A Field Guide To Fletching - Third Edition

Fletching, the art of making arrows from component pieces, is one of the oldest weapon crafts on Norrath.

This tome detailss the construction of arrows, as well as providing information on the sister craft of Bowyer.

Bowyers and Fletchers both require Fletching Kits to practice their trades.

Fletching kits can be purchased from archery shops.

ARROWS

There are four parts to every arrow.

Generally, the cheaper the part, the easier it is to assemble.

Expensive components produce superior arrows.

NOCK

There are three types of nocks, differentiated by the size of their grooves. The larger the groove, the easier the arrow is to make. The smaller the groove, the farther the arrow travels.

SHAFT

The shaft of the arrow can be made from a variety of different materials. The most common material used for shafts is wood. Bone shafts are stronger than wood, and Porcelain stronger than Bone.

Steel is the strongest material used for arrow shafts.

TIP

There are many designs for arrow tips. The most common is the point tipped arrow. Slightly more damaging is the hooked tip - its small blades causing tearing and bleeding. Actual bladed arrows do more damage than the hook tipped arrows, though they are easier to remove.

FLETCH

The fletch, or feathering, of the arrow influences the distance the arrow travels, as well as the impact delivered upon a successful hit.

The easiest pattern fletch is a round cut. Slightly more difficult is the parbolic cut, whose spin gives the arrow additional flight range.

The shield cut pattern has a shorter range than either the round or the parabolic, but produces a spin providing superior armor penetration.

RESTRINGING BOWS

The strings of bows are interchangeable and various strings will provide greater range, damage, or quickness.


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Source: Ingame book