Items that upgrade themselves

[Alexander]

I have a snake ring, that could be upgraded. I tried to fight it to upgrade and it wiped me, so I figured I'd leave it alone. Somewhere along the line, I started using snakes and unbeknownst to me, it started gaining in morale until eventually it upgraded itself, saying it was 'pleased' with me. I can only assume it's because I was using snakes.

Are all upgradable items like this, they gain in morale by meeting certain conditions and upgrade themselves? And if so, is there any way, list or guide to find out what conditions improve what items?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

[Elwin]

Not all can be done like that .. that one will be one of the very few of them.

[Alexander]

Damn...

I also just figured out that I messed up on the Viking statue head quest and can't hand in for the awesome shield, bleh ><