Ring of Adversity

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Description

The most common forms taken by a ring of adversity is either a single band marked with one each of the Runes of Spring, Winter and Night or a single ring formed of three interwoven bands, each of a different precious metal.

These rings are most common in the theatrical circles of the League. The leader of a troupe might offer this ring to a particularly valued performer-ritualist to guarantee their loyalty to the troupe. While those who play heroes are offered a Ring of Triumph, these rings are offered to those who prefer to play the villains and specialise in more vicious rituals. Should a patron offer this ring to a player, it is usually devoid of any symbol which might reveal the patron's identity. An actor wearing an unmarked Ring of Adversity invites a torrent of speculation over who has sponsored them to perform curses and obfuscations on their behalf, heightening the audience's reaction to their villainous performances.

Across the Empire, these are favoured by ritualists who like to experiment with a broad range of darker magics. Marchers tend to be suspicious of anyone who wears this ring, calling it Sorceror's Circle. Kallavesi Mystics and Highguard Magisters both take a more practical approach to the power this ring offers, particularly to lesser specialised ritualists who wish to assist their covens.Naga magicians are drawn to these rings, seeking to better control their birthright of the Night realm and to dabble in other realms which take their fancy.

Rules

• Form: Jewellery (Talisman)
• Effect: Once per day you may use this ring to gain one additional rank of either Spring Lore, Winter Lore or Night Lore for the purposes of performing a single ritual.
• Materials: Crafting a ring of adversity requires nine measures of ambergelt, nine measures of beggar's lye, six ingots of tempest jade and six measures of iridescent gloaming. It takes one month to make one of these items.

Anushka squeezed her eyes tightly shut and threw the last of her power into a blast of magical force which slammed into the dark, ragged figure, throwing him off balance and onto the treacherous lip of rock overlooking the waterfall. Close to collapse, she crawled towards him as he struggled to pull himself back from the brink. Her scrabbling hand found only a rock as a weapon, and without thinking she raised it high and then slammed it down against the cadaverous skull of the filthy Volodny who had withered the crops of her village with his foul magic. The first blow knocked him insensible, his eyes rolling back in their sockets, but she kept on, hammering again and again with a furious strength she didn't even know she possessed. When she finally came to her senses she was panting and covered in gore and bone, and the Volodny was as dead as any man could be.

Shakily, the young Volhov got to her feet and tried to clear some of the gore clinging to her face, but her caked hands only made it worse. Grimacing, she reached for the dead mage's robe to clean herself, and that was when she saw it. About his finger was an exquisite ring, glistening with strands of magical metal and artistry. Beautiful and powerful, she knew what it was as soon as she laid eyes on it.

She teased the ring from the Volodny's dead finger, grimacing at his long, filth-encrusted nails, and held it to the light. Beautiful, powerful, but unwholesome; she could feel the hungers of Winter, the wild lusts of Spring and the whispered promises of Night as she held it in her hand. To repair the damage the Volodny had done, she would need more power than she currently possessed. The ring promised it would be hers, along with so much more.

She slipped it into a pocket, telling herself that she didn't need to decide now, but in her heart she knew the decision had already been made.