Gravity Defiers Bow

From: Aurelians

Lore: The Gravity Defier’s Bow carries a captivating lore that intertwines the realms of craftsmanship and enchantment. Legends speak of an ancient order of archers who sought to push the boundaries of traditional archery. Guided by their deep connection to the forces of gravity and their mastery of aerial combat, they crafted the Gravity Defier’s Bow. Constructed with great precision and imbued with powerful enchantments, this elegant longbow defies the laws of gravity, enabling the archer to perform awe-inspiring shots and strike distant targets with unparalleled accuracy.

Use: The Gravity Defier’s Bow serves as a remarkable weapon, granting the creature wielding it the ability to perform extraordinary feats of archery. Its elegant design, combining polished wood and intricate metalwork, provides optimal balance and stability for accurate shots. The bow’s enchantments play a crucial role, allowing arrows to defy gravity and travel at increased speed and accuracy. This unique property enables the creature to perform remarkable aerial shots, shoot projectiles over great distances, and strike targets with pinpoint precision.

Attributes:

• Level: 1
• Stats: +1 Dexterity.
• Skills: Archery (+2 bonus to ranged attack rolls made with this bow).
• Cost: 800 gold pieces.
• Tags: Ranged, Precise, Gravity-Defying.

Additional Information: The Gravity Defier’s Bow grants a bonus of +1 to the creature’s Dexterity stat, reflecting its enhancement of their aim and precision. Additionally, it provides a skill bonus of +2 to ranged attack rolls made with this bow, emphasizing the archer’s mastery of marksmanship. The enchantments imbued within the bow allow arrows to overcome the forces of gravity, resulting in increased speed and accuracy during flight.

Obtaining a Gravity Defier’s Bow may involve uncovering the ancient teachings of the archer order or seeking the guidance of skilled craftsmen who possess the knowledge to create such enchanted bows. The craftsmanship, enchantments, and exceptional performance of the Gravity Defier’s Bow contribute to its high value, commanding a price of 800 gold pieces. It is sought after by archers who seek to excel in aerial combat, long-range engagements, or those who simply appreciate the artistry and capabilities of this exceptional weapon.

Enchantments: The Gravity Defier’s Bow is infused with enchantments that defy the laws of gravity, enhancing the performance of arrows launched from its string. These enchantments imbue the arrows with increased speed, allowing them to travel farther and strike with incredible accuracy. Arrows shot from this bow seem to effortlessly glide through the air, defying the pull of gravity. The enchantments also ensure that the arrows maintain their trajectory, making it easier for the archer to hit targets at great distances.

Protective Aura: The Gravity Defier’s Bow does not possess a protective aura in the conventional sense. However, its significance lies in the advantages it offers to the wielder. The increased speed and accuracy of the arrows allow the archer to engage enemies from a safe distance, minimizing the risk of close-quarter combat. By striking targets from afar with precision and power, the wielder can keep themselves out of harm’s way, indirectly providing a form of protection.

Significance: The Gravity Defier’s Bow holds great significance among archers, adventurers, and those who appreciate the artistry and capabilities of exceptional weaponry. It represents the pinnacle of archery craftsmanship and mastery, symbolizing the ability to transcend the limitations of conventional archery and challenge the laws of physics. Possessing the Gravity Defier’s Bow signifies a deep understanding of the forces at play in archery and a commitment to perfecting one’s skills in long-range combat.

Symbolism: Symbolically, the Gravity Defier’s Bow represents the archer’s ability to overcome obstacles, reach great heights, and strike true against formidable odds. It embodies the power of precision and accuracy, enabling the archer to bend the rules of nature itself. The bow symbolizes the archer’s mastery of the art of archery, representing their connection to the forces of gravity and their ability to manipulate it to their advantage. It serves as a reminder of the archer’s skill, dedication, and the power they wield through their exceptional marksmanship.

The Gravity Defier’s Bow, with its enchantments, lack of a protective aura, significance, and symbolism, stands as a testament to the archer’s skill and dedication to mastering the art of long-range combat. It represents the archer’s ability to bend the laws of nature and strike with precision and power. The bow’s enchantments ensure that arrows launched from its string overcome gravity’s pull, resulting in increased speed and accuracy. Possessing the Gravity Defier’s Bow signifies the archer’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of their craft and their relentless pursuit of excellence in archery.

In the world of Saṃsāra, the Gravity Defier’s Bow, being a weapon of extraordinary craftsmanship and magical prowess, would not be found in your common blacksmith’s shop. Instead, its trade would be limited to specific establishments catering to discerning clientele who value precision and mastery:

• Specialized Archery Emporiums: These establishments cater exclusively to archers and those seeking fine ranged weaponry. The Gravity Defier’s Bow would likely be showcased in a place of honor, its elegant design and gravity-defying properties attracting the attention of seasoned marksmen and aspiring archers alike.
• Hidden Workshops of Master Craftsmen: Some Gravity Defier’s Bows might be crafted by reclusive artisans renowned for their mastery of both woodworking and enchantment. Acquiring such a bow would require establishing contact with these enigmatic individuals, perhaps through fulfilling a challenging quest or demonstrating exceptional archery skills.
• Exclusive Auction Houses: The Gravity Defier’s Bow’s rarity and prestige might make it a highly coveted item in high-end auction houses frequented by the wealthy and influential. Bidding wars between nobles, collectors, and skilled warriors would likely ensue, driving the price far beyond its initial cost.

Cost and Acquisition: The Gravity Defier’s Bow’s listed price of 800 gold pieces reflects its exceptional craftsmanship, magical enhancements, and the advantages it offers in combat. However, its actual value could be significantly higher depending on the context and the buyer’s desperation.

• Beyond its monetary cost, acquiring the bow might involve:
  • Bartering or Trading: Skilled negotiators and those with access to rare materials or valuable information might be able to strike a deal with merchants or craftsmen to obtain the bow without paying the full price.
  • Demonstrating Archery Prowess: The secretive archer order or master craftsmen who created the bow might require potential buyers to prove their skill and dedication through archery challenges or tests of character.
  • Uncovering Hidden Knowledge: Ancient texts or forgotten maps might contain clues leading to the location of a Gravity Defier’s Bow, requiring extensive research and exploration to uncover its secrets.

No matter the method of acquisition, owning a Gravity Defier’s Bow would be a mark of distinction in Saṃsāra. The archer who wields such a weapon would be recognized for their exceptional skill and dedication to the art of archery, commanding respect and admiration from peers and rivals alike.

The Gravity Defier’s Bow, with its ability to manipulate the trajectory of arrows, offers unique opportunities for both defense and offense, adapting to various environments and tactical situations.

• Defensive Applications
  • Open Terrain: In wide-open fields or plains, the bow’s extended range and accuracy allow the archer to engage enemies from a safe distance, peppering them with arrows before they can close in. The ability to shoot over obstacles or arc arrows around cover provides further defensive advantages.
  • Forests and Jungles: Dense foliage can limit visibility and movement, but the Gravity Defier’s Bow enables the archer to shoot through gaps in the canopy, striking enemies concealed below. The archer can also use the bow’s unique properties to create distractions or diversions, drawing enemies into ambushes or unfavorable positions.
  • Mountainous Terrain: The bow excels in mountainous environments, where its ability to defy gravity allows the archer to shoot uphill or downhill with ease. This creates tactical advantages for defending high ground or striking enemies from unexpected angles.
  • Urban Environments: The bow’s precision and long range make it ideal for urban combat, where the archer can target enemies from rooftops, windows, or other elevated positions. The ability to arc arrows around corners or over obstacles allows the archer to engage enemies without exposing themselves to direct fire.
• Offensive Applications
  • Pinpoint Targeting: The Gravity Defier’s Bow allows the archer to strike specific targets with pinpoint accuracy, even at great distances. This is particularly useful for taking out enemy leaders, disabling critical machinery, or disrupting enemy formations.
  • Suppressive Fire: The bow’s rapid fire rate and extended range make it ideal for laying down suppressive fire, pinning enemies in cover and creating opportunities for allies to advance or flank.
  • Aerial Combat: The bow’s ability to defy gravity makes it a formidable weapon against flying enemies or those positioned on elevated platforms. The archer can arc arrows over obstacles or shoot directly upwards, raining down attacks from above.
  • Trick Shots: The bow’s unique properties can be used to perform impressive trick shots, such as ricocheting arrows off multiple surfaces or curving shots around corners. These maneuvers can surprise and disorient enemies, creating openings for decisive strikes.

Remember: The Gravity Defier’s Bow is a tool that rewards skill, creativity, and tactical awareness. Its effectiveness depends on the archer’s ability to adapt to the environment and leverage its unique properties to their advantage. Whether used for defense or offense, the bow opens up a world of possibilities for those who master its power.

Perception of Activation: Gravity Defier’s Bow

• Sight:
  • What’s perceived: A subtle shimmering or aura emanating from the bow and the drawn arrow.
  • Description: The bow seems to hum with energy, and the arrow appears to defy gravity, almost floating in place before being released.
  • Positives: Visually impressive, instills confidence in the archer.
  • Negatives: Can draw attention, potentially revealing the archer’s position.
• Sound:
  • What’s perceived: A faint humming or buzzing sound as the bow is drawn and the arrow is released.
  • Description: A low, steady tone that resonates with the archer’s movements.
  • Positives: Confirms activation, adds to the sense of power and precision.
  • Negatives: Can be distracting or give away the archer’s position in quiet environments.
• Touch:
  • What’s perceived: A slight tingling sensation in the archer’s hands and fingers as they grip the bow and arrow.
  • Description: A subtle energy flow, like a gentle current passing through the body.
  • Positives: Enhances the connection between the archer and the bow, improves aim and control.
  • Negatives: Can be distracting or unsettling for those unaccustomed to magical energies.
• Smell:
  • What’s perceived: A faint, ozone-like scent, reminiscent of a thunderstorm.
  • Description: The scent is subtle and fleeting, often masked by the smell of the bow’s materials or the surrounding environment.
  • Positives: Adds a subtle layer of atmosphere, hinting at the bow’s magical properties.
  • Negatives: May be irrelevant or undetectable for most archers.
• Taste:
  • What’s perceived: No discernible taste.
• Extra-Sensory Perceptions
  • Mana Sensitivity:
    • What’s perceived: A surge of magical energy coursing through the bow and arrow.
    • Description: A feeling of power and control, as the archer harnesses the bow’s enchantments.
    • Positives: Reinforces the connection to the bow, enhances focus and precision.
    • Negatives: May be overwhelming for those unaccustomed to strong magical energies.
  • Spatial Awareness:
    • What’s perceived: A heightened sense of the arrow’s trajectory and its intended target.
    • Description: The archer’s perception expands, allowing them to visualize the arrow’s path and anticipate its impact.
    • Positives: Improves accuracy and precision, especially at long distances or in complex environments.
    • Negatives: May lead to overconfidence or reliance on the bow’s enchantments.
  • Empathy (towards the bow):
    • What’s perceived: A sense of eagerness and anticipation from the bow, ready to unleash its power.
    • Description: The bow seems to hum with excitement, almost as if it’s eager to strike true.
    • Positives: Creates a bond between the archer and the bow, fostering a sense of trust and confidence.
    • Negatives: May lead to anthropomorphizing the bow or overestimating its capabilities.

Activating the Gravity Defier’s Bow is a multi-sensory experience that combines physical sensations with subtle magical and emotional cues. The combination of visual, auditory, and tactile feedback enhances the archer’s focus and precision, while the subtle magical cues reinforce the bow’s extraordinary nature. This immersive experience creates a sense of empowerment and connection, allowing the archer to unleash their full potential and defy the limitations of gravity.

Crafting Recipe: Gravity Defier’s Bow

• Materials Needed:
  • Core Components:
    • 1 Heartwood of a Skyward Willow: A rare and resilient wood, known for its flexibility and connection to the aether.
    • 1 Sinew of a Wind Serpent: Harvested from the legendary creatures that soar through the skies, this sinew possesses incredible tensile strength and elasticity.
    • 1 Aetherium-Infused Arrowhead: Crafted from a unique alloy infused with aetheric energy, this arrowhead enhances the arrow’s flight and accuracy.
  • Secondary Materials:
    • 10 Feathers of a Swiftwing Hawk: These feathers, renowned for their aerodynamic properties, improve the arrow’s stability and flight.
    • 5 Strands of Moonlit Spider Silk: This incredibly strong and lightweight silk is used to bind the feathers to the arrow shaft.
    • 1 Vial of Gravitational Essence: A rare and potent liquid extracted from the heart of a collapsing star, used to imbue the bow with its gravity-defying enchantments.
• Tools Required:
  • Master Fletcher’s Tools: A comprehensive set of tools used for crafting and refining bows and arrows.
  • Enchanter’s Sanctum: A sacred space imbued with powerful magical energies, ideal for performing complex enchantments.
  • Gravity Manipulation Anvil: A unique anvil capable of harnessing and shaping the forces of gravity.
• Skill Requirements:
  • Bowyer: Mastery level proficiency is essential to craft the bow’s intricate structure and ensure its balance and flexibility.
  • Enchanting: Advanced skill is required to imbue the bow and arrowhead with the gravity-defying enchantments.
  • Fletcher: High level skill is needed to craft the arrows and ensure their perfect flight and stability.
• Crafting Steps:
  • Preparation: Gather all necessary materials and tools. Ensure the Enchanter’s Sanctum is properly prepared and the Gravity Manipulation Anvil is attuned to the celestial bodies.
  • Bow Crafting: Carefully shape and carve the Heartwood of a Skyward Willow into the desired bow form, using the Master Fletcher’s Tools to ensure optimal balance and flexibility.
  • Sinew Stringing: String the bow with the Sinew of a Wind Serpent, ensuring proper tension and alignment.
  • Arrowhead Infusion: In the Enchanter’s Sanctum, carefully apply the Gravitational Essence to the Aetherium-Infused Arrowhead, focusing your intent on imbuing it with gravity-defying properties.
  • Arrow Crafting: Attach the Enchanted Arrowhead to a shaft, carefully fletching it with the Feathers of a Swiftwing Hawk and binding them with Strands of Moonlit Spider Silk.
  • Bow Enchantment: Place the completed bow on the Gravity Manipulation Anvil and channel magical energy through the Enchanter’s Tools, focusing your intent on imbuing the bow with the power to defy gravity.
  • Final Calibration: Test the bow and arrows, fine-tuning the enchantments and making any necessary adjustments to ensure optimal performance.

Note: Crafting a Gravity Defier’s Bow is a long and arduous process, requiring exceptional skill, rare materials, and a deep understanding of both archery and enchantment. Even with the necessary expertise, success is far from guaranteed. The crafting process itself may take weeks or even months, depending on the skill of the crafter and the availability of resources.

Saga of the Archer Who Bent the Sky

In the forgotten annals of a bygone epoch, when the stars themselves danced to the rhythm of an ancient melody, there existed a bow whispered to defy the very laws of the heavens – the Sky-Bender, a testament to the unwavering aim and boundless ambition of its creator.

Forged not of wood and sinew, but of starlight and whispers, the Sky-Bender was said to be more than a mere instrument of war. It was an embodiment of defiance, a challenge to the unyielding grip of gravity. To draw its string was to touch the essence of the celestial realm, to unleash a symphony of power that could pierce the veil between earth and sky.

Legends tell of impossible shots that defied reason and logic, of arrows that arced and swerved, tracing paths that mocked the predictable descent of lesser projectiles. The Sky-Bender, it is said, could strike a sparrow’s wing in flight or pierce the heart of a distant foe with unerring accuracy.

Yet, the bow was not without its burdens. It demanded a steady hand, an unwavering focus, and a spirit attuned to the celestial currents. To falter, to doubt, was to invite the arrow to stray, its trajectory twisting and turning in unpredictable ways.

But for those who mastered the Sky-Bender, the world became a canvas for their artistry. They painted arcs of defiance across the heavens, their arrows defying the pull of the earth and tracing paths that echoed the dance of the stars.

And so, the legend of the Sky-Bender lives on, a testament to the boundless spirit of those who dare to challenge the impossible. It is a tale whispered in the rustling leaves and etched upon the windswept plains, a reminder that even the most unyielding forces can be bent to the will of a determined heart.

Moral: Aim true, for even the heavens can be pierced by a well-aimed arrow. Embrace the challenge of the impossible, for it is in overcoming limitations that we truly soar.

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)

• Type: Special Item
• Description: An ancient longbow said to defy the laws of gravity, granting exceptional range and accuracy.
• Game Mechanics:
  • Skill Check Bonus: +20% bonus to Firearms and/or Archery skill rolls when using this bow.
  • Special: Arrows fired from this bow ignore cover and have a maximum range of twice the normal distance.
  • Sanity Loss: 0/1 (Witnessing the bow’s gravity-defying properties in action)

Blades in the Dark

• Type: Gear
• Description: A magically enhanced longbow that allows for incredible feats of archery.
• Effect:
  • When making a ranged attack: +1d to the roll.
  • Ignore Cover: Arrows fired from this bow ignore cover.
  • Extended Range: The bow’s range is doubled.

Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition)

• Type: Weapon (longbow), rare
• Damage: 1d8 piercing
• Properties:
  • Range: 150/600
  • Special: Arrows fired from this bow ignore cover and have advantage on attack rolls against flying creatures.

Knave

• Type: Weapon (bow)
• Damage: 1d8
• Range: Long
• Special:
  • Ignore Cover: Arrows fired from this bow ignore cover.
  • Accurate: Gain advantage on attack rolls made with this bow.

Fate Core/Accelerated

• Type: Aspect (Weapon)
• Description: A magically enhanced longbow that defies gravity, allowing for exceptional range and accuracy.
• Effects:
  • Invoke: Spend a Fate Point to gain a +2 bonus to an attack roll with this bow or to create an advantage related to its gravity-defying properties (e.g., shooting around corners, hitting a distant target).
  • Compel: The bow’s magic might falter in areas with strong gravitational anomalies or when facing foes with powerful anti-magic abilities.

Numenera Cypher System

• Type: Artifact
  • Level: 2
  • Effect: This bow allows the user to ignore cover when making ranged attacks and increases the range increment of the weapon by one step.
  • Depletion: 1-in-6
• Type: Artifact
  • Level: 3
  • Effect: When making a ranged attack with this bow, the user can ignore cover and increase the range increment of the weapon by two steps. Additionally, the user gains a +2 bonus to the attack roll.

Pathfinder (2nd Edition)

• Type: Weapon (longbow), uncommon
• Damage: 1d8 piercing
• Range: 100 feet; Long Range 400 feet
• Special: Arrows fired from this bow ignore cover and have a +1 circumstance bonus to attack rolls against flying creatures.

Savage Worlds

• Type: Weapon
• Description: A longbow enchanted to defy gravity, granting exceptional range and accuracy.
• Range: 30/60/120
• Damage: 2d6
• Special:
  • Ignore Cover: Arrows fired from this bow ignore cover.
  • Accurate: The bow has the Accurate quality.

Shadowrun (Sixth World)

• Type: Weapon (Projectile)
• Category: Bows
• Concealability: 6R (Long Coat)
• Availability: 12R
• Damage: 7P
• Ammo: Arrows (Normal)
• Mode: SS
• RC: 1
• AP: -1
• Reach: 0
• Special: This weapon ignores cover, and its range is doubled.

Starfinder

• Type: Longbow
• Level: 5
• Price: 800 Credits
• Damage: 1d8 P
• Bulk: 1
• Range: 100 ft.; Extreme: 800 ft.
• Critical: x3
• Special: Arcing Shot, Precise 1

Traveller (Mongoose 2nd Edition)

• Type: Rifle
• TL: 10
• Cost: Cr800
• Weight: 1.5kg
• Range: 300m
• Damage: 5D
• Ammo: Arrows
• Magazine: 1
• Special:
  • Accurate: +1 DM to hit.
  • Ignores Cover: Ignores partial and soft cover.

Warhammer 40,000 (Wrath & Glory)

• Type: Archeotech Ranged Weapon
• Range: 30m; Extreme: 120m
• Damage: 1d10+4 ED
• Penetration: 2
• Salvo: 1
• Special:
  • Accurate: +10 BS.
  • Ignores Cover: Ignores partial and soft cover.