ForceUser's Vietnamese Adventures Story Hour! (finis)

[ForceUser]

Hoo boy. Lot of writing involved here, and I don't know if I'm up to the task. When I'm not playing D&D I'm usually playing computer games. But we'll give it a go

Setting
The setting is feudal Vietnam, glamorized for fantasy D&D. Two hundred years ago, a hero of the people threw off the yoke of a thousand years of Chinese oppression, founding the first Ly dynasty and the Great Viet State. But the tiny empire of Dai Viet, as it is known, struggles to maintain its sovereignty amid the chaos of a Mongol-ruled China to the north and the opportunism of the hated hindu state of Champa to the south. Twice now the Viet have repelled Mongol invasions, and twice has the capitol, Thang Long, been conquered and sacked by Champa. It is a difficult period for the children of the Dragon King, and their turmoil will define a people as their deeds echo through history.

*NOTE: I am not a historian. If you are familiar with the history and culture of Vietnam, you will find many flaws. I tried to remain true to the spirit of the setting without bogging myself down with months of research. I spent about two weeks reading up on various websites, printed what I needed, and made the rest up as I went along. If you have any helpful comments or insight on Vietnam you'd like to share, please do! They are welcome

Places
China is called Xiao Lung. Dai Viet existed geographically within the Red River valley of what is now northern Vietnam. The modern city of Hanoi is the medieval city of Thang Long, which has long been the capitol of the Vietnamese people. The seat of Champa's power existed at the modern-day site of Da Nang. To the west of Dai Viet lies Lan Xang, the modern nation of Laos. To the southwest is Siam - today known as Thailand. In the jungles southwest of Champa is rumor of a bloody state known as Angkor, known today as Cambodia.

Peoples
Xiao (Chinese)
Viet
Khmer (loosely affiliated barbarian tribes)
Cham (east asian hindus)

Protagonists

Bui-Gia Duc Tam, a wu jen
Han Vinh, a no sheng of the White Crane school
Han Woo, a monk of the White Crane school
Le Thi Mai, a rogue of the giang ju underworld
Andou Hue Hien, a shaman
Long Lei, a fighter and mercenary-for-hire

Nguyen Qai Tran, a young aristocrat
Yao Ren Phai, a sorcerer and mandarin in the Emperor's employ
Chung Lah, Yao Ren Phai's bodyguard and manservant
Mister Ng, the housekeeper

Player character stats can be viewed here.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Long ago, the Dragon King rose from the sea and took to wife a fairy princess, who bore him one hundred sons. But Au Co, the princess, soon came to long for the ancient jungles of her home, and asked her husband if she may return.

And though the Dragon King loved his wife dearly, he said, "Go, heart of my heart, and return to your homeland. Take with you fifty sons, find them fifty brides, and build a great kingdom to honor Heaven."

And so Au Co took her chosen sons and departed, and there was much joy and sorrow in that parting. She raised them to manhood and found them wives, and they raised a nation that endures yet today.

That is why we celebrate the birth of our ancestors, to remind us that we are all dong bao, born of one womb."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Actual adventures to follow!

 

[ForceUser@Home]

Session One, Part 1

LEI SAT at a creaky table in the dim eating hall of the hostel, pushing rice around his bowl with a finger. A warm mug of wine brushed his hand, and his leather scale armor creaked as he shifted his weight and adjusted the chakram on his belt. He was a young man, fit and strong, and still had most of his teeth. His nose lay at an angle; victim of a youthful brawl, and his muscled arms bore the scars of battle wounds recently healed.

The noise in the hall was tremendous, as local laborers ate and laughed and talked with the fervor of howling monkeys, while weary travelers, mercenaries, and merchants relaxed from their day on the dusty road.

It had been a hot, dry summer in Thang Long. Lei had spent the better part of the season looking for a lucrative contract with a wealthy merchant, but that endeavor had yielded no fruit. The money he’d made fighting in Burma had run out, and he was preparing to move on from this quiet little empire to bloodier – and riskier – regions.

”The question,” he thought as he absently stirred his food, “is which is the better prospect - Champa or Xiao Lung?” The Chamdar king had long ago set his eyes on Dai Viet and Siam, so there was opportunity there for mercenary work. On the other hand, the Mongol overlords of Xiao Lung always had a need to maintain order in some far corner of their vast empire; work there was guaranteed. Lei was loathe to work for Mongols, but they did pay well.

As he sat and mulled over his prospects, a pair of men entered the hostel and scanned the room. One was tall and aristocratic of bearing, with red robes of state trimmed in gold. His eyes were sharp and heavy-lidded, his face gaunt, and his beard thin and wispy under a nobleman’s round, flat-topped hat. A mandarin. To his left and slightly behind, a shorter but thicker man flicked his gaze around the eating hall, never resting his eyes on anyone for too long. His muscles bulged against a remarkable suit of iridescent banded mail, and across his back lay strapped a massive two-handed scimitar, gilt in gold, with an ivory-and-gold handle carved to resemble a noble T’ien Lung dragon in flight. The dragon’s head was the sword’s pommel, and its eyes were inlaid with emeralds.

Lei always sat with his back to a wall, a habit he picked up while campaigning. Thus, he noticed the entrance and bearing of the two men. As he watched them survey the room, the mandarin looked in his direction, paused, and began to stride through the busy restaurant toward Lei. Peasants and merchants bowed quickly and hustled out of his way.

“You are Long Lei, of the Giang province of Xiao Lung?” asked the mandarin.

“Uh, yes.” Lei half stood up from the bench and bowed cautiously. “What can I do for you, your honor?”

The official sat down at the table, arranged his robes, and spoke. “Your reputation as a fighter distinguishes you from the caravan-guard rabble that the merchants here choose to employ. I am Yao Ren Phai. I wish to hire you to bodyguard an employee I value. There is travelling involved. I will pay you 200 taels now to put you on retainer, and an additional 120 taels per fortnight until further notice.” The mandarin – who in announcing himself as “yao ren” indicated that he was a sorcerer as well as a government official – looked at Lei and waited.

“Ah…um, that sounds good,” ventured Lei, taken aback. “What is this employee’s name? And where will I be travelling?”

“He is Nguyen Qai Tran. He is staying at an inn not far from the east gates. You will travel where I require you to travel. Are the terms acceptable to you?” The yao ren squinted at Lei and absently stroked his whiskers. The bodyguard scowled and looked around.

“Yes, um, yes. Thank you, master Phai. I will seek out master Tran at once.” Lei stood and bowed again, confused. This was not how he normally did business, but the pay sounded terrific!

“Then it is done. Report to Nguyen Qai Tran at the Singing Serpent hostel. He will direct you further regarding your duties.” And with that brisk dismissal, the mandarin stood and walked away. Once again, the crowd parted to let him pass. The bodyguard, who had not been introduced, paused to scowl again and toss a pouch at Lei. It clinked when it hit the table.

Lei sat and stared at the pouch for a while. A smile crept across his face, and he reached for it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[ForceUser]

Session One, Part 2

LEI FLICKED his gaze from Nguyen Qai Tran to the belligerent man stepping in front of him.

"I am Phoenix-Rides-The-Mountain, and I am this man's bodyguard!" said the loudmouthed mercenary. He stood tall for a Viet man, towering over Lei by several inches. He was nearly as wide as he was tall, with a large belly hanging over tight leather pants. Gripped in one meaty palm was a maul. The man stunk of cheap wine and fish sauce.

"Oh...er...terribly sorry..," said Nguyen Qai Tran from somewhere behind the gigantic warrior, "I thought you were someone else, you see..."

"I will protect you, master!" bellowed the mercenary as he shoved the noble completely behind him. "You!" He poked a dirty finger at Lei. "Leave!"

Lei got a word in. "I am Long Lei, and I am this man's bodyguard, not you. Stand down." His hand hovered over the hilt of his scimitar.

"Yes..yes, that's quite correct...my apologies, I seem to have caused some confusion..." Nguyen began.

"Rarrggh!" screamed the smelly mercenary as he swung his maul. Lei danced back, and the weapon swooshed in front of him at chest level, demolishing a table to Lei's right. Out whipped his scimitar, flashing as he stepped up and delivered a stinging rebuke with the flat of his blade on the side of the warrior's head. The man fell to his knees with a heavy thud, dazed. Lei kicked the maul away from him.

"Go. Before I get angry." he said. "Ughhh..." replied his victim as he crawled on the floor. Finally, the man got up, red-faced and swaying on his feet. "I...I will remember this..." He scooped up his weapon and swaggered out of the Singing Serpent, humiliated.

"Master," said Lei to the confused noble, "are you injured?"

"No...no, I'm fine. I was sitting here waiting for you, and I suppose I mentioned I was looking for a bodyguard. That man decided to be...helpful. I'm dreadfully sorry for the misunderstanding." Lei examined the nobleman as they sat down at his table. Nguyen Qai Tran was young, younger than Lei. His hands were strong, but unlined, and his clothes were well-made, but modest. He was clean-shaven, with a broad flat face and dark eyes, and he was short.

"Thank you for coming," began the aristocrat. "I am Nguyen Qai Tran, and you, of course, are Long Lei." He looked at Lei hesitantly, and when Lei nodded, he relaxed, obviously relieved. "I'm newly arrived in Thang Long from my father's estate, and Yao Ren Phai has given me this initial assignment. I was to work at the Imperial Palace as a scribe and junior administator, but he has assured me I have more important duties. The first of these duties is to collect a group of individuals from the countryside who will be working for the Emperor as... troubleshooters. They...we...will be under Yao Ren Phai's direction in this matter. You are to protect me while we travel, for I am told that the roads are very dangerous this year. Do you have a horse?"

"No, master." said Lei. It was true; horses were expensive.

"You should have been paid by now; perhaps you can purchase a horse this afternoon? I would like to depart tomorrow. And you don't have to call me master, I've little rank. You can call me Tran."

"I will buy a horse, master." said Lei as he stood. Tran still ranked far above Lei.

Tran sighed. "Right. Shall we meet here tomorrow at dawn?"

"Of course, master. I will collect my things and buy a horse today, and I will buy a room here tonight. I will see you in the morning." Lei bowed, and stood up to leave.

"I will show you my sword tomorrow! It's grand!" remarked Tran in an attempt at camraderie.

"I look forward to seeing it, master." Lei lied. He bowed again and departed.

 

[ForceUser]

Session One, Part 3

OUT FROM Thang Long they journeyed with the sun warming their backs. The road was bustling with farmers and merchants heading to market and horse soldiers patrolling the lanes around the city. Morning light sparkled off the otherwise murky waters of the wide Red River to their right, and the boats of fishermen and vacationing shihs drifted east down the river and towards the distant sea.

It took them six days to reach the first destination. They rode upriver toward the highlands, passing many small villages and military outposts. Eventually, they turned south toward a mountain region called Du Phen, where Tran, following a map, led them up a tiny trail into a highland jungle. The region was robust and green, with extensive tree coverage and thousands of species of birds, animals, and plants. After half a day of riding up the trail, it became so overgrown and difficult to follow that they dismounted and led the horses on foot. Finally, as the sun began to fade in the sky and the jungle loomed gloomily around them, Tran spotted a spire rising above the canopy, silhouetted against the setting sun.

“That’s it!” Tran exclaimed. “Han Bai monastery. We’re almost there.”

Lei grunted in acknowledgment. It was better that way, he’d decided. The young aristocrat’s enthusiasm was grating. It was almost as grating as helping him put on the exquisite suit of chain mail he could barely wear without falling off his horse, or retrieving his masterwork kiem when he tossed it in the trees during practice.

“Han Bai monastery,” rattled Tran, “is the seat in Dai Viet of what is called White Crane kung fu. The major characteristics of the style include wide-armed, wing-like movements, high kicking, and the crane's beak, a hand weapon made by joining the fingertips firmly. It’s an impressive art, though considered impractical by some. There is but one grandmaster of this style in the country: Tran Minh Long. He’s a great hero because he helped the Emperor seize the throne and restore order after the fall of the Ly dynasty. That’s why the Emperor made him a part of the imperial family. But it’s said he prefers to stay here and teach his students.”

“Mm.” Lei replied. He studied the monastery as they approached, squinting in the failing light. High, thick walls. Two sets of massive, iron-bound doors guarding the entrance. Armed guards on the walls…armed guards?

“This place is a fortress, master. I didn’t know monks donned armor and wielded the kama-do.” Lei pointed at a soldier on the wall.

“Oh, they don’t. That man is a no-sheng – a temple guardian. They are a separate order within the monastery. While the monks spend their time in study, contemplation, and meditation, the no-sheng guard the sanctuary and protect it from the outside. They’re a more martial group, as I understand it, and the ones who do most of the fighting when it’s needed. Yes, this place is a fortress. It has to be to protect the solitude of the Han Bai students. These hills are infested with tribes of giants and orcs.”

“Er..” said Lei. Giants?

As they approached the monastery, a monk stepped out of a small door framed by the larger wooden door. He was short and bald, and wore a loose-fitting white garment. His arms and what could be seen of his chest were covered in tattoos. He walked up to them and bowed low. “Greetings, travelers. Welcome to Han Bai. How can I help you?”

 

[Piratecat]

What a freakin' cool idea. I'm so impressed! I don't thyink I'd ever attempt anything quite this ambitious. Did you have trouble finding players to buy into the concept - and are you using straight Oriental Adventures?

 

[ForceUser@Home]

High praise, considering the source! That means a lot to me. My buddies just tune me out when I go on about how awesome your story hour is

Yes, straight out of OA with one notable exception - Rokugen. I have excised all material even remotely Japanese, though I will likely change the names of some of the Rokugen-specific monsters and PrCs and use them anyway.

As for my players...they are an awesome bunch and are always willing to at least try my wild campaign ideas. I've had a few that were better in concept than execution And living in San Diego among hundreds of thousands of Americans from the Pacific Rim has definitely had an influence on me, not to mention my visits to places such as Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Japan when I was in the military. We of European heritage are staggeringly ignorant of Asian culture, so putting together this campaign was not only a challenge I set for myself, but is a widening of our cultural horizons, every session. It's a lot of fun though

 

[ForceUser@Home]

Session One, Part 4

HAN WOO was nervous. Why are these strangers here? Why did Sitaigung Long mention his name while reading the strangers’ letter?

The water is calm.

Woo inhaled, then exhaled slowly, a simple breathing exercise. He stared at his food. The dining hall clacked silently as fifty monks ate rice and sweet potatoes with chopsticks. No one spoke; no speaking was required. The dinner table was not a place for conversation.

Woo glanced at the door where Vinh stood sentry duty. The no-sheng stood rigid, his kama-do by his side. The polearm thrust over the young man’s plumed helm by a good two feet. His appearance was impeccable, but his face betrayed the barest hint of a worried frown, belying his unease. Sitaigung, sitting at the head of the long bench, would read something in the letter, then glance at Vinh. Then read. Then glance at Woo. But why!

Ripples still the surface.

The strangers were seated at the head of the table, at Sitaigung’s right hand, where honored guests sat. The nobleman clearly wanted to speak yet restrained himself. He kept looking around the sparse hall and trying to make eye contact with the monks. The Xiao fighter with him kept to himself. Woo appreciated that.

Sitaigung rose, and the monks paused in their consumption. He spoke. “Woo. Vinh. Walk with me tonight in the garden.” He was an elderly man, whose face reminded Woo of a shar-pei. He stood hunched over as the old often do, and walked with a cane. His earlobes drooped, and his tattoos were old and faded. He was a splendid man; a teacher whose words enlightened now as much as his deeds once did.

Woo gulped back bile, rose, and bowed with Vinh. “Yes, Sitaigung.”

The noble appeared bored.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tran Minh Long was a living legend. After the last Ly emperor died without a legitimate heir, the country erupted into chaos. Nobles vied for the imperial scepter, seeking leverage with which to gain the throne. Many were not above eliminating their rivals on their march to Thang Long, and a bloody civil war ensued. One family, the Tran, possessed the truest claim to the throne because of a marriage between the Ly emperor’s cousin and Tran Che Doan, the family’s head of household. But Doan had made many enemies over the years, and was unpopular with the nobility. Thus, they did not back his claim. This was a perilous time for Dai Viet, because the Mongols and the Cham both prowled outside the gates, waiting until civil war had made the state too weak to resist invasion.

By this time, Tran Minh Long, known then as Han Minh Long, was already a grandmaster of White Crane kung fu and a beloved national hero. He had mediated peace between the Khmer hill tribes and the Ly state, and had helped drive away the evil dragon Shieng-Ke. He had gained a following of students and a bevy of sway with the shih caste. And Tran Che Doan was his friend.

Sitaigung Long knew well the danger of a civil war to the continuance of an independent Viet state. Therefore he traveled the country as an ambassador from the Tran family, and began to convert the nobility to his cause. In this effort he was largely successful, but the most powerful rival family – the Dinh – spurned his peace offering and tried to assassinate him. In this they failed, and made a sworn enemy of Tran Che Doan. He marched and met the Dinh on the field of battle, and there he lost his life. Saddened but desperate, Long knew that a Dinh dynasty would not have the wisdom to repel foreign invasions, and so he convinced Doan’s younger brother Dang to seize the throne.

One year later, after many bloody and tragic engagements, the Dinh family was slaughtered to the last child, and the calendar reset itself anew, signifying the ascension of Tran Van Dang and the beginning of the first Tran dynasty. In gratitude, Emperor Tran awarded Sitaigung Long status in the imperial family, and offered him wealth and estates throughout the empire. Long thanked the Emperor, politely refused the gifts, returned to Han Bai, and faded into legend.

And now he advised Woo and Vinh.

“The nobleman is a representative of the state; he has come seeking the two of you,” said Sitaigung as he shuffled along the path. The night air was warm in the garden, and the full moon shone bright, reflecting off the garden pool. Water gently lapped the pool’s edges. Candlelight from the walls here and there told of monks turning in for the evening, and the booted feet of no-sheng thumped from the ramparts, leather on wood. Somewhere off in the jungle, a night bird screeched.

“Why us, Sitaigung?” spoke Vinh with characteristic softness.

“It is in the letter. The letter asks for you by name. The sorcerers are asking, but they come with the Emperor’s seal.” The old man paused to pick over a kaprao plant from Siam.

Woo spoke. “What should we do, Sitaigung?” He already knew what he wanted to do.

“What do you wish to do?” replied the grandmaster.

“I want to go,” said Vinh immediately. “If the Emperor is calling me to service, I should go.” The old man nodded.

Woo vacillated. “Is he demanding or asking? There’s a difference. I have duties here. Responsibilities.” That might work, he thought.

“Your duties are what you impose upon yourself, your responsibilities can be deferred. A request from an emperor is as a command from anyone else. But if you choose to stay, I will support your decision. If that is where your ch’i leads.” Apparently satisifed with the plant, Sitaigung Long continued on.

Vinh stared at Woo hard.

Woo glared back. “I will go, Sitaigung.”

Vinh grinned.

The grandmaster nodded again, then stopped and turned to face the two young men. Vinh was tall and fair, with a lithe grace about him, even in armor. Woo was shorter and vaguely uncomfortable at all times. Some said this was because of his mixed Xiao-Viet heritage. Sitaigung wrapped both young men in his arms. “I am very proud of you both. You are as sons to me.”

Woo and Vinh stood stunned. Emotions played across their faces. Sitaigung patted their shoulders and released them. He continued his elderly shuffle across the garden grounds. “The Buddhists say that all the world is an illusion. Go and decide for yourselves. Find your tao.”

 

[ForceUser]

Session One, Part 5

THE VILLAGE of Son La lay nestled against the bank of a mountain stream. Three communal lodges formed a semicircle facing the water, and close behind the tiny community the jungle sprawled like a dozing predator. Chickens, ducks, and pigs pecked and rooted in the mud between the buildings, and several children dashed around the structures playing tag. Women sat on porches, weaving baskets and mending clothing, and a few men waded through the gurgling rush with nets.

“Tam? I have not seen Tam in weeks,” drawled the fisherman. “He lives with crazy Anh in a hut in the jungle, about a quarter day’s walk from here.” The man pointed to indicate the direction and smiled, showing black gums and teeth stained by a lifetime of eating betelnuts.

“Crazy Anh?” replied Tran, suddenly worried.

“Yes. Her ch’ishu is strong, but she frightens the children. Actually,” he admitted, “she frightens me as well. She is fierce as a wounded beaver! But she has never harmed us, and Tam brings us love potions and health draughts that she makes, from time to time. We trade them for furs, fish, and other things.”

“Um,” said Tran as he considered.

The four of them – Tran, Lei, Vinh, and Woo – had arrived in Son La less than an hour ago, following a small road through the foliage. It was not yet midday. “Let’s keep going,” said Woo. Lei nodded, Vinh watched the fishermen at their craft. Tran sighed. “I was hoping for a bit of rest. My feet are sore.”

Woo waited.

“Oh, all right! Let’s go!” Tran thanked the fisherman tersely and went to get his horse.

+++++++++++++

“GET….OUT!” Anh screamed. Tam ducked as she threw an earthen jar at him and hustled out of the hut. He coughed as his eyes watered; smoke from his “experiment” billowed out of the window and door of the one-room shanty. Outside, he bent, stretched, and took deep breaths. The smell was awful, like rotten eggs and cloying honey. Inside, Anh raged. He listened and cringed as she swept vials and beakers from his workbench to the dirt floor.

Perhaps I should go get some fresh water, he rationalized. As he turned to sneak away from the wrath of the roaring she-demon that was his mentor in the art of ch’ishu, he spied the visitors. There were four of them with horses, and they stood and stared at the scene behind Tam. One looked bored, one restless, one solemn, and one confused.

“Er…” said the confused-looking one. He wore nice clothes and was shorter than the rest. He held a letter, but seemed unsure what to do with it.

“Hello!” Tam greeted him cheerfully. Behind him, Anh began to spew colorful profanities from inside the hut. The smoke had lessened somewhat, but he still heard the sound of things breaking from within. He smiled wider.

“Welcome! We don’t get many visitors!” Tam liked being friendly. The stranger was looking over his shoulder, wide-eyed.

“Er, you don’t say. Well, we’re looking for a fellow named Bui-Gia Duc Tam. I’m sure you haven’t seen him.” He turned to go.

“But we have! We are Tam!” Tam smiled again, and bowed.

“Pardon?”

“You have found us. We are Tam. To what do we owe this visit?”

“Um.” The aristocrat looked at the others for help. One of the warriors shrugged.

”DUC TAM!!!” Anh charged out of the house like a bull. She was short, even for a woman, and filthy. Her hair was a greasy, stringy mess, her face and body grimy, her clothes ragged and stained, and her feet black from a lifetime of walking barefoot. ”WHO ARE THESE…THESE…MEN?!” She pointed viscously, punctuating her words.

“Right…” said Tran.

“These are our friends. They have come to visit us.” Tam smiled at Tran again.

Anh gurgled in inarticulate rage and spun around. She stopped, looked north, then pivoted her body east and plopped down in the mud cross-legged.

While the newcomers puzzled over Anh’s behavior, Tam snatched the letter out of Tran’s hand and read.

Hmm. Interesting. “Thi Anh, the Emperor requires our service. May we go?”

”LIES!” she screeched from her spot in the mud. She crossed her arms.

“I, ah, I assure you…madam…it is true.” Tran ventured.

”LIES! SHOW ME!” Her hand whipped out over her head. Tam walked over and handed her the letter. She read.

“Hmm…yes…yes!” she squealed. “My ancestors have answered my prayers. Take your things and leave, Tam! Don’t come back! DO NOT COME BACK!” She shook her fists and bounced with fury. Mud squelched between her thighs.

“Thank you, Thi Anh! We will visit often!” Tam offered a warm smile to her back.

”NO!” she roared.

Tam walked into the hut, collected his things into an old sack, reverently placed his spell scrolls into a sturdy case, and rejoined his new friends outside. Anh still sat in the mud.

“We, Bui-Gia Duc Tam, are ready to serve!” he announced, and began to walk down the path to the stream.

Vinh and Lei looked at each other. Tran stuttered. Woo groaned.

 

[ForceUser@Home]

Session One, Part 6

ANDOU HUE HIEN squinted in the waning light of dusk. He was a small, wiry man, barely grown from boyhood, with a mop of black hair and a ruddy, earth-toned complexion. He wore rough homespun cloth and animal skins with bits of colored rock, beads, and feathers sewn in. He sat at a makeshift table plucking a pheasant, and behind him leaned a jumble of bamboo huts, twenty in all. Under the table, a small brown fox dozed, and perched on his shoulder, a magnificent red eagle hunkered over, eyeing the carcass of the dead game bird.

The eagle cocked its head toward the distant jungle and cried out.

Hien looked up. “Hiraki, what is it?” The bird flapped its wings and cried again. Something was out there.

Hien stood, and the fox yawned, stretched, and also got up. He looked around. There were few people working at this end of the village this late in the day. He could no longer hear the merry gurgle of the bamboo spirits that inhabited the community; they had already returned to wherever bamboo spirits go when night falls.

Grabbing his staff, the young shaman stepped forward and discerned movement across the meadow, just below the line of trees where the jungle began. People were coming down, and they were leading horses! Behind him, villagers began to light cooking fires.

One of the newcomers, still distant, waved at Hien. Bemused, he waved back and walked out further. The fox growled and hid behind Hien’s legs. “Hush, you.” He admonished.

Halfway across the sloping meadow, Hien met the strangers.

“Hello!” gasped one, a man about Hien’s age. He led a magnificent stallion, and wore a masterful suit of chain-linked armor. A sword of similar quality hugged his hip. The man looked thoroughly miserable. So did the four other men with him, and the five horses. One of them, Hien noted, was a monk. They were all armed.

“Welcome to the village of Hoa Binh. Did you actually hack your way here through the jungle, or were you lost?” he asked.

The monk exchanged dark looks with a tall warrior who carried some sort of polearm slung over his shoulder. “We were led to believe this was a shortcut from Son La.” The monk shot an annoyed glance at a balding middle-aged companion with wild iron-gray hair. The older man smiled and nodded, apparently oblivious to the tone of the monk.

Hien laughed. “I’ve never heard of Son La. It must be far. Please, you look tired. Come eat with us, and I’ll see about getting you water with which to bathe. My name is Hue Hien.”

“Er…Andou Hue Hien?” spoke the wealthy one.

Surprised, Hien replied, “Yes! How do you know me? I don’t think we’ve ever met!”

Five men heaved a sigh of relief as one. Well, four. One of them stood there like an idiot and grinned. ‘We are pleased to make your acquaintance!” the older man said, gesturing at himself and bowing.

The monk groaned.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

[ForceUser@Home]

Some definitions

no-sheng - a Chinese sohei
wu jen - a wizard
yao ren - a sorcerer

kama-do - a Chinese polearm similar to the naginata
do - a Chinese longsword
chakram - a razored, disk-shaped throwing weapon popularized in Xena: Warrior Princess
kiem - a Vietnamese sword based on the jiann, but slightly larger
jiann - a Chinese short sword used by martial artists; also called a tai chi sword

kaung-shi - a zombie

ch'i - mystical energy harnessed by monks; in Japanese, ki
ch'ishu- magic

Tao - pronounced "dow." Literally, "The Way." A force that flows through every living and sentient object, as well as through the entire universe. When the Tao is in balance it is possible to find perfect happiness. Taoism encourages working with natural forces, not against them. Taoism teaches the path of wu-wei - the technique of mastering circumstances, not trying to control them. More a listening technique than an actual theology, Taoism asks that each person focuses on the world around them in order to understand the inner harmonies of the universe. It is a religious system heavily focused on meditation and contemplation. The Tao surrounds everyone and one must listen to find enlightenment.

Sitaigung - in Cantonese, a grandmaster martial artist

kaprao - a Siamese herbal plant
shih - a wealthy nobleman or member of the noble caste
ao dai - traditional Vietnamese dress, usually a long skirt over trousers.
leaf hat - wide-brimmed, conical hat traditionally worn by young Vietnamese girls.

tael - one silver coin; equivalent to a D&D gold piece
bao - one bronze coin; equivalent to a D&D silver piece

Hope that helps! I'll add to the list as needed as the campaign progresses!