Greygem of Gargath
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The Greygem of Gargath is a fictional item in the Dragonlance universe.
[edit] Background
While creating the world, Reorx was cheated by Morgion to forge a special stone imbued with the power of Chaos.
A similar yet different origin is recounted in Dragons of Summer Flame, where it is Hiddukel the Trickster who fooled Chislev into charming Reorx about creating a gem that would hold the essence of neutrality, a force that is powerful enough to keep the balance of Good and Evil in check.
After being created, and because of its grey shade, it was named Greygem or Graygem. Reorx deposited the stone in the Red Moon, Lunitari.
Understanding that the stone may provide them eternal magical energy, the gnomes constructed an enormous stair. However, the Greygem escaped into the world. Wherever the Greygem passed, the living beings were corrupted by its chaotic magic, like the centaurs (riders who were fused with their horses when the Greygem affected them). The gnomes followed the Greygem to a castle owned by a wizard named Gargath (thus the name of the stone as Greygem of Gargath), where the stone had been trapped by magic. After several attempts, the gnomes were able to storm the castle, although the Greygem managed to escape again before either side could control it. The corruption transformed gnomes into kenders and dwarves, originating both races. It was also said to have changed ogres into minotaurs. (It is also possible that the Greygem altered elves, rather than gnomes, into kender.)
Although it was meant to house a piece of Chaos, it was Chaos himself who entered the Greygem by his own will (although the common misconception is that Reorx inadvertently captured the whole being), in order to corrupt the world without drawing the suspicion of the different gods of Krynn.
During the year 383 A.C., the Greygem was captured by the Irda, who broke the gem, letting Chaos free, beginning the Chaos War. The gem was then found by Palin Majere and Tasslehoff Burrfoot who with the help of Usha Majere, with Steel Brightblade captured a drop of Chaos's blood within the Graygem, recapturing him again. This resulted in the gods leaving Krynn, and with them true magic, hence the term Age of Mortals or the Fifth Age.
[edit] References
- Margaret Weis; Tracy Hickman (2002). The Second Generation. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-2694-5.
- Margaret Weis; Tracy Hickman (2002). Dragons of Summer Flame. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-2708-9.
