The ShadowstaffHeroic Level

This staff appears to be made from twisted strands of smoky black glass, but it's harder than steel.

Artifact: Implement (staff)
Enhancement Bonus: +2 to attack rolls and damage rolls, or +3 if the wielder is 11th level or higher
Critical: The target takes ongoing 10 necrotic damage and is slowed (save ends both).

Property

While holding the staff, you have partial concealment and resist 10 necrotic.

➶ Attack Power (Implement, Necrotic) ✦ Encounter (Standard Action)

Attack: Ranged 10 (one creature in range); Intelligence or Charisma vs. Fortitude.

Hit: 3d8 + Intelligence or Charisma modifier necrotic damage, and the target is slowed and weakened (save ends both).

Miss: Half damage.

Utility Power (Summoning) ✦ Daily (Minor Action)

Effect: You summon three servants of the staff in unoccupied squares within 5 squares of you. The servants are allies to you and your allies, and act on your turn. When a servant makes a check, you make the roll using your game statistics. Unlike most summoned creatures, the servants of the staff act independently to attack your enemies, and do not require your actions. The servants must remain within 10 squares of the staff.

Servant of the Staff
Medium Shadow Humanoid
Summoned Creature (Minion)

HP 1; a missed attack never damages a minion.

Defenses your defenses, not including any temporary bonuses or penalties

Speed 6; phasing

Traits

Shadowy Invisibility

The servant is invisible in dim light.

Standard Actions

⚔ Shadow Touch (necrotic) ✦ At-Will

Attack: Melee 1 (one creature); your level + 5 vs. Reflex

Hit: 3 + your Charisma modifier necrotic damage, and the target is slowed until the end of your next turn.

Made from strands of congealed shadow, the Shadowstaff is the handiwork of a long-dead shadar-kai warlock prince named Amarethydd. One of the most powerful of his race, he is said to have entered into a pact with the very essence of shadow in order to forge a suitable implement for himself.

    Armed with the Shadowstaff, Amarethydd ruled over his people for centuries and exacted tribute from many realms. But in time, the deadly ennui that afflicts the shadar-kai overcame Amarethydd as well, and he faded away after bequeathing his staff to his foremost apprentice. That young individual was soon killed by her rivals, and various shadar-kai wizards and warlocks murdered each other over the staff for many years before a band of human adventurers carried it back to the mortal world—where it has again changed hands several times.

    The infamous wizard Evard is the last known owner of the Shadowstaff. He seems to have been parted from it under mysterious circumstances, and who or what owns the Shadowstaff now is a matter of speculation. Some believe that the staff abandoned Evard, and that the wizard is looking for the artifact and will deal harshly with anyone who tries to keep it from him. Others say that Evard bargained away the Shadowstaff to a powerful drow prince, who intends to use the device to further his evil designs against the surface world.

Published in Mordenkainen's Magnificent Emporium.