Will Wright's Emerald

Origin
William Ralph "Will" Wright is an American video game designer and co-founder of the former game development company Maxis, and then part of Electronic Arts (EA). The first computer game Wright designed was Raid on Bungeling Bay in 1984, but it was SimCity that brought him to prominence. The game was released by Maxis, a company Wright formed with Jeff Braun, and he built upon the game's theme of computer simulation with numerous other titles including SimEarth and SimAnt.

Wright's greatest success to date comes from being the original designer for The Sims. The game spawned multiple sequels like The Sims 2, The Sims 3, and The Sims 4 and expansions packs, and Wright has earned many awards for his work. The games focus on managing a group of "Sims" through their day-to-day lives. All Sims are presented with a green gem over their head, signifying that actions may be selected for them to perform.

Effects
When Wright sold off some family jewels in 2001, he had no idea that his work on the "Sims" had turned an otherwise plain gem into a powerful artifact. Placing this emerald over someones head will cause it to hover in place above them. After this link has been made, the target will become unaware of the gem, even if it is pointed out to them. The placer will be able to over-ride the target's actions using simple commands, with the target finding nothing odd about their behavior.

The gem can be removed by anyone, though it is small and hard to grab. It the target enters a swimming pool, they will become unable to find the exit unless released from the artifact. Eventually, if left in that state, they will grow exhausted and drown, even in shallow water.

Collection
This artifact was collected in 2001 after a small-time robber used it to force random passer-bys to hold up convenience stores and pharmacies. None of the victims could say why they were doing it, only that it was their own idea. He was denied the artifact when he ordered a victim to hide in a backyard pool and he was unable to collect the emerald before the victim drowned and he was forced to flee.

The robber was eventually caught and the artifact collected from the scene.