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I'd like to run a game of Pathfinder based on Wuxia fiction, that is to say the genre of fiction that informs most kung fu movies. I'm looking for 3-5 players. I will accept submissions for two days (it is currently the 13th at 6:30 p.m.) after which I will select players based on the most suitable candidates.
Please read every section before indicating interest.
Eventually a powerful demon became active in the region. The demon defeated each of you individually, and so you banded together to destroy it. This cemented all of your reputations as jianghu heroes and caused your group to become known as the "Demon Slaying Tigers". You became sworn siblings from that point forward.
Since killing demons is one of the most unambiguously good things someone can do you are one of the only groups in the region respected by both the barbarian tribes and the imperials. This means you sometimes act as mediators as you are a powerful neutral party.
From this starting point we can start to work up the complex web of master/teacher relationships, death feuds, and political conspiracies that characterize the typical wuxia story, with a few monsters sprinkled in to taste.
The specific region that the game will take place in is the borderlands between the Empire (which considers itself the center of the civilized world) and the desert steppes inhabited by nomadic tribes, roughly equivalent to the border between China and Mongolia.
Think higher fantasy than a typical wuxia novel, but lower fantasy than the typical Pathfinder game. Basically a Jin Young novel but with monsters, wizards and strange tribes of humans added in. Magic is rare in general, but not uncommon within the underworld community the PCs will be involved in
Nobody is required to take levels in them, but please do use them to represent martial arts training in place of the monk. Taking at least a few levels in one of the two classes will make me more likely to pick a character as this is a wuxia game and so martial arts is a major focus.
Aside from that, characters will be 10th level and can use any core or base race (although all characters will be humans storywise races can be used to represent strange tribes or upbringings) and any core or base class in addition to the two new classes.
25 points point buy for ability scores.
65,000 gp starting equipment but you can't have more than three magic items total (although a collection of potions or some other cache of expendables is fine). Magic items are rare in general in the setting so you tend to have a few nice ones rather than a collection of mediocre ones. Unless your character comes from a wealthy background you must spend all the starting cash before play begins or lose all but a few silver pieces.
All you need to indicate to me for now is your intended race/class combination.
Do keep in mind the type of hero typical to the genre:
The traditional xia of fiction is a non-conformist who fights for justice. He is honorable to a fault, his word is inviolable, and his reputation is more important than life itself. Moreover, he is a master of the martial arts who does not hesitate to use his skills in the defense of his beliefs.
Some good introductory movies: Iron Monkey, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Kung Fu Hustle.
Books: Anything by Jin Young, especially the Condor Heroes trilogy.
I'm more than happy to answer any questions anyone has; I don't get to prattle on about wuxia nearly as much as I'd like.
Wulin (lit. The Martial Forest)- The community of martial artists. Most martial artists highly prize their reputation within the Wulin and would rather risk death than risk disgrace in front of their peers. A subset of the Jianghu.
Lulin - The community of Outlaws. A subset of the Jianghu.
Wuxia - Fantasy fiction about martial arts and chivalry (actually xia, a code with no English equivalent).
Xia - Either a warrior's code that emphasizes personal honor, or an individual warrior who follows this code.
Qi - Inner energy, equivalent to the Japanese Ki.
Qinggong - Lightness skill, the ability to make oneself lighter and faster. The abilities that necessitate wire-fu when used in a movie.
Neijing - High level martial arts involving qi manipulation.
Neigong - The ability to build up, cultivate, and use qi.
This looks great! I would definitely be down for something like this. Wuxia is one of my favorite genres.
Since you're only interested in an intended race/class combo for now, I will indicate that I'm keen on a Human Wudang (likely all 10) swordsman.
This looks great! I would definitely be down for something like this. Wuxia is one of my favorite genres.
Since you're only interested in an intended race/class combo for now, I will indicate that I'm keen on a Human Wudang (likely all 10) swordsman.
Nice.
Although I was obviously woefully unclear in the character creation section (rereading it now). I'm going to edit it. What I meant to say was all I need in terms of game statistics is race and class, I do want an idea of character background/personality as well.
Edit: Seems like it's too late to edit it now but hopefully most people will see this post.
Wudang! any chance you read Blood and Steel?
I love this kind of genre and have read lots of books of the sort (moreso than watching movies) but I have seen un bach the thai warrior (sp?) and ip man (and the sequals). 2 very good movies :)
I would love to be in on this but I have been out of pathfinder for a while so will have to 'refresh' myself on some of the game.
I have ideas now, but no concrete choice. I am mostly thinking of an unarmed barbarian or fighter and most likely a human (possibly some orcish blood in there to simulate a really barbaric, strong and wild fist fighter.
Edit: Idea! I had a thought quite a long time ago about creating a bleeding fist fighter, basically he uses his fingers as a blade and aims to stab his opponets with them, wiggling his fingers and causing all sorts of unplesantnes. the main problem was that bleeding dosent stack, so you get at most one or two dice of extra damage. Would you be willing to consider letting them stack (just not with itself) so i could create something like that?
I think I'd be interested in this as well. I'll be posting a concept soon!
This looks great! I would definitely be down for something like this. Wuxia is one of my favorite genres.
Since you're only interested in an intended race/class combo for now, I will indicate that I'm keen on a Human Wudang (likely all 10) swordsman.
Nice.
Although I was obviously woefully unclear in the character creation section (rereading it now). I'm going to edit it. What I meant to say was all I need in terms of game statistics is race and class, I do want an idea of character background/personality as well.
Edit: Seems like it's too late to edit it now but hopefully most people will see this post.
Ok gotcha. I'll put forth this character, Flying Sword.
Flying Sword is a calligrapher/swordsman with a violent and arrogant past. His calligraphy has helped ease his spirit, and his swordplay has benefitted from it. In finding peace, he has gained some measure of enlightenment, and changed sword styles from an external style to an internal style.
He has an intense sense of honor, and pride in his homeland, and he will sacrifice his life for what is right. Unlike his past self, he is relatively jovial and easygoing - rarely taking insult and rarely giving it. Though he was not always this way, and his past has earned him many enemies.
His appearance is that of a simple man in his early 30s, wearing brown silken robes and carrying in his left hand a straight longsword sheathed in a black wooden scabbard. He has long black hair partially tied up in a topknot, and faint stubble dotting his chin.
dotting. Killing demons. fighting stuff in wuxia. New base classes, martial arts, high starting level, start the game out knowing each other, yeah sounds like fun.
Also, what do you mean by any core or base race? I see core races and featured races, more races and uncommon races, but nothing that says base race.
I will let you know my class and race is in a minute along with a crunch, I'll probably just post it instead of making an alias just yet.
Consider me interested. I'll work on an application.
Dotting! Must hit the sack, but I'll be back with some info asap.
Also, what do you mean by any core or base race? I see core races and featured races, more races and uncommon races, but nothing that says base race.
Yeah I meant to say featured instead of base.
Edit: Almost missed this.
Idea! I had a thought quite a long time ago about creating a bleeding fist fighter, basically he uses his fingers as a blade and aims to stab his opponets with them, wiggling his fingers and causing all sorts of unplesantnes. the main problem was that bleeding dosent stack, so you get at most one or two dice of extra damage. Would you be willing to consider letting them stack (just not with itself) so i could create something like that?
I kind of want to stick with the base rules since I'm playtesting the new classes as well and I have no idea what the potential cascading ramifications of stacking bleed might be off the top of my head.
A bleeding style sounds cool though, like Mei Chaofeng's Nine Yin White Bone Claw style. You could still take bleeding feats and have it be one of many things you're capable of.
I'm very interested in this. Do Shaolin and Wudang count as monks for the purpose of feats/magical items etc?
Alright, to start, i have Sihu-He (River of the Dead Tiger)
He is an orc viking (fighter) capitalizing on the favored class bonus of +20 con score before you die, the deathless inniate line of feats, rage and rage powers to make him quite durable. After that, use the rest to improve his swordsmanship.
I would reflavour "viking" into something much more appropreate (just use the mechanics) and possibly reflavour the orc into some form of extra large human (your thoughts?). I would occupy the rarer 'big giant' that is often seen in the genre (usually only as the big bad enemy and pitting the age old question of strength vs speed, but hey, the big guy can win once in a while right??)
Im a sucker for the big brutes :p
oh ya, i have no intention of creating a big dumb brute whos too stupid to live and as handsome as a sack of hammers. A 16 str +4 racial for a starting str of 20 is good, use the rest to round out his mental stats.
Anyways, thats idea 1. Next idea i am going to sketch out would be the unarmed warrior who uses his hands to pierce enemies, see what i can come up with :)
I'm very interested in this. Do Shaolin and Wudang count as monks for the purpose of feats/magical items etc?
For the most part, yes, but they can't use items/feats that hinge on a class ability they don't possess. For example, you can take stunning fist as a martial artist bonus feat, but if you don't you can't use any monk stuff that requires stunning fist. But if you do take it you can use it as many times per day as a monk of the same level. Does that make sense? You can read "monk" as "martial artist" but you still need to meet all prerequisites.
I would reflavour "viking" into something much more appropreate (just use the mechanics) and possibly reflavour the orc into some form of extra large human (your thoughts?). I would occupy the rarer 'big giant' that is often seen in the genre (usually only as the big bad enemy and pitting the age old question of strength vs speed, but hey, the big guy can win once in a while right??)
Yeah using orc to represent a large human is exactly what I had in mind for how to use racial mechanics. The viking archetype works for me, if that's what you were referring to. Presumably your character would be some kind of barbarian wrestlers from the steppes, yes?
um, do you count adamantine weapons and armor as magical or as the 3 limit? After all it says non-magical? or mithril or copper plated?
um, do you count adamantine weapons and armor as magical or as the 3 limit? After all it says non-magical? or mithril or copper plated?
I keep going back and forth on this. Let's say you can have any number of items made out of any number of magical materials, and collectively they count as one pick. So you could have a pair of adamantine swords and an adamantine dagger and that counts as one magic item collectively.
Also instead of actually being made of magical materials, storywise, these items will have legendary weaponsmiths. From a game mechanics perspective it's the same, but instead of being strong because it's made of mcguffium, it's strong because it was made by Mr. McGuffin 1000 years ago.
Will write backstory later, this is what I have so far...this will also help determine what I think you might be saying.
Hobgoblin
• Ability Score Racial Traits: Hobgoblins are fast and hardy. They gain +2 Dexterity, and +2 Constitution.
• Type: Hobgoblins are humanoids with the goblinoid subtype.
• Size: Hobgoblins are Medium creatures and thus have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.
• Base Speed: Hobgoblins have a base speed of 30 feet.
• Languages: Hobgoblins begin play speaking Common and Goblin. Hobgoblins with high Intelligence scores can choose from the following: Draconic, Dwarven, Infernal, Giant, and Orc. See the Linguistics skill page for more information about these languages. (choose Infernal and Draconic)
Feat and Skill Racial Traits
• Sneaky: Hobgoblins receive a +4 racial bonus on Stealth checks.
Senses Racial Traits
• Darkvision: Hobgoblins can see perfectly in the dark up to 60 feet
20 str (4 from belt) (2 from leveling)
20 dex (2 racial) (4 from belt)
16 con (2 racial)
10 wis
14 cha
14 int
65000 gold to spend (will find ways to spend leftover gold later before game starts)
40000 Belt of Physical Might (+4 dex and 4 str) (first pick)
+2 Adamantine Hellknight Plate (21,000) +11 AC, Max dex 3(fighter bonus), -2 armor check penalty(fighter bonus) speed 30 (50 lbs) damage reduction of 3. (my second pick)
+5 strength modifier composite masterwork longbow. 600 GP (+6 damage) +1 attack rolls. 1d8+6. CritX3. Piercing 3 lbs.
100 arrows. 5 GP
Cold Iron Masterwork Greatsword. 400 GP. +1 to attack and damage. 2d6+1. 19-20 crit. X2. Slashing. 8 lbs (2 masterwork weapons as my 3rd pick)
Fighter 10. Feats from level 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9. Island blood =acrobatics and bluff. Athletic. Skill focus climb. Skill focus acrobatics. Run.
6 bonus feats: quick draw, improved init, Weapon focus Greatsword, Weapon focus composite longbow, weapon specialization greatsword. Point blank shot.
Another question I have
I'm trying to add Masterwork to a cold Iron weapon. If basic masterwork counts as magical then I have to add 2000 GP to the price instead of 300 to the price.
Dotting for interest. I'm going to whip up a human shaolin, as I like the look of it and I have been wanting to play a monk-style character somewhere for months now. Be back soon.
Quick question though: How are you figuring hp for us?
Definitely interested :)
Am thinking Shaolin, with an unusual style.
Question, would it be possible to come up with a style that gives you proficiency in and some bonus to a selected Monk weapon? A lot of Monk weapons aren't on the proficiency list and I've been dying to try a character who uses a Nine Section Whip.
Looking forward to trying this :)
Ok, i'm thinking a human gendarme/mammoth rider.
Will write backstory later, this is what I have so far...this will also help determine what I think you might be saying.
Your character is a bit too much Pathfinder and not enough Wuxia. You should have a look at the two martial arts classes, particularly Shaolin which is very close to fighter. You can't really do a lot of kung fu in Hellknight plate and that's kind of the point.
Another question I have
I'm trying to add Masterwork to a cold Iron weapon. If basic masterwork counts as magical then I have to add 2000 GP to the price instead of 300 to the price.
You're reading too much into it. Masterwork doesn't count as magic at all. Magic materials have their fluff changed to be weapons created by great masters. It's purely a story change and has zero effect on any numbers. This does not affect "normal" masterwork items either.
If you're asking if masterwork stuff counts towards your magic item limit, the answer is no.
Ok, i'm thinking a human gendarme/mammoth rider.
A mounted character doesn't really fit the milieu.
Question, would it be possible to come up with a style that gives you proficiency in and some bonus to a selected Monk weapon? A lot of Monk weapons aren't on the proficiency list and I've been dying to try a character who uses a Nine Section Whip.
Oh most definitely. You can play around with the weapon proficiencies and styles to create effectively an archetype package to represent your specific school. Just run it past me first.
Quick question though: How are you figuring hp for us?
You can roll or take the average. But you have to decide before you roll.
I’m working on a druid/wugang; maybe a granddaughter of a deposed king. Loyal retainers smuggled her as an infant from the nation as it was being taken over by the Imperial powers. She doesn’t know her full history since they died before telling her.
In that case either a shoaling or a barbarian, potentially both.
I’m working on a druid/wugang; maybe a granddaughter of a deposed king. Loyal retainers smuggled her as an infant from the nation as it was being taken over by the Imperial powers. She doesn’t know her full history since they died before telling her.
How would you feel about being the granddaughter of the previous emperor? There's a general assumption in wuxia that any given authority is going to be corrupt, plus political conspiracies are a staple, so some kind of "replace-the-emperor-with-you" plot would be a great long-term storyline. And if you don't know it at first that really allows for a slow build.
I am thinking about a smith character, a sword maker. Probably 3 levels of one of the monk replacement classes above, and 7 Oracle with the metal mystery. I am thinking to some stories when a corrupt lord comissions a sword, then takes the sword and tries to kill the smith. The smith, or his son escapes but the family is killed. Revenge/justice is needed.
Dotting for interest. I'm going to whip up a human shaolin, as I like the look of it and I have been wanting to play a monk-style character somewhere for months now. Be back soon.
Quick question though: How are you figuring hp for us?
Okay, here is what I have so far for this character. I've decided to go with Human Shaolin 10, to help you field test the class. If accepted, I'll post his crunchies to his profile for easier viewing.
- Str: 14 = 13 + 1
- Dex: 14 = 14
- Con: 12 = 12
- Int: 14 = 13 + 1
- Wis: 24 = 16 + 2 + 6
- Cha: 12 = 12
- Acrobatics: 10
- Bluff: 10
- Perception: 10
- Sense Motive: 7
- Survival: 7
- Cllimb: 6
Yong travelled into the interior of the countryside, but after about a year, felt lost and with no direction to go to. That is when he discovered the monastery, which also offered training in the ways of the Shaolin which, at the time, was a rare form of martial arts in the Empire. Yong took to the training as a newborn to breathing. He has wandered the countryside as a Shaolin for nearly a decade now, righting wrongs as best he could. He is looking forward to meeting this demon again.
I can fill more background as everyone is picked. Please let me know what you think and thanks for considering my character.
What are the odds I could convince you to figure out or let me figure out a Shoalin or Wudang archetype that swaps out some class features for the ability to rage as per a barbarian? I'd like to play the classic uncultured brute who's fury puts him on par with the most disciplined of martial arts masters.
I'll be dropping out of this one, playing as a monk or similar class has never been my thing. Neither is using unarmed attacks which those classes favor a lot. Neither has wearing no armor to get higher ACs been my thing.
Want to make an alchemist
Not a martial artist
Reason: every group needs a doc to help them
So the chirugeon archetype
A bit hot headed. But still a healer
So his focus will be his alchemy, healing
and bombs :P
If u think this works, let me know :)
I'm back with an idea I'm a bit excited about, wanted to know what you think.
I'd like to propose a Wudang w/ a few levels of Sorceror (Serpentine Bloodline). He/she would use the Thirty Two Styles of Long Fist to attack at a distance like a recoiling snake. I'd like to make an agile fighter who uses a smattering of alternative/magical tactics outside of reaching for high damage.
I really like to serpentine flavor for a mystical martial artist. Perhaps the character is from some obscure tribal village that reveres serpents over all other creatures and by birthright was granted powers passed down for generations.
Any thoughts on this? Would love some input on developing the backstory. I'm a fan of the genre but not nearly as well-versed as you.
Thanks for the background suggestion. Past secrets, unknown identities, and political corruption are a few of the tropes I know about wuxia (though those fit many genres). I need some help with names to give it an authentic air. Any suggestions for name generators? The ones I found weren’t what I wanted.
She is one of the many legitimate grandchildren of the deposed Emperor. She was born in the closing days of the last dynasty. Smuggled out of the capital, by loyal retainers, she was raised in a small Border village, where merchants, traders, nomadic tribesmen, priests, monks, mystics, and craftsmen met three times a year, swelling the size of the village at least tenfold. While six years old, the Imperial retainers became ill and died. She was adopted by a wandering sage and raised with a reverence for nature. The sage taught her druidism as she grew up. They wandered through the borderlands, sharing life with the tribesmen and Imperials they met. On the day they celebrated her fifteenth birthday, he gave her directions to the monastery in the Wudang mountains where he once studied. He said the world was more complex than she realized and urged her to study there for greater wisdom. She spent three years there, mastering the Heaven Shaking Iron Palm style. While admiring the mountains, her spirit is fulfilled by the wide open skies of the plains. Thus she left the monastery and has been wandering the Borderlands ever since. (Further details to be settled once the accepted PCs are chosen).
Class: Plains Druid 6/Wudang 4
Ooh, very cool concept. I have been reading a couple of Asian-themed sourcebooks (Jade Oath and Tian Xia). I may or may not have time to come up with a concept before the deadline. I'd like to have a character versed in the traditional arts (poetry, calligraphy, etc.) as well as fighting so maybe something like Bard 4 plus 6 levels of one of your classes?
Are you using any Paizo deities or just sticking to (fantasy versions of) real world religions like Buddhism and Confucianism? Just wondering about levels of Cleric or perhaps Inquisitor.
I'm wondering if kitsune (with the shapeshifting power) is acceptable?
So many choices...
Now thinking Inquisitor plus martial arts. Focused on demon hunting. But cultured.
What are the odds I could convince you to figure out or let me figure out a Shoalin or Wudang archetype that swaps out some class features for the ability to rage as per a barbarian? I'd like to play the classic uncultured brute who's fury puts him on par with the most disciplined of martial arts masters.
Well I think in that case you might get more mileage out of a straight barbarian. We do already have someone who wants to play a similar archetype though.
Any thoughts on this? Would love some input on developing the backstory. I'm a fan of the genre but not nearly as well-versed as you.
I like the snake worshiping tribe idea. They may live so far out in the borderlands that it's inefficient to try and rule them directly and so they're able to get away with just an annual imperial tribute, so they've been able to maintain their own culture. Maybe they also interbred with magic snake spirits in human form at some point, so the tribe is weird pseudo-spirit people.
Maybe they're traditionally ruled by a master of martial arts (part of why they're too much trouble to outright conquer), who has a special style only passed down to members of the tribe who are part of the ruling sect, and you're his first apprentice and heir who is sent out into the world to be a wandering hero for a period of years to gain the wisdom, worldliness and renown necessary to lead your people.
Are you using any Paizo deities or just sticking to (fantasy versions of) real world religions like Buddhism and Confucianism? Just wondering about levels of Cleric or perhaps Inquisitor.
Very good question. I'm going to use Buddhism and Taoism and other real-world religions because I'm presupposing that we're all capable of being mature about things and because Shaolin without Buddhism and Wudang without Taoism wouldn't be the same. A general sense of religious tolerance is the norm in most wuxia fiction so I don't anticipate an issue.
You can also make up your own fantasy deity (pending approval), but not any of the Paizo ones. You could also just be a sort of animist who believes everything has a spirit and just pick whatever domains. I'm not really strict about this kind of thing; make the divine spellcaster you want to play.
I'm wondering if kitsune (with the shapeshifting power) is acceptable?
In general I'd say no, because I want to focus on human martial artists, but I'm always open to having my mind blown by a great concept. But if you have other ideas I'd look elsewhere.
Any suggestions for name generators?
I can't think of one; wuxia heroes tend to have fairly normal Chinese names and then ridiculous nicknames like Marvelous Handed Scholar, Iron Palm Skimming on Water, or Soul-Severing Sabre. The nickname is really the most important part; it's even possible that nobody knows your real name.
If you really want a quick way to make a name, find a list of Chinese surnames with meanings, find one you like, then think of a word you could add to it that would make it a description of a person. Then find the Chinese translation for that word and use it as the given name. Many wuxia characters have names that follow this convention. The description need not be accurate; it can be ironic or just a sign of what their parents wanted for them.
Brooklyn85 asked for the Wulin classes in a .pdf, so I'm posting them here in that format so others who may want a .pdf version have access to it as well:
My promised deadline has arrived. Sorry to everyone I couldn't accommodate and thanks for your interest. If someone from this list drops out I'll add someone else. Here's the cast list:
tomtesserae - Druid (maybe druidy taoist priestess?)/Wudang Swordswoman/legitimate heir to the previous dynasty.
Brooklyn85 - Mystic Snake-fighter from a strange tribal village.
Lord Manticore - Zhang Yong, Shaolin fighter from a merchant background.
Gobo Horde - Sihu-he, hulking barbarian wrestler using the Viking archetype (although I'm still open to your other idea if you can get a concept done quickly).
genjuro_zero - Flying Sword, penitent Wudang swordsman/calligrapher.
Could everyone listed here post again ASAP to indicate you're still interested.
So I'm thinking since tomtesserae's character and Flying Sword are straight up Wudang they should be martial cousins. So they don't share the same shifu, but their shifus have the same shifu. And that person is the leader of the Wudang sect at the moment, meditating in some deep chamber in Wudang mountain.
Brooklyn's character and Sihu-he would probably know each other from proximity, and Zhang Yong is active in the same general area so all three probably have pre-existing relationships, whether friendship or enimity (although that would be in the past, you're all sworn siblings now).
Sihu-he, although the least martial arts inclined of all of you, would probably have more in common with Zhang Yong's external style than anyone else, and the two might have a special training relationship in a group otherwise composed of internal martial artists (maybe they lift weights).
Likewise Brooklyn85's character would probably find a lot of common ground with the two Wudang fighters, who are also internal martial artists. They may have even taught him some Taoist energy cultivation techniques in the time you've all spent together (let's assume you guys met up at level 8 or so).
This is a good point in the character creation process to start thinking about the other characters and how they fit into your story, so we can have a more organic inter-party relationship web (and cook up some subplots while we're in the kitchen).
On that note, here's what I was thinking about the demon you guys are most well known for killing:
The demon was known as Courage Devouring Shadow and was a partially corporeal monster that looked like shadowy man with a bone-white corpse face and incredibly long and wild hair. It was known to the tribes of the steppes for several generations as a desert demon, but a few years ago it became active in the more inhabited regions of the borderlands and started causing a great deal of chaos.
The demon had the ability to pluck the greatest fear from the minds of it's foes and them confront them with it. When it uses this fear to break someone's will the demon then consumes it's soul.
When you faced the demon individually he defeated you in combat but you were able to escape before your spirit was broken (the specifics of which is up to each of you). Then, when you fought him as a group, you were each individually able to overcome (thanks in part to a weird version of exposure therapy) your greatest fear. So each of your characters should have something that used to scare them but no longer does.
In general most of your magic items should have either been looted from the demon, or acquired beforehand specifically to aid in his destruction (such as magic weapons). Most, not all. This is just the most obvious place where your characters would acquire magic items.
Another note on magic items: they're very rare in the setting, so you're going to find a lot less of them incidentally. If, however, you decide to research some specific magic items and go on a quest to get them you'll find you can acquire them much more easily.
I'm posting to confirm my continued interest (and excitement). Given the rest of the group, I'll start putting together more coherent thoughts for a backstory and I'll try to tie it into the rest of the group as well (@tomtesserae - I'm thinking we should have a rivalry in our past, prior to joining forces to take down the demon Courage Devouring Shadow. What do you think?).
I'll also get to work on finalizing a sheet.
I am still interested. I can write up a full stat block and have it posted on my profile early next week.
As for relationships, I'll just throw a couple of ideas out there, off the top of my head. As to Brooklyn's character, I could say that my family's caravans had gone through his village several times from when I was a child, and we could have met that way. As for Sihu-he, I could see playing that relationship as a sort of "Odd Couple" type, with my conservative fighting style v. his wild and crazy.
On to the demon. In my case, my biggest fear would be to lose control completely. I was able to escape from the demon the first time by letting my wisdom guide me away from the creature.
I'll have to give some thought about the magic items and get back to you on that.
Deadline met? Oh well, good luck with the game.
I'll be keeping an eye on this. So many fun concepts you could build in this setting.
Hi-yah! Thanks for the pick! At work now but Ill be back asap with more info! So excited!
Great news! Thanks for accepting my PC. What would a taoist priestess mean in terms of class? Is that a cleric class with a specific domain? I’d absolutely be willing to do that. Hmmmm. Something to fear, something to fear. What symbols/imagery does the current Imperial dynasty use? Perhaps she vaguely remembers some soldiers wearing dragon masks?
@flying sword, I like your idea. Seems natural to be rivals and then to join forces. Perhaps their shifus were rivals and we carried on the tradition?
Great news! Thanks for accepting my PC. What would a taoist priestess mean in terms of class? Is that a cleric class with a specific domain?
Whatever you want it to, in game terms. In fluff terms in means you're a Taoist. You can even still be a druid, that sorta kinda fits. Good enough for me at least.
What symbols/imagery does the current Imperial dynasty use? Perhaps she vaguely remembers some soldiers wearing dragon masks?
Well traditionally dragons represent the emperor. That's why being a "dragon slayer" has very different connotations in wuxia than in western fiction.
Great! Ill get him more fleshed out, Ive been busy this weekend :P
Time to hit the designing board!
Presenting 'Jatarri'.
A mystic sword mistress.
Did a quick work up with Herolab. No moneys spent, though I can see a couple of expensive swords in the character's future.
Unfortunately, the program never seems to quite get some archetypes right. So...the Magus(Kensai) should be able to swing her Elven Curved Blade one handed and hence utilize her Magus spells.
But Herolab doesn't recognize the Titan Mauler's ability in the write up. Even though it includes the information for said archetype.
*Bows* Wishing all much the very best.
I’m getting the character sheet together. It takes me extra time to choose feats at higher levels.
@flying sword, would you want to take a teamwork feat (for me it’d be Wudang’s 4th level bonus feat) like outflank or Coordinated Maneuvers?
Presenting 'Jatarri'.
Sorry, we're full at this time.
@flying sword, would you want to take a teamwork feat (for me it’d be Wudang’s 4th level bonus feat) like outflank or Coordinated Maneuvers?
Cheun Jen Sect's 100 man Big Dipper Formation
(1st one)
@flying sword, I like your idea. Seems natural to be rivals and then to join forces. Perhaps their shifus were rivals and we carried on the tradition?
I like that. Our training could have been purposefully antagonistic towards one another, as we were students of rival shifus, and this naturally grew into our own rivalry.
I’m getting the character sheet together. It takes me extra time to choose feats at higher levels.
@flying sword, would you want to take a teamwork feat (for me it’d be Wudang’s 4th level bonus feat) like outflank or Coordinated Maneuvers?
I've updated this avatar with a link to my sheet thus far. I wouldn't be against it, but I'm not sure what to replace. I like the idea of him being an ever-mindful swordsman with lightning-like reflexes and swordplay. I could probably shuffle some stuff around and drop imp crit.
I like the idea of the teamwork feats, though, since it would go a way towards showing that we can work together, and trust each other and each other's kung fu.
Presenting 'Jatarri'.Cheun Jen Sect's 100 man Big Dipper Formation
(1st one)
That's like the wuxia version of Leadership! Awesome.
I've been working up some ideas for the setting, here are the six most powerful martial artists in the world, collectively known as the Six Sages (of whom you are all aware):
"Eternal Void" Wei Lie - The leader of the Wudang sect, and grandmaster of Flying Sword and tomtessrae's character. He has been in meditation deep in Wudang mountain for more than 20 years so he's not considered a major player in the Wulin at current.
"Heaven Shaking Iron Palm" - The leader of the Shaolin sect, which is the leading orthodox sect, and grandmaster to Zhang Yong. The single most prominent figure in the Wulin (although many of the other sages would contest whether he is the strongest).
"Soft Snow Maiden" Gou Jinyi - The leader of the Emei sect, a relatively new sect which consists primarily of women. A mysterious figure not well known to the Wulin, but she comes from a long line of heroes.
Gouzazhong "Mongrel Dog" - The leader of the beggar's sect, the largest secret society in the world. While they're not all martial artists (or even all beggars) the higher ups all know martial arts. They have an unbeatable intelligence network.
"Two Swords Saint" Sun Wuji - The leader of the Kunlun sect, rivals of the Shaolin (and the Wudang when you get right down to it) as they want to be the number one orthodox sect in the Wulin. Although somewhat megalomaniacal, he is well known for being scrupulously honorable.
"Heretic Plague God" - A secretive martial arts master rumored to use poison, negative energy and other dirty tricks. Known to dabble in all kinds of dark arts. He also openly revels in his bad reputation.
The Shaolin, Wudang, Kunlun and Emei are the 'orthodox' sects. Anyone who learns martial arts from any other school is considered 'unorthodox' and is not one of the cool kids and does not get to participate in reindeer games.
"Rainbow Snake Prince", the mystic snake village grandmaster, was a member of the original Six Sages from decades ago but abdicated his spot when he achieved apotheosis and transformed into a snake god (and the patron deity of the village).
Desert barbarian viking dude, not being a martial artist, doesn't have any connection to this web of masters and teachers. Although he can have a Shifuesque relationship with some barbarian hero or something if you like.
Grandmaster means your master's master. Usually I will use the word Shifu for martial arts master (thereby reserving the English word master for it's more traditional uses) but translate the other less well known martial relations for ease of reading (like martial cousin or grandmaster, they all have Shi-words associated with them that neither you nor I should have to learn).
If anyone objects to any of this speak now or forever hold your peace. Because after that we're married to it.
For the record, I like everything I see here. Thinking of the snake village culture as quite remote and viewed as primitive to others. Simple life-style, focuses on self reliance, devotion and training. Could easily been seen as mysterious or xenophobic but the people are actually quite friendly if not threatened. Also thinking perhaps they reside in shallow caves or dwellings built into mountainsides, they way a snake hides in the rocks. Is there terrain that could allow for that?
Working hard on my crunch (takes me a little longer at higher levels as well). Have a question about the Wudang class - do we have to meet the prerequisites for bonus feats or can we ignore them the way a monk can? IE: Can I take Spring Attack without having Mobility?
do we have to meet the prerequisites for bonus feats
Yes.
or can we ignore them the way a monk can?
No.