Matrix gems

["Kevin Collins" <kcollins@bilbo.bio.purdue.edu>]

This "attunement" stuff is crap.  Matrix gems are artifacts.  For 
their abilities to work without causing damage, the character must
be of the appropriate background.  If the character is the wrong
background and still wants to gain the "perks" (only while holding
the gem, or touching it), then the character must be willing to 
suck the 3d6 damage per round.  This damge will probably (and should)
interrupt someone from casting a spell, making an incant, and other
acts of intense concentration.
I see no reason to need a time to "attune" to the gem.

Kevin