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Energy Bow

Energy Bow
  • Category: Weapon (Longbow or Shortbow)
  • Rarity: Very Rare (Requires Attunement)

You gain a +1 bonus to attack rolls and damage rolls made with this magic weapon, which has no string. Each time you pull your arm back in a firing motion, a magical arrow made of golden energy appears nocked and ready to fire. An arrow produced by this weapon deals Force damage instead of Piercing damage on a hit, and it disappears after it hits or misses its target. Until it disappears, the arrow emits Bright Light in a 20 -foot radius and Dim Light for an additional 20 feet.

This weapon has the following additional properties.

Arrow of Restraint. Whenever you use this weapon to make a ranged attack against a creature, you can try to restrain the target instead of dealing damage to it. If the arrow hits, the target must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or have the Restrained condition for 1 minute. As an action, a creature Restrained by an arrow can make a DC 20 Strength (Athletics) check to try to break the restraint, ending the effect on itself on a successful check.

Arrow of Transport. As a Magic action, you can fire one energy arrow from this weapon at a target you can see within 60 feet of yourself. The target can be either a willing Medium or smaller creature or an object that isn't being worn or carried, provided the object is small enough to fit inside a 5 -foot Cube. The arrow teleports the target to an unoccupied space you can see within 10 feet of you.

Energy Ladder. As a Magic action, you can loose a flurry of energy arrows from this weapon at a wall up to 60 feet away from yourself. The arrows become glowing rungs that stick out of the wall, forming a magical ladder up to 60 feet long on the wall. This ladder lasts for 1 minute before disappearing.

Tactical Applications​

Combat Strategy: Magical bow that creates its own ammunition and adapts damage type based on target vulnerabilities. Eliminates ammunition concerns while providing tactical flexibility.

Class Synergies:

  • Rangers: Perfect for characters specializing in archery and wilderness exploration
  • Fighters: Excellent for archer builds focused on consistent ranged damage
  • Any Ranged Class: Universal benefit from unlimited magical ammunition
  • Tactical Players: Damage type adaptation provides strategic advantages

Build Considerations: Requires proficiency with longbows. The adaptive damage makes it valuable against diverse enemy types with different resistances.

Acquisition Methods​

Crafting Requirements: Requires master bow-crafting, elemental binding rituals, and adaptive enchantments. Creation cost 15,000-25,000 gp and takes 3 months.

Common Sources:

  • Ancient armories of elemental-focused civilizations
  • Treasure hoards of master archers and hunters
  • Rewards from archery guilds for legendary marksmanship
  • Commission from specialized magical weaponsmiths
  • Found in the possession of defeated elemental archer NPCs

Alternative Acquisition: Sometimes discovered in ruins of civilizations that mastered elemental magic or obtained from grateful nature spirits.

Value & Trade​

Estimated Value: 18,000-35,000 gp, with higher demand among professional archers and military forces.

Trade Considerations: Highly valued by ranged combat specialists and anyone facing diverse enemy types. Popular among explorers and monster hunters.

Character Integration​

Roleplay Elements: Suggests mastery of archery, understanding of elemental magic, or connection to organizations that study adaptive combat techniques.

Character Concepts:

  • Master archer studying elemental combat techniques
  • Hunter specializing in diverse monster types
  • Member of an archery guild or ranger organization
  • Character trained in adaptive tactical approaches

Adventure Hooks​

The Elemental Hunt: Tracking creatures across different elemental terrains where adaptive damage provides crucial advantages.

The Archer's Trial: Proving mastery worthy of such a weapon through tests of skill and elemental knowledge.

The Tactical Mission: Military operations requiring versatile ranged support against unknown enemy compositions.

The Master's Legacy: Inheriting the bow leads to uncovering the training and adventures of its previous wielder.

Variants & Customization​

Greater Energy Bow (Very Rare): +2 bonus with enhanced damage adaptation and additional elemental effects.

Elemental Mastery Bow (Legendary): Can cycle through specific elemental damage types at will, not just adaptive.

Hunter's Energy Bow (Rare): Specialized for specific creature types with enhanced tracking and damage bonuses.

Specialized Variants:

  • Storm Bow: Focuses on lightning and thunder damage with weather control
  • Prismatic Bow: Cycles through radiant, necrotic, and force damage
  • Nature's Bow: Adapts between poison, acid, and cold for natural threats

Lore & History​

Origins: Created by ancient civilizations that faced diverse elemental threats and needed weapons capable of adapting to any situation.

Historical Significance: These bows enabled small groups of elite archers to succeed against numerically superior forces with diverse resistances.

Cultural Impact: Represents the evolution of archery from simple physical damage to sophisticated magical warfare.

Magical Craft: Demonstrates advanced understanding of elemental interaction and adaptive enchantment techniques.

Balancing Notes​

Introduction Timing: Appropriate for levels 8-12 when diverse enemy resistances become common and tactical adaptation becomes important.

Campaign Impact: Eliminates ammunition tracking while providing meaningful tactical choices. The adaptation prevents total resistance negation.

Versatility Balance: Strong but not overpowering - provides options rather than overwhelming damage.

Encounter Design​

Recommended Challenges:

  • Encounters with enemies having different elemental resistances and vulnerabilities
  • Long-term expeditions where ammunition would normally be a concern
  • Tactical combat requiring adaptation to changing battlefield conditions
  • Monster hunting scenarios against diverse creature types

Tactical Adjustments: Enemies may adapt their own tactics when they realize the bow's adaptive nature.

Magical Ranged Weapons: Oathbow, Flame Tongue weapons, and other specialized ranged magical items.

Adaptive Equipment:

  • Items that change properties based on circumstances
  • Weapons with multiple damage type options
  • Equipment that responds to tactical situations

Complementary Equipment: Items that enhance archery accuracy or provide additional ranged combat options.

Roleplay Opportunities​

Tactical Mastery: Characters develop understanding of enemy weaknesses and elemental interaction principles.

Professional Recognition: Earning respect from archery guilds and military organizations through demonstrated skill.

Elemental Understanding: Learning about elemental magic and its applications in combat through weapon use.