Monkey The Role-Playing Game By NEwt Newport. Releases for Monkey by D101 Games Monkey the Role-playing Game The Monkey Companion The Ministry of Thunder The Mandate of Heaven The Golden Book of 101 Immortals Legals Copyright © 2018 by Paul Newport All art copyright of respective artists. All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review and printing for personal use only. First Printing, 2018. D101 Games. 4 Tandle Hill Road, Royton, Oldham, Lancashire, United Kingdom. OL2 5UU. d101games.com 3 Monkey Contents 1. Introduction 6 2. The Great Cloud Race 23 3. Origins 39 4. The Journey to the West Begins 77 5. The Road to India 87 6. Ending the Journey 109 7. Narrator’s Advice 115 8. The Worlds of Monkey 137 9. If You See Buddha on the Road 155 10. The Bag of Wind 165 11. The Four Pilgrims 185 12. More Immortals 198 13. Defenders of the Dragon Empire 208 14. Bibliography 224 An Example Table Set Up 227 Immortal Sheets 228 Quick Reference 231 Index 237 Dedication This book is in memory of my late father, Derek Newport, who introduced me to the wonders of the Far East and was the inspiration for this 2nd Incarnation. Credits By NEwt Newport Editor: Paul Mitchener. Proof readers: Guy Milner, Paul Mitchener, Lynn Yin. Cover art: Jon Hodgson. Internal art: Dan Barker and Peter Frain. Personal Thanks Mark Conry, Dan Barker, Neil “Monkey’s Uncle” Gow, Lloyd Gyan, Peter Frain, Jon Hodgson, Ginger Matt, Guy Milner, Gwen Mott, Lynn Yin. Monkey 4 Kickstarter Backers This 2nd Incarnation of Monkey was made possible by the generosity of the the following people who backed the Kickstarter held in January 2016. They have my eternal thanks. LITTLE MONKEYS @symatt, Adam Longley, adumbratus, Alice Peng & Brandon Powers, Andrew Cook, Andrew Loch, Andrew Nitins, Andy L, Ben Stewart, Benjamin “BlackLotos” Welke, Bethany Cai, Bob Harrison, Bruce Heroux, Carl LeCompte, Carl Rigney, Chen Li Ho, Chris Vogler, Chris Westbrook, Christopher Tomich, Chronas, Cris Ramon, Danacea, Daniele Fusetto, David Dorward, David Inker, David Wolf, David-Jon, djkizza, Dom Hero Ellis, Don Penney, Doug Grimes, Echo Vents Books, Erica Frank, Evan B. Walters, F, Fearchar Battlechaser, Frederic Ferro, Gnome Archiviste, Gordon Stephen, Hao Zhang, Iain Chapman, Ignatius Montenegro, in memory of Bruce Hoover, itarun, jamie, Jarvis Mishler, Jason B Smith, Jerry Leeper, John DiPietro, Jonathan Korman, Josh Fox, K.L.Svarrogh, Kargrieg, Kenny Beecher, Lester Ward, Månlufsen, Mark Caldwell, Mark Leymaster of Grammarye, Martin Sonnleitner, Matias N. Caruso, Matt Nixon, Matthew Brady, Michael O’Brien, Michael P.T. Hartwell, Michal Kociak, Mikailos, nekomata29, Nicebut Jim, Nick Bate, Nick Davison, Nick Reynolds, Ozzy Beck, Patrice Mermoud, Paul Bendall, Paul DeMartino, Paul Hayes, Paul Watson, Pete Lindsay, Peter Baldwin, Peter Metcalfe, Pyke van Zon, Rafu, Reverance Pavane, Richard Stephens, Ronald F Whitehead, Saajan Patel, Sage Brush, Shane Mclean, Simon Brake, Siobhan Morris, Sophia Brandt, Star West, Steve Moore, Stew Wilson, Svend Andersen, The Roach, Thomas (Sandy) Boulton, Tianlong, Tim Westlake, Tom Hoefle, Tony Love, Ulf “McWolfe” Andersson, Vaughan Cockell, Zachari Dahran. BIG MONKEYS ***Dave Hill, Adrian Smith, Aimes Hyde, Akhad, Al Billings, Aleph, Alexander X. Lopez, Alistair Dandy, Andy Edwards, Andy Sangar, Andy Smith, Áron Péterfy, Bill Carter, Bonzai Kitten, Cameron Tudball, Chris Hartford, Colin Driver, Daniel Norton, Dave Maple, Dave ‘Wintergreen’ Harrison, Dawid “Dievas” Wojcieszynski, Dominic McDowall - Cubicle 7, Felix Girke, Fil ‘Tiny Ted’ Baldowski, Francis Gene-Rowe, James Cherry-McDonough, Janine M., Jeremy Bohan, John Evans, John LaCorte, John Wilson, Jon Hodgson, Lakshman Godbole, Lord Hennamono, Louis Kolkman, Marcus Morgan, Mark Kernow, Matt “Goober” Bleasdale, Mendel Schmiedekamp, Menotomy Dave, Mike Quintanilla, Mike Roberson, Mikel L. Matthews Jr, Monkey King, Neil Smiht, Nick Colombo, Nick Eden, Nik Whitehead, Nutch the Love Monkey, Oliver Morris, Ollie Gross, Ota Ulc, Paul Gallagher, Rachel “Starbuck” Johnson, Red Dice Diaries, Richard Gant, Robert Corr, Robert Fahrney, Ryan McConnell, Sacha Ratcliffe, Sam Watson, Scott Akers, Sean Lincoln, Simon Brunning, Simon Proctor, Stephen Thomson, Steve Hammatt, Stewart Stansfield, Stuart Rabson, The Fox, Thomas Eifried, Thomas Schlüter, Tim Ellis, Tim Evans, Trip Space-Parasite, Violet Cinnamon, Whitt., William Sked, Willykaceres, Xiao Houzi. 5 Monkey BRASS MONKEYS Adam M. Coleman, Andreas “Oracle” Deicke, Andrew Anfora, Andrew Dacey, Andy Jacobs, Anonymous, Becky Smith, Bhelliom Demian Rahl, Brad Munn, Bruce Ferrie, Bruce Turner, Caribet, Carol L Johnson, Chiu, Chen-Hsun, Chris Heath, Chris Vian, Christer Edling, Christophe Dubreuil, Curt Meyer, Darren Buckley, Darren Burrows, Darren Happens, david allan finch, David Chandler, David E. Dalton, David Ruskin, Derek Lynch, devilmonkey, Dominic Carroll, Dr. Mitch, Duncan Rust, Edouard Contesse, Eugene “Tinman” Doherty, Eversong, G Murray, Gampopa, Graham Spearing, graham wallis, Grant Chen, Grant Potts, Guy Hoyle, Guy Milner, Gwen, Helly Dabill, Henry “PandaDad” de Veuve, HeroicCat, Iain Rudge, Jack Gulick, James Spearing, James W. Armstrong-Wood, Jamie Wheeler, Jerry D. Grayson, Jiminy, Joe Rooney, John Davies, John Lambert, John Lorinskas, John Ruddy, Jonathan Sharp, Joolz “Disciple of Eminent Mystery” Hayley, Justin “Viktorrious” Parker, Justin in Oz, Justin K, Kevin Bryant, Kevin Scully, Kevin Wales, Kim Pike, Louis Counter, Luke Parsons, Magnus Bergqvist, Mandy Yu, Mark Hayton, Martin Bailey, Martin J. Manco, Martin Pickett, Mathew Broome, Matt Ryan, Michael “spent all day eating peaches” Ordidge, Michael Stevens, Mike “Carlson” Davis, Murray Dahm, Neil Gow, Nic Bowers, Nicholas Stylianou, Nick Brooke, Nick Riggs, nik barton, Orlov, Oscar Clark, Paul David Watts, Paul Venner, Penda, Pete Bounous, Pete Shaw, Pete Tracy, Peter Aronson, Phil Harris, Philip Glass Switzerland, Phillip Bailey, pookie, Pyrodiaste, Reid “Reidzilla” San Filippo, Rich Fleider, Richard Brass, Richard Harrison, Richard ‘Vidiian’ Greene, Robert “Jefepato” Dall, Roger Hall, Run TMC, Scott Kelly, Shinya HANATAKA, Simon Jones, Stephen A Turner, Stephen L McMorland, Steve “The Bard” Latour, Steve N, Steve Weekes, Swordnut Radio, Todd Dowling. SILVER MONKEYS Brandon, Eini, Lloyd *Luminous Hurricane* Gyan, Nathanael Rouillard, Niclas Lindgren, Paul Huey Hubbard, Phil Hibbs. GOLD MONKEYS Andrew Smith, Bryce Undy, Dr. Donald A. Turner, Gianni Vacca, Ginger Matt, Greg, Tracey, Sam & Holly, Jeff ‘Fin’ Kattau, Morgan Davies, Morgan Hazel, Mr C, Sal Puma, Sifu Guy Edward Larke, Simon Clark. RETAIL Patriot Games, Sphärenmeisetrs Spiele, Games and Stuff. MONKEY ART BACKERS The following backers either suggested or sponsored the following pieces of art: • Jeff ‘Fin’ Kattau, page 1, “The Pilgrims.” • Glanni Vacca and Greg Hurst, page 9, “Monkey at the End of the Universe.” • Simon Clark & Paul Hubbard, page 23 “The Great Cloud Race.” • Andrew Smith, page 57 “The General of Cats.” • Morgan Davis, page 75 “Monkey Steals the Peaches of Immorality.” • Niclas Lindgren page 95 “The Pilgrims Cross the River.” • Daffi Lowe, page 121 “Pigsy rides the Flightless Bird.” • Donald A. Turner, page 137 “The Queen Mother of the West.” • Lloyd *Luminous Hurricane* Gyan. page 163 “The Spider Demon Queen” • Phil Hibbs, page 173 “The Rat Demon Bandit.” Monkey 6 Introduction 1. Introduction The story of the Stone Monkey A new day dawns high upon an ancient mountain. From a stone egg, a fully-formed Stone Monkey is born. Immortal watchers report this auspicious event to the Jade Emperor, ruler of the Western Heaven. The Stone Monkey is bold and energetic and goes on to lead the other monkeys to the Water Curtain Mountain. By being the first to leap the high waterfall and see what is at the top, he becomes their King. Life in the Water Curtain Mountain is idyllic, but after decades of bliss, the Monkey King becomes restless. “What is it, our Lord?” his old monkey advisers ask. “I am the ruler of all that I see, but one day I will be dead and forgotten,” the Monkey King anxiously replies. “I have heard that in the human lands, there are Taoist Sages who know the Secret of Immortality,” says one of the old monkeys. “Excellent! Then I shall find such a Sage, who will be sure to teach me. I will need not fear death, and you will not need fear the loss of your beloved King, my little monkeys!” exclaims the Monkey King. Hugely excited, the Stone Monkey prepares immediately for the journey, and after saying goodbye leaves his subjects for the lands of humans. If, gentle reader, you wish to learn what becomes of the restless Monkey King, his quest for immortality and the trouble into which it got it him, then please read on. Monkey the Role-playing Game takes its inspiration from the 16th century Chinese novel Journey to the West by Wu Cheng’en. In the West, it is more commonly known as Monkey, the name of its English translation by Arthur Waley (published by Penguin). The novel is one of the four great classical novels of Chinese literature (along with Water Margin, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and Dream of the Red Chamber) and has spawned numerous TV, film and comic adaptations. The story is set in a colourful version of 8th Century China, featuring immortals and locations from popular Chinese mythology, weaving a tale that is at once fantastic, satirical, action-packed and spiritual in nature. Introduction 7 Monkey the Journey to the West The novel tells the story of the exploits of the immortal Monkey King. Born from a stone egg, he rises to become ruler of the monkeys of Water Cave Mountain. Worried that he will not live forever, he leaves his little monkeys and searches the world in search of a Taoist Master who knows the secret of immortality. Finally, he meets one, the Patriarch, who takes him on as a student and he learns what he desires.