are used to hunt whales and sharks.
Thats the only plausible solution to this miracle,.
Zillameth on 8/12/2007 at 00:43
Sounds good. The rope is only some 20 metres long, so the arrow doesn't really need to fly any further.
But I think the demon theory is more consistent with the setting. Remember the stained glass skylight at Constantine's mansion? I think it's not really a picture of a hangman. It's a protrait of Constantine's favourite rope.
Ever wondered why Constantine doesn't have a cat? Or a rat? Or a hamster? They hate demons! My cats keep trying to chew my cords all the time. One day one of them is going to get smitten by the mystic energy that flows inside...
jtr7 on 8/12/2007 at 01:14
LOL!:laff:
Beleg Cúthalion on 8/12/2007 at 08:59
I'm glad I only have a few leather belts in my room. :weird:
In fact someone should not be able to shoot an arrow with a rope wrapped around the shaft. Since you don't have a [I dunno what it's called in English; this space in the middle of the bow's grip that leaves the arrow in the center while shooting] the arrow would be far too big and aim a lot to the left. That's why I suggested some thin rope, most likely lying on the ground or somewhere where it can easily "unwrap" and follow the arrow. Then you pull the real rope thropugh the arrow head while pulling the thin rope down.
I think that's quite unpractical for a video game and even in real life, and that must be the reason why there have surely been only few real rope arrows in history. If there were any at all, but I'm often surprised what people invented to kill or harm each other.
nicked on 8/12/2007 at 10:28
I think a rope crossbow bolt would be a lot easier - one with a big grappling hook on the end. See the Helm's Deep battle in Two Towers, but on a smaller scale.
Beleg Cúthalion on 8/12/2007 at 13:17
That would require something to shoot it around. Plus, crossbows usually need further equipment to draw the string, at least stirrups, although I cannot find historical evidence that they pulled back the string with their hands only like one can do with modern crossbows. And personally I think crossbow bolts are less stable during the flight. But I have though of those ballistae, too.
Molock on 8/12/2007 at 15:51
Quote Posted by Beleg Cúthalion
That would recommend something to shoot it
around. Plus, crossbows usually need further equipment to draw the string, at least stirrups, although I cannot find historical evidence that they pulled back the string with their hands only like one can do with modern crossbows. And personally I think crossbow bolts are less stable during the flight. But I have though of those ballistae, too.
Back in time crossbow infantry men used to use a crank with a gear on it, they attached it after they fired the bolt to the crossbows stock. There is a rail with a sawtooth-like profile on the stock which fits to the gear of the crank, the string is attached to that rail. With five or four turns the crossbow was fully drawn and the crank was removed. Some of the cranks worked with strings too, but mostly it was a rail under the string.
Inline Image:
http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/crossbow-3.gifCrossbows are as stable as a arrow in flight, the only problem is that the bolt is shorter than the arrow and so it has a less good sectional density which means in deaccelerates faster. Crossbows have less range... But powerwise they were as good and sometimes even better at penetrating armor and flesh, lots of crossbows were so strong that they put the bolt right though a man armored with a chainmail.
The less powerful versions were hand-drawn, there was a sling at the front of the crossbow for your forefoot so you can use both hands to draw the string. Picture:
Inline Image:
http://www.shoshone.k12.id.us/medieval/images/crossbow.jpgBeleg Cúthalion on 8/12/2007 at 16:40
There were also versions with a lever (goat's foot we say here) and I think one version where you have both the stirrups (like the last crossbow you posted) and some hooks at your own belt for the string. Summa summarum, not really an alternative.
Quote:
Crossbows are as stable as a arrow in flight, the only problem is that the bolt is shorter than the arrow and so it has a less good sectional density which means in deaccelerates faster.
That's what I meant. Somehow. I think even an arrow will start to make funny things in mid-air, but a bolt will surely go down when there's a rope attatched to it.
I just have to find someone who can forge or at least weld me a loop onto my little AP arrow head...:sly:
Molock on 8/12/2007 at 17:05
Quote Posted by Beleg Cúthalion
I think even an arrow will start to make funny things in mid-air, but a bolt will surely go down when there's a rope attatched to it.
When you release the drawn bow string the arrow head stays in place because its heavier than the arrow shaft, the arrow shaft bends really hard to the left until the head of the arrow starts to move. Until another bend to the right the 3 plumes on the arrow will stabilize the flight.
If the arrow does not bend it breaks and you get its pieces into your hand.
An arrow very tightly wrapped with a small rope ( approx. .70 inches wide, 3 metres long) could be shot from a 100 pounds bow, but the arrowhead must be heavier than the whole rope to ensure a straight flight.- Otherwise the arrow would spin like a frisbee.
I guess that would make a head of approx. 400-500 grains. Thats a heavy war-arrow head like a fat broadhead or a ''swallowtail'' Iam very sure with the right equipment you could make a bow shooting an arrow with a rope attached to it.
