Nirenn's Engagement Ring
This engagement ring is delicate, elven-crafted silver band inlaid with a finely cut turquoise. It was given to Nirenn Windrunner by Lirath Windrunner, and ultimately it and its matching mate were both enchanted during the pair's honeymoon so that they would always offer some protection to their wearers.
There is a message engraved on the interior of the band in Thalassian: "May this piece of my heart protect you when I cannot."
Functionally, the ring acts as both a ring of protection and, now, a ring of mind-shielding after the modifications made by the wizard Kel'Thuzad.
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Requires Attunement You gain a +1 bonus to AC and saving throws while wearing this ring. While wearing this ring, you are immune to magic that allows other creatures to read your thoughts, determine whether you are lying, know your alignment, or know your creature type. Creatures can telepathically communicate with you only if you allow it. If you die while wearing the ring, your soul enters it, unless it already houses a soul. You can remain in the ring or depart for the afterlife. As long as your soul is in the ring, you can telepathically communicate with any creature wearing it. A wearer can't prevent this telepathic communication. |
Cursed
Nirenn was buried with her ring, though it was found at the core of a banshee that attached Uther Menethil's party. While the banshee was not identified at first due to the extreme look of agony and sadness it held, Velameestra and Gilveradin were able to recognize their mother in hindsight. Gilveradin had taken the ring and given it to his sister when he told her about the circumstances under which it had been found - the trigger that ultimately caused her to recognize the banshee's identity.
She chose to not wear the ring, though she did examine it to see if it held a clue to the magics the trolls appeared to be using. Unfortunately, the ring itself seemed to only be enchanted by abjuration magic as was expected. Even so, after an attempted attack via a dream spell by Zalazane on Velameestra, she awoke to find the ring on her finger despite the fact it had been kept in a small pouch. When she removed it, it was revealed she had small red marks on her finger that resembled a spider bite that had not broken through the skin.
She returned the ring to Gilveradin, who later gave it to their aunt Vereesa to return to Windrunner Village. However, later that night, Velameestra once again awoke with the ring on her finger despite it not being in her possession. The bite marks were worse, and she had woken with an extreme soreness that did not fully subside.
After speaking with the troll Rai it was revealed the spider bite marks may be indicative of a curse known as the Hungering Hex - quite possibly the same hex that had targeted Nirenn, though it was too early to tell.
During the brief visit to Silvermoon, Velameestra was able to speak with a man who specialized in enchantment and he was able to confirm that the ring was, in fact, cursed after a magical backlash struck him in the chest while he magically examined it.
The hex continued to feed on Velameestra's life force, and a means to break it was not discovered.
Kel'Thuzad's Interference
Velameestra's secret mentor, the archmage Kel'Thuzad, ultimately attempted a gamble to halt the progress of the hex and used the feign death spell to place Velameestra into a temporary, death-like state when the hex attempted to feed on her during her brief stay at his manor. In the process, he was able to trick the hex into believing its host had passed, and held it long enough to enchant the ring into a ring of mind-shielding. Kel'Thuzad's body perished, but his spirit took residence inside the ring, where he was able to seal the hex for as long as he remained present. In addition, the new arrangement allowed for him to be a constant guide for his young student in her continued studies.
However, during the brief brush with death that Velameestra experienced, she was able to momentarily speak with the spirit of her mother, which had been consumed by the hex and entrapped. In theory, if the hex was simply destroyed, it was likely Nirenn's soul would be destroyed with it.
