I find your discourse fair and reasonable. Before I move on, I only wish to rebut one point.
Prysus wrote:Glistam wrote:In summary, per the W.P. the Net is typically a Slaver and Gladiator weapon - While the Gladiator may favor the melee capability, I stongly believe it's the Slaver reveling in the ranged functionality who uses the net for its true purpose.
I would agree with you in concept as well. The only problem with that is what the book actually tells us. I'll quote it for you ...
Palladium Fantasy, Second Edition; page 60 wrote:W.P. Net: Primarily a gladiator or slaver's skill, the net is used to trip an opponent (same as the grappling hook), parry or snare/entangle.
[snip]
In addition to the regular entangle attack, there are two other types of attacks possible with a net:
The book tells us the the regular (primary) attack is to "entangle." Throwing the net is listed as one of the "other" attacks (which is why I said secondary or tertiary earlier).
The book does not tell us that entangling is a "primary" attack. It tells us that the net can do a "regular entangling" attack (as in, per the combat definition section), as well as two other types of attacks it then proceeds to describe. It never calls out any of the five (5) types of available attacks as more or less significant (primary, secondary, tertiary, etc) to the user. Whereas throwing is specifically called out for Polearms, Battleaxes, and Swords in those W.P.'s as something those weapons are not designed to do.
That said, I've prepared a secondary entry.
A grizzled old woodsman stood in the clan hall of the Northolme Dwarves. He was talking to a representative of the master craftsmen known as 'The Hex.' He wished to utilize their services. "These are the best and most unique arrowheads I've found in all of the world," he said as he spilled out a small sack filled with three types of unique arrowheads. "Think The Hex can make 'em better?" The pile between them consisted of Broadhead arrowheads from the Shadow Colonies, Multi-Blade arrowheads from the Western Empire, and Whistler arrowheads from the Baalgor Wastelands.
The representative examined one of each. "I don't think they can do much with this one," he said, looking at a Broadhead arrowhead. "But these other two have some intricacies which can benefit from our skills. This won't be cheap, you know."
"Of course," the old man responded. "But you need to use these ores for their construction." He dumped out another sack and two different metals tumbled out. The representative didn't recognize the black iron ore but his eyes went a little wide at the Korobite. "Obviously this isn't enough for how many I need, but I have more of both which I will provide once we've made this deal." He smiled at the shocked Dwarf, who simply nodded.
"How many do you need?" The Dwarf asked.
"As many as you can make with this," the old woodsman replied. He then whistled, and four handlers who had been waiting outside walked in with two medium-sized chests. They set the chests down and backed away while the old man pulled out a key and unlocked each one. He flipped up the lids and revealed that each chest was full of the two metals. "Now," he said confidently. "Let's talk price."
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"You want me to what?" The wizened old Elf asked incredulously. "I am not a factory of arrows, you idiotic barbarian. Especially with this... this... collection of absurd materials. Flexible white metal? Wood as hard as stone? Where did you even acquire such ludicrous things? And don't even get me started on those pompous arrowheads you expect me to use. This whole endeavor is just insulting."
"Look, I mean no offense Everall, but the fact is that these are special arrowheads and I want to make sure they're properly built into quality arrows. And these materials are special in their own way. Like the Yellow Wood you favor. Just different. But, I can see you aren't interested. I guess I should pack up and start the trek to Rankin, in Timiro. What's that Fletcher's name there? He'll probably help me."
"Now you insult me further by mentioning that classless hack Magistar? He doesn't even-"
The woodsman cut him off. "Yep, that's him. You know, I thought about going there with this request first. But I didn't want to put these quality arrowheads on inferior arrows." Everall raised an eyebrow at hearing that. The woodsman continues, silently pleased. He pointed to his longbow propped up near the door. "Plus, you made me that special longbow years ago and it's served me well since then. Even saved my life on more than one occasion. How could I justify going to Magistar when the best Fletcher was right here?" The old woodsman smiled at Everall and waited to see if flattery would succeed where money had failed.
"Well of course, if you want the best, there's no-where else to go," Everall said confidently and immodestly. He sighed and looked at the materials again. "There's a waiting list, and it won't be cheap," he announced as he carefully picked up the arrowheads and all the other raw materials the woodsman had laid out.
"Of course," the woodsman said, grinning. "Nothing of real value ever is."
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Treymon's Eclectic ArrowsThis ranged weapon starts as a "standard" longbow from the Fletcher Everall (Eastern Territories page 171). The longbow has a base effective range of 720 feet and all arrows fired from it inflict an additional +3 to damage.
The arrows this weapon fires, however, are far from "standard." Treymon spent years traveling the Palladium world and paid close attention to the different types of bows and arrows in use throughout the world. When he finally had collected a reasonable sampling of them (as well as the materials for their construction), he then sought out the best craftsmen in the world to combine them. He now believes he possesses several potent varieties of some of the most lethal, non-magical, man-sized ranged weaponry in the world. The various arrows he had made and keeps in his quiver are as follows:
(Note: all arrows described below are Long Bow arrows)
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White Iron shaft with a Korobite coated Black Iron "Whistler" arrowhead: Treymon likes to use this arrow to start the battles. +2 to strike, 2D6+4 damage, does damage (or extra damage) to those with a vulnerability to silver, enemies hearing this arrow fly through the air for the first time must save vs a H.F. of 10, add 40 feet to the arrow's normal range, arrow shaft ignores the first 20 points of damage and takes half damage from lightning, arrowhead holds its edge 10× longer than standard steel and takes half damage from fire.
(Sources: Everall's arrow crafting (Eastern Territory pg 171), The Hex craftsmanship (Eastern Territory page 80), Korobite properties (Northern Hinterlands page 55), White Iron properties (Northern Hinterlands page 56), Black Iron properties (Northern Hinterlands page 56), Ab'al's Whistler arrowheads (Baalgor Wastelands page 133-134))
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White Iron shaft with a Korobite coated Black Iron "Multi-Blade" arrowhead: This arrow sacrifices some damage for accuracy, but sometimes is worth it. +2 to strike, 2D6+12 damage, does damage (or extra damage) to those with a vulnerability to silver, add 40 feet to the arrow's normal range, arrow shaft ignores the first 20 points of damage and takes half damage from lightning, arrowhead holds its edge 10× longer than standard steel and takes half damage from fire.
(Sources: Everall's arrow crafting (Eastern Territory pg 171), The Hex craftsmanship (Eastern Territory page 80), Korobite properties (Northern Hinterlands page 55), White Iron properties (Northern Hinterlands page 56), Black Iron properties (Northern Hinterlands page 56), Multi-Blade arrowheads of House Bereggia (Western Empire page 127))
•
Yellow Wood shaft with a Korobite coated Black Iron "Multi-Blade" arrowhead: Treymon would consider this his "standard" arrow to use when he needs his full range. +1 to strike, 2D6+14 damage, does damage (or extra damage) to those with a vulnerability to silver, add 40 feet to the arrow's normal range, arrow shaft is twice as difficult to ignite as normal wood but burns twice as hot, arrowhead holds its edge 10× longer than standard steel and takes half damage from fire.
(Sources: Everall's arrow crafting (Eastern Territory pg 171), The Hex craftsmanship (Eastern Territory page 80), Korobite properties (Northern Hinterlands page 55), Yellow Wood properties (Eastern Territory pages 42 and 224), Black Iron properties (Northern Hinterlands page 56), Multi-Blade arrowheads of House Bereggia (Western Empire page 127))
•
Stone Wood shaft with a Korobite coated Black Iron "Multi-Blade" arrowhead: This is Treymon's hardest hitting arrow, and one he doesn't hesitate to use when the enemy is within a shorter range. +1 to strike, 3D6+12 damage, range is only half normal but add +20 feet to that, arrowhead holds its edge 10× longer than standard steel and takes half damage from fire.
(Sources: Everall's arrow crafting (Eastern Territory pg 171), The Hex craftsmanship (Eastern Territory page 80), Korobite properties (Northern Hinterlands page 55), Stone Wood properties (Northern Hinterlands page 59), Black Iron properties (Northern Hinterlands page 56), Multi-Blade arrowheads of House Bereggia (Western Empire page 127))
•
Yellow Wood shaft with an "Arrowhead Quill" arrowhead: Not the hardest hitting of his arrows, but Treymon has found the barbed quills to be quite effective for enemies he needs to chase or slow down. +1 to strike, 2D6+2 damage, add 40 feet to the arrow's normal range, arrow shaft is twice as difficult to ignite as normal wood but burns twice as hot, arrowhead quill will embed itself into the flesh and muscle under the skin of the enemy, requiring it to be "dug" and/or "pulled" out like giant a giant splinter, causing another 1D4 points of damage to remove it. Not removing the arrowhead quill causes an additional 1D4 points of damage an hour, and healing can NOT be performed until after the arrowhead has been removed. Having one stuck in the character's body causes debilitating pain (reduce speed by 30% if shot in the leg, 10% for anywhere else on the body and -1 to all combat moves such as strike, parry, etc.)
(Sources: Everall's arrow crafting (Eastern Territory pg 171), Yellow Wood properties (Eastern Territory pages 42 and 224), Arrowhead Monster Quills (Northern Hinterlands page 93))
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Stone Wood shaft with an "Arrowhead Quill" arrowhead: Similar to the Yellow Wood arrow, this hits a little harder but sacrifices a lot of range to do so. +1 to strike, 3D6 damage, range is only half normal but add +20 feet to that, arrowhead quill will embed itself into the flesh and muscle under the skin of the enemy, requiring it to be "dug" and/or "pulled" out like giant a giant splinter, causing another 1D4 points of damage to remove it. Not removing the arrowhead quill causes an additional 1D4 points of damage an hour, and healing can NOT be performed until after the arrowhead has been removed. Having one stuck in the character's body causes debilitating pain (reduce speed by 30% if shot in the leg, 10% for anywhere else on the body and -1 to all combat moves such as strike, parry, etc.)
(Sources: Everall's arrow crafting (Eastern Territory pg 171), Yellow Wood properties (Eastern Territory pages 42 and 224), Arrowhead Monster Quills (Northern Hinterlands page 93))
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Panath Tree wood shaft with a Korobite coated Black Iron "Multi-Blade" arrowhead: This was supposed to be good against Vampires, but Treymon was pleasantly surprised to find these arrows very effective against
all undead - this has become his arrow of choice against such monstrosities. +1 to strike (+3 to strike the undead), 2D6+12 damage (4D6+12 damage to the undead), does damage (or extra damage) to those with a vulnerability to silver, add 40 feet to the arrow's normal range, arrow shaft burns amazingly fast at very high heat, arrowhead holds its edge 10× longer than standard steel and takes half damage from fire.
(Sources: Everall's arrow crafting (Eastern Territory pg 171), The Hex craftsmanship (Eastern Territory page 80), Korobite properties (Northern Hinterlands page 55), Panath Tree properties (Dragons and Gods pages 111-112), Black Iron properties (Northern Hinterlands page 56), Multi-Blade arrowheads of House Bereggia (Western Empire page 127))
To be honest, I'm not sure how this should be judged, or if I even formatted it properly. Do I just pick one arrow to pair with the bow? The bow would be paired with a quiver that contains an assortment of all these arrows.
I'd also like to go on record as stating that I really dislike how Palladium just introduces N.P.C.'s who can give special bonuses to items they craft with no explanation of how they do it (or more accurately, with no explanation of how a P.C. could achieve that ability or one similar).