Chalcedony was a semi-precious stone that was the base mineral in many gem-quality stones, but in the Realms the more colorful varieties all had their own names (see below).[5][6] In Faerûn, chalcedony referred to the mostly colorless versions of these gemstones.[6]
Description[]
The vast majority of chalcedony gems were white to off-white, rarely shading to gray or black.[5] They could be found in deposits that yielded large gem-quality stones that could be carved into statuettes or coffers. Smaller stones were typically cut cabochon and polished, often giving them a resemblance to ivory.[6] A typical stone had a base value of 50 gp.[1][2][3][4]
Varieties[]
Chalcedony took on a wide variety of colors, each with their own unique properties:
- Agate: the entire family of agates that spanned the rainbow
- Bloodstone: green-gray with red inclusions
- Carnelian: red to reddish brown
- Chrysocolla: green to blue-green
- Chrysoprase: light apple-green
- Crown of silver: metallic silver with black bands
Powers[]
This stone was used in the creation of magic items that conferred protection from the undead or control over them. For necromantic purposes, this gem could be used instead of human bone, improving the efficacy of items dealing with nonhuman undead.[6]
Crushed to a powder and enchanted with an easy spell, chalcedony added to an alcoholic beverage prevented intoxication without altering the taste of the drink, making it a favorite of agents and spies that needed to keep their wits sharp.[6]
Trivia[]
The lesser deity Vhaeraun was known to occasionally send black-hued chalcedony to show his favour or disfavour to his followers.[7]
Appendix[]
Appearances[]
- Novels
- War in Tethyr
Gallery[]
photo by American-Thai Trading
used by permission
External Links[]
Chalcedony article at Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Jeff Grubb and Ed Greenwood (1990). Forgotten Realms Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 134. ISBN 0-8803-8828-5.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd (1996). Volo's Guide to All Things Magical. (TSR, Inc), p. 126. ISBN 0-7869-0446-1.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 300. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins, James Wyatt (December 2014). Dungeon Master's Guide 5th edition. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 134. ISBN 978-0-7869-6562-5.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Jeff Grubb and Ed Greenwood (1990). Forgotten Realms Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 135. ISBN 0-8803-8828-5.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd (1996). Volo's Guide to All Things Magical. (TSR, Inc), p. 38. ISBN 0-7869-0446-1.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (November 1998). Demihuman Deities. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 37. ISBN 0-7869-1239-1.