Stormwind Army Field Manual: Engineering

The Engineering chapter of the Stormwind Army Field Manual covers basic technical concepts and operation of siege equipment.

=Ballistae=

Usage of the Ballista artillery piece will be detailed in the following section.

Construction and Specifications
The Stormwind Army Ballista artillery piece can be described as a massive crossbow on a movable platform. The typical design consists of two wooden bow-arms held tight in skeins of leather or sinew. Its arms can be cranked back with a ratcheting lever. A steel track in the center of the ballista is designed to hold specially designed ballista bolts. The steel track and bow-arms can be elevated by using pulley-driven wheels beneath the ballista arms. Ballistae are typically transported on top of a four-wheeled wagon platform. The ballista and its platform together typically weigh around 4 tons. Each standard ballista bolt weighs around half a ton.

Usage
Ballistae in the Stormwind Army may only be operated by those who are certified members of the Royal Army Engineer Corps. Ballista crews typically are comprised of one engineer and two physically strong assistants.

After cranking back its arms with a ratcheting lever, a crew can load a projectile into the ballista's central track. It typically takes two to three men to lift and position a ballista bolt into position.

To aim the ballista, the crew must first determine the range of their target. Once the range is determined, the crew must adjust the rotation and angle of the projectile track and bow-arms. The further away a target is, the higher the angle the ballista must be to account for gravity pulling the bolt down mid-flight. If it is a windy day, the crew must rotate the ballista in the opposite direction of the wind to account for the wind blowing the bolt away from the target.

When the firing trigger is released, the stored tension in the skeins of the ballista propel the projectile downrange at incredible speed. The crew and any bystanders must be clear of the arms before firing a ballista, lest they be decapitated or grievously injured by the bow-arms.

Transportation
Despite being wheeled, ballistae are often difficult to transport due to their great weight and the need to carry bolts with them. One ballista can be pulled by either 2 horses or 6-10 men across level terrain. Paved roads are the ideal ground for ballista to traverse. It is good practice to transport extra wheels or axles for ballista wagon platforms in case components break while on the road.

Sometimes ballistae are broken down into their part components and transported in carts to their destination. Ballistae can be transported in naval vessels if necessary.

=Gunpowder=

Gunpowder is a relatively new technology available to the forces of the Stormwind Army. The following section will go over its production, usage, storage and disposal.

Gunpowder Recipe
The primary ingredients of Gunpowder are Saltpeter, Charcoal, and Sulfur. Saltpeter, often used as fertilizer for crops, can be created as a mixture of horse urine and rotted manure. Charcoal can be yielded from charring wood with fire. Sulfur, a yellowish rock, can be found in volcanic areas such as the Burning Steppes or Searing Gorge.

Combine Saltpeter, Charcoal and Sulfur in the following proportions:
 * 15 parts Saltpeter
 * 3 parts Charcoal
 * 2 parts Sulfur

Gunpowder Usage Precautions
The gunpowder used by the Bridgeport Blackpowders is extremely volatile and flammable. All musketeers and artillery personnel MUST:
 * Handle gunpowder with care, and keep it away from open flames, sparks, heat, friction, or magic.
 * Keep Gunpowder Barrels and gunpowder canisters tightly closed when not in use.
 * Clean up any spilled gunpowder. Use a brush and dustpan.
 * Wash hands thoroughly after handling gunpowder.
 * Do not carry gunpowder in clothing. If clothing is contaminated by gunpowder, avoid open flames.
 * Prevent gunpowder contact with food or other consumables.
 * Do not ingest gunpowder. If ingested, call upon the local priest or apothecary.
 * Keep gunpowder away from children.
 * Do not give or sell gunpowder to any who do not have certification to handle explosives in the Stormwind Army.

Gunpowder Storage Precautions
The gunpowder used by the Bridgeport Blackpowders is extremely volatile and flammable. All musketeers and artillery personnel MUST:
 * Adhere to the Experiments and Laboratories Act of the Laws of Stormwind.
 * Always store gunpowder in a cool, dry place.
 * Do not store gunpowder alongside other volatile or flammable materials.
 * Always store gunpowder in the approved Gunpowder Barrels or army-issued canisters.
 * Keep gunpowder out of reach of children.

Gunpowder Disposal Precautions
The gunpowder used by the Bridgeport Blackpowders is extremely volatile and flammable. All musketeers and artillery personnel MUST:
 * Be sure that Gunpowder Barrels and cansiters are completely empty before discarding. Do not use the barrels for any other purpose.
 * Do not keep old or salvaged gunpowder.
 * Check gunpowder and gunpowder barrels for deterioration regularly. Disposal must be in accordance with the Experiments and Laboratories Act of the Laws of Stormwind.
 * Do not dispose of barrels with fire.

=Cannons=

Usage of the Cannon artillery piece will be detailed in the following section.

Construction and Specifications
(Work in Progress)

Usage
(Work in Progress)