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Ioun Stone Complete Guide

posted Friday, September 19th 2008 by Jonathan Drain
Fourth Edition • Game Material • Magic Items & Gear • Other Systems • Third Edition • Wondrous Items

In researching an article for Kobold Quarterly #6 I discovered that there are a lot more ioun stones in D&D history than the sixteen appearing in the third edition Dungeon Master’s Guide or the single lonely example in D&D 4th edition’s list. Of particular interest is an article in Dragon magazine #174 which describes the ioun stones’ origin on the positive energy plane, and Larloch’s entry in Lords of Darkness defining several new stones.

I’ve compiled a list of every ioun stone I can find, dating from AD&D right up to the 4th edition Adventurer’s Vault. There are a whopping ninety-six stones on this list, including sixteen of my own invention and the rest from canon D&D sources. With a little work you should be able to make reasonable conversions for whichever edition of the game you choose to play.

  • Amber sphere: “of Divine Knowledge”; Acts as holy symbol, grants insight into an opponent, grants bonus to Insight, Religion and Intelligence checks (4E, Adventurer’s Vault 2)
  • Amber spindle: +1 resistance bonus on all saving throws, stacks up to +5 (Pathfinder, Rise of the Runelords #6: Spires of Xin-Shalast)
  • Balian’s yellow: +1 to a random ability score each day (AD&D, Encyclopedia Magica Vol. II)
  • Black spindle: Darkvision and see through mist (3E, Kobold Quarterly #6)
  • Black and white ellipsoid: Provides mind blank effect against scrying (3E, Dragon magazine #319)
  • Blue green spindle: Bestows airty water in a 10′ radius sphere at will (AD&D, Dragon magazine #174/Encyclopedia Magica Vol. II)
  • Brass lozenge: Gain 2d4+2 HP once per day on command, 2d10 charges (AD&D, Dragon magazine #174/Encyclopedia Magica Vol. II)
  • Bright silver cylinder: User and 200lbs. of possessions can go ethereal for one hour, 2d10 charges (AD&D, Dragon magazine #174/Encyclopedia Magica Vol. II), as cloak of etherealness, double duration (3E, Lords of Darkness)
  • Bright white rectangle: +1 to saves vs acid (AD&D, Dragon magazine #174/Encyclopedia Magica Vol. II)
  • Brown rhomboid: User and 200lbs. of possessions can assume gaseous form for one hour, 2d10 charges (AD&D, Dragon magazine #174/Encyclopedia Magica Vol. II)
  • Brown sphere: Discerns the direction of north (3E, Kobold Quarterly #6)
  • Cerulean blue rhomboid: Bestows free action on user, as per the magical ring (AD&D, Dragon magazine #174/Encyclopedia Magica Vol. II), as cloak of etherealness (3E, Lords of Darkness)
  • Clear crystal: “of Adaption”; Sustains creature without food or water, resist environmental temperatures, stop ongoing damage (4E, Manual of the Planes)
  • Clear pink sphere: “Spirit storage”; if user is killed in combat, his spirit is transferred to the ioun stone and can be restored with a restoration spell (AD&D, Dragon magazine #174/Encyclopedia Magica Vol. II)
  • Clear prism: Store 2d6 spell levels (AD&D, Encyclopedia Magica Vol. II)
  • Clear sphere: Grants 5% magic resistance (AD&D, Dragon magazine #174/Encyclopedia Magica Vol. II)
  • Clear spindle: Sustains creature without food or water (3E, DMG)
  • Clear teardrop: Use detect undead at will (Ghostwalk Campaign Setting)
  • Copper rectangle: Allows user to read magic at will (AD&D, Dragon magazine #174/Encyclopedia Magica Vol. II)
  • Crimson sphere: +2 enhancement bonus to Intelligence, stacks up to +6 (Pathfinder, Rise of the Runelords #6: Spires of Xin-Shalast)
  • Dark blue rhomboid: “of True Sight”; darkvision, +6 to Perception and Insight, 1/day see invisible (4E PHB)
  • Dark blue rhomboid: Alertness (as the feat) (3E, DMG)
  • Dark green ellipsoid: +5 luck bonus to AC (3E, Lords of Darkness)
  • Dark orange dodecahedron: Spell resistance 21 (3E, Lords of Darkness)
  • Dark purple pyramid: as ring of wizardry IV (3E, Lords of Darkness)
  • Dark purple triangle: as ring of wizardry III (3E, Lords of Darkness)
  • Dark red cube: as medallion of thoughts (3E, Lords of Darkness)
  • Deep black sphere: See in magical darkness, 30′ range (AD&D, Dragon magazine #174/Encyclopedia Magica Vol. II)
  • Deep purple prism: Grants 60′ infravision or doubles existing infravision range (AD&D, Dragon magazine #174/Encyclopedia Magica Vol. II)
  • Deep red sphere: +2 enhancement bonus to Dexterity (3E, DMG)
  • Deep red sphere: Add +1 to Strength (AD&D, Encyclopedia Magica Vol. II)
  • Dull gray: Provides 1 power point. then disintegrates (3e Expanded Psionics Handbook)
  • Dull orange rhomboid: as brooch of shielding (3E, Lords of Darkness)
  • Dusty rose prism: +1 insight bonus to AC (3E, DMG)
  • Dusty rose prism, Larloch’s: +5 deflection bonus to AC (3E, Lords of Darkness)
  • Emerald ellipsoid: 5 bonus hit points, multiple stones stack (Pathfinder, Rise of the Runelords #6: Spires of Xin-Shalast)
  • Flaming yellow prism: “Heart of fire”, +2 caster level for fire spells, +6 bonus to Knowledge (the planes) and Knowledge (arcana), 1/day cast Quench or empower a fire spell (3E, 17 Relics)
  • Flawed clear spindle: Cursed clear spindle (3E, Kobold Quarterly #6)
  • Flickering white snowflake: +1 to saves vs cold (AD&D, Dragon magazine #174/Encyclopedia Magica Vol. II)
  • Glowing rose prism: +5 insight bonus to AC (3E, Kobold Quarterly #6)
  • Gold ellipsoid: User and 200lbs. of possessions can go astral for one hour, 2d10 charges (AD&D, Dragon magazine #174/Encyclopedia Magica Vol. II)
  • Golden ellpisoid: Intelligent stone, provides extra attacks (3E, Kobold Quarterly #6)
  • Golden sphere: Distracts viewers from your disguise (3E, Kobold Quarterly #6)
  • Green sphere: +1 to saving throws vs gas attacks (AD&D, Dragon magazine #174/Encyclopedia Magica Vol. II)
  • Incandescent blue sphere: +1 level to spell ability (AD&D, Encyclopedia Magica Vol. II)
  • Incandescent blue sphere: +2 enhancement bonus to Wisdom (3E, DMG)
  • Incandescent blue sphere, Larloch’s: +6 bonus to Wisdom (3E, Lords of Darkness)
  • Ioun’s Flame: Bonus to Will and knowledge checks, shed light (4E, Adventurer’s Vault 2)
  • Iridescent spindle: Sustains creature without air (3E, DMG)
  • Jet black unspecified: Low-light vision, light sources reduced by half, improve critical range on one target, use stone as spying device, can’t knock opponents unconscious (4E, Open Grave)
  • Lavender and green ellipsoid: Absorbs spells of 8th level or lower (3E, DMG)
  • Light blue prism: User can understand all spoken languages (AD&D, Dragon magazine #174/Encyclopedia Magica Vol. II)
  • Lime green prism: Ignore the effects of heat and ice (3E, Kobold Quarterly #6)
  • Marble sphere: Protects other ioun stones from damage (3E, Kobold Quarterly #6)
  • Maroon star: User can only be harmed by magical weapons and spells (AD&D, Dragon magazine #174/Encyclopedia Magica Vol. II)
  • Mottled gray sphere: as ring of counterspells (3E, Lords of Darkness)
  • Ochre spindle: Grants 360 degree vision (3E, Kobold Quarterly #6)
  • Onyx rhomboid: +2 enhancement bonus to Constitution, stacks up to +6 (Pathfinder, Rise of the Runelords #6: Spires of Xin-Shalast)
  • Orange cube: Grants resistance to mind-affecting spells as if user had a Wisdom of 20 (AD&D, Dragon magazine #174/Encyclopedia Magica Vol. II)
  • Orange prism: +1 caster level (3E, DMG)
  • Pale aquamarine prism: “of Steadfastness”; fear immunity (4E, Adventurer’s Vault)
  • Pale blue rhomboid: +2 enhancement bonus to Strength (3E, DMG)
  • Pale green prism: +1 competence bonus on attack rolls, saves, skill checks and ability checks (3E, DMG)
  • Pale green prism, Larloch’s: +5 competence bonus on attack rolls, saves and checks (3E, Lords of Darkness)
  • Pale lavender ellipsoid: Absorbs spells of 4th level of lower (3E, DMG)
  • Pale turquoise: Double carrying capacity (3E, Kobold Quarterly #6)
  • Pale white sphere: Recall three 9th-level spells, as pearl of power (3E, Lords of Darkness)
  • Pale yellow prism: Glows like a sunrod (3E, Kobold Quarterly #6)
  • Pearlized brown ellipsoid: as boots of speed, free action to activate (3E, Lords of Darkness)
  • Pearly black spindle: Undead regenerate 1hp/hour (3E, Lords of Darkness)
  • Pearly white prism: Repairs 1 point of damage per turn (AD&D, Encyclopedia Magica Vol. II)
  • Pearly white spindle: Regenerate 1 point of damage per hour (3E, DMG)
  • Pink and green ellipsoid: Absorb spells of up to 4th level (AD&D, Encyclopedia Magica Vol. II)
  • Pink and green sphere: +2 enhancement bonus to Charisma (3E, DMG)
  • Pink ellipsoid: Adds +1 to Constitution (AD&D, Encyclopedia Magica Vol. II)
  • Pink rhomboid: +2 enhancement bonus to Constitution (3E, DMG)
  • Puce cube: Bestows ESP at will; user can scan surface thoughts of one person per round within range of 30′ (AD&D, Dragon magazine #174/Encyclopedia Magica Vol. II)
  • Pulsing red star: +1 to saves vs fire (AD&D, Dragon magazine #174/Encyclopedia Magica Vol. II)
  • Pure white octahedron: +1 bonus to Charisma vs beings of the same race (AD&D, Dragon magazine #174/Encyclopedia Magica Vol. II)
  • Rainbow crystal: Provide 5 power points (3e Expanded Psionics Handbook)
  • Rainbow ellipsoid: User can levitate at will (AD&D, Dragon magazine #174/Encyclopedia Magica Vol. II)
  • Rainbow spindle: User and 200lbs. of possessions can polymorph self for one hour, 2d10 charges (AD&D, Dragon magazine #174/Encyclopedia Magica Vol. II)
  • Red ellipsoid: “of Regeneration”; regeneration 10 while bloodied 1/day (4E, Adventurer’s Vault)
  • Rich green star: as +5 stone of good luck (3E, Lords of Darkness)
  • Scarlet and blue sphere: +2 enhancement bonus to Intelligence (3E, DMG/AD&D, Encyclopedia Magica Vol. II)
  • Scarlet and blue sphere, Larloch’s: +6 bonus to Intelligence (3E, Lords of Darkness)
  • Shining black spiral: as helm of teleportation (3E, Lords of Darkness)
  • Silver ellipsoid: +5 to saves vs Necromancy (3E, Kobold Quarterly #6)
  • Silver rod: +1 to saves vs electricity (AD&D, Dragon magazine #174/Encyclopedia Magica Vol. II)
  • Silver sphere: Negates rear-attack bonuses (AD&D, Dragon magazine #174/Encyclopedia Magica Vol. II)
  • Silvery mirror cube: +1 bonus to saves vs petrification gaze attacks (AD&D, Dragon magazine #174/Encyclopedia Magica Vol. II)
  • Sky blue sphere: Delay elemental damage (3E, Kobold Quarterly #6)
  • Slate blue prism: Bonus smite attempt, turn attempt or 2nd level divine spell (3E, Kobold Quarterly #6)
  • Soft black rectangle: Protection against level-draining attacks, 2d10 charges (AD&D, Dragon magazine #174/Encyclopedia Magica Vol. II)
  • Tan ellipsoid: Identify spells and magic (3E, Kobold Quarterly #6)
  • Unspecified rhomboid: “of Sustenance”; require no food, water or air, and require half normal rest (4E, Adventurer’s Vault)
  • Vibrant purple prism: Stores three levels of spells, as a ring of spell storing, minor (3E, DMG)
  • White and pink rhomboid: “of Perfect Language”; understand all spoken languages, +5 to Charisma-based skills (4E, Adventurer’s Vault)
  • Yellow sphere: Sheds continual light on command (AD&D, Dragon magazine #174/Encyclopedia Magica Vol. II)

Sources: Dungeon Master’s Guide v3.5, Dragon magazine #174, Dragon magazine #319, Player’s Handbook v4, Encyclopedia Magica Vol. II, 17 Relics (The Le Press), Lords of Darkness, Kobold Quarterly #6, Expanded Psionics Handbook, Adventurer’s Vault, Ghostwalk Campaign Setting, Open Grave, and Pathfinder: Spires of Xin-Shalast. Leave a comment and let me know if you find any other ioun stones.

Other publications

Ioun stones also appear in the following, which I haven’t seen yet:

  • Seekers of Secrets: A Guide to the Pathfinder Society (Paizo Publishing)

    • .

  • The True Arcane Story: Ioun Stones (Louis Porter, Jr. Design)
  • Spells & Spellcraft (Fantasy Flight Games)

Updates

  • 15 June 2009: Added clear teardrop (Ghostwalk), jet black ioun stone (Open Grave), unspecified rhombus (Adventurer’s Vault), crimson sphere, emerald ellipsoid, onyx rhomboid, amber spindle (Pathfinder, Rise of the Runelords #6: Spires of Xin-Shalast).
  • 05 October 2009: Added clear crystal (4E Manual of the Planes), Ioun’s Flame (4E Adventurer’s Vault 2). Removed duplicate entry for “Rhomboid” (see “unspecified rhomboid”.
  • 13th December 2009: Added amber sphere (Adventurer’s Vault 2), black and white ellipsoid (Dragon magazine #319). Added list of other publications.

Comments

  1. Robert H. Nichols

    September 20th, 2008

    You have no idea how often i have thought about sitting down and doing this exact thing. Never did it though, and now, i don’t have to! Thanks!

  2. Asmor

    September 20th, 2008

    There’s a fair number of them in the Adventurer’s Vault.

    No idea where you’d find a list of them, though…

  3. Asmor

    September 20th, 2008

    There should have been a link in that last comment…

    http://www.enworld.org/forum/4e-fan-creations-house-rules/241216-spreadsheet-all-items-adventurers-vault.html#post4470195

  4. freyar

    September 20th, 2008

    This is excellent, though a bit long to read here! Any chance you could do up a pdf and put a link to it in the post?

  5. Syrsuro

    September 22nd, 2008

    I know longer own a copy, but I seem to recall that there were a number of Ioun stones in the Arduin Grimoire (David Hargrave) books. Anyone still have an old copy they could check?

    Carl

  6. Zaratustra

    September 24th, 2008

    Pulsating red ellipsoid – When you use a projectile spell, the stone casts a 1st-level version of the spell on the same target.

  7. Jonathan Drain

    September 26th, 2008

    Zara: I also liked the grey cube:

    Grey cube – will never try to kill you, and in fact cannot speak

  8. J

    November 3rd, 2008

    Thanks for the list, I had no clue what an ioun stone was. Cool stuff.

    Apprentice “Master, what are those things?”
    Wizard “They are ioun stones.”
    Apprentice “What do they do?”
    Wizard “Well that one tracks I.O.U.s for me…”

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  12. Edwin A. Pell IV

    October 4th, 2009

    Jonathan,
    I was wondering if you could explain something about the origins of this magical item. My understanding is that IOUN stones are an import from the fiction of Jack Vance, much like the magic system used in earlier editions of the game. In the stories I’ve read IOUN stones seem to be something like a physical representation of a wizard’s arcane prowess. I guess I’m curious about how the present incarnation came about.

  13. Matthew Hargenrader

    November 10th, 2009

    I wrote the article on IOUN stones in Dragon Magazine #174 years ago. The IOUN stones are from The Dying Earth stories by Jack Vance…and the wizards in these stories would kill their own mothers to get their hands on any IOUN stone they could find.
    I have a list of about 160-200 different IOUN stones that have appeared in my Ad&d campaign over the last 20 years(includes a lot of my own and any that I find in other articles). Still playing the original Ad&d first edition. Jonathan Drains article was great to read…maybe someday I will get off my lazy butt and submit an article.
    I would love to see a copy of the IOUN stones from Arduin Grimoire…have never been able to find a copy.

  14. Forgottenprince

    December 13th, 2009

    Few others you might not have seen.

    1. Dragon Magazine 319, p. 54, Black & White Ellipsoid, mind blank effect for scrying only.

    2. Variety of new Ioun Stones in Paizo’s Seekers of Secrets: A Guide to the Pathfinder Society, p. 43 & 57.

    3. Louis Porter, Jr’s Design Studio’s The True Arcane Story: Ioun Stones.

    4. Fantasy Flight Games Spells & Spellcraft, p. 171.

  15. Jonathan Drain

    December 13th, 2009

    Forgottenprince: Thanks! I’ve added the first one to the list, and will add the others when I can find a copy of those books.

  16. Matthew Hargenrader

    January 7th, 2010

    Pelgrane Press: PEL001 – The Dying Earth Roleplaying Game , has some very useful info on IOUN stones in it (best part is that this book is approved by Jack Vance himself, and contains lots of great information on otrher subjects). Pages 114-115 in particular are of great gaming interest.Especially the statement in the paragraph about Arch-Mages and how IOUN stones stop the aging process…added a stone that does that function to my list already. There are a few other references scattered through the rest of the book.
    Finally compiling all of my IOUN stones from all of the notes and lists I’ve found… right about 210 stones of varying effects. (but not all of them “official” by any means. Most are strictly from my 1st edition AD&D campaign).
    Matt

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