The pentagram star symbol, also known simply as the pentagram, is a five-pointed star formed by five straight lines. Each line is equal in length and intersects with the two adjacent lines. The pentagram is often associated with different meanings and interpretations, depending on the context in which it is used. One of the most well-known associations of the pentagram is with the Wiccan and pagan faiths. In these spiritual traditions, the pentagram is seen as a symbol of protection and balance. It is often used to represent the five elements - earth, air, fire, water, and spirit - and is considered a powerful symbol for invoking the energies of these elements.
D&D 5e: Five Magic Bows (and a Magic Arrow) 9
As part of my intermittent series of magic items, this time I’m presenting five new magic bows, ranging (heh) from rare to artifact. Aethershred comes from the Dust to Dust campaign, while the stormbow, bone bow, and Baron Ystorin’s spine bow all come from the Wildlands South campaign. Whisper is a sort of convoluted cross-campaign reference – the person who played Whisper in DtD also played a Storm Archer in WLS. Anyway, on with the show.
It is often used to represent the five elements - earth, air, fire, water, and spirit - and is considered a powerful symbol for invoking the energies of these elements. In Wicca, the pentagram is often used to mark the four cardinal directions - north, south, east, and west - with the fifth point representing the spiritual self. This positioning reflects the belief in the interconnectedness of these elements and the importance of maintaining balance and harmony in one's life.
Aethershred
Weapon (longbow), artifact (requires attunement)
This dreaded bow has erased its own history, concealing whatever malicious hands created it. It is, nonetheless, famed for the control that it exerts over its wielder, and its willingness to annihilate any bearer it finds unsuitable. It was recovered by one of the companions of the Paladin Queen, during the campaigns against the Nimori, but even Vyrakotha’s virtuous influence was not sufficient to protect Nuoli dai Oroya. When at last Aethershred subsumed her will entirely, she wreaked terrible slaughter and persisted through every dire incantation that was cast against her, until at last her body had been reduced to ashes for the third time.
The soul within Aethershred has not deigned to reveal its name to any save its wielders, and none have survived wielding it to share that name with scholars. The bow’s purpose is greatly famed and feared, however, among those who understand the nature of the Spirit Court. Until the coming of the Houses of the Nether, only Aethershred could slay one of the genius loci known as Falar. Yet that Falar, being dead and not devoured by Nether, could be known and replaced by the Auvet, so the land did not fall into Forgetting and wasteland. Only in later years was it seen as a prefiguring of Nether, and sought by Nether’s agents.
The soul within Aethershred has not the least care for the preservation of its wielder in the longer term. It seeks to cause as much destruction as possible, and spends its power only to compel the wielder and preserve their fighting ability. The guiding theory of its nature is that it was ill-made upon the Sacrificial Forge. Perhaps a soul that had long dwelt within the Forge entered it, instead of the one its maker meant to commit to it, and turned the bow’s purpose toward revenge against the Forge’s creators.
Magic Weapon. Aethershred is a magic weapon that grants a +3 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with it.
Random Properties. The bow has the following randomly-determined properties.
- 2 minor beneficial properties
- 1 major beneficial property (suggested additional options: when a creature attempts to disarm you of Aethershred, they roll a DC 20 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, they suffer 10d10 poison damage, or half on a success.)
- 2 minor detrimental properties
- 1 major detrimental property (suggested: when meeting any person for the first time, roll a DC 20 Charisma (Persuasion) check. On a failure, you immediately attack that creature with Aethershred, and continue until one or the other of you is dead, or you are more than 1 mile apart)
Sentient. While all eleven of the Lenga’Hiduis are sentient, not all of their personalities are as forceful or interested in controlling their wielders as Aethershred is.
- It has an Intelligence of 12, a Wisdom of 12, and a Charisma of 18.
- It communicates telepathically with its bearer or wielder.
- It has hearing and true seeing out to 120 feet, and can choose to share its true seeing with its wielder.
- Its alignment is chaotic evil.
- It craves the destruction and goads its user to fight arbitrarily.
- It demands that its wielder attack anyone it finds repugnant, which is almost every living thing. It will attempt to take control of its wielder to carry this out if necessary.
- Even when a wielder succeeds or fails a Charisma saving throw against it, Aethershred can attempt to charm and control them again in 1 minute. Its control ignores immunity to the charmed condition.
Arcane Projectiles. When you expend an arrow to attack with Aethershred, it deals an additional 1d8 force damage on a hit. You can make a ranged attack with Aethershred without expending ammunition, in which case it deals 1d8 + your Charisma modifier force damage on a hit.
To the Slaughter. Aethershred has 11 charges. When you hit with a ranged weapon attack using Aethershred, you can deal 1d10 additional poison damage for every charge expended. Alternately, when you hit with a ranged weapon attack using Aethershred, you can spend 5 charges to deal your normal weapon damage and also cast disintegrate on the target, ignoring the spell’s range. Aethershred regains its full complement of charges at midnight, and regains 1 charge whenever a target that you damaged in your current or most recent turn is reduced to 0 hit points.
Preserve the Archer. If Aethershred controls its wielder, it can restore 5d8 hit points to its wielder at the start of its wielder’s turn, resolved before the wielder rolls a death saving throw. If its wielder would be killed, it instead suffers a failed death saving throw that persists until it finishes a long rest, and regains hit points equal to half its normal maximum hit points. When the wielder has 3 failed death saves, they are dead and cannot be resurrected by any spell short of true resurrection.
Destroying Aethershred. The only sure way to destroy Aethershred is to sunder it upon the Sacrificial Forge. This requires a way to transport it to the Sacrificial Forge against the will of its bearer. The soul within Aethershred can manifest and wield Aethershred while in the presence of the Sacrificial Forge, and it attempts to kill those who would destroy it.
Outside of Wicca and paganism, the pentagram has also been associated with a variety of other meanings. In Christianity, for example, the pentagram can be seen as a representation of the five wounds of Jesus Christ. In occult practices, the pentagram is often used in rituals and spells to invoke or banish certain energies or entities. Unfortunately, the pentagram has occasionally been misused or misunderstood, leading to negative connotations. In popular culture, the pentagram has been associated with Satanism and black magic, although these connections are largely based on misinformation and sensationalism. Ultimately, the interpretation and meaning of the pentagram star symbol can vary greatly depending on cultural, religious, and spiritual contexts. Its beauty and simplicity have made it a timeless symbol, inviting contemplation and exploration by those seeking to understand its deeper significance..
Reviews for "The Pagan Star Symbol: Cultivating Inner Wisdom and Insight"
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