Sentient weapons

[Sirian]

In under the heading "Miirym's Fate" (near the bottom) in this article the following is written:

"Azuth knows the means of binding even so powerful a spectral sentience into the helve of a magic weapon or other item. Certain Netherese liches and senior Red Wizards might also know, or be able to devise, such magical processes, but Mystra is unlikely to provide guidance to any mages or priests requesting inspiration over such matters. "

Out of curiosity, how would this binding be done and what sort of result would it have?

 

[Rhun]

I believe that would be something that is handled solely at the discretion of the Dungeon Master. He would have to determine how the binding works, how to accomplish the binding, and what the results would be.

 

[nijineko]

nice gap in response time. so i will add my thoughts.

given the listed beings capable of it, all of them are explicitly post-epic. therefore, it would require an epic level spell, or as an alternative possibly a salient divine ability in order to pull off the trick.

 

[jefgorbach]

Apparently Azuth knows how Torth originally bound Miirym and thus theoretically could redo the ritual should it ever become necessary, resulting in restoring her existing state either within Candlekeep asis or perhaps "freeing" her somewhat by tying her location to a specific portable object.

 

[Sirian]

So does anyone know how such a weapon might be designed, are there any similar weapons (containing bound sentient souls or ghosts) in the litterature?