Wraithvine decides to see just what this bow can do in Kevin's hands, and has him start shooting at targets in an old quarry. But carefully instructs him on what to concentrate the arrow doing when it hits. Ze's both impressed, and disturbed, and if ze were any other Elf, a little spooked, at the immense power that worthless little bow could have. But when anyone else drew the bow, not only would it not draw or bend, it was like trying to pull on reinforced steel.
@internutter/challenge-03185-h276-divine-intervention -- Anon Guest
This latest array of rocks had been where a dragon had died, at least according to the legends retold by the old sots at the bar. If you knew where to look, they insisted, you could find some dragon scales where the dead beast had skidded to their final stop.
Horse-apples, the lot of it.
Wraithvine had been there when it happened and knew that it was nothing more than an entire tribe of Kobolds digging out a seam of shale to help a nearby village at the time. Anything that didn't fit the bill had been tossed aside[1].
But Kevin had fallen for it hook, line, and sinker. He entered the quarry with his neck bent and his eyes trying to find anything remotely like a dragon scale. Worse, he didn't know what one looked like.
"Is this one?"
"That's a fossilised shark tooth. Neat, but not a dragon scale. Focus, Kevin. I have set up some dummies and I want you to think before you draw your bow."
Kevin looked up from the ground at the straw dummies. "They're naked."
"I'm not going to waste a spell making clothes just for the burning, Kevin. Your mother would object."
"Dang right I would," said Ma Oxbrydl. "You just learn how to use that thing safely, there's my good boy."
"...'es Mum."
"Starting from the left," Wraithvine waited whilst Kevin put up both hands to see which one made an L. "The first dummy wants very badly to hurt your mother. Do something now!"
Kevin drew and loosed. This would ordinarily be the doom of a regular bow[2], but this one formed a glowing arrow as he drew. It was a perfect shot, right into the dummy's chest.
The dummy burst into flames.
"Firebolt. Excellent. That would definitely give a regular brigand pause... but wait! That one's an evil Troll!"
Kevin drew and loosed again. This time a fireball left a scorch mark over some significant territory, and there was nothing left of the dummies but a rising mushroom cloud of smoke and dust.
"I'm beginning to sense a theme," said Wraithvine, who had to sit down.
[1] Unless it was sufficiently shiny. You just can't stop a Kobold with shiny things.
[2] Fun fact, many old-school bows are not made to be loosed without an arrow. They will actually crack and break if some numpty tries to fire it empty.
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / Rikley]
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