Heartstone of a Hag
Some of the most fearsome among the Gremlins] of Cartyrion are the hags. These creatures are quite powerful, as they have a special link to the channels of the Six Energies from which all life and the world itself were created. That special channel is a gemstone which each creature wears and carefully guards - an item called a Heartstone.
Each heartstone is more than simply attuned to a particular hag, it's magical nature is actually fueled by a portion of the hag's own essence. The stone functions both as an occult focus for concentration of magical energy, but also as an enabler of a few specific powers that make hags such formidable and fearsome foes.
In all cases, the stone will be quite large as gemstones go - typically as much as 2in (5cm) in diameter. They will always appear as if they have been cut in a vague heart-shape rather than a traditional circular or square-cut pattern. This might be a simple inverted teardrop shape, or it might be a complex, faceted cut resembling a heart.
The heartstone is "powered" by the very essence of its hag owner, though. If the hag should be destroyed, or if the gemstone is removed from her possession for more than 24 hours, the stone loses all of its magical properties. From that point, it is simply a nonmagical gemstone, though typically one of high quality and value.
Tales and rumors about the powers of heartstones abound within the adventuring community. Many tell of properties of these artifacts that bestow great abilities upon their wearers, and thus they have become targets of many a quest. But the fact that the magic "dies" in 24 hours means that any abilities an adventurer may gain by wrenching a heartstone from a hag will be short-lived.
Green hag
A faceted and polished emerald...
Night hag
An inverted teardrop, smooth-polished moonstone enables the wearer to enter and move about freely in the Ethereal Realm, and to affect the dreams and nightmares of others.
River hag
An oval, smooth-polished star sapphire...
Sea hag
A faceted and polished aquamarine...
Each heartstone is more than simply attuned to a particular hag, it's magical nature is actually fueled by a portion of the hag's own essence. The stone functions both as an occult focus for concentration of magical energy, but also as an enabler of a few specific powers that make hags such formidable and fearsome foes.
Physical Properties
Heartstones resemble common gemstones, though they will always appear to be stones of very high quality. Each variety of hag has a specific type of gemstone associated with it. Night hags, for example, wear moonstones. Greenhags wear emeralds, and Sea Hags wear aquamarines. The stone may be faceted or smooth, but will always be polished. It will be be fashioned into a pendant of some sort, which the hag wears around the neck.In all cases, the stone will be quite large as gemstones go - typically as much as 2in (5cm) in diameter. They will always appear as if they have been cut in a vague heart-shape rather than a traditional circular or square-cut pattern. This might be a simple inverted teardrop shape, or it might be a complex, faceted cut resembling a heart.
Magical Properties
For the wearer, heartstones serve two purposes. First, they function as a magical focus, and thus eliminate the need for many mundane material components that may otherwise be needed to cast spells. But they are also providers of magical protection and enablers of additional spell power. The heartstones of each type of hag imbue the wearer with the ability to access and control the magic of two or three spells thaty might otherwise be completely beyond the abilities of the wearer. Finally, the stones give the wearers an ability that allows them to strike out at opponents with primal energies shaped to their will. Even those not normally capable of casting spells can access these powers if they are wearing a heartstone.The heartstone is "powered" by the very essence of its hag owner, though. If the hag should be destroyed, or if the gemstone is removed from her possession for more than 24 hours, the stone loses all of its magical properties. From that point, it is simply a nonmagical gemstone, though typically one of high quality and value.
Importance and Value
For the hag to whom the gemstone belongs, the heartstone is her most important possession. With it, she is powerful. Without it, however, she is considerably weakened and vulnerable. Destroying a hag's gemstone does not kill the hag outright, but it does make it far easier to deal with her afterward.Tales and rumors about the powers of heartstones abound within the adventuring community. Many tell of properties of these artifacts that bestow great abilities upon their wearers, and thus they have become targets of many a quest. But the fact that the magic "dies" in 24 hours means that any abilities an adventurer may gain by wrenching a heartstone from a hag will be short-lived.
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