Staff of the Majordomo

The Staff of the Majordomo is a six foot length of oak, the wood warped and twisted by a vine that grew about the tree. It has a pale color, and is capped with copper ends. There is a plain inscription along the shaft that reads:

Joy is in the ears that hear the call of duty

The wood is well worn with the passage of time and has been oiled and well preserved by the hands of a long line of majordomos.

Origins of the Staff
Prince Luchilde Varick of Jesolo Manor was a harsh and demanding lord. He was also one who continually remained near bankruptcy due to his lavish habits of wine drinking, gambling, and making outrageous purchases for the women he sought to purchase affection from.

His majordomo, the head of his household staff was continually overworked, and completely understaffed, often required to maintain the sprawling Jesolo manor with no more than two other servants. The cooking and cleaning could not all be done by three servants, and there was often harsh words and abuse from the lord. In other times, the servants could have discontinued service to the lord but times were leaner and a good paying job was scarce.

The Majordomo, Edvine, sought out the lord's cousin Constantine Varick, a sorcerer of middling power and ability. He persuaded Constantine to fashion him a magic item to aid in the upkeep of the family home. After six months of hoarding money, skiming some from the Lord's drunken pockets, Edvine paid for the item unseen and was gifted with the staff.

With the instructions of the staff's use, Edvine returned to the manor. He used the staff to conjure unseen servants who quickly went to their appointed tasks, and soon the manor was in good repair, and the abuse from the lord ended. Edvine passed the staff on to his son Mendel when he assumed the post of majordomo under Luchilde in his later days, and then on under his son, Lawden. Since then, each majordomo upon retiring has inscribed his name in the staff. The staff itself has become a symbol of authority and power among the servants of Jesolo manor.

Magical Properties:

And thus said the enchanter Constantine:

Stike the staff upon the floor thrice and call forth the servant unseen with the following words: Servant of the Staff - come forth and due your duty. Upon saying these words, whence the servant has come, utter then the task that is to be performed. Remember, these servants are petty in mind, and have no skill for battle, nor for the subtleties of espianoge and surveillance. They come forth only to mend clothing, and to dust, and to make such repairs that thine alone would be able to complete.

Plot Hooks
Stolen! - Quite simply just that. Great for lower level adventurers. THe staff has been stolen by the local thieves guild. This could be as simple as a bash and grab, or as complex as a disenfranchised son seeking the position of Majordomo that was passed to his brother since he was a thief and disobedient son.

Fetch - A local lord has grown interested in the rumor of the Staff's magical power, or fearful as he may think that the staff might be able to conjure invisible soldiers. He wishes the PCs to investigate, and if possible gain the staff and return with it. Ranges from paranoid curiosity, to seeking the seeds to create a staff of Invisible soldiers.