Class Requirement. Magic-user, Illusionist, Cleric, or Druid.

The staff of withering is a +1 magic weapon. A hit from it causes 2-5 points of damage. 

If 2 charges are expended when a hit is scored, the creature struck will also age 10 years, its abilities and life span adjusted for the resulting age increase. 

If 3 charges are expended when a hit is made, one of the opponent creature’s limbs can be made to shrivel and become useless unless it saves versus magic (check by random number generation for which member is struck). 

Note that ageless creatures (undead, demons, devils, etc.) cannot be aged or withered. 

Each effect of the staff is cumulative, so that 3 charges will score damage, age, and wither. Aging a dwarf is of little effect, while aging a dragon could actually aid the creature.