Illus. by D. Crabapple
ITEMS OF LEGACY
CHAPTER 3
FLAMECASTER’S BOLT
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Flamecaster’s Bolt is a light crossbow that appears to be a standard weapon in most respects—sturdy, reliable, and well used. A screaming skull is mounted on the front. Nonlegacy Game Statistics: +1 light crossbow; Cost 2,335 gp. Omen: The crossbow is always warm to the touch. Whenever Flamecaster’s Bolt is brought near fire, the flames move aside, effectively making the weapon immune to fire.
HISTORY
Duegal was a crossbowman by trade, one of many guards who stood atop the battlements of his lord’s fortress, Mandrake Keep. His job description was straightforward—repel invaders, topple their ladders, and don’t get killed in the process. Duegal wasn’t a particularly good shot with a crossbow, a fact he openly shared with his mates. He made up for his lack of skill with humor, friendship, and generosity at the tavern. None of those qualities, though, helped Duegal stay alive when an army of goblins amassed outside the castle. The events of that battle defined Flamecaster’s Bolt. (DC 15) The attack against Mandrake Keep came with little warning, and the soldiers defending the citadel lacked practice. Near as anybody could tell, the goblin multitude was expanding its territory, starting with Mandrake Keep. Duegal had never participated in a large-scale battle. If he thought the castle was doomed that day, the crossbowman didn’t share his feelings. Instead he called out to his companions, “I’ll wager that even I can’t miss now.” When the battle did begin, the goblin onslaught was overwhelming. Duegal didn’t stop for a second, firing one blazing, oil-soaked bolt after another. (DC 20; Suffer the Flames) Duegal stood out that day, firing wildly into the goblins as they swarmed up the fortress’s walls. When night came, the goblins could see perfectly and had no intention of slowing down. Bonfires were lit so the crossbowmen could see anything moving below and take shots when they did. But Duegal was a madman. As companion after companion fell to enemy fire, Duegal seemed to grow mad. He
moved out from behind the arrow slits and stood up on the battlements, taunting the goblin archers below to hit him. They kept missing, while he returned fire with his crossbow, shooting blindly into the darkness beyond the bonfires’ light. Duegal was overcome with grief and rage, but something about his suicidal abandon inspired awe. He seemed invincible atop the wall, drawing the goblin archers’ aim away from other defenders, giving them a chance to rally and reload. (DC 25; Captive Audience) Bugbears arrived at dawn, bringing catapults. Duegal laughed at the reinforcements, drunk on the feeling of invulnerability that came from not caring if he lived or died. The bugbears loaded their massive siege weapons and fired burning pitch at the castle, and the fireballs transfixed Duegal as they streaked across the morning sky. Nobody knows why he didn’t move. Perhaps he truly believed nothing could kill him. When a flaming missile struck Duegal directly, the brave crossbowman was blown back off the battlements and into the courtyard below. The pitch exploded upon impact, setting the courtyard ablaze. At that very moment, reinforcements from the neighboring city of Murcale arrived and drove the weakened goblins back. Had it not been for the citadel guards, and Duegal in particular, Mandrake Keep would have been taken. When Duegal’s body was recovered after the battle, people were surprised to see that his crossbow, still clutched in his hand, was completely unscathed. His spirit, however, lived on undefeated within the crossbow. (DC 30; Sacrificial Offering)
LEGACY RITUALS
Three rituals are required to unlock all the abilities of Flamecaster’s Bolt.
Duegal’s inspired defense of Mandrake Keep founded a mundane crossbow as a legacy weapon, which was later renamed Flamecaster’s Bolt
