I regret to inform you of the death of Alden the Barbarian, a character in the D&D Age of Worms campaign I run. You probably don't know Alden, or why he's special, but I hope to enlighten you somewhat. Before play, Martin (Alden's player) decided that he was not going allow Alden to be raised, and he kept that decision.
Alden was born to a barbarian tribe that lived in the Cairn Hills, and made their way by a combination of herding and banditry. Alden was of unusual size and intelligence, and soon grew tired of their simple existence, and, taking the sword of his father, he travelled to the nearby mining town of Diamond Lake. It was there that he met up with a party of adventurers and began on his path to fame. (DC 15)
Diamond Lake was a particularly corrupt town, with different criminal organisations striving over its assets. The promise of treasure led Alden and his companions to one of the mines run by a particularly suspicious owner. In its depths they found a three cults dedicated to bringing a great abomination unto the world: The Ebon Aspect. Alden, through cunning and bravery, defeated the abomination single-handedly. Part of the creature's essence was trapped within the blade, which Allustan, the Mage of Diamond Lake, brought forth in a magical ritual that made the blade the bane of others like the Ebon Aspect. (DC 18; Bane of Evil)
Later adventures brought Alden to the Free City of Greyhawk, where he led his companions to victory in the Champion's Game, and gained the title of Champion for himself. His work in opposing the forces of evil was recognised by some of the more powerful people in the land. He was contacted by Tenser the Archmage and sent on a dangerous mission to the mysterious Spire of Long Shadows. Before doing so, Tenser suggested plunging his blade into the Font of Fortune's Folly, a mystical pool of water that Tenser had built his fortress about. This was done, and it awakened further powers in his sword. (DC 25; Respect of the Mighty)
The expedition to the Spire of Long Shadows proved perilous indeed. Many undead creatures lurked within its walls, and Alden's group was hard pressed. They overcame many challenges, but finally came to a chamber where islands rose above the acidic river below. Their enemies had cornered the group until Alden charged and leapt onto one of the islands, taking on all the foes to himself. As his friends rallied and their foes began to fail, a great worm that lurked beneath the surface of the river rose up and swallowed the brave barbarian. His friends were able to slay the worm and their other enemies, and sadly recovered Alden's remains from the worm, along with his sword. They later put them on a boat that sailed, burning, onto the Nyr Dyv. (DC 31; The Memory of Alden).
Alden's Greatsword
Alden's Greatsword is a blade made of acid-etched steel, with a hilt bound with red leather, scorched by flame.
Non-legacy Game Statistics: masterwork greatsword. Cost: 350 gp.
Omen: the blade swings faster on powerful blows; add 2 to the damage of any Power Attack made with the blade.
Legacy Rituals
Bane of Evil: You must slay an evil outsider with a CR equal or greater than your level. After the combat, you must immerse the blade in acid and diamond dust while chanting a prayer to Kord. 2,500 gp. Feat Granted: Least Legacy (Alden's Greatsword).
Respect of the Mighty: You must immerse the blade in a pool of great magical power, such as Tenser's Font of Fortune's Folly, then sacrifice gems and precious metals in a ritual to Kord. Cost: 12,500 gp. Feat Granted: Lesser Legacy (Alden's Greatsword).
The Memory of Alden: You must slay a magical beast or undead with a CR equal or greater than your levels. After the combat, you must sacrifice aromatic wood and leather in an offering to Alden's spirit, which some believes now resides within his sword. Cost: 43,000 gp. Feat Granted: Greater Legacy (Alden's Greatsword).
5th: +1 greatsword
6th: (lose 4 hp); At will-detect evil outsiders within 60 ft; ignore the DR of evil outsiders
7th: -
8th: (-1 to saves; lose 2 hp): +1 keen greatsword
9th: (-1 to attacks; lose 2 hp): -
10th: +2 enhancement bonus to Strength
11th: -
12th: (lose 2 hp): +2 keen greatsword
13th: (-2 to attacks): +10 enhancement bonus to speed
14th: (lose 2 hp): +4 enhancement bonus to Strength
15th: -
16th: (-2 to saves): +3 keen greatsword
17th: +6 enhancement bonus to Strength; +3 corrosive, keen greatsword
18th: (-3 to saves; lose 2 hp): +4 corrosive keen greatsword
19th: (lose 2 hp): +5 acidic burst, keen greatsword
20th: (lose 2 hp): +5 acidic burst, undead bane, keen greatsword
(Some details of his adventures have been obscured, but this is pretty much accurate as to what happened in the Age of Worms as I ran it. The game continues with Martin now playing a high-level fighter without a legacy item).
Cheers!
Alden was born to a barbarian tribe that lived in the Cairn Hills, and made their way by a combination of herding and banditry. Alden was of unusual size and intelligence, and soon grew tired of their simple existence, and, taking the sword of his father, he travelled to the nearby mining town of Diamond Lake. It was there that he met up with a party of adventurers and began on his path to fame. (DC 15)
Diamond Lake was a particularly corrupt town, with different criminal organisations striving over its assets. The promise of treasure led Alden and his companions to one of the mines run by a particularly suspicious owner. In its depths they found a three cults dedicated to bringing a great abomination unto the world: The Ebon Aspect. Alden, through cunning and bravery, defeated the abomination single-handedly. Part of the creature's essence was trapped within the blade, which Allustan, the Mage of Diamond Lake, brought forth in a magical ritual that made the blade the bane of others like the Ebon Aspect. (DC 18; Bane of Evil)
Later adventures brought Alden to the Free City of Greyhawk, where he led his companions to victory in the Champion's Game, and gained the title of Champion for himself. His work in opposing the forces of evil was recognised by some of the more powerful people in the land. He was contacted by Tenser the Archmage and sent on a dangerous mission to the mysterious Spire of Long Shadows. Before doing so, Tenser suggested plunging his blade into the Font of Fortune's Folly, a mystical pool of water that Tenser had built his fortress about. This was done, and it awakened further powers in his sword. (DC 25; Respect of the Mighty)
The expedition to the Spire of Long Shadows proved perilous indeed. Many undead creatures lurked within its walls, and Alden's group was hard pressed. They overcame many challenges, but finally came to a chamber where islands rose above the acidic river below. Their enemies had cornered the group until Alden charged and leapt onto one of the islands, taking on all the foes to himself. As his friends rallied and their foes began to fail, a great worm that lurked beneath the surface of the river rose up and swallowed the brave barbarian. His friends were able to slay the worm and their other enemies, and sadly recovered Alden's remains from the worm, along with his sword. They later put them on a boat that sailed, burning, onto the Nyr Dyv. (DC 31; The Memory of Alden).
Alden's Greatsword
Alden's Greatsword is a blade made of acid-etched steel, with a hilt bound with red leather, scorched by flame.
Non-legacy Game Statistics: masterwork greatsword. Cost: 350 gp.
Omen: the blade swings faster on powerful blows; add 2 to the damage of any Power Attack made with the blade.
Legacy Rituals
Bane of Evil: You must slay an evil outsider with a CR equal or greater than your level. After the combat, you must immerse the blade in acid and diamond dust while chanting a prayer to Kord. 2,500 gp. Feat Granted: Least Legacy (Alden's Greatsword).
Respect of the Mighty: You must immerse the blade in a pool of great magical power, such as Tenser's Font of Fortune's Folly, then sacrifice gems and precious metals in a ritual to Kord. Cost: 12,500 gp. Feat Granted: Lesser Legacy (Alden's Greatsword).
The Memory of Alden: You must slay a magical beast or undead with a CR equal or greater than your levels. After the combat, you must sacrifice aromatic wood and leather in an offering to Alden's spirit, which some believes now resides within his sword. Cost: 43,000 gp. Feat Granted: Greater Legacy (Alden's Greatsword).
5th: +1 greatsword
6th: (lose 4 hp); At will-detect evil outsiders within 60 ft; ignore the DR of evil outsiders
7th: -
8th: (-1 to saves; lose 2 hp): +1 keen greatsword
9th: (-1 to attacks; lose 2 hp): -
10th: +2 enhancement bonus to Strength
11th: -
12th: (lose 2 hp): +2 keen greatsword
13th: (-2 to attacks): +10 enhancement bonus to speed
14th: (lose 2 hp): +4 enhancement bonus to Strength
15th: -
16th: (-2 to saves): +3 keen greatsword
17th: +6 enhancement bonus to Strength; +3 corrosive, keen greatsword
18th: (-3 to saves; lose 2 hp): +4 corrosive keen greatsword
19th: (lose 2 hp): +5 acidic burst, keen greatsword
20th: (lose 2 hp): +5 acidic burst, undead bane, keen greatsword
(Some details of his adventures have been obscured, but this is pretty much accurate as to what happened in the Age of Worms as I ran it. The game continues with Martin now playing a high-level fighter without a legacy item).
Cheers!
) Well, the first ritual (slay an outsider) is actually what Alden did, and caused us to say, "Hey, let's make this a legacy weapon!" 
