Shadow Staff

(Evocation, Shadow) Level: 4 (Wizard) Range: 0 Components: V,S Duration: See Below Casting Time: 2 Rounds Area of Effect: See Below Saving Throw: See Below Author: Scott Seeber When cast, the caster brings forth a shadowy, semi-real force in the shape of a staff, anywhere from 4'-7' in length (caster's discretion). To observers, it appears to be a staff made from dark wood, with shadowy wisps all about it. The Staff can only be weilded by the caster, or another Shadow Mage of equal or higher level; for all others their hands will simply pass through the shadowy material. The Staff can be weilded as a normal weapon (staff), causing 2-5 points of damage per strike (all but 1 of these is energy draining damage, so any creature immune to the touch of a shadow would receive only 1 point per strike). The staff can affect those creatures needing magic weapons to hit; however, a creatures magic resistance, if any, applies. A Shadow Staff strikes with the same speed factor as a normal staff, in this way, the Shadow Staff can last for an entire day. However, at any given point, the Caster can utilize the Staff in another way. By choosing a target (within 10'/ level) and hurling the staff like a spear, the Shadow Staff will streak as if shot from a catapult and unerringly strike its target (unless some force prevents it from doing so). The Shadow Staff explodes in a mas of 'shadowstuff', affecting the target and anyone within 10' feet of him. The target suffers 2 points per caster level (save for 1/2), and anyone within the 10' suffers 1 point per caster level (save for 1/2). This is purely energy draining damage. The speed factor is the same as throwing a spear. This immediately ends the spell. This spell was created by the shadow mage Mordagin Willomere.