OK, game over! No winners!
The ringer was:
Staff of the Sangoma
Legendary witchdoctor’s staff, potent against evil creatures.
The guest Author:
Robert E. Howard, creator of Conan.
The source: The
Solomon Kane stories
(
Moon of Skulls, Red Shadows, etc.).
Classic pulp adventures, somewhat dated today, but still interesting to read.
In addition to his rapier and flintlock pistols, Kane carried the magic staff ("ju-ju stick") given to him by the shaman, N'Longa, and it played a key role in several of the stories. For more info see
here.
Incidentally, the Trumpet of Rain was forged by the smith to the gods, Ngungi (from
Zulu Shaman by Credo Mutwe), and the other items are all from various folktales collected from the region.
I have another little activity that I'll keep until Friday. Maybe someone wants to play over the weekend.