Closed:The Red Gem, aka Heart of the Spirit Neima

Fizzgig

(Ethel attached her correspondence with Miel Shepard to this file)

Result of Experiment #1 pending
Any news of more gems of similar nature must be recorded
Mr Mirl Shepard may be in danger, it is best to keep an close eye on him
The Red Gem may be evil

E.C. Blythe

Fizzgig

This gem is related to the recent goblin activity along East Way, further references to Mr Miel Shepard's work to protect those wandering there can be found on this public bulletin.

E.C. Blythe

Fizzgig

Threats have been made against Mr Shepard, by parties who desire to abuse the gem for greed and wicked deeds. This is very troubling, but I hope we can ensure Mr Shepard's safety.

E.C. Blythe

Fizzgig

After various experiments, I have come to the following conclusions:

The gem isn't of evil nature, it can be of pure nature if the owner's heart is of pure intent
Should one abuse the gem for more power than a mortal can hold, it will overwhelm the owner, causing them a gruesome death
The gem is easily discharged with ward essence, meaning it can be discharged with ease
Its origin is currently unknown, unclear, and its uncertain what its original purpose was
The item seem heavily dependent on the spirit of the owner, but at the same time abuse leads to certain death, perhaps it was created with a failsafe system, to ensure it wasn't used for evil?
To ensure the magic of the gem wasn't running wild, it has been channeled into a ring which Mr Shepard now wears, the magic and essence reflects Mr Shepard's heart, which is pure and warding. As long as Mr Shepard remains of good heart, the gem will reflect such too.
The gem can be charged by various means, the most common organic material such as hair, blood, and flesh. Not very different from binding arcane rituals, or even the divine ones, where you put your heart out to prove your dedication.
Whilst its magic is necromantic, it doesn't seem to be of undeath, infernal, or other vile natures. Necromantic spells such as death ward, and death armor are defensive spells, something which the gem has proven to be positively responding to.

Summary:
Fueled by the heart of its owner, with those of evil eventually dying from overcharge, whilst those of good can wield it without issue or major side effects so far. Appears to be heavily linked to nature, the druids were able to sense the gem, and Mr Shepard's good intent. His dedication to the cause, elevated him to a member of the Wild Walkers, despite not being a druid.

Remaining questions:

What does someone of divine ability see when observing the gem?
Where does the gem hail from?
What was its original purpose?
Can the gem be used to protect innocent, such as the inhabitants of Bospir?
Can other seemingly evil objects, or curses, be reborn from evil to good?

The ring bears my sigil, for easy identification, should anything happen to it. The majority of my research notes are stored in the Gatha archives, can be shared with the approval of Mr Shepard who is the owner of the artifact.

E.C. Blythe

Cadiz

So to summarise you have done wild and reckless experimentation on a known necromantic artefact without actually gaining guidance form the council?

Once we move past that glaring oversight, your conclusions are not backed by anything other than your word which to be frank carries little weight as a loremaster so far as i am aware. I have seen your planned testing summary but what you actually did and how you drew your conclusions would be far more useful to the council in its assessment of the threat provided by this so called "red gem".

We await a more detailed report.

Dawnbrother Aland

Fizzgig

If you were interested in the subject, why didn't you let me know? A comment would had been wonderful, so I could had shared my theories with you from the start! I cannot read minds, so if you have an opinion its better just to state them than to complain days later.

Either way, lets not cry over spilt milk. Mr Shepard has already informed me he has sought yours and House of the Morning's aid to review the artifact, I didn't want to speak for you, yet since you failed to note this down I just wanted to ensure the records were clear.

Looking forward to working with you!

E.C. Blythe

SadGruffman

How curious!

I would be happy to assist with further experimentation, unfortunate that our Eveningstar friends care little for exploring such a fascinating magical trinket!

Perhaps we can see how it interacts with other, more ancient magical artifacts of the Hullack and Oasis?

This of course, would be a joint operation of the Ravens and your own organization, the Gratha of Arabel.

-J. Rawen

Cadiz

@fizzgig
E.C. Blythe,

Do not lecture me on not expressing an interest in this matter.

When i raised an interest in the ring you did all you could to hide all activity from me when we were in Bospir.

Because of that i made advances to Miel to offer the advice of the temple should he desire it, no experiements were performed and no coercion was made. The offer stands with the wildsman to accept or not as he pleases.

Dawnbrother Aland

Fizzgig

Maybe we got things off the wrong foot, I'm terrible at hiding anything and rarely ever try. However, I can get distracted! Why don't we sit down together and talk about this? Assumptions won't do us any good.

E. C. Blythe

Fizzgig

Could anyone give me a rough report on the Malarites of the Hullack Forest? I came across one of them some time ago, and I am starting to feel there are some links with them and this gem.

E.C. Blythe

Fizzgig

Apologies for my absence these last few days, I have felt drained and physically weakened since Miel gifted me with my red gem ring. I am currently seeking advise from someone with knowledge within divine spellcasting and health, since I am lacking in those two subjects. It would be wise to take it off my person, however I do not wish to end the experiment until the effects are fully understood.

E.C. Blythe

Gloomy_Sunday

As the leading authority of arcane research in the city I would request that the Precept, or at the very least the sitting Precept representative be given access to this gem.

I do not believe I am stretching the remit of the Precept Arcanum in making this request.

Representative Elias Goldsmith

Fizzgig

What would this access exactly entail, what is the Precepts expectations should access be granted?
Does the Precept consider the dangers of the item, and if so what?
Why is the Precept claiming authority of all arcane research in the city, when merely requesting to access a gem?
Considering the Precept lack of educational structure of more traditional arcane aspects, what would the Precept do during their temporary access?

Does the Precept and a theory, hypothesis, or some ideas behind the vague request?

E.C. Blythe

Gloomy_Sunday

@fizzgig said in The Red Gem:

What would this access exactly entail, what is the Precepts expectations should access be granted?
Does the Precept consider the dangers of the item, and if so what?
Why is the Precept claiming authority of all arcane research in the city, when merely requesting to access a gem?
Considering the Precept lack of educational structure of more traditional arcane aspects, what would the Precept do during their temporary access?

Does the Precept and a theory, hypothesis, or some ideas behind the vague request?

E.C. Blythe

I will address this line by line.

Access entails me holding the thing, surround me with armed men if you wish.
We will consider the item dangerous once we have ascertained whether it is dangerous, rather than from the second hand accounts from those who lack the gift of the arcane within their very veins.
I could explain what the precept would do, but I doubt someone who reads about spells rather than having them coursing through their very being, would understand.
As to the theory and hypothesis, I theorise that it will be better to come up with a hypothesis after looking at the damn thing.

Your point to us being the authority over magic is something others have argued about, but since your intention according to wildwalker Miel, is to destroy it, directing the wrath of the church of the Lady of Mysteries upon the council, I doubt very much such authority should be in the hands of yourself.

Councilor Elias Goldcrown

Crimson_King

The Greywatch continue their stance that the ring is to be protected, any unlawful attempts or subversion of the protections will be met with appropriate force.

Just a reminder.

-Brutus

P.S

The last creature with magical ability to touch the ring turned into a meat salad.

Fizzgig

Some minor complications occurred yesterday, with the gem almost consuming all my life essence. For now, it has stabilized and I am in good spirit, however the task to destroy the artifact has become more important than previously expected. Thanks to my trusted allies, myself and the artifact are in good hands.

For the time being, I would give myself roughly a week before all my essence subsumes with the ring. Luckily we came across a very skilled Tymoran priestess, who was able to review the ring and come to some new conclusions. Including that the ring now have some transmutation properties, which were not there before. Misa has written up a plan how to destroy the artifact, without myself being killed in the process. I will share more details once the plan has been refined.

E.C. Blythe

SadGruffman

I believe I speak for all eventual meat-salads when I commend Councilor Blythe in her tribulations in attempting to solve this pickle for us, though it does worry me that her personal safety appears to be in question.

I suggest each member of Tilverton, the House of Morning, the Precept, and the Greywatch provide a senior member to offer their life and protection of Ms. Blythe.

This ensures three things - culpability in the face of negligence, and insurance in the face of conspiracy, and most importantly, the protection of our weakened councilor.

In addition to protections, I would recommend a priest provide protective blessings to Councilor Blythe, this can be arranged by her preferred faith.

The member I put forward for the Ravens is Pierre, a good and loyal crow who knows how to fight. This member of the Ravens would be tasked with security of the councilor when she is walking beyond Arabels walls.

J. Rawen

Gloomy_Sunday

I would put myself forward for this but I have extreme reservations with the manner this is all being carried out in. I have no confidence that the councillor, or the savages she entrusted our fate to, can achieve anything constructive by destroying this gem.

I would propose scion Viktoria from the precept to aid the councillor, and hope she can convince her of the error of her ways.

Councillor Elias Goldcrown

SadGruffman

Councilor Goldcrown,

Let me get this straight Councilor, you have no confidence in your fellow councilor, nor your own abilities to keep them safe, nor in the judgement of this council regarding its allies, the Wild Walkers, who have done nothing but show us good faith and friendship in this endeavor.

What exactly are you doing in that seat of yours?

And if Scion Viktoria is a better fit, should we perhaps request her clearer head be heard instead?

I am all for friends and allies aiding us regarding the gem, and I trust the councils decision in carrying this task to the bitter end. I see no reason that Viktoria could not aid Councilor Blythe in inspecting the gem, and were it proposed to the council and not shouted over various sendings, I would be the first to issue my vote in agreement.

-J. Rawen

Crimson_King

Who you calling a savage, ain't my fault your too short to sit at the table with the adults. As for letting sorcerers poke at magical artifacts, that's as bad as asking me to do it.

How "trained" are these blokes in handling anything magical outside of wishing for it to happen and being granted it. Least a wizard read the damn books.

-Brutus