What at first appeared to be a carving of arms and a face on the stock of a crossbow suddenly springs to life, the arms moving to reload the crossbow while the face looks for another target.

An arbalester is a homunculus created to assist with ranged attacks. Built around the stock of a light crossbow, the arbalester can fire and reload the crossbow using the normal rules for crossbow attacks. The arbalester includes a quiver capable of carrying 20 bolts. Bolts stored in the quiver do not count against the creature's carrying capacity. Once built, the crossbow and arbalester cannot be separated without destroying the homunculus.

Combat

An arbalester is somewhat effective at providing ranged support, shooting targets designated by its master. An arbalester is automatically proficient with the crossbow that has been built into its body.

Receive Enhancement (Ex): The crossbow built into an arbalester can be magically enhanced as if it were a normal masterwork weapon. The costs for enhancing the weapon with enhancement bonuses and other special qualities are independent of those associated with constructing or advancing the homunculus.

Construction

An arbalester is carved from green wood, threads of silver and gold, a pint of the creator's blood, and a masterwork light crossbow. The materials cost 350 gp. Creating the body requires a DC 14 Craft (sculpting) or a DC 14 Craft (carpentry) check.

An arbalester with more than 1 Hit Die can be created, but each additional Hit Die adds 2,000 gp to the cost to create.

Craft Construct, arcane eye, mending; Price — (never sold); Cost 1,250 gp + 93 XP.