PROFOUND MASTERS OF OGRE GATE: NEW SUB-SKILLS, IMMORTAL POWERS, AND QI RITUALS

This is an ongoing effort to post the Profound Master Material I have on the blog (you can see the first entry HERE). I will be posting the new profound techniques in a separate entry (as there are quite a number). These are many of the other new options for profound and immortal characters. This session is one of the less complete sections of the book. I had wanted more immortal powers, but mostly I wanted to greatly expand the Demon Hero Powers and the Greater Demon Flaw entries. These will at least give a sense of the direction we were heading with them. 

NEW SUB-SKILLS

In most taken these can only be taken by profound or immortal characters. 

Institutions: Bureaucracy of Heaven

You know about the imperial bureaucracy of the Enlightened Goddess (which deities oversee what areas of specialization, what formalities and punishments are the norm, etc). 

 

Institutions: Immortal Sects

You are familiar with the profound sects, demon sects and immortal sects. 

 

Places: Lower Realms

You know about the lower realms such as Emo Chung or The Hanging Valley of the Dead. 

 

Places: Upper Realms

You know about the upper realms such as Infinite Sky Realm. 

NEW IMMORTAL POWERS
These are additional options for characters to take when they gain Immortal Powers. 

Bring Lightning and Hail: You can call forth a powerful storm that produces large chunks of hail and lightning, which lasts for 1 day. The storm is enough to flood flood-prone areas. Nothing terribly devastating but it will cause rising water levels near rivers). It also presents the threat of Lightning and hail to anyone without shelter.  Everyone in the open must make a Survival Roll for every hour they spend in the storm. If they fail, roll 1d10 against their Evade. On a Success, they suffer 4d10 damage from hail. On a Total Success they suffer 6d10 Open Damage from lightning. 

 

Incredible Speed: You are faster than others and can move in with stunning speed. You gain a +2d10 Bonus to your Speed Score and your movement is multiplied by 10. 

DEMON HERO POWERS

Demon Hero Powers are similar to Immortal Powers, but like Evil Techniques, present significant dangers to those who master them. Any time you take a Demon Hero Power, you gain a new Greater Demon Flaw. These are similar to Demon Flaws, but they usually confer some related and significant curse or penalty. 

 

The Profound Exchange: This powerful technique is forbidden to all Immortals, only Demon Heroes attempt it. With this ability one can change the very fabric of reality itself. It cannot alter the past but it can open up new possibilities in the future, making what was once impossible or unlikely, possible or likely. However it requires a heavy price equal to the value of the possibility it opens (whether or not it succeeds). 

 

Splinter: You can split yourself into multiple duplicates. When you do this, you can divide yourself up into 4 duplicates or copies per Qi rank you possess. However your Max wounds are distributed evenly among your duplicates. Any duplicate that is destroyed turns to vapor. 

GREATER DEMON FLAWS

These are acquired any time you gain a Demon Hero Power. 

 

Searing Light

Your skin, if it hasn’t already, grows pallid, and dark lines crawl from your eyes. In the presence of Sunlight your skin burns taking 4d10 Open Damage every minute. 

NEW QI RITUALS 

Celestial Sparrow (TN 6)

A celestial sparrow rises from your cupped hands. As it ascends higher into the air the flap of its wings grow stronger and stronger pushing your enemies or objects away from you and directing them where you will.

 

The celestial sparrow creates a mighty wind that increases each round and pushes back your foes considerable distance.  This does no damage but can move and potentially trap them.  This works against all objects and beings within twenty feet of the direction you are facing.  This ritual expends 4 Qi to activate. Sustaining it each round costs 1 additional Qi. 

 

The winds power and effect increases every round. It starts a strength of 1d10 and increases by an additional 1d10 every round. Roll this against the Evade of your targets and if it succeeds, they are 10 feet in any direction of your choice. It you get a Total Success you may entrap them against an obstacle and render them prone. You can move them an additional 10 feet for every round you sustain the effect. 

A Majestic Tale (TN 7)

You funnel your Qi into a book bringing forth its elements into reality for a short period of time.  This drains 7 Qi and lasts for ten minutes (every additional Qi rank you put into the effort increases this by 10 more minutes). If the attempt fails, you lose control of the elements. They do not necessarily attack you but remain true to their nature as described in the source material. 

 

You must physically have the book to bring the elements to life. They are not illusions, but tangible and potential dangerous to those around you if they are not fully under your control. The user must specify the passage he or she is attempting to extract into reality. 

Shadow Tattoo (TN 6)

In order to do this, one must first Tattoo an image of the desired Shadow Guardian using the Talent (Tattooing) Skill TN 6. If this is successful you can then you can perform the Shadow Tattoo Ritual, imbuing the tattoo with a permanent protective guardian that can be summoned through use of either the Supreme Activation or Activation Rituals.  

 

Performing the Ritual to make the tattoo drains 6 Qi. Activating the tattoos with the normal Activation Ritual drain no Qi, but using the Supreme Activation Ritual to use them drains the usual 2 ranks of Qi. 

 

Over time many Shadow Guardians develop their own personalities and quirks. In very rare cases, they have slowly gained greater intelligence and even human-like form over many years. 

 

When Activated the Guardian appears for a length of time specified by type and takes on the form of a shadow. It cannot be touched or harmed in any way, and its ability to communicate with people is limited to gestures and animal sounds. 

 

Eagle: A giant shadow eagle appears, capable of carrying up to four full sized human in flight for up to a day. It appears the moment the ritual is performed and can also attack with its beak (Speed/Fly: 3d10, Attack: 2d10, Damage: 4d10). 

 

Water Dragon: This shadowy creature can carry up to 15 people on its back for up to a day and take them across bodies of water. It can also create a bubble of air to take riders below the water surface safely. Its Swim Skill is 5d10. 

 

Tiger: A twisted shadow of a tiger appears, roaring ferociously and rending the flesh of your enemies. Allies in the presence of a Tiger gain +1d10 to their attack rolls due to the morale boost it provides. It remains for up to an hour (Speed: 4d10, Attack: 3d10, Damage: 4d10 Open). Like all Shadow Guardians it cannot be harmed. 

 

Monkey: This summons a shadowy Monkey of protection. The Monkey remains for up to a day and travels with the caster. It has two basic benefits. The first is its survival Skill (which is 4d10 in any terrain, except water). The second is its protective aura against Demons. Anyone within a 100 foot radius of the Monkey gains +3 to all Defenses when attacked by Demons or Spirits. 

 

Turtle: A creature of longevity the Shadow Turtle can stave off death in the face of poison, curses, and when characters are dying for either mundane or extraordinary reasons. For example, an Immortal struck with the Immortal Killing Sword, would be prevented from bleeding to death in the presence of the Turtle (he would stay in a state of incapacitation but not die). The Turtle Appears as a shadow and crawls into the person it is directed to aid (only one person can be helped per casting). IT remains for one day. 

 

Phoenix: The Phoenix Shadow appears for up to an hour and can detect the presence of anyone who is in violation of any of the martial or celestial virtues using Detect. The Phoenix has a Detect of 4d10. 

Summon the Dancing Flames (TN 5)

This ritual the caster meanders about as if dancing. It summons 1d10 flaming humanoid shapes that attack foes at the direction of the caster. Each flaming figure effectively has 5 Max Wounds and can deliver 4d10 Fire Damage (use the caster’s Arm Strike roll for the attacks). If the ritual fails, then an explosion of fire (5d10 Fire Damage) blasts everyone in a 20 foot circle around the caster (always hits, and the caster is harmed by the blast as well).  The figures normally remain for 7 rounds, but this can be extended greatly if more time is put into casting the ritual (the duration being half the time the caster invests in the casting). So a person who spends one hour performing Summon the Dancing Fires, would summon flaming figures for 30 minutes. 

PROFOUND MASTERS OF OGRE GATE: CELESTIAL WEAPONS AND NEW OBJECTS OF POWER

I am posting all that I have written for Profound Masters of Ogre Gate on the blog. You can see the first entry HERE. 

This chapter contained the new celestial weapons and objects of power. A few of these will appear in the Lady Eighty Seven book. 

BEAR DEMON SWORD

This is a dark wooden Jian sword, finely crafed, lacquered and etched with the characters for Bear Demon on the blade. It is light and fast and filled with the intelligence of a man who was driven mad and transformed into a Bear Demon by the beauty of a great martial hero named Merciful Shade. 

 

The Sword can levitate, fly and attack on its own. It can also be wielded by anyone it deems worthy. To wield it one must be a woman and resemble Merciful Shade. Bear Demon Sword always seeks to protect its wielder and in the hands of the actual Merciful Shade delivers 1 Extra wound on a strike when she has been wounded (but only if she is actually holding it). 

 

Bear Demon Sword is light and strong, being more sturdy than a normal piece of wood its size (this is a product of the Demon it contains). If damaged it must be repaired to restore its integrity. It can only be harmed by Kung Fu Techniques or other Qi based attacks and magic. 

 

Defenses: Hardiness 3, Evade 8, Parry 6, Stealth 8, Wits 7, Resolve 9

Skills: Speed 5d10

 

Integrity: 15

Attack: 3d10

Damage: 3d10 Open or 1d10 plus Muscle if wielded. 

 

THE CELESTIAL PILLARS OF NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN SKIES

This device allows free travel between the realms. However it was split into two parts, with one being possessed by Divine Horse sect and the other being possessed by Emo Chung Sect. The former pillar allows easy travel to the upper realms, and latter between the lower realms. 

 

DING VESSEL OF YU

This ancient Ding Vessel can restore a dead body to life provided their dragon spirit is intact and they have at least 1 Phoenix Spirit remaining. To use it, one must perform an Activation Ritual. This causes a mist to swirl inside the vessel with pours into the body of the target and brings them back to life in an hour. However there is a cost, the person immediately takes a Demon Flaw. 

 

ICE SWORD OF THE ZUN

This is an Ox Tail Dao with a blue hilt and handle carved into the shape of whirling ice. The blade itself is smooth and mirror like. It is buried in ice in the Tomb of the Earthly Queen. Anyone who unearths it, becomes its wielder for life. It has several striking abilities. First it always returns to its wielders. If the blade is lost or stolen, within an hour it evaporates into mist and reforms in the hand of the wielder. Second it bestows enhances how others perceive the wielder. To their eyes the wielder looks more handsome or beautiful than before. There is no change in appearance, but they simply see the person in a different light. This bestows a +1d10 to any Persuade, Command or Deception roll. Finally on a total success, the sword causes people to freeze for 1d10 minutes if they fail an Endurance TN 7 roll. 

 

LIFE TAKER

This bian is made of pure gold and has the words “Life Taker” etched on its side. It bestows a +1d10 accuracy Bonus (which completely replaces the -1d10 penalty most Bian’s have). On a successful attack it drains 1 Hardiness in addition to normal damage. It stores this energy in the whip itself, and if one uses activation, unleashes it in a brilliant blast that does 1d10 Open Damage per rank of Hardiness absorbed (to a max of 10d10) against all in an 80 foot area. Simply roll yourActivation against the Evade of all potential targets (including allies). However it is very heavy, requiring 3 Ranks in muscle to lift. It once belonged to the found of Zun Shan, but was lost in the battle for the pillars. 

 

LONG WIND’S DEMON POINTING CARRIAGE*

This two-wheeled cart carries an enormous camphor wood box topped with a metal figurine of Supreme Judge Yu pointing forward. The figure connects to a series of gears within the box that and rotates the figure always pointing in the direction of the nearest demon. Anytime a demon comes within 300 feet of the carriate, the figure rotates wildly. Eventually it stops rotating after about an hour, once it becomes familiar with the demon in question (it can distinguish between good and bad demons and will stop pointing toward demons it comes to regard as righteous or kind). Below the gears is a compartment with a door fitted with an ox-head seal. This can only be opened by the current owner of the carriage. The compartment itself  would seem on the outside to offer only about two square feet of space, but  on the inside it leads to a three roomed hall in a courtyard house surrounding a pristine garden. In the past this was only a single room in the hall, but it has slowly expanded to encompass an entire residence. 

 

RING OF THE KINGFISHER

This golden ring is in the shape of a long Kingfisher with a serpentine body that wraps around the finger of the wearer. Its eyes are fitted with dark emeralds and the feathers are made of jade. 

 

The ring gives the wearer control of any bird demon or bird spirit. To use it, he or she simply makes a command roll against the demon. If it succeeds the creature must obey. 

 

TRUE VEIL OF HEN SHI

This translucent purple veil was once a normal Veil of Clarity from the Hen-Shi Sect in Li Fan. These allow users to see the righteousness or evil of another person, enabling them to know the Karma Rating of any individual they look at through the veil. A member of the sect named Sentimental Ogre, left the sect because he believed they were twisting Hen-Shi’s teachings. Before he left, Hen-Shi sent him a vision of the truth, that Hen-Shi sect was too harsh in its pursuit of justice. At the same time, she imbued some of her power into his Veil of Clarity, granting it greater abilities. 

 

In addition to seeing the standard karmic value of the person, it also shows the person as Hen Shi sees their righteousness. The better their standing with Hen-Shi (even if they have a bad Karma Rating) the more luminous and immortal they appear. The lower their standing the more demonic and twisted their features seem to be. Regardless of the appearance, the veil imparts true understanding of the spiritual well-being of the person with both The Enlightened Goddess and Hen-Shi, as well as their Karma Rating. 

 

PLAGUE BRINGING SWORD*

This massive blade can only be wielded by someone with 4 Ranks in Muscle. The hilt is wrapped in green leather and the large, curved blade has a slightly red tint. It functions like a Guan Dao, except it for damage it does Muscle+4 and afflicts targets with Burning Plague (see WANDERING HEROES OF OGRE GATE rulebook). 

 

BLOOD STONES*

These are physical objects, usually stones or pearls, imbued with the power of a god, great

master or other entity. Like Celestial Weapons they can be absorbed into the body of character.

However characters of any Qi level may attempt to absorb them. They bestow tremendous

power but also exert the force of their personality on the user. Some even threaten the stability

of the person’s internal organs.

Blood Stones have three important stats: Influence, Meditation TN and Culitvation Rating. The

Influence is the Social Skill (Command, Deception, or Persuade) that the stone uses to control

its host. The Meditation TN is for the Meditation Roll one must make to avoid being subject to

the stone’s control and the Cultivation Rating determines how often one must check for these

conditions.

Blood Stones, once absorbed, require the user to make regular mediation rolls (the frequency is

determined by its cultivation Rating). Therefore every stone has a Meditation TN. Users who fail

to make this roll are then subject to being controlled by the stone.

After a failed Meditation Roll, the stone can roll its Influence against the user’s relevant

Defense Rating. For Influence the Stone uses either its Command, Persuade or Deception

(whichever is higher). If it succeeds it takes control of the person for a day or until some

external means of control is used.

Every Blood Stone has a Cultivation rating ranging from 7-24. If a user’s Qi rating is above this

number, then they must make Meditation Rolls once a week or whenever they activate the

stone’s powers directly to avoid being exposed to its influence. If a user’s Qi rating is below this

number, then they must make a roll every day or whenever they use the Stone’s powers

directly to avoid being exposed to its influence.

 

BLOOD STONE OF BA*

Influence: Command 3d10

Meditation TN: 7

Cultivation Rating: 11

This looks like a twisted piece of pumice speckled with flecks of ruby and jade. Anyone who

absorbs it, feels a raging glow inside their body and will find themselves given to outbursts of

violence should it take control of them.

According to legend it was created when a powerful martial hero massacred all his disciples and

then committed suicide after he discovered the plotted his ruin. Accounts vary but according to

most they had destroyed his reputation by framing him for a horrible crime in exchange for a

large sum of money given by a rival. The Blood Stone burns with Ba’s passion for revenge.

The effect of the blood stone is quite simple but potent. The user is strengthened by Ba’s anger

and rage, flowing with red Qi energy that enables him to bypass any counter equal to or lower

than his own Qi rank.

*Appears in the upcoming Lady Eighty Seven book (note that the entry may be very different in the official release and information here would be superseded by that). 

PROFOUND MASTERS OF OGRE GATE OPENING

I am going to post material from the Profound Masters of Ogre Gate document here. These are not complete. Some sections are missing content, have gaps, have stats but no text, etc. However I want to put this out so people can make use of the information.

Originally I was writing this alongside Ogre Gate, and continuing to work on it when Ogre Gate was released. But I shifted my attention to other projects (Ogre Gate modules and Supplements, Strange Tales of Songling, and Righteous Blood Ruthless Blades). Because Ogre Gate is a complex system, and because the lore is also pretty deep, I found it very difficult to resume work on the profound books when I returned to them, and I also had trouble fitting it into our pipeline. 

Do note that some sections of this made its way into the original Ogre Gate Book or into other books (in such cases regard the formally published material as superseding the content found here). Also there are likely consistency issues to be mindful of. This was the opening of the book. It contained the introductory information, some tables that I felt were relevant to Profound Masters and Immortals. 

INTRODUCTION

Enter a world beyond the earthly jianghu, where immortal sects clash against armies of demon warriors and celestial beings ride through the sky. Explore the realms at the edge of man’s understanding, the flying mountains and jade peaks of heaven. Find the strength to rise through the ranks of the immortals, perhaps to become a god yourself. 

 

Profound Masters of Ogre Gate expands the rules for higher level play in Wandering Heroes of Ogre Gate. It is sparked by Chinese myths and legends. Whereas Wandering Heroes of Ogre Gate places more emphasis on classic wuxia, this book takes inspiration from the demons, immortals, deities and spirits of novels like Journey to the West, films like Zu Warriors of the Magic Mountain and drama series like Legend of Zu and The Journey of Flower. 

 

 

TIMELINE AND SECT OVERVIEW

 

There are many sects at the profound and immortal levels, but only those who trace their origin to the ten original Immortal masters can be called True Lineage. 

 

The True Lineage sects were established long ago, by disciples of Sunan and Bao who retreated to different mountain peaks to cultivate and achieve longevity. These were originally all righteous sects, who desired to protect the world and understand Heaven. The masters of these sects eventually all achieved Immortality and were a hopeful sign in the eyes of the Enlightened Goddess. After the devastation wrought by The Demon Emperor, and the powerful energy he unleashed upon the world, she viewed the Immortals as caretakers who would shield men from evil and guide them toward correct cultivation. 

 

So great was her optimism that she presented the leader of the most prestigious group, Divine Horse Sect, with a powerful artifact it would control but share with the other immortals. This was called the Celestial Pillar Device and it enabled them to travel freely between all the different realms. It was presented to Supreme Immortal Tu Yin, leader of Divine Horse Sect. 

 

However as the centuries unfolded, the immortals began to feud over the pillar. Many of the sects splintered and some turned to dark magic and wicked kung fu techniques to obtain the Celestial Pillar Device. These became the first Demon Sects. A massive war erupted between the sects that lasted for several more centuries. One of the evil sects, Iron Heart Sect, was poised to defeat Divine Horse Sect and take the device. Iron Heart's chief, Zhi Shan, led the attack with his son, Zhizun Xie. They nearly succeeded, but Zhizun Xie, having fallen in love with a member of Divine Horse sect and married her, betrayed his father and split the device in two. He then helped Tu Yin imprison his father with a seal. 

 

As a gesture of peace and a compromise, the device was split between the demon sects and the immortal sects. Half going to the demons allowed easy movement between the lower realms, while the half going to the immortals allowed easy movement between the upper realms. 

 

SECT OVERVIEW

 

Lun Shan Sect: A demon hunting immortal sect

Zun Shan Temple: Another demon hunting sect but rivals of Lun Shan Sect who like to undercut their efforts

Drunken Immortal Sect: This sect believes in cultivating immortality by drinking until they forget themselves. They do not distinguish between orthodox and unorthodox, immortal or demon hero. They were founded by Master Jiu, and are often associated with the Fists of Qi Zhao. They believe in drinking, fighting and contemplation. 

 

Iron Heart Sect: This was once an evil, demonic sect, that has become righteous and works to redeem, rather than destroy demons and evil spirits.

Celestial Heart Sect: An immortal sect devoted to mercy and Hen-Sh, they hunt demons and bring peace by reforming them through 'gentle imprisonment'.

 

Celestial Mind Sect: An immortal sect, and branch of Celestial Heart Sect, that is devoted to understanding the connection between Hen-SHi and the enlightened Goddess.

Mt. Rong Sect: An immortal sect based on Rong Mountain. Devoted to bringing peace and righteousness to the world.

Emo Chung Sect:  An evil demonic sect based near Emo chung---doorway to various hells.

The 7 Blood Cave Alliance: An alliance of the most evil demon sects led by Marauding Dragon.

 

Yu Temple Sect: A righteous Immortal sect that brings Supreme Judge Yu's justice to the world.

Divine Horse Sect: An immortal sect with direct ties to the Enlightened Goddess. 

Southern Wind Sect: Profound Gushan worshippers. 

 

REALM OVERVIEW

 

Celestial Peak: A remote peak high in Mount Dao where Celestial Heart Sect is found. They are an immortal sect led by Ox-Hearted Widow. Their focus is on redeeming demons. 

 

Demon Realms: This is a broad term for those realms below Emo Cheng. There are many realms here and this is also where the courts of the Eight Magistrates pass judgment on the souls of the dead before they reincarnate. 

 

Dream Realm of Mountains and Mists: This is where peoples spirits go before they die but also a place people visit in dreams and meditation. Here people can catch glimpses of the future, the past, and come to understand their fate better. It is the realm all pass through before reaching Emo Cheng for passage into the courts of the magistrates. 

 

Emo Cheng: City below ground that is believed to be the entrance to the Demon Realms and Ogre Realms. It is ruled by the five ghosts. 

 

Immortal Realm: This is one of the great heavenly realms, and is where the highest of the immortals call home. It is a great expanse of mountains and celestial waters. Sunan and Bao rule over the realm, though they are in constant states of meditation, breaking briefly each day to maintain their Golden Guardian presence in the Realm of Man. All new immortals must appear here and register. The gate to Immortal Realm is located on Zun Shan Peak. 

 

Hanging Valley of the Dead: A suspended valley surrounded by mountains and overlooking vast empty space. It is the location of The Seven Blood Cave Alliance (led by Marauding Dragon) and acces-sible through a gate in Zhaoze Swamp. 

 

Infinite Sky Realm: This is the realm of Iron Sky Maiden. It is a series of floating mountains with several immortal sects who imprison demons. It is accessible through the Face of Vaagu. 

 

Lunar Realm: This is a sort of celestial prison for deities and immortals who misbehave. It is the domain of Xing and her husband the Supreme Judge Yu. 

Meidu: Middle Heaven (Red General and Dutiful Empress). The Gate to Meidu is located on Rong Shan Peak. 

 

Shiwa Kingdom: This is the abode of Drunken Immortal Sect. It is surrounded by ice, snow, Juren and spirited bears. It is located on Mount Shiwa. 

 

Northern Thunder Realm: The domain of Fengbao, one of the twin Thundergods. Northern Thunder Realm is hot and its cities made of mud and stone.  

Southern Thunder Realm: This is the domain of Queen Jiangnu, one of the twin Thundergods. Southern Thunder Realm is cold and its cities made of ice.

 

Solar Kingdom: The Sun, Realm of the god Xang. 

 

Wan Mei (The Perfect Realm): This is the furthest reaches of the heavens where the Enlightened Goddess holds court and the Bureaucracy of Heaven meets. It is pristine and without disorder (the slight-est amount of chaos provokes the Enlightened God-dess’s wrath). A day in Wan Mei equals a year in the Realm of Man. 

 

Zun Shan: This peak is inhabited by the immortals of Zun Shan Temple.

 

PROFOUND MASTER AND IMMORTAL CHARACTERS

To become an immortal one must atone for misdeeds committed in the previous past life. The GM should set up a characters past life starting with the Past Lives Table below and adding details as needed. 

 

Immortals are martial heroes who have cultivated well beyond the most profound masters and arrived at an enlightened state. Each stage of illumination expands their spirit and power. 

 

Demon Heroes are those who have reached a similar level of cultivation to immortals but rely on darker forces to enlighten their spirit and strengthen their powers. Specifically they have mastered Evil Techniques that warp their body and mind, driving them away from righteousness. Whereas Immortals receive judgment from the bureaucracy of heaven, Demon Heroes receive it from the demon and ogre realms, artifacts or other evil means.  

 

USING TECHNIQUES AT THE PROFOUND AND IMMORTAL LEVEL

Profound Masters and Immortals can use Kung Fu and Profound Techniques as described in the core rule book. However they can also use them to produce special but related effects such as illuminating a chamber or causing the ground to shake. Such effects can’t produce any damage or unusual modifiers. They are merely flavor elements to the game (however they could still be important in terms of peoples’ reactions to them). 

 

Profound Techniques are always performed Cathartically. For the purposes of acquiring Imbalance Points with them, treat every character as having an Imbalance Rating of 2. So on a Successful use of the Technique you gain 2 Imbalance Points. On a Failure you gain 4 and on a Total Success you gain zero Imbalance Points. 

 

BECOMING AN IMMORTAL OR DEMON HERO

There are actually many paths to becoming an immortal. But the most common is to enter into a sect that teaches the path to immortality, culminating in learning the correct ritual or rituals to give the body longevity and help the mind illuminate. Some attribute this to judgment by The Enlightened Goddess or another deity. This is not precisely the case. They often bestow knowledge of the ritual on worthy people, but the ritual itself is known to certain sects and immortals who choose to share it. 

 

 

PAST LIVES TABLES

Simply roll on each table, then on each table that follows provided it seems appropriate to do so for your result. This will give you an idea of who the character may have been in a past life.

 

SPECIES

Roll (1d10)

1-3                 Human

4-6                 Animal

7-8                 Insect

9                    Monster

10                  Spirit or Demon

 

 

SEX

Roll (1d10)      Result

1-5                   Male

6-10                 Female

 

HUMAN 

Roll (1d10)

1-2                  Daolin

3-4                  Khus

5-6                  Sai

7-8                  Shen

9                      Yan

10                    Zun

 

ANIIMAL 

Roll (1d10)

1                      Fox

2                      Wolf

3                      Mouse

4                      Crocodile

5                      Bear

6                      Snake

7                      Lizard

8                      Pig

9                      Turtle

10                    Roll on Animal II

 

ANIMAL II

Roll 1d10

1                      Elephant

2                      Tiger

3                      Flying Crocodile

4                      Lion

5                      Rabbit

6                      Owl

7                      Dog

8                      Monkey

9                      Bird

10                    Zhen Bird 

 

INSECTS

Roll (1d10)

1                      Butterfly

2                      Scorpion

3                      Spider

4                      Centipede

5                      Ant

6                      Wasp

7                      Beetle

8                      Worm

9                      Mantis

10                    Mosquito

 

MONSTER

Roll (1d10)

1                      Bixie

2                      Xiaoyang

3                      Roc

4                      Red Ro Fish

5                      Nao Ren

6                      Jufu

7                      Heyu

8                      Fire Glutton 

9                      Dragon Horse

10                    Fei Beast 

 

SPIRIT OR DEMON 

Roll (1d10)

1                      Spirited Beast/Demon

2                      Qi Spirit 

3                      Raksha

4                      Yaksha

5                      Ogre Demon

6                      Painted Death

7                      Gui

8                      Kui Demon

9                      Mountain God 

10                    Celestial Demon

 

 

 

REPUTATION AMONG ALLIES (If Applicable)

Roll (1d10)      Result

1                      Cruel

2                      Cunning

3                      Merciful

4                      Selfless

5                      Calm

6                      Pure

7                      Brave

8                      Righteous

9                      Loyal

10                    Filial

 

REPUTATION AMONG ENEMIES (If Applicable)

Roll (1d10)

1                    Cruel

2                    Unfilial

3                    Disloyal

4                    Unjust

5                    Cowardly

6                    Shameful

7                    Ferocious

8                    Selfish

9                    Vengeful

10                  Poisoner

 

MARTIAL STATURE

Roll (1d10)

1-3                 None

4-6                 Wandering Hero (Qi Rank 1-2)

7-8                 Great Wandering Hero (Qi Ranks 2-5)

9                    Master (Qi Rank 6)

10                  Profound Master (Qi Ranks 7+)

 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Roll (1d10)

1-3                 None

4-6                 Terrible, Infamous, a villain of the worst sort

7-8                 Good, famous and well regarded during life

9                    Great, famous and something you did lasted to the present

10                  Incredible, venerated after death

 

OCCUPATION (If Applicable)

Roll (1d10)

1-3                 Merchant

4-6                 Artisan

7-8                 Farmer

9                    Scholar Official

10                  Beggar

 

DEATH

Roll (1d10)

1-3                 Violent, combat related death

4-6                 Exposure or Illness

7-8                 Violent, non-combat related death (an accident)

9                    Suicide

10                  Peacefully of old age or similar reason

 

MISDEED

1                      Murderer

2-3                  Heart Breaker

4                      Betrayer

5                      Rite Breaker

6                      Law Breaker

7-8                  Liar

9                      Unfilial

10                    Bully

 

BIRTH AND FATED DISASTERS

Most immortals have a fated challenge, temptation or calamity they will encounter before they are truly regarded as immortals by heaven. These are a product of their past misdeeds. This can be anything but they will have difficulty advancing past the Profound stage until they face it. Fated Disasters or tribulations are often soul crushing or body destroying. Being struck by divine lightning could be a calamity but so could having to destroy a loved one who threatens the safety of the world. 

 

STARTING AT QI LEVEL 2 OR HIGHER

This book is designed as an expansion of the original Wandering Heroes of Ogre Gate material, with the assumption that characters work their way from Qi Rank 1 to the Profound and Immortal levels. But if you wish to start a campaign at the profound level, in order to help establish ties and prior history to the setting, have characters roll on one of the following charts 

 

As an option players may select their scars and history, however this should only be used if the entire group abides by this method. You can also allow one re-roll when using the rolling method if you choose. 

 

SCARS AND HISTORY I

1 You have a grudge against another player in the party

2 You experienced an event that requires you to take an additional flaw

3 Sworn Brother

4 Someone has Grudge against you

5 You have a very visible scar

6 Kicked out of sect or organization

7 You maimed an important leader in the martial world

8 Your reputation has been tarnished

9 You gained 5 good Karma points

10 You were branded as a criminal

 

SCARS AND HISTORY CII

1 You were given an important title

2 You are despised and hunted by a king, emperor or other political leader

3 You have been favored by a king, emperor or other political leader

4 You are responsible for the wiping out of an entire sect or clan

5 You earned -5 Karma

6 You possess something that many others want

7 You killed an important leader in the martial world

8 You acquired a Mental Affliction

9 You took on an apprentice

10 You became the leader of a worldly sect

 

SCARS AND HISTORY CHART III

1 You have acquired the Fated Flaw

2 You’ve undergone supernatural change or have a Demon Flaw

3 You had an alarming experience with immortals or demon heroes

4 You still carry a powerful object you found in your travels, but you are not clear on what its abilities are

5 You are maimed

6 You violated the rules against transgressing realm boundaries

7 An immortal or demon hero has become your enemy (add to Grudge list)

8 An immortal, deity or similar being forged a magical weapon for you to wield (it is both a burden and a blessing)

9 You once saved an entire community and to this day they hold you in high regard

10 You once caused great devastation in a settlement and to this day they despise you

 

Maimed: Roll 1d10. On 1-4 you are missing an hand or foot. On 5-8 you are missing an arm. On 9-10 you are missing a leg.

NEW GAME AND ALIEN NATION

I am working on a new game, which I will discuss more in the near future. I have been play testing it on my Friday night sessions and will have some additional playtests with different groups of players in the coming weeks. It is going to use the same system as Strange Tales of Songling. 

Also, Jeremy and I are still developing the supernatural expansion for Righteous Blood, Ruthless Blades. I will post updates on that as well as things progress. 

In the mean time, I decided to revisit the movie and TV series Alien Nation for some late night podcasts. I hadn't seen the show or movie in ages, but they always stuck in my mind, and I rented the film on Amazon last month. I decided to watch it just before thanksgiving because the viewing period for the rental was about to end. 

The show was canceled way too early in its run (it only went for one season). I had really fond memories of though. 

I watch them both for the first time since about 1990, and you can hear my thoughts below: 

 

HORROR EXPRESS THANKSGIVING

Hope everyone is having a great Thanksgiving and able to spend time with their families and loved ones. Today I want to celebrate with some special Horror Express Podcasts. 

For those who don't know, after a long break, Horror Express is back in action. We started with the movie Black Sabbath, followed by Nosferatu, Creature from the Black Lagoon and Jacob's Ladder. I particularly loved this mix because they were all so different from one another and from different times in movie history. Also, for me personally, Nosferatu and Jacob's Ladder are perhaps the two scariest horror movies, while Black Sabbath and Creature from the Black Lagoon are a little more fun. 

You can find the latest episodes on the Bedrock Podcast page or listen below. 

Also I should have some updates soon about upcoming projects. I haven't been posting as much because I have been working on a new game and on fine tuning the Lady Eighty Seven book.