I started a Bedrock Podcast at Podbean where I mainly do reviews and design discussion. Occasionally I also do interviews. You can check it out HERE.
This week I reviewed three movies. The first was My Young Auntie, a classic martial arts comedy directed by Lau Kar-Leung and starring Kara Hui (who won a Best Actress award for her role). This is a very fun movie that brings together numerous genre elements. The fight sequences are great, with strong performances, but there is so much going on in this one, they can be easily overlooked.
The second was Tigress of Shaolin, directed by Law Kei and also starring Kara Hui. I wasn't as big a fan of this one, though it has some cool concepts and the fight scenes were entertaining.
The Third was the action film, A Moment of Romance, directed by Benny Chan and starting Andy Lau. This is another classic and well worth checking out.
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Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Saturday, March 18, 2017
STORMS OF THE MARTIAL WORLD SESSION 15: THE DANCE OF KE-YEN
This was the Fifteenth session of a new Wandering Heroes of Ogre Gate campaign. See the THIRTEENTH SESSION LOG to read about the previous session.
Wandering Heroes of Ogre Gate is our wuxia RPG. It is available HERE in PDF.
Characters
Peng Ke-Yen: Eccentric daughter of a merchant who goes against conventions and is notable for her white and black streaked hair. From Dashen village.
Peng Pei: Daughter of two low Yen-Li priests. Also from Dashen village.
Peng Biyu: Peng Pei's mother.
Zhendao: A former slave of a man named Zhao.
Shin Du: A performer and actor who is a perfect shot with the bow.
Song Pei: A one-armed physician.
Sister Fox: Brother Wolf's Sister who is ailing from Life Ebbing Venom.
Feiyan: A yen-li priestess who is acquainted with Sister Fox.
The party had recently been in the House of Paper Shadows where they rescued Hero Feng. They debated what to do, knowing that if they didn't bring him to Dawa of the Ten Talismans, then Ke-Yen's agreement would be broken. They decided to head north and trek through the mountains with Hero Feng to Heaven Palace Sect.
The second day of their journey they awoke to find Zhendao missing with a note that read:
Wandering Heroes of Ogre Gate is our wuxia RPG. It is available HERE in PDF.
Characters
Peng Ke-Yen: Eccentric daughter of a merchant who goes against conventions and is notable for her white and black streaked hair. From Dashen village.
Peng Pei: Daughter of two low Yen-Li priests. Also from Dashen village.
Peng Biyu: Peng Pei's mother.
Zhendao: A former slave of a man named Zhao.
Shin Du: A performer and actor who is a perfect shot with the bow.
Song Pei: A one-armed physician.
Sister Fox: Brother Wolf's Sister who is ailing from Life Ebbing Venom.
Feiyan: A yen-li priestess who is acquainted with Sister Fox.
The party had recently been in the House of Paper Shadows where they rescued Hero Feng. They debated what to do, knowing that if they didn't bring him to Dawa of the Ten Talismans, then Ke-Yen's agreement would be broken. They decided to head north and trek through the mountains with Hero Feng to Heaven Palace Sect.
The second day of their journey they awoke to find Zhendao missing with a note that read:
I lied about sword.
Want tear all Gods from sky. Will
not danger rest for this. Cave woman
told me of symbols carved into hands.
Maybe you can know what they mean?
[Strange Symbols]
No care for Wolf, but Ke Yen should saved at all costs. You no cower from that or I will know.
They continued on but as they traveled through Hai'an they were approached by men wearing unusual clothing who claimed to be disciples of Majestic Lion Cult. They demanded 300 spades worth of tribute to their Iron Clawed Lion King for safe passage through their territory.
 |
| Iron Clawed Lion King |
Shin Du spoke saying "I have something better than mere gold, I have the most exquisite performance for you king."
It was decided the group would go to Majestic Lion Palace to perform for Iron Clawed Lion King.
They arrived and Shin Du instructed everyone in their roles. It should be noted only Shin Du understood the full array of skills required for such a spectacle and the material they were working with was notoriously terrible. Still Ke-Yen managed to dance exceptionally well and Shin Du, as always, sang and put on athletic feats that dazzled the audience.
Iron Clawed Lion King stood and approached the group.
"What a tremendous dancer," He said. "I have never seen such beauty in my life."
He asked for the dancers name and was told she was Ke-Yen.
Iron Clawed Lion King said he'd like her to join his sect. She said they had matters to deal with. But Shin Du stepped in and promised the group would return for another performance if the Majestic Lion Cult could help guide them to their destination.
Iron Clawed Lion King agreed. That night they stayed in Majestic Lion Palace and Ke-Yen received fine teas and foods. In the morning there was a sedan chair awaiting her. She refused it, but the guide had it brought for the journey in case she needed it (he explained that Iron Clawed Lion King was concerned her legs would be damaged during the trip).
The men guided them to Heaven Palace Sect. They brought hero Feng to the entrance and were told to wait. When they reached the central hall the group was brought before Dawa who was wearing a phoenix crown and standing next to a red robe and hat suspended in the air. As hero Feng approached she flicked her wrist and the robes wrapped around him, forcing him to act out the marriage ceremony. When the ceremony was over, she dismissed the party and they debated what to do while in the canyon.
As the party debated the next course of action, Sister Fox and Shin Du snuck into a shaft above the door and found a small passage leading into Dawa's chamber. Sister Fox hurled bombs of Divine Powder into the room as they consummated their wedding. Dawa was naked except for the talismans. A massive explosion rippled through the chamber and Dawa screamed "Hero Feng, my love!"
Shin Du fired a hail of arrows at her but she climbed into the shaft and struck him with a blue energy attack causing him tremendous pain and cold. He fired another hail of arrows upon her. She swirled her hand, rage burning in her eyes and a blue vortex throttled Shin Du's body, nearly killing him. He leapt forward and gripped the Talismans, then spun her in the air. When she landed it knocked her out. He took the Talismans and left.
Disciples reacted and chaos broke out in the wake of the explosion. The party, for a time managed to not draw too much attention to themselves and act like they were helping. Shin Du even commanded some guards to head outside and find Dawa. They went to the main chamber and Shin Du asked Qinwen (who was suspended on the wall with all his limbs cut off) how to destroy the Talismans.
"They cannot be destroyed," he laughed. "They are fundamental to the world."
Shin Du fired an arrow into Qinwen's head to release him from his suffering and joined the group to flee from the area. As they were making their way up the mountain side, disciples called after them and told them to remain where they were. They were chased and ran as best they could. Shin Du fell behind and was encircled. The party leapt to his defense and Song Pei helped him escape by calling forth a plume of smoke.
They eventually outran the disciples and made it to the Banyan. Along the way, Ke-Yen fashioned a talisman to enhance her dancing as her skills were not that great and she felt she had just been lucky the first time she performed. In seven days they reached Heaven Palace Sect and Ke-Yen performed once again for Iron Clawed Lion King.
This time he was moved to tears (the player got a 10 on the Talent: Dancing Roll). He walked around the chamber and said:
"Such unspeakable talent. Please join my sect so I may see this dancing every day."
Ke-Yen explained that they had other matters to tend to and that she was already the disciple of another Sifu.
"Very well," he said. "Then please return for another performance in the future."
Ke-Yen nodded.
Iron Clawed Lion King announced "I pledge that if anyone harms Ke-Yen's legs, I shall remove theirs." He looked at the party and said "If anyone ever bullies her or gives your group trouble, you can call on me for assistance."
This is where the session ended.
DISPOSABLE DISCIPLES SESSION 39: PALACE OF THE SPIRAL CROWN
This is a log for my ongoing Disposable Disciples of Bone Kingdom campaign. You can see the previous session HERE. Note that I began recording sessions, so this has allowed me to do more detailed session logs.
Player Characters:
Shen Chun/Crazed Raksha
Little Bai
Qui
Ong Lao
Min (Feiyan)
Disciples of the Sect:
Red Eagle (Little Bai)
Mount Dao/Biggest Sister (Little Bai)
Filial Cricket (Little Bai)
Dim-Witted Chen (Shen Chun)
The Righteous Outlaws
Calamity Star
Ou Jinghzhu
Tea Master Houzhou
Stone Palace Sect (Also called Golden Way)
A gambling hall and criminal network in Yun Hu. Currently under control of party, with Weeping Lotus managing it. They've absorbed many other sects into this organization including Crocodile Sect, Blades of the Weeping Lotus, Temple of the Jade Mercies, Relentless Corpse Sect and more. Recently they joined with Relentless Corpse again when Shen Chun arranged a marriage with their leader Da Mei Mei.
Members:
Shen Chun (King)
Da Mei Mei (Queen)
Weeping Lotus (Right Vanguard)
Silent Dagger
Feng (Accountant)
Gu (Head Chef)
Little Bai
Min
Scholar Shen (a scholar who has been writing a story about Little Bai's life)
Dancing Scorpions
Criminal network in Yun Hu
Relentless Corpse Sect
Da Mei Mei
Temple of the Jade Mercies (see Stone Palace)
Abbot Wei Zhao
Abbess Bao-Yu
Yao Tu-On
Yao Chun
Yao Ba
Southern Hill Sect
Yellow Mantis
White Chysanthemum
Green Mantis (Dead but important)
Twin-Fisted Eagle Sect
Twin Fisted Eagle
Jade Fist
Bone Breaking Sect
Destroyed and taken over by Drunken Hero Kang
Glorious Death Cult
Led by Supreme Master Tung, who says he is a god of death
In the city of the Spiral Crown, Ong and Min approached the gates of the main palace, finding two Ogre Demons standing guard at the entrance.
"Who are you?" asked one of the guards.
"I am Ong."
"What is your business here?"
"I wish to speak with the queen to learn more about this place's history," Said Ong.
The Ogre Demon asked him what organization he belonged to and Ong replied that he didn't have one, but had travelled with the Golden Way.
"I cannot give you an audience with the Queen," Said the Ogre Demon. "You can speak with one of her officials."
As the Ogre Demon began discussing the required donations, Min began to consider the difficulty that Ogre Demons presented. She was knowledgeable in lore and realized these rare creatures were particularly deadly to anyone who cultivates Qi.
The Ogre Demon told Ong that it would cost him the equivalent of 2,000 spades to arrange a meeting with an official. Ong told him he couldn't afford it and the Ogre Demon replied that he couldn't possibly be an important enough person then to speak with one of the Queen's officials. As the conversation wore on, Ong found himself feeling queasy and weak in the presence of the Ogre Demons.
"Is the queen an Ogre Demon like you?"
"I will pretend I did not hear you utter those words," said the Ogre Demon.
Ong began walking away, but heard the two Ogre Demons chuckling as he left.
"What's so funny?" He asked.
"Nothing is funny," said the Ogre Demon. "We were just talking."
"Simple things amuse simple people or simple things in this case," Said Ong.
The eight foot tall Ogre Demon strode forward and said "I find your words very insulting."
"I am man of no importance remember?"
"No, no, no" Said the Ogre Demon. "I may be able to get you that audience with the queen after all". And with that the Ogres tried to grab him, leading to a brawl.
Both Min and Ong found the Ogre Demons difficult to strike. None of their initial blows landed and Min shouted a warning to Ong that the creatures were too dangerous for them.
In the melee they fled, and eventually managed to escape into the hills.
Later, Min snuck back, disguised in new clothing and using Stealth of the Spider Demon, to stalk the grounds of the palace. Inside she found two great halls. The left hall was a reception area for the king, who sat upon a map with his legs crossed and tended to matters of state attended only by men. The right hall was a reception area for the Queen, attended only by women. She found a room here with a pool and blood stains. Sneaking around, Min found stairs leading into a barred cells. The stairs were guarded by an Ogre Demon, but sneaking past him was no great difficulty for her.
In one of the cells she found a muscles man with long white hair and no shirt, meditating in while reciting a sutra. She could see that he was wounded.
Min spoke to the man in the cell. "How did you come here?"
"That demoness put me here," he said.
"That queen?"
"She is a Bone Demon."
"And she locked you here?"
"Yes."
"Are you familiar with used to rule before her?"
"I have heard stories that the previous ruler's throne was stolen by the Bone Demon. And that the Bone Demon stole her King as well."
"And the husband, the king, he didn't care?" Asked Min.
"I believe the husband was part of the plot against the previous queen and welcomed the Bone Demon. She is a very attractive, while the previous queen is a giant with three eyes...and the king is a shallow man."
"You look strong enough to break out yourself, why haven't you left?"
"I have been recuperating from my injuries and have been resting for two days."
"I have a friend who may be working toward the same goal as you," Said Min.
"Is your friend virtuous?"
"The Bone Demon feeds on the virtuous. The more righteous the person, the more life she can drink from them."
Ritual Master Gao had two golden hammers and said "Let us speak of this alliance."
"We have one issue," Said Shen Chun. "The alliance will be strong and powerful but I believe the Iron Kings are moving to tell Thundering Guan of our plans."
"Do you have proof of this?"
"I have witnesses," Shen Chun replied.
"If you can bring me two witnesses then I shall have no choice but to take action against them," said Ritual Master Gao.
"I will have them brought to you before the banquet tonight," said Shen Chun. "Also I have a method I can use to make the Iron Kings my willing slaves. This way we can avoid a direct fight."
"What is this method?"
"It is a venom that my wife has given to me?"
"If this venom is so effective and can turn anyone into your willing servant, what assurances do I have that you won't use it on me?" Ritual Master Gao asked.
They debated the dangers Shen Chun could pose and what his intentions with the venom were. Ultimately Shen Chun agreed to have a member of his sect stay as a guest of the Holy Killers to prove his good intentions. He decided to have Dim-Witted Chen go to stay at the temple.
From there Shen Chun went to Vermillion Sword sect to speak with their leader, Vermillion Sword.
He told Vermillion Sword of his intentions to poison the Iron Kings and told him the same story he gave to Ritual Master Gao.
"If you feel they are not trustworthy, take what steps you feel are needed."
"Once this alliance is solid," said Shen Chun. "Do you have a special approach you think would help get rid of Thundering Guan?"
"Have you ever heard of the God-Killing Blade?"
"No."
"Your arrangement with the Holy Killers may work to our benefit here," said Vermillion Sword. "I believe they are guarding a gateway that could lead us to this God-Killing Sword. Perhaps we can use your disciple, Dim-Witted Chen, to force an entrance."
"Are you saying we need the God-Killing Blade to get rid of Thundering Guan?"
"Possibly. I believe that it was fated for us to meet and that you are to play an important role in helping me acquire this weapon. And if I can gain this weapon, then I have no further need of my territory in Dee. I will give this to you."
"What are you planning on doing with the blade?"
"I plan on using it," said Vermillion Sword.
"To do what?"
"To kill a god."
"Which god?"
"The Dutiful Empress."
At this point Shen Chun realized that his wife had the Dutiful Empress' heart.
"I do not believe the Dutiful Empress is alive," Said Shen Chun. "How can you kill her?"
"When her heart and jade body are rejoined, she will be restored," said Vermillion Sword.
"But I have the jade and the heart."
"But you won't always have them."
"If you do not wish to lose them, then you will need the God-Killing Blade."
"Do you think we need this before we deal with Thundering Guan?" Said Shen Chun.
"I am only here to acquire the God-Killing Blade and have been waiting some time for you to arrive for this to occur."
"My disciple who is staying there is not the most intelligent man."
"That is prefect because no one will suspect him," Said Vermillion Sword. "I have a suggestion. When you gain control of the Iron Kings tonight, let's all attack the Holy Killers, then I can break through the gate beneath the temple."
Player Characters:
Shen Chun/Crazed Raksha
Little Bai
Qui
Ong Lao
Min (Feiyan)
Disciples of the Sect:
Red Eagle (Little Bai)
Mount Dao/Biggest Sister (Little Bai)
Filial Cricket (Little Bai)
Dim-Witted Chen (Shen Chun)
Sects:
The Righteous Outlaws
Calamity Star
Ou Jinghzhu
Tea Master Houzhou
Stone Palace Sect (Also called Golden Way)
A gambling hall and criminal network in Yun Hu. Currently under control of party, with Weeping Lotus managing it. They've absorbed many other sects into this organization including Crocodile Sect, Blades of the Weeping Lotus, Temple of the Jade Mercies, Relentless Corpse Sect and more. Recently they joined with Relentless Corpse again when Shen Chun arranged a marriage with their leader Da Mei Mei.
Members:
Shen Chun (King)
Da Mei Mei (Queen)
Weeping Lotus (Right Vanguard)
Silent Dagger
Feng (Accountant)
Gu (Head Chef)
Little Bai
Min
Scholar Shen (a scholar who has been writing a story about Little Bai's life)
Dancing Scorpions
Criminal network in Yun Hu
Relentless Corpse Sect
Da Mei Mei
Temple of the Jade Mercies (see Stone Palace)
Abbot Wei Zhao
Abbess Bao-Yu
Yao Tu-On
Yao Chun
Yao Ba
Southern Hill Sect
Yellow Mantis
White Chysanthemum
Green Mantis (Dead but important)
Twin-Fisted Eagle Sect
Twin Fisted Eagle
Jade Fist
Bone Breaking Sect
Destroyed and taken over by Drunken Hero Kang
Glorious Death Cult
Led by Supreme Master Tung, who says he is a god of death
CITY OF THE SPIRAL CROWN
In the city of the Spiral Crown, Ong and Min approached the gates of the main palace, finding two Ogre Demons standing guard at the entrance.
"Who are you?" asked one of the guards.
"I am Ong."
"What is your business here?"
"I wish to speak with the queen to learn more about this place's history," Said Ong.
The Ogre Demon asked him what organization he belonged to and Ong replied that he didn't have one, but had travelled with the Golden Way.
"I cannot give you an audience with the Queen," Said the Ogre Demon. "You can speak with one of her officials."
As the Ogre Demon began discussing the required donations, Min began to consider the difficulty that Ogre Demons presented. She was knowledgeable in lore and realized these rare creatures were particularly deadly to anyone who cultivates Qi.
The Ogre Demon told Ong that it would cost him the equivalent of 2,000 spades to arrange a meeting with an official. Ong told him he couldn't afford it and the Ogre Demon replied that he couldn't possibly be an important enough person then to speak with one of the Queen's officials. As the conversation wore on, Ong found himself feeling queasy and weak in the presence of the Ogre Demons.
"Is the queen an Ogre Demon like you?"
"I will pretend I did not hear you utter those words," said the Ogre Demon.
Ong began walking away, but heard the two Ogre Demons chuckling as he left.
"What's so funny?" He asked.
"Nothing is funny," said the Ogre Demon. "We were just talking."
"Simple things amuse simple people or simple things in this case," Said Ong.
The eight foot tall Ogre Demon strode forward and said "I find your words very insulting."
"I am man of no importance remember?"
"No, no, no" Said the Ogre Demon. "I may be able to get you that audience with the queen after all". And with that the Ogres tried to grab him, leading to a brawl.
Both Min and Ong found the Ogre Demons difficult to strike. None of their initial blows landed and Min shouted a warning to Ong that the creatures were too dangerous for them.
In the melee they fled, and eventually managed to escape into the hills.
Later, Min snuck back, disguised in new clothing and using Stealth of the Spider Demon, to stalk the grounds of the palace. Inside she found two great halls. The left hall was a reception area for the king, who sat upon a map with his legs crossed and tended to matters of state attended only by men. The right hall was a reception area for the Queen, attended only by women. She found a room here with a pool and blood stains. Sneaking around, Min found stairs leading into a barred cells. The stairs were guarded by an Ogre Demon, but sneaking past him was no great difficulty for her.
In one of the cells she found a muscles man with long white hair and no shirt, meditating in while reciting a sutra. She could see that he was wounded.
"That demoness put me here," he said.
"That queen?"
"She is a Bone Demon."
"And she locked you here?"
"Yes."
"Are you familiar with used to rule before her?"
"I have heard stories that the previous ruler's throne was stolen by the Bone Demon. And that the Bone Demon stole her King as well."
"And the husband, the king, he didn't care?" Asked Min.
"I believe the husband was part of the plot against the previous queen and welcomed the Bone Demon. She is a very attractive, while the previous queen is a giant with three eyes...and the king is a shallow man."
"You look strong enough to break out yourself, why haven't you left?"
"I have been recuperating from my injuries and have been resting for two days."
"I have a friend who may be working toward the same goal as you," Said Min.
"Is your friend virtuous?"
"The Bone Demon feeds on the virtuous. The more righteous the person, the more life she can drink from them."
DEE
Shen Chun had returned to Dee and went to speak with Ritual Master Gao of the Holy Killers. He brought Jade Priestess and Xiaomin with him. Ritual Master Gao had two golden hammers and said "Let us speak of this alliance."
"We have one issue," Said Shen Chun. "The alliance will be strong and powerful but I believe the Iron Kings are moving to tell Thundering Guan of our plans."
"Do you have proof of this?"
"I have witnesses," Shen Chun replied.
"If you can bring me two witnesses then I shall have no choice but to take action against them," said Ritual Master Gao.
"I will have them brought to you before the banquet tonight," said Shen Chun. "Also I have a method I can use to make the Iron Kings my willing slaves. This way we can avoid a direct fight."
"What is this method?"
"It is a venom that my wife has given to me?"
"If this venom is so effective and can turn anyone into your willing servant, what assurances do I have that you won't use it on me?" Ritual Master Gao asked.
They debated the dangers Shen Chun could pose and what his intentions with the venom were. Ultimately Shen Chun agreed to have a member of his sect stay as a guest of the Holy Killers to prove his good intentions. He decided to have Dim-Witted Chen go to stay at the temple.
From there Shen Chun went to Vermillion Sword sect to speak with their leader, Vermillion Sword.
He told Vermillion Sword of his intentions to poison the Iron Kings and told him the same story he gave to Ritual Master Gao.
"If you feel they are not trustworthy, take what steps you feel are needed."
"Once this alliance is solid," said Shen Chun. "Do you have a special approach you think would help get rid of Thundering Guan?"
"Have you ever heard of the God-Killing Blade?"
"No."
"Your arrangement with the Holy Killers may work to our benefit here," said Vermillion Sword. "I believe they are guarding a gateway that could lead us to this God-Killing Sword. Perhaps we can use your disciple, Dim-Witted Chen, to force an entrance."
"Are you saying we need the God-Killing Blade to get rid of Thundering Guan?"
"Possibly. I believe that it was fated for us to meet and that you are to play an important role in helping me acquire this weapon. And if I can gain this weapon, then I have no further need of my territory in Dee. I will give this to you."
"What are you planning on doing with the blade?"
"I plan on using it," said Vermillion Sword.
"To do what?"
"To kill a god."
"Which god?"
"The Dutiful Empress."
At this point Shen Chun realized that his wife had the Dutiful Empress' heart.
"I do not believe the Dutiful Empress is alive," Said Shen Chun. "How can you kill her?"
"When her heart and jade body are rejoined, she will be restored," said Vermillion Sword.
"But I have the jade and the heart."
"But you won't always have them."
"If you do not wish to lose them, then you will need the God-Killing Blade."
"Do you think we need this before we deal with Thundering Guan?" Said Shen Chun.
"I am only here to acquire the God-Killing Blade and have been waiting some time for you to arrive for this to occur."
"My disciple who is staying there is not the most intelligent man."
"That is prefect because no one will suspect him," Said Vermillion Sword. "I have a suggestion. When you gain control of the Iron Kings tonight, let's all attack the Holy Killers, then I can break through the gate beneath the temple."
Thursday, March 16, 2017
THE EIGHT DIAGRAM POLE FIGHTER REVIEW
Just a reminder that I've started a Bedrock Podcast channel and have been doing most of my movie reviews there. My latest review is of Eight Diagram Pole Fighter. This movie has great action sequences and a lot of emotional weight. I highly recommend it:
But I also recently reviewed Terra-cotta Warrior, an interesting fish-out-of water movie about a Qin Dynasty chamberlain who is imprisoned in a tomb and awakens in the 1930s:
I did a review of A Chinese Odyssey Part Three, which I was a lot less impressed with. However it reminded me how great the original movies were:
But I also recently reviewed Terra-cotta Warrior, an interesting fish-out-of water movie about a Qin Dynasty chamberlain who is imprisoned in a tomb and awakens in the 1930s:
I did a review of A Chinese Odyssey Part Three, which I was a lot less impressed with. However it reminded me how great the original movies were:
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