Shan Tien

Shan Tien, or Lightning, was a legendary magical spear of Shou Lung history.

Powers
Of artifact-level power, Shan Tien was a +4 spear with a number of magical powers. It could break any weapon thrice a day. It also could be used for teleportation three times a day and could heal someone to full health once a day. It was of lawful good nature.

History
The ancient Shou hero Chung Hsin Te was the first known wielder of Shan Tien. In time, he passed it on to Tan Chin, the heroic emperor of the First Kingdom of Shou Lung.

In Shou Year −120 (−1370 DR), Tan Chin wielded Shan Tien when he fought the Black Leopard Cult at Durkon. There, with a sweep of Shan Tien, Tan Chin cut the Ivory Chain of Pao and freed the Black Leopard, who quickly seized the corrupt high priest Nan Kung Chi and dragged him screaming into the night, giving Tan Chin victory over the remaining cult.

However, when Tan Chin grew corrupted to evil, he was no longer able to wield Shan Tien. It was stored in the Library of Kuo Meilan, the imperial capital.

When the First Kingdom fell and Kuo Meilan destroyed, Shan Tien was stolen and never seen again.

Notable Owners

 * Chung Hsin Te
 * Emperor Tan Chin

Background
Although only called a spear in text, the artwork appears to show a Chinese guandao, which is more similar to a Japanese naginata or European glaive. In the 3-edition D&D sources Arms and Equipment Guide and Oriental Adventures, the guandao is equivalent to the guisarme. All these seem more likely for breaking the chain. However, as the Ivory Chain of Pao is also misrepresented, Shan Tien should be presumed to be as well.