The Way of the Bow [Archive] - Wizards Community

The Way of the Bow [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
siegezug
04-16-05, 10:06 PM Hello, a character idea I have is heading towards Order of the Bow Initiate. However, I'm trying to understand this philosophy of the way of the bow, but I can't seem to wrap my head around it. What sort of statement is drawing a bow and shooting an arrow making towards life and yourself? How is it any different from swinging a sword? I guess what I'm trying to say is what makes an Order of the Bow Initiate different from any other Archer?
Quarterstaff
04-17-05, 10:35 AM appatently you are not famialar with japanese culture. the order of the bow is about becoming one with the bow. each shot you fire is a matter of dicipline and you seek to be perfect in the use of a bow. you would meditate on it. become the bow become the arrow become the target.
siegezug
04-17-05, 10:59 AM Not only do the Japanese have the martial art 'kyudo', but you're also forgetting that the Native Americans also had a way with the bow, understanding that the things they killed became a part of themselves, and they used it to get closer to nature, etc etc.

It's easy to say 'meditate' on something, but _what_ do you meditate on, I need specific roleplaying things for a D&D world. Every warrior that I "know" has spent oodles amount of patience and discipline and training and perfection with using their sword or quarterstaff or double orc axe. How are they any different from a Bow Initiate? Every warrior understands their target and their weapon, so really what "things" does a Order of the Bow Initiate meditate upon when firing his bow and arrow? And how do I apply this into roleplaying scenarios, etc?
b6
04-17-05, 01:20 PM it sounds a bit to me like youre not quite grasping what Quarterstaff was intending. the meditation is on the act, the fluidity of it, the one-ness of it. the bow is not merely an extension of the initiate, it is a PART of the archer; it is the archer. similarly with the arrow. it is all a part of the oneness that is the art of archery. they meditate on every aspect of the action, of knocking an arrow, drawing the string back, of finding just the right tension, of aiming for just the right target, of taking everything into account, and of the release.

it isnt just knowing their weapon and its capabilities, its beyond that. it is a whole new level that most warriors and typical archers dont go to. those might know how best to swing the sword to achieve a certain goal, but they dont meditate every stroke of it. they just do it, probably thinking ahead toward what to do next. to them, the actions are a means to an end. to an Initiate, the act is the end, as is striking the intended target.

does this make any sense? perhaps someone else can explain it better even than i...
Crimson Ghost
04-17-05, 01:22 PM According to Sword and Fist, the Order of the Bow Initiate's meditation is actually them being self-analytical. The parallels between bow, arrow, and Self is the riddle that faces them.

Very murky entry (one might even say half-assed), and there's not really all that much you can wring from it. :rolleyes:

Possible meditation(s) for an Order of the Bow Initiate might include:

1. Thoughtlessness. This would be those times when training takes over. Automatic and intuitive; a "spiritual" attack. Almost out-of-body.

Raging battle all around. The screams of the dying suddenly begin to fade. Time slows to a crawl. The archer's presence seemingly repels the enemy. Three successive twangs; three targets crumple to the ground. All without blinking, all without thought. Time returns to normal; the battle resumes its chaotic nature, and the initiate moves to find a better vantage point, none aware of what just went down as their heads are now occupied by Thought.

Preparation and meditation is not thought about; it is just done. Probably achieved while meditating and thinking of other things...

2. Thought. This is when the archer simply puts their arrow where they want to put it. Calculated, and intentional. Mark, draw, release, string. Mark, draw, release, string. Mark, draw, release, string.

Thought is practise, practise is thought. And both equate proficiency.

...there's two anyway. I'm kind of bagged right now (just got off the graveyard shift), but I'll try to get back later in order to bounce some other ideas off of you if you want.

Hope these two ideas, while admittedly rushed, help trigger something that you can actually use. :)
siegezug
04-17-05, 01:57 PM Thanks Crimson, THAT'S what I was looking for
Crimson Ghost
04-18-05, 01:14 AM 3. The Path. Between bow and target is the Path, a little narrow corridor created by the arrow's flight. This Path is symbolic with the life path of the initiate. It takes focus and little room for error if the target is to be hit. Nothing can stop the flight of the arrow, of that there is no doubt, but without direction the arrow will be lost and miss it mark.

The Path is both Confidence and Self Doubt.

4. The Cord. The cord is all important because it is the force that propels the arrow. It is also symbolic of the force that has propelled the initiate down the Path that they are on. Why did they choose, or were drawn to this Path? How long exactly is their flight? Was it enough force to hit their mark, or will they fall short? Just as distance and wind dictate the necessary pull of the cord, circumstances both past and present dictate the force that has propelled and will propel them down their Path.

The Cord is Purpose and Ambition.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
siegezug 04-16-05, 10:06 PM	Hello, a character idea I have is heading towards Order of the Bow Initiate. However, I'm trying to understand this philosophy of the way of the bow, but I can't seem to wrap my head around it. What sort of statement is drawing a bow and shooting an arrow making towards life and yourself? How is it any different from swinging a sword? I guess what I'm trying to say is what makes an Order of the Bow Initiate different from any other Archer?
Quarterstaff 04-17-05, 10:35 AM	appatently you are not famialar with japanese culture. the order of the bow is about becoming one with the bow. each shot you fire is a matter of dicipline and you seek to be perfect in the use of a bow. you would meditate on it. become the bow become the arrow become the target.
siegezug 04-17-05, 10:59 AM	Not only do the Japanese have the martial art 'kyudo', but you're also forgetting that the Native Americans also had a way with the bow, understanding that the things they killed became a part of themselves, and they used it to get closer to nature, etc etc. It's easy to say 'meditate' on something, but _what_ do you meditate on, I need specific roleplaying things for a D&D world. Every warrior that I "know" has spent oodles amount of patience and discipline and training and perfection with using their sword or quarterstaff or double orc axe. How are they any different from a Bow Initiate? Every warrior understands their target and their weapon, so really what "things" does a Order of the Bow Initiate meditate upon when firing his bow and arrow? And how do I apply this into roleplaying scenarios, etc?
b6 04-17-05, 01:20 PM	it sounds a bit to me like youre not quite grasping what Quarterstaff was intending. the meditation is on the act, the fluidity of it, the one-ness of it. the bow is not merely an extension of the initiate, it is a PART of the archer; it is the archer. similarly with the arrow. it is all a part of the oneness that is the art of archery. they meditate on every aspect of the action, of knocking an arrow, drawing the string back, of finding just the right tension, of aiming for just the right target, of taking everything into account, and of the release. it isnt just knowing their weapon and its capabilities, its beyond that. it is a whole new level that most warriors and typical archers dont go to. those might know how best to swing the sword to achieve a certain goal, but they dont meditate every stroke of it. they just do it, probably thinking ahead toward what to do next. to them, the actions are a means to an end. to an Initiate, the act is the end, as is striking the intended target. does this make any sense? perhaps someone else can explain it better even than i...
Crimson Ghost 04-17-05, 01:22 PM	According to Sword and Fist, the Order of the Bow Initiate's meditation is actually them being self-analytical. The parallels between bow, arrow, and Self is the riddle that faces them. Very murky entry (one might even say half-assed), and there's not really all that much you can wring from it. :rolleyes: Possible meditation(s) for an Order of the Bow Initiate might include: 1. Thoughtlessness. This would be those times when training takes over. Automatic and intuitive; a "spiritual" attack. Almost out-of-body. Raging battle all around. The screams of the dying suddenly begin to fade. Time slows to a crawl. The archer's presence seemingly repels the enemy. Three successive twangs; three targets crumple to the ground. All without blinking, all without thought. Time returns to normal; the battle resumes its chaotic nature, and the initiate moves to find a better vantage point, none aware of what just went down as their heads are now occupied by Thought. Preparation and meditation is not thought about; it is just done. Probably achieved while meditating and thinking of other things... 2. Thought. This is when the archer simply puts their arrow where they want to put it. Calculated, and intentional. Mark, draw, release, string. Mark, draw, release, string. Mark, draw, release, string. Thought is practise, practise is thought. And both equate proficiency. ...there's two anyway. I'm kind of bagged right now (just got off the graveyard shift), but I'll try to get back later in order to bounce some other ideas off of you if you want. Hope these two ideas, while admittedly rushed, help trigger something that you can actually use. :)
siegezug 04-17-05, 01:57 PM	Thanks Crimson, THAT'S what I was looking for
Crimson Ghost 04-18-05, 01:14 AM	3. The Path. Between bow and target is the Path, a little narrow corridor created by the arrow's flight. This Path is symbolic with the life path of the initiate. It takes focus and little room for error if the target is to be hit. Nothing can stop the flight of the arrow, of that there is no doubt, but without direction the arrow will be lost and miss it mark. The Path is both Confidence and Self Doubt. 4. The Cord. The cord is all important because it is the force that propels the arrow. It is also symbolic of the force that has propelled the initiate down the Path that they are on. Why did they choose, or were drawn to this Path? How long exactly is their flight? Was it enough force to hit their mark, or will they fall short? Just as distance and wind dictate the necessary pull of the cord, circumstances both past and present dictate the force that has propelled and will propel them down their Path. The Cord is Purpose and Ambition.