In regards to the weaponry of the RoSoG, the weapons are as varied as the men that use them. The most common is the ballista.

The ballista is a weapon that can be stored easily below or above deck. Like most, it is a catapult that will hurl large stones, usually stored near the keel as ballast, to take out the masts of opposing ships. Usually it takes 5 men to man the weapon. Two to work the cranking gears, two to load the basket, and one to work the directional gears and launch the weapon.

The next is an onager. Very similar to a ballista, but instead of mesh netting to hold the stones, heavy wire mesh is used. Instead of hurling stones, it tosses oil soaked bales of hay or other combustibles at the enemy. This weapon requires 7 to 10 men who would otherwise man the oars, to operate. Creosote is preferable, but tharlarion oil is most commonly used.

Scorpions are used as well. Scorpions, or stingers, are rather large crossbows used mostly to puncture holes in the waterlines of enemy vessels. These only require a crew of three; two to load, one to aim and launch. They are mostly used to slow an opposing vessel by making holes in the hull forcing it to take on water and slow the enemy.

Mangonels might also be used. These resemble the onager in that they also fire fiery missiles at the enemy. However, whereas the onagers hurl fiery bales soaked in oil or creosote, the mangonel fires a combination of stone and combustibles. 10 men at least are required to operate this weapon. It is the most sophisticated of all ships weapons. Not only does it hurl stones to take out masts and personnel, it throws fire to disable the enemy.

Many ships carry trebuchets below deck, but these are land based siege weapons made explicitly for land mounted assaults. Their wheels make them cumbersome and the time it takes to set them up make them nearly useless on a ship.

Due to the pitching swells of the seas and the maneuverability of sea going vessels, a certain amount of luck and skill is incorporated in the use of each of these heavy weapons. Most importantly is the skill of the men not behind the oars.

Usually there is a compliment of skilled archers. Some are armed with crossbows, others with standard longbows, the main objective to set fire to the enemies ship. As many buckets of water there are to suppress the flaming arrows, there is the chance that a flaming arrow can start a fire and create panic.

Not only are all ramships equipped with sheering blades (light, medium and heavy rammers) but also the prows are steel shod. It is conceivable for a light ramship to drive its prow into the rudder of a heavy ramship and decapitate it.

The first and foremost of weaponry are the sheering blades. To take out the maneuverability of the enemy is first and foremost. However, it takes the utmost skill and daring to take on the enemy in such a manner. Just remember when making this maneuver that you can be boarded as well.

This is the reason that freemen are used at the oars. Each are usually armed with a short sword or some similar weaponry. Remember these are freemen fighting for what they believe in.

These are my views only, from personal experience. There may be other weapons and tactics I am unaware of, but I hope this helps all that sail Thassa.

Regards,

Admiral Storm Brynger (AKA Stormwarn1)

Staff of the RoSoG

Remy DeSange - Administrator/Scribe
Casandra Tuel - Proctor Trainer
KillianST - Advisory Council
Rane Kinree - Advisory Council
SebaFras - Advisory Council
Taier Gartai - Advisory Council
RafWulfstan - Advisory Council