Trifletraxor Posted March 11, 2011 Share Posted March 11, 2011 (edited) The Celestial Empire is an old phrase used in Classical Chinese to describe the Chinese Empire. In the original Chinese writing, the phrase literally reads ‘Heavenly dynasty’ – ‘Large country’, which renders both the size of the country and the fact that the emperor was considered as having directly been mandated by Heaven. This book is thus a historically accurate roleplaying game about Imperial China. Yet history-based does not mean boring: depending on the game master’s inspiration, ‘The Celestial Empire’ may capture the exotic bewilderment of The Journey to the West, the virile excitement of The Water Margin, the investigative astuteness of Judge Dee, or the kinetic fantasy from Hong Kong fiction! By Gianni Vacca. 160 pages. Published by Alephtar Games January 2011. Edited September 28, 2011 by Trifletraxor Quote Ef plest master, this mighty fine grub! 116/420. High Priest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GianniVacca Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 Included with the setting is also a fully-fledged introductory adventure and several adventure seeds. Er, actually, no. But if Paolo authorises it, we could make available on Alephtar Games' web-site the bits that have been left out of the published version of the game. Or in a forthcoming issue of Uncounted Worlds. Quote 「天朝大國」，https://rpggeek.com/rpgitem/92874/celestial-empire 很有意思: http://celestialempire.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trifletraxor Posted March 16, 2011 Author Share Posted March 16, 2011 Er, actually, no. But if Paolo authorises it, we could make available on Alephtar Games' web-site the bits that have been left out of the published version of the game. Or in a forthcoming issue of Uncounted Worlds. Okay, edited the description. (Maybe you should tell Chaosium and Cubicle 7 too if you haven't allready.) Some free leftovers would be great! Quote Ef plest master, this mighty fine grub! 116/420. High Priest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RosenMcStern Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 If Nick can find room for it in Uncounted Worlds, this would be the best solution, as UW has a print incarnation, too. Otherwise we will make a PDF available for free. But I suggest you do not hold your breath... Quote Proud member of the Evil CompetitionTM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rust Posted April 22, 2011 Share Posted April 22, 2011 An excellent supplement, congratulations. I downloaded it to see whether I can find some informations and ideas for my Bhotanta setting, a fictional version of Bhutan, and was very pleasantly surpri- sed to find almost truckloads of most useful stuff. There are a few typos, but only one jumped out at me, the Tibetan "Plateu" on Map 2 on page 28. I gave The Celestial Empire its well deserved 5 stars on DTRPG and wrote a ve- ry short recommendation, hoping that this will help to spread the word. Quote "Mind like parachute, function only when open." (Charlie Chan) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GianniVacca Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 I downloaded it to see whether I can find some informations and ideas for my Bhotanta setting, a fictional version of Bhutan, and was very pleasantly surpri- sed to find almost truckloads of most useful stuff. Yes, there is heavy emphasis on Tantric Buddhism, because of its association with magic. I gave The Celestial Empire its well deserved 5 stars on DTRPG and wrote a ve- ry short recommendation, hoping that this will help to spread the word. Thank you, thank you... Quote 「天朝大國」，https://rpggeek.com/rpgitem/92874/celestial-empire 很有意思: http://celestialempire.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GianniVacca Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 All, I have started a blog devoted to the Celestial Empire: http://celestialempire.blogspot.com/. There is only one entry at the moment, some extra rules for the Plain Girl (p121 of TCE). Quote 「天朝大國」，https://rpggeek.com/rpgitem/92874/celestial-empire 很有意思: http://celestialempire.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GianniVacca Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 I have added a second entry, about the Chinese lunisolar calendar and converting from the Western to the Chinese calendar. I will try and post a new entry each day! Quote 「天朝大國」，https://rpggeek.com/rpgitem/92874/celestial-empire 很有意思: http://celestialempire.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GianniVacca Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 Third entry: Chinese names for your characters. Plus the first blog entry is now graced by a new illo by Dario! Quote 「天朝大國」，https://rpggeek.com/rpgitem/92874/celestial-empire 很有意思: http://celestialempire.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boermer Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 Thanks interesting information+1) Quote I am sensible student in-full and I could construct multiplied custom efforts, thus I could barrier varicolored bugs. To preclude discomforts and to brighten my emergent reviews I locate paper editing stealthily and I am surprisingly interested with outgrowths. The professional specialists locate my reviews and clear fallacies belonging Grammar and accurate expression. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baron Posted June 20, 2011 Share Posted June 20, 2011 Hi Gianni, I finally ordered my copy, and am looking forward to receiving it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GianniVacca Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Hi Gianni, I finally ordered my copy, and am looking forward to receiving it! Good! Do not hesitate to bug me with questions Also do not forget to regularly check my blog (in my sig) -- I update it daily. Quote 「天朝大國」，https://rpggeek.com/rpgitem/92874/celestial-empire 很有意思: http://celestialempire.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agentorange Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 My copy ordered as well ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calibri Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 Good post, thanks you!) Quote I commonly locate essay company stealthily, because chiefly I usually have bulky hesitancies with making of other narrations. My immediate ordered efforts are scribed by qualified writers purely, who wouldn't advance their separate meditations and interesting points in proper steam and by distinct precepts. I avow it is vital specific tutoring for me totally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agentorange Posted July 3, 2011 Share Posted July 3, 2011 I've seen the Judge Dee novels mentioned various times, can anybody recommend which ones to start with ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GianniVacca Posted July 3, 2011 Share Posted July 3, 2011 I've seen the Judge Dee novels mentioned various times, can anybody recommend which ones to start with ? I would say the ones with a full story are superior to the ones with several short stories but except for this caveat, they are frankly all very very good. So you may safely pick any one of them. I would also recommend you read them in the chronological order rather than in the order in which they were written. Meaning you should start with The Chinese Gold Murders Quote 「天朝大國」，https://rpggeek.com/rpgitem/92874/celestial-empire 很有意思: http://celestialempire.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agentorange Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 Well, my copy of the celestial empire has turned up and on first flick through it looks very interesting ( I do like a good bestiary ) I've ordered The Chinese Gold Murders from amazon as well...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GianniVacca Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 I've ordered The Chinese Gold Murders from amazon as well...... I'm sure it'll spur a nice Judge Dee-inspired game Quote 「天朝大國」，https://rpggeek.com/rpgitem/92874/celestial-empire 很有意思: http://celestialempire.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baron Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 I like the historic/cultural info. what i'd like to see (if it's not already a blog post) is a couple-paragraph summary of the differences between gaming during the dynastic periods, and earlier when their were noble-types and things were more "wild." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GianniVacca Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 what i'd like to see (if it's not already a blog post) is a couple-paragraph summary of the differences between gaming during the dynastic periods, and earlier when their were noble-types and things were more "wild." Yes, this is an idea for a post I've had for quite some time. Actually, within civilised areas, Táng dynasty times were probably less "wild" than under later dynasties, especially when the central government couldn't guarantee peace over the whole empire [which is what the Mandate of Heaven was all about]. For instance travelling even on the main roads of the Empire under the Sòng was tantamount to exposing oneself to being robbed -- hence most travel was by the many waterways. Under the Qīng it was so much worse and banditry was so widespread that the biāojú escort agencies came into being (see p41 of The Celestial Empire). Quote 「天朝大國」，https://rpggeek.com/rpgitem/92874/celestial-empire 很有意思: http://celestialempire.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoking Frog Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 Yes, this is an idea for a post I've had for quite some time. Actually, within civilised areas, Táng dynasty times were probably less "wild" than under later dynasties, especially when the central government couldn't guarantee peace over the whole empire [which is what the Mandate of Heaven was all about]. For instance travelling even on the main roads of the Empire under the Sòng was tantamount to exposing oneself to being robbed -- hence most travel was by the many waterways. Under the Qīng it was so much worse and banditry was so widespread that the biāojú escort agencies came into being (see p41 of The Celestial Empire). It is interesting to compare maps of the area controlled by the court during the various dynasties. Qin and Han were relatively compact states, and the Tang started to expand out fairly widely into the west. If I recall correctly, the areas that are now part of Vietnam were constantly rebelling against the Tang and being retaken. The Qing state was extremely large and hard to control. Modern China has problems controlling the non-Han regions that the Qing brought into the Empire, so one can easily imagine how difficult it was for the Qing. It's one thing to militarily defeat someone, and quite a different thing to pacify him. And the Qing had the same problem as the Yuan: there was a fundamental resentment among Han people at being ruled by foreigners, especially uncivilized foreigners. Quote My avatar is the personal glyph of Siyaj K'ak' a.k.a. "Smoking Frog." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoking Frog Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 I would say the ones with a full story are superior to the ones with several short stories but except for this caveat, they are frankly all very very good. So you may safely pick any one of them. I would also recommend you read them in the chronological order rather than in the order in which they were written. Meaning you should start with The Chinese Gold Murders I would also recommend all of the Judge Dee stories. They would be very helpful in getting a feel for a Tang setting. Interestingly, thanks to Robert van Gulik, in the west, Judge Dee (the historical Di Renjie) is the well-known Chinese "detective," but among the Chinese, Bao Zheng (999-1062) is much more famous. Unfortunately there don't seem to be any English versions of Bao Zheng's exploits. Quote My avatar is the personal glyph of Siyaj K'ak' a.k.a. "Smoking Frog." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GianniVacca Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 among the Chinese, Bao Zheng (999-1062) is much more famous. Definitely, yes. Unfortunately there don't seem to be any English versions of Bao Zheng's exploits. If you read French, you may want to check the following: http://www.editions-fei.com/s/13627_81753_juge-bao-et-le-phoenix-de-jade-t1http://www.you-feng.com/plaidoirie_juge_bao_fantome_shi_yukun_rebecca_peyrelon_wang.php Quote 「天朝大國」，https://rpggeek.com/rpgitem/92874/celestial-empire 很有意思: http://celestialempire.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoking Frog Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 Definitely, yes. If you read French, you may want to check the following: http://www.editions-fei.com/s/13627_81753_juge-bao-et-le-phoenix-de-jade-t1http://www.you-feng.com/plaidoirie_juge_bao_fantome_shi_yukun_rebecca_peyrelon_wang.php Unfortunately, French is one of the many languages I am terrible at. My wife is fluent in Chinese, but I can't manage to get her to translate things for me. Quote My avatar is the personal glyph of Siyaj K'ak' a.k.a. "Smoking Frog." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baron Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 Hey all, there are three of us on the RPGnet forums that are interested in playing a martial arts game using Basic Roleplaying, possibly with the Celestial Empire and / or Dragon Lines supplements. Some pretty interesting discussion at this thread (including wuxia in spa-a-ace!): http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?608305-Interest-BRP-based-Oriental-Martial-Arts-Game If you might be interested in playing, and especially if you'd consider GMing, please check it out! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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