Band of the Dark Hunter

The Band of the Dark Hunter is a ring crafted from dark, polished metal, seemingly forged from the essence of shadow itself. Its design is simple yet elegant, with a thin band that wraps around the finger like a snake coiling around its prey. Inlaid with an obsidian gem that glimmers with a faint, otherworldly light, the ring is a symbol of the hunter who stalks their prey in the darkness. Legends tell of this ring’s creation by an ancient order of shadow hunters who specialized in eliminating creatures that preyed upon mortals, particularly those who lurked in the darkness, far beyond the reach of ordinary warriors.

The band’s origins lie in an ancient war between the shadowy forces of the far realms and the mortal realm. The Dark Hunters, a mysterious group of warriors, forged this ring as a tool to aid in their relentless pursuit of beings that existed in both the physical and ethereal planes. The ring was imbued with powerful shadow magic to enable its wearer to fight in the realms of darkness, see through concealment, and strike with deadly precision. The magic imbued in the ring binds the hunter’s essence to the shadows, transforming them into an apex predator in any environment.

Though the Dark Hunters have faded into history, the Band of the Dark Hunter remains a coveted artifact, sought after by those who wish to emulate their deadly efficiency.

Properties & Abilities:

1. Shadow Step:
   Once per short rest, as a bonus action, you can teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space you can see that is in dim light or darkness. This ability allows you to move with the precision of a shadow, avoiding detection and repositioning yourself swiftly in combat.
2. Hunter’s Sight:
   The ring grants you the ability to see in complete darkness as if it were dim light. This ability allows you to see creatures and objects even in areas of magical darkness, granting you an edge against enemies who rely on such tactics.
3. Predator’s Focus:
   When you make an attack roll against a creature that is hidden or obscured by magical darkness, you can add your proficiency bonus to the attack roll, even if you would normally be unable to see the target. In addition, you have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) and Wisdom (Survival) checks to track creatures, especially those who make use of stealth or concealment.
4. Darkstrike:
   When you hit a creature with a weapon attack while in dim light or darkness, you can choose to channel the shadowy power of the ring to deal an additional 2d6 necrotic damage. This ability can be used once per short rest.
5. Mark of the Hunter:
   As a bonus action, you can mark a creature within 60 feet that you can see for the next hour. The mark is visible only to you, and you can track the creature’s movements regardless of how far they go or whether they use magical means to hide. While the target is marked, you have advantage on attack rolls against them, and any damage you deal to them is increased by 1d6 necrotic damage.

Spells Granted:

While wearing the Band of the Dark Hunter, you can cast the following spells once per long rest without expending a spell slot:

1. Hunter’s Mark (1st level)
   As a bonus action, you can cast Hunter’s Mark on a creature you can see within 90 feet. The spell lasts for up to 1 hour, granting you additional damage to the target.
2. Darkness (2nd level)
   You can cast Darkness once per long rest, creating an area of magical darkness within a 15-foot radius. This darkness is impenetrable by normal sight, allowing you to move unseen and strike with ease within its bounds.

History:

The Band of the Dark Hunter is steeped in the lore of the ancient Dark Hunters, a group of legendary warriors who served as protectors against creatures that lurked in the deep shadows—beasts, fiends, and otherworldly entities that hunted mortals from the edges of the night. The Dark Hunters forged the band to help them close the gap between light and darkness, enabling them to pursue and eliminate threats that normal warriors could not confront.

The ring was passed down through generations of Dark Hunters, becoming an emblem of their craft. It is said that only those who prove themselves capable of stalking the most dangerous prey can attune to the ring, a challenge that involves trials of stealth, combat, and understanding the nature of the darkness itself.

As the centuries passed, the Dark Hunters faded into myth, but their legacy lives on through this ring, which occasionally resurfaces in the hands of those who wish to continue their fight. Today, it is often sought by bounty hunters, rangers, assassins, and adventurers who wish to unlock the latent power hidden within the shadows.

Attunement:

To attune to the Band of the Dark Hunter, you must have proficiency with martial weapons and be a creature capable of using stealth and subterfuge. Those who seek to wear this ring must prove their worth by undertaking a test of combat or hunting a dangerous creature that hides in the darkness, demonstrating their ability to operate in environments where others would falter.

Summary of Abilities:

1. Shadow Step: Teleport up to 30 feet to dim light or darkness once per short rest.
2. Hunter’s Sight: See in magical and normal darkness as if it were dim light.
3. Predator’s Focus: Add proficiency bonus to attack rolls against hidden or obscured creatures.
4. Darkstrike: Deal 2d6 necrotic damage on a weapon hit in dim light or darkness, once per short rest.
5. Mark of the Hunter: Mark a creature for tracking and gain advantage on attack rolls against them.
6. Spells:
   • Hunter’s Mark (1st level, once per long rest)
   • Darkness (2nd level, once per long rest)

The Band of the Dark Hunter transforms its wearer into a master of the shadows, a predator who can stalk their prey, strike with deadly precision, and outmaneuver any who hide in the dark.

Notes: Sense: Darkvision, Advantage: Perception, Advantage: Survival, character that must have proficiency with martial weapons and be a creature capable of using stealth and subterfuge. Those who seek to wear this ring must prove their worth by undertaking a test of combat or hunting a dangerous creature that hides in the darkness, demonstrating their ability to operate in environments where others would falter., Damage, Buff, Combat, Jewelry