Arbalest

A large two-handed projectile weapon that launches heavy bolts by storing and releasing tension through reinforced limbs and geared mechanisms, typically requiring bracing or a stability stand for effective use. Produced by Vigilance Mining Guild, it follows a low-technology design philosophy, allowing operator skill to influence performance more directly than automated systems. The platform emphasizes high stopping power and extended range, though it is bulky, difficult to handle, and must be manually rearmed after each shot. The Arbalest prioritizes output and distance over ease of use, achieving extremely long effective range for a weapon of its class while demanding setup and deliberate operation.

“That fracture pattern—clean penetration, catastrophic cranial failure… it’s too focused. Too deliberate. On a dragon fossil of this size, it supports the proto-unicorn hypothesis. A horn of sufficient mass and velocity could—”

“It’s an arbalest impact. This is the work of ancient dwarven void dragon slayers.”

“…That’s not possible. The specimen predates advanced Dvergrcraft by several epochs. There’s no evidence they could produce that level of force at the time.”

“They can.”

“…Can?”

“They’re still making them.”