Ring of Subtle Injury
A seemingly helpful ring with harmful effects. Not the best of party favors.
(first post be BRUTAL)
The Ring of Subtle Injury is a copper ring with a diamond embed in. This cursed ring gives off an aura of strength and when put on the wearer will be more powerful. But to the untrained and those not paying attention this ring also hides a deadly secret. The ring will hurt the wearer after a few consecutive hours, creating a small cut or bruise anywhere on the body. Every few hours after the initial injury the ring will injure the wearer again in the same fashion. Additionally, the ring will lower the dexterity of the wearer so any physical injury incurred by the ring can be mistaken as a natural wound from the increase in falls and bumping into objects. If the ring is not removed after the first week or so, any wounds incurred will begin to heal less quickly. All while the ring continues to injure the wearer. In addition, after the first week, the wearer of this ring will become less susceptible to pain and damage done by attackers. After two weeks wounds may have stopped healing all together and the wearer runs the risk of sickness and infection. If worn long enough the ring can inflict enough damage to render the wearer unconscious and, further, kill the wearer.
While not powerful at first, the Ring of Subtle Injury feeds off of the wounds inflicted to the wearer. This can lower dexterity further and can even start to lower intelligence as to trick the target into continuing to wear the ring.
The ring can be removed with remove curse or cutting off the finger. In addition, healing spells negate some of the effects from the ring. Continued care of the wearer can push back slowed healing to two weeks, can push back infection to four etc. This however can be a bad thing as the ring is still inflicting and feeding off of the injuries. This can lead the ring to remain unnoticed for a longer period of time and continue to injure and feed.
History:
The ring of subtle injury was created by a trickster Wizard known as Colton of the Greylife. While most of Colton's other objects can be viewed as mean spirited but humorous. This ring, however, is too malicious to be a joke item. The intended target of the ring is unknown as Colton held grudges by the day and by the project. This inconsistency in character has lead the ring to be passed about, lost, found, tossed, and recovered by many people.
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? Responses (16)
Not bad at all for your first sub! I would give it a small beneficial effect. Welcome aboard!
Thank you very much for the suggestion and kind words! I am very happy to be here!
Update: Changed just giving off a aura of protection into a actual protection bonus. This change should be considered a 'for now' until I come up with one I find aesthetically pleasing or receive a suggestion with the same criteria. I kind of want any wearer of the ring who knows it's effect to be tempted to keep wearing the ring for the benefit despite the draw backs. But that may be asking a bit too much on this particular item.
How does it help the wearer?
As I said, I have not thought of a good bonus yet. As it stands right now for a place holder it will do minor protection for the wearer when facing attacks from a foe. But as the ring wants you to be injured it is only a place holder. If you have suggestions I am open to reading them.
I'd (real life or in game) start freaking out as soon as I couldn't take the ring off, forget the slowly accumulating cuts and bruises.
But if I was a wicked and charming man (again either real life or in game) I might employ this item when proposing to a rich widow.
Now if I was a Puckish character inhabiting a world with Duncan McClouds and Vandal Savages I might think it a gas to slip this item on to the finger of a self-important but other wise un-impressive immortal.
That is a problem that I have had with cursed items for the most part. The inability to take them off. Especially if the item itself (I.E. this item) plays the waiting game if you will. Also, bonus points to you for giving a shout out to Duncan McCloud.
Firstly, welcome aboard and hope that you enjoy your stay here. This is a solid cursed item in my opinion but I agree with previous comment that it is a bit off-balance in terms of seeming benefits versus drawbacks. My first instinct on this area is that the ring might come with more 'mental tricks' than it currently has that 'compels' wearers to keep holding onto it which is the easy way out. If you wanted real benefits that would tempt the wearer, then I think it would have to give a boost in some other attributes other than mental (since you already have the ring making the wearer less intelligent)/areas of their lives. For example, maybe the wearer gets greater ability to handle/sustain wounds as a side-effect from wearing this ring (which makes it desirable for warriors esp. if they are ascertic) or maybe it makes them far more appealing to the opposite gender etc... I'm just rattling random thoughts here but I think you get the idea.
For sure! Thank you! Those are very interesting hooks for this particular item. Thank you for showing me a good line of thought to follow on this! I think I may even make it so that the wearer gains a strength bonus and handle being wounded better as you said. Making the opposite gender more attracted to the wearer can also be used for evil evil things for sure. Thank you for making me feel welcome!
Update: Added aura of strength, bonus to strength, and pain reduction as suggested by Moonlake. Thank you very much, Moonlake.
Welcome aboard!
I like it. The ring's powers are creepy and disturbing. Good additions based on suggestions. I really like the detail that the wounds and bruises can be attributed to falls and bumping into objects, by those who don't realize what is actually happening.
Finally, can you picture someone that has worn the ring a LONG time? Colored bruises,festering cuts, pus-dripping wounds, unhealed scars...head to toe. Tragic visual!
Thank you very much! I am very thankful to the community for being so welcome and having good ideas themselves to contribute. And that is very much a tragic visual for sure. I can kind of picture a very old king for some reason. Not yet totally broken but it being palpable that he will soon end. Gives me chills.
A very good first submission and I look forward to more.
Thank you very much.
I see no problem with a cursed ring with no upside. There are far worse dangers out there.
An alternate origin of this ring could be the Ring of Penance. Same effects, but its religious in nature, and used by monks/priests/pilgrims to show their devotion.
Good stuff and welcome aboard!
My GM was actually telling me about the Ring of Penance when I told him about this item and how one of his characters used to wear one all the time for his God. Can't always be original I guess. Thank you very much!