Staff of the Serpent

This staff has two forms. One can be commanded to transform into a serpent and the other delivers a poison attack by touch.

• Once the staff is grasped, it imparts its abilities to the wielder as well as the number of charges remaining in the staff.

• This staff may be found in two forms: the python staff (01-75) or the viper staff (76-00). 

• Each may be used as a quarterstaff in melee and each has an additional function. 

• Neither staff type has or requires charges.

Python Staff 

• This is a +2 staff that can be commanded to transform, as per a polymorph any object spell, into a giant constrictor snake (with an AC 3 and maximum hit points [54 hp]) under the mental command (magical control) of the wielder for as long as the wielder desires. 

• Transform. [innate] (minor; then complex) The wielder simply drops the staff as a minor action and may act normally while the transformation takes place (taking the rest of the round). 

• Simple commands (attack a creature) do not require magical control although complex commands do. 

• If the snake is killed, the staff is destroyed. 

• At any time, the wielder may pick up the snake as if picking up an item (a delaying activity) and the snake will transform back into a staff immediately. 

• All damage to the snake is healed once in staff form for a continuous period of 8 hours (the snake while in snake form can also be cured with magic/spells as well).

Viper Staff 

• This is a +1 staff that can be commanded to can be commanded to poison those hit by it, as per the spell poison (caster level 8; reversed neutralize poison).

• Poison. [melee; contact] (immediate) When the wielder makes a successful contact attack, the staff can deliver the poison spell. The target must make a save vs. Poison or fall into a coma and die (save negates). The wielder can also choose to attack with the staff normally (doing damage with the weapon) and inflicting the poison effect. With each successful hit, the staff produces an illusion of a snake head attached to the staff biting the victim.

• A Good-aligned cleric that uses the poison effect of a viper staff of the serpent will gain a performance rating mark.

• Charges. Neither staff type uses charges.