This clerical candlestick is a specially alloyed metal holder with two branches. One is of silver and mithral, the other arm of iron and adamantite—as dark and dead-looking as the first branch is bright and glittering. The two branches intertwine to form a twisting stem of intermittent bright and dull bands. The base is likewise formed of alternating projections of the silvery and ebon metals spreading to form eight legs. The whole object is about 1 foot tall and just over half as broad, with a weight of between 30 and 40 gold pieces. 

Although the dicerion of light and darkness gives off a faint dweomer of its own, it must have specially manufactured candles to function magically. 

When a pair of candles made from purest wax with finely powdered obsidian and crystal layered within, and then both blessed and consecrated (see 1st-level cleric spell ceremony), are put within the sockets of the dicerion's arms, the whole radiates a powerful magical aura. 

When both special candles are alight, the cleric touching or holding the device can see into any form of darkness or the brightest of lights as if the illumination were normal daylight. 

Furthermore, upon command of the cleric, the candles will emit a strange, metallic illumination which dispels all shadows (of the natural sort, not the undead creature) within a 30-foot radius. However, when the latter power is employed, the cleric's vision is then not specially endowed with respect to seeing in darkness or light. 

A special candle will burn for 5-8 turns in a gentle draft such as that created by walking while holding the dicerion. A strong draft will reduce this burning time by 1-2 turns. If the candle remains still and unaffected by breezes, it will last for 9-16 turns.

If only the candle held in the black arm of the dicerion is lighted, then the cleric will effectively be englobed by a sphere of darkness of 15-foot radius. This lack of illumination will not hamper the cleric's vision or movement, but will affect any other creatures within the 15-foot radius. If a bright light strikes the cleric's eyes while so conditioned, he or she will be blinded for 1-4 rounds. 

Conversely, when only the candle in the bright branch is lighted, a sphere of brilliant light will surround the cleric, who will not have his or her vision impaired as long as the dicerion is touched or held, but whose radiation will blind creatures of darkness (Evil) for 2-8 rounds, those of light (Good) being unable to look at the area without being blinded for 1-4 rounds. If magical darkness envelops the cleric while the dicerion is functioning in this manner, he or she will be unable to see for 1-4 rounds. 

In either case, even though only one candle is burning, both branches of the dicerion must actually contain tapers.