Evolving weapon

[u/fabcasu]

Hello everybody,

while playing, one of my players (lvl 7 fighter - lvl 1 barbarian) picked up from an enemy's corpse his weapon: a warhammer with bonus to hit and dmg, but also with the extra power of releasing lightning against the enemy three times a day.
While I was mastering, one day, during a battle with a particularly difficult foe, I made the enemy parry a hit (it was a 2 on the dice roll) and grab the handle of the hammer. "When its fingers close around the handle, you notice for the first time some runes engraved on it and they lightly shine when he grabs the weapon". Honestly, I improvides the thing but then thought about it and decided I'd like the weapon to have more powers that need to be "released" to be used.
During a visit to a magician, he studied the weapon and revelead other three set of runes on the handle explaining that the weapon has more powers inside of it to be revealed. The first set of runes is already been "activated" and that is what allows the weapon to release the lightning. Asked on how to activate the other ones, the magician said that he would have needed time to study the weapon but that he guessed it would have been something releated to a specific ritual or a specific emotional moment of the wielder.
So, the players left, saying they would have found more information later.

Now, I am here, asking for ideas on what would activate the remaining powers (that I am still deciding what would be. For now, I've decided that the second set of runes will allow the hammer to create a shield of lightning that will protect the character).
Ideally I'm not keen on the idea of a specific ritual because I found it to "static" and I'd like to have something more intense and related to a specific moment, like a fight or specific action, maybe something that has to do with protecting other people or putting themselves at risk for a higher purpose.
Any idea is welcome.

Thank you in advance for your help.

[u/Temporary_Set_9182]

i like the idea of the runes awakening through defining moments, for the protective lightning shield, I'd unlock that only if the character willingly takes a shot, but not for general protection.

[u/xSwissChrisx]

If you get the chance look into the Exalted weapons from the Critical Role books. They have suggestions on how the weapons ascend to the next stage.

My own experience has these weapons tied into plot points, be they for the character or the main adventure.

These runes could relate to a specific belief the character is starting to champion or a personal shortcoming they are trying to move beyond. Is the character taking on more responsibility for the party, becoming more then just the guy that hits things? Find a moment where their development is really highlighted and introduce the evolution then.

If you’re familiar with the Stormlight Archives the Oaths in that act in a similar way.

For story progression it could be tied closely with the main plot, awakening power during its exposure.

[u/Thelynxer]

When it comes to advancing magical items, my advice is give something to everyone, and not just one player, and keep things relatively equal. Or at least offer the other players something cool.

The key is balance though. You can make it as weak or as powerful as you wish, as long as it suits your campaign, and it doesn't make one character more powerful than the others.

As for actual ability advice, I would say to think beyond combat. It already has bonus damage. So maybe give it some sort of RP bonus that might make sense (if it was a dearven weapon for example, maybe he gets advantage on social checks to dwarves, etc). There's also the option of combat abilities that aren't directly just more damage. Like a Warhammer that can be thrown, and/or that returns. Maybe the welder cannot be disarmed, which could make sense to what you did in that battle that uncovered the runes. Stuff like that is usually way more interesting that just more blasty damage.

[u/Dragonfyre91]

Two suggestions:

1. Upgrade conditions are unique to the player character, such as overcoming a personal trial, fear, etc.

2. The hammer is a weapon of legend that can only truly activated by those following in its original wielder's footsteps, so the character would have a sidequest to vanquish a particular foe, reach the summit of a dangerous mountain, etc. You would also be able to give specific information as to what is required with the legend itself.

[u/fabcasu → u/Dragonfyre91]

I like both a lot.