Iron Bow of Gesen II (Magic Bow)

Upon casual examination, the iron bow of Gesen appears to be an ordinary short bow of the type used by horse raiders, lacquered black and strung with a shimmering cord. Closer examination reveals that the bow is of iron, cunningly wrought to appear like wood, while the string is a golden wire. The bow is light and can be drawn back with ease, bending more than iron should allow.
The bow is one of the two great weapons of Gesen Khan, a legendary chieftain among the horse nomads. (The other weapon is the hammer of Gesen.) Gesen was supposedly the first to unite all the warring tribes.
One of Gesen's treasures was the iron bow, supposedly the first bow ever made. No ordinary person, it is said, could bend it, and none could withstand the fearsome arrows loosed from its string. A single shaft from it could sunder a tree or shatter stone. Furthermore, since it was the first bow, it was the greatest and wisest of all bows. No one who touched it shot poorly after that.
Eventually Gesen died and was buried somewhere on the steppes. It is said that the bow was interred with him, but since that time, many claim to have seen or used it. The iron bow is an excellent artifact for use by a warrior, especially if the adventure pits the party against some tremendous foe. Because of its seemingly normal appearance, characters will have to be wary of fraudulent copies.
Other warriors covet the artifact, and the group will be besieged by claimants based on ancestry, great need, and fitness. Most try to take the bow by force. The characters will find themselves in situations not unlike the notorious gunslingers who had always to face new challengers. 
Constant Powers: Any arrow shot from the bow is temporarily transformed into an arrow +5, providing attack and damage bonuses. Arrows leap from the quiver to the string of their own accord, allowing up to four shots per round. The bow has twice the range of a normal short bow. 
Invoked Powers: Three times per day, the owner can fire an arrow as a lightning bolt or flame arrow spell (cast at 20th level). Once per day the owner can use any arrow of slaying. 
Curse: Users of the bow risk artifact transformation. Should this occur, the character gradually changes in features and knowledge into a wild horseman of the steppes. The character may forget how to read or sail, instead becoming an expert rider. The transformation does not affect class abilities. Once it is complete, the character is subject to artifact possession, unable to resist any adventure or good cause. 
==Suggested Means of Destruction==
* It must be returned to the vengeful shade of Gesen, who is wandering the steppes.
* It must be flattened with 1,000 blows from the hammer of Gesen.
Category:Encyclopedia Magica Magic Items
Category:Magic Items
Category:Magic Bows
Category:Magic Weapons