Appearance of the Item: The Gem of Verdant Fields is a palm-sized emerald gemstone set within an ornate bronze casing that features engravings of agricultural patterns—ears of wheat, fruits, and vines. When inactive, the gem glows faintly; when activated, it radiates a lush green light, illuminating the symbols etched onto its surface.
Appearance of the Minion: The minion summoned by this gem appears as an earth elemental-like figure, humanoid but composed of fertile soil and plant matter. Its body seems to sprout tiny leaves, grains, and even small fruits. Its eyes glow the same lush green as the gem from which it was summoned.
Stat Modifiers:
- Strength: +2
- Dexterity: +1
- Constitution: +3
- Intelligence: +0
- Wisdom: +2
- Charisma: +0
Skills:
- Agriculture: +5
- Nature: +4
- Survival: +3
Size: Medium
Speed: 30 feet
Armor: Natural Armor (AC equivalent to summoner’s AC)
Gear:
- A pouch containing seeds of various magical plants
- A small, enchanted plowshare capable of tilling magical soils
Weapons: A scythe imbued with nature magic
Tools: Druidic focus for spellcasting
Tags: Elemental, Earth, Agriculture, Summoned
Behavior: The minion acts autonomously, showing a strong inclination towards actions that promote agricultural development and soil fertility. During combat, it prefers to use its abilities to boost crop yields and create barriers of thorny plants. It communicates with its summoner through simple telepathy.
Magics They Can Use:
- Plant Growth: Enriches an area of soil, ensuring plants grow faster and more plentifully.
- Thorn Whip: Summons a whip of thorns to attack enemies or pull them closer.
- Goodberry: Creates magical berries capable of healing.
- Entangle: Causes plants in an area to ensnare enemies, making it difficult for them to move.
Roleplay Emphasis on Agronomy: The minion summoned from the Gem of Verdant Fields is acutely tuned to the land’s needs. It possesses innate knowledge of crop rotations, soil fertility, and pest control. When not engaged in combat, it takes the initiative to till the earth, sow seeds, and even provide insights into more sustainable farming practices. Its temporary nature means that avatars summoning it often do so to quickly revitalize barren lands or enhance existing farms, making it a revered figure among agrarian communities. Its sudden but impactful presence often leads to ethical discussions among summoners: does the minion long to return to its realm where it might serve a more lasting agricultural purpose, or is its destiny fulfilled by its ephemeral yet impactful existence in Saṃsāra?
Perception of Activation:
- Sight:
- What’s Perceived: A vivid green glow emanates from the Gem of Verdant Fields.
- Description: The gem’s inherent soft luminescence intensifies to a brighter hue, casting an almost ethereal light on the immediate area.
- Positives: The brightness helps to illuminate dark spaces and signals that the item is functioning correctly.
- Negatives: The bright light might potentially give away the summoner’s position in situations requiring stealth.
- Sound:
- What’s Perceived: A faint rustling akin to leaves in the wind.
- Description: The sound begins softly but grows gradually, mimicking the natural sounds of a healthy, wind-swept field.
- Positives: The sound can be calming and provides auditory confirmation of activation.
- Negatives: In quiet environments, the noise might be a distraction or give away one’s location.
- Smell:
- What’s Perceived: The scent of fresh earth and blooming flora.
- Description: The aroma fills the air, invigorating those who breathe it in.
- Positives: The scent can be uplifting and rejuvenating, possibly providing minor morale boosts.
- Negatives: For those sensitive to strong smells, this could be overpowering or induce allergies.
- Taste:
- What’s Perceived: A subtle taste of clean air and greenery.
- Description: The taste isn’t direct but filters through the air, a flavor caught on the tongue unexpectedly.
- Positives: Enhances the overall immersive experience of the summoning, grounding the summoner in the moment.
- Negatives: Those not accustomed to the taste might find it unusual or distracting.
- Touch:
- What’s Perceived: A slight humidity in the air and a warmth emanating from the gem.
- Description: The environment feels slightly more humid, and the gem itself emits a comfortable warmth.
- Positives: The warmth can be comforting, and the increased humidity might be beneficial in arid environments.
- Negatives: In already humid or hot conditions, this might exacerbate discomfort.
- Extra-Sensory Perceptions:
- Empathic Sensation:
- What’s Perceived: A feeling of benevolence and a connection to nature.
- Description: A warm emotional embrace, as if the Earth itself is acknowledging the summoner.
- Positives: Increases the summoner’s sense of connection and belonging to the natural world, which may enhance their focus or emotional state.
- Negatives: The sensation could be overwhelming or momentarily distracting, affecting the summoner’s immediate attention to other matters.
- Magical Resonance:
- What’s Perceived: A palpable flux in the ambient magical energy.
- Description: The ebb and flow of nearby magical currents shift noticeably, orienting themselves towards the gem.
- Positives: Provides magical practitioners with a sense that the item is potently magical and successfully activated.
- Negatives: This fluctuation could attract the attention of other magical beings or entities sensitive to such changes.
- Empathic Sensation:
Crafting Recipe: Gem of Verdant Fields
- Materials Needed:
- High-quality Quartz Crystal (at least 3 inches in diameter)
- Vial of Elemental Earth Essence
- Vial of Elemental Water Essence
- Organic Plant Material (leaves, petals, or roots of magically potent flora)
- Enchanted Silver Wire (10 feet)
- Essence of Sunlight (captured in a sealed glass jar)
- Verdant Dew (collected from a healthy meadow at dawn)
- Tools Required:
- Enchanter’s Workbench
- Gem Cutter’s Tools
- Alchemist’s Tools
- Silver Smithing Kit
- Arcane Focusing Lens
- Leather Gloves imbued with magic resistance
- Elemental Forceps (for handling elemental essences)
- Skill Requirements:
- Gem Cutting and Engraving – Advanced Level
- Elemental Magic Manipulation – Intermediate Level
- Alchemical Potion Making – Basic Level
- Silver Smithing – Basic Level
- Arcane Lore – Intermediate Level
- Crafting Steps:
- Initial Engraving:
- Use the Gem Cutter’s Tools to delicately engrave arcane sigils on the high-quality Quartz Crystal. The sigils should be designed to channel elemental and plant energies.
- Elemental Infusion:
- Place the engraved Quartz Crystal on the Enchanter’s Workbench.
- Open vials of Elemental Earth and Water Essences.
- Using Elemental Forceps, carefully add drops of both elemental essences onto the engraved sigils.
- Use the Arcane Focusing Lens to channel the energies into the gem.
- Alchemical Concoction:
- Mix the Organic Plant Material, Essence of Sunlight, and Verdant Dew in a small alchemical beaker.
- Use Alchemist’s Tools to brew this mixture until it forms a cohesive liquid essence.
- Plant Essence Infusion:
- Slowly pour the alchemical concoction over the Quartz Crystal while chanting the incantation of growth and vitality.
- Use the Arcane Focusing Lens once again to ensure the essence binds to the gem.
- Silver Wire Wrapping:
- Cut lengths of Enchanted Silver Wire using the Silver Smithing Kit.
- Delicately wrap the wire around the Quartz Crystal, making sure not to disrupt any of the engraved sigils.
- As you wrap, chant the sealing spell to entwine the magical properties into the wire.
- Finalization and Testing:
- Once the wrapping is complete, place the item under the Arcane Focusing Lens and channel a finalizing spell to lock all the enchantments in place.
- Test the gem by attempting a minor summoning. If successful, the item is ready for use.
- Initial Engraving:
By adhering to these steps, crafters ensure that the Gem of Verdant Fields retains all its intended magical properties, enabling summoners to tap into the arcane practice of Minion Magic effectively.
Tale of Verdant Gem
Bringer of Leaf-Servants
Long ago, when skies still spoke and ground beneath breathed, wise mage Eltherion dream awake of minion potent. In dream-vision, elements danced and bowed—earth mingled water, and green life burst forth. Awakened, Eltherion sought wisdom fragments to make vision true.
Many moon cycles passed. At edge of Forgotten Forest, Eltherion find Crystal of Sight, and trembling, engraved sigils older than old—words which no mouth dare speak. Fire’s spirit and water’s essence he mingled, spell-chanting under midnight star canopy. Into this, elixir of blooming leaf and morning dew infused.
With ancient rituals long hidden, bound this power in silver spiral, humming chant of unity and force. Final act done, Gem of Verdant Fields came to life-being. Air quivered, and from gem arose minion, a leaf-warrior—mirror reflection of Eltherion’s own might. United, they battled dark foes, retrieved lost relics, and prospered lands barren.
Word of magical gem spread. Many seek Eltherion, beg for minions own to conquer and gain. Mage sighed. He knew perils of power unchecked, life-forces of realms beyond stretched and torn. Finality decision made, Eltherion deep hid gem in heart of everchanging maze, guarded by leaf-warrior, loyal still.
He took quill, wrote final entry in journal torn and faded: “The gem sleeps, as should all powers without knowing-hand to wield.” Then, disappearing was he, fading into scrolls of forgotten lore, leaving only whispers and cautions.
Moral of Tale: The gem not makes the mage; wisdom governs power. With great might, comes duty heavy to realms seen and unseen.
Suggested conversion to other systems:
Call of Cthulhu
Verdant Gem
- Type: Artifact
- Sanity Loss: 1D4/1D10
- Activates: On an Occult roll of 75 or higher
- Effects: Summons a leaf-warrior with HP equal to the caster’s. Lasts 3 rounds.
Dungeons & Dragons 5e
Verdant Gem
- Wondrous item, Legendary (requires attunement by a spellcaster)
- Properties: Once per long rest, as an action, summon a leaf-warrior.
- Leaf-Warrior: AC = yours, HP = yours, same stats as you. Duration: 3 rounds.
Knave
Verdant Gem
- Type: Unique
- Requirements: Must be a spellcaster
- Use: Once per day, summon a leaf-warrior with stats mirroring yours. Lasts 3 turns.
Numenera & Cypher System
Verdant Gem
- Type: Artifact
- Level: 1D6
- Effect: Summons a leaf-warrior with health equal to yours. Duration: 3 rounds.
Pathfinder 2e
Verdant Gem
- Artifact, Wondrous Item
- Activate: Once per day
- Effect: Summons a leaf-warrior with same AC and HP as yours for 3 rounds.
Savage Worlds
Verdant Gem
- Type: Arcane Item
- Activation: Requires an Occult roll
- Effect: Summons a leaf-warrior with Toughness equal to yours for 3 rounds.
Shadowrun
Verdant Gem
- Type: Foci
- Force: 6
- Activation: Requires 6 Magic points
- Effect: Summons a leaf-warrior with Body and Armor stats equal to yours for 3 rounds.
Starfinder
Verdant Gem
- Type: Mystical Item
- Use: Once per day
- Effect: Summons a leaf-warrior with AC and HP equal to yours for 3 rounds.
Warhammer Fantasy
Verdant Gem
- Type: Arcane Item
- Properties: Requires a successful casting roll.
- Effect: Summons a leaf-warrior with Wounds equal to yours for 3 turns.