Amber was not a mineral, but this fossilized tree resin was graded as a fancy stone by civilized peoples, and beads of almost any quality were traded as currency among the northern barbarians.[1][6]
Description[]
Amber was yellow to gold to orange in hue, and very soft and brittle. It was easily worked into strings of beads, but larger pieces were usually tumbled into smooth stones or polished and cut cabochon. Specimens that contained other fossils, like plants and insects, were priced four to five times higher than the base value.[1][6] A typical clear specimen had a base value of 100 gp.[1][2][3][4][5]
Powers[]
- Amber could be used as a material component for most spells that dealt with electrical discharge, from as small as shocking grasp to as powerful as chain lightning. It was also used to make the ink for inscribing such spells.[6]
- The Banite spell mystic lash used amber as a material component.[7]
- Casting the Tormish spell bolt of glory required the use of a bronze-banded amber rod.
- Giant versions of insects and other vermin could be magically placed into a gem-quality amber to make an amber amulet of vermin.[8]
- A staff of eyes was tipped with a large piece of amber.[9]
- A specimen worth at least 500 gp was required as a focus for casting Simbul's spell matrix.[10]
- The stone walk spell required a paste made from amber and ruby dust to treat the areas where the spell would operate.[11]
- Powdered amber was used as a material component when creating a sepia snake sigil.[12]
- An amber rod was used in the casting of thunderball.[13]
Rumors & Legends[]
Amber was believed to bring good luck in avoiding disease and plague, but this folklore was not based on fact.[6]
Trivia[]
- Amber gems were considered sacred to a number of deities, including Baervan Wildwanderer, Erevan Ilesere, Horus-Re, Lolth (with an encased spider), Rillifane Rallathil, Sheela Peryroyl (with an encased plant), Talona, and Yondalla. It was appropriate to consecrate or sacrifice amber to these deities, or a follower might find one as a boon or an omen.[14]
- The church of Talona believed that finding a single piece of amber was a sign of the goddess's favor, but if it shattered when touched, then it meant death by disease in the near future.[15]
- In the church of Torm, deep amber was the color (for robes or dyed armor) worn by priests with the medium-low rank of Warden.[16]
Appendix[]
See Also[]
Appearances[]
- Novels
- Tymora's Luck
Gallery[]
Faceted amber with inclusions.
photo by American-Thai Trading
used by permission
photo by American-Thai Trading
used by permission
Amber with insect.
Photo by Sterling Passion, used by permission.
Photo by Sterling Passion, used by permission.
Amber beads.
Photo by Sterling Passion, used by permission.
Photo by Sterling Passion, used by permission.
Faceted amber, trillion cut.
photo by American-Thai Trading
used by permission
photo by American-Thai Trading
used by permission
Natural amber.
A small stirge trapped in a piece of amber.
A chunk of amber served as false Blood of Lathander.
External Links[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Jeff Grubb and Ed Greenwood (1990). Forgotten Realms Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 136. 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 James Wyatt (June 2008). Dungeon Master's Guide 4th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 124. ISBN 978-0-7869-4880-2.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins, James Wyatt (2014). Dungeon Master's Guide 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 134. ISBN 978-0786965622.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd (1996). Volo's Guide to All Things Magical. (TSR, Inc), p. 36. ISBN 0-7869-0446-1.
- ↑ Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 40. ISBN 978-0786903849.
- ↑ Sean K. Reynolds, Duane Maxwell, Angel McCoy (August 2001). Magic of Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 151. ISBN 0-7869-1964-7.
- ↑ Sean K. Reynolds, Duane Maxwell, Angel McCoy (August 2001). Magic of Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 150. ISBN 0-7869-1964-7.
- ↑ Sean K. Reynolds, Duane Maxwell, Angel McCoy (August 2001). Magic of Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 118. ISBN 0-7869-1964-7.
- ↑ Sean K. Reynolds, Duane Maxwell, Angel McCoy (August 2001). Magic of Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 124. ISBN 0-7869-1964-7.
- ↑ Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams (July 2003). Player's Handbook v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 276. ISBN 0-7869-2886-7.
- ↑ Scott Bennie (February 1990). Old Empires. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 72–73. ISBN 978-0880388214.
- ↑ 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. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. Archived from the original on 2016-11-01. Retrieved on 2018-09-08.
- ↑ Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 153. ISBN 978-0786903849.
- ↑ Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 165. ISBN 978-0786903849.