What's so special about this huge gemstone anyways?

[Sejs]

Upon a command word it accepts a human fist into one side and becomes a really cheesy looking artifact.

With a command word, you find yourself able to insert your hand into the solid gemstone that forms the base, where the wrist would be...

Slowly, slowly the index finger uncurls, straightening, and the thumb unfolds to take up a position flanking the raised digit...

It's only then that the mystic letters, burning with raw magic, fades into view. Sizzling emblazoned on the palm, their meaning unclear at first, but comprehension soon forces its way into your consciousness like an unwelcome guest -


...We're number one...

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

1) It is the fist of an elemental- the bastard child of an Efreet and a Jann- who had thought to raise an army and usurp his father's throne but was defeated, his parts scattered throughout the planes. If all the parts are reassembled, he can be reanimated...

2) It is nonmagical, but is important symbolically to a certain Clan of Dwarves. It was the "artificial hand" of the Clan's founder, Ranar "Stonefist" Kuergart. He lost his real hand in a battle to claim a mountain stronghold from Orcs (who had taken it from Humans). Over time, it had become the symbol of rulership for that clan, but was lost in raid by Drow that resulted in the scattering of the Clan. Restoration of the Hand of Ranar Kuergart to a Kuergart Clansman could lead to the reunification of the Clan...or to political infighting.

3) It is nonmagical. It was not created in the usual sense however- once, it was an actual hand! It belonged to a human who became fire opal when exposed to a powerful Medusa who grew up in a wild magic zone. Her petrifying gaze turns victims into precious stones, and there are creatures out there trying to find her- among them a polymorphed dragon and a Dwarven Loremaster who both want her (ally or slave) to add to their respective hoards...

 

[Tetsubo]

It's an opal the size of which nobody has ever seen before (except for whoever carved it.) That's special enough. The hope diamond isn't exactly a mystic item of power and magic itself, after all.

I think this is the best. Even a mundane gem of this size is going to be a fantastic treasure.

Keeping it however is going to be a challange. Every Rogue worth the name is going to come "hunting" it. Mages will want it for a spell component and Clerics will want to use it as part of some idol. Justing keeping hold of the thing could generate many adventures.

There is also the possibility of charging the public to come see the gem...

 

[Dingleberry]

Part of a rock paper scissors set.

Just spit my coffee, thanks.

 

[JohnRTroy]

It's from that Idol from the Original Player's Handbook and the new Player's Handbook 2

 

[Agent Oracle]

It's an opal the size of which nobody has ever seen before (except for whoever carved it.) That's special enough. The hope diamond isn't exactly a mystic item of power and magic itself, after all.

Except for the fact that the hope diamond is famously cursed.

Now, traditionally, there's a few ways to go with this:

-The object is a small part of a greater whole (the golem / demon / fire fiend / what have you that needs to be rebuilt)

-The object conveys some mystical properites (staff of power / bonus to stats / abilities)

-The object is mundane, but important to somebody (Guild of assasins / dwarves / giants / the gods)

 

[Morpheus]

It's the keystone of a gate to the Nine Hells...and it's sentient and wants to get there!

 

[Nifft]

It's the missing fist of Tiamat's favorite statue ("Trogdor the Burninator").

-- N

 

[Goblyn]

Like the hand and eye of Vecna, it is one of a set of those of Zuoken, a deity outlined in the XPH. Nothing new about this idea, really, but the fist made me think of Zuoken.

It could be made to hold taut the ephemereal 'strings' on a gate to a lost reality; should the hand ever be opened or destroyed, cthulhuesque horrors, far-realm abominations or care bears could come spilling into the PCs' reality.

Or a really good sculpture.

 

[James Heard]

It's just glass, but there's something important inside the fist.

Dragon backscratcher

Part of an enormous Punch and Judy set.

Dude, it's Bigby. Damn, he really IS hardcore about those hand spells.