Fantasy Core RPG
© Jerry Harris 2013
Published here as Open Game Content.
(This link will take you to the Fantasy Core Index.)
Jianghu Setting
Character Group Set up
Oriental Character Classes
This setting assumes that starting characters are devoid of respectable status. They are disgraced, exiled, barbarian or simply following a wandering path. Their means of employment are as warriors for hire or altruistic heroes (knights errant). They act as local protectors, fighting criminal gangs and pirates, resisting a corrupt government, fighting foreign invaders, and fighting rivals (personal and professional), monsters and supernatural entities, and secret society plots.
The characters are more of less stuck in the Shang-tu area, nearly regardless of any future accomplishments. Because of their circumstances, it is the last stop for civilization for some, or their only opportunity for advancement for others. They start the game lacking even proper identity papers and cannot enter the city itself.
Class Goals
These goals can be dismissed at the Ref’s or players’ desire. They are presented as examples as to how to start off characters who are outside of proper society.
Samurai: Your character is a Ronin, masterless. While you would have preferred an honorable death in battle or by ritual suicide, your character has been denied this end. Perhaps you are the sole survivor of your clan, or you have been sent into an undeserved exile. Currently you are searching for an honorable, higher cause to die for.
Ninja: Your character is clanless. Whether an exile on the run, a sole survivor, or were on a clandestine mission and have found yourself cut off from your superiors, you are on your own. Your highly specialized skills are always in demand, but you are forced to keep a low profile for fear of other ninja clans or government officials, who would have you put to death immediately. Discretion is paramount, but stealth and assassination are the skills by which you earn a living.
[Note that I’ve changed the Title Level Goals for Ninjas. What I wrote originally was more or less based on the old Assassin class, rather than anything resembling actual Ninjas. The Title level goals for the other classes are also rather dubious, especially in this specific setting.]
Shaman: Your character is a wandering priest. Like the travelling scholar monks of old, you seek to accumulate knowledge of sacred magical and religious texts. Fighting supernatural evil and injustice along the way is how you make a living.
Flying Warrior: Your character is a wandering warrior. Your life is dedicated to honing your martial arts skills and to excel in combat. While your sense of right and wrong may be distorted by your love of fighting, your virtues are clear and inviolate: personal honor, altruism, justice, loyalty, and reciprocity.
Thief: Your character is an independent thief without a guild. You are highly skilled, but your personal scruples make you a lousy guild thief. You’ve made scary, powerful enemies elsewhere by stealing only from corrupt government officials and wealthy, dishonest merchants. To compound matters, you’re always broke, as you’ve made a habit of giving away ill-gotten riches to the needy, or blowing scores amongst honest merchants for ephemeral gains. So, you’re on the run, flat broke, and looking for your next caper.
Barbarian or Nomad: Your character comes from an outside culture that is considered uncivilized by the people of the Empire. Your character came into the Empire perhaps through your parents, or virtually slavery, or from searching for work (survivor, exile, wanderlust). In any case, you are without any contact with your native clan. The people of the Empire will never accept you as one of them. Nor can you return, as you are an outsider to your native culture as well. Your fighting prowess means you will not go hungry, but you seek respectability.
Fighter (See the bottom of the Knight class description): Your character is a former Imperial soldier. Through whatever circumstance, your veteran character (Fighter characters start the game at 2nd level) is unattached and your only skill is your swordwork. While looking for a job, personal honor prevents you from taking any unscrupulous work or acting as a criminal thug.
Other classes and Demi-humans: Your character is a complete oddity in this setting. You are not a native and are a long way from home. The story of your current circumstances must surely be interesting. Few respectable people will want anything to do with you, but your alien appearance at least keeps others from molesting you. Only among other outsiders will you find companionship.
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