Elk Clan Ceremonial Belt (Magic Belt)

The Children of the Elk fashion cylindrical beads from the shells of various freshwater mollusks and bivalves. These are known as wampum and are often traded or used in a manner similar to that of money in the outside world. While the Elk Clans do use them as a means of exchange, they generally prefer to think of the shells as a raw material from which jewelry can be made. In fact, the various colors of wampum are important for their role in the creation of wampari or shell belts.
Wampari are created under the guidance of shamani and come in several colors, each of which has a special purpose. The actual creation of a wampari requires one month of labor, while its enchantment is completed in but a single night. When the belt is assembled, it is brought and given into the care of a shamani.
The shamani calls upon the person for whom the belt was made and, using a sharp knife, makes several cuts in the owner's chest. The symbols that the shamani makes are always related to the totem spirit of both the person who made the belt and the person who will wear it-this symbolizes the bond between the two. After the cuts are made, the wounds are packed with various colored herbs and several magical spells are woven. When all is done, the belt is enchanted. All wampari have good effects upon those they were made for, but anyone else who tries to wear one will be cursed. Once put on, a cursed wampari cannot be removed without the aid of a dispel magic spell.
Black Belts: Black wampari attest to the health and vigor of the wearer. Thus, their owners gain a +1 bonus to Constitution (up to a maximum of 18) while the belt is in place. If the belt is donned by another, a -1 Constitution penalty is imposed.
Blue Belts: Wampari of this type are symbols of the understanding found in a truly wise person. They grant a +1 bonus to their wearer's Wisdom score (up to a maximum of 18) while in place and a similar penalty to anyone else.
Golden Belts: It is possible to fashion wampum that have a golden tint. When such beads are made into belts and enchanted by shamani, they increase the Charisma of their owner by +1 point (up to a maximum of 18). Others wearers suffer a -1 point penalty.
Green Belts: Green wampari are symbols of sure-footedness and agility. They bestow upon their rightful owners a +1 bonus to Dexterity (up to a maximum of 18) while being worn and upon other wearers a like penalty.
Red Belts: Wampari fashioned from red beads are symbols of might and power. They are normally given to warriors and have the effect of increasing the wearer's Strength by +1 point (up to a maximum of 18) when worn. If someone other than the belt's owner puts on the wampari, the thief loses -1 point of Strength.
White Belts: Wampari set with white beads are symbols of open-mindedness and clear thinking. They impart a +1 bonus to their owner's Intelligence score (up to a maximum of 18) and a like penalty if worn by another.
Category:Encyclopedia Magica Magic Items
Category:Magic Items
Category:Magic Belt
Category:Magic Armors