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7/23/2019 Out_for_Blood_1.0

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An independent supplement for Feng Shui by Ben Wright

Additional material by James Powell

Proof-reading: Jenna Manley, James Powell

nwilling Playtesting: Stuart !haplin, "raham #ayfield, James Powell, Ale$ Stuart, Andrew Ward

%he Feng Shui role-playing game is &'((), '((( *obin + aws, published under li.en.e by %rident /n. d0b0a Atlas

"ames %his supplement is not produ.ed by either *obin + aws or Atlas "ames1 no .hallenge to their rights

should be inferred

%he te$t of this supplement is li.ensed under the !reati2e !ommons Attribution-3on-!ommer.ial-Share Ali4e 56

7: 8ngland 9 Wales i.en.e

1


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Table of Contents

Introduction.....................................3Bring the Awesome......................................................3Those That Fell Before................................................3

Characters........................................5What Can I Do Again?.................................................5

New Blood............................................................ .......5

Skills...............................................12Teaching ld Dragons New Tric!s............................1"

New #ses for ld $!ills...................................... ......1%

Weapons.........................................15&'n (o.......................................................................15Com)i*et Wea+ons.....................................................1,Bigger Bangs..............................................................1-$hell $hoc!s...............................................................1The Armo'r/..............................................................1$ignat're Wea+ons.....................................................102tra Wea+ons..........................................................."

Schticks..........................................22Arcanowa4e De4ices.................................................""Creat're owers........................................................."3Dri4ing $chtic!s........................................................"%F' owers.................................................................."%&ro'+ $chtic!s..........................................................."0&'n schtic!s...............................................................3(ardware $chtic!s.....................................................316agic $chtic!s...........................................................31

New Blast $+ecial ffects..........................................3%$tat $chtic!s...............................................................35Transformed Animal ac!ages..................................352+erience $chtic!s...................................................3

GM's Guide.....................................42What7s 8o'r oison?......................................... .........%"

9'le :ero...................................................................%"the Boo!s...................................................................%3#sing the Boo!s.........................................................%3Balancing Fights........................................................%%6a!ing Fights F'n.....................................................%-The &ood; the Bad; and the F'nn/............................%0

Villains............................................526a!ing ........................................................,

%rte&acts.........................................#3

en( Shui Sites................................#The As/l'm of the Damned.......................................,-6arston a))ett..........................................................,The In4erted Forest....................................................,Floating 9esta'rant....................................................,0The 9ing of &ates......................................................-

)he Monarchs.................................29o/al ains in the Bac!side.......................................-"eading #+ To Them.................................................-"'een of the Ice agoda............................................-"=ing of the Th'nder agoda......................................-3=ing of the Fire agoda.............................................-3'een of the Dar!ness agoda..................................-%The Aftermath............................................................-5

*scape &ro! the %s+lu! o& the,a!ned..........................................#

Can An/one lse $mell Chloroform?........................-,

Wa!ing #+.................................................................--A Da/ in the ife.......................................................-

Night Terrors..............................................................The Boiler 9oom.......................................................Brea!o't.....................................................................ther 9ooms..............................................................1Fighting to &et 't....................................................1Free and Clear 1.........................................................1Free and Clear ".........................................................1Free and Clear 3........................................................."

"


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INTRODUCTION

IntroductionWelcome to ut For Blood; the &ame 6oderator7s

g'ide for Feng $h'i. It +resents a great deal ofinformation 'sef'l to the &6 when r'nning the game;from +ractical ad4ice to s'ggestions as to how to handlecertain common sit'ations. 8o' won7t find an/ essa/s onthe +hiloso+h/ of )eing a &6; or an/ )oring old genericad4ice. Instead; it7s choc! f'll of concrete; Feng $h'is+ecific assistance so /o' can 4isit a )eat@down '+on the

+la/ers with renewed efficienc/. There7s a range of newto/s for the +la/ers; too; with man/ new schtic!s;wea+ons and other goodness *'st waiting to )e read. Infact; )eca'se I !now m/ a'dience; that section comes

first. T'rn the +age right now if /o' can7t wait.

While this )oo! is descri)ed as a &67s g'ide; it7scertainl/ not for the &67s e/es onl/. There7s onl/ onecha+ter that has an/ descri+tions of factions and theira)ilities that might s+oil the s'r+rise and tension if

+la/ers read it themsel4es. The rest is +rett/ m'ch fairgame; )eing new wea+ons; schtic!s and r'les ideas tohandle some of the less commonl/ enco'ntered sit'ations.There are also no lists of new characters for an/ of thefactions a+art from the Fo'r 6onarchs. What with allthe other )oo!s o't there; there sho'ld )e +lent/ of stoc!characters for /o' to 'se. After all; we all !now that the

)est characters are the ones /o' ma!e /o'rsel4es.

-RIG )/*%W*S0M*

The first +art of this )oo! is f'll of 'sef'l new to/sand schtic!s for +la/ers. These incl'de new charactert/+es; wea+ons and schtic!s.

The second +art is f'll of ad4ice for the Feng $h'i&6. There are +ractical ti+s on how to r'n the game; how

to set '+ interesting fights and how to esta)lish 4illains7characters. There are a smattering of new o+tional r'leswhich; than!f'll/; don7t ma!e the game an/ morecom+licated; some artefacts and some feng sh'i sites.The last cha+ter +ro4ides information for ma!ing one ormore of the Fo'r 6onarchs the +rinci+le antagonists in acam+aign.

)/0S* )/%) *-*0R*

6ost s'++lements for the Feng $h'i game standalone well. The/ are self@contained little +ac!ets ofwonder.

8o' can7t +retend that the other )oo!s don7t e2ist;tho'gh. $ome of the new schtic!s in ut For Blood are oft/+es in one of these +re4io's )oo!s. 8o' sho'ldn7t feelshort@changed; mind; )eca'se e4en if /o' lac! the detailsfor that !ind of schtic! /o' can alwa/s wing it. And when/o' do get these other )oo!s; the *'ic/ material will )ehere; waiting.

3

I was going to +'t in a section near the front sa/ingsomething li!e 7This isn 7t an official s'++lement; so/o'7re at li)ert/ to ignore an/ )its /o' don 7t li!e7. ThenI realised that e2erys'++lement comes with thatass'med; e4en the official ones. 8o' sho'ld feel nog'ilt at ignoring an/ +art of /o'r Feng $h'i li)rar/ if itdoesn7t s'it /o'r +'r+oses; and ut For Bloodis noe2ce+tion. If /o'7re dissatisfied o4erall with this )oo!;

+lease ret'rn the 'n'sed +ortion for a f'll ref'nd.

This )oo! 'ses British nglish thro'gho't. This is)eca'se it is nominall/ a &67s &'ide; and as we all!now the )es t 4illains are nglish. It is certainl/ not

)eca'se the a'thor is British and too laE/ to tr/ towrite in American nglish. No sir.

Beca'se we are hel+f'l; whene4er we cite a r'le fromthe main Feng r'le)oo!; we7ll incl'de a +age n'm)erfor reference. These are the +age n'm)ers for theAtlas Fames edition of the r'le)oo! that7s thehard)ac! 4ersion with the slightl/ +/rotechnic co4er.The first edition of the core )oo!; from Daedal's

&ames; contains +rett/ m'ch all the same content;tho'gh not necessaril/ on the same +ages. The ma*ore2ce+tion is that si2 archet/+es from the Atlas editionof the main )oo! the &am)ler; o'rnalist; 6agic Co+;6edic; ri4ate In4estigator and Thief were originall/

+')lished inBa.4 for Se.onds. If /o' lac! that )oo!;/o' can find them on@line for free [email protected]'iH


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August 13

/t was a filthy hot day in 7owloon #ot enough to

ma4e your .lothes sti.4 to you #ot enough that the

smell from the fish mar4et drifted .lear a.ross the .ity

#ot enough to ma4e me really wish / wasn;t there %o

ma4e it worse we were wearing hea2y .lothes that

afternoon- big .oats and broad hats We wanted to

ma4e sure we wouldn;t be re.ognised, and we needed

the hea2y togs to .o2er our weapons "appy !ho

nodded, and we fanned a.ross the alley entran.e as

we;d planned

/t was deserted

uite, >uite mad

#e too4 a drag on the .igar while he slipped a set of

brass 4nu.4les on his right hand %hen he slugged me

right in the ?aw

%he last thing / remember as / fell limply to the

floor was loo4ing up at my atta.4er and seeing a girl

in plaits with blood on her hands

%


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CHARACTERS

Characters

W/%) C% I ,0%G%I

In some of the so'rce )oo!s there are o+tional r'lesor alternati4e sorts of schtic!s a4aila)le for somecharacter t/+es. B't nat'rall/; the original write@'+sdoesn7t incl'de these )on's o+tions. $o; for con4enience;the additional o+tions are s'mmarised here.

Bodyguard

The section in cha+ter a)o't 7Defending /o'rB'dd/7 in this )oo! ma!es a recommendation forchanging the Bod/g'ard7s #ni'e $chtic!s.

Cyborg

The C/)org can swa+ o't Arcanowa4e De4ices for(ardware $chtic!s on a one@for@one )asis@ and gets a lotstronger. (ardware $chtic!s are in "orilla Warfare.

Gambler

The &am)ler can change his #ni'e $chtic! to onein "olden !omeba.4; +g 1.

Journalist

The o'rnalist can change his #ni'e $chtic! to onein "olden !omeba.4; +g 11.

Magic Cop

According to 9o)in aws; the 6agic Co+ sho'ldstart with a 6artial Arts Action


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Gentleman Retainer


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CHARACTERS

Golem


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Modern Mage

uite understand you ha2e to be .areful about these things But perhaps you should .he.4 our papers

again=

Common sense sa/s that magic died o't some time ago. After all; if it was still +ossi)le; e4er/)od/ wo'ld )e doingit; right? Well; it still is +ossi)le for some +eo+le. eo+le li!e /o'. 8o' wo'ld ha4e )een trained )/ another s'ch as/o'rself; someone who recognised /o'r +otential and ta'ght /o' how to control /o'r gift. The/ also ta'ght /o' how to!ee+ it secret )eca'se o)4io's magic attracts all !inds of 'nwanted attention. And so /o' li4ed /o'r life caref'll/; to allo'tward a++earances *'st an ordinar/ g'/. 6a/)e /o' 'sed /o'r talent to hel+ +eo+le o't here and there or to gi4e /o' a

)it of an edge in life. When the ceaseless madness that is the secret war s+ills o't into /o'r )ac! /ard; /o' come torealise that it7s time to +ic! sides and 'nseal a tin of wh'+@ass.

JunctureG 15; Contem+orar/

AttributesG BodG 5ChiG 6agK6ndG 59efG 5

Add points to one primary attribute, 5 points to a se.ond and ' point to a third

SkillsG Dri4ing J" -&'ns J5 K1InfoH/o'r choice J% 0InfoH/o'r choice J" -

$orcer/ J, K1%Add C s4ill bonuses !hange "uns to Martial Arts if desired

SchticksG % 6agic $chtic!s

Unique SchtickG3o Pla.e i4e #ome@ 8o' ne4er s'ffer a *'nct're +enalt/ to /o'r $orcer/ Action


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CHARACTERS

Rookie


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Tainted One


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CHARACTERS

Tart With A Heart


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Skills

)*%C/IG 0,,R%G0S *W

)RICSne of the little@'sed facets of Feng $h'i is the

ca+acit/ to ma!e '+ /o'r own c'stom s!ills. 6an/different s!ills are *'st old fa4o'rites 'nder a differentname; )'t here are a handf'l of interesting and inno4ati4enew s!ills.

Acrobatics

Base AttributeG Agilit/

Physi.al AbilityG 8o' can +erform feats of acro)aticsfit for a circ's tro'+e. 8o' can fli+ and *'m+ with greata+lom); em'lating the s!ill 6artial Arts )'t onl/ formo4ement st'nts and dodging; not +arr/ing or attac!ing.8o' ha4e a re+ertoire of tric!s /o' ha4e +ractised to

+erfection; and st'nts that 'se these tric!s get a J" )on'sto /o'r Acro)atics Action


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SKILLS

Base AttributeG Intelligence

Physi.al AbilityG 8o' !now how to mo4e +ieces off'rnit're and ornaments to +romote or im+ede good chiflow. With a s'ccessf'l chec! /o' can identif/ Feng $h'isites or areas that co'ld )ecome Feng $h'i sites with

*'dicio's changes. B/ mo4ing small o)*ects aro'nd insignificant wa/s /o' can damage a Feng $h'i site *'steno'gh to gi4e a head@ache to an/one att'ned to it. Thiscan )e a snea!/ wa/ of finding o't who is att'ned to asite.

7nowledgeG 8o' !now a)o't Feng $h'i sites /o'ha4e 4isited; and can recommend wa/s of im+ro4ing chiflow *'st a)o't an/where /o' are. 8o' can recognise the

+atterns of chi in an area and read the local *'nct'remodifiers; ass'ming /o' ha4e +re4io's e2+erience of thes!ill the modifier a++lies to. therwise; /o' can tell thatchi is )eing mani+'lated; )'t in an 'nfamiliar wa/. 8o'

can de)ate the intricacies of Feng $h'i with other e2+erts.!onta.tsG 8o' !now other geomancers; either as

colleag'es or as com+etition. 8o'r s!ill has also +ro)a)l/)ro'ght a n'm)er of secret warriors !noc!ing at /o'rdoor one time or another; tho'gh /o' ma/ not ha4erecognised them as s'ch. 8o' also !now +eo+le who dealin the tools of the geomanc/ trade; s'ch as mirrors anda's+icio's coins.

'acking

nl/ characters from the contem+orar/ or "5,

*'nct'res ma/ learn this s!ill.Base Attribute:Intelligence

Physi.al AbilityG 8o' can gain 'na'thorised access tocom+'ter s/stems and networ!s. 8o' can s')4ert thosesame com+'ters to /o'r ends or s!im off information /o'need from them. 8o' also !now a)o't com+'terhardware; and can +hrea! comm'nication lines to gainaccess where there is not a terminal. 8o' can fi2 )ro!encom+'ter e'i+ment and install new com+onents; gi4entime. 8o' can write /o'r own software; incl'ding 4ir'sesand worms.

7nowledgeG 8o' !now a)o't com+'ters; software;infamo's hac!ing e4ents and 'sef'l techni'es. 8o' canharden a com+'ter s/stem or networ! against hac!ingattac!s. 8o' !now the tell@tale signs that a com+'ter has

)een com+romised.

!onta.tsG 8o' !now other fig'res from the hac!ingscene; +ro)a)l/ onl/ )/ their on@line aliases. 8o' ha4e awe) of contacts in large com+anies that dro+ /o' theoccasional *'ic/ hint a)o't an insec're s/stem. 8o'

+ro)a)l/ also !now law enforcement fig'res whos+ecialise in c/)ercrime; )'t the/ don7t e2actl/ li!e /o'.There7s also a small chance that someone /o' meet in/o'r local area is someone /o'74e fi2ed the com+'ter of

in the +ast.

Musicians%ip

Base AttributeG 6an'al De2terit/ or Charisma

Characters who +la/ instr'ments 'se 6an'alDe2terit/ as their )ase attri)'te; singers 'se Charisma.

Physi.al AbilityG 8o' can +la/ a 4ariet/ of m'sicalinstr'ments and sing. 8o' +ro)a)l/ s+ecialise in oneinstr'ment; )'t can get )/ with a great man/ others. 8o'can maintain /o'r instr'ments and set '+ a stage for

+erformance as long as it7s nothing too fanc/. If /o' are+la/ing m'sic; /o' can s')tl/ alter the atmos+here of alocation. This is considered a wea! form of the Infl'ence6agic $chtic!; altho'gh it is not magical in nat're.

7nowledgeG 8o' !now 'ite a )it of m'sic theor/;ha4e a 4er/ )road !nowledge of +ieces and st/les ofm'sic and can 'ote man/ songs from memor/. 8o'!now a)o't m'sic 4en'es; )ands and +erformers in /o'r

area. 8o' !now more a)o't famo's m'sicians than most+eo+le; )'t +ro)a)l/ onl/ a)o't their m'sic and careers.If /o'r s!ill is high eno'gh; /o' +ro)a)l/ are a famo'sm'sician.

!onta.tsG 8o' !now other m'sicians; and ha4e+ro)a)l/ +la/ed with man/ of them in the +ast. 8o' !nowthe +eo+le who r'n the 4en'es where /o'74e +la/ed andmight ha4e done session wor! for famo's icons in /o'rarea. 8o' !now the +eo+le who sell or t'ne instr'ments.There7s a chance that an/one /o' meet has heard /o'rm'sic at some +oint; either li4e or recorded; )'t /o' ha4eto ma!e a Fort'ne chec! to see whether or not the/ li!ed

it.

"restidigitation

Base AttributeG 6an'al De2terit/

Physi.al AbilityG 8o' can +erform close@'+ magictric!s and other feats of de2terit/ s'ch as *'ggling. 8o'can +ic! +oc!ets; +alm small items or e4en misdirectsomeone7s attention while /o' do something /o'sho'ldn7t. #nli!e Intr'sion; this doesn7t rel/ on esca+ingnotice. Instead; /o' can )e in +lain sight; and still dosomething that doesn7t get noticed. 8o' can also tie

)alloon animals. 8o' can ma!e a +restidigitation chec!when /o' first meet someone to im+ress them with /o'r+rowess.

7nowledgeG 8o' !now how magic tric!s of all t/+eswor!; and what 'ir!s of h'man )eha4io'r magicianse2+loit to wor! their art. 8o' can s+ot the moment thatother +ractitioners ma!e the s')stit'tion or +alm the coin.

!onta.tsG 8o' !now other magicians. 8o' !nowstoc!ists that s+ecialise in magician7s s'++lies. 8o' also!now a large n'm)er of children /o'74e done +art/ tric!sfor in the +ast; e4er/ single one of which hates /o'.

13


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*W S*S 0R0, SIS

(eaders%ip

8o' can ins+ire greater com+etence in those /o'directl/ command. The/ can )e troo+s assigned to /o' as

+art of a militar/ 'nit; or +eo+le who ha4e willingl/decided to follow /o'r command for the time )eing.6a!e a eadershi+ s!ill chec! against the highest Action


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WEAONS

Weapons

G /0(ere is a smorgas)ord of hot new firearms for /o'r

6a4eric! Co+s to go wea! at the !nees o4er. Technicall/;some of these are "1st@cent'r/ wea+ons; )'t we +romiseto !ee+ 'iet if /o' sm'ggle one into the 100, *'nct're.

A# Arctic )arfare *13++,-,1./

This is a )olt@action sni+er rifle with a co'+le ofinteresting 'ir!s. It7s designed for cold@weather warfareso has an integral de@icer and has enlarged holes forfingers to accommodate Arctic mittens. (a++il/; this alsoma!es it easier to 'se for an/ s'+ernat'ral creat're ora)omination that fancies himself as a sni+er. It is alsomore conceala)le than man/ sni+er rifles d'es to its lightweight; and has a decent ca+acit/ in its )o2 magaEine.

Blunderbuss *11,-,1/

The s+irit'al ancestor of the shotg'n; this wea+onhas a lot of sto++ing +ower )'t se4erel/ limited range.

Altho'gh it ta!es 1" shots to reload; its amm'nition can)e literall/ an/thing to hand; eliminating worries a)o'tfinding ammo in o't of the wa/ +laces li!e ,0 AD. If /o's+end a shot +'tting a little e2tra in it )efore firing; itsdamage increases )/ 1; *'st li!e a shotg'n. #sing one ofthese to intimidate someone is es+eciall/ +otent@ the/ canstare down the flared )arrel and see e2actl/ what7s a)o'tto )e fired at them@ and gets a J" Action


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m'lti+le )arrels; these s/stems can shoot a million ro'ndsa min'te. Altho'gh the/ are onl/ at the +rotot/+e stage at

+resent; the/ re+resent too m'ch f'n for a Feng $h'icharacter to let sli+ thro'gh her gras+. This +istol has )'ta single )arrel; with the cartridge loaded in at the rear ofthe wea+on. It can )e fired in two modes@ 7single shot7 and7e4er/thing left in the )arrel7. In the latter; each )'lletco'nts as a three@ro'nd )'rst for the +'r+oses of damage.These things ta!e 5 shots to reload.

Metal $torm ifle *13+,-,.:0:0:0/

i!e its co'sin; this )a)/ +ac!s m'lti+le lo4e in eachof its three )arrels. #nli!e minig'ns; these )arrels do notneed to rotate. It doesn7t ha4e a single shot mode@ insteadit has 7one from each )arrel7 and 7e4er/thing m'st go7modes. Again; each )'llet fired co'nts as a )'rst fora'tofire +'r+oses. It ta!es shots to reload.

"GM 'ecate ## *15++,,2/A metal@)odied sni+er rifle from France with the

coolest name of an/ in its class. Designed for 'se againsto)*ects rather than +eo+le@ )'t ledged innerwal!ers ha4eta!en a shine to this wea+on for 'se against a)ominationsand demons )eca'se of the res+ecta)le ca+acit/ in its )o2magaEine.

$pectre M5 *1.,3,-.:1/

A sweet little $6& with an additional forward gri+.Its high@ca+acit/ magaEine and the a)ilit/ to carr/ one

ro'nd in the cham)er ma!es it a good choice for a shooterwho *'st lo4es to +aint the town lead.

T ;ector *1.,3,13/

A f't'ristic n'm)er that red'ces recoil )/ ha4ing themo4ing +arts of the wea+on mo4e downwards as it firesto +'ll the m'EEle )ac! down when the/ hit the sto+s. It7smatte )lac! and 4er/ f't'ristic loo!ing; so the image@conscio's assassin co4ets it for its st/le and acc'rac/.

Tesla Blaster *1.++,3,


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WEAONS

the/ de4elo+ed the com)i*et s/stem. In essence; thesewea+ons com)ine the )est of )oth g/ro*et and standardfirearms. ach 7)'llet7 has two stagesG a normal +erc'ssionca+ and a small roc!et motor. When first fired; it tra4elsdown the )arrel li!e a normal )'llet. nce it reaches the

end; howe4er; the tail end of the )'llet falls awa/ tore4eal the roc!et motor which then ignites.

In game terms; onl/ characters who are 9ich canafford to 'se one of these reg'larl/; and that7s ass'mingthe/ somehow gain access to the schematics that the B'rois !ee+ing close to its chest. The/ s'ffer the samerelia)ilit/ +ro)lems as other B'ro firearms; altho'gh thefail'res are rather more +/rotechnic in nat're. i!econ4entional firearms; Com)i*et wea+ons are ineffecti4e'nder water.

Combiet Back


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camera. The erce+tion the/ ha4e 4aries from 1 '+ to"; de+ending on the so+histication of the software andthe camera 'sed. The/ ma!e an attac! e4er/ shot; with a&'ns Action


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WEAONS

Classic Big )eapon *$tr:5,0,


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Concealable

Wea+ons can )e made a little more conceala)le withthe right a++roach. A sword concealed in a false leg; fore2am+le; or as +art of an e2otic cost'me; is )e m'ch more

diffic'lt for others to s+ot. :atoichi7s sword cane is a goode2am+le of a wea+on of this t/+e. Conceala)le signat'rewea+ons get a @" concealment )on's. Nat'rall/; tr/ing tored'ce concealment )elow has no additional effect.

>tra &amage

This gi4es the wea+on J3 damage in /o'r hands.Nothing more to see here; mo4e along.

8u


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WEAONS

August 13

/ .ame to in some dan4 underground .ell - / .ouldn;t

tell if / was in the same building or not %here was a

toilet against one wall, whi.h / too4 as a good sign

%hey wouldn;t bother with fa.ilities if the .ell was only

meant to hold people until they were 4illed somewhere

else By the smell, the pre2ious o..upant hadn;t .ared

mu.h where he relie2ed himself / had bandages

around my ba.4, whi.h was another good sign My ?aw

was swollen li4e a melon but by some mira.le it wasn;t

a.tually bro4en f .ourse, ?ust be.ause they wanted to

4eep me ali2e didn;t mean they;d lea2e me unhurt

r whole

As is usual when / was in that 4ind of grim

situation, / found myself re.alling all the bad de.isions

that had led me to it /t usually started with de.iding to

li2e with my mother when +ad mo2ed ba.4 to 8ngland

%hen there was de.iding / wanted to ma4e a fast bu.4

wor4ing for one of the gangs instead of sti.4ing with

the ?ob at the .opy shop

/ didn;t ha2e mu.h time to muse before the metal

door s.raped open %he girl /;d seen before stepped

into the noisome room and pushed the door .losed

behind her She wasn;t .arrying any weapons and /

hadn;t seen any guards outside, but if she had been my

atta.4er earlier / doubted that rushing her wouldimpro2e my situation


22/84

OUT FOR BLOOD

Schticks

%RC%0W%V*,*VIC*S

Aperture &evice

BT6 forces and A)omination shoc! troo+s are notgenerall/ !nown for their mo)ilit/. $omeone noticed thatlac! of mo)ilit/ was a disad4antage; and a )rief to

im+ro4e this got sent to the la)@rats at the CDCA.Des+erate to redeem themsel4es after their fail're tore+licate the &atema!er de4ice the ammers are so fondof; the/ +'t what the/ had learned from that +ro*ect towor!. The res'lt is the A+ert're De4ice. 9esem)ling af't'ristic ra/ g'n; when it is fired at a flat metal; roc! orconcrete s'rface at least two feet )/ two feet; it creates a

)l'e@green circle of energ/. The second time it is fired; itcreates an orange circle of energ/. nce )oth arede+lo/ed; these two circles are lin!ed )/ a stretch of the

Netherworld disconnected from the rest of it; and onl/ amicron in length.

Basicall/; it creates two lin!ed +ortals. When onl/one is in +lace; it cannot )e +assed thro'gh. ach +ortalonl/ remains o+en for a n'm)er of shots e'al to the s'mof )oth n'm)ers of the dice rolled when the wea+on isfired. This means that sometimes the first +ortal closes

)efore the second can )e o+ened; which is one of the+ro)lems the la)@rats are tr/ing to fi2. Being ca'ght half@wa/ thro'gh when one of the +ortals closes is...'n+leasant... to sa/ the least. The other main draw)ac! isthat flat metal and concrete s'rfaces of that siEe are note2actl/ common in man/ +laces where B'ro o+erati4esare sent.

$ho'ld the A+ert're De4ice malf'nction; an/ o+en+ortals close. And alwa/s remem)er@ s+eed/ thing goesin; s+eed/ thing comes o't.

&NA #nector

The DNA In*ector is an o4er@large s/ringe with ana'tomatic +l'nger mechanism. It contains a small sam+leof genetic material from a transformed animal. Whentriggered; it in*ects some of the s+eciall/ treated materialinto the 'ser. This material tem+oraril/ grants thereci+ient the a)ilit/ to 'se one transformed animal +ower.The +ower m'st )e s+ecified when the material is

+re+ared; and m'st )e +ossessed )/ the transformedanimal the material came from. The effect lasts 'ntil the

end of the se'ence. The 'ser s+ends her own chi toacti4ate the +ower; and gets a m'tation +oint when thein*ector is first 'sed and e4er/ time she 'ses the +ower itga4e her. If the DNA In*ector s'ffers a malf'nction; thegenetic material is destro/ed. The in*ector can )e

+re+ared for new genetic material if the original isdestro/ed; or if a new +ower is desired with anArcanowa4e De4ices roll of 15 or more. n a fail're; thematerial is destro/ed and some more m'st )e o)tained.

Note that an/one can attem+t the roll to +re+are the

material; not *'st the character with the DNA In*ectorschtic!. #nless there is a malf'nction; the in*ector canwor! indefinitel/ on a single sam+le.

Gravity $%ield

This de4ice creates a wall of force three feet indiameter that can +rotect /o' from attac!s. nce it iso+erational; /o' can choose to +arr/ with it against an/!ind of attac!; )ased on /o'r Arcanowa4e De4ices Action


23/84

SCHTICKS

"8G *"%ysiue 8eedback Gun/

The F& is an e2+erimental +ro*ect )/ the CDCAdesigned to deal with o++onents that are +artic'larl/

+h/sicall/ to'gh. Determined raids )/ ammers were the

initial +ro4ocation for this wor!; )'t it has fo'nd 'se in allsorts of +laces. The F& loo!s li!e a medi'm@siEedhandg'n )'t with a flared )arrel li!e a trom)one theoriginal +rotot/+e was the siEe and sha+e of a t')a.$im+l/ +'t; the F& disr'+ts the flow of +h/sical chithro'gh the target in s'ch a wa/ that it is re4ersed andam+lified. The wea+on is fired 'sing Arcanowa4eDe4ices and does )ase damage e'al to the target7sConstit'tion; )/@+assing armo'r and To'ghness. achtime it is fired; the 'ser s'ffers 1 m'tation +oint.

$econd C%ance nit

Designed )/ a mad B'ro statistician who too! hisown life after s!etching the first +rotot/+e; the secondchance 'nit offers a wa/ to a4oid em)arrassing sli+@'+s.Whene4er the 'ser fails at an/ s!ill roll; he has the o+tionof triggering the $econd Chance #nit. If he does this; hecan ma!e the roll again )'t this time 'se his Arcanowa4eDe4ices s!ill. Whate4er the new 'tcome; he getsm'tation +oints e'al to the n'm)er rolled on thenegati4e die of this second roll if this was a si2 and rolledagain; he ta!es the f'll added 4al'e. The 'nit can onl/ )e'sed once a session.

CR*%)R*60W*RS

&uplication

8o' ha4e the a)ilit/ to generate m'lti+le co+ies of/o'rself. 8o' can maintain a n'm)er of co+ies incl'dingthe original e'al to /o'r 6agic attri)'te. ach d'+licatehas /o'r normal attri)'tes; schtic!s and m'ndanee'i+ment@ altho'gh wea+ons and s+ecial items are notd'+licated. An/ damage ta!en )/ one of /o'r )odies isalso ta!en )/ all the others@ /o' also ha4e to share Chi;F'; Fort'ne and 6agic +oints and s'ffer an/ other effectss'ch as Im+airment in common. 8o' can lea4e some

)odies standing or sitting while /o' concentrate on one in+artic'lar. As long as /o' onl/ acti4el/ control one )od/at a time; /o' act normall/. If /o' tr/ to 'se more thanone )od/ at once; then /o' s'ffer Im+airment d'e toconcentration iss'es e'al to the n'm)er of acti4e )odies.All of /o'r incarnations act on the same shot of initiati4e@altho'gh /o' can Acti4e Dodge with all of /o'r acti4e

)odies d'ring a +artic'lar shot with no additional +enalt/.8o' can onl/ red'ce the n'm)er of co+ies /o' ha4e )/a)sor)ing one )ac! into one of /o'r other )odies.

&enerating or re@a)sor)ing a d'+licate ta!es a f'llse'ence.

lemental BodyD Air

The lemental Bod/ $chtic!s were introd'ced in"limpse of the Abyss; and catered for the traditionalChinese elements of arth; Wood; 6etal; Fire and Water.An/ Western geomancers who wanted to )e a)le to createan Air lemental wo'ld add the following schtic! to theirre+ertoireG

Air lementals gain a J1 )on's to their DodgeAction


24/84

OUT FOR BLOOD

1 to s'r4i4e. 4en if /o' do; /o' m'st s+end a handf'lof da/s regenerating /o'r swarm )efore /o' can res'me/o'r reg'lar form and act normall/.

$%ado= eac%All shadows are connected to the same +rimal

dar!ness; a dar!ness /o' carr/ in /o'r so'l. 8o' canreach into one shadow and o't of another near)/. Thema2im'm range for this a)ilit/ is /o'r 6agic attri)'te inmetres. #sing this a)ilit/ to attac! is a standard @" st'nt@it7s a little diffic'lt to land a )low +ro+erl/ when /o'r armis metres awa/ from /o'r )od/@ )'t /o'r target doesn7tget an o++ort'nit/ to ta!e a defensi4e action. If /o' )'/ asecond schtic! in $hadow 9each; /o' can e4en +ass

)odil/ from one shadow to another if the shadow is largeeno'gh. 8o' s+end some of time in the dar!ness )efore/o' ret'rn. 9oll an o+en die; and s+end that man/ shots in

transit. With a third schtic!; /o' can ta!e one +erson with/o' or an o)*ect /o' can carr/ not larger than a +erson.

,RIVIGSC/)ICS

Dri4ing schtic!s first feat'red in "olden !omeba.4.Their cost is J; where is the n'm)er of Dri4ing$chtic!s /o' ha4e when /o' ha4e )o'ght the new one.8o' can onl/ )'/ Dri4ing $chtic!s if /o'r Dri4ing Action


25/84

SCHTICKS

(unar $tance C%iD 3 , $%otsD 1

8o'r +erce+tion of the flow of Chi in order to defend/o'rself has reached e+ic +ro+ortions. As a defensi4eaction; /o' ma/ +arr/ a $orcer/ attac! against /o' with aJ3 )on's to /o'r Acti4e Dodge Action uisite: "uarded Stan.e1 Path: ltimate unar

Stan.e

ltimate (unar $tance C%iD 2 , $%otsD .

8o'r master/ of the art of defending againstincoming )lows is legendar/. It has reached the stagewhere /o' are onl/ e4er hit if /o' mean to )e. #ntil theend of the se'ence; /o' ma/ +arr/ an/ attac! with a J-

)on's to /o'r Acti4e Dodge Action uisite:aughter of the Moon, unar Stan.e, nyielding

"uarded Stan.e

6ath o& the Corrupt /eartThis is a 4er/ s+ecial F' ath; dedicated to s'ch

$'+ernat'ral Creat'res that ha4e the will and disci+line to'se their 'nnat'ral heritage to )est effect. Characters ma/onl/ ta!e schtic!s from this +ath if the/ ha4e the Creat'reowers s!ill.

yes of t%e Beast C%iD 1 , $%otsD 1

There is dar! !nowledge in /o'r e/es. 8o' can st'd/a character for a short while; and gain an insight into theirnat're. 8o' disco4er what Creat're ower schtic!s the/

+ossess and whether the/ ha4e the $'mmoning 6agic$chtic!.Prere>uisite: 3one1 Path: !law of the Beast

Cla= of t%e Beast C%iD 4 , $%otsD 3

8o'r dia)olical strength ma!es /o' a tro')lesomeenem/. 6a!e a 6artial Arts attac! against an o++onent. Ifthe attac! hits; then instead of doing damage /o' throw/o'r target /o'r $trength in metres; +l's the 'tcome of

the attac!. 4en if /o' miss; the target is thrown half /o'r$trength ro'nding '+ in metres.Prere>uisite: 8yes ofthe Beast1 Path: @engean.e of the Beast

;engeance of t%e Beast C%iD 4 , $%otsD .

#se this a)ilit/ after /o' are s')*ected to an effectthat relies on /o'r s'+ernat'ral nat're. 2am+les are$'mmoning chec!s and the Wa4e $'++ressor arcanowa4ede4ice. 8o' ma/ 'se this +ower after an/ roll has )eenmade to see if the effect s'cceeds in order to negate theeffect entirel/. No roll is re'ired.Prere>uisite: !law ofthe Beast1 Path: *age of the Beast

age of t%e Beast C%iD - , $%otsD .

That is not dead which can eternal lie@ and while /o'can still )e !illed /o' can !ee+ !ic!ing m'ch longer thanan/ wo'ld e2+ect. #se this schtic! whene4er /o' wo'ld

)e re'ired to ma!e a death chec!. 8o' ma/ dela/ thedeath chec! 'ntil the end of the se'ence; anda'tomaticall/ +ass an/ death chec!s /o' ma!e in themeantime. The death chec! at the end of the se'enceonl/ has the diffic'lt/ of the chec! /o' triggered thisa)ilit/ for; regardless of how man/ Wo'nd oints /o'

ha4e s'ffered since. These Wo'nd oints do not go awa/;howe4er.Prere>uisite: @engean.e of the Beast

"5

Path o the !uarded "oon

&'arded$te+

'nar$tance

a'ghter ofthe 6oon

#n/ielding

&'arded $tance

&'arded$tance

ltimate

-unar Stan.e


26/84

OUT FOR BLOOD

6ath o& the -ene&icial lo9

yes of t%e Master C%iD . , $%otsD .

8o' are ade+t at +ercei4ing the chi flow thro'gh+eo+le7s )odies; stri!ing them where the/ are theirwea!est. The damage for /o'r +'nches or !ic!s is e'alto /o'r Chi attri)'te. The/ do not co'nt as F' attac!s'nless /o' 'se another F' +ower. The o)ser4ant among/o' will notice that this d'+licates the ld 6aster7s'ni'e schtic!. ld 6asters co'nt as ha4ing this schtic!;and can get the other F' owers later in the +ath. It does;howe4er; ma!e all their F' +owers slightl/ moree2+ensi4e to )'/. Ain7t that a shame.Prere>uisite: 3one1

Path: esson of the Master

(esson of t%e Master C%iD 3 , $%otsD .

When /o' are h'rt; /o' can concentrate the flow ofchi in /o'r )od/ to lessen the in*'r/. Whene4er /o' areh'rt /o' ma/ 'se this schtic! to s')stit'te /o'r Chiattri)'te for /o'r To'ghness when calc'lating damage.

Prere>uisite: 8yes of the Master1 Path: u.4 of the

Master

(uck of t%e Master C%iD 4 , $%otsD .

$ometimes all it ta!es to )e l'c!/ is a greatera++reciation of the flow of chi thro'gh the world.Whene4er /o' are called '+on to ma!e a Fort'ne chec!/o' ma/ s')stit'te /o'r Chi attri)'te for /o'r Fort'newhen ma!ing the chec!. This does not allow /o' to s+endChi +oints as Fort'ne.Prere>uisite: esson of the Master1

Path: %he Master;s Prerogati2e

T%e MasterEs "rerogativeC%iD - , $%otsD .

$ome old de4ils can )e 4er/ 'ic! o4er the gro'ndwhen the/ ha4e reason to )eO s'ch as if there7s a sale on

+l'm wine. Before rolling initiati4e; /o' ma/ acti4ate thisschtic! to roll initiati4e 'sing /o'r Chi attri)'te instead of/o'r $+eed.Prere>uisite: u.4 of the Master

6ath o& the /ar!oniousChord

This is a +ath s+ecificall/ of 'se to 6artial Artistswho also !now $orcer/. 6agic Co+s are the most

fre'ent 'sers of this +ath.

'armonious $tance C%iD 1 , $%otsD 1

8o' can 'se a mi2t're of /o'r magic and /o'rmartial arts +rowess to deflect *'st a)o't an/ attac!. As adefensi4e action; /o' ma/ +arr/ an/ !ind of attac! 'sing/o'r 6artial Arts s!ill; e4en if the attac! is a t/+e /o'co'ld not normall/ +arr/ with that s!ill.Prere>uisite:

3one1 Path: #armonious Stri4e

'armonious $trike C%iD 1 , $%otsD 3

If /o' ha4e the Blast 6agic $chtic! or the BlastCreat're ower; /o' ma/ ma!e Blast attac!s 'sing /o'r6artial Arts Action


27/84

SCHTICKS

'armonious 8ist C%iD 4 , $%otsD 3

8o' ha4e disco4ered a wa/ to ma!e magic moreeffecti4e if /o' first to'ch /o'r enem/. 6a!e a 6artialArts attac! against an enem/. If /o' hit; do not dealdamage )'t instead ma!e a $orcer/ attac! with a )on's to

/o'r Action uisite: #armonious Stri4e1 Path: /ntegrationof the @oid

#ntegration of t%e ;oid C%iD 1 , $%otsD .

8o' ma/ attach a F' ower to a sorcero's )last. An/

mention of a 6artial Arts attac! in the F' +owerdescri+tion instead refers to a )last attac!. The chi cost ofIntegration of the uisite:

3one1 Path: !harge of the eopard, unge of the

eopard

C%arge of t%e (eopard C%iD 1 , $%otsD 1

8o' ma/ r'n a distance in metres e'al to threetimes /o'r 6o4e attri)'te. This does not allow /o' toma!e +artic'larl/ long lea+s; howe4er. This +ower allows/o' to +artici+ate in car chases; as descri)ed in "olden

!omeba.4+g 113.Prere>uisite: Stri4e of the eopard1

Path: !law of the eopard, Fist of the eopard

(unge of t%e (eopard C%iD 4 , $%otsD 1

#ntil the end of the se'ence; /o'r 6o4e attri)'terises to match /o'r Chi attri)'te.Prere>uisite: Stri4e ofthe eopard

Cla= of t%e (eopard C%iD 1 , $%otsD 3

ea+ a n'm)er of metres e'al to /o'r 6o4eattri)'te; then ma!e a 6artial Arts attac! against ano++onent. Immediatel/ after /o' ma!e the attac!; lea+awa/ from /o'r o++onent a n'm)er of metres e'al to/o'r 6o4e attri)'te. The o++onent does not get ano++ort'nit/ to 'se +owers that rel/ on ta!ing an actionagainst /o' immediatel/ after or sim'ltaneo'sl/ with/o'r attac!.Prere>uisite: !harge of the eopard1 Path:

eopard Stan.e

8ist of t%e (eopard C%iD 4 , $%otsD 3

6a!e a 6artial Arts attac! against an o++onent@ forthis attac! his +assi4e Dodge is red'ced )/ ".

Prere>uisite: !harge of the eopard1 Path: eopard

Stan.e

(eopard $tance C%iD F , $%otsD .

When an enem/ ma!es a 6artial Arts attac! against/o'; /o' can sim'ltaneo'sl/ ma!e a 6artial Arts attac!against them. $')tract the amo'nt of Chi /o' wish tos+end@ which m'st )e at least " from /o'r +assi4e Dodgefor this attac!. Add twice to the damage of the attac!/o' ma!e.Prere>uisite: !law of the eopard, Fist of the

eopard

6ath o& the Merciless )alon

$trike of t%e agle C%iD 4 , $%otsD 3

$tri!e an o++onent )are@handed; the damage 4al'e

for the stri!e is e'al to /o'r $trength J%.Prere>uisite:3one1 Path: Bea4 of the 8agle, Wing of the 8agle

"-

Path o the Spotted #unter

Claw ofthe eo+ard

'nge ofthe eo+ard

Fist ofthe eo+ard

Charge ofthe eo+ard

eopard

Stan.e

$tri!e ofthe eo+ard


28/84

OUT FOR BLOOD

Beak of t%e agle C%iD 4 , $%otsD .

Immediatel/ after /o' are damaged )/ an o++onentin hand@to@hand com)at; /o' ma/ la'nch a free )are@handed 6artial Arts attac! on that o++onent. The damagefor this attac! is /o'r $trength J". This has no effect on/o'r c'rrent shot.Prere>uisite: Stri4e of the 8agle1 Path:

Fury of the 8agle, %alon of the 8agle

)ing of t%e agle C%iD 4 , $%otsD 3

6a!e a 6artial Arts attac! against an o++onent. If/o' hit; /o'r o++onent loses his footing and falls o4er inaddition to ta!ing normal damage. #ntil he ta!es the time

to stand '+; he has @" Im+airment to his 6artial Artsscore. &etting '+ is a standard action; )'t can )e made+art of an attac! as a st'nt.Prere>uisite: Stri4e of the8agle1 Path: %alon of the 8agle, %alon #old

8ury of t%e agle C%iD 3 , $%otsD 3

$tri!e an o++onent with a fierce )low directed at oneof their most 2ulnerables+ots. If /o' hit; add /o'rWill+ower rating to the Damage dealt.Prere>uisite: Bea4of the 8agle1 Path: aughter of the 8agle

Talon of t%e agle C%iD 3 , $%otsD 36a!e a )are@handed 6artial Arts attac! against an

o++onent. An/ F' +ower 'sed as a defensi4e action or F'+owers in effect that ma!e the attac! less effecti4e do notco'nt for this attac!. If the target 'ses a F' +ower as +artof an Acti4e Dodge; then the Acti4e Dodge )on's stilla++lies.Prere>uisite: Bea4 of the 8agle, Wing of the

8agle1 Path: aughter of the 8agle

Talon 'old C%iD 3 , $%otsD 3

n a s'ccessf'l 6artial Arts tas! chec!; /o' ma/

+lace an o++onent in a *oint loc! hold that red'ces hisDodge 4al'e )/ ". The 4ictim can 'se his actions to tr/ to

)rea! free; )/ ma!ing an Agilit/ tas! chec! with /o'r

6artial Arts Action uisite: Fury of the

8agle, %alon of the 8agle

Merciless 'old C%iD 3 , $%otsD 3

Dig /o'r fingers into an o++onent7s +ress're +ointson a s'ccessf'l 6artial Arts attac!. In additional tonormal damage; /o' maintain a hold that damages /o'ro++onent f'rther when it )rea!s. If /o' do an/thing otherthan +assi4el/ Dodge; the hold is )ro!en. If /o'ro++onent ma!es an attac!; the hold is )ro!en. Whene4erthe hold is )ro!en; the o++onent ta!es 3 Wo'nd ointsthat are not red'ced )/ To'ghness. After the action that

)ro!e the hold is resol4ed; /o' ma/ ma!e a 6artial Arts

tas! chec! with no shot cost to reassert /o'r hold againstthe same target@ )'t reasserting a hold in this wa/ doesnot inflict damage.Prere>uisite: %alon #old

6ath o& the SharpenedScales :e;tended7; and thene4er/thing has gone )anana@sha+ed in a tr'l/ colossalwa/; the/ can )'/ this schtic!. ossessing this schtic!means that e2erytime the/ sa/ something li!eG 78o'7ll )esafe here7; 7There7s nothing to worr/ a)o't7 or 7It7s o!a/;

I74e done this )efore7; the/ are +ro4en s+ectac'larl/wrong. (owe4er; the/ are not the ones that s'ffer as ares'lt. For e2am+le; a character with this schtic!; whencornering ammer@affiliated )om)er; might sa/G (e can7t

+ossi)l/ ha4e an/ more grenades>X. Clearl/; the 4er/ ne2tthing that ha++ens is that the )om)er throws a grenade@

)'t the character with the schtic! is not the target. Insteadhis ha+less friend has to deal with the whole grenadeiss'e. Characters with this schtic! ha4e a *'stifiedre+'tation as )eing )ad +artners in an/ endea4o'r.

%


41/84

SCHTICKS

August 41

/ waited on the landing, gun in hand, and tried to

4eep .alm / .ould hear arguing upstairs, but that.ould mean anything n.e again, / >uestioned

whether /;d made the right de.ision

nly a few minutes ago, Ming$ia had .onfided in

me that she had persuaded Mr Brown to let me li2e

solely so that when someone .ame to res.ue me she

.ould use the distra.tion to steal some important data

/;d s.offed at the idea of "appy !ho and the others

sti.4ing their ne.4s out for me whi.h had seemed to

genuinely pule her %hey;re your friends, she had

said, and friends loo4 out for one another Well, /;d set

her straight about anyone .aring if / li2ed or died, and

she;d made me an offer /f / helped her get the data,she;d see to it / got away safely / told her /;d need my

gun to be any use and without hesitation she;d gone

and got it / .onsidered turning on her for about '0'6th

of a se.ond before de.iding that my best .han.e of

li2ing out the night was to sti.4 to her li4e glue And

immediately after that de.ision, of .ourse, /;d let her

go off alone to ma4e a distra.tion while we went to

wor4 (erplan had in2ol2ed setting a fire, but / 4newhow gangs beha2ed and /;d suggested that she tell one

of the hoods she;d o2erheard another one say

something un.omplimentary about him When the

ine2itable fight bro4e out, we should ha2e enough time

to do what we had to do and es.ape before anyonerealised they;d been tri.4ed

/ almost swallowed my tongue when Ming$ia

appeared ne$t to me +amn, but /;d been wat.hing the

stairs and / hadn;t seen a thing She led me up to the

ground floor and further into the warren of half-empty

rooms 82entually, we rea.hed a dingy room with thi.4

.urtains o2er the windows and a sprawling mess of

.omputers and monitors sat on a table ne bored-

loo4ing man smiled as he re.ognised Ming$ia then

rea.hed for his gun when he saw me behind her #e

didn;t e2en get to draw it %wo blows from the girl and

he .ollapsed sideways onto a rotting arm.hair/ too4 up position peering around the door frame,

ma4ing sure the .oast was .lear Ming$ia went to wor4

with the .omputers, plugging in a SB 4ey and

sear.hing out a headset to wear / .ould hear the rain

hammering on the windows


42/84

OUT FOR BLOOD

!"+s !uide

W/%)'S 70R60IS0

$o; what !ind of Feng $h'i &6 are /o'; and whatad4ice is it )est to hold to heart?

)he 0ld Master

It ma/ )e that /o'74e )een r'nning games of Feng$h'i since the contem+orar/ *'nct're was; well;contem+orar/. 8o' +ro)a)l/ alread/ !now e2actl/ how/o' li!e to r'n the game; and ha4e a )race of ho'se r'les/o'74e introd'ced o4er the /ears. A lot of this cha+ter ma/seem red'ndant or o)4io's to /o'; )'t there7s alwa/ssomething else to learn and +erha+s /o' can find newideas to ta!e /o'r games in a new direction. Theim+ortant thing to )ear in mind is that )ecoming tooinfle2i)le in how /o' r'n the game ta!es a lot of the *o/o't of it. =ee+ the free@wheeling anarch/ at the ta)le and/o' can7t go far wrong.

)he illererha+s /o'74e got a lot of e2+erience of )eing the

&6 for other and th's inferior role@+la/ing games )'tha4en7t s+ent a great deal of time as a Feng $h'i &6. Itcan )e 4er/ diffic'lt to 7let go7 of the co'rse of the game if/o'7re 'sed to games that are more tightl/ str'ct'red. Ifthe +la/ers ta!e a ro'te /o' weren7t e2+ecting; /o' ha4eto )ite down on /o'r instinct to diss'ade them. If /o' aremore 'sed to a game where +recise reading of r'les and

+owers is im+ortant; /o' sho'ld also eschew thata++roach for ad*'dicating on the fl/ witho't reco'rse to

an/ of the )oo!s if /o' can get awa/ with it.

)he *=er+!an /ero$o; /o'7re an e2+erienced Feng $h'i +la/er )'t

/o'7re onl/ a neo+h/te the other side of the screen? Don7tworr/@ )eing the &6 is 4er/ m'ch li!e )eing the +la/er.The im+ortant thing a)o't the transition is that /o'sho'ldn7t acti4el/ see! to do so man/ cool things now /o'control the )ad g'/s@ otherwise /o' ris! o4ershadowingthe heroes. Being the &6 o+ens '+ new horiEons; )'t /o'sho'ldn7t )e intimidated )/ the +ros+ect. 9emem)er that

/o' and the +la/ers are there to ha4e f'n; not to )e incom+etition. 8o' can rel/ on them to tell /o' how their

schtic!s wor!; so /o' don7t ha4e to commit the )oo!s tomemor/.

)he ,ri&ter6a/)e /o'74e *'st +ic!ed '+ the mainFeng Shui

)oo! and come across ut For Bloodwhile loo!ing fors'++orting materials on@line. 8o'74e +la/ed other games;

)'t ne4er had the +leas're of +artici+ating in the secretwar. 8o'7re in l'c!; )eca'se )/ loo!ing at the schtic!s in

this )oo! and reading a)o't what the other so'rce )oo!scontain; /o' can ma!e an informed choice a)o't the ne2tFeng $h'i s'++lement to )'/.

)he Rookie$o /o'74e ne4er +la/ed a role@+la/ing game )efore?

8o' might )e a little scared at the idea of entertaining a)'nch of /o'r friends for a few ho'rs. Don7t )e. Don7tworr/ a)o't the r'les too m'ch; don7t fret that /o'7redoing e4er/thing e2actl/ right. If something is tooconf'sing; ignore it. As long as e4er/one at the ta)le is

ha4ing f'n; /o'7re doing it right. If someone isn7t ha4ingf'n; thin! what /o' co'ld do to let them ha4e f'n thatdoesn7t sto+ other +eo+le from ha4ing f'n. Tr'st 's;

+la/ing this game is an a)sol'te )last.

R* >*R06an/ gro'+s of +la/ers ha4e a 7r'le Eero7 of role@

+la/ing@ 's'all/ it is something along the lines of Don7tgi4e the &6 ideas>X.

Feng $h'i &ame 6oderators ha4e a r'le Eero; too. It

isG%Aways a""e$t the offer&'

It7s the co'nter+art to the +la/ers7 r'le Eero. It meansthat whene4er the +la/ers ha4e a s's+icion a)o't what7sgoing to ha++en; or ma!e a s'ggestion as to what ha++ensne2t; /o' sho'ld do /o'r 'tmost to f'lfil it. There arese4eral reasons for doing this.

$ometimes the +la/ers come '+ with )etter ideasthan /o' do.

The/ get to feel reall/ smart for g'essing /o'r7+lan7.

The game r'ns more smoothl/ if the +la/ers

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GM!S GUIDE

don7t )ar! '+ the wrong tree.

It ma!es the game feel more li!e a film.

)/* -00SThere are 'ite a few Feng $h'i )oo!s /o' co'ldha4e at /o'r dis+osal@ the original )oo!s +')lished )/ thenow@def'nct Daedal's ntertainment and the newer

)oo!s +')lished )/ Atlas &ames. What e2actl/ is in eachof them?

Marked for &eat%

$cenario antholog/.

Back 8or $econdsContains additional character t/+es which are

alread/ incl'ded in the second edition r'le )oo!; andsome &6Cs for each faction. Also incl'des descri+tionsof some Feng $h'i sites and a handf'l of g'ns; F' owersand #ni'e $chtic!s and the Transformed $har!.

T%orns of t%e (otus

Bac!gro'nd for the aters of the ot's. Newcharacter t/+es; Creat're owers and 6agic $chtic!s.Descri)es some magical artefacts. Incl'des a scenario.

Blood of t%e ;aliant

Bac!gro'nd for the &'iding (and. New charactert/+es; g'ns and f' +aths. Incl'des a scenario.

$eed of t%e Ne= 8les%

Bac!gro'nd for the Architects of the Flesh. Newcharacter t/+es; gadgets; wea+ons and Arcanowa4eDe4ices. Incl'des two scenarios.

Golden ComebackBac!gro'nd for the Dragons. ractical ad4ice for

+la/ers; lots of new schtic!s and g'ns and introd'ces $tat$chtic!s and the car chase r'les.

$eal of t%e )%eel

Bac!gro'nd for the Ascended. New character t/+es;g'ns; gadgets; Transformed Animal +ac!ages and a f'

+ath. Incl'des a scenario.

levator to t%e Net%er=orld

Information on the Netherworld and the deniEensthereof.

8our Bastards

A scenario.

#n Iour 8ace Again

$cenario antholog/.

Gorilla )arfare

Bac!gro'nd for the ammers. New character t/+es;g'ns; gadgets; $tat $chtic!s and introd'ces (ardware$chtic!s.

8riends of t%e &ragon

A list of themes for Feng $h'i one@off games andcam+aigns. Introd'ces &ro'+ $chtic!s and $/nc $chtic!s.

#ron and $ilk

A com+endi'm of im+ro4ised wea+ons.

Blo=ing p 'ong ong

Information on (ong =ong and the deniEens thereof.Incl'des a handf'l of &eneral $chtic!s and a f' +ath.

Glimpse of t%e Abyss

A com+endi'm of s'+ernat'ral creat'res anda)ominations. New character t/+es; Creat're owers;Arcanowa4e De4ices; a 6agic $chtic!; a f' +ath andother miscellaneo's schtic!s. Introd'ces Wea!nesses andincl'des a scenario.

SIG )/* -00SThe n'm)er of )oo!s and the fact that the/ were not

written as a set raises a co'+le of wrin!les /o' sho'ld )eaware of.

ot %ll actions WereCreated *?ual

The strength and general )ad@assit'de of faction&6Cs 4aries considera)l/ from )oo! to )oo!. 8o' sho'ld

)e +re+ared to scale the strength of stoc! &6Cs to !ee+them in line with one another and +ro+erl/ cali)rated

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against the +la/er characters. The e2act le4el of +ower isa 'estion of how long /o' e2+ect /o'r cam+aign to r'nand how /o' want their +ower to com+are to the +art/7s

+ower. For some cam+aigns; /o' want the strongest&6Cs on to+ of a mo'ntain that ta!es the +art/ a 4er/

long time to clim) )efore the/ can )e fo'ght on e'alterms. 'all/ 4alid is a cam+aign where +racticall/an/one co'ld )e ta!en o't )/ newl/@created characters ifthe latter get a l'c!/ o++ort'nit/. The easiest wa/ to scalestoc! &6Cs is to ad*'st their Action the death of thecentral character comes as something of a disa++ointmentfollowing the e2+losi4e scenes )efore it@ )'t it be.omesdramatic afterwards; )/ his final moments and the effect ithas on the characters that s'r4i4e.

/o9 Man+ MooksThe timeless 'estion. The answer de+ends on their

+'r+ose. If the moo!s are s'++osed to chase the Cs awa/from somewhere; /o' ma/ well need an infinite s'++l/.$a/ the enco'nter is s'++osed to tie '+ the +art/ for 1se'ence; more or less. 8o' need to find o't how man/moo!s will do that on a4erage. 8o' can do a littlestatistics; or /o' can tr'st o'rs. For each character; wor!o't the difference )etween her com)at s!ill Action 8o' ha4e the n'm)er of moo!s that sho'ld lasta++ro2imatel/ one se'ence. If a character has Carni4alof Carnage; then wor! o't how man/ actions the/ getass'ming a Initiati4e die roll of 3 and add col'mns in the

5 In almost all circ'mstances; the o+tim'm n'm)er of moo!s toattac! at once is 3. nl/ 'se this !nowledge for good; not e4il.Interestingl/; the a4erage n'm)er of !ills doesn7t change m'ch if/o' go for a few more. &oing for less; howe4er; has 'ite a largenegati4e im+act on /o'r !ill rate.

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GM!S GUIDE

ta)le.

For e2am+le; ta!e a 6artial Artist with an Action


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OUT FOR BLOOD

lite $uad

This fight has a)o't three to'gh &6Cs facing downthe +art/. Indi4id'all/; the/7ll )e stronger than the Cs )'tthe/ n'm)er fewer and e4ent'all/ get o4erwhelmed. The

&6Cs sho'ld ha4e Action


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GM!S GUIDE

strateg/ is that there are sim+l/ too man/ a4en'es for the+art/ to +rotect themsel4es against all of them. If the/s+read them sel4es thin; the/ ma/ ma!e )etter targets fora more con4entional assa'lt. At the 4er/ least; itenco'rages the +art/ to e2+lore means other than *'st

r'shing to the site of the +ro)lem and o+ening fire.

'ig% $takes Adventures

When the +art/ is strong; the/ )ecome in4ol4ed ine4ents that sha+e the entire $ecret War. ro)lems thatthe/ normall/ wo'ldn7t )e a)le to do an/thing a)o't fallin their reach. 6a/)e there7s some terri)le threat to theworld that onl/ the/ recognise; or +erha+s the/ are neededto +la/ a +i4otal role in +re4enting one faction fromachie4ing dominance. The +oint of high@sta!es ad4ent'resis that the/ raise the danger le4el to new heights. Not *'stin terms of the o++osition the/ face; )'t in terms of +lot

e4ents that might lead to character death. $omeone ma/need to go into the radioacti4e hell@hole to sh't down thef'sion reactor; or offer their so'l to a demon +rince ine2change for his ret'rn to Di 8'. What /o' sho'ld not do;howe4er; is +re+are a scenario where someone has to diein order for the +art/ to +re4ail. If someone does ha4e tosacrifice himself; it sho'ld )e )eca'se the +art/ dro++edthe )all earlier@ +erha+s the/ didn7t sto+ that techniciansnea!ing aro'nd to trigger the self@destr'ct s/stem; orthe/ were inca'tio's and sc'ffed the rit'al circle. The

+oint a)o't high@sta!es ad4ent'res is that small mista!esthat 's'all/ wo'ldn7t matter can ha4e 4er/ gra4econse'ences. As a side@)enefit the +la/ers ma/ )e start

)eing more ca'tio's in other ad4ent'res; which ma!esmanaging their +ower le4el easier.

Multiple Named Bad Guys

The easiest techni'e is *'st to *ac! '+ the n'm)er ofnamed )ad g'/s the/ face. $im+l/ ma!ing the enemiesmore +owerf'l is not a +anacea; as it ma/ )e at odds withthe esta)lished hea4/@hitters in the factions. 'st introd'cemore named characters of the same +ower; e4en o't@n'm)ering the Cs if necessar/. The fights ta!e longer;

)'t there is a lot more going on and a to'gher challenge

+resented to the +art/.

itual 'osing

If their enemies can7t attac! the +art/ directl/ for fearof ta!ing a serio's )eating; the/ can get snea!/. 9it'alhosing entails an/thing that ma!es it 4er/ diffic'lt for the

+la/er characters to go a)o't their )'siness; and ma/lea4e them 4'lnera)le to more con4entional attac!s.B'rning one of their Feng $h'i sites is a sim+le method;

)'t r'ns into diffic'lt/ if the +la/ers ha4e ta!en e4enr'dimentar/ ste+s to +rotect it. Arcane rit'als and c'rsesoffer an easier wa/ to attac! someone directl/ for factions

with a magical angle. A hot@dog seller wor!ing for the

B'ro ma/ sli+ an arcanoto2in into the m'stard for asimilar affect. The Ascended wo'ld +ro)a)l/ fa)ricatee4idence of serio's criminal wrong@doing to t'rn the4ictim into a f'giti4e. The/ co'ld mani+'late the +oliceinto accosting them witho't e4idence; )'t with +')lic

shaming it wo'ld ma!e life diffic'lt for them in morewa/s. In all of these forms of rit'al hosing; there are threeim+ortant things that the character wo'ld ha4e do@ findo't what is ha++ening to them; find o't who isres+onsi)le for their condition; and then +'t a sto+ to it.Beca'se of the highl/ indirect nat're of the attac!; thethird +art can )e 4er/ diffic'lt. It co'ld form the )asis of aseries of ad4ent'res d'ring the co'rse of a cam+aign.

Nat'rall/; 'ntil the +ro)lem is fi2ed the character has ama*or disad4antage that ham+ers his 's'al efficienc/. It isworth mentioning that altho'gh it ma/ )e the &67smoti4e to red'ce their +ower for a while; it sho'ld not )e

+ermanent. It sho'ld )e clear that the character will )e

restored to his 's'al +otenc/ *'st as soon as he resol4esthe +ro)lem.

Targeted Attacks

If one C in +artic'lar has earned the ire of a faction;then it is li!el/ that she will )e singled o't for s+ecialattention. (er enem/ +ro)a)l/ has am+le information onher strengths and wea!nesses to +'t together a teamtailored to )eat her that doesn7t rel/ on s'+er@+owerf'lcom)atants. This is +artic'larl/ tr'e of the B'ro and theaters of the ot's; who can field agents that are imm'neto the sort of damage the target deals o't. Ideall/; thetarget will )e am)'shed when alone; or at least a longwa/ from her allies. The onl/ chance for the target tos'r4i4e is to get hel+ from her friends; and fast.Alternati4el/; each C can ha4e a single agent sent afterhim@ and to s'r4i4e the/ m'st meet '+ and attac! eachother7s foes.

nlikely Team


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It can )e eas/; in a long@r'nning cam+aign; to do it a )it)/ rote. For a gritt/ feel; there7s nothing wrong with!ee+ing the locations and st'nts relati4el/ m'ndane. Thenagain; e4en the grittiest cam+aign s'ffers aro'nd a)o'tthe time of the eighth fight in a nondescri+t wareho'se.

The im+ortant thing is to tr/ to ma!e e4er/ ma*orfight scene different and 'ni'e in some wa/.Inconse'ential fights don7t need this effort as m'chaltho'gh the/ still )enefit from it )'t the final enco'nterof a session sho'ld alwa/s ha4e something to set it a+artfrom all the fights that ha4e gone on )efore. There arese4eral things to consider.

Where is it Goin( ,o9nWhere; e2actl/; is the fight ta!ing +lace? $ome

locations a'tomaticall/ lend themsel4es to e2citing fights;

whereas others need a little more effort to ma!e themshine. Thin! a)o't how the location can ma!e adifference to what st'nts the +la/ers might tr/ and whato)*ects ma/ )e aro'nd for their 'se. Is there some

+re4ailing danger in the location; s'ch as a long dro+?

Who *lse is )here$ome locations are +ac!ed with )/@standers; which

the no)le +la/ers ma/ do their )est to +rotect. In crowdedareas; an/ !ind of ranged attac! has +otential for goinghorri)l/ awr/. If the area isn7t 4er/ crowded; are there still

+assers@)/ that might call the +olice or get into tro')le?$ome )/@standers might ta!e e2ce+tion to a fight )rea!ingo't in their )ar or o'tside their ho'se and wade into thefra/ loo!ing to +'nish )oth sides. In some +laces; the )/@standers go armed as a matter of co'rse and ma/ mista!ea contretem+s in the secret war for ri4als attac!ing them.

What *lse is Goin( 0nThe world doesn7t sto+ *'st )eca'se a life or death

fight is ta!ing +lace. Doc!/ards; stations and air+orts arealmost alwa/s )'s/; an/ time of the da/ or night; and with

so man/ +eo+le tr/ing to get their *o)s done it7s ine4ita)lethat it interferes in the fight somehow. 4en if e4er/onescreams and flees when the first A)omination catches fire;machiner/ ma/ )e left r'nning dangero'sl/ 'nattended.

What 6rops %re )heref co'rse; what the +la/ers will )e immediatel/

interested in is what the/ can find to smash o4er theirenemies7 heads. Which is not to sa/ that /o' sho'ld dotheir wor! for them in sa/ing what is there; )'t /o' canlet them !now if there7s something slightl/ o't of the

ordinar/ or +artic'larl/ interesting the/ can 'se. Fore2am+le; fight scenes often get a lot more interesting if

the/ are on two le4els; so /o' co'ld descri)e a resta'rantas )eing s+lit@le4el or descri)e the coaching inn7s sta)le asha4ing a ha/ loft to *'m+ into and r'n riot in. AccidentsWaiting To (a++en; in cha+ter ; also fall in this categor/.

Weather and Conditionsathetic fallac/ is a term for when; in fiction; the

weather reflects the mood of the scene or a character. It7sfor this reason that )itter )etra/als often ta!e +lace inhea4/ rain. #nli!e real life; /o' can change the weather tomatch what is going on in the stor/. reci+itation andtem+erat're can ma!e a )ig difference to a scene. Fog canma!e ranged wea+ons ne2t to 'seless. Ice can ma!e an/s'dden mo4ement a +erilo's affair. 4en the dra))estfight scene can )e li4ened '+ )/ some inclement weather.

Skills and SchticksAnother thing to )ear in mind is how the location

interacts with the Cs7 and &6Cs7 s!ills and schtic!s. Al'2'r/ car showroom is a +la/gro'nd for someone withdri4ing schtic!s. A location filled with e2+losi4es or tan!sof com)'sti)le gas is a good +lace to ta!e +/romaniacsorcerers. 8o' can e4en tailor fight scenes to the

+artic'lar strengths of wea!nesses of characters; which is+racticall/ g'aranteed to ma!e it memora)le forsomeone.

%rt I!itates i&eA good wa/ to +ass the time when /o'7re )ored is toloo! aro'nd /o'r s'rro'ndings for ins+iration for fights inFeng $h'i. 8o' ma/ thin! that /o' can list all theinteresting as+ects of a fight in a li)rar/; with )oo!s;ladders and ta)les; )'t if /o'7re act'all/ stood in one /o'can start to see +otential st'nts /o' wo'ldn7t otherwisethin! of. F'll shel4es offer concealment )'t scant

+rotection from )'llets. 6o4a)le shel4ing co'ld +ro4idean e2cellent wa/ of ta!ing o't a doEen moo!s in one go.Act'all/ standing in a +lace /o' might 'se for a f't'refight scene can gi4e /o' e2tra insight as to how the fightmight loo! and what co'ld go on there.

,on't Gild the il+Don7t tr/ to +'t too m'ch into each fight scene. A

few no4el elements are eno'gh. If /o' tr/ to +'t too m'chin; then not onl/ do good ideas not get a fair chance to )ef'll/ de4elo+ed; )'t /o' will ine4ita)l/ forget a)o't someas+ect d'ring the fight and end '+ loo!ing a little foolish.Two or three 'ni'e attri)'tes mil!ed for all the/ areworth is )etter than half a doEen that are )arel/ 'sed.

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GM!S GUIDE

Sa=e it or the -i( i(htAn 'nfort'natel/ error is to come '+ with an e2tra@

s+ecial location for a fight then s'ander it on a shortt'ssle with a gro'+ of moo!s half@wa/ thro'gh the

session. What is m'ch )etter is to rewrite the session sothe )est location is 'sed for the most climactic fight.

)/* G00,@ )/*-%,@ %, )/*

7ne of the first things a &6 needs to decide in her

cam+aign isG what sort of tone do I want to set for the

game? 6an/ +la/ers and &6s ali!e ha4e fo'nd that Fengeasil/ lends itself to a fast@+aced and light@hearted @+erha+s e4en slightl/ sill/ @ cam+aign. (owe4er; with as/stem as fle2i)le as this; itPs eas/ to e2+eriment withdifferent st/les; from light and fl'ff/ to grim and gritt/.There7s also nothing that sa/s that the tone can7t 4ar/considera)l/ d'ring the co'rse of a cam+aign@ or e4end'ring a single session. After all; (ong =ong action filmsfre'entl/ mi2 melodrama and farce.

An eas/ wa/ to set the tone of an ad4ent're is in thecharacter of the NCs and factions that /o'r +la/ersenco'nter; and to that end weP4e +resented /o' with someideas for the ma*or factions in different wa/s. If /o'intend for one faction to )e sometimes allies of the +art/;then /o' generall/ want to +ortra/ them as mores/m+athetic as the forces the +art/ allies with themagainst. #nless; of co'rse; /o'Pre one of those&6s wholi!es inflicting horri)le moral dilemmas '+on their

+la/ers. 8eah; /o' loo!ed li!e the t/+e.

Note that the different sides +resented here are notnecessaril/ m't'all/ e2cl'si4e. The ammers can )e /o'r

)osom )'ddies when the/Pre hel+ing /o' fight the ot's;onl/ to t'rn into im+laca)le enemies when /o'r own Feng$h'i site wor!s its wa/ to the to+ of otem!inPs hit list.8o' can e4en switch tone right in the middle of a session;

ta!ing ad4antage of /o'r +la/ers7 com+lacenc/.Note as well that the descri+tions of the factions

+resented )elow are; +erforce; 4er/ )rief s!etches. achfactionPs so'rce)oo! see %he Boo4s; earlier has far moredetails a)o't the ins and o'ts of each Faction; and can

+ro4ide e2cellent s'++ort for tailoring them to the s+ecificneeds of /o'r cam+aign.

)he *aters o& the otus'he !ood:The ot's are a +ower@within@a@+ower; a

slight glimmer of meritocrac/ with an Im+erial s/stem as

their +'++et. When it comes down to it; their methods are

not reall/ m'ch worse than an/ other +owerf'l force oftheir era. &ao :hang and his cronies are am)itio's; )'tthe/ are not st'+id. The/74e seen slices of com+letel/different worlds; and ha4e come to realise that theorthodo2/ the/ !now is not the onl/ wa/ things can )e.

'he $ad:ot's sorcerers are demon@worshi++ingmonsters; who m'tilate themsel4es in horrific wa/s for ane2tra glimmer of +ower. The/ 'nleash 'nimagina)le

s'+ernat'ral horrors on innocent +easants to maintaintheir +ower )ase; witho't a single tho'ght for the massi4eloss of life. &ao :hang himself is a +aranoidmonomaniac; who e2ec'tes on the s+ot an/one he

)elie4es to )e cons+iring against him; no matter howflims/ the e4idence.

'he %unn0:ot's sorcerers are s'ea!/@4oicedconfidence tric!sters; scamming ha+less +easant fol!tame monsters; smo!e and mirrors. Their fondness foro4er@the@to+ gloating is onl/ matched )/ their ca+acit/ tos'ander a strong +osition )eca'se of it. Their demonicminions; while initiall/ frightening; are not the shar+esttools in the )o2 and can )e as m'ch of a lia)ilit/ as anasset.

)he Guidin( /and'he !oodG In a land shot thro'gh with corr'+tion

and miser/; the/ see! to )ring order thro'gh disci+lineand merc/. China is a tro')led land in danger of losing itsso'l; and the (and stri4e to deli4er it from its torment.The/ !now that good men will lose their li4es in the

+rocess; )'t are +re+ared to sho'lder that res+onsi)ilit/ ifit means +re4enting a )igger death toll.

'he $adG The &'iding (and are wild@e/ed fanaticswith an irrational hatred of an/thing the/ consider

%0

,uels and Challen(es A0ptional RuleWhen one named &6C or C calls o't a different

named &6C or C; it is a declaration of a one@on@onecontest of +rowess. If the challenge is acce+ted; an/attem+ts )/ other characters to interfere with the fightinc'r a @" Action


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c'lt'rall/ im+'re. The/ ha4e no com+'nction a)o'tthrowing the )a)/ o't with the )athwater. An/ sign ofinfl'ence from o'tside China; e4en medicines; isr'thlessl/ stam+ed o't. Those that 7colla)orate7 withforeigners are fair game; no matter how innoc'o's their

association.'he %unn0:&'iding (and agents are +olite; strong

in !'ng f'; and 'tterl/ )affled )/ an/ modern technolog/.The/ do not !now the difference )etween a wea+on and achild7s to/. The/ +reface an/ attac! the/ ma!e with asho't descri)ing what attac! the/ are ma!ing; /ieldingsignificant strategic ad4antage. When +ressed to 'se a

+iece of modern technolog/; the/ often gras+ the generalidea; )'t not the s+ecifics. The/ ma/; for e2am+le; enter alift onl/ to dial a tele+hone n'm)er on the )'ttons andstart s+ea!ing lo'dl/ into the emergenc/ +hone.

)he %scended'he !ood:The/ are +eo+le li!e /o'O ass'ming /o'

come from the contem+orar/ *'nct're. The/ li!e the samefilms; listen to the same m'sic; and are generall/ closer tohome than the other factions. The/ ma/ r'n things )ehindthe scenes; )'t in the interests of ma!ing life comforta)lefor themsel4es the/74e made the world +rett/ comforta)lefor most +eo+le. The/ ha4e no interest in doing someonea )ad t'rn 'nless the/ ha4e to as +art of one of their +lans.

'he $ad:$o /o'7re h'man? To'gh )rea!@ /o' don7tmatter. The Ascended won7t )at an e/elid if /o' die in

agon/; as long as their +lans aren7t '+set. ('man miser/ isa small +rice to +a/ for; well; an/thing. The/7ll schemeagainst one another witho't a moment7s tho'ght for who7llget ca'ght in the middle. The #ns+o!en Name is *'st thesame; e2ce+t he7s +la/ing for !ee+s. And if /o' ha++en to

)e a Transformed Animal /o'rself? Death is too good fortraitors.

'he %unn0: The Ascended r'n the world onl/ intheor/. In +ractice; the world is too f'll of differentagencies and gro'+s with their own agendas. The/ areo4erfond of cons+iratorial drama@ rel/ing on codewords;cloa! and dagger +lo/s and all !inds of other shenanigans.A good half of their +lans fail )eca'se of internal +oliticsand friendl/ sa)otage.

)he %rchitects o& the lesh'he !ood:The +eo+le of "5, li4e li4es free of

+re*'dice; +o4ert/ or crime. Tho'gh man/ of thestandards of P5, life seem wrong to o'r e/es; the citiEensof the f't're are gen'inel/ ha++/ with their lot. 4er/oneis e'al; e4er/one is free; and e4en the dar!est monstersof the #nderworld ha4e )een +'t in harness for the greatergood. ohann Bonengel is an entirel/ )ene4olent dictator;who gen'inel/ cares for the well@)eing of his s')*ects.

'he $ad:The +eo+le of "5, li4e li4es free of

o++ort'nit/; choice; or ho+e. 4er ninet/@eight +er cent ofthe worldPs +o+'lation has )een )rainwashed into )lindo)edienceO an/one who shows the merest hint of )einga)le to resist 4anishes witho't a trace. The B'ro is anarm/ of *ac!)ooted sadists; )ac!ed '+ )/ A)ominations

that co'ld )rea! their )onds and go on the ram+age at an/moment. Bonengel is wilf'll/ )lind to the fact that hePs)ecome the 4er/ thing that he hated. Boatman is a sens'alegotist; and to t'rn down his attentions is to 4ol'nteer forhis latest e2+eriment.

'he %unn0:The B'ro are; well; the 'ltimateB'rea'crats; with comical *argon to co4er e4er/ tri4ialas+ect of life; and an 4erest of +a+erwor! )etween themand an/one the/ co'ld concei4a)l/ tr/ and o++ress.Bonengel himself is +reocc'+ied with finding new wa/sto legislate his +eo+le7s ha++iness; and C'rtis Boatman isfar more concerned with testing his new chees/ chat@'+lines than with doing 4il Things With $cience.

)he a!!ers'he !ood:The ammers are a *oll/ )'nch of g'ng@

ho freedom fighters; stri4ing to free h'manit/ from thet/rann/ of Chi. Battlechim+ otem!in is a dedicated;charismatic leader who !nows and lo4es e4er/one in hisorganisation and cares +assionatel/ a)o't doing the rightthing )/ h'man !ind. (e !nows that innocent cas'altiescan7t )e a4oided and has hardened himself against that sadfact.

'he $ad:The ammers are mad as a )o2 of soa+/frogs; and the/Pll let nothing stand in their wa/ of a Chi@free world. The/ either )'/ into the Battlechim+7s agendaloc!; stoc! and )arrel or are *'st along for the ride and the

)ig e2+losions. The/7ll high fi4e each other for a good *o)while watching ci4ilians dancing in agon/ in the flames.Battlechim+ otem!in is a nihilistic socio+ath; whoPll

)'rn the world to gain the )riefest release from the agon/of his e2istence.

'he %unn0:The ammers are )ig on enth'siasm; )'tshort on com+etence. The/ are *'st as li!el/ to )lowthemsel4es '+ as other +eo+le; and when the/ do; theworst that an/one s'ffers is a )lac!ened face andsmo'ldering hair. The/ ha4e short attention s+ans and caneasil/ )e misdirected with a sa44/ comment.

)he our Monarchs'he !ood:The 6onarchs +ro4ide food; shelter and

+'r+ose for h'ndreds of Netherworld deniEens; whowo'ld otherwise ha4e a)sol'tel/ no wa/ to s'++ortthemsel4es. The/ +ro4ide des+eratel/ needed sta)ilit/ tothe societ/ of the Inner =ingdom. osing their world hasmade them more reflecti4e and less )elligerent. The/74ecome to realise what life is li!e when /o'7re not on to+ of

the +ile; and are more moral as a res'lt.

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'he $ad: The 6onarchs are a )light '+on theNetherworld; forcing its deniEens into indent'redser4it'de and destro/ing an/ chance of a ne'tral; thri4ingcomm'nit/ s+ringing '+. The/ are )itter at the lossthe/74e s'ffered; and will sacrifice an/thing and

e4er/thing *'st to get a taste of that +ower again@ e4entheir h'manit/.

'he %unn0:The/7re a )'nch of arrogant has@)eanswith minions that are all one@tric! +onies in ridic'lo'scost'mes. The/ ha4en7t 'ite come to terms with theirred'ced circ'mstances; often +romising dire +'nishmentsthe/ ha4e no means of enforcing. When their im+otence is

drawn to their attention; the/ )ecome +et'lant li!e thes+oiled children the/ are.

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1illains

M%IG VI%ISM*M0R%-*

Not e4er/ &6C the +la/ers enco'nter needs to )e arare and s+ecial *ewel; )'t the more of them /o' can gi4ea definite character to the )etter. $')tle elements sho'ld

)e a4oided. (ow li!el/ is it reall/ that a s')tlecharacteristic e4en gets noticed )ased on a few s+o!enlines and a fight scene? Feng $h'i is )ased on actionfilms; so there is no s'ch thing as too corn/. F'nn/ 4oicesand +h/sical disfig'rements are 'ic! and eas/ wa/s toget some character. Tics and ner4o's ha)its do *'st aswell.

The snea!iest wa/ to de4elo+ the character of a&6C is to introd'ce them to the +art/ )efore the/ ha4e tofight them. A hostile e2change of words at a di+lomatic

)an'et; where no@one wants to start a fight; can ser4e tointrod'ce a &6C with great Vlan. 9emem)er; /o' wantthe Cs to a)sol'tel/ loathe the +rinci+al 4illains in /o'rstor/@ the more heino's acts /o' can show to the +la/ersthe )etter. 9emem)er the con4ention of action films@ the

friends and famil/ of heroes e2ist onl/ to get!illedH!idna++edHtort'redHeaten )/ the 4illains. It so'ndsharsh; )'t it7s tr'e. 'st don7t do it too lightl/ or too often@it sho'ld sting e4er/ time.

nce e2cellent wa/ to ma!e a &6C stic! o't is togi4e them schtic!s with a 4er/ narrow +'r+ose. la/erscharacters generall/ need to )e 4ersatile in their choice ofa)ilities; )'t a &6C who e2ists solel/ for one fight has noneed to. Three schtic!s in Both &'ns BlaEing and twosignat're $te/r A#&s? Wh/ not? Three ightning 9eloadschtic!s and a signat're sni+er rifle? &o to town>

**6IG VI%IS%IV*

If /o' want a 4illain to )e the Big Bad for acam+aign; it can )e a little diffic'lt to !ee+ them ali4e.la/ers can )e 4er/ direct; Feng $h'i +la/ers do')l/ so;and if the/ sense that the 4illain might )e getting awa/the/ will tr/ *'st a)o't an/thing to ta!e him down forgood. There are se4eral wa/s to com)at this. Firstl/; agood dose of Ine4ita)le Come)ac! does wonders if the4illain is a)le to o)tain it. $econdl/; /o' can gi4e the

+la/ers an e2cellent reason to !ee+ him ali4e@ +erha+s

the/ need information he !nows or there is some dreadf'lconse'ence of his death. The/ will tr/ to ca+t're andincarcerate him; definitel/; )'t /o' sho'ld feel no g'ilto4er ha4ing him esca+e or )e resc'ed whene4er the/ ta!etheir e/es off him e4en for a moment. 6ethod three is toma!e him s'fficientl/ to'gh that the/ sim+l/ can7t !illhim; or that attem+ting to do so )efore the/74e im+ro4edthro'gh e2+erience wo'ld )e most 'nwise. Tactic fo'r isto !ee+ him o't of reach; acting )ehind the scenes. Thecharacters ma/ !now his name and hate his g'ts; )'t

the/74e ne4er act'all/ seen him. (e ma/ e4en secretl/ )eone of their friends or famil/. $tratagem fi4e in4ol4essome 'ni'e schtic! or artefact that he can 'se to get o'tof an/ stic!/ sit'ation.

After the 4illain has got awa/ once or twice; the+la/ers will +ro)a)l/ ha4e c'lti4ated a dee+ hatred forhim; which ma!es his e4ent'al come'++ance all thesweeter.

And sho'ld the +la/ers manage to act'all/ !ill himwhen /o' didn7t want them to? $im+l/ ha4e him ret'rn asa ghost who has Ine4ita)le Come)ac!.

VI%I0S%RC/*)76*S

If a 4illain is there *'st for one session; it can )eto'gh to flesh them o't eno'gh to )e memora)le. 4enwith a rec'rring 4illain it can )e 'sef'l to ha4e a starting

+oint for /o'r +ortra/al of them. (ere are some 'ic! anddirt/ 4illain archet/+es. For act'al statistics; /o' can ta!ea character t/+e and c'stomise it or ma!e them '+ o't ofwhole cloth.

)he -ruteThe Br'te is 'ncom+licated and amoral. (e !ills and

tort'res witho't a )ac!ward glance@ in fact he en*o/s)oth. (e lac!s the imagination to )e a tr'l/ efficienttort'rer; )'t he inflicts +ain on a whim. (e7s not smart;and he has no elegance in what he does; )'t he7s +owerf'land self@ser4ing and has no limits. If someone controlshim; he will ha++il/ do their )idding as long as he gets todo what he wants as well.

Similar .hara.ter typesG A)omination; Big Br'iser;

$'+ernat'ral Creat're.

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"ILLAINS

)he Contin(enc+ 6lanner(e has a +lan for e4er/thing.82erything. Beca'se of

this; his +lans can )e foiled an/ n'm)er of times and he7ll)o'nce )ac! with a fresh +lo/. (e7s the sort of enem/where; after /o'74e stormed his 'ndergro'nd lair; he *'stha++ens to ha4e a minis')Hroc!etHs+ace ho++er on hand toesca+e with. When he7s finall/ nailed down; it will )emost satisf/ing.

Similar .hara.ter typesG 2@$+ecial Forces;Transformed Animal.

)he ,e=ious Master!ind$ome enemies li!e to ha4e +lans within +lans. 8o'

!now /o'7re facing a De4io's 6astermind when /o'disco4er that the +lan /o'7d tho'ght /o' foiled was *'st ar'se and her real goal had )een achie4ed )efore /o't'rned '+ with e2+losi4es. 8o' can ne4er )e s're e2actl/what her +lan is; which ma!es it diffic'lt to foil her.Crossing swords with her is an e2ercise in fr'stration.

Similar .hara.ter typesG &olden Candle Agent;Taoist WiEard; Thief.

53

Great Villain Sa+in(s

(istor/ will 4indicate 's.XIt7s almost a +it/ /o' won7t li4e to s ee it.X

Fools> I7ll destro/ them all>XAll /o' ha4e fo'nd is /o'r doom>X9'n> 9'n li!e the insects /o' are>XBe than!f'l that I ha4e more im+ortant matters to attend to than /o'r deaths.XFl/; m/ +retties ; fl/>X8o' are an o)s tacle that m'st )e remo4ed.X8o'r antics no longer am'se me.XWe follow the +ath of righteo'snessO we shed no tears for those that ta!e onl/ one ste+ along it.XThe ends *'stif/ the means.XIf /o' are not with 's; /o' are against 's.X'rs is a world of order. An/ threat to that order m'st )e annihilated.Xerha+s; in other circ'mstances; we co'ld ha4e )een friends.XFor all /o'r shallow indignation; /o' !now in /o'r heart of hearts that in m/ +osition /o' wo'ld ha4e done

e2actl/ the same thing.Xne mo4e and the !itten gets it>XIt7s too late for me change m/ +ath now. I m'st follow it to the end.XCome an/ closer and I7ll )low this whole +lace '+>XI can taste /o'r fear. 2'isite.XNot )ad; for a h'man.X=ee+ loo!ing o4er /o'r sho'lder.X8o'r com+assion is /o'r wea!ness.X8o' win this ro'nd...XIf /o' !ill me now; /o' will ne4er !now the tr'th a)o't .XI sho'ld ha4e !illed /o' all when I had the chance>XI wo'ld ha4e got awa/ with it too; if it weren7t for /o' meddling Dragons>X

$ometimes one m'st sacrifice a little li)ert/ to get a little sec'rit/.XThis is o'r world. 8o' *'st li4e here.Xh; what I7m going to do to /o'...XAre /o' still here?XNo. I e2+ect /o' to die.X8o' ma/ ha4e )eaten me; )'t /o' are too late to s to+ m/ +lan>XWait. I want to sa4o'r this moment. In /ears to come; I want a 4er/ clear memor/ of the da/ I !illed /o'.X$'r+rise>Xnce again we meet in mortal com)at; two )lossoms circling one another on their descent. Which of 's will to'ch

the gro'nd first; I wonder?XThis will )e the last time we meet.XAn/ last words?X


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)he *;cita"le GeniusThe 2cita)le &eni's is astonishingl/ gifted; )'t

rather 'nsta)le. (e is ca+a)le of )reath@ta!ing feats ofscience and engineering /et forgetf'l when it comes to

loc!ing his la) door. As an enem/; the geni's harang'esthe +la/ers a)o't their +itif'l intellects e4en while the/are gi4ing him a thoro'gh +asting. (e is something of anidiot sa4ant@ incredi)l/ talented in one field )'t ho+elessin others. The/ are t/+icall/ an integral +art of someoneelse7s +lan altho'gh the/ can )e +rinci+al antagonists intheir own right.

Similar .hara.ter typesG Criminal 6astermind;&earhead; Techie.

)he allen /ero

The Fallen (ero might ha4e )een a good g'/ once.(e was honest and caring; )'t all it got him was athoro'gh shafting. The losses and )etra/als he7s s'fferedo4er the /ears ha4e made him )itter; c/nical and self@ser4ing. In +artic'lar; he hates heroic characters )eca'sethe/ remind him on himself when he was 7wea!er7. Thefallen hero is an interesting 4illain to introd'ce )eca'se ofthe !inshi+ Cs ma/ feel with him; e4en as he dismissesthem as naZ4e and idealistic.

Similar .hara.ter typesG All of them.

)he orce o& atureThis is the !ind of o++onent who has no time for

words. (e is totall/ committed to his tas!; and won7t e4ens+are an ins'lt )efore fighting. This dedication can )e'ite dist'r)ing. The 's'al niceties; s'ch as letting /o'renem/ !now /o'7re a)o't to tr/ to crac! their s!'ll li!e ano4erri+e melon; are not o)ser4ed.

Similar .hara.ter typesG &olem; =iller; 6artialArtist.

)he Sa=a(e )ask!aster#nli!e man/ other 4illains; the tas!master chooses to

wor! with a +ool of ser4ants he controls 4er/ closel/rather than delegating or doing things himself. It7s not thathe7s inca+a)le so m'ch as he sees no reason to doan/thing he can get others to do. T/+icall/ he treats hisminions with cr'elt/ and )r'talit/; which ma/ well +'thim the frame for horri)le +a/)ac! f'rther down the line.(e7s not e2actl/ st'+idO he7s *'st 4er/ arrogant and 4er/s're of the control he has o4er his ser4ants.

Similar .hara.ter typesG $haolin 6aster; $orcerer;[)er@!id.

)he r"ane 6s+chopathThe #r)ane s/cho+ath is the total +ac!age@ smart;

mani+'lati4e; +ro)a)l/ fearsome in com)at and ca+a)leof an/ act of 4illain/. $he is 'ite '+@front a)o't herself;

ma/)e e4en )oasting a)o't her terri)le acts. If /o' want a4illain who can )e +ointlessl/ cr'el; or )etra/ +eo+le *'st

)eca'se she can get awa/ with it; this is the wa/ to go.$he ma/ not e4en )e recognised initiall/ as an enem/;

+artic'larl/ if the +la/ers are her 'nwitting d'+es to )eginwith. $he is the t/+e of 4illain who; after ta!ing a lo4edone hostage to ens're a character7s com+liance; !ills thehostage as soon as the character has left on his errand

)eca'se it7s *'st more con4enient that wa/.

Similar .hara.ter typesG 6as!ed A4enger; ledgedAgent; $+/.

1ILLAI* I*'-LLI!-*C- 'A$L-

!nt& 4eha5iour

1@" Follows sim+le instr'ctions and instincts.Basicall/ onl/ animal intelligence.

3@% nemies this d'm) fall eas/ +ra/ to o)4io'stra+s@ in fact the/ +ro)a)l/ wo'ldn7t e4en'nderstand the tra+ if it was +ointed o't to them.The/ fight slo++il/ with no real sense of strateg/.

5@, Normal intelligence. The/ still fall for most tra+s;)'t the/ at least fight with some disci+line 'ntilthe/7re +'shed o'tside what the/ !now how todeal with.

-@ Not onl/ do most tra+s fail to s'c!er them in; )'tthe/7ll )e la/ing tra+s of their own andim+ro4ising st'nts and co'ntermeas'res againsttheir enemies. nl/ the weirdest o++osition

)rea!s their concentration.

0@1 8o' ha4e to get '+ 4er/ earl/ to get the )etter ofthem; and some of their own tactics are 'ite

)rilliant. The/ can ada+t to an/ o++osition;s'+ernat'ral or otherwise; witho't losingefficienc/.

11J Whate4er the +la/ers s+ring on them; the/7ll sa/ 7I

e2+ected that7 and as long as /o' !ee+ a straightface while /o' sa/ it the +la/ers will )'/ it. 8o'can ma!e +racticall/ an/thing +art of their master

+lan retroacti4el/.

VI%II)*IG*C*

For most enemies in Feng $h'i; an/ attri)'tes otherthan those 'sed in com)at are +rett/ red'ndant. (owe4er;/o' can 'se their Intelligence attri)'te as a g'ide to how

smart the/ are when the/ fight. B/ considering a

5%


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"ILLAINS

character7s intelligence when r'nning a fight; /o' canma!e smart enemies m'ch more dangero's than st'+id

)'t strong ones.

In +artic'lar; /o' can gi4e a gro'+ of namedcharacters a leader with higher intelligence than theothers. (e can get the others to fight effecti4el/ as long as

he is a)le to lead; ma!ing the fight to'gher. Ta!ing himo't of the +ict're hel+s win the fight; )'t it also gi4essco+e for less com)at@orientated characters to throw himoff his stride )/ distracting him or gagging him with ata)le@cloth. A similar +rinci+le co'ld a++l/ with moo!s@

)'t moo!s are so eas/ to dis+ose of an/wa/ that it7s'nli!el/ the +la/ers wo'ld notice an/ difference.

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August 41

%he rain lashed against the roof, running in

trea.herous ri2ers underneath pipes and around air

.onditioners %he s>uall had gone berser4 while we

were downstairs, and it was 2i.ious enough to be some

unseasonal monsoon / staggered between .himney

sta.4s, struggling to .oa$ bullets into the .hambers of

my re

out_for_blood_1.0

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