I think the Swords of Justice were a step in the right direction. The "embodiment of X" well is running dry, and is doomed to endless one-upmanship (which is already looking a little lame in the face of Space and Time, Yin and Yang, and a literal demiurge). Having some legendaries who are a particular region's tall tale heroes or fairy tale monsters? Legends who are legends because of what they *did*, not what they *are*? I think that's a great way to make legends interesting without having to measure up to a gaggle of gods and goddesses.