Fantasy Core RPG
© Jerry Harris 2013
(This link will take you to the
Fantasy Core Index.)
The Imperial Army Garrison
Sword and steel are my bed, upon your skulls, I lay my
head. (Marching song)
All of the troops stationed in Shang-tu are from other parts
of the Empire. They are all well treated
and well trained. Given their status and
the military strength of the Empire, they usually have a high morale. Manchu and Han peoples both make up the officer
corps, as promotions are via merit and service.
They are an apolitical organization and are kept busy by maintaining
security on the Empire’s borders and roads, protecting citizens, property,
commerce, and tax shipments. Sailors man
ships that patrol the lake. Forts sit at
important strategic areas. Patrols range
constantly across the barbarian frontier.
Governor Yu has direct command over them, but this is
nominally delegated to the provincial commander, General Cao, except in
emergencies and expeditionary activities.
The Governor would be very reluctant to use a large number of Imperial
troops against an internal threat for anything other than a full-scale
rebellion. It would be a terrible loss
of face to the Emperor for any such a mobilization to take place. (The Governor would use his own personal
bodyguard first.) The Army is not
sympathetic to any rebel group, as they are the ones guarding the tax shipments,
which they often attack. However, in the
event of a general rebellion against the Manchus, there might well be a good
deal of desertion among the Han troops, depending on how widespread it is.
A toothless old lion’s growl will still be respected by
all who hear it.
General Cao is the well-respected garrison commander and in
charge of all Imperial forces in the province.
The Mongols over the border particularly respect him, as forces under
his command routed them 20 years ago.
(The current nearest clan leader is the son of the Mongol Khan whom Cao
defeated.) He is a Manchu, but beloved
by all his troops.
While everyone knows that General Cao is an old man, what is
not well known, is how far gone he is.
It’s not just his strength, but his mind as well. A multitude of aides handle the bulk of his
everyday duties. Still, his courage
remains undiminished, and Cao insists on leading troops into combat whenever he
can. This act often endangers the troops
and their mission, as their main priority often becomes keeping him safe. The Governor will not replace him, out of loyalty,
and because Cao’s name alone is worth any number of men in keeping the province
safe.
While his stats below are still potent, he has lost all of
his ability bonuses and special techniques.
Cao’s use magical arms and armor is the only thing keeping him truly
potent in combat.
10th Level Fighter, Hp 55, AC 15 (+5 Magical
breastplate, Liquid Steel, it is non-encumbering)
Fort +7, Ref +3, Will +3
Melee: +4 Katana (Wrath) +14 to hit 1d10+4
Ranged: +4 Longbow (Slayer) +14 to hit 1d8+4
[Sorry, no update yesterday. Out sick.]
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