Mechanik’s Union

While this device retains the basic steel bow arrangement of a light crossbow, everything behind this has been radically re-engineered to take advantage of a rotating torsion mechanism and a redesign of an older repeating bow blueprint.  The major component is  a rotating steel and wood ‘barrel’ on a fixed steel pin tiller connecting the stock to the bow. Four channels with cut groves for flights are inset around the circumference, in which steel bolts for a crossbow can be inserted. Thanks to the design anything short of tipping the entire device vertical and shaking it wont dislodge the bolt. A large winding key is set at the base of the stock, and links to a incremental ratchet and lock winder. The main torsion spring is housed in the long metal cylinder that now takes up most of the stock. The steel cable that makes up the bow-string is also attached to this mechanism via two smaller metal fiber cables which spool from a central pulley.  When the trigger is pulled, assuming the device is sufficiently wound, the bolt will be launched and the string re-strung and locked. The barrel ratchet then unlocks and the next bolt turns  into place ready for firing.  This bow can be fired one handed without reloading four times. The grip is often designed to take advantage of this fact, reducing any penalty for firing a crossbow one handed by 1. Those that purchase this weapon are often found using it in conjunction with the amicable cover provided by a tower shield. Unwound this crossbow behaves like a standard light crossbow.

Martial Weapon Clockwork Crossbow:-

• Damage: 1d8
  
• Critical: 19-20 x2
• Range: 60ft
• Reloading: move action per empty slot
• Power: clockwork winder (1 min of winding per  shot & reload, max 12 min stored)
• Weight: 10lb.
• Cost: 800gp
• Special: Automated [A user can make up to four ranged attacks, up to their maximum attacks per round as a standard action without reloading.]