Long Ago, there were two powerful fire warlocks who ruled a land with an iron fist. Some scholars believe the Rod actually dates to the time of the emergence of mankind. It is unknown if they were Lizard Mages, Elves, or even Humans but it is known that they were brothers and were very evil. It could have been that one of them became suspicious of the other or both could have become suspicious of each other. The two started arguing with each other which soon became open fighting. Before long, they divided up their properties and went into full scale war. Fire Elementals wandered the lands and huge tracks of forest and farmland were torched. Before they were finished, the lands around were devastated but eventually one of the two brothers won. He captured his brother alive and him entombed into a rune staff. It is unknown if he was a rune master and did it himself or commissioned a rune master to do it. There are rumors that the brother eventually had a change of heart and became a monk in a temple. No one knows all the facts though.

The staff or rod is about five feet tall and is of an octagonal pattern. Each side is engraved with tiny runes and the staff is constructed of a matt black metal. Near the top of the staff, it widens and there is a flame that permanently burns on the top of the staff. The fire burns in a pattern that appears that of a burning skull. The fire cannot be extinguished by any known means. The fire produces light equal to that of a powerful torch and will illuminate a 20 foot (6.1 meter) radius. As well, weapon will ignite most flammable materials and will boil water.

The weapon can be used effectively in hand to hand combat as well as having fire warlock abilities. While the blunt end of the staff can be used as a weapon, the burning tip of the weapons inflicts additional fire damage. As well, fire blasts can be fired from the burning tip of the staff, The fire blasts appear as burning skulls as they fly through the air. The fire blasts have a range of three hundred feet and can be fired an unlimited number of times. Finally, the staff has the standard rune weapon ability to cast fire elemental spells.

As stated previously, the personality of the staff is that of the brother fire warlock who was trapped in the staff millenniums before. The presence still feels wronged by his brother and will tell others how he was wrongfully punished by his brother. At the same time, he is utterly without mercy. He will urge any wielder to treat all those weaker than himself as animals to be treated without any care. In addition, the staff will suggest extreme revenge for the smallest of slights. The staff is not particularly subtle and is not great at deceiving its wielder. While the staff can be used by any evil beings, all beings of Aberrant alignment have discarded the weapon before the weapon's bonding process was complete. Simply put, the attitude of the staff is too much for them to deal with and it is completely without honor.

Attributes:
IQ: 18 Communicates with wielder through limited telepathy
ME: 18
MA: 8

Characteristics:
• Like all Rune Weapons, it is completely indestructible
• Links to wielder within 6 months of constant contact. Can sense each other presences within 4 miles.
• Gives wielder +1 on all saving throws.
• Can be used to parry energy blasts at -6
• Diabolic Alignment: Can be used by individuals of Aberrant, Miscreant, or Diabolic Alignment. Anybody not of those alignments takes 2D4 points of damage each time they touch the weapon or 3D6 damage if creatures of magic. Most beings of Aberrant alignment will likely be unable to stand the personality of the weapon for a long period of time.

Weapon Bonuses:
Due to superior craftsmanship, equal to Dwarven quality, has +1 to strike, +3 to Parry, and +2 on initiative.

Weapon Damage:
Blunt End: 4D6 per strike, does S.D.C in S.D.C. Worlds and does M.D.C. in M.D.C. Worlds (Plus strength bonus if applicable).
Fire Tip: 6D6 per strike, does S.D.C in S.D.C. Worlds and does M.D.C. in M.D.C. Worlds (Plus strength bonus if applicable). Targets that are impervious to energy or fire will only receive 4D6 damage. Weapon also will often ignite flammable materials.

Weapon's Special Abilities:
Fire Blasts: The staff has the ability to fire flame blasts from the top of the staff equal to wielders hand to hand attacks. The blasts have a range of 300 feet (91.4 meters) and inflict 6D6 (S.D.C in S.D.C. Worlds and M.D.C. in M.D.C. Worlds.) Fire blasts will often ignite flammable materials.
Fire Elemental Magic: P.P.E.: 100, recovers at a rate of 10 P.P.E. for every three hours. Spell are cast equal to sixth level Warlock
First Level: Stench of Hades (4)
Fifth Level: Blue Flame (30), Screaming Wall of Fire (30)
Sixth Level: Dancing Flames (35)

Curse:
Red glowing Eyes: The wielders eyes glow red. This raises characters MA to 22 but only to intimidate not to trust. This can also cause people to try and kill the wielder because they think that the person is possessed The person also has a strange aura that can be detected by magic and psionics making people distrust them.

[ Palladium Fantasy® is a registered trademark owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc.]

By Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

Copyright © 2002, Kitsune. All rights reserved.