Ecliptic Dart Array

From: Hive 578 of Luminaura Celestyx Evolved Form

Type: Ranged

Material: Lunar Metal and Solar Resin

Effect: 1d4 piercing damage; ranged attack with a distance of 30/60 feet.

Additional Traits: Darts are enchanted to return to the swarm after being launched; Solar Resin provides a burning effect on impact.

The Lore: The Ecliptic Dart Array is a weapon forged from the cosmic balance between lunar and solar energies. Ancient texts suggest that the first Array was crafted by a master artificer who was inspired by the unity of the sun and the moon during a rare celestial event, an eclipse. The weapon’s design was said to be revealed in a vision during this mystical occurrence. The Ecliptic Dart Array is primarily made of Lunar Metal, a rare material harvested from meteorites that fall during lunar eclipses, and Solar Resin, an equally rare substance collected from the sap of the Solartree, a plant that only secretes this resin during solar eclipses. The Array is often considered a sacred weapon and is used by select hive members trained in the art of ranged combat.

The Use: The Ecliptic Dart Array serves as a versatile tool in both offense and defense. The weapon shoots small, pointed darts that are capable of causing 1d4 piercing damage, with an effective range of 30 feet and a maximum range of 60 feet. The darts are enchanted to return to the swarm after being launched, making it an ideal weapon for prolonged combat. The Solar Resin on the darts also grants them a burning effect on impact, further harming enemies over time.

Level One Stats, Skills, Slot, Cost, Tags, and Appearance

• Stats: 1d4 piercing damage; range 30/60 feet.
• Skills: None required but benefits from Ranged Combat proficiency.
• Slot: Ranged weapon slot.
• Cost: Highly expensive due to the rare materials; around 1,500 gold pieces or its equivalent in your world’s currency.
• Tags: Ranged, Return-to-swarm, Fire Damage.

Appearance: The Array itself resembles a small, intricately crafted crossbow without the bow and etched patterns that resemble both sunrays and moon phases. The darts are slim, almost needle-like, and are stored in a compartment within the Array. When activated, they glow faintly—silver for Lunar Metal and a fiery orange for Solar Resin.

Enchantments: The Ecliptic Dart Array has several layers of enchantments:

• Return-to-Swarm: Each dart is imbued with an enchantment that allows it to return to the Array after being fired. This is facilitated by a small binding spell inscribed on the weapon and its darts.
• Solar Resin Enchantment: The Solar Resin on each dart is not just a physical coating but is magically bound to the dart. It activates upon impact, causing additional fire damage over time.

Protective Aura: While the Array does not possess a protective aura in the conventional sense, the balance of lunar and solar elements in its construction is believed to harmonize the energies around it. Many claim that holding or wielding the Array offers some form of spiritual balance or emotional calm, although this is more of a folklore belief than a measurable magical effect.

Significance: In a world where celestial events hold particular significance, a weapon forged from elements related to both the sun and the moon is considered a holy relic. Such items are often associated with unity, balance, and the eternal cycle of day and night. They are considered auspicious and are sought after by high-ranking members of the hive who understand the balance between the elements and wish to embody it in their arsenal.

Symbolism: The Ecliptic Dart Array symbolizes the union of opposites, much like an eclipse, where the sun and the moon share the sky. The lunar metal signifies intuition, mystery, and the subconscious, while the solar resin represents vitality, life, and conscious thought. The unity of these materials in a single weapon serves as a physical manifestation of balance and harmony.

Other Information

• The Array is typically constructed during another celestial eclipse to imbue it with the energies present during such rare events.
• Due to the difficulty in acquiring the materials and the complex enchantments involved, very few Ecliptic Dart Arrays exist. They are usually passed down through generations or awarded as honors.
• The burning effect from the Solar Resin can be neutralized if exposed to Lunar Metal, a feature that adds another layer of balance to the weapon’s design.
• There are rumors of even more powerful versions of this weapon that can harness other celestial events, but such claims have not been substantiated.

The Tale of Night’s Spear and Day’s Flame United

Long, long ago, in a sky of twirling stars and in lands unknown, the Sun and Moon loved each other. But never could they meet. Sun, shining king of day, and Moon, glowing queen of night, yearned to be together. Each one saw the other’s face only at dawn and dusk, their moments of near-touching always slipping past like quicksilver.

Time flowed, and the ache in their cosmic hearts turned into a force so powerful it disturbed the balance of nature. Animals and plants confused, night and day entangled in an awkward dance. Seasons disarrayed. The celestial gods, guardians of cosmic law, lamented the imbalance and sought to mend it.

Moon spoke to her sister stars, and from her sorrow, lunar metal was created. Sun wept flames that condensed into golden droplets, which became solar resin. Each substance potent and beautiful but alone. One of celestial gods, whispering old wisdoms, guided a mortal artisan’s hand to combine these elements. Lunar metal and solar resin met, not to destroy each other, but to create. Ecliptic Dart Array, a weapon, yet also a sign, was born.

This divine creation was gifted to a humble swarm, celestial in origin but earthly by nature. The swarm, guided by the essence of both day and night, flourished. Their arrows flew true, their hive became a sanctuary where both sun and moon energies resided in peace. The harmony returned not just within the swarm, but in the world, as the celestial gods had hoped.

And so, Sun and Moon, although still apart, found a place to coexist. Their essence lived in every dart, every arrow shot and returned. Balance restored, the cosmic dance resumed its ordained choreography, and the Ecliptic Dart Array became a legend, a whispered tale told from one generation to the next.

Moral of the Story: Even in separation, unity is possible, and from unity, balance emerges to heal the world.

Suggested conversion to other systems:

Dungeons & Dragons 5e

Name: Ecliptic Dart Array

• Type: Ranged Weapon (Simple)
• Material: Lunar Metal and Solar Resin
• Range: 30/60 ft.
• Damage: 1d4 piercing
• Properties: Thrown, Ammunition (returns after being thrown), Light
• Special Traits:
  • Burning Effect: Targets hit by this dart take an additional 1d4 fire damage at the start of their next turn.

Call of Cthulhu

Name: Ecliptic Dart Array

• Type: Ranged
• Material: Lunar Metal and Solar Resin
• Range: 30/60 ft
• Damage: 1D4
• Special Traits:
  • Burning Effect: Inflicts an extra 1D2 fire damage.

Knave

Name: Ecliptic Dart Array

• Type: Ranged
• Material: Lunar Metal and Solar Resin
• Slot: Weapon
• Damage: 1d4
• Range: 30/60
• Special Traits:
  • Enchanted to return after being thrown.
  • Solar Resin provides a burning effect on impact.

Numenera & Cypher System

Name: Ecliptic Dart Array

• Type: Ranged
• Material: Lunar Metal and Solar Resin
• Range: Short
• Damage: 2
• Special Traits:
  • Returns to user after attack
  • Inflicts 1 additional point of fire damage

Pathfinder 2e

Name: Ecliptic Dart Array

• Type: Ranged
• Material: Lunar Metal and Solar Resin
• Range: 30/60 ft
• Damage: 1d4 Piercing
• Traits: Thrown, Returning, Fire 1d4
• Special:
  • The darts return after being thrown.

Savage Worlds

Name: Ecliptic Dart Array

• Type: Ranged
• Material: Lunar Metal and Solar Resin
• Range: 12/24/48
• Damage: 2d4
• Special Traits:
  • Returns after being thrown
  • Targets hit catch fire and take additional fire damage.

Shadowrun

Name: Ecliptic Dart Array

• Type: Ranged
• Material: Lunar Metal and Solar Resin
• Range: 30/60
• Damage: 4P
• AP: -1
• Special Rules:
  • Returns after being thrown
  • Burning Effect: +2 Fire Damage

Starfinder

Name: Ecliptic Dart Array

• Type: Ranged
• Material: Lunar Metal and Solar Resin
• Range: 30 ft.
• Damage: 1d4 P
• Critical: Burn 1d4
• Special Properties: Thrown, Returning

Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay

Name: Ecliptic Dart Array

• Type: Ranged
• Material: Lunar Metal and Solar Resin
• Range: 16/32
• Damage: 7
• Special Traits:
  • Returns after being thrown
  • Burning: Additional 1d2 fire damage on impact.