Lore: In the bustling bazaars and guildhalls of Saṃsāra, the “Ledger’s Mark” ammunition has gained fame as a peculiar yet effective tool for both accounting and combat. Crafted by a secretive guild of numeromancers, this ammunition is said to carry the essence of ancient arithmancy. Each arrowhead is engraved with mathematical runes that keep a mystical tally of both its flight and its financial gains. It is particularly popular among merchants and low-ranking officials in the Ministry of Commerce.
Stats:
- Damage: 1d6 Piercing
- Range: Normal 60 ft, Maximum 120 ft
- Properties: Finesse, Ammunition
- Cost: 5 silver pieces per arrow
- Rarity: Common (Tier 1)
- Magic: On hit, the arrow emits a dim light and creates an ethereal ledger entry that records the hit in an invisible book of accounts. This ledger can be viewed only by the wielder.
Roleplay: Wielders of this ammunition often find themselves involved in trade disputes, debt collection, or even as a witness in legal matters. The ethereal ledger entry produced by the Ledger’s Mark can serve as evidence. Merchants often carry a few arrows to settle disputes or make a point during challenging negotiations. Its magic properties are activated upon hitting a target, and the transaction, so to speak, is recorded in a metaphysical ledger. The magic circuit in the arrow interacts with the Mind’s Eye of the wielder, providing an intuitive understanding of the ledger.
Costs: Each Ledger’s Mark arrow costs 5 silver pieces to purchase and comes with a small vial of ink made of crushed gemstones, which is used to activate the arithmantic runes. Crafting these arrows would require proficiency in Alchemical Crafting and may involve a low-level Numeromancer in the process. The cost of materials is usually 2 silver pieces, plus the cost of the gemstone ink.
Magics: The magic in the arrow is channeled through a small, complex magic circuit engraved into the arrowhead. This circuit interacts with the “Mind’s Eye” of the individual who uses the arrow, allowing them to comprehend the ethereal ledger created upon the arrow’s successful hit. The circuit consumes the gemstone ink as a form of magical fuel.
Tags: Ammunition, Piercing, Magical, Trade, Record-keeping
Usage: Weapon Compatibility: Longbow, Shortbow, Crossbow
Defensive: When used defensively, the arrows can help create a perimeter. If an enemy crosses the perimeter and gets hit, the information stored in the ledger may provide an advantage for upcoming legal or trade disputes involving territory or ownership.
Offensive: When used offensively, aside from the standard piercing damage, the ethereal ledger keeps track of successful hits. This may be useful for dealing with enemies who have debts, obligations, or are part of a larger commercial conflict.
Environments:
- Urban: Best used where trade disputes are frequent.
- Forest: Useful for marking territorial boundaries.
- Dungeon: Can help keep a record of encounters and possibly reveal hidden economic ties between dungeon denizens.
Through the complex combination of alchemical and magical crafting, the Ledger’s Mark serves as a tool that seamlessly integrates the worlds of commerce and combat, a true representation of the intricate mechanics that govern life in Saṃsāra.
Perception of Ledger’s Mark
Sight
- What is Perceived: Runes etched on the arrowhead and the pale glow when it activates.
- Description: The arrowhead is intricately carved with mathematical runes, and when activated, emits a faint glow, almost like an ethereal ink inscribing into the air.
- Positives: The ethereal glow serves as a visual confirmation that the arrow’s magic has been activated.
- Negatives: The glow might give away the shooter’s position in low-light conditions.
Smell
- What is Perceived: Scent of crushed gemstone ink and treated wood.
- Description: A slightly mineral aroma from the gemstone ink and a woody undertone emanate from the arrow.
- Positives: The scent is generally mild and unintrusive.
- Negatives: Some people might find the smell of gemstone ink a bit pungent.
Touch
- What is Perceived: Smoothness of the arrow shaft, slight vibrations from the magic circuit.
- Description: The shaft is polished to a smooth finish, while the arrowhead vibrates slightly when touched, indicating the flow of magic.
- Positives: The smooth shaft allows for easy nocking and release.
- Negatives: The slight vibrations might be disconcerting to those not familiar with magical items.
Taste
- What is Perceived: Not applicable; this item is not meant to be tasted.
- Description: N/A
- Positives: N/A
- Negatives: Tasting this item would likely be harmful given its magical and alchemical components.
Sound
- What is Perceived: A soft whistling sound as it flies, a faint chime when magic activates.
- Description: The arrow makes a soft, melodic whistle as it cuts through the air, and a quiet chime resonates when its magic activates upon hitting a target.
- Positives: The chime can confirm a successful hit.
- Negatives: The sound could alert enemies to your position.
Extra-Sensory Perceptions
- Mind’s Eye Perception
- What is Perceived: Ethereal ledger entry.
- Description: A mental “pop-up” that appears in the Mind’s Eye, detailing the transaction (hit).
- Positives: Keeps a record of successful hits.
- Negatives: Might be distracting during intense combat situations.
Recipe for Crafting Ledger’s Mark
- Ingredients
- Arrow shafts (treated wood)
- Arrowheads (metal or bone)
- Mathematical Runes (engraving tool)
- Gemstone Ink (crushed gemstones mixed with arcane essence)
- Activation Catalyst (powdered moonstone)
- Magic Circuit Engraving Kit
- Steps
- Prepare the Arrow Shaft: Smooth and treat wooden arrow shafts to prepare them for assembly.
- Attach the Arrowhead: Affix the metal or bone arrowhead to the shaft securely.
- Engrave Mathematical Runes: Using an engraving tool, etch the mathematical runes into the arrowhead surface.
- Prepare Gemstone Ink: Crush the gemstones into a fine powder and mix them with arcane essence to form an ink-like substance.
- Ink the Runes: Carefully apply the gemstone ink into the engraved runes, ensuring each groove is filled.
- Engrave Magic Circuit: Using a specialized magic circuit engraving kit, engrave a small, complex circuit onto the other side of the arrowhead.
- Activate the Arrow: Sprinkle powdered moonstone as a catalyst over the arrowhead, activating the magic circuit and sealing the ink.
- Final Testing: Test the arrow for both its magical properties and its flight capabilities to ensure it’s ready for use.
By following these steps meticulously, one crafts a Ledger’s Mark arrow, capable of both recording ethereal transactions and serving as a functional piece of ammunition.
The Tale of Merchant-At-Arms and Ledger’s Mark Arrow
Long ago in days misted by time’s fog, lived Merchant-At-Arms, bringer of gold and arrow. In land of bustling trade and clashing steel, Merchant-At-Arms sought tool both for ledger and war. Word whispered on air brought him to mystic craftsman of shadow guild, master of numbers and spells.
“Craft me arrow that accounts, and pierces both doubt and foe,” Merchant-At-Arms declared, heavy purse jingling with promise. Craftsman with hands older than looks, etched curves and lines, language of math and arcane, into arrow’s sharp teeth. He dipped quill into jar of crushed gemstone mixed with breath of arcane. Picture formed on head of arrow, a window to invisible book of ethereal ink.
Paid in gold and secret, Merchant-At-Arms took new tool to field and market. Arrows flew true, piercing enemy and deal alike. Each strike told in ledger seen only through eye inside mind, recording in ethereal ink debts of blood and gold. Arrow not just weapon, but silent witness, glowing with truth hard to deny.
Yet glow attracted eyes unwanted. Enemies and competition, envious of Merchant-At-Arms’ double-edged tool, plotted snare. One dusk under cover of friendly trade, they loosed trap, yet underestimating Ledger’s Mark. As arrows from hidden bows sought flesh, Merchant-At-Arms loosed Ledger’s Mark, its glow revealing deceit, its ethereal ink recording betrayal.
Though arrow scarce and glow double-edged, it pierced lies and turned tables. Foes and false friends left with debts of shame and defeat, recorded in ethereal ledger for all eternity, or until debt paid in coin or kind.
Moral of the Story: Arrow that records can pierce both flesh and lie, but glow that reveals also attracts eye. Choose well time and target, for tool of dual purpose cuts both ways.
Suggested conversion to other systems:
Call of Cthulhu
Item: Ledger’s Mark Arrow
- Type: Ranged Ammunition
- Cost: $20
- Skill: Firearms(Rifle/Shotgun), Bows
- Damage: As weapon + d4
- Special: Reveals hidden intent in a 5-foot radius when activated. Requires Occult to activate.
Dungeons & Dragons 5e
Item: Ledger’s Mark
- Rarity: Common
- Type: Ammunition (arrow)
- Cost: 25 gp
- Properties: When this arrow hits, you can use a bonus action to mark the target. The target cannot gain advantage on attack rolls against you until your next turn.
Knave
Item: Ledger’s Mark Arrow
- Type: Ranged Weapon Ammo
- Cost: 15 Coins
- Effect: On a successful hit, can use free action to gain insight into the target’s next action.
Numenera & Cypher System
Item: Ledger’s Mark
- Level: 1
- Type: Ranged Ammunition
- Effect: On a successful hit, mark the target. On the next attack against the marked target, the attacker gains an asset.
Pathfinder 2e
Item: Ledger’s Mark Arrow
- Level: 1
- Price: 5 gp
- Bulk: L
- Usage: Loaded into a bow
- Activate: Interact; Effect: The next attack made against the target of this arrow gains +1 to hit.
Savage Worlds
Item: Ledger’s Mark
- Type: Arrow
- Cost: $50
- Range: As weapon
- Damage: As weapon
- Notes: On a hit, gain +1 to the next opposed roll against the target.
Shadowrun
Item: Ledger’s Mark
- Type: Arrow
- Cost: 100¥
- Accuracy: As weapon
- AP: -1
- Damage: As weapon
- Effect: Target receives -1 dice pool penalty for defense tests until end of next combat turn.
Starfinder
Item: Ledger’s Mark
- Level: 1
- Type: Arrow (ammunition)
- Range: As weapon
- Damage: As weapon
- Price: 100 Cr
- Effect: On hit, target gets -1 penalty to AC for one round.
Warhammer
Item: Ledger’s Mark
- Type: Ammunition
- Cost: 20 GC
- Availability: Rare
- Effect: On a successful hit, gain +10 to the next opposed check against the target.