We wanted to provide some insight into why we’ve made changes to the Opals/Diamond and what it means going forward.
Historically, the Opals have had direct ties to the elements (PathFinder = Earth, FireStar = Fire, etc.). After more than twenty years, we’ve elected to expand beyond the elemental ties and provide more storytelling opportunities for all of you...as many of you know, you don’t have to be an Opal holder to have your character affected by an Opal!
So...what have we done, you ask? We’ve removed the Major and Minor powers from the Opal descriptions and re-written those descriptions (which can be found in the updated DoF Rules* as well as the bottom of this post) to emphasize that the Opals and their associated power are no longer limited to the elements.
- To think of it in Dungeons & Dragons terms, it’s akin to the Opals having access to the schools of Wizardry (Abjuration, Divination, etc.)
To think of it in Magic The Gathering terms, each Opal is no longer bound by a presumed element but instead reflects an array of personality traits alongside their widened scope of power
It shouldn’t go unnoticed, though, that using these newfound powers tax their holders; the Opals are quite likely to demand and extract a price if and when their holders choose to draw upon those powers.
Since Diamond Quest 100, the Opals have been out and about expanding their powers, gaining new ones and encountering new sources of influence. At this time, we’re not providing specifics relating to who/what they’ve come in contact with or exactly how/why their powers have grown; some of those details will be revealed in future stories in the coming weeks. In the meantime, you’re free to explore potential reasons in your own stories/play!
Having attained what they’d sought via many of our stories these past 20 years – freedom – the Opals discovered that freedom came at an unexpected price. The longer the Opals ran free, the more they lost sense of themselves. Think of it like dumping a bottle of water into a pool...the part that was once together gets lost amongst the whole. Restored to the confines of the opal-gems, the sentient beings that we know as the Opals have returned but with much more power, capability and sense of purpose than before.
Regarding the Diamond, we wanted to provide those with the Diamond rank more opportunity to play beyond “DoF Cycle Champion”. The top titles in the other sports have nice RP perks (ex. Overlord Isle/Overlord Belt; Celestial Tower) but the Diamond hasn’t ever had much more than the commemorative gem. The Black Diamond offers the Diamond-character the prospect for additional role-play and storytelling that wasn’t previously available. Too, as we noted in the Black Diamond description that’s in the April 2020 rules update, it has other abilities, including links to the Opals, yet to be uncovered as well (keep watch on the boards over the next several weeks for more on that front!).
We hope that you, like us, are excited to see how things play out with these new changes, which we plan to expand upon in the coming months. We look forward to partnering with you, our community, for another twenty-plus years of Opal/Diamond-related stories, play, and fun!
Now get out there and puncheminnaface!
--The players of Hope, Jewell, Kheldar and Matt
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Opals
The Black Opal (ShadoWeaver)
Beyond tricks of light and shadow, ShadoWeaver excels in creating beguiling glamours as well as deceiving the senses and the mind – even that of its holder. The black Opal enables its holders to blend in with the phantoms it creates, blurring the line between illusion and reality. Its holder is capable of smooth deception and remarkable guile through speech or magical illusions, often weaving them together. Those who dig too deep into ShadoWeaver's abilities or give up too much of themselves may find their very soul forever corrupted by its essence.
The Green Opal (PathFinder)
PathFinder can manipulate foliage, pass through living matter, and now alter life itself, causing healthy things to decay and even restoring or invigorating the life force of plants and creatures. The green Opal’s holders are also capable of altering living matter into something other than its natural state. However, these changes are demanding to bestow and more arduous to undo. Altering the natural order can far too easily sap the strength – or even cost the very life – of those who dare to reach beyond their means.
The Blue Opal (IceDancer)Methodical and resourceful, IceDancer has always been able to harness the properties of water to shield its holder, slow down an opponent, or even turn their offense against them. The blue Opal can now take this even further and manipulate any type of liquid, including that which is present in all living things. Additionally, holders can delve into the memories of water, constructing images and recreating past events. Beware though...these reflections of the past can drive a holder to obsession.
The Red Opal (FireStar)
FireStar’s brash and excitable personality fits neatly with its raw power. Combative, strong and eager to explore other planes of existence, FireStar constantly pushes the envelope of possibility. The red Opal’s holders can call fire from the skies and manipulate flames like clay but can also, by harnessing their anger and rage, access valuable objects or creatures from other planes to do their bidding...those who use this ability too many times may find themselves consumed by unfettered fury, incapable of expressing other emotion.
The Yellow Opal (MoonBeryl)
Perhaps the most cunning of the Opals, MoonBeryl tempts holders into using its powers with honeyed words. The yellow Opal offers its holders more than just the ability to manipulate wind and air. Holders can transcend the present and navigate the wonders of time itself...but is what they’re seeing what truly has happened/will happen, or is the yellow Opal deceiving them? Delve into the timestream too often and even the most mentally disciplined holder might find themselves adrift, unable to return to the here and now.
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Diamond
After the events of Diamond Quests 100 & 101 and due to its role in fragmenting and then reforging the Opals, the diamond has turned black. Now known as the Black Diamond, the gem gets passed from Diamond to Diamond to hold while they maintain the rank. The Black Diamond can absorb and release energy gathered during a fight; duelers of Diamond rank may discover how to use this ability to make their attacks stronger and more powerful.
Additionally, the Black Diamond can absorb echoes of the Diamond’s personality as it is passed from person to person. Over time, it seems as if the Black Diamond may use these echoes to form a sentience of its own. The Black Diamond may have other abilities yet to be uncovered as well.
Diamond Quest winners will continue to receive a commemorative diamond gem to keep as a symbol of their accomplishment.
