ToME: the Tales of Maj'Eyal

FINALLY killed the Master! Woo! No, not on insane. Just plain, ole' normal difficulty level. But so far, this is wildly better than any other character I've ever run! Go Cornac Brawler!

Anyway, I picked up the Staff of Absorption from him and while my Brawler doesn't need it, I am considering saving the staff for another character.

Looks like a nice staff. Is it better to keep the staff for myself or to use it up in fulfilling the quest. (this is, of course, assuming I don't have the staff taken from me).

A-a-a-and the staff was taken in spite of my best efforts.

If you survive that encounter, there's an achievement if you complete the apprentice mage quest using that staff (don't give him an arcane artifact until you have the staff, then give the staff to him.)
Spoilery hint: do not do this on a run where you really need access to Angolwen.