Rifts China 1

Megaverse, though most numerous in China (several hun­ The Mahoragas love to use the emotions, desires and needs
dred) and Southeast Asia (a few dozen). It is believed that no of others to manipUlate them into serving their own cause, and
more than three thousand can exist at any given time. that cause is usually chaos and ruination. The Serpent is a crea­
ture of chaos that doesn't ever truly serve anyone but itself. As a
Maboragas creature of chaos, it thrives on bringing about tumultuous
change by whatever means is available to it. Thus, there are
Also known as "the Serpent" times when the Mahoragas may seem to walk with angels, but
ultimately its mission is destroying someone' s power base and
Mahoragas are demons shaped like giant boa constrictors bringing about devastating change. A Serpent is pleased when it
with intelligent, human eyes. They are creatures of earth, water can bring down a king or inspire the overthrow of a tyrant. It
and eternity, which means they can see glimpses of the future. will promote freedom or tyranny, encourage exploration or iso­
Mortals and supernatural beings may approach the Mahoragas lationism, or fan the fIres of patriotism, zealousness, fear, igno­
with offerings of food to request insight to some problem, to lo­ rance and hate to give birth to chaos and change. And that
cate a lost loved one, or to see their future. A Serpent may com­ means the demon will turn against its own demonic brethren and
ply without any demand placed upon the individual when what the forces of evil, for when good or evil gets too powerful - too
it sees amuses it, or sets into motion a great conflict or upsets dominant - the Mahoragas believe it is time to tip the scales to
the curer nt balance of power - in short, anything that creates create unrest, revolution, war and chaos. That makes the Serpent
strife and consternation for the individual and should have the enemy of order and life.
long-reaching impact on other people or entire nations. The
cruel and sadistic demon likes to inflict pain and suffering so it Not all Mahoragas patiently wait for beings to come to them.
delights in telling people terrible things when one sees it. Other­ About 1 5% seek out mortals and become actively involved in
wise, a Mahoragas requires the person seeking its advice to the affairs of men and gods, usually as duplicitous advisors be­
share with it a dark secret or to do it a favor, or provide it with a hind the throne. Some go so far as to seize an entire community
delicacy of food or drink. Much like the Headless Ones, a favor or kingdom to rule as their own, while others establish death
for the Serpent always causes suffering for someone, or furthers cults and secret societies. At least half of all snake cults and
one of its own secret agendas, which is always to promote suf­ one-third of all death cults in China and India have been started
fering, chaos and change. A Mahoragas may choose to be rea­ (and often led in secret) by a Mahoragas. The Serpents know
sonably friendly, helpful and plain speaking or deliberately how to use and inspire mortals with consummate skill to achieve
condescending, rude, obtuse, and/or cryptic. Which approach it what they want - change that tears down, destroys, humiliates
chooses often depends on the level of respect and courtesy the and causes strife.
creature is shown by the one seeking its advice, as well as the
vision it sees about the individual' s future. Characters who an­ Ninety percent of all Mahoragas are intensely jealous of true
noy or insult a Mahoragas can expect no cooperation whatso­ dragons and do whatever they can to hurt and destroy them. Ser­
ever, or at a very great cost, and may be put in their place or pents constantly work to undermine the dragons ' holdings,
tortured via the creature' s magic, psionics or subtle manipula­ power base, reputation and goals, if for no other reason than to
tions. take what they want away from them. This and their devotion to
chaos has made the Mahoragas despised by dragons and disliked
by demons and dark gods, because the Serpent can never be
trusted, and one never knows when it may tum on you.

Mahoragas - Demon Oracle

Race: A Greater Demon.

Alignments: Miscreant (40%), Diabolic (50%) and Aberrant
( 1 0%). Cruel, sadistic, and manipulative. Likes to send peo­
ple on hopeless quests and fool's errands.

Attributes: I.Q. 1 D6+20, M.A. 1 D6+20, M.E. 1D6+ 1 8, P.S.
1 D6+ 1 9 (Supernatural), P.P. 1 D6+ 14, P.E. 1 D6+ 1 9, P.B.
1D6+4, Spd. 1D6+ 10.

M.D.C. : I D4x l 00 +4D6 per level of experience.

Horror Factor: 14

Size: 1 5-20 feet (4.6 to 6. 1 m) tall though the Serpent may look
smaller when coiled. Weighs 1 000-2000 pounds (450 to 900
kg) .

Gender: 50/50.

Average Life Span: Presumed to be immortal.

P.P.E.: 2D4xl O+90

Natural Abilities: Keen vision, Nightvision 400 feet ( 1 22 m),
see the invisible, dimensional teleport 30% +5% per level of
experience, impervious to S.D.C. weapons, disease, poison
and cold. Resistant to man-made M.D. weapons and explo-

112