Torc of Craftsmanship (Magic Torc)

This cursed neck-ring cannot be removed by any means short of a wish, except by a lich. While the wearer lives, he or she receives a +2 bonus to saving throws vs. spell of the Necromantic school. When the wearer dies, however, the torc automatically absorbs all of the nonweapon proficiencies the person possessed in life. When the ring is, in turn, worn by another person or by a lich, the skills it absorbed become available to the wearer. Only nonweapon proficiencies are available for absorption; spells and weapon proficiencies are excluded. However, the skill to read, write, and speak foreign languages and scrolls are absorbed and can be used by the wearer. (A conversation generally constitutes a use, as does reading a scroll or sign.) The ring cannot enhance a skill already possessed.
Central to the functioning of the torc is a ruby set in its center. Should the gem be taken from the torc, all of the skills are lost and the ring becomes non-functional.
The torc may be used to perform up to 30 functions. After the 30th task is performed, it becomes jewelry of 500 gp value. The torc cannot be recharged, but it can be put on a different victim, whose skills are then absorbed into the neck-ring. The wearer has no method of knowing how many proficiency uses the torc contains unless a careful record is kept.
These torcs are quite commonly employed by liches when they have the opportunity to capture live people. Note that the torc does not deprive the living person of skills, but merely copies what is within the person.
Category:Encyclopedia Magica Magic Items
Category:Van Richten's Guide to the Lich Magic Items
Category:Cursed Items
Category:Magic Items
Category:Magic Torcs
Category:Magic Jewelry