Snake Staff II (Magic Staff)

Usable only by priests, this magical staff is a staff +1 and inflicts 1d6+1 points of damage per hit.
Upon command, the staff turns into a snake and coils around the creature struck. The command may be spoken when the victim is hit. The victim is allowed to make a saving throw vs. spell to avoid the serpent's coil. Any hum an-size or smaller victim is held helpless for 1d4 turns (unless the snake is ordered by the owner to release the victim before that time). Larger creatures cannot be ensnared in the snake's coils. The snake's characteristics are as follows.
Snake: AC 5: HD 3: hp 20: MV 6: SAT 1 (special): Dmg Nil (special): ML 12: XP 6.
When freed, the snake crawls back to its owner and becomes a staff once again. The snake is completely healed when it returns to staff form. If killed in snake form, it cannot return to staff form and it loses all magical properties. This item does no! have or use charges.
At the DM'S option, the staff can be given charges. The user can spend charges to add bonuses to the snake's attack roll (+1 bonus per charge spent): up to five charges can be used in a single attack (for a -5 bonus).
A charge can also be used to cure the snake while it is in combat. The user casts a curing spell of any type and expends one charge to transfer the cure to the snake. The amount of curing is determined normally: no range limit applies.
Category:Encyclopedia Magica Magic Items
Category:Magic Items
Category:Magic Staves
Category:Magic Weapons