Fame boost doesn't sound good. I think items should steadily become more prestigious and gain abilities according to their types. Items with longer history should grant more prestige. As for skills, swords should give bonus to swordfighting while things like crowns provide leadership. If the owner dies, maybe we can have it buried with the owner that way we can get rid of items as well to create new ones.
Items DO tend to become more prestigious over time. This is one of the basic mechanics of the system, it is also easily observable.
I would like to see the abilities be tied to the kind of weapon as well. But then who is to say a magical crown can't grant a boost to sword fighting anyway?
