Gemstones

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A few definitions concerning gemstones are in order. Most minerals (and gems are usually minerals) are of two types--crystalline, occurring as single stones or clusters of stones, each having a definite structure that is regularly repeated throughout crystals of the same sort; or massive, occurring as continuous masses of the same mineral, having no regular structure that is readily discernible. (Technically, massive minerals are actually composed of a great number of microscopic crystals in most cases.)

Crystalline stones are often faceted, a process by which they are flaked or ground into a series of flat surfaces that together usually form one of several customary cuts, in the shape of symmetrical but irregular polyhedral. Both crystalline ant massive stones may be smooth cut, which is the act of forming them into regular shapes with flat surfaces suitable for engraving (those often found in rings).

They may be made into cabochons, oval or dome-shaped, with one flat side for mounting. They may also be carved into beads, figurines, symbols, and other shapes, or simply polished in the natural shape of the stone. Massive stones are sometimes found in large enough masses to be shaped like one would shape wood or stone; sections may be sawn off a large stone and used decoratively as slabs; or they may be carved (or even turned on lathes) into jars, bowls, and other functional shapes.

Inclusions are any of the specks of other materials, bubbles, tiny flaws, impurities, and the like which affect the appearance of a stone by their presence. Cat's-eyes, found among many mineral families, are caused by certain patterns of inclusions which, when a stone is shaped properly, appear similar to the slit-shaped pupil or a cat's eye.

Star gems have analogous patterns creating the illusion of a pale, six-rayed star. Both cat's-eyes and stars must usually be cut as cabochons to display the effects (known by the terms chatoyancy and asterism respectively). The value of a given stone will depend on its size, color, relative freedom from flaws, and the skill with which it has been cut.

Those mystical properties associated with the various gems are to he associated with the "classical'' forms; thus, while topaz exists in blue, colorless, and pink varieties, the mystical properties associated with the various gems are to be associated with the "classical" forms; thus, while topaz exists in blue, colorless, and pink varieties, the mystical properties with which topaz is credited are linked only to the traditional honey-yellow stone (and the similarly colored "oriental topaz"). When stones normally occur in a number of different colors, such as with agate, jade, jasper, and spinel (to name a few), this restriction does not apply. In the following text, each type of gem mentioned in the DMG is referenced by at least one of its popular names. The information on gem category (ornamental, fancy, etc.) and base value in gold pieces is taken from the DMG.

candle.gif (1533 bytes)Reputed magical properties of gems
The Dungeon Master can use this list in a number of ways. The DM may choose gems with appropriate magical properties as needed material for the creation of a magical diagram or as part of the material components for the spells listed in the Fiendomicon  of Iggwllv (see Spellbook). The gems marked with an asterisk may also be used to refuel Daouds' wondrous lanthorn

Gem Type

Effects or Uses

Agate

Restful and safe sleep

Alexandrite

Good omens

Amber

Wards off disease

Amethyst

Protects against drunkenness or drugging

Beryl

Wards off enemies

Bloodstone

Weather control

Carbuncle

Powers of dragons' sight

Carnelian

Protection from evil

Cat's-eye agate

Protection from spirits

Chalcedony

Wards against undead

Chrysoberyl

Protection from possession

Chrysolite

Wards off spells

Chrysoprase

Invisibility

Coral

Calms weather, ensures safety in river crossings, cures madness halts bleeding

Diamond

Invulnerability vs. undead

Hematite

Aids fighters, heals wounds

Jacinth

Luck for travelers, wards off plague, protection from fire

Jade

Skill with music and musical instruments

Jasper

Protection from venom

Jet

Soul object material

Lapis Lazulli

Raises morale and courage

Malachite

Protection from falling

Malachite

Wards off spells, evil spirits, and poisons

Sunstone

Wards off spells, evil spirits, and poisons

Moonstone

Causes lycanthropy

Olivine

Protection from spells

Onyx

Causes discord among enemies

Peridot

Wards against enchantments

Ruby

Gives good luck

Sapphire

Aids understanding of problems, kills spiders, boosts magical abilities

Sapphire

Star Protection from magic

Sard

Benefits wisdom

Serpentine

Adds to wile and cunning

Topaz

Wards off evil spirits

Turquoise

Aids horses in all ways (but the stone shatters when it operates)

 

Gem Color

Meaning or Significance

Black

The Earth, darkness, negation.

Blue

The heavens, truth, spirituality.

Clear

The sun, luck.

Green

Venus, reproduction, resurrection, sight

Red

Control of hemorrhaging, heat.

White

The Moon, enigmas.

Yellow

Secrecy, homeopathy, jaundice.

Find the value of each gem or group of gems on the table below, and check for gem variations:

Roll

Class

Base Value

01 25

Ornamental Stones

10 GP

26-50

Semiprecious Stones

50 GP

51-65

Fancy Stones

100 GP

66-80

Precious Stones

500 GP

81-90

Hardstones

Varies

91

Shells

Varies

92-99

Gems

1,000 GP

00

Jewels

5,000 GP

Ten percent of these gems are worth more or less than their base value, either because of imperfections or a particularly splendid cut. Use thc Gem Variation Table.

Roll

Result

1

Stone increases to the next higher value; roll again, ignoring a result of 1.

2

Stone is double base value

3

Stone is 10-60% above base value

4

Stone is 10-40% below base value.

5

Stone is half base value.

6

Stone is decreased to next lower base value; roll ld6 again, ignoring a result of 6

7 8

Stone is uncut and in rough form (if possible). Value is 10% of that listed until polished and cut by someone with jewelry proficiency. At that time, roll again on this chart with l d6

If the specific type of stone is desired, go to the appropriate table below and roll the stone type. Note that some gems have both economic value and commodity value if they can be used in creating magical items or magical spells.

Roll

Ornamental Stone Type

Roll

Ornamental Stone Type

01-02

Agni Mani

51-52

Nelvine

03-04

Algae

53-54

Nune

05-06

Augelite

55-56

Obsidian

07-08

Azurite

57-58

Oolite

09-10

Banded Agate

59 60

Ophealine

11-12

Blue Quartz

61-62

Rhodochrosite

13-14

Bluestone

63-64

Rosaline

15-16

Chrysocolla

65 66

Sagenite

17-18

Corstal

67-68

Sanidine

19-20

Crown of Silver

69-70

Sarbossa

21-22

Disthene

71-72

Satin Spar

23 24

Epidote

73-74

Sharpstone

25-26

Eye Agate

75-76

Sheen

27-28

Fire Agate

77-78

Silkstone

29-30

Fluorspar

79-80

Snowflake Obsidian

31-32

Frost Agate

81-82

Sunstone

33-34

Goldline

83-84

Thuparlial

35-36

Greenstone

85-86

Tiger Eye Agate

37-38

Hematite

87-88

Turquoise

39-40

Hyaline

89-90

Variscite

41-42

Lapis Lazuli

91-92

Violane

43-44

Lynx Eye

93-94

Webstone

45-46

Malachite

95-96

Wonderstone

47-48

Microeline

97-98

Woodtine

49 50

Moss Agate

99-00

Zarbrina

 

Roll

Semiprecious Stone Type

Roll

Semiprecious Stone Type

01-02

Agate

48-49

Malacon

03-04

Alestone

50-51

Mellochrysos

05 06

Andar

52-54

Moonstone

07-08

Aventurine

55-56

Mykaro

09-10

Bloodstone

57-58

Mynteer

11-12

Boakhar

59-62

Onyx

13-15

Carnelian

63-64

Orprase

16-18

Chalcedony

65-66

Phenalope

19-21

Chrysoprase

67-68

Rainbow Obsidian

22-24

Citrine

69-72

Rock Crystal

25-26

Clelophane

73-74

Samarskite

27-28

Datchas

75-77

Sardonyx

29-30

Dioptase

78-80

Serpentine

31-32

Gold Sheen

81-82

Skydrop

33-34

Hambergyle

83-86

Smoky Quartz

35-36

Hydrophane

87-88

Spodumene

37-38

Hypersthene

89-91

Star Rose Quartz

39-40

Iol

92-93

Tabasheer

41-43

Irtios

94-95

Tchazar

44-45

Jasper

96-97

Witherite

46-47

Luriyl

98-00

Zircon

 

Roll

Fancy Stone Type

Roll

Fancy Stone Type

01-03

Alexandrite

51-53

Jet

04-06

Amber

54-56

Kornerupine

07-10

Amethyst

57-60

Laeral's Tears

11-13

Angel's Skin

61-63

Mocca Stone

14-16

Brandeen

64-66

Octel

17-20

Cairngorm

67-70

Precious cat's-eye

21-23

Chrysoberyl

71-73

Scapra

24-26

Chrysolite

74-76

Shandon

27-30

Coral

77-80

Sinhalite

31-33

Golden Sapphire

81-83

Star Diopside

34-36

Green Sapphire

84-86

Tourmaline

37-40

Heliotrope

87-90

Tremair

41-43

Hyacinth

91-93

Ulvaen

44-46

Jade

94-96

Waterstar

47-50

Jargoon

97-00

Ziose

 

Roll

Precious Stone Type

Roll

Precious Stone Type

01-07

Aquamarine

45-51

Orbaline

08-14

Euclase

52-59

Pearl

15-21

Flamedance

60-67

Pcridot

22-29

Garnet

68-75

Raindrop

30-37

Heliodor

76-81

Rusteen

38-44

Horn Coral

 

Roll

Gem Stone Type

Roll

Gem Stone Type

01-05

Black Opal

54-58

Red Tears

06-11

Fire Opal

59-63

Rhodolite

12-16

Jasmal

64-68

Sapphire

17-21

Moonbar

69-74

Sard

22-26

Opal

75-79

Shou Lung Topaz

27-32

Orange Sapphire

80-84

Shou Lung Amethyst

33-37

Orblen

85-89

Tomb Jade

38-42

Orl

90-95

Water Opal

43-47

Purple Sapphire

96-00

Zendalure

48-53

Ravenar

 

Roll

Jewel Type

Roll

Jewel Type

01-06

Amaratha

59-69

King's Tears

07-17

Beljuril

70-71

Rogue Stone

18-25

Black Sapphire

72-82

Ruby

26-36

Diamond

83-85

Shou Lung Emerald

37-47

Emerald

85-93

Star Ruby

48-58

Jacinth

94-00

Star Sapphire

 

Roll

Hardstone Type

Roll

Hardstone Type

01-06

Alabaster (5 SP)

55-60

Pipestone (1 GP)

07-12

Archon (2 GP)

61 -66

Psaedros (6 SP)

13-18

Hornbill Ivory (7 SP)

67-72

Serpentine Stone (3 GP)

19-24

Iris Agate (2 GP)

73-78

Soapstone (9 SP)

25-30

Ivory (1-5 GP, depending on quality)

79

Star Metal (10,000 GP)

31 36

Lumachella (26 SP)

80-85

Sulabra (7 SP)

37-42

Luspeel (3 GP)

86 91

Tempskya (1 GP)

43-48

Marble (3 GP)

92 95

Turritella (8 SP)

49-54

Meerschaum (2 GP)

96-00

Xylopal (22 SP)

 

Roll

Shell Type

Roll

Shell Type

01-05

Abalone, Red (10 GP)

52-58

Mother of Pearl (5 SP for one pound)

06-07

Abalone, Green (25 GP)

59 65

Nacre (1 GP for one pound)

08-14

Black Helmet (45 GP)

66-72

Nautilus (5 GP)

15-21

Conch (10 GP)

73-79

Red Helmet (20 GP)

21-28

Cowrie, Tiger ( 10 GP)

80-85

Sardonyx Helmet (40 GP)

29-33

Cowrie, Pearl (20 GP)

86-90

Shambos (1-5 GP per shell plate)

34-36

Cowrie, Opal (100 GP)

91-94

Trochus (4 GP)

37

Cowrie, Purple Star (4,000 GP)

95-98

Turbo (2 GP)

38-44

Flame Helmet (50 GP)

99-00

Unio (1 GP)

45-51

Homed Helmet (51) GP)

candle.gif (1533 bytes)Weapon Enhancements
All the enchantments that can be added to almost any weapon, are to be found here. There are exceptions, however, but the DM should reroll these.

candle.gif (1533 bytes)Light Generation
As a general rule, magical weapons, armor, or items should not shed light when drawn or being used. This makes it too easy for the players to determine if a weapon is magical, unless the item's description states that it sheds light. However, if the DM chooses, he or she can rule that magical weapons (particularly swords, daggers, and +3 or greater items) shed light and c 'case, a magical weapon should never glow until the wielder is aware of its magical properties-the light property of a weapon should never be used as an excuse to identify a magical item. Note that the flame tongue, frost brand, holy avenger, life stealing, and sharpness swords have special properties with regard to light. These are dealt with in the individual weapon descriptions.

When the Random Tables in the back of this volume are used, the DM should roll on the table below in order to determine which enchantment is gained for the weapon. Once rolled, refer to the specific entry below for full details.

Roll

Enhancement Gained

Roll

Enhancement Gained

01

of Adaptation

48

of Holding

02

Agoraphobic

49

of Illumination

03

Antistoneskin

50

of Illusion

04

Anything

51

Intelligent

05

Aquatic

52

Intelligent II

06

Aquatic with Free Action

53

Invisible

07

of Balance

54

of Levitation

08

Bloodfearer

55

of Lighting

09

Boneiron

56

Lightweight

10

Bonewood

57

Living

11

with Bonus vs. Opponent

58

Miniature

12

of Breathing

59

Narcissistic

13

Brittleblade

60

Petrified

14

of Charming

61

Polymorphed

15

of Clairaudience

62

of Proficiency

16

of Clairvoyance

63

Purple-Leaf

17

Claustrophobic

64

Quirk

18

of Concealed Wizardry

65-67

Racial

19

of Deceiving

68

of Returning

20

of Defending

69

of See Invisible

21

of Deflecting

70

Shivering

22

of Detect Evil/Good

71

of Silence

23

of Detect Gems

72

of Silencing

24

of Detect Magic

73

of Slaying

25

of Detect Metal

74

of Slicing

26

of Detect Shifting Walls & Rooms

75

of Slowing

27

of Detect Slopes

76

of Specialization

28

of Detection

77

Spectral

29

of Disruption

78-80

of Speed

30

of Draining

81

of Speed II

31

of Enchantment

82

of Speeding

32

of ESP

83

Stoneiron

33

of Extinguishing

84

of Surrender

34

of Extra Damage

85

of telekinesis

35

of Find Secret Doors

86

of Telepathy

36

of Find Traps

87

of Teleportation

37

of Finding

88

of Translating

38

of Flame

89

Unbreakable

39

of Flaming

90

Uncharged

40

of Flying

91

of Venom

41

of Flying II

92

of Watching

42

of Forgetfulness

93

Weightless

43

Fossilized

94

of Wishing

44

of Healing

95

Woodiron

45

of Healing II

96

of X-Ray Vision

46

of Hiding

97-99

Roll twice, ignoring 97-00 results

47

with Hilt of Conjuring

00

Roll three times, ignoring 97-00 results

As an added feature, DMs may choose to roll on the table below to determine the construction material of a weapon. Often, the weapon's description states what the weapon is made of, or rolling on the table below.

Roll

Construction Material

01

Adamantite

02-10

Bone

11-20

Copper

21-60

Iron

61-70

Obsidian

71-75

Silver

76-85

Steel

86-95

Stone

96-00

Wood

 

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