Harvesting Zapphracus Crystals

Written by DoStuffZ

Under the scorching sun, the crew prepares for the harvest after a magical desert storm, setting sail toward the Zapphracus Expanse. As the distinct crews approach, each crew member gears up for the task ahead. A sense of anticipation hangs in the air as they pinpoint the area hit by the storm.
Scouts, eyes sharp and senses honed, venture into the mysterious expanse. Their task is to uncover the hidden treasures within the shifting sands. A higher Perception skill grants them the ability to spot larger clusters, a valuable discovery that prompts them to call in the crew or pod, depending on its size.

Crystal Harvest Crews

A larger crew separates into smaller pods, when they arrive in the area.
Team Leader/Captain:

• Responsible for overseeing the entire operation.
• Makes strategic decisions and manages the crew.
• Skilled in leadership and decision-making.
• Cost: 50 gold pieces per mission.

Scouts (1-3):

• Venture into the Zapphracus Expanse to locate crystal clusters.
• Need high perception and survival skills.
• Can spot potential dangers or valuable crystal formations.
• Cost: 20 gold pieces per scout.

The Zephyr Harvesters (Boomwalkers) (1-4):

• Collect raw crystals and handle them with care.
• Requires dexterity and knowledge of crystal handling.
• Protects the crew from potential dangers in the expanse.
• Cost: 15 gold pieces per handler.

Quellweavers (1-2):

• Skilled in the art of stabilising Zapphracus Crystals.
• Ensures the crystals are safe for transportation.
• Proficient in magical arts or alchemy.
• Cost: 30 gold pieces per stabiliser.

Healer:

• Provides medical support to the crew in case of injuries.
• Essential for dealing with the hazardous conditions of the Zapphracus Expanse.
• Proficient in healing spells or potions.
• Cost: 40 gold pieces.

Navigator:

• Guides the crew through the treacherous desert terrain.
• Knowledgeable about the geography and potential hazards.
• Essential for efficient exploration.
• Cost: 25 gold pieces.

Deckhands:

• Assist with various tasks on the sailing ship or during crystal harvesting.
• Can perform multiple roles as needed.
• General labour for the crew.
• Cost: 10 gold pieces per deckhand.

Crew Tasks

Scouts:

• Task 1: Find the Cluster
  • Survival or Perception check (DC based on cluster size).
  • Success indicates locating the cluster.
• Task 2: Survey a Good Angle In
  • Intelligence or Wisdom (Survival) check (DC based on cluster size).
  • Success allows the scouts to determine the best approach angle.

As the crew or pod arrives at the chosen entry point, the scout relays their findings to the handler, who, with a keen eye, repeats the survey checks. The delicate dance of decision-making begins as the handler's skills either complement or overrule the scout's advice.
With the entry point selected, Boomwalkers move with calculated precision. Cloaked in specialised armor, they navigate the hazardous terrain stealthily. The uncovering of the chosen spot and the meticulous harvesting of crystals follow, demanding deft lock-picking and acrobatic skills. Simultaneously, the scout, having completed their task, sets off in search of the next crystal cluster.
The Zaphyrian Harvesters (Boomwalkers):

• Task 1: Survey the Proposed Entry
  • Intelligence or Wisdom (Survival) check (DC 10-11-13, based on cluster size).
  • Success ensures a safe approach angle.
• Task 2: Carefully Approach the Spot Picked
  • Dexterity (Stealth) check (DC 10-11-13, based on cluster size), with a bonus for moving slowly.
• Task 3: Uncover the Spot
  • Dexterity (Sleight of Hands/Profession (Harvest Zapphracus)) check (DC 10-11-13, based on cluster size).
• Task 4: Harvesting
  • Dexterity (Sleight of Hands/Profession (Harvest Zapphracus)) check (DC 10-11-13, based on cluster size).
• Task 5: Return to Quellweavers
  • Dexterity (Stealth) check (DC 10-11-13, based on cluster size), with a bonus for moving slowly.
  • Upon harvest completion, the Boomwalkers delicately passes the crystals to the Quellweavers. As the scout eagerly moves to find the next bounty, Quellweavers step in, their expertise evident in the secure and careful transfer of crystals into specialised transport crates. Slow, deliberate movements offer a bonus to these intricate tasks.

Quellweavers:

• Task: Secure and Transfer into Transport Crates
  • Dexterity (Sleight of Hand/Profession (Harvest Zapphracus)) or Intelligence (Arcane) check (DC 12), with a bonus for moving slowly.
  The dynamics of the crew or pod come into play, particularly evident in larger operations. A separate pod, operating from a smaller vessel, handles the meticulous process, ensuring efficiency in their tasks. When the pod completes its duties, it returns to the safety of the larger ship, laden with the precious harvest.

Yet, amidst the careful coordination, there lingers the ever-present risk of mishandling. A misstep triggers explosive effects: force, thunder, and lightning. The Boomwalkers, clad in their protective armor, find solace in the chance to disperse and lower the impact. A DC 14 Dexterity saving throw becomes their shield, providing a lifeline to reduced damage in the face of the volatile magic within the Zapphracus Crystals. The desert, once tranquil, now echoes with the controlled chaos of crystal harvesting, a dance between risk and reward under the unrelenting sun.

Zapphracus Crystal Prices

Raw Zapphracus Crystals:
Pricing for raw crystals can depend on their size and rarity. You can categorise them into small, medium, and large crystals.

• Small Crystal: 50 gold pieces
• Medium Crystal: 150 gold pieces
• Large Crystal: 300 gold pieces

Stabilised Zapphracus Crystals:
Stabilising the crystals involves a careful process to make them safe for transportation and use. The stabilisation process incurs additional costs.

• Small Crystal: 80 gold pieces
• Medium Crystal: 200 gold pieces
• Large Crystal: 400 gold pieces

Enchanted Zapphracus Crystals:
Enchanting the crystals could imbue them with additional magical properties, enhancing their effectiveness for various purposes.

• Small Crystal: 150 gold pieces
• Medium Crystal: 350 gold pieces
• Large Crystal: 600 gold pieces

Cluster Sizes

The larger the cluster, the more complex and overlapping effects make it increasingly difficult to operate.
Small Cluster:

• 1d6 Small Crystals
• 1d4 Medium Crystals

Medium Cluster:

• 2d6 Small Crystals
• 1d8 Medium Crystals
• 1d4 Large Crystals

Large Cluster:

• 3d6 Small Crystals
• 1d10 Medium Crystals
• 1d6 Large Crystals

Huge Cluster:

• 4d6 Small Crystals
• 2d8 Medium Crystals
• 2d6 Large Crystals

Total quantity is more substantial, reflecting the increased complexity and danger of harvesting from such a large deposit.

Mishandled Crystals

The special armor/suit designed to disperse catastrophic effects adds an interesting layer of protection for the The Zephyr Harvesters (Boomwalkers). The mishandled crystal consequences with lightning and force booms are a great way to emphasise the volatile nature of Zapphracus Crystals. Here's a breakdown of the mishandling consequences:
Mishandled Crystal Consequences:
Small Crystal:

• DC 12 Dexterity saving throw. On a successful save, take half damage.
• Damage: 1d6 force damage and 2d6 lightning damage.

Medium Crystal:

• DC 13 Dexterity saving throw. On a successful save, take half damage.
• Damage: 2d6 force damage and 4d6 lightning damage.

Large Crystal:

• DC 14 Dexterity saving throw. On a successful save, take half damage.
• Damage: 4d6 force damage and 6d6 lightning damage.

Gear and Equipment

• Zapphracus Dispersal Harness
• Sandwhisper Soles
• Levitas Striders
• Disc Excavator
• Sandmover's Wand
• Sandclean Enchanter's Wand
• Aquadancer's Sprig
• Harmony Shaker

Harvest Zapphracus (Dexterity/Wisdom/Survival):
Dexterity: This reflects the physical finesse required to handle the crystals delicately, perform intricate tasks, and move with precision to avoid triggering unintended effects.
Wisdom: This represents the careful attention to details, intuition, and awareness of the subtle cues in the environment that might signal potential hazards or opportunities. Wisdom captures the mental acuity needed for successful crystal harvesting.
Survival: As Zapphracus Crystal harvesting takes place in the challenging environment of the Zapphracus Expanse, Survival plays a role in understanding the terrain, weather patterns, and potential dangers. It reflects the character's ability to navigate the desert and make informed decisions during the harvest.

Type

Raw Materials Gathering