Staff of the Spectre

• Passwall effect, cast Web, function as a Wand of Paralyzation or be broken as a retributive strike
• At the same time Socus examines the staff. It takes about an hour, and at the end of the time the young mage is staring at the staff with awe. "It's the most powerful thing I've ever seen, and I'm not sure I've plumbed the depths of its powers, nor have an accurate idea of how much energy remains stored in it. But here's what I was able to tell. It functions as a normal magical stave vis a vis the ability to damage certain creatures only vulnerable to magic, if used in combat. The wielder can use it to open a portal through almost any material, or create a mass of a sticky, web-like material. Further, its powers can be called upon to create a cone shape ray that freezes all within its area. In addition, should the need be great, the wielder can break the staff, releasing the remaining stored energy in a great explosion. This is likely to kill the wielder, in all honesty. Unfortunately, in my estimation the stave has little energy left, perhaps enough for four uses of any of the powers I described. Of course, breaking it uses up all the remaining energy."
• The adventurers meet with Leera in the morning. She is handling the staff with more respect -- awe even, perhaps -- than the first time she laid hands on it. "This staff," she says, "was created by the Archmage Gahlemdas during the Second Age of Man, and lost from history until now. It is theorized that one of his apprentices claimed it after his death, but records from that time period are spotty, inconsistent at best. It is said the the fortress of Gahlemdas was once located far to the west of Greenspire, on the shores of the Shallow Sea. But the boundaries of the ocean have changed since then, and no trace has ever been found of his once-mighty redoubt. This staff," she says, gesturing, "has the following abilities: It can create a mass of sticky strands, similar to the spell commonly known as Web. The wielder can use the stave to become invisible, or open a portal through solid material. She can summon a great whirlwind, such as those created by the elementals known as djinn. The wielder may create a cone of paralyzation, or if nearing defeat can break the staff, releasing the remaining stored energy in a potent explosion. Perhaps most interesting of all, there is an elemental of earth bound to this staff: the histories name it Renregin. The wielder can summon this being in time of need, but be wary, as you must maintain total concentration while the elemental is in this world, or it will be freed from its bonds and attempt to slay the bearer of the staff. We have determined there are nine uses remaining to this puissant item." She takes a deep breath. "I have spoken to my superiors, who have in turn contacted the Guild offices in Eras. We are prepared to offer you thirty thousand gold noturis for this item."
• Recharging: the list of ingredients needed to restore Gahlemdas's Staff to its full power. The items are, as follows:
  • A gem of unusual size and clarity, worth at least ten thousand gold coins.
  • A skein of giant spider silk, taken from a living spider.
  • A dozen basilisk claws.
  • One pound of raw earth from the plane of Elemental Earth, collected by the bearer of the stave.
  • The breath of a djinn.
  • The grave dirt from a ghoul's initial burial plot.