Re: Spelljammer Construction System (Part II)

	The rules don't specify this, but it is true.  However, the heavy
catapult is noted in the rules as being a trebuchet, a counterweight
device, and the strain of a continuous load should not be enough to
weaken the restraining ropes.
	I use torsion devices for all catapults and ballistae with some of
the more advanced versions using spring-driven arms.  There are a few
artificers currently working on vacuum pods to provide resistance.  I
just love those ingenious Hellenistic engineers!

John McCloud

On Sun, 4 Jan 1998, Paul and Kelly Westermeyer wrote:

>
> >Actually, you could have eight or nine heavy catapults loaded at a time,
> >and when you get into combat just have a couple men running from catapult
> >to catapult, firing but not reloading.
>
> Actually, no, that's not possible.  It can be done with smokepowder or
> chemical propulsion weapons, but not with any torsion devices.  They
> deteriorate over time,  Leave a catapult like that for 24 hours or so and
> all you'll have accomplished is destroying your catapult. Now,  if you see
> a battle coming and have time to load them all just before hand, that would
> work pretty well.  They can sit for a while, just not for a length of time
> which would make routinly running with loaded weapons feasible.