Rune Staff

Instead of listing spells, the rune staff draws its powers from runes. Any staff or wand engraved with the potent Yew rune becomes a rune device, and up to three more runes may then be carved into it; making one takes a full day. Nothing else may carry more than a single rune, only druids and shamans have the skill to use these devices, and no one may ever own more than one. Like every runic device it counts as a magic item, and apart from witches, warlocks, druids and shamans nobody can carry more than three runic devices at once.

Known runes include Cold and Fire (+1 saves against such attacks), Courage (+1 saves vs magical fear and influence), Deity (+1 saves vs undead attack forms), Good (sense Black Magic within 10 ft.), Light (a 20 ft. circle of light on command) and Travel (never lost, always able to find due north). Staves are usually wooden, 5-7 ft. long and 1-1/2 to 2 in. thick, carved with marks at the head by primitive casters or fitted with metal bands or a headpiece by civilized ones. A staff holds up to 21 charges, can be recharged, and may be enchanted +1-3 to hit.