Last night we talked about Wu Yen, a 2001 film starring Anita Mui, Sammi Cheng and Cecilia Cheung. It was directed by Johnnie To and Was Ka-Fai, and is a blend of mo lei tau style comedy and the supernatural. Anita Mui plays Emperor Qi, who is seduced by Yin Chun (Cecilia Cheung), a fox spirit in love with empress Wu Yen (Sammi Cheng).
Saturday, June 16, 2018
Saturday, June 9, 2018
PAINTED SKIN DISCUSSION (WUXIA WEEKEND)
On Friday we talked about the 2008 Painted Skin film. It is based on the Pu Songling story of the same name. The story is about a demon who can't pain human skin disguises that allow her to seduce a scholar named Wang before ripping out his heart. The Painted Skin movie elaborates on this, adds characters and conflict, but is somewhat faithful to key elements of the original. You can listen to the entire discussion below. Next week we will talk about the Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai movie Wu Yen (starring Anita Mui, Sammi Cheng, and Cecilia Cheung).
You can also listen to our discussion of the sequel, Painted Skin: Resurrection, here:
You can also listen to our discussion of the sequel, Painted Skin: Resurrection, here:
Thursday, June 7, 2018
WUXIA INSPIRATION: PAINTED SKIN
Tomorrow we are going to discuss Painted Skin (2008) on the Wuxia Weekend podcast. It is based on a Pu Songling story from Strange Tales from the Chinese Studio (you can find a public domain translation HERE, or you can read it in a more recent translation HERE--note: for those interested in the original material I highly recommend the Library of Chinese Classics volumes as well).
This story and the movies had a very large influence on Wandering Heroes of Ogre Gate. It isn't wuxia, but like other tales from the Zhiguai-Chuanqi genre, like A Chinese Ghost Story, modern movie versions often feature very wuxi-like martial arts. Painted Skin (2008) is no exception. However it isn't the first, or last version.
The original story is about a demon that can paint human skin as a disguise and wear it to appear like a beautiful young woman, an old lady, or, seemingly, anything else it wants. It seduces a scholar and tries to rip out his heart. I won't spoil the details but there is a taoist priest who tries to protect him, as well as his wife who makes a valiant effort to save her husband. It is quite short but packs in a lot of content.
The 2008 version is probably the best known movie adaptation. Called Painted Skin, it stars Vicki Zhao, Donnie Yen, Chen Kun and Zhou Xun. It elaborates considerably on the story, and throws in some great action sequences. The 2008 version also saw a sequel, which took the story in a slightly different direction. The sequel is called Painted Skin: Resurrection, and I definitely think it is worth viewing as well.
There is also a 1993 version directed by King Hu (the director of Come Drink with Me, A touch of Zen, Dragon Inn, and the Fate of Lee Khan). This was, I believe, his final film. It is quite good in my opinion and has a classic horror feel (something you see in a lot of Kung Hu films, even ones like A Touch of Zen). It reminds me of the old silent horror films for some reason.
The earliest version, to my knowledge, is the 1966 Painted Skin (this one is usually referred to as Hua Pi, but that just means Painted Skin). It isn't available in English that I have been able to find, but it is still worth watching to see the depiction of the painted demon.
There are also television versions, like the 2011 Painted Skin and the Painted Skin episodes of the Strange Tales of Laio Zhai 2005 drama series.
As a monster, in an RPG, these work really well. I've made creatures that are directly modeled on the idea (in Ogre Gate they are called Painted Maidens). But I also used the idea for the Glorious Death Cult, a martial sect whose members disfigure their bodies through burning so they can then paint new faces at will.
The hardest part of running these kinds of monsters is knowing when players should be able to see through the disguise. I think there isn't one right way here, but my preferred approach is to disallow passive "Detect" or "Perception" rolls, and only allow a chance to notice the disguise if players actively say they are doing so.
Generally speaking, unless it would be obvious, I am not a huge fan of passive perception rolls. I do allow them, but I like when players engage the setting directly and I think passive rolls tend to discourage that because it is assumed their characters will just notice things. At the very least, I would advise assigning a penalty to a passive roll. There is a world of difference between catching a spider from the corner of your eye because you just happened to notice, and finding one under the couch because you were actively looking. I think the same logic should apply here.
 |
| Painted Skin 2008 |
The original story is about a demon that can paint human skin as a disguise and wear it to appear like a beautiful young woman, an old lady, or, seemingly, anything else it wants. It seduces a scholar and tries to rip out his heart. I won't spoil the details but there is a taoist priest who tries to protect him, as well as his wife who makes a valiant effort to save her husband. It is quite short but packs in a lot of content.
The 2008 version is probably the best known movie adaptation. Called Painted Skin, it stars Vicki Zhao, Donnie Yen, Chen Kun and Zhou Xun. It elaborates considerably on the story, and throws in some great action sequences. The 2008 version also saw a sequel, which took the story in a slightly different direction. The sequel is called Painted Skin: Resurrection, and I definitely think it is worth viewing as well.
 |
| Painted Skin (1993) |
There is also a 1993 version directed by King Hu (the director of Come Drink with Me, A touch of Zen, Dragon Inn, and the Fate of Lee Khan). This was, I believe, his final film. It is quite good in my opinion and has a classic horror feel (something you see in a lot of Kung Hu films, even ones like A Touch of Zen). It reminds me of the old silent horror films for some reason.
The earliest version, to my knowledge, is the 1966 Painted Skin (this one is usually referred to as Hua Pi, but that just means Painted Skin). It isn't available in English that I have been able to find, but it is still worth watching to see the depiction of the painted demon.
There are also television versions, like the 2011 Painted Skin and the Painted Skin episodes of the Strange Tales of Laio Zhai 2005 drama series.
As a monster, in an RPG, these work really well. I've made creatures that are directly modeled on the idea (in Ogre Gate they are called Painted Maidens). But I also used the idea for the Glorious Death Cult, a martial sect whose members disfigure their bodies through burning so they can then paint new faces at will.
 |
| Painted Skin 1966 |
Generally speaking, unless it would be obvious, I am not a huge fan of passive perception rolls. I do allow them, but I like when players engage the setting directly and I think passive rolls tend to discourage that because it is assumed their characters will just notice things. At the very least, I would advise assigning a penalty to a passive roll. There is a world of difference between catching a spider from the corner of your eye because you just happened to notice, and finding one under the couch because you were actively looking. I think the same logic should apply here.
Saturday, June 2, 2018
WUXIA MOVIES REVISITED, IRON MONKEY AND COBRA KAI
In the latest episodes of Wuxia Weekend we held a discussion to determine our favorite film we've reviewed on the program (it turns out we've reviewed over 60 films). We also talk about Iron Monkey, and finish our discussion of Cobra Kai.
You can support the podcast by contributing to our Patreon (HERE).
You can support the podcast by contributing to our Patreon (HERE).
Monday, May 28, 2018
THE MOON IS A PRISON: LUNAR REALM
This is an entry from the Profound Masters book. I decided to put it on the blog because I realized this is important should encounters with Supreme Judge Yu arise in a campaign (he goes after anyone who travels between realms without permission). It is somewhat incomplete as I am still working on the Profound Masters book, but should be enough for most GMs to make use of. As I mentioned in a previous blog entry, I am contemplating releasing some of our books on the blog itself. I have yet to make a final decision on whether Profound Masters will be released as a full book or as a series of blog posts (I should know by the time the Lady 87 book goes to layout).
The last entry is the realm's most ferocious prisoners, Plum Tree Monk.
Supreme Judge Yu is described fully in WANDERING HEROES OF OGRE GATE (pages 380-82).
LUNAR REALM AND SUPREME JUDGE YU
Lunar Realm is the moon of Qi Xien and home to Supreme Judge Yu and his wife Xing. Though it seems lifeless from a distance, up close it has many unusual features, including lakes and a small forest. Lunar Realm is a place of law and the hub of the Bureaucracy of Heaven’s legal system. Its primary purpose is to punish those who transgress the boundaries of the realms, but any celestial being or spirit who commits a grave offence could end up in its courts. Even humans are subject to its punishments when they travel beyond the Realm of Man. Many of the punishments found here mirror or are similar to those found in the afterlife itself.
For the most part, Lunar Realm is quite bleak, being filled with broken lands, mountains and frozen tundra. There are occasional oasis and glimpses of beauty, but it is something of a torment for Supreme Judge Yu that the place is so sterile. It wasn’t always this way. It was once vibrant, but that came to an end when Supreme Judge Yu and Xing met for the first time and waged a great war against each other here. The main site of the battle was the Grey Wastes, but the entire place was affected. The end result was desolation and marriage between the couple (also their followers were all killed and turned into Bone Demons). However, as a wedding gift to the couple, the Enlightened Goddess promised to restore the land if Supreme Judge Yu could solve a stone puzzle of her devising (this is located at Stone Lake).
Encounters in Lunar Realm
Roll Survival for Relevant Terrain every hour TN 6. On a failure roll on the following chart. If you get the result “Named Creature” this just indicates the creatures noted on the map are the encounter.
Roll 1d10 Encounter
1-2 Bone Demons (OGRE GATE INN, 186)
3-4 Lunar Magistrates*
5 Escapee (any random celestial, spirit, demon, etc).
6 Celestial Roc
7 Hungry Men
8-9 Named Creature (1d10)
10 Random Deity or important celestial/demonic being (here in official capacity)
*There is a 1% chance that this is either Supreme Judge Yu or his wife Xing.
PLACES IN LUNAR REALM
This is a quick overview of key areas in Lunar Realm.
City of Perpetual Righteousness: This is where Supreme Judge Yu’s palace is located. It is a mountain city occupying a corridor pass (so there is one central road with many steps leading through the city). Though a place of righteousness and law, Supreme Judge Yu enjoys both food and music. There is always ample entertainment here and plenty to do. The city is patrolled by Judge Yu’s Bone Demons and Celestial Rocs.
The Cliffs of Arraignment: This is a massive structure for holding anyone awaiting trial. It is a huge cliff-wall lined with individual cells, all heavily warded. The most feared prisoner of all is the Plum Tree Monk (see entry below). It is also guarded by Celestial Rocs.
Constant Trail: This road is filled with laborers carrying Jade and Salt. Most of the Jade goes to Xing Palace for repairs, while much of the salt goes to Taeyun.
The Forest of Disfigurement: This seems like a normal forest at first, but in reality the trees here have blades for leaves and spikes for conifer needles. This is the domain of Maiming Trees, who disfigure and maim anyone who passes by. Criminals sentenced to disfigurement or maiming are sent here. People sentenced to castration are sentenced here as well. See Maiming Trees below.
The Frozen Tundra of Death: This is a horrible landscape of cold broken earth. Anyone who walks here must make an Endurance Roll TN 8 every five minutes or freeze completely. The result is death, but a special kind of death that holds the soul in abeyance and doesn’t allow it to reincarnate for a number of centuries determined by the courts. People sentences to death are marched here. The cold here will kill anything. Even celestial beings cannot withstand it (including Supreme Judge Yu). Only Bone Demons seem immune to its effects.
The Grey Wastes of Lashing Thorns: The land here is dry, filled with deep canyons and ravines. It used to be a lush forest but there was a battle between Supreme Judge Yu and Xing here at their first meeting which resulted in the annihilation of both their followers at the time and their eventual marriage. If one looks closely at the landscape, there is a love poem carved by the couple at each major stage of the battle. The followers who died here became Bone Demons who are eternally loyal to the couple. These pose a significant threat to anyone passing through. Also there are Lashing Thorns here, which the only visible sign of life. These long ropey strands lash out at anyone nearby and rip the flesh.
Hills of Castration: Despite the name, these hills are actually pleasant and safe. In fact this is one of the few safe areas to travel in Lunar Realm. They are called the Hills of Castration because only castrated men can travel through here and reach the end. Anyone else walks endlessly but never reaches the other side where Proclamation Hall resides. The one exception is Supreme Judge Yu. He can pass here freely. Still there is nothing of danger in the hills for anyone who gets lost here.
The Hungry Men of Lunar Realm: As a special form of punishment, Supreme Judge Yu occasionally issues a facial brand of hunger upon beings guilty of minor but still exceptional crimes. Anyone with the brand is afflicted with a powerful hunger that can never be satisfied. The Hungry Men of Lunar Realm are made up of many different kinds of creatures (humans, demons, celestial beings, etc) but they all share a hunger and this results in them seeking to devour the flesh of anyone who enters the region and doesn’t have a brand (for some reason they do not desire the flesh of anyone wearing a facial brand of hunger). Occasionally, instead of sentencing people to death in the Frozen Tundra, when Supreme Judge Yu feels merciful, he sentences them to death here, where the Hungry Men eat their flesh.
Proclamation Hall: This is a wooden palace with many gardens and fine pools. It is the seat of the Proclamation Bureau, an organization that manages Supreme Judge Yu’s edicts, manages the records of all cases conducts in Taeyun (they have an outpost in that city), and basically does all the printing for Lunar Realm. Any text that is bound, comes from Proclamation Hall. All ministers of the Proclamation Bureau are eunuchs. It is headed by Grandmaster Wu Da, an official with perfect memory who is said to know the details of every case in Lunar Realm by heart.
Shard of the Illustrious Phoenix: This massive structure is a huge jutting, colorful crystal that rises from the ground and looms over all at five hundred feet high. It is filled with a confusing radiance that moves and reacts as people approach. This radiance is a collective made from the phoenix spirits that the shard has absorbed. The shard serves two basic functions: the primary purpose is as a vessel to house the phoenix spirits of criminals. When the ancient phoenix extraction punishment is invoked, this is where the person’s phoenix spirit is placed. Additionally, the shard is a source of wisdom, as the phoenix spirits retain many memories of their life experiences. Collectively they are known as Illustrious Phoenix, a being of exemplary wisdom and knowledge. Illustrious Phoenix will communicate with anyone who approaches but only answers important questions when Supreme Judge Yu’s talisman is presented.
The Sea of Endless Confession: This very salty sea is rimmed with salt and jade deposits. However the jade is extremely ephemeral, lasting only 1d10 months after they are extracted (at which point it disappears in a trail of mist). It is still highly prized by Xing because its beauty is unique in the world. People are often sent here to perform labor as punishment. In such cases they work the mines. The salt and jade must be hauled to Xing Palace, where labor-sentenced criminals watch the fruit of their previous efforts evaporate as they replace vanishing jade with new material. Some are also sent here to extract a confession for trial. When this is the case, they are usually placed in a small boat that floats out to the center of the sea. There a Red Ru-Fish (WHOG, page 379) confessor is assigned to the person, with the aim of driving them crazy until they speak. The Ru-Fish is often assisted by a magistrate or two if torture is required. While there are no dangerous monsters or creatures in the waters, the Red Ru-Fish confessors enjoy leading people to believe they are in danger from such things as it enhances their interrogations.
Stone Lake and Stone Lake Villa: This is where Supreme Judge Yu and Xing go when they need time to enjoy themselves. Stone Lake is perfectly clear lake, at the bottom of which is a curious stone garden arranged by Supreme Judge Yu himself. There are eight stones (6 round ones and two square ones). There is a gridline pattern made up of 9 rows. It is actually a puzzle created by the Enlightened Goddess to keep Judge Yu occupied. She has promised that the land will transform to a more lush and beautiful environment if he moves the stones into their proper place. Supreme Judge Yu is always moving the stones into different positions hoping to solve the puzzle. In truth, the stones are the riddle. Inside each stone is encased a celestial tool (largely farming implements and a special cauldron) that can be used to restore Lunar Realm.
Taeyun (City of Magistrates): This is a thriving metropolis in the heart of lunar kingdom. It looks much like any other city. It is governed by subordinate magistrates of Supreme Judge Yu, who oversee the courts. This is where Lunar Realm conducts its trials.
Valley of Suffering Worms: This is where anyone sentences to confinement is placed. They are wrapped in silken tubes and buried in the ground for the length of their sentence. Occasionally they burst from the ground as Silk Moth Demons (found HERE).
Xing Palace of Vanishing Jade: This is a splendid palace of Jade, where Xing resides. Every inch of the palace is made from Jade taken from the Sea of Endless Confession. However the Jade fades only after 1d10 months, requiring a constant and fresh supply of new jade to be brought to the Palace. As a result there is a constant trail of laborers repairing the palace.
Yu Palace: This is a palace made of Iron, Stone and Gold. It is where Supreme Judge Yu resides and forms a seal over a great underground prison for the truly dangerous celestial prisoners of Lunar Realm.
PLUM TREE MONK (THE RED GENERAL)
The Plum Tree Monk is insane. He believes he was once a celestial official and the leader of Plum Tree Temple, which was in charge of managing the Enlightened Goddess’ plum orchard. The plums could only be handled by those who had purified their minds and embraced the teachings of Hen-Shi (for the Plum Orchard was under her care). He despised every minute of it and plotted for centuries to escape. He fled to the base of Mount Dao and masqueraded as the abbot of a temple (attracting disciples who he imbued with powers). Supreme Judge Yu tracked him down and imprisoned him. For Plum Tree Monk this was a great humiliation and he wants revenge against Hen-Shi. He is hoping to obtain the Life Keeping Stone so he can absorb its powers.
Plum Tree Monk's Real Identity: The truth is much darker. The Plum Tree Monk was once the Red General who fell in love with Empress Sunan (The Dutiful Goddess) and guarded over her in Meidu after his death. Recently the Dutiful Goddess was betrayed by one of her servants who carved out her heart and brought it to earth to make use of its powers. The Red General found her body was driven mad by the sight. He went crazy and launched and attack against the Enlightened Goddess. This is the reason for his imprisonment by Judge Yu. The reason for his desire to obtain the Life Keeping Stone is it is the heart of the Dutiful Empress.
Defenses: Hardiness 9, Evade 8, Parry 8, Stealth 6, Wits 6, Resolve 10
Key Skills: Grapple: 4d10, Arm Strike: 5d10, Leg Strike: 4d10, Light Melee: 4d10, Medium Melee: 6d10, Speed: 4d10, Fly: 3d10, Muscle: 5d10, Endurance: 4d10, Ride (Horse): 6d10, Ride (Bixie): 7d10, Meditation: 4d10, Divination: 4d10, Command: 5d10, Detect: 3d10, Read Scripts (All): 3d10, Languages (All): 3d10, Religion (All): 2d10, Institutions (Bureaucracy of Heaven): 3d10
Qi: 25
Max Wounds: 51
Weapons: Qiang (8d10 Damage)
Key Kung Fu Techniques (Waijia 2, Neigong 2):
Plum Tree Monk knows all Waijia and Neigong.
Purple Hand of Death: The Plum Tree Monk can hit with a purple stream of energy on an Arm Strike Roll against Parry (up to 15 feet away) and each round he succeeds the target is stuck, losing 7 wounds that restore the Plum Tree Monks health. This does not work on anyone of higher Qi level.
Purple Breath: The Plum Tree Monk can unleash a plume of purple mist in all directions that burns the eyes and blinds those affected for 2 rounds. This is a free action.
The Endless Claw of the Plum Tree Monk: The Plum Tree Monk’s nail strikes like a sword blade and continues to scrawl wounds upon the body for days. Make an Arm Strike roll against Parry. On a success, the target is hit for 7d10 Open Damage, and takes 5d10 Open Damage every day for 10 days thereafter.
Supreme Rebuttal: Any attack the Plum Tree Monk can wave his hand and send back the weapon at the target (for its normal damage). Make an Arm Strike Roll against attack roll. On a success the weapon is hurled toward the target (whether it be arrow, hand or sword).
Change Shape: Can assume the form of a loris monkey.
BONE DEMON
Bone Demons are fully described in OGRE GATE INN AND THE STRANGE LAND OF LI FAN (page 186). But their stats and abilities are repeated here so you don't need that material to use them.
CELESTIAL ROC
These giant talking birds look like normal Rocs except their plumage is more brilliant (with red, gold and blue being common). They eat flesh as well, but are only nourished by meat of the unrighteous (anyone with a negative Karma rating). Celestial Rocs are inhabitants of Lunar Realm where they guard the Cliffs of Arraignment and patrol the region for escapees. Celestial Rocs are trained in the classics and other scholarly pursuits as part of their upbringing in Lunar Realm.
Defenses: Hardiness 8, Evade 9, Parry 4, Stealth 9, Wits 7, Resolve 10
Key Skills: Bite: 5d10, Claws: 5d10, Speed: 3d10 (60 feet), Fly: 8d10 (110 Feet), Command: 4d10, Detect: 7d10, Empathy: 4d10, Muscle 6d10, Classics (All): 3d10, Talent (Poetry): 3d10, Talent (Singing): 4d10
Max Wounds: 40
Powers
Beast Strength (x18)
Bite: The powerful beak of a Celestial Roc does 10d10 Open Damage on a successful Attack. Total Successes on Damage rolls each do 2 Extra Wounds rather than 1. Their bite can overcome any immunity.
Claws: A Celestial Roc’s claws do 6d10 Open Damage on a successful Attack. In addition, they can choose to restrain their target when they succeed in such an attack.
Immunities: Celestial Rocs are immune to Mundane attacks and can only be harmed by Kung Fu Techniques, magic or Jade Weapons.
Sense Evil: On a Successful Empathy roll, Celestial Roc’s can determine the Karma rating of an individual.
Scholarly: Celestial Rocs have a smattering of scholarly knowledge (a requirement of their training by decree of Supreme Judge Yu). The degree of mastery can vary from one Celestial Roc to the next, and some take interest in surprising areas of specialization, but the skills provided in this statblock offer a general guideline in this respect.
MAIMING TREE
These look like normal deciduous trees and evergreen trees But on close inspection their leaves, in the case of deciduous trees, or their needles, in the case of conifers, form sharp blades or spikes. The trees lash out and maim anyone who passes near them.
Defenses: Hardiness 8, Evade 5, Parry 8, Stealth 10, Wits 6, Resolve 10
Key Skills: Lashing Leaves/Spikes: 4d10, Speed: 3d10 (60 feet), Muscle: 2d10, Detect: 2d10
Max Wounds: 8
Powers
Lashing Leaves/Spikes: The leaves of Maiming Trees can attack like swords (leaves) or as ranged spikes (in the case of conifers). Both have the same attack roll, leaves can hit anyone within 10 feet and are made against Parry. On a success they do 4d10 Open Damage. On a Total Success they maim the target (taking a limb). Conifer needles can strike at a range of 60 feet and are made against evade. They do 2d10 Open Damage on a success, and disfigure the person’s face and body on a Total Success.
The last entry is the realm's most ferocious prisoners, Plum Tree Monk.
Supreme Judge Yu is described fully in WANDERING HEROES OF OGRE GATE (pages 380-82).
LUNAR REALM AND SUPREME JUDGE YU
Lunar Realm is the moon of Qi Xien and home to Supreme Judge Yu and his wife Xing. Though it seems lifeless from a distance, up close it has many unusual features, including lakes and a small forest. Lunar Realm is a place of law and the hub of the Bureaucracy of Heaven’s legal system. Its primary purpose is to punish those who transgress the boundaries of the realms, but any celestial being or spirit who commits a grave offence could end up in its courts. Even humans are subject to its punishments when they travel beyond the Realm of Man. Many of the punishments found here mirror or are similar to those found in the afterlife itself.
For the most part, Lunar Realm is quite bleak, being filled with broken lands, mountains and frozen tundra. There are occasional oasis and glimpses of beauty, but it is something of a torment for Supreme Judge Yu that the place is so sterile. It wasn’t always this way. It was once vibrant, but that came to an end when Supreme Judge Yu and Xing met for the first time and waged a great war against each other here. The main site of the battle was the Grey Wastes, but the entire place was affected. The end result was desolation and marriage between the couple (also their followers were all killed and turned into Bone Demons). However, as a wedding gift to the couple, the Enlightened Goddess promised to restore the land if Supreme Judge Yu could solve a stone puzzle of her devising (this is located at Stone Lake).
Encounters in Lunar Realm
Roll Survival for Relevant Terrain every hour TN 6. On a failure roll on the following chart. If you get the result “Named Creature” this just indicates the creatures noted on the map are the encounter.
Roll 1d10 Encounter
1-2 Bone Demons (OGRE GATE INN, 186)
3-4 Lunar Magistrates*
5 Escapee (any random celestial, spirit, demon, etc).
6 Celestial Roc
7 Hungry Men
8-9 Named Creature (1d10)
10 Random Deity or important celestial/demonic being (here in official capacity)
*There is a 1% chance that this is either Supreme Judge Yu or his wife Xing.
PLACES IN LUNAR REALM
This is a quick overview of key areas in Lunar Realm.
City of Perpetual Righteousness: This is where Supreme Judge Yu’s palace is located. It is a mountain city occupying a corridor pass (so there is one central road with many steps leading through the city). Though a place of righteousness and law, Supreme Judge Yu enjoys both food and music. There is always ample entertainment here and plenty to do. The city is patrolled by Judge Yu’s Bone Demons and Celestial Rocs.
The Cliffs of Arraignment: This is a massive structure for holding anyone awaiting trial. It is a huge cliff-wall lined with individual cells, all heavily warded. The most feared prisoner of all is the Plum Tree Monk (see entry below). It is also guarded by Celestial Rocs.
Constant Trail: This road is filled with laborers carrying Jade and Salt. Most of the Jade goes to Xing Palace for repairs, while much of the salt goes to Taeyun.
 |
| Supreme Judge Yu Illustration by Jackie Musto |
The Forest of Disfigurement: This seems like a normal forest at first, but in reality the trees here have blades for leaves and spikes for conifer needles. This is the domain of Maiming Trees, who disfigure and maim anyone who passes by. Criminals sentenced to disfigurement or maiming are sent here. People sentenced to castration are sentenced here as well. See Maiming Trees below.
The Frozen Tundra of Death: This is a horrible landscape of cold broken earth. Anyone who walks here must make an Endurance Roll TN 8 every five minutes or freeze completely. The result is death, but a special kind of death that holds the soul in abeyance and doesn’t allow it to reincarnate for a number of centuries determined by the courts. People sentences to death are marched here. The cold here will kill anything. Even celestial beings cannot withstand it (including Supreme Judge Yu). Only Bone Demons seem immune to its effects.
The Grey Wastes of Lashing Thorns: The land here is dry, filled with deep canyons and ravines. It used to be a lush forest but there was a battle between Supreme Judge Yu and Xing here at their first meeting which resulted in the annihilation of both their followers at the time and their eventual marriage. If one looks closely at the landscape, there is a love poem carved by the couple at each major stage of the battle. The followers who died here became Bone Demons who are eternally loyal to the couple. These pose a significant threat to anyone passing through. Also there are Lashing Thorns here, which the only visible sign of life. These long ropey strands lash out at anyone nearby and rip the flesh.
Hills of Castration: Despite the name, these hills are actually pleasant and safe. In fact this is one of the few safe areas to travel in Lunar Realm. They are called the Hills of Castration because only castrated men can travel through here and reach the end. Anyone else walks endlessly but never reaches the other side where Proclamation Hall resides. The one exception is Supreme Judge Yu. He can pass here freely. Still there is nothing of danger in the hills for anyone who gets lost here.
The Hungry Men of Lunar Realm: As a special form of punishment, Supreme Judge Yu occasionally issues a facial brand of hunger upon beings guilty of minor but still exceptional crimes. Anyone with the brand is afflicted with a powerful hunger that can never be satisfied. The Hungry Men of Lunar Realm are made up of many different kinds of creatures (humans, demons, celestial beings, etc) but they all share a hunger and this results in them seeking to devour the flesh of anyone who enters the region and doesn’t have a brand (for some reason they do not desire the flesh of anyone wearing a facial brand of hunger). Occasionally, instead of sentencing people to death in the Frozen Tundra, when Supreme Judge Yu feels merciful, he sentences them to death here, where the Hungry Men eat their flesh.
Proclamation Hall: This is a wooden palace with many gardens and fine pools. It is the seat of the Proclamation Bureau, an organization that manages Supreme Judge Yu’s edicts, manages the records of all cases conducts in Taeyun (they have an outpost in that city), and basically does all the printing for Lunar Realm. Any text that is bound, comes from Proclamation Hall. All ministers of the Proclamation Bureau are eunuchs. It is headed by Grandmaster Wu Da, an official with perfect memory who is said to know the details of every case in Lunar Realm by heart.
Shard of the Illustrious Phoenix: This massive structure is a huge jutting, colorful crystal that rises from the ground and looms over all at five hundred feet high. It is filled with a confusing radiance that moves and reacts as people approach. This radiance is a collective made from the phoenix spirits that the shard has absorbed. The shard serves two basic functions: the primary purpose is as a vessel to house the phoenix spirits of criminals. When the ancient phoenix extraction punishment is invoked, this is where the person’s phoenix spirit is placed. Additionally, the shard is a source of wisdom, as the phoenix spirits retain many memories of their life experiences. Collectively they are known as Illustrious Phoenix, a being of exemplary wisdom and knowledge. Illustrious Phoenix will communicate with anyone who approaches but only answers important questions when Supreme Judge Yu’s talisman is presented.
The Sea of Endless Confession: This very salty sea is rimmed with salt and jade deposits. However the jade is extremely ephemeral, lasting only 1d10 months after they are extracted (at which point it disappears in a trail of mist). It is still highly prized by Xing because its beauty is unique in the world. People are often sent here to perform labor as punishment. In such cases they work the mines. The salt and jade must be hauled to Xing Palace, where labor-sentenced criminals watch the fruit of their previous efforts evaporate as they replace vanishing jade with new material. Some are also sent here to extract a confession for trial. When this is the case, they are usually placed in a small boat that floats out to the center of the sea. There a Red Ru-Fish (WHOG, page 379) confessor is assigned to the person, with the aim of driving them crazy until they speak. The Ru-Fish is often assisted by a magistrate or two if torture is required. While there are no dangerous monsters or creatures in the waters, the Red Ru-Fish confessors enjoy leading people to believe they are in danger from such things as it enhances their interrogations.
Stone Lake and Stone Lake Villa: This is where Supreme Judge Yu and Xing go when they need time to enjoy themselves. Stone Lake is perfectly clear lake, at the bottom of which is a curious stone garden arranged by Supreme Judge Yu himself. There are eight stones (6 round ones and two square ones). There is a gridline pattern made up of 9 rows. It is actually a puzzle created by the Enlightened Goddess to keep Judge Yu occupied. She has promised that the land will transform to a more lush and beautiful environment if he moves the stones into their proper place. Supreme Judge Yu is always moving the stones into different positions hoping to solve the puzzle. In truth, the stones are the riddle. Inside each stone is encased a celestial tool (largely farming implements and a special cauldron) that can be used to restore Lunar Realm.
Taeyun (City of Magistrates): This is a thriving metropolis in the heart of lunar kingdom. It looks much like any other city. It is governed by subordinate magistrates of Supreme Judge Yu, who oversee the courts. This is where Lunar Realm conducts its trials.
Valley of Suffering Worms: This is where anyone sentences to confinement is placed. They are wrapped in silken tubes and buried in the ground for the length of their sentence. Occasionally they burst from the ground as Silk Moth Demons (found HERE).
Xing Palace of Vanishing Jade: This is a splendid palace of Jade, where Xing resides. Every inch of the palace is made from Jade taken from the Sea of Endless Confession. However the Jade fades only after 1d10 months, requiring a constant and fresh supply of new jade to be brought to the Palace. As a result there is a constant trail of laborers repairing the palace.
Yu Palace: This is a palace made of Iron, Stone and Gold. It is where Supreme Judge Yu resides and forms a seal over a great underground prison for the truly dangerous celestial prisoners of Lunar Realm.
CREATURES OF LUNAR REALM
PLUM TREE MONK (THE RED GENERAL)
The Plum Tree Monk is insane. He believes he was once a celestial official and the leader of Plum Tree Temple, which was in charge of managing the Enlightened Goddess’ plum orchard. The plums could only be handled by those who had purified their minds and embraced the teachings of Hen-Shi (for the Plum Orchard was under her care). He despised every minute of it and plotted for centuries to escape. He fled to the base of Mount Dao and masqueraded as the abbot of a temple (attracting disciples who he imbued with powers). Supreme Judge Yu tracked him down and imprisoned him. For Plum Tree Monk this was a great humiliation and he wants revenge against Hen-Shi. He is hoping to obtain the Life Keeping Stone so he can absorb its powers.
Plum Tree Monk's Real Identity: The truth is much darker. The Plum Tree Monk was once the Red General who fell in love with Empress Sunan (The Dutiful Goddess) and guarded over her in Meidu after his death. Recently the Dutiful Goddess was betrayed by one of her servants who carved out her heart and brought it to earth to make use of its powers. The Red General found her body was driven mad by the sight. He went crazy and launched and attack against the Enlightened Goddess. This is the reason for his imprisonment by Judge Yu. The reason for his desire to obtain the Life Keeping Stone is it is the heart of the Dutiful Empress.
Defenses: Hardiness 9, Evade 8, Parry 8, Stealth 6, Wits 6, Resolve 10
Key Skills: Grapple: 4d10, Arm Strike: 5d10, Leg Strike: 4d10, Light Melee: 4d10, Medium Melee: 6d10, Speed: 4d10, Fly: 3d10, Muscle: 5d10, Endurance: 4d10, Ride (Horse): 6d10, Ride (Bixie): 7d10, Meditation: 4d10, Divination: 4d10, Command: 5d10, Detect: 3d10, Read Scripts (All): 3d10, Languages (All): 3d10, Religion (All): 2d10, Institutions (Bureaucracy of Heaven): 3d10
Qi: 25
Max Wounds: 51
Weapons: Qiang (8d10 Damage)
Key Kung Fu Techniques (Waijia 2, Neigong 2):
Plum Tree Monk knows all Waijia and Neigong.
Purple Hand of Death: The Plum Tree Monk can hit with a purple stream of energy on an Arm Strike Roll against Parry (up to 15 feet away) and each round he succeeds the target is stuck, losing 7 wounds that restore the Plum Tree Monks health. This does not work on anyone of higher Qi level.
Purple Breath: The Plum Tree Monk can unleash a plume of purple mist in all directions that burns the eyes and blinds those affected for 2 rounds. This is a free action.
The Endless Claw of the Plum Tree Monk: The Plum Tree Monk’s nail strikes like a sword blade and continues to scrawl wounds upon the body for days. Make an Arm Strike roll against Parry. On a success, the target is hit for 7d10 Open Damage, and takes 5d10 Open Damage every day for 10 days thereafter.
Supreme Rebuttal: Any attack the Plum Tree Monk can wave his hand and send back the weapon at the target (for its normal damage). Make an Arm Strike Roll against attack roll. On a success the weapon is hurled toward the target (whether it be arrow, hand or sword).
Change Shape: Can assume the form of a loris monkey.
BONE DEMON
Bone Demons are fully described in OGRE GATE INN AND THE STRANGE LAND OF LI FAN (page 186). But their stats and abilities are repeated here so you don't need that material to use them.
Defenses: Hardiness 8, Evade 6, Parry 6, Stealth 9, Wits 7, Resolve 9
Key Skills: Bite: 5d10 (6d10 Open Damage plus Karma drain), Bone Strike: 5d10, Arm Strike: 3d10, Fly: 4d10 (70 feet), Speed: 6d10 (90 feet), Detect: 2d10, Muscle: 3d10, Meditation: 2d10, Creatures (Humans): 3d10
Max Wounds: 12 +1 for every Karma consumed
Powers
Bite and Virtuous Hunger: The bite of a Bone demon inflicts 6d10 Open Damage and drains 1 point of Positive Karma. Every point of Karma the Bone Demon drains increases its max wounds by 1 permanently. If it consumes a person who has good Karma in a single sitting, it extends its life by 1 month. If it consumes someone who is truly virtuous (a person with 10 Karma) in a single sitting, it extends its life by 200 years.
Waste Away: Bone Demons are on the brink of death and must consume virtuous flesh to survive. A normal person can extend their life by a month, a virtuous person can extend their life by 200 years. Without eating the flesh and extending their life in this way, they must make a Meditation Roll TN 7 every week or die.
Illusions: A Bone Demon can weave a very convincing illusion to make it appear like a normal human. This can be any type of human it wishes (old, young, beautiful, ugly, tall, short, etc). However the illusionary transformation inflicts a single wound on the Bone Demon. It lasts for as long as the Bone Demon wishes or until someone magically forces it to end. This illusion cannot be detected by normal means. Only the most powerful magic can see through it.
Bone Spear: The ribs and other bones of a bone demon can shoot out suddenly and impale foes (striking everyone within a ten foot area). Roll Bone Strike against Parry. On a Success this inflicts 4d10 Plus 2 Wounds. On a Total Success it inflicts 4d10 Open Damage plus 3 wounds (and an Extra wound for each additional Total Success).
CELESTIAL ROC
These giant talking birds look like normal Rocs except their plumage is more brilliant (with red, gold and blue being common). They eat flesh as well, but are only nourished by meat of the unrighteous (anyone with a negative Karma rating). Celestial Rocs are inhabitants of Lunar Realm where they guard the Cliffs of Arraignment and patrol the region for escapees. Celestial Rocs are trained in the classics and other scholarly pursuits as part of their upbringing in Lunar Realm.
Defenses: Hardiness 8, Evade 9, Parry 4, Stealth 9, Wits 7, Resolve 10
Key Skills: Bite: 5d10, Claws: 5d10, Speed: 3d10 (60 feet), Fly: 8d10 (110 Feet), Command: 4d10, Detect: 7d10, Empathy: 4d10, Muscle 6d10, Classics (All): 3d10, Talent (Poetry): 3d10, Talent (Singing): 4d10
Max Wounds: 40
Powers
Beast Strength (x18)
Bite: The powerful beak of a Celestial Roc does 10d10 Open Damage on a successful Attack. Total Successes on Damage rolls each do 2 Extra Wounds rather than 1. Their bite can overcome any immunity.
Claws: A Celestial Roc’s claws do 6d10 Open Damage on a successful Attack. In addition, they can choose to restrain their target when they succeed in such an attack.
Immunities: Celestial Rocs are immune to Mundane attacks and can only be harmed by Kung Fu Techniques, magic or Jade Weapons.
Sense Evil: On a Successful Empathy roll, Celestial Roc’s can determine the Karma rating of an individual.
Scholarly: Celestial Rocs have a smattering of scholarly knowledge (a requirement of their training by decree of Supreme Judge Yu). The degree of mastery can vary from one Celestial Roc to the next, and some take interest in surprising areas of specialization, but the skills provided in this statblock offer a general guideline in this respect.
LASHING THORNS
These long vines grow in clusters in the Grey Wastes. They have sharp thorns and feed on the blood and Qi energy of their victims.
Defenses: Hardiness 5, Evade 5, Parry 5, Stealth 10, Wits 6, Resolve 6
Key Skills: Lash: 6d10, Speed: 1d10 (40 feet*), Detect: 1d10, Muscle: 5d10
Max Wounds: 10
*Cannot move
Lash: On a successful Strike Lashing Thorns do 3d10 plus 3 Extra wounds. Each cluster can make up to four attacks and at a range of 50 feet.
MAIMING TREE
These look like normal deciduous trees and evergreen trees But on close inspection their leaves, in the case of deciduous trees, or their needles, in the case of conifers, form sharp blades or spikes. The trees lash out and maim anyone who passes near them.
Defenses: Hardiness 8, Evade 5, Parry 8, Stealth 10, Wits 6, Resolve 10
Key Skills: Lashing Leaves/Spikes: 4d10, Speed: 3d10 (60 feet), Muscle: 2d10, Detect: 2d10
Max Wounds: 8
Powers
Lashing Leaves/Spikes: The leaves of Maiming Trees can attack like swords (leaves) or as ranged spikes (in the case of conifers). Both have the same attack roll, leaves can hit anyone within 10 feet and are made against Parry. On a success they do 4d10 Open Damage. On a Total Success they maim the target (taking a limb). Conifer needles can strike at a range of 60 feet and are made against evade. They do 2d10 Open Damage on a success, and disfigure the person’s face and body on a Total Success.
Sunday, May 20, 2018
TAI CHI MASTER, IRON TRIANGLE MOVIES AND COBRA KAI
This week, we did three episodes of Wuxia Weekend. For our regular Friday film, we talked about Tai Chi Master, a great Yuen Woo-Ping film starring Jet Li, Chin Liu-Ho and Michelle Yeoh. Lady Cao Feng and I held a special discussion of Iron Triangle movies, where we talk about films directed by Chang Cheh that star Ti Lung and David Chiang. Also, we decided to pick up on our earlier discussion of the Karate Kid movies last year and follow Cobra Kai.
For those who are interested, you can also listen to our earlier discussion of Karate Kid:
For those who are interested, you can also listen to our earlier discussion of Karate Kid:
Thursday, May 17, 2018
A NEW OGRE GATE TOOL AND SONS OF LADY EIGHTY SEVEN UPDATE
I just wanted to give folks an update on Sons of Lady Eighty Seven.
Adam Baulderstone made this very useful reference tool for Wandering Heroes of Ogre Gate. It is very useful for quickly finding Kung Fu techniques. It also helps you find techniques by sect. You can find it HERE.
SONS OF LADY EIGHTY SEVEN
As I mentioned in an earlier announcement, I am going to be focusing on a one or two things at a time, for health reasons. I still have projects I am intending to release, some however might just end up as blog entries. Sons of Lady Eighty Seven will be a full module (likely 100 pages). We've just started work on the official maps, and I have completed the majority of design and writing.
Sons of Lady Eighty Seven is a campaign book, meant as an illustration of how I manage wuxia campaigns. It is intended to show people what I meant in the WHOG core book GM Chapter. It is set within the empire itself (our only other book set inside the empire is a city adventure called Tournament of Daolu).
The inspiration for it comes from a variety of sources. The first is historical. Lady Eighty Seven is a real figure from history (you can see my previous discussion about her HERE). It is also heavily inspired by stories like Meteor, Butterfly Sword, and the Seven Killers. If you want an idea of what to expect you can follow the blog entries and podcast of the Sons of Lady Eighty Seven campaign.
The campaign is meant for a party that is involved in the darker corners of the martial world, and assumes involvement in criminal activity. There is still plenty of opportunities for heroics, but it takes a campaign of bandits and thieves as its default assumption.
At 100 pages the book has a lot of entries. It gives a good foundation for a campaign and also provides an overview of a complete prefecture (Fan Xu). I tried to keep entries shorter and took a page from Gu Long when describing my characters. The longer I've run Ogre Gate, the more I've leaned toward this.
This will probably be the last official release that details an Imperial Prefecture. Partly this is because of my need to reduce workload. But it is also not much of a change, because I've never really been interested in fleshing out every corner of the campaign through our releases. My hope is more to give people guideposts on how they might flesh out these areas if they want to focus on them.
I do think this is probably the best representation of the setting and the genre I've done so far. I've had a lot of time to make mistakes and figure out what works. The material in this book was by far the easiest for me to run at the table, because I tried to apply those lessons. It also, in my opinion, best reflects the kinds of things in wuxia and related genres that I find appealing.
STRANGE TALES NEWS
The art for this is almost done, and it looks stunning. I am always a bit nervous when I go into projects because you start with an image in your head of how it will look and along the way, it is easy to mess it up. I've been very lucky with art in recent years. Jackie Musto has been doing our interiors and the interior images of Strange Tales capture the feel perfectly. I think it is a challenging genre to convey visually.
Strange Tales is very close to done, and is in the final rounds of play testing. Strange Tales is very different from Ogre Gate but it is based on the same core system. I basically wanted something that was lighter, easier to make characters for and deadly. It is much more rules light. It also isn't as setting dense as Ogre Gate was. This is more of a simple rulebook with adventures and monsters that help illustrate the setting intentions. But I am assuming every GM will use the material differently. So we devoted all of our pages (we have a limit of 100 on this one) to rules, monsters and adventures. If you like Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, or movies like A Chinese Ghost Story and Painted Skin, this is a game you might be interested in.
Adam Baulderstone made this very useful reference tool for Wandering Heroes of Ogre Gate. It is very useful for quickly finding Kung Fu techniques. It also helps you find techniques by sect. You can find it HERE.
SONS OF LADY EIGHTY SEVEN
As I mentioned in an earlier announcement, I am going to be focusing on a one or two things at a time, for health reasons. I still have projects I am intending to release, some however might just end up as blog entries. Sons of Lady Eighty Seven will be a full module (likely 100 pages). We've just started work on the official maps, and I have completed the majority of design and writing.
Sons of Lady Eighty Seven is a campaign book, meant as an illustration of how I manage wuxia campaigns. It is intended to show people what I meant in the WHOG core book GM Chapter. It is set within the empire itself (our only other book set inside the empire is a city adventure called Tournament of Daolu).
The inspiration for it comes from a variety of sources. The first is historical. Lady Eighty Seven is a real figure from history (you can see my previous discussion about her HERE). It is also heavily inspired by stories like Meteor, Butterfly Sword, and the Seven Killers. If you want an idea of what to expect you can follow the blog entries and podcast of the Sons of Lady Eighty Seven campaign.
The campaign is meant for a party that is involved in the darker corners of the martial world, and assumes involvement in criminal activity. There is still plenty of opportunities for heroics, but it takes a campaign of bandits and thieves as its default assumption.
At 100 pages the book has a lot of entries. It gives a good foundation for a campaign and also provides an overview of a complete prefecture (Fan Xu). I tried to keep entries shorter and took a page from Gu Long when describing my characters. The longer I've run Ogre Gate, the more I've leaned toward this.
This will probably be the last official release that details an Imperial Prefecture. Partly this is because of my need to reduce workload. But it is also not much of a change, because I've never really been interested in fleshing out every corner of the campaign through our releases. My hope is more to give people guideposts on how they might flesh out these areas if they want to focus on them.
I do think this is probably the best representation of the setting and the genre I've done so far. I've had a lot of time to make mistakes and figure out what works. The material in this book was by far the easiest for me to run at the table, because I tried to apply those lessons. It also, in my opinion, best reflects the kinds of things in wuxia and related genres that I find appealing.
STRANGE TALES NEWS
 |
| Heads of Waterfall Bay by Jackie Musto |
Strange Tales is very close to done, and is in the final rounds of play testing. Strange Tales is very different from Ogre Gate but it is based on the same core system. I basically wanted something that was lighter, easier to make characters for and deadly. It is much more rules light. It also isn't as setting dense as Ogre Gate was. This is more of a simple rulebook with adventures and monsters that help illustrate the setting intentions. But I am assuming every GM will use the material differently. So we devoted all of our pages (we have a limit of 100 on this one) to rules, monsters and adventures. If you like Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, or movies like A Chinese Ghost Story and Painted Skin, this is a game you might be interested in.
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