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Type in "Composite bow" into google and you'll get what you're describing. The only problem is that, you're basically describing a Composite Shortbow, which already exists. It's a spiffy story, but just keep in mind that the pulley is an ancient piece of technology, at least as old as the bow. The composite longbow is 99% of the time a bow with a series of pullies. That's why it has a strength bonus to it.
A masterwork Pulley Bow does NOT provide an additional +1 to hit, however it does all but eliminate chance of failure. Only on a roll of two consecutive 1's is their failure, the arrow shatters and damages the user causing full damage (1/2 damage DC 20 reflex).
No.
I'd say just treat it like a combination between a crossbow and mighty bow.
1d8 x2, no str penalty, +1/2 Str mod to damage up to X rating.
Type in "Composite bow" into google and you'll get what you're describing. The only problem is that, you're basically describing a Composite Shortbow, which already exists. It's a spiffy story, but just keep in mind that the pulley is an ancient piece of technology, at least as old as the bow. The composite longbow is 99% of the time a bow with a series of pullies. That's why it has a strength bonus to it.
A bow using pulleys is a compound bow. Modern hunting bows are compound bows. A composite bow refers to the construction of the stave (often horn and wood), not any system of pulleys. A Yumi is a Japanese composite longbow, asymetric in design. Asiatic horsemen (Mongols, etc.) used short composite bows. Composite bows generally are more powerful for the length of pull than simple wooden bows. An English / Welsh longbow is not all that simple btw. A longbow stave included several types of wood (heartwood and others) with different properties (although all cut as one piece from a single Yew tree). Anyway, no pulleys needed in a composte bow. The pulley bit is modern (1960s iirc). The pulley allows you to pull a stronger bow and hold and aim it. Oddly enough, I can see a Gnome inventing a compound bow...
Oh, generally modern compund bows are composite in construction as I recall, but using modern materials.
*edit* To add a couple of details as they occured to me...
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A bow using pulleys is a compound bow. Modern hunting bows are compound bows. A composite bow refers to the construction of the stave (often horn and wood), not any system of pulleys. A Yumi is a Japanese composite longbow, asymetric in design. Asiatic horsemen (Mongols, etc.) used short composite bows. Composite bows generally are more powerful for the length of pull than simple wooden bows. An English / Welsh longbow is not all that simple btw. A longbow stave included several types of wood (heartwood and others) with different properties (although all cut as one piece from a single Yew tree). Anyway, no pulleys needed in a composte bow. The pulley bit is modern (1960s iirc). The pulley allows you to pull a stronger bow and hold and aim it. Oddly enough, I can see a Gnome inventing a compound bow...
Oh, generally modern compund bows are composite in construction as I recall, but using modern materials.
*edit* To add a couple of details as they occured to me...
This pretty much covers it. Compound bow == modern bow with pulleys, composite bow == older bow made with wood and reinforced with other materials for strength.
A compound bow is made such that it takes a lot less strength to hold once you've drawn it. The effect is you are more accurate with stronger bows because you aren't straining as much to hold the tension on the string.
Gnomes are very near and dear to my heart so let me bring a few thoughts to the table:
It's Gnomish so it has to do some crazy/convoluted thing that is not easily mimicked in the game like shoot 5 arrows at a -5 to hit or some things of this nature.
Gnomes love flexible use so maybe it can be used to brace a door or acts as a vaulters pole giving a bonus to jump.
With gnomes you've really got to think outside the box. If it can be compared to anything in the core book it's not gnomish enough.
Maybe it has fold out panels that provide light cover while he's firing or can be converted into a small crane arm that can multiply the wielders strength for lifting.
The key is versatility and, lets face it, creative rediculousness.
Good luck
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A bow using pulleys is a compound bow. Modern hunting bows are compound bows. A composite bow refers to the construction of the stave (often horn and wood), not any system of pulleys. A Yumi is a Japanese composite longbow, asymetric in design. Asiatic horsemen (Mongols, etc.) used short composite bows. Composite bows generally are more powerful for the length of pull than simple wooden bows. An English / Welsh longbow is not all that simple btw. A longbow stave included several types of wood (heartwood and others) with different properties (although all cut as one piece from a single Yew tree). Anyway, no pulleys needed in a composte bow. The pulley bit is modern (1960s iirc). The pulley allows you to pull a stronger bow and hold and aim it. Oddly enough, I can see a Gnome inventing a compound bow...
Oh, generally modern compund bows are composite in construction as I recall, but using modern materials.
*edit* To add a couple of details as they occured to me...
I stand corrected. Well, Carry on then. In that case, as a guideline, try to keep the rules on a level of simplicity equal to or near equal to pre-existing weapons. You may want to simply say that the critical modifier increases to a x4 and the range is 150ft. If you wanted to make it fragile, look at the Golarion firearms for tips. Though, the arrow blowing up might be a bit much.
Sorry if this isn't fully coherent. I claim lack of sleep. Too many back to back 10 hour work shifts. But at least I have Pathfinder to play in tonight!
Gnomes are inventive and geniuses but they typically don't miniaturize well.
I think you're more gnomish if you build a saddle mounted small siege weapon or repeating crossbow.
What you're describing has to be very elegant to be work in combat especially from a mount. If you make the jump to mounting it on the saddle or some sort of platform then you have room to innovate and add gizmoes.
Either that or mount the thing rigidly on the gnome chest and allow him to fire two bows, one with each hand as he draws arrows from strategically placed quivers.
S
Gnomes are inventive and geniuses but they typically don't miniaturize well.
Why not? If that's their passion. It's no more or less likely for an ex-fey race that still doesn't quite get this world and its weird inhabitants.
One problem with the gnome assumptions in Golarian, if that is where you are playing at. Gnome there are not tinker types. That is from one of the designers. They are no more likely to make a contraption than any other race. If you are using backgrounds for more contemporary 3.5e style gnomes, then that is fine.
Absolutely no reason why it can't be the size of a microdot and direct lasers from orbit. Good luck with it.
I'm just saying that most gnome inventions I've seen have a comical element which typically involves being a little clunkier and makes it advantageous to leave the operation to other gnomes..