The Tome of the Arts, Vol 1

Research notes of Keli'vant and Quar'ikar, on the subject of artifacts.

Chapter I: The Gem's and Their Properties: 2-12
Chapter II: Simple Gem Cuts, and Their Effects: 13-27
Chapter III: Standard Gem Cuts, and Their Effects: 28-40
Chapter IV: Complex Gem Cuts, and Their Effects: 41-60
Chapter V: Minor Gem Arrays: 61-80
Chapter VI: Strong Gem Arrays: 81-100
Chapter VII: Elaborate Gem Arrays: 101-120
Chapter VIII: Gem Rituals: 121-140
Chapter IX: Adding Power to Gems: 141-160
Chapter X: To Steal a Life: 161-180
Chapter XI: Blood Seals, and Blood Magic: 181-200
Chapter XII: Blood Gems: 201-240
Chapter XIII: The Arcane Ritual: 241-260
Chapter XIV: The Final Rite: 261-280
Chapter XV: Artifact Theorum: 281-300

Chapter I

The gems that exist in nature have many properties, each. Depending how they cut, certain properties will manifest when you attempt any sort of enchantment to an object, to which they are attatched. Inherant properties known to each gem will be listed, and broken down, below.

Topaz

~Marked with a strong yellow color, this gem is of some value. It is fairily common and can be found behind the door near the end of the area the stinger's dwell in.

~Properties-Enchanting: This gem seems to channel and focus the patterns of thought. This is semi-common knowledge, merely hold a finely cut one in your hand, and try to think of something you've fogotten, often, you will remember it. This property surfaces the strongest when the gem is cut as a prism, and breaks apart nearby light and magical energy, the side of the prism which this broken down energy is emitted from is always faced directly into the object to which it is affixed.

~Properties-Thaumal: This gem also seems to channel sound, as marked by it's use in alchemy. It is still only theorized that it can be used to store, channel, or focus spell patterns that produce or use sound.

Ruby

~Distinct with its deep red color, and extreme rarity. This gem is very uncommon if not considered to be rare. As of now the rubies we have been supplied have come from sources within our Quellar, we do not know the location from which they originated.

~Properties-Enchanting: Thus far the gem's only known property, is in a simple flat-cut, common for the gem. This adds a property of rigidity, and a magical focus for energy. This has been observed as making it more difficult to knock the item around, or move it from it's place in the known world...which seems to carry over nicely to the wearer.

~Properties-Thaumal: It is still only theorized that the gem in a proper cut could channel fire spells through an object. We can only hope this to be true, as it would certainly increase the value of the ruby, in the use of creating arcane objects of vast destructive power.

The Tome of the Arts, Vol 2

Chapters II through IV - Gem Cuts.

- The Flat Cut -

This simple cut, requires a gem of average size. The cut flattens the gem, rounding off the corners into a square shape, with cut-off corners. The gem is positioned flat against the object, and bound into place with a iron ingot, using concentrated transmutation magic. At its base level, you meld the gem with the iron, with the object being it is being affixed to. This creates a strong, permanent bond that is unlikely to fail.

~Properties: Ruby - When a ruby is flat-cut it seems to make the object to which it is affixed harder to move on the material plane. This doesn't make it heavy, when worn, however...just harded to knock the wearer around. This odd property could easily be considered usefull by wizards and sorcerers, helping them keep their less-than-perfect, physical forms, more firmly planted in space.

- The Prism Cut -

This VERY elaborate gem cut, uses the properties of light to cut the gem such that it takes all nearby light and breaks it apart, showing the base spectrum of colors. The gem is always laid such that the spectrum of broken light faces inward towards the object the gem is affixed to. The reason this cut is so potent is that there is magic in everything, even light...and the gem in this cut seems to break apart the nearby weave, focusing it into the object, while also embedding its inherant properties in nature onto the object. This particular cut seems to harness enough magic that if enough are used in a proper array they can increase a physical attribute of the possessor.

~Properties: Topaz - When cut in this fashion, and enough are used in an array, the topaz gem can increase the ability of the possessor to think and reason. It is a very interesting observation for a moderately common gem. Wizard's of the Sorcere rejoice, as you may find this alternative to risking your strength at the enchanting pool, a very rewarding one. So far only 1 array is working that can harness the power of this gem, as it must be arranged into an array with enough of them, for this property to manifest itself.

The Tome of the Arts, Vol 3

Research notes of Keli'vant and Quar'ikar, on the subject of artifacts.

Chapters V through VII, Gem Arrays

- The Sigma Array -

This array uses 4 prism cut topaz, and 1 flat cut ruby. The object being affixed to, must have 4 sides and a top. It is theorized this array can be properly outfitted onto either a shield, staff, helmet or gauntlet. At this time it is only properly working on a staff.

The array places the 4 topaz' such that they are each facing each other, on all 4 sides of the object. This focuses a large amount of nearby magical energy into the center of the object, and also distorts this energy to the base property of the topaz gem. The ruby is affixed at the head, facing out, but straight down the center line of the object, which serves as a focus release for the energy contained within. It also makes the object slightly more stable in space. When this configuration is affixed to a staff, on both ends it will manifest greatly, allowing the possessor to easily think more clearly and making it much harder for them to lose their balance, or be pushed back when struck in combat.

As the symmetry is harder to achieve, using this array on anything but a staff, it is yet still only theory that it might work on other objects.

~Included is an elaborate diagram of how the array is affixed to a staff, using symmetry and applying the array twice, once on each end.~

- The Tetra Array -

This array has only existed as a test harness and was constructed by Bel'qualyn. The array is in the form of a perfect tetrahedron, holding diamonds at each of the vertex points. A emerald is held at the core of the object which allows energy stored in the array to be released in a controlled manner. As I do naut know the properties of diamonds or emeralds yet, beyond their alchemical uses, it is difficult to surmise if any innate traits exist in this array. The test harness used is constructed of copper wire, coated in silver and gold.

- The Planar Array -

This array has also, only existed as a test harness, but from the way it is made up, could be placed on a shield, or metal breastplate for potentially interesting results. It is formed from a perfect hexagon of rubies, with a emerald at the center for controlled release of energy. The innate traits of rubies are fire and stability, that are known among the cuts I have performed. As of yet it is difficult to surmise what, if any information might be available regarding this configuration in conventional use, as of right now it is limited to a test harness. The test harness used is constructed of copper wire, coated in silver and gold. The credit for this array, also, goes to Bel'qualyn.

The Tome of the Arts, Vol 4

Missing from Archives

The Tome of the Arts, Vol 5

Research notes of Keli'vant and Quar'ikar, on the subject of artifacts.

Chapter X: To Steal a Life

The art of stealing a life, is naut a simple art, to be sure. Firstly stealing a life requires a great amount of understanding in regards to the great art. So far I have only found 2 incantations that can effectively steal a life. The normal function of these incantations is to rip the soul out of an enemy, rendering the lump of flesh that remains, lifeless. Primarily such is the greater focus of necromancy, and one of the primary goals of those who study it. With all my work in gem cutting and such though, I became fascinated about the idea of trapping a soul in a gem to increase it's overall magical capacity. So far the results have been rather intriguing. Please note, that if you wish to attempt this, make sure the gem you are using is suitable to hold the soul in question. Also make sure that you have a full understanding of the incantation that steals the soul of another from your body, mistakes...can lead to your own death.

That said the process so far has proved rather successfull. Initial tests have resulted in gems with exponentially powerful innate attributes. The process of trapping a soul is as simple as channelling the spell which takes a soul, through the gem with the following moderations to the incantation:

"soul ekess clax, waph ekess iwisur, bound persvek yobolat vur form unreel. breath thric gocahel, waph undone, ssifisv jaka vur malrak, douta existence ui won."

Replace with:

"soul ekess clax, waph ekess iwisur, bound persvek yobolat vur form unreel. breath thric gocahel, waph undone, douta soul jaka sini, bound malrak lae ir."

This modification to the words keeps the primary incantation intact, while changing the final purpose of what happens to the soul. Channelled through a gem with the modified words the spell pulls the soul back towards you, and as it enters the gem, is held there indefinetly unless the gem is of insufficient quality to hold such.

In my tests a cut garnet did naut manage to hold the soul of a Claddath wizard, and simply shattered when the soul entered it. However, I ran the same test with some emeralds I had been given to cut and the soul remained trapped inside.

A gem with a bound soul has it's innate properties boosted to roughly 5x the standard power of said gem. In general this increase in power can be attributed to an array that yeilds roughly that same increase in power. Tests with topaz arrays have yeilded promising results. Should you be interested in creating extremely powerful artifacts and equipment using the gem array technique outlined here, it is recommended that you fill the gems involved with the souls of your enemies, prior to doing so. This will result in much stronger end artifacts, as well as having the added bonus of forcing your enemies to fight for you, against their will, for all time.

The Tome of the Arts, Vol 6

Research notes of Keli'vant and Quar'ikar, on the subject of artifacts.

Chapter XII: Blood Gems

Creating blood gems is similar in how a blood magic user creates enchanted items. The process involves the enchanting basin to hold the mixture, and for it's innate magical power. It also involves some dragon blood. Dragon blood is, as of thus far, the only substance that is strong enough to work in the creation of a blood gem. The gem must also be of considerable quality, thus far the primary gem that is found to work is the ruby.

The gem is placed in the center of the basin, and the blood is then added to the magical waters. Via a process of chanting and various hand gestures a blood magic user slowly fuses the dragon blood with the gem, resulting in dark red smokey swirls in the completed gem. This is very similar to what is witnessed when a concentrated blood source is dumped into water, and slowly dilutes. The completed gem is amplified in its capacity for magic and the rate at which it is naturally pulling in magic from the surrounding area.

The creation of these gems is so far only attemptable by Keryx, our blood magic user. Due to recent actions on his part though I have ceased any research related to blood gems and their uses, perhaps a Draa'ka Faern will continue where I've left off.

The Tome of the Arts, Vol 7

Research notes of Keli'vant and Quar'ikar, on the subject of artifacts.

Chapter XIII, Rituals.

- Ritual of Power -

A ritual of power involves 7 glass prisms, 3 rubies, and 3 greater catalysts. For the ritual observed/participated in, 6 prisms are laid out, evenly, forming a circle. The rubies and catalysists are placed within the circle in alternating triangle formations, forming a larger triangle. 3 mages stand at adjascent corners of the glass and gem focusing array, and channel magical power into it. This power can be used to heighten the innate powers of any mage present and is focused to one such task. The last piece of the array was a glass-cut prism, placed at the center, where the energy of the ritual is focused. For the purpose of creating artifacts, I fully believe a gem that you wish to store energy within, alter, or even, potentially fuse with other gems, could be placed in the center of the array and the channeling of the primary mage...to this purpose.

Obviously this will need to be tested, but the effects of such...could prove most useful.