Chaosbound Arrows

From: Abyssal Shard

Lore: Chaosbound Arrows are a product of the fusion between the raw chaos of the Abyssal Shard and the precision craftsmanship of elven archery. The recipe for these arrows has its origins in ancient legends, where it is said that a skilled elven archer sought to harness the chaotic forces of the Abyss and infuse them into their arrows. The arrows are a testament to the delicate balance between order and chaos, allowing the archer to unleash devastating and unpredictable effects upon their foes.

Use: Chaosbound Arrows are primarily used by archers and hunters seeking to add an element of chaos and destruction to their ranged attacks. When these arrows strike their target, they unleash chaotic energy upon impact, causing explosive damage and potentially inflicting random detrimental effects.

Tier 1 Stats:

• Damage Enhancement: Chaosbound Arrows provide a +1 bonus to damage rolls when fired from a ranged weapon.
• Chaotic Explosion: Upon impact, Chaosbound Arrows explode with chaotic energy, dealing area-of-effect damage to surrounding targets within a small radius.
• Random Detrimental Effects: In addition to the explosive damage, Chaosbound Arrows have a chance to inflict random detrimental effects on the target, such as confusion, weakness, or disorientation. The specific effects and their chances can be determined by the game master or through dice rolls.

Skills:

• Archery: Proficiency in Archery improves the accuracy and effectiveness of using Chaosbound Arrows. Skilled archers can better control the chaos within the arrows, increasing the chances of inflicting detrimental effects on their targets.

Preparation: Creating Chaosbound Arrows requires the careful assembly of various components. The following ingredients are needed for their creation: Abyssal Shard (1), Elven Arrowheads (3), Volatile Salts (a pinch), Feywind Feathers (4 feathers), and Soulsteel Shafts (6 shafts). The Abyssal Shard serves as the catalyst, infusing the arrows with chaotic energy. The components are meticulously combined, with the arrows crafted to withstand the volatile nature of the chaos they contain. The process involves intricate fletching, forging, and enchanting techniques to ensure the arrows are stable and effective.

Cost: Chaosbound Arrows are considered valuable and rare due to their powerful and unpredictable nature. The cost of acquiring these arrows can vary depending on factors such as the availability of ingredients, the skill of the craftsman, and the demand in the market. As a rough estimate, a bundle of 10 Chaosbound Arrows could cost around 50 to 100 gold pieces.

Tags: Ammunition, Damage Enhancement, Area of Effect, Random Detrimental Effects, Chaotic, Rare

Where and How the Recipe is Sold: The recipe for Chaosbound Arrows is a closely guarded secret known to only a select few individuals. It is not something readily available in common marketplaces. However, there are a few specific avenues through which the recipe and the arrows themselves can be acquired:

• Elven Enclaves: The ancient elven realms, hidden deep within enchanted forests or secluded mountain valleys, are the primary sources for the knowledge and crafting of Chaosbound Arrows. Within these enclaves, skilled elven artisans and archers guard the secrets of creating these powerful arrows. Characters seeking the recipe might need to gain the trust and respect of the elven community, demonstrate their archery skills, or embark on quests to prove their worthiness.
• Black Markets and Underground Guilds: In shadowy corners of the world, secret black markets and underground guilds exist. These networks deal in illicit and forbidden goods, including rare and powerful weaponry such as Chaosbound Arrows. Characters with connections to these underground networks, or those skilled in navigating the criminal underworld, may come across individuals who possess the recipe or the arrows themselves.
• Arcane Auctions and Specialized Merchants: Exclusive arcane auctions or specialized merchants catering to adventurers and skilled archers might occasionally feature Chaosbound Arrows. These high-end establishments deal in rare and exotic items, and their stock may include a limited supply of Chaosbound Arrows. Characters may need to attend these auctions, prove their worth or wealth, and outbid other interested parties to acquire the arrows.

Usage and Environment: Chaosbound Arrows find their greatest utility in environments where precision, ranged combat, and the element of surprise are valued. Here are some examples of how the arrows are used and the environments in which their effects come into play:

• Wilderness and Hunting: Skilled archers and hunters utilize Chaosbound Arrows when tracking dangerous creatures or engaging in wilderness combat. The explosive damage and potential detrimental effects make these arrows effective tools for bringing down formidable foes and turning the tide of a battle in the untamed wilderness.
• Battlefields and Sieges: In large-scale conflicts and sieges, archers equipped with Chaosbound Arrows can wreak havoc on enemy forces. The area-of-effect damage caused by the explosive impact of these arrows can damage multiple targets at once, creating chaos among the ranks of the enemy and creating opportunities for the archer’s allies.
• Assassinations and Stealth Missions: The random detrimental effects of Chaosbound Arrows make them valuable assets in stealth operations. Characters engaged in covert missions, assassinations, or infiltrations can use these arrows to disable guards, sow confusion among enemies, or create diversions, allowing them to navigate through hostile territory unnoticed.
• Magical Confrontations: The chaotic nature of Chaosbound Arrows makes them particularly effective against magical adversaries. The unpredictable effects of the arrows can disrupt spellcasting, weaken magical defenses, or introduce chaos into magical constructs. Characters facing off against powerful spellcasters or enchanted creatures can use these arrows to exploit vulnerabilities and turn the tide of magical confrontations.

In these environments, the archer carefully selects targets, considering the potential explosive damage and the random detrimental effects. The arrows are used strategically, aiming to disrupt enemy formations, create distractions, or disable specific opponents. The element of unpredictability provided by Chaosbound Arrows adds a layer of excitement and risk to each shot, making them a favorite among adventurous archers seeking to unleash chaos upon their foes.

Tale of the Arrows Born of Chaos

Long ago, before the skies knew stillness and the ground embraced certainty, there was a hunter named Elmyrin, who walked among the ever-shifting forests on the borders of the Abyss. It was said that Elmyrin, an elf with eyes like silvered moons, bore the weight of a curse upon their kin—an unrelenting foe who wielded the dark magic of the Abyssal Plane to spread ruin. The hunter’s arrows, though swift and sharp, could not pierce the enchantments of this foe, leaving Elmyrin despondent in their inability to protect those they loved.

One night, beneath a storm that raged as though the heavens themselves waged war, Elmyrin sought solace in the deepest glade. There, amidst the chaos of wind and flame, a fragment of the Abyss crashed into the earth, glowing with dark and shifting hues. The shard spoke not with words but with a pulse that called to the bold and the desperate.

Elmyrin, guided by instinct, knelt before the shard and spoke a solemn vow: “If you grant me the strength to banish the darkness, I will carry your chaos into the light.” The shard, as though understanding, splintered into fragments, each imbued with the volatile energy of the Abyss.

From these shards, Elmyrin forged arrows with fletching of Feywind feathers, arrowheads of elven steel, and shafts tempered in Soulsteel. With every strike, the arrows unleashed chaotic explosions, their power unpredictable yet devastating. The arrows carried not just the wrath of the Abyss, but also the courage of a soul willing to face the unknown.

In the final battle, Elmyrin faced the Abyssal foe atop a cliff wreathed in darkness. With the Chaosbound Arrows, the hunter shot true. Explosions of chaos disrupted the foe’s spells and shattered its barriers, until the enemy was consumed by its own magic. Yet, as the foe fell, the arrows exacted a price—scattering the fragments of the hunter’s courage and heart across the winds, leaving Elmyrin both triumphant and changed.

Though the arrows remain, they are said to retain the dual nature of their creation: potent, yet unpredictable. Those who wield them must accept both their might and their peril, for the chaos they unleash cannot be tamed.

Moral: Chaos is a force that, when embraced, can overcome even the strongest of barriers—but it exacts its toll from all who wield it. Use such power with reverence and humility.

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)

Chaosbound Arrows

• Type: Ammunition (Ranged Weapon)
• Use: When fired, Chaosbound Arrows explode upon impact, dealing 1d6 explosive damage in a 3-yard radius. Additionally, the primary target must succeed in a Hard POW check or suffer a random detrimental effect (e.g., confusion, temporary blindness, or disorientation) for 1d4 rounds.
• Special: The arrows are imbued with Abyssal energy. Prolonged use (more than three arrows in a single scenario) increases the wielder’s chance of gaining a temporary or indefinite insanity from encountering the chaotic energy.
• Availability: Found through Mythos cults or rare antiquarian dealers (Cost: 50-100 GP per arrow).

Blades in the Dark

Chaosbound Arrows

• Category: Special Ammunition
• Effect: Upon hitting a target, the arrow creates a chaotic explosion, causing +1 Harm to all targets within a small area (including unintended targets).
• Special Ability: Roll a Fortune Die when firing a Chaosbound Arrow. On a 1-3, a random detrimental effect occurs, such as a distraction that hinders all targets’ actions or a minor supernatural event (GM’s discretion).
• Position/Risk: Using these arrows is considered a Risky or Desperate action due to their volatile nature.
• Cost/Acquisition: Acquired from a Black Market merchant or arcane dealer. (1 Coin per arrow).

Dungeons & Dragons (5e)

Chaosbound Arrows

• Type: Ammunition (Rare, Requires Attunement)
• Damage: +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls. On a hit, the target takes an additional 1d6 force damage, and all creatures within a 5-foot radius must succeed on a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw or take the same force damage.
• Random Effect: Roll a d6 on hit:
• The target is blinded until the start of your next turn.
• The target is knocked prone.
• The target is disarmed (if wielding a weapon).
• The target is frightened until the end of its next turn.
• No additional effect.
• The arrow deals double damage instead.
• Crafting Cost: 500 GP for 10 arrows, requiring an Abyssal Shard and proficiency in Arcana and Smith’s Tools.

Knave

Chaosbound Arrows

• Type: Consumable (Ammunition)
• Effect: When fired, the arrow deals an additional 1d8 chaotic damage in a 10-foot radius, affecting all creatures (save or suffer additional effects as determined by the GM, such as temporary confusion, fear, or physical injury).
• Usage Roll: Roll a d6 after use. On a result of 1, the remaining arrows in the quiver are destabilized and cannot be used safely.
• Cost: 50 Silver per arrow. Crafting requires access to an alchemist and an Abyssal Shard.

Fate Core

Chaosbound Arrows

• Aspect: “Whispering Chaos from the Abyss”
• Invoke: Enhance ranged attacks with chaotic explosions or disrupt magical defenses. Gain a bonus when attacking multiple targets or causing distractions.
• Compel: Chaosbound Arrows misfire or cause unintended collateral damage, creating complications for the wielder.
• Effect: Once per scene, a Chaosbound Arrow can create a 2-shift attack against a target and all within a nearby zone. Targets must overcome with Athletics or suffer a random detrimental condition (disorientation, fear, or blindness).
• Refresh Cost: 1 Refresh to acquire or maintain.

Numenera & Cypher System

Chaosbound Arrows

• Level: 5
• Effect: When fired, the arrow explodes on impact, dealing 7 points of damage to all creatures within an immediate area. Additionally, roll a d20:
  • 1-10: Target suffers random effects (e.g., stunned, confused, or vulnerable).
  • 11-20: Explosion disrupts nearby Numenera devices for one round.
• Special Use: May be used to disrupt barriers or wards created by Numenera artifacts.
• Depletion Roll: Roll d20 after firing. On a 1, all remaining Chaosbound Arrows lose their effectiveness.

Pathfinder (2e)

Chaosbound Arrows

• Type: Ammunition (Consumable, Rare)
• Damage: +1 bonus to attack rolls. On a hit, the arrow deals an additional 1d6 force damage and explodes in a 10-foot radius, dealing 2d6 force damage to all creatures in the area (Reflex DC 20 for half damage).
• Random Effect (Optional Rule): On a failed saving throw, roll 1d4 for an additional effect:
• Blinded (1 round).
• Frightened 1.
• Knocked prone.
• No extra effect.
• Crafting Requirements: Abyssal Shard, Volatile Salts, and Feywind Feathers; Craft DC 25 (Alchemy or Crafting).
• Cost: 200 GP per bundle of 5 arrows.

Savage Worlds (Adventure Edition)

Chaosbound Arrows

• Type: Special Ammunition (Rare)
• Damage: On a successful hit, target takes +1 damage die (e.g., an additional d6). If a raise is achieved, the arrow explodes, causing an area attack that deals 2d6 damage to all within a Medium Burst Template.
• Random Effects: Targets in the area must make a Spirit roll (at -2 if hit by the explosion) or suffer a random hindrance, such as Shaken, Distracted, or Vulnerable for 1d4 rounds.
• Availability: Requires a connection to a rare alchemist or Abyssal traders. Arrows cost 500 Silver for 10.
• Drawback: Firing a Chaosbound Arrow requires a Shooting roll at -1 due to its unstable energy. A critical failure results in the arrow detonating prematurely, causing damage to the shooter and nearby allies.

Shadowrun

Chaosbound Arrows

• Type: Ammunition (Exotic, Rare)
• Damage: Base weapon damage +2P. On impact, the arrow creates a chaotic energy burst (6P, -2 AP) in a 3-meter radius. Affected targets resist with Body + Armor.
• Effect: Roll 1d6 for a random effect:
  • 1-2: Target is disoriented (-2 to all actions for 2 rounds).
  • 3-4: Target is knocked prone.
  • 5-6: Target suffers -1 to Initiative Score for the rest of the combat.
• Availability: 16R; 1,500¥ per bundle of 5 arrows.
• Drawback: Firing Chaosbound Arrows requires a Heavy Weapons skill check due to their instability. A glitch causes the arrow to explode prematurely (6P, -2 AP to shooter and adjacent characters).

Starfinder

Chaosbound Arrows

• Level: 7
• Type: Ammunition (Special, Magic)
• Damage: +1d6 force damage. On a hit, the arrow explodes in a 10-ft radius, dealing 2d6 force damage to all creatures (Reflex DC 16 for half).
• Special Effect: Roll 1d4 for an additional random effect on the primary target:
• Shaken for 1 round.
• Confused for 1 round.
• Blinded for 1 round.
• No additional effect.
• Bulk: L (Light).
• Price: 500 credits for a pack of 5 arrows.
• Crafting Requirements: Mysticism (DC 24), Abyssal Shard, and Volatile Salts.

Traveller

Chaosbound Arrows

• TL: 12
• Type: Ammunition (Exotic)
• Damage: 3D + special effects. On impact, creates a chaotic blast in a 5-meter radius (2D).
• Special Effect: Roll 1D6 for additional effects:
  • 1-2: Target suffers Disadvantage on all rolls for 1 round.
  • 3-4: Target is Stunned for 1 round.
  • 5-6: Target takes an additional 1D of damage from the chaotic feedback.
• Cost: 1,000 credits for a pack of 10.
• Drawback: On a critical failure when attacking, the arrow detonates prematurely, causing the area damage to the user and all adjacent allies.

Warhammer 40k (Dark Heresy/Black Crusade)

Chaosbound Arrows

• Class: Exotic Ammunition (Rare)
• Range: As bow weapon.
• Damage: 1d10+3 (Explosive).
• Penetration: 4.
• Special Rules:
• Chaotic Detonation: On impact, the arrow explodes in a 5-meter radius, dealing 1d10 Explosive damage to all targets.
• Random Effects: Roll 1d5 to determine an additional effect on the primary target:
• Staggered for 1 round.
• Blinded for 1 round.
• Frightened (Willpower Test to resist).
• Takes 1d5 extra damage from Chaos energies.
• No additional effect.
• Availability: Extremely Rare (Requisition Test -20).
• Cost: 250 Thrones per arrow or crafted with Forbidden Lore (Warp) and Trade (Fletcher) tests at -30.
• Danger: On a roll of 96-100 to hit, the arrow detonates in the shooter’s space, causing the area damage to all nearby, including the shooter.