It falls into the similar category of giving someone a nick name. You don't give yourself one and it's only after a specific event, or over time that it develops.
Some names can slowly come over time from some sort of singularity (common use in some manner), a specific feature, or an event of significance that holds the item in importance. It really is any one, or combination of these types of features that can have the name be made.
Ex. A falchion used primarily for sundering enemies, and equipment "Earthtorn".
Ex. A bow that has gained the ability to shoot mutiple enemies in a row "Straight Shot".
Ex. A Nodachi that was famous for stopping a charging triceratops in its tracks, while you then critted it and killed in from you readied action "Deadstop".
Oftentimes, I give them names just to reflect they saw regular use before. And then sometimes later give them special abilities.
Just ask my group about the singing longsword named Bertha.
|
I often name the items my characters use. The name will reflect a number of things:
1)Items origin, who crafted it, how it was crafted.
2)Items history, who used it, and how it was used.
3)Is there a curse associated with the item? This can influence the name.
examples:(From my own homebrew)
Caladfae: This silvery steel rapier was forged by the elven smiths of the first age. Lost for many years, was discovered in ruins found beneath an ancient Thassilonian monument. The rapier has since been seen in Magnimar, and Riddleport in the hands of a duelist that goes by the name of Bhrianna.
+3 mithril alloy rapier, keen, +2 to initiative.
Bonus Feats gained after gaining the required levels:
Level 3: Weapon Finesse
Level 5: Combat Expertise
Level 7: Improved Feint
Level 9: Mobility
Level 11: Critical Focus: Rapier
Level 13: Improved Initiative
Level 15: Greater Feint
Harmony: This finely crafted suit of studded leather armor was once worn by a famous Lorekeeper named Lorellya. Though some of her libraries, and writings are still with us today, she disappeared nearly five hundred years ago. The suit was discovered about twenty years ago, and has now found its way to the Emporium in Magnimar. Scholars have debated over the bias relief musical symbols covering the chest, and arms of this armored suit.
+2 studded leather armor
+10' to base movement
+5 to acrobatics
Protection from Evil
Harmonic Resonance +2 to bardic performance, and bard spell dcs. (Only usable by those possessing at least one level of bard.)
Soundburst 3x/day (Only useable by bards.)
Song Door 1x/day 100' short teleport, destination must be in line of sight.(Only useable by bards.)
If Game of Thrones can teach us anything, it's that even little girls or pretender kings can name swords. So items can be called literally anything the wielder/crafter wants.