Rune Wand

Instead of listing spells, the rune wand 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.

One rune is used only on certain rune wands: the cursed Death rune, which once a day lets the wand's maker force a living creature within 20 ft. to save vs Will or fall unconscious, dying within seven days unless the curse is lifted. Other runes grant protections such as +1 saves against cold, fire or magical fear. Wands are usually metal or bone, 1 to 1-1/2 ft. long and about half an inch thick, and most wear a costly headpiece of gems or precious metal (primitive casters use carved bone). A wand holds up to 50 charges and can be recharged, but it cannot be used to strike.