CFhanges

E Car
周易
of Zhou
astern leromancy

O ne of the oldest divination

systems known to exist is a

type of cleromancy from China’s
Zhou dynasty that uses randomly
generated numbers for divination.
There is significant archaeological evidence

that this system was in widespread use in

Chinese society by 300 BC. The I Ching (or

Book of Changes) is made up of a foundation of

8 trigrams which also represent an element

and direction. These trigrams are composed

of three lines each, with a broken line repre-

senting yin (dark or negative), and an

unbroken line representing yang (light or

positive). Together they represent 64 possible

WRITING Phil Harmon
combinations (or hexagrams) which are COVER ART Ellis Goodson
EDITING Mike Myler
thought to represent the possible situations
LAYOUT Frank Michienzi
one might encounter in life.

Changes of Zhou: Far Eastern Cleromancy  |  EN World EN5ider

Creating a Reading
and Fantasy Gaming
For an in depth and accurate reading a hexagram
would be built from the bottom up, line by line, by
creating a number which represents yin or yang and
also represent a ‘moving’ or ‘changing’ line. These
moving lines change, creating a second hexagram,
and describe the situation changing from the first
hexagram to the second. The individual lines could
be generated from flipping three coins, rolling dice,
consulting numbered bones, dividing yarrow stalks,
or any other number of complicated methods.
However this level of detail is not necessary to
use this system in a fantasy game! For a simpli-
fied random approach, roll 1d8 to find the lower
trigram, then 1d8 to find the upper trigram on
Table: Hexagram Creation. The resulting hexagram
number is then read from Table: The 64 Hexa-
grams and Their Meanings. Fortune telling need
not be random though — the 64 hexagrams and
their mysterious and often vague nature give GMs
ripe opportunities for foreshadowing. To convey a
specific message, simply choose a hexagram with
the appropriate tone and mood.

TABLE: THE 8 TRIGRAMS (八卦) AND THEIR MEANINGS

NUMBER TRIGRAM NAME NATURE ELEMENT DIRECTION

乾 天
1
1 (Qián)
(Tiān)
Sky / Heaven
Yang (Force) – Creative Northwest

兌 澤
2
8 (Duì)
(Zé)
Lake
Water – Blissful West

離 火
3
7 (Lí)
(Huǒ)
Fire
(Sol) Radiant – Adherent South

震 雷
4
2 (Zhèn)
(Léi)
Thunder
Fire – Animating East

巽 风
5
6 (Xùn)
(Fēng)
Wind
Air – Amiable Southeast

坎 水
6
3 (Kǎn)
(Shuǐ)
Water
(Luna) Cold – Abyssal North

艮 山
7
4 (Gèn)
(Shān)
Mountain
Earth – Unmoving Northeast

坤 地
8
5 (Kūn)
(Dì)
Earth
Yin (Psychic) – Receptive Southwest

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TABLE: HEXAGRAM (卦) CREATION
D8 UPPER 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

TRIGRAM
1 8 7 2 6 3 4 5
D8
LOWER
乾 兌 離 震 巽 坎 艮 坤

1 1乾 a
01
"
43
%
14
]
34
\
09
[
05
z
26
y
11

2 8兌 ;
10
h
58
H
38
W
54
X
61
V
60
C
41
>
19

3 7離 :
13
g
49
G
30
q
55
K
37
b
63
I
22
s
36

4 2震 .
25
e
17
E
21
o
51
w
42
T
03
N
27
k
24

5 6巽 -
44
f
28
F
50
p
32
J
57
U
48
O
18
r
46

6 3坎 ,
06
d
47
D
64
n
40
v
59
S
29
M
04
j
07

7 4艮 =
33
c
31
B
56
m
62
u
53
R
39
L
52
i
15

8 5坤 /
12
Q
45
A
35
l
16
t
20
P
08
&
23
x
02

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TABLE: THE 64 HEXAGRAMS AND THEIR MEANINGS
NO. HEXAGRAM NAME MEANING
A great chariot in the heavens drawn by a fleet
1 a Force 乾 (qián) of dragons —a potent and originating power
denoting vigorous, ceaseless activity.

A fertile field on the vast earth, supporting

2 x Field 坤 (kūn) and containing all beings. Rest in firmness and
comprehension.

A sapling sprouting from tough earth—difficult

3 T Sprouting 屯 (zhūn) beginnings require firm action and the assistance
of vassals to achieve success.

A bubbling brook of youth at the foot of a wise old

4 M Enveloping 蒙 (méng) mountain: do not seek the fool and instead let the
fool seek the master, but instruct only the sincere.

Light and creativity rise from the Abyss. Food,

5 [ Attending 需 (xū) drink, good cheer, and patience for a fortuitous
time will bring safety crossing the river.

The foolish dragon attacks their reflection in the

6 , Arguing 訟 (sòng) water. Halt the conflict midway…to pursue it to its
bitter end will bring great misfortune.

An army camped near water—a generous general

7 j Leading 師(shī) will lead their soldiers to blameless victory.

So as benevolent regents bestow fiefs, friendly

8 P Grouping 比 (bǐ) relations and a paladin’s virtues bring success.
Late arrivals will fall ill.

Dense clouds yet bring no rain from the West as

the wind drives them across the sky. Follow in
9 \ Small Accumulating 小畜 (xiǎo chù) the halfling’s footsteps for small but continuous
progress.

To tread on the tail of the tarrasque and not be

10 ; Treading 履 (lǚ) bitten is great success indeed!

A dragon sleeping peacefully beneath the

11 y Pervading 泰 (tài) earth — the small-minded depart and greatness
approaches.

A dragon circling angrily in the sky—greatness

12 / Obstruction 否 (pǐ) departs and the small-minded approach.
Conditions are unfavorable.

Radiant light unites with fire’s warmth and begets

13 : Concordant People 同人 (tóng rén) comrades in fellowship — in unity and valor the
battle will be won.

A fire in the sky lights the way — follow in the

14 % Great Possessing 大有 (dà yǒu) giant’s footsteps for great progress.

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NO. HEXAGRAM NAME MEANING
As the great mountain hides its roots beneath
the earth, so must the proud warrior hide their
15 i Humbling 謙 (qiān) achievements beneath modesty if there is to be
any progress.

Thunder as nature’s music— the bard sings

16 l Providing-For 豫 (yù) songs with great enthusiasm and sets armies to
marching.

A thunderous sound within a lake causes

waves. Waves which follow one another will be
17 e Following 隨 (suí) undisturbed; waves which clash will be destroyed
in their opposing forces.

Necrotic evil eating away at the foundations of a

18 O Corrupting 蠱 (gǔ) wooden bridge — progress can only be made by 3
days preparation and 3 days planning.

A monk draws inexhaustible power from within.

19 > Nearing 臨 (lín) Approaching is favorable except in the 8th month.

The acolyte has washed their hands but not

20 t Viewing 觀 (guān) yet presented their offering. They sit in quiet
contemplation.

The piercing bite of the great wolf is a strong

21 E Gnawing Bite 噬嗑 (shì kè) reminder of the consequences of foolish actions.
Look to the law and let justice bare its teeth.

A graceful dance of blades with sharp, quick

22 I Adorning 賁 (bì) strikes. Small undertakings will find success.

A mountain split asunder by dwarven digging. No

23 & Stripping 剝 (bō) further movement will be advantageous.

Thunderous footsteps of marching armies upon

24 k Returning 復 (fù) the earth. Marching in any direction will find
success if on the 7th day the army returns.

The sprite may see into your heart. With

25 . Without Embroiling 無妄 (wú wàng) innocence there will be success but with ulterior
motives only failure.

Soothing the great dragon to sleep within the

mountain frees the countryside for travel. Share
26 z Great Accumulating 大畜 (dà chù) food outside the home and allies will aid in
crossing great waters.

The open mouth seeks nourishment— feed the

27 N Swallowing 頤 (yí) body, mind, and soul with great care for what is
necessary. Do not speak with a full mouth.

The lake rises above the trees, flooding the land.

28 f Great Exceeding 大過 (dà guò) Only in forward motion will success be found.

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NO. HEXAGRAM NAME MEANING
Water upon water representing the depths of the
29 S Gorge 坎 (kǎn) Abyssal plane. Only with great virtue can one walk
through unscathed.

The radiance of fire upon fire. With radiance from

30 G Radiance 離 (lí) within the cleric illuminates the darkness.

Two great kingdoms united by a union of their

31 c Conjoining 咸 (xián) prince and princess; a marriage of arrangement
brings favorable conditions.

Though difficult, with threatening thunder

32 p Persevering 恆 (héng) and wind, there is but one path through the
mountains. Do not change direction.

The dragon perched on the mountaintop,

33 = Retiring 遯 (dùn) surveying its domain. Retreat is the only option.

Thunderous djinn in the sky — great power comes

34 ] Great Invigorating 大壯 (dà zhuàng) from treading within one’s own domain.

Horses presented to the prince at dawn — having 3

35 A Prospering 晉 (jìn) audiences in a single day will bring great progress
to negotiations.

Light sets below the horizon. Tread the path

36 s Brightness Hiding 明夷 (míng yí) carefully with shuttered lanterns.

Warmth from the hearth denotes family and a

37 K Dwelling People 家人 (jiā rén) comforting home. Truth spoken, with the support
of one’s spouse, brings good fortune.

38 H Polarising 睽 (kuí) A lake on fire with siege oil. The country cannot
stand united but the individual may still prosper.

Melting ice floods down the mountain; progress is

39 R Limping 蹇 (jiǎn) attainable in the southwest but not the northeast.

Thunder and rain drive the traveler inside.

Moving quickly through poor weather will be
40 n Taking-Apart 解 (xiè) advantageous, but the best result will be found in
staying put.

Two baskets of grain offered to the temple on the

41 C Diminishing 損 (sǔn) lake at the foot of the mountain — sincere sacrifice
is necessary in all undertakings.

A mighty sky giant has found amusement in filling

42 w Augmenting 益 (yì) your sails. Steady progress can be made in any
direction.

The thief is captured as the lake rises to the

43 " Parting 夬 (guài) heavens to disgorge their secrets. There is danger
in entering the city without announcement.

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NO. HEXAGRAM NAME MEANING

44 - Coupling 姤 (gòu) A powerful and dark feminine force clouds the

future.

The priest kneels in their ancestral temple,

45 Q Clustering 萃 (cuì) bringing offerings for advice. Great undertakings
may follow.

A sturdy tree pushes upward through the earth.

46 r Ascending 升 (shēng) So like a druid of great character, honoring nature
brings achievements high and great.

An empty lake is not a lake at all. Do not believe all

47 d Confining 困 (kùn) that is spoken.

The water in the well neither increases nor

decreases, though the town may grow. If the
48 U Welling 井 (jǐng) bucket breaks or the rope cannot reach the water
there will be misfortune.

49 g Skinning 革 (gé) A fire elemental in a lake — revolution! Change!

Fire over wood. A cauldron boils at a campsite.

50 F Holding 鼎 (dǐng) There will be time to solidify one’s position.

Thunder over thunder— the sound of battling

51 o Shake 震 (zhèn) gods. Laughter and shock come in equal measure.

The giant sits with their back to the mountain — an

52 L Bound 艮 (gèn) image of stillness and thoughts turned inward.

A tree on a mountain—nature is progressing as

53 u Infiltrating 漸 (jiàn) winter gives way to summer.

A false marriage brings no advantage. All actions

54 W Converting the Maiden 歸妹 (guī mèi) will meet with failure.

55 Q Abounding 豐 (fēng) Thunder follows lightning as result follows effort.

The just attain abundance.

A campfire on the mountain warms the weary

56 B Sojourning 旅 (lǚ) traveler. Caution brings success to the wanderer.

Gentle breezes following one another; a gentle

57 J Ground 巽 (xùn) push from behind to guide one along the proper
path.

Two quiet lakes provide fish and bounty — friends

58 h Open 兌 (duì) may practice and hone their craft as fighters spar
joyously.

Temples and monasteries disperse education and

59 V Dispersing 渙 (huàn) learning throughout the land. Outward movement
will bring good fortune.

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 NO. HEXAGRAM NAME MEANING
As water must break free of the lake to become a
60 V Articulating 節 (jié) river, so is it necessary to break the limitations of
bondage to avoid stagnation.

A monk, sorcerer, and a barbarian must all find

61 X Centre Confirming 中孚 (zhōng fú) inner truth through self-reflection.

When a faerie flies too high, its song is lost.

62 m Small Exceeding 小過 (xiǎo guò) Success will come from lying low for the moment.

No kingdom was built in a day. Only through

63 b Already Fording 既濟 (jì jì) superior planning can order triumph over
disorder.

The little fox must take care in crossing the river

64 D Not-Yet Fording 未濟 (wèi jì) lest its tail become wet.

Cleromancer (Fortune Teller)

Cleromancers can appear as wizened old men
or women, beautiful or handsome mysterious
strangers, or even rare humanoids with strange
accents and draped in curious trinkets. No matter
their origins they speak in riddles and never answer
questions directly.
Cleromancer
Medium humanoid (any), any neutral alignment
Armor Class 10
Hit Points 4 (1d8)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
10 (+0) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 15 (+2) 16 (+3) 16 (+3)  ACTIONS
Saving Throws Wis +5
Skills History +6, Insight +7, Perception +5,
Performance +5, Persuasion +5
Senses passive Perception 15
Languages Common, plus any one language
Challenge 0 (10 XP)
Divinatory Tools. The cleromancer focuses on at least one
method of random number generation (yarrow stalks,
tea leaves in an embroidered silk bag, bones, cards, or
even a set of strange lucky coins) worth 25 gold.
Innate Spellcasting. The cleromancer’s innate
spellcasting ability is Wisdom. The cleromancer can
innately cast the following spells:
5/day: augury
3/day: comprehend languages
1/day each: detect magic, identify
Dagger. Melee Weapon Attack: +0 to hit, reach 5 ft.
or range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 2 (1d4) piercing
damage. e

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