Stalker’s Bow

Illus. by J. Nelson

Stalker’s Bow is a composite shortbow. Its leatherwrapped handgrip not only bears signs of extensive use, but also great care on the part of previous owners.

Nonlegacy Game Statistics: +1 composite shortbow;

Cost 2,375 gp. You gain a +1 competence bonus on

Move Silently checks. Omen: Stalker’s Bow makes no sound when you fire it—both string and arrow are totally silent. HISTORY

The renowned assassin Failine Namdraki was the last known owner of the shortbow known as Stalker’s Bow. Failine, a dark-haired vigilante said to hail from eastern lands, was well known for taking only certain types of work. She accepted contracts to avenge wrongs, to stop reigns of evil, and to end wars rooted in greed. Infamous for striking within any organization or government, no matter how secure, she never left a trace of her presence besides the corpse of whomever she came to slay. But Failine never returned home after allegedly taking a contract to eradicate the Fey King of Kehlrone. (DC 15) Failine Namdraki didn’t always carry Stalker’s Bow. She “acquired” it from Jack the Silent, another assassin of some repute. Jack, a far more typical example of his profession, was paid by associates of those Failine had slain in the past to put an end to the woman’s do-gooder ways. He arranged the perfect ambush, or so he thought. When Failine was in his sights, she somehow sensed his murderous intent seconds before the killing arrow was loosed. She still took a grievous wound from the shaft, but managed to move just enough so the shot failed in its lethality. Seconds later, Failine turned the tables on Jack, slaying him in his hunter’s blind and claiming Stalker’s Bow for herself. (DC 18; Accept the Pain) Jack the Silent, a reaver from the shadowed lands of Nok, was known as a man of vacant conscience. But this was not always so. The shadow lord of Nok gave Stalker’s Bow to Jack, but the gift came at a price. The terms were that Jack had to undertake a job in which he was allowed no prior research on his mark—he simply had show up at an indicated place and slay all who resided therein. Eager for a reward from a shadow lord, Jack complied. Only after accomplishing the deed did he realize he’d slain a dear friend from his childhood, someone who had apparently been giving the shadow lord trouble. From that time onward, all pity died in Jack’s heart, and some say he had a death wish. Whether this is true or not, none survived Jack and his Stalker’s Bow in all the years of their partnership in murder—that is, nobody until Failine Namdraki. (DC 25; Blood From a Friend) Before giving Stalker’s Bow to Jack the Silent, the nameless shadow lord of Nok wielded the weapon himself. The shadow lord’s hidden name was Baalmorthamn, and he was a creature from another world come to trouble those who knew not his secret origin or true powers. As a shadow lord of Nok, just one of a cabal of obscure despots Stalker’s Bow makes an who ruled the surassassin wielder virtually unstoppable rounding lands as puppet regimes, Baalmorthamn enjoyed and demanded supreme privacy. Whenever it seemed his identity might come to light, he used the full abilities of Stalker’s Bow to end the threat. Baalmorthamn brought the bow with him from his extraplanar home. Few can stop an ethereal silhouette that slips past all barriers, and that’s just what the shadow lord could do. But in a dimension not his own, Baalmorthamn rapidly aged, and as his flesh became infirm, he gave the bow to his most trusted servant— Jack the Silent. (DC 31; Trial of the Outsider)

Table 3–43: Stalker’s Bow

——————— Personal Costs ——————— Wielder Save Skill Check Hit Point Skill Point Level Penalty Penalty Loss Loss Abilities

5th — — — — Adjustable draw 6th — — 2 3 Obscurity 7th –1 –1 — — — 8th — — — 3 +2 composite shortbow 9th — — — — — 10th — — 2 — Deadly sniper 3/day 11th — — — — +3 composite shortbow 12th — — — — Darkvision 13th — — — 3 — 14th — –2 — — +4 composite shortbow 15th — — — — — 16th — — — 3 See invisibility 17th — — — — +5 seeking composite shortbow 18th — — — 3 Stalker’s insight 1/day 19th — –3 — — — 20th — — — 3 Ethereal hunter

LEGACY RITUALS

Three rituals are required to unlock all the abilities of Stalker’s Bow.

Accept the Pain: You must allow another character proficient with shortbows to shoot you point blank with Stalker’s Bow, dealing you damage. Cost: 1,875 gp.

Feat Granted: Least Legacy (Stalker’s Bow). Blood From a Friend: You are required to deal damage to a close friend or ally with a point blank shot from Stalker’s Bow. Cost: 12,700 gp. Feat Granted:

Lesser Legacy (Stalker’s Bow). Trial of the Outsider: You have to defeat an outsider in personal combat. The creature’s CR must be equal to or greater than your character level. Cost: 40,500 gp.

Feat Granted: Greater Legacy (Stalker’s Bow). WIELDER REQUIREMENTS

Stalker’s Bow is useful to stealthy types, including rogues and rangers, as well as those who would like to be stealthier, such as barbarians.

Stalker’s Bow Wielder Requirements

Hide 1 rank Move Silently 1 rank

LEGACY ITEM ABILITIES

All the following are legacy item abilities of Stalker’s Bow.

Adjustable Draw (Su): Starting at 5th level, Stalker’s Bow deals extra damage equal to your Strength bonus.

Obscurity (Su): At 6th level, you gain a +5 competence bonus on Hide checks.

Deadly Sniper (Su): Beginning at 10th level, you can reroll any roll made to confirm a critical threat against a flat-footed target. This ability can be used three times per day, but you must declare its use before the DM announces the success or failure of the initial roll.

Darkvision (Su): At 12th level, you gain darkvision with a range of 60 feet.

See Invisibility (Su): Starting at 16th level, while you are holding, wearing, or wielding Stalker’s Bow, you can see invisible creatures or objects, as if continually affected by the see invisibility spell. Caster level 10th.

Stalker’s Insight (Su): At 18th level and higher, once per day on command, you gain a +10 insight bonus on

Hide, Listen, Move Silently, Spot, and Survival checks for 1 hour. Afterward, you must succeed on a DC 15

Fortitude save or become fatigued.

Ethereal Hunter (Su): Beginning at 20th level, you gain the ability to become ethereal for a total of 10 rounds per day. These rounds need not be used consecutively. While activating this ability is a standard action, dismissing it is a free action. ADVENTURE SEED (EL 6)

While exploring the edges of a large forest, the adventurers are suddenly attacked by a group of bowwielding satyrs. While most of the satyrs wield regular shortbows, one has a magic bow (Stalker’s Bow). The satyr doesn’t know his bow is a legacy item, having found it years ago in a barrow deeper in the forest. None of the satyrs have pipes.

Satyrs (4): 22 hp each (see page 219 of the Monster Manual).