History:  Many years ago, a young boy, named Michal, was born as the son
of a master artisan in Archendale.  Growing up as an only child, he was
expected to carry on the family tradition of stone carving.  However, what
most fascinated him was the yearly visit of the Gypsies (briefly mentioned
in Wizards & Rogues of the Realms), with their gaily painted wagons, and
bright clothing.  He used to sneak out at night to watch the Dancers
perform for the money of the Farmers of the town.  His Father also bartered
with many of the gypsies for the rare woods and gemstones they always
seemed to have.

One night, when he was about eight, he stood in a tree to get a better
look at the Gypsies and their dances, when he was surprised by another,
higher in the tree.  She introduced herself a Lilla, Granddaughter to the
head of the Gypsy caravan.  They soon became the best of friends and spent
most of the tenday the caravan stayed in town together.  Both were sad when
the caravan took its leave, but they promised to meet again at the tree the
following year.

And so they did, for the next decade, with their friendship turning into
love.  On the last night they promised to run away together the next year,
and spend this one saving to build a life together.  They both knew neither
of their parents would approve of the marriage, so that is why they decided
to run away.

The next year he waited by the tree, for the Gypsy Caravan to come into
town, but all that came was a sole rider, grievously injured, who died
shortly after telling of the horrible tragedy that befell the Caravan.  He
said the caravan was assaulted by a combined force of Goblins and
Hobgoblins, backed by Ogres and strong magic (those sent to investigate
found hints of Zhentarim influence, but is was never proven).    All, but
he, who had been scouting (actually wondering off) ahead had been killed,
there were no survivors.  Oddly enough, by the time soldiers managed to
organize themselves and investigate, they found the burned out ruins of the
Caravan, but no bodies.  Ever since, an occasional adventuring party does
battle with groups of zombies and skeletons wearing the tattered garb of
the Gypsies.

Shocked, then crestfallen, Michal never fully recovered from the episode,
(do, in no small part to the cruel, spreading rumors about what the
humanoids would have done to any female survivors).  He then took up his
family's trade, and become somewhat well known for his excellent, yet
morose, pieces of statuary.  He never married, nor did he move form his
small town.  As he neared the end of his life, he took more and more to
remembering the times that were past, and dwelt more on Lilla.  In the end,
he choose to do his last work upon a perfect piece of White Marble, and in
would be the image of Lilla.  He worked on it for most of six months, dying
within a tenday of completing it.

After his death, having no relatives, and leaving no will, his belongings
were sold to a local merchant, who took them to sell in Sembia.  The statue
of Lilla (though no one knew the work's name) fetched the highest price,
bought by Lord Servel Weisnin.  Lord Weisnin, reveling in new-found wealth,
bought the statue on an impulse.  He had an excess of cash, as the recent
War in Seros had claimed many shipping vessels, though his were lucky (or
something else) enough to make it to their destinations.  He charged
exorbitant prices, which the locals had no choice but to pay.  After buying
the statue, it was placed within a forgotten room within his newly bought
Mansion outside the Capital of Sembia (name escapes me-Selgaunt?).  As a
matter of fact, no one shall probably be within its presence until the
nobles spring festivals, still several months away.

Appearance:  This item appears as a pure white statue about 15 inches
high.  It depicts a long haired gypsy girl in the midst of an elaborate
dance.  Her features are perfection (Charisma 19), and the detail is
without flaw.  The statue is unpainted, but still seems as if the girl
shall complete her twirl and continue with her dance at any moment.  The
statue does not radiate magic, though it does possess mystical powers.

Powers:  The Statue radiates an aura in a 15' radius that strengthens
emotions.  First impressions are greatly modified, an feeling of kindness
towards someone could easily turn into a belief the person is the greatest
they have ever met, a negative emotion responds in kind, with an instant
hatred of that person.  In game terms it is up to the DM to handle, with a
recommendation of making reaction encounter checks as per the DMG.  Any
positive results, should add an additional +5 modifier, negative with a -5
modifier and neutral results will lend make any attempt to shift reaction
categories a 5 penalty.  PC's should be given a saving throw at -3 vs spell
to avoid the effects.  (note, this is not a strictly magical effect, and
Elves and 1/2 elves do not get their immunity to charm percentages, though
high wisdom still modifies the roll.


David posted this addition later:
Michal was known vaguely known throughout the Dales, as well as many
Cosmopolotan Centers, such as Waterdeep, Silverymoon, Sembia, and Cormyr.
However, most of his sculptures were somewhat morose and morbid (think
avant-garde), and thus his following was small, yet loyal, (notably young
nobles, and nuveau-riche merchants, as well as at least 2 calshite pashas).
 Since he had only recently died (Hammer 1369), the value of his works has
not begun to rise.  However, while Lilla is by far his best work, it is
also his most atypical for its realism.  At present it has more value for
its craftmanship than its crafter.

As for a church to display, the new religon of Finder is probably more
appropriate, as it stresses change it art, which Michal represented for
most of his life.  In fact, any young priest wishing to start a church to
finder could do little worse than placing Lilla alongside some of Michal's
more abstract work in the church.  To show that both old stlye and new
style can exist within the same artist, and further the cause of stuggling
artists everywhere.

Of course, Denier tradionalists might want the statue to show that the old
ways are the best ways.