Shield Arbalest
Added 2022-01-18 15:00:07 +0000 UTCShield Arbalest
Weapon (crossbow, heavy), uncommon
The reinforced arm of this heavy crossbow shields you from attacks while you launch bolts. While wielding the crossbow, if you make a ranged attack with it, you gain half-cover against attacks from the target. This defense lasts until the start of your next turn, or until you attack another target. Alternatively, while wielding the crossbow you can use your action to grant yourself half-cover against all attackers until the start of your next turn. While active, if you are subjected to an effect that allows you to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, you take no damage if you succeed on the saving throw.
Aiming this weapon effectively requires substantial strength. Your attacks with this crossbow have disadvantage if your Strength score is lower than 13.
Ignitus leapt from the battlements as a boulder smashed into the crenelation he stood behind a moment before. He landed with a roll, sprinting away from barrel-sized chunks of stone that rained down from the pulverized tower. The screams of his companions were soon muffled behind him. A thick cloud of chalky dust obscured Ignitus’ mad dash, and he ran until he could see again. When the sudden revelation came, he stood alone in an open field. Directly ahead was the siege camp, and the entire enemy warband. Too easy a target to pass up, the enemy archers loosed a volley in his direction. Luckily, Ignitus’ weapon was also his protection, and he hefted his massive shield arbalest just in time to deflect the hail of arrows. He knelt and set to work, launching a quiverfull of quarrels into the enemy archers, as their arrows pelted against his shield to no effect. Half the unit fell to his onslaught before Ignitus took an arrow to the knee and, in that moment, he knew his adventuring days were over.
