MMM3 - Asian Pantheons FASERIP Marvel

Alexander killed Mikaboshi with the blade. Ares gave Phobos his sword back upon his judgement to be a true god, Phobos now wields the sword as a member of Nick Fury's Secret Warriors. Phobos used the sword to slaughter the secret service in his quest to teach the President of the USA a lesson after the death of Ares during Siege. In an intense battle, Phobos with the Grasscutter faced off against Gorgon who possessed the legendary sword's counterpart: the Godkiller. Phobos was killed in battle. ROLE-PLAYING NOTES Susanoo is dominated by two different personalities, reflecting the bipolar nature of his dual nature. His ara-mi-tama ('wicked soul") drives him to commit acts of destruction and violence, but his nigi-mi-tama ("beneficent scent") renders him a very kind and gentle deity. HISTORY Susanoo is one of a trinity of gods in a large hierarchy of deities along with Amaterasu, the sun-goddess, and Tsukiyomi, the moon-god. According to legend, heaven and earth were once joined until they were separated by the gods, Takamimusubi, the god of heaven, and his wife, Kamimimusubi, the goddess of earth. In their roles as Toyokumono and Kuninotokotachi, they charged their siblings, Izanagi and Izanami, the gods of day and night, with the task of creating more land from the sea. According to the Ninhongi, Izanagi and Izanami came down from Mount Takamagahara (modern Mount Fuji) linking Earth with Ama, and standing upon Amanohashidate, the floating bridge of heaven, they stirred the ocean with a jeweled spear in order to mystically pull the islands up from the bottom of the sea. It it is not sure when this would have occurred, but it is possible this occurred at the end of the Hyborian age. Izanagi claimed all the islands as his own and built a house on the island of Onokoro from where he ruled all of Japan. Izanagi and Izanami were the first Emperors of Japan; their descendants ruling Japan until their earthly rules were over and they departed Earth for Ama, the home of the Japanese gods. They had several children together, but his first son, Hiruko, did not please him and he set him adrift in a boat of reeds upon the ocean. 98

Among his favored children were Amaterasu, the sun-goddess, Tsukiyomi the moon-god and Susanowo the storm-god. However, when Kagutsuchi the fire-god was born, Izanami was set afire by his birth and so badly burned that she died and descended to the underworld with their children. Izanagi descended into Yomi, the Japanese underworld, to retrieve them but was repulsed by her decomposed corpse. He fled back to the realm of the living with Amatersasu and her siblings and eventually came to a rest at the mouth of a stream surrounded by orange trees and bushes and clovers near modern-day Hyuga, Japan. With the waters, he washed the taint of death and the underworld from himself and his children and imparted portions of godhood from himself to his children from his eyes and face to make them immortal. However, it has been claimed that he actually created his children from parts of his body with Amaterasu coming from his left eye, Tsukiyomi from his right eye and Susanowo from his nose. Izanagi divided portions of the world between them. He gave Amaterasu the sun, Tsukiyomi the moon and gave Susanowo dominion over the sea. Disgruntled and unhappy with his role as god of the sea, Susanowo much preferred to be the god of the dead and preferred to rule Yomi alongside his mother, Izanami, in the underworld. Izanagi exiled him from Ama, but before departing, he decided to say farewell to Amaterasu. Together, they sired several children including the Raiden or gods of thunder. In later myths, it was said they came into being from the melted tip of his spear while their daughters were born from the breath of Amaterasu. However, Susanowo became offended when Uke-mochi, the food-goddess, came to serve him and produced food by expelling it from her mouth. Displeased, he slew the goddess and dropped a dead diseased cow through the roof of the temple of Amaterasu. Amaterasu was so ashamed that she fled to Earth and concealed herself in the Amenoiwato cave near Otsugi, Japan where she barricaded herself within and withdrew all sunlight from Earth. The Amatsukami gathered to try and coax her out, but she did not finally emerge until Omoikane and Usumei used trickery to draw her out and back to heaven. Excited with his feats, Susanowo lost control and rampaged over the land and destroyed the rice fields belonging to Amaterasu. For his impetuousness, the gods shaved his beard, pulled his nails out and ousted him from heaven. He ended up in Izumo, Japan where he became ancestor of their later rulers. On Earth, he battled the eight-headed dragon Koshi, and slew him in order to save the life of the rice-goddess, Kushinada, who he took as his wife. Together, they sired Okuninisi, the god of medicine, Ohmagatsumi, god of misfortune, and Isohime, the mermaid-goddess. According to legend, Susanoo either found Kusanagi within Koshi or created the sword from part of his corpse. Known as the Grasscutter sword, the sword became the most powerful weapon among the gods of Japan and a symbol of great courage. Susanoo eventually presented it to Amaterasu, possibly as a token of forgiveness over his past grievances, but he remained a complicated and bipolar deity given to periods of great evil tempered by periods of great beneficence. Once as he was traveling through Japan during a storm, he came upon the home of a wealthy man named Kotan-Shorai, who failing to recognizing him, refused him shelter. Susanoo forced entry afterward and chopped the inhospitable into pieces and sacrificed him to the gods. Susanoo lived on Earth as ruler of Izumo and was ancestor of the Izumo tribes. He was credited with with planting the forests on the coast of Korea and building the mountains in the province of Kii on the south side of Japan. He was also considered chieftain over the spirits of the dead under Emma-O, the god of the dead. The Ancient Japanese sacrificed to him to rid themselves of disease and pestilence. The ox was considered sacred to him. 99

Susanoo and the Kami were worshipped as gods far longer than the majority of any other pantheon of gods on Earth, and when he departed Earth, he seemed to be welcomed back into Ama. However, several of the Japanese gods continued to live between Earth and Ama for centuries afterward until around 1000 AD, when an edict by the Third Host of the Celestials forbade the Japanese Gods with trafficking with mortals. During the encounter with the Celestials, either Izanagi or Takamimusubi had met with the rulers of the other pantheons of earth and became a member of the Council of Godheads. As per a pact with Odin, Chieftain of the Asgardian gods, either Izanagi or Amaterasu donated the necessary life-energies to Thor to restore the Gods of Asgard to life after the Fourth Host of the Celestials. In recent years, Mikaboshi, the god of evil, escaped Yomi and stole the Grasscutter Sword, using it to sever Amenohashidate linking Ama with Earth and then devastating the home of the gods. It is not known what happened to Susanoo during the attack, but several of the Kami were either killed in the attack or fled into hiding. Afterward, Bishamon and Inari rallied the remaining gods and garnered the support of the Olympian Gods in defeating Mikaboshi. Afterward, Susanoo was either restored to life as a pawn of Mikaboshi or fell under his mental control under other means and helped Mikaboshi spread a war of chaos and confusion over the Earth and the godly realms. Mikaboshi was finally destroyed or exiled from reality by Hercules with the help of several gods and a retinue of Earth's superhuman champions. Afterward, much of Earth was restored to normal and Susanoo regained his mind and will. Susanoo's later activities are unrevealed. 100

AME-NO-MI-KUMARI F RM (30) A AM (50) S RM (30) E AM (50) R GD (10) I GD (10) P IN (40) Health: 160 Karma: 60 Resources: RM Popularity: 10 BACKGROUND Real Name: Ame-no-minaka-nushino-kami Occupation: Goddess of water Legal Status: Ama Identity: Most residents of Earth-616 believe Ame-No-Mi-Kumari to be a fictional mythological deity. Other Known Aliases: Kamari, Amenomikumari, Ame-No-Mi-Kumari, "Heavenly Water Divider" Place of Birth: Ama Marital Status: Single Known Relatives: Minato-no-kami (father, possibly deceased), Kawa-nokami (mother, possibly deceased), Izanagi (paternal grandfather), Izanami (paternal grandmother), Takamimusubi, Bishamon, Susanowo, Tsukiyomi, Kagutsuchi (uncles), Amaterasu, Uke-Mochi (aunts), Inn (grandfather, possibly deceased), Gaea (grand-mother, alias Yo) Base of Operations: Ama Past Group Affiliations: None Present Group Affiliations: AmatsuKami KNOWN POWERS Body Resistance: EX versus Physical, Shooting, and Force attacks Invulnerability: RM resistance to cold, heat, radiation, etc. SHX resistance to disease. Longevity: Though not immortal in the same sense as some other god pantheons, the Japanese gods age at a considerably slower rate than humans. However, they're not completely immune to aging and can potentially die of old age. Regeneration: EX ability; however, this ability does not allow the regeneration of limbs or organs. Hyper-Speed: GD ability Superhumanly Dense Tissue: The density of a Japanese god’s bodily tissues is about twice that of a human being. As a result, they’re actually much heavier than they appear to be. Resurrection: A number of gods may work together to resurrect another deity if his or her life essence is beyond resurrection. Requires a minimum of three deities and expenditure of all Karma; may be performed once per day. Allspeak: As with all gods, Allspeak allows one to understand, speak, and write in all languages. If addressing speakers of more than one language, each will understand the deity’s language in his or her native language. This ability extends to extraterrestrial and otherdimensional languages as well as Earth tongues. Water Control: Kumari has limited experience in the mystical arts, mostly in conjuring water from molecules and creating objects from it. Abilities include: ● Water manipulation: She can create forms such as waves and giant hands, at Amazing rank. 101

● She has some control over water and the elements, including summoning lightning bolts and generating floods (Remarkable ability). Her might is not quite on par with that of her father who could redirect rivers and create lakes or Poseidon who can create tidal waves and hurricanes. ● She can also extend her consciousness into water to create watery forms of extraordinary size. Kumari’s water form has the following attributes: F A S E R I P Rm In Un Un Gd Gd In Health: 270 Karma: 60 Powers: In this form, she has Water Creation and Water Control, including the ability to create concussive waves, at Monstrous ability. While in this form, she has all the benefits and disadvantages of the Liquid Life body form and is immune to Blunt, Edged or projectile attacks. Talents: Underwater Combat, Martial Arts A, B, E, Quick-Striking, Dodging Contacts: Amatsu-Kami, Gods of Olympus ROLE-PLAYING NOTES Ame-no-Mi-Kumari is a youthful goddess, and is generally helpful. She is one of the quieter of the AmatsuKami and tends to defer to her father. HISTORY Ame-no-Mi-Kumari is the daughter of Minato-no-kami, god of rivers and estuaries. Her father was one of the sons of Izanagi and Izanami, the divine gods of Japan who sired the principal Japanese gods. Izanami, however, was badly burned by the birth of her last son, Kagutsuchi the fire-god, and departed Earth for the other-dimensional realm of Yomi. When she departed Earth, she retreated taking her children with her and Izanagi followed her in order to return Minato-no-kami and his siblings to Earth. On Earth, Minatono-kami became worshipped as god of rivers and estuaries, but his worship was largely eclipsed by Amaterasu, Tsukiyomi and Susanowo who had to share Ancient Japan amongst them. Unlike the majority of Earth’s gods, Kumari and the Amatsu-Kami have been worshipped by the Japanese well into the Twentieth Century. In recent years, Mikaboshi, the god of evil, recovered the Grasscutter Sword from Earth lost by Susanowo, the storm-god. The sword had been a gift to the Imperial Family of Japan for centuries, but when the empire fell during World War Two, it was hidden away in a heavily guarded temple where Mikaboshi lead demonic armies to acquire it for him. The sword was protected by those samurai who had lost their lives to it, but Thor and the Asgardian Gods eventually freed it. They were unable to safely protect it as Asgard, the home of the Asgardian gods, was frequently invaded by other threats, such as Morgan le Fay, who scattered the relics of Asgard on Earth as she seized the Twilight Sword to remake the Earth to her liking. Thor eventually led the Avengers against Morgan and reclaimed the Twilight Sword. Using the Grasscutter Sword, Mikaboshi severed Ameno-kihasidate, the bridge connecting Ama, the home of the Japanese gods, to Earth and conquered Yomi, the otherdimensional realm that served as the residence for the shades (ghosts) of the worshippers of the Japanese gods, unleashing the demons of Yomi upon Ama as a result. Several of the Kami either lost their lives in the bloodshed or were forced into hiding in other dimensions. Kumari was protected by Bishamon as they fled Ama. Mikaboshi then turned his attention to the other gods of Earth and lead an attack on the Olympian gods as the Asgardians gods had already succumbed to Ragnarok or Twilight of the Gods. Acting as a messenger, Inari, the rice-god, soon rallied with Hermes, the Olympian god of messengers, to use trickery and deception in uniting their two pantheons against Mikaboshi. During his visit to Olympus, Inari had requested water to quench his thirst, but he actually returned with it to the hiding place of the other Kami rescued by Bishamon, giving the 102

water as a gift to Kumari. Accepting the gift, Kumari and the Amatsu-kami led by Bishamon rallied with the Olympian gods against Mikaboshi and defeated him. Kumari returned the honor of what she considered a gift by granting water to Poseidon, the Olympian sea-god, and joined her powers with his to conjure a flood to fill Yomi and defeat Mikaboshi who was washed away in the storm. 103

HOTEI F MN (75) A MN (75) S IN (40) E AM (50) R GD (10) I GD (10) P IN (40) Health: 240 Karma: 60 Resources: IN Popularity: 30 BACKGROUND Real Name: Hotei Osho Occupation: God of drink and happiness, former agent of the Chinese government Legal Status: Ama Identity: Most residents of Earth-616 believe Hotei to be a fictional mythological deity. Other Known Aliases: Hotei Osho, Ho Ti, Pou-Tai (Chinese name), Pusa Place of Birth: Ama Marital Status: Single Known Relatives: Takamimusubi (possible father), Amaterasu (possible mother), Amatsumara, Sukuna, Omohikane, Bishamon, Daikoku, Fukrokuju, Jorojin, Inari (brothers), Ebisu (nephew), Uzumei (niece) Base of Operations: Ama, China, Japanese countryside Past Group Affiliations: Xian Present Group Affiliations: AmatsuKami, Shichi Fukrojin (Japanese gods of luck) KNOWN POWERS Body Resistance: EX versus Physical, Shooting, and Force attacks Invulnerability: RM resistance to cold, heat, radiation, etc. SHX resistance to disease. Longevity: Though not immortal in the same sense as some other god pantheons, the Japanese gods age at a considerably slower rate than humans. However, they're not completely immune to aging and can potentially die of old age. Hyper-Speed: TY ability Regeneration: EX ability; however, this ability does not allow the regeneration of limbs or organs. Superhumanly Dense Tissue: The density of a Japanese god’s bodily tissues is about twice that of a human being. As a result, they’re actually much heavier than they appear to be. Resurrection: A number of gods may work together to resurrect another deity if his or her life essence is beyond resurrection. Requires a minimum of three deities and expenditure of all Karma; may be performed once per day. Allspeak: As with all gods, Allspeak allows one to understand, speak, and write in all languages. If addressing speakers of more than one language, each will understand the deity’s language in his or her native language. This ability extends to extraterrestrial and otherdimensional languages as well as Earth tongues. Flight: EX airspeed Dimensional Travel: MN ability Water Freedom: He can live underwater for an indefinite time. Treat as Class 5000 with regard to water breathing, resistance to depths, etc., but does not gain bonuses to Fighting when in water. 104

Alcohol-Enhanced: Hotei’s skill actually improves when he is drunk. While drunk, it's nearly impossible for anyone to lay a hand on Hotei whom he does not wish to: treat his Fighting and Agility as Shift X when he is intoxicated (although this bonus does not affect an increase in Health). WEAKNESSES Up until the modern era, Hotei was drunk almost all of the time. He used to depend on his magic beads stolen from a demon to perform 'miracles' while drunk. Despite the increases that Hotei gains from imbibing alcohol (see above), his drunkenness reduces his Reason, Intuition and Psyche by 2 CS each. Karma is not affected. EQUIPMENT Magic Beads: He can create certain objects (though all he demonstrated was rice wine) out of nothing, but only by using his stolen magic beads. The beads bestow the power of Matter Creation at Excellent rank, and can create any object the holder imagines. Talents: Sumo, Martial Arts A-D, History of Ta-Lo and China, Trivia: Alcoholic Beverages Contacts: Amatsu-Kami, Xian, Chinese government, Shichi Fukrojin ROLE-PLAYING NOTES In his first appearance in the Marvel Universe, Hotei was referred to as the "Little Drunken God - patron of thieves, pimps, poets, accountants, drunkards, and unemployed samurai." However, his master was trying to win a donation from an unemployed samurai, so this all can be taken with a grain of salt, though "drunkards" seems very appropriate. HISTORY Hotei is the Japanese god of joy and laughter. He was considered a protector of children and one of the seven gods of luck. In medieval Japan, Hotei manifested as a very plump naked midget. In modern times, he's still naked and plump, but about 20 feet tall and pink. A samurai in medieval Japan met an old beggar ('high priest of Hotei') and his god on a bridge. The god, Hotei, had been soaking in the river. He asked the samurai for a donation of his gold purse to the 'priesthood'. The samurai tried to catch the intoxicated god and failed, but Hotei manifested a pot of rice wine for the samurai using his magic beads. The demon who owned the beads appeared, and they told him the samurai, holding the rice wine, was the thief. The demon fought the samurai, who was now drunk, and was decapitated by him. The priest ran away with Hotei, but the samurai caught them. Rather than punish them for setting him up, he gave them his gold purse for teaching him how to fight while drunk. Hotei was too drunk to speak this whole time. In his second appearance, Hotei was curiously allied with the Chinese (rather than Japanese) government, in spite of his mythology. The reason for his defection to one of Japan’s traditional enemies is unknown. Possibly, he also had worshippers in China and became an honorary member of the Xian (Gods of China). Hotei survived Mikaboshi's initial attacks on the Kami and fled to China. Later, Hotei offered his services to the Chinese government as possibly their answer to Thor in the USA. He also gave up drinking and grew 14 feet. When the Collective Man escaped from their governmentsanctioned imprisonment to rush to their sick mother's bedside, Hotei rushed off to return him to the government, but backed off when he realized he was begrudging the mother's joy of seeing her sons. Hotei again fought the Chaos King and his alien god army when the Chaos King attacked the Kami. He seemingly fell in battle. 105

KAGUTSUCHI F AM (50) A AM (50) S IN (40) E AM (50) R GD (10) I GD (10) P IN (40) Health: 190 Karma: 60 Resources: RM Popularity: 10 BACKGROUND Real Name: Kagutsuchi Occupation: God of fire Legal Status: Ama Identity: Most residents of Earth-616 believe Kagutsuchi to be a fictional mythological deity. Other Known Aliases: Kaga-Tsuchi, Kahu-Tsughi, Kagu-zuchi, Kagut-suchi, Ho-masubi, Homusubi Place of Birth: Mount Atago near Kyoto, Japan Marital Status: Married Known Relatives: Izanagi (father), Izanami (mother), Amaterasu (sister), Susanowo, Tsukiyomi, Kura-okmi, Kuraryama, Taka-okmi (brothers), wife (name unrevealed), Oho-Yama (daughter), Jimmu-Tenno (descendant, deceased) Base of Operations: Ama Past Group Affiliations: None Present Group Affiliations: AmatsuKami KNOWN POWERS Body Resistance: EX versus Physical, Shooting, and Force attacks Invulnerability: RM resistance to cold, heat, radiation, etc. SHX resistance to disease. Longevity: Though not immortal in the same sense as some other god pantheons, the Japanese gods age at a considerably slower rate than humans. However, they're not completely immune to aging and can potentially die of old age. Regeneration: EX ability; however, this ability does not allow the regeneration of limbs or organs. Hyper-Speed: TY ability Superhumanly Dense Tissue: The density of a Japanese god’s bodily tissues is about twice that of a human being. As a result, they’re actually much heavier than they appear to be. Resurrection: A number of gods may work together to resurrect another deity if his or her life essence is beyond resurrection. Requires a minimum of three deities and expenditure of all Karma; may be performed once per day. Allspeak: As with all gods, Allspeak allows one to understand, speak, and write in all languages. If addressing speakers of more than one language, each will understand the deity’s language in his or her native language. This ability extends to extraterrestrial and otherdimensional languages as well as Earth tongues. Fire/Magma Control: He can control fire and molten rock (magma), using 106

it to create weapons and other objects with Amazing ability. Mystic Abilities: He also is proficient in wielding magical energy, the full extent which is unknown. Treat as Incredible magical powers, the exact nature of which is left to the GM’s discretion. Talents: Blacksmithing, Geology, Ceramics, Martial Arts B, D and E, Edged Weapons Contacts: Amatsu-Kami ROLE-PLAYING NOTES Little has been revealed about Kagutsuchi’s personality in the Marvel Universe. He is the patron of blacksmiths and warriors. Like the fire he represents, he has great potential for both creation and destruction. HISTORY Little is known about the Marvel Universe’s version of Kagutsuchi. According to myths, his birth was so violent that he badly burned his mother, Izanami, at birth. His father, Izanagi, was so furious at his birth that he slew Kagutsuchi and cast him to Earth.From the blood which gushed out over the surrounding rocks and dripped from the sword’s blade and hilt another eight gods were born, all of them powerful swordsmen kami. The two most important of these martial gods are Takemikazuchi-no-kami and Futsunushi-no-kami, with the former being also a thunder god and patron of the martial arts who famously subdued Namazu the giant catfish that lives beneath the earth and causes earthquakes by flipping his tail. Two other gods born from Kagutsuchi’s blood were Kuraokamino-kami, who is a dragon and rain god, and Amenokagasewo, the kami of Venus the Evening Star. Under unknown circumstances, Kagutsuchi was reborn as the mountain-god Homusubi and sired several daughters. Kagutsuchi sired eight more gods, which were mountain gods that represented different types of mountains such as forested ones, those with moors, those far away, those possessing iron, those which provided passes to adjoining valleys and, of course, volcanoes.Through his daughter, Oho-Yama, he was one of the ancestors of Jimmu-Tenno, the first Emperor of Japan. Kagutsuchi was the patron deity of blacksmiths and ceramic workers. The stories of Kagutsuchi which include the creation of iron and swords may well be a mythological explanation for the arrival of iron and superior metal goods via immigrants arriving in Japan from mainland Asia at the beginning of the Yayoi Period (c. 300 BCE or earlier to c. 250 CE), many of whom may well have been warriors. In another legend, before Izanami died, she hid away and gave birth to three more gods: the water kami Mizuhame-no-mikoto, the clay princess, the gourd, and the water reed. All four were instructed by their dying mother to watch out for Kagutsuchi and, if necessary, act to pacify him if he ever gets out of hand. The traditional fire-fighting equipment of the ancient Japanese was water, carried in a gourd, to pour on the fire while water reeds and clay were often used to smother it. 107

AMATSU- MIKABOSHI Mikaboshi / Chaos King F RM (30)/ MN (75) A AM (50)/ UN (100) S IN (40)/ SH-Z (500) E AM (50)/ SH-Z (500) R IN (40)/ AM (50) I RM (10) / MN (75) P IN (40)/ CL3000 (3000) Health: 170/ 1175 Karma: 90/ 3125 Resources: SH-X/ CL3000 Popularity: -30/ -50 BACKGROUND Real Name: Amatsu-Mikaboshi Occupation: God of evil and darkness Legal Status: Kami Identity: Most residents of Earth-616 believe Mikaboshi to be a fictional mythological deity. Other Known Aliases: "August Star of Heaven", Ama-No-Kagaseo, Amatsu Mikaboshi, Chaos King Place of Birth: The Primordial Void Marital Status: Single Known Relatives: None Base of Operations: Continuum, formerly Yomi Past Group Affiliations: AmatsuKami; ally of the Skrull pantheon, God Squad Present Group Affiliations: None KNOWN POWERS Body Resistance: AM versus Physical, Shooting, and Force attacks Invulnerability: RM resistance to cold, heat, radiation, etc. SHX resistance to disease. Longevity: Mikaboshi is immortal, possessing a life essence that cannot be terminated by conventional means. Hyper-Speed: AM ability Regeneration: EX ability; however, this ability does not allow the regeneration of limbs or organs. Superhumanly Dense Tissue: The density of a Japanese god’s bodily tissues is about twice that of a human being. As a result, they’re actually much heavier than they appear to be. 108

Resurrection: A number of gods may work together to resurrect another deity if his or her life essence is beyond resurrection. Requires a minimum of three deities and expenditure of all Karma; may be performed once per day. Allspeak: As with all gods, Allspeak allows one to understand, speak, and write in all languages. If addressing speakers of more than one language, each will understand the deity’s language in his or her native language. This ability extends to extraterrestrial and otherdimensional languages as well as Earth tongues. Flight: Shift X airspeed Force Blasts: Amazing and Unearthly rank for Mikaboshi and Chaos King forms, respectively. Invisibility (Mikaboshi): Incredible rank Matter Manipulation: At Shift Y ability. Image Projection: Monstrous ability Teleportation: Unearthly ability Dimensional Travel: Mikaboshi can open temporary apertures between twilight realms, and traverse dimensions instantly, at Shift X rank. Shadow Copies: Incredible rank, as per the Illusory Duplication power. Absorption: Power to absorb and enslave anything and anyone into the void, including immortals. Treat as per the Spirit Vampirism power, with the following exceptions: 1) Mikaboshi may repeat the attack even if he fails a FEAT roll; victims do not gain automatic immunity. 2) He does not lose energy if he does not feed. 3) The power is not communicable. 4) Additions to Mikaboshi’s attributes from this power are permanent. This makes it an extremely dangerous power, accounting for Mikaboshi’s eventual transformation into the Chaos King. This power rank is Incredible. Demonic Mystical Powers: AmatsuMikaboshi is extremely proficient in wielding magical energy, using the forces of Chaos magic. He may use any Personal or Universal spell from Realms of Magic, at Amazing ability. Astral Body Control: As a demonic entity and the conqueror of Yomi, Mikaboshi also has several powers enabling him to capture and detain the astral bodies of recently deceased human beings. On at least one instance, Mikaboshi has been shown capable of releasing a deceased mortal soul back into the realm of the living. Mikaboshi does not have jurisdiction over all of humanity's deceased; to manipulate a human soul requires that the human being in question willingly submit to Mikaboshi's will. It is not yet known how a human being may free himself from bondage to Mikaboshi, nor is it revealed whether or not Mikaboshi "feeds" on the psychic energies as other demons do. His power rank is Monstrous. Shapeshifting: His most commonly used power is his metamorphic ability, at Shift X ability. Although he can alter his shape, he is almost always represented as a being of black, shadowy energy with a mask for a face. He can reshape his limbs into razor-sharp blades (Unearthly edged damage), and assume the form of a fire-breathing serpent (same physical statistics but add Monstrouslevel fire attack). Talents: Leadership, Military, Aerial Combat, Martial Arts A-E, Occult Lore, Oriental Weapons, Demonology Contacts: Oblivion ROLE-PLAYING NOTES Mikaboshi is not so much a kami as a primordial destructive force. Some see Mikaboshi as the Japanese god of evil, but he really is a being that represents the polar opposite of the core values in the Shinto religion. Jealous of the Amatsu-Kami, he aims to defeat them by taking control of all of the pantheons with himself as sole ruler. Mikaboshi speaks only in haiku. Mikaboshi is an accomplished strategist, although his preferred tactic is to simply overwhelm opponents with the sheer number of 109

his demonic foot soldiers. His army contains many netherworld denizens, mostly shinma and oni. HISTORY Amatsu-Mikaboshi (天津甕星) is the God of Evil, Chaos and the Stars to the follows of the Shinto religion in Japan. He is not actually a AmatsuKami but a primordial being who was imprisoned in Yomi, the Shinto underworld for all eternity. Mikaboshi is more akin to a force of nature than a physical being. Having existed as a dark, primordial void that once dominated Earth in its earliest days (and even earlier, dominating the Marvel Universe and the realities predating even that), Mikaboshi's true form is elusive. Oblivion, the entity which embodies all that never was, is not and never will be, has remarked off-handedly that AmatsuMikaboshi was one aspect of himself. He apparently exists as a single golden eye characterized by a slit-like iris. The eye is surrounded by an amorphous mass of dark energy, which Mikaboshi can form into tangible objects of virtually any form he can imagine, such as whip-like tentacles or a humanoid body. He can also assume a comet-like appearance (with his eye serving as the comet's nucleus) and propel himself at incredible speeds. Billions of years ago, Gaea in the form of Izanami and a young Amatsu-Kami; Izanagi ventured into a formless world that was dominated by a dark, primordial void where the ancient force of nature known as AmatsuMikaboshi existed and reigned alone. "Gaea" began to populate Earth with living creatures. Along with Izanagi the couple plunged a spear into the ocean and created the island that one day would be known as Japan. The couple created the rest of the Amatsu-Kami who later came to be worshipped as gods by the Humans of this land, which enraged Mikaboshi. His attempted to topple the fledgling Amatsu-Kami pantheon were foiled, and Mikaboshi was forced to descend to the netherworld of Yomi, where he remained for centuries. In Yomi, Mikaboshi sensed a thirst for vengeance from Kiochi Keishicho, a deceased Japanese police officer who would become the Ebon Samurai. Mikaboshi offered him to return to the mortal realm to exact his revenge on his murderer, the Silver Samurai. Kioshi accepted unaware Mikaboshi permanently bonded him to a suit of armor modeled after Silver Samurai's. In addition his katana sword was mystically bonded to the essence of a shinma demon's corrupting influence which subconsciously reminded him of the debt he owed to Mikaboshi and corrupted Ebon Samurai a bit more each time he drew the katana. The Warriors Three were put on trial for accidentally killing a giant who had shape-shifted into an aquatic beast. As punishment they were sentenced to retrieve several difficult items from various pantheons and return them to the father of the dead giant. This included the sword Grasscutter from Yomi guarded by Mikaboshi. Later, taking advantage of the chaos left by the fall of Asgard and the Norse pantheon, Mikaboshi planned to extend his influence by capturing Olympus and crushing the Olympian gods. With the Olympians defeated, Mikaboshi hoped to compel all the other pantheons into surrendering. To this end, Mikaboshi laid siege to Olympus, which was very close to succeeding. Ares, still bitter about the treatment he received from the other Olympians, refused to raise a finger to help them. Desperate for his aid and wishing to goad Ares into action, Zeus had Ares’ son Alexander Aaron kidnapped and brought to Olympus where he was placed under the care of Achilles and his Myrmidons. With Mikaboshi in utter control of the battle, Hermes went to Earth to fetch an enraged Ares in an attempt to get him to speak with Zeus, but Ares' only concern was his son. Relenting, Hermes transported them both to Achilles' stronghold where they kept Alexander, only to find the fortress destroyed and Alexander missing. While Achilles was away, Mikaboshi's forces managed to destroy the Myrmidon fortress and steal Alexander away to his own 110

stronghold in the eastern lands. Mikaboshi slowly began to warp Alexander's mind in an attempt to turn him against his father by revealing the brutal history and patricides committed by the Greek gods. Mikaboshi hoped to turn Alex into the new god of war, one that could be used against the Greek gods and, more importantly, Ares himself. Finding out his son was in the hands of Olympus' enemies, a furious Ares begrudgingly agreed to join in the fighting, but only to rescue his son. During the battle, Zeus was on the brink of death and used his remaining power to break the hold Mikaboshi had over Alexander. Alexander used the Grasscutter Sword against Mikaboshi and ended the battle. Mikaboshi was then returned to the Japanese land of the dead defeated. Athena of the Olympian Pantheon called a meeting of the Pantheons in San Francisco to assemble a team of gods from Earth, known as the "God Squad". Mikaboshi was chosen by the pantheons of the east along with Hercules, Snowbird, Tecumotzin, and Atum, the God Eater to battle and defeat the Skrull Gods Kly'Bn and Sl'gur't. En route to Skrull space through the dream realm, they battled Nightmare. Mikaboshi was key in winning the battle by being able to make duplicates of himself. Upon arriving in Skrull space, the God Squad had to battle their way through conquered pantheons of gods on the way to Kly'Bn and Sl'Gurt’s thrones. Mikaboshi attacked Sl'gur't after she destroyed Atum, and both took shape of the same creatures during battle, eventually taking the form of each other. Mikaboshi killed Sl'gur't before being left by Hercules, Snowbird, and Amadeus Cho who thought Mikaboshi was killed, thus leaving Mikaboshi to take command of the conquered pantheons. After seizing control over thousands of alien deities of the Skrulls, and using them to tear through worlds and realities to eliminate the gods of countless other extraterrestrial civilizations, such as the gods of the Shi'ar and the gods of Zenn-La, Mikaboshi was able to gather enough power to shed his "Terran form" and emerge as the Chaos King, the primal embodiment of nothingness and primordial chaos that served as a natural opposing power to both Eternity and Death, and a threat to the entire Marvel Multiverse, and all its powered mortals, living or dead, abstract conceptual beings, cosmic entities and lesser divinities. Mikaboshi's tendrils reached Earth trapping humanity into a state of waking sleep. While Hercules had returned the sleeping heroes to Earth Thor began saving planes, which would have crashed because the pilot fell asleep. Hercules used his omnipotent powers to stop time to prevent any planes crashes, car accidents and people dying during operations. Grown to planetary proportions Hercules fought the Chaos King outside Earth's orbit. Meanwhile Galactus used his own power to open a portal to Continuum. Cho calculated what could be done and came to the conclusion he couldn't save enough people by sending them to Continuum. The Chaos King slashed Hercules while his army fought the God Squad and Earth's remaining heroes. Ultimately Hercules punched the Chaos King through the portal to Continuum. The Chaos King consumed everything there and had his victory of returning a reality into an empty void. Back on the remains of Earth Cho held the bubble universe Continuum in his hand with the Chaos King trapped inside. Athena congratulated Hercules and tried her best to convince him to rule over a new existence, but instead Hercules restored everything to the way it was before and sacrificed his own godhood doing this. 111

TSUKUYOMI F AM (50) A AM (50) S IN (40) E AM (50) R GD (10) I RM (30) P MN (75) Health: 190 Karma: 115 Resources: RM Popularity: 10 BACKGROUND Real Name: Tsukuyomi Occupation: God of the Moon Legal Status: Ama Identity: Most residents of Earth-616 believe Tsukuyomi to be a fictional mythological deity. Other Known Aliases: Tsukuyomi-nomikoto Place of Birth: Ama Marital Status: Single Known Relatives: Izanagi (father); Amaterasu (sister); Susano-o (brother) Base of Operations: Ama Past Group Affiliations: None Present Group Affiliations: AmatsuKami KNOWN POWERS Body Resistance: EX versus Physical, Shooting, and Force attacks Invulnerability: RM resistance to cold, heat, radiation, etc. SHX resistance to disease. Longevity: Though not immortal in the same sense as some other god pantheons, the Japanese gods age at a considerably slower rate than humans. However, they're not completely immune to aging and can potentially die of old age. Regeneration: EX ability; however, this ability does not allow the regeneration of limbs or organs. Hyper-Speed: Minimum of PR Superhumanly Dense Tissue: The density of a Japanese god’s bodily tissues is about twice that of a human being. As a result, they’re actually much heavier than they appear to be. Resurrection: A number of gods may work together to resurrect another deity if his or her life essence is 112

beyond resurrection. Requires a minimum of three deities and expenditure of all Karma; may be performed once per day. Allspeak: As with all gods, Allspeak allows one to understand, speak, and write in all languages. If addressing speakers of more than one language, each will understand the deity’s language in his or her native language. This ability extends to extraterrestrial and otherdimensional languages as well as Earth tongues. Mystic Abilities: He also is proficient in wielding magical energy, the full extent which is unknown. Treat as Incredible magical powers, the exact nature of which is left to the GM’s discretion. Tsukuyomi’s spells generally have some connection to darkness. Talents: Military, Martial Arts A-E, Diplomacy, Astronomy Contacts: Amatsu-Kami ROLE-PLAYING NOTES Tsukuyomi is a skilled strategist and often serves as the spokesperson for his gather, Izanagi, the Skyfather of the Amatsu-Kami. HISTORY Tsukuyomi-no-mikoto (月読尊) or Tsukuyomi (月読), is the moon god in Shinto and Japanese mythology. Tsukuyomi was the second of the "three noble children" (三貴子, みは しらのうずのみこ, Mihashira-nouzunomiko) born when Izanagi-noMikoto, the god who created the first land of Onogoro-shima, was cleansing himself of his sins while bathing after escaping the underworld and the clutches of his enraged dead wife, Izanami-no-Mikoto. Tsukuyomi was born when he washed out of Izanagi's right eye. However, in an alternate story, Tsukuyomi was born from a mirror made of white copper in Izanagi's right hand. After climbing a celestial ladder, Tsukuyomi lived in the heavens, also known as Takamagahara, with his sister Amaterasu Ōmikami, the sun goddess, who also later became his wife. Tsukuyomi angered Amaterasu when he killed Uke Mochi, the goddess of food. Amaterasu once sent Tsukuyomi to represent her at a feast presented by Uke Mochi. The goddess created the food by turning to the ocean and spitting out a fish, then facing a forest and spitting out game, and finally turning to a rice paddy and coughing up a bowl of rice. Tsukuyomi was utterly disgusted by the fact that, although it looked exquisite, the meal was made in a disgusting manner, and so he killed her. Soon, Amaterasu learned what happened and she was so angry that she refused to ever look at Tsukuyomi again, forever moving to another part of the sky. This is the reason that day and night are never together. In later versions of this story, Uke Mochi is killed by Susanoo instead. 113

OTHER AMATSU-KAMI The following gods and goddesses have been alluded to or confirmed as existing behind the scenes in Marvel comics. EMMA-O Occupation: God of the Dead Other Known Aliases: Emma-Hoo, Emma-sama, Yama-Raja, Yemma (Buddhist name) Marital Status: Single Known Relatives: Izanagi (possible father), Izanami (possible mother), Amaterasu (possible sister), Susanowo, Tsukiyomi (possible brothers) Base of Operations: Yomi Powers: As well as having the conventional attributes and advantages of typical Kami, Emma-O may have some sort of power over occult and negative energies. The full extent of his abilities is unknown. History: Not much is known about him except that he received the shadows (spirits) of the worshippers of the Japanese gods at death, but it is also possible that is actually the same deity known as Yama, the Hindu god of the underworld, responsible for imprisoning the evil spirits and demons of the underworld from reaching Earth. Several of the Hindu Gods were worshipped in both Japan and China as Buddhist deities. In recent years, Yama met with several other gods of the dead with a scheme to unite their kingdoms that failed. Emma-O has not appeared on-panel, but is known to exist in the Marvel Universe, having been mentioned in Thor Annual 10 and Marvel Zombies Handbook #1. TAKAMIMUSUBI Occupation: God of the Sky Other Known Aliases: Takami-Musubi ("high-producing"), Kami-rogi ("divine male"), Toyokumno Marital Status: Married Known Relatives: Inn (father), Gaea (mother, alias Yo), Kamumimusubi (sister, first wife, possibly deceased), Uhijini, Ohotojini, Omotaru, Izanagi (brothers), Suhjini, Ohotomaheno, Kahiko, Izanami (sisters), Amaterasu (niece/second wife), Yorudau, Mihotsu (daughters), Sukuna, Omohikane, Bishamon, Daikoku, Fukrokuju, Ho-Tei, Jorojin, Amatsumara, O-Inari, Omoikane (sons) Base of Operations: Ama Powers: As well as having the conventional attributes and advantages of typical Kami, Takamimusubi has far more mastery in the mystical arts than any other Japanese god; foremost in his powers are the ability to control the weather, cast spells and create gateways between worlds. His strength is exceptional even for the AmatsuKami, able to lift (press) 70 tons under optimal conditions. History: Takamimusubi was among the first of the Kami to appear on Earth. According to ancient myths, he and his siblings were responsible for creating the Earth. He was one of the few gods recognized from this early generation of gods to survive under Shintoism. He took the sun-goddess, Amaterasu, as his wife and sired several of the Japanese gods, but he never leaves the heavens, instead choosing to hide from mortal man. In the Shinto religion, it is Takamimusubi, not Izanagi, that rules Ama, and Izanagi only appears as a major deity in later myths. One possible explanation is that Takamimusubi ruled Ama at one time long ago, and through unknown circumstances leadership transferred to Izanagi. Although he is believed to exist in Marvel’s version of the Japanese pantheon, the relationship between him and Izanagi is unclear. BENTEN Occupation: Goddess of love, beauty and luck, patron goddess of musicians and the arts; former sea-goddess Other Known Aliases: Benten-San, Benzaiten, Sengen, Sengen-sama, Kotokuten ("goddess of meritorious works"), Ako Myo-on-ten ("goddess of the marvelous voice"), White Snake Lady 114

Marital Status: Married Known Relatives: Bishamon (possible adoptive father), Kishijoten (possible adoptive mother), Komoku, Jigoku, Zocho (uncles), Fukrokuju, Daikoko, Hotei, Jorojin, (foster brothers), Ebisu (cousin), Oyamatsumi (first husband, possibly deceased), Inari (second husband), The Jiugo Poki (sons), Ihanaga, Konohana, Yukionna, Tasutahime (daughters), Kagutsuchi (father-in-law), Ninigi (son-in-law, deceased), Hodoeri, Hososeri, Hoori (grandsons), Jimmu, Hachiman (descendants) Base of Operations: Ama, and Enoshima Island near Kamakura, Japan Powers: As well as having the conventional attributes and advantages of typical Kami, Benten has mystic powers, the full extent of which has been unrevealed. She has demonstrated the ability to levitate objects, alter her form and attire and materialize objects. She can also walk across water and exist underwater without detrimental effects. Benten is a highly charismatic and beneficent goddess with musical and singing ability. She has limited ability to defend herself in physical combat. In ancient times, Benten sometimes appeared with four or eight arms. Benten carries a number of mystical weapons and objects which represent different mystical objects and attributes. She has been known to carry a sword, jewel, bow, arrow, wheel and key. These objects are representatives of the forces she represents, i.e. the sword for wisdom, the lute for music...). She also carries a biwa, which resembles a lute. She rides upon a huge serpent named Hakuja who is obedient to her whims and protects her to dangers to her life. History: Not much is known about her origins; she arrived in Japan by sea from another dimension, possibly Ama, the home of the Japanese gods. Originally a sea-goddess, she was accepted among the Shichi Fukujin, the gods of luck and fortune, sons of the war-god, Bishamon. She eventually became known as a goddess of love. She became the wife of Oyamatsumi, the mountain god who lived atop Mount Fuji, and sired several children. Her daughter, Konohana, became the wife of Ninigi, heir to the throne of Japan and divine ancestor to the Emperors of Japan. Benten also became the wife of Inari, the rice-god, after the death of UkeMochi, the food-goddess. Around 1000 AD, Izanagi, Ruler of the Japanese gods, met with the other rulers of the gods of Earth once worshipped on Earth to discuss the threat of the Third Host of the Celestials. They had to pledge not to interfere with the plans the Celestials had with humanity after the Celestials threatened to seal off the interdimensional pathways the gods' respective dimensions to Earth. Amaterasu, the sun-goddess, meanwhile met with the other queens of the pantheons of Earth's gods to choose twelve humans of pure genetic potential to serve as examples of humanity during the Fourth Host of the Celestials. She discovered Chi Lo, a young girl from Japan in the 1970s to become part of the Young Gods. Later known as Harvest, Chi Lu and the other Young Gods were sheltered in a secret location by Benten and several other of the goddesses of Earth until the Fourth Host of the Celestials. The Celestials accepted the Young Gods as examples of humanity and promised not to destroy Earth, later departing Earth with the Young Gods. In the aftermath of Mikaboshi’s siege on Ama, the Amatsu-kami were largely scattered between Earth and other worlds, but Benten has been seen living on Earth, romanced by Apollo and Oenghus who have recognized her. Just which of the Amatsu-kami have survived and their subsequent whereabouts are is unrevealed. OTHER DEITIES Japanese culture has many deities, despite only a handful having appeared in Marvel’s comics. Many of these are entities found in Japanese Buddhism, rather than Shinto, and are thus not truly of the Amatsu-Kami. The Buddhist entities have not appeared yet in Marvel comics, so if they exist, their 115

relationship to the Amatsu-Kami is unknown. Below are some of the additional deities from traditional Japanese mythology, and their spheres of influence. ● Adachigahara - Demoness armed with a knife. ● Aizen-Myoo - God of Love. Buddhist deity of Lust Suppression. ● Ajisuke-Takahikone - God of Thunder. Noisy Thunder Child. ● Akuma - Devilish Fire Demon. ● Amida - God of Light. Buddha of Light. ● Bakemono - Demon, Goblin-like creature ● Baku - Demon, 'Eater of Dreams'. ● Bimbogami - God of Poverty. An extremely poor god. ● Bosatsu - Spirit of Wisdom. An enlightened Buddhist being. ● Chimatano - God of Crossroads. Signpost God. ● Chumo-Hime - Japanese legendary mortal ● Chup-Kamui - Role-switching God of the Sun ● Daikoku - God of Wealth. Good Fortune God of Wealth Counseling. ● Dainichi - Japanese Supreme God. A version of the Buddha Vairocana. ● Ebisu - God of Fishing and Good Luck in Fishing. ● Ekibiogama - God of Illness and Disease, Epidemic Diseases. ● Fudo - God of Protection. God of Fire, Wisdom and Protection from Disaster. ● Fugen - Japanese God of Truth. ● Fujin - Japanese Wind Demon ● Fukurokuju - God of Good Health. Fitness Coach of the Shichi-FukuJin. ● Futen - God of the Wind ● Gaki - Spirit of Hunger. Ghosts; there are 36 categories of them. ● Gama - God of Old Age and Longevity. ● Gekka-O - God of Marriage. God of Binding in Marriage. ● Hachiman - Japanese God of War ● Hamori - Japanese God of Trees. The God who Protects Leaves. ● Hannya - Japanese Demoness with fangs and horns. ● Heike - Samurai Crab spirits. ● Hoderi - Shinto God of Fishing. ● Hoji - A Spirit of Evil. Pillar-Dwelling Fox Spirit. ● Hoori - Hero God of Hunting. ● Hoso-no-Kami - God of Illness and Disease, Smallpox. ● Hosuseri - God of Mystery, an obscure god. ● Ida-Ten - God of Protection, a protector of Japanese monks. ● Ika-Zuchi-no-Kami - Seven Shinto demons that cause volcanoes and earthquakes. ● Izu-San-Gongen -God of Happiness and Conviviality. ● Jikoku - God of the East, one of the Japanese Gods of Direction ● Jizo - God of Protection, Protector of Mankind. ● Jo - Spirit of Pine Trees ● Jurojin - God of Old Age, Fortuitous God of Longevity. ● Kamikaze - God of the Wind, and the 'Divine Wind' that causes typhoons. ● Kamu-Yamato - Japanese legendary mortal, the first human Emperor of Japan. ● Kannon - Goddess of Harmony, Compassion and Mercy. ● Kappa - Extremely polite bloodsucking water demons. ● Kasha - Repulsive demonic spirits. ● Kashiwa-no-Kami - God of Oak Trees. ● Kishijoten - Goddess of Luck and Beauty. ● Kishimo-Jin - Demoness, the Mother of Baby-Eating Demons. ● Kobo - Japanese legendary mortal. A no-nonsense sage, spreader of love and killer of demons.. ● Kojin - Goddess of Trees, Goddess of the Kitchen. ● Koki-Teno - Demonic female spirits that take the form of foxes. ● Konohana - Goddess of Flowers, The Blossom Princess. ● Kosensei -God of Wisdom. A sage with a toad. ● Koya-no-Myoin - God of Mountains, especially Mount Koya. ● Kuku-no-Chi - God of Tree Trunks. ● Kunitokotachi - God of Mount Fuji. ● Kwannon - Japanese Buddhist Goddess of Mercy. ● Marisha-Ten - Goddess of War and Victory. ● Mawaya-no-Kami - God of Lavatories/toilets, gynecological diseases, optical care and dentistry. ● Miroka - Buddhist God of Happiness. ● Miroku - Japanese incarnation of Maitreya, the Buddha Yet To Come. ● Momotaro - Midget Hero God 116

● Monju - God of Wisdom, Japanese version of the Bodhisattva Manjusri. ● Moshiriikkwechep - Enormous fish created to cause tides by flicking its tail or fins. The Gods overestimated its strength, and if it’s not held down firmly at the bottom of the ocean, tidal waves, tsunami and earthquakes may result. ● Musubi-no-Kami - God of Love and Marriage. ● Nai-no-Kami - Earthquake God ● Naka-Yama-Tsui-Mi - God of Mountain Slopes. ● Nichiren - God of Writing, Scripts, and Letters. ● Nijuhachi-Bushu - Star Gods; group of 28 Constellation Deities, similar to the western Zodiac ● Ninigi - God of Cooking, Rice and the Japanese Imperial family. ● Oanomochi - Another God of Mount Fuji ● Oho-Yama - Great Mountain God ● Okina - God of Wisdom, another Holy Sage. ● Okuninushi - God of Healing and Sorcery ● Otohime - Dragon Princess of the Sea, a fabulous creature and the daughter of Ryujin. ● Ryujin - The Dragon King of the Sea and dispenser of Tide Jewels. ● Sambo-Kojin - Kitchen God. ● Samebito - A Japanese dragon who could cry jewels. ● Sanbai-Samo - Shinto Rice God. ● Sangen-Samo - Japanese Goddess of Mountains, Goddess of Mount Fuji. ● Sartahiko-Ohkami - God of Crossroads ● Shojo - Aquatic, monkey-like Gods of Drunkenness ● Shoki - Japanese God of Combat, known for quashing demons beneath his bare feet. ● Shoko-O - Another God of the Underworld and the Japanese Hell. ● Shoten - Japanese incarnation of Ganesha, Hindu god of wisdom. ● Sukuna-Biko - Dwarf God with moth wings and tiny feathers, God of Farming ● Tamayon-Hine - Japanese Goddess of Ancestors and mother of the mythical First Emperor. ● Twelve Heavenly Generals - Japanese Buddhist divine beings of protection. Each general commands 7,000 troops. ● Uba - The Old Lady of the Pine Tree, a tree spirit ● Uke-Mochi - Goddess of Cooking, wife of Inari ● Uzume - Goddess of Dancing and Mirth. ● Yakushi - God of Healing, Divine Buddhist Healer. ● Zao-Gongen - God of Protection, residing at the summit of Mt. Zao. Wields a thunderbolt. ● A God somewhere between Buddhism and Shinto. ● Zenmyo - Goddess of Mystery ● Zocho - Japanese God of the South, one of the Gods of Direction. KUNITSU-KAMI (GODS OF THE LAND) While the Amatsu-Kami are the divine inhabitants of Ama and Yomi, there also exist “Gods of the Land”, the Kunitsu-Kami who inhabit the earthly realm. Although these deities have not been seen in the Marvel Universe, neither has their existence been contradicted. The Kunitsu-Kami are worshipped by the Ainu, the realworld indigenous people of Japan who reside in the northern island of Honshu, plus the Russian regions of Sakhalin, the Kuril Islands, and formerly, the Kamchatka Peninsula. The Kunitsu-Kami are more akin to earth-spirits than divinities, and may have some relationship to the Fae. The Ainu refer to them as kamuy. Kamuy are numerous; some are delineated and named, such as Kamuy Fuchi, the hearth goddess, while others are not. Kamuy often have very specific associations, for instance, there is a kamuy of the undertow. Some notable KunitsuKami include: ● Ae-oina Kamuy, a culture hero who taught humans the domesticated and sacred arts ● Apasam Kamuy, kamuy of the threshold ● Cikap-kamuy/Kotan-kor-kamuy, god of owls and the land ● Hasinaw-uk-kamuy, goddess of the hunt ● Kamuy-huci, goddess of the hearth 117

● Kandakoro Kamuy, the prime originator, god of the sky ● Kenas-unarpe, a blood-drinking monster who preys upon hunters ● Kim-un-kamuy, god of mountains and bears ● Kina-sut-kamuy, god of snakes ● Kotan-kar-kamuy, god of creation ● Kunnecup-kamuy, god of the moon ● Mosirkara Kamuy, creator of the earth ● Nusa-kor-kamuy, messenger to the gods and representative of the dead ● Pauchi Kamuy, an evil spirit responsible for insanity ● Repun Kamuy, the killer whale, god of the sea ● Shiramba Kamuy, god of wood, grains, and vegetation ● Tokapcup-kamuy, goddess of the sun ● Waka-ush Kamuy, goddess of fresh water ● Yushkep Kamuy, the spider goddess ● Sarorun Kamuy, the god of the marshes. Personification of the spectacular red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis), which lives in the wetland habitats of east Hokkaido and southern Sakhalin. Other species of resident and migratory birds are also given the name Kamuy. 118

OTHER SUPERNATURAL BEINGS ONI Oni (鬼) are a kind of yōkai: a supernatural ogre, or troll in Japanese folklore. They are typically portrayed as hulking figures with one or more horns growing out of their heads. Stereotypically, they are conceived of as red or blue-colored (greencolored), wearing loincloths of tiger pelt, and carrying iron clubs. They are one of the many species of beings inhabiting the netherworld realm of Yomi in the service of Mikaboshi, but have also appeared on Earth. They often serve as the wardens of Jigoku, administering sentences passed down by Hell's magistrates. They are popular characters in Japanese fiction, often as stock villains. Oni are born when truly wicked humans die and end up in one of the lower Hells, transformed into these ogre-like creatures. Occasionally, when a human is so utterly wicked that his soul is beyond any redemption, he transforms into an Oni during life, and remains on Earth to terrorize the living. Typical statistics: F A S E R I P In Gd Am Am Ty Ty Gd Health: 150 Karma: 22 Resources: Ty Popularity: -4 119

Powers: Shapeshifting: Remarkable ability; they sometimes disguise themselves as human. Disease: Some Oni are said to spread disease; treat as Plague Carrier at Excellent rank. Natural Weaponry: Oni’s horns and tusks do Excellent edged damage. Magical Ability: Many Oni are also accomplished sorcerers, and may wield five to ten Chaos Magic spells of Personal or Universal energies. An Oni’s spells will generally be within the Remarkable to Amazing ability range. Talents: Oni will have one or more Martial Arts talent, plus at least one weapon skill -- Blunt Weapons are a particular favorite. Those serving in Jingoku’s legions will also have the Military talent. Oni versed in magic will have Occult Knowledge, and possibly other mystic talents as well. Equipment: The oni’s weapon of choice is traditionally the kanabō, a large, two-handed, spiked or studded iron club. The kanabō of a typical oni does Blunt damage and is constructed of Amazing strength material. They may also be outfitted with other standard Japanese weapons and armor. Contacts: Oni employed in the legions of Jingoku will have their particular army unit as a contact; higher-level ones may even know Emma-O or other underworld higher-ups (or should that be lower-downs?). Oni of the sorcerous varieties are sometimes employed as magistrates in the underworld, and may similarly have superior contacts. SHINMA DEMONS Shinma are demon-like beings who inhabit the Japanese underworld realms. Their powers typically include shape-shifting and flying. One can spot them by the unnatural glow in their eyes. They traditionally have vampire-like qualities, either of the literal blood-sucking variety, or by feeding off of the emotions of mortals. Shinmas tend to haunt weakhearted people by luring them to illusions that are supposed to achieve their dreams or desires, only for the shinma to leave them in ruin. Not all shinma are inherently evil, however, and even the malevolent ones seem to adhere to a code of honor. Sometime during the 16th century, one shinma demon named Kao-Gotu arrived in Japan from the world of Yomi. Here he murdered a warlord named Tesuka, became him and used his powers to start a rebellion in an attempt to overthrow the emperor. The samurai of the time eventually discovered the deception and turned to the gods for help who gave them each a different power of lightning, wind, and thunder, as well the ability to become one with the silence of the night. Centuries later the descendants of the samurai managed to trap Kao120

Gotu in a mask and he became known as the villainous Face Thief. On a separate occasion, another Shinma demon by the name of Miyu used a substance called Element Z to bestow super powers to a businessman named Inoshiro Kondo, an enemy of Iron Man. When Kondo’s life was endangered, Miyu appeared, to claim Kondo for herself. Miyu promised Iron Man that Kondo would never again threaten the life of a Stark employee, and then departed. Kondo survived the ordeal and has avoided Iron Man since then. Typical statistics: F A S E R I P In Ex Gd Rm Gd Ex Rm Health: 100 Karma: 60 Resources: Gd Popularity: -4 Powers: Flight: Excellent airspeed (5 areas/round) Shapeshifting: Incredible ability Teleportation: Incredible ability Dimensional Travel: Unearthly ability Growth: Typical ability Bite: Does Typical (6) damage per round, Red FEAT results in target’s loss of 1CS of Endurance. Spirit Vampirism: Incredible ability Cast Illusion: Remarkable ability. Talents: Psychology, Seduction, Demonology, and usually one or more Martial Arts or weapon skill. TENGU Tengu (天狗, "heavenly dog") are a type of legendary creature found in Japanese folk religion and Shinto. Tengu were originally thought to take the forms of birds of prey, and they are traditionally depicted with both human and avian characteristics. The earliest tengu were pictured with beaks, but this feature has often been humanized as an unnaturally long nose, which today is widely considered the tengu's defining characteristic. Tengu can take a variety of forms, including a water-dwelling variety. The tengu’s form usually falls somewhere between a large, monstrous bird and a wholly anthropomorphized being, often with a red face or an unusually large or long nose. Early depictions of tengu show them as bird-like beings who can take a human-like form, often retaining avian wings, head or beak. Their temperament can run a range from helpful to malevolent, or as neutral protectors of the forest. They are often associated with Inari. Tengu have been the inspiration for a few characters in the Marvel Universe, including the alias for one of the Shadowmasters (below) and the twins of X-Men: Legacy, Karasu-Tengu and her brother Sojobo-Tengu. Typical statistics: F A S E R I P In Ex Gd Ex Gd Ex In 121

Health: 90 Karma: 70 Resources: Ty Popularity: -2 Powers: Flight: Remarkable airspeed (15 areas/round) Shapeshifting: Incredible ability Magic: Tengu are skilled magic-users and can wield 1 to 5 spells of the GM’s choosing at Remarkable ability. Typical tengu spells include Mental Control, Illusion, and causing Blindness. Talents: Tengu typically have Occult Knowledge, one or more Martial Arts and/or weapons skills, and naturebased area knowledge. They frequently have other magical Talents, and may have additional talents as well. YŌSEI Literally, "bewitching spirit," this is a race of small, magical people that are closely related to the Fae of Otherworld. Like their European counterparts, they manifest in a wide variety of forms and sizes, and are generally closely tied with nature and its protection. According to an old folk belief from Iwate Prefecture, it was once feared that the yōsei could bring the dead back to life. It is also mentioned that the people of Mt. Hōrai are small fairies that have no knowledge of great evil, and so their hearts never grow old. The Ainu also tell of a race of small people known as the Koro-pok-guru in their folklore. Another fairy-like being from Japan is the Kijimuna, tree sprites told in the Ryukyuan religion of Okinawa. Typical statistics: F A S E R I P Gd Ex Pr Gd Ty Gd Am Health: 44 Karma: 66 Resources: Pr Popularity: 2 Powers: Purity: Yōsei are incorruptible. As such, they have Class 5000 resistance to Mind Control or any other power that would force them to do evil deeds. 122

Flight: Typical airspeed (6 areas/round) Small Size: Due to their small size, yōsei are -2CS to be hit by an opponent. Longevity: Yōsei do not age once they reach adulthood. Resurrection: Some varieties of yōsei are able to pool their magic to bring the dead back to life. This should be treated as a rare event requiring the collaboration of several faeries and player characters, at the expense of all pooled Karma. Magic: Being creatures of magic, yōsei are able to wield the magical forces of the Faerie realm. Typical yōsei will possess 4 to 10 Personal or Universal spells, at Excellent rank (spells varying with the individual). At least a few of their spells will be nature-related. Talents: Talents will vary individually, but all have Mystic Background. Equipment: Yōsei may be equipped with standard equipment including weapons and armor, sized proportionately to them. GUARDIAN SPIRITS Kami (a broader category that includes the Amatsu-Kami) are the spirits or phenomena that are worshipped in the religion of Shinto. They can be elements of the landscape, forces of nature, as well as beings and the qualities that these beings express; they can also be the spirits of venerated dead persons. Many kami are considered the ancient ancestors of entire clans (some ancestors became kami upon their death if they were able to embody the values and virtues of kami in life). Traditionally, great or sensational leaders like the Emperor could be or became kami. In Shinto, kami are not separate from nature, but are of nature, possessing positive and negative, and good and evil characteristics. They are manifestations of musubi (結び), the interconnecting energy of the universe, and are considered exemplary of what humanity should strive towards. Typical statistics: F A S E R I P Gd Gd Gd Un Ty Ty Un Health: 130 Karma: 112 Resources: Ty Popularity: 0 Powers: Intangibility: Remarkable ability Invisibility: Remarkable ability Control Nature: Good rank. Flight: Poor airspeed (4 areas/round) Enchantment: As per the Enchantment spell, at Good rank. Talents: Mystic Background, some may also have Occult Knowledge. Most will have additional talents depending on their profession while they were alive. 123

CHAPTER 3: CHINESE MYTHOLOGY The Xian are a humanoid race of roughly 200-300 extradimensional beings that hail from Ta-Lo, a small pocket-dimension adjacent to Earth, or more accurately, a collective series of inter-connected worlds in interdimensional space near the Earth-616 universe. The Xian are also known as the Taoist Gods who have been worshiped by China's inhabitants as early as 10,000 BC into modern times, Taoism is still China's biggest religion although no longer the state religion it once was. In Ta-Lo, as in Chinese culture itself, the Taoist Gods co-exist with a diverse assembly of beings from Confucian, Buddhist, and folkloric deities and historical figures. Confucius and his disciples are respected alongside the Xian, but as counselors rather than rulers. The Jade Emperor, Yu Huang, rules over the earthly and heavenly realms. He is extremely powerful and is surrounded by protectors and attendants. Above all else, there is a higher power: the Buddha himself. He sits serenely on his lotus throne, alone and untouchable. The Buddha does exist in Marvel cosmology, but like other figures of the world’s major living religions, he rarely makes an appearance if at all. The seemingly redundant nature of many gods’ spheres of influence (for example, multiple thunder gods) can be explained by the complex bureaucracy of Chinese culture. Natural phenomena are controlled by various departments called the Ministries of the Gods. The Ministry of Thunder, for example, had 24 ministers including its president, employing a colorful mixture of Buddhist storm gods, devils, demons, and deified historical figures. Some of the main celestial ministries include: thunders and storms, medicine, smallpox, waters, fire , epidemics, time), the Five Sacred Mountains, exorcisms, public works, finances, literature, and war. 124

CHINESE MYTHOLOGY IN A MARVEL CAMPAIGN Chinese mythology has many of the same tropes of other martial arts genres, and is easily adaptable to a superhero campaign. Wuxia stories are tall tales of honourable warriors fighting against evil, whether it be an individual villain, or a corrupt government. The genre is notable for its use of melodrama, spectacular swordplay, and high-flying martial arts. Pick up any comic book centering on Iron Fist or Shang Chi and you should find plenty of material to draw from. Working a mythological setting into the campaign may take a little more research, but should likewise be feasible by picking an appropriate tale and tweaking it a bit by inserting the Marvel versions of the right characters and settings. Many of the tales of Chinese mythology revolve around the concept of “the journey.” Such adventures involve the heroes traveling a great distance and overcoming numerous obstacles, usually in the name of a quest such as retrieving a powerful object, rescuing an important person, or seeking divine council in the service of a bigger plot. Chinese mythology is typically populated by martial-artists and monks, wandering knights and beautiful princesses, thieves and beggars, priests and healers, merchants and craftsmen. These myths often read like as a series of smaller encounters culminating in defeating a “Final Boss” -- the overarching evildoer of the storyline - - and returning to the realm of the gods. For a particularly Chinese twist, the player character may undertake the quest in the name of redemption after falling from grace for a particularly egregious blunder, insult or accidental blasphemy. The best wuxia writers draw a vivid picture of the intricate relationships of honour, loyalty, family, love and hate between individuals and between communities in this milieu. One aspect of Chinese mythology that is comparatively unusual is the frequency with which mortals can ascend (or descend) to become deified. A possible plot might take the form of player characters accompanying a mortal against supernatural trials so that the character can gain his rightful place among the Xian. Similarly, a common trope is to have characters going into ruins of ancient long-gone sects, discovering and passing some sort of a test in order to gain their "inheritance", ranging from techniques to artefacts to bound servants (bound immortal demons and the like). If the character has his powers as a gift from the gods, he or she could be called in to do a favor for his/her patron deity. This could be simple (or not so simple) errand work, like delivering or retrieving an item or message, or could be part of an epic divine war in which the characters are called in to help defend Ta-Lo against marauders from the underworld. Perhaps Kui Xing needs some extra help clearing malevolent ghosts from the divine realms -- who ya gonna call? Lastly, another unusual aspect of Chinese myth is that heaven can make mistakes! Yes, due to a bureaucratic error, it is possible for a character to die before his time. This could really be a fun one, with the player characters taking a charming tour through hell to reclaim the life of one of their cohorts, either by imploring to the powers that be, a rescue mission to retake their companion by force, or by trickery (such as rewriting his death date in the Book of Life and Death). It could even be a case where the death was meant for another person with the same name, and the PCs first have to apprehend the real victim, who surely won’t be happy to have a visit from Death’s repo men. 125

TALENTS AND WEAPONS History, Area Knowledge, or Trivia skills related to China, Ta-Lo, and other Chinese mystic realms are frequently chosen. Mystic characters are likely to have the Alchemy skill as one of their Talents. Traditional Chinese weapons take a wide variety of forms such as blades, rope or chain weapons, and polearms, most of which resemble their medieval European equivalents. Charms: These are magical talismans enchanted by a spellcaster that provide protection. A character using a charm receives -1CS damage to any attack specific to the predetermined purpose of the charm. Each charm may only defend against one attack per round. Common protections include fire, sickness, insanity, and specific animals such as dogs. The form of the charm is generally related to its purpose (for example, a charm against harm from dogs may incorporate dog hair or teeth.) New Talents: Divination: This is the ancient art of using “oracle bones” to tell the future. A character with this talent that performs the necessary rituals may use it to add +1 CS to his or her Intuition for a FEAT roll of the player’s choosing. This talent may be used a number of times per week equal to half of his or her Psyche (i.e., Feeble Psyche will allow once per week, Remarkable can use it 15 times, Unearthly can use it 50, etc.) Contact Ancestors: With this Talent, the player may choose an ancestral spirit as one of his or her Contacts. The ancestor can provide an in-game “hint” once per game chapter (left to the GM’s discretion). This Talent may be taken multiple times with a different ancestor for each Talent slot. The usefulness and thoroughness of each hint is dependent on a Popularity FEAT roll for the character, with +1 CS (hey, they are family). Villains may treat negative Popularity as a positive for purposes of this Talent. Pyrotechnics: This Chemistry Talent is an alchemical subset dealing with the manufacture of explosives to produce heat, light, gas, smoke and/or sound. The fireworks may be used as an offensive weapon, or for simply theatrical results; they may also be used to blow open locks, rigged as traps, etc. Using this Talent requires access to the right materials and equipment. Feng Shui: Also known as Chinese geomancy, feng shui is a practice which claims uses energy forces to harmonize individuals with their surrounding environment. The feng shui practice discusses architecture in terms of "invisible forces" that bind the universe, earth, and humanity together, known as qi (or chi). Using the feng shui Talent in designing a room or building endows the area with a +1CS to the material strength of objects in the area, including the architecture itself. This also extends to landscape architecture. If objects are removed from the area, they lose this bonus. Because the Talent involves attuning to dimensional forces, using Dimensional Travel or other interdimensional abilities adds a +1CS to those powers if used in an area designed with feng shui. 126

CHINESE COSMOLOGY In Taoist beliefs, heaven is has three parts or Azures. They are Yu Qing (“Pearly Azure”), Shang Qing (“Upper Azure”), and Tai Qing (“Supreme Azure”). Most sources give Yu Qing as highest, but some treat Shang Qing as the highest. Some other Chinese traditions believe in five separate heavens, and still others state thirtysix -- possibly one or more of them has multiple layers or subdimensions. In ancient China, the universe was thought to consist of a square Earth, bounded on each side by the ocean. The heavenly realms, like the underworld ones, are physically layered, with the lowest heaven surrounding Ta-Lo like a dome, and the higher ones surrounding it. Beyond the highest heaven is the Cosmic Void, the extradimensional non-space that exists between realities. REBIRTH AND REINCARNATION The idea that a soul returns to life in another body is an important element of Buddhist, and later Taoist, belief. According to Buddhism, during each life a soul can seek to advance through the different spheres of existence, until finally it reaches enlightenment, or Nirvana. The cycle of life and death is known as samsara. Exact beliefs about rebirth differ depending on sect, but, in general, a soul must do good deeds and follow its karma (not to be confused with the in-game concept), or destiny, to move toward a higher level of existence. The cycle of death and rebirth is consistent with Marvel’s implication that death is rarely a permanent state. A gui is a soul that cannot undergo reincarnation, often because the person drowned or committed suicide; they are demon spirits formed from the negative essence of people’s souls. They are similar in 127

some respects to Western ghosts, forced to wander or haunt the Earth. While they are usually feared and capable of great harm, a few are not necessarily evil and can be helpful. A gui who drowned can rejoin the cycle of life by finding another person to drown in her or his place. Suicides, however, can never rejoin the cycle. The souls of those who die violent deaths might become gui as well. These might also win release by getting someone else to take their place. The gui wear clothes with no hems and cast no shadows. A special type of gui, the touziguei, steals babies from cribs. These gui could be repelled by nets or the smoke of burned sandals, or by a variety of charms. Some say that gui take revenge on people who mistreated them while they were alive. TA-LO Most of the Xian dwell in Ta-Lo (also known as "Daluo Tian," the Great Canopy Heaven) and its 35 lesser heavens as well as Fengdu (the Taoist underworld), a small "pocket" dimension adjacent to Earth; interdimensional nexuses between Ta-Lo and Earth exist at each of the Five Great Mountains: Tai Shan in the East, Hua Shan in the West, Bei Heng Shan in the North, Nan Heng Shan in the South, and Song Shan in the Center. Ta-Lo and its associated heavens are also inhabited by beings other than the Xian, such as phoenixlike fenghuang, celestial dragons, the canine-like haetae, and the hooved qilin beasts. Ta-Lo itself is guarded at its perimeter at the North, West, East and South, plus the center, by the armies of the Five Encampments (wuying), where the Spirit Soldiers (yinbing) or Divine Soldiers (shenbing) reside. Each encampment is led by its own general, with the title of Spirit General (yinjiang) or Divine General (shenjiang). 128

P'an-t'ao, the Peaches of Immortality: The Peaches of Immortality grow on the Tree of the Rising Sun, in the garden of Xi-wangmu. When the fruit ripens every 3,000 years, the event is celebrated by a sumptuous banquet of bear paws, monkey lips, dragon liver, and other delicacies. Eating the P’an-t’ao fruit bestows one with immortality: the character will not age or succumb to illness, and upon an unnatural death, the character’s body and spirit are transported whole to Ta-Lo. The last Peach Banquet was canceled after the Monkey King ate all the peaches, but bookings are currently being taken for the next one in 5078 A.D. The P’an-t’ao is not to be confused with the garden of the same name that exists in K’un-Lun. Locations in Ta-Lo Jade Sea: This is the vast sea that surrounds the islands in Ta-Lo. It is inhabited by various water beings and marine dragons. The sea floor is riddled with various undersea caves and passages, some of which connect to underwater nexuses on Earth. Islands of the Immortals: This is the starting point for the Immortals (also called Celestial Masters and Celestial Immortals), the “supreme” or “perfect” humans in Taoism, and they are located in the Eastern Sea of TaLo. They can fly through the air, they eat air for nourishment, and the weather does not affect them. One way of reaching these islands involves magical alchemy. The formulas include changing cinnabar (mercuric sulfide) into gold. This gold, in turn, is used to create special cups and bowls. By drinking from them, the emperor can increase his lifespan and be able to view the Immortals. There are three classes of Immortals: Sheng Jen are the highest, living in the high heaven; these are the saints. Chen Jen live in the second heaven; these are the souls of heroes and other perfect beings in Taoism. Xian Ren are the most numerous and live in the lowest heaven. They are humans who have godlike powers. They include philosophers and magicians. Humans who become Immortals appear to die, but they are actually simply changing in a process sometimes compared to a seed leaving its husk. After this point, their skin remains fresh, and they have the appearance of a “normal” living being. Yaochi: This region of Ta-Lo is also called Jade Mountain, or Mount Flamingfire, and it is the location of Xi Wangmu’s Palace. Upon the mountain’s 18,000-foot peak sits Xi Wangmu’s fabulous palace and gardens (Yujing Shan, “the Jade Capital”) that overlook the Lake of Jewels. It is sometimes accessed by the gods by means of a magical skyladder in the form of a giant tree. Xi Wangmu’s paradisal estate contains her palace, made of either jade or gold, and is ringed by a 330-mile-long rampart. Xi-Wangmu’s palace is also contained by a crystalline dome that imparts the entire citadel with a luminous quality. The grounds are guarded by K’ai-Ming, the nineheaded feline. Within the palace grounds are the gardens where the Peaches of immortality grow. Other trees there include the Tree of Pearls and the Jadestone Tree. The garden is also home to the twelve celestial trees called Never-Die trees, which grow precious jewels. Odd-Arm Country: A name given in Chinese mythology to a strange land where the inhabitants have only one arm, but they are said to be able to make kites that can carry people. Its location is unknown, other than that it is found in the far north. Country of Women: Another mythological land said to exist in the North, surrounded by water. Only women lived there. Any male child born would die within three years. Associated Dimensions The names of the other Chinese realms are as yet unknown, but Ta-Lo is known to include Yu Ch'ing, ruled by the sky-god, Yu-Huang, who succeeded Yuan Shih Tian-Long. The second heaven of Shan Ch'ing is ruled by Ling Pao, the god of time, and the third heaven is ruled by Lao Tzu, the god of immortality. Ta-Lo also 129

includes the realm of Fengdu (or Feng-Tu), reserved for the shades ("astral spirits") of mortals who have died. One of the highest heavens is Qingtu, to the west of Ta-Lo. According to legend, if at the point of death a believer says the Buddha’s name, her or his soul will be transported there. FENG TU The Chinese underworld, Feng Tu, is composed of ten interconnected courts or levels, each one ruled by a different figure. These deities are known as the Yama Kings, who are believed to be gods or deified mortals. When a person dies, officers place the soul under arrest and marches it to the office of Yen-LoWang, the King of Hell. There the soul is registered, given an identity card, and sucked into the mire of Underworld bureaucracy. Then it’s off to the Court of Qin-Guang-Wang for inspection in his Mirror of Retribution. Particularly virtuous souls may find themselves excused from further judgment and sent on vacation to paradise. But the vast majority will have to be punished for Earthly sins. It’s the rules. Some of the punishments are very nasty indeed, and to add insult to injury there are — like most government offices — pious slogans wherever you look. It’s all very well being reminded that virtue is a good thing, but when you’re about to be 130

plunged into boiling oil for the hundredth time you really have other things to worry about. When the soul’s agony is complete and he or she has repented for all it’s worth, it’s time to be reborn. The soul is summoned to the Tenth Court, where Zhuang-Lun-Wang decides the manner of the soul’s next existence. (Human being or slug?) Then Lady Meng-Po gives him or her the Tea of Forgetfulness, which erases one’s memory and ensures that he or she completely forget all the punishments the soul has just been suffering. Finally the soul is given a free ride on the Wheel of Life. Round and round it goes, faster and faster, until you shooting into the void and landing in the body of a newborn baby. Or, if the person hasn’t repented enough, the body of a slug. ● Court 1: Mirror of Retribution. After being registered at Feng Tu’s Hell Headquarters, you are brought before his Magic Mirror of Retribution. There you are forced to watch as every detail of your life is replayed in excruciating detail. All sins are uncovered and naughty thoughts replayed. (What a terrifying concept.) Once all the evidence is in, Qin-Guang-Wang gives his verdict. The truly righteous take the Golden Bridge straight to eternal happiness in Western Paradise. This is a one-way trip and very few get to make it. The not-quite-so-righteous take the Silver Bridge to the dull but comfortable Southern Paradise — but only if they have spent a lifetime making up for their bad deeds. There they get a little vacation before plunging back into the rebirth cycle. The rest of us have to repent and suffer punishment for our sins. Feng Tu is very well-equipped in the punishment department. There are chambers for every kind of sin imaginable, from murder to bad personal hygiene. Qin-Guang-Wang also rules the fate of souls who have met untimely deaths by accident or misfortune. Such people may be let off lightly if they haven’t lived long enough to accumulate spiritual brownie points .As god of mercy, he sends the accidentally deceased to Wang-Si Ch'eng, the god of rebirth. Legend tells that the First Court of Feng Tu was originally ruled by YenLo-Wang, the God of Death. But the Jade Emperor gave the post to QinGuang-Wang instead when it turned out the God of Death was too lenient. ● Court 2: Pool of Filth and the Hell of Ice. Depravity and perversion are punished by slow drowning in a putrid stinking cesspit of yuckiness, 131

full of unspeakable stench and horrid floating things. If the filth doesn’t get you, the smell will. This level is ruled by Qu-Jiang-Wang. On the other hand, the Hell of Ice is reserved for those who have taken liberties with other people’s lives. That includes incompetent doctors, kidnappers and arrogant matchmakers. Such crimes are punished by being thrown into cold water and then frozen into an icicle. There you stay for the duration of your punishment. You get used to the cold, but the hunger and thirst are too much to bear. Qu-Jiang-Wang also seems to manage the Hell of Sword Forest. Iron trees grow here — and every leaf is a blade. Lustful souls and rapists are brought naked into the forest, where they see beautiful women at the top of each tree. Unable to control their sexual desire, they clamber up the trees, with extremely nasty — and messy — results. ● Court 3: Black Rope Hell and the Upside-Down Prison, ruled by Song-Di-Wang, the god of thieves. Here is found the punishment of the Black Rope, where escaped prisoners, drug addicts, blasphemers and murderers are hung upside-down. That might not sound too bad, until one discovers that crushed knees, skinning and eyeball torture are part of the bargain. Song-Di-Wang also punishes tomb raiders, who are slowly fried over a copper griddle. Sinners guilty of disloyalty and rebellion are also punished here. ● Court 4: The Lake of Blood and the Terrible Bee Torture. Wu-GuanWang runs Black Pool Hell; the name refers to the dark red of freshly congealed blood. This is where forgers, counterfeiters and cheats end up. Tax evaders, false vendors and people who write warranties for electrical goods also get punished here. Punishment varies according to crime, with cheats being clobbered with hammers and dodgy Ebay merchants getting the full crush-toa-pulp treatment. The Pool of Blood is always hungry, so Wu-Guan-Wang also takes care of family matters. Disrespectful daughters and rude sons are mashed into their component parts with great gusto. This is also the place of the terrible Bee Torture, the details best left to the imagination. ● Court 5: Sixteen Departments of Heart Gouging. In addition to governing the underworld, Yen-Lo Wang rules the fifth level where spirits are judged by the deeds they committed in life. The Chinese version of the Hindu god Yama, he was originally King of the First Court of Hell, but Heaven accused him of undue leniency. Far too many souls were crossing the Golden Bridge to Heaven and the place was getting crowded. To prevent spiritual overpopulation, the Jade Emperor put Qin-GuangWang in charge of Judgment and assigned Yen-Lo Wang to the Fifth Hell of Wailing, Gouging and Boiling. Once there he developed a real relish for making souls miserable, so everyone was happy again. Except the souls, of course. As a god of some importance, YenLo Wang is far more than just a dealer of boiling oil. He rules over the whole of Feng Tu and has a team of deadly assistants. His filing system contains the records of every soul, complete with their allotted death date. Monkey King once paid him a visit and wreaked havoc, but security has been tightened up since then. ● Court 6: Screaming Torture and Administrative Errors. The Sixth Court of Feng Tu is the place of Screaming Torture, so called because the level of suffering is earpiercingly extreme. Here sexual sins are dealt with by rats who gnaw at the bodily parts concerned. This is said to be excruciatingly painful. This level is ruled by Bian-ChengWang. 132

Meanwhile, liars, gossips, slanderers, deceivers and people who twist words get the Iron Pin Punishment. This involves a large iron spike, their mouth, and a lot of agony. Other sins punished here include drunk-driving, cruelty to animals and wasting food. This level also contains punishments for those with bad personal hygiene, who are thrown into the Pool of Reeking Filth. As if he wasn’t occupied enough with all this retribution, BianCheng-Wang also runs the Department of Administrative Errors. Even the Gods make mistakes, and sometimes a bureaucratic cock-up can lead to death before your allotted time. If this happens to you we suggest you remain calm and fill out the appropriate form. ● Court 7: Torture by Mincing Machine. Here, T'ai Shan, god of destiny, rules the seventh level and punishes grave robbers. In this hellish abattoir, arsonists, deceivers, terrorists and traitors are fed into a mincing machine. ● Court 8: Hot Suffocation Hell. A literal Hell’s Kitchen, atheists, and those who have betrayed their religion or cheated on the gods, are flung here into the Burning Wok of Oblivion. Du-Shi-Wang turns up the heat and sinners are asphyxiated by the steaming fumes. He also runs the Tower of Homesickness, where you get to see how the folks back home are managing without you. This is your last glimpse of the life you once knew, as you are then taken straight to Court Nine, where PingDeng-Wang decides your fate. ● Court 9: Iron Web and Office of Fair Trading. Here is the Hell of the Iron Web. It appears to be a wire mesh upon which you are trapped while Ping-Deng-Wang reviews your case. All the evidence is gathered, and your degree of penitence judged. If you have committed one of the Ten Unpardonable Sins, there’s no hope. You are stuck in Feng Tu forever. And a particularly nasty bit of it too. Otherwise you are sent to Zhuang-Lun-Wang in the Tenth Court for rebirth in a manner appropriate to your karma. By all accounts, Ping-Deng-Wang is a fairminded judge. This level is also where Tu-Shi punishes those who wrote or created obscene material. ● Court 10: The Wheel of Rebirth. After suffering the most awful torture for your earthly crimes, you will no doubt be extremely glad to get here. Escape! Freedom! At least, of a sort. Taking into account your crimes and repentance, Zhuang-Lun-Wang decides what form your next incarnation will take. Most people will go up or down a few rungs of the spiritual ladder. Most people are reborn into a situation not too different from their previous one. But if there’s still too much evil in your soul, you may find yourself reborn as an ape, a dog, a pig or even a slug. Once Zhuang-Lun-Wang has decided one’s fate, Meng-Po serves her Tea of Forgetfulness. One sip and you lose all memory of your previous life. You also forget your time in Hell, which means you are free to make the same mistakes all over again in your next life. Then you are strapped to the Wheel of Life and taken for a spin. After a short spiritual pep talk, you are sent wheeling into your next incarnation. And the very best of luck. Youdou: Located in the lowest part of Feng-Tu, the city of Youdou is the capital of Hell. It is generally conceived as being similar to a typical Chinese capital city, but surrounded with and pervaded with darkness. Thus, it has a city wall, palaces, a hall of justice, and various residences for the ghosts of the dead. Especially, important is the housing for the official records, which allow the various judges to determine proper punishments or occasionally to allow someone who dies before their officially allotted time has expired to be returned to life. Youdu is the home or official residence of various 133

deities, and also the location of their official offices or palaces. The souls of the dead are their fellow inhabitants and subjects. There are also many subordinate demons which serve to carry out the commands of the judges. Many of these are concerned with punishing or processing the souls of the dead for reincarnation. Youdu is surrounded by an area known as the Region of Darkness, also known as Diyu or the Yellow Springs. Generally, lighting is provided by torches and candles; Youdu may thus be the best-lit area of Diyu. The general ruler of this realm is the goddess Houtu, but there are many other functionaries which have been believed to inhabit this region as the capital city and seat of government. In Buddhist beliefs, the very lowest level of hell is a region called Avīci (or Avichi), a place of extreme suffering into which the dead who have committed grave misdeeds may be reborn. People reborn in Avīci generally have committed one or more of the Five Grave Offenses: intentionally killing one's father, intentionally killing one's mother, killing an arhat (enlightened being), shedding the blood of a Buddha, or creating a schism within the Sangha, the community of Buddhist monks, nuns and laypersons who try to attain enlightenment. Avīci is said to be a cube 120,000 to 300,000 kilometres to a side, buried deep beneath Diyu in a sense, it is “hell’s hell”. Offenders reborn into Avīci experience constant suffering until their karmic debt is paid off -- a process that can take up to 3.4 billion billion years. 134

GODS OF CHINA: XIAN AND OTHER BEINGS Name: Xian Aliases: Taoist gods, Chinese gods Base of Operations: Ta-Lo Known Representatives: Yu Huang, Xi Wangmu, Shou-Hsing, Feng Po-Po, Guan Yin, Guan Yu, Kui Xing, Lei Gong, Nezha, Qi-Yu, Tian-Mu, Yen-Lo Wang, Yuanshi Tianzun, Zhu Rong, Sun Wukong, Shang-Ti The Xian (also known as the Taoist gods) are a race of superhumanly powerful humanoid beings who have been worshipped by the Chinese and other East Asian cultures including inhabitants from modern regions of Korea, Indochina, Tibet and Mongolia, from 2000 BC into modern times. The Xian are called different names by their human worshippers; for example, the trickster god is known as "Nezha" by the Mandarin Chinese, as "Nataku" by the Japanese, and as "Zhongtan Yuanshuai" in Taoist texts. According to ancient myths, Yuanshi Tianzun, the Primeval Lord of Heaven, emerged from "wuji," the primordial nothingness, as a result of the merging of the pure breaths of the Earth Mother Gaea (known as "Yin" to the Xian) and the Demiurge (known as "Yang" to the Xian). By preserving the universal balance of Yin and Yang, Yuanshi Tianzun reigned as the supreme administrator of Ta-Lo, and eventually began bestowing P'an-t'ao, the Peaches of Immortality, to mortals whom he deemed worthy of godhood. These newly apotheosized Xian began to assist Yuanshi Tianzun in administrating the heavens and Earth, and the Xian known as Yu Huang (the Jade Emperor) was personally selected by Yuanshi Tianzun to serve as his successor. According to ancient Chinese myths, Pan-Ku was assisted by a number of divine creatures in forming the land that would be modern-day China. These creatures resembled normal animals but had divine functions; taking the appearance of a tortoise, a phoenix, a dragon and and unicorn, later becoming images of symbolic importance to the Chinese people. It is also conceivable that these creatures became the symbols for the four ruling Xian families from whom the Chinese gods are descended. PanKu meanwhile grew so massive after several years that he could no longer hold a human form and became a being of pure energy and departed his physical body, dying as a result. In his more advanced form, his body became one with earth, and the land of China while his head became one with the heavens, his eyes represented by the sun and the moon. Before his departure from earth, PanKu had divided the heavens evenly between his progeny, but they soon began to envy the attributes of domains of their siblings and developed the art of war to try and seize power from one another. Hu, Emperor of the North, and Shu, Emperor of the South, after years of senseless conflict trying to gain dominion over the other eventually met each other on the neutral property of Hundun, their brother, Emperor of the Center. Hundun was most hospitable as he arbitrated a truce between his brothers and brought a truce to their war. According to legend, Hundun lacked any of the traditional orifices in his body for hearing, eating and breathing and existed solely by mystical means. Shu and Hu out of gratitude to their brother for his hospitality tried to bore the correct holes into him, but accidentally killed him as a result. Gong-Gung, Emperor of the ocean to the East, meanwhile sought to overthrow all his brothers and went to war with Ju-Rong, the god of fire and Emperor of the West. Their war lasted for several centuries with neither brother gaining an advantage over the other. During the conflagration, Gong Gung shattered Mount Buzhou which supported the heavens. The destruction of the mountain tipped the cosmic axis and 135

resulted in a flood that devastated China during the reign of Emperor Yao, a possible descendant of Hundun, Emperor of Central China. Of the first rulers of China, the original Emperors were all immortal and descended from Pan-Ku, but their exact ancestry is undefined. The first recorded Emperors were the San Huang, or "Three August Ones," beginning with Fu-Xi or Fu-Hsing, an earth-god, who was also one of the San Hsing, three gods of fortune. His brothers were Lu-Hsing and ShouHsing, other gods of fortune and good luck. Fu-Xi was possibly a descendant of Shu, Emperor of the South, but this is unconfirmed. Ruling around 2950 BC, Fu-Xi united all of China under his reign, but instead of leaving his throne to one of his progeny, he was succeeded by Shen-Nung, the Chinese god of farming, who brought great prosperity to China, but as ShenNong's son, Chi-Yu, the war-god, tried to seize the throne, he was challenged by Yu Huang, the god of sky. Yu Huang had been raised as a mortal, but after defeating Chi-Yu, YuHuang placed his mortal brother, YenTi, on the throne of China and went into self-imposed exile to achieve mental and physical perfection. YenTi was the last of the San Huang, and after his death, he was possibly allowed dominance of the underworld as Yen-Lo Wang, the god of the dead, but this is unconfirmed. In approximately 1000 AD, Yu Huang met with his fellow Godheads from other Earth-based pantheons to discuss the threat posed by the Third Host of the extraterrestrial Celestials. The Godheads confronted the Celestials, who threatened to sever the dimensional passages connecting their respective realms to Earth unless they promised not to interfere with the Celestials' plans to judge humanity's worthiness. The mortal descendants of the Xian revered their ancestors as gods centuries afterward, and a few chosen mortals such as Guan Ti and Guan-Yin (who was also worshipped in Japan as the goddess Kwannon) were deified into gods as well. Several mortals were accepted by the Xian into the pantheon as gods, including the Ba Xian or "Eight Immortals." In 1911, the Chinese Empire was dissolved in favor of a new Communist regime, officially ending the institutionalized worship of the Xian. They still have worshippers today however, as some of the Chinese gods are worshipped from behind new roles under Buddhism and modern Taoism. The multitude of the Chinese gods have remained outwardly unaffected by the change, embracing the few worshippers they have. Yu Huang still visits earth from time to time, and Yi still presides on earth, living a mortal life as a farmer. During the Korean War, Chinese officials used an effigy of a Xian god known as Shang-Ti to maintain the obedience of their troops. Angry that his image was being used for these ends, Shang-Ti came to Earth and decimated the Chinese officials involved in this plot before the startled eyes of American soldiers Battle Brady and Socko Swenski. In modern times, after nearly all of the Asgardian gods were killed in a subsequent Celestial invasion, Thor traveled to Ta-Lo to obtain the life energies needed to resurrect the Norse pantheon, which Yu Huang readily gave him. However, upon the Asgardian Sky Father Odin's death, Yu Huang was among the Council Elite members who deemed Thor unworthy to serve as Odin's replacement. Later, when the mad Egyptian pharaoh Akhenaten (Amenhotep IV) was rendered nearly omnipotent and omniscient by the "Heart of the Infinite," Shou-Hsing was among the gods summoned to the Council of Godheads to address the threat. The Egyptian god Horus, who was most familiar with Akhenaten, used the Eye of Ra to spy on him, but Akhenaten detected them and destroyed Shou-Hsing as well as several other Godheads. However, the mad Titan Thanos later obtained the Heart of the Infinite and altered the timeline so that Akhenaten was never imbued with its power, thus diverging Shou-Hsing's death to an alternate reality. 136

Most recently, Yu Huang attended the Council convened by Athena of the Olympian gods, where it was decided to send a team of Earth gods led by Hercules on a preemptive strike against the extradimensional Skrull gods who threatened Earth. The civilization of the Xian greatly resembles the Imperial-style of China without any of the influence of Western Civilization. Their government though Imperial consists of a large bureaucracy of gods divided into several ministries controlling certain subjects, such as storm, medicine, water, time, mountains, exorcisms, war, literature, finances, public works and the underworld to prevent any one deity to gain too much power over any one area of worship. The technological level of the Xian outwardly resembles that of Imperial China at its height, although this is augmented by magic (or technology so advanced as to appear as such to mortals). Relationships to Other Pantheons: The Xian, or Gods of China have undefined tenuous links with the Amatsu-Kami of China, the Tenger of the Mongol nations and even the Devas (Hindu Gods of India) due to China’s connections to Buddhism. The Xian have a particularly complex relationship to K’un-Lun. It is possible that the inhabitants of K'un-L'un may have impersonated or have been confused with the Chinese gods in the past, and several denizens of K'unL'un have names in common with the Chinese gods. It is likely that K’un-Lun and Ta-Lo are closely connected by an interdimensional nexus. Typical Xian: The Xian all have some potential to practice magic, mostly but not limited to, changing their appearances, transforming matter and wielding cosmic, elemental and paranormal energies. Many Xian also possess additional superhuman powers derived from properly balancing the positive and negative "chi" energy within their physical forms. They are inclined to tap and manipulate mystical energies for feats of magic, mostly for altering their appearance, communicating over long distances, teleporting through dimension barriers and casting spells. The scope of their powers mostly limited to one object, idea or field, usually tied into their personality. For example, as the Chinese god of farms, Shen Nong has dominance over the earth, harvest and implements of farming, whereas, Yi, the Chinese god of the sun can generate intense light and heat equal to a small sun. The Xian are immune to all terrestrial diseases and are resistant to conventional injury. If a Xian is wounded, his or her godly life force will enable him or her to recover at a superhuman rate. It would take an injury of such magnitude that it incinerates a Xian or disperses a major portion of his or her bodily molecules to cause him or her to die. Even then, it may be possible for a god of greater or equal power, or several gods acting together, to revive the deceased god before the god's life essence is beyond resurrection. Many Xian began existence as mortals and became gods upon eating the Peaches of Immortality ("P'an-t'ao") and achieving apotheosis, being transformed into true immortals who cease to age and cannot die by conventional means. The Average Chinese god can lift (press) about 30 tons under optimal conditions; the average Chinese goddess can lift (press) 25 tons under optimal conditions. 137

XIAN (TYPICAL STATISTICS) F IN (40) Health: 160 A IN (40) S RM (30) Karma: 90 E AM (50) R EX (20) Resources: RM I RM (30) P IN (40) Popularity: 10 KNOWN POWERS Longevity: CL1000; Xian stop aging after a certain point in their life, although at what age they cease to get older varies. Regeneration: RM ability Body Resistance: EX versus Physical, Shooting, and Force attacks Invulnerability: RM resistance to cold, heat, radiation, etc. Resist Disease at CL1000 Resurrection: A number of gods may work together to resurrect another deity if his or her life essence is beyond resurrection. Requires a minimum of three deities and expenditure of all Karma; may be performed once per day. Allspeak: As with all gods, Allspeak allows one to understand, speak, and write in all languages. If addressing speakers of more than one language, each will understand the deity’s language in his or her native language. This ability extends to extraterrestrial and otherdimensional languages as well as Earth tongues. PETS/TRANSPORTATION Some of the most significant gods are frequently depicted riding a dragon as his or her steed. Talents: History: Xian, History: China, Languages (Chinese dialects, various), Occult Knowledge. Many are also skilled in Oriental Weapons and one or more Martial Art. The Chinese Gods are versed in a full range of martial arts superior to most forms of unarmed combat on earth, such as ninjitsu, tae kwan do, judo or karate. They also have skills equal to their fields of expertise, Chi-Yu, the war-god is well-versed in weapons, and Yu-Qiang the sea-god is an expert boatman in sailing and maneuvering on the ocean. 138

YU HUANG F MN (75) A EX (20) S UN (100) E CL1000 (1000) R AM (50) I AM (50) P SH-X (150) Health: 1195 Karma: 250 Resources: UN Popularity: 20 BACKGROUND Real Name: Yu Huang ("The Jade Emperor") Occupation: God of Heaven, former Emperor of China (c. 2195 BC) Legal Status: Ta-Lo, Pure Blissful Kingdom of Lofty Heavenly Lights and Ornaments Identity: Most residents of Earth-616 believe Yu-Huang to be a fictional mythological deity. Other Known Aliases: Yu-Huang, Tian Gong ("Heavenly Grandfather"), Yu Huang Shangdi ("Pure August Jade Emperor"), August Personage of Jade, Xuanling High Sovereign, Yu-Ti, Yu Di, Huang Ti, Da-Yu, Mu King, Mu Gong, Tung Wang Ku, Tung Wang Kung, Dong Wang Gong, Dong Wang Mu,The Yellow Emperor, The August Emperor In Jade, Jade August One, Hu Yuang (alternate spelling), numerous others Place of Birth: Pure Blissful Kingdom of Lofty Heavenly Lights and Ornaments (within modern-day China) Marital Status: Married Known Relatives: YuangShi (father), Fu Pao (mother), Sien Tsan Mu (sister), Xi Wang Mu (wife), Ba Niang, Qi Gu Niang, Song Zi Niang, Wang Mu Niang, Meng Po Niang, Chih Nu Niang (daughters), Chen-Kuei (son), Er Lang (nephew), Ching-Te (foster father, deceased), Pao-Yueh (foster mother, deceased), Yen Ti (foster brother, deceased) Base of Operations: Celestial Ta-Lo, formerly K'un-L'un Mountain Past Group Affiliations: Yu-Di Present Group Affiliations: Xian, Council of Godheads KNOWN POWERS Longevity: CL1000; Xian stop aging after a certain point in their life, although at what age they cease to get older varies. Regeneration: RM ability Body Resistance: EX versus Physical, Shooting, and Force attacks Invulnerability: RM resistance to cold, heat, radiation, etc. Resist Disease at CL1000 Resurrection: A number of gods may work together to resurrect another deity if his or her life essence is beyond resurrection. Requires a minimum of three deities and 139

expenditure of all Karma; may be performed once per day. Allspeak: As with all gods, Allspeak allows one to understand, speak, and write in all languages. If addressing speakers of more than one language, each will understand the deity’s language in his or her native language. This ability extends to extraterrestrial and otherdimensional languages as well as Earth tongues. Godhead: As ruler of his pantheon, Yu Huang Shang-Ti possesses greater powers than most of the Chinese Gods and can channel his godly energies into any feats ranging from Amazing to Class 1000 rank. He can also grant magical powers and abilities to others and once bestowed life energies to Thor in order to resurrect his fellow Asgardians. EQUIPMENT Sword: Yu Huang’s sword is of enchanted jade. It does Amazing edged damage and is made of Class 1000 strength material. Talents: Yu Huang is a skilled negotiator and expert in diplomacy and laws. He has the Leadership skill, Martial Arts A, B and trained in wielding martial weapons (+1 CS). He also has History: Ta-Lo and China. Contacts: Xian, Council of Godheads ADDITIONAL NOTES There appears to be much historical conflation between Shang-Ti and Yu Huang. It is likely that Shang-Ti has impersonated Yu Huang in the past, adding to the confusion. ROLE-PLAYING NOTES Yu Huang is worshiped by some Chinese religions as the god of goodness. He supports causes that are seen as good, and destroys those carrying out evil. HISTORY Yu Huang was born in Earth realm millennia after the purging of the Elder Gods, the son of King of the Pure Blissful Kingdom of Lofty Heavenly Lights and Ornaments and of the Empress of Precious Moonlight. He was raised by mortal parents named Ching Te and Pao Yueh, possibly to protect him from the battle between Gong Gung, the water god, and Zhu Rong, the fire god, for control of China and the ruling gods of China. Gong Gung subsequently shattered Mount Buzhou and caused successive rains to cover the world in a vast flood. Yu Huang, however, became a cupbearer to Yuang-Shi possibly unaware the old god was his father. He was the mortal Crown Prince of the Pure Blissful Kingdom of Lofty Heavenly Lights and Ornaments (within modern-day China) and achieved wisdom and enlightenment at a very early age. Yu Huang ascended to the kingdom's throne upon his father's death, and his reign was characterized by his benevolence toward the neediest and the most destitute segments of society. Such benevolence, compassion, moderation and humility caused Yuanshi Tianzun, Celestial Master of the Primordial Beginning and Primeval Lord of Heaven, to choose Yu Huang to serve as his immortal assistant and his eventual successor. He bestowed him P'an-t'ao, the Peaches of Immortality, and he achieved godhood upon eating them. The first Emperors of China were the San Huang, who ruled between 2953 BC to around 2200 BC. These emperors were members of the Xian who departed their earthly reigns when their rules came to an end. FuXi, the god of earth, was first to rule from 2953 to 2838. According to myth, he had created mankind from mud with the help of his wife, Nugua, goddess of water. Fu-Xi was also one of the San Hsing or gods of fortune who bestowed good luck. His reign was taken over by Shen-Nung, god of agriculture, who showed mortal man how to farm and create food. When his reign ended in 2698 BC, Yu Huang was meant under unrevealed circumstances to replace him. Believing he was not worthy, YuHuang refused the throne and granted his mortal brother, Yen Ti, Emperor of China, before disappearing into the wilderness for an ascetic existence to attain physical 140

perfection. In his absence, Yen-Ti gave mortal man commerce and showed them how to make and build cities. Around 2195 BC, Yu Huang returned to take his role as Emperor of China. He was first among the Wu Di, Five Emperors who helped to create the Chinese Empire by uniting its feuding houses. He was opposed in ascension by Chi-Yu, the god of war and son of Shen Nong, who was supported by Chi Zong Zi, the god of rain, and Fei Lian, the god of wind, who created fog to blind him from returning to China, but Yu-Huang defeated him by inventing the compass and the help of Ba Niang, the goddess of drought, who created winds that blew the fog away. Yu Huang succeeded his foster brother as Emperor, and became the greatest of the emperors of Ancient China. After his rule was over on Earth, he retired to Ta-Lo where he became ruler of the gods of China assisted by Dong Yo Da-di, the god of the east, as his vizier and advisor. On Earth, Yu Huang passed on the throne of China to a mortal emperor named Chuan Hsing. His greatgrandson, Gun (also named Kun), succeeded Chuan Hsing and used a spell from heaven to eliminate the floods created by Gong Gung. He was followed by Emperor Yao and Emperor Shun. Following emperors were mortal under resulting dynasties, such as Xia, Shang and Zho Dynasties.He eventually assumed Yuanshi Tianzun's role of Supreme Administrator of Heaven, becoming the supreme overseer of Heaven and Earth. He ruled from Yujing Shan ("the Jade Capital"), promoting competent subordinates and demoting or dismissing the gods who failed to carry out their divine duties. Sometime around 1OOO AD, Yu Huang met with the ruling gods of Earth's pantheons to discuss the threat of the Third Host of Celestials. With Zeus and Odin, they met the Celestials who threatened to sever the dimensional passages of their realms to Earth unless they promised not to interfere with their plans to judge humanity's worthiness. In the wake of Ragnarök among the Norse Gods, Thor came to Yu Huang seeking a portion of the life energies to restore the Asgardians. Believing Thor to have defeated a threat to all gods, Yu Huang graciously granted the needed energies. Thor was called before the Council Elite to be tested for worthiness to join them, as a replacement for Odin. Yu-Hang was present at this meeting, in which Thor was judged as having failed the test. The Council met to discuss who would be the greatest hero of the Heroic Age. Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor were proposed by some, and Athena told them with certainty that it was Amadeus Cho. When Vali Halfling of the Pantheon extinguished the Promethean Flame that granted Olympians their immortality, Athena screamed in pain. She was comforted by Izanagi. Threatened by Vali's threat to attain everything he needed to gain full omniscience all Council members returned to their respective realms. The Council of Godheads summoned Hercules and Amadeus Cho before them to judge them on Hercules' recent empowerment and actions in preparation for the arrival of the Chaos King (Amatsu-Mikaboshi). Overwhelmed by his new power, and outraged that the Godheads didn't use their power to do anything, Hercules attacked them, battering them about until Thor arrived and convinced Hercules to get himself under control. 141

XI WANGMU F IN (40) A IN (40) S AM (50) E MN (75) R EX (20) I AM (50) P UN (100) Health: 205 Karma: 170 Resources: SH-Z Popularity: 20 BACKGROUND Real Name: Xi Wang Mu Niang-niang Occupation: Queen of the Chinese Gods, Goddess of Immortality Legal Status: Citizen of Ta-Lo Identity: Most residents of Earth-616 believe Xi Wangmu to be a fictional mythological deity. Other Known Aliases: Queen Mother Wang, Lady Wang, Si Wang Mu, Wang Mu Niang niang, Weiwobo, Dou-Mi, Du-Ya, Queen Mother of the West, The Dark Lady Place of Birth: Mount K'un L'un, China Marital Status: Married Known Relatives: Ru Shou (possible father), Huang Fei Fu (possible mother), Chu Jung, Gong-Gung, GouMang (possible uncles), Yen Lo Wang (possible brother), Yu Huang (husband), Ba Niang, Qi Gu Niang, Song Zi Niang, Wang Mu Niang, Meng Po Niang, Chih Nu Niang (daughters), Lei Kung (foster son), Er Lang (nephew) Base of Operations: Yao Chi in the realm of Ta-Lo Past Group Affiliations: Present Group Affiliations: KNOWN POWERS Longevity: CL1000; Xian stop aging after a certain point in their life, although at what age they cease to get older varies. Regeneration: RM ability Body Resistance: EX versus Physical, Shooting, and Force attacks Invulnerability: RM resistance to cold, heat, radiation, etc. Resist Disease at CL1000 Resurrection: A number of gods may work together to resurrect another deity if his or her life essence is beyond resurrection. Requires a minimum of three deities and expenditure of all Karma; may be performed once per day. Allspeak: As with all gods, Allspeak allows one to understand, speak, and write in all languages. If addressing speakers of more than one language, each will understand the deity’s language in his or her native language. This ability extends to extraterrestrial and otherdimensional languages as well as Earth tongues. Shapeshifting: MN ability. She usually appears as either a wild-haired crone or a beautiful, aristocratic young woman. Age Alteration: She can cast spells, creating and altering spells regarding the longevity spells of the peaches of immortality. The effect is that of the Age Shift power at Unearthly rank, except that it can be used on others. As a Power Stunt, she can also use this ability to bestow Longevity upon a mortal. Plague Creation: In ancient times, she was capable of creating disease and 142

plague and conjuring illness in mortals. These illnesses could be cured by the P'an-t'ao. Treat as the Plague Carrier power from the Ultimate Powers Book, at Unearthly rank. Magical Powers: Xi Wangmu is adept in tapping and manipulating mystical energies, but to an unknown extent. Treat as Monstrous ability magical powers, the effects left to the GM’s discretion. The full range of Xi Wangmu's mystical power is unrevealed. EQUIPMENT Peaches of Immortality (see above) PETS Xi Wangmu sometimes rides upon a crane for transportation. She also used cranes to deliver messages to other Chinese gods. F A S E R I P Pr Rm Ex Un Fb Pr Ty Health: 154 Karma: 12 Flight at C1000 speed, Interdimensional Travel (UN), Beak attacks as edged damage. She has also been depicted as riding a rainbow chariot, with feathered parasols streaming and pheasantfeather fans. She is sometimes said to be protected by seven dragons and five celestial phoenixes. Talents: Leadership, Botany, Ecology, History: Ta-Lo and China, Martial Arts A and D Contacts: Xian ROLE-PLAYING NOTES As the matron of the Chinese Pantheon, Xi Wangmu takes a motherly role, committed to protecting her people and dispensing wisdom. She is particularly protective of women. The Queen Mother is held in especially high regard by Chinese women who do not represent the societal norm of the submissive woman. To these women, The Queen Mother of the West is seen as a powerful, independent deity representing the ultimate control of immortality and the afterlife. HISTORY There is not much known about Xi Wang Mu's origins. She is native to the region of China including Mount K'un-L'un, ruled by Ru-Shou, the god of misfortune. Along with Gong-Gung, Chu Jung and Gou Mang, Ru Shou ruled one of the cardinal points of Western China with Gong-Gung to the North, Chu Jung to the South, Gou Mang to the East and Yuang-Shi at the center. These brothers were always at war with each other with a war between Gong Gung and Chu Jung shattering Mount Buzhou which resulting in a flood that covered China during the reign of Emperor Yao. Originally, Xi Wang Mu was a goddess of plague and ruled over armies of demons, but the god Yu Huang took her as his wife, possibly to bring order amongst the quarreling Gods of China. By the First Century AD, Xi Wang Mu was worshipped as a beautiful goddess ruling over a garden paradise. This garden bore once every three hundred years the P'an-t'ao or peaches of immortality which granted the Xian their immortality. Xi Wang Mu granted an elixir made from the P'an-t'ao to Yi and Cheng-O to become gods, but Cheng-O drank the entire elixir than sharing it. Xi Wang Mu later cast a spell which allowed Yi and Cheng-O to share their immortality with only one of them living in the heavens at a time while the other stayed behind on Earth. With Yu Huang, Xi Wang Mu sired several daughters known as the Jen Huang who served her as attendants. Under the religion of Taoism, she was worshipped under several names through the different houses and dynasties of Japan, but worship of the Chinese gods ended in China with the creation of a new Communist regime replacing the Imperial government. Around 1000 AD, Yu Huang had made a pact with the other rulers of the Earth's gods to discuss the threat of the Third Host of the Celestials threatening to sever the gods' relative access points with Earth. Xi Wang Mu joined the mothergoddesses of these pantheons to create the Young Gods as proof of the potential of human beings. 143

SHOU-HSING F TY (6) A GD (10) S IN (40) E RM (30 ) R RM (30) I IN (40) P UN (100) Health: 86 Karma: 170 Resources: RM Popularity: 10 BACKGROUND Real Name: Zhao Yen Occupation: God of health, longevity, time and stars; vizier to Yu Huang, Legal Status: Citizen of China and TaLo Identity: Most residents of Earth-616 believe Shou-Hsing to be a fictional mythological deity. Other Known Aliases: Star of Long Life, Nanji Laoren ("Old Man of the South Pole"), numerous others Place of Birth: State of Wei (near modern-day Kaifeng, China) Marital Status: Single Known Relatives: Gou Mang (possible father), Lu-Hsing, Fu-Hsing (brothers), Nugua (sister), Mo-Ye (nephew), FuFei (niece) Base of Operations: Palace of the Happy Isles, in Ta-Lo Past Group Affiliations: Formerly associated with Fu-Hsing and LuHsing Present Group Affiliations: Xian (Taoist Gods), Jade Court, Council of Godheads, San Hsing KNOWN POWERS Longevity: CL1000; Xian stop aging after a certain point in their life, although at what age they cease to get older varies. Regeneration: RM ability Body Resistance: EX versus Physical, Shooting, and Force attacks Invulnerability: RM resistance to cold, heat, radiation, etc. Resist Disease at CL1000 Resurrection: A number of gods may work together to resurrect another deity if his or her life essence is beyond resurrection. Requires a minimum of three deities and expenditure of all Karma; may be performed once per day. Allspeak: As with all gods, Allspeak allows one to understand, speak, and write in all languages. If addressing speakers of more than one language, each will understand the deity’s language in his or her native language. This ability extends to extraterrestrial and otherdimensional languages as well as Earth tongues. Precognition: Unearthly rank. Life Span Prediction: Shou-Hsing can predict the life spans of mortals and inscribe them in stone. This is best used as a plot device by the GM. EQUIPMENT Staff: Shou-Hsing wields a staff of knotted peach wood with a dragon head carved at the top, which can be used as an offensive weapon. It is made of Amazing strength material and does Excellent blunt damage. 144

WEAKNESSES Formerly, he was frail and sickly, and was destined to die before age twenty. Talents: Weapons Master: Staff, Alchemy, History: Ta-Lo and China, Instructor, Martial Arts A and D Contacts: Xian (Taoist Gods), Jade Court, Council of Godheads, Ba Xian ROLE-PLAYING NOTES Shou-Hsing is quite approachable, and will generally bestow aid and kindness upon mortals in need. He has a particular affinity for the elderly. HISTORY Zhao Yen was born a frail sickly child in the 4th century BC in the State of Wei (near modern-day Kaifeng, China), and was destined to die before his twenties. However, a fortune teller told him to travel to a nearby field with food and rice wine. There, he encountered two elderly men playing a game of strategy. Thankful for his hospitality, they revealed themselves as the gods in Yu Huang's service who were responsible for fixing the birth and death dates of mortals, and granted him immortality and godhood upon eating P'an-t'ao, the Peaches of Immortality. Becoming Shou-Hsing, the Taoist God (or Xian) of health and longevity, he inherited the responsibility of assigning the life span of mortals. He became also affiliated with Fu-Hsing, god of good fortune and Lu-Hsing, god of prosperity, and was later promoted as the official vizier to Yu Huang within the Court Jade at Yujing Shan. Together with Fu-Hsing and LuHsing, the three gods are the San Hsing, the Gods of Fortune. He also served as mentor to the Ba Xian, ten mortals who had been lifted into godhood. In recent years, Shou Hsing met with the Council Elite over the threat of the pharaoh Akhenaton conquering Earth. Shou-Hsing’s trademarks are the peach, which represents long life, and the crane, which represents immortality. 145

GUAN YU F UN (100) A MN (75) S AM (50) E MN (75) R GD (10) I EX (20) P RM (30) Health: 300 Karma: 60 Resources: RM Popularity: 20 BACKGROUND Real Name: Guan Gong Yo Occupation: God of war, patron god of soldiers and police officers, former general, former merchant Legal Status: Citizen of Third Century China, citizen of Ta-Lo Identity: The general populace of Earth is unaware of Guan-Ti except as a mythological character and historical figure. Other Known Aliases: Kuan-Tu, KuanYu, Guan Gong, Guan Yo, Guan Zhong, Yunchang Place of Birth: possibly Shang-xi, China Marital Status: Single Known Relatives: None known Base of Operations: Ta-Lo, formerly mobile Past Group Affiliations: Brothers of the Peach Orchard, Chinese army of the Han dynasty Present Group Affiliations: Xian KNOWN POWERS Longevity: CL1000; Xian stop aging after a certain point in their life, although at what age they cease to get older varies. Regeneration: RM ability Body Resistance: EX versus Physical, Shooting, and Force attacks Invulnerability: RM resistance to cold, heat, radiation, etc. Resist Disease at CL1000 Resurrection: A number of gods may work together to resurrect another deity if his or her life essence is beyond resurrection. Requires a minimum of three deities and expenditure of all Karma; may be performed once per day. Allspeak: As with all gods, Allspeak allows one to understand, speak, and write in all languages. If addressing speakers of more than one language, each will understand the deity’s language in his or her native language. This ability extends to extraterrestrial and otherdimensional languages as well as Earth tongues. EQUIPMENT Guan Yu carries a number of conventional ancient Chinese weapons and armor in addition to his specialized guando (below). Green Dragon Crescent Blade: Guan Yu wields a guandao/yanyuedao, a traditional Chinese bladed pole weapon. It is also sometimes referred to as the Frost Fair Blade (冷艷鋸), from the idea that during a battle in the snow, the blade continuously had blood on it; the blood froze and made a layer of frost on the blade. The story of the blade was that there was a blacksmith forging the blade when suddenly a green dragon passed by. 146

The dragon was cut up and the body became part of the pieces therefore making the dao a magical weapon. The weapon has the following abilities: ● Weight: The weapon is unusually heavy (about 40 pounds): as a result, anyone using the blade with a Strength of less than Excellent suffers -1CS per rank of difference to Fighting when using it (i.e., a person with Good strength is at - 1CS, Typical at -2CS, etc.) ● The Crescent Blade is constructed of Class 1000 strength material, and does Amazing edged damage. Talents: Military, Oriental Weapons, Bladed Weapons, Weapons Specialist: Green Dragon Crescent Blade, History: China, History: Ta-Lo and China, Martial Arts A, B, D, and E, Quick-Striking. Contacts: Xian ROLE-PLAYING NOTES Guan Yu is a legendary strategist. His military skill is matched by his courage, righteousness, and code of honor. HISTORY In the Western world, Guan Yu is sometimes called the Taoist God of War, because he is one of the most well-known military generals worshipped by the Chinese people. This is a misconception of his role, as, unlike the Greco-Roman deity Mars or the Norse god Týr, Guan Yu, as a god, does not necessarily bless those who go to battle, but rather people who observe the code of brotherhood and righteousness. Guan Gong Yo was a native of China during the Tsao Dynasty in the Third Century AD. As an adult, he made his living as a merchant selling bean curd, but he also studied hard to become a warrior. However, he was blamed for killing a magistrate and fled to the village of Shaan-Xi when became allies of Zhang Fei, a butcher, and LiuBei, a peddler. Together, the three men became known as the Brothers of the Peach Orchard. Due to their oath of loyalty to each other and their pledge to defend the state, they became known as great warriors throughout China. In the later years of their lives, Liu-Bei founded the Shu-Han Dynasty of Sichuan, but Guan Gong Yo was captured and executed by his opponent Sun Chuan in 219 AD after refusing to change his allegiance to a rival Chinese dynasty. Due to his heroism, Guan Gong Yo was elevated to the status of a god under the name Guan Ti in 1594 AD. Renowned for his military skill and admired for his courage and skill, his established role in the Chinese pantheon was to protect the realm of the Chinese gods as well as Ancient China from evil and demonic forces. 147