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[[Image:Baculus.jpg|thumb|right|A baculus of Selûne.]]
A baculus is a focus used by certain castes of holymen to access divine magic. Most are the shape and size of a [[SRD:Staffs|staff]] or [[SRD:Quarterstaff|quarterstaff]] with an elaborately shaped, many-pronged head that contains the effigy or symbol of the deity whose divine power it is meant to channel in its center. The baculus is especially prevalent in areas where clerical casting is rare, or even non-existent, and its emergence has been lauded as a great development in the inner and outer circles of many faiths. When used in battle, a standard baculus counts as a magical [[SRD:Quarterstaff|quarterstaff]], both halves of which carry a +1 [[SRD:Enhancement Bonus|enhancement bonus]]. A baculus generally exists in the shape of a staff or another type of melee weapon, but it is not unheard of for baculuses to have the shape and function of hammers, maces, or even swords.
The true purpose of a baculus lies in the conversion of energies. It takes the raw life energy that you use to cast arcane spells, and converts it to pure divine power, which can then be used in order to cast certain spells. To an arcane spellcaster with no levels in a divine spellcasting class, a baculus allows the use of spontaneous ''[[SRD:Cure Light Wounds|cure]]'' or ''[[SRD:Inflict Light Wounds|inflict]]'' spells (depending on alignment) like a [[SRD:Cleric|cleric]]. The arcane spellcaster can emulate a ''[[SRD:Cure Light Wounds|cure]]'' or ''[[SRD:Inflict Light Wounds|inflict]]'' spell of a particular level by expending an arcane spell slot of similar level.
