"Essence gems are used by healers and upstart sorcerers and are common enough to be wasted on ornamentation. But with this amulet you can tap into their true potential."
- –Master Li
Essence gems are small stones which carry a certain amount of magical power. Once players have progressed far enough through Chapter 1, they will gain the ability to use essence gems to achieve certain effects, such as boosting character stats.
(Incomplete)
{Spoiler}
When you are in the Spirit Cave, Master Li notes that the Player character's people, were "adept at using Essence Gems", and that their full power can be brought out by the Dragon Amulet.
{End of Spoiler}
Ability score gems[]
Basic gems[]
The simplest ability score gems are the generic Warrior, Monk, and Scholar gems, which provide simple enhancements to the player's Body, Spirit, and Mind scores, respectively. They come in several levels of effectiveness — Flawed, Inferior, ordinary, Superior, and Ultimate (the latter being available only in the PC version of the game). There is also a Flawless level of Scholar gem, sitting between Superior and Ultimate, but there do not seem to be corresponding gems for the other two abilities.
| Type | Name | Effects | Obtained | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warrior gems (Body) |
|
Flawed Warrior Gem | Body +1 |
Two Rivers School - The first one can be found in the spirit caves Tien's Landing - Purchased from Darting Lynx Tien's Landing - Purchased from Merchant Cheung after Great Dam is closed Great Forest - Purchased from Spear Catches Leaf |
|
Inferior Warrior Gem | Body +2 |
Tien's Landing - Purchased from Merchant Cheung after Great Dam is closed Any Location - Purchased from Zin Bu the Magical Abacus Imperial Arena - Purchased from Sweet Poison Lyn Lotus Assassin Fortress - Purchased from Merchant Kia Jung | |
|
Warrior Gem | Body +4 | Imperial Arena - Purchased from Sweet Poison Lyn | |
|
Superior Warrior Gem | Body +6 |
Imperial Arena - Given to you by Gambler Daoshen for paying off Sweet Poison Lyn with your own money Imperial Arena - Given to you by Qui the Promoter after defeating Kai Lan the Serpent Any Location - Purchased from Zin Bu the Magical Abacus once you've reached Chapter Five | |
| Ultimate Warrior Gem | Body +12 | Lotus Assassin Fortress inner chamber, alcove to the left of the exit - Found in jar after defeating Grand Inquisitor Jia [PC Version Only] | ||
| Monk gems (Spirit) |
|
Flawed Monk Gem | Spirit +1 |
Two Rivers School - Purchased from Smiling Mountain after emerging from Spirit Cave Two Rivers Village - Purchased from Fen Do after emerging from Spirit Cave Tien's Landing - Purchased from Merchant Cheung after Great Dam is closed Great Forest - Purchased from Spear Catches Leaf |
|
Inferior Monk Gem | Spirit +2 |
Any Location - Purchased from Zin Bu the Magical Abacus The Necropolis - Purchased from Gravedigger Shen Lotus Assassin Fortress - Purchased from Acolyte Trainer Guang | |
|
Monk Gem | Spirit +4 | The Necropolis - Purchased from Gravedigger Shen | |
|
Superior Monk Gem | Spirit +6 |
Great Forest OR Pirate Workshop - Obtained from second piece of Dragon Amulet after defeating Inquisitor Lim Any Location - Purchased from Zin Bu the Magical Abacus once you've reached Chapter Five | |
|
Ultimate Monk Gem | Spirit +12 | The Necropolis - Found on bones near large gates to Insane Emperor Ghost's tomb [PC Version Only] | |
| Scholar gems (Mind) |
|
Flawed Scholar Gem | Mind +1 |
Two Rivers School - Purchased from Smiling Mountain after emerging from Spirit Cave Two Rivers Village - Purchased from Fen Do after emerging from Spirit Cave Tien's Landing - Purchased from Merchant Cheung after Great Dam is closed Tien's Landing - Purchased from Merchant Shipeng after you've killed Merchant Jiang Pilgrim's Rest Inn - Purchased from Henpecked Hou before he joins as a follower |
|
Inferior Scholar Gem | Mind +2 |
Dam Site - Given to you by Chai Ka when he joins as a follower Tien's Landing - Purchased from Merchant Shipeng after you've killed Merchant Jiang Pilgrim's Rest Inn - Purchased from Henpecked Hou before he joins as a follower Any Location - Purchased from Zin Bu the Magical Abacus Imperial City Golden Way - Purchased from Chandler Ling after you've falsely proven his innocence Imperial City Scholars' Garden - Purchased from Scholar Songtao after you've proven his innocence | |
|
Scholar Gem | Mind +4 | Any Location - Purchased from Zin Bu the Magical Abacus
Imperial City Golden Way - Purchased from Chandler Ling after you've falsely proven his innocence Imperial City Scholars' Garden - Purchased from Scholar Songtao after you've proven his innocence | |
|
Superior Scholar Gem | Mind +6 |
Lotus Assassin Fortress - Obtained from third piece of Dragon Amulet after defeating Grand Inquisitor Jia Any Location - Purchased from Zin Bu the Magical Abacus once you've reached Chapter Five | |
|
Flawless Scholar Gem | Mind +10 | Any Location - Purchased from Zin Bu the Magical Abacus once you've reached Chapter Six | |
|
|
Ultimate Scholar Gem | Mind +12 | Pilgrim's Rest Inn - Found in bamboo cask [PC Version Only] | |
Gems enhancing one ability at the expense of others[]
These gems give the player a large boost to one of their ability scores, but this comes at the expense of the other two abilities.
| Name | Effects | Obtained | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Gem of Unyielding Strength | Body +10 Spirit -5 Mind -5 |
Imperial Palace Audience Chamber - Found in ceramic urn during Chapter Seven only |
|
Gem of Inner Genius | Mind +10 Body -5 Spirit -5 |
Black Leopard School - Given to you by First Brother Kai after you've defeated Master Smiling Hawk |
|
Gem of the Infinite Spirit | Spirit +10 Body -5 Mind -5 |
Inner Courtyard - Found in ceramic urn |
Gems enhancing all three abilities[]
These gems give players an increase in all three ability scores at once, and at the highest level, also grant a five percent chance when the player is hit of either draining an enemy's health (Demon Skin) or generating a shockwave (Celestial Aura).
| Name | Effects | Align | Obtained | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Gem of Purpose | Body +1 Spirit +1 Mind +1 |
|
Tien's Landing - Given to you by Merchant Jiang if you chose to sabotage the Great Dam |
|
Gem of Struggle | Body +2 Spirit +2 Mind +2 |
|
Pilgrim's Rest Inn - Purchased from Henpecked Hou before he joins as a follower Lotus Assassin Fortress - Purchased from Merchant Kia Jung |
|
Gem of Mastery | Body +3 Spirit +3 Mind +3 |
|
Imperial City Market District - Given to you by Captain Sen for defeating Aishi the Mournful Blade Lotus Assassin Fortress - Purchased from Acolyte Trainer Guang |
|
Gem of Unity | 
|
Any Location - Purchased from Zin Bu the Magical Abacus once you've reached Chapter Three Imperial City Market District - Given to you by Aishi's father for releasing Aishi the Mournful Blade's spirit in battle | |
|
Brilliant Gem of Balance | Body +4 Spirit +4 Mind +4 |
— |
Great Forest - Given to you by Forest Shadow after The Mother's death Inner Courtyard - Found in ceramic urn |
|
Scintillating Gem of Power | Body +5 Spirit +5 Mind +5 |
— | Imperial Palace Water Dragon Tomb - Found in headstone |
|
The Eye of the Demon | Body +6 Spirit +6 Mind +6 Demon Skin |
|
Outer Courtyard - Obtained from Gem Repository with a Closed Fist character |
|
The Eye of the Dragon | Body +6 Spirit +6 Mind +6 Celestial Aura |
|
Outer Courtyard - Obtained from Gem Repository with an Open Palm character |
Gems of Forethought and Fate[]
These gems allow players to trade off between ability scores and the chance of receiving power-ups, boosting one at the expense of the other. Body corresponds with health power-ups, Spirit corresponds with chi power-ups, and Mind corresponds with focus power-ups. The three Gems of Forethought grant ability score increases in exchange for fewer power-ups, while the six Gems of Fate (three ordinary and three Greater) do the reverse.
| Name | Effects | Obtained | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Warrior's Gem of Forethought | Body +2 Fewer health power-ups |
Imperial City Market District - Purchased from blacksmith |
|
|
Warrior's Gem of Fate | Body -1 More health power-ups |
Random locations throughout the Jade Empire |
|
Greater Warrior's Gem of Fate | Body -5 Many more health power-ups |
Random locations throughout the Jade Empire |
|
Monk's Gem of Forethought | Spirit +2 Fewer chi power-ups |
Tien's Landing - Purchased from Merchant Shipeng after you've killed Merchant Jiang Golden Way - Purchased from Chandler Ling after you've falsely proven his innocence Scholars' Garden - Purchased from Scholar Songtao after you've proven his innocence |
|
|
Monk's Gem of Fate | Spirit -1 More chi power-ups |
Random locations throughout the Jade Empire |
|
Greater Monk's Gem of Fate | Spirit -5 Many more chi power-ups |
Random locations throughout the Jade Empire |
|
Scholar's Gem of Forethought | Mind +2 Fewer focus power-ups |
Lotus Assassin Fortress - Purchased from Acolyte Trainer Guang |
|
|
Scholar's Gem of Fate | Mind -1 More focus power-ups |
Random locations throughout the Jade Empire |
|
Greater Scholar's Gem of Fate | Mind -5 Many more focus power-ups |
Random locations throughout the Jade Empire |
Other ability score gems[]
There are other gems which affect ability scores in various ways but which are not part of any of the systematic groups of gems above.
| Name | Effects | Align | Obtained | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Burning Essence | Spirit +3 Mind +3 |
— | Any Location - Purchased from Zin Bu the Magical Abacus once you've reached Chapter Four |
|
Gem of Black Flame |
|
Black Leopard School - Given to you by Master Smiling Hawk after you've defeated Master Radiant | |
|
|
Gem of Pure Flame |
|
The Necropolis - Obtained after defeating Fading Moon | |
|
Gem of Earth Power | Body +5 |
|
Heaven - Obtained after defeating the Forest Shadow in battle |
|
The Mournful Soul | Spirit +3 Mind +3 Body -5 |
— | The Necropolis - Given to you by Gravedigger Shen after defeating his mother-in-law's spirit |
|
The Wanderer's Jewel | Body +3
Spirit +3 |
— |
Quarry - Given to you by Turnkey Shiji after defeating Strangler Jizu The Necropolis - Obtained after defeating the Insane Emperor's Ghost within the Tomb of the Dignified Collector |
|
The Closed Fist | Body +10 Spirit +5 |
|
Imperial Palace - Obtained after pouring human blood into the Water Dragon's body |
|
The Open Palm | Spirit +10 Mind +5 |
|
Imperial Palace - Obtained after freeing the Water Dragon's spirit |
Conversation skill gems[]
These gems affect the player character's Charm, Intuition, and Intimidation skill values.
Basic gems[]
The nine basic gems simply increase one of the three skills and have no other effect. They come in three levels of effectiveness — Inferior, ordinary, and Superior.
| Type | Name | Effects | Obtained | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charm gems | 
|
Inferior Charm Gem | Charm +2 | Purchased from various merchants — see individual pages for detail. |
|
Charm Gem | Charm +3 | ||
|
Superior Charm Gem | Charm +5 | ||
| Intuition gems | 
|
Inferior Intuition Gem | Intuition +2 | |
|
Intuition Gem | Intuition +3 | ||
|
Superior Intuition Gem | Intuition +5 | ||
| Intimidation gems | 
|
Inferior Intimidation Gem | Intimidation +2 | |
|
Intimidation Gem | Intimidation +3 | ||
|
Superior Intimidation Gem | Intimidation +5 | ||
Gems enhancing one skill at the expense of others[]
| Name | Effects | Align | Obtained | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Divine Radiance | Charm +8 Intimidation -3 Intuition -3 |
— | At Dirge, in a chest near the tents after the beginning of Chapter 7 |
|
Sixth Sense | Intuition +8 Charm -3 Intimidation -3 |
— | The Necropolis - Found in chest within the Tomb of the Masses |
|
Strong Arm | Intimidation +8 Charm -3 Intuition -3 |
— | Imperial Arena Creature Pens - Obtained after defeating Lucky Cho |
Gems enhancing all three skills[]
| Name | Effects | Align | Obtained | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
The Bronze Tongue | Charm +4 Intuition +4 Intimidation +4 |
— |
If you spend 600 silver on the cook in the teahouse in Tien's landing, he gives you this (Tien's Landing Teahouse - Given to you by Chai Jin for eating all four of his exotic dishes or obtained from his corpse after convincing him to try the fourth dish himself) Great Forest OR Pirate Workshop - Obtained from second piece of Dragon Amulet after defeating Inquisitor Lim |
|
The Silver Tongue | Charm +6 Intuition +6 Intimidation +6 |
— | Imperial City Scholars' Garden - Obtained after defeating Sir Roderick in battle and asking for a gem as your reward |
|
The Golden Tongue | Charm +8 Intuition +8 Intimidation +8 |
— | Any Location - Purchased from Zin Bu the Magical Abacus once you've reached Chapter Three |
Gems which also affect ability scores[]
| Type | Name | Effects | Align | Obtained | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charm gems | 
|
The Soft Petal | Charm +5 Body +1 Mind +1 |
— | From a headstone in the ruins of Old Tien's Landing, opposite the entrance to the quarry |
|
Gem of Irresistible Spirit | Charm +2 Spirit +2 |
|
Random locations throughout the Jade Empire | |
|
Gem of Seductive Power |
|
Imperial City Market District - Given to you by Chandler Ling after you've handed the Forged Slaver Documents to Prefect Jitong | ||
| Intuition gems | 
|
Good Fortune | Intuition +5 Mind +1 Spirit +1 |
— | Salvaged from the crashed flyer by whoever isn't accompanying the player to Tien's Landing |
|
Gem of Gentle Mind | Intuition +2 Mind +2 |
|
Random locations throughout the Jade Empire | |
|
Gem of Evil Thought |
|
Random locations throughout the Jade Empire | ||
|
Way of the Open Palm | Intuition +10 Spirit +5 Body -5 |
|
Temple of Dirge - Obtained by releasing Death's Hand from his tormenting servitude | |
| Intimidation gems | 
|
Gentle Persuasion | Intimidation +5 Body +1 Spirit +1 |
— | Gained after defeating Gao the Lesser in the Swamp Cave |
|
Aura of Calm Gem | Intimidation +2 Body +2 |
|
Clearing the name of Scholar Songtao in Quest: The Slave Traders | |
|
Aura of Malice Gem |
|
Swamp Cave - Obtained after defeating Gao the Lesser | ||
|
Way of the Closed Fist | Intimidation +10 Body +5 Spirit -5 |
|
Temple of Dirge - Obtained by forcing Death's Hand into serving you | |
Trap gems[]
These gems affect the player's encounters with traps in some way. Some of them also provide a small boost to one of the player's ability scores.
| Type | Name | Effects | Obtained | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trap detection | 
|
Gem of Thief's Sense | Allows trap detection Spirit +1 |
Tien's Landing Ruins - Obtained after defeating the Lotus Assassin Lieutenant |
| Chance of evasion | 
|
Lightning Gem | Guarantees evasion Mind +3 |
Any Location - Purchased from Zin Bu the Magical Abacus once you've reached Chapter Three |
| Cost of evasion | 
|
Slick Gem | Trap Focus cost reduced by 10% | Great Forest - Purchased from Spear Catches Leaf |
|
Gem of Premonition | Trap Focus cost reduced by half Mind +1 |
Outer Courtyard - Found in ceramic urn | |
|
|
Gem of Foresight | Trap Focus cost eliminated Mind +2 |
Random locations throughout the Jade Empire | |
| Damage reduction | 
|
Thick Skin Gem | Trap damage reduced by half Body +1 |
Quarry - Given to you by Turnkey Shiji after defeating Strangler Jizu |
|
Iron Skin Gem | Trap damage eliminated Body +3 |
Lotus Assassin Fortress - Found in jar within the Upper Mine | |
Combat reward gems[]
These gems affect the amount of experience points or silver that players are rewarded with for doing certain things.
| Name | Effects | Obtained | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Absolute Dedication | More XP but no power-ups from human enemies | Room of Kai Lan the Serpent |
|
|
Spirit Harvest | More XP but no power-ups from ghosts | The Necropolis - Found in ceramic urn within the Tomb of the Dignified Collector |
|
|
Lucky Hand | More silver from enemies |
Imperial City Golden Way - Purchased from Chandler Ling after you've falsely proven his innocence Imperial City Scholars' Garden - Purchased from Scholar Songtao after you've proven his innocence |
Other gems[]
| Name | Effects | Align | Obtained | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cyclone Gem | Damage Shield | — | Any Location - Purchased from Zin Bu the Magical Abacus once you've reached Chapter Five |
|
Gem of Storm's Rage |
|
Lotus Assassin Fortress - Obtained from third piece of Dragon Amulet after defeating Grand Inquisitor Jia | |
|
|
Heaven's Blessing Gem |
|
Black Leopard School - Given to you by Master Radiant after you've defeated Master Smiling Hawk Lord Lao's Furnace (Configuration of the Rabbit) - Obtained by using a Cow Bezoar, the Clapper Chimney, the Conductor, the Whirling Cogs, and the Dragon Button | |
|
Gem of the Frail Scholar | More XP from books Mind +1 Body -3 |
— | When in the pirates hideout go over to the dragonfly's controls to drop it. It will blow up a door which leads to a room with this gem in one of the containers. (Pirate Workshop - Found in chest) |
|
Imperial Favor | Spirit +3 Charm +1 Intuition +1 More power-ups |
— | From Silk Fox in the imperial city (Imperial City Market District - Given to you after speaking with Princess Lian for the first time) |