Gem Socketing
Arcane gems are small gems, crystals, or similar objects that imbue weapons, rings, armor or shields with additional magical effects. They make magic item selection more flexible by allowing characters to change enhancements as they advance in level and face different challenges.
Before a
Gem can be socketed into a socketable item it must first be refined, cut to fit the
Gem socket, and imbued with magic to reveal its innate magical properties.
Cutting a Gem
A
Gem needs to be cut into a very precise form to allow arcane imbibement. Cutting the
Gem requires the use of
Jeweler's Tools or
Gemologist's Supplies. If you have proficiency with
Jeweler's Tools you can add your proficiency bonus to the check. Failing the DC to cut the
Gem fractures it, making it unusable to socket, but still valuable to sell.
| Rarity |
Condition |
Skill |
DC |
| Very Rare |
Raw |
Dexterity |
20 |
| Rare |
Raw |
Dexterity |
15 |
| Uncommon |
Raw |
Dexterity |
10 |
Imbuing a Cut Gem
A properly cut
Gem can be imbued with power by casting powerful magic on it for a length of time dependant on the rarity of the
Gem. The caster must spend a spell slot of the appropriate level each day for the duration as listed in the table below. If the caster misses a day during this process, then the total duration is increased by one day.
| Rarity |
Condition |
Spell Level |
Duration |
| Very Rare |
Cut |
9th |
6 weeks |
| Rare |
Cut |
6th |
4 weeks |
| Uncommon |
Cut |
3rd |
2 weeks |
Socketing an Arcane Gem
Socketing or unsocketing an arcane
Gem requires the use of
Jeweler's Tools. Make a DC 15 Dexterity (Jeweler's Tools) check. On a success, you socket or unsocket the
Gem.
This can take 15 minutes per
Gem, or 30 minutes for a DC 12 Dexterity (Jeweler's Tools) check.
A Jeweler would probably charge 10 gp per socket, taking 10 minutes. (Rates may vary).
Weapons, armor, and rings capable of housing arcane gems can only be crafted by master artisans practiced in the arcane arts or working with a powerful arcane caster. There are special techniques for this, so the crafter must be one who knows how to craft these specialized items. It is a deeply held secret by the gnomes who use this craft. It is highly sought after by others who craft magic items.
Equipment made to house arcane gems must possess equally precise indentations, requiring specialized tools and expertise in manipulating magical energy. A magical item cannot be made socketable.
Ring, rare (requires attunement), 14,000 gp
You can increase the magical properties of this ring by adding an imbued arcane
Gem into a single arcane socket atop the ring.
Armor (varies), rarity varies (requires attunement) 700 gp (for a single socket), 14,000 gp for 2 sockets, 25,000 gp for 3 sockets.
You have a +1 bonus to AC while wearing this armor. You can increase the magical properties of this armor by adding imbued arcane gems into arcane sockets etched into the armor. The number of arcane slots depends on the rarity of the armor, as listed in the table below.
| Rarity |
Sockets |
| Uncommon |
1 |
| Rare |
2 |
| Very Rare |
3 |
Gem Shield
shield, rarity varies (requires attunement) 700 gp (for a single socket), 14,000 gp for 2 sockets, 25,000 gp for 3 sockets.
You have a +1 bonus to AC while wielding this shield. You can increase the magical properties of this shield by adding imbued arcane gems into arcane sockets etched into the shield. The number of arcane slots depends on the rarity of the shield, as listed in the table below.
| Rarity |
Sockets |
| Uncommon |
1 |
| Rare |
2 |
| Very Rare |
3 |
Gem Gauntlet
Gauntlet (Leather and/or Metal), rarity varies (requires attunement) 700 gp (for a single socket), 14,000 gp for 2 sockets, 25,000 gp for 3 sockets.
While wearing this gauntlet your unarmed strikes made using the gauntlet have a +1 bonus to attack rolls and damages rolls. You can increase the magical properties of this gauntlet by adding imbued arcane gems into arcane sockets etched into the gauntlet. The number of arcane slots depends on the rarity of the gauntelt, as listed in the table below.
| Rarity |
Sockets |
| Uncommon |
1 |
| Rare |
2 |
| Very Rare |
3 |
Gem Weapon
Weapon (varies), rarity varies (requires attunement) 700 gp (for a single socket), 14,000 gp for 2 sockets, 25,000 gp for 3 sockets.
You have a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this weapon. You can increase the magical properties of this weapon by adding imbued arcane gems into arcane sockets etched into the weapon. The number of arcane slots depends on the rarity of the weapon, as listed in the table below.
| Rarity |
Sockets |
| Uncommon |
1 |
| Rare |
2 |
| Very Rare |
3 |
The Power Gems
Ability Gem
Gem, uncommon (5000 gp)
You gain a +1 bonus to the ability associated with the
Gem as list in the table below while the
Gem is socketed into an item you are wearing or wielding. Can be socketed into any item.
Ability Gem +2
Gem, uncommon (15,000 gp)
You gain a +2 bonus to the ability associated with the
Gem as list in the table below while the
Gem is socketed into an item you are wearing or wielding. A person can only gain +1 or +2 on any ability at a time, they will only get the highest bonus per ability, but they can have more than one ability get a bonus. Can be socketed into any item. (Use chart above for the type of
Gem to correlating ability).
Skill Ability Gem +1
Gem, uncommon (5000 gp)
You gain a +1 bonus to ability checks associated with the
Gem as list in the table below while the
Gem is socketed into an item you are wearing or wielding.
Energy Gem
Gem, rare (3,000 gp)
An item socketed with the gems listed in the table below gain the following benefits:
- Armor or Shield. While you are wearing armor or wielding a shield with a Gem socketed into it, you gain resistance to the damage type associated with the Gem.
- Weapon. While you are wielding a weapon with a Gem socketed into it, your attacks made using the weapon gain a bonus 1d6 damage of the type associated with the Gem.
- Ring or Gauntlet. While you are wearing a ring or gauntlet with a Gem socketed into it, your unarmed strikes gain a bonus 1d6 damage of the type associated with the Gem.
Critical Gem
Gem, rare (3,000 gp)
An item socketed with this
Bloodstone Gem gains the following benefits:
- Armor or Shield. While you are wearing armor or wielding a shield with this Gem socketed into it, any critical hit against you becomes a normal hit.
- Weapon. While you are wielding a weapon with this Gem socketed into it, your attacks made using the weapon score a critical hit on a roll of 19 or 20.
- Ring or Gauntlet. While you are wearing a ring or gauntlet with this Gem socketed into it, your unarmed strikes score a critical hit on a roll of 19 or 20.
Vicious Gem
Gem, very rare (15,000 gp)
When you force a creature to make a saving throw while wearing or wielding an item with this
Jacinth Gem socketed into it, the DC of the saving throw increases by 1. An item can only support one vicious
Gem socketed into it at a time.A person can only get the benefits of 1 vicious
Gem, taking the highest bonus of those worn.
Vicious Gem +2
Gem, Legendary (30,000 gp)
When you force a creature to make a saving throw while wearing or wielding an item with this
Jacinth Gem socketed into it, the DC of the saving throw increases by 2. An item can only support one vicious
Gem socketed into it at a time. A person can only get the benefits of 1 vicious
Gem, taking the highest bonus of those worn.
Protection Gem
Gem, very rare (15,000 gp)
You gain a +1 bonus to AC and saving throws while wearing or wielding an item with this
Diamond Gem socketed into it. An item can only support one protection
Gem socketed into it at a time.
Battle Gem
Gem, rare (3,000 gp)
Armor or weapons socketed with this lodestone
Gem gain the following benefits:
- Armor or Shield. While you are wearing armor or wielding a shield with this Gem socketed into it, your AC increases by 1.
- Weapon. While you are wielding a weapon with this Gem socketed into it, your attacks made using the weapon gain a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls.
- Ring or Gauntlet. While you are wearing a ring or gauntlet with this Gem socketed into it, your unarmed strikes gain a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls.
Methods of
Crafting Magic Items:
See also:
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NOTES:
Gems do not stack with same exact types..
You can do 3 damage types, but not 3 of the same damage type.
Gauntlets count as unarmed damage.
