by Eloy Lasanta (World of Darkness | World of Darkness: Shanghai | Resources)
The city of Shanghai is ripe with stories, even more than has been presented in this book so far. This chapter will introduce Storytellers to the theme and mood of this book, along with offering story ideas if you can’t come up with any.
Kuei-jin vs. Kuei-jin: The first and foremost conflict that could happen is pitting the Quincunx against the gaki. These two sides have been battling for over a century, disregarding the interests and opinions of their neighbor shen. But even though the Five August Courts have supposedly reclaimed Shanghai, that doesn’t mean that the gaki have chosen to simply concede. In fact, after the losing the Twice Red Tiger Battle, the Bishamon have made it their duty to shove the Quincunx from its high horse. Dozens of gun and sword fights are battled every week, with the shen in the middle of this fierce contest of might. As both sides have very capable fang shih on their sides and harness the area’s Chi, it will be an interesting war indeed.
Kuei-jin vs. Kin-jin: The enemy of my enemy is my friend. In most cases, this precept is true; however, the Quincunx do not agree with the sentiment in the Kin-jin’s case. The Kin-jin are normally to be slain on sight, unless they have been allowed to stay in the city by the consent of Mo King Zhenyu or the Silent Mandarins. This consent is as rare as jade falling out of the sky. The Quincunx has pulled the western plague into the crossfire as well, causing many battles between them on a nightly basis. The only place a Cainite is actually safe is within the borders of the many neutral locations in the French Concession.
The same is not necessarily true of the gaki, however. In dire straights, the ketsuki have approached the Kin-jin for a cooperative stance against the Five August Courts. Each is planning on stabbing the other in the back, but it is a valuable alliance none the less.
Kuei-jin vs. hengeyokai: The tension between the hengeyokai and the Kuei-jin can be cut with a butter knife. This fact stands even truer during the current situations facing the Beast Court. There is a reason why these two groups have not formally had an audience to address their problems: Black Rain Falls doesn’t know if he can hold back the entire nest from destroying the Kuei-jin ambassadors. The Kuei-jin do not want to meet Final Death under false pretenses, as it is obvious that the problems with the hengeyokai nest will no doubt be blamed on them (remember that most Kuei-jin do not know the true intentions of the Glorious Shield Placement Plan).
Kuei-jin vs. hsien: Many of the hsien realize that they have been betrayed by the Kuei-jin on one level or another. The storms were created in the hsien attempt to force the Kuei-jin confess to their wrong doings. Even though their leader, Ye Haojie, believes that Mo King Zhenyu would do no such thing, it is clear in the minds of the other hsien that the Quincunx are the ones are fault and must pay, their usual fear of losing their precious Yugen pushed aside in favor of vengeance and hatred. And the Kuei-jin are not ready for such an attack, especially the gaki who really have nothing to do with the plans of the Five August Courts. However, they may very pay for the Quincunx deeds.
Hengeyokai vs. hsien: Although the hengeyokai have willingly invited the hsien to stay with at their dragon nest, the living arrangements are not always the best. The space inside is limited and has now been filled to capacity with an abundance of elemental refugees. Beings of such rage living in close quarters with those beings that hold themselves as better can, and has, caused many battle between the two, even though they are supposed to be allies. They work on the same side, with different agendas and this arrangement may not always lead to cordial feelings.
1. The Courting of shen: Quincunx characters have been sent to check on the reaction of the shen. The Glorious Shield Placement Plan has caused quite a ruckus, and the characters are responsible for smoothing things over with them, averting major disasters. This can include the hsien, Shih or even individual spirit courts.
2. Fresh from the Boat: The gaki rely heavily on the Green Courts for their importation of warriors and has asked or ordered the ketsuki characters to find the Green Court Representatives to arrange for more to be brought. Finding them is another issue, however.
3. Wraithly Relations: Quincunx: Soldiers from the Dark Kingdom of Jade have asked for assistance in bringing down several renegade factions of Japanese and western Wraiths who are working together. Will you be able to bring them down? Gaki – The ancestors of one of the characters has asked for assistance in thwarting the Yellow Emperor’s rebuilding initiative. Many spirit bombs have been collected, but they need some help fighting off the Imperial Guard.
4. The Secret Revealed: A rebel Quincunx Kuei-jin has found out the secrets of the Glorious Shield Placement Plan and has already left to inform the shen of Shanghai. Stop him from blabbing to everyone! How did he find out anyway?
1. Discussions with the Dead: The Japanese gaki have come into contact with the Kindred on several occasions as of late. These are peaceful and all performed by the same being as if they have a position just for dealing with the Kin-jin. They seek the character’s assistance and vice versa. The characters can be sent to meet with them and deliver the terms.
2. Duplicity: The Wan Xian believe their courts to harbor an immeasurable degree of betrayal and intrigue. Interloping with the Damned of the West should teach them otherwise. The characters can discover any amount of dissention between the elders and neonates. Ferret, Heike, Fukayna; all of these Kindred have the knack for lying and but can be unearthed soon enough.
3. Family: Miguel has been searching for a new member for his pack among the locals, and has several candidates. The characters are selected to investigate each candidate beforehand. What happens when the characters discover that one of the candidates has strong connections to the shen? What if they discover it after Miguel has already embraced him/her? The native shen won’t be happy with having one of their “family” cursed by the Kin-jin. The candidate could be kinfolk, kinain, a thrall, the family of a hunter or any other devious possibility that the ST can think.
4. Betrayal: Tian Wan-Jin has entered a pact with one of the other vampiric factions in the city, giving mutual support and help in the city, infested as it is with enemies of the Cainites. One night, a member of said vampiric faction that made the bargain is found dead, and all the signs point to the characters’ pack. Who is trying to disrupt this alliance? Why are the characters being framed?
1. The Feng Shui Situation: The characters are part of a Wave Sentai created to investigate the disturbing shift in the local Dragon Lines. This could lead to conflict with the (slightly) familiar Kuei-Jin or possibly with the upstart Kin-Jin Warlocks.
2. Take Back the nest: The flow of hsien to the court is becoming difficult to adapt to, and the characters are chosen to help take back the hsien nest…or perhaps to invade and take a new nest for the hsien.
3. Visitor: An unannounced visitor turns out to be sensei Mizuchi, and he has come to seek Black Rain’s council on his decision for the future of the Same-Bito, the characters are drawn into the (unsurprisingly) violent and turbulent Same-Bito politics.
4. Suspicious Alliance: A representative from the Silent Mandarins approaches the court with an offer of alliance to drive the hated gaki and Kin-Jin out. As the characters’ mentors and compatriots take sides on the decision, the characters are drawn into the murky and unstable realm of political skull-duggery.
5. Search for the Pup: Tak has approached one of the characters to help him search for Burnt Whiskers; the characters are in a position to earn substantial boons from both Tak and the young Kitsune's Grandfather, though they may find themselves in conflict with the mysterious 'Tremere'.
6. Quest for the Sickness: One of Nevermind’s mini-plagues has gotten loose and is running rampant through one of the city’s many slums. The Nezumi characters are called in to help clean up the mess. This could very well bring them into direct conflict with members of the Beast Court.
1. The Feng Shui Situation: The hsien are masters of Feng Shui themselves and with time and effort, could easily unlock the mystery. A group of characters can enlist the help of the Kithain or hengeyokai to aid in the location of the culprits and the reenergizing of the Yu Yuan dragon nest.
2. Espionage at its Best: There are many beings that the hsien must check out, to see if they had anything to do with their loss of power. The Kuei-jin, Kithain, hengeyokai, Hunters, even the Wraiths, must all pass certain test to see if they are behind this. The characters can be those hsien chosen to infiltrate and discover everyone’s role in this play.
3. Daitya: The Daitya have always been prevalent in Shanghai, but the Li Shen has never accepted them. The Mu Courts must be stomped at this time, more than any other. Any Yu characters may come to the call of the hunt.
4. The hengeyokai Concerns: Even against their wishes, the hsien have been dragged into the hengeyokai affairs. Any of the above Changer plot ideas will work to mix in the hsien as well.
1. The fang shih: The Shih have been checking with their fang shih contacts about the problems in the city. What will they say about the Feng Shui of the city and what if they work for the Kuei-jin? Will the Quincunx retaliate on the Shih for their snooping? Will the other hunters be able to fend for themselves?
2. The Foreigners: Imbued from the states have been on a constant exodus to the orient for the last few years and need more watching than the shen. Can the native Imbued keep their brethren in check?
3. Old Connections: The Zaibatsu have recently been trying to reestablish their old territories in Shanghai. Heaven’s Heavy Hand will not stand for this. Get ready for some Strike Force Zero vs. Heavy Hand action! Yet, the Heavy Hand also has the other hunters behind them as support. Who will win this battle?
1. Waiting: Even though the Namebreakers are standoffish concerning the new developments of the city, they are constantly spying on the other shen, waiting for their time to jump in.
2. Fang shih: Many of the mages of Shanghai act as the fang shih followers of Mo King Zhenyu of the Kuei-jin, but many don’t know the full effect of what they do, as the secrets are hidden from all but the closest to Zhenyu. But the Namebreakers work close enough to the old fang shih that they will eventually know his plan. How will they respond?
1. A Little Spying: The group of characters is commissioned by Wang Lien to execute a reconnaissance objective on the Quincunx. What would happen if the Wraiths found out that their only salvation from the storms, the Bridge House Prison, will result in utter chaos in the entire city? Will the treaty hold true, especially when it is the only thing saving the Dark Kingdom Jade at the moment?
2. The Rebels: Any group of Wraiths may be involved in the collection of raw materials by rounding up the ghosts of those from the Conquered Territories or western rebels. As well, any group can easily be composed of a unit of rebels, just trying to survive.
3. Moller: The former Moller Residence is an enigma to all Wraiths. It is a constant maze of mystery and at the center is Mr. Moller. He is the key to either the salvation of the revolutionaries or to the continued rule of the Dark Kingdom of Jade. Both factions are looking into this single man that holds the fate of the Shadowlands in his hands.
1. The Feng Shui Situation: Any group of Changelings can be added into the search for the source of the changes in the Feng Shui of the City, because it affects the Dreaming at the same time. The Kingdom’s Eye is the Kithain society that is currently trying to solve this puzzle.
2. The Chimera Situation: The Dreaming’s denizens have become fiercer recently. The Thoraxian Legion is responsible for capturing these creatures and making Shanghai safe for the Kithain. The Oriental Pearl TV Tower is the worst of their challenges. Will the characters be able to take them down?
3. The Refugees: Shanghai stands as a refuge for Kithain all around the world and is the only place in the Middle Kingdom where they are safe. Many groups of Changelings have quested out of Shanghai to save their brethren from certain death and let them know there is a better place to be.
4. Defending the Borders: As if clockwork, more soldiers from Pacifica have decided to start showing up again. Add them to the rebel Scathach nobles who are scheming against the king and everything will hit the fan soon. Will the Kingdom of Shining Waters survive after this catastrophe?
1. Chaos: The constant unrest of the Whore of the Orient has attracted more than its fair share of Wu Xian in the past years, but few stay long. To right the wrongs, a group of players can immerse themselves into the political madness and warfare. We’ll see who pulls through in the end.
2. The Cabbie: Many Mummies of the Middle Kingdom have a definite sight in mind when arriving in Shanghai: to seek out the taxi driver Wu Xian who has seen the face of the Silent Mandarins. If they can get that information before the Kuei-jin do, they could restore balance to Shanghai one day.
1. Search for Faith: The first thing the Fallen work on in the Middle Kingdom is securing a source of Faith. Pacts are easy to establish since the mortals are much more open to the supernatural. However, they are in strict competition with both the Face of the Gods Dharma and the hsien. How will they survive?
2. The Kuei-jin: there are two factions of Demons that work with the Kuei-jin (by choice or otherwise). If newcomers to Shanghai were to discover these groups of the Fallen and their affiliation with the Flesh Court, what would be the reaction? To join as well or to take down those who are controlling the Elohim against their will?
