Homesteading in a fantasy world

First, I put my clothes back on and reset the alarm and the spike trap. I went and pulled out any throwing spears that were stuck in the tower.

It took me 3 trips to bring everything back by hand onto the farm. I might need to think about making a backpack basket so I can move more stuff around the farm at one time.

The loot today was mainly the usual shit weapons and armor, except for a few spears and, of course, the battleaxe.

It was still rusty, and the handle was shit, but all that can be fixed with a little bit of work. So, I put that aside so when I have some time, I can fix it up.

It was finally time to assemble the ballista. Yesterday I purposely made one piece of iron into a shape that I could use to make small holes easier.

Trying to make them with a knife would have been a pain in the ass. Thanks to that, it only took an hour to finish all holes on both sides and to make the pegs that will fit into it.

I started to insert all the pieces that are needed. The trigger system went in, then came the sled and the winch.

I had to mess with it a bit to get the rope right and test out the movement, but it all seemed to be working well. The sled and the claw were already together. I forge them together in advance.

Now that all the systems were in place, it was time to put on the top part. It took some hitting with a wooden mallet, but I eventually got it connected and then I used my merging joints ability.

It took a long time to do them all and another hour to get it all done and basically all my energy reserves. But nothing was going to pull these two parts apart.

Next came the front end and fitting it took some hammer persuasion. But, when in place, it was time to fire up the forge again.

The bolts needed to be hammered down at one end and then the front will have a strong connection.

Time kept marching on quickly. But the beast is now done and the only thing it needs it is claws and its hand. It was time to start carving out the bow limb.

I would love to let them dry for longer, but it was unfortunately not an option. The reason why I need to dry them longer is to see if any cracks form. If so, then I could just discard the piece.

Unfortunately, now it’s a game of chance, but no matter the case, it will still work for some time. I picked the first stave.

When starting to carve it out. At first, I used an axe to get the general shape out. I will make a bit of a natural curve so when unstrung, it will not be straight like regular bows. This will help with the longevity of it a bit.

Hours went by and I was starting to do finer work, but I could see that this piece will not be good enough for the ballista.

It just has knots in the wrong places, making it too stiff for the thickness I’m looking for. I will have to take off too much material to make it function, but that will make it too weak for the ballista.

So, I discarded it and went on to the next one. This one was quickly rejected as I started talking of large amounts of materials for the general shape.

I saw a massive crack down the middle that was going to develop into a big problem, making it unusable.

The third one, however, looked extremely promising as I kept working on it. But I only had time to get the general shape and a bit of finer work done before it was time for dinner and bed.

Next day came and when the chores were done, I was able to get back to what I love to do the most when I was about half done. I got a notification.

Skill increases basic bow making level 6

When the shape was done, I ran into a problem with how to test limb movement. It was nearly 2 meters long, and I was never going to be able to pull it the way I needed to.

Even using my feet and hands, I was only able to pull it a bit. I could get a little bit of information, but not enough. So, I had to make a testing apparatus. I should make it so that I could also make longbows with it.

The only okay place I could find was outside the workshop on to its side wall. It was going to have some pulleys and some rocks as counterweights.

I wanted to make so when I pulled, I can be here further away but unfortunately, I was starting to run out of rope, so I needed to make something that was closer.

The testing apparatus simulates the pulling of the bow and when you look at it from far away, it will help you determine how the limbs move.

You want them to move exactly the same for both sides. They will most likely not turn out to move exactly the same way.

But if the points of the tip's end point are the same, it will still work as a good bow. It took some testing and adjusting but I’ve finished making it.

If I wanted to make longbows here, I just needed to take off the counterweight and switch the holding clamps into smaller ones.

Now I was actually able to pull back the bow limb to see what work I need to do, and I needed to do a lot. But the positive side it was going to be a powerful one.

It was an awesome sight seeing it move against the wall and slowly work its way into being a powerful weapon.

Sometimes the bow fights you and you have to work with them for days, but some just want to be made and just work out quickly.

This one wasn’t an easy one, but it also won’t take too long. I’m hoping that tomorrow I will have it finished.

Unfortunately, I couldn't keep working later because the goblins might come, and I went down for another watch.

Luckily, this time they didn’t come or unluckily. I do not know yet if they will leave me alone or someone that’s actually smart in their camp will think of another plan.

Another morning came, but this time after the chores, I didn’t go on watch. For some reason, I wanted to put as much time as I can into making these weapons because I think I am running against the clock.

Everyday, dozens of new goblins were birthed and if this kept going on, I will simply lose by numbers. So I needed to get everything done. The bow limb fought with me for half a day before it surrendered, and it was finally done.

I added deer antler pieces to the tips to support them. I also used my ability to connect them together. It will be stronger than any other adhesive I can make. This will make the tips stronger against wear and tear.

Now it was finally time to finish this beast. I cut out some pieces of deer leather I have and placed it into the front end where the bow limb will go into.

It took pushing and pulling to get it into the correct place, but when it was in, I just had to use some rope to make it even more secure.

The ballista was now done. I also now connected the main block and upper block together using my merging ability.

I still had to make a base, and I had to make a large one. That didn't take too long and when finished I assembled it all.

It looked amazing and deadly, but I still need to test it out to see if it will work correctly. For testing, I quickly made a simple bolt with a stone tip and no fletching.

I wasn’t going for accuracy or deadliness, I just wanted to see how this would work. So, I started with the operation to load it. Everything went the same as it did with the tests with the wooden versions.

But when I was finished, I realized a mistake that I had made. I haven’t made a handle to aim with. Currently, I just had to hold it awkwardly on the back end with one hand while my other hand was on the trigger.

I aimed for one of the archery targets. And fired, it was an amazing feeling hearing the snap when the pole left, and then missed the target by flying over it.

I was amazed by the power, but that wasn’t actually supposed to fly so well, but the general direction it went in was still good.

So, I retrieved it and fired it five more times and it worked excellently. I quickly made and connected a handle similar to a pistol one underneath and used my ability to make it strong. When finished, I got a lot of notifications.

Skill increases basic wood carving level 7

Skill increases wood crafting level 2

Skill increases basic engineering level 3

Skill increases basic bow making level 7

Skill increases basic smithing level 6

Ability increases merging joints level 3

Level up handyman

Handyman now level 7

Strength +1

Dexterity +1

Vitality +1

Intelligence +1

I am guessing that you get some experience when you work, but you get a bunch when you finish something. I wonder how much experience I will get for farming when I harvest everything. It should be quite a lot.