tleilaxu
First Post
this is a series of 4 magical gems created by the gnomish archmage called Tetramnestus. Each is a dodecahedron shaped gem exactly the same size of a d12. they are used as teaching tools for young gnomish apprentices.
each gem is activated through the same puzzle. the gem must be set on each side in the correct order (the position of 1-12 on a d12 die). when each side is set down a beam of light issues from the opposite side (the side pointing up). if the gem is set down in the incorrect order the light from the activated sides ceases. the gem cannot be reactivated for 24 hours.
so, first, the "1" side must be set facing down. light begins to issue from the opposite face. then, the "2" side must be set facing down, etc etc. when each side is set down in the correct order a beam of light (in the appropriate color) issues forth. when all twelve sides have been activated the atom sized incisions on each side issue forth in a 3 dimensional holographic display (the user is standing inside a sphere of magical gnomish runes). these runes teach a spell. after the gem has been activated (all sides lit) it casts light as a continual light spell. also, if the gem is spun (like spinning a die) a beam of light issues forth from the top of the gem. if a spellbook is held open above the gem to blank pages sufficient for scribing a spell, the spell encased in the gem is freely scribed into the wizard's spellbook.
the spells encased in the gems are:
ruby: detect gems
sapphire: hypnotic pattern
emerald: summon earth elemental (summon monster III, but only for small earth elementals)
diamond: the process for creating gems of this type
these gems are given to especially gifted gnome wizard apprentices to study with no clues from their mentors but "take a look and try to figure it out". DMs are encouraged to think of more difficult puzzles for the sapphire, emerald and diamond gems (using basic mathematical formulas is a good idea).
XP/GP?
each gem is activated through the same puzzle. the gem must be set on each side in the correct order (the position of 1-12 on a d12 die). when each side is set down a beam of light issues from the opposite side (the side pointing up). if the gem is set down in the incorrect order the light from the activated sides ceases. the gem cannot be reactivated for 24 hours.
so, first, the "1" side must be set facing down. light begins to issue from the opposite face. then, the "2" side must be set facing down, etc etc. when each side is set down in the correct order a beam of light (in the appropriate color) issues forth. when all twelve sides have been activated the atom sized incisions on each side issue forth in a 3 dimensional holographic display (the user is standing inside a sphere of magical gnomish runes). these runes teach a spell. after the gem has been activated (all sides lit) it casts light as a continual light spell. also, if the gem is spun (like spinning a die) a beam of light issues forth from the top of the gem. if a spellbook is held open above the gem to blank pages sufficient for scribing a spell, the spell encased in the gem is freely scribed into the wizard's spellbook.
the spells encased in the gems are:
ruby: detect gems
sapphire: hypnotic pattern
emerald: summon earth elemental (summon monster III, but only for small earth elementals)
diamond: the process for creating gems of this type
these gems are given to especially gifted gnome wizard apprentices to study with no clues from their mentors but "take a look and try to figure it out". DMs are encouraged to think of more difficult puzzles for the sapphire, emerald and diamond gems (using basic mathematical formulas is a good idea).
XP/GP?
