Post by The Smith on Apr 13, 2008 13:42:30 GMT -5
Osmund sweated over the forge as he heaved the molten metal into the moulds had crafted earlier. This was the fourth of fifth attempt he had tried at the mouldings – earlier ones had proven too frail or too complex to craft. He began now to see why the shape and design of the crossbow had not been changed in little over one hundred years. But still he persevered and felt this latest design stood the best chance of working to his satisfaction. He waited for the metal to cool rather than quench it – an earlier attempt to do so had nearly cost him an eye as the metal spat out. He went back to work on the stock. He’d paid a local carpenter to create these as his skill with wood was good enough for timber but not for fine craftsmanship. He cut into it and smoothed and sanded the sections that would house the metal pieces of the new crossbow. After a few hours, the metal had cooled sufficiently to be merely warm to the touch and he gently tapped it out from the mould and examined it as he removed the excess flakes of metal. He slotted the pieces into the wooden housing and sealed it in with a powerful adhesive and pressed firmly, careful not to get his own fingers stuck.
He left it and went back to examine the miniature bolts he had made for the device. They were light and small enough to be carried without a large quiver and he had experimented with using a wooden compartment to hold them under the crossbow. This proved to unbalance the device for now though and he settled for having a strap holder to be worn on the man’s leg instead.
He slotted a bolt into the firing mechanism of the crossbow and went to the back of his shop where he had placed a small straw target. He calmed himself, took careful aim and fired into it. There was little recoil and the bolt spent into the centre with a quiet thunk. He went over and removed it. It had not penetrated more than about 5 or 6 inches but that was enough to inflict deadly wounds considering the distances mentioned by Ser Redfort so he shrugged and tried a few more shots with it at various heights, speed and distances before he considered himself satisfied that he had fulfilled his contract.
He created about 10 more over the course of the next few days before sending a messenger to Ser Patrek to advise that the first shipment was ready
Results:
Osmund improves towards Grandmaster Smithing & General Ironmongery
Osmund gains Beginner Crossbow
He left it and went back to examine the miniature bolts he had made for the device. They were light and small enough to be carried without a large quiver and he had experimented with using a wooden compartment to hold them under the crossbow. This proved to unbalance the device for now though and he settled for having a strap holder to be worn on the man’s leg instead.
He slotted a bolt into the firing mechanism of the crossbow and went to the back of his shop where he had placed a small straw target. He calmed himself, took careful aim and fired into it. There was little recoil and the bolt spent into the centre with a quiet thunk. He went over and removed it. It had not penetrated more than about 5 or 6 inches but that was enough to inflict deadly wounds considering the distances mentioned by Ser Redfort so he shrugged and tried a few more shots with it at various heights, speed and distances before he considered himself satisfied that he had fulfilled his contract.
He created about 10 more over the course of the next few days before sending a messenger to Ser Patrek to advise that the first shipment was ready
Results:
Osmund improves towards Grandmaster Smithing & General Ironmongery
Osmund gains Beginner Crossbow