Magic weapons in my campaign:

All magic weapons have cross-shaped runes etched into them to seal their enchantments. A +1 weapon is "crossed", a +2 weapon is "double-crossed", a +3 weapon is "triple-crossed" and so on.

Each cross added to a weapon costs a sacrifice. Neither gold nor blood are suitable sacrifices for this purpose. To make a weapon magical, one must sacrifice the weapon's ability to function as a mundane weapon.
Choose one or more:
A. The weapon is inappropriately heavy (too front-heavy, too back-heavy, too heavy overall)
B. The weapon is inappropriately shaped (too spiky, too asymmetric, too complex, etc.)
C. The weapon is constructed from an inappropriate material (silver swords, bone axes, etc.)
D. The weapon is repurposed from a common, non-weapon object (such as a frying pan, a parasol, an abacus, etc.)

Furthermore, each cross also adds a taboo to the weapon. A taboo is a prohibition upon the weapon's current owner. Magic weapons lose their magic when their owner breaks the taboo by performing the prohibited action. Though weapons are tools of violence, magic weapons almost always possess taboos that run contrary to a life of violence.
Examples:
The weapon's owner may not touch dead bodies
The weapon's owner may not command troops
The weapon's owner may not raise their voice in anger




The barbarian in the party currently owns a crossed great-sword of mossy granite. The sword prohibits him from eating meat. He has named his weapon "Meat Sword".



How about magic weapons in your campaign?

I generally go with magic being 'alive'... and so magic items are also alive to some degree. They take a sacrifice of life energy/mana/soul points to create... either from the creator or some other creature. Also, what uses spells/magic items are put to cab effect their temperement... so using them with greedy/selfish/cruel intent can corrupt them and have consequences later on.

Interesting.  Lot of neat potential there.  How does the owner learn of the nature of the taboos?

Quote from: Thornhammer;1013718Interesting.  Lot of neat potential there.  How does the owner learn of the nature of the taboos?

There have been very few craftsmen in the world's history capable of creating magic weapons. These artisans are all well-known. Any craftsman or appraiser of worth will be able to identify such legendary works.

A weapon's taboos are chosen by its creator at the time of creation. Taboos chosen in this way must abhor their creator's intent, or else the magic will not take hold.

*edit*
Examples:

Scythes of the Lich-Guard
A collection of polearms created by the lich-king to arm his undead guardians to slay the living.
These weapons are repurposed from farm implements; their curved blades are fixed at an angle that makes them unsuitable for conventional fighting styles.
The owners of these weapons may not refuse challenges to play chess.

Golden Hammer of the Dwarven Champion
This hammer is made from solid gold.
The owner of the hammer may not accept items of precious metal or stone as rewards for their services.

DnD 5e.
You can't really buy permanent magic items (meaning non-disposable magic items, you can still buy potions etc).

For example.
If you want to have a flame blade, you need to get the components and find someone to make the item.,
For example, a salamader heart or get a Red dragon to lick a piece of coal or something.
That'll allow the right weaponsmith to be able to actually make the flameblade.
There'l still be a high cost involved, but you have to work to get a magic item.

Of course you might find magic items from monster drops, but if the enemies can use the items, they will.

I love the D&D 5e magical item options on page 142 of the DMG, I used that almost exclusively when I make magical items.

The Songforgers:

A pair of Warhammers (+1) created by the ancient clans of the Delzoun Dwarves.  Although designed to be used in pairs, they don't have to be, functioning perfectly well on their own.  When swung in combat, the hammers sing the Dirge of Delzoun, proudly and loudly in a proper Dwarven timbre.  Of late however, the song has had verses added that no one, especially not the creators, has heard which is causing an amount of consternation among the various remaining Clans.  It might be because Humans and other races have gotten their hands on these rune etched steel-made weapons.

Created the above in the last five minutes with random rolls, save the weapon, which I chose after rolling.

Creator or Intended User:  Dwarf
Historic Detail: Heroic
Minor Property: Songcraft
Quirk: Loud

That's really interesting, Cave Bear. Neat stuff.

In Lion & Dragon most serious magic items are either unique or have a limited number. The magic items section is mostly items based off of folklore, legends or historical events.  
In the conceit of the game, weapons used in moments of great importance can become magical.  So for example, bows that were used at Agincourt later gained magical properties.

Also, magic items are super-rare. And most magic weapons have a +0 bonus. That is to say, their only real ability is that they can harm supernatural creatures.