These bows are made by the priests and priestesses of Heim with the intervention of the deity herself. The Goddess is one of the most important deities of nature on the Palladium world and a patron of archers. Priests and Priestesses of Heim are expected to learn the use of the bow. Some the holy bows are retained within the temples for use of the clergy. Others have been made for archers, mostly rangers and long bowman, who have done some outstanding service for the church of Heim or have fought against those who would desecrate the forest. There are believed to be only a couple dozen of these bows in existence but the number actually within the churches is a mystery. Many of those who were outside the temples have been acquired by the church to prevent profane hands from handling them.

The Holy Bows of Heim come in the form of both long bows and short bows. No crossbows have been constructed due to Heim having a disdain for them. She sees the weapon as too technological. The bows are all of incredible workmanship and are incredibly accurate and long ranged. The bows are engraved with the designs of leaves and vines winding around the bow. The base wood of the bow is light brown with the leaves of a light green and the vines of a darker green. The appearance of the bows are incredibly attractive but the pattern also makes the bows well camouflaged.

The Bows of Heim should be considered simple holy weapons but are still much desired for their abilities. The arrows inflict additional damage when fired, especially to supernatural creatures. Over the course of 72 hours, the bow will adjust to the strength of the possessor. If the bow is not possessed by anyone, it will adjust so it is usable by those of average strength. The wielder will also feel as if the Goddess is with them and be strengthened against fear, magic, and illness. The bow glows with a green glow of magic when someone detects magic but otherwise is not visible.

Basic Statistics:

Range: Short Bow: 1200 feet (366 meters) Long Bow: 2000 feet (610 meters)
Damage: 2D6+9 (+ Strength), weapon inflicts double damage against supernatural beings and creatures of magic.
Bonuses: +2 to Strike

Powers:

• Virtually indestructible and never loses tension
• Glows with a light green halo of energy when magic is detected and registers as magic
• Adds +5% to all prayers to one's deity.

Special Abilities::

• Magic Bonus: Gives +1 to save vs Magic (All), +2 to save vs horror factors, and +2 to save vs poison and disease.
• Damage Bonus: Weapon inflicts 2D6 additional Damage (S.D.C. in S.D.C. worlds and M.D.C. in M.D.C. worlds).

[ Palladium Fantasy® is a registered trademark owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc.]

By Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

Copyright © 2002, Kitsune. All rights reserved.