Ability Discs are small 1/2" diameter smooth orange gems inscribed with a symbol for the statistic it will improve and the number it will set it to, set on a flat brass backing.

• Similar to a headband of intelligence, each gem will set the stat it is designed for to an 18 and do nothing if the person already has an 18 or higher in that stat. 
• As such, any improvements to a stat from feats and character improvements will only raise the base stat and not the net stat
• Any items that SET a stat such as an amulet of health or a belt of giant strength will not be able to be used if that stat is already raised by a disc until the disc is removed.
• Items that actually BUFF a stat like a +1 STR fighters ring will work. 
• Because these discs are actually absorbed into the body and become part of it, the stat change remains even if the person is shape changed either willingly (wild shape) or unwillingly (Polymorph by an enemy wizard) with possibly hilarious results.
• When you find a disc, roll a d6 to determine which one it is. 1 = STR, 2 = CON, 3 = DEX, 4 = INT, 5 = WIS, 6 = CHA
• An IDENTIFY spell can determine if a person has used a disc on themselves and the type
• A dispel magic will not affect the disc, but an anti-magic spell will suppress it.

These discs are cursed because:

• You can only remove a disc by casting a remove curse spell which merely causes the disc to rise to the surface of the skin where it can be grabbed and removed. If the disc is not removed within a minute, possibly because it is in an area covered by armor, it will sink back into the body at the end of the minute.
• If a disc is removed, the wearer immediately not only loses the buff to his stat, but also takes a penalty to his stat equal to the former buff due to the shock of the removal. 
• If the stat penalty would push the stat below 3, the stat is set to 3 and the person takes 10 points of damage for each point below that.  So a person who had a 10 STR and used the STR gem would end up with a 3 STR and 10 points of damage. If the damage pushes the health negative, the person falls unconscious and their friends have 1 minute to heal them back up to positive health or they will die. The more gems one has used, the more likely this is. 
• If the person survives the removal of the disc, their stat will recover at the rate of 1 point a day. A lesser restoration will increase this to 1 point per hour and set their health to 1 if it was negative. A greater restoration will immediately restore all stats.
• The changes in a person's body from using these gems is obvious, both good (when applied) and bad (when removed) making it obvious the person has used magic to buff themselves. So you can literally see a person go from a wimp to a strong man to a shriveled corpse in the right circumstances.

Needless to say, most people prefer items like a headband of intelligence without the problems, but some gangs use these gems to entice members in and then use the threat of the negative effects of the curse to keep them in line. Also some people, desperate to become a certain class they are not suited for, risk the gems to get their desire. 

Notes: Move the disc over your skin. As it approaches the place it should be placed the glow from it will brighten until it sinks into your body, Buff, Cursed