[OA] 3 Kingdoms - Character Creation (closed)

[Andrew D. Gable]

Doghead: not having the books wouldn't be an insurmountable problem, as most of the OA classes are either simple or close to PHB classes. Neither the Three Kingdoms novel nor the games are essential, either; they'd only be useful to familiarize yourself with the setting somewhat. Level I'm thinking would be at least 3, possibly higher, as in my campaigns I'm usually one who likes starting PCs who don't get kicked around by kobolds.

WhatKu: the classes aren't set in stone yet, but will probably be most all of them from OA (with the exception of the shugenja). To reflect how the different Three Kingdoms warriors have favored weapons and such, I'm thinking of simply retooling the samurai a bit so that, rather than their ancestral daisho, they can pick up any weapon and enhance it and such. Weapons would be a little limited to the ones that actually existed in China (as per the table in the back of OA) and I'm thinking of using the Chinese weapons in From Stone to Steel too to provide a little more variety.

I'll post a bit more info on the setting and the house rules, etc. when the time comes to launch it, I might even make it all into a PDF.

 

[doghead]

Still sounding good. I'd go with a basic fighter type as they are generally the simplest.

I'll be off on holiday for the last half of september, with no access. If thats a problem I understand.

 

[Master_Pugs]

Wow... I've always wanted to play an OA adventure... If there's still room I'd prolly go with a Samurai or if it's not a problem I loved playing my Vanara Shaman. Or Xing-Xing as you call it

 

[Andrew D. Gable]

While the plotline's not ready, I figure you guys can at least start on the characters awhile. Here's the list of classes, I'll make some more posts with equipment and a list of names.

One thing you'll notice here is no prestige classes. Don't think you need 'em, really; the base classes are enough. If anybody needs help with the classes, lemme know. I'll help you out.

Barbarian (PHB): Barbarians often come from the non-Chinese tribes of the Hsiung Nu (Huns), Nanman, Qiang, or Wuxiang. More brutal fighters (berserkers) may also have the Barbarian class. Examples of Barbarians from the Novel: Dian Wei, Gan Ning, Kebineng, Meng Huo, Shamoke, Xu Chu.

Courtier (Rokugan): Courtiers often attach themselves to the royal court of some nobleman. Some ill-intentioned Courtiers manipulate events to their own benefit. Examples of Courtiers from the Novel: Ma Su, Sima Yi, the Ten Eunuchs.

Dancer (special): Dancers are always female and of the peasant class. They are sometimes found as the concubines of noblemen or warlords. Dancers are identical to the Qedeshot found in the Testament book, except that they lack a spell list and gain 6 skill points per level rather than 4. Examples of Dancers from the Novel: Diao Chan, the Two Qiaos.

Rogue (PHB): Thieves prowling the city, pirates patrolling the rivers and waterways of China, bandits that storm the provinces and throw governments into chaos, all are rogues. Examples of Rogues from the Novel: the Bandits of Mt. Tai, Gan Ning, most Yellow Turbans.

Shaman (OA): Shamans are often found in the hills and backwoods of China, living rustic lifestyles. They are also found as wandering nomads, offering their services to any who require them. Shamans are in touch with the Spirit World, and although most follow the old religions, Taoists and Buddhists also qualify as shamans. Examples of Shamans from the Novel: Guan Lu, Hua Tuo, Pang Tong, Yi Ji, Zhang Jiao, Zhuge Liang.
Animist Shamans: Ancestor, Community, Divination, Flame, Fortune, Fury, Metal, River, Stone, Wood.
Buddhist Shamans: Grave, Hero, Knowledge, Trickery.
Taoist Shamans: Celestial, Healing, Guardian, Nature, Travel, War.

Warlord/Samurai (OA): Warlords are the most common class in the novel. They come from all walks of life, and serve as vassals and warlords under a nobleman. Unlike Oriental Adventures samurai, warlords can substitute any weapon in for the ancestral daisho samurai start off with (example, you can start with a spear or halberd instead). Examples of Warlords from the Novel: Guan Yu, Lu Bu, Wei Yan, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun.

EDIT: Forgot to mention that the races are restricted only to human and vanara (xing-xing). Xing-xing shy away from civilization, and keep to their forests and hills; you're welcome to create a xing-xing xharacter if you like, but he won't be in the game from the get-go. He'll be picked up later.

 

[Liminal Syzygy]

Is the game full? I'd be intersted...

While I haven't read the books themselves I have read 45 volumes of the 60 volume Japanese manga and have played quite a bit of Koei's computer games set in the period. Unfortunately that means I know most of the characters by their Japanese names (i.e., Liu Bei is Ryuu Bi, and Tsao Tsao is Sou Sou) but have learned some of the Chinese pronunciations in my recent studies of that language.

I would guess that Shaman interests me the most, probably Taoist or Buddhist. Would Kong Ming be a Shaman?

 

[Andrew D. Gable]

Well, my only real demand is that the characters have authentic Chinese names. Just doesn't give that Three Kingdoms feel to have a guy named Bob running around.

NAMES
Names are in the typical Asian (clan name)(first name) format.

Lower-class female characters (of the dancer class) have names that are simply two-word descriptive phrases. Here's a good Chinese translator to help with these names: http://www.pristine.com.tw/resources/lexicon.php?lang=en

Example: The daughter of Sun Jian and sister of Sun Quan was given the name Sun Ren (yes, this is Sun Shang Xiang of the video games). After she marries Liu Bei, however, her name is recorded as Lady Sun. However, a low-born dancing girl might be named Diao Chan ("sable cicada").

Typical Chinese Clan Names in the Three Kingdoms Era: Bai, Bao, Bian, Cai, Cao, Chen, Cheng, Chiang, Dian, Dong, Dun, Gan, Gongsun, Guan, Gui, Guo, Han, He, Hu, Hua, Huangfu, Hui, Jianbua, Jiang, Jiao, Kong, Lao, Li, Lin, Liu, Lu, Lung, Ma, Meng, Nan, Pai, Pan, Pang, Qian, Qiao, Quan, Shao, Shen, Sima, Song, Sun, Taishi, Ti, Tian, Tong, Wang, Wei, Xia, Xiahou, Xiang, Xiao, Xu, Yao, Ye, Yi, Yuan, Zhang, Zhao, Zhou, Zhuge.

Typical Chinese Male Names in the Three Kingdoms Era: Bang, Bao, Bei, Biao, Ce, Chao, Cheh, Chu, Ci, Cong, Dou, Du, Dun, Er, Fei, Feng, Fu, Gan, Gao, Gong, Gu, Gui, Guo, Han, He, Hu, Huang, Ji, Jian, Jin, Kien, Kung, Lao, Liang, Lu, Man, Mao, Ning, Qian, Quan, Shan, Song, Tao, Tong, Tuo, Tzu, Wei, Wu, Xian, Yan, Yi, Yu, Yuan, Yun, Zhang, Zhi, Zhu, Zhuo.

Typical Chinese Female Names in the Three Kingdoms Era: An, Bao, Cai, Chun, De, Dina, Dou, Feng, Hua, Jai, Jing, Lian, Lien, Lin, Mei, Qing, Qui, Qun, Ren, Szu, Ting, Xiang, Xin, Yasha, Yin, Zhen, Zi.

Xing-xing characters have Chinese first names of the relevant gender, but lack clan names. Thus, a male xing-xing might be named simply Gong, Mao, or Zhu; a female might be named An, Qui, or Xiang.

 

[Andrew D. Gable]

WEAPONS
The following weapons are available in the Three Kingdoms era. Some of these are identical to PHB weapons, while others are new.

[b]Simple Weapons				Source[/b]
[i]Unarmed attacks[/i]
Unarmed strike				PHB
[i]Light melee weapons[/i]
Dagger 					PHB
Mace, light 				PHB
[i]One-handed melee weapons[/i]
Club 					PHB
Morningstar 				PHB
[i]Two-handed melee weapons[/i]
Quarterstaff				PHB
*Shortspear				PHB
[i]Ranged weapons[/i]
Crossbow, heavy				PHB
Crossbow, light				PHB
*Javelin 					PHB

[b]Martial Weapons[/b]
[i]Light melee weapons[/i]
Handaxe 					PHB
Shortsword 				PHB
[i]One-handed melee weapons[/i]
Longsword 				PHB
Scimitar 					PHB
Warhammer 				PHB
[i]Two-handed melee weapons[/i]
**Glaive (guan dao)			PHB
Greataxe 				PHB
Greatclub 				PHB
Greatsword 				PHB
**Halberd				PHB
Serpent spear				FSS
**Trident 				PHB
[i]Ranged weapons[/i]
Shortbow 				PHB

[b]Exotic Weapons[/b]
[i]Light melee weapons[/i]
Flute					FSS
Full moon					FSS
Kama 					PHB
Nunchaku				PHB 
Warfan					OA
Wind and fire wheel			FSS
[i]One-handed melee weapons[/i]
Kau sin ke 				OA
Sword, bastard 				PHB
Sword, butterfly				OA
Whip 					PHB
[i]Two-handed melee weapons[/i]
**Double halberd				FSS
Double mace				FSS
Double spear				FSS
**Meteor hammer				FSS
Three-section staff			OA
**Wolf's teeth staff			FSS
[i]Ranged weapons[/i]
Crossbow, hand				PHB
Crossbow, repeating 			PHB

* cannot be thrown, only used in melee.
** 10 foot reach.

(FSS is From Stone to Steel, OA is Oriental Adventures, and PHB, well you know).

ARMOR
The following armors are available in the Three Kingdoms era. Some of these are identical to PHB armors, while others are new.

[b]Armor				Source[/b]
[i]Light Armor[/i]
Corded armor			OA
Padded armor			PHB
Paper armor			FSS
* Rattan armor (bone armor)  	OA
Studded leather armor		PHB
[i]Medium Armor[/i]
Breastplate			PHB
Brigandine armor			OA
* Dhenuka			OA
Scalemail				PHB
[i]Heavy Armor[/i]
Banded mail			PHB
Mountain pattern scalemail	             FSS
[i]Shields[/i]
Heavy wood or steel		PHB

* Only used by the Nanman, rattan armor is +2 vs. bow or crossbow attacks.
** Only used by the Nanman.

 

[WhatKu]

What is the method for making rolls? Point buy, trust us, deafualt, or link to your dice roller of choice.

 

[Andrew D. Gable]

Finally, the finishing stuff. I'm not using alignment. Instead, I'll ask that all human characters provide one or two general alliances, like in d20 Modern. Other than what follows, alliances could also be to specific people.

Alliances
Barbarians: Hsiung Nu, Nanman, Qiang, or Wuxian
Kingdoms: Shu, Wei, or Wu
Religions: Animism, Buddhism, or Taoism
Schools of Thought: Confucianism or Legalism

Just FYI, we'll be starting on the Shu/Wei border, so most allegiances should be to one of these kingdoms. The closest barbarian tribe to here is the Qiang, and the Nanman are further south in Shu.

And I think that should be it. I probably forgot something...

 

[Andrew D. Gable]

What is the method for making rolls? Point buy, trust us, deafualt, or link to your dice roller of choice.

Well that was even quicker than I thought. Knew I forgot something.

28-point buy, start at 5th level.