The complicated mechanisms of the crossbow sparked a small technological revolution in Bramblemead. Such devices had once been the domain of the dwarves, who guarded their advanced techniques to maintain their smithing dominion. However, soon human smiths found themselves creating these complex trigger mechanisms.
There were casualties, certainly. Some mechanisms tightened strings too greatly, snapping back with a force that could cause serious harm.
One notable example involved the pet belonging to the village priest, a curious feline with absolutely no sense of self-preservation. The cat entered the workshop, as she so often did, and took it upon herself to knock everything she could to the floor. Unfortunately, in doing so, she triggered the release mechanism being worked on and quickly learned that cats are not meant to fly.