Looks to be a weak necromantic item.
Look:
The ring is shaped into a small skeletal hand, holding the finger of the wearer. It is cool to the touch.
Powers:
If identified or succesfuly tried to evoke its powers, it can raise a skeleton 1/day, and control him. No more than one such ordinary weak skeleton can be raised by a single person. Further identification and/or magical analysis may indicate it has more unknown powers, and far greater than expected.
Real power:
Wearer of the ring is for most purposes considered a magical creature: an undead. He may gain certain immunities of the Dead, though not the 'psychical' ones, for his mind is still the same. As a magical creature he gets a minor (say +1) bonus against most spells, except those targeting explicitly magical creatures or undead.
Also, while wearing it, to the outside world he has no 'Life Force' , so the draining powers of other undead can be ignored.
The body of the wearer becomes so infused with mana, that it becomes 'magical' itself, that means he can consider himself a magical weapon. :)
Naturally, the wearer suddenly may find himself vulnerable to things he wasn't before:
- holy water
- turning undead
- protective spells against unclean forces most self-respecting temples do have
- aggresive spells against undead your party or others may be using, etc.
(Note that with all such effects, the wearer can easily harm himself.)
Effect of any spells able to cure living or undead are subjects to the DM's decision only.
Last but not least, his undead nature can be easily detected by well-known spells, and felt by some creatures. (Remember, undead hate LIVING creatures, some attack them outright, some not. A living person may naturally talk to a vampire, but if gets that little thirst...
Now, watch out for exciting roleplaying, like communicating with a zombie!)
On the other hand, most animals feel uncomfortable in the presence of undead.
It is worth mentioning the effects of wearing the ring for a longer time are unknown.
Magical Properties:
Masks the wearers life-force, making him undead, at least to the outside world.
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- Compilation of Rings by Mourngrymn Bound
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A dark magical item which has distinct advantages. It's the kind of thing you want to use but know you shouldn't really, and that should make for some good roleplaying. I think the uncertainty about its cumulative effects (even for the GM!) adds the aura of dark, mysterious presence.
I can only ponder what would happen if a priest wearing this ring tried to turn undead. Could be like something out of poltergeist, with the spinning head and all. 8)
Ha! Great minds think alike, eh? Great. I like the vulnerabilities.
This is a great one! Especially to put in a group without a cleric to notice the side effects. You could go a long time without noticing and by then....what long term effects come into play. Great item!
When I compiled all of the ring subs together I should have read them all. This one is simple yet sinister. Similar to some of my items that have bad side effects. I wonder what this would do to someone who wore the Amulet of the Damned?
Apart from a minor concern with the game stats (which are not affecting my vote) this is a nice, simple and effective ring with great advantages and disadvantages.
Variations could give the wearer the advantages/disadvantages of particular undead as well (ie. Vampire)
Great job!
I don't remember this one, so I am commenting this on anew.
Nicely balanced, a minor power with some minor complications. Actually the disadvantages can be converted to advantages in certain situations.
In many ways, this reminds me of the Magic the Gathering Cards or Vs cards that add certain Type Line keywords (make all your humans count as animals, thus subject to animal magic). That kind of 'change' makes certain abilities easier.
Thanks for the Bump. I have polished it a little (mostly added lines for better reading), and made the most outstanding example of stats nicer.