Trolkarl is unable to remove the ring.  Casting Lesser Restoration upon Starker also has no visible effect.

Investigating Cyrus, you find him in the same condition.  He is standing, motionless with black orbs for eyes.

When Trolkarl mentions a solution without removing a finger Chadwick looks at him, shrugs, then slides his dagger back into the sheath. "Guess that could interfere with his spell casting.

It's like closing the barn after the cow gets lose, but maybe this will help him break free."

Casts Protection from Evil and Good

Kragen looks at Chadwick. “He has 9 other digits, one less is t going to impede his ability. In this state, he’s a full loss!” Shrugs

What’s the saying “curiosity killed the cat!”

Kragen does however check for pulse to see if Starker is still alive.

Starker is alive

He is alive. There is hope. Kragen anything else you wish to try? If there is nothing we can do here…

Looks at Chadwick’s dagger 

… without extreme measures, we should make haste for Longsaddle. I say we ride as hard as possible. Drow, do you know of the legend of Rooster and little blackie?

Chadwick will use his Divine Sense to see what he can pick up from Starker and the ring. Assuming nothing ground breaking Chadwick will lash Starker to his horse. Once that's done "We ride for Long saddle!" and heads out.

While on the road..

"Kragen how much water you think we could bless at one time? Maybe we could dunk him?"

“That may lead to him boiling like fish in stew. I am not sure how we break this ill effect! I am still hopeful and will continue to pray on it, maybe Tyr will send me a clue!”

(Xymox crouches beside Starker again, studying the ring with a faint frown and a flicker of intrigue in his eyes.)

“His body’s here, but the rest of him? Likely pulled elsewhere—trapped or tethered. That ring isn’t just cursed, it’s anchored. Some other plane, I’d wager.”

(He glances toward Sir Chadwick with a crooked smile.)

“And before we revisit your ‘remove the finger’ solution—yes, Sir Chadwick, —let’s try not to start with holy amputation.”

(He rises, brushing a bit of dirt from his cloak.)

(Xymox eyes Trolkarl with a crooked grin, voice low and dry.)

“Ah, yes… Rooster and Little Blackie. I know the tale you mean. Let’s hope our path doesn’t require riding a poor beast to its last breath in order to save Mage and Monkey.”

“I'd rather our heroics not involve a dead pony… or me with a dagger in my teeth charging a nest of devils. But if it comes to that—well, try to keep up.”

Prior to departure towards Longsaddle. Kragen addresses The Company 

“After spending time in reflection and prayer, Tyr has provided me some clarity on Starkers condition. I believe he is in a desperate battle to attune the item. That is why we have not seen any results from any of our attempts to address his current state. Once he is either successful or fails, we can attempt to help him, if he needs it.”

 Then looks to Chadwick “stay thy knife Sir Chadwick, at this moment. Let’s get him secure on his Mule and continue on.”

Based off of Kragen's latest assessment, Xymox will attempt to give Starker Bardic Inspiration.   (Hey, it couldn't hurt.)

Chadwick is busily lashing Starker to his horse when Cyrus suddenly parkours up the horse to Starker's shoulder, chittering in a reproachful manner at the Paladin.  His eyes are back to normal.  Starker looks about with a distant look in his now normal eyes and focuses upon the scene about him.

Starker, looking up from his lashed-onto-a-beast position:

”Friends, I am sorry if you were worried. When I put on the ring my consciousness was transported to  a seeming clearing. In that clearing was Szissbaran, or an echo of Szissbaran. He did not realize he is dead nor how much time has passed. We spoke briefly and I noticed he had this ring or its echo on his finger and he was twisting it. That made me hope that I could remove my instantiation of the ring in that sphere and perhaps return to you.  That did not work. He became irrational and attacked me. I had to kill (re-kill?) him.

“His last words were odd, perhaps as a result of his having suffered the calcining effects of lightning and fire and being  in great pain and aware of his third impending doom.  He spent his last breath on this:

‘I see it now… the veil was never meant to hold.

The riddle—ha!—not a warning, but an invitation.

He bound his soul to the silence between words…

Not death. Not life.

Something… older.

Tell them… tell them the Black Sigil isn’t where he hid himself—

It’s where he was born …

“He waits… still listening…”

“With this third instantiation of his consciousness giving up the ghost, so to speak, I was able to return to you, with the now unhaunted ring attuned.

“Oh, and I think he told me the Kyton’s true name.

”My young friend, perhaps you might unlimber me from my equine predicament.”

Looking at Starker with a frown. “Good to see you were able to overcome this Szibarrans aberration, mage. Are you done playing with that thing?” looks at the ring “let’s be done with this nonsense and be about our business.”

”are you quite sure you have removed the curse from that fell thing?!”, “it has caused the party many restless nights! I would have it gone if we are not sure.”

looks to Starker questioning

Starker:”I am fairly certain, but perhaps we could experiment with some of your holy water?  I feel no less good nor more evil than I did before I put the ring on, but that perhaps is cold comfort to you.”

Kragen nods to Starker “understood, why don’t you remove the ring and I will see if it holds the same I’ll aura.” Assuming Starker removes the ring, begins a prayer and incantation splashing holy water on the ring.

detect evil L1.  Centered on the ring.

<Starker removes ring and sets it on the ground so Kragen can perform his experiment.>

The ring slides off of Starker's finger with ease.  Kragen casts Detect Evil and Good.  No aura of aberration, elemental, fey, fiend or undead is detected upon the ring, Starker, Cyrus or anyone else.

<Starker picks up the ring and puts it back on.>

Starker:”As I expected. Good. Now I have a keepsake of an interesting experience. Perhaps we can all get a good night’s sleep tonight.”

With the ring issue settled, The Company finishes the night resting.  The next three days of travel are relatively easy following the Long Road south.  You pass through Longsaddle and turn left at Triboar, heading to Everlund and Monstordrink.  The first night you again spend under the stars as a precaution.  The apparition does not return and you all get a relatively good night's sleep.  (Exhaustion level is removed). From that point forward you find lodging at road houses or inn's with a bed and a stable for the animals.  

On the afternoon of the fourth day you approach Monstordrink.  It is nestled in the forested foothills west of Everlund.  The Jenkin's farmstead is adjacent to several others forming a cluster of farms NE of town about an hour by horse.

Monstordrink

Passing by (through?) MonstorDrink Chadwick points out  the new construction since he had last been there and is obviously quite excited about the expansion that has taken place. A few people hesitantly wave or call to him, but not entirely sure if this is the same kid they knew all those years ago. He waves and shouts back, but doesn't slow down. As the ride goes on some younger villagers recognize him and jog along asking him what he's been up to.

Chadwick is that you? "Yes, it's me!

Did you actually become a knight? I did! I'm a Paladin of Tyr now.

Have you slain any dragons and rescued any princesses? Chuckling "Yes, but too long of a story to tell right now."

"Have you seen you folks yet? No, I'm taking my friends there now."

This continues until the kids start to tire and stop to watch The Company continue to ride NE to the farms.