The ancient Carstein Ring [1a]
The Carstein Ring was the fabled ring of the Vampire Lord Vlad von Carstein himself.[1a]
If a Vampire of the von Carstein bloodline were to wear this ring, they become magically armoured and able to quickly regenerate wounds dealt unto them. If the wearer is killed, they returns to unlife at dusk, completely healed.
History[]
Legend has it the Carstein Ring was created by the Great Necromancer Nagash himself as a gift for the Vampire Lord Vashanesh. Through the ring, Nagash was able to control the Vampires in his service and make them his warrior-slaves. To free the Vampires from this control, Vashanesh killed himself, knowing that the ring would eventually return him to unlife and that, without the aid of the Vampires, Nagash would fall.[1a]
Some believe that the fact that Vlad von Carstein wore the ring means that he is Vashanesh. Others are more skeptical, pointing out that the ring had a more contemporary design than would be expected from an artefact forged two thousand years before Sigmar founded the Empire. As such, they believe that the Carstein Ring might be a less powerful copy of the original created by Nagash. Vlad demonstrated no particular skill of artisanship, so it is certain he was not its creator. He might have stolen it or forced a necromancer to create a replica.[2a]
The Carstein Ring was most famously worn by Vlad von Carstein during the Vampire Wars fought by the Vampire Counts of Sylvania against the Empire, during which it saved him from final death many times. It was stolen from him by an Imperial thief, though rumour has it the thief would not have been able to approach Vlad if it wasn't for the treachery of Mannfred von Carstein, who magically aided him, shielding the thief from Vlad's gaze. It has not been seen since.[1a]