Ah so!! Very thorough, Xignal but I think it would be wise to just rephrase it to something like "random treasure". I don't think I got a staff from him either time but I have a foggy memory so who knows.
You're doing a great job on the walkthru!!!

Wyv

I went to the clearing to talk with Arbidren, who said he was dying. He gave me the element and as I was walking away, he expired. I walked out of the clearing, went back and did not find his staff that I was supposed to find there. I tried this a few times, walking further out and coming back to the clearing and no staff. What gives? Am I missing something?

Don't know why it's not there but it's not a critical item for the game - it's just a lower level staff worth a few GP.

Why do you think you were supposed to get a staff from Ardibren??
He is supposed to give you the evil element and information. That is all.
If you are thinking abotu Ardibren's artifact or his journal (both quest items) those are to be found in the castle.

Wyv

Wyv,

I included it in my walk-through as a (small) source of gold and a spare staff. I'll remove it to avoid future questions. Sorry!