Ethereal deep blue phoenix

The ethereal deep blue phoenix was a souvenir item given out at the Solstice Dreams - Foehn's Promise event in 2005. It is a character-attuned pet housed in a silver-based sleek crystal sphere that is worn around the neck.

An additional phoenix was raffled at the Treasure Trove portion of the August 2019 Duskruin Arena event. It is housed in a verdigris bronze-based polished glass sphere.

Starting in 2017, these are also sold in HESS at Duskruin.

Description

Putting a gem on the phoenix will change the creature's tail description.

Phoenix

an ethereal deep blue phoenix whorled with facets of <color> <gem>

The deep blue phoenix is a creature of pure wonder and beauty, its slender, elegant body wreathed in flames of spectral sapphire hue -- its feathers rustling in an unfelt breeze as they shed tiny motes of glowing blue that dance upon the air like fireflies before fading away.  Its gemlike eyes regard everything with a curious nature, and it moves as if it were a painting in motion, constantly redrawn and rendered beautifully upon a living canvas rather than anything of this world.  The icy flames swirl about it in lurid spirals and intricate halos as it flows on unseen currents of air, letting loose delicate, barely heard trills that twinkle lightly on the air.  Within the nebulous, translucent body of the phoenix are shards of violet sapphire, roiling throughout its flames and tossed about to catch the light in odd, glimmering angles as they whirl heedlessly in a ethereal dance of beauty within the majestic creature.

Sphere

Crafted out of sleek, translucent crystal, the sphere depicts a haunting image of a rising phoenix, its flamed wings and long, regal body fashioned entirely from a spectral blue sapphire.  Though its shades are of winter, the skillful cuts made throughout the intricate statue impart a dazzling inner fire to the jewel, each facet a multi-hued mirror of ethereal beauty.  A fine, silver scrollwork base holds the sphere in place, its delicate construction a perfect compliment to the piece.

Analyze

Sphere

You analyze your sleek crystal sphere and sense that the item is largely free from merchant alteration restrictions.

The creator has also provided the following information:

This is a magical sphere that summons a phoenix.  It belongs to you.

RUB the sphere to summon the an ethereal phoenix.
STARE at the sphere to call it back to its home.  If your phoenix is lost, try to STARE at the sphere.

You get no sense of whether or not the sphere may be further lightened.

Verb Traps

Phoenix

VERB	FIRST	THIRD
PUT <gem> on phoenix	You hold out your hand, and the deep blue phoenix whirls slowly, the spectral sapphire flames engulfing its wings burning brightly for a moment as it lifts the sapphire from your hands, bringing it to its beak as its frigid eyes study the angles of the sapphire intently. And then the tiny jewel floats *into* the semi-translucent form of the phoenix where it explodes, sending shards of the sapphire across the ephemeral bird's body. The flames around it build higher and higher, until the sapphire is no more, and the appearance of the phoenix appears drastically changed.	Person holds out her hand, and the deep blue phoenix whirls slowly, the spectral sapphire flames engulfing its wings burning brightly for a moment as it lifts the sapphire from her hands, bringing it to its beak as its frigid eyes study the angles of the sapphire intently. And then the tiny jewel floats *into* the semi-translucent form of the phoenix where it explodes, sending shards of the sapphire across the ephemeral bird's body. The flames around it build higher and higher, until the sapphire is no more, and the appearance of the phoenix appears drastically changed.
TAP	You make a tapping motion with your fingers, and the phoenix trills a delicate, haunting melody that rings with crystal-like tones.	Person makes a tapping motion with her fingers, and the phoenix trills a delicate, haunting melody that rings with crystal-like tones.
PET	The phoenix swoops down over you as you reach out towards it, and you lightly stroke its soft, illusory feathers -- the flames bathing your hand in an eerie blue glow as they blaze and writhe in pleasure.	The phoenix swoops down over towards Person as she reaches out towards it, and she lightly strokes its soft, illusory feathers -- the flames bathing her hand in an eerie blue glow as they blaze and writhe.
RAISE	As you raise your hand, the deep blue phoenix swoops down and swirls about it in a frenzied spiral of flames, the sapphire inferno roiling about your outstretched hand before it dies down.	Person raises her hand, and the deep blue phoenix swoops down and swirls about it in a frenzied spiral of flames, the sapphire inferno roiling about her outstretched hand before it fades away.
WAVE	You wave your hand through the ethereal form of the phoenix, and miniature whorls of blazing blue flame trail coldly along your fingertips.	Person waves her hand through the ethereal form of the phoenix, and miniature whirls of blazing blue flame trail coldly along her fingertips.

Sphere

VERB	FIRST	THIRD
STARE (when phoenix is not out)	You stare into the depths of your sleek crystal sphere, but don't note anything unusual.	N/A
STARE (when phoenix is out)	The phoenix dives and swoops in elaborate circles around you, as if drawn to the sphere in your hands as you stare at the elaborate sculpture within the confines of the glass. As it swirls and dives, it let loose a shrill, piercing cry, the sound resembling an echo long ago heard. The scuplture within your sphere begins to take on the icy blue hue of the phoenix, and soon the illusionary bird fades away entirely, its ephemeral form drifting away on an unseen current of wind as the statue in your hands regains its shining beauty once more.	The phoenix dives and swoops in elaborate circles around Person, as if drawn to the sphere in her hands as she stares at the elaborate sculpture within the confines of the glass. As it swirls and dives, it let loose a shrill, piercing cry, the sound resembling an echo long ago heard. The scuplture within Person's sphere begins to take on the icy blue hue of the phoenix, and soon the illusionary bird fades away entirely, its ephemeral form drifting away on an unseen current of wind as the statue in her hands regains its shining beauty once more.
RUB (when phoenix is not out)	You rub the sleek crystal sphere, and within moments a blue fire races across the crystalline surface of the statue within, flickering and burning with a pulsating radiance. The surface of the statue ruffles with ghostly, spectral feathers as the glow rises up from within the glass, shining with the icy hues of frigid snow-capped mountains. The silhouette of a fiery bird rises upwards from the sphere and takes shape, the twin blazing orbs of its eyes reflecting a miniature world of blizzards and raging storms. And then the silhouette dims slightly, revealing the form of an ethereal deep blue phoenix.	Person rubs her sleek crystal sphere, and within moments a blue fire races across the crystalline surface of the statue within, flickering and burning with a pulsating radiance. The surface of the statue ruffles with ghostly, spectral feathers as the glow rises up from within the glass, shining with the icy hues of frigid snow-capped mountains. The silhouette of a fiery bird rises upwards from the sphere and takes shape, the twin blazing orbs of its eyes reflecting a miniature world of blizzards and raging storms. And then the silhouette dims slightly, revealing the form of an ethereal deep blue phoenix.
RUB (when phoenix is out)	You have unleashed the essence already!	N/A
TURN	You turn the sleek crystal sphere, admiring the glimmering facets of the phoenix statue within.	Person turns her sleek crystal sphere, admiring the glimmering facets of the phoenix statue within.
TILT	You tilt the sleek crystal sphere from side to side, creating a miniature blizzard against the glittering statue within.	Person tilts her sleek crystal sphere from side to side, creating a miniature blizzard against the glittering statue within.

Ambient Messaging

An ethereal deep blue phoenix whorled with facets of pink pearl slowly swoops in, leaving glimmering sapphire flames in its wake.

The deep blue phoenix lightly plays with a tendril of itself, pushing the tiny corkscrew spiral of pale sapphire through the air with a nudge of its flaming wings.

The deep blue phoenix swoops and dives, leaving glimmering trails of sapphire sparkles in its wake.

The deep blue phoenix flaps its wings slowly, peeling off glimmering flames that freeze in the air before fading away.

The deep blue phoenix grooms its fiery feathers, pushing aside bits of pink pearl within itself

The deep blue phoenix swoops back and forth, trilling a quiet song as it floats upon its ethereal wings.

The deep blue phoenix lazily drifts about, its shimmering jewel-like eyes taking in the surroundings.

The deep blue phoenix slowly spreads its wings and hovers lazily through the air, the myriad of sapphire motes drifting along its feathers resembling an unearthly tapestry of the sky.

The deep blue phoenix swerves in tight circles around the area, the pink pearl spread throughout its ethereal, illusory form glinting with warped reflections of its wavering sapphire flames.

The deep blue phoenix swirls its wings in an intricate flurry of flame, the pink pearl within it jingling like tiny bells as they're swept up in the furious dance of fire.

The deep blue phoenix's tail feathers twirl gracefully in the air, glimmering motes of tiny blue light falling off them like a soft flurry of clouds.

The deep blue phoenix lazily circles the area, its feathers sending down glimmering motes of silvery-bluish light that dance around the area like frozen stars.

The deep blue phoenix sings a quiet song as it drifts, one that is both beautiful and sad.

The deep blue phoenix suddenly flares up with writhing flames for a moment, their edges tipped in brilliant violet hues.

Loresong

As you sing, the facets of the sleek crystal sphere begin to shimmer briefly, and you find yourself among snow-capped mountains....

A young elf huddles in the cold of a blizzard, and around him, the mountains of the DragonSpine loom in the background as the storm rages on, the cold whipping through you like a knife's point.

The youth looks up, his heavy clothes covered with a thick blanket of frost, his eyes heavy with exhaustion, as he gazes out over the thick clouds.

A fiery, ruddy red glow washes over the surroundings, and the youth's eyes widen as he gazes up, unblinking, at something hanging in the sky.  The warmth of a blazing hearth washes over you, and the snow surrounding the elf begins to trickle as it melts from its frozen state.

The glow builds and builds, until you find yourself enshrouded in the fiery haze, and all you can see is the youth's wide eyes as he stares, bedazzled at whatever the cause of the inferno is.

And then you hear a wooshing sound, and the glow fades, as does everything else, to a deep blackness.

You hear a voice in the darkness, "Quickly, he is here!  We must get him back to the caravan!"
Roundtime: 11 sec.
R>recall sphere
As the facets of the sleek crystal sphere twinkle, you find yourself in a crowded workroom.

The youth from before hunches over a large table spread with uncut jewels, his eyes focused and intense -- the degree to which they study things is nearly maddening in appearance, searching for the key to an obsession.

The door opens, and a regal, older elf steps in.

"You've been neglecting your assignments again."
The young elf looks up, "Not now, father.  This is important."
A harsh glare responds, "Our LIVING is important.  Do you enjoy this manor, those jewels I gave you to work with?  The trade I instilled in you?!  Then you'd best give the projects we've commissioned a BIT more thought than what you're doing here."

The youth furrows his brow at the interruption into his own private world, then mutters a, "Fine."

"Good, I thought so.  Here's the diagrams for the new cuts."  The elf places them on the table, then walks out in a huff.

The youth picks them up and studies them a bit, then sighs, and places what he'd been working on into a glimmering pile -- each of them a brilliant, beautiful wing of flames crafted out of a different gem.
Roundtime: 12 sec.
R>recall sphere
As the facets of the sleek crystal sphere twinkle, you find yourself passing through time rapidly -- you see the youth grow into an elf, his craft sustaining him and his obsession becoming more and more a part of his life, hours of toiling, hours of reading strange books... and then time slows down once more as the creaking of a door is heard...

"Master?" A young half-elf murmurs as she steps into the room.

"Huh, what, yes?  What is it?" A figure says from the shadows, his silhouette dimly outlined by a single amber lamp in the room.

"I, uh, know I'm not supposed to come in here, but uh---", she stops as she looks around, the darkness dotted with miniature glimmering facets of light like a cosmos onto itself. "Um, wow.  Is this what you make in here?"

The figure makes a faint, annoyed huff as his work is interrupted, and he mutters, "Yes, yes.  Come in, if you're already here.  Make yourself useful."

The vision fades away into glimmering sparkles.
Roundtime: 6 sec.
R>recall sphere
The glimmering sparkles appear within the sleek crystal sphere, and lead you back to the workshop...

The half elf clambers over toward the workspace and gazes at the masterpiece the elven jewelsmith works on, a phoenix crafted of the finest blue sapphire, its numerous facets glinting with inner fire painstakingly sculpted for years upon years.

"Hand me the second book down on the right," The jewelsmith orders, pointing toward a nearby shelf.

The half-elven girl eagerly runs to the other side of the room, but stops to take a closer look at each of the pieces glittering in the faint light -- each appears to be made of a different gem, yet all depict the same thing -- a phoenix frozen in time, carved from the most precious jewels and stones.  She remembers what she was doing, and quickly picks up the book and runs over to the table.

The jewelsmith flips through the book, briefly, as the girl studies the piece he's working on.  Finally, she makes a pointed observation, "It's blue.  They aren't supposed to be blue."

The jewelsmith gives her a fairly withering stare over his spectacles, then sighs as she fails to notice it completely.  He sets the book down on his lap and says, "It does not matter what the hue is.  This thing, this phoenix, it is a symbol that means different things to many.  It is not merely one facet of a jewel, it is a jewel unto itself with uncountable facets.  And I have toiled, for so very long to capture each and every one of those facets.  From the sorrow of its death to the joy of its rebirth to all the spectacular shades in between..."  The light reflects off his spectacles, making them a mirror of the amber fire burning in the lamp as he looks down to regard the girl, "And I am almost complete, child."

The vision fades away into glimmering sparkles.
Roundtime: 8 sec.
R>recall sphere
The glimmering sparkles appear within the sleek crystal sphere, and lead you back to the workshop...


The girl continues to study the sapphire phoenix, "What's this one?"

As he flips through the book again, he replies off-handedly, "These are my last pieces, the series is called Winter.  They are the pinnacle of my work, they capture the facet *I* am most familiar with..."

The jewelsmith gets a strange, nostalgic look in his eyes, and a vague sense of wonder crosses his features, before he finds his page and mutters a brief incantation.

He gestures at the statue, but nothing happens.

"Damn," he mutters, eliciting a puzzled response from the girl.

"I am trying to bring their fire out.  Their true fire.  All the inspiration I put into them, to make it as close to living as I possibly can..."  He sighs, briefly, then continues, "But it appears this shall not happen very soon..."

"Surely, there must be a way, you've been at this so long, haven't you?!" She asks.

The jewelsmith glances down at the child, "There is a way.  It is just not something I am yet prepared to do.  So I search... for something else."

The vision fades away into glimmering sparkles.
Roundtime: 15 sec.
R>recall sphere
The glimmering sparkles of the sphere fade into deep shadows as you find yourself in another place...

Fires rage throughout a small village, and the silhouettes of orc raiders race across the flame-ravaged countryside.  As you approach one house, you hear a faint scream.

A half-elven woman, her eyes half-mad with fright, pounds on a locked and bolted door, "Master!  You must come out!  You must, or we'll be killed!  They've already gotten past the blockades, they're IN the village!  Can't you smell the houses burning?!"

Just then, an axe whooshes through the air, slamming with a reverberating *THUD* on the door and cleanly severing one of the girl's braids.  Even as she backs up with a gasp, flames begin to pour in from the roof as the supporting beams crack and splinter with the stress.

"Master, PLEASE!"  The woman cries.

From behind the door, you hear a quiet voice murmur, "I... understand now.  I think... that I am finally prepared..."

Moments pass as the fire rages -- beams fall across the floor, blazing with flames as the woman cries out, trapped in the inferno as she pounds relentlessly at the door.

The fires fade into darkness as the vision leaves you.
Roundtime: 6 sec.
R>recall sphere
Fires spring up in your vision, leading you back to the burning house and the woman, who continues to fruitlessly pound on the door of the workshop...

And then, beams of multi-hued light burst out from the door, sweeping across the surroundings and simply *absorbing* the flames, leaving nothing but charred, slightly smoking wood behind.  With a bright burst of light, the living flames whoosh outward and into the night.

In but a few moments, the screams of the raiders echo in the dark, and the hellish glow of the blazes throughout the village is snuffed out in a heartbeat.

A bright, resonating glow washes in from one of the broken windows, bathing the burnt house in a warm light that flares like the sun.

And then the night returns, quiet and peaceful as it was prior to the intrusion.

The half-elven woman stands up, and the door to the workshop creeks open quietly, and brilliant scarlet light dances within as she gasps audibly.

Throughout the workshop, flames race and chase one another before finally diving into the hundreds upon hundreds of statues throughout the room, tinting each of them a fiery scarlet as they absorb the flames entirely, the hazy after-images of the fiery birds they represent playing briefly along their outer edges, until, they too, fade into the gems, setting their facets ablaze with brilliant, glimmering sparkles of pure crimson.

Tears fall from the woman's cheeks as she watches the scene unfold, but her eyes are not focused on the wonders before her, but on her Master -- he sits, surrounded by the statues he'd created all his life, his body lifeless and a grimoire clutched to his chest -- his features hold a pure sense of awe, one you saw many years ago on the face of a dying boy...

And then the vision fades away, and you feel both the sense of wonderment and the sense of loss washing outward from the sphere, feelings both beautiful and sad -- that the noble sacrifice of a kind heart instilled the spirit of pure inspiration into the sphere, that such a gesture fuels its magic even now.  And then your song ends, leaving you with a vague sense of loss, and a profound sense of awe.
Roundtime: 11 sec.