Ruling rings of Yrix Alquinnar

The ruling rings of Yrix Alquinnar were a set of four double rings created my the preeminent elementalist of ancient Netheril, Yrix Alquinnar. Each ring was attuned to a different element, Air, Earth, Fire, or Water, and allowed the wearer unprecedented command and control over the various elementals from those planes.

Description
Each of the rings was actually two rings joined by two tiny, jewel-inlaid silver chains, intended to be worn on adjacent fingers. The rings themselves were also set with tiny gemstones around their circumference.
 * Ring of Air
 * Two platinum rings set with diamonds. The silver chains contained sapphire chips mounted in the center of the links.


 * Ring of Earth
 * Two copper rings set with onyx. Amber pieces adorned the links.


 * Ring of Fire
 * Two gold rings set with rubies. The chain links contained peridots.


 * Ring of Water
 * Two silver rings set with emeralds. Aquamarines decorated the chains.

Powers
All "common" rings of elemental command were based on the work done by Yrix Alquinnar, and thus each of the ruling rings had all the powers and properties of the corresponding lesser rings plus a much greater chance to charm elementals from the attuned plane, and more. In particular, the ruling rings did not make the wielder more vulnerable to attacks of a particular type. For example, a ring of fire elemental command bestowed many benefits, but made the wearer more susceptible to cold- and water-based attacks.

In order to gain full access to the power of any of the ruling rings, the wielder had to slay an elemental from the corresponding plane. Until this condition was met, the rings manifested only one aspect of their suite of powers:
 * Ring of Air
 * as a ring of invisibility


 * Ring of Earth
 * as a ring of feather falling


 * Ring of Fire
 * as a ring of fire resistance


 * Ring of Water
 * as a ring of water walking

Individually, each of the ruling rings was formidable versus elementals from the attuned plane, but two- and three-ring combinations gave the wearer extraordinary influence over the associated para-elemental creatures as well. Wearing rings of opposing elements (Air/Earth and Fire/Water) did not grant any power over para-elementals, but still increased the number of regular elementals that could be controlled.


 * Rings of Air and Fire
 * effective versus smoke para-elementals


 * Rings of Fire and Earth
 * effective versus magma para-elementals


 * Rings of Earth and Water
 * effective versus ooze para-elementals


 * Rings of Water and Air
 * effective versus ice para-elementals

Wearing all four rings, two on each hand, spanning the two pairs of fingers on each hand, gave the wielder absolute control over all elementals and para-elementals that could be charmed by the wielder.

History
Yrix Alquinnar died of natural causes sometime during Netheril's Golden Age (roughly to ) and he bequeathed one of the ruling rings to each of his four apprentices—the sisters Leia, Natasa, Sarim, and Tasia Maarekh, nobles in their own right. These women eventually married and started families, with three of them passing their family treasure down the ages until the line faded or tragedy struck. In total, the four rings had over two hundred owners spanning well over two millennia.