Skybolt is an ancient enchanted longbow, whose history is tied to a long lost truce between men, centaurs and elves. The bow was found in the possession of a band of mutated Spriggans, which had overrun the town of Varnhold. After the Lords of Miras slayed the foul creatures, the bow was claimed as a prize of war and fell into the possession of Telen Illitheyen. The bow, however, was originally crafted to be wielded by a mighty centaur warrior. Telen, being slight of frame as with any elf, was not able to utilize the prized weapon to its true potential.
During a visit to the ancient, cursed Centaur craftsman, Telen presented the bow to see if the master smith might be able to alter the weapon. Only the knowledge that the Centaur was responsible for forging the mighty Thonblade, allowed Telen the piece of mind to hand over his prize, for few things are as coveted amongst the elves as a masterful bow such as Skybolt.
The centaur first decreed that the bow must bond with Telen as it's new master before he would agree to alter the weapon. Telen was led deep underground into an ancient hot springs, a part of the smith's ancient forge. Telen jumped to an isolated stone perch amidst a sea of steam and meditated upon the bow. The elven archer felt an immediate connection to the weapon. He experienced fleeting moments where it felt as if the bow was whispering into his ear. As soon as he was able to focus his concentration, the moment was gone and there was only silence.
Seeing that the elf had bonded with the bow, the Centaur agreed to alter the weapon to Telen's specifications. Drawing upon the help of the elven wizard Kaladar, the Centaur reworked the bow at his enchanted forge.
The master craftsmen handed the finished weapon off to the elven scout. The pull was perfectly balanced and the grip felt as if he had been hunting with this bow for centuries.
In a deep baritone the Centaur called out for Telen to take aim at the arch overhead and test out the weapon. With lightning fast speed the elf pulled an arrow from his quiver. As he pulled the bowstring back to it's apex, once again Skybolt whispered to him. Telen could barely make out the words "the hunt." The message so startled the master archer that the arrow flew from the bow prematurely and missed it's target by a considerable margin. Looks of shock greeted the elf, for his companions knew of his deadly accuracy. To see the elf miss an arch was almost impossible to believe.
Feeling a bit sheepish, Telen looked up at his companions and turned to the Centaur.
"Skybolt whispered into my ear. I can hear it speak to me, like one can see movement in these ancient woods...only for a moment and then it is gone" the elf said reverently as he looked down upon Skybolt in his hands.
The Centaur, whose normal grim visage revealed little emotion, had a look upon his brow which betrayed his surprise.
"Interesting" the Centaur replied.
Once again Telen drew an arrow and launched it at the arch. It struck true and as it hit its target a deafening clap of thunder reverberated throughout the woods.
"Ahh" said the Centaur whose face had now returned to its normal stoic grimace. "That is part of the magic of this weapon. If you strike perfectly, Skybolt will deliver a massive blast of thunder upon the target. The force of the blast will be powerful enough to break bone and the clasp of thunder is deafening. Wield the weapon well, elf, for you and your companions have a great task ahead."
Having spoken those words the Centaur nodded to the elf.
Telen bowed, "Thank you master smith. It is an honor to wield this weapon. You have my thanks."
