Aetheric Longbow

From: Aquilscalyfinfur 837

A majestic bow that appears to be made of light itself, capable of being wielded effectively despite the creature’s large wings. The bow can conjure ethereal arrows infused with elemental energies, allowing for varied tactical options.

Lore — Origin of the Aether:

• The concept of the Aetheric Longbow stems from ancient legends of a mystical realm beyond physical comprehension known as the Aether. This realm is said to be the source of primordial magical energy, the very essence from which all the elements in Saṃsāra are born.
• The First Bowyers: The first Aetheric Longbows were not mere weapons but sacred conduits. Elven or Fae artisans renowned for their attunement to the natural world are believed to have used their unique connection to the Aether to channel its energy. They learned to forge bows of pure light, capable of channeling the elements themselves.
• Lost Knowledge: The creation of Aetheric Longbows is a fading art. The knowledge has been passed down through select lineages, but wars, disasters, and the natural flow of time have diminished their numbers.

Use

• Tactical Flexibility: The Aetheric Longbow’s ability to conjure arrows of different elemental energies provides an unparalleled advantage in combat.
  • Fire Arrows: Incendiary blasts for crowd control or to ignite flammable objects from afar.
  • Ice Arrows: Chilling projectiles slow down targets or freeze small bodies of water, creating tactical terrain changes.
  • Wind Arrows: Powerful gusts to knock foes prone or deflect incoming projectiles (or perhaps even assist in aiming long-distance shots of other types).
• Wing Interference Mitigation: A major strength of the Aetheric Longbow is its ability to adapt to creatures with large wings. The act of drawing the bow seemingly reshapes its ethereal form in a way that accommodates the wearer’s anatomy, preventing awkward snagging or hindrance to flight.
• Spiritual Significance: For some cultures, the Aetheric Longbow holds spiritual importance. Beyond combat, it may be used in rituals focused on channeling nature’s power or connecting with the realm of the Aether itself.

Tier 1 Stats, Skills, Cost, Requirements, Tags

• Stats:
  • +2 Attack
  • Special: Ethereal Arrows: The bow conjures arrows aligned with the elements of fire, ice, and wind. The wearer can focus their mind to change the arrow type at will (no extra actions required).
• Skills:
  • Archery Mastery: Essential to effectively utilize the bow’s full potential.
• Cost:
  • Extremely Expensive: The scarcity of crafters and the special nature of this weapon make it a valuable item.
• Requirements:
  • Minor Magic Attunement: Wielding the bow comfortably requires some innate magical affinity.
  • Focused Mind: Channeling the elemental energy to form different arrow types necessitates mental discipline.
• Tags: Ranged Weapon, Light, Magical, Ethereal, Tier 1

Additional Notes

• Arrow Duration: The conjured arrows are ephemeral, lasting only for a single attack before fading.
• Scaling Potential: Later tiers of the Aetheric Longbow could introduce the ability to conjure additional element types or create stronger elemental effects.
• Legacy Items: Some Aetheric Longbows could be treasured heirlooms, passed down through generations and acquiring unique histories.

Where and How It’s Sold

• Elven Enclaves: If any communities retain the knowledge to create Aetheric Longbows, it would likely be within secluded elven settlements attuned to the natural world. These enclaves may be hidden deep within forests or protected by natural barriers.
• Barter and Rare Goods: Elven artisans might not sell their bows for simple currency. Instead, those seeking an Aetheric Longbow might need to offer rare magical reagents, perform services, or prove their worth in other ways.
• Secret Auctions: In large metropolises with ties to the underground, Aetheric Longbows could occasionally appear in secretive auctions. These events would be heavily guarded, attracting wealthy collectors, those with powerful connections, and potentially individuals with dubious intentions.
• Black Markets: In places where regulations are lax, an Aetheric Longbow might find its way into a shady black market. However, the origins of such a weapon could be questionable, such as being stolen or obtained through unsavory means.
• Ancient Ruins: Occasionally, these bows are discovered as lost relics in ancient ruins of forgotten civilizations. Such expeditions are inherently risky but might be the only way for some to acquire their own Aetheric Longbow.

Environments and End Results

• Forest Rangers and Guardians: For woodland communities tasked with protecting vast territories, the Aetheric Longbow’s tactical flexibility is invaluable. Rangers or guardians could use them to patrol both on foot and in the air, switching arrow types to adapt to different dangers or to engage enemies from hidden positions.
• Elite Skirmishers: In military units, small squads of elite archers equipped with Aetheric Longbows could act as highly mobile skirmishers, capable of disrupting enemy formations, eliminating high-priority targets, or adapting to different combat situations with versatile elemental arrows.
• Monster Hunters: Experienced hunters who track dangerous, magically-attuned beasts might favor the Aetheric Longbow. Having access to different elemental arrows could allow them to exploit specific vulnerabilities or counteract a creature’s own magical abilities.
• Poachers: Sadly, the power of the Aetheric Longbow might appeal to unscrupulous poachers. They could use the elemental arrows for nefarious purposes, such as exploiting weaknesses in rare creatures or quickly subduing them to sell on the black market.

Additional Considerations

• Social Implications: The scarcity and power of Aetheric Longbows could make them status symbols, sought by those seeking to showcase their wealth and magical aptitudes.
• Moral Debate: The use of such weapons, particularly the knowledge of their creation, might spark a debate about harnessing the raw power of the Aether. Some might see it as a necessary means of protection, while others could consider it a disruption of the natural balance.

Activation perceptions of the Aetheric Longbow, covering the five traditional senses and exploring potential extra-sensory effects:

• Sense: Sight
  • Perceived: A faint, shimmering aura outlines the form of the bow, its color shifting subtly between hues of blue, green, and gold depending on the elemental arrow currently conjured.
  • Description: This aura represents the flow of magical energy within the bow, hinting at the active elemental enchantment.
  • Positive: Provides visual confirmation that the bow is active and what type of elemental arrow is ready.
  • Negative: The aura, though faint, could be noticeable in low-light conditions.
• Sense: Touch
  • Perceived: A subtle warmth radiates from the bow when held, almost like holding a ray of sunlight. This warmth intensifies slightly when focusing to change the type of conjured arrow.
  • Description: This sensation is a manifestation of the elemental energy coursing through the weapon.
  • Positive: Serves as a subtle tactile reminder of the bow’s active state.
  • Negative: The warmth might become slightly uncomfortable on very hot days.
• Sense: Sound
  • Perceived: When drawing an arrow, a faint chime resonates from the bow, the pitch subtly changing depending on the currently conjured element (high for fire, low for ice, a whistling for wind).
  • Description: This sound is akin to a resonating crystal, likely an effect of the ethereal material’s interaction with the elemental energies.
  • Positive: Provides an auditory cue to the wearer and adds a touch of mystique to the weapon.
  • Negative: The sound, though subtle, could give away an archer’s position in complete silence.
• Sense: Smell
  • Perceived: A faint scent hangs in the air around the bow, clean and fresh like the air after a rainstorm.
  • Description: This scent likely stems from the ethereal nature of the bow, suggesting otherworldliness and purity of energy.
  • Positive: The pleasant scent could have a calming effect on the wielder.
  • Negative: A creature with an exceptional sense of smell could potentially track someone by this faint scent.
• Sense: Taste
  • Perceived: While not a direct activation perception, should the bowstring brush against the wielder’s lips, a lingering metallic taste infused with a slight ozone-like tang might be noticeable.
  • Description: This is likely residual energy from the bow interacting with the skin.
  • Positive: Could serve as a reminder to handle the weapon carefully.
  • Negative: The taste could be unpleasant.
• Extra-Sensory Perception
  • Perceived: While wielding the bow, an individual with heightened sensitivity to magical energies might feel a subtle pull towards pockets of concentrated elemental energy in the surroundings.
  • Description: This sensation signifies the bow’s attunement to elemental forces, a subtle nudge towards potential tactical opportunities (a campfire as a fire source, a damp cave as a source of ice, etc.).
  • Positive: This adds a layer of tactical awareness for the wielder.
  • Negative: Overly sensitive individuals might find the constant pull overwhelming, especially in areas with many different elemental forces.
• Important Note:  The intensity of these perceptions likely depends on the wielder’s own sensitivity to magic and the strength of the bow’s enchantments.

Recipe: The Aetheric Longbow

• Materials Needed:
  • Core Component:
    • Heartwood Branch: The base material should be a branch from an ancient tree with a strong spiritual connection to the natural world. This could be a specific type of oak, a mystical willow, etc.
  • Ethereal Essence:
    • Aether Shard: A fragment of raw magical energy from the Aetheric plane. Acquiring this would be incredibly difficult and might involve venturing into other realms or summoning rituals.
  • Elemental Reagents:
    • Fire Essence: A concentrated form of fire, such as the heart of a fire elemental, or magma from a specific volcano.
    • Ice Essence: Pure frozen energy, perhaps from the frozen heart of a glacier or from a powerful ice elemental.
    • Wind Essence: A captured breath of a powerful storm or refined from the feathers of a creature intrinsically linked to air.
• Tools Required:
  • Woodworking Tools: Basic tools for shaping, carving, and treating the heartwood branch.
  • Enchantment Workspace: A secure location with the necessary tools for channeling magical energies (runic circles, reagents, etc.).
  • Elemental Focuses: Objects or tools that resonate with the elemental aspects and aid in their infusion (perhaps a fire opal, a sliver of glacial ice, or a feather from a storm eagle)
• Skill Requirements:
  • Master Woodworking: To fashion the heartwood into a perfectly balanced bow, an expert hand is needed.
  • Advanced Enchanting: Understanding the complex interactions of ethereal energy with the elemental essences is paramount. Knowledge of binding and stabilization spells is required.
  • Aetheric Attunement: The crafter must have some inherent sensitivity to and understanding of the Aether to create this unique weapon.
• Crafting Steps:
  • Preparation of the Heartwood:
    • Select a spiritually resonant heartwood branch and meticulously shape it into the base form of the bow.
    • Create intricate carvings along the bow’s form, designed to channel and focus magical energies.
  • Aethereal Infusion:
    • In a ritually prepared space, secure the Aether Shard as the centerpiece of the bow’s form.
    • Carefully channel pure magical energy from the shard into the carved pathways of the bow, creating a stable ethereal matrix.
  • Elemental Attunement:
    • Using the elemental focuses, draw upon the Fire, Ice, and Wind Essences, infusing them into the Aetheric matrix of the bow.
    • Employ meticulous enchanting techniques to bind these disparate energies while ensuring a swift transition between them based on the wielder’s will.
  • Final Ritual and Testing:
    • Undertake a final ritual, focusing the crafter’s own innate connection to the Aether into the bow. This attunes the weapon to a specific wielder.
    • Test the bow’s functionality, ensuring the smooth transition of conjured arrows and the stability of the enchantments.
• Important Notes
  • This recipe represents a high-level overview. The specifics of spells, rituals, and the acquisition of these rare materials would likely be closely guarded secrets.
  • The success of the crafting is heavily reliant on the crafter’s skill and their intrinsic magical abilities. This shouldn’t be an item readily mass-produced.
  • Collaboration between a master woodworker and an expert enchanter might be necessary to achieve perfection.

Song of the Starwood Bow

Whispered on the wind through ancient boughs, comes a tale of a weapon unlike any other. In the Eldwood, where starlight painted the leaves with an ethereal glow, resided the Elven🏹 Archer, Elara. Her prowess with the bow was unmatched, yet a yearning gnawed at her spirit – a desire to pierce the heavens themselves.

One moonlit eve, beneath the canopy ablaze with starlight, Elara stumbled upon a clearing bathed in an otherworldly luminescence. At its center, a single, shimmering branch pulsed with an impossible light. This was Starwood, whispered the wind, a fragment of the celestial realm itself.

Driven by an unseen force, Elara fashioned the Starwood into a bow, its form imbued with the essence of the stars. The moment she grasped it, a connection bloomed – the bow sang a silent song, a melody of starlight and whispered power. Elara no longer merely loosed arrows, she unleashed streaks of celestial fire, arrows that could carve through the heavens.

With her Starwood Bow, Elara became a legend. She repelled monstrous incursions, her arrows a blazing shield against the encroaching darkness. Yet, with each victory, a sliver of starlight flickered and died within the bow. The celestial power, while immense, was finite.

One fateful night, a monstrous hydra, scales black as night, descended upon the Eldwood. Elara, the last line of defense, unleashed a volley of starlight arrows. They pierced the beast, but the final blow, a desperate surge of power, extinguished the last ember of starlight within the bow. The Starwood Bow, its celestial song silenced, became a mere fragment of its former glory.

Elara emerged victorious, but forever marked by the loss. The Starwood Bow served as a constant reminder – borrowed power, no matter how grand, comes with a price.

Moral: Even the most magnificent tools have limitations. True strength lies not in borrowed power, but in honed skill and the unwavering spirit.

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu

• Emphasis: Sanity cost, the terrible beauty of otherworldly power, potential for corruption.
• Stat Block:
  • Ranged Weapon: Standard bow mechanics for the system
  • Sanity Cost: Each use of the elemental arrows has a small Sanity cost associated with harnessing the otherworldly power of the Aether.
  • Corruption: Repeated use could have a cumulative effect, leading to subtle mutations or personality shifts representing a connection to the Aether.
• Mechanics:
  • Sanity Checks: Utilizing the bow to its full potential involves confronting the alien nature of the power it holds, forcing Sanity checks.
  • Forbidden Lore: Learning how to craft or imbue objects with such power likely requires delving into dangerous and sanity-shattering occult texts.
  • Unpredictable Power: Optionally, the elemental arrows could have a small chance for unexpected effects, either positive or dangerous, representing the unpredictable nature of the Aether.

Blades in the Dark

• Emphasis: Power at a price, factions vying for control, risky bargains.
• Mechanics:
  • Faction Asset: The Aetheric Longbow could be a key asset of an occult-focused faction (the Whisperers perhaps) or a shadowy patron who barters for its use.
  • High-Risk, High-Reward: Employing the elemental arrows offers significant advantages in combat or infiltration, but the potential consequences (backlash, attention, etc.) should be equally severe.
  • Resistance Rolls: Using the bow could represent a significant mental or spiritual strain, necessitating resistance rolls to maintain composure or avoid becoming beholden to its power.
• Story Hooks:
  • Turf War: The existence of the bow could ignite a conflict between factions seeking to control the weapon and the knowledge of its creation.
  • Dark Bargains: A desperate situation could compel characters to strike a deal with the owner of the bow, forcing them into dangerous or morally questionable missions.

Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition)

• Emphasis: Rarity, scaling with character level, potential connection to a patron.
• Stat Block:
  • Rarity: Very Rare or Legendary
  • Requires Attunement
  • +2 to Attack and Damage Rolls
  • Elemental Versatility: As an action, you can focus your mind to change the type of conjured arrow (fire, ice, wind), each with different additional effects.
• Mechanics:
  • Scaling Effects: As the wielder levels, new elemental arrow types could be unlocked, or the elemental effects could become more potent.
  • Patron Connection: The bow could be tied to a powerful elemental being or force from the Aetheric plane, who might occasionally offer guidance… or make demands.
  • Exhaustion: Consider a limited number of uses of the elemental arrows per day, with a greater cost for more powerful effects, representing the strain of channeling the Aether.

Knave

• Emphasis: Simple but dangerous, weirdness of the Aether, potential for unexpected side effects.
• Stat Block:
  • +2 to Attacks with Ranged Weapons
  • Power: Conjure arrows imbued with fire, ice, or wind. Each type has a simple but specific effect (fire = slight spread damage, ice = slows the target, wind = knocks back a small creature).
  • Corruption: Using the bow’s elemental powers risks attracting the attention of strange denizens from the Aether, introducing random complications or side effects.

Fate

• Emphasis: Narrative power, fueling Aspects, potential for compels.
• Aspects:
  • Starwood Bow of Legend: Provides a bonus when overcoming obstacles related to archery and when harnessing elemental powers.
  • Channeler of the Aether: Can be invoked to perform exceptional feats with the bow (long-distance shots, specialized elemental tricks) but could be compelled to introduce complications linked to the unpredictable nature of the Aether.
  • Bound to the Elements: Represents the connection between wielder and bow, a source of power but also potential vulnerability.
• Mechanics:
  • Invokes: Players can creatively invoke their Aspects to aid in attacks, create environmental effects with elemental arrows, or even sense disturbances in the flow of magical energy.
  • Compels: Aspects, especially those tied to the Aetheric origin of the bow, can be used to introduce sudden manifestations of elemental power, attract unwanted attention, or lead to difficult choices for the wielder.

Numenera & Cypher System

• Emphasis: The weirdness of the prior worlds, depletion of abilities, unpredictable effects.
• Descriptors & Foci:
  • Descriptors: Could be “Graceful” and “Otherworldly”.
  • Foci: Possibilities include “Conjures Elemental Arrows” or “Draws Power From the Aether”.
• Mechanics:
  • Difficulty Easements: Descriptors and Foci can lower the difficulty of related tasks such as long-distance shots, aiming in harsh weather, or identifying elemental anomalies.
  • Cyphers: One-use Cyphers could grant powerful single-shot elemental effects or temporarily empower the bow.
  • Depletion: Each use of the elemental arrows could deplete an ability pool (perhaps Speed), reflecting the strain of channeling its power.
• GM Intrusions: Could introduce bizarre environmental effects, sudden mutations in the wielder, or attract the attention of strange creatures drawn to the Aetheric energy.

Pathfinder (2nd Edition)

• Emphasis: Tactical combat, critical hits, character build synergy.
• Stat Block:
  • Rarity: Unique
  • +2 Item Bonus to Attack Rolls
  • Critical Specialization Effect: Tailor its effects based on the elemental arrow used, expanding the range of potential critical effects.
  • Elemental Versatility: The wielder can choose the elemental type (fire, ice, wind) as a single action, with each element granting additional effects:
    • Fire: Persistent fire damage
    • Ice: Enemy is slowed
    • Wind: Knocks back a small or smaller creature on a failed save

Savage Worlds

• Emphasis: Cinematic action, Wild Cards vs. Extras, flavorful Hindrances.
• Stat Block:
  • Ranged Weapon: Standard bow traits
  • Elemental Arrows (d6): The wielder can focus to conjure arrows of different elemental types
    • Fire: +2 damage, chance of setting the target alight
    • Ice: Target slowed (Agility roll to resist)
    • Wind: Can knock a target prone (Strength roll to resist)
• Mechanics:
  • Bennies: Bennies can power spectacular shots, soak damage caused by backlash, or influence elemental effects to the player’s advantage.
  • Wild Card vs. Extras: Important enemies could shake off elemental effects or counter them with their own magic, maintaining the flow of battle.
  • Hindrances: Introduce Hindrances like “Aetheric Sensitivity” (vulnerability to magic) or “Marked by the Aether” (attracts strange entities).

Shadowrun

• Emphasis: Magic vs. tech, essence drain, potential for unique enhancements.
• Stat Block:
  • Ranged Weapon: Standard bow mechanics with high Accuracy and moderate Damage.
  • Enchanted Weapon: Can be used to target spirits and beings on the astral plane.
  • Elemental Versatility: The wielder can focus as a Simple Action to change the conjured arrow types (fire, ice, wind), each with different effects tailored for Shadowrun combat (fire = armor piercing, ice = impairs movement, wind = knockback chance).
  • Essence Drain: Each use of the elemental arrows could drain a small amount of the wielder’s Essence, representing the strain of channeling magical energy.
• Mechanics:
  • Astral Signature: The bow leaves a distinct astral signature when used, potentially attracting attention from magical entities or astral patrollers.
  • Cybernetic Integration: Consider allowing for subtle cybernetic enhancements that mitigate essence drain, improve targeting in low-light conditions with the bow’s aura, or boost arrow velocity.
  • Black Market Demand: An intact Aetheric Longbow would fetch an incredible price on the black market, potentially drawing in dangerous rivals and underworld figures.

Starfinder

• Emphasis: High-tech integration, exotic origins, scaling with levels.
• Stat Block:
  • Item Level: Determines its base accuracy, damage, and strength of the elemental effects.
  • Weapon Type: Kinetic (for the base bow form) and Special (for the conjured arrows)
  • Special Properties: Versatile: Ethereal Arrows (Fire, Ice, Wind), each with additional effects that scale with the Item Level of the bow.
  • Origin: Tie it to a vanished precursor race or a mysterious dimension where the rules of physics bend, allowing for intriguing side quests.
• Mechanics:
  • Power Source: Consider a rechargeable power source for the elemental effects, requiring occasional refueling with rare isotopes or recovered artifacts.
  • Environmental Interaction: Certain environments could boost or hinder specific elemental effects (a fire arrow supercharged near a star, or an ice arrow severely weakened in a desert biome).
  • Knowledge (Arcana): Required to fully understand the origins and potential upgrades for the bow.

Traveller

• Emphasis: Gritty realism, limited resources, potential for long-term consequences.
• Stat Block:
  • TL (Tech Level): Depends on the campaign. Could be an ancient high-TL artifact or the result of experimental tech in a low-TL setting.
  • Ranged Weapon: Standard bow mechanics but finely crafted (+1 to hit).
  • Psionic Potential: Instead of overt elemental arrows, frame it as subtle telekinetic manipulations achievable by a latent psionic user wielding the bow (fire = increased damage, ice = hindering movement, wind = knockback or precision shot bonus).
• Mechanics:
  • Rare Maintenance: Finding materials or individuals capable of maintaining the bow could be a challenge, especially in low-TL settings.
  • Reputation: Using psionic abilities or wielding a seemingly magical bow could either draw unwanted attention or grant unique social status, depending on the culture.
  • Mental Strain: Channeling psionic energy through the bow could cause temporary fatigue or have long-term consequences related to psionic aptitude.

Warhammer (Fantasy or 40K)

• Emphasis: The corrupting influence of otherworldly power, suspicion of magic.
• Stat Block:
  • Ranged Weapon: Standard bow, exceptional craftsmanship (+1 to hit)
  • Mark of the Aether: Grants the ability to conjure elemental arrows, but each use carries a chance of gaining a Corruption Point or Mutation.
  • Heretical Lore: Understanding the nature and origin of the bow would likely delve into forbidden knowledge, potentially linked to the Chaos realms or Xenos technology.
• Mechanics:
  • Perils of the Warp/Insanity: In Fantasy Warhammer, utilizing the bow could involve resisting mental corruption. In 40k, it could lead to psyker abilities manifesting.
  • Witch Hunter’s Interest: In either setting, overt use of the bow is likely to make the wielder a target for ruthless organizations seeking to purge any taint.
  • Forbidden Relic: The bow might be a heavily guarded relic, sought after by Inquisitors, Chaos cults, or Xenos factions depending on the setting.