Fantasy Core RPG: Jianghu Setting-Guild Ward

Fantasy Core RPG

© Jerry Harris 2013

Published here as Open Game Content.

(This link will take you to the Fantasy Core Index.)

Jianghu Setting

The Guild Ward

It’s all business here, even the petty grudges and entertainment.

The Guild Ward (the north end of the city) and the Second Gate (or the Commerce Gate) is the main entrance to the city for foreigners, usually merchants.  Foreigners aren’t allowed into the city unless they obtain a special permit.  As such, there are a great many warehouses, brokers, and hostels just outside the gate, where the deals are made.  Inside the ward are more warehouses and the majority of shops of the city’s craftsmen.  There are streets, usually named by profession, filled certain types of industry and run by a guild.  The city’s bankers are also found here. 

It’s mostly business here, but there are some notable landmarks.  The International Bazaar here is the best in the city.  Nearly anything can be found here, if you look long and hard enough.  Song Tower hovers over the ward at five full stories.  It is surrounded by private guards and no one seems to know who lives there and what goes on there.  The name comes the music emanating from the tower at night and is not an official designation. 

You know you’re somebody in the Jianghu, when you are challenged to a duel at the Teahouse.

Then there is the infamous Daan Tien Teahouse.  Their tea is the best town and chess masters are often found playing in courtyard.  Businessmen come here to relax and enjoy Zen Tea Ceremonies.  Business deal making is generally frowned upon here.  Its fame, however, comes from the number of duels that have been fought here between martial artists, often to the death.  No one remembers how this tradition started, though there are plenty of stories of the fights.  Only famous warriors (6^th level and up) will fight here.  Any lesser warrior will simply be arrested for disrupting the peace.

Madame Ming-Tsu does not encourage this unharmonious disruption of her business, which is that of a calm, peaceful cup of tea.  Yet, neither does she discourage the curious on-lookers who frequent the tea house, hoping to see a fight. For a few coins, blind guitarist and fixture at the teahouse, Izami, will provide a musical accompaniment for your fight.  Though he has never seen any the duels fought here, Izami often has a profound perception of the opponents’ abilities.