#It's not just the ones on the list

Table: Intelligent Item Purpose has a number of sample purposes that a magic item might possess

Which implies that there are more options than just that. However any options beyond those listed would certainly need to be subject to DM approval-- there's no indication that all purposes are valid. Furthermore, some ways of making items can only make those from the list, such as the impart mind spell.

It should be noted that some people interpret 'choose one' to mean 'choose any purpose', but 'choose one from this list' is an equally valid reading, and obviously preferable given your goals.

The purpose given is pretty reasonable

'Defend my servants and interests' is a valid purpose, as long as you pretend to divinity, as is 'defend blue-haired halfling multiclass druid/wizard theurges' . 'Keep John Alive' seems reasonably in the same vein, except it's likely to go horribly wrong, I, Robot (the movie) style.

Intelligent items aren't custom items, and the primary reason for getting them is the incredible flexibility they provide, ostensibly without the need for GM oversight. That said, they are extremely powerful, and can easily disrupt a campaign where other players are making poor character design choices. You said you are trying to run an epic campaign, so I doubt at-will Limited Wish, Greater Glyph of Warding, and Resurrection are the biggest problems you are facing, but it will still be one of the many problems if someone tries to make, say, a monk with a forward-ported Vow of Poverty.

It's not just the ones on the list

Table: Intelligent Item Purpose has a number of sample purposes that a magic item might possess

Which implies that there are more options than just that. However any options beyond those listed would certainly need to be subject to DM approval-- there's no indication that all purposes are valid. Furthermore, some ways of making items can only make those from the list, such as the impart mind spell.

It should be noted that some people interpret 'choose one' to mean 'choose any purpose', but 'choose one from this list' is an equally valid reading, and obviously preferable given your goals.

The purpose given is pretty reasonable

'Defend my servants and interests' is a valid purpose, as long as you pretend to divinity, as is 'defend blue-haired halfling multiclass druid/wizard theurges' . 'Keep John Alive' seems reasonably in the same vein, except it's likely to go horribly wrong, I, Robot (the movie) style.

Intelligent items aren't custom items, and the primary reason for getting them is the incredible flexibility they provide, ostensibly without the need for GM oversight. That said, they are extremely powerful, and can easily disrupt a campaign where other players are making poor character design choices. You said you are trying to run an epic campaign, so I doubt at-will Limited Wish, Greater Glyph of Warding, and Resurrection are the biggest problems you are facing, but it will still be one of the many problems if someone tries to make, say, a monk with a forward-ported Vow of Poverty.