Questions regarding legendary items

[Kornetto]

In our campaign, my mythic character had a legendary item which, through path ability choices, had become a minor artifact. That character died, thus breaking the bond between PC and item. My new character, the non mythic sister of the deceased has been given the item as a keepsake. I'm aware that the item cannot be used in the same fashion but some abilities, like intelligence, are persistent. This gave the item the ability to speak and, pero choice, allowed the previous owner to cast a couple of extra spells whilst wielding the item.

Do the speech and spell casting abilities persist even though a non-mythic character has possession?

The item had the legendary ability of "upgradable". Is it still upgradable via traditional, non-mythic means. As in using craft?

[Kornetto]

Bumping just in case anyone can help

[CBDunkerson]

It depends on the exact powers of the item (e.g. Dedicated Bond could prevent anyone else from using it), but generally;

"Creatures that aren't bonded to the legendary item can typically use all of its special abilities that aren't legendary item abilities. Such creatures can also use the item's legendary surge base legendary ability, but only by using the item's reservoir of legendary power. They can't use any other legendary item abilities requiring an expenditure of legendary power, though some legendary item abilities (such as intelligence) are persistent abilities, which means they continue to function whether the user is bonded to the item or not."

So the item retains its intelligence and speech. Per the above the Legendary Surge ability could still be used. However, activating spells requires spending mythic (or bonded legendary item) power... which a non-mythic character can't do. Likewise, upgrading the item requires the bonded character to perform a ritual... and a non-mythic character cannot be bonded to a legendary item.

Thus, you've basically got an intelligent talking item which allows you to add d6 to a specific type of roll (determined by item type) twice per day (or more if the item also has the 'Powerful' ability).

[Khudzlin]

I think you would be allowed to add non-mythical magical properties to the item (or improve existing ones), using the regular magic item creation rules (which is significantly longer than the upgrade ritual).

Also, the sister could bond with the item by using it during a mythic trial (to be determined by the GM), becoming mythic in the process. She would be limited to using a number of abilities equal to her tier. Persistent abilities like intelligence must be chosen first.