This was my entry for the 2007 GW Design-a-Weapon. It was among the top 100, so I got some skill pins. Also encouraged me to do character art and get back into art after a long dry spell.

The story: (you asked for it)

Some left-handed cultist decided that a seedling would make an excellent focus. It turned out to be true. The stormseed imbued him with massive energy. Unwilling to give up this energy, the cultist never let the seed out of his hand. The seed began to sprout and feed from the moisture of his pores, and eventually the roots dug into this palm. The direct feeding increased his power even more, but the seed was beginning to drain his life. Eventually the cultist was left a withered husk of a man and the seed dried up. Legend has it the cultist's spirit lies waiting in the tomb of the dormant seed, offering a blessing and curse to those who wield the staff. The hand and seed are inseparable and have been fixed to the end of the staff in the same position they've been frozen in for decades.