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Posted by: joshpurple Dec 31 2006, 06:22 PM

I'm sure many of you have thought about fantasy siege weapons . I kind of role them together with thoughts of gnomes, dwarves, and a (hopefully) somewhat workable design to create a primitive machine-type weapon that might be used as a fantasy siege weapon. Not to forget how fun it would be to test them, the failures would make for great shows (I think ).

Here's one I did a bit ago, hope it makes sense;



This is an 'anti dragon dwarven bucket launcher.' Spiked balls, hooked nets, jellyfish, etc. could be used. One, or maybe two dwarves, push the bar in a circle (lower platform), it then gets mounted on a wagon. Two other dwarves would aim the big base (lower platform). It's never been tested, but many dragons have laughed very hard at it.

Feedback and ideas welcomed!

(note: This is just a General work for fun, not a Dev work. It's intended as a public work for all to enjoy, and get the imagination working. If it gets used in PW, cool, -I have no problems with that ).

Posted by: Maxwell Jan 2 2007, 11:20 AM

I like that Idea, but looking at the physical design makes me question if it would really launch the ball right. I have an Idea, it should have the pocket but a lip that juts out so the ammo can be rolled out as well as guided out instead of just thrown wildly out.

If you are unsure what I am talking about think of it as a lacross stick.

Just a quick Idea I had.

Posted by: joshpurple Jan 2 2007, 11:45 AM

Thanks Maxwell! Excellent idea. I'll make that adjustment, and add the wagon base (to give better scale).

And, here's another idea;
(it starts with a rewinding, getting the coil tight for release)


A better close up at the firing action;



Feedback welcomed!

Posted by: Jerky Jan 2 2007, 11:49 AM

Wow, that pretty creative. It took me a minute to follow what was going on there. Definitely seems like a Gnomish contraption .

Posted by: joshpurple Jan 2 2007, 11:57 AM

Thanks! It is tough to see how it works, the animation is very choppy - a smoother playback would help. The toughest part to see is the at the very end of where the bolts are fired. The last little block acts as a stopper, so the bolts don't just roll out.

Posted by: Maxwell Jan 2 2007, 03:54 PM

Very nice. It looks fun to use. I was wondering would this be man or gnome or dwarve powered like the other or will it be able to do it by itself, or an Idea just hit me can it have a magical wind push it? Very neat Idea you must have a very wild imagination.

Posted by: joshpurple Jan 2 2007, 09:22 PM

I'll go with Jerky's eye on it being gnomish . And I like your idea of a magical wind to push it That makes me think of something like the spell from D&D, 'Unseen Servant.'

Here's another, and maybe this was even done before? It's not overly creative, but I was going for something that might have a strong attack & maybe a fast aiming set-up?

Posted by: RicoSuave Jan 2 2007, 10:04 PM

"Gnomish contraption"!??

Whatever! That's just what I've been looking for. It's the ULTIMATE in Gnomeball goalscoring! Just think of the velocity with which you could fling those little knee-biters. I'm serious; you get a good team of a half dozen half-orcs out there and one of these babies... Goalie/Keeper, look out!

Posted by: cantrip Jan 4 2007, 12:28 PM

Very cool! I've always liked the gnome ones...played one in the Wish Beta. I've always looked at gnomes as making contraptions that are similar to 'Grimtooth's Traps' (though not that vicious! Well--maybe some gnomes...)
That and Rube Goldberg type equipment. Why have just a catapult, when you could have a devastating machine of war that also makes a great cappuccino?
Anyway, keep up the cool designs, I've seen some of your character concepts also in other postings; you have quite the talent!

Posted by: joshpurple Jan 5 2007, 10:38 PM

Thanks Rico & Cantrip!

Grimtooth's Traps! Cool! I should google that up.

And here's another gnomish design, maybe? ;





Expandable ;



Note: This is not a PW Dev work. And, I did not model the excellent chariot (by Helmut Schaub, from PlanIT 3D, royalty-free. My Thanks to Helmut!), or the nice crossbow (unknown author, royalty-free). Just another idea for fun .

Posted by: Jerky Jan 6 2007, 02:08 AM

Ha! I love it!

Posted by: Maxwell Jan 6 2007, 02:49 PM

Very Nice! Love the idea.

Posted by: RicoSuave Jan 7 2007, 12:52 AM

I could definately see Gassy sneaking that thing out at night for a "pleasure cruise."

Posted by: joshpurple Jan 7 2007, 01:21 AM

lol!

Thanks you guys!

Posted by: Alter demise Jan 7 2007, 09:39 AM

Perhaps you could brainstorm up some ideas of the kingdom defense? If i remember correctly they are in a volcanic area right? SO perhaps a steam generated gnomish defense module is in order?



Would also be fun to come up with funny names for the devices like

P.W.N.D.

Pneumatic Wheel Nail Dispenser

Posted by: joshpurple Jan 7 2007, 04:47 PM

And I like that name, "Pneumatic Wheel Nail Dispenser." Cool, -I'll do a larger steam, fixed, defensive siege weapon, -for gnomes .

And you made me think of this; a steam powered Aeolipile engine, cart-mounted, rotational, bolt action siege weapon.




To up it's strength, a solid 'oven' has been added underneath, with a large bellows attached for increase temp. Here's a GI (Global Illumination render) of it:



Another shot, single source light;



The bolt holding case has a flap to fold down (keeping bolts in place). The bolts fall down into position, with the bolts being wider than the firing 'hammer,' the bolts sit in position as the rapidly spinning hammers fire the bolts out;


Different view, with top rotated;


One very nice, 'low powered' magic/blessing would be good for this, 'create water.' If the bowl/drum of water was blessed and created water, the aeolipile engine could be very powerful .

Posted by: Maxwell Jan 8 2007, 01:06 PM

Yet another cool Idea from josh. Very cool. I like the bellows very nice idea.

Posted by: joshpurple Jan 8 2007, 09:13 PM

Thanks Maxwell! ( I should animate that )

Posted by: Honis Jan 24 2007, 01:04 AM

A quick idea I did in sketchup for improved bolt accuracy. The bolt is round allowing for rolled in reloading but still directs air fo straight flight. I'll post a spinning version later when/if time allows.

Textured, I assumed an iron or steel bolt that is exposed to weather so rusted texture seemed to fit:
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g215/NHonis/AcuBolt.png
W/O Texture:
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g215/NHonis/AcuBolttexless.png

I'll make something up for an actual siege machine when its not 2 in the morning.

Great idea using the steam machine. Maybe add it to energy storage mechanisms to build up power or to help other mechanisems build energy (human on wheel takes over when steam power lets off, would charge a portion of the machine faster and allow resting periods for the human component.)

[edit] Pictures where to high of a resolution to be practically displayed in the post. Links are now used instead.

Posted by: joshpurple Jan 24 2007, 01:18 AM

Cool Honis! *thumbs up!*

Looks good to me, and I like the idea(s).

(I hope more people post up ideas, -even just descriptions, text works great for ideas! )

Posted by: Honis Feb 14 2007, 08:33 AM

The aeolipile is set to spin side ways in a cart. The steam is used to propel the cart forward (simple gear). Use as a (very) short range mount or attach spears and pointy sticks to the front (aim at opposing army and release). You'll need to keep the cart at its bare essentials to do any of this because the spears will need some speed to be effective. Someone may also get trampled if you fall under a wheel.

I may do a sketchup model this, but feel free to do your own version Josh since you have the aeolipile modeled already (and because a sketchup model of this will look far inferiour.)

[edit] Had to change it to english. ">_>

Posted by: Honis Feb 14 2007, 08:03 PM

Sorry about the double post on this, but I figured this warranted a new post.

Below you will find my sketchup models of what I described in the above post. I did this in sketchup and was about 3 hours worth of work. (not the best model I've done, but fits my description pretty well).

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g215/NHonis/Tank4.png
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g215/NHonis/Tank3.png
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g215/NHonis/Tank2.png
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g215/NHonis/Tank.png

[edit] Fixed hyperlinks

Posted by: joshpurple Feb 15 2007, 03:04 AM

OUTSTANDING Honis! I see how that would work! That's brilliant! Great renders, Thank You for posting them. Nice clean job, -when I see it, it clicks so much more! And that engine could fit into so many rigs .

Indeed, very cool. Now I'm inspired to do more siege weapon fun!

Posted by: Maxwell Feb 15 2007, 05:41 PM

Very cool Idea Honis, I think your models look great espesially for sketchup.