War Machines (CBD)

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==War Machines==
Dwarves produce some technologically advanced war machines for the defense of their strongholds, and to attack their enemies above and below ground.
War machines have both an armor class, indicating how difficult the machine itself is to damage, and hit points, measuring how much damage the machine can take and continue working.
==Grinder==
A grinder is constructed of wood or metal and consists of a series of huge, rotating blades designed to chop up and drive back attackers. They are custom built to the widths of the corridors where they will be used. The blades in front fill the corridor, leaving only a few inches at the sides.
With the aid of a complicated gearing system, six dwarves are able to propel a grinder at high speeds using pedals and cranks. The pedalers sit behind an iron shield, which protects them from missiles and many spells.
A grinder has a THAC0 of 10 and inflicts 3d8 damage per round on anything within reach of its blades. The best way to avoid one is to flee or to cause enough damage to stop it from working.
The flaws of the grinder are its inability to turn corners and the difficult ascent of steep corridors. Dwarf engineers have been able to overcome these problems to a limited degree. Most areas designed for grinder usage have smoothly curving corners that channel, rather than restrict, the grinder's movement. Circular rooms have also been constructed at points where tunnels converge to allow grinders to change direction (much like a roundhouse). There are even a few turntables set in the floors, at strategic locations, to allow even faster redirection.
To permit grinders to ascend steep passages, a cable is fastened to the back of the machine and connected to a winch at the top of the ascent. As the grinder descends the tunnel, the cable is let out. When it reaches bottom, the cable is winched back, pulling the grinder to the top, ready for another run.
==Ballista==
Three sizes of these giant crossbows are used by dwarves. They fire large bolts in flat trajectories. Each ballista requires a crew to move, load, and fire. They are slow to load; the rate of fire displays how often they may be fired.
When used in dwarf strongholds, ballistas have pedal and gear systems similar to a grinder. This, coupled with a winch system, allows them to be moved back and forth and traversed from side to side. A ballista is pedaled forward to fire its bolt, then winched back, out of sight, to be reloaded.
==Orc Masher==
The orc masher is not a war machine as such, but it is found as a standard part of most stronghold defenses. It is a large iron slab, at least 1 foot thick, covered with spikes. The full width of a corridor, it is mounted either on rollers or hinged to the ceiling.
The roller version is placed at the top of steep slopes. If invaded, teams of dwarves lure the invaders up the slopes. Niches have been hollowed out of the walls to allow the dwarves to dodge out of the corridor. The orc masher rumbles down, picking up speed, and smashing everything in its path. It is then winched back, ready for another run.
The ceiling version is less effective. It is mounted at T-junctions and swings down from the ceiling, slamming invaders into the wall.
==Weapon Table==
 Weapon Table
Weapon 	Movement	Damage	Damage	ROF	AC 	HitPts	Crew
Weapon 	Movement	S/M 	L 	ROF	AC 	HitPts	Crew
Grinder 	12/6/1* 	3d8 	3d8 	NA 	0 	100 	6
Light ballista 	9 	2d6 	3d6 	1/3	2 	30 	1
Medium ballista 	6 	3d6 	4d6 	1/4	0 	50 	2
Heavy ballista 	3 	4d6 	5d6 	1/5	0 	75 	4
Orc masher, roller 	12 	4d6 	4d6 	N/A	NA 	N/A 	N/A
Orc masher, ceiling	NA 	3d6 	3d6 	N/A	N/A	N/A 	N/A
Category:The Complete Book of Dwarves