The Shortbow of Gesen is a magical shortbow that can be crafted by Cromwell if he is provided the Gesen Bow Shaft and the Gesen Bow String and paid 7,500 
.
This crafting opportunity can only occur in the Shadows of Amn portion of the game saga.
Description[]
"The finest bow crafted by Gesen Khan, this weapon draws energy from another plane, firing spears of lightning instead of arrows... and therefore never requiring ammunition of any kind. It is said that Gesen prepared to retire from his craft after selling the invaluable weapon, only to have the bow wrested from his grasp by a thief who used it to end Gesen's own life. A side effect of the bow bestows protection from electricity upon the user."
Gameplay[]
The Gesen Bow requires a minimum Strength of 3 to use and can't be used by Clerics, Druids or Mages.
When equipped it grants a -4 THAC0 bonus, and the bow produces its own endless +4 enchantment ammunition which inflicts 2 Piercing damage + 1D8 Electricity damage per successful missile hit.
The bow user can opt to use this bow with other eligible arrow ammunition as desired. When other arrows are utilized, the ammunition selected will be fired from the Gesen Bow, and whatever ammunition type is launched will reflect that particular missile's attributes.
For example, If the bowman uses the Gesen bow to launch an Arrow of Fire at a creature that requires +2 enchantment to hit it, then that missile will fail as "weapon ineffective".
Regardless of what type of ammunition is fired from the bow, it boosts the effect with an additional 2 piercing damage and 1d8 electricity damage to the hit.
This bow can open up various tactical opportunities for the player, and ammunition choices can be planned to achieve better outcomes against certain opponents.
The bow also bestows the wielder with + 20% electricity damage resistance.
Notes[]
The Velithuu demon uses this bow and its produced ammunition. Now the party can experience what it is like to be on the receiving end of Gesen Khan's creation.
Bugs[]
Launchers that generate their own ammo (e.g. Gesen's Bow or the Firetooth crossbow) would override the projectile of loaded ammo, meaning it could interact with the target protections incorrectly. This is identified and corrected in The Enhanced Edition Fixpack (EEFP).
Trivia[]
The Shortbow of Gesen was taken from the Book of Artifacts, an official Advanced Dungeons & Dragons sourcebook, where it's listed under the name "Iron Bow of Gesen".
External links[]
- Shortbow of Gesen on the Forgotten Realms Wiki, a wiki for the Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting Forgotten Realms.