A Savage Wuxia Action Supplement by Matthew Hoeveler
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OF BREATH AND FLOW A Savage Wuxia action supplement by Matthew Hoeveler Sample file OF BREATH AND FLOW Written by Matthew Hoeveler Art Direction by Steve Spaulding A Vintonet Studios Production Special thanks to Jan "Jetty" Jetmar and Donovan"DoctorBoson" Bailey from the Unofficial Savage Worlds Discord server for design and editing assistance Image Credits: Publisher’s Choice Quality Stock Art © Rick Hershey / Fat Goblin Games Joyce Maureira, Scarlet Heroes Art Pack, JE Stock Art, Wikimedia Commons Image Portfolio © Louis Porter, Jr. Design, Jeshields TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 2 Paths 2 New Edges 3 New Hindrances 5 Fu 5 Fu Schools 6 Fu Styles 7 Wu Xing - the Five Element Cycle 13 New Limitations & Modifiers 14 New Powers 14 Traditional Martial Arts Weapons 16 Traditional Weapons Table 17 Sample file This game references the Savage Worlds game system, available from Pinnacle Entertainment Group at www.peginc.com. Savage Worlds and all associated logos and trademarks are copyrights of Pinnacle Entertainment Group. Used with permission. Pinnacle makes no representation or warranty as to the quality, viability, or suitability for purpose of this product. OF BREATH AND FLOW MYSTIC MARTIAL ARTS ACTION AND SAVAGE WUXIA ADVENTURES! Where the rules refer to a setting, a generic fantasy INTRODUCTION analogue of Classical feudal China, called the Middle Kingdom, is used. The Middle Kingdom, and these rules, There is something undeniably appealing about were originally developed as part of a setting called “The characters who, through nothing but discipline, Mandate of Heaven,” by Vintonet Studios. dedication, and focus, unlock their inner potential and become something more. Of Breath and Flow is a rule system that models one well-known example of this PATHS archetype, the “Warrior of Virtue” - Wuxia, in Chinese - who use their Cultivated Chi to accomplish supernatural In a setting that includes Mystic Wuxia, character feats. Wuxia is more than just throwing fireballs and creation should include a Step Zero, determining the leaping from tree to tree with an amazing soundtrack, Path of a character. The world that is inhabited by those of course. It is about iron clad ethical codes, flawed with Cultivated Chi is in some ways a separate world relationships, emotional entanglements, and conflicts from those who are not Cultivated. These overlapping that one can not simply punch their way out of. worlds care referred to as “Paths.” That said, the Punching bit is pretty awesome, and that’s what this document is mainly about. PATH OF RIVERS AND LAKES Characters who practice Mystic Wuxia are defined by: Characters on this Path are members of the Wulin - the • A School (which defines what styles are available, community of martial artists that are found across and what Wu Kwan Secrets can be learned) the Middle Kingdom. Characters on this Path are the • A Style (which defines what Powers they can choose only characters who can have the Arcane Background from, their Wu Xing Aspect, and their Ethics) (Mystic Wuxia). They are respected members of their Within these pages, you communities, having will find rules not just for taken their bodies and a new Arcane Background souls to a point of focus (Mystic Wuxia) but also a and dedication that only selection of these Schools, the most extraordinary Fu Styles, some Edges of people can manage. and Hindrances, and a Respected, yes, but few new Powers needed sometimes feared or hated, to support characters and depending on how the settings that take more warrior comports themself. than a slight tip of the hat A defining characteristic toward adventure classics of those on this Path is from Five Deadly Venoms Cultivated Chi, expressed to Crouching Tiger, Hidden as Arcane Background Dragon, to Flying Swords of (Mystic Wuxia). People Dragon Gate. with Cultivated Chi can Games that use these be found in all walks rules should include the of life, not only among following Setting Rules: professional warriors. The Wulin includes teachers\ • Born a Hero sifus, doctors, scholars, • Creative Combat courtiers, bandits, monks, • Fanatics priests, and even lowly TheSample High Adventure and farmers.file Any on this Fast Healing rules would path receive the Arcane not be out of place. Background (Mystic Wuxia) for free. 2 in the mind-body-spirit cycle can be an impediment to PATH OF HILLS AND VALLEYS Chi flowing freely. An Ethos is defined either by the Fu style chosen Characters on this Path are not martial artists in the same or, in the case of the Unschooled, it must be defined sense as members of the Wulin. While these characters by the player during character creation. Whatever its may well be frighteningly competent combatants, they prohibitions and goals may be, violating these strictures do not have Cultivated Chi, and are not practitioners disrupts the Character’s Chi flow. The more significant of Mystic Wuxia. They may have other types of Arcane the violation, the greater the disruption. Wherever Background, or no Arcane Background at all. Characters possible, violations should be defined in strict (if not on this Path in the Middle Kingdom have had to be numeric) terms to minimize table debate. adaptable, quick learning, and self-reliant to survive and prosper. Characters on this Path receive four • Minor violations give the character a –2 to his Fu rolls advances during character creation, and therefore start for one week as they take steps to recenter themselves. as Seasoned characters. • Major violations are more disruptive and rob them of all powers for one week of penance and meditation. • Mortal violations cause the character’s Chi balance to NEW EDGES be utterly devastated, and all powers cease to function until the hero completes some great quest or task of ARCANE BACKGROUND (MYSTIC WUXIA) enlightenment to regain it. Wuxia is not simply the ability to punch and kick with deadly proficiency, or fight with weapons, though most AUGURY styles do cover that. Wuxia (as it pertains to an Arcane Requirements: Seasoned, Fu d8+, Notice d6+ Background) is the ability to channel one’s living breath When using Divination, after completing the reading, - Cultivated Chi - by way of discipline and dedication, to roll Fu. On a Success, you gain an Insight into the subject perform supernatural feats. Kung Fu - which translates of the Divination, plus one additional Insight per raise loosely as “hard work” - is key to Mystic Wuxia, but on the roll. These Insights manifest as a moment of one’s Fu might manifest by way of any given skill. Kung realization about what is about to occur, and making Fu can easily manifest as medicine or music, rather than slight adjustments to the flow of Chi to make an event complex Sword forms or brutal body conditioning. In more or less likely. You must be within Smarts range of its essence, Kung Fu + Cultivated Chi + a driving Sense the subject of the Divination to use this ability. For the of Nobility and Honor = Wuxia. next 24 hours, as a Free action, you can spend a Benny When taking this Arcane Background, the player and an Insight to either force a reroll on something that must select a School and Style taught by that School. would affect the subject, or to force a reroll on a trait Alternatively, they can take the Unschooled Hindrance. check by the subject. With GM approval, this Arcane Background can be used to fulfill requirements for Edges as though it were DĂ NÀO INSPIRED Arcane Background (Miracles). Requirements: Novice, Fighting d8, Spirit d6, Arcane Arcane Skill: Fu (Spirit) Background (Mystic Wuxia) Power (Chi) Points: 10 As a student, this warrior is particularly inspired and Starting Powers: 2 dedicated to Fu - talented beyond even their peers in Choose one School of Fu and one style that the chosen the Path of Rivers and Lakes. The Character receives the School teaches. Pick two powers from the chosen style following bonuses, based on the Wu Xing Aspect of their (See Fu Schools, pg 6), ignoring Rank requirements chosen Style. If they also have additional styles (such (unless you have taken the Unschooled Hindrance). as by the Style Apostate Edge) they may take this Edge Fu Styles provide example trappings for powers more than once, but each time it applies to a different granted by that Style. Unschooled characters can chose Wu Xing Aspect. any trapping. Additionally, all Fu Styles have a Wu • Water: After a turn when the character did not move, Xing Aspect (See “Aspects & Trappings”), from the Five +2 to make or resist any Grapple attempts, and any Element Cycle that pervades traditional medicine and foe making a physically defined Test or Support check alchemy. Fu powers can use Trapping Synergy effects does so with a -2 penalty. from this Wu Xing Aspect as well as the Trapping of • Metal: +2 AP on melee attacks their Style, when applicable. • Wood: After a turn where the character moved but Discipline:Sample The Chi of a practitioner of Wuxia flows file did not end their movement in Melee, all attacks are in accordance with their conduct. Should a practitioner -2 to hit the Character. This lasts until the start of the violate the tenants of their Style, the resulting disruption character’s next turn. 3 • Fire: After declaring an attack, but before the attack is The monks of the Belltower seek perfection in the Chi, resolved, spend 1 Benny to add Spirit as an additional and through it, the Flesh, so as to enable them to pursue Damage dice if that attack is successful. perfection in the mind and soul. Masters of the Belltower • Earth: Rather than moving, spend 1 Benny to add can turn their Fu inward, to great advantage.