View source for Baculus (3.5e Equipment)

{{author
|author_name=Sulacu
|date_created=June 24, 2009
|status=Complete
}}
{{3.5e Magic Item
|name=Baculus
|aura=Moderate [[SRD:Evocation School|evocation]]
|cl=8th
|price=10,000 gp
|bslot=
|act=[[SRD:Spell|Spell]] trigger
|weight=5 lb.
|summary=Magical weapon that allows spontaneous casting of divine spells with arcane slots.
}}

[[Image:Baculus.jpg|thumb|right|A baculus of Selûne.]]

A baculus is a focus used by certain castes of holymen to access divine magic. Most are the shape and size of a [[SRD:Staffs|staff]] or [[SRD:Quarterstaff|quarterstaff]] with an elaborately shaped, many-pronged head that contains the effigy or symbol of the deity whose divine power it is meant to channel in its center. The baculus is especially prevalent in areas where clerical casting is rare, or even non-existent, and its emergence has been lauded as a great development in the inner and outer circles of many faiths. When used in battle, a standard baculus counts as a magical [[SRD:Quarterstaff|quarterstaff]], both halves of which carry a +1 [[SRD:Enhancement Bonus|enhancement bonus]]. A baculus generally exists in the shape of a staff or another type of melee weapon, but it is not unheard of for baculuses to have the shape and function of hammers, maces, or even swords.

The true purpose of a baculus lies in the conversion of energies. It takes the raw life energy that you use to cast arcane spells,  and converts it to pure divine power, which can then be used in order to cast certain spells. To an arcane spellcaster with no levels in a divine spellcasting class, a baculus allows the use of spontaneous ''[[SRD:Cure Light Wounds|cure]]'' or ''[[SRD:Inflict Light Wounds|inflict]]'' spells (depending on alignment) like a [[SRD:Cleric|cleric]]. The arcane spellcaster can emulate a ''[[SRD:Cure Light Wounds|cure]]'' or ''[[SRD:Inflict Light Wounds|inflict]]'' spell of a particular level by expending an arcane spell slot of similar level. 

Since using a baculus requires you to channel energy and then cast a spell through it using that energy, spells cast through a baculus have a casting time of one [[SRD:Round|round]]. Spells that already take a [[SRD:Round|round]] or longer to cast don't change in casting time.

If in addition to your arcane spellcasting class levels, you already have levels in a divine spellcasting class as well, you can use a baculus to cast any divine spell that you can spontaneously cast. For example, a [[SRD:Druid|druid]] with arcane spellcasting levels can use a baculus to cast ''[[SRD:Summon Nature's Ally I|summon nature's ally]]'' spells with their arcane spell slots.

Spells cast through the baculus use your arcane [[SRD:Caster Level|caster level]] plus your divine [[SRD:Caster Level|caster level]], to a maximum of your full [[SRD:Hit Dice|HD]].

'''Using a Baculus:''' Baculuses are created as divine tools in the name of a particular deity. In order to be able to use a baculus, you must have that deity as a patron deity. In the hands of anyone that does not worship its deity, the baculus is just an ordinary ''+1/+1 [[SRD:Quarterstaff|quarterstaff]]''. Fealty to a deity cannot be emulated with the [[SRD:Use Magic Device Skill|Use Magic Device]] skill.

Baculuses are all fashioned by hand in a secret ritual of creation. It is said that the gods themselves have instructed their most faithful in how to create them. As such, each and every one of them is unique, and learning how to use a baculus requires a special touch. Attuning to a baculus requires 30 days of training and practice. Even when you and your baculus are attuned, every casting requires a [[SRD:Concentration Skill|Concentration]] check of a DC of 15 + the level of the arcane spell slot expended. This check may be replaced with a [[SRD:Use Magic Device Skill|Use Magic Device]] check of similar DC, if the caster has ranks in the skill. No two people may be attuned to any one baculus at the same time.

Using a baculus does not run the risk of [[SRD:Arcane Spell Failure Chance|arcane spell failure]].

'''Domain Attunement:''' A baculus can be used to cast spells from one [[SRD:Cleric Domains|domain]] that its deity grants. To do this, the wielder of the baculus must be properly attuned to it. Like with cure and inflict spells, only spells that the wielder's effective [[SRD:Caster Level|caster level]] would allow him to cast can be channeled through the baculus. The domain that the baculus channels is chosen at the moment of the baculus' creation.

It is possible to reattune the baculus to another domain its deity grants, but doing so requires an 8-hour ritual and an XP cost of 2,000.

'''Prereqs:''' [[SRD:Craft Wondrous Item|Craft Wondrous Item]], must have a particular deity as your patron deity. [[SRD:Caster Level|Caster level]] 8th.<br/>
'''Value:''' 10,000 gp.<br/>


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[[Category:3.5e]]
[[Category:User]]

[[Category:Equipment]]
[[Category:Magic]]
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[[Category:Wondrous Item]]

{{Navboxes}}
Author	Sulacu +
Cost	10,000 gp +
Identifier	3.5e Equipment +
Rating	Undiscussed +
Summary	Magical weapon that allows spontaneous casting of divine spells with arcane slots. +
Title	Baculus +