[Briar_Rose]

Minerva enters the library once more, this time after information regarding ballista designs:

• Specifically designs for wall-mounted ballista for forts and castles
• Known craftsmen capable of wall-mounted ballista
• Materials needed per mounted ballista

She also spends a significant time in the search of lore regarding materials and golem design, even staying up throughout the night to burn candlelight if it seems her search is difficult:

• Origin of shadow iron and possible ties with the Plane of Shadows
• Any information regarding expeditions into the Plane of Shadows and unique metals
• The process of creating golems or at least notes that can be deciphered and the process formulated
• Any mention of creating golems that bind other entities - such as shadows instead of elemental spirits

[Gmork]

Basic ballistae are made of wood and held together with iron plates around the frames and iron nails in the stand. The main stand has a slider on the top, into which are loaded the bolts or stone shot. Attached to this, at the back, is a pair of 'winches' and a 'claw', used to ratchet the bowstring back to the armed firing position.
The slider passed through the field frames of the weapon, in which are located the torsion springs (rope made of animal sinew), which are twisted around the bow arms, which in turn, are attached to the bowstring.
Drawing the bowstring back with the winches twist the already taut springs, storing the energy to fire the projectiles. The bronze or iron caps, which secured the torsion-bundles are adjustable by means of pins and peripheral holes, which allow the weapon to be tuned for symmetrical power and for changing weather conditions.
The ballista is a highly accurate weapon for a primitive weapon.

Metals and Alloys https://netheril.net/forums/index.php?topic=943.msg5845#msg5845

The most you can learn about Golems here, other than their basic functions and types is that one must obtain ether a premade golem and bend it to your will or find a copy of 'The Manual of Golems' to create one.

[Briar_Rose]

Minerva continues research following the 'Manual of Golems' and where to find them, burning candlelight as needed:

• Looks into any records of known locations or rumors, myths, or legends.
• Tries to see what known or rumored mages that may have copies of the manual, in and outside the Arcanist Guild and Great Houses.