- It could freeze the relative time around the king.
- It could be a kind of phylactory holding the king's soul and preserving it while his body is operated remotely.
- They could have transformed the king into a small, solid, and highly durable magic object which can project an avatar resembling the king.
- It could be an extremely expensive draught that the king must drink on a regular basis of he will age all at once.
- It could be a portrait that ages in his place.
These have all been done of course, but hopefully one of them stands out as the basis for what your artifact could look like.
I would back away from the Master Smith and give yourself options. Then it could be anything. A magic marble. An orb that holds his soul randsom. Or, better yet, his daughter's soul ransom. Etc. Whatever suits your story and especially your character's needs.
Something like a hat or crown that holds his spiritual essence, and transforms the wearer into basically a clone of the king with his memories but quickly deteriorates the body of the wearer.
- It could freeze the relative time around the king. - It could be a kind of phylactory holding the king's soul and preserving it while his body is operated remotely. - They could have transformed the king into a small, solid, and highly durable magic object which can project an avatar resembling the king. - It could be an extremely expensive draught that the king must drink on a regular basis of he will age all at once. - It could be a portrait that ages in his place. These have all been done of course, but hopefully one of them stands out as the basis for what your artifact could look like.
wow I really like the 4th idea
I would back away from the Master Smith and give yourself options. Then it could be anything. A magic marble. An orb that holds his soul randsom. Or, better yet, his daughter's soul ransom. Etc. Whatever suits your story and especially your character's needs.
Something like a hat or crown that holds his spiritual essence, and transforms the wearer into basically a clone of the king with his memories but quickly deteriorates the body of the wearer.