In 1200 Avard, the chief of the Warkore Clan of dwarves was brought a large crystal of red sphene after a raid against the elves of the deep forests nearby. The red crystal had not been faceted, but seemed almost to glow, as though the light of a forge was within it.

The chief, named Ulrich Graniteshoulders, had the sphene broken into three separate crystals and each faceted into a classic pear-point pattern. Ulrich wore the sprakling sphenes about his neck for over a century, until chance and determination made him a king. To signify his kingship, Ulrich had his goldsmiths craft a crown of yellow and rose gold. The crown was made in a band, with the largest of the sphenes placed in the center of the crown, its point raising up above the level of the band. The other two sphenes were not quite of a size, but placed to either side of the master sphene, their points a bit above the level of the band of gold, as well.

When completed, the crown seemed alive with fire. The faceted sphenes seemed to throw red and gold and orange fire, and that light was amplified by the rose and yellow gold of the crown itself. It seemed as though Ulrich's brow was afire when the light caught his crown.

Even under the gentle green light of dwarven torches, the crown seemed to glow, as though a chemical fire were gathered about the king's brow.

During an attack on the newfound kingdom, King Ulrich was nearly killed by a host of undead, and then nearly turned into a vampire. In the end, King Ulrich fell -- but some say that his fire still burns in the sphenes of his crown, worn now by his young son Feldspar.

Whomever wears the crown is immune to all mind-affecting spells and mental assaults such as fear, confusion, and charm person, and to the more benign mind-influencing spells such as dream messages. The crown also provides some little light of its own -- enough to read by, or to mine by, as though Ulrich's torch were still lighting the way.

Caster Level:  18th; Craft Wondrous Item, continual flame, miracle or wish; Price 175,000gp.