Ok, this is a neat bug. I was trying to figure out why my script was bugging out. If your attack is blocked, your weapon never actually fires. This happens with thrown weapons, or ranged. This only seems to happen in the upper tiers of Xala'shar.

>stance attack 10
Your attack ability is now set at 10%.
>load

* Looking as if this were a bad idea, a hulking Xala'shar vanquisher slices wide at you. You dodge, leaning just out of harm's reach.
[You're winded, solidly balanced with no advantage.]
>
Learned: Evasion, Shield Usage, Defending, Light Armor, Chain Armor, Brigandine, Plate Armor

You reach into your rucksack to load the fiery scarlet sling with a smooth granite stone.
Roundtime 3 sec.
R>aim
You begin to target a hulking Xala'shar vanquisher.
>
A large iron nugget crumbles to dust.

>fire

< Awkwardly, you fire a smooth granite stone at a hulking Xala'shar vanquisher. A hulking Xala'shar vanquisher blocks solidly with its heavily scarred arm.
[You're winded, solidly balanced with no advantage.]
[Roundtime 1 sec.]
R>fire

< As if fumbling muscle flab were natural, you fire a smooth granite stone at a hulking Xala'shar vanquisher. A hulking Xala'shar vanquisher blocks solidly with its heavily scarred arm.
[You're winded, solidly balanced with no advantage.]
[Roundtime 1 sec.]
R>
Thick globules of bloody saliva slide smoothly through the gaps in the crooked teeth of a hulking Xala'shar vanquisher, landing on the ground with a wet splat.
>fire

< Tentatively, you fire a smooth granite stone at a hulking Xala'shar vanquisher. A hulking Xala'shar vanquisher blocks solidly with its heavily scarred arm.
[You're winded, solidly balanced with no advantage.]
[Roundtime 1 sec.]
R>
Learned: Slings, Missile Mastery

fire
< As if effort and skill were a bad thing, you fire a smooth granite stone at a hulking Xala'shar vanquisher. A hulking Xala'shar vanquisher blocks solidly with its heavily scarred arm.
[You're winded, solidly balanced with no advantage.]
[Roundtime 1 sec.]
R>
Learned: Slings, Missile Mastery
>
The Xala'shar vanquisher moves into a position to parry.
>fire

< In a weak and directionless display of aggression, you fire a smooth granite stone at a hulking Xala'shar vanquisher. A hulking Xala'shar vanquisher dodges.
[You're winded, solidly balanced with no advantage.]
[Roundtime 1 sec.]
R>
Learned: Slings, Missile Mastery

fire
< Awkwardly, you fire a smooth granite stone at a hulking Xala'shar vanquisher. A hulking Xala'shar vanquisher blocks solidly with its heavily scarred arm.
[You're winded, solidly balanced with no advantage.]
[Roundtime 1 sec.]
R>
Learned: Slings, Missile Mastery

fire
< Ineptly, you fire a smooth granite stone at a hulking Xala'shar vanquisher. A hulking Xala'shar vanquisher blocks solidly with its heavily scarred arm.
[You're winded, solidly balanced with no advantage.]
[Roundtime 1 sec.]
R>
Learned: Slings, Missile Mastery

>stance attack 100
Your attack ability is now set at 100%.
>fire

< With the precision and elegance of a plunging goshawk, you fire a smooth granite stone at a hulking Xala'shar vanquisher. A hulking Xala'shar vanquisher attempts to dodge, mainly avoiding the blow.
The stone lands a solid hit that snaps the left arm like a dry twig, lightly stunning it.
The smooth stone falls to the ground!
[You're winded, solidly balanced and in very strong position.]
[Roundtime 1 sec.]

R>
Learned: Slings, Missile Mastery

fire
>
But your fiery scarlet sling isn't loaded!