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.