Locating a Ring

[Cardea]

There was a ring in the WotC archives for 3.5/3e that let you activate magic items you had previously used without needing to be holding them, as long as you wore the ring. Does anyone recall this item, or know what I'm talking about?

[Thurbane]

There was a ring in the WotC archives for 3.5/3e that let you activate magic items you had previously used without needing to be holding them, as long as you wore the ring. Does anyone recall this item, or know what I'm talking about?

I believe that would be the Ring of Spell Triggering.

Spoiler

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Awaken from Afar
Evocation
Level: Sor/Wiz 5, Clr 6, Drd 6
Components: V
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)
Target: One spell trigger activation item
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No

An awaken from afar spell allows you to use a spell trigger item without actually touching the item. The item to be activated must be within the range of the awaken from afar spell, and it functions as though you yourself were triggering it from its current position. All other conditions, such as the requirement that you have the spell on your spell list or if the item's enchantment restricts its use to a particular race or individual, still apply. Both you and the item to be activated have to be on the same plane. The item cannot be in the possession of another creature at the time of activation, and it must be an item that you have previously triggered normally (in other words, without the aid of an awaken from afar spell.

New Magic Items

Ring of Spell Triggering: This ring allows the wearer to continually utilize the effects of the spell awaken from afar.

Caster Level: 9th; Prerequisites: Forge Ring, awaken from afar; Market Price: 90,000 gp.

[Cardea]

I believe that would be the Ring of Spell Triggering.

Total lifesaver, thank you Thurbane.

[Zaq]

That’s such an insanely specific spell! I’m trying to think of when it’s worth a 6th level slot to be able to activate a wand/staff that you can already use and that can’t be in anyone else’s possession but that activates from your position. As opposed to, you know, just using Unseen Servant to juggle between the wand in question and whatever else you want to be holding.

I could see the point, kind of, if it activated from the wand’s position, but since it activates from your own space, that seems really hard to get any benefit out of.

Am I just uncreative? What’s the purpose of the spell, and why is it so high level?

[Kelb_Panthera]

That’s such an insanely specific spell! I’m trying to think of when it’s worth a 6th level slot to be able to activate a wand/staff that you can already use and that can’t be in anyone else’s possession but that activates from your position. As opposed to, you know, just using Unseen Servant to juggle between the wand in question and whatever else you want to be holding.

I could see the point, kind of, if it activated from the wand’s position, but since it activates from your own space, that seems really hard to get any benefit out of.

Am I just uncreative? What’s the purpose of the spell, and why is it so high level?

Only thing I can think of is emergency "I'm in an unexpected grapple" activations. That or letting a UMD user fake being a spellcaster with the insanely expensive ring.

[Thurbane]

The wording could have been clearer, but I believe the intent is to activate the item from its location, not yours.

The item to be activated must be within the range of the awaken from afar spell, and it functions as though you yourself were triggering it from its current position.

Still seems overpriced for a 5th/6th level spell.

Best case scenario, you jam it in a crack in a wall, point it down a corridor, and activate it against opponents around the corner without exposing yourself.

[Uncle Pine]

That’s such an insanely specific spell! I’m trying to think of when it’s worth a 6th level slot to be able to activate a wand/staff that you can already use and that can’t be in anyone else’s possession but that activates from your position. As opposed to, you know, just using Unseen Servant to juggle between the wand in question and whatever else you want to be holding.

I could see the point, kind of, if it activated from the wand’s position, but since it activates from your own space, that seems really hard to get any benefit out of.

Am I just uncreative? What’s the purpose of the spell, and why is it so high level?

It has its uses if you're a giant dragon with a dozen different staves/wands scattered on a mountain of gold coins, which is the kind of boss encounters d&d was initially built around.

[Zaq]

Huh, okay, I guess you're right; it IS from its current position rather than your current position.

Still seems a little bit overpriced, but less obviously so. Still hella niche.

[Kelb_Panthera]

Oh, I get it. It's a set-piece spell. Like a lot of material, it's much more usable by a DM setting up a unique encounter than a player. It was basically purpose written for the dragon presented in the same article.