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Carbuncles vary in hue between rich scarlet and a
deep, dark purplish-red. The gem can certainly be faceted. Even in
cabochon form, however, the carbuncle shines with an intense fire at
its core. The gem will be most valuable if hints of blue are visible
in its inner fire. Carbuncles are mined in
several locations along the eastern side of the DragonSpine
mountains.
Ancient elven records say that the carbuncle was a
sacred stone related to one of the Arkati that perished in the
Ur-Daemon War. The name of this Arkati is unknown, but the Arkati
seems to have had some relation to the physical changes that
overcome the elven body with old age. The elven language has changed
over time, making it quite difficult to translate the few documents
that exist from the period, but Illistim scholars translate the
applicable section as, roughly, "The priest had grown tired, and I
knew that the carbuncle was in his lips and on his brow as it
wrinkled. As he had served, so would the carbuncle's master serve
him."
The elven word for the carbuncle gem is "ilaeryse",
which is also a word meaning "infirmity." The word "carbuncle" is
even less appealing in Common, for the Common word "carbuncle" may
mean either the carbuncle gem or a pus-filled skin boil.
Elves generally avoid wearing carbuncle, as they
consider it to be an ill-luck stone. Halflings feel that carbuncles
are cursed, explaining it simply by saying, "they give me an uneasy
feeling," or by fully discussing the disfiguring diseases (usually
painful rashes and boils) that are rumored to will come to those who
wear carbuncle jewelry. The dwarves ignore the opinions of both of
the other races, as do the dark elves. The Dhe'nar see no reason to
avoid any sort of gem, as they are confident in their ability to
counteract the potential ill effects of one gem with the merits of
other gems, and the Faendryl find the dark-hued jewels to be
particularly beautiful against their ebon skin.
It is said that, if someone dies while wearing
carbuncle, the gem will begin to glow with a blood-red hue if the
person's ghost ever approaches. Testing such a claim is rather
difficult, but carbuncle is useful in augmenting certain forms of
necromantic magic. |
