: I think the answer is the same both for Tolkien's Elves
: and for Robin Hood's Merrie Men. They use bows not in
: order to kill people from three hundred yards away,
: but in order to kill people from fifteen feet away
: behind a bush. An actual pitched battle like the one
: in "Through the Ermine" would be extremely
: unusual; generally, they'd deal with intruders by
: sneaking around them under cover of the shrubbery and
: plinking arrows at them until they're exterminated or
: driven away. The use of the bow simply assures that
: they can stay out of sight and never have to engage
: the enemy hand-to-hand. It's basically functionally
: identical to a blowpipe in this environment. That's
: probably why their bows have such a ridiculously short
: range; they were never designed to shoot long
: distances because they never had the opportunity to in
: the forest.
This is the most likely explanation, although I dont beleave the Fir'bolg developed archery in the Ermine, but on the plain of scails. The probobly adapted their tactics to suit the forrest tarrain after they where established.
: Of course, this explanation requires the fir'Bolg to be
: able to move with some degree of speed, stealth and
: nimbleness, which they haven't exhibited so far, but
: maybe we've just never seen them move over
: "bush" terrain. They have to be able to move
: faster than 3 m.p.h. SOMEtimes...
I think this was a gameplay consideration, it would not do for 6 Archers to wipe out a whole platoon of warriors simpley because they where faster.
Thats it, WW I will try to send the sheet to you again. It will get there!!
Respectfully
Drunken Ghol
