Atlantean Trilogy Archive
A torchlit vault of jeweled staves, wands in a velvet case, amulets, rings on a cushion, and a rune-lit breastplate beside a glowing sword.

Snake Staff

Magic item, Magic weapon

A staff whose tip turns into a biting, venomous snake head on command.

From the book

On command the tip of this staff changes into the head of a viper. It can bite once a round, doing 1-6 damage plus 1-6 poison damage on each hit.

Besides its special power it may carry +1-4 to hit (+1-3 if enchanted with orichalc); every plus adds to both attack and damage rolls, and a magical weapon counts as superior quality when saving against breakage. Magical arms and armor can be enchanted by alchemists using orichalc or by casters of any profession. A caster needs the materials of a minor magic item and a weapon of the finest quality, then one month plus a further month for each spell-like power or +1 conferred, with a 99% chance of success; the finished piece usually sells for at least twice its materials plus 2,000 G.P. per +1. No mortal can enchant anything beyond +4.

At a glance

Item type
Staff
Effect
On command its end becomes a viper's head
Attack
One bite per round, 1-6 damage + 1-6 poison damage on a hit
Additional enchantment
May also be enchanted +1-4 offensive (+1-3 if made with orichalc)
Creation rules
See Magical Weapons and Armor (p. 145)
Time to complete
1 month + 1 month per spell-like power or +1 of enchantment
Chance of success
99%
Value
At least 2x materials + 2,000 G.P. per +1 of enchantment
Enchantment limit
Mortals cannot enchant any item beyond +4