Oathbow

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

When you nock an arrow on this bow, it whispers in Elvish, "Swift defeat to my enemies." When you use this weapon to make a ranged attack, you can utter or sign the following command words: "Swift death to you who have wronged me." The target of your attack becomes your sworn enemy until it dies or until dawn 7 days later. You can have only one such sworn enemy at a time. When your sworn enemy dies, you can choose a new one after the next dawn.

When you make a ranged attack roll with this weapon against your sworn enemy, you have Advantage on the roll. In addition, your target gains no benefit from Half Cover or Three-Quarters Cover, and you suffer no Disadvantage due to long range. If the attack hits, your sworn enemy takes an extra 3d6 Piercing damage.

While your sworn enemy lives, you have Disadvantage on attack rolls with all other weapons.

Tactical Applications

Combat Strategy: +3 longbow that allows swearing of oaths against specific enemies, dealing massive damage to sworn foes. Exceptional for focused enemy elimination and long-term vendetta campaigns.

Class Synergies:

• Rangers: Perfect for favored enemy specialists and tracking-focused builds
• Archers: Essential for ranged combat specialists requiring enhanced damage against specific targets
• Oath-Based Characters: Excellent for paladins and characters with strong moral codes
• Vendetta Builds: Ideal for characters with personal vendettas and enemy-focused campaigns

Build Considerations: Most effective when focused on specific enemy types or individuals. Requires strategic oath selection for maximum effectiveness.

Acquisition Methods

Crafting Requirements: Requires oath magic, vengeance enchantments, and justice-infused materials. Creation cost 75,000-150,000 gp and takes 8 months.

Common Sources:

• Ancient ranger orders and oath-keeping organizations
• Treasure hoards of legendary hunters and vendetta seekers
• Commission from master enchanters with oath magic expertise
• Found in the collections of justice seekers and moral champions
• Rewards from entities associated with justice and oath-keeping

Alternative Acquisition: Sometimes discovered in sites of ancient oaths or obtained through justice-related trials.

Value & Trade

Estimated Value: 100,000-200,000 gp, considered extremely valuable due to specialized damage capabilities.

Trade Considerations: Artifact-level rarity and oath-based nature make most acquisitions involve justice quests or moral trials.

Character Integration

Roleplay Elements: Suggests dedication to justice, willingness to make binding oaths, or completion of vengeance quests requiring sworn commitments.

Character Concepts:

• Legendary hunter with oath-based magic and vendetta specialization
• Character dedicated to justice who makes binding moral commitments
• Ranger with ancient oaths against specific enemy types or organizations
• Moral champion wielding artifacts of justice and oath-keeping

Adventure Hooks

The Sworn Enemy: Campaigns focused on specific antagonists where oath magic provides crucial advantages.

The Justice Quest: Adventures involving moral themes where oath-keeping advances the plot.

The Ancient Vendetta: Long-term campaigns where sworn oaths create ongoing character motivation.

The Moral Champion: Character development arcs focused on justice and oath-based commitments.

Variants & Customization

Greater Oathbow (Artifact): Enhanced oath effects and ability to maintain multiple simultaneous oaths.

Justiciar's Oathbow (Legendary): Includes justice-based abilities and moral authority benefits.

Vengeance Bow (Very Rare): Specialized for revenge themes with enhanced vendetta capabilities.

Oath Types:

• Enemy Oath: Traditional sworn enemy with enhanced damage and tracking
• Justice Oath: Commitment to justice with moral authority benefits
• Protection Oath: Sworn protection of specific individuals or groups
• Vengeance Oath: Binding commitment to avenge wrongs and injustices

Lore & History

Origins: Forged by ancient rangers who needed binding magical commitments to pursue justice across vast distances and time.

Historical Significance: This bow has enabled legendary hunts and the pursuit of justice against impossible odds.

Cultural Impact: Represents the power of binding oaths and the dedication required for true justice.

Magical Craft: Demonstrates mastery of oath magic and the complex enchantments required for binding commitment effects.

Balancing Notes

Introduction Timing: Appropriate for levels 12-18 when focused enemy campaigns become prominent and oath themes are meaningful.

Campaign Impact: Provides major damage advantages against specific enemies balanced by oath limitations and moral requirements.

Oath Commitment: Binding nature creates ongoing character obligations and campaign integration points.

Encounter Design

Recommended Challenges:

• Long-term campaigns against specific enemies where oath magic provides advantages
• Justice-themed adventures where moral commitments determine success
• Hunting scenarios where sworn oaths enable tracking and elimination
• Character development encounters focused on oath-keeping and moral dedication

Tactical Adjustments: Encounters with sworn enemies should be scaled to challenge oath-enhanced capabilities.

Related Items

Oath Items: Other weapons and items that involve binding commitments and oath-based magic.

Justice Equipment:

• Items that enhance moral authority and justice-based abilities
• Equipment for professional hunting and enemy tracking
• Tools for oath-keeping and moral commitment maintenance

Complementary Equipment: Items that enhance archery or provide additional oath-based capabilities.

Roleplay Opportunities

Oath Mastery: Characters develop expertise in binding commitments and moral authority.

Justice Champion: Oath-based abilities create opportunities for moral leadership and justice advocacy.

Legendary Hunter: Sworn enemy capabilities enable participation in epic hunts and vendetta campaigns.