Ring of Unyielding Ward
Description
A thick platinum band crowned with a single dark sapphire that pulses with protective energy, its depths swirling like storm clouds. The metal is warm to the touch and thrums with latent power, as if holding back a great force. When danger approaches, the sapphire glows with a soft blue light, and a barely perceptible shield seems to shimmer around the wearer.
Mechanics
Ring of Unyielding Ward (Legendary, requires attunement)
This ring grants the following properties:
- You can cast Protego at will without expending a spell slot or sorcery points
- Once per long rest, you can cast Protego Maxima at 5th level without expending a spell slot, and it does not require dedication
- When you cast any protective or defensive spell, you gain temporary hit points equal to your spellcasting modifier + your proficiency bonus
Attunement Requirements
Initial Test: When someone first puts on this ring without being worthy, they must make a DC 18 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, roll on the Rejection Table below.
Earning Attunement: After surviving the rejection (or passing the initial save), the ring becomes inert. To truly attune to it, the wearer must demonstrate their resilience and will to protect through one of the following:
- Willingly take a blow meant for another, reducing yourself to 0 HP in the process
- Survive a situation that would normally result in instant death through sheer determination
- Successfully protect someone from certain harm for an extended period (24 hours of constant vigilance)
- Cast a protective spell that saves multiple lives at great personal cost
Once the trial is completed, the sapphire blazes with brilliant blue light and the ring accepts the attunement.
Rejection Table (d10)
| d10 | Effect | |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Shattered Protection: All protective magic on you (temp HP, resistance, AC bonuses) is immediately dispelled. You have disadvantage on all saving throws for 1 hour. | |
| 3-4 | Ward Backlash: A violent barrier explodes outward. All creatures within 10 feet (including you) must make a DC 16 DEX save or take 4d10 force damage and be knocked prone. | |
| 5-6 | Vulnerable Shell: Your natural defenses weaken. You gain vulnerability to all damage types for 1 minute and cannot benefit from any form of damage resistance during this time. | |
| 7-8 | Phantom Wounds: You take 3d10 psychic damage as the ring shows you visions of all the times you failed to protect someone. Make a DC 16 WIS save or be paralyzed for 1 round from guilt. | |
| 9 | Brittle Existence: Your maximum HP is reduced by half for 24 hours. This reduction cannot be removed by any means except time or a Greater Restoration spell. | |
| 10 | Trial by Fire: You must immediately make death saving throws as the ring tests whether you're truly willing to die to protect others. Succeed on 3 saves and you survive with 1 HP. Fail 3 saves and you drop to 0 HP. | ## Notes |
This ring is one of Seylon's legendary Rings of Power, designed for those who stand as bulwarks against harm. Its magic amplifies protective enchantments and rewards the wearer for defending themselves and others.