A Master's Guide to the Bow

A Master's Guide to the Bow is a skill book in Book II and Book III.

Effects

 * Grants the skill Bows if the player character has not learned it.
 * Grants 2 points in the skill Bows if the player character has learned it.

Content
When receiving conventional instruction in the field of archery. you'll often hear mention of advanced mental techniques such as "drawing the target toward yourself." Masters of the bow often use this example, and will drone on about how they can hit a hundred targets on horseback, or shoot an apple off the head of a bystander while blindfolded. While often exaggerated, there is much truth to these claims: however, there are many basics that need to be adhered to before one can be truly ready to "shoot the flea from a horse's hindquarters at a thousand yards."

One of the simplest and overlooked skills is being in tune with your surroundings. The majority of bow use takes place outdoors, and that is where you'll find most of your time well spent. Being familiar with the casting of shadows to judge distance and the effect of wind currents to adjust your shooting angles will aid greatly in developing your long-range delivery. Do try to spend at least a portion of your training indoors without either of these factors: short-range combat with a bow is not something to be taken for granted if you are pursuing a military career.

A second, and arguably the most important habit to nurture is proper bow care. If a Taurax is barreling toward you at full speed, the last thing you should be worrying about is a snapped bowstring. Making sure that you properly coat the string with beeswax, and unstringing the bow when not in use or storing will not only allow the bow to last longer, but can affect the accuracy and impact of your shots.

In short, you should focus on learning the minor, unexciting, but extremely important nuances of archery before planning any great feats that you might end up regretting.

Appearances

 * Eschalon: Book II
 * Eschalon: Book III