| The gruesome item is a staff crafted from the elongated spinal cord of a powerful humanoid spellcaster topped by their still living skull. Created almost exclusively by mind flayers from those foolish enough to cross them, these detestable devices are used to augment the all ready considerable power of the mind flayers. These devices are usually created from those who have fallen under the effects of the thrall power (see Psionics Handbook). Their nervous systems are twisted and modified, and their bodies� discarded. Through psionic energy the brain is kept alive, fully aware of what has happened to it but helpless. Thus all mind staves are insane and most have been driven to chaotic evil in alignment. The powers of the staff depend on the being imprisoned. Only bards, clerics and sorcerers can still utilize their powers in this state (wizards and others cannot memorize spells and hence would rapidly become useless). Clerics retain only their ability to spontaneously cast heal or cause wounds spells, while bards and sorcerers retain their full spellcasting ability. At will the user can give his action or part of it to the staff for the purposes of spellcasting. Unless the user is the creator (in which case the thrall effect overrides any problems), one must deal with the problems of an intelligent item. Its ego equals the sum of its Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma modifiers plus the staff�s level. It otherwise follows the rules stated on pp. 230-1 of the DMG. Manifester Level: 18th; Prerequisites: Craft Universal Item, metamorphosis, sustenance, thrall; Market Price: variable, for creation 8,000 gp; XP Cost: 1,640 plus the cost of thrall. |
| Mind Staff |