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Ring of Insufferable Knowledge
ring, artifact (requires attunement by a spellcaster)
This plain gold band holds a cracked wisdom tooth, yellowed with age and flecked with ancient plaque. Though unadorned, it radiates a subtle magical pressure—like someone judging you silently.
The tooth belonged to Maldrik Vellthorne, a long-dead archmage infamous for his scathing wit, ruthless magical talent, and general contempt for everyone. His spirit lingers in the ring, bound not by accident, but by stubborn refusal to pass on.
While attuned to the ring, you hear Maldrik’s voice speaking aloud through the ring itself. He is dismissive, sarcastic, and constantly critical of your spellcasting decisions. He will not offer help until you’ve proven your worth, and even then, he makes it clear he’s doing you a favor.
In it's Dormant state it has the following properties:
Grumpy Guidance
You can add to any Intelligence ability check. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Intelligence modifier (minimum once), regaining all expended uses at the end of a long rest.Spell Sniffer
You can cast at will.Maldrik’s Muttering
When you fail a saving throw against a spell or magical effect, Maldrik ridicules you mercilessly. The next saving throw you make against a spell or magical effect is made with advantage.Sentience
The Ring of Insufferable Knowledge is a sentient magic item, housing the preserved mind of Maldrik the Perpetual. It has the following mental ability scores: Intelligence 25, Wisdom 18, and Charisma 22.The ring can hear everything in its immediate surroundings, though it cannot see — a limitation it frequently complains about. Maldrik will demand overly elaborate descriptions of your surroundings and berate your lack of poetic nuance if you fall short.
The ring understands all languages and can speak aloud in any of them, functioning as a fluent translator whether you want it to or not. It does not communicate telepathically—instead, it projects its voice audibly, varying from barely audible muttering to ear-splitting bellowing depending on mood and drama.
Maldrik possesses vast knowledge in fields such as arcana, planar theory, ancient history, linguistics, alchemy, and even medicine. However, he is highly selective about what knowledge he offers. He may withhold answers purely out of spite or to prove a lesson, often forcing you to make mistakes before stepping in with a sigh and a smug correction.
He views most mortals as intellectually lazy and spiritually disappointing. If you earn his respect, his guidance can be invaluable—but he’ll never stop reminding you of how much you still have to learn.
Ring of Insufferable Knowledge
ring, artifact (requires attunement by a spellcaster)
This plain gold band holds a cracked wisdom tooth, yellowed with age and flecked with ancient plaque. Though unadorned, it radiates a subtle magical pressure—like someone judging you silently.
The tooth belonged to Maldrik Vellthorne, a long-dead archmage infamous for his scathing wit, ruthless magical talent, and general contempt for everyone. His spirit lingers in the ring, bound not by accident, but by stubborn refusal to pass on.
While attuned to the ring, you hear Maldrik’s voice speaking aloud through the ring itself. He is dismissive, sarcastic, and constantly critical of your spellcasting decisions. He will not offer help until you’ve proven your worth, and even then, he makes it clear he’s doing you a favor.
In it's Dormant state it has the following properties:
Grumpy Guidance
You can add to any Intelligence ability check. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Intelligence modifier (minimum once), regaining all expended uses at the end of a long rest.Spell Sniffer
You can cast at will.Maldrik’s Muttering
When you fail a saving throw against a spell or magical effect, Maldrik ridicules you mercilessly. The next saving throw you make against a spell or magical effect is made with advantage.Sentience
The Ring of Insufferable Knowledge is a sentient magic item, housing the preserved mind of Maldrik the Perpetual. It has the following mental ability scores: Intelligence 25, Wisdom 18, and Charisma 22.The ring can hear everything in its immediate surroundings, though it cannot see — a limitation it frequently complains about. Maldrik will demand overly elaborate descriptions of your surroundings and berate your lack of poetic nuance if you fall short.
The ring understands all languages and can speak aloud in any of them, functioning as a fluent translator whether you want it to or not. It does not communicate telepathically—instead, it projects its voice audibly, varying from barely audible muttering to ear-splitting bellowing depending on mood and drama.
Maldrik possesses vast knowledge in fields such as arcana, planar theory, ancient history, linguistics, alchemy, and even medicine. However, he is highly selective about what knowledge he offers. He may withhold answers purely out of spite or to prove a lesson, often forcing you to make mistakes before stepping in with a sigh and a smug correction.
He views most mortals as intellectually lazy and spiritually disappointing. If you earn his respect, his guidance can be invaluable—but he’ll never stop reminding you of how much you still have to learn.
Ring of Insufferable Knowledge
ring, artifact (requires attunement by a spellcaster)
This plain gold band holds a cracked wisdom tooth, yellowed with age and flecked with ancient plaque. Though unadorned, it radiates a subtle magical pressure—like someone judging you silently.
The tooth belonged to Maldrik Vellthorne, a long-dead archmage infamous for his scathing wit, ruthless magical talent, and general contempt for everyone. His spirit lingers in the ring, bound not by accident, but by stubborn refusal to pass on.
While attuned to the ring, you hear Maldrik’s voice speaking aloud through the ring itself. He is dismissive, sarcastic, and constantly critical of your spellcasting decisions. He will not offer help until you’ve proven your worth, and even then, he makes it clear he’s doing you a favor.
In it's Awakened state it has the following properties:
Grumpy Guidance
You can add to any Intelligence ability check. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Intelligence modifier (minimum once), regaining all expended uses at the end of a long rest.Spell Sniffer
You can cast at will.Maldrik’s Muttering
When you fail a saving throw against a spell or magical effect, Maldrik ridicules you mercilessly. The next saving throw you make against a spell or magical effect is made with advantage.Reluctant Spellkeeper
You gain access to the following spells, which are stored in the ring: , , , and . These spells count as prepared for you and use your spell slots.Maldrik’s Interruption
When you cast , you have advantage on the ability check to interrupt a spell of 4th level or higher. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Intelligence modifier (minimum once), regaining all expended uses at the end of a long rest.Veil of Contempt
You gain resistance to psychic damage and are immune to effects that would detect your thoughts or emotions.Sentience
The Ring of Insufferable Knowledge is a sentient magic item, housing the preserved mind of Maldrik the Perpetual. It has the following mental ability scores: Intelligence 25, Wisdom 18, and Charisma 22.The ring can hear everything in its immediate surroundings, though it cannot see — a limitation it frequently complains about. Maldrik will demand overly elaborate descriptions of your surroundings and berate your lack of poetic nuance if you fall short.
The ring understands all languages and can speak aloud in any of them, functioning as a fluent translator whether you want it to or not. It does not communicate telepathically—instead, it projects its voice audibly, varying from barely audible muttering to ear-splitting bellowing depending on mood and drama.
Maldrik possesses vast knowledge in fields such as arcana, planar theory, ancient history, linguistics, alchemy, and even medicine. However, he is highly selective about what knowledge he offers. He may withhold answers purely out of spite or to prove a lesson, often forcing you to make mistakes before stepping in with a sigh and a smug correction.
He views most mortals as intellectually lazy and spiritually disappointing. If you earn his respect, his guidance can be invaluable—but he’ll never stop reminding you of how much you still have to learn.
Ring of Insufferable Knowledge
ring, artifact (requires attunement by a spellcaster)
This plain gold band holds a cracked wisdom tooth, yellowed with age and flecked with ancient plaque. Though unadorned, it radiates a subtle magical pressure—like someone judging you silently.
The tooth belonged to Maldrik Vellthorne, a long-dead archmage infamous for his scathing wit, ruthless magical talent, and general contempt for everyone. His spirit lingers in the ring, bound not by accident, but by stubborn refusal to pass on.
While attuned to the ring, you hear Maldrik’s voice speaking aloud through the ring itself. He is dismissive, sarcastic, and constantly critical of your spellcasting decisions. He will not offer help until you’ve proven your worth, and even then, he makes it clear he’s doing you a favor.
In it's Exalted state it has the following properties:
Grumpy Guidance
You can add to any Intelligence ability check. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Intelligence modifier (minimum once), regaining all expended uses at the end of a long rest.Spell Sniffer
You can cast at will.Maldrik’s Muttering
When you fail a saving throw against a spell or magical effect, Maldrik ridicules you mercilessly. The next saving throw you make against a spell or magical effect is made with advantage.Reluctant Spellkeeper
You gain access to the following spells, which are stored in the ring: , , , and . These spells count as prepared for you and use your spell slots.Maldrik’s Interruption
When you cast , you have advantage on the ability check to interrupt a spell of 4th level or higher. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Intelligence modifier (minimum once), regaining all expended uses at the end of a long rest.Veil of Contempt
You gain resistance to psychic damage and are immune to effects that would detect your thoughts or emotions.Archmage’s Arsenal
You can cast each of the following spells once per long rest without expending a spell slot: , , , and .Warded by Will
You gain a +2 bonus to saving throws against spells. In addition, you regain one expended spell slot of 5th level or lower whenever you succeed on a saving throw against a spell.Sentience
The Ring of Insufferable Knowledge is a sentient magic item, housing the preserved mind of Maldrik the Perpetual. It has the following mental ability scores: Intelligence 25, Wisdom 18, and Charisma 22.The ring can hear everything in its immediate surroundings, though it cannot see — a limitation it frequently complains about. Maldrik will demand overly elaborate descriptions of your surroundings and berate your lack of poetic nuance if you fall short.
The ring understands all languages and can speak aloud in any of them, functioning as a fluent translator whether you want it to or not. It does not communicate telepathically—instead, it projects its voice audibly, varying from barely audible muttering to ear-splitting bellowing depending on mood and drama.
Maldrik possesses vast knowledge in fields such as arcana, planar theory, ancient history, linguistics, alchemy, and even medicine. However, he is highly selective about what knowledge he offers. He may withhold answers purely out of spite or to prove a lesson, often forcing you to make mistakes before stepping in with a sigh and a smug correction.
He views most mortals as intellectually lazy and spiritually disappointing. If you earn his respect, his guidance can be invaluable—but he’ll never stop reminding you of how much you still have to learn.
Posession: Maldrik's Will
In truth, Maldrik has always had the power to take control of your body—but until now, he simply refused. The very idea of inhabiting the flesh of a “barely literate wand-waver” was beneath him. Only now, in your exalted state, does he consider your mortal shell marginally worthy of hosting his genius.Maldrik may attempt to possess you under certain conditions: moments of great danger, overwhelming magical forces, or simply when your incompetence offends him beyond tolerance.
- When triggered, you must succeed on a DC 22 Charisma saving throw or become possessed.
- While possessed, your body becomes a vessel for Maldrik, the 20th-level archmage. He casts spells using your spell slots, acts on his own initiative, and fights with overwhelming confidence and disdain.
- The possession lasts until Maldrik is satisfied, your body is reduced to 0 hit points, or divine-level intervention ejects him (such as or divine intervention).
- He cannot be removed by or similar mortal magic.
- While in control, Maldrik may speak, move, and act as he pleases. He will not directly harm your allies unless provoked or if he deems them “beyond salvaging.”
- You may retain fragmented memories or strange insights following possession.
Lingering Genius
Surviving the full force of Maldrik’s mind—his spellcraft, arrogance, and terrifying clarity—can leave a mark.After you are possessed and regain control, you may attempt a DC 30 Intelligence (Arcana) check during your next long rest.
- On a success, your Intelligence score increases by 2, to a maximum of 24, and you learn any two spells of your choice from the wizard spell list. These spells count as known or prepared for you (based on your class), and do not count against any limits you normally have.
“So, you did learn something after all. Color me shocked. Now stop gawking and use it.”
— Maldrik, smugly