diff --git a/res/core/common/items.xml b/res/core/common/items.xml
index c903a6b78..8745b6e59 100644
--- a/res/core/common/items.xml
+++ b/res/core/common/items.xml
@@ -62,9 +62,7 @@
   </resource>
 
   <resource name="aoc" appearance="amulet">
-    <item weight="100">
-      <function name="use" value="use_birthdayamulet"/>
-    </item>
+    <item weight="100" use="yes" />
   </resource>
 
   <resource name="dreameye">
diff --git a/scripts/tests/e2/e2features.lua b/scripts/tests/e2/e2features.lua
index c88dfdf22..5af956980 100644
--- a/scripts/tests/e2/e2features.lua
+++ b/scripts/tests/e2/e2features.lua
@@ -230,12 +230,24 @@ function test_no_uruk()
   assert_equal(f1.race, "orc")
 end
 
+function test_meow()
+    local r = region.create(0, 0, "plain")
+    local f = faction.create("noreply@eressea.de", "human", "de")
+    local u = unit.create(f, r, 1)
+    u:add_item("aoc", 1)
+    u:clear_orders()
+    u:add_order("BENUTZEN 1 Katzenamulett")
+    process_orders()
+    assert_equal(1, u:get_item("aoc"))
+    assert_equal(1, r:count_msg_type('meow'))
+end
+
 function test_ointment()
     local r = region.create(0, 0, "plain")
     local f = faction.create("noreply@eressea.de", "human", "de")
     local u = unit.create(f, r, 1)
     local hp = u.hp
-    u.hp = 0
+    u.hp = 1
     u:add_item("ointment", 1)
     u:clear_orders()
     u:add_order("BENUTZEN 1 Wundsalbe")
diff --git a/src/bind_region.c b/src/bind_region.c
index 9e4e2f778..05c0e3842 100644
--- a/src/bind_region.c
+++ b/src/bind_region.c
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ without prior permission by the authors of Eressea.
 #include <kernel/ship.h>
 #include <kernel/plane.h>
 #include <kernel/terrain.h>
+#include <kernel/messages.h>
 #include <modules/autoseed.h>
 #include <attributes/key.h>
 #include <attributes/racename.h>
@@ -46,6 +47,23 @@ without prior permission by the authors of Eressea.
 #include <string.h>
 #include <stdlib.h>
 
+static int tolua_region_count_msg_type(lua_State *L) {
+    region *self = (region *)tolua_tousertype(L, 1, 0);
+    const char *str = tolua_tostring(L, 2, 0);
+    int n = 0;
+    if (self->msgs) {
+        mlist * ml = self->msgs->begin;
+        while (ml) {
+            if (strcmp(str, ml->msg->type->name) == 0) {
+                ++n;
+            }
+            ml = ml->next;
+        }
+    }
+    lua_pushinteger(L, n);
+    return 1;
+}
+
 int tolua_regionlist_next(lua_State * L)
 {
     region **region_ptr = (region **)lua_touserdata(L, lua_upvalueindex(1));
@@ -671,6 +689,8 @@ void tolua_region_open(lua_State * L)
             tolua_function(L, TOLUA_CAST "destroy", tolua_region_destroy);
             tolua_function(L, TOLUA_CAST "__tostring", tolua_region_tostring);
 
+            tolua_function(L, TOLUA_CAST "count_msg_type", tolua_region_count_msg_type);
+
             /* flags */
             tolua_variable(L, TOLUA_CAST "blocked", tolua_region_get_blocked, tolua_region_set_blocked);
 
diff --git a/src/kernel/item.c b/src/kernel/item.c
index 1fa006c73..e0f8f64cc 100644
--- a/src/kernel/item.c
+++ b/src/kernel/item.c
@@ -1289,7 +1289,7 @@ void register_resources(void)
 
     register_item_use(use_potion_delayed, "use_p2");
     register_item_use(use_tacticcrystal, "use_tacticcrystal");
-    register_item_use(use_birthdayamulet, "use_birthdayamulet");
+    register_item_use(use_birthdayamulet, "use_aoc");
     register_item_use(use_warmthpotion, "use_nestwarmth");
     register_item_use(use_bloodpotion, "use_peasantblood");
     register_item_use(use_healingpotion, "use_ointment");
diff --git a/src/kernel/xmlreader.c b/src/kernel/xmlreader.c
index c4ce845a5..69e9c22d0 100644
--- a/src/kernel/xmlreader.c
+++ b/src/kernel/xmlreader.c
@@ -855,6 +855,7 @@ static item_type *xml_readitem(xmlXPathContextPtr xpath, resource_type * rtype)
             struct order *))fun;
         }
         else if (strcmp((const char *)propValue, "use") == 0) {
+            log_error("%s has a use function", rtype->_name);
             itype->flags |= ITF_CANUSE;
             itype->use =
                 (int(*)(struct unit *, const struct item_type *, int,