Augment Crystals

A category of uncommon but easily produced minor magic items, these are sometimes called Gleams, Boonstones (due to their similarity to crystallized Boons), and Spellstones. Normally crafted from precious and semiprecious stones or precious metals and imbued with magic, they are capable of being attached to and removed from items (and even living creatures) with ease, shifting their magical properties from one object to the next. They are strongly associated with the magical traditions of Atlantis, Arima, Ys, Blåkulla, Scholomance, Fantasia, and the Men of the Third Age, but can be found in older ruins as well, with some individuals learning how to replicate them in the modern era outside of the aforementioned cultures. Dwarves in particular are likely to have recovered this art. They also sometimes appear as Hoardgild, especially when generated directly from Monsters that wield magical items.

Modern designs sometimes consist of Beast materials such as bezoars, fangs, claws, bones, desiccated hearts, and petrified eyes.

## Function

Augment Crystals function as movable Enchantments. While not normally as potent as conventional Enchantments, they are often comparable to, and frequently emulate the effects of, Ioun Stones, rechargeable Potions or Scrolls, alchemical treatments and weapon and armor modifications, and layered Minor Enchantments. Their main advantages lie in the relatively ease and low cost of their creation and their movable nature; Augment Crystals can be attached to a suitable object merely by pressing them together and wishing for them to combine. This allows the Crystal to impart its special properties to the bound item. When that is no longer desirable, the Crystal can be removed by the possessor of the item by simply willing it to. As with most Enchantments, they can similarly be willed not to function while still remaining attached.

While attached such Crystals tend to modify the appearance of the connected item in ways that can make identifying the Crystal possible, though difficult. They often take on the appearance of fitted jewels and other embellishments.

## Creation

Augment Crystals are usually created through lapidary, silversmithing, and goldsmithing and infused with Spells and Elementite or Occultite. In some cases, these latter materials are actually the primary component. The Spells normally used in the creation of Augment Crystals are usually simpler in nature than those used in other works, though more advanced Crystals may contain layered enchantments that only fully reveal themselves when certain conditions are met.

The most distinguishing characteristic of Augment Crystals is that they must be tailored to bestow their effects on an *object* rather than a person, which can be challenging for many craftsmen to grasp initially, as it's contrary to the philosophy at work behind most artifice; the tool serves the wielder. In this case, the tool serves another tool, and in this case must merge with and adorn the work.

### As Hoardgild

Augment Crystals sometimes manifest as Hoardgild and Lairyield, especially in Dungeons and Lairs that have large quantities of Elementite or Occultite, or from vanquished Monsters who wield magical weapons or armor, or other enchanted items. Such Crystals sometimes tend to visibly reflect their sources in terms of composition and appearance.

## Mythic Augment Crystals

As with most magical items, Augment Crystals can acquire a spark of the Divine. Such items often carry Divine Blessings or far more potent Enchantments, akin to those that are normally crafted directly into items.

## Legacy Augment Crystals

Augment Crystals can be crafted from pieces of Legacy Items or infused with some of their power during creation, or even made with a bit of Legacy Mana of their own. The exact process varies, but such Crystals are fabulously valuable, regardless of production method as they can allow ordinary people to grasp a bit of a legend's power.

## Superstitions, Beliefs, and Regional Variations

Ys's cultural beliefs in regards to these stones hold that they are a suitable way of proposing marriage to one's lover, and that giving such items as gifts can connect two souls and bring them together through fate. This has led to a cultural practice of lovelorn individuals, lonely singles, and adventurous lovers tossing such Crystals into the city's many fountains in the hopes that fate will lead their true love to pick it up. Societies that trade with Ys sometimes adopt this view, especially those with many Monsters, often adopt this romantic notion.

Augment Crystals created in Fantasia tend to resemble confections and candies, small bottles, card suits, and game pieces.