by GVDammerung
This article will look at notable gems and jewels in the
Flanaess. Part of the romance of history are the accouterments of
power and prestige, that while playing no great part in the pageant of events
themselves, yet become associated with historic times, places and persons. King Edward's
sapphire. The Black Prince's ruby.
Mazarin's
diamonds. The Crown Jewels of England
and of France. Precious and
semi-precious gems have frequently been symbols of power and prestige. The destruction of the English Crown Jewels
by Cromwell during the English Commonwealth and Protectorate periods and the
theft of the French Crown Jewels during the Revolution, these were minor but
deeply symbolic events. The loss of
these symbols of monarchy resonated beyond the mere value of the jewels
themselves. Of course, the value of gems
and jewelry has been not inconsiderable at times and the hocking or pawning of ancestral jewels or
of crown jewels has financed more than one army. Presented for your use -the glittering stones of the Flanaess.
Famous Gems and
Jewels of the Flanaess
by Glenn Vincent Dammerung
aka GVDammerung@yahoo.com
Part of the romance of history are the accouterments of
power and prestige, that while playing no great part in the pageant of events
themselves, yet become associated with historic times, places and persons. King Edward's
sapphire. The Black Prince's ruby.
Mazarin's
diamonds. The Crown Jewels of England
and of France. Precious and
semi-precious gems have frequently been symbols of power and prestige. The destruction of the English Crown Jewels
by Cromwell during the English Commonwealth and Protectorate periods and the
theft of the French Crown Jewels during the Revolution, these were minor but
deeply symbolic events. The loss of
these symbols of monarchy resonated beyond the mere value of the jewels
themselves. Of course, the value of gems
and jewelry has been not inconsiderable at times. The hocking or pawning of ancestral jewels or
of crown jewels has financed more than one army.
This article will look at notable gems and jewels in the
Flanaess. The vast majority of these
pieces will be deemed "lost" under the circumstances
described. This is intended to allow a
DM to most easily place these stones where they may be discovered in a treasure
horde, recovered by an enterprising party or stolen in the first place, if the
DM would wish to have the jewels begin play in the hands of the Crown or
particular wealthy individuals. The
descriptions, of course, serve to distinguish the noted gems from the usual
Type I-IV classification that while good enough for general purposes, fails to
account for unusual stones made so by their unique size or quality or by their
historic associations. This article,
then, provides a means to distinguish gems as treasure as other than a quick gold piece
calculation, with the additional possibility that a gem's
history may constitute an adventure hook in its own right.
Note on Presentation
All gems and jewels are presented in the following format:
Name
Type of Gem and Size
Status
Origin/Lode
Historical Note
A "Crown
Jewel" designation indicates that the gem was part of the regalia of a
nation-state. A set or collection
designation indicates that more than one stone is being described and that,
taken together, the stones form part of a recognized set, often matched, or a
particular collection. A stone described
as "lost" indicates that the whereabouts of the gem are exactly unknown. Gems not so identified are presumed to be
within the possession of the noted owner.
Origin or lode indicates where the stone was mined or
purchased or crafted or simply discovered.
Not all gems will have an available or exact provenance, however.
Note on Value or Price
No value or gold piece prices are listed for any of the gems
discussed. Because of their unique
qualities and histories, they are essentially priceless or, put another way,
their price is variable with what someone would pay and risk to own one of
these pieces.
The OverKing's
Gems –
Doubtless among the most famous or infamous jewels are those
gems that have come to be closely associated with the decadent rulers of the
once Great Kingdom.
The Blood Ruby
Pigeon Blood Ruby (20 carats)
Crown Jewel
Last known to be held by the OverKing. Now believed Lost.
The origin of the Blood Ruby is lost to history.
Historical Note - Among the most documented of
stones, the Blood Ruby is set in the OverKing's
signet ring and has been worn by every OverKing as part of the official regalia
and as a personal symbol of power and the right to rule. A preeminent symbol of Aerdi, the lost stone
is now eagerly sought by those with designs on the Malachite Throne of a
reunited Great Kingdom of the Aerdi.
The Eye of the Mystic
Star Sapphire (40 carats)
Crown Jewel
Last known to be held by the OverKing. Now believed Lost.
The Eye of the Mystic was a gift to the OverKing from the
priestesses of Istus upon first taking up residence in Rauxes; it is believed
to have been mined and cut (cabochon) in the far West.
Historical Note - The Eye of the Mystic was set as
the centerpiece of a sapphire necklace that became part of the imperial
regalia. Traditionally worn by the
Queen-consort, the future was said to be visible within the asterism of the
stone. The Ivids perhaps found this an
uncomfortable thought for the Eye disappeared from public displays of the
regalia during the later reign of House Naelax.
The Great Green
Green Diamond (62 carats)
Crown Jewel
Last known to be held by the OverKing. Now believed Lost.
The Great Green was presented to the OverKing of Aerdi by
the first Arch-Baron of Blackmoor and is said to have been recovered from the
Egg of Coot.
Historical Note - The Great Green was set in the
OverKing's circlet
as something of a statement of the reach of the then expansive Great
Kingdom. Even after the outer
dependencies were lost to the Malachite Throne, the Great Green remained
prominently displayed in the circlet, either as a homage to the past or a defiant
declaration of lingering imperial greatness or aspirations.
