The One Ring, also known as the Ruling Ring or Isildur’s Bane, is as ancient and mighty as mysterious and corrupting. While the lore surrounding this dangerous artifact is extensive and storied, there are still a few misconceptions regarding the abilities it grants its wearer. For example, the One Ring allows its user to dominate the will of whoever dons the lesser Rings of Power. In addition, it can project a false vision of the holder to trick or intimidate onlookers and extend its wielder's life. However, its final function, the cloak of invisibility, is where things get a little confusing for casual fans of The Lord of the Rings.

During the Second Age, Sauron, disguised as Annatar, taught the legendary craftsman, Celebrimbor, to forge the Rings of Power -- nineteen rings that possessed exceptional yet different abilities. Once divided amongst the Elven Kings, Dwarf Lords and mortal Men, Sauron forged the twentieth ring in secret, the Ruling Ring, within the fires of Mount Doom. He created this gemstone-less ring to control the minds of the Lords of Middle-Earth and tempt them to a life of evil, forcing the other ring keepers to do his bidding.

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Not only are the different ring bearers helplessly connected to the Ruling Ring, but they are entirely dependent on it. The One Ring grants its user a longer lifespan, knowledge of all other rings, dominion over the other ring wearers and, of course, the "invisibility" ability. However, contrary to popular belief, instead of causing its wearer to be indiscernible to the naked eye, it makes the wraith-world -- an unseen plane of existence where the dead and corrupted Nine Mortal Men dwell -- visible to the bearer. Thus, the moment an individual dons the One Ring, it conceals them in there.

This phenomenon applies to everyone except those who can perceive the non-physical world, such as the Nazgûl (Ringwraiths) or the Dark Lord himself, Sauron. When inside the wraith-world, the wielder gains a heightened sense of smell and hearing. They also acquire the ability to see and be seen by the cursed spirits, as the wearer shifts to this imperceptible dimension anytime they slip on the ring. However, there are some obvious risks associated with making this transition between realities.

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In the first book, The Fellowship of the Ring, Gandalf warns Frodo, saying, "A mortal, Frodo, who keeps one of the Great Rings, does not die, but he does not grow or obtain more life, he merely continues, until at last every minute is a weariness. And if he often uses the Ring to make himself invisible, he fades: he becomes in the end invisible permanently, and walks in the twilight under the eye of the dark power that rules the Rings... sooner or later the dark power will devour him."

Essentially, if a user draws on the One Ring for too long, they will transform into a Ringwraith over centuries and become a part of the spirit world forever. So, if Frodo were to wear the One Ring too frequently, he would become “invisible” to his home domain, destined to live the rest of eternity as a shadow of his former self. It’s also important to note that when Ringwraiths and people who sport the Rings of Power are in this parallel plane of existence, they do not lose their corporeal form, meaning their physical being is still intact. Interestingly, the only part of a person wearing the One Ring that is plain to see on a sunny day is their shadow. To be sure, the specifics of how this side effect occurs were never fully explained by J. R. R. Tolkien.

While Sauron and Tom Bombadil, both immortals who could perceive the wraith-world, did not turn "invisible," Frodo was able to "disappear" from the Realm of the Seen almost completely. However, as fans know, he did not escape the wraith-world unscathed -- the Morgul-knife is a real pain in the shoulder.

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