Seruic Ballistae

A weapon to fight dragons

Seruic ballistae are torsion-powered bolt throwers. Built from a combination of wood and metal, they are a common sight on the high walls of Seruic castles.

Mechanics

In simple terms, a ballista is a bow that is mounted on a stand and fires metal bolts instead of arrows. With the help of torsion, ballistae can fire bolts further and with more power than a manual long- or shortbow.
The main structure of a ballista, known as the stand, is constructed from wood and held together with iron plates. On top of the stand is a wooden slider, into which metal bolts are loaded by the ballista operator, and the bow arms, which, for all intents and purposes, is similar to a manual bow. Torsion springs made of animal sinew - often deer - are attached to the bow arms, which are in turn attached to the bowstring. Attached to the slider at the back are a pair of winches and a claw, which are used to ratchet the bowstring back into an armed firing position.
To arm the ballista, the operator loads a bolt into the slider and ratchets the bowstring using the winches. The already-taut torsion springs are stretched further, storing more energy the tighter the bowstring is ratcheted. To fire, the operator releases the catch on the ballista, which releases the stored energy and fires the bolt to devastating effect.

History

Ballistae were developed in Serukis after the First Dragon War, which took place towards the end of 3959 EA. Though the war had been ended by a truce, the Seruic people were nervous of the dragons' aerial superiority and wanted a way to combat that if they ever went to war again.
By 3979 EA, the first prototypes of the ballistae had been developed. As the Seruic people were building their castles across the country, they made sure that ballistae were installed on their high walls. Just in case.
When the Second Dragon War began in 4462 EA, the ballistae were used to great effect. This time, the Seruic people were no longer out-matched. Along with some dragons betraying their own, ballistae contributed heavily to the Seruic people winning this conflict.

by Pearson Scott Foresman

Needles

Needles is the largest example of a ballista in Serukis. Commissioned by the High Lord Ereth during the Second Dragon War, it was designed so that it could fire five bolts at once.
It currently sits atop the highest tower of The Frozen Keep, guarding the skies from what the Ereth family believe is the dragons' inevitable return.