Another Look at Gemstones, Part 2

This follows on from part 1, and here are the main precious and semiprecious gems I use as treasure.
Here more than fancy and ornamental stones colour is very variable. Diamonds can come in clear white, ice blue, pink or yellow forms. Spinel comes in a range of colours, as does Topaz. Indeed, some of the best known types are actually different colours of other types: Sapphire, Padparadsha and Ruby are all different colours of Corundum. Similarly Amethyst and Citrine are varieties of Quartz (which has other types in the first post), while Aquamarine, Morganite and Emerald are all variants of Beryl. Thus this post inevitably makes simplifications and should not be taken as a serious mineralogical guide, merely ideas for DMs looking to make their treasure hoards a little more interesting. As always, DM discretion about all aspects (especially value) applies. 

Alexandrite 

Colours: Iridescent/multicoloured
Suggested Values:

• Small (pea-sized): 2d6 x 20gp
• Medium (hazelnut-sized): 1d10 x 100gp
• Large (walnut-sized): 1d10 x 200gp
• Huge (tangerine-sized): 1d10 x 500gp

Amber 

Colours: Roll 1d10:
1: Pale Yellow, 2-3: Yellow, 4-7: Golden Yellow, 8-9 Orange, 0: Brown
Suggested Values:

• Small (pea-sized): 1d10 x 10gp
• Medium (hazelnut-sized): 1d10 x 20gp
• Large (walnut-sized): 2d10 x 20gp
• Huge (tangerine-sized): 2d10 x 50gp

Amethyst 

Colours: Purple

Suggested Values:

• Small (pea-sized): 1d10 x 10gp
• Medium (hazelnut-sized): 1d10 x 20gp
• Large (walnut-sized): 2d10 x 20gp
• Huge (tangerine-sized): 2d10 x 50gp

Aquamarine 

Colours: Pale Blue

Suggested Values:

• Small (pea-sized): 1d10 x 10gp
• Medium (hazelnut-sized): 1d10 x 20gp
• Large (walnut-sized): 2d10 x 20gp
• Huge (tangerine-sized): 2d10 x 50gp

Beryl 

Colours: Roll 1d10 1: Clear, 2-3 Red, 4-5 Yellow, 6-0 Green

Suggested Values:

• Small (pea-sized): 1d6 x 50gp
• Medium (hazelnut-sized): 2d6 x 50gp
• Large (walnut-sized): 2d10 x 50gp
• Huge (tangerine-sized): 2d10 x 100gp

Black Pearl 

Colours: Black

Suggested Values:

• Small (pea-sized): 1d10 x 100gp
• Medium (hazelnut-sized): 1d10 x 200gp
• Large (walnut-sized): 2d10 x 200gp
• Huge (tangerine-sized): 2d10 x 500gp

Citrine 

Colours: Yellow

Suggested Values:

• Small (pea-sized): 1d6 x 50gp
• Medium (hazelnut-sized): 2d6 x 50gp
• Large (walnut-sized): 2d10 x 50gp
• Huge (tangerine-sized): 2d10 x 100gp

Diamond 

Colours: Roll D10: 1: Blue, 2: Yellow, 3: Pink, 4-0 Clear

Suggested Values:

• Small (pea-sized): 1d10 x 300gp
• Medium (hazelnut-sized): 2d6 x 500gp
• Large (walnut-sized): 2d10 x 1000gp
• Huge (tangerine-sized): 3d10 x 2000gp

Emerald 

Colours: Green

Suggested Values:

• Small (pea-sized): 1d10 x 300gp
• Medium (hazelnut-sized): 2d6 x 500gp
• Large (walnut-sized): 2d10 x 1000gp
• Huge (tangerine-sized): 3d10 x 2000gp

Fire Opal 

Colours: Orange with Iridescent flecks

Suggested Values:

• Small (pea-sized): 1d10 x 300gp
• Medium (hazelnut-sized): 2d6 x 500gp
• Large (walnut-sized): 2d10 x 1000gp
• Huge (tangerine-sized): 3d10 x 2000gp

Garnet 

Colours: Red

Suggested Values:

• Small (pea-sized): 1d6 x 50gp
• Medium (hazelnut-sized): 2d6 x 50gp
• Large (walnut-sized): 2d10 x 50gp
• Huge (tangerine-sized): 2d10 x 100gp

Iolite 

Colours: Purple

Suggested Values:

• Small (pea-sized): 1d10 x 10gp 
• Medium (hazelnut-sized): 1d10 x 20gp
• Large (walnut-sized): 2d10 x 20gp
• Huge (tangerine-sized): 2d10 x 50gp

Jacinth 

Colours: Orange

Suggested Values:

• Small (pea-sized): 1d10 x 100gp
• Medium (hazelnut-sized): 1d10 x 200gp
• Large (walnut-sized): 2d10 x 200gp
• Huge (tangerine-sized): 2d10 x 500gp

Jadeite 

Colours: Cloudy Green

Suggested Values:

• Small (pea-sized): 1d10 x 10gp 
• Medium (hazelnut-sized): 1d10 x 20gp
• Large (walnut-sized): 2d10 x 20gp
• Huge (tangerine-sized): 2d10 x 50gp

Morganite 

Colours: Pink

Suggested Values:

• Small (pea-sized): 1d10 x 10gp 
• Medium (hazelnut-sized): 1d10 x 20gp
• Large (walnut-sized): 2d10 x 20gp
• Huge (tangerine-sized): 2d10 x 50gp

Opal 

Colours: Pale Blue or Cyan with Iridescent flecks

Suggested Values:

• Small (pea-sized): 1d10 x 100gp
• Medium (hazelnut-sized): 1d10 x 200gp
• Large (walnut-sized): 2d10 x 200gp
• Huge (tangerine-sized): 2d10 x 500gp

Padparadsha 

Colours: Pink-Orange

Suggested Values:

• Small (pea-sized): 1d10 x 300gp
• Medium (hazelnut-sized): 2d6 x 500gp
• Large (walnut-sized): 2d10 x 1000gp
• Huge (tangerine-sized): 3d10 x 2000gp

Pearl 

Colours: White-Pale Gray

Suggested Values:

• Small (pea-sized): 1d6 x 50gp
• Medium (hazelnut-sized): 2d6 x 50gp
• Large (walnut-sized): 2d10 x 50gp
• Huge (tangerine-sized): 2d10 x 100gp

Peridot 

Colours: Lime Green

Suggested Values:

• Small (pea-sized): 1d6 x 50gp
• Medium (hazelnut-sized): 2d6 x 50gp
• Large (walnut-sized): 2d10 x 50gp
• Huge (tangerine-sized): 2d10 x 100gp

Ruby 

Colours: Red

Suggested Values:

• Small (pea-sized): 1d10 x 100gp
• Medium (hazelnut-sized): 1d10 x 200gp
• Large (walnut-sized): 2d10 x 200gp
• Huge (tangerine-sized): 2d10 x 500gp

Sapphire 

Colours: Roll 1d10: 1: Pink, 2: Yellow, 3-0: Blue

Suggested Values:

• Small (pea-sized): 1d10 x 100gp
• Medium (hazelnut-sized): 1d10 x 200gp
• Large (walnut-sized): 2d10 x 200gp
• Huge (tangerine-sized): 2d10 x 500gp

Scheelite 

Colours: Yellow

Suggested Values:

• Small (pea-sized): 1d6 x 50gp
• Medium (hazelnut-sized): 2d6 x 50gp
• Large (walnut-sized): 2d10 x 50gp
• Huge (tangerine-sized): 2d10 x 100gp

Spinel 

Colours: Roll 1d10: 1-2: Blue, 3-4: Purple, 5-0: Red

Suggested Values:

• Small (pea-sized): 1d6 x 50gp
• Medium (hazelnut-sized): 2d6 x 50gp
• Large (walnut-sized): 2d10 x 50gp
• Huge (tangerine-sized): 2d10 x 100gp

Topaz 

Colours: Roll 1d10: 1-2 Blue, 3-4: Orange, 5-0: Yellow

Suggested Values:

• Small (pea-sized): 1d6 x 50gp
• Medium (hazelnut-sized): 2d6 x 50gp
• Large (walnut-sized): 2d10 x 50gp
• Huge (tangerine-sized): 2d10 x 100gp

Zircon 

Colours: Roll 1d10: 1-2 Blue, 3-4 Green, 5-6 Orange, 7-0 Brown

Suggested Values:

• Small (pea-sized): 1d10 x 10gp 
• Medium (hazelnut-sized): 1d10 x 20gp
• Large (walnut-sized): 2d10 x 20gp
• Huge (tangerine-sized): 2d10 x 50gp

Another look at Gemstones, Part 1

Gems are a frequent form of treasure; Weight for weight they are more valuable than coins but are still purely monetary in value, unlike magic items that will impact game play in other ways. And of couse since both B/X D&D and AD&D use treasure as the main basis of experience points, this makes gems little nuggets of XP. They may have symbolism, and thus may be used in the creation of magic items or crushed to use in potions or scroll ink but on their own they have no special powers. Way back in the early days of this blog I already did a blog post on this topic and this post is more of an update. 

In the real world gem value is not easy to determine. Gems are named primarily according to their chemical composition - colour, shape and clarity are all secondary, You can have yellow sapphires, blue spinels, pink diamonds and black pearls. And of course the price someone is willing to pay will depend on rarity, size, clarity, cut and colour. That’s not simple to translate into D&D gp value. So there will be compromises and simplifications here, shown by random dice rolls to determine the value of each type of gem for any given size. A low roll indicates either an uncut stone or one with clear flaws - likewise a high roll indicates a well-cut gem with no flaws. Size is left up to the DM but it is assumed that most gems are medium size. As always these are suggestions and the DM has a final say, particularly if a certain amount of treasure-based XP is required. Similarly the assumption is that the largest gemstones found are no more than 3" across; the DM is welcome to place even larger ones with commensurately higher value. On this list the largest piece of Malachite is usually worth a maximum of 120gp  but if the PCs found one the size of a man's skull, particularly if it was well-carved and pure, it could be worth maybe 500gp. 

I was thinking about fantasy gem types here - I included them in my old post. But these days I reckon that there are enough weird and wonderful real minerals and crystals that I don’t need to add fictional ones. Besides, if I wanted to add new types of fantasy gemstone, I would probably want to give them particular properties or powers, similar to Eldritch Crystals, or the Arkenstone from The Hobbit, while the ones listed here are pretty and valuable, but not magical. 

The alphabetical list here are the lower value stones, particularly the opaque ones. I hope to look at the more expensive jewels in another post. I've included photos of each stone type borrowed from the web. Although this has increased the size of this post considerably, I feel (at least for myself) it is good to have an image of whatever the PCs find in the treasure hoard - it makes the obscure mineral name more real. 

Ornamental Stones

Agate 

Source

Colour: Varies, usually bands of different colours

Clarity: Opaque

Suggested Value

• Small (Pea-size): 2d10gp
• Medium (Hazelnut-size): 1d10 x 5gp
• Large (Walnut-size): 2d10 x 5gp
• Huge (Tangerine-size): 2d10 x 10gp

Azurite 

Colour: Bright to deep Blue

Clarity: Opaque

Suggested Value

• Small (Pea-size): 2d10gp
• Medium (Hazelnut-size): 4d10gp
• Large (Walnut-size): 2d10 x 5gp
• Huge (Tangerine-size): 2d10 x 10gp

Banded Onyx 

Colour: Black with White Bands

Clarity: Opaque

Suggested Value

• Small (Pea-size): 2d10gp
• Medium (Hazelnut-size): 4d10gp
• Large (Walnut-size): 1d8 x10gp
• Huge (Tangerine-size): 3d6 x10gp

Bloodstone 

Colour: Black or Deep Green with Red Flecks

Clarity: Opaque

Suggested Value

• Small (Pea-size): 2d10gp
• Medium (Hazelnut-size): 1d6 x10gp
• Large (Walnut-size): 2d6 x 10gp
• Huge (Tangerine-size) 2d12 x 10gp

Blue Quartz 

Colour: Pale Blue

Clarity: Transparent or Translucent

Suggested Value

• Small (Pea-size): 1d10gp
• Medium (Hazelnut-size): 2d10gp
• Large (Walnut-size): 1d6 x 10gp
• Huge (Tangerine-size): 3d6 x10gp

Carnelian 

Colour: shades of Red (orange to deep red)

Clarity: Translucent

Suggested Value

• Small (Pea-size): 2d10gp
• Medium (Hazelnut-size):  1d6 x 10gp
• Large (Walnut-size): 2d6 x10gp
• Huge (Tangerine-size) 2d6 x 20gp

Chalcedony 

Colour: Varies but usually white or pale blue or pale grey

Clarity: Translucent

Suggested Value

• Small (Pea-size): 3d10gp
• Medium (Hazelnut-size): 6d10gp
• Large (Walnut-size): 2d6 x 10gp
• Huge (Tangerine-size): 4d6 x10gp

Charoite 

Colour: Purple or Mauve

Clarity: Opaque

Suggested Value

• Small (Pea-size): 1d4 x 10gp
• Medium (Hazelnut-size): 1d10 x 10gp
• Large (Walnut-size): 2d10 x 10gp
• Huge (Tangerine-size): 2d10 x 20gp

Chrysoprase 

Colour: Pale Green or Bright Green

Clarity: Translucent

Suggested Value

• Small (Pea-size): 3d10gp
• Medium (Hazelnut-size): 2d4 x10gp
• Large (Walnut-size): 2d8 x 10gp
• Huge (Tangerine-size): 2d8 x 20gp

Clear Quartz 

Colour: Clear 

Clarity: Transparent

Suggested Value

• Small (Pea-size):  2d10 gp
• Medium (Hazelnut-size): 4d10gp
• Large (Walnut-size): 1d10 x 10gp
• Huge (Tangerine-size): 3d10 x 10gp

Coral 

Source

Colour: Pink-Red

Clarity: Opaque

Suggested Value

• Small (Pea-size): 2d10gp
• Medium (Hazelnut-size): 4d10 gp
• Large (Walnut-size): 1d10 x 10gp
• Huge (Tangerine-size) 2d10 x 10gp

Dioptase 

Source

Colour: Deep Green

Clarity: Opaque

Suggested Value

• Small (Pea-size): 2d10 gp
• Medium (Hazelnut-size): 4d10gp
• Large (Walnut-size): 1d8 x 10gp
• Huge (Tangerine-size) 2d10 x 10gp

Labradorite 

Colour: Grey but with Iridescent sheen

Clarity: Opaque

Suggested Value

• Small (Pea-size): 1d10gp
• Medium (Hazelnut-size): 2d10gp
• Large (Walnut-size): 1d10 x 5gp
• Huge (Tangerine-size): 2d10 x 5gp

Lapis Lazuli 

Colour: Deep Blue

Clarity: Opaque

Suggested Value

• Small (Pea-size):  1d20gp
• Medium (Hazelnut-size): 4d10gp
• Large (Walnut-size): 1d12 x 10gp
• Huge (Tangerine-size)  3d12 x 10gp

Malachite 

Source

Colour: Pale to Deep Green

Clarity: Opaque

Suggested Value

• Small (Pea-size): 1d10gp
• Medium (Hazelnut-size): 2d10gp
• Large (Walnut-size): 2d6 x 5gp
• Huge (Tangerine-size) 4d6 x 5gp

Moonstone 

Colour: White or pale gray

Clarity: Translucent

Suggested Value

• Small (Pea-size): 2d10gp
• Medium (Hazelnut-size): 1d6 x 10gp
• Large (Walnut-size): 2d6 x10gp
• Huge (Tangerine-size): 4d6 x10gp

Obsidian 

Source

Colour: Black

Clarity: Opaque

Suggested Value

• Small (Pea-size): 1d10gp
• Medium (Hazelnut-size): 2d10gp
• Large (Walnut-size): 1d6 x 5gp
• Huge (Tangerine-size): 3d6 x 5gp

Rhodochrosite 

Colour: Bright Pink

Clarity: Translucent

Suggested Value

• Small (Pea-size): 3d10gp
• Medium (Hazelnut-size): 6d10gp
• Large (Walnut-size): 2d6 x 10gp
• Huge (Tangerine-size): 4d6 x 10gp

Rose Quartz 

Colour: Pale Pink

Clarity: Translucent

Suggested Value

• Small (Pea-size): 3d10gp
• Medium (Hazelnut-size): 1d6 x10gp
• Large (Walnut-size): 3d6 x10gp
• Huge (Tangerine-size): 2d10 x 20gp

Smoky Quartz 

Colour: Clear with dark tint

Clarity: Translucent or Transparent

Suggested Value

• Small (Pea-size): 2d10gp
• Medium (Hazelnut-size): 4d10gp
• Large (Walnut-size): 1d8 x10gp
• Huge (Tangerine-size): 3d6 x10gp

Tiger’s Eye 

Colour: Golden Brown & Black or Dark brown

Clarity: Translucent

Suggested Value

• Small (Pea-size): 1d10 x 5gp
• Medium (Hazelnut-size): 1d10 x 10gp
• Large (Walnut-size): 2d10 x5gp
• Huge (Tangerine-size): 2d10 x 10gp

Turquoise 

Source

Colour: Bright Cyan

Clarity: Opaque

Suggested Value

• Small (Pea-size): 1d10gp
• Medium (Hazelnut-size): 2d10gp
• Large (Walnut-size): 1d6 x 5gp
• Huge (Tangerine-size): 3d6 x 5gp

Dweomersilk Robes of Shiell

Source

In the woods of northern Alphatia there are dweomer moths the size of pigeons that have developed magical auras. Their caterpillars prefer to feed on the leaves of dryad-haunted trees, and once they have eaten enough they weave silken cocoons in which they transform into adult moths. These silken cocoons can  be collected and turned into a fine material, Dweomersilk, which can be used to weave beautiful and expensive garments. As it happens, dryads consider the moths and caterpillars to be pests, so will leave alone or encourage humans who collect the cocoons. More importantly, dweomersilk is particularly good at holding enchantments so wizards of Alphatia, particularly those in the city of Shiell, have created numerous magical robes using dweomersilk. There are various silk-weavers and tailors in Shiell who will create the garment and sell it on to a wizard who can then place their own enchantments on it. As with any magic item, these are generally not sold in shops but guarded carefully by their owners, or sold in private transactions for considerable sums or commensurate favours. 

It should be noted that dweomersilk robes do not interfere with spellcasting, so human mages (who abound in Alphatia) can wear any of these robes without worry about casting spells. 

Some examples include:

Robe of the Adventurer: This robe gives a basic AC of 7 to the wearer. Furthermore when the wearer is within 20ft of a trap the wearer should make an Intelligence check. If successful the robe alerts the wearer as if a Find Traps spell had been cast. 

Robe of Arcane Retention: This robe gives a basic AC of 8. Also any time the wearer casts a magic user/elf spell from memory (not from a scroll or other item) there is a 1 in 6 chance that the spell is cast with normal effect but the caster does not lose it from memory, allowing them to cast that spell again. 

Robe of the Arcane Scholar: This robe allows the wearer to Read Magic and Detect Magic at will. Also 1/day the wearer can Identify a magic item.  

Robe of the Arthropod: This robe has strange shaded patterns on it that look like many creepy crawly creatures. It grants its wearer a number of powers, each useable once per day:

• 1/day the robe turns into a crab-like exoskeleton giving the wearer AC 3 for 1 turn
• 1/day the robe sprouts spider-like legs from the back allowing the wearer to climb on sheer walls and ceilings at the wearer’s ground movement for 1 turn
• 1/day the robe sprouts translucent wasp wings for 1 turn allowing the wearer to fly at twice their ground movement. 
• 1/day an insect swarm (as per the monster with 2HD) can be released from the sleeves though it only lasts 1d4 combat rounds before dispersing. The swarm will attack any enemies immediately in front and will not attack the wearer but other than that the swarm is difficult to control.  

Robe of Evasion: This robe gives a basic AC of 6 while the wearer is free to move and dodge (i.e. the wearer effectively has a +3 Dex bonus to AC). Also if an opponent hits the wearer in melee combat the robe will Blink the wearer up to 20ft away, to the caster’s choice of location. If the caster is unconscious the location is random but won’t put the wearer in a worse position. 

Robe of the Mule: This robe is often a uniform dark brown and is equipped with eight pockets on the inside and outside, each one capable of carrying 100cn/10lb (so 800cn/80lb total) of small items. The wearer’s carrying capacity is doubled and the wearer needs to rest only half as often. 

Robe of Protection: This is among the most common of dweomersilk robes and typically gives a +2 to AC (giving the wearer AC 7) and to saving throws. They come in a range of colours and styles. 

Robe of the Summoner: This robe is nearly always of deep purple hue, with intricate symbols woven into it.  It generates a perpetual Protection from Evil on its wearer. Furthermore the robe allows the wearer to Detect Summoned/Extra-Planar creatures within 60ft radius once per turn (i.e. the caster can sense elementals, conjured beings and other things not native to the Prime plane).

 

Eldritch Crystals

Eldritch crystals are briefly described in this post:

source

Another thing I am considering is Eldritch crystals. These are fragments of magical monoliths shattered when the Blackmoorians attacked the Arvorians and scattered when Blackmoor was destroyed in the Great Rain of Fire. They are still full of magical power and could be used to fuel mighty rituals that could either open the dimensional prisons that hold the Scions, or else permanently shut them. Eldritch crystals appear as green, blue or cyan glowing gems, usually of rough and uncut form. Although they look nice as ornamental stones in broaches or other jewelry, any mage casting Detect Magic will realize they are no ordinary mineral, though the exact nature of their magic is not clear. They are sought after by Arvorians, particularly those who are eager to free their alien masters.  However, human mages and elves would love to get their hands on them, as eldritch crystals can be used to power certain magic items.  

I have also introduced them in several adventures, namely

• Scenario #7: The Glowing Gemstone
• Scenario #9: The Ruined Arvorian Outpost

However, I have not really described what they do in terms of game mechanics. And I think I want to keep them flexible in that regard. 

In terms of game writing these eldritch crystals are mostly inspired by two different sources. 

Firstly in Warhammer Fantasy there is Warpstone, a sought-after powerful magical substance. It particularly becomes prominent in the Mordheim game where a meteorite of warpstone strikes the city, causing devestation but also leaving incredibly valuable fragments scattered around the city for brave adventurers to find. Warpstone can be used to power various items, and the Skaven (Warhammer rat-men) are especially skilled at using warpstone in terrible weapons and devices. However, it is also dangerous to handle and can be both poisonous and a mutagen (causing mutations). 

Secondly in various computer games there are multiple forms of currency. Often this is in the form of a "regular" currency for mundane purchases and "premium" currency for high-value transactions, with the premium currency often obtained via real money transactions. 

I have sometimes felt with D&D that after a while at high levels the pursuit of treasure for treasure's sake can seem a little boring. Yes, it can give you experience points, and that is the main reason the PCs seek out treasure troves. But in game terms once you have bought a stronghold and whatever magic items may be available on the market, there is only so much one can do with big piles of silver and gold. Eldritch crystals are intended to be the next level of currency, the premium currency at least among Norwold's Arvorians. At least the players and DM do not have to pay real money to use them in play...

Some eldritch crystals, like warpstone that inspired it, can be toxic and mutagenic - these are often called corrupted eldritch crystals. This is particularly demonstrated in Scenario #7: The Glowing Gemstone where this particularly baleful eldritch crystal has caused mutations in several of the orcs that have come into contact with it. A layer of lead or abjuration magic is sufficient to dampen this damaging aura, and such unpleasant crystals are often held in either lead-lined boxes or in containers with abjuration enchantments. On the other hand other samples are relatively harmless and can be handled without special precautions, at least for short periods. 

I have not come up with specific rules on mutations, whether caused by corrupted eldritch crystals or other reasons, but I have been inspired by Warhammer (the now-rare Slaves to Darkness hardback gives a massive random table), Gamma World and Judge Dredd games, all of which offer ideas for mutations. The form and game effects of such mutations is up to the DM to adjudicate. 

So why do Arvorians and other intelligent beings seek out such potentially hazardous crystals? Because when used correctly in the creation of magic items such as wands and staves, the eldritch crystals can replace the usual charges with a renewable power source, Most wands and staffs have a certain number of charges when created, usually 20 for wands and a staff up to 30 charges. Each use of the wand or staff drains a charge, and when the item has no more charges left it is completely expended and becomes useless. However, if an eldritch crystal is used to power the wand or staff, it no longer has charges but frequency of use, usually once per day, once every 12 hours or once every 8 hours, depending on the size and purity of the crystal. Interestingly for those wands and staves where the user can see the eldritch crystal they can see that the colour leaves the crystal which turns grey when it is used, and the colour gradually returns to the crystal over the course of the next few hours. 

Eldritch crystals can be used for creating and powering other magic items and this again is up to the DM to adjudicate. Eldritch crystals have particular affinity to other planes of existence where they are believed to draw their energies from. This affinity makes them particularly suited for creating portals, gates and summoning devices, including the gates the Arvorians are seeking to create and open to allow their dark masters, the Scions of the Outer Dark, to enter Mystara. Arvorians are so set on this task that they are prepared to kill anyone who they think has eldritch crystals, and they will gather and hoard these crystals with a fierce desire that resembles a dragon's lust for gold. Would Arvorians be prepared to trade with human adventurers for eldritch crystals? Yes, if circumstances warrant, especially if bargaining is easier than violent robbery. 

Eldritch crystals tend not to have fixed values in gold coins - they are not recognised by most civilized merchants in the same way that emeralds, sapphires and diamonds are, although a merchant may well offer up to 500gp if they think it is a nice gemstone. However, some powerful mages will be prepared to offer considerable sums in exchange for eldritch crystals, particularly if they understand how to use them in magic item creation - anything from 1000gp to 10,000gp depending on size and purity. At least three archmages in Alpha now wield magic staves powered by eldritch crystals - two created the staves themselves (one a staff of wizardry, the other a staff of commanding but one has looted a staff of power of Arvorian craftsmanship), so there are a few humans who understand the crystals' usefulness.  

Experience, Motivation and Murder-Hobos

Art by Dave Trampier, source

Allow me to deviate from my usual additions and suggestions for Mystara. I feel the need to write down some ideas that have been fermenting in my head. Note that these ideas are not entirely original to me - they have been inspired (and maybe explained better) by other, more eloquent bloggers. 

So what motivates adventurers? Why do they bother getting out of bed in the morning and heading to the dungeon for a day of violence and near-death experiences? Generally this is a matter of acquiring more power, principally in levels of experience. To gain levels as a character you need to gain experience points. How do you do that? 

According the the B/X rules there are 2 main sources of XP: monsters and treasure. Treasure is expected to make up the bulk of XP awards, and I have created adventures on this blog (both the more recent Scenarios and also the older Dungeons of the Month) with a ratio of 1 monster XP : 3 treasure XP. This may seem stingy, but DMs using my adventures are always welcome to increase the treasure amounts as they see fit. 

3E and 5E D&D don't offer XP for finding treasure. In both games XP is expected to come from a combination of defeating monsters and completing story goals. 

The idea of quest or story-based XP tentatively emerged in later 1st Edition AD&D material and was formalised in 2nd Edition AD&D. This started out as XP for rescuing prisoners as if they had been defeated by the PCs (so a party of PCs would get more XP for rescuing a high level NPC than a 0-level peasant). It has now become a matter of "Award the PCs 1000xp each if they return the stolen crown to the king". 

The 3E DMG suggests awarding XP for successfully resolving non-combat encounters, such as evading or neutralising traps, solving tricks & puzzles, and successfully negotiating with NPCs. In B/X the assumption is that these are not goals in themselves but merely obstacles (sometimes metaphorical, sometimes very physical) in the the path to gaining treasure. Successfully getting through a trap-based encounter means that the PCs are another step closer to their real goal - treasure and the XP that comes with it. This shows to me that B/X rewards are more about the end goal rather than how the PCs get there.  

XP can also be awarded for things like good roleplaying, though this is associated with later editions. Although not stated in the B/X rules, these are up to individual DMs. Although not suggested in D&D, some games (particularly MMORPGs) reward PCs with XP for exploring their world and visiting regions for the first time. 

1st Edition AD&D also had the idea of gaining XP for finding magic items. 2nd Edition AD&D changed this to gaining XP for creating magic items. 3rd Edition D&D completely flipped this around with requiring XP to be spent to create magic items, but also had a thriving magic item economy where PCs could often buy the weapons or armour they could afford  - an alternative reason for gathering lots of money. 

In my games magic items neither give nor require XP. Magic items can be seen as a form of power that is not linked to XP or levels. Interestingly, unlike MMORPGs, magic items in D&D generally do not have character level requirements (though some do have class requirements). A 0-level normal human can use many magic items if they know how to wield them. Acquiring magic items can be a powerful motive in itself. Although many items are distributed as part of treasure hoards along with coins, gems and the like, it is possible that a character will set out on an adventure with the goal of acquiring a famous magic item for their own personal use. S2: White Plume Mountain is a classic example of this. 

Here's something I was vaguely aware of but it took other bloggers to clarify  it. The behaviour of PCs is heavily influenced by how XP is awarded. They will generally behave in a way that gets the most XP according to their assessment of risk vs reward. 

If most of their XP comes from treasure then they will become avaricious treasure hunters, looting tombs, dragon hoards, and possibly merchant caravans and town banks. The DM may wish to adjudicate what sort of treasure gives XP and whether robbing peasants of their copper coins will help PCs gain levels. 

Although not part of the B/X rules, some groups have house rules where PCs can convert gold into XP only if it is spent on training - usually with a willing NPC of at least 2 levels higher and the same character class as the PC. The duration is typically 1 week per PC level. Although I personally like this idea (it makes becoming better at fighting, casting spells or turning undead more plausible than just looting a dragons' hoard and hey presto the wizard can now cast more spells), I don't expect other groups to use it. 

There are other reasons for gathering loot besides XP - you can buy stuff with it. Purely B/X campaigns will find that once the PCs have a ship, horses, wagons and the like they start to run out of useful things in the equipment lists to spend money on. But beyond the B/X rules there are 2 major expenses - firstly in the Companion Rules there are details about being granted land and building one's own stronghold. Creating and maintaining a castle or temple with all its soldiers, hirelings and servants will be expensive. Secondly as alluded to above in 3E D&D it is possible to buy magic items if the right marketplace can be found. Both of these (strongholds and magic items) are reasons to get as much loot as possible from dungeons and monster lairs. Forward-looking PCs may well start saving for these quite early on in their careers. 

If they get most of their XP from killing monsters, then that is what they will seek out. This seems to be the expected norm in 3E and 5E.  Note that rules in different editions say that XP is awarded for defeating monsters, not necessarily slaying them. This means capturing and subduing generally counts, while avoiding or sneaking past is up to DM discretion (personally I don't think that counts as "defeating" because the monster is still a threat if encountered again). 

It helps here if the DM clarifies whether 0-level normal humans count as monsters (they may be only 5xp each but killing a whole village could be worth 1000xp if the DM allows it). DMs are well within their authority to say that killing friendly folk and livestock does not give any XP awards. This reduces the likelihood of the infamous murder-hobos running around the fantasy countryside behaving worse than bandits or orcs. If the PCs still persist with this then the players concerned may be less interested in acquiring levels & XP and more involved in a deranged power fantasy. I've seen it happen - It's not pretty.

If they get most of their XP from quests and heroic achievements then that is what they will do (though perhaps sticking to the letter rather than the spirit of the completion). In 3E it is suggested that story-based XP awards do not exceed XP for defeating monsters, while 5E seems much more vague. It does remind me of MMORPGs like World of Warcraft where characters keep picking up and completing quests and have a list of currently active quests - to-do lists with XP rewards every time one is ticked off. Personally I do not have any problems with XP awards for completing quests as long as DMs are sensible about it. I think the one thing I do raise my eyebrow at is the idea of "once the party reaches this stage of the story/campaign, they all automatically go up 1 level". It just seems lazy, both in terms of adventure design (the next chapter in the mega-adventure is for the next level so lets just increase everyone up 1 level so they can get on with it) and also the gaming experience, feeling entitled to gain a level without regards to earning XP. If I was DMing that sort of adventure, I would not automatically award levels, but I would provide side quests and mini-dungeons as opportunities to earn the required XP so that they have properly gained sufficient XP and therefore levels to take on the next part of the campaign.    

XP for role-playing can result in either interesting or annoying attempts to play their characters outside of combat. Sometimes it is entertaining, other times horribly forced. 

I was thinking about motivations for protagonists in the stories that inspired D&D. Bilbo Baggins, Conan the Barbarian, Cugel the Clever, Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser and many more heroes of Appendix N were all mostly motivated by money and treasure, and so this is what the creators of D&D (particularly Gary Gygax) expected. 

But others had other goals. Frodo Baggins setting off on his epic quest to destroy the One Ring was motivated by trying to save his world. Elric of Melnibone may have enjoyed treasure but was caught up in the wars between Law and Chaos. Drizzt Do'Urden (once he reached the surface world) was often helping his friends around Icewind Dale. The Companions of the Lance were engaged in epic quests to save the world of Krynn from the evil Dragon Armies. Turjan the Magician was interested in knowledge, particularly of arcane matters. 

Finally I think alignment should play a part here. I'm not sure which should come first when creating a character, alignment or motivation but I certainly think they inform each other. In the 3-alignment system of B/X D&D, I can well imagine lawful characters being more willing to go on epic quests to save the kingdom, while neutral characters are more interested in personal power and wealth. Chaotic characters are usually similar to neutral ones in motivation but are more likely to become the infamous murder-hobos that are the worst sort of chaotic characters - they have far less restraint or scruples as to how they acquire money and power. 

So what is the right way of doing this? Honestly my opinion is whatever works for your group. Different players and DMs will have different ideas and hopefully each group will find a combination of the above that they are comfortable with. I'm not going to lay down any rules or strong opinions (apart from automatically gaining levels....).  Although by the book B/X offers only treasure and monster XP, D&D is a game that is wide open to modifications and additions.