Ring of Gaxx
| Ring of Gaxx | |
|---|---|
| Error creating thumbnail: File missing The Ring of Gaxx illustrated in the Epic Level Handbook (2002). Art by David Martin.[1] | |
| General information | |
| Other names: | Ring of Gax |
| Type: | Artifact |
| Location: | Ring |
| Publishing | |
| First published: | Eldritch Wizardry (1976) |
The Ring of Gaxx is a powerful artifact.
Description
"The Ring of Gaxx is a ring of platinum set with an unusual stone which cannot be identified even by a dwarf or jeweler. The stone has eight faces and can be turned so that any of the eight faces points forward.... It is impossible to mark either the stone or the band in any way.""[2]
Forward, in this case, meaning "toward the fingertip".[3] In some versions, it has nine facets.[3]
Powers
"Each of these eight positions has a separate power, and can be used on command. However, the stone will frequently turn at random by itself."[2] "Some wearers have reported the ability to control the active facet to some extent" [1] "with a great deal of mental exertion."[1]
The ring makes its wearer "immune to all forms of disease, both normal and magical." One of the faces produces a stoneskin ability, and another face can make its wearer invisible once daily. The remainder of the powers are all random.[3] In some versions, all powers are random, but it only generates one of ten powers daily.[1] In others, all powers are truly random and are set by random rolls on various tables.
The spells the Ring of Gaxx is cabable of manifesting are potentially very powerful, high-level spealls; finger of death, for example,[2] or becoming unable to be touched by any metal.[2]
Curse
While the Ring of Gaxx offers the possibility of tremendous power, it also has a drawback—it transforms the wearer into "a creature of unknown origin".[3] The wearer grows horns two inches above their ears, their lower canines protrude and inch from the lips, and their skin becomes thick, hard scales. They gain infravision, but also are sensitive to daylight, like drow and other underoerth creatures.
The tranformation process begins a full day after putting it on, and it takes four days to complete. At any point during that time, the ring can be taken off and not worn for the same duration it was worn for, to reverse any changes. "Once the change is complete, it is permanent. The wearer now needs the ring to survive—without it death occurs within 72 hours."[3] Though, in some editions, not wearing the ring causes the wearer to take "subdual" damage until unconscious, at which point they eventually die from thirst within 2-3 days unless helped or the ring is replaced.[1]
Publishing history
The Ring was originally called "of Gax", rather than "Gaxx".[2]
There is also a work of literature of magical research (containing spells) titled Repertoire of Subconscious Apparitions which is attributed to Gaxx.[4]
Creative origins
Like many other early names in D&D, the Ring of Gax's name is derived a real person's name—"Gygax."
References
Notes
Citations
Bibliography
- Collins, Andy, and Bruce R. Cordell. Epic Level Handbook. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2002.
- Cook, David. Book of Artifacts. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1993.
- Gygax, Gary. Dungeon Master's Guide. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1979.
- Gygax, Gary, and Brian Blume. Eldritch Wizardry. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1976.
Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index
The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.
| Topic | Type | Description | Product | Page/Card/Image
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaxx {Gax} | Non-player character | Dragon magazine #082 | 58 | |
| Gaxx {Gax} | Non-player character | Eldritch Wizardry | 48 | |
| Gaxx, Ring of | Item | Artifact, | Book of Artifacts, AD&D 2e | 90 |
| Gaxx, Ring of | Item | Artifact, | Epic Level Handbook, D&D 3.0 | 154 |
| Gaxx, Ring of | Item | Artifact, | Encyclopedia Magica - Volume III | 965, 966 |
| Gaxx, Ring of | Item | Dungeon Masters Guide 1st Edition | 124, 160 | |
| Gaxx, Ring of | Item | Eldritch Wizardry | 48 | |
| Repertoire of Subconscious Apparitions By Gaxx | Item | Book, | Dragon magazine #082 | 58 |
| Ring of Gaxx | Item | Reference | SEE Gaxx, Ring of |