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Gem of Brightness

Gem Of Brightness
  • Category: Wondrous Item
  • Rarity: Uncommon

This prism has 50 charges. While you are holding it, you can take a Magic action and use one of three command words to cause one of the following effects:

First Command Word. The gem sheds Bright Light in a 30-foot radius and Dim Light for an additional 30 feet. This effect doesn't expend a charge. It lasts until you take a Bonus Action to repeat the command word or until you use another function of the gem.

Second Command Word. You expend 1 charge and cause the gem to fire a brilliant beam of light at one creature you can see within 60 feet of yourself. The creature must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or have the Blinded condition for 1 minute. The creature repeats the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Third Command Word. You expend 5 charges and cause the gem to flare with intense light in a 30foot Cone. Each creature in the Cone makes a saving throw as if struck by the beam created with the second command word.

When all of the gem's charges are expended, the gem becomes a nonmagical jewel worth 50 GP.

Tactical Applications​

Combat Strategy: Provides multiple light-based effects including continuous illumination, blinding flash, and daylight creation. Excellent against light-sensitive creatures and for area control in dark environments.

Class Synergies:

  • Any Class: Universal utility for light generation and tactical illumination
  • Darkvision-less Races: Essential for characters lacking natural dark vision
  • Anti-Undead Specialists: Daylight effect damages light-sensitive undead
  • Tactical Controllers: Blinding effects provide battlefield control options

Build Considerations: Has limited charges that regenerate daily. Plan usage carefully between utility lighting and combat applications.

Acquisition Methods​

Crafting Requirements: Requires radiant crystals, light magic enchantment, and solar energy binding techniques. Creation cost 4,000-8,000 gp and takes 6 weeks.

Common Sources:

  • Solar temples and light-worshipping religious organizations
  • Treasure hoards of creatures associated with radiant energy
  • Commission from enchanters specializing in light magic
  • Found in the collections of undead hunters and paladins
  • Rewards from grateful celestial beings or solar deities

Alternative Acquisition: Sometimes discovered in sunlit ruins or obtained through quests involving light versus darkness themes.

Value & Trade​

Estimated Value: 5,000-10,000 gp, with higher demand in regions plagued by undead or areas with limited natural light.

Trade Considerations: Popular among adventurers operating in dark environments and those fighting light-sensitive enemies.

Character Integration​

Roleplay Elements: Suggests dedication to combating darkness, worship of light deities, or specialized training against light-sensitive creatures.

Character Concepts:

  • Paladin or cleric devoted to light and solar deities
  • Professional undead hunter specializing in vampires and shadow creatures
  • Cave explorer or dungeon delver who requires reliable illumination
  • Character with light-based magic themes and radiant energy affinity

Adventure Hooks​

The Undead Infestation: Clearing haunted locations where light-based attacks provide crucial advantages against shadow creatures.

The Deep Delve: Exploring underground complexes where reliable illumination enables safe navigation and tactical advantages.

The Solar Crusade: Religious missions involving the spread of light magic and the banishment of supernatural darkness.

The Vampire Hunt: Specialized campaigns against vampires and other light-sensitive creatures where daylight effects are essential.

Variants & Customization​

Greater Gem of Brightness (Rare): Enhanced charge capacity and stronger light effects with longer durations.

Gem of Solar Radiance (Very Rare): Includes additional radiant damage effects and enhanced anti-undead capabilities.

Moonlight Gem (Rare): Provides silvery light that's particularly effective against lycanthropes and fey creatures.

Specialized Variants:

  • Undead Bane Gem: Enhanced effectiveness against undead creatures
  • Explorer's Gem: Optimized for long-duration illumination and navigation
  • Combat Gem: Faster activation and enhanced blinding effects for battlefield use

Lore & History​

Origins: Created by ancient solar cults who needed portable sources of blessed light for combating supernatural darkness.

Historical Significance: These gems enabled the exploration of cursed territories and the cleansing of areas tainted by shadow magic.

Cultural Impact: Represent the eternal struggle between light and darkness, serving as symbols of hope and protection.

Magical Craft: Demonstrates mastery of radiant magic and the binding of solar energy into portable, controllable forms.

Balancing Notes​

Introduction Timing: Appropriate for levels 4-8 when light effects become tactically important and undead encounters increase.

Campaign Impact: Provides significant advantage against light-sensitive creatures without overwhelming other encounter types.

Resource Management: Limited daily charges require strategic decisions about when to use combat versus utility effects.

Encounter Design​

Recommended Challenges:

  • Encounters with undead, shadows, and other light-sensitive creatures
  • Combat scenarios in darkness where illumination provides tactical advantages
  • Exploration challenges in underground or heavily shadowed environments
  • Situations where blinding effects can control dangerous enemies

Tactical Adjustments: Light-sensitive enemies may retreat from illuminated areas or develop countermeasures against bright light.

Light Magic Items: Driftglobe, Lantern of Revealing, and other items that provide illumination and light-based effects.

Radiant Equipment:

  • Items that enhance light-based magic and radiant damage
  • Equipment for combating undead and shadow creatures
  • Tools for solar magic and light deity worship

Complementary Equipment: Items that enhance perception in bright light or provide additional anti-undead capabilities.

Roleplay Opportunities​

Light Bearer: Characters become symbols of hope and protection in dark times and shadow-threatened areas.

Religious Dedication: Using light magic connects characters to solar deities and light-worshipping communities.

Darkness Fighter: Specializing in anti-darkness combat creates reputation as protector against supernatural threats.