The Traveler's Staff

Magical or no, they all look the same -- a round core of thick wood cut to the height of the user. The traveler may be a mage, or he may no be, but it is rather hard to tell from looking at him or his staff which he might be. The hooded robe to keep out the rain, the leather belt, the worn shoes. One traveler may be richer than the other, but that is nothing to go on. There are rich mages and poor mages just like any other profession.

Yet the difference may be life and death. You see, the non-magical traveler is much more dangerous. The romance of the traveling mage has many aspiring heroes taking to road, thinking they are powerful when really all they can do is scare off wild creatures who were already slinking away. The non-magical traveler, on the other hand, has no such false confidence to keep him alive; therefore he must know well how to defend himself.

So we come back to the staff. At first glance there is no discernible difference, but keep looking at how the traveler treats his staff. Is it his prize or his partner? Then look to see if he has a sword. If he does, you'd best apologize for whatever you said and let him pass. Only the best mages carry both staff and sword. Don't feel too badly, though. Chances are an army would have done the same.

Significance

Everyone who's gone further than the barn and back has a 'met a traveler on the road' story. Being able to distinguish a real fighter from a magical novice is considered a mark of manhood in many regions.

Item type

Weapon, Melee

Rarity

Anyone who can't afford a sword most likely has a staff. Real magical staves cost more, as they come from specially tended magical forests.

Weight

Heavier than you think.

Dimensions

A foot taller than the user.

Base Price

Depends on who's buying.