Both appear to have been created for a similar purpose: to bring light to dark places and use light to vanquish evil. However, which is more effective and which is more worth the cost? Yes, I realize those questions could have different answers. If this is in the wrong forum, I apologize. I thought I was seeking advice...I am actually.
Starbow
Aura moderate evocation; CL 11th; Slot none; Price 30,400 gp; Weight 3 lbs.
DESCRIPTION
The silvery wooden limbs and green riser of this +3 composite longbow are decorated with rows of tiny stars, sparkling comets, and little moons. Arrows fired from this bow trail streams of silvery light, and resemble shooting stars as they fly.
Creatures that take penalties in bright light take these penalties for 1 round after being struck by such an arrow. An arrow shot from the starbow sheds light as a sunrod for 1 minute after it is shot. A starbow responds to the strength of its wielder, acting as a bow with a strength rating equal to its wielder's Strength bonus. The wielder can fire it with a lesser Strength bonus (and cause less damage) if desired.
Three times per day as a standard action, the wielder can use a starbow to fire a 30-foot-long cone of arrow-shaped bolts of radiance. All creatures in the area of effect take 5d8 points of damage unless they are undead or creatures harmed by sunlight, in which case the damage increases to 10d8. This damage bypasses damage reduction and energy resistance. A successful DC 18 Reflex save halves the damage. A creature that takes damage from this attack is shrouded with a soft radiance (as faerie fire) for 1 minute.
CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS
Feats Craft Magic Arms and Armor; Spells searing light, warp wood; Cost 15,400 gp
Nightbane Quiver
Source Daughters of Fury pg. 62 (Amazon)
Aura faint evocation; CL 5th
Slot none; Price 16,000 gp; Weight 3 lbs.
Description
This black silk quiver bears a silver star-and-moon motif. It can transform up to 20 arrows per day into tangible beams of light. When drawn from the quiver, these arrows produce light as the daylight spell for 5 rounds, after which they disappear. Arrows enhanced in this way prove particularly deadly to light-sensitive and shadowy creatures—an arrow altered by a nightbane quiver bypasses the DR of any creature with light sensitivity and counts as a force effect against shadows and wraiths. Arrows gain these benefits only when shot by the current owner of the quiver. Arrows placed in this quiver retain any magical effect already placed on them.
Construction
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, daylight; Cost 8,000 gp
Nightbane Quiver is quite nice and seems well worth the cost.
Starbow seems overpriced to me.
I would grab the quiver IMO.
Good luck, Happy gaming.
The quiver is limited to 20 shots, but it's much cheaper. Plus you can use this with any bow and get lots of benefits.
I really like the bypass DR ability for the Quiver, and the AoE Searing Light attack from the Starbow (though DC18 isn't great--many opponents will make that save for half, I'm sure). Decisions, decisions.