Leng rubies are flawless, blood-red gemstones originating from the desolate Plateau of Leng within the Dimension of Dreams, an outer plane veiled in shifting mists and inhabited by the enigmatic Men of Leng. Identifiable by their absolute purity and total lack of imperfections, these rubies are more than just currency—they are tools of influence and control, often marking their recipients as both cursed and beholden to powers that dwell beyond mortal comprehension.
The Men of Leng, masters of deceit and arcane manipulation, use Leng rubies to secure allegiance, barter for forbidden knowledge, and further their cryptic schemes across the planes. While these rubies hold significant value, their possession marks one as willing to consort with beings antithetical to light, life, and sanity
Curses and Control: The Dark Magic of Leng Rubies
The seemingly inert Leng rubies are imbued with potent magic that establishes a subtle yet dangerous connection between the ruby’s bearer and the Men of Leng. When given as a “gift” or “payment,” the rubies serve as a tether, allowing the Men of Leng or other denizens of Leng to manipulate the bearer in unnerving ways.
- Outcast's Curse: This curse subtly isolates the bearer from those around them, sowing distrust and suspicion among friends, allies, or even the general populace. Those affected feel compelled to avoid or shun the bearer, while animals become skittish and fearful in their presence.
- Phantom Pain: Leng rubies allow the Men of Leng to inflict searing, illusionary pain upon the bearer, causing wracking agony that leaves no visible wound. This pain can last for moments or hours, often triggered as a reminder of the power that controls them.
- Mind Reading: Through the connection of a willingly accepted ruby, denizens of Leng can freely read the bearer’s thoughts from a range of up to one mile, making secrecy impossible and leaving the bearer exposed to mental manipulation or extortion.
Ritual Tether: The Ruby in Old Knot District
One of the most infamous examples of a Leng ruby’s power occurred in the Old Knot District of Seregon. As an “esteemed gift,” a singular Leng ruby was placed atop a pedestal in the district’s central square, emitting a subtle, inviting glow that lured curious passersby. Those who touched the ruby found themselves mentally tethered to a group of Leng knights within a one-mile radius. This connection allowed the knights to read their thoughts or curse them with agonizing, nightmarish visions. The ruby remained there for weeks, leading to paranoia and hysteria as citizens feared touching even their own belongings, wary of what the Men of Leng might read.
Leng Rubies as Plane-Shift Components
Leng rubies also possess unique properties that make them highly valuable to those daring enough to use them in planar travel:
- Randomized Tethering: If used as the material component in a plane shift spell, a Leng ruby has a tendency to attune to mysterious, often perilous locations—typically somewhere in the Dimension of Dreams or Leng itself. There is no reliable way to determine the attuned destination in advance.
- Larger Leng Rubies: Occasionally, larger Leng rubies surface, each the size of a clenched fist and often valued at 50,000 gp or more. These powerful rubies are usually exchanged only for massive transactions—such as the procurement of armies or as bribes to collapse a kingdom from within. Larger Leng rubies possess increased potency, allowing for effects over greater distances, sometimes even trans-planar. They are coveted by necromancers and eldritch scholars for their raw power and as potent magical foci, though they risk drawing direct attention from the Men of Leng.
Social and Scholarly Taboo
For those knowledgeable about their origins, Leng rubies carry a heavy stigma. To own a Leng ruby is to declare oneself willing to bargain with the twisted denizens of Leng, and few scholars or wise practitioners of magic would openly reveal such possession. The rubies have been known to corrupt the very souls of their bearers, twisting minds toward obsessions, paranoia, or reckless ambition. Libraries and magical academies actively discourage research into Leng rubies, deeming them symbols of unnatural influence and cautionary tales for the curious or prideful.
The Temptation of Leng Rubies
Despite their taboo, the allure of Leng rubies remains strong among the desperate and power-hungry. Their flawless beauty and the seductive promises whispered by their bearers inspire visions of power, dominion, and knowledge—at a steep cost. By accepting one, a creature unknowingly opens a door to the minds and machinations of Leng’s denizens, exposing themselves to schemes that can transcend lifetimes. Many who accept such a gift find themselves manipulated to act in ways that serve the unknowable aims of Leng, sometimes without realizing they are pawns until it is too late.
Ultimately, Leng rubies are far more than gemstones. They are conduits of control, tokens of cursed alliances, and beacons to otherworldly horrors that call from across the planes, waiting patiently to corrupt those who fall under their mesmerizing spell.