Stargems

Stargems are crystals that are contained in the Meteors that come with the Starfall, which radiate an otherworldly aura. Their beauty masks a darker utility: Stargems can capture and contain Shadows, a function that grants them immense power in magic.

Stargems come in three qualities, each representing its maximum charge.

• Lesser Stargems: Holds up to 1 Shadow.
• Greater Stargem: Holds up to 3 Shadows.
• Supreme Stargem: Holds up to 5 Shadows.

Soul Containment

A Stargem will automatically attempt to trap the Shadow of any creature that dies within 30 feet of it. The creature must make a DC 18 Charisma saving throw. On a success, the soul is not entrapped and follows whatever natural death process would otherwise occur. On a failure the Shadow is trapped within the Gem. A soul trapped within the Stargem cannot be returned to life via healing or necromancy unless the holder of the gem allows the soul to be released.

A Soul trapped in a Stargem contributes 1 charge to the gem.

Charges can be spent in the following ways:

• Charges can be used to cast a prepared spell of a level equal to the charges spent (1 for a Cantrip). The Stargem provides the Anima and it is cleansed of corruption, so the caster does not take on any temporary corruption for this casting.
• The caster can spend 1 charges to Empower a spell they are casting. The caster may reroll up to half the damage dice (minimum 1) of the spell, keeping the new results.
• The caster can spend 2 charges to Heigten a spell they are casting. Any targets of the spell roll saving throws with disadvantage.

If all charges are used, the stone turns black and inert, and cannot contain any new souls.

In addition to the uses above, Stargems are commonly used in the creation of Magical Artifacts - arcane construction can enable the Stargem to capture ambient Anima from the death of creatures in the area, Shadows on their way to the Leys.