Sentient Gems, Ranked Best to Worst:

[Eantarus]

1. Kobald. Nothing beats having your weapon tell you it hates you.

2. Wave. It sings to you, how col is that?

3. Hopeful. Definitely the most up-beat of the easy-to-get gems.

4. Resolute. Almost as up-beat as hopeful, at the very least its pretty supportive.

5. Furious. Kind of mean but sounds like he's fun to drink with.

6. Blackrazor. Mostly just the name.

7. Dragon. Cool in theory, ehh... kind of auto-tuned into ridiculousness.

8. Lizardfolk. See Dragon.

9. Covetous. Full disclosure: I have not heard what this one sounds like. It may place higher on the list if its any good, but for now its so rare it's hard to tell.

...
...
...

999,987. Timid. What idiot did they get to voice this garbage? No matter what they paid him, it was too much!

[Steeme]

They are all the same once you learn to turn the voice off.

[Alternative]

999,987. Timid. What idiot did they get to voice this garbage? No matter what they paid him, it was too much!

https://ddowiki.com/page/Category:DDO_voice_actors

/popcorn

[SockyMcSockerton]

They are all the same once you learn to turn the voice off.

Sentient voice is the only sound I usually have turned on in game aside from voice chat. I survive much better when I hit 20 because now I have an auditory reminder of when I run low on HP.

[Kelledren]

Sentient voice is the only sound I usually have turned on in game aside from voice chat. I survive much better when I hit 20 because now I have an auditory reminder of when I run low on HP.

Yes definitely number one reason I keep sentient voice turned on. I especially like it as a healer because in raids I focus on the party’s hit point bars and once in a while forget to look at mine.

[Kelledren]

1. Kobald. Nothing beats having your weapon tell you it hates you.

2. Wave. It sings to you, how col is that?

3. Hopeful. Definitely the most up-beat of the easy-to-get gems.

4. Resolute. Almost as up-beat as hopeful, at the very least its pretty supportive.

5. Furious. Kind of mean but sounds like he's fun to drink with.

6. Blackrazor. Mostly just the name.

7. Dragon. Cool in theory, ehh... kind of auto-tuned into ridiculousness.

8. Lizardfolk. See Dragon.

9. Covetous. Full disclosure: I have not heard what this one sounds like. It may place higher on the list if its any good, but for now its so rare it's hard to tell.

...
...
...

999,987. Timid. What idiot did they get to voice this garbage? No matter what they paid him, it was too much!

1) Covetous- voice not too annoying and some things are humorous in nature.

2) Blackrazor- seems to fit what I expected BR to sound like. Would prefer less auto tune and more dark whispery though.

3) Resolute- not bad at all- best warning of low hit points- good for healers that pay attention to party hit points and sometimes forgets to look at own hit points.

4) Furious- just ok- can tolerate this voice… after this sent volume=turned off

5) Lizard folk- never heard it, but it goes here.

6) Dragon- simply too auto tuned. Should have paid Benedict Cumberbatch to voice this one.

7) Inquisitive- this one makes me ask why I slotted it in my weapon and fed it sentient xp.

8) Hopeful- this one makes me want to smash stuff… in real life

9) Wave- The more I hear this the more I actually start talking like the Furious in real life

10) Kobold- listened to this immediately after farming for it, then fed it to Blackrazor. Maybe I should give it another chance.. but nah since I’d have to farm for it.

11) I like Cordo, but I didn’t like this gem at all. It is rather uncomfortable to listen too. Much like if I were to karaoke “I will Always Love You” to a raid group while wearing a retainer. This being “timid” did not help Cord out at all. Now a sarcastic sentient voice talking about nerfing your character would have been brilliant. Really any dev voicing this would be great.

[ahpook]

7. Dragon. Cool in theory, ehh... kind of auto-tuned into ridiculousness.

8. Lizardfolk. See Dragon.


I haven't heard them all so generally I don't have an opinion on these but this placement is wrong. Dragon is way over 'tuned to listen to but Lizardfolk is not that bad and has way more amusing lines. It should be ahead of Dragon ( and likely ahead of the Ravenloft "freebies" and Whelm).

[ChrisTOTG]

I haven't heard them all so generally I don't have an opinion on these but this placement is wrong. Dragon is way over 'tuned to listen to but Lizardfolk is not that bad and has way more amusing lines. It should be ahead of Dragon ( and likely ahead of the Ravenloft "freebies" and Whelm).

I love the idea of Dragon but it's impossible to understand its lines while the game's making noise at me. Real shame, and I'd love to have the audio updated with less processing.

[cdbd3rd]

1. Kobald. Nothing beats having your weapon tell you it hates you.

...


And you were doing so well up until that last line.

[Oxarhamar]

I love the idea of Dragon but it's impossible to understand its lines while the game's making noise at me. Real shame, and I'd love to have the audio updated with less processing.

I also enjoy the Dragon

Wasn’t really impressed with any of the others I’ve gotten

But then I like Dragons & I like to think that one day I might free the Dragon

[Arkat]

I really like the Blackrazor, Kobold, and Furious sentiences.

Whelm and Resolute are good.

Lizardfolk, Inquisitive, and Hopeful are just ok.

Wave, the Dragon, and the Timid are my least favorite.

Still wish I had a Covetous sentience so I could rank it.

[balvix]

Imho:

#1 Blackrazor
#2 Lizardfolk
#3 Inquisitive
#4 all the rest are complete garbage.

[Mindos]

I also enjoy the Dragon

Wasn’t really impressed with any of the others I’ve gotten

But then I like Dragons & I like to think that one day I might free the Dragon


Sentient Gem True Resurrection! Oh, boy! Here we go...

[Kelledren]

Sentient Gem True Resurrection! Oh, boy! Here we go...

Prob a lot of work to resurrect it for some jerk adventurers to come by and kill it again. That’s what happens to red dragons round here.

[Bjond]

It's hard to rate them 1-10. I'd split them into 3 groups.

GOOD:
Hopeful: hilariously cheerful -- well past the "too perky to live" benchmark
Resolute: staid & solid -- nice when you want something dependable
Furious: nice tag lines, horrifically thick accent (swear one sounds like "tormenting hippogrifs!")
Kobold: squeaky and annoying, as it should be

BAD:
Blackrazor: like furious, but with overtuned FX
Wave: voice actor did a great job, but female+pirate just doesn't fly
Inquisitive: whiny and annoying, would bump to "good" renamed as "Whinger"

UGLY:
Dragon: bad lines, bad voice; sounds like a teenager with a broken pitch shifter.

Others are "dunno". I have a Covetous, but not slotted it in anything yet. I don't have a Lizard.

[systemshaker1941]

Wave: voice actor did a great job, but female+pirate just doesn't fly


But she sings you a song when you put her away. Its so much fun.

Honestly I'd probably be running Wave on most my alts if the drop rate weren't so stingy.

[Aelonwy]

Best to worst for me:
1) Kobold - hilarious, exactly what I expected
2) Resloute - Strong female, honorable, pleasant voice
3) Furious - humorous, fits well with certain character tropes
4) Wave - great for bards, especially swashbucklers
5) Whelm - Must have for dwarven characters, but a little difficult to understand at times
6) Blackrazor - okay, but difficult to understand through over-processing voice, good for someone with a less than savory character
7) Hopeful - annoying high-pitched voice like someone's kid that has had way too much sugar... for people that need their own cheerleader
8) Dragon - OMG this is over-processed to Shavarath and back, I can ONLY tell what its saying from reading the lines
9) Timid - I actually find Cordovan has a very pleasant voice but the character of Timid is utterly obnoxious
10) Inquisitive - actually an excellent representation of a nasty character but the voice is so whiny, nasally, and irritating it reminds me of a creep and horrible human being from my childhood about whom the less said the better

Lizardfolk I own but have never used as we were only given one (awful decision for what is essentially a cosmetic choice) and Covetous I have NEVER heard because I don't own one and since Strahd isn't run much anymore am likely to NEVER hear one. What a waste of voice-acting budget and resources making these items so difficult to ever hear.

I would like a pleasant preferably alto female voice perhaps called Soothing, that speaks of healing, being kind, coming to the rescue, something for a cleric-type. Just don't go so very "For the Flame!" as Celimas, keep it open to any DDO deity.
And a male, also pleasant voice perhaps a bit rough that speaks of nature, the balance, animals, seasons, weather, something for a druid perhaps the Steadfast?
Also I would like a Malicia-like voice, the Sultry?, for an Enchanter/Bard

[Aelonwy]

Oh and that reminds me, a really cool reward for Snowpeaks or even for massive amounts of Festivult coins could be a Sentient Gem voiced by Sir Molasses Gumdrop (the Gingerbread Golem).

[cdbd3rd]

....
Also I would like a Malicia-like voice, the Sultry?, for an Enchanter/Bard


But she would have to own her worthiness - not be all derisive to all her Jeet-like minions. :)





Wave: voice actor did a great job, but female+pirate just doesn't fly
...


Geena Davis pulled it off pretty well. (...tho I could be biased.)

[Eantarus]

Best to worst for me:
1) Kobold - hilarious, exactly what I expected
2) Resloute - Strong female, honorable, pleasant voice
3) Furious - humorous, fits well with certain character tropes
4) Wave - great for bards, especially swashbucklers
5) Whelm - Must have for dwarven characters, but a little difficult to understand at times
6) Blackrazor - okay, but difficult to understand through over-processing voice, good for someone with a less than savory character
7) Hopeful - annoying high-pitched voice like someone's kid that has had way too much sugar... for people that need their own cheerleader
8) Dragon - OMG this is over-processed to Shavarath and back, I can ONLY tell what its saying from reading the lines


Yeah thinking it over I agree Resolute goes above Hopeful. That was my main gem until I got a Kobald. Some of the lines on Hopeful are down in a weirdly creepy manner; as if the person reciting them doesn't actually speak English; but rather learned the sounds by rote.



Lizardfolk I own but have never used as we were only given one (awful decision for what is essentially a cosmetic choice)

I agree there's no real reason you shouldn't get 1 per character(or find some other way to prevent getting infinite ones, like have the NPC in the legendary wilderness).

BUT. From a role-play perspective, the extremely rare ones like Dragon and Lizardfolk do have some interesting aspects; namely that you can't have more than 1 per account, so it really does "feel" unique. Like how the sentient gems should feel. Unfortunately they are both so terribly auto-tuned I doubt many people actually use them.

+1 for a Malicia sentient gem. That'd be great!

[Aelonwy]

BUT. From a role-play perspective, the extremely rare ones like Dragon and Lizardfolk do have some interesting aspects; namely that you can't have more than 1 per account, so it really does "feel" unique. Like how the sentient gems should feel. Unfortunately they are both so terribly auto-tuned I doubt many people actually use them.


Hmm someone correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't they add Dragon to the Anniversary Quest? So the only 1/per account Sentient Jewel is one PURCHASED by top-tier Saltmarsh bundle customers. I really do feel this was a misstep because again IMHO sentient jewel personalities are a COSMETIC choice by the player.

[mbartol]

I’m going to guess that the 1/account on the Lizardfolk gem from Saltmarsh is to prevent people from pulling an infinite number of 5-sentient xp bites to feed to another sentient weapon. Of course this could have been easily prevented by allowing only 1/life like the free Ravenloft ones.

[Mindos]

Also I would like a Malicia-like voice, the Sultry?, for an Enchanter/Bard

https://i.imgur.com/BwV7Ujv.jpg

[Eantarus]

Hmm someone correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't they add Dragon to the Anniversary Quest? So the only 1/per account Sentient Jewel is one PURCHASED by top-tier Saltmarsh bundle customers. I really do feel this was a misstep because again IMHO sentient jewel personalities are a COSMETIC choice by the player.

Did they? I thought you could only get it from the even give-away.

I agree the gems are a completely cosmetic choice and that is definitely best from a gameplay perspective. There are some good options available even to F2P players.

[PurpleSerpent]

This seems to be an unpopular opinion, but personally, the Dragon gem is one of my favourites. Even if the autotune does sometimes fail to kick in at all, leaving behind a line spoken in a perfectly normal voice. (Which, personally, I find hilarious, because it reminds me of every time one of my Dungeon Masters tried to give a monster an ill-advised accent and had to just give up halfway and skip to rolling initiative.)

[macubrae]

I like the deep over-sampled voices like the Dragon and Blackrazor. The optimistic cheerleader voice makes me think of the singing telegram girl from the movie Clue.

[Bjond]

alto female voice perhaps called Soothing, that speaks of healing [..] male, also pleasant voice perhaps a bit rough that speaks of nature [..] Malicia-like voice, the Sultry?

LOL, Malicia reminds me of someone I asked a friend to introduce me to based on her voice. His response, "OMG, no!" Me, "Why not, doesn't match her voice?" Him, "Oh, she's gorgeous." Me, "???" Him, "Unbelievably vain & nasty. You really don't want to know."


Sentient Gem voiced by Sir Molasses Gumdrop (the Gingerbread Golem).

Fey has a ton of very cool voice acting. Imagine a gem based on the Singing Sword, for instance.

(sorry, couldn't resist .. and now you've got a Sir Arden ear-worm don't you? ;> )


Geena Davis pulled it off

Ya, she was fantastic -- depends on context and in that series ANY character works as long as it's campy enough. Sometimes I really like Wave (like in Fey, which is half campy musical) and others it's very jarring.

[Arkat]

Oh and that reminds me, a really cool reward for Snowpeaks or even for massive amounts of Festivult coins could be a Sentient Gem voiced by Sir Molasses Gumdrop (the Gingerbread Golem).

Yes!

Gingerbread Golem sentience FTW!!



A Malicia sentience would also be cool, I suppose.

[Malveaux]

999,987. Timid. What idiot did they get to voice this garbage? No matter what they paid him, it was too much!


I really enjoy this gem. One of my top gems. I find this type of talk very barbaric.

[Eantarus]

This seems to be an unpopular opinion, but personally, the Dragon gem is one of my favourites. Even if the autotune does sometimes fail to kick in at all, leaving behind a line spoken in a perfectly normal voice. (Which, personally, I find hilarious, because it reminds me of every time one of my Dungeon Masters tried to give a monster an ill-advised accent and had to just give up halfway and skip to rolling initiative.)

I think its a perfectly valid opinion. I find it especially funny that the gem is being auto-tuned somehow in the game engine; I had assumed it was done in the recording. I'm going to have to play with that gem some.

[voxson5]

Instead of botb VA's like on timid, I would love to see respect to DDO's history by introducing a gem done with the old DM's.

+1 to a Malicia gem.

Would also love Amskar & Keldan Shadeskein gems, my favorite VA's in the game tbh - Can you imagine crowd controlling a group of mobs "Stupid predictable monsters!" or as an ice sorcerer casting otilukes "do you like my flying glacier!"

*edit - maybe that's rare drop we could get from arc / xpac endgame quests? A gem of the BBEG?

[Eantarus]

Instead of botb VA's like on timid, I would love to see respect to DDO's history by introducing a gem done with the old DM's.

+1 to a Malicia gem.

Would also love Amskar & Keldan Shadeskein gems, my favorite VA's in the game tbh - Can you imagine crowd controlling a group of mobs "Stupid predictable monsters!" or as an ice sorcerer casting otilukes "do you like my flying glacier!"

*edit - maybe that's rare drop we could get from arc / xpac endgame quests? A gem of the BBEG?

I just want more gems that were actually voice-acted, period. The garbage-talker they got to record The Timid lines clearly barely knows how to speak, let alone voice-act. The Dragon and Lizardfolk, while not without their charms, are reliant on digital manipulation, not on the talent of the person recording the lines.

So I'd like to see more actual voice acting on the gems.

[Vellrad]

I really enjoy this gem. One of my top gems. I find this type of talk very barbaric.

The guy who voiced timid should get a better microphone. Quality is really low. Other than that its OK.

[Malveaux]

The guy who voiced timid should get a better microphone. Quality is really low. Other than that its OK.

The sound engineer was probably a intern. SSG should of budgeted for some studio time so Cordovan could of really shined with his voiced gem. I might be a little biased though. A friend told I should play this game and send me links to Cordovan's weekly cast. That's what really got me to play.

[Lotoc]

I'd love for there to be a sentient gem that has a single voice line
The Hatchery

[Cordovan]

The guy who voiced timid should get a better microphone. Quality is really low. Other than that its OK.

The history of this gem gets lost over time, but the recording was actually done as a sort of in-development "scratch track", just something to use while the system was being developed. It ended up getting released just due to the general interest in having more sentient gems out there, and I'm honored it was deemed worth putting out. The difference in audio quality is due to it not being a professional studio setup, but rather the regular stream mic I use and a bit of EQ.

[Baahb3]

When I first tried this one, I got annoyed by all the singing. But I have to say it has grown on me.

Then one night I was watching Master and Commander and holy ****, they sang the same songs as the wave gem! Kudos to the research department.

Whelm and Dragon are probably my least favorite just because they are very difficult to hear if you have any other sound turned on.

[Marshal_Lannes]

1. Hopeful - My favorite and go-to gem. Actually feels like a companion rooting for you and vested in your success.
2. Wave - songs are so good that I sort of wish every gem had a tune. Bombastic in a swashbuckling Saturday afternoon way.
3. Kobald - sticks to the highly successful Crystal Cove/Challenges kobold theme. Since still no kobold race, the next best thing.
4. Dragon/Blackrazor - if I want an insidious, hard-to-understand, probably wants me dead feel to a weapon.

[lipidoidal_maniac]

I personally use and like the furious, hopeful and inquisitive. Fun to paste the comments when folks in party die.
Since the voices only play on the player's side of things, this would be a nice opportunity to make those sound files something we could provide ourselves based on the different events that activate them.
Having a Melicia gem in the store would sell like beer at a monster truck rally.

[Eantarus]

Kobald still hates you.

[Talon_Moonshadow]

The history of this gem gets lost over time, but the recording was actually done as a sort of in-development "scratch track", just something to use while the system was being developed. It ended up getting released just due to the general interest in having more sentient gems out there, and I'm honored it was deemed worth putting out. The difference in audio quality is due to it not being a professional studio setup, but rather the regular stream mic I use and a bit of EQ.

Timid is one of my favorites.

[leesun]

1.) Blackrazor "ahhhhhhhhhhh"
2.) Kobold - why won't you love me :(
3.) Resolute - best girl
4.) Wave
5.) Hopeful
6.) Inquisitive
7.) Covetous
8.) Lizardfolk
9.) Whelm
10.) Furious
11.) toss up between dragon and timid

[Claver]

11) I like Cordo, but I didn’t like this gem at all. It is rather uncomfortable to listen too. Much like if I were to karaoke “I will Always Love You” to a raid group while wearing a retainer. This being “timid” did not help Cord out at all. Now a sarcastic sentient voice talking about nerfing your character would have been brilliant. Really any dev voicing this would be great.

Interesting to see what people like and dislike

Timid is one of my favorites...certainly within the top 5

"see, that could happen to you" still cracks me up when a fellow party member bites the dust

I love the sentient gems, much more so than powerful loot that inevitably gets replaced by something better at a higher level or via newer content. The sentient gem stays with me for my entire epic journey.

I wish they would make more; even something silly like a bullywug gem with nothing but samples of the various Developers croaking.

[voxson5]

I wish they would make more; even something silly like a bullywug gem with nothing but samples of the various Developers croaking.

Wish granted, but it's Will Wheaton's exposition from ToEE

[Kelledren]

Interesting to see what people like and dislike

Timid is one of my favorites...certainly within the top 5

"see, that could happen to you" still cracks me up when a fellow party member bites the dust

I love the sentient gems, much more so than powerful loot that inevitably gets replaced by something better at a higher level or via newer content. The sentient gem stays with me for my entire epic journey.

I wish they would make more; even something silly like a bullywug gem with nothing but samples of the various Developers croaking.

I think the prototype recording mixed with timid speaking lines is what gets most on this jewel. Cordovan should get a re-do on sent jewel called “Overlord” which the lines aggressively address mock player forum posts.
“Do that again and I will ban you.”
“Hard to complain when you’re dead”
“I would help you out, but what you are asking for is ridiculous”
And so on. In fact we as a community could probably come up with a few of these.

[Aelonwy]

Wish granted, but it's Will Wheaton's exposition from ToEE

Egad NO!

I wouldn't mind Wil Wheaton doing an actual character, but his life story with D&D is NOT what I was expecting to hear in ToEE. He could do a slightly pitiful, acid-fearing, caster personality... apparently he has much experience playing that already. Okay the acid bit comes from Acquisitions Inc., but still that could be a hidden trigger. On Activation of Acid Trap ONLY : "Not this again! Save me!"


Cordovan should get a re-do on sent jewel called “Overlord” which the lines aggressively address mock player forum posts.
“Do that again and I will ban you.”
“Hard to complain when you’re dead”
“I would help you out, but what you are asking for is ridiculous”
And so on. In fact we as a community could probably come up with a few of these.

I could go for a campy Dungeon Master Sentient Jewel, that would make a neat Anniversary Gift, or Anniversary Party item. I still want a D20 cosmetic Orb to show up there.

But above all I really want to be able to consistently hear and comprehend the lines NOT be forced to read them to understand what is being said.

[Cordovan]

I think the prototype recording mixed with timid speaking lines is what gets most on this jewel. Cordovan should get a re-do on sent jewel called “Overlord” which the lines aggressively address mock player forum posts.
“Do that again and I will ban you.”
“Hard to complain when you’re dead”
“I would help you out, but what you are asking for is ridiculous”
And so on. In fact we as a community could probably come up with a few of these.

I dunno about breaking the fourth wall like that. The gems do need to fit within the world. I've said this before, but not for a long time: There actually is a story mostly in my head that I never mentioned to the team at the time related to the Sentient Jewel of the Timid, in large part because it's goofy and so not official lore. In my head the Timid was a baker who was making donuts, dropped the gem into the hand-cranked mixing machine, reached in to get it (because it was a gem!), then died. His essence became trapped in the gem. So, he's a scaredy-cat baker. :)

[MichelOue]

.... scaredy-cat baker. :)

the weekly coupon guild renown?

[Stradivarius]

I dunno about breaking the fourth wall like that. The gems do need to fit within the world. I've said this before, but not for a long time: There actually is a story mostly in my head that I never mentioned to the team at the time related to the Sentient Jewel of the Timid, in large part because it's goofy and so not official lore. In my head the Timid was a baker who was making donuts, dropped the gem into the hand-cranked mixing machine, reached in to get it (because it was a gem!), then died. His essence became trapped in the gem. So, he's a scaredy-cat baker. :)

Actually really like that timid baker idea. All the comments could be baker based.

"half a cup of flour, a dash of duskroot, and a full cup of kobolds!"

"Not too much ..blood!"

Perhaps the gem blurts out in pieces an actual recipe that can be made in RL, bake it and take a screenshot of the creation for an easter egg prize!

[Talon_Moonshadow]

I dunno about breaking the fourth wall like that. The gems do need to fit within the world. I've said this before, but not for a long time: There actually is a story mostly in my head that I never mentioned to the team at the time related to the Sentient Jewel of the Timid, in large part because it's goofy and so not official lore. In my head the Timid was a baker who was making donuts, dropped the gem into the hand-cranked mixing machine, reached in to get it (because it was a gem!), then died. His essence became trapped in the gem. So, he's a scaredy-cat baker. :)

Awesome!

[Equatis]

You are really missing out, of course on Argonnessen I am known for playing rogues and find Covetous to be the best sentient in the game because of this.
I often tell friends I run with in game that Covetous is a bigger rogue then I am based on his comments during game play. For his voice, and it's probably just me,
but I get a Inigo Montoya kind of vibe from The Princess Bride.
The following link will let you listen to each line Covetous has, you can also search for other sentient gems and check out how they all sound.
https://vaultofkundarak.com/item/Sentient_Jewel_of_the_Covetous.

Here are a few of my favorite lines from Covetous:

Our mission is simple - get in, get out, don't be seen. Also, be sure you check every chest in every last room. No stone unturned. Got it?

I'm sure your fallen comrade won't mind if we relieve them of the gold in their pockets.

Let me help you up! Oh wait - I don't have hands.

You should take the jewels on this shrine. It's not as if anyone will notice.

Why this single sentient gem is hidden behind a raid end chest and seems to have such low drop rates is beyond me but IMHO, well worth getting hold of.

[Xgya]

I could go for a campy Dungeon Master Sentient Jewel, that would make a neat Anniversary Gift, or Anniversary Party item. I still want a D20 cosmetic Orb to show up there.

Ooh, here's my idea: The DM's magic 8-ball. It works as a teleporter (like the practical D12), but every time you use it, he says some funny quote.
I don't know WHERE it would lead, but it'd still be funny.

"You want to go there? Let me draw the map first..."
"Going back straight to the action I see! Roll for initiative!"
"Are you sure the 8-ball was still in your inventory?"
"Again? But you've been there so many times already!"

[Kelledren]

I dunno about breaking the fourth wall like that. The gems do need to fit within the world. I've said this before, but not for a long time: There actually is a story mostly in my head that I never mentioned to the team at the time related to the Sentient Jewel of the Timid, in large part because it's goofy and so not official lore. In my head the Timid was a baker who was making donuts, dropped the gem into the hand-cranked mixing machine, reached in to get it (because it was a gem!), then died. His essence became trapped in the gem. So, he's a scaredy-cat baker. :)

I get where you are coming from about the 4th wall, but it would be fun. I keep thinking a gem that says “impressive” then mutters under its breath “we will have to nerf that!”

Thanks for the baker back story. Now I have to get one and listen to the lines over again. Or you guys can make a new baker sentient gem and pair it with the gingerbread golem gem! Yeah like this better. Anniversary is coming up….

[DoctorOfLiterature]

People would pay for sentient gems with our favorite steamer voices. I would love a KozyBean or Voodu gem.

[Inanout]

It would be great if they paid Voodu to do a Gem.
I believe it would bring SSG good luck if they did.

[Kelledren]

It would be great if they paid Voodu to do a Gem.
I believe it would bring SSG good luck if they did.

Jewel of the Uncle! /signed

[LightBear]

I dunno about breaking the fourth wall like that. The gems do need to fit within the world. I've said this before, but not for a long time: There actually is a story mostly in my head that I never mentioned to the team at the time related to the Sentient Jewel of the Timid, in large part because it's goofy and so not official lore. In my head the Timid was a baker who was making donuts, dropped the gem into the hand-cranked mixing machine, reached in to get it (because it was a gem!), then died. His essence became trapped in the gem. So, he's a scaredy-cat baker. :)

And yet another example of Curiosity getting framed where Ignorance is the culprit. ;)

Well, all examples given don't break the fourth wall persee, though everybody would know what you are talking about for real.
Per example, banning someone is a real thing that an overlord would do.. If you're a favorite and killing you off isn't something that even an overlord would get away with.

So a line like: "If it was up to me, I'd put you out of your misery right here and right now." would be fitting.

Other than that...

https://i.imgflip.com/6zucmj.jpg

[Arkat]

<meme>

Yikes.

Maybe re-think posting that specific meme, LightBear?

[Dark_Lord_Mary]

To me its not so much the voice acting or auto tune which is too, but the writing; the writing for most of the gems is woefully poor.

Example: the dragon is the biggest missed opportunity. This gem should have been epic, amazing to hear - but it is terrible - I like the voiceactor, however, the writing is so banal and tritley childish it does not remind one of a dragon at all; it sounds like the actor recorded what was written for them on a cocktail napkin with only 20 minutes to spend in the recording booth.

As I am a writer in real life, I offer myself humbly to write the text for any future gems.

[Aelonwy]

To me its not so much the voice acting or auto tune which is too, but the writing; the writing for most of the gems is woefully poor.

Example: the dragon is the biggest missed opportunity. This gem should have been epic, amazing to hear - but it is terrible - I like the voiceactor, however, the writing is so banal and tritley childish it does not remind one of a dragon at all; it sounds like the actor recorded what was written for them on a cocktail napkin with only 20 minutes to spend in the recording booth.


Hmm you have a point but... at the same time the personalities need to appeal to the widest range of players and classes as possible to be worth the VA effort and cost. I'm not sure they are succeeding with that anyway but if the lines are too specific or too niche or the voice is too unappealing its going to turn a way players and not be worthwhile.

I really cannot say how banal the dragon is, I barely can tell what its saying, have made the effort to read the lines once and now ignore it on the one character that uses it... definitely NOT worth the time, effort and cost they spent for it for me.

Had the lines been comprehensible, and for you interesting it would have definitely been more valued.

Again, I would like a soft, alto Jewel of the Soothing appropriate for a healer but if they make it too specifically cleric or too specifically a particular deity like Celimas "For the Flame!" than they would be narrowing the potential pool of players that would want and enjoy such a personality. If they do it with more generic lines it can appeal to clerics, fvs, bard, paladin, possibly druid, possibly ranger, possibly even someone roleplaying a Jorasco marked halfling or... well I would say a party-support Aasimar but the recent HC nerfs nixed that more than necessary.

Its a very fine line to tight-walk and I think its well-established that SSG isn't particularly good with delicacy. Now galumphing, they're ACES.