The Prism Of The Adamant Magistrate
An artifact of dark intent, hidden in a mouldering tomb in the jungle, wrapped in rotten cloth...
The Prism of the Adamant Magistrate is a small figurine, about 6 inches in height, that appears to be made of a clear, glittering substance that flashes like diamond when under direct light, giving it the appearance of a tiny ice sculpture coated in diamond dust. It is crafted in the image of a human man, standing on a square base, dressed in a toga-like robe and carrying a fan marked with a symbol that, unexplainably, seems strangely familiar to all who see it: A triangle within a circle within another triangle. The Prism weighs practically nothing, unless it is containing someone (See below), at which point it gains the weight of the person it contains.
The Prism cannot be scratched or broken. It resists all attempts to damage it. Fire scorches the surface of the figurine gray, but it retains it's glittering, glassy surface within a few seconds of removal from the fire.
The Prism's history is unknown, but it is no doubt an object of dark intent. It can be found in a shadowy ruin in the jungle that the natives call the House of the Broken-Winged Eagle, wrapped in a bolt of heavy, rotten cloth.
Magical Properties:
The Prism of the Adamant Magistrate, when the correct incantations are performed, traps whomever is gazing into the Prism inside. The victim dissapears and is transported to a tiny magic manse within the Prism, which consists of three rooms: A bedchamber with a balcony looking out onto a snowy mountainscape, a small dining chamber where there is always food, and a library in which a new set of volumes replaces the old when the room is left, so that each book is always new to the reader. The decoration, art, and food are styled to the tastes of the entrapped victim. There are no doors out of the three chambers but for between them, and any attempt to leap from the balcony onto the mountain landscape outside results in the victim being transported back into their bed in the bedchamber. The victim cannot escape the manse inside the Prism of the Adamant Magistrate unless:
A. The person who trapped the victim says the incantations backwards.
B. A spirit, powerful demon, or god intervenes.
C. The victim dies.
The Prism will hold a maximum of three people within it's magic manse. If a fourth is entrapped, the first person who was within will be released.
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? Responses (9)
An interesting way to smuggle people in and out of areas. Of course, a six inch bit of crystal that weighs as much as three people might raise suspision if not properly concealed. This could serve as a prisoner transport or even portable vacation spot for adventurers as well, although I only see one bed chamber for up to three people.
This is a great item!!
I would create some sort of riddle held in the books that are displayed or some other kind of hints inside the prison to allow escape. The creator would probably put a backdoor of some kind into it so he could escape if it was turned on him. If it was fail proof then it wouldn't be as exciting. Perhaps all the books have an odd inscription in the front cover and if the prisoner jots down all the inscriptions a way to get released is hinted at. Either saying words or an actual physical manipulation by going off the balcony or something.
Very good-I'd go with what Strolen said. The creator needs a way to escape if he is trapped inside his own creation.
Bump?
Wow, this is an old one. I remember reading it a while back, and I agree with Strolen in that the creator definitely needs a way to get out if entrapped in his own prison. Holding vote is 3.5/5 until/unless modified. Good idea, just needs a bit more work.
I'm.... not going to modify it.
And it appears you've already scored it, there?
What it lacks is a way to escape from within, besides dying that is.
Not quite - since it is not specified that magic cannot pass, if the victim is a sorcerer (or becomes one from the library within), he might be able to communicate via magic to someone outside. And convince them to stuff a few more victims within.
Of course this would not be easy, either physically or perhaps ethically.
Or he could appeal to a greater power - this option is listed and a viable one in many game worlds.
And there are lots of things in the universe that provide few options other then death. Getting into this thing is not trivial as it stands - the victim must either be forced to gaze within, or otherwise somehow tricked into doing so. It would probably be easier to kill the victim conventionally if that were the intent.