I was wondering how to put on an archer's bow in RP?

I was wondering how you 'properly' put on a bow...

You don't wear an archer's bow, you hold it and use it to propel arrows.

@DesperatePerson

Greetings,

If you are considering how one accurately carries a bow to be used with arrows you might consider that many soldiers carried the bow unstrung alongside their packs to be strung up before battle. However, if you are considering keeping the bow ready for use you might consider slinging it around the character's shoulder, the arm put between the string and the bow itself. Or you might consider that the character stuffs the bow (In the case of something like a short bow) against his back, between the backpack and his body with the pressure keeping it in place.

@DesperatePerson

Greetings,

If you are considering how one accurately carries a bow to be used with arrows you might consider that many soldiers carried the bow unstrung alongside their packs to be strung up before battle. However, if you are considering keeping the bow ready for use you might consider slinging it around the character's shoulder, the arm put between the string and the bow itself. Or you might consider that the character stuffs the bow (In the case of something like a short bow) against his back, between the backpack and his body with the pressure keeping it in place.

This was extremely helpful. Thank you!

And then... how do you correctly shoot an arrow in a RP? I've always gotten the feeling of doubt whenever I try cause I've never referenced to anything else.

There's also these eastern things that are basically holsters for bows.

<Snipped quote by ELGainsborough>

This was extremely helpful. Thank you!

And then... how do you correctly shoot an arrow in a RP? I've always gotten the feeling of doubt whenever I try cause I've never referenced to anything else.

In an RP setting you probably shouldn't get into to much technical details. The only times it would be appropriate to bring up stuff like where you put your hand, how you sit the arrow on the string etc, would be 1: If you have a character discussing it in dialogue for some reason, such training, or 2: If you need to build tension related to the shot.

So the best way writing-wise would be basic. "Jim guessed at the wind and let loose an arrow" or something to that affect. Most people's imaginations will fill in the blanks. One way I heard it explained is that, in writing, you should only describe the stuff people couldn't work out themselves based on the information available. A person using a bow to shoot an arrow is probably going to follow the same process we expect to see in movies, so you only describe it for effect, or if they are doing something weird with the bow.

As for the process of shooting an arrow, it isn't particularly complicated. The arrow has a notch. You place the notch against the string while gently holding the notch in place, then you rest the shaft on the hand holding the bow, pull the string back with the notch-hand, get an idea of where you are aiming, and let loose.

With novel shit like this youtube can really be helpful. I'm probably not the best person for bow advice because I've only played around with them for hunting and fun stuff, and I am not at all a serious archer (The only bow I even own myself is a crossbow). You can however find serious archers, or serious anything, all over youtube. There are several weapons channels that are just dudes nerding out about stuff like this. There is also how-to videos, and videos about experts enjoying their field. Sometimes the research can be more fun then the writing.

<Snipped quote by DesperatePerson>

In an RP setting you probably shouldn't get into to much technical details. The only times it would be appropriate to bring up stuff like where you put your hand, how you sit the arrow on the string etc, would be 1: If you have a character discussing it in dialogue for some reason, such training, or 2: If you need to build tension related to the shot.

So the best way writing-wise would be basic. "Jim guessed at the wind and let loose an arrow" or something to that affect. Most people's imaginations will fill in the blanks. One way I heard it explained is that, in writing, you should only describe the stuff people couldn't work out themselves based on the information available. A person using a bow to shoot an arrow is probably going to follow the same process we expect to see in movies, so you only describe it for effect, or if they are doing something weird with the bow.

As for the process of shooting an arrow, it isn't particularly complicated. The arrow has a notch. You place the notch against the string while gently holding the notch in place, then you rest the shaft on the hand holding the bow, pull the string back with the notch-hand, get an idea of where you are aiming, and let loose.

With novel shit like this youtube can really be helpful. I'm probably not the best person for bow advice because I've only played around with them for hunting and fun stuff, and I am not at all a serious archer (The only bow I even own myself is a crossbow). You can however find serious archers, or serious anything, all over youtube. There are several weapons channels that are just dudes nerding out about stuff like this. There is also how-to videos, and videos about experts enjoying their field. Sometimes the research can be more fun then the writing.

This was extremely helpful, thank you!

I also have a lot of questions on hand to hand combat and weapons combat... mainly swords, specifically daggers.

@DesperatePerson

It would depend on how descriptive you would like to be. On a bow there is a grip which is about centrally located on the shaft of the bow. You would hold this with your non-dominant hand. The arrow would be "notched" onto the string in a small slit that is cut in the shaft of the arrow just behind fletching, which is a fancy word for the feathering. The shaft of the arrow is balanced against the thumb of the non-dominant hand while it clutches the bow. The arrow is generally held with the thumb, forefinger, and middle finger just behind the fletching and pulled back. Typically, the arm is raised to the height of the ear and the user tilts back to add distance to the shot. Regardless of distance the dominant hand is drawn back to the ear before being fired. I would suggest goggling for imagery or searching for a youtube video to get a better understanding.

Edit: If you have questions about melee combat please feel free to inquire about them in this thread or you can send me a personal message (PM) and we can discuss them there.

Edit @2: I also disagree with the above comment that one should refrain from describing the use of weaponry in such detail. Quite frankly, if it is necessary to the story for any reason I would certainly include it. Perhaps your hand position causes the arrow to miss its mark. But you might go into detail not as filler but as introduction to the weapon describing the bow or arrows as you go because they are special to the character. There are a number of situations where I can surmise describing such thins in detail would be a good idea.

@DesperatePerson
My attitude towards details is pretty much in the same vein as @ELGainsborough's. Unless you're writing at a very basic role-play level - which I can only assume you're not, since you're asking for how to get these details right - you shouldn't hold back on being descriptive, since a lot of the quality of writing comes from the details and simply missing them for the sake of making posts shorter or simpler isn't the practice of a good writer. You're asking about the details, which is a good sign.

Going into more depth like this can also be very important for reasons outside of simply making your posts 'look good' (though it'll do that too), since a lot of the time other role-players can react a lot better to your posts when you're giving them these details to work with, which is very important in a combat situation.

As was previously mentioned, if you've got any questions about combat then feel free to PM the previous poster or myself, or post here and hit us an [ @Mention ], since battle-orientated writing is one of the things I've got a firm understanding of.

Remember to wear an archer bracer on the hand you plan on holding the bow with. At least if you're not going to wear a long sleeve shirt while firing. That string is going to snap your arm every time you fire.

I prefer getting opinions from multiple people and then deciding which one I would want to use. All of the information everyone is giving is extremely useful.

I seriously appreciate all these tips and I'd like them to keep coming. :)

<Snipped quote by ELGainsborough>

This was extremely helpful. Thank you!

And then... how do you correctly shoot an arrow in a RP? I've always gotten the feeling of doubt whenever I try cause I've never referenced to anything else.

Many things about how things are done are dependent on the situation the character happens to be in. Do they have time to fully draw the bow? Are they firing upon their enemies from afar? Are they agile enough to take a shot after deftly rolling to avoid a swing of an opponents blade? Do they fully draw the bow to increase the arrow's impact force, or do they choose to instead launch the arrows more rapidly?

I could continue, but I think the point is made. There are many different details to consider writing about and the actual process (drawing an arrow from the quiver, nocking the arrow, aiming and releasing) isn't necessarily among the most important... as long as the RP scene can continue without that information. The other player characters and DM/GM help determine what details are necessary for participation within a RP.

I'm unsure if I've actually been helpful, or have done little to progress your search for clarity and enlightenment on the specifics of combat with things... well, bows. I'd talk about swords and daggers, but that's mainly questions. Straight or curved? Forward or reverse grip? Do you want/need to follow a real fighting style? Leaving those... but stopping before I get too inquisitive. No matter what I've done, I wish you the best in finding the information you are searching for.

@Mention or PM me if you'd like to talk more. I don't know what other info I could provide, but hey, I is here. :P

bump

My two cents: there's three popular ways of bow drawing; the pinch draw, the Mediterranean and the Mongolian. This Wiki page has the details.

Ah! I need help again.

How does one fight with a glaive in a RP? I can't seem to find any references other than videos online. I'd go and search it up on Wikipedia but I trust you guys more. XD

Glave is kind of an uncommon weapon, but a halberd is essentially the same thing in the practical sense. It's basically an axe/spear with a long handle, which lets you use it like an axe, spear, or a staff.

Here's a sparing match between a halberd and a spear (a lot of the commenters say it's actually a glave):

youtube.com/watch?v=mziWUgzt9I4

I was wondering how to put on an archer's bow in RP?

I was wondering how you 'properly' put on a bow...

Y'mean how to sling one?

If a long/recurve/stick and you don't plan on shooting it that day, you can unstring it for storage and carry it that way.

Some people just put their body through it... not terrible for longbows. Not pleasant for compound-bows.

But most of the time people do a field-carry, hand on the grip, arms relaxed. So long as you don't drop it you're fine. Bows aren't particularily heavy aside from some compound-bows.

Ah! I need help again.

How does one fight with a glaive in a RP? I can't seem to find any references other than videos online. I'd go and search it up on Wikipedia but I trust you guys more. XD

Spear/polarm skills.

This should cover it

Why polarm names aren't a thing

Longsword techniques from the german school of fencing may also apply in 1 v 1 combat, which can get pretty close-quarters.

<Snipped quote by DesperatePerson>

Y'mean how to sling one?

If a long/recurve/stick and you don't plan on shooting it that day, you can unstring it for storage and carry it that way.

Some people just put their body through it... not terrible for longbows. Not pleasant for compound-bows.

But most of the time people do a field-carry, hand on the grip, arms relaxed. So long as you don't drop it you're fine. Bows aren't particularily heavy aside from some compound-bows.

<Snipped quote by DesperatePerson>

Spear/polarm skills.

This should cover it

Why polarm names aren't a thing

Longsword techniques from the german school of fencing may also apply in 1 v 1 combat, which can get pretty close-quarters.

Thank you for the set of videos ^^ they do give me more insight on how I should correctly battle with them though I still don't know how to put it in sentences. If you emphasize on that part I'd be greatful. ^^

Its alot about shifting balance and swinging (longswords and polarms have plenty of inertia), while always keeping in mind when you can get a free kick, bash, punch, or headbutt.

Limitations are on range of motion in wrists, requiring some forthought in not getting "locked up".
-Mistakes and sticky situations happen, and when they do, it all hinges on your warrior's ability to MacGyver their way out of it.

If sparring with undetermined outcome, you'll want to pace things out to what you can do on a single breath.
*You can "lead" your post with pre-planned counter-strokes, speeding-up the fight scenes a bit.