Fragment of the Divine Elements (Earth)
Wondrous item, artifact (requires attunement)
Believed to be the physical manifestation of a portion of the High Goddess’ lost power, the Fragments of the Divine Elements are amulets that are said to have appeared on Chardia shortly following Aerith’s battle with Vaul. Whether these artifacts were created by a mortal hand, the divine, or through some other means is unknown, as is their ultimate reason for existence. According to prophecy, the fragments were to remain hidden for millennia, safely away from the dark forces that sought to exploit them, and only to arise in times of great need to maintain the balance of the forces that created the world.
While these objects are said to have great power, they can only be unlocked by those who are prophesied to wield them… though if the prophesies ever specified who or how many bearers may exist at any given time, that information has been lost to the ages. This leaves open the possibility that more than one potential bearer could wield an individual Fragment, and since Aerith did not favor either good or evil in the cosmic balance, the potential bearers could very well be aligned against one another.
Embodying one of the 12 Divine Elements, the Fragment of Earth grants its bearer mastery over earth and stone to move and shape it to their will. It is depicted as having a hollow, elongated diamond shape made of strips of bronze metal etched with ancient celestial markings, representing one of the 12 points in the star that makes up Aerith’s holy symbol, attached to a thin silver chain. In the center of the diamond are three ornately shaped mountains, also made of bronze. Driven to seek out the counterparts among the remaining elements, the artifact will grow in power while in proximity to its “sisters”, granting its user the ability to perform amazing feats beyond that of most mortal beings… however, any bearer should be forewarned that harnessing the tremendous energies of the Divine Elements can come at a cost to both the artifacts and their wielders.
Properties. The Fragment of Earth has the following properties:
Adjusted Ability Scores. After you become attuned to the fragment, your Strength or Constitution score increases by 2, to a maximum of 24. You can’t gain this benefit from the fragment more than once.
Grounded. While you are attuned to the fragment and in possession of it, you have resistance to lightning damage. In addition, you have advantage on saving throws and ability checks to avoid being forcibly moved.
Earthen Form. If you control the fragment, while you are in contact with at least 5 pounds of rock or stone, you can use a bonus action to take on its properties as though you were affected by the stoneskin spell. You can’t use this property again until you finish a short or long rest.
Spells. The fragment has 7 charges and regains 1d4+1 expended charges daily at dawn. While controlling the fragment, you can use an action and expend 1 or more of its charges to cast one of the following spells (save DC 18) from it: erupting earth (2 charges), Maximilian’s earthen grasp (1 charge), stone shape (3 charges), or transmute rock (4 charges).
You can also use an action to cast the earth tremor or meld into stone spells without using any charges.
Symbiotic Casting. Properties and actions granted by the fragment can be used even while under personal effects that normally prohibit spellcasting, such as while raging or transformed into a wild shape. You can also maintain concentration on spells cast using the fragment while under such effects, however all other rules related to concentration apply.
Undetectable. While you are attuned to the fragment and in possession of it, it cannot be perceived by any creatures aside from other fragment bearers (or potential fragment bearers), and cannot be targeted by divination magic or seen through scrying. Choosing to reveal the fragment, or using a property that affects other creatures, will allow those creatures to perceive the fragment for up to 24 hours after it has been revealed.
Like a Stone. While you are attuned to the fragment and in possession of it, you suffer disadvantage on Strength (Athletics) checks made to swim. When you are in water and not actively swimming, you sink at a rate of 10 feet per round and cannot float unassisted even in calm water.
Involuntary Stasis. The fragment seeks to protect its bearer from death, and will do so even against your wishes. When you die while attuned with the fragment, there is a 10% chance of your body and spirit being transformed into pure energy and imprisoned within it. While imprisoned in this way, you cannot be resurrected by any means short of a wish spell, being replaced by another fragment bearer, or being released by the whims of fate.
Sentience. The fragment is a sentient, lawful neutral item with an Intelligence of 14, a Wisdom of 16, and a Charisma of 14. It has hearing and darkvision out to a range of 60 feet. The fragment communicates telepathically with its bearer and can speak, read, and understand Common and Celestial.
Personality. The Fragment of Earth can be slow to communicate, and when it does so it speaks in hushed tones as though it’s just awoken from a long dream. It will take on a more urgent demeanor if its bearer is in danger or it is in the presence of other fragments.
The fragment longs to be re-united with its “sisters” and will urge its bearer to assist with this goal if possible. It abhors the idea of harming the bearers of other fragments, and may attempt to rebel against commands to do so.
