Kaladanda - Staff of Death

Traditionally, the Staff of Death is a special and lethal club used by the God Yama or God of Naraka or Hell in Hinduism. It was the ultimate weapon; once fired it would kill anybody before it no matter what boons he had to protect himself. Yama is the Hindu god of Death and Justice and is responsible for the dispensation of law and punishment of sinners in his abode, Yamaoka. He is often depicted as a dark-complexioned man, riding a buffalo and carrying a noose or mace to capture dead souls. Legends describe him as the twin of Yamuna, a river goddess associated with life, and the son of the Sun-god Surya and Saranyu.

Syres, learning of the existence of eastern magics and the powers they possess, decides to take a trip to the east to find out more about the power of their magic. It is only after he arrives in Cambay, a port on the western coast of India, that he learns of their religion and the legendary staff. According to tradition, the staff is hidden in an isolated temple deep in the southern forests. In order to find it, one must be lead there by the elusive and extremely rare white elephant. After meditating, fasting, and engaging in an ancient summoning ritual, Syres sees a vision of the white elephant in the south near a recognizable landmark and treks off into the jungle with a guide and his small team. The elephant eventually leads him to an abandoned and ancient temple on a plateau that hasn't been found in over a thousand years. It is a dangerous route and many of Syres' companions die along the way. Eventually, he reaches a cave, the legendary cave of creation, where the first gods shaped and molded the earth around them. It is here that Syres meets a monk and keeper of the ancient temple, another immortal just like him. The staff itself is wielded not by the God Yama but by the temple keeper, who prevents all the tormented souls from escaping Hell. Syres is disappointed, as the staff is quite plain and doesn't work on him. He feels like he came all that way for nothing.