Need help coming up with weapon history ideas

[NewJeffCT]

We just added a new player to my gaming group - the girlfriend of one of my group's original players. She is playing a goliath barbarian who wields the goliath greathammer. She is coming into a fairly high level 3.5 campaign (level 14) - which makes it a bit difficult.

It is a +3 weapon and has the "impact" special ability.

The brief background on her character was that she had some sort of illness/plague that caused her to leave her mountaintop clan. She adventured for a while, but then heard of a huge evil horde on the march to the south - which is where she has met the PCs and hooked up with them.

However, I had promised her a nice history on her weapon, but I've been drawing a blank on it. Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[Sanzuo]

Well, this seems like it should go into plots and places perhaps, but anyway...

The Cliches:

• Ancestral Weapon
• Possessed by a spirit or something.
• Given to her by a dying companion/stranger.
• Killed someone for it.
• Fell out of the sky.

Non-Cliches:

• Bought it at the store.
• Pooped out by a Hammer Monster.
• Acquired it because she needed to hammer some big god damn nails with it.
• She IS the hammer?
• Woke up with it in her hand.
• And so on.

Also [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3LLY3jdAIo&feature=PlayList&p=D24E957FF7C5EE75&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=39]YouTube - Sword in a Field[/ame]

(Skip to 1:14)

 

[Dross]

There is always the Bruenor-Wulfgar scenario of someone making it specifically for her to use.

Ancestral weapon that needs each generation to add to it's power in some way (even if only to say "with this weapon I killed the Great Gonzo on the frozen plains") gives a few RP options.
or
Have the hammer covered in etchings that gradually become coloured as the wielder becomes more proficient or accomplishes tasks or quests. When the final quest is completed the hammer's etchings are all coloured (such as when the campaign comes to an end).
or
If she has some more history then the plague/exile, have etchings or symbols of that history, and more can be added.

 

[Rechan]

What's the impact power do? It might offer a little more relevance.

 

[NewJeffCT]

What's the impact power do? It might offer a little more relevance.

Impact is the bludgeoning weapon equivalent of keen - doubles the threat range. So, it now crits on a 19-20 instead of just a 20.

Should also add that each time she hits an opponent, she gets additional bonus damage vs that opponent next hit (it's similar to a feat in either PHB2 or one of the Complete books, I think)

 

[Rechan]

Mountain Breaker - The hammer was forged as a siege weapon, to destroy shield walls and shatter structures. It was once used to hammer in the spikes that hold chains keeping an immortal beast pinned (where it writhes to this day). It once sundered a bridge, bringing the onrushing force (and the wielder) down with it.

 

[segrada]

Have you thought of using the background of the weapon as a possible plot device later on?

1. Imbedded within the hammer is one of three shards of a powerful artifact. If the artifact were every assembled, it would grant terrible power to its wielder.
2. The hammer was once the weapon of a great good-aligned deity or angel, that was stolen by an evil demon/God of Mischief and given to the mortal world to hide it. Now both parties are searching for it.
3. The hammer was crafted as the ultimate efforts of an elderly, incredibly skilled giant-kind smith, who gave his life force with the last blow to weave it's enchantments. The descendants of this smith believe the hammer belongs to them, and want it back.
4. The weapon is an Oath-Weapon. Any oath sworn aloud while the weapon's hilt is grasped will give the weapon its purpose; it will then serve the wielder until that oath is accomplished (revenge/destruction/pizza is delivered), before leaving to find a new wielder.

 

[NewJeffCT]

Have you thought of using the background of the weapon as a possible plot device later on?

1. Imbedded within the hammer is one of three shards of a powerful artifact. If the artifact were every assembled, it would grant terrible power to its wielder.
2. The hammer was once the weapon of a great good-aligned deity or angel, that was stolen by an evil demon/God of Mischief and given to the mortal world to hide it. Now both parties are searching for it.
3. The hammer was crafted as the ultimate efforts of an elderly, incredibly skilled giant-kind smith, who gave his life force with the last blow to weave it's enchantments. The descendants of this smith believe the hammer belongs to them, and want it back.
4. The weapon is an Oath-Weapon. Any oath sworn aloud while the weapon's hilt is grasped will give the weapon its purpose; it will then serve the wielder until that oath is accomplished (revenge/destruction/pizza is delivered), before leaving to find a new wielder.

Good ideas... the first one could be worked so her hammer (and, therefore her character) can play a key role in the campaign.

 

[Aberzanzorax]

Riffing of Segrada's first idea and Rechan's idea:

What if it were the key to destroying an artifact? It was the hammer used to make it...and is the only way to unmake it.

 

[Henrix]

Segrada is perfectly right - backstory is cool, but backstory that foreshadows future events is awesome!