Can we have a powerstone quirk thread?

[Sam Baughn]

I seem to remember long lists of powerstone quirks being popular on GURPSnet back in the late nineties, but damned if I can find any examples. So I thought, why not start one?

• When left still in a dark, quiet environment, the powerstone starts to move, rolling gently (Move 1, can't go uphill) towards:
  1. the nearest other powerstone
  2. magnetic north
  3. the location where it was enchanted
• When used, the powerstone emits a loud whistle, in a frequency above human hearing.
• The powerstone will not provide energy for spells of the same college twice in a row.
• The powerstone has the Lifebane disadvantage while recharging.
• All critical failures for spells using energy from the powerstone roll twice on a different critical failure chart (see Thaumatology) to the usual one used for the game, applying both results if possible.
• If a critical success is rolled when casting a spell which uses energy from the powerstone, rather than the usual effects, a 'similar' spell (e.g. seek water instead of seek earth, lightning rather than fireball) is cast.

[Anders]

Can only recharge in blood, or over a certain elevation.

Glows when there are flies nearby

Smells of cheese

Takes the form of a sandwich - must be eaten to use and regenerates as it recharges.

When used to power a spell, an image flickers in the gem showing what college the spell is from (skull for Necromancy, flame for fire, etc.) If a spell can come from several colleges, then it shows a mixture of them all.

Before it can be used, the powerstone must be taught to submit to the caster with a Contest of Will vs. Power. Once the stone is subdued, it stays subdued.

[johndallman]

Hides underneath anything in the same pouch.

Apparently weighs 8 ounces.

Compasses point to it, but it doesn't seem to be magnetic in any other way.

[Sam Baughn]

• Constantly secretes lubricant, making it and anything it is attached to very slippery. DX roll (HMD and Good Grip help) every turn to hold onto it.
• Slowly corrodes anything it touches, not fast enough to be useful in combat but will burn through a leather pouch in a few hours, a sturdy box overnight, etc. Can be permanently held only in a delicate crystal container.
• Will not recharge if a larger powerstone is within 30 feet rather than 6 feet, ditto for splitting power with equal size ones.
• Mutters constantly in an unknown language.
• Periodically casts illusion shell on itself to resemble nearby items of similar size.
• Is (slightly) lighter than air and will drift off if not contained.
• Is inexplicably sticky, attaching itself with ST 10 to any surface it touches, including flesh.
• Causes anyone drawing power from it to experience moderate pain for 1d seconds.
• Will not work for the same user twice in a row.
• Will not work unless the user is performing elaborate rituals, as for skill 9 or less.
• Any spells using energy from the powerstone take a penalty equal to the caster's encumbrance level, as for The Unarmoured Wizard: Rituals and Encumbrance (Thaumatology, p. 28).
• The stone refuses to work for anyone who isn't at least tipsy and won't provide more than one energy at a time unless they are actually drunk.

[RyanW]

Power can only be drawn when the stone is heated to at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit (50 Celsius). It only charges when below 50 Fahrenheit (10 Celsius).

When left unattended the stone tries to hide - rolling behind other items on a shelf, getting lost in the back of a drawer, falling off a table, etc.

For 1d seconds after drawing power from the stone, the user can speak only jibberish. They cannot cast spells that require speaking or chanting during this time, except with the stone.

[Tyneras]

Must be held in the mouth or other orifice to draw power from it.

Will not recharge while within 2 yards of gold.

Aspected to a specific college which changes randomly after each use.

[Anders]

Doesn't work if there's an alligator within 20 yards.

[David Johnston2]

Glows when used.

Emits an odor of rotting meat. Not only does it reduce reaction rolls it attracts carrion insects.

Imbeds itself in whatever creature makes flesh contact with it, requiring surgical removal to get out.

Gives user distracting and usually useless memory flashbacks of previous users when used.

Makes shrieking noises when used.

May only be used for spells associated with a single college

Gives off a conspicuous glow that can only be seen by spiritual beings, attracting their attention.

Weighs ten pounds.

Constantly produces a high pitched whining sound that annoys children and any creature with ultrasonic hearing.

Gradually induces psychological dependency on the user so they become addicted to having it on their person. Roll versus Will every day to avoid picking up a disadvantage point. "My precioussss"

Magnetic. Sticks to metal, screws up magnetic compasses.

Will only let itself be used by virgins.

Will only recharge if placed at least 3 yards away from any mammalian, avian or reptile mind that is not meditating.

Death aura kills small animals and plants in its vicinity. Makes larger animals uncomfortable.

[weby]

Only works when the user sings(uses song magic or succeeds in a singing roll when casting other magic)

Only recharges in a quiet environment.

Only recharges in a noisy environment.

Only recharges if it is washed after use.

Makes any spell cast with it have a purple aura.

Makes any spell cast with it have a loud whistling sound.

Only recharges when with 6 feet of a sm -3 or larger living being.

Only recharges when more than 6 feet of any sm -3 or larger living being.

Recharges slower: -1d6*10% slower, rolled each recharge time separately.

Makes bubbling sounds like a pot boiling over when recharging

Only works if actually touched by bare hands.

Says "Gotcha" every time it is used to cast a spell targeting anyone but the caster.

Sings badly a drinking song, over and over again while charging

Tries to leap 1 hex in the spell target direction after being used to cast a spell at 1 hex or longer range. Roll dexterity roll to keep it in grip.

Only works for projectile spells

Only works for spells targeting the caster.

Gives wrong amount of energy: roll 1d6-4 to see how much more or less it gives compared to what was planned.

[johndallman]

Constantly emits a faint ticking sound.