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.