Onager

An onager is an enormous catapult-type siege weapon that slings large stones great distances. These are either defensively mounted into a structure or can be mounted on a wheeled platform for mobility. The frame of the onager is composed of thick wood rectangles laid flat on the ground. Two holes are bored into each side of the frame through which run skeins of rope held by the capstans. In the middle of the ropes is the throwing arm with a leather sling attached to one end. A lever attached on one side is used to ratchet down the arm which has a place to attach the trigger. The skeins can be moved as well to adjust torsion.

The trigger is in good repair, as is the ratchet. The horse-hair skein looks brand-new. The winding rope on the roller looks brand-new. The leather fittings and leather sling look brand-new. The onager's arm is fully cranked and is loaded. It is facing north.

It requires only a single operator but additional help speeds the process. To operate the onager, first check for needed repairs. Scrap leather pieces and horsehair rope for the repairs are provided in the crate adjacent to the onager. The arm is racheted down by pulling the lever. It will take several pulls until the arm is retracted and the trigger set. Large stones are loaded from provided piles adjacent to the onager.

Once an onager is facing in the right direction it can be AIMed at a <specific target> in the siege weapon's area, or the adjacent area in the direction that the onager is facing. It can also be AIMed in the DIRECTION that the siege weapon is facing. When fired in this manner the stone launches two areas away and selects a random target. To fire the onager, pull the trigger.