The staffs of magic are powerful tools used by wizards and sorcerers to channel and manipulate magical energy. These mystical staffs are often made from enchanted wood or metal and are imbued with specific magical properties. Each staff is unique, reflecting the personality and abilities of its wielder. The design and materials used in the construction of a staff can greatly influence its magical capabilities. Some staffs may be adorned with gemstones or intricate carvings, enhancing their magical potency. Others may be simple and unadorned, relying solely on the skill and power of the wielder.
Others may be simple and unadorned, relying solely on the skill and power of the wielder. Staffs serve as a conduit for magic, allowing the wielder to focus and control their spells. They can amplify the wielder's magical abilities, making spells more potent and effective.
Why does anyone want a magic staff?
Another thread has focused my attention on the extraordinarily high cost of staves. I really want to understand the math here. It's incomprehensible to me, and now I'm responsible for a game world. I hope that someone can describe any kind of cost-effectiveness for staves.
First example) Staff of Life:Let's look at a Staff of Life, book price over 109k gp. It has two capabilities (Heal & Raise Dead), so it's simple to work with. Furthermore, let's assume that it's being wielded by a 16th level caster, w/ a casting stat of at least 22, and some unrelated domain or mystery.
Any 16th-level wielder can cure up to a total of 1,500 HP between ten Heals. To get comparable curing from 11th-level scrolls, you'd need 14 Heal scrolls at a total cost of 23k -- an initial savings of very nearly 87k over the staff. Throw in 2 Raise Dead scrolls for over 12k and you've doubled its capabilities while still saving 74k!
The thing is, the wielder can recharge the staff "for free" -- by essentially casting one Heal a day for no immediate effect. During downtime, this really is free, but giving the party even one staff to recharge now means the GM has to allow for ten days of downtime between adventures. And in the field it can be bitterly expensive.
We can eliminate the warpriest class right away: that 6th-level slot is half of the allotment that a very wise 16th-level warpriest gets! (And with no higher-level spells yet.) Exorbitant.
But even our 22-WIS cleric likely regrets having to dedicate 1 out of only 4 6th-level slots to trying to keep the staff fresh. (Admittedly, he has a 6th-level domain spell & a handful of 7th- & 8th-level spells to turn to, as well.) As it turns out, 68 11th-level scrolls of Heal cost slightly more than the staff does & heal slightly less than 50 total staff charges @16th do. So after a whopping 40 opportunity-high-cost recharges (on top of the initial 10), our cleric can finally call his staff a financial bargain -- although there is still that opportunity cost for continuing to recharge it. Given that the cleric can buy the scrolls a bit at a time, but has to buy the staff all at once (whether buying it in the market or out of WBL loot), I think the scrolls win.
Our oracle, by contrast, has a luxurious allotment of 7 6th-level daily spell slots, along with a goodly number of 7th & 8th ones to turn to instead, so squandering one on a staff recharge is arguably cheap for her -- as long as she would naturally want to learn either Heal or Raise Dead. If she doesn't, you see, recharging this staff has now cost her a bitterly hoarded resource. Without spending other valuable resources on spells known (such as a feat or favored class bonus), she can never know more than 7 5th- & 6th-level spells combined! And then you realize that if she did learn Heal in order to recharge her staff. she can just cast Heal as the occasion arises. She doesn't need scrolls! So for Heals, the oracle's balance sheet shows a 109k savings over not buying a Staff of Life.
Now we get to using the staff for Raise Dead, with its 5k material component. Given that there isn't any obvious rule that you have to spend material components on recharges, a Staff of Life sure looks likely to be a bargain, for cleric & oracle alike. Now only 18 scrolls of Raise Dead top the cost of the Staff. Unfortunately, Raise Dead costs 5 charges, so that represents the 10 initial charges plus 80 re-charges. Oh, no, it's worse! And if you need 18 or more Raise Deads after you become high enough level to start recharging a Staff of Life, maybe something else should have changed.
How in all the world is any caster better off with the Staff of Life than native spells or scrolls?
That example was theoretical, asked because I'm starting to GM Pathfinder. The next one is rather dearer to my heart.
Second example) Staff of Illumination:I play a 10th-lvel sorceress, and have had a 52k Staff of Illumination foisted off on me as my share of a big haul. I've resented the apportionment, even though I agree that (a) the staff will be highly useful against magical darkness & undead and (b) I'm the best party-member to wield it. Unfortunately, being able recharge this baby is going to have to wait six levels. (Although it will be cheap to swap a cantrip out when the time comes, to qualify.)
Now that I look at the 10th-level math, I'm thinking that I'm better off selling the staff and buying 5 scrolls of Daylight & 3 scrolls of Sunburst for a total cost of 11k. I'm getting double the staff's maximum function and still profiting almost 15k. But I don't think that I'd consider the staff a good deal even when I can recharge it at 16th level. Surely I'll have better things to do with an 8th-level spell slot!
Is there a school of wizardry that would consider a 52k Staff of Illumination worth using? (Given that wizards can write their own scrolls when they have downtime, it seems highly unlikely. )
Now we get to using the staff for Raise Dead, with its 5k material component. Given that there isn't any obvious rule that you have to spend material components on recharges, a Staff of Life sure looks likely to be a bargain, for cleric & oracle alike. Now only 18 scrolls of Raise Dead top the cost of the Staff. Unfortunately, Raise Dead costs 5 charges, so that represents the 10 initial charges plus 80 re-charges. Oh, no, it's worse! And if you need 18 or more Raise Deads after you become high enough level to start recharging a Staff of Life, maybe something else should have changed.
By channeling their energy through a staff, a mage can manipulate the elements, cast illusions, or perform healing and protection spells. Certain staffs may also grant specific powers or abilities to their wielder, such as the power to control animals or summon a familiar. Often passed down through generations, staffs can be seen as a symbol of a wizard's lineage and power. They are highly valued and cherished by their owners, with many wizards developing a deep bond with their staffs. Like a trusted companion, staffs become an extension of the wielder, enhancing their magical abilities and serving as a source of strength and guidance. In some magical traditions, obtaining a staff is considered a rite of passage for aspiring mages. It requires a deep understanding of magic, the elements, and one's own abilities. The process of crafting a staff may involve an arduous quest or the gathering of rare and powerful materials. This undertaking signifies the mage's commitment to mastering their craft and serves as a physical representation of their newfound abilities. While staffs of magic are synonymous with wizards and sorcerers, they can also be found in the hands of other magical beings such as witches, druids, and shamans. Each culture and magical tradition may have its own specific beliefs and practices related to staffs, further adding to their mystique and allure. In conclusion, the staffs of magic are much more than mere props or accessories. They are sacred objects that hold immense power and serve as a conduit for a mage's magical abilities. Crafted with care and infused with magic, these staffs are a symbol of the mage's skill, knowledge, and mastery over the forces of the universe..
Reviews for "The Staff as a Channel: Connecting to Other Realms"
1. Zoe - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to read "Stafs of Magic" but I was really disappointed. The characters felt underdeveloped and I couldn't connect with any of them. The plot was also very predictable and lacked originality. Overall, I found the book to be quite boring and it didn't meet my expectations.
2. Nathan - 1/5 stars - "Stafs of Magic" was an absolute waste of time for me. The writing was poor and filled with cliches. I felt like I was reading a poorly written fanfiction rather than a professionally published book. The dialogue was also very unrealistic and forced. I regret spending my money on this book and I would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Stafs of Magic" but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The worldbuilding was lacking and I didn't feel immersed in the story. The pacing was also off, with some parts dragging on unnecessarily while others felt rushed. The author had potential with the concept, but the execution was not well done. I wouldn't recommend this book to fans of fantasy.
4. Michael - 2/5 stars - I struggled to get through "Stafs of Magic". The writing style was cumbersome and weighed down the story. The plot twists were predictable and the overall storyline felt formulaic. I also found the romantic subplot to be forced and unnecessary. I think there are much better fantasy books out there that are worth your time.