Protean Pearl

Protean Pearl

Believed to be an actual biological byproduct of Proteus, Primeval God of Change, this pearl constantly cycles through a rainbow of colors. They come in many sizes, typically between marble and tennis ball sized, and is often found inset into a bracelet or amulet. When worn or carried, it protects the owner from incoming transformations...with a few caveats.

Any attempt at directly altering the owner's form is negated, the power of the effect absorbed into the pearl, whether the owner wants it or not. Due to its divine origins, even divine powers can be absorbed. Spells cast by the owner, as well as powers innate to the owner, are not affected by this, but magic items used by the owner are. Once an effect is absorbed by the pearl, subsequent, identical effects from the same source are negated, but not absorbed.

The pearl has a limited safe capacity. Depending on the pearl's size, it can hold between 3 and 12 transformative effects. Should this limit be exceeded, the pearl will crack. This crack isn't particularly obvious, but might be noticed by an observant viewer. Once cracked, the pearl has a 5% chance of exploding every time it is struck, 24 hours pass, or it absorbs another effect. This chance increases by 5% each time such an instance occurs. There is no known way of safely releasing a stored effect or repairing a cracked pearl.

Should it explode, all absorbed transformative effects are immediately released, with each having a 50% chance of affecting the pearl's holder, and a 50% chance of instead affecting an random applicable being within 30 feet (possibly including the holder.)