History: In the Far East the mysterious lands of Kara-Tur mystify even
some of the most learned scholars of Faerun.  It is a land of Honor, a land
of Age, and, above all, a Land of Spirits.  In a land where Samurai and
Bushi live by the Honor of their pasts, and Dreams of their ancestors, many
will wield no weapon but that of their father, their grandfather's, their
great-grandfather's, on back to the first to receive the weapon of Honor.
But, in a world of Spirits, even the best forged sword in all of Wa, can
not strike a creature that dwells within the spirit realm.  Since the
Samurai would rather die than wield a "lesser" blade (that can strike
creatures of magical origins), it was up to the Wu-Jen of the east to find
a solution.

It is believed to have been the Ancient (even then) Wu-Jen, Kish-Joko
(H-M, N, Wu-Jen 22), who first bound the spirits to rings of the earth,
binding their essences with that of Weapon's Steel and Warrior's Arm.  His
ornaments, first to hand down his ways to bind spirits, is believed to be
the first guide to creating permanent items of magic.  When, nearly a
millennia later, a great Dragon would be imprisoned to form the Dragonwall
of Shou Lung, Kish-Joko's basic technique will be the one that is used.

With the Horde invasion into Shou-lung (and occasional raids before), many
of the weapons bearing spirit tokens found their way into the hands of
Tuigan Barbarians.  Again, when the Khan of the Tuigan met his fate on King
Azoun's sword, many of the Barbarian's weapons winded up in the hands of
the victors: Zhents, Cormytes, Dalesmen, Earthfast Dwarves, and various
mercenaries.  Since then several sages have identified the powers of these
rings, but, as yet, no mage as been able to recreate one.

Appearance:  These items take one of two forms.  The most common form is a
small band, about an inch in diameter, made of some natural material (see
powers, below), that will enlarge to fit around the base of the hilt of any
weapon (flowing around the obstacles, such as a basket hilt, if necessary).
 Most, 85%, will be found in this fashion, around the base of a weapon.

The other form is that of a bracelet, designed to fit around the wrists of
a man (though it will fit around any wrist from Halfling to Ogre sized), if
not found on a person, or body, the bracelets will always be found linked
together, though, when picked up, they will flow around the wielder's
wrists, to form a band on each arm.  The bands can be taken off.

If magic is detected for, the rings and bands will radiate magic, though
no particular school will seem to be present.  An Identify spell, or more
powerful magics will reveal their powers and abilities.

Powers:  In the Case of the rings, when placed on the base of a weapon,
they will imbue it with the essence of some type of Kara-Turian Spirit
folk, thus making it a weapon of Magic.  A bracelet will do the same for a
warrior's bare fists.  If the ring is powerful enough, it may even augment
the power of an existing weapon.  Rings cannot be "piggy-backed" more than
one can not be placed on a single item.

Lesser (Phantom) Rings: These provide a weapon with the ability to strike
creatures needed +x weapons to hit, but provide no actual bonuses to hit
and damage.  The material determines the "plus", as follows

   Earthen Ring= +1
   Clay Ring= +2
   Stone= +3
   Steel= +4
   Jade= +5

Greater (True) Rings: These provide a + to hit & damage, as well as
enabling a wielder to strike those creatures.  Again, Material determines
"plus"

   Grass= +1
   Coral= +2
   Wood= +3
   Bone= +4
   Tomb Jade= +5 (see VGtaTM, might be in FR-Adventures, of DMG).

In order for an existing weapon to benefit from one of these, 2
requirements must be met:  1- The ring must be of a greater "plus" than the
weapon, and 2- the weapon must not be sentient (why is not known).  Even if
these requirements are met, the weapon is only considered one more "plus"
higher.  (e.g. a Sword +1, that receives a Steel +4 ring, is still only
Plus 1, but can hit creatures needing +2 or better weapons to hit.  If the
+1 weapon had received a Bone Ring +4, it would then be a "true" sword +2,
but not +4).

For those using Unearthed Arcana, Oriental Adventures, or any other source
that allows individuals to strike creatures that require magical weapons
with their bare hands, the effect are not culmative, only use the greater
plus.  E.g. a 8th lvl UA barbarian that can strike creatures requiring +2
or better weapons, gets no benefit from either a Earthen or Grass Bracelet,
but could use a Bone or Steel to strike a +4 Creature.  Yes, even if the
character does not get the "actual" plus to hit and damage from his attack,
it still negates the powers of a "True" Bracelet of lesser power.  A
Barbarian that counts as a +2 weapon, but gets no attack or damage
adjustment, can not use a +1 Grass Bracelet to get a +1 to Hit, +1 To Damage.