Items:Weapons:Merkstave

A merkstave is to quarterstaves what a censer is to maces. It does crushing damage, but also allows the wielder to apply alchemical compounds to the target. While the merkstave has an ominous name, its use does any carry any alignment penalties.

Merkstaves take two vials of alchemical mixture - one at each end of the staff. The ends of the staff are metallic and perforated to allow the liquid to be splashed or spread by direct contact. Using a merkstave loaded with vials of liquid requires one rank in alchemy and two ranks in melee combat. Use of an unloaded stave without requires two ranks in melee combat but no ranks in alchemy.