Sunday 16 June 2019

Yoon-Suin: Character Creation

"... It never fails to impress a visitor to the Yellow City that its citizens are by turns the wealthiest, most refined, and most educated people in all the world, yet at the same time capable of the most malicious cruelties and licentious depravities. Like all those whose societies are ancient and rich, they are also cynical and filled with ennui. The most singular feature of their life, which strikes any visitor the moment he arrives, is their strict hierarchical stratification, which all inhabitants obey without question..."
From the journal of Laxmi Guptra Dahl, 'Being an account of a traveller in distant places' (Yoon-Suin, Davd McGrogan)

I hope David doesn't mind me using a bit of flavour text from the excellent in-character introduction to the Purple Land. Also, this post wouldn't have been possible without the fantastic work of d4 Caltrops.

My players will be starting in the Yellow City, home of the slug-men and the teeming mass of humanity and crab-men that toil under them. I've chosen this amoral, squalid hive for several reasons:

  • It's an amoral, squalid hive that mercilessly preys on the weak, and thus gives PCs many chances to trip themselves up.
  • It's cosmopolitan and allows for no end of variety in terms of character origin and NPCs.
  • It's conveniently close to several sources of adventure (Old Town, the Gulf of Morays & the Topaz Isles) has plenty of opportunities for city adventures in and of itself, and isn't far from Lahag and Lamarakh for haunted jungle and river adventures, respectively.

These posts are going to contain a reasonable amount of basic info that most of you will know because I'm planning on incorporating all of these into some sort of booklet and my players never learn. There will be some new stuff though, I promise.

Perfect. Let us begin.

Ruxing Gao

The Basics - Attribute Scores, Class & Saves 


Attributes
We're using the standard Lamentations of the Flame Princess array here - 3d6 for each score rolled in order. You can swap two of them once you're done.

Charisma (CHA)
Gravitas, leadership and magnetism. Used to inspire loyalty in underlings and comrades.

Constitution (CON)
Hardiness and overall health. Affects your HP total, positively or negatively.

Dexterity (DEX)
Co-ordination and speed. Affects your AC total, ranged attack modifier.
 
Intelligence (INT)
In-world knowledge and mental fortitude. Affects your Languages skill and saves vs Magic.

Strength (STR)
Brawn and muscle. Affects your melee attack modifier and your d6 target to break open doors etc.

Wisdom (WIS)
Divine favour and luck. Affects all other saves.

The following modifiers apply to your scores:

Ability ScoreModifier
3-3
4-5-2
6-8-1
9-120
13-15+1
16-17+2
18+3




Class
Next, choose your class and rolls your starting HP. Below are some brief details on each one, but I'll be writing a more in-depth post soon. Each class is designed to have a specific focus:
  • Warrior: you're good at killing things, you can choose weapon specialisations to improve your kill-iness.
  • Thief: you know a lot, you're the only class that gets reliable skill bonuses, allowing you to interact with lots of different things.
  • Magician: you have breached the veils of the arcane and can cast arcane spells, you can also create magic items with enough resources.
  • Holy Man: the gods favour you strongly, you can cast divine prayers and can also create divine items with enough resources.
  • Dwarf: your masked people are a remnant of their former glory, but you are skilled in battle and you know the underworld well.
  • Slug-Man: you sit at the top of the Yellow City's decadent hierarchy, and you know a spell or two.
  • Crab-Man: you are a slave, but you are mighty and your shell is as strong as steel.

Saves
Once you've chosen your class, note your saves. Your saves are determined by your class and improve as you level up (some other things that happen to your character in game might also affect them). There are 5 save categories that defend against different threats:
  • Stun - protects against movement and mobility-based effects, such as a spider's web, a slippery floor, or a powerful blast of air.
  • Doom - protects against effects that bypass HP damage, like poison, disease, and drugs.
  • Blast - protects against AoE (area of effect), like a dragon's breath, falling rubble, or a firebomb.
  • Magic - protects against magic spells, including magic items, divine prayers and other miscellaneous supernatural powers.
  • Luck - used when none of the above apply, and represents your inherent luck and the favour of the gods.

Marcelo Lee

Backgrounds & Professions


Next we need to find where your character came from - the life they had before adventuring. This has two areas:
  • Your background gives an idea of your social position and where you fit into life in the Yellow City. It also shows the cost (in silver rings) you need to pay each month on maintaining your social standing while living in the Yellow City.
  • Your profession is the job you did in the context of that background, badly. It also increases one of your skills and gives you some starting gear.

Background

The below should be self-explanatory, but for reference:
  • Humans are spread all over Yoon-Suin. If you are from the Yellow City or Lamarakh/Sea Nomads, roll on the appropriate table. Otherwise roll on the generic human background, which covers humans from the Hundred Kingdoms, the Oligarchies, and Sughd. If you want to decide your origin randomly, roll 1d3: 1. Yellow City, 2. Lamarakh/Sea Nomads, 3. Other.
  • Slug-Men, Crab-Men and Dwarves inhabit the Yellow City and as such have a single table each.

Humans

Yellow City Human
d20CasteSocial RankMonthly Upkeep
1-3Slave (if male, 50% chance of being a eunuch)10sr
4-7Untouchable (born of a prostitute, criminal, cockroach breeder)236sr
8-13Low caste (born of a waged labourer, servant, entertainer)345sr
14-16Commercial caste (born of a stall or shop owner)4210sr
17-19Warrior caste (born of a soldier; if male, 30% chance of being a eunuch)5490sr
20Artisan caste (born of a jeweller, weaver, dyer, refiner)61940sr

Lamarakhi/Sea Nomad
d10CasteSocial RankMonthly Upkeep
1Slave (re-roll to on geographic origin table for parentage)10sr
2-4Ordinary parents345sr
5-7Born of a skilled hunter or fisher4210sr
8-9Born of a powerful warrior5490sr
10Born of a shaman or summoner61940sr

Other Human
d20CasteSocial RankMonthly Upkeep
1-3Slave (if male, 50% chance of being a eunuch)10sr
4-7Untouchable (born of a prostitute, criminal, vagrant)236sr
8-12Low caste (born of a rice farmer, worm breeder, waged labourer, servant)345sr
13-14Merchant caste (born of a trader, salesman)4210sr
15-16Warrior caste (born of a soldier, guard, assassin; if male, 40% chance of being a eunuch)5490sr
17-18Artisan caste (born of a jeweller, weaver, dyer, refiner, tea brewer)61940sr
19Landowning caste (born of a plantation owner or landed aristocracy)72030sr
20Nobility (born of a ruler)84610sr




Slug-Men

Slug-Man
d6CasteSocial RankMonthly Upkeep
1-2Criminal clan82360sr
3-4Brahmin clan (sages, tax collectors, archivists, bureaucrats)92940sr
5-6Oligopolist clan (opium, tea, slave traders)103420sr




Dwarves

Dwarf
d6CasteSocial RankMonthly Upkeep
1Outcast (criminals, exiles, outlaws)228sr
2-3Swordsman family (guards, mercenaries, assassins)5490sr
3-5Remnant aristocracy71940sr
6Artisans (jewellers, goldsmiths, armourers)84610sr




Crab-Men

Crab-Man
d4OriginSocial RankMonthly Upkeep
1Gatherer
0

0sr
2Warrior
3Born and bred in the Yellow City
4Artisan




Profession

Once you have determined your background, roll for your profession on the relevant tables below, noting down the skill bonus and items listed. Items in bold are oversized (count as 2 items), items in italics don't count towards encumbrance (exceptions apply, but more on that in the upcoming equipment post):

Humans

Slave
d20Slave ProfessionStarting SkillStarting Items
1Litter BearerClimbingBroken palanquin support (staff), bandages
2Domestic SlaveStealthIron ration, flask of plum wine
3CookBushcraftRolling pin (cudgel), cooking gear
4Food TasterSleight of HandDinner knife (dagger), antidote vial
5Bathing AttendantMedicine2 scented oil vials, soap
6GladiatorBackstabMoplah (sword), flask of oil
7Worm-HandlerAnimal HandlingPheromone stick (staff), vworm pheromone vial
8PorterAnimal HandlingCudgel, waterproof pouch
9ConcubineAppraiseStiletto, gem-studded collar
10MinerClimbingPick, lantern
11Temple SlaveArcanaHoly water vial, wooden holy symbol
12TutorLanguagesPenknife (dagger), pen & ink
13Handmaid/ValetAppraiseNeedle & thread, fine clothing
14Galley SlaveSailingFid (cudgel), pouch of salt
15LabourerClimbingAxe handle (cudgel), extra ration
16Bedchamber AttendantSleight of HandRazor (dagger), incense sticks
17Harem GuardStealthKukri (dagger), lantern
18Head SlaveLanguagesBamboo danda (staff), fancy robes
19MusicianTinkeringInstrument, flask of rice wine
20Fan-bearerStealthBig palm fan, makeup kit


Untoucable
d20Untouchable ProfessionStarting SkillStarting Items
1ButcherBushcraftCleaver (axe), 2 iron rations
2TannerBushcraftHammer, specialist tools
3GongfarmerClimbingSpade, herb-infused mask
4ExecutionerBackstabAxe, manacles
5GravediggerClimbingSpade, 50' rope
6Cockroach BreederAnimal HandlingGoad, tame cockroach
7SlaughtererBackstabRam dao (sword), flask of blood
8WasherAppraiseKettle, soap
9ProstituteAppraiseBagh nakh (caestus), makeup kit
10PickpocketSleight of HandPalitai (dagger), 10 copper rings
11River DredgerSailingNet, bucket
12BeggarSleight of HandCudgel, waterproof cloak
13MurdererBackstabGarotte, fingerbone necklace
14LeatherworkerSleight of HandSmall hammer, needle & thread
15FisherBushcraft10' pole, fishing gear
16ScavengerStealthSpade, sack
17Corpse CollectorStealthLantern, handcart
18EmbalmerTinkeringScalpel (dagger), flask of embalming fluid
19TorturerMedicineManacles, specialist tools
20VagrantSleight of HandStaff, steel mirror


Low Caste
d20Low Caste ProfessionStarting SkillStarting Items
1PotterAppraiseChalk, bag of clay
2CarpenterTinkeringTarangalah (axe), drill
3FenceAppraiseShort sword, 15 silver rings
4AcrobatClimbingRope dart (throwing knife), 50' silk rope
5Worm-BreederAnimal HandlingPheromone stick (staff), worm pheromone vial
6DockworkerClimbingBoat hook (polearm), 50' rope
7SailorSailingCudgel, flask of arrack
8PorterAnimal HandlingLantern, rickshaw
9BarberMedicineRazor (dagger), bandages
10RoperClimbingPisau raut (dagger), 50' rope
11GuideBushcraftBillhook, 2 iron rations
12CookBushcraftCleaver (axe), cooking gear
13Ink-makerLanguagesKnife (dagger), jar of ink
14Club-FighterBackstabCudgel, bandages
15Opium dealerAppraisePipe, opium
16BuilderTinkeringHammer, bag of mortar
17CourierClimbingSling & full pouch, waterproof pouch
18MusicianSleight of HandInstrument, 3 silver rings
19Beetle-HerderAnimal HandlingGoad (spear), beetle egg ration
20TattooistSleight of HandScarring knife (dagger), jar of ink


Commercial Caste
d20Commercial ProfessionStarting SkillStarting Items
1BlacksmithTinkeringHammer, iron ingot
2Slave MasterBackstabWhip, cowering slave
3Tea House OwnerAppraiseKettle, rare tea sachet
4ArmourerTinkeringHammer, brass laminar (medium armour)
5DistillerBushcraftTabar (axe), 2 flasks of arrack
6Book TraderLanguagesParang (dagger), book
7AccountantAppraiseAbacus, 6 silver rings
8Beetle StablerAnimal HandlingGoad (spear), pack beetle
9Warehouse OwnerClimbingDagger axe, Crowbar
10MoneylenderAppraiseScales, 1 golden ring
11ApothecaryMedicineAntidote vial, incense sticks
12AuctioneerAppraiseTeak danda (staff), megaphone
13WeaponsmithTinkeringTulwar (sword), flask of oil
14Shrine DevotaryArcanaCudgel, iron holy symbol
15TranslatorLanguagesPen & ink, cypher
16BowyerTinkeringBow & full quiver, 50' rope
17PhysicianMedicineBandages, jarred leech
18Opium Den OwnerAppraisePipe, rare opium
19Crab-Man Stable OwnerAnimal Handling50' rope, jar of lurid paint & brush
20ScribeLanguagesPen & ink, parchment


Warrior Caste
d20Warrior ProfessionStarting SkillStarting Items
1AssassinStealthParang (dagger), poison vial
2MercenaryAppraiseTulwar (sword), shield
3BodyguardStealthDao (sword), bronze mail (medium armour)
4Sword SchoolBackstab1 urumi (sword), kris (dagger)
5Palace GuardArcanaMountain scale (heavy armour), holy symbol (silver)
6Martial ArtistClimbing2 chakrams, 5 caltrops
7CorsairSailingAnkusha (axe), 50' rope & grapnel
8Beast HunterBushcraftGreatspear (polearm), net
9GladiatorBackstabBhuj (axe), woven grass armour (light armour)
10Worm-RiderAnimal HandlingLance, worm pheromone vial
11SlaverBushcraftMancatcher, net
12Archery SchoolSleight of HandBow & full quiver, elephant leather armour (light armour)
13Temple GuardianArcanaMonk's spade (polearm), divine inscription
14EmissaryLanguagesWedong (dagger), fancy robes
15Squid-Man HunterSailingTrishula (trident), flask of ink
16Fire-LancerSleight of HandFire lance & loader hireling
17Siege EngineerTinkeringHammer, compass
18Elephant-RiderAnimal HandlingHeavy crossbow & full quiver, chisel
19Magician HunterArcanaLight crossbow & full quiver, arcane inscription
20Crab-Man CatcherSailingGada (mace), 50' rope


Artisan Caste
d20Artisan ProfessionStarting SkillStarting Items
1JewellerArcanaMagnifying lens, specialist tools
2Silk WeaverSleight of HandLong needle (dagger), 50' silk rope
3DyerSleight of Hand50' bolt of cloth, 2 dye vials
4SilversmithTinkeringSmall hammer, bundle of silver wire
5Master ChefBushcraftCleaver (axe), fancy robes
6SculptorSleight of HandRasp (cudgel), bag of mortar
7MasonAppraiseHammer, block & tackle
8TailorStealthNeedle & thread, golden embroidery thread
9ArchitectLanguagesPen & ink, 10' pole
10ShipwrightSailingLumber axe (great weapon), 50' rope
11Shrine ArtistArcanaHoly water vial, jar of paint & brush
12GoldsmithAppraiseSmall hammer, mercury vial
13EngraverSleight of HandSmall hammer, 10 iron spikes
14CoinerAppraiseFancy robes, 1 gold ring
15Crab-Man Art ProcurerSailingShishpar (mace), specialist tools
16Exploring GuildBushcraftArcane inscription, 5 sheets of parchment
17LibrarianArcanaScroll case, spellbook (1 spell)
18BookmakerLanguagesScroll case, pen & ink
19BotanistMedicinePitchfork (spear), 2 antidote vials
20Glass-blowerSleight of HandIron blowpipe (staff), 5 glass vials


Landowning Caste/Noble
d20Family SpecialityStarting SkillStarting Items
1SpicesBushcraftFancy robes, 3 gold rings
2MercantilismSailingBow & full quiver, net
3Precious MetalsAppraisePatag (sword), 3 gold rings
4OpiumStealth5 opium doses, 1 rare opium
5War BeastsAnimal HandlingHeavy crossbow & full quiver, vel (spear)
6PolitickingBackstab3 antidote vials, rare poison vial
7PietySleight of HandDivine inscription, silver holy symbol
8TeaMedicineRare tea sachet, jarred leech
9KnowledgeLanguagesRitual kris (dagger), random vessel
10SorceryArcanaArcane inscription, random potion




Slug-Men

Criminal Clan
d4Criminal EnterpriseStarting SkillStarting Items
1ProstitutionMedicineBlackmail material, random potion
2GamblingSleight of HandLoaded dice, indebted follower
3Loan SharkingAppraiseList of debtors, well-muscled follower
4SmugglingStealthWaterproof pouch, random vessel



Brahmin Clan
d4Area of KnowlegdeStarting SkillStarting Items
1Tax CollectionAppraiseStrongbox, specialist tools
2ArchivesLanguagesLantern, arcane inscription
3BureaucracyBackstabArmoured robe (light armour), kila (dagger)
4SorceryArcanaSandalwood danda (staff), random vessel


Oligopolist Clan
d4Mercantile EnterpriseStarting SkillStarting Items
1OpiumMedicinePipe, 1 rare opium
2TeaBushcraftCooking gear, 1 rare tea sachet
3SlavesLanguagesScourge (whip), 2 cowering slaves
4MineralsAppraiseMirror plate (heavy armour), porter follower




Dwarves

Outcast
d4Reason for ExileStarting SkillStarting Items
1CowardiceStealthBranding iron (cudgel), silver holy symbol
2Taboo-breakerBushcraftBolo (short sword), iron lamellar (medium armour)
3PoisonerBackstabPesh-kabs (dagger), rare poison vial
4ThiefSleight of HandKujang (dagger), 10 iron spikes


Swordsman Family
d4Family TraditionStarting SkillStarting Items
1AssassinationBackstabLuwuk (short sword), garotte
2MercenariesAppraiseNiabor (sword), rawhide lamellar (medium armour)
3BodyguardsLanguagesIron splinted mail (heavy armour), miaodao (greatsword)
4Bounty huntersBushcraftJian (sword), net


Remnant Aristocracy
d4LineageStarting SkillStarting Items
1Automata-makersTinkeringCrowbar, specialist tools
2WarriorsBackstabDadao (great weapon), mirror plate (heavy armour)
3ExplorersClimbing50' silk rope, lantern
4Empire-buildersLanguagesFancy robes, linkboy follower


Artisans
d4Hold SpecialityStarting SkillStarting Items
1GoldsmithsAppraiseFancy robe, specialist tools
2JewellersSleight of HandSmall hammer, eye lens
3ArmourersAppraiseMaul (great weapon), 2 flasks of oil
4ArchitectureClimbingIron yardstick (staff), block & tackle




Crab-Men

Crab-Man Slave
d4DutiesStarting SkillStarting Items
1PorterStealthYoke, pair of saddlebags
2ExecutionerBackstabBone charm decorations, wooden holy symbol
3GuardAppraiseBronze helm, lantern
4WrestlerClimbGaudy decorations, 1 iron ration




Second Skill Point

You now get a second skill point to allocate as you like. Enjoy!

Social Rank 

With credit to d4 Caltrops' excellent Yoon-Suin resources for the idea.

Your character's social rank indicates how they are perceived by the denizens of Yoon-Suin: the slug-men are known to be the wealthy masters of the Yellow City, crab-men are known to be slaves (if they are known of at all), and the social position of humans and dwarves can be gauged by their appearance and wealth. Social rank has a number of effects:

  • It modifies reaction rolls in interactions between characters of different social ranks.
  • Certain goods and services are only available to certain social ranks.
  • Certain downtime activities requires a certain social rank to take part in.

When interacting with a character of a different social ranking, the difference between social ranks is used as a modifier on reaction rolls made when making requests or issuing threats. For example, if a dwarf of a swordsman family (rank 5) made a request of a slug-man oligopolist (rank 10), the slug-man's reaction roll would be made with a -5 modifier (after other modifiers, of course). Conversely the dwarf would scarce be able to refuse the oligopolist's demands, which would be made with a +5 modifier. This reaction can be modified in a number of ways:

  • Every 100sr presented as a gift by the lower ranking party reduces the modifier by 1, as gifts are appreciated and if a gift is presented then decorum must be maintained.
  • Blackmail material allows the lower ranking party to ignore the difference in social rank, and gives them a +4 modifier on the reaction roll.
  • Wearing fancy clothing reduces the modifier by 1. Conversely, not wearing fancy clothing increases the modifier by 1 if both parties are of the same rank, if they are above rank 4.
  • An important task completed for a social superior may reduce or eliminate the modifier, for a time, due to their gratitude at a job well done. I'll let you know if this occurs.

Each social rank has a monthly cost required to maintain it - this represents the costs of the lodgings, servants, food, drink and other particulars of conspicuous consumption required to remind the people of your station. If you can't, or won't, pay the cost of your social rank and instead pay for a lower social rank, roll 1d10 - if the result is lower than your current ranking you immediately drop to the rank that you have paid for.

Alexis Rives


The Debt

Your character has a reason that they're out adventuring instead of earning an honest wage - it's not a life that someone gets into because they made great choices. Between you your characters have racked up an impressive amount of debt to some rather nasty personages - roll 1d6 x 100 for the exact amount of gold rings you owe as a party. You'll need to pay off part of this (minimum 1%) each time you finish an adventure, and it doesn't count towards XP. If you miss a payment, expect consequences.

Starting Gear

This section is also shamelessly adapted/stolen from d4 Caltrops.

All characters start with a change of clothes, a pair of mojari/paduka sandals and 1d4 of the following:
  1. Woven grass backpack.
  2. Hammock or sleeping mat.
  3. Full drinking bladder of water, tea, or cheap rice liquor.
  4. Tinderbox.
  5. 2 iron rations
  6. 5 bamboo torches

Money
Slaves and crab-men start with no extra cash.

Social ranks 2-4 start with 3d6 silver rings.

Social ranks 5-7 start with 6d6 silver rings.

Social ranks 8-10 start with 1d6 gold rings.


Equipment
Magicians and slug-men start with a parchment spell book, and a pen & ink if they don't already have one.

Holy men start with a parchment scroll of divine prayers, and a pen &ink and wooden holy symbol if they don't already have one.

Dwarves start with a grotesque mask that they customarily wear around non dwarves (counts as a helmet).

Each character may then choose one item from each of the below tables:

Armour
Dog leather armour (light armour)
Rattan shield
Iron helm
Bronze ring mail (medium armour)
Fancy robe
Leather skull cap
Mirror plate (heavy armour)
Sandalwood shield
Antidote vial
Silver holy symbol
2 bandages
2 clay flasks of lamp oil


Weapon
Recurve bow & full quiver
Tulwar (sword)
Iron shield
Tinderbox
Pack beetle
Ji (polearm)
Gada (mace)
Tarangalah (axe)
20 arrows
Vel (spear)
Luwuk (short sword)
Light crossbow & full quiver


Miscellaneous 1
Steel mirror
Sandalwood shield
Pipe
Brass lantern
Cooking gear
Tinderbox
5 tea sachets
4 bamboo torches
Full drinking bladder (plum wine)
2d6 silver rings
Rattan backpack
3 iron rations


Miscellaneous 2
Mojari sandals
Full flask of cold tea
3 iron rations
50' rope
Riding gear
Fancy robes
Rattan backpack
2 bamboo flasks of lamp oil
Bandage
Sling & full bullet pouch
Bamboo wicker shield
2 throwing spears


Miscellaneous 3
Gharial hide tent
Tinderbox
2d6 silver rings
Woven grass sleeping mat
Pipe
Pen, ink & 5 sheets of parchment
Armoured robe (light armour)
2 hemp sacks
50' silk rope
5 iron rations
3 tallow candles
Dao (sword)


With that, you're ready to head off to your inevitable gory demise long and glorious adventuring career!

6 comments:

  1. Woo! Thank you for the shout out and glad you've found the resources useful! Yoon-Suin is amazing, and I love seeing what other people are doing with it. This is some really great stuff!
    I love the Professions you've put together here and the caste divisions/Backgrounds especially. I'm a sucker for these, and how they can help with setting implication and more free-form skill systems ("Oh, you were a Shrine Artist? Of course you can appraise this mosaic!" etc).
    Excited to hear how it goes!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the fantastic resources! I've wanted to run a Yoon-Suin game for ages and your systems have always had so much flavour to add. I'll be sure to post updates on how the game goes, and any tweaks that I feel are necessary for the systems :)

      Delete
  2. I really like the nested race-caste-background tables! First of all, the structure of that is something I don't think I've ever seen before, and its a cool technology for assigning backgrounds. Second, the backgrounds you've listed are quite flavorful, and together they paint a very vivid picture of the Yellow City.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Anne! It's rare that I seem to actually innovate anything rather than adapt what's already out there, so I'm glad I can add something new in that regard :)

      Delete
  3. Lamentations of the Yellow City? Enjoy your ventures into Yoon-Suin.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yellow City of the Flame Princess? Purple Land of Lamentations? The permutations are endless!

      I'll do my best - I'll definitely be stealing your most recent golem post :)

      Delete

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