Spider Staff
(staff, rare, adamantine, requires attunement)

Last Updated: May 1, 2023
Campaign: The Lost Mine

The top of this black, adamantine staff is shaped like a spider. The staff weighs 6 pounds.

The "Spider Staff" was made by one of the Spider Queen's fiends from adamantine, one of the hardest substances in existence, and if it hits an object, the hit is automatically a critical hit.

You must be attuned to the staff to gain its benefits and cast its spells.

The staff can be wielded as a quarterstaff.
It deals 1d6 extra poison damage on a hit when used to make a weapon attack.

The staff has 10 charges, which are used to fuel the spells within it.
The staff regains 1d6 + 4 expended charges each day at dusk.
If you expend the staff's last charge, roll a d20. On a 1, the staff crumbles to dust and is destroyed.

With the staff in hand, you can use your action to cast one of the following spells from the staff if the spell is on your class's spell list (no components are required):

  • spider climb (1 charge)
  • web (2 charges, spell save DC 15).

    Due to its fiendish heritage, celestials find the item's presence repulsive.

    History:

  • Lolth, the Spider Queen, commanded one of her fiendish yochlol handmaidens to forge the "Spider Staff" and give it to House Nezznar of the Drow.
  • The "Spider Staff" belonged to the "Black Spider" of House Nezznar, a female drow spellcaster leading goblinoids and causing trouble around the town of Phandalin and the surrounding region.
  • The "Black Spider" was defeated by a band of adventurer's in Wave Echo Cave, who then laid claim to the "Spider Staff".
  • A mysterious robed figure, travelling with a recent Lionshields Merchant Caravan visiting Phandalin, bought the "Spider Staff" from the band of adventurers.
  • The same mysterious robed figure also bought the Spell Book of Kost the Red Wizard from them too. (level 1: magic missile, charm person; level 2: hold person, misty step)

    Design Notes:

    Its value is 1,000 gp
    - adamantine weapon (see Xanathar p78) = +500 gp
    - staff (rare abilities) = +500 gp

    Inspired by the tables in the DMG on page 142-143 to make this magic item unique. Basically, they provide ideas for the creator, history, minor property and quirk.
    - creator: Fiend
    - history: n/a
    - minor property: n/a
    - quirk: n/a

    This is an item from the official D&D "Lost Mine" adventure, but modified to fit our campaign.

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