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On earth, Pliny attributes the creation of the sling to the Baleares, Phoenician colonists in the ancient Greek world. The Balearic slingers had ranges exceeding 300 yards with an accuracy that modern rifle marksmen would envy. Some historians attribute the Balearic slingers with using 4lb sling-stones, or even razor-edged discs of metal. The most common sling-stones found, however, approach a half-pound in weight, and were of lead (for better aerodynamic properties). In many instances of the ancient world, slings far out-distanced bows, and were more accurate. Their damage was comparable, and their reload times made them considerably dangerous. Until the advent of the composite bow, the sling was the ultimate ranged weapon.
The Balearic sling is three strips of leather woven together with leather stitching. The separate strips and stitching helps frictionally hold the larger sling-stones together, with the stones approaching the size of a large golf-ball, though squashed into a somewhat almond shape. The Balearic sling-stones could be etched with messages for communications purposes even among ships at sea or across chasms. The stones can be enspelled for further effects. A more practical -- and less magical effect, might be the use of Balearic slings to deliver small ceramic or heavy glass containers with alchemist's fire, luminous fluids, thunderstones, or other objects. For more information, consult Slinging dot org.
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