Bowtractors

Bowtractors are semi-portable, mounted weapons that are very similar to crossbows in many respects, except that most bowtractors are more powerful and heavier than even the Arbalests used by heavy crossbow infantry. So named for how they mechanically assist the user in pulling back the bowstring, they have an incredibly high draw strength and great precision. They can launch an ordinary bolt or specialized heavy bolts at a target over 100 meters away with enough strength to punch through heavy armor. Primitive variations were used to offset the advantage that Cyanni longbowmen had during the Cyanni War, and soon got put to use as defensive weapons against Apogees and other monsters. Bowtractors showed how devestating ranged weapons could be in the hands of ordinary soldiers and led to the development of the crossbow.
Old Bowtractors were displaced from their original row as a crude arrow launcher by the crossbow and instead took on the role of light artillery mounts, gradually becoming more powerful and designed to fire heavier bolts. They can even fire explosive-loaded bolts for extra devestation. In their modern form Bowtractors are often a cheap alternative for when a hwacha or ballista is unavailable. They have also been found to devastate incoming aerial foes especially when these foes are marines attempting to board a ship. Thus many warships, such as the Jasani Sakurti Diver may possess dozens of these on fixed mounts. Modern bowtractors were used by both sides during the Jasani conflicts.

Mechanics & Inner Workings

Though it is a powerful weapon, its design is very simple. The Bowtractor is essentially a large crossbow (or tiny ballista, depending on how you'd like to think of it) with a hand crank to draw back the string and hold it until fired. It eases the burden placed on the user simply by using gear sizes in a way that optimally balances mechanical advantage and speed. It is then mounted on a wooden tripod or other legs to use as a stable platform for swiveling it around and aiming. A simple trigger releases the bolt.

Significance

As most Avani are unable to effectively use bows of enough power to be useful in combat, the bowcaster was an early predecessor of the modern crossbow designed to assist in throwing an arrow. For nearly every Avani race except the Cyanni, this is one of the only ranged weapons that an infantry soldier can use.

Item type

Weapon, Ranged

Rarity

Extremely Common -any military that wants to be a military has these

Weight

20-40 flaps (.5-1 pound)

Dimensions

3-5 spans height (.75-1.25 feet), 6-12 span bowlength (1.5-3 feet)

Base Price

about 60 Commons