Introduction
Ever feel like your rings in Skyrim are just… there? Like they’re more adornment than truly empowering accessories? Tired of finding the same old “fortify archery” rings in every other bandit camp? Then you, my friend, are ready to delve into the world of Skyrim’s relic rings. These aren’t your average, run-of-the-mill trinkets. These are items imbued with history, imbued with power, and often, shrouded in mystery. They’re the kinds of rings that tell a story, that connect you to the rich lore of Tamriel.
But what exactly *is* a relic ring in the context of Skyrim? While the game itself doesn’t use that specific term, the community has embraced it to describe rings that go beyond the ordinary. These rings possess unique enchantments, are exceptionally rare, are linked to significant quests, or hold a prominent place in Skyrim’s history. They’re the kinds of rings that seasoned adventurers covet and new players dream of finding. This article will serve as your guide to navigating the world of Skyrim’s relic rings, exploring their unique effects, revealing their hidden locations, and detailing exactly how you can add them to your own personal collection.
Defining the Essence of a Relic Ring
Let’s be clear, the term “relic ring” isn’t strictly defined within Skyrim’s game mechanics. It’s more of a community-driven designation, a way to categorize the exceptional rings that stand apart from the generic loot. Therefore, it’s essential to establish some parameters.
For the purposes of this guide, a ring will be considered a “relic ring” if it meets one or more of the following criteria: it possesses a unique and non-standard enchantment; it’s exceptionally difficult to find, requiring specific quests or hidden locations to be discovered; it plays a significant role in a major questline or faction storyline; or it’s deeply connected to the lore and history of Skyrim. Keep in mind that this interpretation is subjective, and other players may have their own definition. However, this framework will help us focus on the most interesting and impactful rings that Skyrim has to offer.
Rings of Legend: Unearthing Skyrim’s Hidden Treasures
Now, let’s journey into the heart of Skyrim and uncover some of its most noteworthy relic rings. Each of these rings offers a unique advantage, a compelling story, and a challenge to acquire.
The Ring of Namira: A Taste for the Forbidden
The Ring of Namira is a relic ring intertwined with one of the darker corners of Skyrim’s world. This ring is associated with the Daedric Prince Namira, the Lady of Decay, who presides over the ancient darkness. The ring itself is a morbid but powerful artifact.
Acquiring the Ring of Namira involves undertaking the Daedric quest “The Taste of Death” in Markarth. You’ll need to investigate a series of murders and ultimately choose whether to assist a group of cannibals in their grisly rituals. Should you side with them and partake in their feast, the Ring of Namira will be your reward.
The Ring of Namira allows you to consume the corpses of fallen enemies, restoring health and increasing health regeneration for a short period. This can be a game-changer for survival-focused characters or those who enjoy playing morally ambiguous roles.
However, the Ring of Namira’s benefits come with a cost. It requires engaging in cannibalism, which may be distasteful to some players. Additionally, completing the quest in this manner will likely result in negative consequences with certain factions or characters. A character build that would work well with this ring would be a necromancer or a vampire, someone who doesn’t shy away from the darker side of magic and survival.
Ahzidal’s Ring of Necromancy: Empowering the Undead
Ahzidal’s Ring of Necromancy is a relic ring tied to the Dragonborn expansion and the ancient Dragon Priest Ahzidal. This ring offers a powerful boost to necromantic abilities.
To obtain Ahzidal’s Ring of Necromancy, you’ll need to embark on the “Unearthed” questline in Raven Rock, Solstheim. This quest involves exploring ancient Dwemer ruins and uncovering the secrets of Ahzidal’s past. The ring is found within Kolbjorn Barrow after funding a series of excavations.
Wearing Ahzidal’s Ring of Necromancy causes your reanimated zombies to explode when they are destroyed, dealing frost damage to nearby enemies. This can be devastating in close quarters, turning your undead minions into walking bombs.
The drawback is that the explosions can also harm you and your allies, so careful positioning is crucial. This ring is best suited for necromancers who enjoy a more aggressive and explosive playstyle. A character focused on summoning and destruction magic would benefit greatly from this ring.
The Ring of the Erudite: A Vampire’s Best Friend
The Ring of the Erudite is a unique ring introduced in the Dawnguard downloadable content, designed with vampires in mind. This ring enhances magical abilities and provides a significant boost to Magicka.
To acquire the Ring of the Erudite, you must side with the Volkihar vampire clan during the Dawnguard questline. After completing certain quests for the clan, you’ll be rewarded with the ring. This ring is only accessible by siding with the vampires and cannot be obtained if you choose to join the Dawnguard.
The Ring of the Erudite grants a substantial increase to your total Magicka pool, allowing you to cast more spells and sustain your magical abilities for longer. It’s a boon for vampire characters who rely heavily on magic.
The disadvantage is that it requires you to embrace the vampire lifestyle, which comes with its own set of challenges and weaknesses. Vampire mages, illusionists, or spellswords would find this ring invaluable.
The Bond of Matrimony: The Symbolic Wedding Band
While seemingly mundane, the Bond of Matrimony ring that is given at your wedding also grants a fifteen percent boost to speechcraft. This can lead to higher selling prices and easier time with speech checks.
To acquire this ring, you simply have to marry someone in Skyrim. This can be achieved in Riften by speaking to Maramal in the Temple of Mara. After you have acquired the Amulet of Mara, you can find someone who you have a high relationship with and propose marriage.
The Bond of Matrimony is a simple buff and doesn’t have any drawbacks unless you decide to kill your spouse. Any type of character can use it, since speechcraft is useful for most types of builds.
Muiri’s Ring: A Symbol of Revenge
Muiri’s Ring is given to the Dragonborn after finishing the dark brotherhood quest “Mourning Never Comes”. The ring is imbued with the enchantment to increase the effectiveness of alchemy by fifteen percent.
To acquire this ring, you simply have to join the dark brotherhood, and finish the quest “Mourning Never Comes”.
The Muiri’s Ring is a good ring for any alchemist, as it can greatly increase the effectiveness of a potion by fifteen percent. Since alchemy is only useful to specific builds, it would only be useful for them.
Strategic Ring Hunting: Techniques for Treasure Hunters
Finding these relic rings isn’t always easy. It requires a combination of exploration, questing, and a bit of luck. Here are some strategies to maximize your chances of success:
Explore Every Nook and Cranny: Skyrim is filled with hidden dungeons, ancient ruins, and forgotten caves. Don’t be afraid to venture off the beaten path and explore every corner of the map.
Focus on Daedric and downloadable content Quests: Many of the most powerful and unique rings are rewards for completing Daedric quests or storylines introduced in the downloadable content expansions.
Master the Art of Pickpocketing and Persuasion: Sometimes, the only way to acquire a ring is to steal it from someone or persuade them to give it to you. Invest in your Pickpocketing and Speech skills to increase your chances of success.
Synergistic Combinations: Maximizing Ring Power
The true potential of relic rings often lies in their ability to synergize with each other or with your character build. Consider these combinations:
Magic Resistance and Damage Boost: Combine a ring that provides magic resistance with a ring that enhances your magic damage output. This will make you both more resilient and more powerful in magical combat.
Alchemy and Fortification: Pair a ring that boosts your alchemy skill with rings that fortify other skills, such as archery or one-handed combat. This will allow you to create powerful potions that enhance your abilities.
The Enduring Value of Relic Rings: More Than Just Stats
The appeal of Skyrim’s relic rings extends far beyond their raw statistical benefits. These rings are imbued with lore, history, and a sense of adventure. They connect you to the world of Skyrim in a way that generic loot simply cannot. Finding these rings is a rewarding experience in itself, a testament to your skill and dedication as an explorer. The satisfaction of overcoming a challenging quest or delving into a dangerous dungeon to obtain a powerful artifact is unparalleled.
Conclusion: A Call to Adventure
Skyrim’s relic rings are more than just accessories. They are symbols of power, history, and adventure. They are the rewards for those who dare to explore the hidden corners of the world and uncover its forgotten secrets. By understanding their unique effects, knowing their locations, and mastering the techniques for acquiring them, you can transform your character into a true champion of Skyrim. So, venture forth, brave adventurer. Explore the ruins, complete the quests, and claim your rightful treasures. The relic rings of Skyrim await. What are your favorite rings to use in your build? Share your answer in the comments!
