The Bands of Heartstone
The stone and I have the same desires,
Day in, day out.
We want by each other to be sought,
And we want to embrace each other taut.
The stone and I have the same desires,
Day in, day out.
An often misunderstood poem of the Heartstone rings.
Full Item Description
Red granite stone ring with an amber colored stone set in its center. It has an ever present warmth coming from it when worn. It will resize to fit one size finger either larger or smaller but will not chance more than that. When it changes in size the band will show. If it grows larger the band will thin. If if grows smaller the band will thicken and get wider.
History
Heart stone rings were common among the youthful and rich. They were a sign of wealth and status among the fops. Usually a heart stone ring was given as a courting gift or to some one of great affection, but soon became a symbol of station discernable by stone coloring, size, and uniqueness. The heart stone is so sought after due to its rarity among other stones of its kind. Every stone has flaws, whether they are cracks, imperfections, blending of other stone types and minerals. The heart stone however is gemlike in its quality. Once cut and shaped it is flawless and perfect, a piece of art and a rarity among stone. Heart stone is usually found in granite, marble, as well as a few other types.
This common trait made it a perfect item to be used in the creation of a magic item. Because of its popularity among the noble youths, specifically those young and hot tempered enough to secretly duel, the next step in its evolution was to create an item of usefulness yet hidden.
While dueling was a respectable form of settling disputes it was still frowned upon by the authorities, often punishable by time in jail, work gangs, or even death. To counteract being found out, as blood stains an open gashes are hard to hide, the common heartstone rings were then imbued with a unique form of healing.
Not a major ability, at least when dealing with some of the unique, rare, and divine healing magics now archived, lost, or hidden away due to their pricelessness. But helpful to the dueling fops none-the-less. The heartstone rings were not designed for instant healing, that would give to large an advantage on the dueling field, but instead made to grant the wearer an unnatural form of healing when calm and relaxed. Which was usually a few minutes after a duel was complete so all who bore witness could see who the winner, and looser were.
Originally created for the son of some long and forgotten noble, when it was used and the arrogant prince healed near immediately, his opponent took it as affront to his honor and ran him through the chest, ensuring the death of the prince. He was later hung for murder but forever after no such rings were made or used that had such an ability.
Stone Color Meanings
White marble - shows loyalty and trust.
Black marble - shows partnership.
Green marble - shows friendship beyond measure.
Pink marble - shows deep affection and love.
Blue marble - shows concern of lifes choices for a friend.
Magical Properties
This is a minor item of magic. It heals but only on a minor and small level. This is not the item for the adventurous warrior who risks their life just by waking up. Their wounds would not heal quick enough.
Only when rested will this item work. In a point based system it will heal only a minor amount of damage, wounds, health per five minutes. In my system it heals no more than 5 health points per five minutes. Equate this to how your system works and your individual gaming needs.
This is a simple item of minor magics and should not be considered huge or awe inspiring. This is a filler item and nothing more. It is supposed to have more emotional feeling to it than functional feeling. Not very useful on the field of battle to say the least.
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? Responses (10)
Lets see, a duelist's mood ring and status symbol...I like it. I like that it is based in an honor system and was created from a certain necessity, rather than 'cuz it would be kewl to have' setting. I can see thieves being willing to pay good stolen gold to get one of these... A nice sub that can easily find its way into most games and settings.
'It is supposed to have more emotional feeling to it than functional feeling.'
It has succeeded!
I like the poem. Its a nice opener, makes me want to read on!
Ironically that poem was originally about God and his relationship with the speaker of the poem. I altered it some.
Useful with a good reason and backstory.
What they said. A good item that you would expect to be made. Just fitting into the Generic Magical Items scroll.
Thanks. Its not big, not an opus or a novel. Just something sitting on my phone for almost a year.
An excellent little piece. It is not something you can randomly toss into a world, as it needed to be imbedded into a given culture.
I do like the history behind it. It is logical in its course. I like the 'fad' trend that spawned it. It is a minor magics that is somewhat useful, but in its exact context a powerful and perfect match.
Two paws and a tail up.
I want to buy a rl one of these. :)
Can only repeat what the others said
Simple, believable and not too powerful
Good backstory too
Good work 4/5
A good, simple item, and one I would expect to be in virtually every noble's side table. Life is full of the chance for injury, even the posh, and having a simple healing item like this would make life that much easier.