CELESTIAL PLUME MASTERS SESSION 20

This was the Twentieth 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 nineteenth 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).

BROKEN BONES AND SEVERED LEGS

Wang Haoyang's attack failed. His wife's, did not, and she cut into the hag, Bingyin. 

The next moments saw a blaze of fists and steel. Blood became a mist hanging in the air.

Of the three, Bingyin proved most formidable. But the momentum turned to the party's favor when San, the sister of Bone Breaker, and Chen, sworn brother of Bone Breaker, leapt to attack Hei Ling, only to have their legs cut off by his leg maiming strike. 

Their bodies collapsed to the floor, their mind's conscious but their legs scattered. 

Iron Tiger broke Bingyin's knee cap. She then arced her back and unleashed a wave of blue Qi energy against the party. This had some effect but she surrendered after Iron Tiger's fist sent her crumpled to the ground. 

Hei Ling and Iron Tiger recognized San as Bone Breaker's twin sister. 

Fearless Cat
Art by Jackie Musto 

"You can go, and you can take him," Hei Ling said to Bingyin as he pointed to Chen. "But she stays. She will be treated as our guest, and you can tell Bone Breaker if it is a war he wants, it is a war he will get. Or we can deal with this like civilized people and have a real conversation."

Iron Tiger spoke to the crone as she lifted Chen and hobbled out of the boat, "Tell Bone Breaker this was a misunderstanding. He was given false information by Bronze Master." 

On the trip back they were able to speak with San. Iron Tiger had heard of her dislike for Bone Breaker's wife, Fearless Cat and suggested perhaps the ambush was her idea and not Bone Breaker's^. 

"Yes, she is a despicable woman," San said as she was recovering. 

Over the course of the journey San would put the blame for all her sect's missteps and evils on Fearless Cat. 

PARASOL AND BEGGARS 

Back in Mai Cun another of Iron Tiger's recruits arrived*. It was a woman dressed in the fashion of the empire's upper crust. She presented herself as Twin Dagger Zaun Shanhu. 

They allowed a demonstration and she appeared to display tremendous lethality using two daggers. When asked if she knew the Storming Daggers technique, Zuan Shanhu scoffed and didn't seem to think much of it, preferring her own approach. Then she was permitted to demonstrate the full force of her technique on Hei Ling, who willingly let her blades cut into his flesh. The effect appeared impressive. 

Iron Tiger offered her a position. Zuan Shanhu said she had two requirements: 

"Know that I will never walk anywhere. I expect to be carried by palanquin and have sufficient men for the job, whatever the mission. Also I would like to continue living in the manner I am accustomed. My chambers should be exceptionally high quality and I will receive a stipend**."

Iron Tiger agreed and saw that she was given adequate quarters until more permanent arrangements could be made. 

Iron Tiger then hired a famous local detective named Liu Wan to investigate the matter of the Nature Loving Monks siding against them in the conflict. Wang Haoyang wasn't concerned, but Hei Ling and Iron Tiger were more worried about it. 

Liu Wan carried a parasol and seemed confident in his abilities. He asked for one golden tael upfront and two when he finished the missions. He told them he would find out about the beggars in a say's time. 

LIU WAN RETURNS 

Carrying a sack saturated with blood, Liu Wan bowed to Hei Ling. They could see a recent wound upon his face, a rather ghastly one. 

He calmly removed a head from the bag. "The Nature Loving Monks tried to ambush me, but I managed to make this one speak before I cut off the head."

"We are sorry you were attacked but you seem to have handled yourself well," Said Hei Ling. "Please tell us what you learned."

"It seems that he," Liu Wan said pointing to Wang Haoyang, "was seen by a beggar murdering Drunken Cricket, the wife of Chief Qu Wanli. So they have turned against you and you should expect them to attempt assassinations against Wang Haoyang in the near future."

Liu Wan was thanked for his service and given his two golden taels. Iron Tiger asked to retain him permanently and he said he would consider it over the next ten days. Iron Tiger offered to have him a new parasol crafted by Master San in Mai Cun. 

They debated how to handle the matter. Hei Ling sent a gift of 50,000 spades to all the regional Nature Loving Monk chiefs except for Chief Qu Wanli hoping to turn them against him and earn their loyalty. He also included a message that read: 

There was an unfortunate incident involving Drunken Cricket. We did not mean to offend the Nature Loving Monks. But you should also know the truth about Chief Qu Wanli: he was selling dangerously low quality celestial plume that was causing death and social disorder in Tung-On.

This is where the session ended. 

^Prior to the battle, I had asked the players to make a roll to see whether these characters were part of the setting canon or if all the Bone Breaker material was part of the Bone Breaker campaign canon as they are very different. In the campaign, San despised Fearless Cat with a passion. In the books this is described more as a fear of Fearless Cat, but in the campaign, San wanted Fearless Cat to die. This roll also would affect whether members of Bone Breaker sect had certain items and abilities. 

*Iron Tiger had put word out that he was seeking to hire several great masters into his service. 

**For each of the masters that Iron Tiger recruits, I make a roll to see how closely they align with the criteria he gave to his men, then I use the Bedrock App to make a random character and establish the NPC's personality and history based on their kung fu and skills. In the case of Zuan Shanhu, she had a number of skills that seemed more aristocratic so I quickly put together details that included she was born into a wealthy family, had a quirk that she demanded her employers provide a palanquin (but despite this she still trained most of the day to help explain things like her 4d10 Athletics). The visual that hit me was the Eunuch in the original Dragon Gate Inn movie, who spends the entire film being taken to the final battle on a palanquin by his servants. I imagine that is how she approaches all her missions. 

CELESTIAL PLUME MASTERS SESSION FIFTEEN

This was the Fifteenth 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 fourteenth 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 THE FORGOTTEN BRIDGE

Wei Ziying was sent on orders from Lady 87 to kill the remaining six leaders of the Seven Demons*, who were on their way to meet The House of Loma at ruined bridge over a dry riverbed south of San Ci. They came in search of allies. What the Seven Demon leadership did not realize was they were walking into an ambush set by Lady 87, and that the House of Loma were coordinating with Wei Ziying and Big Sister Hong Na. 

Wei Ziying went to the bridge with Big Sister Hong Na, Mule-Head Hong (a high ranking member of the 87 Killers), Three-Handed Feng (leader of the House of Loma), Lulu (a crucial member of the house of Loma) and ten of the House of Loma Disciples. Wei Ziying snuck under the bridge with Lulu and Big Sister Hong Na, leaving Mule-Head Hong and Three-Handed Feng to wait on the bridge (the disciples stayed far from sight in the area). 

The seven demons remaining were: Zhizhu (the leader), Yao Yun, Ai, Bone General, Qanku, and Wuzhi. Fubai had been killed so they had a disciple dress up as him. 

Zhizhu
Art by Jackie Musto

As the Seven Demons approached they saw the disciples hidden behind some trees**. As they got closer one of the Seven Demons recognized the face of Mule-Head Hong as a member of the 87 Killers and mentioned this to the leader Zhizhu***.

"It's a trap." Zhizhu stopped her men and instructed everyone to flee. 

What ensued was rather chaotic with Yao Yun, Ai, Zhizhu, and Bone General all using Swift Stride to escape the area****. Wei Ziying leapt out and assailed Qanku with a flash of venom droplets that quickly entered his blood stream. 

Wuzhi was also wounded by fled as well using his Swift Stride, only to be followed by Lulu who landed a series of kicks against him forcing until his spit up blood. 

Seeing her brother in trouble, Zhizhu commended Bone General and Yaoyun to great stride with her to save him. They leapt in, and Bone General used his Bone Pulling Hook to rip Lulu's leg bones from her body*****

Lulu had a moment to choose between fleeing and landing a fatal blow against Wuzhi. She chose to flee and made her way back to the bridge (though she was possessed by a Qi Spirit at this point as she had over-exerted her martial arts). 

When the battle was over, Qanku was dead and the rest of the Seven Demons had fled. 

THE SHIFTING ALLIANCES OF IRON GOD MENG 

Hei Ling and Wang Haoyang made their way back to Tung-On, first by land to Yun Hu, then by boat along the canal. Iron Tiger went from He Yun to Tung-On by chariot with his men, so was a couple days behind them. 

When Hei Ling and Wang Haoyang arrives in Tung-On, they sent word to Hua Yin of Night Thorn's Death, then Hei Ling went to see Iron God Meng after receiving a message requesting his presence. 

When he arrived at the Lucky Mountain Gambling Hall, something felt off, but he could not quite put his finger on it******

He came to Iron God Meng's new audience hall, where baskets of King Cobras lined the wall alongside Iron God Meng's guards. 

"Greetings Brother," Said Iron God Meng. 

Hei Ling could see that something was wrong with his sworn brother's expression. He discerned that his skin and eyes were darkened and showed signs of illness or exposure to poison.*******

Iron God Meng slumped a bit in his chair and looked more wild than normal. 

"I have made a decision and need to tell you about it Brother. But I warn you, you are not going to like it."

"Please Brother," Said Hei Ling. "We can speak freely with one another."

"I have decided to join forces with the 87 Killers. The war is bending in their favor: Night Thorn is dead."********

"But brother, the winds of war can change, do not be too hasty and ally with someone who will lose in the end."

"There is more," Said Iron God Meng. "The 87 Killers have destroyed the Heavenly Wind Cult by sending their Palm Mistress to her grave, defeated Demonic Venom Sect in the same way, and is increasing its allies." 

"Give me some time," Said Hei Ling. "Events are unfolding that will change the outcome I assure you. I ask you to wait before striking anyone, so you aren't committed to a losing struggle."

"I have committed my forces, but I will not use them against your men, as we are sworn brothers, and should I hear word that something has unfolded, I will remember your words." 

This is where the session ended.  

*Because this was going to be a major battle and a potentially long and large one (not in sheer numbers but in numbers of important NPCs), I had the two other players present (we were down one player) run the Seven Demons. I like to do this sometimes because it can make for a more competitive fight (players tend to run NPCs more ruthlessly sometimes). 

**This was simply a Detect roll 

***This was a result of an Institutions (Sects) Roll TN 10. So it was a very unlikely result

****Here I ruled that anyone who fled the area using Great Stride could be chased by another if that person succeeded in an opposed roll against their Great Stride roll (and that the pursuer could make an attack on a success). 

*****He got two tens on the attack roll 

******This was due to the player failing his Detect roll, had he succeeded he would have noticed more details alerting him to Iron God Meng's change of plans (i.e. guards at attention and placed around the hall more strategically, etc) 

*******This was a result of a Medicine Roll 

********As far as Hei Ling was aware, Iron God Meng did not understand Night Thorn's importance in the organization. This was true, and his awareness was a product of Lady 87 promoting Night Thorn's death and his importance to the Celestial Plume Masters throughout the martial world 

^This was actually a long session but the log is short, due to much of the focus being on a major battle at the beginning which took some time to set up and run (no miniatures but the players needed to familiarize themselves with the characters they were running and each turn of combat was carefully evaluated)

THE SCHOLAR OF XIA KINGDOM

These are my notes for a profound masters location in one of my recent sessions, with some additional advice and material to make them more useful for general campaigns. The maps are my attempts to copy my own maps from my notebook (there were too many scribbles and turn order notes in them to use for the blog). The party was seeking a man named Tung Lu, a powerful master who had gone missing and was last known to have dueled with a mysterious hermit, Magnificent Scholar. One of the players decided to seek him out, and ended up trapped in the scholar's miniature kingdom of Xia. 

The adventure itself was partly inspired by The Eleventh Son (and the movie Swordsman and the Enchantress) and the thriller The Vanishing. Because I wasn't expecting the players to drink the shrining substance, I only loosely planned out Xia Kingdom. I could see going into much greater depth on this one. I considered starting a campaign here as well (decided not to do it, but it is still an interesting possibility, especially if you have player characters who were born in Xia Kingdom). 

Again this was written with my campaign in mind. So the things like the hook are rather specific to it. But I do try to advise GMs running their own campaign as well in these sections. 

One thing to note as well: Magnificent Scholar was generated randomly with the Bedrock App. I modified him slightly once the character became clear from the results, but his techniques are pretty wide ranging as a result of the random generation. 

XIA KINGDOM AND THE MAGNIFICENT SCHOLAR 

This Miniature world is found inside the home of Magnificent Scholar. He resides on a peak in Southern Li Fan, protected by a long rope bridge over a chasm that leads to hidden emerald deposits and a mountain god named Xuan. 

 

XIA KINGDOM

My crude depiction of 
Magnificent Scholar's abode 

Xia Kingdom is a small model of the empire. The entrance to Xia Kingdom is an oval portal with thin iron bars on the wall of Magnificent Scholar’s studio, with a sign above it that reads “Xia Kingdom”. This goes to a small world he crafted that replicates the era of the demon emperor on a much reduced scale. About the size of a large basement (1,400 square feet), it is sculpted into the rock of the mountain side that abuts Magnificent Scholar’s home, forming a cavern complex filled with miniature lakes, forests, inns, towns, etc. Though modeled on the real period, much of it is Magnificent Scholar’s own invention. It is anachronistic and imprecise as well. 

Xia Kingdom is populated by people shrunk down to the size of a thimble. Therefore while he has models of cities such as Daolu, the models themselves, even on this smaller scale, are simplified and usually populated by tens of people rather than hundreds or thousands, or tens of thousands. He also has trouble casting, for example the Ogre Demon he placed to be the Love General, refuses to fall in love with Sunan (Tung Lu), and the man he shrunk to play the role of Sun Mai spends most of his time in a drunken stupor. For characters simply pick actual heroes from the books randomly to play the different people from that period. For an elaborate campaign set in the underground world, using Legends of Ogre Gate as a guide can be useful. But information from the history section in the WHOG rulebook and in the Yao Gong Palace entry of Ogre Gate Inn (page 63) should supply plenty of material. 

 

HOOK AND ADVENTURE 

My very crude depiction of
Xia Kingdom

The players may seek out Tung Lu because he has a technique Iron Tiger needs to complete his own manual. However Tung Lu has been missing from the martial world. No one knows he lost a duel with Magnificent Scholar and was imprisoned in Xia Kingdom. Magnificent Scholar will see the player’s arrival as an opportunity to cast new people to fill his world. He will provide them each with his shrinking transformative substance, saying once they consume it, they will find Tung Lu. If the party drinks it, they wake up in Xia Kingdom where they must find their way around and hopefully escape. If they do not, the adventure may simply end up as a confrontation with Magnificent Scholar and the discovery that he has a world of shrunken heroes below his house. If he wins the confrontation he likely tries to shrink them and continue with his original plan. If he loses, the party will be able to decide his fate but will still need to find a way to rescue Tung Lu and, if they desire, restore him to his normal size. 

For other campaigns a reasonable hook would be for the heroes to be seeking anyone imprisoned in Xia Kingdom. Most likely the whereabouts of such individuals would be a mystery and there may be an investigative adventure that eventually leads the party to Magnificent Scholar’s residence. 

MAGNIFICENT SCHOLAR

Magnificent Scholar is sullen and arrogant hermit who resides in a small hut on a peak in southern Li Fan. He became obsessed with the era of Demon Emperor and with creating a model replica of the empire during the Demon Emperor’s reign called Xia Kingdom. As his obsession deepened he devised a way to transform people to thimble size, and imprison them in his model. He spends his time researching and seeking out heroes to trap. Occasionally he duels them, but mostly he tries to trick them into drinking his shrinking substance (use SHRINKING SUBSTANCE in STRANGE TALES OF SONGLING, page 27). 

 

Magnificent Scholar is a prisoner of his own record book (see The Scholar of Xia Kingdom below). This has intensified his resentment. He has a natural dislike of other people, which is why he lives as a hermit, but being imprisoned makes him appreciate good conversation with the people of Xia Kingdom. He views these prisoners as his friends. However he is incredibly frustrated by them and most of his exchanges with them end him threatening to tear off their limbs or deprive them of food if they don’t play the roles he has assigned to them. 

 

Defenses: Hardiness 4, Parry 8, Evade 9, Stealth 6, Wits 8, Resolve 7

Key Skills: Arm Strike: 3d10, Light Melee: 4d10, Small Ranged: 4d10, Muscle: 2d10, Speed: 4d10, Athletics: 3d10, Reasoning: 4d10, Detect: 3d10, Medicine: 3d10, Talent (Calligraphy): 3d10, Talent (Poetry): 2d10, Talent (Poisoning): 4d10, Trade (Stone): 3d10, Trade (Alchemy): 4d10, Trade (Architecture): 2d10, Survival (Mountain/Hill): 4d10, Ritual (Activation): 3d10, Ritual (Create Seal of Jiangnu): 3d10, Ritual (Draw out the Demons): 2d10, Ritual (Profound Binding of the Demon): 4d10, Ritual (Supreme Activation): 3d10, History (Era of 100 Pieces): 2d10, History (Era of the Demon Emperor): 4d10, History (Era of the Glorious Emperor): 2d10, Places/Cultures (Hu Qin): 3d10, Institutions (Sects): 4d10, Religions/Gods (Dehua): 3d10, Classics (Rites of Wan Mei): 3d10, Classics (Sayings of Kong Zhi): 4d10, Classics (Scripture of Sun Mai): 3d10

 

Qi: 9

Max Wounds: 19

Weapon: Iron Thread (5d10 Attack, 2d10 Damage)

Combat Techniques: Arm Strike - Outside Fighter, Light Melee - From the Shadows, Arm Strike - Inside Fighter, Light Melee – Deflect

 

Kung Fu Techniques (Dianxue 3, Qinggong 1): Plum Blossom Palm, Four-Point Touch, Distracting Crane Rake, Gallbladder Strike, Sealing the Winds of Gushan, Web of Lies, Tree Bounding Strike, Tree Bounding Stride, Crippling Strike of Bing, The Gentle Footsteps of Timeless Perennial, Crawling Tiger, White Flower Palm, Strike of the Raging Tiger, Bladder Strike, Sealing the Phoenix, Leap of the Swan, Bounding Spider, Stealth of the Spider Demon, Gushan's Gambit, Lurking Spider Stance, Nine Divine Snakes, Trembling Strike, Arc of the Spine Flick of the Wrist (Counter), Whirling Dodge (Counter), Onyx Backflip (Counter), Philosophical Crane's Pull (Counter)

 

Profound Techniques: Jade Ribbon Burst, Robes of Steel, King Viper's Fiery Greeting, Iron Strike, Lily of the Poisoned Mind, Swift Punch of Thundering Crane, Tortoise Holds Up the Sky, Devastating Strike of Thundering Crane, Throttling Web (Counter), Hands of the Fireshield (Counter)

 

THE SCHOLAR OF XIA KINGDOM 

This began as a record book of Magnificent Scholar’s own accomplishments, but slowly his style was taken over by a voice not his own, and then the book began to write itself. This book records all the great deeds of the Magnificent Scholar and does so with the flair of the most fashionable literary works. The writer has a clear voice and often anticipates outcomes. The tomb towers at 20 feet in height and is so heavy that Magnificent Scholar cannot move it around and has become a prisoner to it. 

 

When the person who it is written for dies, the next person to handle it becomes the new owner. It is cursed and cannot be eliminated. If thrown into the sea, it returns the moment the person turns around. If given to someone else it returns to the owner. The owner of the book can venture away from it temporarily but must ask the book’s permission (which it doesn’t always grant, and usually only allows small distance travel for essential things like sleep and food). Anyone who tries to escape the book, must make a Muscle roll against 7d10 every minute or get pulled back towards it. 

 

MOUNTAIN GOD XUAN 

This towering but weak mountain god looks like a large yak with emerald colored hairs and two great tusks. He stands on two legs and his eight hands are like a man’s. He can speak with a terrifying face that is vaguely human. Slow witted he adores music and is always kind to gentle and/or polite people. He was defeated by Magnificent Scholar and now serves him. He protects both the scholar and the emerald deposits below.

 

Mountain God Xuan is friendly and will gladly talk with anyone. He never attempts to deceive people, always telling them clearly the consequences of any actions they may take.  Though he has vowed to protect the area, he tries not to kill anyone. 

 

Defenses: Hardiness 9, Evade 4, Parry 8, Stealth 3, Wits 4, Resolve 10

Key Skills: Arm Strike: 4d10 (Damage 8d10), Gore: 2d10 (5d10 Open), Medium Melee: 2d10, Speed: 1d10 (40 feet), Muscle: 5d10, Detect: 2d10, Meditation: 3d10, Institutions (Bureaucracy of Heaven): 0d10

 

Qi: 9

Max Wounds: 18

Key Kung Fu Techniques (Waijia 2, Qinggong 1, Neigong 2, Dianxue 1):

Hands of the Hawk Beak, Ringing Strike of the Divine Ram, Roar of the Lion, Iron Body (Counter), Whirling Dodge (Counter)

 

POWERS

Multiple Attack: Can attack up to eight people a round by throwing stones or striking with his hands for 8d10 damage. 

 

Deathless: Destroying Xuan’s body is only a temporary measure. Forms as an emerald crystal in the pit and slowly returns over 1d10 days when this occurs.

 

Immunities: Immune to Mundane Attacks and to Waijia and Qinggong attacks (from opponents lower Qi rank than him). 

 

Beast Strength (x5)

CELESTIAL PLUME MASTERS SESSION FOURTEEN

This was the Fourteenth 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 Thirteenth 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). 

WE WILL GO TO LI FAN 

Wang Haoyang, Hei Ling, Fan Zhen'er and Iron Tiger discussed their next move. They decided it was important to improve their martial arts before facing the 87 Killers. Relying on their information network, they identified possible places each could learn a suitable technique. Hei Ling wished to learn the feared Leg Maiming Strike Technique from Shen Guan of Stone Palace, in Li Fan. Wang Haoyang wanted to learn from the Skin Wearing Assassins of Dragon Tooth Cavern in Li Fan. Iron Tiger wished to speak with Magnificent Scholar about the disappearance of Tung Lu, and would need to go to one of the southern peaks of the Banyan Mountains in Li Fan. 

They agreed to all go to Li Fan, but had just over 20 days to make it back for a rendezvous with Wei Ziying so they could ambush the 87 Killers. After discussion they decided that Iron Tiger would take chariots to Magnificent Scholar, while Hei Ling, Fan Zhen'er and Wang Haoyang would go to Stone Palace before trying to reach Dragon Tooth Cavern.

Wang Haoyang taught Fan Zhen'er his stealth of the Spider Demon technique. 

A BOOK AND A CUP

Iron Tiger scaled the peaks along the border of Li Fan and Hu Qin, with his retinue and came to a rope bridge leading to a towering stone hut. Beyond the bridge they saw a giant yak-like figure, with eight arms and a ferocious face. He said he was the god of the mountain, and tasked with guarding it as well as protecting the home of Magnificent Scholar. 

"I need to speak with the scholar, may I enter?" Asked Iron Tiger. 

Night Thorn
Art by Jackie Musto 

"Wait here," Roared the Mountain God, who then walked to the scholar's hut. He returned and said "Only you, Iron Tiger, may enter."

Iron Tiger nodded and and told his men to go to Yun Hu and report should he not return in a timely manner. 

Approaching the hut he found two doors, both wide open. The first led to a bed chamber, which he had no interest in inspecting. So he entered the other door and there he found something odd. There was a set of steps leading up to a second story and a table laid out with a cup of liquid. A strange book lay on the ground. The book was so large, it went up to the ceiling through the floor to the next story. 

"Drink this Iron Tiger, if you wish learn what became of Tung Lu." It was Magnificent Scholar speaking from the second floor. 

"How do I know you aren't giving me a lethal poison?"

"Drink if you want to know."

Iron Tiger inspected the cup and so no visible sign of poison, so he drank. Then he collapsed into a sleep.*

STONE PALACE 

Wang Haoyang, Fan Zhen'er and Hei Ling took a merchant vessel on the canals to reach Yun Hu (which only took a small number of days). There they went to Stone Palace, a casino, and asked to speak with Shen Guan, the bodyguard of Gambling Butcher, the leader. They were brought into a room filled with men wearing golden robes embroidered with crickets. Shen Guan sat at the head of the chamber flanked by the men and asked what they wanted. 

Hei Ling explained that he heard her Leg Maiming Strike was superb and wished to learn it. 

"You want to be my disciple?"

"No, I would like to learn the technique from you and perhaps the Celestial Plume Masters can give you something that you wish in exchange."

Shen Guan asked him to speak with her privately outside. They walked the streets while Wang Haoyang stayed and gambled with the Golden Crickets (losing over 1,100 spades in a cricket fight). 

Hei Ling asked Shen Guan what an acceptable trade would be, and she informed him that if he were to kill and bring back a member of the Maidens of the Jade Blue Sky so Gambling Butcher could make a stew of the remains, she would teach him her technique. She also said they would need to come to an arrangement where their organizations would never fight, so the technique couldn't be used against Stone Palace. He suggested that she become his adopted daughter. He was much older, so this seemed more appropriate than becoming sworn siblings. She agreed and also asked to learn one of his techniques. 

Wang Haoyang, Fan Zhen'er and Hei Ling asked around town to learn where the Maidens of the Jade Blue Sky might be. They discovered that Abbess Jun Bo was seen in Dashen (a village the organization was known to have ties with). They headed there and found her sleeping in a small homestead accompanied by a disciple. 

Map of Yun Hu (low res version)
By Francesca Baerald 

Wang Haoyang and Fan Zhen'er used their Stealth of the Spider Demon to crawl through the windows and assassinate them. The Abbess and her disciple were dead before they had a chance to wake. Fan Zhen'er cleaned up the scene, to be sure no one could learn their involvement**. They buried the body of the disciple then took the body of the abbess with them on the road back to He Yun. 

When they returned to Stone Palace sect with the corpse, Shen Guan was pleased and she informed Hei Ling that she received news that Bone Breaking Sect was after them. One of her informants in Bone Fortress heard that someone visited the sect and told Bone Breaker there was a man using his techniques and trying to rise up in a manner that could make him a rival. The person was Iron Tiger, and since the meeting Bone Breakers men had been looking for anyone affiliated with Celestial Plume Masters. 

Hei Ling formally adopted her as his daughter and she addressed him as father from then on. 

XIA KINGDOM 

Iron Tiger awoke in a darkened room lit by a sliver of light shining through a crack under the door. He went out and saw a monk drunk and getting warmed by a brazier. He found the courtyard and saw a man who looked like the descriptions of Tung Lu. He approached the man, who was engaged with a few others in conversation. 

"Greetings, are you Tung Lu?"

"Here I am Sunan, and you are Mao Yun."

Iron Tiger seemed to understand and said "Okay very well, but tell me where are we and how do we get out of whatever this place is?" 

Tung Lu pointed high to the moon, and Iron Tiger saw the moon was oddly flawed. It was misshapen, and the coloration was wrong. It lurched through the sky and made a shaky path as it did so. 

"This is a miniature world, Mao Yun" Sunan winked as he said the name. "We are imprisoned by Magnificent Scholar, shrunk down to the size of thimbles. He has tried to recreate the world of Sunan and Bao during the reign of the demon emperor."

Iron Tiger asked for more information, and tried to get a sense of the scale of the place. From what Tung Lu told him, it was roughly 1,400 square feet, which at their size was more considerable. It was a crude model of the empire during the Era of the Demon Emperor, with small replicas of the major cities (though each city would usually only have ten to twenty people in it, and be quite a simplification of the real thing)^. 

"Surely you can escape?" 

"Yes but we have been looking for as many skilled fighters as we can to take with us, and we need people with strong Lightness Kung Fu to make the escape more feasible. We also worry about the antidote."

"Well, let's not sit here and wait, let's go find some men and get out of this place as soon as possible."

Tung Lu assented and they began walking to one of the nearby cities. Along the way Iron Tiger introduced himself more formally and explained that he was hoping to learn one of Tung Lu's techniques. 

Tung Lu sized him up and said "I can't teach you unless I know more about you, and can be assured you won't use my martial arts for evil."

"I understand," Said Iron Tiger, "But given the circumstances, I may be more helpful if I know the technique. Perhaps you can judge my character from the purity of my form if I demonstrate my style to you."

Tung Lu said "My brother is evidence that perfect form does not reflect perfect character. If I find you are a worthy man, I will teach you, and I am thankful for your contribution to our escape regardless."

HEN-SHI TEMPLE 

Wei Ziying was present as Lady 87 received a box with the head of Night Thorn, otherwise known as Yang Chun, secret leader of the Celestial Plume Masters. He had been ambushed by her men successfully and she was pleased. She then announced that Wei Ziying was to go to Hen Shi Temple and rescue Master Xiong, who had been captured and imprisoned by an imperial secret inspector. He would then bring him here to help them fight their enemies***

"Yes, 87th Lady of the Guan Family," Wei Ziying said, "But Master Xiong is extremely righteous, how will I get him to fight with us against the Celestial Plume Masters. She had her men drag in the carcass of a dead bear and explained she had spread word that the Celestial Plume Masters killed one of his prized animals. 

Wei Ziying went with Little Hong Na to Hen-Shi Temple and scouted the area. He saw that it was converted into an Imperial Dehua Temple and had lots of guards. He then went to Tung-On and had the Red Owl Society create a counterfeit order for Master Xiong to be transferred into his custody. He and Little Hong Na dressed as inspectors and went back to the temple. 

Gentle Sage, who had been placed in charge of the temple, met with them. He reviewed their order and transferred Xiong to their custody.****

They traveled back to Mai Cun. Master Xiong had been drugged and shackled, but on the journey the drugs wore off. He became rambunctious and demanded to know what was going on. Wei Ziying explained that he was a friend bringing them to Mai Cun to Lady 87. 

At first Master Xiong was against going but when Wei Ziying pointed out she had help rescue him, so he should at least hear her out, Master Xiong agreed. 

RETURN TO XIA KINGDOM 

In Yun Hu, Hei Ling was met by Iron Tiger's men who explained that he had not returned from Magnificent Scholar's hut and they were concerned for his safety. They traveled swiftly to the mountain and Hei Ling spoke with the Mountain God while Wang Haoyang and Fan Zhen'er used Stealth of the Spider Demon to investigate the hut. The Mountain God went to Magnificent Scholar who let Hei Ling approach. 

Wang Haoyang snuck up to the top window and saw Magnificent Scholar reading. Magnificent Scholar spoke "Wang Haoyang please enter through the front door."*****

Hei Ling, Wang Hoayang and Fan Zhen'er went in through the front door. There they found the same book that Iron Tiger had seen and three cups on a table. 

Tung Lu
Art by Jackie Musto 

"Drink and you will find your friend," Said Magnificent Scholar. 

They refused and stormed up the stairs to attack. 

"You think you are worthy to fight me?" Magnificent Scholar said. "You are nothing, defeating you will be too easy."

They sprung into action. 

Magnificent Scholar sent several strands of his robe at the party but these were deflected and sent back by Hei Ling's deflecting canopy. Magnificent Scholar was surprised to be wounded. 

Fan Zhen'er used her grudge bearing sword strike, which Magnificent Scholar tried to counter with a flaming palm technique. He was unsuccessful and she stabbed him doing considerable damage. Hei Ling then devastated the scholar with Emanating Palm. The following round, Wang Haoyang killed Magnificent Scholar with Blade of the Dancing Fox. 

After the scholar's death, they examined the room. The book from the first story rose up through a hole in the floor to the height of their waist. There was also a large iron door with four Zhen Bird figures on it, their limbs pointing in different directions. Wang Haoyang opened the book to read it but it shrunk down to the size of a manual in the palm of his hand. He read the fist page:

"And with his sword, Wang Haoyang slew the nefarious scholar. But what was beyond the mysterious door? Was it a trap bringing death and did it lead to a room full of riches?"

Haoyang observed that each of his actions were recorded in the book and narrated with a strong personality. He tried giving the book to his wife, but this did not work, as it just returned into his possession. 

He put concerns about the book aside as they dealt with the door. Fan Zhen'er inspected the cabinets full of medicine and herbs trying to concoct or find a possible antidote to the liquid in the cups below. 

Wang Haoyang used a hammer to break open the door, causing shafts of spears to shoot out at him, then the door to sling into the chamber against a stone wall (with the spears still attached). The spears missed him and no one else was in front of the door. There they saw the wall of the room was actually the side of the mountain. On the mountain face was an opening with thin iron bars and above the opening read "Xia Kingdom". 

They called below for Iron Tiger. 

IRON TIGER IS FOUND 

Iron Tiger walked with Tung Lu and his men, beneath the red light of a shoddy mechanical sun that wavered in the sky. He heard the party calling his name from above. But because he was so small he had to use his Neigong to project his voice to respond. 

They were able to extract Iron Tiger, Tung Lu and the men he was with. Fan Zhen'er found the antidote gave it to them, restoring their size. They arranged to have Iron Tiger's physician come to the hut and help extract every one else inside Xia Kingdom, using the opportunity to announce to all inside that the Celestial Plume Masters were their rescuers.  

Iron Tiger received word that the men he sent out to recruit several masters had found a man willing to work for him named Hu Ba, but he demanded 10,000 spades a day, two servants and a flute player (to 'calm his raging spirit'). Iron Tiger told them to send a message that he agreed to these terms. 

This is where the session ended. 

*This player is usually very cautious and cagey, so I was not expecting this outcome. I also wasn't anticipating he would come here alone (I thought he would have had Wang Haoyang with him at least, sneaking in to assist). So it was interesting to see where this would go and how the player would react.

**I had her make a relevant skill roll (Wang Haoyang's player has been making her rolls as they are married and she is almost half a PC at this point). She rolled a 10, and this will now be the TN for any roll made by law enforcement or by the Maidens of the Jade Blue Sky to investigate the murder scene. The ten result makes it much less likely anyone will tie it to the Celestial Plume Masters. It isn't impossible but unlikely. The Maidens may still actively ask around to see if anyone knows anything. 

***Both these incidents were the results of dice rolls and events in game. The first was a product of Iron Tiger mentioning Night Thorn's name to White Browed Demoness when they met last session. This alerted them to his importance in the organization. I then had one of the players make rolls to see if they found him, which they did. Then I had the player roll to see if they successfully ambushed him, which they did (these were opposed rolls based on Night Thorn and the 87 Killers skills).Then, because the player in charge of Wei Ziying was away from the group and had more time not doing anything, I sent a PM to him, instructing him to run the ambush combat using the stats from both sides. He did so and the outcome was Night Thorn's defeat. The arrest of Master Xiong was a product of the regular sect war shake-up table several sessions ago. 

****This was dealt with as a roll by Gentle Sage 

*****Magnificent Scholar did not see him as he failed his detect roll, but knew he was there because of the contents of the book he was reading. 

^For those interested, the concept of this adventure was inspired by the Eleventh Son and the movie the Vanishing (though I didn't expect any of the players to get shrunk down, figured there was only a small chance of that happening)