A quick explanation as to the operation of crossbows

((Ooc is in two brackets, one bracket set is IC))
Francis again, bringing you a general idea of how crossbows operate.
First things first, let me explain something; you do NOT shoulder the stock of a crossbow unless it is of modern design. A proper crossbow has no resting position at all in fact, for it produces no recoil. In fact, when fired, the crossbow pulls forward due to the string snapping into position. The proper firing position is to rest the tiller (Or, as you would call it, butt) against the cheek. Some lock it between their chin and shoulder with it resting against the neck, others insist on firing with it stocked from the shoulder, but neither method is correct. If you have to rest it against something, you rest it against your cheek.
When you fire, you want to sharply squeeze the tickler (trigger) and hold for a moment. If you are a USMC member or just generally aware of how firearms work, you know that you don't typically do this, so you might want to practice or keep a cheat sheet.
When you are reloading, you place the stirrup (that metal thing on the front) on the ground, place your foot firmly in it, place the goat's foot into position and draw upwards. If your crossbow uses a windlass then you simply grab hold of the handles and crank.
For those unaware, a goat's foot is a type of lever used to cock a crossbow. Yes, you need it. If you are able to draw the bowstring back by hand alone then your crossbow is as useless as a cotton glove in a gunfight.
A windlass is a type of crossbow that incorporates the cocking mechanism into the tiller. Simply put, there are two handles. You take them in each hand. You crank them. The string is pulled back as a result.
When you are reloading your bolt, you must make sure it is set proper in the table, which is the zone in which the bolt sits while it is waiting to be launched. If one does not set the dart correctly then you will achieve inaccurate or misfiring bolts.
When you are aiming, you simply align the full body of the arrow with your target and draw up the tickler as mentioned above.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO STRIKE WITH THE PROD (or arm, as you might call it) OF THE CROSSBOW. It is NOT made for that form of pressure, I would not recommend attempting to hook, strike, parry, or block with it.
If your enemy closes, you draw your other weapon and make ready to fight. Either drop or holster the crossbow.

There are three types of bolts; blunt, bodkin, and standard. The blunt bolt is designed to down birds at rest, bodkin bolts are for piercing of the armored warrior, and the standard was for when you were facing against unarmored Soldiers or other archers.

For those unaware, a crossbow might sound appealing by the power alone, for a decent crossbow is typically over a hundred pounds when it comes to drawweight. However, due to the short amount of time the arrow has to be affected by the power of the string, the force simply HAS to be that high in order to match that of a regular pull bow. A one-hundred pound crossbow is only equal to that of a seventy-five pound bow.

I know this due to being given a very rough overview of how crossbows work when I was being trained to be a knight. We don't typically use them, but when insult leads to the drawing of blades...
~Francis Tollivor

 

Reserved, as always.
~Francis Tollivor