[Morgeruat]

Staff of the Magi: original locatin, Dungeon masters guide

This potent staff contains many spell powers and functions. Some of it's powers drain charges and some don't.

The following powers don't use charges:
Detect magic, Enlarge, Hold Portal, Light, Protection From evil/good.

The following powers use one charge each:
Invisibility, Fireball, Knock, Lightning bolt, Pyrotechnics, Ice Storm, Web, Wall of Fire, Dispel Magic, Passwall.

The Following Powers drain two charges per use:
Whirlwind (identical to that caused by a Djinni), Conjure Elemental(one of each type per day, each with 16 hit die), Planar Travel, Telekinesis (200lbs maximum weight)

The Staff of the Magi adds a +2 bonus o all saving throws vs spell. it can be used to absorb wizard spell energy directed at it's wielder, but if the staff absorbs energy beyond it's charge limit, it will explode as if a 'retributive strike" had been made. The spell levels of energy absorbed count only as recharging the staff, but they cannot be redirected immediately, so if an absorption is desired that is the only action possible to the staff wielder that round. Note also that teh wielder has no idea how many spell levels are cast at him or her, for the staff does not impart that knowledge as a rod of cancellation does. Absorbing spells is risky but absorption is the only way this staff can be recharged.

Retributive Strike is a breaking of the staff, it must be done purposefully and declared by the wizard wielding it. When this is done, all levels of spell energy in the staff are released in a globe of 30 feet radius. All creatures within 10 feet of the broken staff suffer points of damage equal to 8 times the number of charges in the staff(1 to 25), those between 10 and 20 feettake 6 times, and those 20-30 feetdistant take 4 times the number of charges. A successful saving throw vs. spell indicates 1/2 damage is taken.

The wizard breaking the staff has a 50% chance of travelling to another plane of existence, but if not the explosive release of spell energy totally destroys the wizard. This staff and the Staff of Power are the only magical Items capable of making a retributive strike.