The Ring of Darius

One of the more infamous artifacts in existence is the Ring of Darius, as the historical record actually confirms the accuracy of the tales that are told about it. Since ca. the year 50BC, only one individual who have claimed the Ring as theirs and not died a violent or unnatural death after having done so.

THE RING OF DARIUS

This is a bulky gold ring that is filigreed with overlapping Celtic symbols that represent humans drawing power from their native lands. The most remarkable thing about the item, however, is the large, deep red diamond, a shade so dark and intense that both its size and hue make it one of a kind among an already extremely rare type of diamond. The Ring of Darius has been described as priceless, and it is.

Functions

When worn by the rightful owner of the ring, in the proper place, possessing and wearing the Ring of Darius provides powerful benefits. When worn by someone who come to have the ring through dishonest or violent means, it is an almost-guaranteed death sentence.

On the Hand of the Rightful Owner

When worn by its rightful owner--someone of Darius' bloodline, or someone who has come by the ring via legitimate means, such as purchasing or having it gifted by a rightful owner--the ring functions as a ring of protection +2. It also grants the wearer a +2 bonus to three crucial skill rolls per day. (The player can choose which rolls, unless the GM wants to reserve determining what's crucial for him- or herself.)

  When worn by its rightful owner in the lands that used to be home to the Gauls--currently claimed by the modern-day nations of France, Belgium, and Luxembourg-- the ring functions as a ring of protection +4. Further, it provides a +1 bonus to all skill checks and attack rolls made by the wearer.

   Unfortunately, its method of creation (assistance from a demon) left the ring with a curse: Whenever a character sees the ring for the first time, he or she must roll a Willpower saving throw (DC13). If the saving throw fails, the character becomes obsessed with the idea of possessing the ring. If the owner isn't willing to part with the ring when asked nicely or offered compensation, the obsessed character starts making plans to have the ring stolen and its (unworthy) possessor killed. Once the obsessed character gains possession of the ring, the cycle stars all over again. 

On the Hand of Someone who Acquires the Ring through Theft or Violence

There is no benefit from the ring to a character who acquires it through theft or murder, although the ring appears provide all the benefits described above. The wearer also becomes increasingly convinced that the ring has boosted all of his or her abilities and talents. Eventually, he or she becomes so arrogant and self-assured that a confrontation that will end badly is a sure thing.

Art by Harold DeLay

A Brief History of the Ring of Darius

The item now known as the Ring of Darius was made by a Circle of Druids, intended to provide magical assistance to a hero who would lead the Gauls into final battle against the Romans and drive the invaders from their lands. 

    Before they could give the ring to a hero of the stature who could save their nation and tribes, the Romans attacked the area, killing all the druids. One of them, as she lay dying, gave the ring to her son, Darius, telling him that the powerful ring would help him restore freedom to their lands and people.

    This was not to be, however. Darius was captured by the invaders and sent to Rome as a slave. He did his best to keep the ring that could restore his people, but, eventually, his captures spotted it. Darius became the first person to be killed over a greedy need for the right, but dozens (possibly even hundreds) more would follow. Darius' ghost has also cursed the ring, intensifying its negative qualities, a fact confirmed by psychic Edward Kelley in 1588 after he came into possession of the ring. Although he tried to keep others from becoming aware of the item, he fell victim to its curse in 1597, after narrowly escaping ring-caused doom on two previous occasions.

     Since 1939, the ring has been in the possession of the ancient red dragon know as Brigid. Aware of the ring's curse, she, like Kelley, has been careful about letting anyone--especially other dragons--know that she has acquired the ring. She keeps it secured in a hidden compartment under the fourth (from the top) back step leading out of her Arizona mansion/lair. Whenever she gets wind of someone seeking to loot one of her treasure hoards (of which she has 15, spread across the globe), she grabs the ring and places it in a prominent spot so it's one of the first extremely valuable items the thieves will find. Brigid then keeps track of the thieves and recovers the ring and any other unique items she baited them with, once they have met their predictable ends for stealing the Ring of Darius.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The preceding article was inspired by "The Ring of Darius", an unusual comics series that appeared in issues 1, 4-5 of Lucky Comics , an anthology titled published by Consolidated Magazines in 1945-1946. This unusual series will be collected in its entirety for the first time in a forthcoming comics/rpg hybrid product from NUELOW Games. 

   The paragraph "On the Hand of the Rightful Owner" is Open Game Content, and it is presented under this license. "The Ring of Darius" is Copyright 2025 by Steve Miller