So I've got a paladin of Iomedae who's come across a legendary longsword that's yet to be awakened, and I was thinking it'd be fun to make it a progressive thing rather than all at once.
To that end, an achievement list based on the tenants of Iomedae sounds like the best way to go. Some of these will be done as a matter of course, others will have hints in the form of suggestions based on context.
So far, this is what I have:
I will learn the weight of my sword. Without my heart to guide it, it is worthless—my strength is not in my sword, but in my heart. If I lose my sword, I have lost a tool. If I betray my heart, I have died.
I will have faith in the Inheritor. I will channel her strength through my body. I will shine in her legion, and I will not tarnish her glory through base actions.
I am the first into battle, and the last to leave it: Be the first to deal damage in combat five times across separate battles and remain standing after at least half of your allies are unconscious in one battle.
I will not be taken prisoner by my free will. I will not surrender those under my command.
I will never abandon a companion, though I will honor sacrifice freely given: Suffer four attacks of opportunity within 1 round and have an ally who is at 0 or less hit points healed within that round, whether through your own actions or an ally you coordinate with.
I will guard the honor of my fellows, both in thought and deed, and I will have faith in them.
When in doubt, I may force my enemies to surrender, but I am responsible for their lives: Knock unconscious 10 enemies of equal CR or higher through nonlethal damage, or restrain an enemy of a CR that is 4 higher than yours for 24 hours.
I will never refuse a challenge from an equal. I will give honor to worthy enemies, and contempt to the rest: Face a creature of equal or higher CR in one on one combat with no outside assistance.
I will suffer death before dishonor: As an immediate action when affected by a mind-affecting effect that would cause you to act against the tenants of Iomedae, you may reduce yourself to -1 hit points and stabilize. You can only do this while wielding a longsword.
I will be temperate in my actions and moderate in my behavior. I will strive to emulate Iomedae’s perfection: Attempt and succeed at a diplomacy check with at least 10 enemies of evil alignment whose CR is equal to or greater than yours.
I am not a scholar of Iomedae myself, so if any of these seem off base then please do tell me and feel free to suggest alternative achievements for these.