Hieronymos and the Power of the Stones
The smith Ilmarinen filled the world with precious stones and gems. These stones have a natural power, but these powers only come through for certain people. For example, if someone holds an agate they might feel overwhelming love, but if someone else holds that same agate, they may not feel anything.
Hieronymos is the only person in Ilmarinen who can "read" a person and know which stone will affect them the most. He lives on Skerry Island and every paladin and Scion goes to him to learn their stone. The weapon makers on Skerry Island will then make a weapon using the stones. In this way, a weapon is only useable by one person. That is, unless they meet another who has the same stone and uses the same type of weapon. That has never happened in Ilmarinen.
While many people might wield a sword, only one person will have a sword with an amethyst blade.
While many people might hold an agate and feel love, only a tiny few will feel an overwhelming love more than the others.
Hieronymos is the only person in Ilmarinen who can "read" a person and know which stone will affect them the most. He lives on Skerry Island and every paladin and Scion goes to him to learn their stone. The weapon makers on Skerry Island will then make a weapon using the stones. In this way, a weapon is only useable by one person. That is, unless they meet another who has the same stone and uses the same type of weapon. That has never happened in Ilmarinen.
While many people might wield a sword, only one person will have a sword with an amethyst blade.
While many people might hold an agate and feel love, only a tiny few will feel an overwhelming love more than the others.
Characters and Their Stones
The only people in Ilmarinen allowed by law to have weapons with stones are Scions and paladins. Some other characters, Altana included, obtain weapons with stones through other means.
Altana Burrows: Bow with lapis lazuli. The stone enhances courage and love. The lapis lazuli is the second rarest stone in Ilmarinen. The rarest is the diamond.
Adalard Bardolph: Claymore made of orange garnet. It enhances physical energy and makes him more willing to take risks.
Odin: Broadsword with a bloodstone blade. The bloodstone pushes him to follow his heart completely.
Scion Seldon Thormand: Broadsword with amethyst blade that controls evil thoughts.
King Scion Walfred Bardolph: Does not fight with his weapon, but has the power of sapphire.
High King Scion Jareth Meilhard: Mace made with aquamarine. The stone provides peace.
Scion Varick Meilhard: Flail with garnet. Garnet enhances "physical" (aka sexual) energy.
Scion Victor Meilhard: Scythe made of amber. Amber gives him the ability to make a negative situation positive. He's a Pollyanna.
Scion Elinda Berdine: Dual axes with blades of jade that bring joy and happiness.
Scion Marcel Gorman: Slingshot with moonstone.
Altana Burrows: Bow with lapis lazuli. The stone enhances courage and love. The lapis lazuli is the second rarest stone in Ilmarinen. The rarest is the diamond.
Adalard Bardolph: Claymore made of orange garnet. It enhances physical energy and makes him more willing to take risks.
Odin: Broadsword with a bloodstone blade. The bloodstone pushes him to follow his heart completely.
Scion Seldon Thormand: Broadsword with amethyst blade that controls evil thoughts.
King Scion Walfred Bardolph: Does not fight with his weapon, but has the power of sapphire.
High King Scion Jareth Meilhard: Mace made with aquamarine. The stone provides peace.
Scion Varick Meilhard: Flail with garnet. Garnet enhances "physical" (aka sexual) energy.
Scion Victor Meilhard: Scythe made of amber. Amber gives him the ability to make a negative situation positive. He's a Pollyanna.
Scion Elinda Berdine: Dual axes with blades of jade that bring joy and happiness.
Scion Marcel Gorman: Slingshot with moonstone.
Healing Powers of Stones and Plants
Although forbidden by law, Garrick tends to use stones and plants for healing purposes. He knows that stones can help heal body and mind. For example, he has Altana carry a rose quartz to cure her sadness. Stones are carried or even ground up into powder.
Plants work in much the same way. They can be used to heal certain ailments or even enhance emotions. In the story, Altana learns that lovers often give each other daffodils because they enhance love. These plants might work through touch, or used as a poultice, or even eaten as is. Garrick rubs a carnation over a wound to heal it, for example. Garrick is one of the very few people in Ilmarinen who knows what plants work to heal what ailments and how. It is illegal to heal people in Ilmarinen. It is against the will of Odin.
Plants work in much the same way. They can be used to heal certain ailments or even enhance emotions. In the story, Altana learns that lovers often give each other daffodils because they enhance love. These plants might work through touch, or used as a poultice, or even eaten as is. Garrick rubs a carnation over a wound to heal it, for example. Garrick is one of the very few people in Ilmarinen who knows what plants work to heal what ailments and how. It is illegal to heal people in Ilmarinen. It is against the will of Odin.