Hematite was an ornamental stone that was favored by fighters,[4][6][7] as well as a common ore of iron.[8]
Description[]
Typical raw hematite appeared as a hard gray-black crystalline mineral, or as a red stone.[9] Gem-quality hematite had a very fine grain of crystals, and could be polished to a smooth, shiny dark gray or black stone similar in appearance to steel. It was often tumbled to make beads or cut in a baguette fashion (rectangular with beveled sides).[6][7] When crushed, hematite became a blood-red powder.[10]
Properties[]
Hematite weighed about 306 pounds (139 kilograms) to 330 pounds (150 kilograms) per 1 cubic foot (0.028 cubic meters).[9] [8] In bulk, it was commonly used as iron ore.[10]
Tiny amounts of hematite could be trapped inside sunstones, giving the translucent gem an amber or reddish hue. A similar effect could occur in iol stones, giving them a secondary golden color.[11][12]
Powers[]
Hematite was not magical itself, but it was responsive to enchantments related to blood and life force and was used in necromancy and the healing arts. Specifically, it was used to create magical periapts for healing and foul rotting.[10][6][7] It was said to absorb negative energy.[13] A typical stone had a base value of 10 gp.[2][3][4]
Only a handful of people (mostly powerful mages that kept the secret to themselves) knew that this common stone was one of the "nine secrets"—minerals that could be enchanted to become ioun stones. [7]
Usages[]
- Polished Hematite stones were a relatively cheap and common feature of jewelry.[14][15]
- Hematite was a common stone among the drow, and was worn by drow of average station. They also often used it on enchanted items.[16]
- The lesser deity Iyachtu Xvim was known to occasionally send hematite gems to show favor or inspire his followers.[17]
- The lesser deity Vhaeraun was known to occasionally send hematite gems to show his favour or disfavour to his followers.[18][19]
- Noble dao lined the interior of their structures with reflective stones and crystals such as hematite.[20] They used these surfaces to flash light-based messages and alarms throughout their holdings.[21]
Appendix[]
See also[]
Gallery[]
Appearances[]
Novels & Short Stories
External links[]
References[]
- ↑ Holly Ingraham (June 1998). “Crystal Confusion”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon #248 (TSR, Inc.), p. 46.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Jeff Grubb and Ed Greenwood (1990). Forgotten Realms Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 130. ISBN 0-8803-8828-5.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd (1996). Volo's Guide to All Things Magical. (TSR, Inc), p. 126. ISBN 0-7869-0446-1.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 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.
- ↑ 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 Jeff Grubb and Ed Greenwood (1990). Forgotten Realms Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 132. ISBN 0-8803-8828-5.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd (1996). Volo's Guide to All Things Magical. (TSR, Inc), p. 41. ISBN 0-7869-0446-1.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Shlump Da Orc (April 1978). “How Heavy Is My Giant”. In Timothy J. Kask ed. Dragon #13 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 5–7.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Thomas M. Kane (December 1989). “In a Cavern, In a Canyon...”. In Roger E. Moore ed. Dragon #152 (TSR, Inc.), p. 23.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Michael Lowrey (March 1984). “The many facets of gems”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #83 (TSR, Inc.), p. 14.
- ↑ Holly Ingraham (June 1998). “Crystal Confusion”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon #248 (TSR, Inc.), p. 49.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (April 1983). “Gems Galore”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #72 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 17–18.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood & Elaine Cunningham (May 2006). The City of Splendors: A Waterdeep Novel. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 1, p. 34. ISBN 0-7869-4004-2.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb, Julia Martin, Steven E. Schend et al (1992). Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue. (TSR, Inc), p. 95. ISBN 0-5607-6327-2.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins (November 2018). Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage. Edited by Jeremy Crawford. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 82. ISBN 978-0-7869-6626-4.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (July 1991). The Drow of the Underdark. (TSR, Inc), p. 92. ISBN 1-56076-132-6.
- ↑ Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 83. ISBN 978-0786903849.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Wolfgang Baur, Steve Kurtz (1992). Monstrous Compendium Al-Qadim Appendix. (TSR, Inc). ISBN l-56076-370-1.
- ↑ Wolfgang Baur (November 1993). Secrets of the Lamp. Genie Lore. (TSR, Inc.), p. 15. ISBN 978-1560766476.