Hi everyone.  I want to give my characters an epic weapon.  They are mid level and the current campaign should take them to high level and then we will do one last campaign against a lich.  The weapon would be ideal for fighting undead.  

They are currently on an island which was destroyed by the lich ~100 years ago and is now deserted.  They do not know why it is deserted but know it was decimated somehow.  There is a statue to a lawful good goddess of healing in the ruined keep.  The statue is on a platform in a large fountain.  The fountain sends water cascading down the hill and into a lake. 

Any ideas on how the goddess can give them the weapon?  I thought about:
1. Her statue is carrying the weapon and it can be removed
2. The weapon is hidden away in a secret compartment in the fountain.  (But what happens if they don't find it?)
3.  The weapon is simply submerged in the water.  
4.  The statue says something pithy or gives them a quest, such as clearing out the undead on the island, and then gives it to them.  

None of these sound very grandiose.  Anyone have something better?  Any good ideas for weapon abilities as well?

The weapon was broken during the Decimation. It now lies in pieces around the island. Different challenges await the party.

Choose the number of pieces then have one challenge at each piece.

1. One huge monster.

2. A number of smaller monsters.

3. An environmental/skill challenge.

4. A simple puzzle.

5. A large monster then a second wave of smaller monsters. Or the reverse.

Take the pieces back to the fountain submerge the pieces. Say the chant written on the wall behind the fountain.  If the PCs do something to clean up/restore the shrine give the weapon another small bonus/feature.

To steal an idea from Mark Hulmes, have the goddess who wants the players to get the item cast Dream or otherwise commune with the characters in order to tell them where it is. Have them face some obstacles though, so that it doesn't feel like this is you the DM just handing an object that will help for free.

You could also just give them a hook or put it in their path. For instance, send them to a dungeon where the item is at the end. You could have them learn about rumors of an item from an NPC or rival monsters that are searching for the artifact.

If your players don't find the magic item, then you can move it to a location later or just put another different powerful item into other adventures.

I feel like drinking from a magic fountain in a dungeon is one of those iconic D&D moments. What if the statue looks like it was clearly intended to be holding a weapon, but the weapon is nowhere to be found. An inspection of the fountain turns up an inscription.

May <Goddess' name> be a sight for weary eyes after a long journey in far-off lands.
Against an endless tide of enemies, evil blood flowed from the blade of justice
Take comfort and rest. May her holy presence provide a taste of respite.

Maybe it's a little too on the nose, but you get the point. You're enticing the party to drink from the fountain, which will let them see through the illusion that obscures her sword. Once they see it, they can attune to it, making it visible and usable. If the party is mid-level, consider a sword that has some relatively good power (+1, maybe some radiant damage) and a degree of sentience with the goddess influencing the wielder through dreams or subtle communication telling them how they can unlock even more power as a reward for a quest.

These are good ideas.  

I like the idea of the goddess statue at the fountain actually holding a piece of the weapon and only being able to perceive that if they drink the water.  The PCs distrust me a lot, which is (at least somewhat) undeserved!  

I am thinking a 2H war hammer that is broken into four pieces (per WilsonJ), as this would be a weapon her priests could use.  Shaft in the goddess's hands per Texas Devin, hammer head in the sunken wreck the nearby port, gem for the pummel being used as an energy source for an undead monster (actually in the eye socket).  If they clean up and restore the fountain area, it gives the weapon an attack or damage bonus and/or a spell-like ability.

I thought about making a spear like device that is inserted into the top of the hammer-head, that could then be thrown like a javelin or dart.  But her priests are not normally allowed to use sharp weapons.  (Although there is no one serving her in this party).  Is there another option to allow a 2H war hammer to give a bonus ranged attack, if only 1x/day?

If they blow by everything I will use BoringBard's idea of sending more dreams.  (They already had one hinting at this.)  

Thanks everyone.  Any additional insight would be appreciated.

This is the final version I think.

2H war hammer in pieces around island. Needs to be pieced together.

Ruby in the pummel, which was placed in the eye of a golem, animating it. If they kill the golem and take the ruby it can be inserted into the pummel slot, adding 1 fire damage to all hits.
Shaft of the weapon comes apart in the middle. This converts it to a 1H hammer. The end piece doubles as a scepter, with the ruby in the pummel facing up.  A short blade can extend from the scepter end, making it into a dagger.  
Main shaft portion being held by the Galil (god of justice) statue in the fountain
Hammer head in the harbor, underwater.
Scepter portion is held by Uther (the original owner and the previous leader of the this realm) in the main keep. Uther is dead, at a dining table set for an elaborate meal. The candles still flicker and the food is unspoiled.
If PCs restore the fountain area and plant black roses in pots, it will be blessed the god Galil, adding +1 to saves, attack and damage.

Quote from limnakhau >>

How does one get a Epic Weapon nowadays? When i started playing i couldn't get it from the Epic Road, sadly. Now i'm considering spend my Legendary Quest materials for a Legendary Weapon because i don't know how to get a Epic one. Currently using Chronicles (Lightning Storm Abyss on an Elemental Bomber).

 

 have you tried buying the dungeon master a pizza and laughing at their jokes?