SWORD AND SORCERY IN RIGHTEOUS BLOOD RUTHLESS BLADES (DESIGNER DRAFTS)

This is just a rough sketch of an idea, not something that will likely be published at any point. As we start work on a supernatural expansion for Righteous Blood Ruthless Blades, I wanted to go mess around with the mechanics a bit to get back into shape for the project. So I decided to take a crack at testing out RBRB's ability to handle Sword and Sorcery. This is obviously just a first step, many of these ideas are preliminary (and there are parts I know I would alter but am just using as placeholder here).

I put together a revised version of the character sheet, using the one from the Osprey website. Note that I don't have all the available fonts so this is a pretty imperfect mock-up: 

CORE ABILITIES 

The biggest change would be to the martial arts. I thought of keeping them but I think going with melee attack, ranged attack and stealth attack would fit the genre better. I also had to consider how stealth attacks worked and why they would function differently than other attacks. Initially I was going to make that slot "thrown" (and it is possible this is still the road I would go down), but I wanted to explore having a stealth attack category. 

Here are some general rules I am following for each group to make them distinct: 

Melee Attacks are up close and personal, with melee weapons or unarmed, and they always add +1d10 to your damage roll and attack roll. 

Ranged Attacks are made at a distance listed under the range of the weapon and add +2d10 to your speed on the initial turn order roll, provided you are not crowded by a melee attacker and have distance to fire at range. 

Stealth Attacks are made when the enemy isn't aware of you or your attack (some signature abilities change this) and they add 1 Extra wound to an attack. 

These are very, very preliminary. In classic network, stealth attacks translate into open damage but I wanted to avoid that here so I am experimenting with the 1 Extra wound (signature abilities will create opportunities for open damage instead). I am not sure how I feel about the melee bonuses, but I think because Stealth attack is very dependent on context and melee is steady, these will both have a distinct feel and melee won't feel undermined by stealth's extra wound. This is definitely something that would be shaped by playtest. 

OTHER SKILLS

For the other skills I quickly went over them and made changes based on what kinds of mechanics for skills I have used in other versions of the network system. Again, much of this would likely change but big changes would be changing meditation to divination, medicine and alchemy to herbalism (a change I am still not sure is necessary), replacing jianghu with underworld. I changed the name of Unorthodox Skills to Underworld Skills, but not 100% sure I like that change. I think things like Drinking, magical arts, etc are fine (just worried that magical arts and divination will fight for the same space, so I might alter that as well). 

SIGNATURE ABILITIES 

This is a much more involved aspect of the game, and would take considerable time to fully explore. So for now I want to see if I can take two abilities from RBRB and fit them to this system, plus add a couple just to see how things go. 

Because I haven't charted out future Signature Abilities, these entries don't have a requirement for entry (but they likely would down the road). 

TENDER HAND OF DEATH
Characteristics: Stealth Attack, Non-Combat 

You are adept at killing victims when they are most vulnerable. You strike while they are distracted by things like a loving embrace or enchanting melody. Outside combat, when your target is distracted, your Stealth Attack does +4 extra wounds (instead of +1). In Combat you suffer a -2d10 to your attacks. 

WEAPON ADEPT 

Characteristics: Armed

You are good at a particular weapon. Pick one weapon upon acquiring this signature ability. You gain a permanent +1d10 bonus when using that weapon and a -1d10 when using other weapons. You also gain a +2 to Evade against this weapon. 

LEAPING DEATH 

Characteristics: Stealth 

You are skilled at leaping down on your foes and delivering a fatal blow. You can do this when you are above an opponent and they do not see you. When doing so you do open damage on your attack. Also if the opponent is much larger than you, on a Total Success you can cling onto their body (continuing to do so every Total Success on future attacks). If you fail in such an attack you should take appropriate damage for falling. 

FLESH FROM THE GRAVE

Characteristics: Necromancy, Magical Arts 

You have the power to raise corpses from the grave. Make a Magical Arts roll against TN 8. On a success you animate the body of up to 1 corpse per rank of command you have. You must make a Command Roll against their wits each hour to control them, or they turn against you. You must make another Magical Arts roll TN 8 to end the spell and return them to harmless corpses (otherwise they remain animate indefinitely). 

I think a lot of the Signature Abilities from RBRB will work for Sword and Sorcery. It would largely be about adding in more for stealth and magic. 

COUNTERS

I think many of the counters can remain in the game, some with alterations. This is a section of the game I would need to think about more and pay more attention to when I go back to the genre and read. 

NECROMANCY RULES 

When you use any Signature Ability with the Necromancy Characteristic, the GM rolls 0d10 against your Hardiness. If the result equals or exceeds your Hardiness you are corrupted physically and take an affliction (see AFFLICTIONS below).* 

*One change I know I would likely make here is that individual spells would have an Affliction rating of 0d10 to 6d10. So a given necromancy spell might have the GM roll 0d10, 1d10, 2d10, etc on a failure depending on its rating. 

AFFLICTIONS

For now I am using the Fire Deviation tables for afflictions. This might change but until then characters roll on the Fire Deviation table any time they acquire an Affliction, on page 113 of the RBRB rulebook. 

NEW MONSTER: ZOMBIE

We have been developing a number of monsters for the RBRB supernatural expansion, so here I just took one of our zombies and modified it a bit. 

ZOMBIE 

An animated corpse whose rot spreads an awful stench, a zombie is often the result of necromancy. They have low human intelligence but can only grunt and scream. Their bite causes paralyses and they will often feast on living flesh. They move very slow (20 feet per round). 

Defences: Hardiness: 8, Evade: 4, Wits: 4 

Skills: Bite: 1d10, Claws 1d10, Detect: 1d10, Muscle: 1d10, Speed: 1d10 

Max Wounds: 4

POWERS

Claws: A zombie’s claws do 1d10 damage. On a Total Success on its attack roll, it may also opt to bite the target.

 

Bite: A zombie’s bite does 2d10 damage. On a Total Success it paralyzes the target for 2 rounds. 

 

Stench: Anyone in the presence of a zombie must roll Endurance against TN 6 or feel sick for 1d10 rounds, suffering a -1d10 to all skill rolls as a result. 

CELESTIAL PLUME MASTERS SESSION THIRTEEN

This was the Thirteenth session of my Wandering Heroes of Ogre Gate wuxia sandbox campaign, the Celestial Plume Masters, using the Sons of Lady 87 book, which was just released in print. You can see the first session HERE. You can see the Twelfth session HERE. 

PLAYER CHARACTERS 

Wei Ziying: A skilled poisoner and physician, with ties to the Relentless Corpse Sect, Wei Ziying is a disciple of the Celestial Plume Masters. He also has a longstanding friendship with Kuo Qingzhao, who wishes to know more about the poisons that killed his wife (poisons Wei Ziying knows the secrets of). Grudge: Ravenous Nun Xuanji (for the murder of Red Eagle)

Wang Haoyang: A master of stealth, Wang Haoyang is one of the Celestial Plume Master disciples. He has a lifelong friendship with Pei Ye of the Vermillion Bird Teahouse, but has attracted the affection of another member of that organization, Fan Zhen'er (he does not return the affection but wishes to avoid creating friction within the Vermillion Bird Teahouse, and possibly creating enemies). Grudge: Guan Nuan (for a duel he escaped, she feels she lost face because he was weaker than her and should have been an easy victory)

Hei Ling: A one-eyed chief in the Celestial Plume Masters, Hei Ling is the father of Li Liang, whom he wishes to cease practicing her Toad Style kung fu because of the physical toll on her body. He had Li Liang with Qixia the candied fruit in his youth and since then Qixia has grown hostile. He has a working relationship with the Wu Sisters. Grudge: Qixia the Candied Fruit Vendor (of Hai'an). Grudge: Qixia (many reasons related to their pre-existing relationship)

Iron Tiger: The newest member of the party, sent by Night Thorn to help them expand. He has a longstanding friendship with Iron Beggar Sun Kang, whom he wants to leave his lap of luxury in the House of Flying Lanterns so he can train with the Nature Loving Monks and improve his Kung Fu. Iron Beggar in turn wants Iron Tiger to leave the Celestial Plume Masters. Grudge: Pei Ye (he murdered her favorite client, Golden Cobra). 

A DEMON AT THE GROTTO  

Hei Ling, Wang Haoyang and Iron Tiger waited at Zikang grotto. They had sent a message to the leader of Long Ma Hall, King Archer, that they held his granddaughter. They were there with the Seven Demons and half of Long Ma Hall's former members (now serving the Celestial Plume Masters). 

While they waited, Iron Tiger gathered his talented experts and sent them out, with instructions to find eleven masters to work with them, promising gold or whatever was required. He specified wanted a master specializing in every form of defense and masters specialized in external martial arts, Internal, survival, etc.* 

After several hours, a guard informed Hei Ling that a white-haired woman and young man approached. 

Hei Ling projected his voice and shouted "The Celestial Plume Masters are conducting business. Do not meddle in their affairs!"

The woman replied more strongly "I come to speak with your chief". 

Hei Ling and Iron Tiger went out to investigate, while Wang Haoyang took to the shadows of the periphery. 

They saw White-Haired Demoness Feiyan approach the cave, stop as the young man laid out a table and food. "Come and join me chief, I bring word from Lady 87"

Hei Ling and Iron Tiger approached. Hei Ling sat while Iron Tiger stood nearby. 

"So I finally meet the One-Eyed Chief!"

They spoke and she told him that the 87 Killers could work out an arrangement. They were willing to work with his men. She proposed an offer that seemed to give him and his men control of the plume trade west of the canal. There would be other requirements but she was vague. 

"I would need to speak with the other celestial plume masters" Hei Ling said. 

"I said you and your men. We will work with you and your men. For your group is the most impressive among the Celestial Plume Masters. The other chiefs are not worthy of our time."

Iron Tiger was provoked by this and said "I will not stand by and listen to you talk that way about Master Night Thorn". 

"Who is Master Nigh Thorn? I was a talking about that master of your organization, the one who lays in a celestial plume stupor south of river somewhere."

They conversed further and Hei Ling eventually said "If you can beat Iron Tiger, I will agree to your proposal. Otherwise go back with no deal."

White Browed Demoness faced off against Iron Tiger. She attempted to use her strangling brow but he avoided the grasping hairs and landed several strikes of his own digging deep into her flesh with his strike. She delivered a series of lightning strokes badly wounding Iron Tiger. He broke her hip and she signaled defeat, then saluted him and said his Kung Fu was admirable. That Lady 87 could use men like him. 

"Go back to Lady 87 and tell her you failed in your task," said Hei Ling. 

THE BATTLE OF ZIKANG GROTTO 

A few hours later King Archer and his men approached. He brought with him over 100 heroes and they stood in a line behind him. He called out Hei Ling saying he wished to speak, but Hei Ling refused saying "Come and take your granddaughter back if you can!"

King Archer had his men fall back as he approached alone. "I wish to speak with you."

Hei Ling moved closer to King Archer. When they were face to face, King Archer said "I only want my granddaughter."

"Very well, join with me and you can have your granddaughter back."

"I cannot join with you." 

"Then the only other thing I can offer is for you and your granddaughter to both agree to have your kung fu crippled, then retire from the martial world. If you do that I will let her go with you."

"You ask too much," King Archer said. 

"I don't see many other options," Said Hei Ling. 

"I can't work with you, and I can't submit to the other request, but I can agree to depart with my granddaughter and leave my men behind." 

They talked further and agreed that King Archer would take his granddaughter with him, that the two would promise to never interfere with one another's affairs in the future, and that King Archer's men would stay behind. After King Archer left, Hei Ling offered riches, unrivaled kung fu and prestige to those who joined him among the remaining Long Ma Hall men. They all agreed. 

MURDER IN TUNG-ON

They ventured back to Tung-On. There they settled into the quarters that Wang Haoyang's wife, Fan Zhen'er had obtained. They were cramped but could fit many of their men. 

Iron Tiger went to Master An's school with Wang Haoyang and Hei Ling after learning about it from Iron God Meng. Master An had a mechanical arm and leg and what looked like a reputable sword school. 

Iron Tiger said he wanted to form an alliance with Master An's school, one where he would be among several masters on a council, so they could all grow their reputation and influence. Master An was intrigued but asked for a demonstration of Iron Tiger's martial arts first. Iron Tiger warned him that it would not end well for whoever he fought, But Master An was insistent and had him square off with his top student, Ren. 

Ren proved to be a challenging foe for Iron Tiger. At first he delivered a couple of solid attacks against the disciple, but Ren unleashed an unbridled attack, an almost unhinged stroke of the sword, that grievously wounded Iron Tiger. In the end Iron Tiger won by breaking Ren's sternum. Master An stopped the fight and ushered Iron Tiger and the others into his hall, where they sat as his wife provided food and drinks. 

"So Master An," Said Iron Tiger, "How did you lose that arm and leg of yours?"

He laughed. "I lost them to a man named Master Chen Buwei. But I took his wife." Master An pointed to his wife and laughed again. 

They talked for some time, and Master An was interested but wanted to make sure he and the other masters who joined this council would have full control over their own organizations. "It is the only way to keep so many egotistical masters together I am afraid."

Iron Tiger agreed but also proposed they become sworn brothers. Master An said he would agree if he could have one last demonstration of Iron Tiger's technique, a full demonstration, on his good friend Master Chen Buwei." 

It was agreed upon. Iron Tiger would go with Wang Haoyang and Hei Ling to Daoxu and take care of Master Chen Buwei. 

That night, Wang Haoyang had a thought. He had a thought of his own that led him into the streets of Tung-On. 

Some time ago he had been insulted by Drunken Cricket, so he sent out men to find where she might be and to learn more about her. He was told that she was the wife of chief Qu Wanli, leader of the local Nature Loving Monks. Wang Haoyang went into the streets and found her roaming drunk from one of the many wine shops. 

He checked to see if there were any witnesses and so none. As she walked, he snuck up using his Stealth of the Spider Demon, then attacked her with his Blade of the Dancing Fox Technique**

Wang Haoyang killed Drunken Cricket then chopped off her head. 

Later that night as he lay sleeping, he heard howls of grief in the streets. The noice awakens Iron Tiger who went out to investigate and was informed by a Nature Loving monk that their Chief's wife had been murdered. He asked if the chief would reward information about the attack. 

"We are grieving for our chief's wife, if you have information please go to Chief Qu Wanli and provide it." 

Later Wang Haoyang explained to Iron Tiger and Hei Ling what he had done. Hei Ling said was not concerned. 

Hei Ling spent time investigating possible sword techniques to learn before they set out. He learned of a technique possessed by Shen Guan of Stone Palace Sect in Li Fan. Iron Tiger had also been investigating a technique that was compatible with his more limited style. He discovered that the man who possessed, Tung Lu, had disappeared after losing a duel to Magnificent Scholar on a mountain in Southern Li Fan. He sent a letter to Magnificent Scholar asking for information. 

*I assigned a 2d10 pool to his minions and then he rolled. For this result Failure, Success and Total Success would have specific outcomes. The player would roll once a week for his men sent out on this task 

**I mention this because these two in combination can be quite powerful

MAKING NINJA IN RIGHTEOUS BLOOD RUTHLESS BLADES

These are some rules to make a ninja character in Righteous Blood, Ruthless Blades. They are modified from a PDF I never released for Wandering Heroes of Ogre Gate called The Ninja of the Fire Pearls. However they required substantial changes to fit the RBRB system. Therefore I will be putting both on the blog. Expect to see the WHOG version in the coming days as well. 

It should be noted these are for ninjas within a wuxia or kung fu context (i.e. inspired more by wuxia and kung fu movies that feature ninjas than from Japanese movies). So the source material is more films like Duel to the Death or Heroes of the East. It assumes the setting is in historical or cinematic China and that the Ninja or Samurai in question have come to China from Japan, similar to characters in films like Five Element Ninjas and Swordsman 2 or a character like Kawashima and his brother Sasaki in Sword of the Third Young Master by Gu Long. Therefore the GM will need to devise a reason for them being present in China during the campaign. 

RECOMMENDED SIGNATURE ABILITIES 

These abilities may work well for a Ninja PC (this is not exhaustive): Art of 10,000 Eyes and Ears, Chess Board of Doom, Exotic Martial Arts, Fading Smoke, Fading Breeze, Flea on the Ceiling, Flying Moth Style, Golden Thread Expert, Master of Deception, Needle Master, Snake Hidden in Leaves, Tender Hand of Death, Uncanny Hands, Concealment from Ghosts and Gods 

 

NEW EQUIPMENT

 

Shoe Knife

This fits on the tip of a shoe. It imposes a -2 on the Evade of the target and does 1d10 damage (can be used to make a free attack when an opponent succeeds in countering one of your other melee strikes). 

 

Shuriken

These ranged weapons can reach 20 feet. They also give +1 to your Turn Order and do Speed+0d10 Damage. If the opponent doesn't perceive you when you attack, you gain a +1d10 to the attack roll. 

 

Bo-Hiya

These are similar to Fire Lances. They fire an explosive projective that does 3d10 Damage to all in a 30-foot radius where it lands. If you get a Total Success on the attack roll, targets take an additional 1d10 damage from burning on the following round.  

 

Blinding Smoke

These small capsules can be thrown 20 feet to produce a thick red smoke that clouds a 30-foot by 30-foot area, creating Lights out conditions. It also burns the eyes of victims. On a successful attack roll, make a 2d10 roll against Hardiness. On a success those exposed suffer -1d10 to all skills requiring visions for 1 round.  

 

NEW SIGNATURE ABILITIES 

 

SHADOW STYLE I

Required for: Shadow Style II, Characteristics: Detect

 

You can blend with shadows and avoid detection while in plain sight. Roll Survival and remember the result. You are hidden in place so long as you remain motionless. To see you, opponents must make a Detect roll against your Survival roll. 

 

SHADOW STYLE II

Prerequisite: Shadow Style I 

 

You can strike from the shadows against those who do not see you. When using your Shadow Style to hide, if opponents do not see you, you can make an attack and do open damage on your attack roll. 

 

 

BURROWING STYLE I

Requirement for: Burrowing Style II, Characteristics: Survival

 

You can burrow through the ground to evade detection. Roll Survival to burrow and remember your result. Anyone nearby, who happens by or who you pass by must make two consecutive Detect rolls, using your Survival roll as the Target Number, to notice you. 

 

BURROWING STYLE II 

Prerequisite: Burrowing Style I, Required for: Burrowing Style III

You can swiftly burrow underground to strike your enemies from below when least expected.

 

You can use your Burrowing Style (see BURROWING STYLE I) to attack 1 target the same round, doing open damage if they fail to see you. 

 

BURROWING STYLE III

Prerequisite:  Burrowing Style II

You can swiftly burrow underground to strike multiple enemies from below when they least suspect it. 

 

You can use your Burrowing Style (see BURROWING STYLE I) to attack 1 target per character level the same round, doing open damage if they fail to see you. 

 

FLURRY OF STARS

Characteristics: External Martial Arts 

 

You throw a cloud of shurikens in a swirl around you, hitting up to thirty targets. Make an External Arts roll against the Evade of up to 2 Targets per character level. On a Success do normal damage. If the target is lower character level than you, you do +1 Extra Wound. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KUNG FU COUNTERS

Counter attacks are essential to wuxia and more broadly to real world martial arts. When I was young and competed in martial arts, I was a counter fighter. This suited my personality. So it should be no surprise that when we made Wandering Heroes of Ogre Gate, our wuxia fantasy roleplaying game, counters played a big part in the game. But counters in a game like this can have a large on balance, pacing and feel. And different campaigns or groups will want options for adjusting these.

As I have been running my Celestial Plume Masters campaign using the Sons of Lady 87 sandbox, I've been making a point of observing counters with an eye towards providing options to fit different styles of play in a series of blog posts. Because counters are so crucial, I think it will be useful to cover them over time in a series. Today I will focus on making counters less effective so that fights are shorter and challenge levels more predicable for the GM. 

Art by Jackie Musto
From House of Paper Shadows Adventure

GROUNDED COUNTERS (OPTIONAL)

If you are concerned that counters are too good in play, making it too easy for characters to avoid being hit, simply use this method. Whenever a character makes a counter roll, instead of using the skill listed in the description, simply have them roll a number of d10 equal to their ranks in the counter's Martial Discipline for their roll. For example, a Character with 2 ranks in Waijia would roll 2d10 for their whirling dodge. This roll should be made with no modifiers, except in the most exceptional of cases. 

THE SUPREME BOWDEN CLAUSE (OPTIONAL)

The Bowden clauses raises the Target Number of counters that use TN's (most counters roll against the attack roll instead). Instead of raising the TN simply have all counters, whether they state they are made against a TN or not, roll against the attack roll, when there is an attack roll to roll against. For example, Steve attacks Ryan with his Biting Blade technique, getting a 9 as his highest result. Normally Ryan could use Turn of the Zhen Bird and simply roll against TN 7 (or TN 8 if the Bowden Clause is in effect) instead of having to roll against TN 9. With the Supreme Bowden Clause in effect, he will need to roll against Steve's 9 result to avoid the attack. 

UNMODIFIED COUNTERS (OPTIONAL)

This approach is similar to grounded counters but more likely to be consistently successful (albeit at a smaller rate than the default). Simply allow players to perform counters as normal, but disallow any modifiers at all to the Skill Roll for the counter. So a character who is using Stern Rebuke of Heiping as their counter with Butterfly Swords, who has 3 ranks in Light Melee, an Expertise in Butterfly Swords, would normally roll 5d10 for their counter (very high chances of success). This is because the Expertise gives a +1d10 bonus, and the Butterfly Swords have a +1d10 accuracy bonus (3d10+1d10+1d10=5d10). Using the unmodified Counters option, the character would only be allowed to roll 3d10 in this case (still a good chance if they have ranks so high, but the roll can never exceed their Skill rank, which for martial heroes under Qi rank 7, will never go beyond 3d10). 

TURNER CLAUSE (OPTIONAL)*

Imbalance Points are very important in the game and can be a good way to adjust Kung Fu Techniques to achieve different aims. Using the Turner Clause, counters function normally except they still add imbalance points even on a Total Success. This adds additional risk but does so without interfering with character builds. 

For example, Ryan's character with an Imbalance Rating of 2 is attacked by Tai Lan using Tai Lan's Staff Strike. Tai Lan gets a 7 on his roll, so Ryan decides to counter, using Weapon Stride and getting a 10. Ryan's character leaps onto the staff and is able to deliver a mundane attack but he still takes 2 Imbalance points (normally a Total Success means you take no imbalance). 

YEUNG CLAUSE (OPTIONAL)*

In this approach, the aim is to preserve the challenge of higher Qi Rank opponents (presently really well built characters can often take on higher Qi rank foes more easily). With the Yeung Clause when characters use counters against anyone who has more Qi ranks than them, they must do so cathartically but doing so only gives them the non-cathartic effect. 

For instance, Kenny's character is Qi rank 2 and is attacked by Hateful Sabre (a Qi rank 4 character). Hateful Sabre swings his dao getting an 8. Kenny uses dip of the Whirling Dodge to counter. He must use it cathartically, and he gets a 9, so he succeeds. However he only get's the non-cathartic result which means so he simply reduces the damage roll from 4d10 to 3d10 (whereas a genuine cathartic result would have meant he completely avoided the attack and took no damage). 

THE DAVIS CLAUSE (OPTIONAL)

This one is inspired by the Turner Clause, and it functions almost the same except, instead of taking imbalance points even on a Total Success, characters take +4 Imbalance on a failure. 

*These are two options proposed by players in my Friday game (including one of the WHOG co-designers). Each one is named after the person who came up with it.

CELESTIAL PLUME MASTERS SESSION TWELVE

This was the Twelfth session of my Wandering Heroes of Ogre Gate wuxia sandbox campaign, the Celestial Plume Masters, using the Sons of Lady 87 book, which was just released in print. You can see the first session HERE. You can see the Eleventh session HERE. 

PLAYER CHARACTERS 

Wei Ziying: A skilled poisoner and physician, with ties to the Relentless Corpse Sect, Wei Ziying is a disciple of the Celestial Plume Masters. He also has a longstanding friendship with Kuo Qingzhao, who wishes to know more about the poisons that killed his wife (poisons Wei Ziying knows the secrets of). Grudge: Ravenous Nun Xuanji (for the murder of Red Eagle)

Wang Haoyang: A master of stealth, Wang Haoyang is one of the Celestial Plume Master disciples. He has a lifelong friendship with Pei Ye of the Vermillion Bird Teahouse, but has attracted the affection of another member of that organization, Fan Zhen'er (he does not return the affection but wishes to avoid creating friction within the Vermillion Bird Teahouse, and possibly creating enemies). Grudge: Guan Nuan (for a duel he escaped, she feels she lost face because he was weaker than her and should have been an easy victory)

Hei Ling: A one-eyed chief in the Celestial Plume Masters, Hei Ling is the father of Li Liang, whom he wishes to cease practicing her Toad Style kung fu because of the physical toll on her body. He had Li Liang with Qixia the candied fruit in his youth and since then Qixia has grown hostile. He has a working relationship with the Wu Sisters. Grudge: Qixia the Candied Fruit Vendor (of Hai'an). Grudge: Qixia (many reasons related to their pre-existing relationship)

Iron Tiger: The newest member of the party, sent by Night Thorn to help them expand. He has a longstanding friendship with Iron Beggar Sun Kang, whom he wants to leave his lap of luxury in the House of Flying Lanterns so he can train with the Nature Loving Monks and improve his Kung Fu. Iron Beggar in turn wants Iron Tiger to leave the Celestial Plume Masters. Grudge: Pei Ye (he murdered her favorite client, Golden Cobra). 

THE BATTLE OF LONG MA HALL 

Wang Haoyang, Iron Tiger and Hei Ling gathered their forces around Long Ma Hall and positioned for an attack. Among their forces were the seven demons. Knowing that half the hall's men were in Mai Cun, they felt sure of their victory. 

Inside the hall, a group of nature loving monks dressed in black robes, their eyes filled with glowing numinous mushrooms, gathered around Raging Bear and her men to enact a ploy*. Their leader, Chief Xin Shi had obtained 840,000 spades from the Long Ma Hall treasury, promising to return with auxiliary forces. Instead he returned with 70 Numinous Mushrooms (each costing 12,000 spades) which his men used to make their eyes glow, so they would be mistaken for Yao. Chief Xin Shi had agreed to help but didn't want to risk losing any men, so he opted for deception. Raging Bear had no choice but to agree to the plan, though she seethed with anger at his foolishness. 

Iron Tiger approached the gates and demanded an audience with Raging Bear, which she allowed. He was brought into a dark chamber and saw numerous glowing eyes in the shadows. 

"Greeting to the granddaughter of the Chief of Long Ma Hall. I propose a bloodless way to resolve this conflict, you and I duel, and if you lose, you disband Long Ma Hall."

"I cannot do that," replied Raging Bear. 

"And why not?" asked Iron Tiger.

"Because you are surrounded by 70 Yao, so I suggest you depart. We have an arrangement with the empire and are under their protection. If you and your forces leave, we will let you go in peace."

Calmly, Iron Tiger went back to the camp and told Hei Ling what she had said. They debated the possibilities, ultimately deciding it was likely just a trick. They reasoned that 70 Yao coming to Long Ma Hall would have come to their attention. 

Hei Ling ordered the hall set ablaze with flaming arrows. As the fire consumed the structure, men poured out and met their attack. Wang Haoyang and his wife snuck into the hall. He was unseen but his wife, Fan Zhen'er, was spotted by a guard so rejoined the other forces. Wang Haoyang intercepted Raging Bear and confronted her in the courtyard as she went to join her men. 

He landed a devastating attack, using his Blade of the Dancing Fox. As she bleed he fled over the wall, and she walked out to see her forces surrendering to the enemy**. She stormed towards Iron Tiger and told him she would accept his challenge, which he met. 

The fight favored Iron Tiger Strongly. He proceeded to break her sternum and crack her jaw, but she did relentlessly come at him before over-exerting her Kung Fu trying to counter one of his strikes and becoming possessed by a Qi Demon. She passed out from Iron Tiger's attack. 

WEI ZIYING ACQUIRES RANK 

Wei Ziying and Big Sister Hong Na made their way back to Mai Cun, passing some Hai'anese merchants and learning from them that the House of Paper Shadows was rumored to have a means of traveling through time at their headquarters. Big Sister Hong Na brought Wei Ziying before Lady 87 and told her of his achievements. She praised him before everyone.

Wei Ziying saw a bearded man near Lady 87, whose eyes stared at him in rage. 

Lady 87 rewarded Wei Ziying with rank, granting him the title of Brother 56. She also rebuked her men, telling them that Brother 56 had only just joined them and already murdered one of her greatest enemies, and that she had not seen such results from them in years. She then informed Wei Ziying that he must also be punished for not bringing her the head of the Palm Mistress. So his first medallion*** would be weighted. He was also given black robes with a golden trim. 

After, Wei Ziying tried to introduce himself to other members of the sect. He looked for others with gold trim on their robe. He spotted one and approached. He greeted him and saw it was the same man who burned with rage towards him****.

He spoke with the man. They never exchanged names. But the man claimed his eyes were simply filled with admiration, not anger. But his tone said otherwise. 

MUSHROOM SELLING BEGGARS 

Hei Ling and the party spoke with their captives and found among them the nature loving monks. Chief Xin Shi asked for him and his men to be released, saying they had no feud with anyone, and were just here to help Long Ma Hall temporarily. They decided to let the monks go if they went to Mai Cun and gathered information. Chief Xin Shi agreed then he offered to sell them his numinous mushrooms for half price (just 6,000 each). Hei Ling and Wang Haoyang put their funds together and bought them knowing they could sell each one for 12,000 spades in Tung-On. 

They gave the monks a message to bring to King Archer (leader of Long Ma Hall), who was in Mai Cun with his men. The message said if he wanted his granddaughter to live he would need to come to Zikang Grotto and fight to get her back. 

They debated what to do with Raging Bear on their way, briefly considering taking her to a healer to deal with her Qi Spirit possession. Instead they chose to have Fan Zhen'er use medicine to keep her sedated and asleep. 

WEI ZIYING'S DUEL TO THE DEATH 

For the next several days, Wei Ziying was placed under Big Sister Hong Na's care to train and learn about the sect. She decided to teach him butterfly sword techniques, which he practiced. But it soon became apparent that she admired him and was stretching their training sessions into long walks and picnics. He went along but didn't do anything that would be regarded by the sect as inappropriate. 

On his way back from one such outing, he was passing a bridge back into the Guan quarter of the city when he heard a man shout "Wei Ziying, turn around and face me!"

He turned and saw the bearded man who had stared angrily at him days prior. 

"What is the trouble brother?"

"I can't take the sight of you anymore, this needs to end."

"What are you upset about surely we can work this out brother. Please tell me your name."

"I am Hua Tong but most call me Hateful Sabre," said the man. 

"Come Hateful Sabre let's discuss this somewhere. I want clarity on why you are angry with me."

Hateful Sabre strode towards him, dao in hand. "Here is the clarity for you, you have been spending far too much time with Hong Na and I don't like it!"

"I see, well I...."

"Enough, I will fight you now on this bridge."

Wei Ziying nodded "Very well, what are the rules?"

"To the death!"

The fight began with that but ended before it started. 

With a few easy strikes, Wei Ziying tore Hateful Sabre apart. He charged forward to finish him off. Neither man saw Hong Na arrive to witness the final blow and Wei Ziying did not hear her cries for them to stop*****.

As Hateful Sabre fell lifeless to the ground, Big Sister Hong Na gathered him in her arms and wept. She told Wei Ziying that the two were lovers but she had come to prefer him to Hateful Sabre, especially after seeing him kill the Palm Mistress. She was clearly distressed but told Wei Ziying she would speak on his behalf to Lady 87. 

Later they were brought before Lady 87. She told Wei Ziying that the matter should have been taken to her when the challenge was made, that the duel should have occurred in her presence. So she would punish him. He was to lose his small finger. 

Wei Ziying refused help and cut it off himself, and did so rather bravely******. This was a punishment, but fairly small compared to the other possibilities. And it served a useful purpose for Wei Ziying of bringing him further into the fold of the 87 Killers. 

*I had the players roll 2d10 take the lowest as part of Long Ma Hall's intelligence and counter-intelligence operation, on which they succeeded. So I ruled that Long Ma Hall had learned information about the attack and formed a hasty agreement with chief Xin Shi leader of the Nature Loving Monks in Laonan. 

**I used a modified method, blending elements of the Armies and War section in Wandering Heroes of Ogre Gate (WHOG, pages 101-102) with the Sect Battles Section of Lady 87 (L87, page 7). I will discuss this in a separate blog entry. 

***A bladed symbol members of the sect wear. This weighted medallion would impose a -1d10 to Wei Ziying's physical and combat skills. 

****I had the player roll a d100 and he got 76, which happened to be Hateful Sabre on the list of the 87 killers. Because this was pretty coincidental I decided they would have a fated relationship

***** In this instance a player who was not involved in the encounter pointed out it would be very dramatic for Big Sister Hong Na to arrive at this time. I thought about it and decided this campaign has dramatic elements so it is appropriate to consider. I then told the Wei Ziying's player to roll a d10, that a low roll meant she happened upon the fight and a high one meant she didn't. He rolled low, so she showed up. But he failed his detect to see or hear her. 

****** I asked for an Endurance roll, which he succeeded on. So he didn't pass out and he didn't flinch. 

OVERPOWERED KUNG FU IN OGRE GATE

 I talk briefly about when too much power is a good thing in Wandering Heroes of Ogre Gate. 

FOCUSING YOUR KUNG FU DESIGN

This post is just some very basic and narrow advice on creating your own Kung Fu techniques for Wandering Heroes of Ogre Gate, our fantasy wuxia RPG. This past week I had a player propose new techniques for my Celestial Plume Masters campaign. They were all built around an Iron Tiger theme and the concepts were generally quite good as were the mechanics, but there was one issue that emerged with a couple of them, and I believe this is a problem many GM's trying their hand at Kung Fu Technique creation run into. That is putting too many concepts into a technique. 

One important piece of advice I want to confer before getting into the issue of focus is formatting. My experience with Ogre Gate is the best techniques tend to follow a strict format of:

1) A short sentence or two on what the technique does, in an evocative flavorful text 

2) A single paragraph that says what it does mechanically (i.e. Make an Arm Strike Roll against Parry. On a Success do X number of wounds per rank of Y. On a Total Success...) 

3) A short one sentence paragraph if there are any caveats (i.e. You cannot use this technique unless you have the Medicine Skill) 

4) A one to two sentence paragraph explaining the cathartic effect. 

An example of the above format

Not every technique will follow this format, but the closer a given technique is the easier it will be to use in play and the clearer the concept. And some techniques will demand more text, a more complex format, etc. In those instances, by all means do what the technique requires. My advice is try to make most techniques you make boil down to a format like this. In practice this is much easier to deploy in play than the more involved techniques. 

Which brings me to the above point about focus. 

When you make a technique, as a general rule, the more you concept you put into it, the more confusing it will be, the harder it will be to organize the mechanics and the longer it is going to take to use during play. Occasionally more complex ability is fine. Just like some techniques require a slightly different format, some kung fu concepts require more elements to work. Not every technique in the book has to be focused. But generally you want a technique to reflect a particular action or a specific thing. If there are multiple concepts in a given technique you might want to split into two techniques. 

As an example one of the techniques we were working on was supposed to be an Iron Tiger counter that both allowed you to make your body stronger attacks but improving your reflexes. It also used two skills which I felt which can be confusing. It became clear to me reviewing it, that the idea would work better mechanically if these were made into two separate techniques.  

TIGER'S FURY (SECRET)

Discipline: Neigong

Skill: Grapple

Type: Counter

Qi:3

 

You radiate qi energy throughout your body, making you more attuned to your body and its movements while also fortifying yourself from attacks.

 

If an opponent successfully hits you with an unarmed attack you may roll your muscle against their attack roll. If your roll meets or exceeds their attack roll you may roll your ranks in Neigong against their hardiness for a chance to damage them as well as negate the effects of the attack.

 

If your opponent misses, you may make a grapple check against their attack roll to engage them in a grapple with crushing force. If you successfully grapple your opponent roll your Neigong rating against their hardiness for damage, on a total success their bones are broken and they suffer the missing limb flaw for 1 week per rank of Neigong.

 

To use this technique you can only know and use techniques from the Iron Tiger Manual.Can negate the damage from weapons as well but no damage will be done to the wielder.

 

Cathartic: When used cathartically a regular success is enough to break bones and inflict the missing limb flaw for one week per rank of Neigong.

I took this technique and split it into the following two techniques: 

TIGER'S FURY (SECRET)

Discipline: Neigong

Skill: Muscle 

Type: Counter

Qi:3

 

You radiate qi energy throughout your body, fortifying yourself from attacks and making your body hard as iron.

 

Roll your Muscle against the unarmed attack roll of your opponent. On a Success, the attack fails and they take damage as their limb smashes into your sturdy body. Roll your ranks in Neigong against their Hardiness. 

 

This can negate the damage from weapons as well but no damage will be done to the wielder. To use this technique you can only know and use techniques from the Iron Tiger Manual.

 

Cathartic: When used cathartically a regular success is enough to break bones and inflict the missing limb flaw for one week per rank of Neigong.

 

REPLY OF THE TIGER (SECRET)

Discipline: Neigong

Skill: Grapple

Type: Counter

Qi:3

 

You respond to a failed melee attack with the reflexes of a tiger and a grip of iron. 

 

When an opponent misses on a melee attack you can Roll Grapple against their Parry. On a Success you can roll Neigong against their Hardiness for damage. On a Total Success you grip a limb and break bone, causing them to take the missing limb flaw for 1 week per rank of neigong. 

 

If your opponent misses, you may make a grapple check against their attack roll to engage them in a grapple with crushing force. If you successfully grapple your opponent roll your Neigong rating against their hardiness for damage, on a total success their bones are broken and they suffer the missing limb flaw for 1 week per rank of Neigong. 

To use this technique you can only know and use techniques from the Iron Tiger Manual.

Cathartic: When used cathartically you inflict Neigong+Muscle in damage.

The second one is still a little more busy than I would normally like but I find this much easier to run during play than the original version. There are also remaining issues of balance, which I will get into in future posts on this topic. Also this is not the final version of these techniques that ended up in the campaign. These were starting points, which were revised and tweaked after each session until they felt right. 

On the topic of balance, Ogre Gate does take an open approach to power spikes. So it isn't necessarily a problem to have balance issues in a technique, a lot of that is going to come down to feel. But that doesn't mean anything goes either. Again I will touch on this in future posts on the topic. 

. 

 

CELESTIAL PLUME MASTERS SESSION ELEVEN

This was the eleventh session of my Wandering Heroes of Ogre Gate wuxia sandbox campaign, the Celestial Plume Masters, using the Sons of Lady 87 book, which was just released in print. You can see the first session HERE. You can see the Tenth session HERE. 

PLAYER CHARACTERS 

Wei Ziying: A skilled poisoner and physician, with ties to the Relentless Corpse Sect, Wei Ziying is a disciple of the Celestial Plume Masters. He also has a longstanding friendship with Kuo Qingzhao, who wishes to know more about the poisons that killed his wife (poisons Wei Ziying knows the secrets of). Grudge: Ravenous Nun Xuanji (for the murder of Red Eagle)

Wang Haoyang: A master of stealth, Wang Haoyang is one of the Celestial Plume Master disciples. He has a lifelong friendship with Pei Ye of the Vermillion Bird Teahouse, but has attracted the affection of another member of that organization, Fan Zhen'er (he does not return the affection but wishes to avoid creating friction within the Vermillion Bird Teahouse, and possibly creating enemies). Grudge: Guan Nuan (for a duel he escaped, she feels she lost face because he was weaker than her and should have been an easy victory)

Hei Ling: A one-eyed chief in the Celestial Plume Masters, Hei Ling is the father of Li Liang, whom he wishes to cease practicing her Toad Style kung fu because of the physical toll on her body. He had Li Liang with Qixia the candied fruit in his youth and since then Qixia has grown hostile. He has a working relationship with the Wu Sisters. Grudge: Qixia the Candied Fruit Vendor (of Hai'an). Grudge: Qixia (many reasons related to their pre-existing relationship)

Iron Tiger: The newest member of the party, sent by Night Thorn to help them expand. He has a longstanding friendship with Iron Beggar Sun Kang, whom he wants to leave his lap of luxury in the House of Flying Lanterns so he can train with the Nature Loving Monks and improve his Kung Fu. Iron Beggar in turn wants Iron Tiger to leave the Celestial Plume Masters. Grudge: Pei Ye (he murdered her favorite client, Golden Cobra). 

THE TEMPLE OF THE GOLDEN DRAGONS 

In Jinsa, Iron Tiger received a message and followed the order. He had Qixia's corpse exhumed and preserved so Li Liang could craft a mace handle from her bones. 

Then Iron Tiger went to the Banyan to meet with the Golden Dragons. He offered to train their men in exchange for the temple's Kung Fu. They were uncomfortable with his offer and Bronze Master said they could not freely trade their marital arts with a person like himself. 

Iron Tiger threatened to destroy them all if they didn't consider his offer. 

"But we have thousands of men, what hope do you have?" Asked Bronze Master. 

"I have never been defeated. My kung fu is exceptional and unrivaled. I can take you all."

Seeing Iron Tiger was serious he offered to meet with him privately. 

Iron Tiger persuaded Bronze Master to allow him a match with one of the Golden Dragon masters. He called in Master Emerald who faced off with Iron Tiger. 

Initially Master Emerald countered Iron Tiger's first attack with a spinning back kick. Shortly after Iron Tiger broke Master Emerald's arm and Bronze Master ended the match, accusing Iron Tiger of being an animal. 

"You should leave" He told Iron Tiger. 

Iron Tiger refused, demanding that Bronze Master allow his men to spar with the disciples of the Golden Dragons. At first Bronze Master said their sect was too righteous, that he found Iron Tiger's methods appalling. But after he made Iron Tiger promise to not break any more bones, to not kill or seriously injure, he agreed on the condition that he would leave after the matches. 

The Golden Dragons selected some of their better men to go up against Iron Tiger's. In the end, the Golden Dragons outperformed them. Before Iron Tiger left, Bronze Master asked to speak with him privately. 

"Your Kung Fu is very impressive, and I believe we can come to an arrangement if you are open minded my friend," said Bronze Master. "I have men here, well trained men, who are not worthy to remain. They have misbehaved and I must expel them anyways. Perhaps I can assign them to train with you, to help them reform." 

Iron Tiger was pleased by the offer and said he could accept. 

"I just need you to do some things for me, if I give you these men," said Bronze Master. 

Iron Tiger once again said this was acceptable. 

"You will need to kill from time to time; you can accept this term?"

"Yes," Said Iron Tiger. 

"Good, I will expel them after you leave and tell them to go to your headquarters in?"

"Tung-On."

"Very well, I will send them to Tung-On to meet you." 

TURN OF THE ZHEN BIRD 

Iron Tiger left and set out for Tung-On. The journey was mostly uneventful save for passing some Kushen Soldiers as they crossed the Banyan Mountains. However they spotted two birds circling down to them in the Southern Desert. They both tried to peck Iron Tiger so he grabbed their throats and snapped their necks, killing them. Emerald Cobra was concerned they were an omen. 

WEI ZIYING BETRAYS HIS SECT

It was decided that Wei Ziying would go to Mai Cun and pretend to join The 87 Killers, providing them with select information about the Celestial Plume Masters. He and Wang Haoyang coordinated a time and place to stage an ambush by leading them to believe Haoyang would be alone and vulnerable when his wife left their residence on a journey. With Hei Ling's blessing he made the journey. Along the way he was accosted by a monk named Li Yaochen. The monk demanded he come with him to see an old friend. Wei Ziying played along but used his elusive viper technique to slip away when it became clear the monk was taking him to Gao Cun. 

When he reached Mai Cun he made his way to the Guan quarter and asked for an audience with Lady 87, explaining that he hide vital information about the Celestial Plume Masters. 

He was given an audience. 

"Greetings 87th Lady of the Guan House," he said before her. 

Lady 87 continuously called him "Wei Ziling" throughout the meeting as he explained he wished to join their organization because he felt his chief, Hei Ling did not treat him well, rewarding others who did not deserve it, while passing him by. He also offered to provide Lady 87 with information on the whereabouts of Wang Haoyang. 

"Wang Haoyang and Hei Ling are not important people, and why am I to trust this man who betrays his own sect then grovels in my hall?"

"I have more information Lady."

"Can you tell me where the Celestial Plume Masters are headquartered?"

"I cannot Lady, they are very secretive and do not inform me of such things."

"The Celestial Plume Masters ranks are filled with deceptions and secrets," She complained. 

"I do know the location of a secret martial school they are using to build a force to send against you Lady. And I am skilled in the use of poison and stealth."

Lady 87 thought and said she would take him into her organization as a prospect. He would be given quarters and uniform, then assigned a task the next day. 

WEI ZIYING FACES CERTAIN DEATH 

The next morning Yuhuan, Lady 87's right hand, came to Wei Ziying with a pitiful black uniform and told him he would be paired with Big Sister Hong Na and sent to kill the leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult. He was to leave that day. 

He travelled for six days with Big Sister Hong Na leading the way. He observed that she got a lot of very basic facts of the world wrong as they talked, and while she was initially very distrustful he managed to persuade her of his sincerity. 

On the way they were approached by a Sheriff and 10 constables demanding passports. As Wei Ziying was focused on providing the information, they encircled the pair and announced both were under arrest as Big Sister Hong Na was wanted. 

They leapt into action, Wei Ziying spraying them with poison and Big Sister Hong Na slicing most of them down with her cleaver. The remaining constables pleaded for their life, so they departed and let them die from the effects of the poison. 

When they reached the entrance to the Heavenly Wind Cult's cave, they realized it was well guarded, so Wei Ziying decided to take a direct approach. 

He had a copy of a page of a manual that turned Yao into normal humans. Knowing that the Heavenly Wind Cult was led by Palm Mistress Qin Ying, who opposed the empire, he coated it with contact poison and spoke with the guards saying he came on behalf of Lady 87 offering a peace gift to end the conflict between them. He explained that he had something their leader would find helpful. 

He and Hong Na were given an audience, in a cavern where Mistress Qin Ying held court over a jade pool filled with blood. Her son and daughter flanked her as did her men. 

Wei Ziying said that he had a manual which could restore the Yao, making them mortal men again. She had one of her acolytes take it and bring it to her. The contact poison worked quickly and she sensed the trembling it caused her acolyte. 

Wei Ziying felt that Palm Mistress Qin Ying was extremely powerfulness he stood in her presence. 

She rose into the air and called into existence fifteen swords which surrounded and struck at Wei Ziying. He whirled away and avoided the attack then used his Eluding Viper to deliver a surprising Blade of the Dancing Fox and landed devastating blows against her. 

Her children sprung into action, her son sending a spinning axe at Wei Ziying and Big Sister Hong Na. Wei Ziying used Arc of the Spine, Flick of the Wrist to escape the blade and poison him with needles. The daughter then used a palm strike against Wei Ziying but he evaded that as well. 

The battle raged, but was quickly brought to an end when Wei Ziying once again used Blade of the Dancing Fox to kill Palm Mistress Qin Ying. The Daughter and Son were badly hurt. The daughter's name was Fan Wenrou and she offered peace saying "Let us take our mother and bury her in the south, and I promise to cause no further trouble with the 87 Killers." 

Wei Ziying agreed, but he knew his poison would soon kill the son, Fan Jing, so he and Big Sister Hong Na quickly made their way back to Mai Cun. On the way Big Sister Hong Na expressed her admiration for Wei Ziying's incredible martial abilities. She was very impressed that he had killed the Palm Mistress in a direct fight. 

ALLIANCES IN TUNG-ON

In Tung-on Hei Ling and Wang Haoyang spoke with Chief Wanli who wanted a special arrangement to buy celestial plume. Hei Ling offered him a rate of 2,000 a pound and Wanli agreed.  

Iron God Meng continued to focus on snake handling, now working with King Cobras and showing signs of having been bitten many times. He told Hei Ling it made him stronger and more resilient. 

When Hei Ling explained the request of Chief Wanli, Iron God Meng was furious. He despised the Nature Loving Monks and resented their encroachment. It would be best to go to war with them he said. 

"Is it wise to fight them brother?" Asked Hei Ling

"They have what? Twenty men in this prefecture? We will crush them swiftly!"

Hei Ling paused and said "Brother we should crush them and we will, but why not sell them some plume for a while, let them expand the market and then destroy them so we can swoop in?"

Iron God Meng expressed admiration for Hei Ling's strategic mind and said this was a good idea. 

Hei Ling then arranged a meeting with the Seven Demons, and met them just outside Zha. He offered an alliance. They would work together to defeat Long Ma Hall, as he had information that their men were largely in Mai Cun. He agreed to give them Long Ma hall territory after if they would join with them in an attack on the 87 Killers. 

The Seven Demons agreed and they began planning their assault on Long Ma Hall.