Fantasy Core RPG: Jianghu Setting-Martial Arts Schools

Fantasy Core RPG

© Jerry Harris 2013

Published here as Open Game Content.

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

Jianghu Setting

Martial Arts Schools

Kung Fu means “Excellence,” not “Fight all of the time for no reason!”

Martial arts are a way of life in Shang-tu and the Empire.  Nearly everybody able has been taught some fighting skills as a child, formally or informally, in addition to warriors who have dedicated their lives to training.  Dojos are present in virtually every neighborhood and village.  Most are simply low level masters (5^th level) teaching some self-defense with some additional techniques for advanced students.

There are a few schools lead by higher level masters (6^th and up), who teach full fighting styles and often profess to having a secret technique that they only teach to worthy students (and if it involves large up-front money payments, it’s usually bull).  These various schools are natural rivals with one another for supremacy.  They fight in sanctioned tournaments and formally by direct challenge, but mostly in informal “gang” fights.  The constables are constantly breaking up fights between students, usually leaving the discipline to their harsh masters.

Virtue follows correct form and thoughts.

There is one premier martial arts school in Shang-tu, the White Tile Dojo, so named for its gleaming roof and floors (which are cleaned daily by first year students).  Every aspiring martial artist in the city wishes to train there.  Students of other schools never pick fights with martial artists wearing their distinctive version of the black and white yin/yang patch.  There is a palatable air of arrogant elitism among the students, who are only accepted by resume and audition, and even then there is a waiting list.  But with that, the White Tile students are model citizens, doing good, charitable deeds around the city, even often breaking up fights between other schools.

When brothers fight, only regret wins.

The White Tile Dojo’s only serious, organized rivals are the monks of the Mount Tien Monastery.  There are several dichotomies at play in this rivalry.  There is the natural one between the urban and the rural.  They differ in philosophy.  The dojo is dedicated to the study of martial arts, with virtue following its proper use.  The monastery is a religious institution that teaches martial arts as a way of expressing virtue.  Dojo students learn skills to find employment or perhaps found their own dojos.  The monks’ martial arts are learned for the defense of the temple.  Finally and most importantly, Master Yune of the dojo is a former monk from the monastery.  He was dismissed under questionable circumstances by the abbot, Grandmaster Fu.

Excellence only shines when under the brightest light.

The White Tile and Monastery disciples are only sanctioned to fight one another at the city’s annual martial arts tournament.  There is an unspoken importance of this event to the pride of both organizations, fighting for the honor of their institutions and for Master Yune and Grandmaster Fu.  Neither man genuinely has any emotional investment in the tournament, other than for their students, but the students believe otherwise. 

When compassion ceases, fighting begins.  Only evil will result.

It would bring dishonor upon either organization to fight outside of the tournament, and the monks and the students seldom have opportunity to meet or hear of one another’s exploits anyway.  But the fights happen and they are epic.  No matter how secretive the arrangements, word gets out.  Higher level combatants will reserve a table at the Daan Tien Teahouse, while lower level ones favor pit arenas in the Lake Ward.  Constables are only there for crowd control purposes.  Betting action at the Hotai Tavern is hot and heavy.  Harsh discipline will follow the fighters afterward from their masters, but so will fame and renown.  These fights are normally only to submission (to 10% of total hp or if 50% of hp are lost in one blow), as at tournaments.  A death at such an event would be a tragedy for all involved.  Death matches are only fought by thugs or for blood vengeance, and never in public view. 

[On a personal note, I am off next week until Tuesday, September 10.  In the meantime, feel free to check out the links in the upper right box for some past site highlights.  I hate to tease things out, but during my vacation, I plan on doing some more work another setting: Cyber-Pulp Fantasy Core.]

Fantasy Core RPG: Jianghu Setting-The Tongs

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 Tongs

The Tongs do not exist, but if they did. . .

The Triads main backing comes from an alliance with the urban-based criminal organization, the Tongs.  This group comprises all of the various gangs from around the city.  They are held together by ironclad discipline from the Tong leadership and religious ideology.  There are no independent thieves or competing thieves guilds in the city, they are run out or killed.  In spite of all of this, the Tongs are virtually invisible.  Everyone knows that they exist, but virtually no one will openly speak of them. 

Paradoxically, while the Tongs are all about criminal enterprise, they are perhaps even more about the revolution than their Triad leaders.  They feel even religiously justified in their actions.  The Triads may espouse some spiritual idealism, but the Tongs live and die by it.  It is this element that binds them together so strongly.  They are funding the downfall of this corrupt, immoral regime to create the perfect society.

The Tongs were actually started by the Triads.  Their loyalty to the Triads is inseparable, though this isn’t necessarily mutual.  The Tong underlings may be arrested, but the Triad leadership and organization is never exposed by them.  Group members usually kill themselves if they are caught.  Even those that are caught tend to mysteriously die in captivity or are immediately released by judges owned by the Triads.  Any Tong leaders that are caught usually end up in Akagi Prison, but it is hardly “hard time” for them.  

Better to face an angry bull, than a calculating one.

The current leader of the Tongs is an imposing hulk of a man.  But it is Juro’s intelligence that has brought him to prominence.  He is fully dedicated to the cause and merciless in its execution, especially on his own members.  He’s built up enough enemies in the organization that he is forced to rule by fear.  The Triad leadership doesn’t trust him either.  One good slip up, and he will be removed with extreme prejudice.   

Still, he is not a one-dimensional zealous thug.  His personal regimen and austere discipline is a marvel to his opponents.  Juro is thoughtful in action, never rash.  Further, he is smart enough to see that the majority of the Triad leadership is just like Shi-Mei, spoiled dilettantes seeking power by spilling somebody else’s blood.  He is also smart enough to see that their connections, money, and influence are necessary for a successful revolt.  The Triads can be dealt with later.

Juro has trained with the hidden Wudan Grandmaster Lin and has acquired several impressive physical abilities.  They require him to train on a daily basis and eat a special diet.  Failing to do so will cause him to lose his special abilities for the day.

10th Level Thief, Hp 42, AC 13* (none, but has Diamond Skin trait and is immune to normal damage) Enhanced Initiative +3

+4 Int, Str, +3 Dex, +1 Wis, Cha

Fort +3, Ref +10, Will +4

Melee: +1 Dagger (Singing Dagger) +11 to hit 1d4+4

Sneak Attack: Successful attack and Stealth rolls (DC 12), 8 dam

Surprise Attack: Successful attack and Stealth rolls (DC 12), 18 dam

Ranged: +1 Dagger (Singing Dagger, returns to thrower in same rd) +10 to hit 1d4 + DC 12 Ref Sv or opponent is tripped to the ground

+8 Detection (Singing Dagger will also vibrate at the first sign of an attack)

+9 Stealth, Escape Artist, Acrobatics, Climb

½ or no damage from failed saves, further a successful save vs a magic attack is reflected back at the caster (Diamond Skin), though only the first magic attack in a rd.

Immune to poison and disease

Cannot be Mind Read

Fantasy Core RPG: Jianghu Setting-The Triads

Fantasy Core RPG

© Jerry Harris 2013

Published here as Open Game Content.

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

Jianghu Setting

Secret Societies-The Triads

Equality on earth as it is in the Heavens.

The Heaven and Earth Society, or the Triads, is a religious organization.  They are not just dedicated to overthrowing the Manchus, but also the creation of a completely egalitarian society.  They aim to accomplish this by redistributing the lands and the wealth of the affluent who have prospered under Manchu rule.  Little wonder the White Lotus Society backers want little to do with the Triads.  Obviously this group is popular amongst the lower levels of society. 

The Triads information network is not as well connected as the White Lotus, but they act on whatever information they get.  There is a definite disdain for the White Lotus, but the Triads still hope to gain them as allies.  The Triads are constantly harassing and sabotaging government officials, structures, goods, and plans.  They hope to one day build up enough popular support to start a peasant revolt.  The governor is well aware of the Triads, but they’re like cockroaches, scattering when discovered and almost impossible to get rid of definitively.  Profoundly irritated, Yu can only content himself with the public execution of the few underlings that are caught.

Every coin has two faces.

The wealthy widow, Countess Shi-Mei, is the current leader of the Heaven and Earth Society.  She lives a fairly opulent lifestyle in the Governor’s Ward.  Shi-Mei works tirelessly at philanthropic causes and attends charity balls and such.  Her wit and charm make her a constant guest at parties.  She is the consummate dilettante with gossip, news, and knowledge on virtually any subject. 

If none of this sounds like a socialist secret society leader that is because you and the rest of Shang-tu’s upper crust know nothing of her background.  Shi-Mei has fairly effectively buried her poor upbringing and shameful vocations (such as working at the Red Lantern Inn).  Living on the backstreets, she picked up some fighting skills, but it has been her intelligence and charm, along with an almost chameleon-like ability to change her appearance and personality, that has presented her with many opportunities for advancement. 

Eventually, she managed to charm her way into marriage to an old wealthy noble.  Taking command of his finances, she managed to multiply them (legally and extra-legally).  However, she’s never forgotten where she came from and always had a grudge against the wealthy, especially the Manchus.  Upon her husband’s death, Shi-Mei became a benefactor for the Triads and eventually rose to leadership.  Once there, she eliminated any potential rivals, so that the rest simply follow her orders. 

Literally, no one suspects her, even though she is in fact not very careful in hiding her activities and associations.  She has complete confidence in her ability to lie, charm, or bribe her way out of any situation.  On the flip side, no one in the Triads seems put off by her extravagant, lavish lifestyle, which is absolutely at odds with their goals.  Only the Tong leader, Juro, distrusts her, but still has confidence in her leadership, as long as it works.  Shi-Mei is well aware of this, but she needs him for now.  They do not openly associate with one another and seldom in private either.  It would not be good for either of their reputations to be seen together.       

 

Ironically, Shi-Mei and Lynn-Che run in the same society circles and often meet, unaware that they are running opposing secret societies.  They are cordial and respectful.  The Governor is quite smitten with Shi-Mei and has even attempted to bed her, but so far she has only coyly strung him along, implying she wants a more respectable relationship, such as marriage.  (The rest of the Triads DO NOT know about this.  Certainly this might call into question her loyalty to the cause.  Is she planning on selling out the group as a stepping stone to power?)  Only Madame Lan is her social rival, as they have a history with one another and are holding damaging information about the other.  In public, they are quite openly fake friends, and then gossiping about each other to everyone else.   

Shi-Mei is not a powerful martial artist (her main value is her contacts, money, and intelligence), but she is surrounded by them.  Powerful fighters, thieves, and flying warriors will fight and die for her.  Her estate is guarded by a force of them, in addition to being her bodyguards in public.  Generally these warriors are not very intelligent and none will have any magic items or special techniques.  As smart as Shi-Mei is already, she tends to make sure that she’s always the smartest person in the organization.  She values unquestioned loyalty over brains every time.   

4th Level Flying Warrior, 24, AC 12 (no armor)

+4 Int, Wis, Cha, +2 Dex, +1 Str, Con  

Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +8

Melee: Unarmed 2 attacks +4/+2 to hit 1d4+3

+1 Rapier (Hard Spike, it is of foreign make) +6 to hit 1d6+2

Ranged: +1 Spiked Whip (Pain) +6 to hit, 1d6 + DC 18 Fort Sv or stun 1 rd

Flying Strike +4 to hit + DC 12 Acrobatics check, 9 damage

Flying Multi-Strike +4 to hit + DC 12 Acrobatics check, 1d8+1, up to four, adjacent opponents

Acrobatics +4

Immune to falling damage

Divine Charm: DC 18 Will Sv, non-combat situations only, will open up the target to subtle suggestion and charm.  Nothing drastic.  Failing the save over a period of several months will make the person a virtual slave.  This is not a spell or magical ability, simply Shi-Mei’s personality.

Fantasy Core RPG: Jianghu Setting-The White Lotus Society

Fantasy Core RPG

© Jerry Harris 2013

Published here as Open Game Content.

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

Jianghu Setting

Secret Societies-The White Lotus Society

The White Lotus is all knowing.

The urban-based White Lotus Society is purely political and their main and only goal is the removal of Manchu rule.  They have the backing of several prominent local authorities and the wealthy merchants in the city.  They have carefully infiltrated the government at all levels and are well informed about the Governor and his minister’s activities.  Members of the group are generally not warriors, unless that is nominal profession.  They tend to hire freelance fighters and thieves and such for specific tasks.  The White Lotus also has an informal alliance with the White Tile Dojo for warriors and access to the services of the shamen at the Emerald Hill Temple.  They are frequent customers of Kinsai ninja clan.  (The White Tile Dojo and Kinsai ninjas will be described later.)   

A whisper in the right ear is more powerful than a thousand screaming at the sky.

Their ultimate intention is to make a single, decapitating strike in coordination with other allied secret societies in the rest of the Empire, unlike the Triads, whom the White Lotus regards as a mere angry mob with profound criminal ties.  Generally, they only act to gather information, protect their information assets, and the careful recruitment of new, worthwhile members.  Governor Yu is vaguely aware of this group, and doesn’t consider them a threat.  Minister Xun is far more concerned, but Yu will not give him sanction to deal with the White Lotus, since he doesn’t wish to upset the Merchant Guild.

Poison covered by a candy shell, while deadly, at least tastes sweet.

Lynn-Che is a wise, gracious, generous, compassionate woman.  She is exactly the kind of person you would want running city’s main temple.  No one has anything bad to say about her.  The Governor trusts her and her judgments implicitly, even though she is not a Manchu.  Unfortunately, in spite of her stature and accomplishments, that she is not a Manchu, is always an issue when dealing with the Imperial hierarchy.      

Lynn-Che is also the cunning leader of the White Lotus Society.  Under her leadership, the previously ephemeral White Lotus has infiltrated the government at all levels and become a force.  Her hatred of Manchu rule is absolute, but she has the patience of snake stalking its prey.  Lynn-Che can look the Governor directly in the eye and lie to his face without a hint of duplicity.  However, her secret persona is the same as her public one.  She is loved in the White Lotus.  People will fight and die to protect her and the cause.  When Lynn-Che has suggested that agents may have to sacrifice themselves, and they have volunteered and blessed her.

So far, none of this adulation has gone to her head.  Perhaps it is her spiritual devotion.  The Yong Incident was a horrific shock and nearly cost her her life.  But even then, the Governor himself saved her life and defended her.   Lynn-Che came out of the affair stronger in reputation and conviction than ever.  While grateful to the Governor (even liking him personally), Manchu rule and his own will have to come to an end.  It should be noted that Lynn-Che will generally not engage in combat unless innocents are threatened.

  

10th Level Shaman, Hp 30, AC 10* (Lord of the Mountain Ring, Immune to normal damage and supernatural and magical attack, she obtained this ring through questionable means after the Yong Incident.  It must be recharged with a ceremony and exotic items every month.)

+4 Wis, Cha

Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +11

Melee: Lynn-Che is not proficient in hand to hand combat

Ranged: Stun beads (10 x sewn into her formal gowns) +10 to hit, DC 18 Fort Sv or stunned 2 rds. 

Divine Charm: DC 18 Will Sv, non-combat situations only, will open up the target to subtle suggestion and charm.  Nothing drastic.  Failing the save over a period of several months will make the person a virtual slave.  This is not a spell or magical ability, simply Lynn-Che’s personality.

Immune to fear and charm effects.

Stealth +5

Detect Undead/Demonic/Celestial 30’ radius

Divine Radiance 5d6 damage to Undead and Demons 30’ radius

First Aid +5

Wand of Healing: Full hp restored and any poison or disease removed.  Once per day.  (Will usually owe Lynn-Che a favor for this service.)

Amulet of Hidden Thoughts: Mind reading spells reveal only pleasant thoughts.

Spell Check +9, 2 failures/encounter

DC 17 5^th Level

- Telepathic Bond: Link lets allies communicate. 5 turns

- Mage's Private Sanctum: Prevents anyone from viewing or scrying an area for 24 hours.

- Contact Other Plane: Lets you ask 1 question of extraplanar entity.

DC 16 4^th Level

-Charm Monster: Makes monster believe it is your ally.  Encounter. DC 17 Will Sv

DC 15 3^rd Level

- Suggestion: Compels non-hostile subject to follow stated course of action. 9 turns DC 17 Will Sv

- Tongues: Speak any language. 9 turns.

- Hold Person: Paralyzes one humanoid for 9 rds DC 17 Will Sv

- Glitterdust: Blinds creatures, outlines invisible creatures. Fills confined area or 20' sq. Encounter. DC 17 Ref Sv

DC 14 2^nd Level

- Fog Cloud: Fog obscures vision. Fills confined area or 40' sq. 5 turns.

- See Invisibility: Reveals invisible creatures or objects. Encounter.

DC 13 1^st Level

- Sleep: Puts 4 HD of creatures into magical slumber 1 turn. Fort Sv DC 17

- Charm Person: Makes one person your friend. 5 turns. Will Sv DC 17

- Disguise Self: Changes your appearance. 5 turns.

- Identify: Determines properties of magic item.

Baseball Journal 8-26-13

When I went over to my parents’ apartment on Sunday afternoon, little did I suspect the epic struggle between titans that I would witness.  In the aftermath of the conflict, there would be nothing but bitterness and regret.  These are the moments in which men’s very characters are defined.  Legends are forged in these fires.

So it’s a beautiful day in San Diego, essentially like every other day there.  The hopelessly inept Cubs were playing the virtually anonymous Padres in a completely meaningless game.  The home team was wearing their camouflage tops and hats, which I find rather striking.  (If I might recommend a slight orange trim around the letters and numbers so they stand out a little more.  Yes, I know what the definition of camouflage is, but it doesn’t make sense to obscure the team’s name.)  A company of marines in their tan dress uniforms occupied an entire section of the stadium.  They looked uncomfortable.

To further set the scene, the pre-game talked about Darwin Barney of the Cubs, and one of my favorite players, was the offensive hero last night, thus putting me in a good mood.  There was a reasonable looking crowd for the game.  What I found interesting was the lack of Padres team gear among the fans.  Those that were wearing team colors, were a mixed bag of several eras.  Of course, there were plenty of easily identifiable Cubs fans.  The game begins.

Meanwhile in the Sunday paper, there was a lengthy article about the El Paso Diablos baseball team.  The current franchise was playing their last game of the season, and for the franchise in El Paso, and probably the last professional baseball game in the stadium.  As I’ve mentioned, a Triple A team with a new stadium are coming next year.  (Keep in mind, the players who aren’t good enough to make a crappy Padres team, will playing in El Paso.)  The article took up about a full page and mentioned all of the accolades that the Jim Paul era team accumulated, including being the first to have fireworks after a game (I didn’t know that).  No mention of the infamous Cohen Stadium canopy, which required a separate bond issue years later and was knocked down by windstorms, twice. 

On the news later that night, they showed a large crowd coming out for that last game.  It was a heartfelt, touching tribute, mostly in remembrance of better days.  On the other hand, is this really what it took to get people to finally come out to see the team?  I think the new team will draw well in its inaugural season (as long as they’re not named the Chihuahuas), but this doesn’t bode well for succeeding ones, unless they make a real, sustained effort to get fans there.  Dad’s only comment, as he used to work in downtown El Paso, was that he can’t believe they tore down city hall to build the new stadium.  He said he was tempted to drive down there to see if it was really gone.

Meanwhile in San Diego, there’s no score.  Len and JD have a brief discussion about a famous Padre fan, Harry the Heckler, who sits in the outfield.

The Little League World Series is also going on.  As much as I enjoy watching the kids play, much like NASCAR, I can’t stand the broadcast coverage.  It was a four-hour broadcast to show five and a half innings.  There were like ten-minute commercial breaks between every inning.  Oh, and they have expanded replay.  In other words, this is the future of the MLB.

Meanwhile in San Diego, there’s still no score.  We are introduced to Zack and Max.  These were little Cubs fans, with their names are on the back of their jerseys, seated together with their future agents, whom they may be closely related to.  They were dressed out and ready to enter the game at any time if called upon.  Little did we know at the time, it might come to that.

Zack got a foul ball and was very happy.  Max started crying.  Dad went over to bribe a ball girl.  No dice.  The next foul ball in the area was given to a little girl.  Max started crying again.  After having a good deal of fun at the kid’s expense, a WGN producer ran over and gave him a ball between innings.  Max and dad gave the camera a happy, jaunty wave.  Of course, the director kept going back to them during the game.  I love this human-interest stuff.  It’s sad that this is the only reason to watch Cubs baseball this season.

According to the ticker, the White Sox have defeated the Rangers . . . again . . . damn it!  I had heard a little of the game on the radio.  There was some story about a lineup card that Eric and Matt (who was mentioned in the Diablo article as one of their former broadcasters) didn’t elaborate on while I was listening.  As I heard later, the White Sox bench coach was thrown out while delivering the lineup card before the game.  The shocking part was that this type of ejection has happened before.

Meanwhile, I finally noticed that the game was still scoreless.  It may have been about 6^th inning.  Now this wasn’t a day game in the middle of the week in unpleasant heat with guys just taking three swings and sitting down.  The players were actually taking decent at bats.  There was just nothing to show for it.  It wasn’t like either pitcher had no-hitter stuff.  In other words, both teams were completely offensively hopeless.  So much for bringing in the fences at Petco Park to generate more scoring.   

By the 9^th inning of scoreless ball, I observed that if this was a soccer match, both teams would be exchanging jerseys and leaving the field.  Previously, the crowd had only really cheered a great fan catch of a foul ball.  Now, the game was taking on a different tone.  The crowd was getting into it.  Each pitch and at bat were now becoming important.  It wouldn’t be until about 5:00 pm local time there, that the crowd started seriously thinning out, but give them credit.  They had to wait about four hours to see somebody score.  By that point, we all just rooting for somebody, anybody, to win.     

I knew that when it happened, it would have to be somehow embarrassing, a bases loaded walk, a wild pitch scoring someone from third, or some Little League antics from missing the cutoff man.  I didn’t envision what did happen.  With the bases loaded with Cubs, Nate Shierholtz hit a grounder to the first baseman, who immediately threw the ball back to the catcher.  Unfortunately, Nate had fallen down after the hit and as he got back up, was hit by the throw.  The run scored and the Cubs would tack on another.  Kevin Gregg came in to close it out, and while he didn’t blow the blow the save by walking a bunch of guys like Marmol, the result was the same.  On to the 14^th.

Apparently nobody saw this kind of lengthy game coming, including the managers.  Bud Black of the Padres was forced to send up a pitcher to pinch-hit, which worked out about as well as you’d think.  He was no longer even in a position to even have a position player pitch.  On to the 15^th.

At this point, I must relate my most shameful act of the weekend.  I left the game.  The sun was going down, and I had walked over and didn’t want to walk back in the dark.  I felt bad all the way back.  I turned on the Dodger game on the radio, hoping to get an update.  Dad would call about 15 minutes later and tell me that the Padres had won, by driving in a guy from second with two outs.  He didn’t have any other details, but by that point, it only mattered that the game was over.  He was exhausted. 

It’s hard to put a capper on this, given that I didn’t see the end (and the sun still hadn’t gone all the way down by the time of the update, further mocking me).  I lay this whole incident at Len’s feet for making fun of Bob Brenly during his 18-inning game the night before.  Do I still want to watch more baseball after all of this?  You bet!  Let’s play two.    

Fantasy Core RPG: Jianghu Setting-Secret Societies

Fantasy Core RPG

© Jerry Harris 2013

Published here as Open Game Content.

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

Jianghu Setting

Secret Societies

The open secrets are the most indiscernible.

In Shang-tu, there are two main active secret societies, the White Lotus Society and the Heaven and Earth Society (the Triads).  While both have the goal of overthrowing Manchu rule, they are generally not compatible.  (Which is obviously to Governor Yu’s advantage.)  They do not associate with one another except in dire circumstances or unprecedented opportunity. The people in general in Shang-tu know of these groups only as vague rumors.  Even Triad sympathizers in the Lake Ward know little to nothing about the workings of the group.

The establishment wishes to preserve established mistakes.  A revolutionary wishes to create new ones.

Both secret societies operate along the same lines.  New members are initiated by rigorous testing.  Absolute loyalty and secrecy is demanded.  Members are expected to give their lives to accomplish their mission (or take their own lives if caught).  In the end, both groups seek to remove the current rulers and replace them with themselves.  The White Lotus wants things to more or less stay the same, just without the Manchus.  They think they will be able to manipulate the Triads into making a good distraction, when the time comes for their masterstroke.  The Triads want the Manchus and the rest of the powerful in society removed.  They think the White Lotus and their valuable information network will ultimately have to sell out their backers and join their own, more popular group, if they wish to be relevant.

If two groups that serve the same cause fight one another, they serve no one.

These two groups are ultimately not compatible.  The question is will they tolerate one another long enough to topple the Manchus?  They could end up seeing one another as the main obstacle to their common goal.  So far, neither side has intentionally harmed one another’s members or operatives by action or inaction.  Polite apologies and reparations are exchanged after any “regrettable” incidents, as both groups do have blind contact with one another. 

Of note to adventurers, the Triads only trust their own members for tasks and are an organization of warriors.  The White Lotus is primarily made up of intelligence gatherers, who are only warriors if that is their normal trade.  They usually hire professionals, who don’t ask too many questions, for dangerous tasks.  Working for one, doesn’t necessarily preclude working for the other, but it is taken into careful consideration.

One will serve an abusive provider longer than an uncaring one.

Keep in mind that the secret societies (the White Lotus and the Triads) and criminal gangs (the Brotherhood and the Tongs) actually do serve some useful purpose to their members and people under their “protection.”  People who are or feel that they are disenfranchised or ignored by the proper government have someone to turn to help and to have some political power there.  These groups often care for their members in times of general or even personal trouble better than any government agency.  Members may be abused, mislead, and even sacrificed but are not ignored, and thus most are very loyal to their chosen groups.

Baseball Journal 8-24-13

Ah, a beautiful Saturday afternoon in Los Angeles.  Today, the talk of all baseball, the Dodgers, are playing. . . Oh my God!  The Taliban!  How did these guys get into the country!  Where’s Homeland Security?  Oh, wait, that’s just Mike Napoli on the Red Sox with an enormous beard.

Whew, had me worried there.  Oh my God!  There’s another one!  It is the Taliban!  That’s not Jonny Gomes.

You can’t fool me, there’s a whole dugout filled with bearded men.  We’re being invaded here people!  Who’s that in the Dodger bullpen?  Brian Wilson with an even bigger beard than the last time I saw him.

The Dodgers have been infiltrated too.  Is nothing sacred?  In the end, it was dark day for America as the Taliban beat the Dodgers, 4-2.  I weep for this country.   

Who knew they played professional level baseball in Afghanistan?

While I was knocked out sick on Wednesday, all I could do was lie on my back and listen to the radio.  I sort got to hear the Rangers playing the Astros.  Sort of.  The local affiliate cut out after sundown in the 2^nd inning.  I was able to pick up the game on a fuzzy Amarillo station late in the game.  There in the 9^th with the bases loaded and the scored tied . . . static . . . Rangers win!  I think.  Thankfully I got the replay of the winning play on the post game, more or less.  Win/loss is what matters at this point in the season, not the details.

Somewhere in the middle of waiting for the Amarillo station to come in, I heard the worst sports talk show of all time, Petros and Money on FSR.  In the half-hour I listened, they discussed Kim Kardashian’s mom’s talk show, toppings on hamburgers, the guy who invented the steam engine, and Hayden Panettierre.  I should have just listened to static from Amarillo, but I was too tired to get up and change stations.

I also listened to the local sports talk show out of El Paso on KROD.  They spent an hour with the team owner (or president, whatever) of the Triple A baseball team that is coming to town next year.  They’re not ready to reveal the new name yet.  (Please God, not the El Paso Chihuahuas.  Anything but the Chihuahuas.)  They did discuss the controversy over the funding of the ballpark, which I seem to recall was announced to be a million or so over budget a week into construction.  (Forgive me for not having the exact details or a supporting link, but the comment is mostly correct.) 

The host mentioned that some people were still angry.  The attitude of the owner was that it was too late now.  “If you people want to be angry and not come, fine.  You’ll just miss out on the fun.”  He and host agreed that eventually everyone will show up to the games.  And they laughed.  At the bottom of the hour, there was the local newsbreak.  In a completely unrelated news story, the city had just decided to raise property taxes and other tax increases may be on the way.  Yeah, El Pasoans you may as well show up to games.  You paid for them, and will paying over and over again for them, whether you go or not.     

Thankfully feeling better the next day, I got to listen to a rare Dodger morning game versus the Marlins.  There was so little crowd noise, I thought the ballpark was empty, but whenever the Dodgers scored, I’d hear a feeble cheer go up from the “crowd.”  I wonder if the entire Marlin team even showed up for the game.  The only noteworthy event that happened in the game was the Dodger debut of Brian Wilson as a relief pitcher.  It was a non-save situation.  He got two strikeouts, gave up a hit, and caught another ball in his beard, which was incorrectly counted as an out, in my opinion.  (Rule 6.05 (a) specifies that a batter is out when the ball is LEGALLY caught by a fielder.  I think some aspect of Rule 7.05 should have come into play there, but there is no specific ruling on “beard catching.”)

During the broadcast I learned that the Marlins Park visitor’s bullpen is next to the Clevlander nightclub in the outfield.  Even though it was morning, the place was still rocking.  It used to be the home bullpen, but they discovered last season that the continuous noise and low bass thumping was annoying their pitchers, who had to sit next to it for the whole game, so they switched. 

Fantasy Core RPG: Jianghu Setting-Other City Power Groups

Fantasy Core RPG

© Jerry Harris 2013

Published here as Open Game Content.

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

Jianghu Setting

Other City Power Groups

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The Imperial Bureaucracy

There are any number of agencies governing life, taxation, and commerce in the Empire.  While the law and judges may be bought, the Imperial Bureaucracy is virtually unassailable.  Bureaucrats earn their positions via impartial testing.  They are well paid and taken care of in return for absolute incorruptibility.  Bureaucrats will jealously remove anyone of their order suspected of impropriety to maintain their own reputations.  Attempting to accomplish anything through the system brings one into contact and possible conflict with them.  Needless to say, the Bureaucracy is not well loved by the citizens, especially the omnipresent tax collectors. 

Normally the only way to get past them is to bribe an elected official to get a legal waiver.  At the start, the characters are “off the grid” so to speak and will have no legal status to deal with bureaucrats.  They won’t even be able to enter the city itself, lacking identity documents.  Of course, various NPC’s do deal with the bureaucracy and may want the characters’ help to get past them.  If the characters achieve some legitimacy and attempt to establish themselves in business or residence, they will run afoul of them themselves (especially the tax collectors).

[In a game sense, the Bureaucracy is a foe who the characters cannot beat martially, perhaps at all.  Knocking over a tax shipment for the rebellion will make you a wanted man.  Assaulting a tax collector because you disagreed with his tax assessment will accomplish the same.  Use bureaucrats sparingly, as a means of teaching humility.]

If there is money to be made, there will be merchant present.

The Merchant and Tradesman Guilds

Quiet, but powerful influences on the city.  Every worthwhile trade has established their own Guild in the city.  They are the lifeblood to the smooth flow of commerce.  The Governor actively courts them and always makes sure their concerns are heard and dealt with (or at least explained).  However, were it demonstrated to be in their interests, the Guilds could be enticed to turn on him.  Many Guild members are actively oppressed by the Tongs.  Few will openly speak of it, out of shame.  The Guilds and the law seem powerless to end it.  

A little kindness, sir.  The Heavens will repay you someday.

The Beggars’ Society

Yes, even the panhandling bums in Shang-tu have unionized.  They are a tremendous source of news, information, and gossip in the city, though few respectable people will solicit them.  Their informal network is more vast than any other in the city.  They will want payment up front for any information, and probably future favors to get any specific intelligence.  They might take awhile, but are very honorable.  They will return any payment if they cannot get the information, usually it would be because the task is too dangerous (but they will point the characters in the right direction).  They are strangely ambivalent to the machinations of the secret societies and other powerful entities.  The Beggars figure their position will be unchanged regardless of who rules.


The tools of my trade are my sword and my honor. 

Wandering Warriors (Wulin)

Shang-tu is the ends of the earth as far as civilization goes.  While this environment attracts some of the worst of society, it also calls to the most noble.  A small, steady stream of honorable warriors, looking to hone their skills, make a name for themselves, and to fight injustice enters the area on a regular basis.  More to the point, a Wulin can easily find employment here as a warrior.  They can exist completely outside the Imperial system outside of the city, or find intrigue in a large, urban frontier town.  Still, as they say, “Everything is for sale in Shang-tu,” and that includes a Wulin’s honor, if they are not careful.

There are evil Wulin.  They are bullies, mercenaries, and bandits, who work for warlords, corrupt government officials, and greedy merchants.  There are even disgraced eunuch sorcerers wandering the land, searching for more power or trying to establish a rural power base.  There are none of these currently known in Shang-tu province.  Certainly the isolation of the city, the presence of ruins, and brisk foreign trade would attract a sorcerer.  But then, this area also attracts Wulin, who often specialize in killing rouge magic users.  Any such sorcerer would be well hidden.   

Fantasy Core RPG: Jianghu Setting-Imperial Military

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 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.

10^th 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.]

Fantasy Core RPG: Jianghu Setting-Justice and Law Enforcement

Fantasy Core RPG

© Jerry Harris 2013

Published here as Open Game Content.

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

Jianghu Setting

Justice and Law Enforcement

The most impartial justice system money can buy.

The city district judges and the traveling provincial magistrates (who service the villages) are appointed by the Imperial Bureaucracy.  They are experienced lawyers who have applied and then been rigorously tested to obtain these positions.  They must be sponsored, apprenticed (as a clerk), and approved by an experienced judge.  They are always sent to posts well away from their home cities.   

In spite of these precautions, most of the judges in Shang-tu are in the pockets of the various competing interests: merchants, guilds, Tongs, and secret societies.  (Unlike the rest of the Imperial Bureaucracy, judges work alone and do have any direct or peer oversight.  Other Bureaucrats are ironically often more scrupulous the judges of the law.)  Any part of the city dominated by a special interest owns the judges and usually the constables as well.  Judges can only be removed by a Daimyo or the Governor and would be a daunting ordeal.

The Daimyos of the wards are ultimately the chief law enforcement officers as well as the Appeals judge.  This is a small check on the power of the judges.  Any criminal convicted by a judge may appeal to their Daimyo (or village lord), but failing to win the case, usually results in an immediate death sentence.  For certain sensitive matters (such as those involving foreign dignitaries or very important civic leaders) or even issues of possible national importance, judges may refer cases directly to their Daimyo, who may in turn send it directly to the Governor. 

A good constable does not tolerate the presence of criminals in his neighborhood, unless they are paying him well.

Each district has a force of constables paid out of the city taxes.  (Though it should be noted that the Governor’s Ward is well patrolled by the East Chamber and Imperial troops and private security instead.)  They require references and are well tested and trained, though not well paid.  Many are recruited out the city’s multitude of martial arts schools (who are often causing fights that have to be broken up the constables).  Often short-handed in patrols (especially at night with the curfew), the constables may be backed up by volunteer watchmen, depending on the neighborhood.   

There is a great deal of pride and service in the typical constable, but they are ultimately just working at a job.  Good and bad people populate the ranks of the force.  The good ones will often turn a blind eye to rampant corruption if exposing it means their life in exchange.  However, even corrupt constables taking payoffs will typically only tolerate a certain level of crime and then will act against it.  

Excellent constables may apply to become inspectors, who investigate unsolved crimes or track down wanted criminals.  They are promoted by the district captain, who is in turn promoted by the ward Daimyo.  Constables usually only have jurisdiction in their own ward.  Inspectors have sanction to bring in criminals from anywhere in the entire province.

There is no escape from death, taxes, and Inspector Amaratsu.

If there is one sterling example of a lawman in Shang-tu, it is Inspector Amaratsu of the Lake Ward.  He is incorruptible and relentless in the pursuit of justice.  The Inspector specializes in solving murder cases, and the criminal activity in the Lake Ward keeps him busy.  The Tongs are more-or-less forced to tolerate him and cut their losses in personnel if he is one the trail of one of their own.  He is now too famous and too popular to just be conveniently killed off. 

  

So far, Amaratsu has turned down every promotion, including invitations from the Governor.  He has a single-minded dedication to his mission of catching murders and seemingly no personal life to get in the way of it.  However, he’s not above seeking help in his investigations.  Working in the corruption of the Lake Ward, Amaratsu has little trust in his co-workers and often solicits the help of skilled outsiders (in other words, player characters).  

7th Level Flying Warrior, Hp 39, AC 15 (no armor) Enhanced Initiative +3

Fort +6, Ref +8, Will +6

Melee: Unarmed 2 attacks +8/+4 to hit 1d4+5

Longsword +8 to hit 1d8+1

Ranged: +2 Spiked Chain (Rip) +12 to hit 2d4 + DC 18 Ref Sv trip, 10’ reach, on Called Shot (nat 16) disarm

Flying Strike +8 to hit + DC 12 Acrobatics check, 9 damage

Flying Multi-Strike +8 to hit + DC 12 Acrobatics check, 1d8+1, up to four, adjacent opponents

Acrobatics +6

Immune to falling damage

Meditation Skill: If Amaratsu meditates for 1 turn at a crime scene, he will find at least 1 clue.

Devices: Amaratsu possesses several magical listening, tracking, lockpicking, and other devices, though they are usually one shot devices that he doesn’t use freely.  His source for these items is unknown.

How to Watch Sports

I get frustrated when people say that baseball is too slow and boring.  Well, I think it’s slow at times too, and some games are bad.  Compare it to any other sport though.  There are plenty of bad games in every sport and other sports are slow at times too.  You want slow, how about the last two minutes of a close basketball game that takes 20 minutes to play out.  Or as George Will said about football, it’s “violence, punctuated by committee meetings.” 

So, if I think baseball is slow and boring at times, why do I still enjoy it, and why do other people enjoy other sports that are also slow and boring at times?  I think it has something to do with how you watch the sport.  I think it’s important to recognize that different sports require different levels of attention in order to really enjoy them.  Here are a few observations and suggestions that may help to enhance your viewing.

Baseball, for example, is a daily sport.  It’s like a soap opera.  You’re following the characters (players) in their trials and tribulations (the games).  Individual episodes (games) may be good or bad, but following along with teams for the season is how you build an emotional attachment to them.  Any given game may not sell a new potential fan on the sport, but if you follow along, you’ll get into it.  This doesn’t mean you’re watching every inning of every game (unless you’re living in the MLB Fan Cave).  It just means you’re following along everyday, looking at scores, box scores, recaps, watching or listening when you can to whatever you can.  You can go into a slump, just like the team, and take time off, perhaps becoming re-interested if the team starts winning again. 

If you’re looking for a weekly spectacle in a baseball game, like in football, you’re probably not going to get it.  Sure, there’s a possibility you’ll see something spectacular, but more than likely you’ll be collecting little moments of coolness or stupidity or weirdness during a game.  They could come from the players, the broadcasters, even the crowd.  (This is at least one reason why I hate when networks hype up regular season games, especially rivalry games.  Usually, frankly, they’re nothing special.)  Something interesting is going to happen.  I guarantee it (more or less).  This feature also allows you to watch games between teams you could care less about, even if your team isn’t doing well.  So if you’re going to give a baseball a chance, you’ve got to try to commit to it for a season.  Obviously, if you’re not enjoying any of the individual games, even with daily continuity, baseball may not be your sport.

I’m no hockey expert.  I get to watch so little hockey that I really don’t even have a rooting interest in any team.  (Given where I live, it’s not like I have a regional interest.)  I’d watch more if I could, because I really enjoy the sport. When the Winter Classic New Years game was cancelled this year, I was devastated.  That was appointment TV for me.  I don’t understand why the sport isn’t more popular.  It’s figure skating with some boxing thrown in.  I’d think that would appeal to everyone. 

Beyond learning the general rules, I figured out one thing about hockey that increased my enjoyment of the sport tremendously.  You have to give the games your undivided attention.  No chit-chatting, checking updates on your Facebook page, going to the kitchen for snacks, or going to the bathroom.  Those things are reserved for commercial breaks and intermissions.  Really, the action in a hockey game is lightning quick.  Even if you’re paying attention, you may still may miss a goal being scored.  If you just sit and watch, you see things develop or be thwarted, and the dramatic tension in the game rises accordingly, along with your enjoyment.  Of course, if it’s blow out, forget what I just said.  It’s not going to help you there.       

Some think the genius of the NFL is that they’ve made their games an event, a spectacle.  Actually, the genius part is that they’ve figured out a way to make boring games interesting.  But it’s going to cost you.  That’s right, betting is how you really enjoy the NFL.  Sure, latching onto a team, having some commiseration or rivalry with your friends, having a party, and knowing that you can start a conversation with just about anyone in the country based on football are good parts of the game.  In order to keep up with everyone, you have watch as much as possible and study the sport when it’s not on.  Crappy pre-season games suddenly take on a new meaning, researching the teams.  Then you think you know something about the sport, so you enter office pools and maybe make bets based on the line.

But the real emotional interaction is the Double F word, Fantasy Football.  This is the magic that makes a crummy blow out game, potentially your highlight of the weekend, if you’ve picked the right players.  Low-scoring old school games are unlikely now, as the NFL caters to generating fantasy stats.  Your regional games aren’t interesting and network updates of other games aren’t coming fast enough, flip over to the Red Zone channel.  See nothing but scoring.  So football is really about socializing (having a party with the game on) and having something riding on the game, more than just some arbitrary team pride.

College football?  Graduate from a major college and become an alumni.  That’ll make the games interesting.  College basketball?  Only March Madness means anything and obviously it’s because of people filling out their brackets.  NBA?  I can’t tell you how to watch, but I’ll tell you how to make a rabid fan a committed non-fan.  Populate the league exclusively with a bunch of zero charisma thugs and jerks.  (I used to watch all the time.  It was my favorite sport.  So, I’m not a good person to objectively comment on it.) 

NASCAR?  I don’t know anymore.  I used to watch and enjoy it all the time.  Now, I can’t even hardly sit through a race.  Same thing with the IRL (except for Indy).  I know it was safety changes to the cars and a change to road and street courses that ruined the entertainment there.  (F1 races I’ve seldom ever found entertaining in and of themselves, though it has happened.)  With NASCAR, I just don’t know.  Rules changes, car changes, championship changes, perhaps the sport simply has an expiration of interest, unless you have a strong identification with a driver.  It may just be that the coverage has degenerated.  In that case, try listening to the radio coverage and watch an Internet streaming feed and see if that makes it more interesting.  (Oh, with sports car races, I just like watching the pretty cars driving fast.  If an actual race breaks out, swell.)

     

Tennis?  Latch on sexually to an attractive player and watch with a borderline obsessive interest.  You will enjoy the matches immensely, pretty much regardless of the score, though you really want your player to win so you get to see more of them.  Ahem, or so I’ve heard, not that I would personally know.  Golf?  Just watch the back nine on Sunday with the leaders.  Soccer?  No idea.  

Fantasy Core RPG: Jianghu Setting-Other Government Officials

Fantasy Core RPG

© Jerry Harris 2013

Published here as Open Game Content.

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

Jianghu Setting

Other Government Officials

As a ruler, make sure that problems must climb over many underlings before they reach you.

Each of the four wards have a Daimyo (a samurai lord) in charge of them.  They are to ensure the smooth running of their part of the city and to represent their citizens’ interests to the Governor.  They are all appointed by the Governor and serve at his pleasure.  Obviously there is some tension between serving the people they represent and the Governor who appointed them.  All of the Daimyos have the primary goal of making sure that no problem within their ward ever gets to a point where it reaches the Governor’s ears. 

The leopard may share the waterhole with his prey, but it is not a formal dinner invitation.

Three of the four Daimyos are Manchus, but the most senior lord is a Han, Lord Sho in charge of the Civic Ward.  He is considered their leader and is the Governor’s most trusted civil representative, in addition to being one of the most admired officers in the city.  Sho’s background, disposition, and motivations will be left undefined here, but he would certainly be the kind of person most of the people of Shang-tu would rally around in the event of a revolution.  To this point, Sho has shunned the subtle invitations of the White Lotus and the Triads.

9th Level Samurai, Hp 78, AC 13 (no armor) Enhanced Initiative +3        

Fort +8*, Ref +6*, Will +6*

Melee: Katana +11 to hit 1d10+2, on Nat 16 and up, 17 dam

Or Dual Strike: 2 att. Katana and Wakizashi +11 to hit 1d8+2 

Detection +6

Immune to Charm and Fear

*Magic Resistance ring (Covenant) Add +4 to any save against magic, immune to any magical surveillance.

Democracy allows the people to decide who will rob them.

There is a small amount of democracy in Shang-tu, which is fairly uncommon in the Empire.  Each district (neighborhood area) in a ward elects their own Aldermen to represent them in their Daimyo’s audience chambers.  These individuals run the gambit from earnest to completely unscrupulous (such as those owned by the Tongs).  Assume any civic issue will have at least one Alderman either pushing it or fighting it.  

Baseball Journal 8-18-13

I saw some great crowds there at Wrigley on Wednesday and Sunday.  Who needs a winning record?  On Sunday, there was quite a bit of red in the stands as the Cubs were playing the Cardinals, who won 6-1.  Sorry for killing the drama there, but there wasn’t much on the field either.  Now in the bleachers, it was a different story.  One big kid in Cardinal gear was sitting next to a smaller kid in Cub gear, and they were hitting and poking each other for the whole game.  The cameras couldn’t stay away from them.  “It’s the classic battle of power versus speed,” opined JD.  The song, “Why Can’t We be Friends,” by War was played over a montage of their epic conflict.  They did leave together with some adults, so perhaps the kids are friends when baseball loyalties aren’t getting in the way. 

It was unfortunate that the broadcasters used that song at that time.  They could have used it later.  The home plate umpire made, “one of the worse check swing calls I’ve ever seen,” as Len noted.  The Cubs manager was ejected after a little improvisational theater with the ump.  The crowd proceeded to boo for the rest of the inning.  I think even the Cardinals fans were joining in.

Castro made a couple of great plays at shortstop, clearly trying to atone for being publicly pulled from last night’s game after committing a non-thinking defensive play that scored a run.  Rizzo made an awesome play on a foul ball, going over the Cardinal dugout railing.  Even several fans made great plays in the stands.  Then Alfonso Soriano, erm Junior Lake (hey, it’s a lanky Black guy with high socks in the outfield, anybody could make that mistake), drops a fly ball that lets in two runs. 

The Rangers beat the Cowboys Saturday night, literally scoring more runs in one inning than the Cowboys did for the whole game.  Forgive me if I don’t have the complete totals here, but in the bottom of the 8^th, the Rangers scored eight runs, including three infield hits and a suicide squeeze.  The Mariners contributed two errors, not counting the infield hits or a fly ball in the outfield that should have been caught.  Regardless, the Rangers lost the other two games in the series to the M’s.  Bad losses, guys.  You’ve got another two weeks against sub 500 teams.  Don’t blow it.   

Yeah, speaking of the Cowboys, I’d comment on Fox’s baseball game of the week, but it was preempted for a pre-season Cowboys football game on my local affiliate.  Surely they could have broadcast one or the other on their alternate digital station.  What’s really galling was it was like the worst football game ever played.  I only experienced about a half-hour of it, but that was enough.  I’d rather have watched soccer than that crap.  (Admittedly, either of the two baseball games we might have gotten were blowouts among teams I don’t really care about.  So, no loss.) 

Anything else happen this week?  A-Rat, erm A-Roid, erm Alex Rodriguez may have recommended Biogenesis to Ryan Braun and a Yankee teammate and then subsequently ratted them out to MLB.  His lawyers are accusing the Yankees of playing him while injured last year and having the doctor mess up his hip surgery in order to end his career and collect insurance on his contract.  Just another typical day in the Yankee locker room.  I’m sure it’s not awkward in there. 

It’d be nice to think that after his $275 million contract, which resulted in one World Series championship for the Yankees, and Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton big contract flame outs with the Angels (to this point), other MLB teams might reconsider some of their big-ticket purchases.  Then these same teams will look at the big spending Dodgers, who just tied a 50 game record, and decide they’re not spending enough to be competitive.  Yeah, it’s just a question of money, in volume, not quality of use.  I’m rooting against the Dodgers this season on this basis.  Yankee economics are not good for the game.  (And Dodgers aren’t going to win the World Series this year anyway.)     

And I guess I have to reluctantly comment on the MLB planning on implementing expanded instant replay next season.  They’re planning on putting in a challenge system for the managers like they have in the NFL.  I suppose this is being done because MLB feels the need to fix their games like the NFL does.  Everyone saying this system will be a good thing, will be eating their words and making excuses in short order right after it’s put in.  You think umps are bad now, wait until they start thinking that they don’t have to get calls right anymore because replay will fix it.  (Just like the NFL.)  And say, “Hello,” to five hour, nine inning Yankee-Red Sox games.  People will be referring to “instant replay,” as “lengthy delay.”  (And they’ll still get calls wrong.)  Replay calls will be adjudicated at a control center in New York City.  I can only assume this means that the MLB Fan Cavers will finally have a real job for the season.

Fantasy Core RPG: Jianghu Setting-Sub-Minister Kang

Fantasy Core RPG

© Jerry Harris 2013

Published here as Open Game Content.

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

Jianghu Setting

Sub-Minister of the East Chamber Kang

Civilization comes to foreigners as easily as manners come to an ape.

As a foreign-born wizard, Kang has had to endure quite a bit of discrimination in his time in the Empire.  He came to these lands from far away, some say (namely Sub-Minister Tai) that he was fleeing the law.  However, his potent magical ability caught the Governor’s eye and won Minister’s Xun respect for his skills and loyalty.  6th level wizards don’t come knocking on your door everyday looking for a job, after all. 

Kang (not his real name) is fluent in the language of the Empire and its customs, though he is obviously a foreigner and does not try to hide it.  Still, some will never accept him, especially Sub-Minister Tai (described in the sample adventure).  These two are bitter professional rivals.  Kang is otherwise a model East Chamber officer, but Tai seems to gets under his skin.  Kang’s background and motivations are left up to you.

6th Level Wizard, Hp 26, AC 13 (+1 magic leather armor)   

Fort +2, Ref +2, Will +5

Melee: Short Sword +3 to hit 1d6

Ranged: Staff of Ice Blast 3d8 (5 charges), DC 15 Ref Sv ½ dam (Kang is able to recharge the staff with a ceremony using some exotic materials)  

Spell Check +6, 3 failures/encounter

DC 15 3^rd Level

- Fireball: 3d8 fire damage, 20-ft. radius. Ref Sv DC 15 ½ dam.

DC 14 2^nd Level

- Acid Arrow: 3d8 acid damage. Ref Sv DC 15

DC 13 1^st Level

- Shocking Grasp: 3d6 electric damage. Ref Sv DC 15

- Magic Missile: 3d6 magic damage. Ref Sv DC 15

- Cause Fear: 5 HD or less person or creature, flee 1d4 rds, Will Sv DC 15

- Shield: +4 AC (17) Blocks Magic Missiles, Encounter

Also owns a Crystal Ball (Scry).  Has Clairaudience/Clairvoyance for 1 hour, anywhere within 10 miles.  Requires a sympathetic item for spying on a specific person or place.  Works once per day with code phrase.

[Given their vocation and given the East Chamber’s mission, player characters are fairly likely to run into Sub-Ministers Tai and Kang.  Play these fellows carefully.]

Fantasy Core RPG: Jianghu Setting-Minister Xun

Fantasy Core RPG

© Jerry Harris 2013

Published here as Open Game Content.

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

Jianghu Setting

Minster of the East Chamber Xun

“I am reliably informed that during Minister Xun’s castration ceremony, the doctor had a great deal of difficulty finding something to remove.” --Minister Liu.

It is the preoccupation of the Internal Security department to be paranoid.  Minister Xun is right man for the job.  His never-ending quest is to ferret out all plots against the Governor and the Empire.  Thankfully for his psyche, there is a real threat of insurrection in Shang-tu.  Xun has actually done a good job of keeping the secret societies from gaining a critical mass to would lead to rebellion.  It has been a balancing act of keeping the city’s economy and enmities functioning well and making a public display of punishment to traitors as a warning to all would-be revolutionaries.

While clamping down the Triads, the Tongs, and the Brotherhood takes up most of the East Chamber’s time, Xun’s biggest personal concern is the White Lotus Society.  They seem to exist only in whispers, but are very real.  That Xun is unable fully discern their operations, intentions, or membership is what disturbs him.  Due to a lack of evidence (and a profound fear of ending up like his predecessor Yong), he has been unable to convince the Governor and the other departments of the threat. 

The East Chamber seems to have priority over the South and West Chambers, but not the North.  Palace security usually trumps Internal Security’s demands, though only in the Palace.  This alone would cause friction, but Xun and Liu’s personal hatred makes it much worse.  Only their common goals keep them from outright hostility.  The origin of the Ministers’ feud is unknown, though Madame Lan of the Red Lantern Inn may know, if anyone knows.    

Officers and Sub-Ministers of the East Chamber do not sit on solid ground.  Any of them (including Xun) are only one good mistake away from being removed from their office.  They are all paranoid of one another as well.  Disgracing lax, corrupt superiors is the quickest way to promotion.  Pointing out the failures of a pesky rival is one way to eliminate them.  Xun seems to encourage this behavior in the name of making sure the East Chamber is kept free of scandal and continually vigilant.  However, this is with the unspoken mandate that all gamesmanship remain within the department.  Any scandal that extends beyond the East Chamber or reaches the ears of the other Chambers or the Governor would be an unbearable shame for all of them.  (Just ask the ghost of Minister Yong.)

10th Level Shaman, Hp 42, AC 14* (Magic gown, Shimmer, magic to hit, immune to normal damage) Enhanced Initiative +4     

+4 Wis, Dex, +3 Int

Fort +3, Ref +7, Will +11

Melee: +3 Spear (Qin’s Spear) +13 to hit 1d8+3 + DC 18 Ref Sv or knocked prone.  Spear also collapses into palm-sized, extending instantly on command 

Ranged: +1 Crossbow (Spirit Bow) +15 to hit 1d8 + Stun 1 rd, fires “Ghost” Bolts (10 blessed bolts), double damage to Ghosts.  (Xun acquired this after an encounter with Yong’s ghost)

Immune to fear and charm effects.

Stealth +9

Detect Undead/Demonic/Celestial 30’ radius

Divine Radiance 5d6 damage to Undead and Demons 30’ radius

First Aid +8

Spell Check +5, 2 failures/encounter, only typical spells listed

DC 17 5^th Level

- Summon Monster V: Calls 5HD extraplanar creature to fight for you.  Encounter. Forbidden spell. Ceremony Spell.  (40 hp, AC 15, +5 to hit, 1d6+5)

- Sending: Delivers short message anywhere, instantly.

- Passwall: Creates passage through wood or stone wall. 10 turns.

- Cloudkill: Kills 3 HD or less No Sv; 4-6 HD DC 17 Fort Sv or die, 6+ HD stunned 1 rd.  Immediate area or 30' sq.

DC 16 4^th Level

- Animate Dead: Creates 10 undead skeletons and zombies. Can control up to 10. Forbidden spell. Ceremony Spell. 

- Arcane Eye: Invisible floating eye moves 30 ft./round. 10 turns

- Invisibility, Greater: As invisibility, but subject can attack and stay invisible. Encounter.

- Locate Creature: Indicates direction of creature.  Requires a sympathy (personal object).

DC 15 3^rd Level

- Fireball: 5d8 fire damage, 20-ft. radius. Ref Sv DC 17 ½ dam.

- Clairaudience/Clairvoyance: Hear or see at a distance for 10 rds.  Line of sight, through 1 wall.

- Gaseous Form: Subject becomes insubstantial and can fly slowly. 10 turns.

DC 14 2^nd Level

- Acid Arrow: 5d8 acid damage. Ref Sv DC 17

- Detect Thoughts: Allows "listening" to surface thoughts. 10' range.

- Locate Object: Senses direction toward object (specific or type).  Requires a sympathy (similar object or part of the object).

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DC 13 1^st Level

- Magic Missile: 5d6 magic damage. Ref Sv DC 17

- Sleep: Puts 4 HD of creatures into magical slumber 1 turn. Fort Sv DC 17