Minion 988 Pendant of the Ancient Appraiser

Minion #988 is summoned through the “Pendant of the Ancient Appraiser”, a worn item with a fascinating backstory and unique capabilities. This pendant is crafted from a rare, luminescent gem encased in a fine, silver filigree setting, hanging from a chain of intertwined silver and gold. The gem at its center pulses with a soft light, indicating its readiness to summon. When activated, Minion #988, known as the “Ethereal Appraiser”, emerges from the pendant. This minion appears as a scholarly figure, adorned in robes that shimmer with an ethereal quality, carrying a tome and a set of scales, symbols of its expertise in appraisal and valuation.

(Differences are made by the crafter for each pendant, two examples of the pendant are shown below.)

Stat Modifiers: Mirrors the summoner’s stats, adjusted for an emphasis on Intelligence and Wisdom, reflecting its appraisal skills.

Skills: Expertise in Appraisal, History, and Arcana, enabling it to assess the value and magical properties of items with unparalleled accuracy.

Size: Medium, to facilitate interaction with the environment and items of interest.

Speed: 30 feet per round, capable of swiftly moving to inspect items or locations.

Armor: Ethereal robes serve as its armor, providing protection through magical means rather than physical bulk.

Gear and Weapons: Carries a magical magnifying glass and a set of ancient coins used as reference in appraisals.

Tools: Includes an enchanted tome that contains the lore and details of countless items and artifacts, along with a set of scales for measuring the balance of magical energies.

Tags: Scholar, Magical Appraiser, Lorekeeper

Behavior: Minion #988 conducts itself with a dignified air, focusing on its tasks with a calm and methodical approach. It communicates with its summoner through a telepathic link, providing insights and advice on the value and magical properties of items encountered.

Magics: Can cast spells related to detecting magic, identifying items, and temporarily enhancing the perceived value of objects. It can also use minor illusion spells to highlight or conceal features of items during appraisal.

Roleplay Emphasis on Appraisal: The summoning of Minion #988 offers a rich vein of role-playing opportunities, especially in scenarios involving the discovery, acquisition, and valuation of magical items and artifacts. The Ethereal Appraiser not only serves as a tool for assessing the worth and properties of these items but also introduces ethical dilemmas related to their use, ownership, and potential exploitation. Summoners are encouraged to explore the implications of uncovering powerful artifacts, the responsibilities that come with such knowledge, and the moral questions posed by the desire for wealth and power. Through interactions with Minion #988, avatars can delve into stories of lost civilizations, cursed items, and the true value of knowledge and history, all while navigating the complexities of Saṃsāra’s high magic realms.

Perception of Activation:

Sight: Upon activation, the luminescent gem at the heart of the Pendant of the Ancient Appraiser bursts into a radiant glow, casting prismatic light across the surroundings. The filigree setting and intertwined chain shimmer with a spectral sheen, hinting at the awakening of ancient magic. The air around the pendant seems to shimmer, momentarily revealing glimpses of a realm beyond the mortal ken.
Sound: A faint, harmonious ringing fills the air, akin to the sound of wind chimes made from crystalline material. This melody is both soothing and enigmatic, suggesting the unlocking of hidden knowledge and the bridging of worlds.
Smell: The activation releases a subtle fragrance reminiscent of ancient scrolls and ink, a sensory bridge to the world of knowledge and appraisal the minion represents. This aroma evokes a sense of timelessness and wisdom.
Taste: A metallic tang briefly touches the tongue, akin to the sensation of touching an old coin. It’s a fleeting reminder of the minion’s domain over appraisal and value, connecting the summoner to the history and worth of countless artifacts.
Touch: A gentle vibration emanates from the pendant, spreading through the summoner’s body like a whisper of ancient secrets being shared. The sensation is invigorating, hinting at the power now at the summoner’s command.
Extra-Sensory Perceptions:
- Temporal Echoes: The summoner experiences brief flashes of the past and potential futures, a disorienting but enlightening glimpse into the flow of time and the history of countless artifacts. This can inspire a deeper understanding of the objects around them but may also leave them momentarily lost in the streams of what was and what might be.
- Magical Resonance: A deep connection is formed with the fabric of magic itself, allowing the summoner to sense the latent magical energies in their surroundings. This can reveal hidden enchantments or magical properties of objects but can be overwhelming, as the world is suddenly seen in a new, more complex light.
- Emotional Imprints: The activation allows the summoner to briefly feel the emotions imbued in objects by their previous owners, offering insights into their histories and values. While this can deepen the appreciation for these items, it may also burden the summoner with the weight of past sorrows and joys.
Positives:
- Enhanced sensory and extra-sensory perceptions enrich the summoning experience, offering a deeper connection to the summoned minion and the items it appraises.
- The activation process strengthens the summoner’s ties to both the magical and material worlds, expanding their understanding and capabilities.
Negatives:
- The sensory overload can be disorienting, requiring time for the summoner to adjust and interpret the flood of information.
- Emotional and temporal echoes may distract or unsettle the summoner, impacting their focus and emotional state.

The activation of the Pendant of the Ancient Appraiser is an immersive experience, weaving together the tangible and intangible to bridge the gap between worlds. It’s a testament to the power and mystery of Minion Magic, offering both profound insights and challenging burdens.

Crafting the Pendant of the Ancient Appraiser

Materials Needed:
- Luminescent Gem: A rare gem that naturally glows, found only in the deepest caverns of the Echoing Depths.
- Silver Filigree: Fine silver strands for crafting the pendant’s delicate setting.
- Gold Chain: High-quality gold, to be woven into an intertwined chain for the pendant.
- Ethereal Ink: A magical ink used for inscribing runes on the gem and filigree, harvested from the ink sacs of a moon squid.
- Wisdom Essence: A drop of essence that embodies wisdom, collected from the Pool of Ancient Knowledge.
Tools Required:
- Jeweler’s Toolkit: For crafting and manipulating the silver filigree and setting the gem.
- Enchanter’s Wand: A tool for channeling magical energies during the enchantment process.
- Runescribing Pen: A specialized pen for applying ethereal ink with precision.
Skill Requirements:
- Expert Jeweler: To intricately weave the silver filigree and gold chain, and to set the luminescent gem without damaging its properties.
- Advanced Enchantment: Knowledge in magical theory and enchantment to imbue the pendant with its summoning abilities.
- Runecraft: The ability to inscribe potent runes that will activate the pendant’s magic.
Crafting Steps:
- Prepare the Luminescent Gem: Cleanse the gem in moonlit water to enhance its natural glow and magical conductivity.
- Craft the Silver Filigree Setting: Using the jeweler’s toolkit, shape the fine silver strands into a delicate setting that will hold the luminescent gem. The design should allow the gem to be visible from all angles to maximize its glowing effect.
- Inscribe Runes: Dip the runescribing pen into the ethereal ink and carefully inscribe runes of summoning and appraisal onto the silver filigree and the surface of the gem. These runes are essential for linking the pendant to the realm of the Ethereal Appraiser.
- Set the Gem: Carefully place the luminescent gem into the filigree setting, ensuring the runes align perfectly to create a seamless flow of magical energy.
- Forge the Gold Chain: Melt and weave the gold into an intertwined chain that symbolizes the blending of knowledge and power. Attach the chain to the filigree setting, ensuring it is secure and balanced.
- Apply Wisdom Essence: With the Enchanter’s Wand, apply a single drop of Wisdom Essence to the gem, activating the inscribed runes and binding the pendant’s magic.
- Final Enchantment: Channel magical energies through the Enchanter’s Wand, focusing on the pendant. Recite the ancient incantations of summoning and appraisal to imbue the pendant with its purpose. The gem should pulse brightly, signifying the enchantment’s success.
- Cleansing and Consecration: Place the completed pendant under the light of a full moon to cleanse and consecrate it, ensuring that it is ready to summon the Ethereal Appraiser.

The crafting of the Pendant of the Ancient Appraiser is a meticulous process that requires both skill and understanding of the arcane. Once completed, the pendant serves as a powerful tool for those who wish to delve into the mysteries of appraisal and valuation, bridging the realms with the wisdom of the ages.

Chronicle of the Pendant’s Awakening

In epochs veiled by the mists of oblivion, within the heart of the cosmos, thrived an assembly of sages, the Custodians of the Veiled Court. These beings, enlightened beyond mortal comprehension, held dominion over the secrets that stitch the fabric of reality. Among their number, one sage, known only as the Weaver of Echoes, conceived an artifact of immeasurable discernment—the Pendant of the Ancient Appraiser.

Crafted from the tears of time and the whispers of the stars, the pendant bore the essence of the cosmos’s mysteries. It was said that the luminescent gem at its core pulsed with the light of forgotten suns, and its silver filigree was woven from the threads of destiny itself.

The Weaver, in their unparalleled wisdom, sought to bestow upon the realms a bridge to understanding the true value of things unseen and stories untold. Thus, the pendant was imbued with the power to summon forth the Ethereal Appraiser, a being of pure insight, tasked with revealing the worth of the world’s wonders and woes.

However, as with all powers of such magnitude, the pendant’s gift was not without peril. In its light, kingdoms rose and fell, fortunes were made and lost, and many a soul was led astray by the allure of knowledge meant only for the worthy.

As the ages turned, the tale of the pendant and its creator became shrouded in legend, a whisper of a whisper, echoing through the corridors of time. Yet, those who have felt its weight upon their breast speak of a wisdom profound, a clarity that pierces the veil of desire and deceit.

Moral of the Story: The Chronicle of the Pendant’s Awakening teaches that true value lies not in gold or glory but in the wisdom to discern the essence of things. It reminds us that the pursuit of knowledge and understanding is a journey fraught with challenges, yet it is through this quest that we may uncover the most profound truths of our existence. Let the wearer of the pendant beware: for with great insight comes the responsibility to use it wisely, lest they be consumed by the very secrets they seek to unravel.

Partial conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)