[ooc] Kore | Kingdom of Harmony [terminated]

Kore | Kingdom of Harmony is a 3.5 dnd/gng homebrew feudal japan analogue.

Update - 22 July '04.

Game terminated.

CONTENTS

Introduction - below
Overview - below.
Character Classes - Post #2
Races - Post #2.

INTRODUCTION

This game is based on an earlier game of the same name that I ran for a while last year. See below for the IC and OOC threads for that game.


I will be using Ken Hood's Grim and Gritty Revised rules for a number of reasons. Primarily as they eliminate the much of the disparity between low and high level characters caused by the steady increase in HPs. High level characters will still generally trounce low level ones, but no fight will be a safe one. And avoid big monsters.

There will be, initially, no arcane spellcasters, only divine ones. Magic will be less common, but basically the same as per the 3.5 rules.

Starting level will be 4th. Max Starting wealth. Max of half on one item.

The material is still very much in the working stages, but I want to get started. Plus, getting it up allows me to pick your brains for ideas.

Regarding the terminology. Basically, I just raided a dictionary. Those who speak Japanese will probably be horrified by some of my choices and grammatical abominations. Sorry. Those who don't might find the terms a little hard to get their head around. Feel free to use the original terms.

the head of the dog

OVERVIEW | KINGDOM OF HARMONY

Kingdom of Harmony | The Beginning

Each day the Sun rose from the unbroken sea in the east and travelled across the sky til settling for the night in the mountains of the west. Each day, he dipped his great coral sword into the ocean waters as he passed and withdrew it without a splash as he neared the coast. But one day, distracted by the beauty of the reflections from the waves, he didn't notice the approaching coast til the last moment. This time, when he pulled his sword from the seas, four drops of water fell back into the waters forming the islands of the kingdom. Later, when the world had settled, man came to the islands and sun god visited the greatest of them and said, "These are my lands, and you will be my Emperor."

Kingdom Of Harmony | History

The people of the kingdom trace a line of Emperors from the first that spans a 1000 years.

Over that time there have been threats to the Emperor's rule of the four islands. But none so sever as that of the Horde, some 250 years ago. The Horde came out of the cold plians that lie to the north and east of the Middle Kingdom. They swept across the Middle Kingdom to the eastern shores, sweeping all before them. From there their gaze fell upon the Kingdom of Harmony across the narrow sea between the two kingdoms.

One of the people to flee before the Horde were the Yanagi. 17 tribes crossed the waters seeking shelter and security in the Kingdom of Harmony. While amny saw this as the beginning of the end, the Emperor saw it as an opportunity. He appointed a Shogun and commanded her to allow the Yanagi to land under one condition, they join the soldiers of the Kingdom of Harmony in defending the islands' shores. This they did and so the Yanagi came to the Kingdom of Harmony.

The decades after the battle with the Horde were difficult and turbulent ones. But they were also formative. Relations with the Yanagi were often tense and strained, and often errupted into fighting. Many Daimyo resented the rights given to the Yanagi and there was significant internal conflict amoung them. In the space of 20 years there were three uprisings. Lawlessness and banditry were rampant. Into this mix stepped the Kyogin. Upset at the increased raiding of their mountain homes, they marched out onto the plains to give a little back.

Once again, where the people saw trouble and strife, the Emperor saw opportunity. He offered the Kyojin a commission - to build roads from Kyoto to the far reaches of the Kingdom. For this, and for keeping and repairing the roads he offered rice and coin. But more importantly, he offered them security. Few would dare to attack those working for the Emperor. There are few more skilled in working with stone than the Kyogin, and the roads that they built were broad and smooth. The Kyogin commision still stands. The Kyogin repair and maintain the Imperial roads, and every third year their representatives travel to the Imperial castle to receive their payment.

The Yanagi he commissioned to protect the road works. In return, they received the right to claim land along the roads for their tents and animals. While this commision expired with the completion of the roads, the land remains, free of any building or obstructions, for the use of the tribes to camp as they wish.

After the Horde had withdrawn, the surviving tribes of Yanagi were dispersed around the 4 islands.

Kingdom Of Harmony | Setting

The Kindom of Harmony is ruled by the Emperor from his castle in Kyoto. The lands are ruled by the Daimyo from theirs. There are over 100 Daimyo. A powerful Daimyo may rule a prefecture or even several. Or have political clout that reaches from one end of the islands to another. A lesser Daimyo may battle with several others to keep control of his share of a prefecture, and rule only as much as he can control by force.

On occasions, when the Kingdom is threatened, the Emperor may appoint a Shogun with broard military powers to deal with the threat. But this is not a permenent or hereditory position. The title lasts only as long as the Emperor deems that it is necessary.

Kingdom Of Harmony | Religion

Religion | Introduction

The original beliefs of the people of the Kingdom of Harmony were animalistic and occult. The fates of man were controlled by the the powers of nature and the spirits of the animals and the dead. Fickle, capricious and sometimes malicious, these forces had to be appeased through offerings and worship.

However, centuries ago, the concept of heaven was brought to the Kingdom from the Middle Kingdom and the southern lands. Heaven was placed above all else, and through piety and purity, man could achieve enlightenment and assension to divinity.

The spirits of the ancestors became the intermediarys between man and the incomprehensable and indifferent forces of harmony that were heaven. Over time, numerous different variations of the original teachings developed, each with their own perspective and emphasis.

Religion | A rough guide

The Godhead created everything, is everything. So the wise know.

The nature of the Godhead is divided into 9 Aspects (ie: the Domains). Each Aspect is represented by a single kanji character. Thoughout the Kingdom, there are hundreds of sects each emphasising two or three different Aspects of the Godhead as the principle means to purity. Each sect uses the relevent characters as their symbols of power.

Game Note: While the Aspects of Evil, Chaos, Death and Magic are considered to be intergral elements of the Godhead, the teaching of them is not permitted in the Kingdom of Harmony. Study of these Aspects is undertaken but only under the Emperor's control. This is not common knowledge.

Sects incorporating the Aspect of War and/or that of Law are traditionally the most well supported by the Houses of the Kingdom, their principle teachings neatly coinciding with the interests of the Houses and Shogunate - legitimacy and power. The School of War and Law is one of the most powerful Schools in the Kingdom, being the official School of a number of Houses.

Religion | The school of War and Stength

While not politically well supported, the School of War and Strength is one of the most widespread, having gained an extensive following amoung the soldiers of the Houses. The School of War and Stength has small temples across the country. The school is very careful to limit its attention to the concerns of the individual warrior, deliberately avoiding getting involved at a political level. This policy has allowed it to coexist harmoniously alongside whatever School is officially supported by the Lord of the district.

House Oe, while officially supporting another Church, has always treated all Schools with great respect, but this one in particular, recognising its importance to its warriors. Indeed, House Oe is rather unusual in that there are a number of different Schools represented in its District.

Kingdom Of Harmony | Currency

The coins of the Kingdom are small flat rectangles.
EP = Gold piece
PP = Silver piece
GP = Iron piece
SP = Tin piece
CP = Copper piece

Kingdom Of Harmony | Samurai clothing

A summary of material from here.

As may be expected, the basic clothing item in a samurai's 'everyday' wardrobe was the kimono, which for men normally consisted of an outer and inner layer. Heavier kimonos were worn in the winter, while lighter examples (those made of finer silk, for instance) were worn in the summer.

Beneath the kimono, a loincloth (fundoshi) was worn[.]

Footwear generally consisted of sandals (waraji) and wooden clogs (geta). Sandals were made from various sorts of material, including straw, hemp, and cotton thread. Clogs were generally associated with the lower classes ... though samurai wore them from time to time.

For rainy days, samurai, like everyone else, wore raincoats made out of straw (kappa) and availed themselves of folding umbrellas ...

Between the 12th and 17th Century, the hitatare style of dress was popular. Unlike the common kimono, hitatare was a two-piece costume, though comparably flowing and ample (Yoroi hitatarewas a snugger version for use under armor). This costume, for a possible frame of reference, is what most of the samurai wear in Japanese movies set prior to the Edo Period (the oft-mentioned Kagemusha, Ran, Throne of Blood, Heaven and Earth, ect…). Generally worn when in some 'official' capacity, the hitatare were normally adorned with the crest (or mon) of their immediate family or clan, or, in the case of relatives or direct retainers of the lord, the crest of the daimyô or shugo.

Some images can be found here:
Samurai Family Crests (Mon)
Samurai Banners

Classes and Races

Kore | Character Classes

KORE | CLASSES

As mentioned before, this is a working outline. Other options are possible. Forexample, a straight Rogue/Expert could be taken if you wanted to create a more conventional 'rogue' type.

Classes | Descriptions

Anzen na Michi (lit. safe ways or paths)
- Ranger/NPC* gestalt.
Centuries ago, the Emperor gathered together a collection of woodsmen, ronin and bandits and created the Rangers (Anzen na michi; lit. safe ways) . These he charged with the keeping the roads and mountain passes of the Kingdom clear of danger. The Anzen have command centers in most of the main cities.

Barbarian
Default for Yanagi and The Horde. There are no human Barbarians in the Kingdom of Harmony.

Bozu/Ama (lit. Buddist priest male/female)
[note: Bokushi refers to a western priest. whoops.]
- Cleric/NPC* gestalt.
There are no gods as such, just sects of the godhead. Each sect favours two Aspects (Domains). See the section on Religion in the Overview for more details.

Druid
- Druid/NPC* gestalt.
These are the Taoist/Shinto monks - dedicated to the old animalistic faith. Their numbers are small, but through an informal alliance with the rangers, they have secured themselves a fairly secure powerbase.

Monk
- Monk/NPC gestalt.
Monks are esthetic versions of the Bozu, but who persue entightenment through personnal physical mastery. They break down into three main scholls or ryu: Mystic (Adept), Scholastic (Expert), and Warrior (Warrior) [with thanks to TH]

Ninja
- Rogue/Adept gestalt.
The ninja are essentially elite mercenaries. There are several 'stables' or 'clans'. Despite their dark reputation, their loyalty to their employers (generally the Daimyo) is generally unquestioned. Its a matter of sound business practice. Get a bad reputation and you won't get any patronage. Ninja are trained from an early age, and remain part of the organisation for life.

Omishiranu (lit. honourable unknown person, stranger)
- Bard/NPC* gestalt

Samurai
- Fighter/NPC* gestalt.
Samurai are expected to be knowledgable in a variety of fields. These would include things like poetry, caligraphy, religion, nobility, agriculture and warfare. While not all are, those who aren't would be considered somewhat uncouth by those who are.

* Excluding the Adept. The Adept is not available for classes have spellcasting ability.



KORE | RACES

This is a basic outline of how the different races fit into the picture. Its all pretty rough at the moment, but I thought I'd get it up now to see what people think.

Essentially, I have sought to keep the changes, particularly in terms of the stats, to a mimimum. This is in line with my overall philosophy to keep the conversion as simple as possible. This minimises the learning stage, as well as helps prevent any unexpected balance issues popping up. I have changed the names basically to help keeep the feel of the game Japanese.

RACES | CHARACTER RACES

Humans

Human Racial Traits: As per the 3.5SRD Human.

Ishijin [Dwarves; lit. stone people]

Ishijin Racial Traits: As per the 3.5SRD Dwarf.

Ishijin translates to 'people of the stone'. It is the name that humans use for them. The name by which they call themselves they keep to themselves. The Ishijin were in the mountains long before humans arrived on the islands. It is said that the first Ishijin were born of stone belly of those mountains and their appearnace suggests this. Their skin is usually a redish brown or grey colour.

The Ishijin have always kept the race of man at arms length, roughly rebuffing any attempts to penetrate the mountain depths or learn the Ishijin's ways of working metal and stone. The Ishijin are the only ones with the ability to mine and work coldiron. Centuries ago, when relations were much better, the Ishijin forged coldiron katanas for the Samurai of the time. 512 of these weapons were believed to have been made over a period some 60 years. 307 of these swords survive, according to the current records.

Kobito [Halfling; lit. pygmy or dwarf]

Kobito Racial Traits: As per the 3.5SRD Halfling except for;
:: +2 racial bonus on to hit rolls with all ranged weapons (this replaces the +1 racial bonus on attack rolls with thrown weapons and slings).

Kobito inhabit the fringes between the forested mountains and the plains. The live in small villages nestled into unobtrusive valleys. They are not an aggresive people and are adept at avoiding detection. If forced into a fight, they prefer to do so from afar.

Both Lightfoot and Tallfellows varieties exist.

Yanagi [Orcs; nonsense word]

Yanagi Racial Traits: as per the 3.5SRD Orc with the excetion/addition of:
:: Night Vision out to 60'. This replaces the Darkvision. Yanagi do not suffer from Light Sensitivity.
:: Racial bonus: +2 to Intimidate.
:: Default Class: Barbarian.

The original 19 tribes of the Yanagi came to the shores of the Kingdom of Harmony after being swept from their own lands by the Horde. There, on the shores of the Kingdom with the waves still lapping around their ankles, they struck up bargain. In return for their help in defending those very shores from the Horde, they would be granted the right to stay. 14 tribes survived to claim that right, although 5 of these had less than a dozen members at that time. But with its own armies having been nearly broken in the effort to repulse the Horde, the Kingdom was in no position to renege on its bargain. But the tribes were spread over the 4 islands and forbidden from gathering in one place. 3 tribes went to {hokkaido}. 5 to {honshu}. 4 to {kyushu} 2 to {shikoka}.

Yanagi are nomadic by nature. They are physically very strong, but not given to analytical thinking, nor have the patience for diplomacy. They can be short tempered and factious. But they are extemely capable warriors. Most Daimyo work to maintain cordial relations with the tribes in their area. If only to prevent them from joining their rivals. The tribes have often taken service with one Daimyo or another as mercenaries, and have on a number of occasions tipped the balance of the battle.

Each tribe consists of several clans, and it is in clans that they travel with almost everthing they own carried on the backs of the huge shaggy oxen that they favour. All able bodied members of the clan participate in the hunting that they do to supplement their diet, as well as the protection of their animals. The raiding of each others herds is a longstanding tradition amoung the tribes.

The Shaman is the the most significant individual in Yanagi culture, and their person is sacrosanct. Killing one will result in the Yanagi putting aside all differences and joining forces to hunt down and kill the killer. In one such case, there was a battle between two Daimyo, each employing Yanagi warriors from two different tribes. A reckless Samurai cut down a Shayman in a fit of anger. The warriors from both tribes immediately ceased fighting and set about trying to get to the Samurai. The battle turned into one between Yanagi and Samurai, with the Samurai driven back into the nearby castle. Ultimately, the Samurai who had killed the Shayman committed Seppuku in order to avoid plunging the whole island into war with the Yanagi.

They are night creatures, but have little interest in the what lies underground.

RACES | SAVAGE SPECIES

Kodokujin [Trolls; lit. lonely, solitary people]

Kodokujin Racial Traits: as per the 3.5SRD Troll.

Kodokujin inhabit the mountains, like the yamajin. They are, however, and elusive and deeply perplexing race. While generally considered violent and dangerous, tales are told of trolls committing acts of great compassion and demonstrating great wisdom. They are also capable of some of the most beautiful stonework known in the Kingdom as well as crafting weapons and armour out of raw stone that are superior to those forged of iron. The Shogun wears a suit of stone armour forged centuries ago that is said to have been granted to him by the lord of the trolls herself.

Kyojin [Giants; lit. giant person]

Koyamajin [Hill Giants; lit. small mountain people]

Koyamajin Racial traits: as per the 3.5 SRD Hill Giants.

Yamajin [Stone Giants; lit. mountain people]

Yamajin Racial Traits: as per the 3.5SRD Stone Giants.

Mori [Ogres; lit. Forest/grove]

Mori Racial Traits: as per the 3.5SRD.

The Horde [Drow]

Racial Traits: As per the 3.5 SRD Drow with the following exceptions/additions:
:: +4 Dex, +2 Intelligence, +2 Wisdom. These replace the original Racial adjustments to attributes.
:: Lowlight vision out to 120 feet. This replaces the Darkvision.
:: Bonus Fighter Feat at 1st level. This replaces the spell like abilities.
:: Weapon Proficiency: The Horde are proficient in all simple and Martial weapons.
:: Default Class: Barbarian or Sorceror.

The horde are cruel, ruthless, savage. Many amoung them are powerful sorcerors. The are widely feared and hated in the Kingdoms of Man - both the Kingdom of Harmony and the Middle Kingdom. Little is really known of them. However, tales from the the time of invasion tell that even a raging Yanagi will think twice about going up against the most ordinary warrior of the Horde.

It is rumoured that there is another branch of this race, one both gentle and compassionate. But no one has ever seen them, and if any of the other races know of the truth of this, they are not telling.

The Horde have no known presence in the Kingdom of Harmony.

Game Note: Gone out on a limb a bit more with these guys. Basically looking to create something more along the lines of the LotR elf, but less 'spacey'.

??? [Goblins]

Goblin Racial Traits: as per the 3.5SRD Goblin

Pretty much as is. Mountain dwellers.

Will you be using anything else from Sleeping Imperium?

Life in the Kingdom

TRAVEL BY LAND

By far the the most important roads in the Kingdom are the Imperial Highways. There are four, fanning out from Kyoto, connecting the far reaches of the Kingdom to the centre. The Imperial highways are 3 ken* wide with a stretch of cleared land on either side where space permits, but in the mountainous regions they can narrow to little as 1 ken. Stone distance makers are placed every ri. Stations are placed along the road about every 7 ri (one days walk). Every station has at least one Temple nearby. Every 30 ri or so, there will be a government poststations, which also serve as checkpoints for monitoring and controlling traffic. Avoiding one, or failing to stop is a serious offence. Only messengers on official duties (for the Emperor or a Daimyo) may pass automatically pass through.

Trunk roads between cities may be likewise laid out with inns and checkpoints. Its within a Daimyos right to know who travels in his domain. Lesser roads and track between villages will have none of the amenties of their larger cousins. The extent to which they are patrolled will depend on the amount of resourses the Daimyo is will ing to commit to it.

* 1 ken = 2 yards, 1 ri = 2.4 miles.

Customs

It is usual to walk on the left. Groups may walk abreast, but generally, one gets out of the way of those stronger or more important than oneself. There is a general sence of comradery amoung traveller, and most travellers will great another with a nod.

Only the Emperor's highest officials ride in a carriage. These horen are pulled by a single ox. Horses are generally only ridden by those on official duties and in times of war. Horses are however, commonly used as baggage animals. For those who do not wish to walk, there is the palaquin carried by two men. When being approached by one, particularly an elaborate one, common sence dictates that if you don't know you are more important than the passenger, you should step aside. A private kago and bearers can often be found around rest stops and inns and rented for about 1 tin piece per ri. They are usually not enclosed, have only a simple shadecloth, and carry one person.

Armour is not usually worn while on the road. Doing so will see the wearer avoided by commoners, frowned upon by bushi and investigated by any samurai or Anzen na michi patrols. Armour is carried in a gusokubitsu, an armour box. This can be strapped to the back or carried on a pole over one shoulder. Full battle armour would require two men too carry the box comfortably. Weapons are carried, but sheathed. This includes spears, which are sheathed in paper mache or leather scabbards. Swords hilts are also usually covered with a cone of fabric. These steps serve to keep the weapon clean, but also to signify the bearer's peaceful intentions. Weapons that are difficult to bear are safe weapons.

Nothing, I just googled SI after reading GIG. It's an amalgam setting of fuedal Japan in the far future.

Didn't know that. Perhaps I should google-fu as well.

Here's a thread that has some more info about Ken Hood:

Sleeping Imperium

Good luck!

Thanks Mirth.

The boards are running really slowly at the moment, so i probably check it out later. Doesn't look like i'm going to be needing it though ...

the head of the dog

doghead said:

I was reading the gestalt guidelines in another thread. Given the nature of the gng rules, this might be an option. The only reservation I have about it at the moment is social positions in this society are quite formalised. I am not sure how whether such mixed classes would fit in. An option would be to allow blending with an NPC class for better skills.

Click to expand...

Doghead, in case you need or want some advice, I'm not an authority on medeival Japanese culture and society, but I am knowledgeable, probably moreso than the average gamer.

Depending on the period, the social classes didn't necessarily define what you knew how to do. It's true that you needed certain minimal skills to be, for example, a male samurai during the Tokugawa shogunate, but there was really quite a lot of leeway. Many samurai were clerks and administrators and only knew as much swordsmanship as necessary to avoid harming their reputation. I'd suggest that many of them would be most accurately translated into pure Bards or Experts, especially given the samurai propensity towards perfection of fine arts like calligraphy, painting, poetry, dance, and music.

Anyway, don't mean to lecture; it's your campaign of course. : ]

(See you in the Sphere!)

-S

Hey Shurai

Its a good point. Particularly towards the end of the Tokugawa period when knowing about fashion and ettiquette than probably more usfull for surviving in the shogun's court. And so the 47 ronin. I suppose it was the idea of the fighter/rogue or fighter/spellcaster that found difficulty visualising in the setting. The fighter/expert or fighter/aristocrat would fit in nicely.

the head of the dog