Fantasy Core RPG: Jianghu Setting-Mount Tien Temple and Monastery

Fantasy Core RPG

© Jerry Harris 2013

Published here as Open Game Content.

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

Jianghu Setting

Mount Tien Temple and Monastery

Silent, brooding power

Great heights overlooking all

My spirit is stilled

The Mount Tien Temple is the most famous temple in the country.  It is a destination spot for religious pilgrims from around the Empire and even outside.  There are hostels all around the base of the mountain to service them, including the Hanging Temple.  

Tibetan and Mongol shamen also venerate the mountain.  Though they do not share the same faith, Mongols are still allowed to visit and worship.  Security is fairly tight in the area, with Imperial troops permanently garrisoned along the roads and around the mountain, further reinforced by the temple monks themselves.

Heaven is in sight

A thousand trials await me

Have courage my soul

Visitors are greeted and challenged by the Stairway to Heaven entrance to the Monastery, 7,200 steps.  

At the top of the stairs are the majestic Stone Sutras.

The temple itself is a large complex, though it follows the general pattern of all temples in the Empire and even the Imperial Palace (though on a much smaller scale).

There is a freestanding wall in front of the main gate called the Feng Shui Wall, which keeps out ghosts.  (Other temples, such as the Emerald Hill Temple, have a pair of bridges to get to the gate, which accomplishes the same goal.)  The front gate is called The Mountain Gate with the Bell and Drum towers just inside.  High walls surround the complex.  They are for defensive purposes as the temple is filled with valuable artifacts inside.  A statue of the Laughing Deity of the Future greets entrants.   

There is a main courtyard (where training and meditation take place) with other main buildings surrounding it.  There are five major halls, all decorated with fine murals.  The Hall of the Heavenly Kings features four deity sculptures whose domains are Protection, Wisdom, Perception, and Wealth.  There is the Grand Hall with the large, main statue of the Deity, and the Immortals Hall, to honor those deified who still walk the earth to help others to achieve immortality.  There is the Sutra Depository with books, scrolls, and scriptures.  The are many rare and ancient texts here, which may be accessed for a donation.  Finally, there are Refectories (dining halls) and the Monk’s dormitories.  At the rear of the complex is the Temple Guardian statue, placed so it can watch over the temple.

The life of a monk is one of constant training, study, and meditation.  It is rumored that some of the monks know a Special Technique called The Dragon, which supposedly was handed down from the little seen Mount Tien guardian dragon himself, Gemma.  (AC 20 for ½ level rds, must rest 1 turn after using the power.)

High above the clouds

There the whole earth below me

Humility found

An even more arduous and dangerous journey awaits those who want to get closer to the heavens.  The faithful must first trek across the Dragon’s Spine Road over the ridge of the mountain.  Continual high winds at altitude make this a treacherous path. 

Then, prayers should be whispered and confidence must be sure, as adherents make their way along the Sky Road that snakes around the peak.

Finally, the petitioner is rewarded by the accomplishment and the view from the top.  The small open pagoda there is called Heaven’s Gate.  

Reportedly, the Floating Bridge to Heaven appears here and can take worthy travelers to the Palace of the Queen Mother of the West and other ethereal destinations.  The Bridge takes the form of a rainbow, so a storm will be necessary for it to appear.