Staves

Staves are usually 5 or 6 feet long and as thick as a young sapling - about 1.5 inches at the base, tapering to 1 inch at the tip, although they can be of nearly equal diameter throughout. Staves are typically fashioned of wood, often carved, bound with metal, and likely to be gnarled and twisted. They can be unusual or quite ordinary.

Staves, like wands and rods, are powered by charges. A stave typically has d6+19 charges when found. It is possible for a stave to have fewer charges, although almost none have more than this number. Some staves can be recharged according to the rules for making magic items. Once all the charges are used, the staff is rendered nonmagical and cannot be recharged.

Unless inapplicable or otherwise specified, staves function at the 8th-level of magic use. Their spell discharge is that of an 8th-level wizard with respect to range, duration, and area of effect. Damage is nominally 8d6 with respect to fireballs, lightning bolts, and other effects. Remember that a wizard who possesses a staff always has a weapon in hand as well. A staff, although magical and possessing one or more magical abilities, can also be used as a hand-to-hand weapon. These staves cause the same damage as a normal quarterstaff.

Command Words

If the DM desires, unleashing the power of a stave can require a specific command word or phrase that must be discovered or researched separately from the item itself. The command can be as simple as a single word ("heal") or as complicated as a rhyming phrase that must be adjusted to fit the circumstances ("I touch this elf; restore his health," or "In this moment of greatest toil, I command thee, staff, uncoil!"). Since command words are the keys to great power, wise owners will memorize them and destroy all other evidence. Indeed, knowledge of command words can be used as a bargaining point in surrender negotiations.