Electric Bow

When cast, this spell creates a light-blue, glowing bow in the caster's hands (or on the ground at his feet, at the caster's option). The bow can take any one of many forms, depending on the level of the caster.

The caster can choose any type of bow allowed at his level or less. The electric bow created is as a normal bow (ranges, firing rate, etc.), and its missiles can strike any creature vulnerable to +3 weapons or less. The bow can be used by the caster as if he has proficiency with the weapon, or by anyone of the caster's choosing who does have proficiency in the weapon. The bow gives no bonus for exceptional Strength. The bow exists until dispelled or it has fired all its arrows; it has one missile for every two levels of the caster.

Caster's Level | Bow Created ---------------+-------------------------------------- 14th | hand crossbow or short bow 16th | light crossbow or composite short bow 18th | heavy crossbow or long bow 20th | composite long bow 22nd | ballista

The bow automatically loads itself when drawn or cocked, a missile of lightning appearing in the weapon. The ballista cocks and loads itself upon the verbal command "Load," and fires upon the command "Fire." Each action takes one round, for a firing rate of 2. Flight arrows are created for short and long bows, and the appropriate quarrel appears for crossbows.

The missiles of lightning are magical bolts with a +1 bonus to hit and damage. They inflict base damage according to their type, plus an additional point of damage for every two levels of the caster above 20th (+1 at 22nd, +2 at 24th, etc.) to a maximum of +5 at 30th level.

However, only the special missiles of lightning created by the spell can be shot from the bow. If another missile of any sort is placed or cocked into the weapon, then the bow disappears and the spell is lost.

The material component for this spell is a trio of fine tail feathers handpicked from a quail, tied together with the bowstring of the bow used to bring the bird down. The bowman who shot the bird must have been at least 8th level at the time of the kill.