A bow with no string

Thunderbolt Bow

Tags: magical

A short flatbow made of pale blue metal, rigid and gracefully curved even though it's unstrung. There aren't even hooks where you could attach a string.

It seems to be of little use, but there is more to this bow than meets the eye.

To unlock it, you must:

• acquire a glove of aetherium, properly attuned to the bow;
• learn the secret word that activates the bow;
• charge the bow with lightning, risking harm to the bow or yourself;
• spend a few weeks practicing, risking all manner of collateral damage in the process.

Thunderbolt Bow

far, forceful, magical, loud, reload, ignores armor, plenty left / low ammo / all out

When you speak the secret word, the bow activates and hums ominously. When you then wear the aetherium glove and grasp where the string should be, a crackling line of lightning appears between the horns.

When you draw back the lightning, a thunderbolt forms where an arrow should be. It manifests over the course of a deep breath, after which you can Let Fly.

You must charge the bow with lightning to replenish its ammo.

When you draw back the lightning for at least ten deep breaths, deplete your ammo. Your next shot deals +1d4 damage (+area, +dangerous), but if you bust with only 1s present to Let Fly, the bow explodes (3d6 damage, reach, area, forceful, loud).