Post/Author/DateTime	Post
draconic_swine 12-22-05, 10:42 AM	This is a major point of contention among my group: historically, how long could you keep a crossbow loaded before the tension will start to damage the string and/or crossbow itself? About half my group argues that anything longer than a few minutes will permanently damage the crossbow, while the rest of us think it is hardier than that. We don't need some super-accurate time that gives the moment at which the crossbow would start to damage itself +/- one minute. A ballpark number would more than suffice. Could you keep a crossbow loaded for a few minutes? Hours? Days? Thanks for any input.
20102000 12-22-05, 11:21 AM	The string part of historical crossbows is made up of the same material that bow strings are. So the problem also applies to strung bows. I believe the answer is hours. Although the correct answer is the longer you keep taut , the greater the chance it will break. And there are other factors which effect strings breaking, particualrly humidity. A point more relavent to crossbows is the prods, The bow part of the crossbow. Keeping the prod bent, as when loaded, causes the prod to set in that postion, and can cause it to shatter, especially metal prods in cold weather.
Inigo Carmine 12-22-05, 11:34 AM	As a general rule in my groups, when entering the combat zone (aka dungeon, enemy camp, etc) crossbows are assumed loaded. In unexpected encounters (ambushed in the city, attacked at night etc) crossbows are not loaded. It is possible to use multiple crossbows. I've never seena player do it (mostly because players usually don't use crossbows), but I had an NPC who kept 2 heavy crossbows with him, one was always loaded while the other one was unloaded. He would periodically switch them every few hours. Also, in my groups, it is assumed that magic weapons are much harder to ruin/destroy. IE: a magic bow can be strung 24/7, a magic crossbow can be loaded 24/7, etc.
tarkin 12-22-05, 11:38 AM	It matters a lot on the actual material used. Some Modern crossbows use artificial strings which stand up to a lot more. Medieval stuff was organic and a lot less resilient. Rawhide, plant fibers, horse hair, animal sinew, and silk were all used Water, while it does not affect the immediate use of the string, can cause rot. There is an exception or two, specifically, some african crossbows used mulberry roots soaked in water and twisted. This cord MUST be kept wet. If it dried out it became brittle and snapped. What it comes down is that different strings lasted different amounts. Similar rules applied to the bow stock. You could DEINITELY keep it cocked for a few minutes. A weapon that could not stand a minute of cocking would be pretty weak. An hour is probably beyond the normal useage, so I would not be surprised if some crossbows needed repair after one hour of being locked. But I bet some of the setups could stand at least a day without serious damage.