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Abadra Siege Barrel
Full Item Description
A sturdy, bronze bound barrel of obviously ancient origin.
Numerous engraved spears and arrows adorn it, all pointing to the top, which is covered by a metal lid.
History
The Siege Barrels where created as a means to deliver short barrages of heavy missile fire with a minimal number of troops, primarily for use in ambushes or even as traps. They were used extensively in the many minor wars between the Abadra and Helena-Thoth empires in the years leading up to the Dire Wars.
Most of these devices were powered by Thaumatrium, which has become depleted and have since lost all power, but a number of more conventionally constructed specimens have been recovered as grave goods. These have rapidly found employment in many a Lord’s arsenal.
Magic/Cursed Properties
The barrels are capable of ‘storing’ missile fire indefinitely. All one has to do is open the bottom of the barrel and fire missile weapons into it. These projectials are held in stasis until such time as the top of the barrel is opened, where they will continue their flight.
When firing into the barrel, it is best that skilled archers perform the task, as a stray arrow may damage the barrel if the edge is hit. If the barrel is seriously damaged, any stored projectials will escape in a wide burst.
Generally, these barrels could contain 10 normal projectials (arrows, bolts, sling stones, etc), or 3 large projectials (Spears, ballista bolts). Larger projectials such as catapult ammunition, Giant-thrown projectiles will not fit and trying to load the barrel with these will destroy the barrel.
Grenade-like missiles (flasks of harmful substances, explosive devices, etc) can also be used, but the risks of damaging the barrel during loading or transport may make this approach risky.
These are NOT accurate weapons, with the intent to provide fire against massed formations of troops, or in point-blank use.
Plot Hooks/Usage
A loaded barrel could be found in a dungeon, Evil Cultist’s armory, etc. It either could be intentionally used as a boobytrap or simply stored as a weapon for later use. In any case, a PC who ignores the warning given by the inscribed arrows and spears (one way of saying - this side towards enemy :)) will be in for a suprise.
September 21, 2006, 10:45
So would the PCs be rolling this thing around or it just a gag trap?
September 21, 2006, 11:50
September 21, 2006, 11:50
September 21, 2006, 12:05
This is not intended as a PC weapon or adventuring gear. I did not figure that all Items had to be PC items.
And yes, it could be used as a booby trap or rather lethal gag.
It was also part of a list of military oriented magic items I was working on, but this item ended up being described enough to be better then a scroll entry so I added it as a general entry. Maybe a backstory with it's intended use would have better set the stage...
September 21, 2006, 12:00
September 21, 2006, 13:19
Snakes in a barrel, indeed!
September 21, 2006, 13:33
Sigh, never intended for it to be silly... :)
September 21, 2006, 13:36
EEEK!
September 22, 2006, 0:58
September 22, 2006, 8:56
The format and language of the post work for me. The content is useful. I would link to Thaumatrium, so people will realize what it is. Linkage is one of the important aspects of posts here, as you can make simple posts "richer" and "more complete" by adding other submissions to it.
Useful item. Good job. Post some more.
September 22, 2006, 9:01
September 22, 2006, 13:27
Good work.
September 22, 2006, 18:43
September 23, 2006, 15:37
As a battlefield item this could be interesting cause it can be captured and used/reused by a small group (aka capturing the machine gun nest). As a PC item, I don't know about you guys, but I always have one player that loves set traps/snares.
September 26, 2006, 10:44
October 27, 2008, 0:41
While the outside is covered in spears and arrows pointing towards the exit hole, perhaps the inside is covered in the magical scripts that give the barrel it's momentum-capturing enchantment, and that is why hitting the inside is dangerous? (Just a bit of extra PC-interaction fluff for when you're describing it to them)