What could go into a China zone?

[BobGreenwade]

I made mention in the Perfect World thread of the possibility of Cryptic eventually putting up a zone in China. After all, there's already plenty in the published CU that could go in there.

It could include the following (and remember that I'm speaking on an entirely hypothetical and speculative basis here):

• The "home area" would be a base with contacts from the Tiger Squad. The base could be run by them, or by UNTIL; I'm not sure.
• Shamballah could be in as a neighborhood, with Agharti as a Lair. At least one plot thread is already in place: there are "Shamballah Vampires" in Vibora Bay. Where did such a thing come from? (This would identify what part of China the map is in: near the Himalayas.)
• There could be a couple of communities of Yeti, facing disagreements similar to what's going on with the Manimals on Monster Island. Yeti are often assumed to be a variant on Sasquatch, so they could use the same in-game build with just cosmetic differences such as color of fur. (This is another Himalayan connection.)
• Paging through Asian Bestiary Volume I, Chinese Hobgoblins could have their own Neighborhood, both as general troublemakers (possibly part of the conflict with the Yeti) and as part of some larger problem.
• The Warlord is said (in Champions Worldwide) to be trying to foment an anti-Communist rebellion in China, leading to the possibility of his operating a rebel training camp. If there's a Hzeel crash site in the area, he could easily send people there as well.
• Dr. Yin Wu could easily have a fortress here, probably at the far edge of the game map, with the various supernatural beings at his command. (And with demons comes DEMON; they're probably up to something in his neighborhood.)
• Fandao Junzhu ("The Overlord") is mentioned as a Chinese threat in CW, and could be the basis for an Open Mission, a Lair, or both. He could have a base in some remote wilderness area (a Neighborhood of his own), with minions of who knows what kind.
• Then there's Li Chun the Destroyer, who could probably become the basis for a high-level Open Mission.
• VIPER is mentioned in CW as having no known activities in China, but that was in 2002 so something might have changed since then. The organization could have a burgeoning Nest, possibly as a training area for their martial arts specialists.
• There's also no telling what the Elder Worm might be up to. Sure, it's cold in those mountains, but that would make the Himalayas the last place heroes would look for them, and they know it. There could also be ancient Elder Worm artifacts lost in the area, mystical spots that interest them, or geographic requirements for their changing the Earth's environment. That could be enough for a training

All that is just from 5th Ed materials, and what I currently know of what's in-game from playing over the past couple of months. That's ten Neighborhoods, which I think should be plenty for a CO Zone, and potential for lots of Chinese-flavored storylines (which should also include UNITY Missions and Nemesis Missions, to the tune of at least a half-dozen each).

This doesn't address things that would happen in these Neighborhoods without generating their own, such as whatever Lam Kuei (from CW) is up to, a possible Triad activity or three, interests such as ARGENT or Doctor Destroyer, and so forth.

So... what do you all here think could be added, changed, expanded, or whatever else?

(Again, remember that this is 100% hypothetical and speculative; as far as I'm aware, nobody at Cryptic has even hinted that there's even been a suggestion, other than my own comment the other day, of doing a China Zone.)

[Certified]

So reading the list, I think it would be better if there wasn't a Viper nest, but possibly a story arc that introduces Viper in trying to take control of another established base they may share interest in. That is to say as you are doing a story on one thing Viper shows up and starts attacking. If there is a gray area to play with something that might be cool is the faction you're fighting at the time surrendering if the characters will only help defend them, but enough about Viper.

What I'd like to see is really more Asian flair, okay, I guess this kind of relates to Viper, but that is to say the area could feel like there was a balance of powers but recent outside influences have upset it and so now this zone is in a state of conflict. Since the zone is being added Post Demon Flame maybe there aren't actual members of DEMON but refugees who've fled looking for protection from Dr. Yin Wu as the Kings of Edom punish Luther Black's followers. Actually, that could make for a interesting Crisis event with a war between Wu's followers and the denizens of Qliphoth. The players could be running damage control and the Crisis climaxes as Wu strikes a bargain and turns his eyes on the Tiger Squad base. Even if he's defeated there the balance of power is changed.

[Lord Liaden]

[*]Dr. Yin Wu could easily have a fortress here, probably at the far edge of the game map, with the various supernatural beings at his command. (And with demons comes DEMON; they're probably up to something in his neighborhood.)

Dr Yin Wu's principle stronghold is a castle and valley in China, so it could make up a major Lair. DEMON is trying to infiltrate China (most recently under the guise of Christian missionary efforts), but keeps experiencing setbacks. (See also below.)

[*]Fandao Junzhu ("The Overlord") is mentioned as a Chinese threat in CW, and could be the basis for an Open Mission, a Lair, or both. He could have a base in some remote wilderness area (a Neighborhood of his own), with minions of who knows what kind.

Fandao Junzhu is also mentioned in Champions Universe 6E, so he's still in current continuity for the region. He had enough resources to stage a serious invasion of China, so he must be formidable. He's also a technological villain, which would make a nice change from the mystic-flavored menaces that dominate the rest of China. I would consider making his Lair a stealth-cloaked island, for an "Island of Dr. Destroyer"-esque mission.

This doesn't address things that would happen in these Neighborhoods without generating their own, such as whatever Lam Kuei (from CW) is up to, a possible Triad activity or three, interests such as ARGENT or Doctor Destroyer, and so forth.

The dimension of the spirit-beings which gave Lam Kuei his powers might be interesting to explore. It's barely described, so much could be expanded. ARGENT is very active in the Far East, and could be "investing" in China's growing high-tech sector. One of the plot seeds for Dr. Yin Wu from The Dragon Mandarin ebook has the original Dr. Destroyer attacking his Chinese base to try to obtain the Pill of Immortality. Now that DD is active in CO that scenario could be revived.

So... what do you all here think could be added, changed, expanded, or whatever else?

I think there has to a Lair for the Cult of the Red Banner's home base. It could be fun to set it within a forest or jungle -- plenty of stealthy ninjalike encounters. Not to mention a Boss fight with an avatar of the Dragon. The Cult is also believed by DEMON to have destroyed their last attempt to establish a Demonhame in China, so conflict between the groups could become part of the action.

Speaking of the Dragon, it would be tempting to include the Tournament of the Dragon as part of this zone, as a special event, adventure pack, or even one of the new "comic book" series.

[BobGreenwade]

D'oh! I should have thought of the Cult of the Red Banner and their primary base. That might even be enough to make into an entire Neighborhood.

Tournament of the Dragon would work best as a Comic Series, I think. I haven't played the first one yet (I'm going to wait until all the Issues are out, and play them in sequence).

I figured DEMON would have activities in the Zone, probably in about half the above-listed Neighborhoods without having one of their own. Similar thing with ARGENT -- I don't think they'd have enough of a presence for their own Neighborhood, but they'd have activities there.

Some things could work well if there's a small town (larger than a village, but not big enough to be a full-fledged city) adjacent to the Tiger Squad base. It could be home to the ARGENT outpost/factory, a Buddhist temple with a Contact, some activity involving the Cult of the Red Banner (with leads to their nearby main base), the local Triad's center of operations, and a few other things.

I don't think there could be an island base if two of the Neighborhoods are in the Himalayas (unless the island is in the middle of a large lake).