Invent a new ranged weapon.

[Anne Ominous]

Weapon name: JawProng
How many hands needed: One handed weapon
Weapon Base: Metals

Projectile: Sound Waves

Type of impact: Sonic Disruption
--could simply stun; disallowing movement, disallowing attacking...
--could cause damage from a sonic concussion,
--on a basic level it could be used like the "charmnet" suggestion; using high charisma when weilding it, one could charm an opponent into dropping defenses by neither dodging nor blocking...
--With highest ranks it could be used to summon creature swarms to attack your foe as a means or result of training up "Animal Training"(and that could break down into different jaw prongs beyond the basic 'jaw prong' for the magic ways [basic would maybe summon a swarm of groffels]-- 'red jaw prong': start with fireflys, work up to some sort of "firefox" perhaps [call it a mozilla for those too slow to get it]--'dark jaw prong': start with insects, up to bats--brown; vines, up to vermin--blue; cold-blooded stuff, amphibians, lizards, snakes etc..--azure: birds, small to big.. --crystal: perhap pixies, and at stronger levels; armed with lil jaw prongs of their own [hehe].... you get the general idea-- nothing too crazy visually, just rush in, swarm, rush out... be nice if each made a different noise.. and especially if some had different effects, but that's a lil beyond the scope of the basic idea of the weapon; so if it seems this part is a bit overboard / over/underthought-out just remember it's in brackets because it's off on a tangent)

--which level of the above would be available could depend on levels skill level, then once higher skill is attained, have attack 1-4 represent the 4 groupings



What it looks like: Similar to a jawharp ( http://www.tunji.org/bilder/percussion_instruments2/jaw_harp.jpg ), but on a massive scale

Strengths: Ammunition is infinite. Uses 'Various Skill' set of music (and possibly animal training). Makes a cool "THWANG" noise.



Weaknesses: Could always make smaller & bigger ones for different ranges, so range... it would require mental stamina, mainly will/char.. potentially its more powerful applications would be a greater drain on mental stamina, preventing overuse especially if/when the character still had to fight after using the ranged attack.....The basic version could be made easily broken just to temper out the no ammo needed benefit......(the ones for summoning swarms of different ways would be much much rarer obviously, if done)... and here are some comments on "waknesses" i got on this idea from who's read it so far: "It's just lame, loser.", "...too easy an idea in its simpler applications, too hard in its more complicated ones." "The animal thing seems like a stupid pokemon rip-off", "Is it feasable?", "What's the counter?--Earplugs?!"..etc..



Costs: Let's make music training really expensive and/or spread thru EVERY (non killable) npc as trainers with 1 specific number rank each.



EDIT: PS- dunno about the rest; but i would really appreciate feedback

[Rolf Blacksmith]

Weapon name: Whizzler (because of the sound some versions make)

Weapon Base: metal for the disc, wood/leather for the surrounding machanics

Hands needed: One or two, depending on size

Projectile: a fast rotating disk-shaped blade, variable in size (assasins could hide one at the wrists, bigger ones can be used in open combat), possibly poisoned or enchanted, but should also do without

Function: A metal disk is accelerated by a spring machanism along a (wooden) guidance, at the same time being rotated by a slingshot or similar mechanism.
The outcome is a flying, spinning disc, causing impact and cutting damage, depending on the size of the disc and the strength of the spring.

Strengths:
- rather precise at close distances, rotation stabilizes the disc on its way
- the sharp edge of the disc cuts through most light armor
- can be worn hidden when small
- scalable to any needs

Weaknesses:
- the smaller the disc, the shorter the range, damage decreases with range
- is affected by wind (could be deflected by wind spell)
- discs are somewhat expensive as they have to fit the rest of the machanics, each mechanism only fits one size of discs
- long reload time, one shot-weapon

Costs:
- rather complicated mechanism, especially when made compact -> expensive
- discs have to be well-formed -> rather expensive
- the internal mechanisc need some maintenance

I don't know if this is really original, but to me it doesn't sound too bad ...

[Delsabor Nash]

Hmm...something that could doulbe as a ranged weapon and a close range weapon wouldbe good i think. Nothing all that much originial can come out of it, but:

Name: Combat Needles, Piercers, ect (because of the general goal of the weapon)

Base: Very stout, but rather light weighted metal for the needle. Very hard and thick leather for the holder.

Hands Needed: One, two at most, depends on how quick you would want to through.

Projectile: Light but stout metal needles, designed in shape to be very thin, but also aero dynamic for throwing. Size can be altered, from 6 inches to 2 inches in length depending on the purpose of the needles. Very effective as poison tipped.

Function: When the throwing technique of them in trained, it will allow for piercing of all light, most medium, but very rarely heavy armor. This is for getting past heavy defenses. Not all that powerful unless hitting vital organs, but poisoning the tips is very smart and efficient.

Strengths:
-Very Precise
-Good for getting through armor
-Good for poisoning and disabling (ect)
-Can be hidden in almost anything
-Can even be used to stab at close range or when concealed.

Weaknesses:
-Unless well trained and precise, wont do much damage
-If you arent precise and dont rely on poison, VERY inefficient
-Unlike a sword, you can only hit for as many needles you have

Costs:
-Needles themselves are relatively cheap, and arent even that bad with high quality.
-Poisons are variable, from very cheap or very expensive.
-Case/Container is just very strong/rugged leather, so its cheap.

Not all that original, but in these times asking for a purely original weapon is a very steep request.

[hydran]

name: wrist bow

weapon base :a long armored glove and on the wrist is a shoter and it is made from plantium and gold and a soft leather ander layer with a gold dagger that can pop in and out of it(for close combat)

how many hands needed :1or2(you can get 2 or 1 of them)


projectiles: poisens arrows made of plantium wich can even pierce heavy armor


strenghs:

.can pierc haevy armor
.good at short dictance or long distance
.klls slowly takes 1min mins to kill someone if they did not take the sirum

weakneses

no weakness


cost: it cost`s 20,000tria with 100 darts darts 10 tria each


if you like it tell me if you dont i am ready fo critasim

[Anor]

Well this isn't exactly original but I/ll give it a shot.

Weapon name: Portible Ballista

Hands Needed: 2

Weapon base: Wood

Projectile: Ballista Spear

Type of Impact: Heavy Piercing

Strengths: Incredible Power in one, accurate shot. Delivers blows that can practicly drive through any sort of matierial, weathers it is wood, steel, or flesh and bone.

Weaknesses: This weapon has to be set up, which take about 2 minutes, so it would onnly be used in big parties. After it is set-up you have t load it, which takes another minute. After it is fired for the first time, it takes 45 seconds per shot.
 
Costs: Expensive! The Balista itself is Expensive and the spears are expensive, but each spear can be used mutiple times, until it breaks, as longs as it is found after it is shot.

[Faolach]

Name: SHALF (Super Huge Amazingly Large Flamethrowerthingee)

Hands needed:2

Weapon base: iron or steel

projectile: burning oil

type of impact: burn + impact

Strengths: large amount of damage per shot. effective at both close and long range. knocks target down. relatively low day-to-day maintnence and hard to break.

Weaknesses: moderately slow reload because you have to put in oil + wind back, so it takes about 15-20 seconds to reload. cannot run with it equipped. once broken, VERY hard to fix (takes multiple days). VERY occasionally explode before shot and damage user (?). hard to aim.

Costs: moderate-high in cost. also need moderately high strength to purchase because winding it back and carrying it is very hard. Oil is bought in bottles, and is moderately expensive (but not very high). 20 shots per bottle.

Looks: strip of metal over shoulder, running down back and front. another strip of medal attached to the front and going down to the back, but in the back it is at a 45 degree angle to the previous strip. a cup is attached to the end of the 2nd strip, with a tube going back up to the shoulder. another cup attached to the previous cup via the tube is here. a metal cord is attached to the 2nd cup and it goes down to the feet in the front, and runs back to the first cup. a lever is attached to the front of the first strip of metal so when it is pushed, it stretches the metal cord out to a very taut position. pressing the button on the side of the lever releases the tension, tossing the ball of oil into the air out of the 1st cup. to reload, user fills 2nd cup, which drains into the first cup. it looks kind of like this from the side:

            __u
           /   \
         /|     |
        / |     |
    u /  |     |
          |     |

The tube goes from the top cup to the bottom cup and the string goes from right under the top cup, down the front, across the bottom, and back up to the bottom cup, where it is attached. the lever and button are halfway down the front.

  s?  s?PM me and i'll edit the post.

  BOOM!!!   

[Jauffre Martin]

Ok, my contribution here. One weapon very practical, one eccentric to a fault but I love it! 
Ranged weapon #1:
Name: Pebble
Description: It's a pebble with a Brown Way rune on it. Basically like a very small glyph with projectile focus. You say the magic word (not reffering to 'please', here  ) and specify the target, and wham bam! Your enemy has a small pebble-shaped hole in him, or at least a severe bruise. Brown Way specific, although you could make the pebble catch fire or freeze on impact, etc. Really fun to have the enemy advance on you, then one of his buddies collapse, yelling "He's got PEBBLES!"
Rough example:
    ___
   /     \
  | |<\ |
   \___/     

Projectile: itself. If you're good enough with Brown Way it can go right through someone. Also, plate/chain armor doesn't affect it as much, as metal is directly related to earth.
Strengths:
Light
Cheap and plentiful (I mean, come on! How much does it cost to carve a rune in a pebble?)
Concealed
You can carry alot of them
No maintenence

Weaknesses: Slow fire rate (unless you get really good at it and maybe duel-wield them, e.g. getting one out of your inventory with one hand while firing another with your other hand)
Taxing (You have to speak the incantation every time. Maybe you could call it back to you and rip multiple holes in the enemy  )
Magic-oriented (Not the best weapon for you Rambo's out there   )

Ranged weapon #2, the one you've all been waiting for:
Name: The Ratapult
Description: Like the David & Goliath sling (Think like a slingshot, only without the forked twing) except with a handle and button on the end for greater accuracy and, did I mention it? It chucks rats.
Example:       
   _.___                       ___                 
      |  |                ____/ ''><           
      |_|     +   \__/______\_           =   
      \_/                                         
                                                     
Recipe:
One rodent (Very angry, possibly rabid)
One ratapult (Standard issue)
One laughing enemy (We'll show him!)

Put rat in sling. Careful!
Engage sling in clockwise rotation on left or right side. Rat starts squealing! 
Press shiny red button  , and
Watch as rat gets hurled 30 feet or more into nearest enemy.
Repeat as desired.


Also, you could combine the two ideas. Paint a Brown Way rune on the rat and say the incantation right after you release it. Rat travels 200mph to go straight through your enemy. Double kill!

Serious gold here.
Jauffre

[RayvenD]

Name: Marth'kut
Description: Projectile made of iron balls with tefu teeth set at random angles fired from a sling.
Materials: Iron for the balls, leather for the sling, 20 tefu teeth

The ball is thrown out of a sling and the teeth cut the target to pieces, simple.

[UnKind]

First I thought about this thread was: "What could a handfiul geeks invent, that 9000 years of civilized mankind could not?
But as I see, I was a bit wrong, some ideas sound rather good, I shall have a second look and think of something myself.