I really, really like this. Though my style is not the same as yours, please allow me to contribute:
Bow and Arrow
Predating recorded history and common to most known cultures all across Hydaelyn, the bow and arrow is a venerable weapon with many variations, but all aligned towards the same goal: penetrating your target with a devastating shaft of metal and wood. The weapon provides a strong advantage against any melee combatant at range and is even effective at stopping magic users in their tracks. Its downside lies in its fragility, use of limited ammunition, and complete lack of utility when engaged in melee.
The Shortbow
Briefing
The simplest and cheapest of all bow varieties, the short bow can be seen in use all across the world thanks to its ease of use, light weight, and cheap construction. It can often be employed as a secondary weapon thanks to these factors. It will not, however, be able to output as much range or firepower as any other type of bow. In exchange, it is often far easier to fire rapidly with a shortbow, and it also causes less fatigue in its use.
How to use it
Use lightweight arrows and loose them only when the target gets closer. Don't hesitate to nock more arrows. Keep applying pressure to the target. Make use of its light weight and ease of use to wear your opponent down. As with all bow varieties, but especially with shortbows, carrying a secondary weapon is strongly recommended. Many archers use daggers to defend themselves in close combat.
Pros
*Lightweight
*Easy to use
*Small in size
*Cheap
Cons
*Less firepower
*Low overall range
*Quite fragile due to cheap construction
*Affected by temperature and humidity
The Longbow
Briefing
The next most commonly used variety of bow, longbows come in all sorts of shapes but typically stand 2-3 yalms long, with many varieties being longer than their users are tall. Most longbows are of the "self bow" variety, where they are made out of a single piece of treated wood. Their great length means far more stored energy, which translates to greater range and greater penetrating force, in addition to larger and heavier arrows. Its size, however, can be quite unwieldy, and holding the bow's drawstring while aiming can be very tiring.
How to use it
Make each shot count. Take a stable firing position and aim well. Effective use of a longbow is all about patience and foresight. A single good arrow shot is usually all that's needed to bring a foe down. However, if engaged in melee combat, the longbow must be discarded before drawing a more appropriate weapon.
Pros
*Incredible range
*High firepower
*Can penetrate armor with the right arrowheads
Cons
*Friggin' enormous
*Can cause fatigue over extended use, particularly during aiming
*Not just useless, but actually detrimental in melee combat
*Affected by temperature and humidity
The Composite Bow
Briefing
The term "composite bow" does not describe a particular size or shape of bow, but rather a method of construction. Composite bows are made out of multiple different types of material - traditionally horn, wood, and sinew. The combination of materials allows a composite bow to store more energy for the same length of bow than self bows. Naturally, however, a composite bow requires more materials and is thus more difficult and time-consuming to construct, as well as being more vulnerable to moisture than a simple self bow.
Note that most high-level bows in Eorzea are of this variety.
How to use it
As composite bows can vary in size, how you use one is essentially identical to the equivalent size of bow, with the added bonus of extra force per arrow.
Pros
*Higher firepower for the same length of bow
*Otherwise identical to standard bow of the same size
Cons
*More expensive than standard bows
*More vulnerable to moisture
*Otherwise identical to standard bow of the same size
The Compound Bow
Briefing
The most modern variant of the bow, compound bows make use of mechanical aids, typically involving cables and pulleys, to aid the user. Compound bows are more energy-efficient than the other types of bow. In particular, holding the bow at a draw requires considerably less strength than other bow types, allowing the user to aim more accurately and easily, especially when shooting multiple arrows in a row. In addition, it is less affected by changes in temperature or humidity than standard bows, granting it superior accuracy, velocity, and distance. Unsurprisingly, most compound bows in Eorzea are of Allagan design, as the technology simply has not yet been conceived by Eorzeans.
How to use
Excellent general-use ranged weapons, compound bows can be used even more freely than shortbows. Make prodigious use of its ease-of-use and high accuracy and you will be afeared by all who know your name. Just make sure to take good care of it.
Pros
*High accuracy
*Great range
*High firepower
*Less fatigue, especially during the draw
*Less affected by temperature and moisture, and thus more versatile
Cons
*Very rare
*Can be complex and difficult to maintain, especially if obtained from long-lost sources
*Your enemies will want to steal it for themselves
(I should mention arrows and arrowheads too, but I gotta go <_<)
Bow and Arrow
Predating recorded history and common to most known cultures all across Hydaelyn, the bow and arrow is a venerable weapon with many variations, but all aligned towards the same goal: penetrating your target with a devastating shaft of metal and wood. The weapon provides a strong advantage against any melee combatant at range and is even effective at stopping magic users in their tracks. Its downside lies in its fragility, use of limited ammunition, and complete lack of utility when engaged in melee.
The Shortbow
Briefing
The simplest and cheapest of all bow varieties, the short bow can be seen in use all across the world thanks to its ease of use, light weight, and cheap construction. It can often be employed as a secondary weapon thanks to these factors. It will not, however, be able to output as much range or firepower as any other type of bow. In exchange, it is often far easier to fire rapidly with a shortbow, and it also causes less fatigue in its use.
How to use it
Use lightweight arrows and loose them only when the target gets closer. Don't hesitate to nock more arrows. Keep applying pressure to the target. Make use of its light weight and ease of use to wear your opponent down. As with all bow varieties, but especially with shortbows, carrying a secondary weapon is strongly recommended. Many archers use daggers to defend themselves in close combat.
Pros
*Lightweight
*Easy to use
*Small in size
*Cheap
Cons
*Less firepower
*Low overall range
*Quite fragile due to cheap construction
*Affected by temperature and humidity
The Longbow
Briefing
The next most commonly used variety of bow, longbows come in all sorts of shapes but typically stand 2-3 yalms long, with many varieties being longer than their users are tall. Most longbows are of the "self bow" variety, where they are made out of a single piece of treated wood. Their great length means far more stored energy, which translates to greater range and greater penetrating force, in addition to larger and heavier arrows. Its size, however, can be quite unwieldy, and holding the bow's drawstring while aiming can be very tiring.
How to use it
Make each shot count. Take a stable firing position and aim well. Effective use of a longbow is all about patience and foresight. A single good arrow shot is usually all that's needed to bring a foe down. However, if engaged in melee combat, the longbow must be discarded before drawing a more appropriate weapon.
Pros
*Incredible range
*High firepower
*Can penetrate armor with the right arrowheads
Cons
*Friggin' enormous
*Can cause fatigue over extended use, particularly during aiming
*Not just useless, but actually detrimental in melee combat
*Affected by temperature and humidity
The Composite Bow
Briefing
The term "composite bow" does not describe a particular size or shape of bow, but rather a method of construction. Composite bows are made out of multiple different types of material - traditionally horn, wood, and sinew. The combination of materials allows a composite bow to store more energy for the same length of bow than self bows. Naturally, however, a composite bow requires more materials and is thus more difficult and time-consuming to construct, as well as being more vulnerable to moisture than a simple self bow.
Note that most high-level bows in Eorzea are of this variety.
How to use it
As composite bows can vary in size, how you use one is essentially identical to the equivalent size of bow, with the added bonus of extra force per arrow.
Pros
*Higher firepower for the same length of bow
*Otherwise identical to standard bow of the same size
Cons
*More expensive than standard bows
*More vulnerable to moisture
*Otherwise identical to standard bow of the same size
The Compound Bow
Briefing
The most modern variant of the bow, compound bows make use of mechanical aids, typically involving cables and pulleys, to aid the user. Compound bows are more energy-efficient than the other types of bow. In particular, holding the bow at a draw requires considerably less strength than other bow types, allowing the user to aim more accurately and easily, especially when shooting multiple arrows in a row. In addition, it is less affected by changes in temperature or humidity than standard bows, granting it superior accuracy, velocity, and distance. Unsurprisingly, most compound bows in Eorzea are of Allagan design, as the technology simply has not yet been conceived by Eorzeans.
How to use
Excellent general-use ranged weapons, compound bows can be used even more freely than shortbows. Make prodigious use of its ease-of-use and high accuracy and you will be afeared by all who know your name. Just make sure to take good care of it.
Pros
*High accuracy
*Great range
*High firepower
*Less fatigue, especially during the draw
*Less affected by temperature and moisture, and thus more versatile
Cons
*Very rare
*Can be complex and difficult to maintain, especially if obtained from long-lost sources
*Your enemies will want to steal it for themselves
(I should mention arrows and arrowheads too, but I gotta go <_<)
