Oddities of wording...

[Greenfield]

I was just glancing through the SRD when I came across the Cloak of Charisma.

Cloak of Charisma: This lightweight and fashionable cloak has a highly decorative silver trim. When in a character’s possession, it adds a +2, +4, or +6 enhancement bonus to her Charisma score.
Moderate transmutation; CL 8th; Craft Wondrous Item, eagle’s splendor; Price 4,000 gp (+2), 16,000 gp (+4), 36,000 gp (+6); Weight 2 lb.

As written, it's effects work if it's in the character's possession. Not "when worn", just in their possession.

That means it's technically a slotless item, like a Rod of Splendor. Now I'm pretty sure that's not what was intended when they wrote this description, but it is an interesting oddity.

Have any of you found other item descriptions that surprised you?

 

[Jacob Marley]

Meh, a lot of the magic items do not use the terms "worn" or "wearer." Many just state what they are but, strictly written, do not actually state the player needs to wear the item in order to use the item.

The Amulet of Mighty Fists, for example, is written like your Cloak of Charisma example.

This amulet grants an enhancement bonus of +1 to +5 on attack and damage rolls with unarmed attacks and natural weapons.

It doesn't state that I need to wear the amulet to get the ability; it doesn't even state that it needs to be in my possession to get the ability.

 

[Dandu]

A Flesh Ring of Scorn... actually takes a neck slot.

Chausiable of Fell Power takes up the neck slot... but a Chausiable is an item of clothing worn about the shoulders...

 

[Sekhmet]

A Flesh Ring of Scorn... actually takes a neck slot.

Chausiable of Fell Power takes up the neck slot... but a Chausiable is an item of clothing worn about the shoulders...

A chaucible(english) or chasuble(latin) is a sleeveless robe worn for ecclesiastic purposes. To claim it is worn about the shoulders is misleading.

The fact that it takes a neck slot and not a vest or robe slot is silly.

 

[Dandu]

So it's a robe. My mistake.