And I would like to a moment to talk to you (yes, you there with the hair and the face) about your saviors Fong Sai-Yuk, Wong Fei-Hung, and even Pai Mei (if your into that sort of thing).
I know, I know Pai Mei is anything but a savior. He's more the type you need to be saved from, and as Kill Bill taught us "Pai Mei hated Caucasians, Japanese and Americans, in addition to being contemptuous to women."
Kill Bill and Executioners from Shaolin aside, lets get this show on the road.
Today we're gonna be chatting about a little game Called Tianxia: Blood, Silk & Jade, powered by FATE Core.
The world has been introduced to Tianxia: Blood, Silk & Jade thanks to a successful Kickstarter by Jack Norris that wrapped up on 11.18.13.
Per the 'History Of' section of the Kickstarter, Tianxia, or Four Kingdoms as it was originally titled, started out in 2000 with its own system that bore similarity to Robin Laws' Feng Shui. The game was play tested and ready to go. Saddly the funding and time needed to get it released wasn't there, so the property wasn't able to be published. Hop and skip to 2012 the Moon, the Sun and the 108 Stars all aligned to combine Four Kingdoms, FATE Core and Kickstarter together and create TianXia.
If your familiar with the mechanics of FATE Core or any other FATE systems, then the game mechanics are fairly routine with Aspects, Skills, stunts and Refresh. Tianxia does however have its own new qualities, the 'Chi' Skill and mechanics for Kung Fu. The mechanics for Kung fu fighting grant players a 'Form' based on their characters personal style and preference; this 'Form' work similar to an Aspect by granting a +2 to attacks for the low low cost of a FATE Point, however players can gain free invocations when their attack are successful but don't cause any sort of damage (i.e. if the opponent blocks or dodges). Techniques from the Various sub-styles can be activated in different ways, but mostly if you find yourself under specific circumstances, but these circumstances vary from technique to technique. The Chi Skill works in its own way as well. It can be used to create an armor aspect for a character as well as allowing recovery from poison and sensing other with Chi (similar to DBZ). Just a quick disclaimer, if I'm misinterpreting the rules, someone please tell me.
The world for players Wuxia adventures is Shenzhou, a "China that never quite was," as described by the creator Jack Norris. If you've ever watched any of the old Shaw Brothers films, you understand what Jack is saying. Just like most western fantasy setting are merely Britain or France with the name filed off and a hand full of other changes.
While the world for Tianxia is Shenzhou, the setting itself is the province of Jiangzhou, the titular land of Blood, Silk & Jade. Jiangzhou is the western province of the realm, it is also the westernmost border of Shenzhou. Being something of a borderlands Jiangzhou can be a wild and dangerous place due to vagrants, transient, and all other means of travelers traversing the trade routs that run through the province. A perfect place for Jianghu, or warriors of the Wuxia/Kung Fu Genre.
Based on theunlocked stretch goals for future releases, the other provinces will be covered in-depth in due time.
With all of the great material in the book, I have to take a moment to appreciate the presentation.
My favorite part is the section with the iconic characters portrayed in the numerous pieces of artwork spread throughout the book. Each character gets a page or two detailing their stats, back-story and each has awesome art of the character.
They detail other NPCs throughout the setting section as well, each with the same detail that the pre-gens get, but with a slightly different focus on the artwork. Still amazing though.
All of that thanks to Jack Norris (Content), Daniel Solis (Layout) and Denise Jones (Art) Of course there are other involved, there always are. I thank everyone at Vigilance Press and everyone involved with this game and its production, especially the Kickstarter backers (like myself).
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Recently the Cupcake of Death Krewe decide to try out Tianxia. So, our last session consisted of creating Jianghu heroes for the players. We used a recently released tool for character creation called the Path of Destiny which, if your familiar with the idea, is a life path generator. For those not in the know, A Life-Path Generator is essential a random roll table that makes creating a character truly unique. Using the Path of Destiny, did go the random roll rout for most of the way, but chose to pick from the available options for some of the stages.
Currently the group consists of (names may change before first session):
Princess in Cloud - A blind swordsman from a noble house. While thought to be an invalid by her father, who planned to marry her off as quickly as possible for a business alliance, she has made her "disability" her strength by sneaking out on numerous occasions to learn her art of Storm Dragon Kung Fu. Currently she is traveling the world, having run away due to the repulsion that she feels toward her future husband and by extension her father. Think Zatoichi (from Samurai film fame) combined with Toph Bei Fong (from Avatar: TLA).
Xisheng - Serving as the sacrificial lamb for his parents prosperity, he was given over to the Cult of Bian Fu, Lord of the Black Flame. Xisheng was raised in torture by the cult, with the intention of eventually sacrificing him (like basting a turkey but with fear and pain). Finally finding the oportune moment, he escaped and ultimately found a home with a Drunken Master of Ghost Monkey Kung Fu.
Since that time he has been doing everything he can to live life to its fullest, because all the while the cult is hunting him and he will be given to Bian Fu. Drunken Master meets Dororo.
Iron Gui - Cooking runs deep in Gui's blood. One of the children of a prolific family Noodle restaurant, his life has given him a strong body and an even stronger sense of right and wrong. when ruffians come calling, Gui is always there to show them the door. While not in his blood, he has taken up the endeavor of learning Iron Crane Kung Fu to better protect those around him. Kung Fu Panda meets Tetsu Shib from the manga Pastel.
Tianxia mean "All Under Heaven." Quite a lofty title I know, but based on not only what has been provided but whats coming down the Silk Road, I think its appropriate.
That's been my rant about this wonderful book and such from Vigilance press. so go check 'em out.
Currently Vigilance Press has three products out for Tianxia: Blood, Silk & Jade, all of which you can find at Drive Thru RPG.
Good Gaming Folks.
And as always,
Stay Frosty
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