Dwarven Slings

Dwarven ingenuity...

The Dwarven sling is a remarkably sophisticated mechanism created and used heavily by The Dwarves. The mechanism consists of three part

• Tension Loader: The spring loader is a component used in many Dwarven mechanisms. In the case of the sling, the spring loader consists of either a spring wheel or spring rod. The wheel increases tension in the spring by rotating a wheel that locks in place when the spring is fully compressed. A sprig rod in only different in how it builds tension. A spring Rod is a lever that is pulled back, compresses the spring, and locks the spring and it's fully compressed position.
• Trigger Drum: The tension loader's locking mechanism is attached to a highly sensitive trigger device. The trigger drum is a button or a switch that can trigger a release of the built-up tension in response to the slightest amount of pressure. The release of tension sayings of the locking mechanism flying back to either its starting position or segments positions. These positions take advantage of the momentum sent back into locking device after the tension is released. This momentum can send the spring back into a compressed state which can then be locked in for an additional trigger release, though the second release will be significantly diminished compared to the first.
• Sling Device The sling device is whatever it is that plans to use the built up potential energy to achieve a desired goal. The sling device is essentially the purpose of the entire mechanical system. It comes in two distinctive forms found all over Dwarven Society. These devices are listed below.

The Satisfying Sound

When dwarf speak of their many inventions and mechanical wonders, they never stay fixated on the mechanical properties of the device and how sophisticated they can be. Instead, they are usually obsessed with the sound the mechanisms make when at work. Dwarven sling is a special case as its sound is often an indication that triggers a response from those who hear it.

The Dwarven sling has many parts made of Iron and Steel. Many of these parts are in motion when the device is at work. This results in a very distinct grind and collision of metal on metal when the tension is released. The sound is reminiscent of a blacksmith hammering at the forge.

Dwarven Slings at Work

Dwarven Crossbows

The dwarven crossbow utilizes the built-up tension of the sling to propel the bolts of the crossbow. The bolts are usually made of lightweight but sturdy materials to prevent breakages but ensure maximumrange and stopping power. This built up tension is often higher than what can be transferred into the bolt before flight. This results in the locking device bouncing back and compressing the spring into its second fireing position.

A second bolt can be loaded and fired immediately, though will only be as effective at half the range.

After the second shot it is wise to compress the spring in its entirety which can be done with a spring rod found on the side of the crossbow. However, there is a third firing position for particular situations that are dictated as an emergency where incoming enemies are within 15 to 20 feet of range.

This third firing position is only effective at about 17 feet, and has significantly less stopping power then the other firing positions.

The third firing position can be damaging but is really only good for potentially stunning an enemy, allowing time for the wielder of the crossbow to drop the crossbow and switch to a more suitable melee weapon.

Dwarven Locks

One of the most sophisticated forms of lock in the world, Dwarven locks maintain a pin and tumbler design. There are two sets of four pins in the cylinder, one set in the top cylinder and another in the tumbler itself. Those who analyze the device when taken apart will notice that there dwarven locks mimic a five pin cylinder by placing the trigger drum in the middle pin. If the wrong key is used or someone attempts to pick the lock without caution, the drum will inevitably be triggered.

When the drum is triggered the spring wheel will release all the tension into a sharpened steel gate. The gate will then slam down over the entry of the lock, often cleaving a lockpick or key in half.Due to the amount of leverage needed to lift the gate up and reveal the opening once more, it is virtually impossible to reset the mechanism without opening whatever it is the lock is attached to.

Furthermore, attempting to break into what is locked can trigger the mechanism outright. If the mechanism is triggered and then someone attempts to gain entry by force, they will find their task is significantly more difficult than it would have been before. The gate is relatively dense and extends from inside the door to inside the wall. This dramatically increases the surface area, which diffuses force in a wider spread, making the strength required to break down a door, for example, much higher than the average person could muster.