Modifying Jewelry
Cursed Items, Made to Fit
As discussed previously, part of my conception of cursed items is that they are made to be deceptive: to resemble an item that is known or suspected to exist, so that the intended victim will wear or use the item without taking appropriate precautions. You make a cursed item that appears to be your enemy’s favorite necklace, have someone sneaky swap it out, and next time she wears it, it chokes her to death. Nice, simple, horrifying outcome.
This style of cursed item use relies on prior knowledge, whether to produce a convincing ‘Excalibur’ for one who has heard the same stories or to produce a near-perfect twin of a particular known item. What is to be done when such information isn’t available when the cursed item is being prepared?
Ring of Fiery Falsehood
Base Cost 2,500gp: Single charge 1st level effect 500gp; Single charge Flesh to Ash 4th level effect 2,000gp. Apparent Value: 100gp, or as imitated.
The face of this cursed gold signet ring depicts a stylized mask, red lacquer for background. On the inside of the band a word, typically ‘disguise’ is etched. Unlike many cursed items, the ring is initially safe, only becoming dangerous once primed. To prime the ring the user must hold it in his hand (not worn) and speak the inscribed word in whatever language it is written. The ring will be covered by a bi-sensory illusion, taking another form to sight and touch. If another ring is held in the hand, the ring will copy its form, with the copy momentarily glowing to distinguish the two. Without another ring to copy, the ring of fiery falsehood will instead assume the appearance of a ring described to it. The illusion lasts until it is dispelled, discharges, or a month passes. If the illusion is dispelled or expires the ring has its prior form, but with the mask’s image scratched out. In either case, the ring remains primed.
Once primed, the ring triggers when it is worn within 5’ of an open flame. Fire will leap to and momentarily engulf him. If he is a living creature with fewer than 9 HD he must make a Death saving throw. On a failed throw he is slain, his remnants reduced to dust as the spell flesh to ash. Objects worn and carried by him are unaffected, save for the ring which is reduced to slag whether or not he survives.
Note that, to be a proper 1st level spell, the illusion is only bi-sensory. Most rings don’t smell like anything, but if the ring is used to imitate a non-gold ring or one with a notably different shape it may make a different noise when struck against something, perhaps, so the auditory component might as well be paid for. This item could have been made lower level, as the full 120’ range of flesh to ash is not needed, but at touch range (2nd level) I would find it hard to justify triggering from something 5’ away, and at 30’ range (the next nearest) the spell would be 3rd level so the savings would be even more marginal.