Yes, I know I just asked for help in a previous thread, but this is something different entirely.
After sitting down with most of my PCs(got a group of 4, possibly 5), a few gave me some insights on their back stories. One in particular has something amazing, interesting, and difficult to add in, but I want to.
The short version is: Human Barbarian whose Lord betrayed him by slaying his wife and daughter, also taking for himself a prized Greatsword. It was oversized(made for Large creatures) and only usable when he was Raging. After finding out his Lord had slain his family, he deserted and is on a quest to gain power to avenge them. He ends up in Sandport because prior to The Chopper/Burning of the Cathedral, he and his family went to the Swallowtail Festival once or twice, and it's where he had his last happy memories with them.
I've been browsing the towns/locations, and I'm not sure where in the campaign I can set off a little side run for him to be able to avenge his family, and regain his lost Greatsword. In addition, I want to give the weapon some fairly unique qualities, since he is working to get it back. Unfortunately, I'm at a loss for both, and could use a little guidance from those who know Varsia better than I do, and maybe how I could enhance his Greatsword. I was thinking of a Legacy Weapon, but I wouldn't know where to start.
Don't make it a side quest, make it part of the main quest.
Have his Lord be one of the rangers at Fort Rannick. The PC has to decide if taking his vengeance now is worth giving up help in dealing with the ogres. And the sword is being used by one of the ogres, with a barbarian level. See if you can get the PC to wrest it from him in single combat.
Or if you want to be simpler, just have his greedy lord be one of the lamia's minions, replacing an ogre. Maybe some notes in Justice Ironbriar's office in Magnimar can mention that Lord So-and-So is a valued ally and is off to do something there. That would give you another way to bring the PCs into Book 3.
As for weapon enchantments, "furious" is the obvious one. Or look ahead to book 5 and drop some hints about runeforging early on.
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Honestly, I would make it one of the Korvosan holdings. They are more likely to have warlords that subjugated the Shoanti there, as it was the Korvosan settlers that waged bloody wars against the native clans of Varisia. I will do a little research and find a good one for you that won't require travelling too far past Turtleback Ferry...
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Looking at it, Riddleport holdings might work as well... I was looking at Roderick's Cove near Riddleport might be a good one. Or you can just make up a sleepy little hamlet that is ruled by a bandit king/self-proclaimed "lord" that exists on the way to Turtleback Ferry. That way you have a bit of a breather between Skinsaw and Hook Mountain... where you can arm your Barba-rarian. ^_^
@Tonyz: The minion of the Lamia was something I considered doing, what with "Greed" and all, over having his men work for him and him alone, so that was an idea. Fort Rannick was another place, but I was never sure.
@Aeshuura: Riddleport or Korvosan holdings works, too. I might try for the Fort, though, and give him the moral choice before arming him.
Thanks for the ideas, guys. The Giants shall probably be the best for getting the weapon back, and I could use Ironbar's "ally" idea for the Lord.
Have fun with it!