Staff of the Serpent

Staff of the Serpent

The Staff of the Serpent is a normal short staff that becomes a Large Viper up to 5 times/day. If “killed,” (13 hp) it returns to staff form and can not be used again for 48 hours.

Snake, Large Viper

Size/Type: Large Animal

Hit Dice: 3d8 (13 hp)

Initiative: +7

Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares), climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft.

Armor Class: 15 (–1 size, +3 Dex, +3 natural),, touch 12, flat-footed 12

Base Attack/Grapple: +2/+6

Attack: Bite +4 melee (1d4 plus poison)

Full Attack: Bite +4 melee (1d4 plus poison)

Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.

Special Attacks: Poison

Special Qualities: Scent

Saves: Fort +3, Ref +6, Will +2

Abilities: Str 10, Dex 17, Con 11, Int 1, Wis 12, Cha 2

Skills: Balance +11, Climb +11, Hide +8, Listen +5, Spot +6, Swim +8

Feats: Improved Initiative, Weapon Finesse

Challenge Rating: 2

Skills: Snakes have a +4 racial bonus on Hide, Listen, and Spot checks and a +8 racial bonus on Balance and Climb checks. A snake can always choose to take 10 on a Climb check, even if rushed or threatened. Snakes use either their Strength modifier or Dexterity modifier for Climb checks, whichever is higher. A snake has a +8 racial bonus on any Swim check to perform some special action or avoid a hazard. It can always choose to take 10 on a Swim check, even if distracted or endangered. It can use the run action while swimming, provided it swims in a straight line.

COMBAT

Vipers rely on their venomous bite to kill prey and defend themselves.

Poison (Ex): A viper snake has a poisonous bite that deals initial and secondary damage of 1d6 Con. The save DC of 11 is Constitution-based.

Moderate transmutation; CL 9th; Craft Wondrous Item; Price 16,875 gp; Weight 1 lb.