#16 Tools·Craft Items

Contents

Semi-permanent tools that are not consumed in 1 use. They aid checks on use. No technique. Once bought, usable throughout the campaign (breakage·loss at GM discretion).

#§ Tool-Use Procedure

Lock/trap Disable: apply core 03-09 non-combat Target Number 11-17 (simple lock Target Number 11 / precision Target Number 13 / trap identification Target Number 13 / trap dismantling Target Number 15-17). If a tool bonus +N is defined, it stacks. The 17-05 Disable school bonus may also stack.
Alchemy tools·refining tools: core 03-09 non-combat check + application of this expansion's own herb·poison gathering rules (17-06 Herbalism schools·19-06 Poisoncraft). The compounding Target Number is at GM discretion according to the herb·poison-plant grade.
Measuring·navigation tools: application of core 04-01 Geography·Navigation skills (no separate check — automatic bonus +N).
Energy cost: tool use itself is 0 (same as consumables). However, non-combat time-unit use (1-session surveying, etc.) applies 00-05 §13 non-combat action.
Specified in this §14 (00-05): See 00-05 §14 mapping of undefined concepts to core reuse.

#§ Scent — A Small Scholarship in the Hand

Sword and bow are tools that kill people. But surveying instruments·compasses·eyeglasses are tools that save people. Scholars·merchants·scouts·outland warriors carry them.

#§ Law — 16 Tools

#40-02-01. Surveying Instrument (測量儀)

Scent: Used by Ming·Joseon·Nanban alike. Celestial observation·map-making·navigation.
Effect: Geography·astronomy check +2. Immunity to getting lost while navigating.
Price: 30 gwan. Scholar·navigator only.

#40-02-02. Compass (羅針盤)

Scent: A Ming invention, Nanban-refined. Judges direction with a magnetic needle.
Effect: night·foul-weather advance check +3. Navigation +2.
Price: 15 gwan. Ordinary merchant·maritime.

#40-02-03. Quadrant (四分儀)

Scent: An angle-measuring device introduced from Arab astronomy. Measures latitude by star position.
Effect: navigation latitude check +3. Astronomy check +2.
Price: 25 gwan. Scholar·maritime.

#40-02-04. Hourglass (砂時計)

Scent: Time measurement. Sand in a narrow glass tube.
Effect: timed checks (Infiltration·non-combat actions) +1. Precise time measurement possible during a rite.
Price: 5 gwan. General shop.

#Optics·Sight

#40-02-05. Eyeglasses (眼鏡)

Scent: Nanban glassworking. Vision aid.
Effect: visual check +2 for a weak-sighted PC (exempts the -2 penalty incurred without eyeglasses).
Price: 20 gwan. Only from Nanban traders.

#40-02-06. Telescope (望遠鏡)

Scent: An early 17th-century Dutch invention. Field·naval-battle scouting.
Effect: ranged Perception check +3. Automatic success at sensing enemies within 1 zone of range.
Price: 50 gwan. Only Nanban·maritime.

#40-02-07. Magnifying Glass (擴大鏡)

Scent: Observation of small letters·details. A scholar's tool.
Effect: literature·detail investigation check +2. Trap·mechanism investigation +1.
Price: 8 gwan. Scholar·craft shop.

#Recording·Writing

#40-02-08. Portable Inkstone·Ink·Brush Set (携帯硯)

Scent: Carried by scholars·officials·diplomats. Field recording.
Effect: recording·document-drafting check +1. Diplomatic-document drafting possible.
Price: 3 gwan. General shop.

#40-02-09. Parchment Scroll (羊皮紙)

Scent: Nanban·Arab style. Excellent durability.
Effect: drafting of long-term storage documents. Strong against rain.
Price: 1 gwan/sheet. Nanban·Arab merchant.

#40-02-10. Seal (印章)

Scent: A house·office mark. Essential for diplomacy·contracts.
Effect: proof of identity. Trust check +3 against NPCs with house acquaintance.
Price: depends on the PC's house (general-shop fabrication 5 gwan).

#Sorting·Alchemy

#40-02-11. Herb Sorter (藥草分類器)

Scent: A physician·apothecary tool. Multi-tiered drawers·labels.
Effect: Herbalism check +2. Medicine-compounding time halved.
Price: 12 gwan. Apothecary·physician.

#40-02-12. Alchemy Tools (鍊金道具)

Scent: Arab·European alchemist tools. Still·crucible·vials.
Effect: direct compounding of medicines·poisons·bombs possible. Utilized if one holds the core Herbalism skill.
Price: 40 gwan. Only from Arab·Nanban scholars.

#40-02-13. Materia Medica Illustrated (本草圖鑑)

Scent: Ming Li Shizhen's Compendium of Materia Medica or Joseon's Dongui Bogam. An herb picture-book.
Effect: herb identification·compounding check +2. New-region herb discovery +1.
Price: 25 gwan. Physician·scholar.

#Infiltration·Disable

#40-02-14. Lock-Picking Tools (錠前解錠具)

Scent: A ninjutsu practitioner·thief tool. A collection of hooks·tweezers·keys.
Effect: lock Disable check +3. Even precision locks can be challenged.
Price: 8 gwan. Secret trade.

#40-02-15. Trap-Disabling Tools (罠解除具)

Scent: A scout·ninjutsu-practitioner tool. Fine needle·wire saw·mirror.
Effect: trap Disable check +2. Even demon (魔) traps can be identified (disabling is separate).
Price: 12 gwan. Secret trade.

#Other

#40-02-16. Tea-Ceremony Tool Set (茶道具一具)

Scent: The Japanese tea-ceremony tradition. Ritual use in gardens·tea rooms.
Effect: Bearing (dedicated skill) aid. Bearing check +2 during a tea-ceremony rite. Diplomacy·Negotiation aid +1.
Price: 30 gwan (simple) ~ 200 gwan (orthodox). Tea-ceremony shop.

#§ Usage Conventions

Gear slots: 1 tool = 1 slot. But portable tools (writing·small optics) up to 3 per 1 slot.
Sharing: a tool held by one PC can be borrowed by another PC for 1 session (applied to that PC's check).
Breakage: when struck by an enemy attack in combat, a GM Fate check (risk of tool breakage).
Repair: when a tool breaks, repair is possible for half the same price (an artisan NPC is needed).

"A scholar's tools are like a swordsman's sword. Though they look small, a single accurate measurement parts the fate of a thousand."