The archer from this image . Thelsieb is a province on the Empire's southern frontier: it is cold, has a low population density compared to the rest of the Empire and has a longstanding tradition of archery making use of the hardwoods to make powerful bows. It also often has to deal with attacks from the warlike mountain clans who make periodic raids. As such there is a longstanding tradition (one which predates the empire) that at least one son in every family needs to practice with a longbow every day (with certain exceptions given for harvest time, festivals and similar). The result is that much of the provincial forces from Thelsieb are skilled archers able to send arrows into foes up to 300 meters away.