Rings of the Chosen Hearth

Aura moderate divination and conjuration; CL 9th
Slot ring; Price 45,000 gp (set of five); Weight —

These five rings appear as simple bands of polished silver, unadorned except for a single mystical rune engraved upon the exterior of each band. The rune resembles five lines converging toward a common center, representing separate lives joined by a shared bond. No gemstones, filigree or precious ornamentation decorate the rings. Their value lies not in wealth or status, but in the promise they embody.

When inactive, the rune appears as little more than a faint engraving worn smooth by years of handling. During periods of distress, however, the rune emits a gentle silver radiance and pulses with a rhythm resembling a heartbeat. The intensity and speed of these pulses reflect the severity of the danger faced by a member of the bonded family.

Though crafted as a set of five, no ring bears any mark of rank or ownership. Each is identical to the others, symbolizing that every member of a chosen family stands as an equal within the bond.

The rings are forged as a single magical item and cannot be permanently separated from one another. The magic recognizes loyalty, trust and mutual devotion rather than bloodline or legal relationship.

The rings function only when willingly worn. A creature cannot be forced into the bond, nor can a stolen ring access its powers. Once a creature wears one of the rings for twenty-four consecutive hours, it becomes a recognized member of the chosen family until it voluntarily relinquishes the bond.

Activation and Effect

The Rings of the Chosen Hearth are continuously active.

Whenever a bonded wearer experiences significant distress, all other bonded wearers immediately become aware of it regardless of distance, plane or magical barriers short of a deity's direct intervention.

Each ring communicates information through a series of rhythmic pulses accompanied by brief empathic impressions.

Condition	Ring Response
Emotional distress, fear, grief, despair, confusion	Slow, gentle pulse
Injury, illness, poisoning, capture, magical affliction	Steady pulse
Mortal danger, unconsciousness, imminent death	Rapid pulse accompanied by warmth

In addition, all alerted wearers instantly learn:

• The identity of the endangered wearer.

• The direction and approximate distance to that wearer.

• The plane upon which the wearer currently resides.

• A brief empathic impression describing the nature of the danger, such as wounded, captured, lost, afraid, poisoned, cursed, unconscious or dying.

This information remains available for as long as the condition persists.

Family's Call (Su)

Three times per day, if a bonded wearer is actively receiving an alert from another ring, they may concentrate for one round to establish a mental connection equivalent to sending with the endangered individual.

This communication ignores planar boundaries and functions automatically without requiring familiarity checks.

Burden Shared (Su)

Once per day, when a bonded wearer within the ring network would be reduced below 0 hit points, each willing ring-bearer may choose to transfer up to 10 hit points from themselves to the endangered creature as an immediate action.

Hit points transferred in this manner bypass all forms of damage reduction, temporary hit points and immunity to damage. The recipient gains the transferred hit points immediately.

No wearer may reduce themselves below 1 hit point through this ability.

Family Never Lost (Su)

If all five bonded wearers are alive and wearing their rings, each wearer gains a +2 morale bonus on saving throws against fear effects and despair effects.

This is a mind-affecting effect.

Construction

Requirements Forge Ring, status, sending, status, greater; Cost 22,500 gp, 1,800 XP

Lore

The first Rings of the Chosen Hearth were not forged for kings, heroes or mighty archmages. They were created for five ordinary adventurers whose lives had become intertwined through years of shared travel. Though unrelated by blood, they had weathered hardship together, celebrated victories together and mourned losses together until the distinction between companion and family had long since vanished.

Legend tells of a terrible expedition into the Shadowfell during which one member of the company became separated from the others. Days passed before her companions realized the severity of her plight. By the time they reached her location, she had succumbed to her injuries. The survivors returned home carrying grief heavier than any treasure they had ever borne.

Refusing to allow such a tragedy to occur again, the group's wizard and cleric combined their talents to create a set of rings that would ensure no member of their family could ever suffer alone and unheard. Their creation spread slowly through adventuring circles, community organizations and mutual aid networks. Over time, the Rings of the Chosen Hearth became symbols not of power or prestige, but of a promise: when one calls, all answer.

Kelwyn's Notes

Among the many treasures I have cataloged over four centuries, these humble rings remain among my favorites. They possess neither dazzling jewels nor elaborate enchantments designed to impress nobles at court. Their appearance is intentionally simple. A plain silver band and a single rune are all that is required to express their purpose.

The rune itself is deceptively elegant. Five lines converge toward a common center, each retaining its own path while contributing to something larger than itself. The design captures the essence of chosen family better than any heraldic crest or royal seal I have ever encountered. Unity need not require sameness.

Many magical items promise power. These rings promise presence. They remind their wearers that somewhere in the world there are people who care whether they return home safely. Such knowledge can sustain a weary soul through remarkably difficult circumstances.

I have long maintained that one of the greatest fears experienced by intelligent creatures is not death, but abandonment. To suffer unseen and unheard is a terrible prospect. The Rings of the Chosen Hearth stand in direct opposition to that fear. Their enchantment declares that no member of the family shall vanish into darkness without the others knowing.

Should you ever notice a simple silver ring bearing a curious rune of converging lines, do not mistake it for ordinary jewelry. It may represent a bond stronger than blood, stronger than distance and, on occasion, stronger than fate itself. Few symbols carry greater meaning than the quiet certainty that if trouble finds you, your family will know and they will come.