Martial Artists of the Song Dynasty

RPGPundit · January 09, 2024, 03:47:39 PM

Issue 3 of The Pundit Files is now available on the Red Room webstore! "Martial Artists of the Song Dynasty" presents a new L&D character class (usable in any OSR game) derived from the Sword & Caravan setting, and based on the real history of early martial arts of the Song Dynasty.
#ttrpg #osr #dnd

https://moordereht.com/product/pundit-files-iii-martial-artists-of-the-song-dynasty/

WERDNA · January 27, 2024, 05:45:30 PM

Is there a reason I should prevent a character of this class from utilizing the styles given in S&C? I figure one of my players would want to play this Xia type character but using the Yin-Yang or Shaolin styles.

RPGPundit · January 28, 2024, 01:02:31 AM

Quote from: WERDNA on January 27, 2024, 05:45:30 PM
Is there a reason I should prevent a character of this class from utilizing the styles given in S&C? I figure one of my players would want to play this Xia type character but using the Yin-Yang or Shaolin styles.

There's not a reason in particular, except that those schools were taught in monastic traditions or orders; a renegade martial artist with one of those schools would probably be someone who was kicked out of that particular order.

WERDNA · January 28, 2024, 01:29:52 AM

Quote from: RPGPundit on January 28, 2024, 01:02:31 AM
There's not a reason in particular, except that those schools were taught in monastic traditions or orders; a renegade martial artist with one of those schools would probably be someone who was kicked out of that particular order.

Makes sense. Getting kicked out or being a lay disciple that returns to secular life should be believable then.
Oh, while I was satisfied with the product I was a little sad there was no Zui Quan.

Trond · January 28, 2024, 02:46:28 PM

The Song Dynasty is interesting in general; very often overlooked because it never extended as far some other dynasties, it was possibly China at its most progressive, technologically speaking. There was a lot of martial arts, spying, secret societies etc etc, stuff you might use in a Japanese setting in a later period (say the 1600s). Personally, I also like the art of the time.

RPGPundit · January 28, 2024, 11:22:20 PM

Quote from: WERDNA on January 28, 2024, 01:29:52 AM
Quote from: RPGPundit on January 28, 2024, 01:02:31 AM
There's not a reason in particular, except that those schools were taught in monastic traditions or orders; a renegade martial artist with one of those schools would probably be someone who was kicked out of that particular order.

Makes sense. Getting kicked out or being a lay disciple that returns to secular life should be believable then.
Oh, while I was satisfied with the product I was a little sad there was no Zui Quan.

Maybe in a future product. There's room to add more styles after all!

RPGPundit · January 28, 2024, 11:23:20 PM

Quote from: Trond on January 28, 2024, 02:46:28 PM
The Song Dynasty is interesting in general; very often overlooked because it never extended as far some other dynasties, it was possibly China at its most progressive, technologically speaking. There was a lot of martial arts, spying, secret societies etc etc, stuff you might use in a Japanese setting in a later period (say the 1600s). Personally, I also like the art of the time.

Yes. It was the most socially advanced dynasty in Chinese Imperial history, and it was the most technologically advanced society in the world (until the industrial revolution).