💎 Gemstones of Midkemias

💎 Gemstones of Midkemia

“A gem is not merely wealth—it is memory, mystery, and the weight of what was left unsaid.” —Gorath, upon finding the snow sapphire

🧭 Overview

Gems in Midkemia are trinkets of monetary value, but their narrative weight far exceeds their price. Found in caches, chests, and on the bodies of the fallen, gemstones serve as trade goods, quest items, and emotional anchors. They are accepted at all shops and may be used in rituals, bribes, or factional exchanges. In Fables.GG, gems are fully integrated into the world’s emotional and mechanical systems.

💰 Marketability

The value of a gem depends on:

  • The shop’s pricing standards

  • The gem’s condition percentage

  • Regional demand and chapter context

Specialized jewel shops offer better rates:

  • 🛍️ In Zones 1 and 2, Hawk’s Hollow pays the highest prices

  • 🛍️ In Chapters 2 and 3, during the guild war, Romney offers the best deals

In Fables.GG, marketability may also be influenced by:

  • 🕊️ Faction alignment (e.g., Ruthia’s temples pay more for aesthetically rare gems)

  • 🧠 Divine favor (e.g., Ishapian gems resist theft or decay)

  • 🗺️ Narrative timing (e.g., a gem may unlock a quest only if sold in a specific region)

🧩 Narrative Use

Gems are not just loot—they are story catalysts. They may:

  • Unlock hidden quests or divine puzzles

  • Serve as offerings in temples (e.g., emeralds for Silban, rubies for Kahooli)

  • Trigger emotional responses in NPCs

  • Be required for crafting relics or activating magical devices

  • Represent factional allegiance (e.g., Moredhel brooches)

🧊 Krondor: The Betrayal Reference

In the novelization, the party finds a snow sapphire—an egg-sized, multifaceted gem of strange blue hue—on the body of a moredhel south of LaMut. Gorath notes that such stones are common in the Northlands and not particularly valuable, making its presence unusual. The party sells it to Kiefer Alescook for three Gold Sovereigns—the price of a meal along the road.

This moment underscores the emotional realism of Midkemia’s economy: rarity is relative, and value is shaped by context, not just composition.

Note: The snow sapphire does not appear in the game, though sapphires and Sapphire Shieldstones are present in Betrayal in Antara.

💠 Known Gem Types

Each gem may carry symbolic or magical weight:

  • 💎 Diamonds — clarity, finality, divine judgment

  • 💚 Emeralds — healing, nature, emotional renewal

  • ❤️ Rubies — passion, vengeance, bloodline

  • 🖤 Moredhel Brooches — tribal identity, secrecy, allegiance

  • 🐚 Shells — coastal memory, Killian’s favor, quiet grief

These may be used in faction rituals, divine offerings, or emotional quests.

🧠 Trivia & Mechanics

  • No gems or trinkets are found on Timirianya

  • Gems found in the Sethanon Caverns lose utility after Chapter 6 or 7

  • Some gems may be cursed, inert, or emotionally reactive

  • Selling a gem may trigger a faction’s interest—or wrath

  • Gems may be used to craft relics, bribe NPCs, or unlock divine puzzles

💎 Closing Note

In Midkemia, gems are fragments of forgotten stories. They glitter in the dark, whisper in the hand, and vanish when needed most. By expanding their role beyond currency, Fables.GG transforms gemstones into emotional artifacts—each one a choice, a memory, or a key.

Let me know if you'd like to design gem-based relics, divine crafting systems, or faction-specific gem lore tied to temples, quests, or environmental hazards.