Fantasy Core RPG: Jianghu Setting Adventure Part 2

Fantasy Core RPG
© Jerry Harris 2013
Published here as Open Game Content.
(This link will take you to the Fantasy Core Index.)

Jianghu Setting
Sample Adventure “Dark Waters Have Unknown Depths”
Part 2

Bravery is often a byproduct of ignorance.

The Character Setup (0 XP)
By whatever motivation, the character group has entered the Shang-tu area. However, they all lack identity documents, which are necessary to enter the city. For now, they’ve had to take whatever odd work they can in the surrounding villages. Word is circulated in the Wulin (wandering warrior) community of an urgent job in Shinju-Mata, a hardscrabble village near the border of the desert.

While many local warriors appear for the job, all of them vacate it when they hear the initial details. The mission is to enter the Lop Nar desert to apprehend a group of bandit raiders. Only the character group, who are recent arrivals to the area, are unaware of the desert’s haunted reputation.

Lord Hanso, himself gravely wounded defending the village during the raid, addresses the group from his bed. “Three days ago, our village was attacked by group of bandits. They made off with hostages and the contents of our local shrine. Information has come to me that the group has holed up the ruins of a temple in the Lop Nar desert outside of town. My offer is 100 gold pieces for the return of the two hostages, our golden idol, and, most importantly, at least one bandit returned alive for trial.”

Hopefully the characters will ask a few questions. The offer is essentially 25 gp for each of the elements listed. None of the locals will go into the desert. Rough directions to the hideout will be provided, it is only a few hours outside of town. The desert has a reputation of housing evil spirits and swallowing up travelers. You should make sure to return before dark (speed is of the essence in any case). About 20 bandits attacked the town and killed the rest of the constables and about 10 of them made it out alive.

There is a loud clattering of horses arriving in the village. It is a troop of Imperial soldiers lead by someone in the fine garb of a minister. Sub-Minister Tai enters Lord Hanso’s house. Hanso asks for forgiveness for not being able to bow. (The characters should take the cue to do so.) Tai is exceedingly gracious and inquiries about his health. He will also ask the characters who they are. Hanso will insist they are applying to be constables, but Tai will want each character to account for themselves. The Sub-Minister then announces that he will be helping to provide security and promises to apprehend the malefactors who raided the village. And with that takes his leave. (Everyone bow again.)

Hanso addresses the characters, “Nothing has changed. Find the bandits and bring back the captives. Frankly, I trust you group of strangers more than all the other groups who have pledged to deliver justice in this situation. Watch your backs.” If the characters want to know who else is after the bandits, Hanso will only say, “It is better that you not the names of these people.”