Hal's ring properties.... Posted by Lord Malvolio on December 11, 1998 Programming
The power ring has many systems, from energy constructs to life support. All the functions were programmed by the Guardians, the ring's strengths as well as limitations. The Guardians of the Universe can change the programming, though the average ring wielder could not. Here is a quick run down of what it can do: Operating Procedures The power ring is focused by the wielder's will power, enabling the control of green psychoplasmic energy. The energy does not give off heat, unless the ring wielder wills it to do so. It is soundless, unless willed otherwise. The emerald energy can be used in a variety of ways, usually it is shaped to form objects of varying degrees of complexity. Combat Situations Though it is preferable to find peaceful solutions to difficulties, the Guardians were aware this was not always possible. The power ring is one of the most powerful and versatile weapons in the known universe. Psychic Backlash Despite even the greatest of wills, sometimes a ring construct can be broken. It may seem a mere annoyance to a ring wielder, but in reality it could prove quite deadly. A ring wielder links his/her/itself to the power, a psychic backlash occurs immediately after the disruption of a ring generated construct. The backlash can be very painful and disorienting but leaves no permanent damage to the ring wielder. The real danger to the ring wielder is the split seconds of incapacitation, leaving him/her/it vulnerable to attack. Protection from Mortal Harm The power ring features an emergency energy reserve, to be utilized only when the wielder faces mortal injury. This power automatically activates to preserve the wearer's life and can be used only once during a twenty four hour period, unless the power ring is recharged at the power battery. The effect can then last up to an additional twenty four hours, to protect the ring possessor if energy runs out in the void of space. As always, the ring is susceptible to the color yellow, leaving the wielder helpless to an attack involving that color. Protection of Life The ring's programming forbids the taking of life, yet surprisingly this restriction can be removed on Oa. Ordinarily, the ring will issue a warning to the wielder and may even shut down, leaving the wielder vulnerable to attack. Space Travel and Force Field Despite the many forms of transportation available by force manipulation, the majority of ring wielders choose unencumbered flight as their mode of transport. Travel through dense atmospheres as well as the vacuum of outer space is made possible by the power ring. Additionally, a ring wielder can dematerialize his/her/its form to phase through matter. As with all functions of the ring, the presence of the color yellow can hamper a wielder's progress. Time Travel Time travel is possible with the power ring, though the further forward in time a ring wielder travels, the more willpower it takes. As Green Lantern, Hal Jordan once explored as far as the 70th century. Residual Energy The ring leaves a trace residue of green energy on objects it touches or in the immediate vicinity of its use. The residue lingers for a few hours and is detectable by those with heightened senses of awareness, or by sophisticated mechanical devices, such as the creature known as Legion or the robotic Fists of the Guardians. Voice of the Power Ring Upon request, the wielder can access the ring's database. The "voice" the ring wielder hears is in actuality his/her/its own unconscious mind, accessing the ring's database. Universal Translator Keeping in mind the myriad of worlds, life forms, and cultures throughout the cosmos, it is understandable why the Guardians added a translation system to the power ring. The power ring can translate virtually any language in the universe, facilitating diplomatic encounters rather than violent confrontations. Invisibility and Light Refraction A ring wielder can render him/her/itself invisible by willing the ring to bend light waves around his/her/its form, as well as that of the power ring. Presumably, a similar action allows an experienced ring wielder to create objects of colors other than green. As Hal Jordan's experience grew, he was able to create power ring illusions of people and objects. It can be assumed the ring wielder would not risk the extra time and effort to create other colors in a combat situation. Full Environmental Playback Upon request, the power ring can recreate a holographic environment based on data in its memory banks. The ring wielder can observe events in a ghostlike state, but the ring wielder cannot alter the outcome of the playback. All objects in the playback will appear in the full spectrum of colors, regardless of the wielder's level of expertise creating simulcrums. The power ring will automatically end the playback if outside interference warrants the ring wielder's undivided attention. Energy Twins The power ring allows the wearer to create an "energy twin" of his/her/itself that can travel at far greater speeds than that of the ring wielder's physical form. While the energy twin is active the ring wielder remains motionless, his/her/its life force is needed to guide the energy twin. Mind Tampering Though the ethics of mind tampering may be debatable, sometimes it is necessary. As the power ring relies on thought and will to operate, mind tampering is not impossible, the real difficulty lies in properly applying the power. Remote Control of Power Ring Direct contact with the power ring is not necessary to control its power. Presumably, this feature makes it possible for the more unusual members of the Green Lantern Corps to utilize the ring's power. An abstract lifeform, Flodo Span of Inner Tasnia, required the power ring to create a gaseous body for himself. Possession of Multiple Power Rings Possession of more than one power ring does not increase a ring wielder's strength. While it may be a psychological advantage, increasing a ring wielder's confidence, this does not translate into more power. A ring wielder can utilize the will power of other ring wielders, working in concert to a common goal. Hal Jordan was able to marshal the energy of his fallen comrades in a last ditch attack on Krona. The energy blast meant little to the renegade Guardian, but Krona was later defeated by Jordan's resourcefulness. Ring Duplication Duplication of the Power Ring An experienced ring wielder can create other power rings, duplicates of his/her/its own. These power rings are subject to the same limitations as their "original" copy, and will run out of power in twenty-four hours if not recharged. Emergency Beacon A Green Lantern in distress can use his/her/its power ring as an emergency beacon. The alert can be directed to a Green Lantern's neighboring sector, or it can be a Corps-wide alert. Homing Beacon A homing beacon in the power ring can lead one Green Lantern to another. This was one of the recent power ring upgrade features added by the Guardians of the Universe. Inside the Power Ring Within the ring exists the possibility of an entire world. When Green Lantern Abin Sur of Ungara defeated the evil sorcerer Myrwhydden, he reduced the magician to submicroscopic size and imprisoned him inside the power ring, into a world created by the Green Lantern's will. Twenty-Four Hour Limit, Recharging The power ring can carry a charge for twenty-four hours before it is depleted. Minutes before it runs out of energy, the power ring will flash on and off, indicating its need for recharge at a power battery. Recharging takes approximately ten seconds. Many consider that time to be a solemn moment, and choose to recite the Green Lantern Oath. The ring can also be charged at the Central Power Battery and can draw off a charge from other rings. Yellow Impurity Despite its vast power, the ring is not without weaknesses. First and foremost is the ring's ineffectiveness against the color yellow. The Guardians claim the weakness is due to a necessary impurity, as a yellow crystal was needed to stabilize the energy admixture in the Central Power Battery. The mix of the Guardians' blue energy with the yellow crystal creates the power of the Green Lanterns. Death and Succession Numbered in order of decreasing likelihood, there are four thousand seven hundred sixty-five possible programmed responses for a power ring in the possession of a Green Lantern whose death is imminent. Most involve sudden loss in a combat situation. Some involve other members of the Corps. More than two thousand of them entail the direct involvement of the Guardians and several hundred are in the event of the demise of the Guardians and the Corps themselves. Hope that help!