by the by, conversation introduced a ring, maybe it would be more correct to spell The Ring
Do you think it was really conscious? I'd rather say it's just an instrument, somehow strenghtening the evil already present in a given object, as for the phrases like "seeking it's master", I don't think they assume that Rings have their own minds (as well as crying stones ;)
For, with the deepest beleif, I appreciate in Tolien's world two types of evil present (even somehow in the same object) - one active, force fighting and reacting, another - abscence of good. In that aspect ring is an instrument of an active half of an Evil, and some other exaples (as degradation of Lotho, Grima's treachery etc) of another half, i e abscence of Good
A votre service
H-I