The Thrice Cursed Stone

Many religions use the onyx in their designs, and in their holy relics due to the beauty of the gemstone. An Onyx thrice cursed, as is the nature the crone, the witch, and the hag, is used by Liches and those that aspire to their power. In the Ancient City of Sakatep it was first used, the Priests of the Serpent used it to speak with the dead. When Sakatep was occupied by a foreign army, the secrets were scattered across the lands, and claimed by many court wizards, and hedge wizards of the realms.
The first step of the preparation is known as the Hex of Dust. The gemstone must be buried in the soil of a decrepit city, the place of betrayal, or the site of a murder. The onyx must be kept buried for a day or two before the second curse can begin. This allows the person time to reconsider, to break the hold of the curse over the gem before it can truly begin. It is commonly associated with Crones, those that bury thoughts of vengeance and evil.
The second step is the Curse of the Half Truth, though it is more commonly called the Curse of the Hag. This curse gives the stone the connection to the other-world, grants the user the ability to see and communicate with ghostly figures, those things that cannot be accepted as truth by the peoples. Like the hag who sells her very soul to gain power, so too must the person be willing to sell themselves to use this power.
The final curse, the curse of the stranger is what fuses the essence of magic into it, binding the "stranger" to the gemstone. The ground trembles as the final curse is bestowed, the onyx shattering with the power, rebuilding itself several times over in the dark eulogy. When the trembles stops, the gemstone can be dug up, for it has reached its 'true' form, the mark of the witch upon it.

Properties

Material Characteristics

All cursed onyx maintain a glass like appearance, with several unnatural cracks in it, similar to a shattered window loosely holding itself together. The greater the curse, the more the stone looks unaltered from its original state.

Physical & Chemical Properties

There is a slight necrotic aura that can be physically felt through physical touch, a tingling cold that is felt in the bones and joints. The greater the final curse, the more potent this necrotic aura is. The most powerful stones have the strongest essence of the stranger, casting darkness around itself or being unbearably hot to the touch.

Compounds

The gemstone is used for magic, a substitute for magic scrolls and one time use items. It is able to be used for all schools of magic, but is excellent for necromancy. A fully used onyx can be used with salt to help create a protective ward around the user.

Life & Expiration

The stone is not stable. Untouched, the gemstone is able to last for a little over three months. Each time a spell is cast with it, the expectancy drops by two weeks.

History & Usage

History

In the ancient city of Sakatep there were several cults that worshiped Satep, the Serpent that would swallow the Sun. These cults had infiltrated the priesthood, and had set Sakatep as their main base allowing their influence to grow. Though they had utilized many ancient tools, it was gemstones that proved to be the best conduit of arcane magic. Gemstones were imported from distant lands to be studied, engraved, and have many charms cast upon them. While many of these had great successes, and some are still used to this day, it was not until the first curses were cast that their powers began to grow. It was soon realized that the onyx, or the Serpents Fangs, held the best chance of sustaining a curse, and would not shatter as easily as others. With a great deal of trial and error, the stone was proven to be able to sustain a second, half curse.
When the city state of Mishka conquered the city, the armies soon discovered the accursed onyx. The soldiers were of a magically affiliated people, who had a love for the unknown. They took the taboo stone and hundreds of their priests as prisoners of war, learning a great deal from them. It was in the city of Mishka that the third curse was successfully applied, the birthplace of the magic of the grave; necromancy.

Discovery

The thrice cursed was first discovered during a raid on a renegade wizards lair, used to channel faint magics against the soldiers. Those soldiers brought it to the Priests, ignorant of the sorcery being practiced.

Everyday use

It is used solely for necromancy, though its applications vary. It cannot be used for a true resurrection.

Distribution

Trade & Market

Onyx in its purest form is sold in nearly every mining town and vig city. The thrice cursed, or Wizatds Onyx is sold only in corrupt cities and shady merchants. It is considered a luxury item. It is recommended that the buyer investigate the item thoroughly, for its sublime features can be missed.

Storage

The cursed gemstone must not be kept with other minerals, stones, gems, or metal. Once it has received its final curse, it should be kept wrapped in cloth or leather.

Law & Regulation

It is illegal to be in possession, or distributing it.

Type

Ore

Value

150gp - 5000gp

Rarity

Uncommon - Rare

Odor

Stone like, with hints of rotten garlic.

Taste

n/a

Color

Black, white, red. purple or gray base, with streaks of red. Cursed onyx displays a

Common State

Solid