Where do you carry your longbow when in melee?

[Aries_Omega]

We have an elven Wizard that has his +1 longbow transform into a +1/+1 quarterstaff as a free action. In my game wizards need a staff to cast spells, similar to clerics needing holy symbols.

 

[Ranger REG]

Right hand sword, left hand bow. Stab with the right to create a new organic bow-holder, stick bow into holder, move on. Retrieve bow from the newly created bow-holder after the fight, and remember to thank them for the involuntarily-offered service, should they still be in a position to listen.

Reason
Principia Infecta

Might ruin the bowstring since most blood tend to be acidic. Worse if it starts to absorb into the fiber of the string.

 

[Ranger REG]

I put the longbow in the same place I put my familiar.

Down in your britches?

 

[KB9JMQ]

We usually just drop them but I forgot they would be unattended for AoE spells
Need to remember that.

 

[Shadowdancer]

In my weapon "golf bag," i.e. Quiver of Ehlonna.

 

[Nightfall]

Quiver of Ehlonna - "Demiplane on my back"

YAY! I see others have taken to my cause.

Herz,

Sure why not?

 

[Ranger REG]

In my weapon "golf bag," i.e. Quiver of Ehlonna.

Ooh! Where do you get that? Samwise's Club? Castle Depot?

 

[Nightfall]

I got mine in Sigil. Just like the rest of them knowledgeable sages.

 

[GrumpyOldMan]

I was just wondering how one carries a longbow in D&D because many NPCs in modules have them while at the same time wield sword and shield.

I thought because it was 6-foot long and flimsy my players would have to carry it in hand and then drop it when you go into melee. Is this too cruel?

And what of the shortbow for medium characters? Could this be strapped to the back while in melee? Or would it be too awkward and get in the way (not to mention being at risk of damage)?

What are others' thoughts on this?

Thanks

The answer to the original question depends to a great extent on the level of realism you want in your campaign. You’re right, a normal, non-magical longbow is ‘6-foot long and flimsy.’ Without the use of ludicrous and overblown magical storage devices, a longbow is a difficult thing to carry. ANY damage to the body of a bow will weaken it and could result in it snapping when being drawn (this could seriously injure the archer). I assume that a longbow is carried unstrung, players tell me when they’re stringing their bow, and they cast it aside before entering combat. But then, I don’t play DnD.

 

[Darklone]

We usually just drop them but I forgot they would be unattended for AoE spells
Need to remember that.

It's often not a problem. My char usually hid somewhere away from the rest of the group... and as soon as melee started, I was far away (high movement) from where I dropped the bow. So yes, a wizard might have dropped a fireball... on that bush. With my bow. Ouch. But usually he tried to keep my scim away from his neck.