Post by Henry Bloodwrath on Jul 10, 2008 0:13:36 GMT -5
----- Gemstones -----
Through a hunch and then further experimentation, I have found that a few gemstones and minerals "buff" different spells and/or abilities, or just have useful properties. Gemstones which have more than one color are usually elementalized with the color that they show - the more common ones can be found here.
Obsidian:
I used obsidian in making my armor, since it is flame retardant and yet still amplifies fire magic a bit. It is also easy to mold, especially if you have a high tolerance to heat and can slap magma over an ice or rock shield around yourself.
In addition, the obsidian I used in the production of my staff is tied closely with my home, and so I was able to bind the recall spell closely with the staff with minimal effort. The mark spell itself is targeted in the middle of my main suite, off the main cavern and my workspace.
Pumice:
Unexpectedly, pumice has almost no application in fire magic. It can store large amounts of pressurized air, and so when either crush or lit on fire it provide large amounts of fuel. However, its main application is in water magic and mysticism. While using it in a bubble spell, I can use the air pressurizing properties of it to replenish the air within the bubble. Additionally, using it within a breathing spell, can cause one actually breathe water for a time (so far the maximum is one hour, albeit in a small urn filled with water).
Diamond and Pearl:
Clear diamonds and white pearls can be used extensively with healing magic. Pinkish diamonds can be used with treating burn wounds very effectively, so I imagine that other tints would be able to work with other elemental injuries as well, such as bluish tint with frostbite. Though I have not yet come across a black pearl, I imagine that either it would be much better at healing that regular white pearls, or that it could be used to the opposite effect.
Jasper and Emerald:
Depending on the tint, these gemstones can be used for varying purposes. If the tint is dark green, then is it more easily used with growing poisonous or carnivirous plant life. If it is bright green, then it is useful with healing plants and herbs. However, all are good for growing plants - the tints just determine what it helps grow better.
Ruby and Garnet:
The gemstones belonging to the fire element, and a bit with the blood. I have only happened upon one ruby, and the ruby dust, bonded with my blood, formed the runes upon my staff. Garnets are weaker than rubies with blood spells, but are more plentiful in the cave system where I live. Indeed, I am constantly expanding my tunnels, so as to acquire more minerals, and perhaps a rear entrance, in case the intruders are just waiting for a chance to attack with masses of people and witches...I'd better scry around here quickly.
*A small bit of ink is spattered here, and it resumes in a slightly different color*
Opal:
There were no intruders around, and the rogues seem to have fruitfully multiplied on the slopes. I might have to cull them now that the intruders have stopped doing that. In any case, Opals are very useful for many purposes. Very rarely is an opal a single color. Instead, they are commonly found with multiple hues within themselves. Using this unique trait, they are good for all-round healing, but more specifically with mystic arts. I have used them many times in scrying, and even with a tiny bit of telepathy with an animal. However, it hurt my head tremendously, so I suppose I'm not gifted in that area. However, since it is useful with scrying and a bit with mind powers, I've recently tried to dreamwalk.
Needless to say, I was unable to do much. However, it was a pleasant surprise to sense other intelligent life on the dreamscape last night. Perhaps tonight or tomorrow I will be able to discover more. I've also tried scrying far out from the volcano, and I seem to have located a small village. Perhaps later, if the dreamwalking is unsuccessful again, I will attempt to enter that village. Who knows? They might have a wider selection of gemstones and whatnot.
Sapphire and Cobalt:
Useful in water magic, as well as for using water to skillfully etch marks in earth. The sapphire is more useful with fresh water, and the cobalt with salt water. Having tried cobalt with fresh water with little success, I tried it with salt water and found its true elementalization.
(Pure) Amber:
Being organic in nature, I've found Amber to be very useful in dealing with the creatures. Surprisingly, it does not seem like it would be the correct color for love, but it is. Using it, I have been greatly able to increase the rate of production of various salamander and wyvern breeds. I would not use it on myself or other intelligent beings...but I find myself weakening in that resolve towards mortals. Perhaps if I can imprison 2 mortal intruders of different genders...
Onyx:
Useful for dark, shadowy, or night magic. I have succeeded in casting a globe of darkness over an immolatory salamander and not seeing the flicker nor the flash of light afterwards. I confirmed that it did a flash of light instead of a fireball since the radius of the globe was smaller than that of a fireball produced in such a way.
(Yellow) Topaz:
This gemstone seems to work best with the earth and rocks. Using this along with obsidian allows one to create temporary platforms across magma or lava without using lots of magic energy, or mana.