STAVES

A staff is a weapon of the same general size and shape as a quarterstaff and each may be used as a weapon ("staff").

A magical staff must be held in a limb to be used, a "command word" (or phrase) must be used to unleash the magic, and each has a limited number of charges before it will stop functioning and becomes non-magical. See Casting Time below.

Charges. Unless noted otherwise, a magic staff may possess a maximum of 25 charges.

Some staves may be "recharged". These will be noted—an item must be recharged before becoming completely depleted of charges or it becomes permanently non-magical. See Recharging Magic Items.

STAFF ATTRIBUTES

• Caster Level All staves function at Caster Level 8 unless stated otherwise.

• Casting Time Most staves requiring an action to bring about an effect are treated as invocations. Some staff functions occur as part of a melee attack.

• Range An effect centered on the wielder is "0"; Otherwise other effects will list a range (similar to spells).

• Area of Effect See Casting Spells.

• Duration See Casting Spells.

• Save See Casting Spells.

• Aura The notation is used for detect magic effects (priest-cast detection is larger grained than magic-user): [priest]/[magic-user]

• Class Requirement If only certain character classes can use the item, it will be noted here. Creatures without character classes typically cannot use items meant for a specific character class (per the GM).

• Encumbrance All staves have the same encumbrance weight as a staff weapon (5-lbs.).

• Charges Most staves have a maximum of 25 charges (2d12+1).

• XP Value/GP Value These are the requisite values for whole and fully charged items. If partially used, the values are at the remaining ratio. See also XP for Treasure and Magic Items.

• Effects If a spell effect is indicated, it will be a mage spell, or, if not a mage spell, a cleric spell (unless the spell-type is indicated).