Blackstone Crossbow

Users: | * Naglfar
* Myrkálfar

*"Magic-mechanical crossbow of Myrkálfar design. In addition of a lever for conveniently cocking the weapon, Blackstone Crossbow's firepower and effective range are surprisingly greater than its Midgardian counterpart's, something which attributed to curious spring-loaded mechanism in the base of each limb and being infused with Niflheim magic during its construction."*
― Description of Blackstone Crossbow.

**Blackstone Crossbow** is a type of crossbow originally developed by Myrkálfar, dark elves of Svartálfheim in *Little Witch Academia: Witches of Midgard*.

## Description & Characteristics

Blackstone Crossbow is a powerful ranged weapon of Myrkálfar design. It is similar to human-made counterparts in many ways, most notably being a bow mounted on an elongated frame (called a tiller or stock) with a built-in mechanism that holds the drawn bow string, as well as a trigger mechanism, which is used to release the string. However, like other magic-mechanical marvels of dark elves of Svartálfheim, Blackstone Crossbow is primarily constructed from obsidian infused with magic power drawn from Niflheim. In addition of bowstring made of the same type of stringy lichen Myrkálfar cultivated as material for their clothing and ropes reinforced with the same power, this weapon possesses a curious spring-loaded mechanism which provides it greater firepower and effective range.

The bolts of Blackstone Crossbow are traditionally made of wood and obsidian, though Acolytes of Naglfar fashioned theirs out of mistletoe which just as effective. The latter is attributed to both align with the cult's symbol and nod to how Loki assassinated Baldur in which he tricked his brother Hodr to use mistletoe dart. Nevertheless, both variants can be infused with elemental magic (magma, frost, or storm) to increase their effectiveness.

## Notes & Trivia

* The diagram of Blackstone Crossbow was among many Myrkálfar preserved from the destruction during Ragnarök, and among few which scientific principles behind how they operate fully rediscovered.
* As confirmed by BSoulstone, the lever for conveniently cocking the weapon was based on the same mechanism on crossbows in *The Elder Scrolls* series.
	+ Prior to Blackstone Crossbow, BSoulstone's initial idea revolving standard-issue weapon for Naglfar was some sort of hand cannon fashioned from mutated mistletoe, though he couldn't properly realize it. Lever-action rifle-like weapon was considered also, though he eventually settled with crossbow-like weapon which became the former after being inspired by Los Iluminados' frequent use of crossbows in both original and remake of *Resident Evil 4*. Such decision was helped by the reality of Blackstone Crossbow suited Naglfar better than modern, contemporary weapons such as AK-47 and M16 Rifle as majorities of its members are magic users, remembering how they fit poorly with Foot Clan members in Michael Bay's 2014 film *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles*.
	+ Decision behind Blackstone Crossbow's association with Myrkálfar who originally developed it on the other hand, was BSoulstone's personal criticism on the portrayal of Dark Elves in Marvel Cinematic Universe's *Thor: The Dark World* which too similar to fictional alien invaders such as Chitauri or Harvesters from *Independence Day* films to his liking.

## Articles & References

1. ↑ https://www.deviantart.com/bsoulstone/art/Blackstone-Crossbow-LWA-WoM-998107360