The Belt of Rank

originally posted by brun01

The Belt of Rank

This girdle is constructed of hardened leather inlaid with gold, silver, and precious gems. The belt’s buckle is engraved with the skull of a fierce half-man in the center of a field of red flames.

History
The Belt of Rank is an ancient symbol of the dwarven people, a sign of their once great heritage before the Cleansing Wars devastated their race. This ancient artifact was created by dwarven clerics 4,000 years ago to be worn by the leader of the dwarven armies— generals of great charisma and skill who were sworn to protect the dwarven race.
The artifact was passed from general to general over the centuries, finally being given to the dwarven king Rkard to use in defense of his race in the face of the Cleansing Wars. Rkard was fatally wounded in battle by Borys of Ebe, and the Belt of Rank was buried with him in the city of Kemalok. Recently, it was given to the mul gladiator Rikus of Tyr to assist him in retrieving the stolen Book of Kemalok Kings and defeating an approaching army from Urik. Though the army was overcome, Rikus was unable to reclaim the book. Ashamed of this, the mul returned the Belt of Rank to the dwarves of Kled, where it remains hidden to this day, waiting for the day when a dwarf general worthy of it will reclaim it once again.

Campaign Uses
Though it may be common knowledge in some circles that the Belt of Rank can be found in the dwarven village of Kled, getting it from its guardian spirits (other wearers of the belt) is another matter. A DM should present an adventuring party with the Belt of Rank only in defense of the dwarves of Athas. The belt could also have been the victim of theft, as was the Book of Kemalok Kings, and involved characters could be charged with its retrieval.

Abilities
The Belt of Rank will fit any Medium-sized creature. Half-giants are too big and most halflings too small to wear the artifact as the item does not magically adjust to fit the wearer. The belt gives any dwarf wearer a +8 competence bonus on Charisma checks and Charisma-based skill checks when dealing with dwarves. If the wearer is not a dwarf, he receives a +4 competence bonus on Charisma checks and Charisma-based skill checks when dealing with dwarves.
The belt provides the wearer a continual freedom of movement, greater heroism, and protection from arrows effects (all mundane missiles fired at the wearer unerringly strike the artifact’s buckle). If a dwarwen wearer succeeds at a Charisma check (DC 20), he can access the accumulated experience and knowledge of more than 40 centuries of dwarven generals. He receives a +10 bonus on all Knowledge (history) related to dwarves and +10 bonus on Knowledge (warcraft) checks.
Should the Belt of Rank be pilfered and summarily worn, all dwarves viewing the artifact will know it was stolen and do whatever they can to retrieve it. Should the possessor of the Belt of Rank ever unjustly take the life of a dwarf, the artifact will constrict to a diameter of four inches—effectively crushing the wearer to death.

Suggested Means of Destruction
• Submerge the belt in the blood of a hundred murdered dwarves.

So this is my first draft on it. I based my version pro PAoA and from PP. Feedback is very much appreciated.