Hi there,
a PC is wanting to enchant Transformative Weapon on an intelligent magical GreatAxe.
The GreatAxe has a long history and has a relatively high Ego. It belonged to a legendary Barbarian that conquered the land from pesky Elves ages ago.
The PC doesn't have a proficiency in a Great Axe and wants to use the item as a Falchion (for the increased Crit range).
The question is this:
Can an intelligent weapon resist getting further enchantments placed on it?
And if not... can an intelligent weapon on its own revert back to it's normal shape? The transformative weapon description states it reverts back to when it's unattended. But unattended means dropped, not when placed back on one's back or in a scabbard.
It might concede to be allowed in combat to be used as another weapon (at least it gets to cut into something then, and be used) ; on the other hand, when idle, it will want to revert to its true form. It's not going to enjoy being a Falchion on the back of this Barbarian's back... or in his scabbard. ; so can it force it's own transformative weapon power to revert to it's true form? It wants to be seen and recognized as this legendary weapon after all. Soak in the glory so to speak.
Or does 'unattended' mean here... 'when not held in hand/wielded'?
The only reason he wants to keep the weapon as a Falchion around is to not having to use a standard action to change it again between combats (for instance, when the party might be hit in a surprise round or something of the sort)
I mean, if it were just a new weapon still needing to make a name for itself, but I can imagine a legendary self respecting weapon wouldn't want to transform itself into another shape all the time, of course an inferior shape to its own, anymore than a pc human wouldn't want to be polymorphed into say, a goblin, right?
I'm not sure there are rules for this...
But considering it has a high ego score the weapon is unlikely to agree to transforming. Also, I believe magical items are usually in complete control of their magical abilities so it could choose simply never to activate the transformative ability even if you added it to them.
Edit: It looks like you could use the ego contest rules to determine if the intelligent item functions in the way the wielder wants.
When an item has an Ego of its own, it has a will of its own. The item is absolutely true to its alignment. If the character who possesses the item is not true to that alignment's goals or the item's special purpose, a personality conflict results—item against character. Similarly, any item with an Ego score of 20 or higher always considers itself superior to any character, and a personality conflict results if the possessor does not always agree with the item.
When a personality conflict occurs, the possessor must make a Will saving throw (DC = the item's Ego). If the possessor succeeds, she is dominant. If she fails, the item is dominant. Dominance lasts for 1 day or until a critical situation occurs (such as a major battle, a serious threat to either the item or the character, and so on, as determined by the GM). Should an item gain dominance, it resists the character's desires and demands concessions such as any of the following:
Removal of associates or items whose alignment or personality is distasteful to the item.
The character divesting herself of all other magic items or items of a certain type.
Obedience from the character so the item can direct where they go for its own purposes.
Immediate seeking out and slaying of creatures hateful to the item.
Magical protections and devices to safeguard the item from molestation when it is not in use.
That the character carry the item with her on all occasions.
That the character relinquish the item to a more suitable possessor due to alignment differences or conduct.In extreme circumstances, the item can resort to even harsher measures, such as the following:
Force its possessor into combat.
Refuse to strike opponents.
Strike at its wielder or her associates.
Force its possessor to surrender to an opponent.
Cause itself to drop from the character's grasp.Naturally, such actions are unlikely when harmony reigns between the character's and item's alignments or when their purposes and personalities are well matched. Even so, an item might wish to have a lesser character possess it in order to easily establish and maintain dominance over him, or a higher-level possessor so as to better accomplish its goals.
All magic items with personalities desire to play an important role in whatever activity is under way, particularly combat. Such items are natural rivals, even with others of the same alignment. No intelligent item wants to share its wielder with other intelligent magic items. An intelligent item is aware of the presence of any other intelligent item within 60 feet, and such an intelligent item usually tries its best to mislead or distract its host so that she ignores or destroys the rival. Of course, alignment might change this sort of behavior.
Items with personalities are never totally controlled or silenced by the characters that possess them, even though they might never successfully control their possessors. They might be powerless to force their demands, but most remain undaunted and continue to air their wishes and preferences.