Catstaff

The next item from Dragon Magazine issue #99's Treasure Trove II is the Catstaff, originally by Ed Greenwood.

Catstaff

Uncommon magical staff, requires attunement

This item is a black, 7-foot-long staff of stout wood topped with a sculpted knob resembling a cat. When carried on or strapped to one’s person, you gain Advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks as well as on Strength (Athletics) checks that have to do with jumping or climbing.  Your climb speed is also the same as your normal speed.  You also gain darkvision to a range of 60’.

You can also create a globe of semi-darkness centered on the staff with a 15’ radius.  This gloom does not block darkvision, and is negated by a light source within its confines. It can be dispelled by magical (but not normal) light which touches its periphery, and unless dispelled or cancelled by you, it remains in effect for up to 1 minute. The shadow does not allow normal vision into or through its area of effect, and as such serves as a defense against visual attacks (gaze weapons, hypnotic and dazzling effects, and the like).

The staff has 6 charges for the gloom effect.  The staff regains 1d4+1 charges each day at sunset.  However, if you expend the last charge, roll a d20. On a 1, the staff blackens, vanishes into a cloud of shadow, and is destroyed.

The catstaff is a magical weapon and can be used in combat as a normal quarterstaff would be; however, it has no bonuses to hit or damage. It can be employed as a weapon while any or all of its magical properties are being utilized.

The staff never makes any noise itself while tapping, scraping, striking, or otherwise contacting any solid object. Many such staves contain secret compartments for the carrying of small items such as thievesí tools, spell components, magical tokens, and the like.