Sunstone, also known as oligoclase, was a feldspar gem closely related to moonstone.[3][4]
Description[]
The most common variety of this ornamental stone was soft and only able to be cut cabochon, but it did occur in a colorless or slightly greenish variety that was facet grade. Cabochons of sunstone were rarely more than three-quarters of an inch (2 cm) in diameter and had glittering red or orange inclusions that were suspended in a nearly colorless matrix, giving the overall stone a warm golden or reddish brown hue.[3][4] A typical stone had a base value of 10 gp.[1][2]
Sunstones were considered sacred by followers of Horus-Re, Labelas Enoreth, and Sehanine Moonbow—appropriate for sacrifice, or to be consecrated for use, or recognized as boons or omens when found.[5]
Powers[]
Sunstones could be made into talismans, usually in the form of jewelry, that acted on undead just like full sunlight. A sunstone talisman had to be charged by being left in full sun for at least one day (about six hours of continuous exposure). Thereafter, the talisman could be worn and would remain dormant until the wearer was successfully attacked (physically touched) by an undead creature.[6] If the undead attacker was affected by sunlight, it would:
- recoil in fear or pain for a few minutes
- be easier to hit as it turned away from the talisman
- be unable to use abilities such as regeneration, energy drain, chilling touch, etc.
Undead not harmed by light (skeletons, mummies, and liches for example) were completely immune to a sunstone talisman. Ghosts were forced into a semi-material state. Vampires took actual damage, but couldn't be slain by a sunstone talisman alone. Only the detached head and entrails of a penanggalan were susceptible to sunstone talisman's effects.[6]
Sunstones could also store light- and energy-related discharge spells of all sorts. They were first carefully prepared by charging the stone using all but the last word of the desired incantation. Some time later the caster or someone else could touch the stone and speak the last word of the spell to release the stored energy, consuming the sunstone in the process. If the spell required a target, the activator had to be concentrating on the target at the time or else a random target was selected.[4]
Sunstones were also used in the casting of the druid spell sunray,[7][8] and the elven spell sunbolt.[9]
Appendix[]
Gallery[]
photo by American-Thai Trading
used by permission
.png "Sunstone (gem).png (98 KB)")
Appearances[]
- Video Games
- Baldur's Gate series • Icewind Dale series
External Links[]
Sunstone Gem article at the Baldur's Gate Wiki, a wiki for the Baldur's Gate games.- Sunstone 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. 132. 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 Jeff Grubb and Ed Greenwood (1990). Forgotten Realms Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 134. ISBN 0-8803-8828-5.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd (1996). Volo's Guide to All Things Magical. (TSR, Inc), p. 51. ISBN 0-7869-0446-1.
- ↑ Sean K. Reynolds (2002-05-04). Deity Do's and Don'ts (Zipped PDF). Web Enhancement for Faiths and Pantheons. Wizards of the Coast. pp. 12, 13. Archived from the original on 2016-11-01. Retrieved on 2018-09-08.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Ed Greenwood et al. (December 1988). Lords of Darkness. Edited by Scott Martin Bowles. (TSR, Inc.), p. 91. ISBN 0-88038-622-3.
- ↑ David "Zeb" Cook (August 1989). Player's Handbook (2nd edition). (TSR, Inc.), p. 236. ISBN 0-88038-716-5.
- ↑ David "Zeb" Cook (April 1995). Player's Handbook 2nd edition (revised). (TSR, Inc.), p. 299. ISBN 0-7869-0329-5.
- ↑ Anne Gray McCready et al. (March 1994). Elves of Evermeet. (TSR, Inc), p. 65. ISBN 1-5607-6829-0.