The small brown-coloured orb is set into a small chain. The chain can be easily attached to a necklace, to clothes, or wrapped around the hand. The whole piece does not look especially fancy, but it somehow fits perfectly to any existing jewelry. Somehow it manages to blend in, and be forgotten but always worn. The orb travels the world and changes owners until it finds someone interesting to study…
You see, this one was created to help in finding one’s hidden talents, and helping them. Too many times was Corvus the Mad bothered through parents that wanted their siblings to learn from the great Wizard. Of course he rejected most. Research solved a part of the other problems. As time passed the Orb became a student of human(oid) potential, and of what happens once it is shown.
So, what happens?
Choosing is often random. The Orb stays usually on the person itself, sometimes in its pocket, rarely on some other close person that is always near (once a pet animal was used). It takes the time to study the person, and determines the hidden or not not-so-hidden talents (s)he could have. Then it chooses one, sometimes a completely different one.
The Chosen begins to exhibit the marks of some inborn talent that may be useful in any kind of profession or activity. The onset may be slow, and may be even rapidly fast. The talent may be useful in the Chosen’s current life, but it may be completely useless. The Orb arranges situations where the talent can be shown, and gently pushes him/her to try it. Sometimes only the Chosen sees this, sometimes very large groups notice the fact. This phase can take from days to months, even years.
3. Stop Helping
The Orb ceases its activities, but continues the study. If the talent was not inborn (the Chosen had no potential for it), it simply vanishes, though some part of it may be preserved through skill, or not. Otherwise (s)he is now skilled in it. In any way, the Chosen may decide to abandon his abilities, or may be forced by others to continue using them.
The orbs studies both the chosen person and its surroundings. What if you suddenly can do something you never was aware of? Or you always dreamed of, but were not able? Whay if you can become rich or powerful this way? What if it scares you, and you feel you have not the complete control? Will you use it to help people, help yourself, or actually turn to Evil?
And what about other people? Will they react with fear, wonder, jealousy, or ouright hate? Will they support the village fool, they laughed at for being worthless? Or will they burn the old farmer they all know and love, once he starts to Create Undead without control? (Oh yes, the Orb sometimes chooses very weird combinations of people and talents.) Or will you send your little daughter away to a master of the art, if it can draw beautiful paintings?
The Orb can find talents in people that never considered another job. It too does not want to attract much attention, but sometimes the desire is so great… It has clearly a strong chaotic streak.
Long ago, the Wizard Corvus, created a vast number of magikal crystal orbs of various sizes, most of which were incorporated into other items. These orbs housed magikally created intelligences with the following powers:
1) The ability to influence and manipulate the minds of those around it to some degree.
2) The ability to communicate with any other Orb at any range, if it desires.
3) The ability to block or diffuse the power of another orb, 100% magik resistance against orb magik. It can sometimes grant that ability to others or use the power at range.
4) The ability to be nearly unbreakable (they are crystal after all)
5) 1-5 Magikal abilities to fufill its original purpose as a tool for Corvus. They were originally made as assistants and aides for Corvus. Since they have outlasted him and anyone who knew much about them, they are now free to follow their own agendas.