Post by ranzunar on Sept 20, 2008 15:47:09 GMT -5
Milennia ago, the 4 main elements (earth, water, fire and air) were rampant and destructive throughout the material plane. Clerics and druids of Obad Hai were able to create crystals that harnessed the element's power in order to ensure equilibrium between them. Nature came into peace, but people all over began to argue over who owned the crystals. At first it was their creators, then their respective students but as the generations stretched out, so too did the trust each group had for the other. Arguments became struggles for power and other groups decided to join in to the "negotiations". Some fanatically wanted to expand the power of one element, others to threaten nature's equilibrium by taking one or more crystals under their power. After several close calls, a consensus was called to release the power of the crystals in sacred sites, so that their power could not be used for harm again but still keep the elements in check. As a result, the crystals were shattered and its pieces spread amongst the world. The shards appear slightly magical (a Detect Magic will reveal a dim magical essence but nothing specific) but they serve as nothing more than shiny hard glass and so are useless to most of the population. However, the gods use them to gain the help of their faithful and chosen to use the crystals for their own purposes. Coming in contact with an "intended" crystal, one your god of choice has selected for you creates the effect of a Contact Other Plane spell, where your deity reveals his/her wishes for you to with that crystal, much like a Geass spell. The crystal is then attuned to you and only you, only after death can a crystal grant its powers to another.
A diminished elemental crystal shard grants access only to the domain power of the specific element. Most crystals have quirks, allowing for a second domain power that could just about anything except for another element. Each shard has the potential to be recharged and have the full power of the first elemental crystals. The shards are numerous but once you are attuned to one, the rest are worthless and will give you no further powers. In fact, having many would make you a big target against the faithful of the gods to accomplish their own elemental based missions. Heroes or villains can find that their deity practically drag you into finding these crystals but they are diminished and it is up to you to recharge a crystal and make sure no one charges their crystal charges before you do, since the power to do is one shot per crystal so time is of the essence.
A diminished elemental crystal shard grants access only to the domain power of the specific element. Most crystals have quirks, allowing for a second domain power that could just about anything except for another element. Each shard has the potential to be recharged and have the full power of the first elemental crystals. The shards are numerous but once you are attuned to one, the rest are worthless and will give you no further powers. In fact, having many would make you a big target against the faithful of the gods to accomplish their own elemental based missions. Heroes or villains can find that their deity practically drag you into finding these crystals but they are diminished and it is up to you to recharge a crystal and make sure no one charges their crystal charges before you do, since the power to do is one shot per crystal so time is of the essence.