Thursday, August 22, 2013

Fantasy Core RPG: Jianghu Setting-Imperial Military

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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