Oriental Gear

Prices in the Great Maze are typically five times the listed prices here and in Deadlands Reloaded. Some locations offer lower prices and some charge much more. The Marshal's section has the complete lowdown. Remember, increased prices only apply to gear and goods your hero purchases during the game, not during character creation.

Chinese Weapons

These weapons can be used by a martial artist, and the martial artist is still considered unarmed.

Minimum Agility

To simulate the risk involved in using tricky Chinese weapons, most of them have a listed Minimum Agility requirement. A character who fails to meet the minimum Agility and rolls a 1 on his Fighting die (regardless of Wild Die) has hit himself for normal damage.

Weapon notes

Fighting Fan: Unlike your typical fan that'll keep a lady cool on a hot day, a fighting fan has a thin metal edge running along the top of the fan, which allows it to be used as a slashing weapon. The fan, when spread, can be used to distract and confuse foes. When performing the Defend maneuver, the user receives an additional +1 Parry bonus.

Flying Claw: This weapon is a wicked metal claw attached to chain. Like a whip, when the wielder scores a raise on his Fighting roll, the attack does not inflict an additional d6 damage. Instead, the victim suffers Parry –2 until his next action.

Flying Crescent: Similar to a flying claw, the flying crescent is a half-moon-shaped blade attached to a length of chain.

Flying Guillotine: This extremely uncommon weapon is used only by the most ruthlessly evil kung fu warriors. It looks like a wire mesh bag attached to a ring. Inside the ring are a series of telescoping, ultrasharp blades. The ring is attached to a long, steel chain. To use the weapon, the bag is flung through the air, landing over the target's head like a ring-toss. Then, a simple yank on the chain delivers a Called Shot to the victim's neck. All attacks with the flying guillotine are made at –4. Foes underneath eaves, low-hang-ing branches, or wearing large hats cannot be targeted. On a successful hit, the weapon deals Str+d6 damage, +4 for the head shot.

Nunchaku: This weapon is standard issue for tong gangs in Shan Fan and elsewhere in the Maze, and consists of two small staves (or handles, if it suits you) linked by a short length of chain. The “nunchuks,” as they are commonly known among Mazers, originated from grain flails used by Chinese peasants. They may look simple, but it takes training and coordination to use them in a fight without walloping oneself.

Sai: The sai is a three-pronged pig-sticker. The central prong is the actual damage-dealing end, while the other prongs serve to catch weapons. The wielder receives a +1 bonus to make Disarm attacks when using these weapons.

Shuriken: Shuriken, or throwing stars, come in a variety of shapes. The tall tales of Mazers have turned them into lethal weapons, but in reality they're used to distract foes or deliver poison at range. That said, a lucky shot with one of these babies hurts like blazes.

Three Section Staff: The three section staff comprises three wooden poles, each around 2' long, joined by a short length of chain to form what looks like Paul Bunyan's nunchuk. The weapon can be used as a staff, nunchuks, or a whip. The wielder can make Disarm and Grapple attacks at a range of 1”.

The Butterfly Sword is a broad-bladed sword often used by martial artists.

Nekode are a ninja's climbing claws, which deal little damage but grant a +1 on climbing checks

Armor

Armor in Oriental settings is typically lighter than the one found in classical fantasy settings. Some oriental armor is somewhat fragile. On a result of a wound or more, the armor bonus is reduced by 1. Once 0 is reached, the armor hangs on the character's body in useless tatters.

Armor

Linked in Arcane Background: Chi Mastery, Arcane Background: Wu Jen, and Arcane Background: Tao Mystic.

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