by Colin Chapman
Barbed
Barbed arrows are often used by the Za, although they are available in other cultures. Upon initial impact, barbed arrows and bolts inflict damage identical to that of the weapon's standard. However, barbed arrows and bolts can be very difficult to remove (make a successful Dexterity, Healing skill, or healing spell roll, or the victim suffers an additional point of damage).
Blunt
Blunt-tipped arrows and bolts are primarily used when hunting avir, and other small prey that can be rendered useless with the use of standard ammunition. The Gryphs often use blunt bolts for their heavy crossbows, and blunt ammunition also has the benefit that the damage it causes (to anything but small prey, anyway) is stun only. Ariane arrows are blunt, although they are more expensive due to the fact that whitewood and purple stone are used in their construction.
Grapnel
These extremely rare arrows and bolts feature a small iron grapnel instead of the usual arrow head, and may be fired at a location the individual wishes to climb, propelling the grapnel a longer distance than it could be thrown, and with greater accuracy. A thin but durable climbing cord is attached to the arrow or bolt, although use of this specialist ammunition reduces the effective range of the missile weapon used to fire it, by 75%. Fired at a target with intent to harm, this arrow head only does half damage.
Incendiary
The head of this arrow or bolt is actually a tightly-packed cloth ball filled with oil-soaked rag and pitch, making it extremely easy to ignite, and difficult to extinguish. This specialist ammunition is obviously used to set fire to flammable targets, including wooden constructs. When fired with intent to harm with impact, this missile only does 1-2 points of stun/subdual damage, at most, and cannot penetrate armor. When lit, such an arrow also makes a useful signal flare during the hours of darkness.
Rope Cutter
This incredibly specialised arrow head is shaped like a crescent, the inside curve of which is sharpened, making it ideal for firing at, and slicing through, rope and cord. GM's should reduce any stunt penalties for cutting through rope or cord with such an arrow, by half. This arrow does 2 points less damage when fired at a target.
Whistler
The head of this arrow or bolt is bulb-shaped, and pierced with whistle-like holes. When fired, it gives of a loud and shrill whistling noise, making it useful as a signalling device, as well as for scaring off some animals and primitives. This ammunition also only does stun/subdual damage, and cannot penetrate armor.
Note: Repeating crossbows cannot use specialist ammunition. All costs below are for a single arrow/bolt/dart of that type, for that weapon. Dart-thrower darts are too small to bear effective grapnels.
Weapon | Barbed | Blunt | Grapnel | Incendiary | Rope Cutter | Whistler |
Dart-thrower | 2 s.p. | 1 s.p. | NA | 1 s.p. | 3 s.p. | 2 s.p. |
Giant Bow | 5 s.p. | 2 s.p. 5 c.p. | 5 s.p. | 2 s.p. 5 c.p. | 7 s.p. 5 c.p. | 5 s.p. |
Hvy Xbow or Krin | 2 s.p. | 1 s.p. | 3 s.p. | 1 s.p. | 3 s.p. | 2 s.p. |
Lt Xbow orHurlant | 1 s.p. | 5 c.p. | 2 s.p. 5 c.p. | 5 c.p. | 1 s.p. 5 c.p. | 1 s.p. |
Long Bow | 1 s.p. | 5 c.p. | 2 s.p. 5 c.p. | 5 c.p. | 1 s.p. 5 c.p. | 1 s.p. |
Short Bow | 5 c.p. | 3 c.p. | 2 s.p. 3 c.p. | 3 c.p. | 8 c.p. | 5 c.p. |
Tri-bow | 3 s.p. 5 c.p. | 1 s.p. 7 c.p. | 3 s.p. 7 c.p. | 1 s.p. 7 c.p. | 5 s.p. | 3 s.p. 5 c.p. |
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