Fantasy Core RPG
© Jerry Harris 2013
(This link will take you to the
Fantasy Core Index.)
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
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment