Obsidian, also known as natural glass or volcanic glass,[5] came in different grades and varieties, some more prized than others. Low grade obsidian, called pitchstone, was not as shiny or smooth as gem quality obsidian but was useful for grinding and abrading.[6] A variety called blacksmoke obsidian was primarily found in Tashalar, sold in the local bazaars.[7] A rare form of obsidian, called rainbow obsidian, was considered a semi-precious stone.[2][8]
Description[]
A chunk of obsidian.
Volcanic in origin, obsidian was a hard, black, glassy stone with a natural sheen.[5][6] Common obsidian could be chipped into arrowheads, cutting blades, or even weapons if large enough.[9] As an ornamental stone, it was usually tumbled, polished into smooth cabochons, or carved into figurines and fingerbowls. It was often worn as jewelry or inlaid on bracers or pectorals of copper or bronze. Package handlers in Waterdeep wore obsidian rings with a cutting edge on the inside for snipping twine.[6] Gray to white inclusions made obsidian brittle but when cut and polished correctly, snowflake obsidian was equally as valuable as regular obsidian.[8][10] A typical stone had a base value of 10 gp.[1][2][3]
Powers[]
There were "nine secrets" that could be enchanted to become ioun stones, and obsidian was the most well known of them. Obsidian also made an extremely useful figurine of wondrous power, renowned as the obsidian steed. The cutting capability of obsidian made it a good material component for wizards attempting to create blade barrier-like effects.[6]
Obsidian was used as a material component in the spell abolish shadows.[11]
Notable Users of Obsidian[]
Jewelry[]
A chipped shard of obsidian.
- Obsidian was a common stone among the drow, a gem worn by drow of average station. It was one of their favorite gems.[12]
- In the jungle of Malatra the Nubari tribes Huroola, Koshiva, and Wise Ones were known to use obsidian for the purposes of jewelry. Korobokuru and Shu were also known to use it for this purpose.[13]
Weaponry[]
- Uniquely among the Nubari tribes of Malatra, the Tribe of Big Chief Bagooma used obsidian to make knives and axeheads.[13]
- In Chult, a traditional weapon known as the yklwa commonly featured an obsidian blade.[14]
- In Port Nyanzaru, assassins carrying out legally sanctioned killings favored obsidian daggers crafted to be exceedingly sharp.[15]
Religions[]
- The lesser deity Vhaeraun was known to occasionally send obsidian to show his favour or disfavour to his followers.[16][17]
- Obsidian was sacred to the Chultan demigod Eshowdow, who valued unholy items made of it.[18]
Variations[19][]
| Gemstone | Appearance (Black or gray base) | Magical effects |
|---|---|---|
| Rainbow obsidian | Spangle inclusions of all colors | Pass stone for Prismatic magics |
| Sheen Gold sheen |
Spangle inclusions of any color, with golden being the rarest one |
Extended duration of invisibility magics |
| Snowflake obsidian | Gray blotchy inclusions | Protection against dragon breath |
| Spiderweb obsidian | White weblike lines | Protection against gases and airborne particles |
Appendix[]
See Also[]
Gallery[]
Appearances[]
Adventures
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Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
External Links[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Jeff Grubb and Ed Greenwood (1990). Forgotten Realms Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 130. ISBN 0-8803-8828-5.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 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.
- ↑ 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. 133. ISBN 0-8803-8828-5.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd (1996). Volo's Guide to All Things Magical. (TSR, Inc), pp. 45–46. ISBN 0-7869-0446-1.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (January 2005). “No More in Armor for My Sake”. Silverfall (Wizards of the Coast), p. 20. ISBN 0-7869-3572-3.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Jeff Grubb and Ed Greenwood (1990). Forgotten Realms Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 134. ISBN 0-8803-8828-5.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 301. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd (1996). Volo's Guide to All Things Magical. (TSR, Inc), p. 50. ISBN 0-7869-0446-1.
- ↑ Richard Baker, Matt Forbeck, Sean K. Reynolds (May 2003). Unapproachable East. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 48. ISBN 0-7869-2881-6.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (July 1991). The Drow of the Underdark. (TSR, Inc), p. 93. ISBN 1-56076-132-6.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Stephen H. Jay (April 1998). “Agriculture, Invention, and Society in Malatra”. In Jeff Quick ed. Polyhedron #129 (TSR, Inc.), p. 31.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins, Will Doyle, Steve Winter (September 19, 2017). Tomb of Annihilation. Edited by Michele Carter, Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 25, 32. ISBN 978-0-7869-6610-3.
- ↑ Cryptic Studios (July 2017). Neverwinter: Tomb of Annihilation. Perfect World Entertainment.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (November 1998). Demihuman Deities. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 37. ISBN 0-7869-1239-1.
- ↑ Sean K. Reynolds (2002-05-04). Deity Do's and Don'ts (Zipped PDF). Web Enhancement for Faiths and Pantheons. Wizards of the Coast. p. 15. Archived from the original on 2016-11-01. Retrieved on 2018-09-08.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (September 1997). Powers & Pantheons. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 81. ISBN 978-0786906574.
- ↑ # Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd (1996). Volo's Guide to All Things Magical. (TSR, Inc), p. 34-54. ISBN 0-7869-0446-1.