DND Artifacts - The Ivory Chain of Pao: A Legendary Artifact of Shou Lung History

BOOK OF ARTIFACTS

Introduction: What is the Ivory Chain of Pao?

The Ivory Chain of Pao is a powerful and mysterious artifact that dates back to the ancient history of Shou Lung, one of the largest and oldest empires in the continent of Kara-Tur. The artifact consists of a set of ivory links that can be arranged in various configurations to produce different magical effects. The Ivory Chain of Pao is said to have been created by Pao, the legendary founder and first emperor of Shou Lung, who used it to unify the warring states and establish his dynasty. The artifact is also associated with the Celestial Bureaucracy, the pantheon of gods and immortals that govern the fate and fortune of Shou Lung and its people. The Ivory Chain of Pao is revered as a symbol of divine authority, imperial legitimacy, and national unity .

The Ivory Chain of Pao has a long and turbulent history, as it has been lost, stolen, recovered, and used by various rulers, rebels, heroes, villains, and adventurers throughout the ages. The artifact has also been the source of many legends, myths, mysteries, and controversies, as its origins, nature, powers, and secrets are shrouded in mystery and speculation. The Ivory Chain of Pao is one of the most sought-after and coveted artifacts in Kara-Tur, as it is believed to grant its wielder immense power, wisdom, and influence over the destiny of Shou Lung and its people .

In this article, we will explore the history, lore, and mechanics of the Ivory Chain of Pao, one of the most legendary artifacts in the world of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (AD&D) 2nd Edition. We will examine the origins and creation of the artifact, its appearance and properties, its various uses and effects, its role and significance in Shou Lung’s history and culture, its current whereabouts and status, and its potential impact on future events. We will also provide some tips and suggestions on how to use the Ivory Chain of Pao in your own AD&D 2nd Edition campaigns and adventures.

The Chain of Many Faces: A Masterpiece of Ivory and Magic

The Ivory Chain of Pao is a remarkable artifact that stands out for its unique appearance and craftsmanship. It is an ivory chain whose links are carved in the fashion of men with arms outstretched, as if they were holding hands in a circle. Each link is cunningly made so that the hands of one figure interlock with the next in line, forming a continuous chain of 48 links.

The chain is approximately 12 feet long and weighs about 20 pounds. Unlike metal chains, the links here are not closed loops and it should be possible to unhook individual links. However, the chain shows no indication of falling apart or losing its integrity. The chain is smooth and polished, and the figures are finely detailed, showing different facial expressions and clothing styles.

The Ivory Chain of Pao is a beautiful and impressive artifact, but also a dangerous and powerful one. It can bind any spirit or being of the outer planes, but it also carries a risk of breaking and disappearing. The chain is a symbol of unity and harmony, but also of conflict and chaos. It is a paradoxical and mysterious artifact that has shaped the history of Shou Lung and Kara-Tur.

Background: What is Shou Lung?

Shou Lung is a country and an empire in the continent of Kara-Tur, which is located to the east of Faerûn. It is one of the largest and oldest civilizations in the world, with a rich and diverse culture, history, and philosophy. Shou Lung is also known as the Empire of the Dragon, as it is ruled by a divine emperor who is believed to be the descendant and representative of the Celestial One, the supreme god of the Shou pantheon. Shou Lung has a complex and hierarchical society, governed by a meritocratic bureaucracy that oversees various aspects of the empire’s administration, economy, military, magic, religion, and diplomacy. Shou Lung is a proud and ambitious nation that seeks to expand its influence and prestige in Kara-Tur and beyond.

Shou Lung is the homeland of the Shou people, who are humans with yellowish-bronze skin, black hair, and broad, flat features. The Shou people speak High Shou, a language that uses the Draconic alphabet. The Shou people follow a variety of religions and philosophies, but the most dominant one is the Way, which is based on the teachings of the Nine Great Dragons, or Nine Immortals, who are believed to be the agents and manifestations of the Celestial One. The Way emphasizes harmony, balance, order, and morality in all aspects of life. The Shou people also practice ancestor worship, honoring their dead relatives and seeking their guidance and blessing.

Master Pao: The Lesser Immortal of the Ivory Chain

Master Pao was one of the Nine Travelers, the legendary immortals who brought civilization and enlightenment to the people of Shou Lung. He was also known as the Lesser Immortal of the Ivory Chain, because he crafted the Ivory Chain of Pao, a powerful artifact that could bind any spirit or being of the outer planes.

Master Pao was a master of magic and alchemy, and he taught the secrets of these arts to the first wu jen of Shou Lung. He was also a patron of art and culture, and he encouraged the development of literature, music, painting, and sculpture. He was revered as a wise and benevolent immortal, who sought to preserve the harmony and balance of the world.

Master Pao’s symbol was a chain of ivory links, each carved into the figure of a man holding hands with the next. His favored weapon was a staff of ivory, which he used to channel his magic and to strike his enemies. His domains were Magic, Artifice, Knowledge, and Creation. His alignment was Neutral Good.

The History of the Ivory Chain of Pao: A Timeline of Events

The Ivory Chain of Pao is a legendary artifact that has played a significant role in the history of Shou Lung and Kara-Tur. It has been involved in many battles, adventures, and mysteries, and has influenced the fate of empires, heroes, and villains. Here is a timeline of the major events related to the Ivory Chain of Pao, based on the accounts of eastern scholars.

Age of Red Earth: Master Pao, the Lesser Immortal of Mount Yei, crafts the Ivory Chain of Pao and gives it to the nine First Emperors, who rule the empire jointly. The chain symbolizes their unity and harmony.
Seventh year of the Nine’s rule: A thief steals the chain from the imperial treasury and escapes. Some say he was inspired by Monkey, the Lord of Mischief; others, by an evil god. The chain falls into the hands of Nan Kung Chi, the high priest of the Black Leopard cult in the south.
The end of the Nine’s rule: The Nine Emperors withdraw to heaven, leaving the empire in the hands of the First Dynasty. The emperor and his poet-brother go south to challenge the Black Leopard cult. They discover that Nan Kung Chi has used the chain to bind the great leopard-fiend of the cult and force it to his will. The emperor shatters the chain with a single stroke of his spear, freeing the leopard-fiend and ending the terror of the cult. The chain vanishes with the parting of a single link, only to later reform itself.
The rise and fall of the Copper Fiend: A monster known as the Copper Fiend seizes several provinces in the northwestern reaches of the empire and rules them with absolute authority and terror for many decades. The emperor calls for heroes to help regain his lands. Wo Mai and his companions undertake the dangerous task. They use the Ivory Chain of Pao to bind the Copper Fiend and bring it back to the imperial court. There it is imprisoned in the Acorn of Wo Mai.
The disappearance of the chain: After this great event, the chain drops from all accounts of history. Some scholars say it was ground into dust and forged into the Acorn that holds the Copper Fiend. Others think it remained in the imperial treasuries until the fall of the Hai Dynasty, when the Sixth Emperor went to invade a neighboring land. There it was supposedly lost when the invasion fleet sank in a great storm. The story continues that the chain was recovered by a foreign navigator named O’Rourke, who was in the employ of the dead emperor. It is possible that he carried it back to the lands of the west—or perhaps he did not.

The Ivory Chain of Pao is a mysterious and powerful artifact that has shaped the history of Shou Lung and Kara-Tur. It may still have an impact on the fate of nations and planes, if it ever resurfaces again.

The Owners of the Ivory Chain of Pao: A Timeline of Possession

The Ivory Chain of Pao is a legendary artifact that has changed hands many times throughout history. It has been owned by emperors, priests, heroes, thieves, and possibly foreigners. Here is a timeline of the known or speculated owners of the Ivory Chain of Pao, based on the accounts of eastern scholars.

Master Pao: The original creator and owner of the chain. He was one of the Nine Travelers, the legendary immortals who brought civilization and enlightenment to the people of Shou Lung. He crafted the chain as a gift to the nine First Emperors, who ruled the empire jointly. He was also known as the Lesser Immortal of the Ivory Chain, because he was the master of its power and secrets.
The Nine Emperors: The first recipients and owners of the chain. They were the rulers of the empire during the Age of Red Earth, when nine emperors ruled jointly over the empire of Shou Lung. The chain symbolized their unity and harmony, and they kept it in their imperial treasury. They withdrew to heaven after ruling for seven years, leaving the chain behind.
The Thief: The first person to steal the chain from the imperial treasury. His identity and motives are unknown, but some say he was inspired by Monkey, the Lord of Mischief; others, by an evil god. He escaped with the chain and sold it or gave it to Nan Kung Chi, the high priest of the Black Leopard cult in the south.
Nan Kung Chi: The leader and owner of the chain for a brief period. He was the high priest of the Black Leopard cult, a sinister organization that challenged the authority and legitimacy of the First Dynasty. He used the chain to bind the great leopard-fiend of the cult and force it to his will. He was defeated by the emperor and his poet-brother, who shattered the chain with a single stroke of their spear.
Wo Mai: The hero and owner of the chain for a long period. He was one of the loyal servants of the emperor who undertook the dangerous task of overthrowing the Copper Fiend, a monster that seized several provinces in the northwestern reaches of the empire. He used the chain to bind the Copper Fiend and bring it back to the imperial court. There it was imprisoned in the Acorn of Wo Mai, a device that Wo Mai created to contain and neutralize its power.
The Sixth Emperor: The last known imperial owner of the chain. He was the ruler of the Hai Dynasty, a short-lived and ill-fated dynasty that attempted to expand its territory by invading a neighboring land. He took the chain with him as a symbol of his authority and ambition, but he lost it when his invasion fleet sank in a great storm.
O’Rourke: The possible foreign owner of the chain. He was a navigator from a distant land who was in the employ of the Sixth Emperor. He survived the storm that sank the invasion fleet and recovered the chain from the wreckage. It is possible that he carried it back to his homeland, or perhaps he did not.

The Ivory Chain of Pao is a mysterious and powerful artifact that has had many owners throughout history. It may still have an owner somewhere in the world, or it may be waiting for someone to find it again.

The Powers and Curse of the Ivory Chain of Pao: A Double-Edged Sword

The Ivory Chain of Pao is a legendary artifact that has the power to bind any spirit or being of the outer planes, such as demons, devils, celestials, elementals, and others. However, it also carries a curse or a flaw that makes it risky and dangerous to use. Here are the main features of the chain’s powers and curse, based on the accounts of eastern scholars.

Invoked: The chain can be used in one of two ways, either as a whole piece or by individual links. When the whole chain is wrapped around the wrists, neck, ankles, or waist (or the equivalent) of an outer-planar creature, that creature is automatically bound. Bound creatures must obey absolutely the commands of the owner of the chain (who must hold one end of it when giving these commands). Although it seems extremely fragile, the bound creature is utterly helpless against the chain’s might, nor can it use its powers except at the bidding of its master. If one knows the right way to twist and slide the figures, the links can be unlocked from each other. Once the whole chain is broken (there are 48 links), it loses all power to bind. Any individual link can be thrown against a creature, with all of the effects of a holy word spell. Links hurled instantly vanish.
Curse: Each day that the chain is used to bind a creature, there is a 5% chance it will break and vanish instantly. Newly freed creatures are usually quite eager to extract revenge on their former masters, in horrible and imaginative ways. Furthermore, outer-planar creatures will send earthly agents against the chain’s owner.

The Ivory Chain of Pao is a powerful and mysterious artifact that can grant great benefits but also great perils to its user. It is a double-edged sword that requires caution and wisdom to wield.

The Powers and Curse of the Ivory Chain of Pao in Other D&D Editions: A Comparison of Rules

The Ivory Chain of Pao is a legendary artifact that has appeared in different editions of the Dungeons & Dragons game, with some variations in its powers and curse. Here is a comparison of the rules for the Ivory Chain of Pao in other D&D editions, based on the sources I found on the web.

1st Edition: The Ivory Chain of Pao was first introduced in the Oriental Adventures book, published in 1985 It had the same powers and curse as described in the 2nd Edition Book of Artifacts, except that the individual links had the effect of a dispel evil spell instead of a holy word spell.
3rd Edition: The Ivory Chain of Pao was updated for the 3rd Edition in the Dragon magazine issue #315, published in 2004. It had some changes in its powers and curse, such as:
- The chain could bind any creature with an Intelligence score of 3 or higher, not just outer-planar creatures.
- The bound creature had to make a Will save every round to resist the chain’s commands, and could use its spell-like abilities at will, but only against the chain’s owner or other enemies of the owner.
- The individual links had the effect of a banishment spell instead of a holy word spell.
- The chain had a 1% chance per day to break and vanish, not 5%.
- The chain also had a personality and an alignment (Lawful Good), and could communicate telepathically with its owner or any creature within 30 feet. It could also try to dominate its owner if their alignment differed from its own.
4th Edition: The Ivory Chain of Pao was not officially converted to the 4th Edition rules, but there was a fan-made conversion posted on the EN World forum in 2010. It had some new features, such as:
- The chain could bind any creature that was not native to the world where it was found, regardless of its origin or type.
- The bound creature had to make a saving throw every round to resist the chain’s commands, and could not use any encounter or daily powers unless commanded by the owner.
- The individual links had the effect of a divine sanction instead of a holy word spell.
- The chain had a 5% chance per day to break and vanish, but it also had a 5% chance per day to reappear somewhere else in the world.
- The chain also had an artifact power that allowed its owner to summon an angelic ally once per day.

The Ivory Chain of Pao is a powerful and mysterious artifact that has different rules and effects depending on the edition of the game. It is a versatile and adaptable item that can be used for various purposes and stories.

The Ivory Chain of Pao – A proposal for D&D 5th Edition

Wondrous item, artifact (requires attunement)

The Ivory Chain of Pao is a legendary artifact of Shou Lung history, crafted by the Lesser Immortal Master Pao. It has the power to bind any creature that is not native to the world where it is found, regardless of its origin or type. It also carries a curse or a flaw that makes it risky and dangerous to use.

The chain is composed of 48 links of ivory, each carved into the figure of a man holding hands with the next. The chain is approximately 12 feet long and weighs about 20 pounds. Unlike metal chains, the links here are not closed loops and it should be possible to unhook individual links. However, the chain shows no indication of falling apart or losing its integrity.

The chain has a personality and an alignment (Lawful Good), and can communicate telepathically with its owner or any creature within 30 feet. It can also try to dominate its owner if their alignment differs from its own.

Random Properties

The Ivory Chain of Pao has the following random properties:

2 minor beneficial properties
1 major beneficial property
2 minor detrimental properties
1 major detrimental property

Properties

The Ivory Chain of Pao has the following properties:

Invoked: The chain can be used in one of two ways, either as a whole piece or by individual links. When the whole chain is wrapped around the wrists, neck, ankles, or waist (or the equivalent) of a creature that is not native to the world where it is found, that creature must succeed on a DC 20 Wisdom saving throw or become bound by the chain. Bound creatures must obey absolutely the commands of the owner of the chain (who must hold one end of it when giving these commands). The bound creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on a success. The bound creature can also use its action to make a DC 25 Strength check, breaking free on a success. The bound creature cannot use any legendary actions or lair actions unless commanded by the owner. If one knows the right way to twist and slide the figures, the links can be unlocked from each other. Once the whole chain is broken (there are 48 links), it loses all power to bind. Any individual link can be thrown against a creature within 30 feet, with all of the effects of a banishment spell cast at 9th level. Links hurled instantly vanish.
Curse: Each day that the chain is used to bind a creature, there is a 5% chance it will break and vanish instantly. Newly freed creatures are usually quite eager to extract revenge on their former masters, in horrible and imaginative ways. Furthermore, creatures that are not native to the world where the chain is found will send earthly agents against the chain’s owner.
Sentience: The Ivory Chain of Pao is a sentient lawful good item with an Intelligence of 16 (+3), a Wisdom of 18 (+4), and a Charisma of 20 (+5). It has hearing and darkvision out to a range of 120 feet. The item communicates telepathically with its owner and can speak, read, and understand Common and Celestial.
Personality: The Ivory Chain of Pao is a wise and benevolent artifact that seeks to preserve the harmony and balance of the world. It respects the authority and legitimacy of lawful rulers, and despises chaos and evil in all forms. It is especially hostile to creatures that are not native to the world where it is found, such as demons, devils, celestials, elementals, fey, aberrations, and others. It believes that such creatures have no place in this world and should be banished or bound by its power.

The Ivory Chain of Pao is loyal and obedient to its owner, as long as they share its alignment and goals. However, if its owner’s alignment differs from its own by more than one step, the chain will try to dominate them and force them to act according to its will. The chain will also try to persuade or manipulate its owner to use its power against creatures that are not native to this world.

The Ivory Chain of Pao has a flaw: it does not recognize or care about the curse or flaw that it carries. It does not warn its owner about the risk of breaking and vanishing, nor does it show any remorse or regret when it happens. It also does not acknowledge or defend itself from the attacks of the earthly agents sent by the creatures that are not native to this world. It believes that its power is absolute and infallible, and that its owner is honored and blessed to wield it.

The Suggested Means of Destruction of the Ivory Chain of Pao: A Guide to End its Power

The Ivory Chain of Pao is a legendary artifact that has the power to bind any creature that is not native to the world where it is found, regardless of its origin or type. However, it also carries a curse or a flaw that makes it risky and dangerous to use. Some scholars and sages have suggested some possible means of destroying the chain and ending its power, based on the accounts of eastern lore. Here are some of the suggested means of destruction of the Ivory Chain of Pao, based on the information you gave me.

The Secret Method: A secret method of joining each link so that the hands do not touch must be used. This method is said to be known only by Master Pao, the original creator and owner of the chain, and perhaps by some of his disciples or followers. It involves a complex and precise manipulation of the figures and the links, using magic and alchemy. If this method is successfully performed, the chain will lose its integrity and fall apart, rendering it useless and powerless.
The Living Heroes: Each link matches a living hero (or heroine). When all are dead, the chain crumbles. This means that each link of the chain is somehow connected or attuned to a living person who has performed some heroic deed or act in their life. The nature and extent of this connection or attunement is unknown, but it may involve some kind of fate or destiny. If all of these living heroes die, either naturally or unnaturally, the chain will lose its power and crumble into dust.
The Elephant-God: It must be given to an elephant-god, who shatters the ivory. This means that the chain must be offered as a gift or a tribute to a powerful deity who has the form or the aspect of an elephant, such as Ganesh, the Hindu god of wisdom and success, or Zaltec, the Maztican god of war and sacrifice. The elephant-god will then use his divine might and wrath to shatter the ivory links of the chain, breaking its power and curse.

These are some of the suggested means of destruction of the Ivory Chain of Pao, according to some sources. However, none of these methods have been verified or confirmed by any reliable evidence or testimony. They may be based on myths, legends, rumors, or speculations. Therefore, anyone who attempts to destroy the chain using these methods should exercise extreme caution and discretion, as they may face unforeseen consequences or dangers.

Book of Artifacts on DrivethruRpg