Need Oriental "Flavor

[Douane]

Might I recommend the Oriental Hardpoint ?

Besides adventures and campaign material like PrCs and locations (just waiting to be pilfered), most importantly it has oriental maps just begging to be used in a campaign.


Hope this helps!

Folkert

P.S.: Last, but not least, it's by a fellow german!

 

[Silver Moon]

If you were wanting to run a political game or a game in the courts/aristocracy of an Eastern setting then I would recommend a translation of The Tale of Genji. Not only is it jsut right for the purpose but it's also the first novel ever (as so far discovered)

It's set at the turn of the first millenium in Japan and tracks the fortunes of a prince.

That was the source that I used for the first part of my "Chinese Take-out" module. My key reference was the following Internet web site:

www.taleofmurasaki.com

The site is excellent, and includes a large and descriptive cast of characters (with illustrations) as well as the housing, food, and other details of the time. It also is available in 10 different languages. Murasaki is the name of the primary Heian (Japanese) princess in the story.

 

[Jovah]

Thanks

Thanks everyone for their answers.

One more question - How did you teach the players what was appropriate? Did you give them a handout before-hand letting them know the basic differences from regular D&D?
Give them a "Honor" cheat sheet?

I think my players would rather "act" (roleplay) correctly rather than me as the DM saying.

"Well, a samurai would probably ....."

Not a big deal and part of the fun will be the new experience.
But since I have access to the Throbbing Brain (tm) that is ENWorld - I would solicit suggestions.

Would anyone be interested in a story hour as we go along??

 

[Dr. Strangemonkey]

Hitting the players passing a nice illustrative short story or fable around is a great way to acclimate the pcs if you feel they will read it.

Alternately you can begin the first session with a short but informative bit of background mythology or tale telling that illustrates customs that you feel will be appropriate to the adventure.

The above are both common tactics used by Rokugan DMs and writers.

IMO Rashoman, spelling?, is the best movie to use for this purpose.

Kurosawa's break out movie in Europe, the film features four different stories about the particulars of a violent event and illustrates very very very well the social dynamics of the setting and how players should act them out.

Shorter than a lot of Kurosawa's other movies and won't confuse the issue of how one should act in terms of socializing with giant battle scenes. Also has perspectives other than those of Ronin and Samurai. And cool magic.

A fairly accessible film, libraries often have it and any video store that claims to do classic movies should have it without a doubt.

 

[Snoweel]

Even though he appeared on TMNT, and isn't anime, and consists of a world where bipedal animals fill the role of humans and where funny looking lizards fill the role of animals, the Yusagi Yojimbo series gives an excellent view of medieval Japan, and makes an effort to explain the relevance of certain elements that Gaijin (foreigners) would likely struggle with.

And when portraying your PC's, screw your face up and talk in short, sharp sentences as though you're constipated. You can't get more Oriental than that.

 

[William Ronald]

As for books, I would like to recommend The Paladin by C.J. Cherryh which has a China-like setting, and of course, the Art of War by Sun Tzu. (The text is still studied for its military insights, some 25 centuries after it was written. Some editions have very good historical backgrounds and footnotes. Also, I seem to recall there was a recently released illustrated edition.)

Also, try to check the mythology and folklore of different countries. In addition to providing character names and story ideas, these can give an idea as to how different cultures viewed the world around them.

 

[Larry Fitz]

Look up Romance of the Three Kingdoms on the net. It's the basis for the Dynasty Warriors video games. There are several good books about it and it is to Chinese culture what Camelot is to English culture (or so I'm led to believe). I have seriously considered running a campaign based on these stories and characters, but frankly have my hands full right now...

 

[Klaatu B. Nikto]

Tad OT

Hong "you know, spaghetti noodles" Ooi [/B]

Ironically, spaghetti has its origins in China, not Italy (or was it Sicily?). Gives new meaning to 'spaghetti Western'.

Ok, back to the thread. I'm going to start an OA campaign for a friend of mine and his wife, who's never played but interested. The 'flavor' of the campaign would be closest to Samurai Jack. At least that's my intent.

 

[FraserRonald]

I have got to put in my nod to Kurosawa, but I would say that "Yojimbo" and its sequel "Sanjuro" would be great for getting flavour. "Seven Samurai", however, is a must.

I don't know if it is still available, but WotC had free downloads of "Dragonfist" a very 'wuxia' style interpretation of D&D with lots of good setting information. It's basically Chinese rather than Japanese, but it might still work for you.

For fiction, read the excellent recent Japanese-style fantasy "Across the Nightengale Floor" by Lian Hearn. Amazing.

And as for transmitting this information, would it be possible to give your players homework? Maybe have a movie night before they write up their characters? How do you usually introduce them to a new setting?

Hope this helps.

 

[beta-ray]

I would say "ajinomoto"...

Actually I would have to say... "it depends". What kind of flavor are you looking for? Basically samurai? Mythical? Folk? Those of the aristocracy led a pretty different life than the woodcutter/rice farmer.

I do agree that Kurosawa had some interesting movies, but he was also influenced by the west a lot.

Although not historically accurate (what is?), I do think Usagi Yojimbo takes a lot of the legends and history of Japan and condenses it in an entertaining way.

I do personally love the mukashi mukashi banashi stories (tales from a long long time ago). They really reflect the shinto roots and a different sensibility than the more courtly genji tales.

my 2 yen...