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| Description |
Wondrous item, uncommon This emerald contains a mote of elemental energy. When you use an action to break the gem, a water elemental is summoned as if you had cast the conjure elemental spell, and the gem’s magic is lost. |
|---|---|
| Source | Dungeon Master’s Guide 🛒 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Category | Wondrous Items |
| Full rules | open5e.com ↗ |
The Water Elemental Gem is a fascinating magical item that captures the raw power of the Water Plane within a shimmering emerald. This wondrous item belongs to the family of elemental gems and offers adventurers the opportunity to summon a mighty ally – though only once.
Function and Use
Using the Water Elemental Gem is remarkably simple, but irreversible. With an action, you break the gem and unleash the elemental energy trapped within. A water elemental is summoned, as if you had cast the conjure elemental spell. After breaking, the gem completely loses its magic – making it a one-use item with enormous tactical value.
The summoned water elemental follows the usual rules for summoned creatures: it is friendly toward you, obeys your commands, and remains for one hour or until reduced to 0 hit points. This makes the gem a valuable ace in the hole for critical combat situations.
Tactical Considerations
Water elementals are versatile fighters with impressive abilities. They can squeeze through tight cracks, have resistance to acid damage, and can knock down and drown opponents with their Whelm ability. They are particularly effective in aquatic environments or against fire-based enemies.
The timing of deployment is crucial. Since the gem can only be used once, you should save it for particularly challenging encounters. A water elemental can turn the tide in a difficult battle or serve as a distraction while the party pursues other tactical objectives.
Roleplaying Potential and Background
From a narrative standpoint, the Water Elemental Gem opens up interesting possibilities. Where does this gem originate? Who trapped the elemental energy within it? The Dungeon Master’s Guide 🛒 provides room for creative interpretations – perhaps the stone is a relic from an ancient wizard’s battle or a gift from the Elemental Planes.
The emerald green color and the energy swirling within make the item visually appealing as well. Players might hesitate to destroy such a beautiful object, creating additional tension. As a Dungeon Master, you can use this emotional connection to create difficult decisions.
Acquisition and Value
As an uncommon magical item, the Water Elemental Gem is not commonplace, but not excessively rare either. It could serve as a reward for a successful quest, be found in the stores of a defeated wizard villain, or be acquired from specialized merchants. The value typically ranges between 500 and 1,000 gold pieces, depending on the particular campaign world.
The Water Elemental Gem is a perfect example of a magical item that is simple to understand but powerful in application. It rewards strategic thinking and adds an interesting emergency option to any equipment loadout.
This article was created using AI, based on data from the 5e-database project (D&D 5e System Reference Document, licensed under CC BY 4.0).
