Ring of Misery

The Ring of Misery is a very powerful, highly cursed magic item. At least 2 dozen of them were created many eons back by an evil wizard to create havoc throughout the realms and several planes. It is usually found hidden amongst other treasures of value and its appearance is such that it looks as beautiful and harmless as the rest. This ring is made of solid reinforced gold, and is put together as three small bands, making the ring just over one quarter inch in width. It also has seven small beautifully cut, high-quality inlaid opals that go around the outside of the band. (Roll to determine the value of these stones.) The ring is exquisite, and if any means of magic detection is used, the ring will radiate a strong aura in the color normally denoting good magic. Unfortunately, a powerful spell to mask the ring's true nature was cast upon it right after creation, leaving any attempt to identify it impossible. Anyone attempting to do so will only see a ring of protection +2. If anyone should be curious enough to place the ring on, they will feel a slight sense of warmth, as if the ring is radiating its protection magic through them. If the individual has identified it as a ring of protection +2, they will make the needed adjustments to their armor class as usual. Unfortunately, the DM will know their true AC and will adjust it for combat situations. The ring's true nature and displeasure is revealed, only when the individual wearing the ring engages in combat.

On the first round of combat, nothing happens and melee continues normally. But on the second round of combat in every encounter, and after initiative is rolled, the character will begin their action. However, as they start, they will be taken over by the ring. Instantly, the wearer of the ring will see the closest person or creature to them, either friend or foe, as their worst fear and not see anyone who can help them. For example, a fear of a Lich or other undead will make all around them look as Liches or and/or other powerful undead. The individual will see these manifested images in their mind, move toward them and attack as if the vision were really happening. The individual must make a save vs. paralyzation at a -4, or flee in terror no matter what level they are, even if normally immune to fear. If the save is made, they can choose to stay and fight or run away. In their mind, anyone around them will attack and look like their worst fear when they do attack. Anyone who chooses to stay and fight can attack at a –4 penalty and will be subject to subdue damage if hit. They will not take physical damage, but will feel like they are. This goes for spells, weapons, level draining, etc. The only difference is, when the person's hit dice is reduced to 0, they will fall and be rendered unconscious. However, they will still continue to lose 1 hit point per round as if they were bleeding or draining, unless a remove fear is cast by a priest or wizard of 12th level or higher and a save vs. system shock is made at a 20% penalty to the roll to negate the effect. Priests may combine their levels to reach 12th and cast the same spell simultaneously to achieve the same results. If the save or spell fails, however, another hit point is lost each round until –10 is reached. At that point the individual is physically dead, being actually scared to death. Remove fear can be cast multiple times if needed until the save is made and the spell is in the caster's memory.

Removal of the ring is also not as easy as it seems. Once on, the ring can not be removed by merely trying to pull it off. There are four ways the ring may be removed. First, a cleric or wizard of at least 12th level or higher who casts a remove curse spell on the ring may enable it to be taken off. The spell has a base 50% chance of working plus 1% per level of the caster. However, removing curse does not fully remove the curse from the item. It merely renders it inert for 1D4+1 rounds. During this time, the ring may be removed and the gems taken from it. If this is done, the ring becomes useless and the magic gone. But, after that time, if these things have not been done to the ring, it will reactivate and can be used all over again. The second is a finely worded wish spell. The third is by amputation of the affected finger. And, the fourth is by death of the character. These rings are somewhat rare, but can be found throughout the realms. Merely touching one has no effect.

(c) John (Jake) Brunette 2004