Shadowstrike Bow

From: Deceivers

Crafted from darkwood and reinforced with shadow-infused materials, this recurve bow enhances the creature’s archery skills. It has an uncanny ability to shoot arrows that seem to disappear into shadows, granting improved accuracy and a chance to inflict extra damage.

Availability: Rare but may be used as a (Tier 1)

Cost: 120 gold

Tags: Weapon: Bow, Shadow-Infused, Ranged, Accuracy, Extra Damage, Shadowstrike, Precision, Concealment, Stealth, Darkwood, Lethality, Ambush, Penetration, Enchantment, Agility

Attuned passive: (May be continuing or have charges)

Ranged Attack Bonus: +2

Shadow Arrow Ability: Improved accuracy and chance to inflict extra damage (+2 to hit and damage)

In the world of Saṃsāra, the Shadowstrike Bow, a rare and shadow-infused weapon, would be found in specialized shops catering to adventurers, hunters, and those with a penchant for the arcane. Such shops are often located in key trade hubs, floating cities, and hidden markets in underground megacities or shadowed alleys of bustling metropolises. The cost and availability would vary based on the location and the clientele these shops serve.

• Shadowsmith’s Atelier (Cost: 150 gold) Located in the shadowy corners of megacities, like the underworld caverns beneath the surface, Shadowsmith’s Atelier deals exclusively in dark-infused weaponry and rare magical artifacts. The shop’s atmosphere is dimly lit, and items are displayed with a veil of mystery. The bow is highly valued here due to its alignment with the shop’s inventory, and the owner, a master shadow mage, is likely to offer the bow with additional enchantments or minor modifications for discerning buyers. Haggling may be possible for skilled negotiators, but prices tend to be higher due to the rarity of materials.
• Zephyrstone Skyport Weaponry (Cost: 125 gold) Found on the floating Zephyrstone Islands, this shop specializes in lightweight and aerodynamic weapons tailored for aerial combat. While most of the stock focuses on wind and sky magic, the Shadowstrike Bow is a prized item due to its rarity. Adventurers who frequent the skyports or skyship pilots may purchase the bow to gain an edge in mid-air combat. The price reflects the island’s isolation, but a reputation among the locals or services rendered may bring it down slightly.
• Night Market of the Eclipse (Cost: 100 gold) Operating only during lunar eclipses in a secret location, the Night Market caters to those seeking rare, mystical, and sometimes forbidden items. Here, the Shadowstrike Bow may be bought at a lower cost due to the influx of black-market goods. However, buyers risk attracting the attention of both law enforcement and rival adventurers. Prices are negotiable, but the trade often requires bartering with rare items or services, so the cost could fluctuate significantly.
• Hunter’s Guild Outpost (Cost: 110 gold) Situated on the edge of wilderness regions or hidden deep within dense forests, the Hunter’s Guild specializes in providing archery equipment and survival gear for those who brave the wilds. The Shadowstrike Bow is a rare find here, often reserved for top-tier members who have proven their prowess in hunting rare creatures. The cost reflects the guild’s competitive pricing for its members, but non-guild members would have to pay a premium or offer something of value to the guild to acquire the bow.
• Arcane Curios & Relics (Cost: 130 gold) Found in major cities or near magical academies, Arcane Curios & Relics deals in magical artifacts and rare enchantments. The bow, being shadow-infused, fits right in with their high-end stock of arcane weaponry. Customers seeking rare and powerful items might find the bow here among other enchanted weapons. The cost reflects the arcane value of the item, and the shopkeepers, often seasoned mages, are unlikely to negotiate heavily, though they may offer discounts to trusted or recurring customers.
• Traveling Merchant’s Caravan (Cost: 120 gold) A nomadic trader traveling between major cities and remote areas may carry the Shadowstrike Bow as part of their rare stock of items. These merchants operate on supply and demand, and the bow’s price could vary depending on the region and how rare shadow-infused materials are in that area. In remote areas, the bow could fetch a high price, while in a larger city with more competition, the price might be more negotiable. Traders often accept bartering and alternative forms of payment, including rare resources or services.

Each of these shops would provide different experiences when buying or selling the Shadowstrike Bow, with the cost influenced by availability, location, and the rarity of shadow-infused items in Saṃsāra. Buyers may find the bow as part of a larger transaction involving enchanted weapons or through networks of adventurers and shadowy figures familiar with its potential.

The Shadowstrike Bow in the world of Saṃsāra offers unique opportunities for roleplaying, both in defense and offense, depending on the environment in which it is wielded. Its shadow-infused nature allows for versatility and creativity in combat situations, particularly for characters skilled in stealth, ranged combat, or shadow magic.

• Forest and Wilderness
  • Offense: In dense forests or overgrown wilderness, the Shadowstrike Bow becomes a powerful tool for ambushes and guerrilla tactics. The bow’s ability to shoot arrows that disappear into the shadows makes it ideal for hunters and rangers who rely on stealth. Roleplaying might involve the character stalking prey silently, using the natural cover of trees and foliage to remain unseen. When an arrow is loosed, it vanishes into the dim forest light, allowing the user to maintain their position without revealing themselves.
    • Scenario: The character could defend a woodland village from invading marauders by setting up in high trees or thick brush, taking down enemies one by one without ever being spotted, sowing confusion among the attackers.
  • Defense: The bow’s improved accuracy and ability to shoot through shadows provide a defensive edge in this environment. As a character is pursued, they can retreat deeper into the forest, using the bow’s abilities to shoot through the underbrush or fade into darkness. The natural environment, rich in shadows, makes the bow’s enchantments more potent.
    • Scenario: A character could be defending a hidden forest glade from dark creatures, firing arrows that seem to blend with the long shadows cast by the trees, using terrain to their advantage and retreating stealthily to continue harrying the enemy from new positions.
• Urban or Cityscape
  • Offense: In crowded, labyrinthine city streets or dark alleyways, the Shadowstrike Bow allows a character to take out targets in confined spaces without drawing attention. It may be used by assassins, thieves, or vigilantes who strike from the rooftops or the cover of shadowed alleys, exploiting the narrow passageways and dim light to remain unseen. The roleplay could involve a character moving fluidly between shadows, using the environment’s concealment to strike swiftly and silently.
    • Scenario: The character might be part of an underground resistance, tasked with neutralizing key figures in a corrupt government, shooting from hidden balconies or using the bow’s stealthy nature to infiltrate secure areas without alerting guards.
  • Defense: The bow can be used to defend narrow city passages, castle walls, or crowded market squares. Its precision makes it useful in fending off threats before they reach critical points of entry. The character could take up a vantage point, such as a high tower or concealed position on a rooftop, and use the bow to hold back invaders or defend allies without giving away their position.
    • Scenario: As invaders breach the city gates, the character might provide cover for fleeing civilians, firing shadowy arrows from above and blending into the shadows cast by the tall buildings.
• Underground Caverns or Dungeons
  • Offense: In the dark, echoing chambers of an underground cavern or chaos dungeon, the Shadowstrike Bow comes into its own. The bow’s shadow-infused arrows may blend with the surrounding gloom, making it particularly effective against creatures that rely on darkness for protection. Roleplaying in these environments could emphasize tactical positioning, as the character moves silently from cover to cover, striking from the edges of light and retreating into pitch blackness.
    • Scenario: The character could lead a party of adventurers deeper into a chaos dungeon, sniping shadowy creatures from afar and ensuring that their arrows never betray their location.
  • Defense: In dark dungeons, defending a party or an important location becomes a matter of holding narrow chokepoints. The bow can be used to snipe enemies as they approach, and the arrows’ ability to vanish into the shadows means that defenders can strike without being easily detected. The tight confines of a dungeon, with its deep shadows and narrow corridors, make it easy for the user to use the bow’s shadow-enhancing powers to keep enemies at bay.
    • Scenario: The character may hold off a swarm of dungeon creatures, keeping to the shadows and using the bow to delay the advancing horde, buying time for their party to regroup or escape.
• Mountain Peaks or Zephyrstone Islands
  • Offense: High in the mountains or on floating islands, where winds howl and the air is thin, the Shadowstrike Bow’s ability to disappear into shadows is less about concealment and more about striking with uncanny precision. Roleplaying might focus on the character using the changing light and the shadows cast by the landscape to target enemies from great distances. The character could roleplay as a guardian of a floating island, using the bow’s range and shadow properties to strike enemies trying to ascend.
    • Scenario: The character could defend a sacred peak from raiders attempting to steal Zephyrstone crystals, loosing arrows that vanish into the mountain’s misty shadows.
  • Defense: The bow’s range is key in high-altitude defense. While enemies struggle with the harsh environment, the character can use their superior position and the natural shadows cast by mountains or islands to remain unseen, picking off opponents as they struggle up steep paths or navigate aerial challenges. Roleplaying this could involve intense moments of calculating wind speeds, shifting shadows, and leveraging the bow’s magical properties to enhance every shot.
    • Scenario: In a high-altitude skirmish, the character defends a crucial skyship dock from rival forces, using the bow to disable incoming ships or ground-based attackers, while moving between shadowed ledges to remain hidden.
• Cursed Lands or Magic-Suffused Terrain
  • Offense: In cursed or magically altered regions, where shadows seem to have a life of their own, the Shadowstrike Bow could draw upon the inherent magic in the environment. Roleplaying could focus on the bow’s synergy with the dark magic that saturates the land. The character might find their arrows gaining extra potency or strange effects, depending on the terrain’s magical properties.
    • Scenario: Battling through a cursed battlefield where shadows move and shift unnaturally, the character uses the bow to target enemy mages and disrupt their dark rituals, the bow’s magic merging with the corrupted environment to add further chaos to the fray.
  • Defense: In defensive scenarios within cursed lands, the character could use the chaotic magic of the environment to their advantage, manipulating shadows to create illusions or hide their movements. The bow’s ability to inflict extra damage may become more unpredictable, leading to a heightened sense of drama and uncertainty in battle.
    • Scenario: Defending a desecrated ruin from undead, the character uses the bow to snipe enemies through clouds of necrotic energy, with each arrow striking as if guided by the cursed land itself.

In each environment, the Shadowstrike Bow not only serves as a tool for physical combat but also weaves into the narrative, with its shadow-infused nature offering numerous ways for characters to creatively engage in battle, defense, and strategy.

Perception of Activation: When the Shadowstrike Bow is activated, a multi-sensory experience unfolds that affects both the wielder and those nearby. This mystical process engages the five senses and extends into extra-sensory perceptions, offering a comprehensive understanding of the bow’s powers.

• Sight
  • Perception: Upon activation, dark tendrils of shadow energy begin to swirl around the bow, tracing intricate, shifting patterns along its limbs. The bow itself seems to fade into its surroundings, becoming harder to discern in dim light. The arrow, once nocked, becomes almost invisible, blending seamlessly with the shadows. Occasionally, faint, glowing runes flare up along the bow’s surface, pulsing with an eerie, dark light. For onlookers, the bow appears to distort reality around it, warping light to create a halo of darkness.
  • Positive: The visual concealment provided by the bow makes it nearly impossible for enemies to track the source of the attack, enhancing stealth and surprise.
  • Negative: The swirling shadows can disorient allies who are unprepared, potentially causing confusion in low-visibility conditions.
• Sound
  • Perception: When the bow is drawn, there is an almost imperceptible hum, like the sound of a distant breeze through a cavern. As the arrow is released, there’s no sharp twang of the string—only the soft whisper of air and the sound of shadows shifting. The silence of the bow makes it unnerving for those expecting typical weapon noises. Occasionally, a low, ominous thrumming can be heard by the wielder alone, as if the bow itself is feeding off the surrounding darkness.
  • Positive: The near-silent release of arrows ensures that enemies cannot trace the shooter’s location through sound, adding to the bow’s stealth capabilities.
  • Negative: The unnatural quiet can be unsettling, and in environments where sound is key for coordination (such as a dark cave), it may make communication with allies more difficult.
• Touch
  • Perception: The bow’s grip feels unnaturally cool, as though it is absorbing heat from the wielder’s hand. Upon activation, the sensation intensifies—a creeping chill spreads from the grip up the arm, giving the feeling of holding a solid shadow. The bow feels lighter than it should, almost weightless, which allows for faster movements but can make it difficult for someone unfamiliar with its ethereal nature to handle.
  • Positive: The bow’s lightweight feel makes it incredibly easy to aim, reducing physical strain during prolonged use.
  • Negative: The cold, almost lifeless sensation can become uncomfortable, numbing the fingers over time, which could affect precision in longer combat scenarios.
• Smell
  • Perception: The air around the bow takes on a faint, earthy smell, reminiscent of damp stone or an underground cavern. There is also a trace of burnt wood, as if fire had once kissed the darkwood from which the bow is crafted. These smells grow stronger as the bow draws upon more shadow energy, subtly affecting the environment.
  • Positive: The smell is faint enough that it doesn’t reveal the wielder’s position, but those familiar with magic may be able to sense the approach of shadow energy by the scent.
  • Negative: In confined spaces or dungeons, the scent may mingle with the environment, alerting particularly perceptive enemies or creatures that rely on smell.
• Taste
  • Perception: For those attuned to magic or highly perceptive, there may be a subtle, metallic tang in the air, like the taste of cold iron or blood. This sensation lingers at the back of the throat, growing stronger with prolonged use of the bow, especially when the shadow-infused powers are fully unleashed.
  • Positive: While this perception doesn’t affect combat, it can serve as an intuitive warning to the wielder when the bow is drawing too deeply on shadow magic.
  • Negative: The metallic taste can be unsettling and distracting for those sensitive to magic, especially in the heat of battle.
• Extra-Sensory Perceptions:
  • Shadow Sensation (Magic Awareness)
    • Perception: Those sensitive to magic can feel the bow’s shadow energy rippling through the air, like the cold flow of a dark current. It feels as though the bow is connected to the realm of shadows, pulling energy from it. This sensation may cause nearby mages or magically inclined creatures to feel uneasy or become instinctively cautious around the bow.
    • Positive: The wielder can sense when the environment is rich in shadow magic, which amplifies the bow’s power, allowing for stronger and more accurate shots.
    • Negative: Prolonged exposure to this dark energy can leave a lingering discomfort or sensation of being watched, as if the shadows themselves are sentient and aware of the bow’s presence.
  • Dimensional Drift (Spatial Awareness)
    • Perception: Upon activation, those with heightened spatial perception may feel the subtle shifting of dimensions around the bow. It seems as though space itself bends slightly, allowing arrows to find their target even if it would normally be obscured. The feeling is akin to being on the edge of two realities, where physical barriers mean less to the bow’s arrows.
    • Positive: This allows the wielder to make shots that should be impossible, such as curving around obstacles or hitting targets through narrow openings, creating a sense of supernatural precision.
    • Negative: The distortion of space can be disorienting for the wielder, especially when surrounded by multiple objects or enemies, making it harder to gauge depth or the position of their target.
  • Soul Resonance (Spiritual Awareness)
    • Perception: On a deeper level, the bow seems to connect with the user’s spirit, resonating with their emotional state. When the wielder is calm and focused, the bow becomes more responsive and accurate. However, if the wielder is overwhelmed with negative emotions like fear or anger, the bow may feed off that energy, amplifying its own dark power but making it harder to control.
    • Positive: This resonance allows the bow to act as an extension of the wielder’s will, offering unmatched precision when used by someone with a strong mental or emotional balance.
    • Negative: The bow’s connection to the wielder’s soul can become a double-edged sword. If the wielder succumbs to negative emotions, the bow may become unstable, resulting in erratic or overly powerful shots that could harm the wielder or their allies.
• Positives of Activation:
  • Enhanced Stealth: The bow becomes nearly invisible, making it ideal for ambushes and stealth attacks.
  • Improved Accuracy: The ability to strike from the shadows, combined with the spatial distortion, allows for remarkable precision.
  • Increased Damage: The shadow energy infused into each shot amplifies the damage dealt, especially in environments with ample shadows.
  • Synergy with Shadow Magic: The bow’s power grows stronger in areas where shadow magic is prevalent, making it more effective in dark or cursed lands.
• Negatives of Activation:
  • Emotional Influence: The bow’s connection to the wielder’s emotions can make it dangerous to use in stressful or volatile situations, where emotional imbalance could lead to uncontrollable power.
  • Physical Discomfort: The cold, disorienting effects of the bow on the wielder’s senses can lead to numbness, confusion, or exhaustion over time.
  • Environmental Dependency: While powerful in shadow-rich environments, the bow’s abilities may be diminished in bright or well-lit areas, where shadows are scarce.
  • Potential for Corruption: Prolonged use of the shadow-infused bow could begin to affect the wielder’s mind and spirit, as the dark energy subtly alters their perceptions and decisions.

The Shadowstrike Bow offers unparalleled offensive capabilities in the right hands, but its shadowy nature carries inherent risks that the wielder must manage carefully.

Crafting Recipe: Shadowstrike Bow

• Materials Needed:
  • Darkwood Timber (x2) Harvested from rare trees found deep in shadowy forests.
  • Shadow Essence (x3 vials) Distilled from creatures of the shadow realm or harvested from a chaos dungeon.
  • Obsidian Arrowhead Dust (x1 pouch) Ground from finely chipped obsidian arrowheads, used to enhance the shadow energy’s infusion.
  • Nightstalker Leather (x2 strips) Leather from a Nightstalker beast, used for the bow grip.
  • Enchanted Bowstring (x1) Made from spider silk and enchanted with shadow magic.
  • Moonstone Shard (x1 small shard) A small piece of moonstone, used to channel the shadow magic.
  • Silver Thread (x2 spools) For the intricate binding runes along the limbs of the bow.
• Tools Required:
  • Runescriber’s Kit
    • To inscribe the runes and patterns for shadow infusion.
  • Enchanting Cauldron
    • To blend shadow essence and bind it into the bow.
  • Master Fletching Tools
    • Precision tools for shaping the darkwood and assembling the bow.
  • Obsidian Knife
    • Used to cut and shape Nightstalker leather and carve details in the bow.
  • Moonlit Forge
    • A forge bathed in natural moonlight, necessary for working with shadow-infused materials.
• Skill Requirements:
  • Woodworking (Advanced) Expertise in crafting bows and shaping rare woods.
  • Shadow Magic (Intermediate) Knowledge of shadow energy manipulation and infusion techniques.
  • Leatherworking (Intermediate) Experience working with magical and exotic leathers for grip binding.
  • Runescribing (Intermediate) Skill in inscribing magical symbols to enhance and control shadow energy.
  • Enchanting (Advanced) Required to imbue the bow with its shadow-infused properties and enhance its accuracy and damage.
• Crafting Steps:
  • Prepare the Darkwood Timber
    • Shape the darkwood into two sleek limbs of the recurve bow. Carve intricate channels along the wood’s surface to accommodate the flow of shadow energy.
    • Carefully sand and smooth the limbs using Master Fletching Tools to ensure proper flexibility.
  • Infuse the Darkwood with Shadow Essence
    • Place the prepared darkwood limbs into the Enchanting Cauldron. Slowly add the three vials of Shadow Essence while chanting the appropriate incantation to bind the essence to the wood. The essence will seep into the grain of the wood, giving it a faint, shadowy aura.
    • Let the wood rest in the cauldron for a full moon cycle to absorb the magic.
  • Carve and Inlay the Moonstone Shard
    • Using the Obsidian Knife, carve a small recess in the center of the bow’s handle. Place the Moonstone Shard into the recess, then use the silver thread to bind it tightly. The moonstone will act as a focal point, stabilizing the shadow magic.
  • Attach the Enchanted Bowstring
    • Secure the enchanted bowstring between the two limbs of the bow, ensuring that the tension is perfect. This string is key to channeling the shadow-infused energy into each arrow.
  • Prepare the Nightstalker Leather Grip
    • Cut the Nightstalker leather into strips using the Obsidian Knife. Bind the leather tightly around the bow’s handle, ensuring a firm but comfortable grip. The Nightstalker leather will help maintain the wielder’s connection to the bow, enhancing accuracy.
  • Inscribe Shadow Runes
    • Using the Runescriber’s Kit, carefully inscribe shadow-infused runes along the limbs of the bow, focusing particularly near the grip and along the string channels. These runes will guide the flow of shadow energy, improving the bow’s accuracy and the potency of its arrows. Each rune should be activated by an incantation spoken in the language of shadows.
  • Dust with Obsidian Arrowhead Dust
    • Once the runes are inscribed, lightly dust the bow with Obsidian Arrowhead Dust. This dust will absorb into the runes and enhance their ability to inflict extra damage by sharpening the shadow magic coursing through the bow.
  • Final Moonlit Enchantment
    • Place the fully assembled bow in the Moonlit Forge. Under the light of a full moon, perform the final enchantment ritual, calling upon the power of the shadows to fully bind the magic into the bow. The bow will hum with power as the final layer of shadow magic is absorbed into its structure.

Upon completing these steps, you will have recreated the Shadowstrike Bow, an item of immense precision, capable of blending into shadows, with enhanced accuracy and the ability to deal extra damage.

Tale of the Shadowstrike Bow and the Lost Moonlit Hunters

Long ago, in the time when the world was young and shadows grew longer than the sun itself, there was a forest not yet named. The trees there were taller than mountains, their roots like rivers beneath the earth. In this land, the Hunters of Night roamed, a people who called the dark their friend and the moon their guide. They sought not the beast of the land nor the bird of the sky, but the shadow that escaped all things.

Among them was one, the eldest, whose name was once known but now lost in the fog of time. He held a bow crafted by the hands of those who were no longer seen. The bow was shaped from wood that had never tasted the sun’s gaze, dark as the forgotten places of the earth, and it drank the night as if it were water. The Hunters called it the Bow of the Vanished String, for its string, when drawn, did not sound, and its arrows left no trace upon the air.

The ancient tongue, broken as it was when this tale was first spoken, tells of a hunt, a hunt that was unlike any before. The eldest Hunter, with his silent bow, sought the beast born from shadow itself, a thing that could not be touched by mortal hand. It was said that to strike it was to wound the very night, and to capture it was to steal the dark from the world.

For days uncounted, the Hunter followed the shadow through the land of endless dusk, where light is thin and shadows speak in forgotten voices. He let fly arrows that disappeared into the blackness as though swallowed by the night. The bow, ever silent, ever sure, guided the arrows true. Yet the shadow-beast, swift as a whisper, fled ever deeper into the dark places, where even moonlight feared to tread.

In time, the Hunter grew weary, for the shadow-beast was not of this world but from a time before time. His eyes, though sharp as a blade, began to fail him. The shadows grew too thick, too many, and the bow, once a friend, began to murmur strange things in his ear. Some say the bow was forged by hands not of men, hands that knew not the sun nor the moon, and that it longed to return to a place beyond the shadow, to a darkness far deeper than any known.

At last, in the heart of the shadow-wood, where light was a stranger, the eldest Hunter loosed his final arrow. It flew through the void, through shadow upon shadow, until the world held its breath. Silence followed. And then, the shadow-beast was gone, vanished as though it had never been.

But so too was the Hunter. None returned to the land of the living to tell of his fate. The bow, the Bow of the Vanished String, was found alone in the wood many moons later, lying upon the ground as though abandoned. It was said that the shadow-beast and the Hunter became one, bound forever in the endless chase through the night, neither to be seen by mortal eyes again.

The Hunters of Night, upon finding the bow, dared not touch it. It whispered too many things, things that were not meant for the ears of men. Yet it passed from hand to hand in secret, always seeking another to draw its string, always longing to hunt again.

Moral: The shadow may guide the hand, but the heart that chases darkness will find no rest.

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)

    Name: Shadowstrike Bow

• Type: Recurve Bow, Artifact
• Era: Mythos Era or Pulp Era
• Damage: 1d8 + Shadow Infusion (see below)
• Range: 80 yards
• Ammunition: Arrows (infused with shadow magic)
• Skill Required: Archery (45%)
• Traits:
  • Shadow Infusion: Each time an arrow is fired from the bow, the arrow becomes ethereal, dealing 1d4 additional damage if the target fails a Hard CON roll (resisting the arrow’s shadow corruption).
  • Unseen Shots: When firing in low light or darkness, the archer gains a +20% bonus to Archery skill. Shots from this bow are silent.
  • Whispering Shadows: Prolonged use of the bow (over 1d6 uses) may cause SAN loss (1d4) due to the unsettling whispers that only the wielder hears. Critical failure results in hallucinations of being stalked by a shadow entity.

Blades in the Dark

    Name: Shadowstrike Bow

• Type: Fine Ranged Weapon (Bow)
• Load: 2
• Traits:
  • Silent Shot: Attacks made with this bow are completely silent and blend into the shadows. The bow can be used in Stealth without making any noise.
  • Shadow Arrows: The wielder may push themselves to cause the arrow to become shadow-infused, allowing it to pierce through solid objects like wood or thin walls. Additionally, the wielder can push themselves to deal +1 effect level on a successful hit.
  • Attunement (Optional): The bow draws from the shadows around it, and using this power without control might drain the user’s vitality. For each use of shadow magic (such as through Attune), the user takes 1 stress.

Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition)

    Name: Shadowstrike Bow

• Weapon (Recurve Bow), Rare, Requires Attunement
• Weapon Type: Martial Ranged Weapon
• Damage: 1d8 piercing
• Range: 150/600 feet
• Properties: Ammunition, Two-Handed
• Traits:
  • Shadow Infusion: When attacking a target in dim light or darkness, the wielder can deal an additional 1d6 necrotic damage.
  • Silent Shot: Attacks made with this bow produce no sound. When firing in dim light or darkness, the wielder has advantage on Stealth checks to remain hidden after an attack.
  • Shadowstep (1/day): As a bonus action, the wielder can teleport up to 30 feet to a location within dim light or darkness that they can see.
  • Curse of the Shadows: If the bow is used more than 5 times in a day, the wielder must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or suffer from paranoia, taking 1 level of exhaustion.

Knave

    Name: Shadowstrike Bow

• Type: Ranged Weapon (Bow)
• Damage: 1d6
• Range: 100 feet
• Traits:
  • Shadow Shot: Arrows fired from the bow disappear into shadows, making it difficult to track the source of the shot. Enemies attempting to locate the wielder after an attack must make a Wisdom save or be unable to pinpoint the location.
  • Ethereal Arrow: The wielder may choose to fire an ethereal arrow that passes through barriers up to 1 inch thick. Once per day, they can ignore armor entirely, but the attack deals only half damage.
  • Shadow Drain: After every third shot, the wielder must make a Willpower save to avoid losing 1 point of Stamina due to the bow’s draining effect.

Fate Core

    Name: Shadowstrike Bow

• Type: Ranged Weapon (Bow)
• Aspects:
  • “Silent as the Shadows”: The bow’s arrows make no sound, allowing the wielder to attack without alerting others.
  • “Pierces the Veil of Darkness”: In low light or darkness, the bow’s arrows can strike true with unerring precision.
• Stunts:
  • Shadow Infused Strike: Once per scene, you may spend a Fate Point to add +2 to your attack when shooting at a target in dim light or darkness.
  • Fade into Shadows: Once per session, when you make a Stealth roll after firing the bow, you gain a +2 bonus.
  • Drawback: Prolonged use of the bow can cause the wielder to experience hallucinations or paranoid thoughts about being hunted by shadowy figures, potentially invoking a compelled aspect related to mental strain.

Numenera & Cypher System

    Name: Shadowstrike Bow (Artifact, Level 5)

• Form: Recurve bow of darkwood, infused with shadow magic
• Effect:
  • Deals 5 points of damage.
  • When attacking from a hidden or shadowed position, the wielder can make an additional Speed roll to deal +2 damage (ignores 1 point of Armor).
  • Arrows fired are silent and can pass through thin barriers, such as wood or cloth.
  • Depletion: 1 in 1d20 (Roll after each use; the bow ceases to function if depleted).
  • Special Effect: When the bow is fired in darkness, the wielder gains an asset on Stealth or Speed-based tasks for the next minute, as the bow allows them to move as silently as the arrow it looses.

Pathfinder (2nd Edition)

    Name: Shadowstrike Bow

• Type: Weapon (Shortbow, Magical)
• Item Level: 7
• Price: 3,600 gp
• Traits: Cold Iron, Magical, Necrotic, Shadow
• Damage: 1d6 piercing (Shortbow) + 1d6 shadow damage
• Range: 60 feet
• Critical Specialization Effect: When you critically hit a target in dim light or darkness, the target becomes flat-footed until the end of your next turn.
• Special Abilities:
  • Silent Shot: Attacks made with this bow in dim light or darkness are completely silent. The wielder gains a +2 circumstance bonus to Stealth checks after attacking with the bow.
  • Shadow Arrow: As a free action once per round, the wielder can infuse an arrow with shadow energy, allowing it to deal 1d6 extra shadow damage and pass through walls or barriers up to 1 inch thick.
  • Corrupting Influence: For every 5 shots made with the bow in a single day, the wielder must make a Will save (DC 20) or suffer a -1 penalty to attack rolls for 1 hour due to mental strain from interacting with shadow magic.

Savage Worlds (Adventure Edition)

    Name: Shadowstrike Bow

• Type: Ranged Weapon (Bow)
• Damage: 2d6 + 2 (with shadow-infused arrows)
• Range: 12/24/48
• Weight: 3
• Cost: $1,500
• Special Abilities:
  • Silent as Night: Arrows fired from the bow are completely silent, providing the wielder with a +2 bonus to Stealth rolls made in conjunction with ranged attacks.
  • Shadow Infusion: When firing in dim light or darkness, arrows gain an additional +2 damage and ignore 2 points of Armor.
  • Pass Through: The wielder may spend a Benny to shoot an arrow through a solid object up to 1 inch thick. The arrow strikes targets behind the barrier as though the barrier did not exist.
  • Cursed Whisper: Each time the wielder critically fails a shooting roll with the bow, they must make a Spirit roll or suffer a Fatigue level from the bow’s whispering voices, causing mental strain.

Shadowrun (6th Edition)

    Name: Shadowstrike Bow

• Type: Weapon (Bow)
• Accuracy: 6
• Damage: 8P (Piercing) + Shadow Infusion (see below)
• AP: -1
• Range: Short 0-20m, Medium 21-60m, Long 61-150m, Extreme 151-300m
• Availability: 10R
• Cost: 12,000¥
• Traits:
  • Silent Shot: Arrows fired from the Shadowstrike Bow are completely silent, giving the wielder a +2 dice pool bonus to Stealth tests after firing.
  • Shadow Infusion: In low light or darkness, the bow’s arrows deal +2 DV (damage value), and targets hit must roll a Willpower (4) Test or suffer an additional 1 box of Stun damage from the shadow energy coursing through their body.
  • Astral Signature: Each use of the bow leaves a faint astral signature that can be tracked by a skilled astral perceiver. The signature fades after 1 hour.
  • Edge Use: The wielder may spend 1 Edge to automatically bypass 2 Armor points when shooting in darkness.

Starfinder

    Name: Shadowstrike Bow

• Level: 7
• Price: 5,300 credits
• Weapon Type: Ranged, Analog
• Damage: 1d8 piercing + 1d6 shadow damage
• Range: 60 feet
• Critical: Wounding (on critical hits, the target takes 1d4 bleed damage)
• Capacity: Arrows (Analog)
• Traits:
  • Shadow Shot: When used in areas of dim light or darkness, the bow grants a +2 insight bonus to Stealth checks after an attack.
  • Shadow Piercer: Arrows fired from the bow can ignore soft cover provided by shadows or darkness.
  • Corrupting Influence: Each time the wielder fires more than 5 arrows in a single combat encounter, they must succeed at a DC 16 Will saving throw or take a -1 penalty to attack rolls for 1 hour due to mental strain.
  • Ethereal Step: Once per day, the wielder can activate the bow to teleport 30 feet as a swift action, provided both the start and end points are within areas of dim light or darkness.

Traveller (Mongoose 2nd Edition)

    Name: Shadowstrike Bow

• Tech Level: 10
• Range: 30 meters
• Damage: 3d6 + 1d6 (shadow-infused)
• Traits:
  • Silent Strike: Shots made from the bow are silent, giving the user a +2 DM bonus to Recon or Stealth checks when attempting to remain hidden after firing.
  • Shadow Infusion: Arrows fired in dim light or darkness deal an additional 1d6 damage, as the bow taps into energy from the shadow realm.
  • Unseen Shot: Arrows become invisible during flight, making it impossible for enemies to identify where the shot came from unless they pass an Average (8+) Recon check.
  • Mental Strain: After using the bow for a prolonged time (over 10 arrows in an hour), the user must make an Endurance 8+ check to avoid suffering from mental fatigue, causing a -1 DM penalty to actions for 1d6 hours.

Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (4th Edition)

    Name: Shadowstrike Bow

• Type: Ranged Weapon (Bow)
• Weapon Group: Bow
• Rarity: Very Rare
• Range: 60 yards
• Damage: 9 + SL (Success Levels) + Shadow Infusion (see below)
• Qualities: Penetrating, Damaging, Precise
• Special Traits:
  • Silent Shot: The Shadowstrike Bow’s arrows make no sound when fired, granting the user a +10% bonus to Stealth checks made after an attack.
  • Shadow Infusion: When fired in low-light or darkness, arrows deal an additional +1 damage per Success Level, as the bow draws power from shadows.
  • Cursed Weapon: Prolonged use of the Shadowstrike Bow may cause the wielder to hear whispers from the shadows. After firing more than 10 arrows in a single encounter, the wielder must make a Challenging (+0) Willpower test. On a failure, they gain 1 Corruption point.
  • Ethereal Arrow: Once per day, the wielder may fire an ethereal arrow that can pass through walls and solid objects (up to 6 inches thick). This must be declared before the attack is made.