BLOOD-STAINED ROADS SEVEN: ALL THE FOOLS CAME TO FIGHT

This is an entry on the Blood-Stained Roads Table. You can see the main table HERE. 

ALL THE FOOLS CAME TO FIGHT

In this adventure hook a group of nefarious martial experts greet the party then try to kill them to bolster their own reputation. The problem is, these guys are not highly skilled and they may be taking on more than they can handle. It is possible they end up dead or as the PC’s lackeys.  

BACKGROUND

Red Ro Fish has led the Fei River Assassins (Golden Carp, Copper Lobster, Fiery Eel, and The Butterfly Fish) for some time. He fancies himself a criminal mastermind but all his ventures fail. His efforts have left them hungry and poor. Sentiment is turning against him and he hopes to improve their luck by beating feared experts to increase their reputation in the Martial World. 

HOOK

A man dressed in silken red robes decorated in Ro Fish, approaches the party and bows. His men, the Fei River Assassins are hiding in the nearby foliage or in the surrounding terrain. He greets the party, addressing the most senior member by name and saying he is pleased to meet such well regarded martial experts. He is polite and friendly and makes small talk. He then calls out his men and introduces them one by one. Following this he declares “Forgive me, but today you must die by the hands of my Fei River Assassins. It is an honor and we shall give you all proper burials.”

Red Ro Fish and the Fei River Assassins attack. However they are not very skilled, so it is likely the party fends them off easily. If the players kill them, they can be on their way and this is little more than a chance encounter. If they show mercy, Red Ro Fish and his men express loyalty to the party and seek to follow them. Also if the party makes any plea to the Fei River Assassins to join with them rather than fight, Fiery Eel switches sides mid battle to aid the PCs. 

RED RO FISH AND THE FEI RIVER ASSASSINS

All of the Fei River Assassins appear gaunt and menacing. However this is due to real hunger, as they have long been on the road without a big score. 

RED RO FISH

Red Ro Fish is so named because he likes to lull his enemies into a false sense of comfort before striking with lethal intent. He overestimates his skill and the skill of the Fei River Assassins. He is desperate to prove their worth in the martial world and is pinning everything on defeating the party. He dresses in red clothing decorated with Ro Fish. 

Defenses: Hardiness 6, Evade 5, Parry 5, Stealth 6, Wits 7, Resolve 8

Key Skills: Arm Strike: 2d10, Leg Strike: 2d10, Grapple: 2d10, Throw: 2d10, Light Melee: 0d10, Medium Melee: 0d10, Heavy Melee: 0d10, Small Ranged: 0d10, Athletics: 1d10, Speed: 1d10, Muscle: 2d10, Persuade: 3d10, Deception: 2d10, Empathy: 0d10, Endurance: 1d10, Command: 2d10, Detect: 2d10

Qi: 2

Max Wounds: 5

Weapons: Unarmed (2d10 Damage)

Combat Technique: Fists of Steel

Techniques (Waijia 2, Neigong 2): Flip of the Red Ro Fish, Iron Spirit, Restoring Palm, Ringing Strike of the Hand, Stone Shattering Finger, Deflecting Canopy (Counter), Spinning Back Kick (Counter) 

Flip of the Red Ro Fish: You flip into the air, grabbing the shoulder of your foe and ripping out chunks of flesh as you land. Make an Arm Strike Roll against Parry. On a Success you leap up to 20 feet toward your target and do normal damage. On a Total Success you do 1 Extra Wound. Cathartic: You can leap up to 40 feet do 4d10 Damage (Muscle + 2d10). On a Total Success you do 2 Extra wounds. 

GOLDEN CARP

Golden Carp comes from a wealthy family and long line of Scholar Officials. She was instructed in the classics, poetry and art by her father left to become a martial hero as there was no opportunity for her in the empire. She is tall, intelligent and knowledgeable of the martial world. 

Defenses: Hardiness 3, Evade 5, Parry 4, Stealth 6, Wits 9, Resolve 6

Key Skills: Grapple: 1d10, Throw: 1d10, Arm Strike: 2d10, Leg Strike: 1d10, Light Melee: 2d10, Medium Melee: 1d10 (3d10 with Jian), Heavy Melee: 1d10, Small Ranged: 1d10, Speed: 2d10, Muscle: 1d10, Reasoning: 3d10, Athletics: 2d10, Meditation: 3d10, Talent (Calligraphy): 3d10, Talent (Poetry): 2d10, Ritual (Ancestor Veneration): 2d10, History (Era of the Demon Emperor): 1d10, Religion (Dehua): 1d10, Classics (All): 1d10, Institutions (Sects): 1d10

Qi: 1

Max Wounds: 3

Weapons: Jian (2d10 Damage, +2d10 Accuracy)

Key Kung Fu Techniques (Waijia 1, Qinggong 1, Neigong 1, Dianxue 1): Blasting Blade, Biting Blade, Sword Stance

COPPER LOBSTER

Copper Lobster claims to be the brother of Iron Crab, a long dead martial hero who died heroically. But Copper Lobster is a notorious liar. He has fierce eyebrows and bulging eyes and is known for his Crushing Claw technique. Copper Lobster is secretly in love with Golden Carp. 

Defenses: Hardiness 7, Evade 3, Parry 3, Stealth 6, Wits 6, Resolve 4

Key Skills: Grapple: 2d10, Throw: 2d10, Arm Strike: 2d10, Leg Strike: 2d10, Light Melee: 0d10, Medium Melee: 0d10, Heavy Melee: 0d10, Small Ranged: 0d10, Speed: 1d10, Muscle: 3d10, Endurance: 2d10, Athletics 1d10, Detect: 0d10, Deception: 3d10, Talent (Guzheng): 2d10, Divination: 1d10, Medicine: 1d10, Survival (Wilderness): 2d10, Talent (Theft): 2d10, Meditation: 1d10, Read Script (Feishu): 3d10, Language (Daoyun): 2d10, Li Fai (3d10), Creatures (Demons): 2d10

Qi: 1

Max Wounds: 3

Weapon: Hands (3d10 Damage)

Combat Technique: Fists of Steel

Expertise: Talent-Perform

Flaw: Weak-willed

Key Kung Fu Techniques (Neigong 2, Dianxue 1, Waijia 1): Breath of the Lotus Petal, Crushing Claw of the Lobster, Ringing Strike of the Divine Ram, Armor of the Lobster, Clutch of the Hawk (Counter), Guiding the Crashing Wave (Counter)

Crushing Claw Technique: Make an Grapple roll Against Parry. On a success you Restrain the target and do 3d10 Damage. Cathartic: On a Success you do 1 Extra wound. 

Armor of the Lobster (Counter): This risky technique turns your skin red from exertion as you tense your whole body to take an incoming blow. Make an Endurance Roll against the Attack roll, if you succeed you take 1 less wound from the attack. If the target gets a Total Success you take 1 Extra wound. Cathartic: On a Success the attack bounces harmlessly off your body. If the attacker gets a Total Success you take 2 Extra Wounds. 

FIERY EEL

Fiery Eel is a fierce swordswoman who joined Red Ro Fish because he promised her fame and glory. He also said he could teach her excellent Kung Fu. Fiery Eel is eager to find someone else to train her and it is possible she could turn against her own group during the battle with the PCs. Her temper gets the better of her frequently and she often calms herself with meditation. 

Defenses: Hardiness 4, Evade 4, Parry 7, Stealth 6, Wits 6, Resolve 7

Key Skills: Grapple: 1d10, Throw: 1d10, Arm Strike: 1d10, Leg Strike: 1d10, Light Melee: 1d10, Medium Melee: 3d10 or 2d10 with Ox Tail, Heavy Melee: 0d10, Small Ranged: 1d10, Speed: 1d10, Muscle: 1d10, Meditation: 3d10, Survival (Wilderness): 3d10

Qi: 1

Max Wounds: 3

Weapons: Ox Tail Dao (3d10 Damage, -1d10 Accuracy)

Flaws: Foul-Tempered

Key Kung Fu Techniques (Waijia 2, Qinggong 1, Neigong 1): Blasting Blade, Calm of Sunan, Fierce Strike, Strike of the Eel, Whirling Dodge (Counter)

Strike of the Eel: You make a series of quick stabs with your sword at many foes in the area. Make a Medium Melee roll against the Parry of up to 4 targets. On a Success you do normal damage. Cathartic:  Make a Medium Melee roll against the Parry of up to 8 targets. On a Success you do Normal Damage. 

THE BUTTERFLY FISH

The Butterfly Fish is a beautiful and graceful dancer who uses a three-section staff to squeeze the neck of her foes. She was once in love with Red Ro Fish until she realized how useless he is. Now she is contemplating taking over the group for herself. 

Defenses: Hardiness 3, Evade 3, Parry 6 or 7 with Three-Section Staff, Stealth 6, Wits 9, Resolve 6

Key Skills: Grapple: 1d10, Throw: 1d10, Arm Strike: 2d10, Leg Strike: 1d10, Light Melee: 2d10, Medium Melee: 3d10 or 3d10 with Three-Section Staff, Heavy Melee: 1d10, Small Ranged: 0d10, Speed: 2d10, Muscle: 2d10, Athletics: 3d10, Command: 2d10, Empathy: 3d10, Meditation: 3d10, Talent (Dancing): 3d10

Qi: 2

Max Wounds: 5

Weapons: Three-Section Staff ( 2d10 Damage, -1d10 Accuracy, Restrain on Total Success)

Expertise: Medium Melee-Three Section Staff

Key Kung Fu Techniques (Waijia 1, Qinggong 1, Neigong 1, Dianxue 1): Blast of the Dragon, Blasting Blade, Drift of the Butterfly Fish, Grip of the Staff, Leap of the Swan, Spear Swipe, Tai Lan’s Staff Strike, Fierce Strike, Spinning Back Kick (Counter)

Grip of the Staff: You wrap your three-section staff around a target’s throat then hurl their body in a spin at another target. Make a Medium Melee roll against Parry. On a Success you do 1 wound as you wrap their neck. On a Total Success you can throw the target at another foe (make a Medium Melee against Evade and do 3d10 damage on Success). Cathartic: On a Success you do 1 wound and can throw the target into another foe who takes 3d10 damage if you make a Medium Melee against their Evade. On a Total Success the person thrown takes 2d10 Falling Damage as well.