The Kingdom of Solace researches and applies magic in many different real and theory situations. One of the most popular areas of magic is item enchantments. A concerning discovery early in Solace's history is that of 'Sentient Items." Enchantments powerful enough have a chance to grant their item its own sentience. A practice that quickly became taboo.
Sentient items are rare, but most who interact with sentient items usually allow them the same respect that any other person would get. Although most sentient items are able to move themselves, usually though magical means, some are cursed as inanimate objects.
One of the oldest Sentient Items is "Matoya's Broom" A broom enchanted long ago by the witch Matoya. Broom can animate itself and is happiest when performing it's intended function, sweeping. This attitude is common among sentient items where they enjoy performing the task the item was created for. A broom is inert enough to not pose a threat, but some sentient weapons have caused serious problems in the past.
The practice of creating powerful enchanted items is highly regulated by the Universities of Mana with special care made to prevent the creation of sentience.
Due to the nature of some items sentient items will survive all but the complete destruction of the object. Stories of a wooden sentient object being set aflame and their screams being heard until just before the last cinder dimmed. This and other stories like it are the main reason it is taboo.