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Wenin
Senior Scribe
585 Posts |
 Posted - 29 May 2019 : 14:51:26
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An image search reveals farm implements. Anyone seen an artist rendition of this military weapon?
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Session Reports posted at RPG Geek.
Stem the Tide Takes place in Mistledale.
Dark Curtains - Takes place in the Savage North, starting in Nesmé. I wrapped my campaign into the Hoard of the Dragon Queen, but it takes place in 1372 DR. |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7989 Posts |
Posted - 29 May 2019 : 15:54:43
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What kind of weapon is a "Mithral Hall Side Slinger"? From what published source(s)?
Is it a prominent thing or just a passingly-mentioned obscurity? Is it known by other names? Is it canon or fanon?
Many military weapons were derived from common tools and farm implements. Although "Mithral Hall" suggests dwarves and underground stuff, I'd expect their weapons to be derived more from mining and forging than from farming. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4690 Posts |
Posted - 29 May 2019 : 16:54:00
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| "Side-slinger ballistae" is written in the prologue of Vengeance of the Iron Dwarf by R. A. Salvatore. There is no description of it in the prologue. |
"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
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Eilserus
Master of Realmslore
USA
1446 Posts |
Posted - 29 May 2019 : 18:09:04
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| I thought it was a catapult, looks like it was a ballistae, mounted on a wall that swings to the side inside of up in an arc. Pwent used one in Siege of Darkness to shoot himself around a corner to get to Uthegental Del'Armgo. Gauntlgrym, when it was being retaken had some of them installed on the walls in or near the throne room when they were fortifying. |
Edited by - Eilserus on 29 May 2019 18:10:09 |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7989 Posts |
Posted - 29 May 2019 : 18:25:44
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"Ballista" could technically refer to anything from a wagon-sized siege engine to a one-handed crossbow which fits on your belt.
But there were all sorts of variations and refinements. Especially on those which had to be portable (taken to the battlefield instead of built into the defenses). I'm guessing (from the name) that a "side-slinger" uses side-mounted elastic slings instead of the common crossbow arches ... maybe something like this?
(You could always ask RAS what sort of weapon he was thinking of or what sort of weapon inspired him when he wrote the text, lol.) |
[/Ayrik] |
Edited by - Ayrik on 29 May 2019 20:13:55 |
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Wenin
Senior Scribe
585 Posts |
Posted - 29 May 2019 : 19:57:45
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I've recently finished the companion Codex series by Salvatore. It's mentioned multiple times through the books, and I recall it being referenced long ago when I was reading novels in the 90s. They are a known instrument used in Mithral Hall. Im sure Salvatore has given a description in the past, i vaguely recall reading a description, but Im looking for an artist's representation.
Here is an excerpt from siege of darkness
Mounted against that left-hand wall, just bend the dude tunnel, was a curious contraption, a deadly dwarven side-slinger catapult, with a short, string arm that whipped around to the side, not over the
The quote I found online is cut short there. |
Session Reports posted at RPG Geek.
Stem the Tide Takes place in Mistledale.
Dark Curtains - Takes place in the Savage North, starting in Nesmé. I wrapped my campaign into the Hoard of the Dragon Queen, but it takes place in 1372 DR. |
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6673 Posts |
Posted - 29 May 2019 : 22:17:57
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I always thought it was a catapult that shot horizontally rather than vertically.
-- George Krashos |
"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3745 Posts |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36830 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2019 : 03:08:24
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quote:
Originally posted by Ayrik
What kind of weapon is a "Mithral Hall Side Slinger"?
It's used in dwarven restaurants, to put other foods next to the main course. "One baked potato, coming right up!" Thwang! (a baked potato soars across the room, a thin stream of sour cream trailing in its wake)
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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The Red Walker
Great Reader
USA
3567 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2019 : 04:27:18
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Ayrik
What kind of weapon is a "Mithral Hall Side Slinger"?
It's used in dwarven restaurants, to put other foods next to the main course. "One baked potato, coming right up!" Thwang! (a baked potato soars across the room, a thin stream of sour cream trailing in its wake)
A Gnomish potato finger? |
A little nonsense now and then, relished by the wisest men - Willy Wonka
"We need men who can dream of things that never were." -
John F. Kennedy, speech in Dublin, Ireland, June 28, 1963
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The Red Walker
Great Reader
USA
3567 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2019 : 04:32:34
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Ayrik
What kind of weapon is a "Mithral Hall Side Slinger"?
It's used in dwarven restaurants, to put other foods next to the main course. "One baked potato, coming right up!" Thwang! (a baked potato soars across the room, a thin stream of sour cream trailing in its wake)
A Gnomish potato finger? |
A little nonsense now and then, relished by the wisest men - Willy Wonka
"We need men who can dream of things that never were." -
John F. Kennedy, speech in Dublin, Ireland, June 28, 1963
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7989 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2019 : 05:40:25
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quote:
A Gnomish potato finger?
Gnomes have probably invented a variety of convoluted table-sized machines for potato flinging.
Not like halfling food fights which only involve slings and slingshots. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36830 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2019 : 10:04:39
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quote:
Originally posted by Ayrik
quote:
A Gnomish potato finger?
Gnomes have probably invented a variety of convoluted table-sized machines for potato flinging.
Not like halfling food fights which only involve slings and slingshots.
I'm told it's considered bad form to use siege weapons during a food fight. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Wenin
Senior Scribe
585 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2019 : 15:44:46
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Ayrik
quote:
A Gnomish potato finger?
Gnomes have probably invented a variety of convoluted table-sized machines for potato flinging.
Not like halfling food fights which only involve slings and slingshots.
I'm told it's considered bad form to use siege weapons during a food fight.
But would be completely in character of a dwarf to do. |
Session Reports posted at RPG Geek.
Stem the Tide Takes place in Mistledale.
Dark Curtains - Takes place in the Savage North, starting in Nesmé. I wrapped my campaign into the Hoard of the Dragon Queen, but it takes place in 1372 DR. |
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Mithral Hall Side Slinger?
