Another random idea that came to mind for a cheaper magic item that Nexian creation forges might pump out for their armies;
Alchemical Scabbard, aka the 'Glass Scabbard'
This scabbard appears to be composed of thin tubes of glass, woven together like twine, yet it is as strong as steel. Near the top, it has three gemstones, one green, one amber and one red. When a blade is drawn from the scabbard (they are available in sizes from dagger to greatsword, although the majority seem built for short swords, longswords, rapiers and scimitars), one of these gems can be touched as a free action to activate the scabbards properties;
The red gem causes the drawn blade to flicker with alchemical fire for up to one round, causing the blade to inflict +1d6 fire damage on it's first hit during that time. The target so damaged must make a Reflex save (DC 15) or spend a full-round action to extinguish the flames, or suffer an additional 1d6 fire damage in the following round. The alchemical fire splashes onto the first target struck only, and there is no splash effect. If the blade does not strike a target, the alchemical fire burns away one round later.
The amber gem causes the drawn blade to become slick with alchemical acid for up to one round, causing the blade to inflict +1d6 acid damage on its first hit during that time. There is no secondary effect, and the acid either splashes onto the target on the first successful hit, or boils away into acrid smelling fumes one round later.
The green gem causes the drawn blade to radiate a sickly greenish alchemical light that acts like torchlight for up to one hour. It does not wear off if the blade is used in combat, but does extinguish itself if the blade is resheathed in the glass scabbard.
No more than one effect can be activated at a time, and for any effect to be re-initiated, the blade must be re-sheathed and drawn anew.
The cheaper 'mass-produced' versions of these items are only usable three times per day, although the user can choose to activate the same effect each time, and do not have the reinforced steely-strength, being only as hard as stone, instead of metal (still significantly stronger than one would expect, given their delicate glass-like appearance).
Officers carry the full-strength versions which are steel-hard and usable without
limitation.