Tuesday Magic Item – Highwayman’s Ice Bow

Gollaon leaned back in his chair and sipped at his mulled wine.  “It seems that the war has given way to general lawlessness, bandits everywhere.  Do you think it is worth our while to hunt some of them down?”

Voddick leaned over his mulled ale.  “Perhaps.  I do not much care for thieves even the polite ones like some highwaymen.”

“One of the local bands is making quite a name for themselves, they have a magical frost casting bow.”

“I had heard about that band, they seem more or less reasonable sorts,” nodded Voddick.  “Or at least they understand a goose only plucked can be plucked again later.”

Gollaon laughed.  “That I can respect.”

Highwayman’s Ice Bow

These bows are made of wood harvested at the height of winter, they are always decorated often to the point of near garishness with inlaid silver, crystals and blue and white enamels and paints.  The bow is cold to the touch and the string will gather ice crystals is left still for too long.

It is a +2 longbow of frost and when an arrow is nocked and drawn back, the arrow head is covered with glittering frost, providing a +5 competence bonus to Intimidate checks.

Thrice a day, the arrow can be encased in ice as it is released and when it hit it coats the target with ice, this causes an additional 1d8 points of cold damage and the target must make a fortitude save (DC 17) of be slowed for one round and they fall prone if they fail the save by 10 or more (or roll a natural “1”).  The ground ten feet in any direction around the target becomes ice covered and difficult terrain for 1d4+1 rounds.

Aura moderate evocation; CL 7th
Slot none; Price 23,375; Weight 3 lbs
Construction Requirements
Craft Magic Arms and Armor, eagle’s splendor, ice storm; Cost 11,500 + 375 for the longbow

For D&D 5E:

Weapon (long bow), rare (requires attunement)

First paragraph as above.

It is a longbow and the archer has a +2 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this bow and when an arrow is nocked and drawn back, the arrow head is covered with glittering frost, providing advantage on Charisma (Intimidate) rolls.

Thrice, the arrow can be encased in ice as it is released and when it hit it coats the target with ice, this causes an additional 1d8 points of cold damage and the target must make a fortitude save (DC 14) of be slowed for one round and they fall prone if they fail the save by 10 or more (or roll a natural “1”).  The ground ten feet in any direction around the target becomes ice covered and difficult terrain for 1d4+1 rounds.  This ability resets after the archer takes a long rest

Notes: A winter-themed item and inspired by a bow a character of mine had in a Thieves’ Guild campaign, many many years ago, where he was know as “The Ice Bow Bandit”.  Good times.  Compare and contrast with the Highwayman’s Crossbow.

Photo “170219-034” by waferboard is licensed under CC BY 2.0.