Archer
History of Archery
Prehistoric Era
One of the most prolific hunting tools that proved very effective for killing other people. Arrows were discovered in a cave in the Nala Jungle such as sites as Tabasdy Cave, where arrowheads have been found, dating approximately -74,000 and -63,000 years ago. Archery was likely developed in several places more-or-less simultaneously and was used on every continent by all sorts of people. Until the advent of gunpowder, and even after in some cases, it was the primary light projectile weapon. Not much good for a melee fight though; therefore archers were usually integrated or protected by heavier infantry, the first combined-arms formations in the history of warfare. Over centuries archers became more specialized, eventually requiring years to become experts at their craft. But most civilizations had elite archery units that could dominate a battlefield under the proper conditions - such as against mired heavy knights at Crìochan, or bare-chested barbarians at the Vast Pinnacle, or the evil clerics and hellspawn at the Battle of Emridy Meadows. The earliest depictions of combat, found in the themmit basin cave art of the Merithic Era, shows dwarven battles between archers. A group of three archers encircled by a group of four is found in Uamh Serin, Candida a ’chailleach, Mercantile Republic.Late Dominadraco Era and the Old Stone Age
The oldest Dominadraco bow known from Cormanthyr was found in anaerobic layers of ice dating between -7,500 and -7,200 bp. The intact specimen is short at 0.9m (36in), has a carved D-shaped cross-section, and is made of yew wood. Ironwood wrist-guards, interpreted as natural versions of hide bracers, defining part of the bosmarian culture, and arrowheads are commonly found in bosmer graves. Arrow injuries have been found on skulls of skeletons recovered from various burial sites that date from -4,500 and -3,900 bp.Merithic Era and the Copper Age
Chariote-borne archers became a defining feature of the early and middle Copper Era warfare, from the Themmit Desert to the Spine of the World and the Themmit Tablelands.Middle Ancient Era and the Bronze Age
At the turn of the 1st century, Flavius Palpellius Colias wrote in his De Re Militari about the importance of archery. His reforms to focus on a master overseeing the training of a third or fourth of recruits in archery would shape the rest of the Ancient Era.Decline of Archery
The advent of firearms eventually rendered bows obsolete in warfare. Despite the high social status, ongoing utility, and widespread pleasure of archery, almost every culture that gained access to even early firearms used them widely, to the relative neglect of archery."Have them bring as many guns as possible, for no other equipment is needed. Give strict orders that all men, even the samurai, carry guns."Ongoing use of bows and arrows was maintained in isolated cultures with little or no contact with the outside world.
Recreational Revival
The Dra initiated a major revival of archery as an upper-class pursuit from about 3560 - 3610. Early recreational archery societies included the Forsakenbow Archers and the Windmanes, established in 3528. It remains a small and scattered pastime with many aristocratic societies being setup throughout the Dalelands and Cormanthyr Empire, each with their own strict entry rules and outlandish outfits.Composition
Weaponry
Bow, quiver or bundle of arrows.
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