Crystal abundance on Athas - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Crystal abundance on Athas

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
terminus_vortexa
May 01, 2005 21:49:59 I've made plans to have the characters in my campaign take part in the preparation and casting of an Epic spell to increase the influx of Positive Energy from the Grey (Where positive and negative energy come from in my game) into the Plane of Earth, thus empowering the Quasielemental Plane of Mineral and increasing the abundance of crystalline formations on and under the surface of Athas. Any thoughts on where the best locations for mineable locations should be placed, or the repercussions on Athasian culture due to this event? If it helps any, ALL classes are allowed in my game, and the sky's the limit on item creation. No location is too remote, and I include Sysane's Sundered Regions (Props to Sysane!) in my game. Any ideas on the repurcussions of this event are greatly appreciated.
#2
zombiegleemax
May 02, 2005 0:02:43 Gems form under a variety of conditions, but in all cases (I think) there is a good deal of heat/pressure involved over long periods of time. Thus to be "realistic" avoid putting mines in locations with sediminetary rock formations... ie along rivers (or where they were) and near shores. Everywhere else is pretty much reasonable (I think).

However since we are using magic, I suggest putting a mine in the Crescent Forest or somewhere else which will create controversy when someone sinks a few new mines about the place. Creating conflict/plot hooks is where the drama is at.

Further, if I recall correctly, the dry conditions on Athas has already exposed a lot of rock to the elements consequently leading to a greater abundance than usual of gemstones anyway.

Irrespective, increasing this ratio further will have the following effects:

Firstly, devaluation of gems. Greater supply means prices should universally drop (as gems are easier to get now since there are more of them).

Secondly, the world wide change of something like this is likely to attract attention. Even if at the end of the day people believe it is some new curse of the Dragon.

Other ideas could be Earth priests wanting greater political power over other elements. A Sorcerer-King wanting to cripple a rival's economy. Some powerful individual wanting a big gem to cast a true resurection to bring back their lost love. Etc

Thirdly, the influx of more gems may lead to the creation (depending upon your game) of Gem-wizards/priests/psions. I am not too sure what exactly, but a whole bunch of new magicked gems could be jam packed with power waiting for some group of people to tap into it. Further, given that many psionically empowered items use gems, then such items may become slightly cheaper as raw materials are easier to acquire.

Finally, tapping into Positive Energy to do something on this sort of scale can not be a smart thing to do. What are the consequences of doing so? One quick idea is to forbid channeling positive energy (so no turning or curative magic) for a bunch of days until the natural way of things adjusts. Or something similarly noticeable to people.

If the overal effect is much more localised, then whomever controls the area which is now gemstone rich will make a nice tidy profit, but things should otherwise be normal. Depending upon the amount of gems created, prices may not drop too much (except at a local level).

hope something here helps.
#3
terminus_vortexa
May 02, 2005 8:11:03 Excellent ideas for gem-use and consequences, C-n-F! Any ideas on the ramifications of large deposits of weapon and armor-grade crystal?
#4
kalthandrix
May 02, 2005 14:29:56
Excellent ideas for gem-use and consequences, C-n-F! Any ideas on the ramifications of large deposits of weapon and armor-grade crystal?

I think that with weapon/armor grade crystal, Urik would either want to control it or destroy it. One of Urik's major exports is obsidian and any threat to their economy would drive them to the battlefield.

I think that this would also lead to an increase in major battles all over. If the new material is more expensive, then it will drive down the drive of obsidian weapons, allowing more people to buy them and allowing petty warlords the opportunity to make their mark on the area.

I think the idea of crystal that is psionically moldable would be pretty cool too. It would allow for some items that cannot usually be made from crystal to exist. Say that in its natural form is relatively pliable, but when psionically molded and tempered, it becomes as hard as steel, but still vulnerable to sonic attacks like the spell shatter.
#5
zombiegleemax
May 02, 2005 17:29:04
I think that with weapon/armor grade crystal, Urik would either want to control it or destroy it. One of Urik's major exports is obsidian and any threat to their economy would drive them to the battlefield.

I think that this would also lead to an increase in major battles all over. If the new material is more expensive, then it will drive down the drive of obsidian weapons, allowing more people to buy them and allowing petty warlords the opportunity to make their mark on the area.

I think the idea of crystal that is psionically moldable would be pretty cool too. It would allow for some items that cannot usually be made from crystal to exist. Say that in its natural form is relatively pliable, but when psionically molded and tempered, it becomes as hard as steel, but still vulnerable to sonic attacks like the spell shatter.

Pretty much what Kal said: New sources of weapons grade material will definitely bring Hamanu out to squash the threat to his City-State. Other Sorcerer Monarchs will also come out with armies if they feel a need to secure themselves from possible new threats.

EG. If a few nomadic tribes suddenly started having good quality weapons made from crystal, then levels of bandit activity will increase. A campaign idea around this would be to have a charismatic leader unify the new equipped tribes outside a city and declare war on a city-state. To give the leader a chance, the city-state no longer has it's sorcerer-monarch. Else, you could have a splinter group of the Order, called "the Order Militant", decide to oppose one or more of the sorcerer kings for psionic heresy, and have them equipping the tribe and ready to face the SKs when they show.

PCs get initially asked to investigate where these weapons are coming from, and then maybe tasked with stopping production, or supporting the Order Militant, who end up being just as big jerks as the Sorcerer Monarchs are.

this is basically an idea for a campaign I had years ago but never had a group to run for.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 terminus_vortexa May 01, 2005 21:49:59	I've made plans to have the characters in my campaign take part in the preparation and casting of an Epic spell to increase the influx of Positive Energy from the Grey (Where positive and negative energy come from in my game) into the Plane of Earth, thus empowering the Quasielemental Plane of Mineral and increasing the abundance of crystalline formations on and under the surface of Athas. Any thoughts on where the best locations for mineable locations should be placed, or the repercussions on Athasian culture due to this event? If it helps any, ALL classes are allowed in my game, and the sky's the limit on item creation. No location is too remote, and I include Sysane's Sundered Regions (Props to Sysane!) in my game. Any ideas on the repurcussions of this event are greatly appreciated.
#2 zombiegleemax May 02, 2005 0:02:43	Gems form under a variety of conditions, but in all cases (I think) there is a good deal of heat/pressure involved over long periods of time. Thus to be "realistic" avoid putting mines in locations with sediminetary rock formations... ie along rivers (or where they were) and near shores. Everywhere else is pretty much reasonable (I think). However since we are using magic, I suggest putting a mine in the Crescent Forest or somewhere else which will create controversy when someone sinks a few new mines about the place. Creating conflict/plot hooks is where the drama is at. Further, if I recall correctly, the dry conditions on Athas has already exposed a lot of rock to the elements consequently leading to a greater abundance than usual of gemstones anyway. Irrespective, increasing this ratio further will have the following effects: Firstly, devaluation of gems. Greater supply means prices should universally drop (as gems are easier to get now since there are more of them). Secondly, the world wide change of something like this is likely to attract attention. Even if at the end of the day people believe it is some new curse of the Dragon. Other ideas could be Earth priests wanting greater political power over other elements. A Sorcerer-King wanting to cripple a rival's economy. Some powerful individual wanting a big gem to cast a true resurection to bring back their lost love. Etc Thirdly, the influx of more gems may lead to the creation (depending upon your game) of Gem-wizards/priests/psions. I am not too sure what exactly, but a whole bunch of new magicked gems could be jam packed with power waiting for some group of people to tap into it. Further, given that many psionically empowered items use gems, then such items may become slightly cheaper as raw materials are easier to acquire. Finally, tapping into Positive Energy to do something on this sort of scale can not be a smart thing to do. What are the consequences of doing so? One quick idea is to forbid channeling positive energy (so no turning or curative magic) for a bunch of days until the natural way of things adjusts. Or something similarly noticeable to people. If the overal effect is much more localised, then whomever controls the area which is now gemstone rich will make a nice tidy profit, but things should otherwise be normal. Depending upon the amount of gems created, prices may not drop too much (except at a local level). hope something here helps.
#3 terminus_vortexa May 02, 2005 8:11:03	Excellent ideas for gem-use and consequences, C-n-F! Any ideas on the ramifications of large deposits of weapon and armor-grade crystal?
#4 kalthandrix May 02, 2005 14:29:56	Excellent ideas for gem-use and consequences, C-n-F! Any ideas on the ramifications of large deposits of weapon and armor-grade crystal? I think that with weapon/armor grade crystal, Urik would either want to control it or destroy it. One of Urik's major exports is obsidian and any threat to their economy would drive them to the battlefield. I think that this would also lead to an increase in major battles all over. If the new material is more expensive, then it will drive down the drive of obsidian weapons, allowing more people to buy them and allowing petty warlords the opportunity to make their mark on the area. I think the idea of crystal that is psionically moldable would be pretty cool too. It would allow for some items that cannot usually be made from crystal to exist. Say that in its natural form is relatively pliable, but when psionically molded and tempered, it becomes as hard as steel, but still vulnerable to sonic attacks like the spell shatter.
#5 zombiegleemax May 02, 2005 17:29:04	I think that with weapon/armor grade crystal, Urik would either want to control it or destroy it. One of Urik's major exports is obsidian and any threat to their economy would drive them to the battlefield. I think that this would also lead to an increase in major battles all over. If the new material is more expensive, then it will drive down the drive of obsidian weapons, allowing more people to buy them and allowing petty warlords the opportunity to make their mark on the area. I think the idea of crystal that is psionically moldable would be pretty cool too. It would allow for some items that cannot usually be made from crystal to exist. Say that in its natural form is relatively pliable, but when psionically molded and tempered, it becomes as hard as steel, but still vulnerable to sonic attacks like the spell shatter. Pretty much what Kal said: New sources of weapons grade material will definitely bring Hamanu out to squash the threat to his City-State. Other Sorcerer Monarchs will also come out with armies if they feel a need to secure themselves from possible new threats. EG. If a few nomadic tribes suddenly started having good quality weapons made from crystal, then levels of bandit activity will increase. A campaign idea around this would be to have a charismatic leader unify the new equipped tribes outside a city and declare war on a city-state. To give the leader a chance, the city-state no longer has it's sorcerer-monarch. Else, you could have a splinter group of the Order, called "the Order Militant", decide to oppose one or more of the sorcerer kings for psionic heresy, and have them equipping the tribe and ready to face the SKs when they show. PCs get initially asked to investigate where these weapons are coming from, and then maybe tasked with stopping production, or supporting the Order Militant, who end up being just as big jerks as the Sorcerer Monarchs are. this is basically an idea for a campaign I had years ago but never had a group to run for.