MMM3 - Asian Pantheons FASERIP Marvel

eleven beings who stamp out rice pests. ● Lumauwig – Bontok/Kankana-ey – Creator of All Things, God of the Sky. Husband of Bugan, father of Bangan and Obban. ● Lumawig / Dumawig – Ibaloy – God of War.One of the 24 gods beneath Mengos-oschong. ● Lumbong – Maranao – a beast bigger than the world, bearing a parasitic shrimp or crab. It holds up the world’s seven cushions/layers. ● Luyong Baybay – Sulod/Panay – Goddess of tides, wife of Paigrab, mother of Magsanladung Biday. ● Luyong Kabig – Sulod/Panay – controlled the stream of snakes at the entrance of the Underworld. Sister of Luyong Baybay. M ● Macanduc and Ynaguinid – Bisayan – Gods of war/battle. ● Magbabaya – Bukidnon – Father God ● Magbangal – Bukidnon – Planter God who turned into the constellation that signals the start of the planting season. ● Magbaya – Bukidnon – God of the West Wind. ● Magan-Durunoon – Bisayan – God of Hidden Lakes. Also known as a female incarnation, Magdang Diriinin. ● Maguimba – Batak – having been summoned by a powerful babaylan, he supplied all the necessities of Batak life, as well as all the cures for illness. He even had the power to bring the dead back to life. ● Magyan – Bisayan – carried the souls of the dead to the infernal regions, in a boat called a balanday. Brother of Makaptan and Sumpoy. ● Mahal na Makaako – Mangyan – The Supreme Being who gave life to all human beings merely by gazing at them. ● Mah-nongan – Ifugao – Creator of all things. ● Maiklum-sa-bag-idan or Makliumsa-bagidan – Panay – God of Fire ● Maiklum-sa-tuan or Maklium-satwan- Panay – God of the Wide Plains ● Maiklum-sa-tubig or Maklium-satubig – God of the Azure Sea ● Makaboteng – Tinggian/Tinguian/ Itneg – Name means “One who frightens”. A benevolent spirit who dwells in the natural surroundings, believed to be the guardian of the deer and the wild pigs. ● Makagagahum – Western Visayas – Creator of all living things ● Makalidung – Manobo – The first great Manobo and founder of the world. He set it up on posts, and he lives at the center of the world with a python. ● Makaptan – Bisayan – God of Sickness, co-ruler of Kamariitan with Sidapa, his wife. Brother of Magyan and Sumpoy. Wished to make humans suffer because he had never partaken of any food or drink of the earth ● Makiling, Lady – Northern Luzon – Wife of Abra ● Malaki t’ohu A’waig – Bagobo – “hero of the head of the waters”. Cures sickness. ● Malanduk – Bisayan – Invoked for success in battle and plunder. ● Malaon / Makapatag – One deity with two aspects. Malaon, the Ancient One, was female, mild, and understanding. Makapatag, the Leveller, was male, austere, and fearful. ● Malayari – Zambales – highest ranking deity. Master of Life and Lord of Death. ● Malimbung – Bagobo – Goddess who made men crave for sexual satisfaction. ● Mamiyo – Ifugao – Stretcher of Skeins, one of the twenty-three different deities preside over the art of weaving. ● Manama – Gianges – Governor of the World. ● Manama – Manuvu – The Good God, stole soil from the world of the Bad Good Ogassi, in order to create life on his own world. ● Manamoan – Mandaya – Goddess associated with the earth, who presides over childbirth. ● Mandait – Manobo – The Spirit of Souls. The Birth Deity, who puts souls into newborns. ● Mandarangan and Darago – Bagobo – Husband and wife deities that look after the fortunes of warriors, most notably the elite warrior class of the Magani, and in return demand the yearly sacrifice of a slave. They are supposed to dwell in the great fissure of Mt. 48

Apo. The Magani have to take great care to prevent their patrons from inciting too much strife. ● Mandebas / Kabigat – Ibaloy – Lives at the center of the earth ● Manduyapit – Manobo – Ferried souls to the Afterworld. ● Mangalagar – Zambales – Goddess of Good Grace and Good Hunting. ● Manggagaway – Tagalog – Agent of Sitan, responsible for disease. ● Mangindusa – Tagbanuwa – Great God. ● Manglubar – Zambales – God of Peaceful Living. He pacified angry hearts. ● Manisilat – Tagalog – Goddess of Broken Homes, and agent of Sitan, flies into a rage when she beholds a happy home. ● Mankukulam – Tagalog – Agent of Sitan. He emits fire beneath a house, and if it is extinguished immediately, the person who did so dies. ● Mapulon – Tagalog – God of Seasons. Husband of Ikapati, Father of Anagolay. ● Maria Cacao – Cebu – She dwells in Mount Lantoy, Argao, Cebu where she has cacao trees, a plantation outside her cave. After harvest, rain comes that wash down the mountain, enabling her to float down to the towns below in her golden ship to sell her products. ● Maria Makiling – According to Northern Luzon legend, was the child of Anianihan and Caburayan ● Maria Sinukuan – Pampanga – She was the resident and protector of Mount Arayat located in Arayat, Pampanga. 49

● Masiken – Ibaloy – God of the Rivers and Springs. ● Masiken – Igorot – Guardian of the Underworld. All his followers have tails. ● Maudi / Mauchi – Ibaloy – God of Agriculture – or, to others, God of the Lowly. Owns a rice dipper that can perform miracles. One of the 24 gods beneath Mengos-oschong. ● Mebuyan / Moibulan – Bagobo – Goddess of the Underworld. Daughter of Tuglay and Tuglibong. Sister of Lumawig, she refused to ascend to heaven with him. Instead, she drilled into the earth with her mortar, while tossing rice into it to symbolize that from then on, people would die and descend to her in Gimokudan rather than ascend to heaven. When she shakes a lemon tree someone on earth dies, an old person if the fruit that falls is ripe, a young person if the fruit is green. Mebuyan is ugly, her whole body covered with nipples, but she uses these to care for the dead babies. ● Mengos-oschong / Kabuniyan / Egma-on-an – Ibaloy – Creator of the universe, the Ibaloy incarnation of Bathala. ● Minaden – Tiruray – The goddess who creates of the world, she had a brother named Tulus, also called Meketefu and Sualla. ● Mingan – Pampanga – Goddess, mate of the god Suku. ● Monlolot – Ifugao – The Winder of Thread on the Spindle, one of the twenty-three different deities preside over the art of weaving. ● Muhen – T’boli – A bird who is one of the most influential figures in the Tboli pantheon who is considered the god of fate, whose song when heard is thought to presage misfortune. Any undertaking is immediately abandoned or postponed when one hears the Muhen sing. ● Munsad Buralakaw - Bisayan - God of Politics and the affairs of men. N ● Nagined, Arapayan, and Makbarubak – Bisayan – Three separate entities apparently, who could be appealed to when concocting a poisonous oil. ● Nanolay – Gaddang – Both creator of all things and a culture hero. In the latter role, he is a beneficent deity. Nanolay is described in myth as a fully benevolent deity, never inflicting pain or punishment on the people. He is responsible for the origin and development of the world. ● Ngilin – Ifugao – One of the Gods of Animal Fertility O ● Obban – Bontok and Kankana-ey – Goddess of Reproduction. Daughter of Lumauwig and Bugan. Sister of Bangan. ● Oden – Ilongot – God of Rain (or its personification). ● Ofag – Gaddang – Cousin of Nanolay. ● Ogassi – Manuvu – The Bad God, wove old abaca fibers and white threads into the first humans, so that they would be mortal and age. ● Ognaling – Bukidnon – God of the South Wind. ● Onos – Bicol – Lord of the Floodwaters and Thunderstorms ● Ovug – Benguet – Demigod, divided in two and then resurrected as a pair. Origin of thunder and lightning. P ● Paglimusan – Batak – Spirit of the Small Stones. ● Pahulangkug – Sulod/Panay – God of Seasons. ● Paiburong – Sulod/Panay – Most powerful God of the Pagtun-an. Husband of Bulawanun. ● Pamahandi – Bukidnon – Protector of Carabaos and Horses. ● Pamulak Manobo / Eugpamolak Manobo/ Manama / KalayáganBagobo – Creator of all things, lived in the highest realm of the sky. Known as “The Plant Person”. ● Panayagan – Bagobo – Patron God of Brass Casters. ● Pandaki – Bisayan – Rescuer of the deserving to grant them a more pleasant fate. ● Paneng-an – Kankana-ey – Deity of kindasan-stones. One of the seven secondary gods. ● Panlinugun – Sulod/Panay – God of Earthquakes, highest ranking deity in the Idadalmunon. 50

● Paros – Bicol – The Wind, son of Tubigan, husband of Dagat ● Pati – Ibaloy/Kankana-ey – Similar powers to Lumawig. Also God of Trade, God of Hunters, God of Animals. One of the 24 gods beneath Mengos-oschong. ● Pawi – Agta – God of the Forest. ● Pe-ey – Ibaloy – Goddess of Wine.One of the 24 gods beneath Mengos-oschong. ● Pilay – Isneg – Spirit of Rice. Rice pudding is offered to Pilay, the spirit of the rice, who resides on the paga, a shelf above the Isneg hearth. This is the pisi, the ritual offering of food to the spirits. ● Puwok – Ifugao – Controls the dread typhoons. R ● Revenador – Northern Luzon – God of Thunder and Lightning ● Ribung Linti – Sulod/Panay – God of Lightning and Thunderstorms. S ● Saguday – Northern Luzon – God of the Wind ● Salibubu – Kankana-ey – Deity of the Seven Stars. One of the seven secondary gods. ● Sangasang – Kalinga – The Pestilent ● Santonilyo - Bisayan – God of Graces. ● Saraganka Bagyo - Bisayan – God of Storms. ● Saragnayan - Bisayan – God of Darkness, but only a minor deity, assistant to Sumpoy and Magyan. ● Sarangan Kabayo or Sarangan-sabagtiw - Panay – God of the Storm ● Sedsed - Agta – God of the Sea. ● Sfedat - T’boli – The second son of Kadaw La Sambad, married to the second daughter, Bong Libun. This marriage produces no progeny, leading to Sfedat’s depression. One day, he asks his wife to kill him. His corpse becomes the land from which sprout all kinds of plants and trees. ● Sidapa - Bisayan – Goddess of Death, co-ruler of Kamariitan with Makapatan, her husband. ● Siginarugan - Bisayan – God of the Underworld. ● Sildado - Isneg – Resembles a horse, and kills children who play noisily outside the house. ● Silit - Kalinga – The Thunderer ● Sirinan Isneg - The river spirit. ● Sisiburanen - Bisayan – God of the Kanitu-nituhan who treated good and bad souls equally. Assisted by the giants Simuran and Siguinarugan. If no sacrifices/ tribute were offered on behalf of a soul, the soul would be kept as slaves and then fed to the giants. ● Sugudun or Sugujun - Manobo – God of Hunters and Trappers. ● Suklang Malayon - Panay – God of the Happy Home ● Sulingbunganin – Batak – Spirit of the Big Rocks. ● Sumalongson – Bisayan – God of the Rivers and the Sea. ● Sumiklang Butawan – Panay- a “Goddess of Gold” ● Sumpoy – Bisayan – God of the underworld, Kasakitan. Brother of Makaptan and Magyan. Takes the souls of the dead to Kanitu-nituhan. ● Suyan – Ibaloy – One of the Gods of animals and plants. One of the 24 gods beneath Mengos-oschong. T ● Tagabusau – Bukidnon – an uncontrollable god, with red eyes and red garments, who can enter a mortal warrior’s body and make him fight fiercely to avenge a wrong–but who can also drive him to insanity with and incessant demand for blood (pigs, fowls… humans). ● Tagabayau – Goddess of Lust and Adultery. Also incites incest. ● Tagaloambung – Bukidnon – God of the East Wind. ● Tagamaling – Bagobo – a God with a dual personality, violent during one season and benevolent during another. ● Tagamaling - Mandaya – Goddess of Art. ● Tagamaling - Manobo – Goddess of Crops (other than rice). ● Tagbanua - Manobo – God of Rain and ruler of the forest gods. ● Tagbibi - Mindanao – Diwata protector of children of the mountain tribes. ● Tagbusan - Manobo – Most powerful deity, ruled over the destinies of both gods and men. God of War of the Manobos. ● Tagma-sa-dagat - Subanun – Lord of the Sea. 51

● Tagma-sa-langit - Subanun – God and Protector of the Sick. ● Tagma-sa-manguabungud - Subanun – Lord of the Woods. ● Tagma-sa-uba - Subanun – Lord of the Rivers. ● Tagma-sa-yuta - Subanun – Lord of the Earth. ● Tagumbanwa – Bukidnon – Guardian of the Fields, agent of Magbabaya. ● Taphagan – Manobo – Goddess of Harvest, guardian of the rice while it’s in the granary. ● Tarabumo – Bagobo – God of rice. Jocano describes the deity as one “for whom the rice ceremony was held.” ● Taragomi – Bagobo – Guardian of the crops who “owns all food”. It is for him that the shrine known as parobanian is erected in the center of the rice field. ● Tao-sa-sulup – Bukidnon – God of Material Goods. ● Tdolok – T’boli – God of Death. ● Teme Lus – T’boli – God of Wild Beasts. ● Tengnan – Ibaloy – Goddess of Maidservants. One of the 24 gods beneath Mengos-oschong. ● Tigbalog – Agta – One of the four manifestations of the “great creator” who rules the world. Tigbalog is the source of life and action. ● Tigbas – God of Good Government, the most respected of the minor deities. ● Tiguianes – Gianges – Creator of the world. ● Todlay – Gianges – God of Love. Husband of Todlibun. ● Todlibun – Gianges – Goddess of Marriage. Wife of Todlay. ● Tolus Ka Balakat – Bagobo – “dweller in the balakat”. (A balakat is a hanger in which offerings are placed.) A male spirit who loves the blood, but not the flesh of human beings, and one of the three for whom the yearly sacrifice is made. ● Tolus Ka Gomanan – Bagobo – Patron of smiths. ● Tolus Ka Towangan – Bagobo – Patron of workers in brass and copper. ● Tigyama – Bagobo – Known as “The Protector”. ● Tubigan – Bicol – Ruler of the Waters ● Tuglay / Toglái - Bagobo – The first man (but not a mortal), husband of Tuglibong. By some people Toglái is believed to be one of the judges over the shades of the dead, while in Bansalan he is identified with Eugpamolak Manobo.” Toglái is also called Si Niladan or Maniládan.Toglái and Toglibonare the first man and woman to live on the earth. They gave to the people their language and customs. After their death they became spirits, and are now responsible for all marriages and births. ● Tuglibong / Toglibon- Bagobo – The first woman (but not a mortal, not based on the stories), wife of Tuglay. They instituted the Bagobo way of life. She is the one who made the sun and the sky rise high above the earth, when she scolded them for interfering with her pounding of the rice. Toglái and Toglibonare the first man and woman to live on the earth. They gave to the people their language and customs. After their death they became spirits, and are now responsible for all marriages and births. ● Tulus – Tiruray – Chief of all good spirits that bestow gifts and favors upon human beings. He goes around with a retinue of messengers called telaki. Tulus is said to have rectified some errors in the first creation of the world and of human beings. ● Tumuwak – Kankana-ey – One of the seven secondary gods. ● Tungkung Langit (of Ibabawnon) – Sulod/Panay – first God, and most powerful male God. Resided in the Ibabawnon. The raindrops are his tears as he weeps for his lost wife, Alunsina (The Warrior Dance) ● Tungkung Langit (of Idadalmunon) – Sulod/Panay – not the same deity as the first God. He is the brother of Panlinugun, and supports the world from beneath it. U ● Ub-bang – Ibaloy – A Goddess of Pigs. One of the 24 gods beneath Mengos-oschong. 52

● Ulilang Kaluluwa – Tagalog – Serpent God present in some creation myths that was killed by Bathala after an ensuing rivalry. ● Umbumabakal – Ifugao – One of the Gods of Animal Fertility ● Umouiui – Manobo – God of Clouds. ● Upa Kuyaw – Palawan – Grandfather Thunder. V ● Virgen Del Monte / Diwata ng Kagubatan – Palawan – Also known as Virgen Del Monte, she was worshiped by the ancient Cuyunon of Cuyo Island, Palawan. She is honored in a celebrated feast, periodically held atop of Mount Caimana in the mentioned island. W ● Wigan – Ifugao – Hero turned demi-god Y ● Yapeng – Ibaloy – One of the 24 gods beneath Mengos-oschong. ● Yogyou and Alyog – Ifugao – Cause the earth to quake. They dwell in the underworld. 53

OTHER SUPERNATURAL BEINGS Philippine mythology is host to hundreds of fantastic beings. Some are beautiful and ethereal creatures of light; many are dark and malevolent. Filipino legends are populated with many counterparts to European fantastic creatures that may be more familiar to readers: werewolves, giants, merfolk, dragons, etc. Included in this section are some of the more notable and unique races that inhabit Kaluwalhatian and its underworlds. BAKUNAWA Bakunawa is a serpent-like dragon in Philippine mythology, and is the cause of eclipses, earthquakes, rains, and wind on Kaluwalhatian. Similar to the role of Jörmungandr, the Midgard Serpent of Norse myth, Bakunawa’s immense form loops around the sea, sky, and underworld of Kaluwalhatian, its movements causing natural disasters and its yearly rotation around Kaluwalhatian useful for divination. So large is Bakunawa in its natural form, that while submerged in the sea surrounding Kaluwalhatian, its back may be mistaken for an island. Tales about the Bakunawa say that it is the cause of eclipses. During ancient times, the Cebuanos believed that there were seven moons created by Bathala to light up the sky. Bakunawa, amazed by their beauty, would rise from the ocean and swallow the moons whole, angering Bathala and causing them to be mortal enemies. Some tales instead describe a violent rivalry between Bakunawa and Mayari, the goddess of the moon, or one of Mayari’s lesserknown siblings, the goddess Hayari. To keep the moons from completely being swallowed by the Bakunawa, ancient Filipinos would go out of their homes with pans and pots, and would 54

make noise in order to scare the Bakunawa into spitting out the moon back into the sky. Some of the people in the villages would play soothing sounds with their musical instruments, in hopes that the dragon would fall into a deep sleep. Thus, the brave men of the village hoped that while the dragon was hypnotized by the musical sounds they could somehow slay the dragon. Although the dragon was known as a "moon eater" it was also known as a "man eater". Other tales tell that Bakunawa had a sister in the form of a sea turtle. The sea turtle would visit a certain island in the Philippines in order to lay its eggs. However, locals soon discovered that every time the sea turtle went to shore, the water seemed to follow her, thus reducing the island's size. Worried that their island would eventually disappear, the locals killed the sea turtle. When the Bakunawa found out about this, it arose from the sea and ate the moon. The people were afraid so they prayed to Bathala to punish the creature. Bathala refused but instead told them to bang some pots and pans in order to disturb the serpent. The moon was then regurgitated while Bakunawa disappeared, never to be seen again. Others tell how Bakunawa fell in love with a human girl. The head of her tribe found out about their affair and had their house burned to ashes. Bakunawa, finding out about this, became furious, and tried to take revenge by eating all the 7 moons. When Bakunawa was about to eat the last one, Bathala took action and punished Bakunawa by banishing it from its home away from the sea. The legend tells that the reason for eclipses is that Bakunawa is trying to come back to its home and deceased family. 55

F A S E R I P Mn Am ShX ShY Gd In Mn Health: 475 Karma: 125 Resources: Pr Popularity: -10 Powers: Invulnerability: Amazing resistance to physical damage and energy damage. Earth Control: Bakunawa can create earthquakes with Unearthly intensity. Darkforce Creation: Bakunawa generates and controls darkness at Monstrous ability. ASUANG The asuang (not to be confused with Aswang, for whom they are named) is probably the most common of Filipino monsters since there are so many different kinds. In general, they are shape shifters who are human by day and then at night turn into a big black dog, a pig, a bat, cat, snake, a big black bird with a long tongue (tiktik), or as a half-bodied monster (manananggal); the type of animal depends on the regional lore. Some aswang can change form at will, others through the use of foul oils concocted by good magicians (albularyo, manggagaway, manghihilot). Aswang appear at night (rarely during the day) to prey upon unwary travelers or sleeping people. It is said that they have a peculiar liking for the taste of human liver. The myth of the aswang is popular in the Visayas, especially in provinces such as Aklan, Capiz, Antique, and IloIlo. Aswang (mostly, tiktik) also have a peculiar liking for the fetus of pregnant women and are said to find their quarry by the scent of the mother, which to the aswang smells like ripe jackfruit. Upon finding the house of the pregnant mother, the tiktik alights on the roof from where it stretches its tongue until it is as thin as a thread and uses it to enter the womb and feast on the fetus. The only way for a person to prevent this creature is to put one's brooms upside down, to put a "badiawan twig" all over his/her house's windows, or to put a blessed or a magic dagger in any parts of the house. They are known break into funeral homes and steal recent corpses. They are also known to enter homes to drink human blood and can turn people into asuang by tricking the human to bite them in return. F A S E R I P Rm Rm Ex Am Gd Ex Am Health: 130 Karma: 80 Resources: N/A Popularity: -5 Powers: Shapeshifting: Monstrous ability. Asuang are able to assume a human form, a monstrous form, and 1 to 3 animal forms (see description above). Climbing: As per Spider Climb, at Incredible rank. Fangs/Claws: Excellent edged damage. Vampirism: If an opponent ingests asuang blood, or is bitten and reduced to 0 Health, he or she will return to life as an asuang. 56

Stealth: Asuang are able to hide in the shadows as per the Stealth talent, at Amazing rank. Weaknesses: Daylight: While not fatal to asuang like it is for vampires, asuang find daylight debilitating. When exposed to daylight, asuang suffer a -1CS penalty to Strength and Endurance. Magical wards: Asuang can be prevented from entering a building through several different measures. Methods to repel asuang from entering include putting one's brooms upside down, to put a "badiawan twig" all over one’s windows, or placing a blessed or a magic dagger in any part of the house. Asuang will not be able to enter an abode that has any of these in place. DUWENDE Duwendes are the dwarves of Filipino mythology. They are known to be quite small, and look similar to the common image of an elf, or a goblin. Duwendes are known to have magical powers that can grant people good luck, or bad luck. In the pre-colonial Philippines, they were called "mangalo" and were believed to eat the bowels of children, thus killing the said kids. In Visayas, they were also believed to be the servants of the goddess Burigadang Pada Sinaklang Bulawan. Nowadays, they are still believed by many, and are said to live on houses, trees, in termite mounds, or underground. They are known to be either good or mischievous, and are known to take things from humans, since they find it funny when they hide items and humans try to look for them. They generally keep to themselves and only interact with humans when their homes are disturbed: while a kindly farmer who takes care of his plot may be rewarded by the duwende with a greater abundance of crops than usual, someone who kicks an anthill on or near the home of a duwende will be punished with a myriad of 57

ailments from twisted mouth to swollen testicles. Usually, when passing by what are believed to be the homes of duwendes, humans mutter "tabi-tabi po" as a way of excusing themselves, and ask for forgiveness from the duwendes for bothering them. They also leave food behind, so the residing duwende will not be angry and cause mischief. Closely related to them are the Nuno sa Punso, little old enchanted beings who guard the rice fields. F A S E R I P Gd Gd Ty Ex Ty Rm Rm Health: 46 Karma: 66 Resources: N/A Popularity: 0 Powers: Curse: Duwende have the ability to magically curse those who cross them, with Amazing ability. Curses can take a variety of forms, but typically take the form of some sort of medical affliction such as disease or deformity. Enchantment: Duwende can similarly bestow a benevolent enchantment on a target, such as a spontaneous increase in Resources, a +1CS to Endurance, the ability to resist diseases, or a temporary Luck variation of Probability Manipulation. They can do this with Amazing ability. Equipment: Duwende may be equipped with small-sized versions of standard weapons and body armor. Talents: Duwende may be versed in a form of Martial Arts, and/or weapon combat. They have an extensive knowledge of plants, agriculture and herbal medicine and are always very knowledgeable about the immediate area. Many are also skilled craftsmen, and may have one or more additional talents as well. TIKBALANG A Tikbalang is somewhat reminiscent of a Minotaur; how-ever, instead of a bull’s head and physical traits, Tikbalang have horses’ heads and features. Often they are described as having unusually long limbs and when they sit, their knees reach above their head. In some provinces, Tikbalang are considered Aswang and are of a demonic nature; in others they are merely selfish or mischievous, or even beneficial. 58

In many of the Filipino comics they are portrayed as being very tribal and often have tribal tattoos and loincloths as well as ancient weapons. They love challenges and will grant favors to those who can defeat them in a race or other physical challenges. They can be friendly, but like many fey creatures they are also tricksters and have been known to enchant, seduce and/or kidnap young maidens to satisfy their proportionate libidos. Often these creatures are encountered as guardians of bridges and thick groves, especially bamboo. Similar to trolls in many pantheons, they may demand that someone defeat them or bribe them in order to pass over their bridge or through their grove. Sometimes they can also be found in hot springs, they are said to bathe in these during the full moon. Common Powers: Tikbalang are incredibly fast, and they are often depicted as excellent archers. Sometimes Tikbalang are said to be able to grant wishes, and in other stories are said to be able to disappear into a cloud of falling rocks. In still others, they can take humanoid form, usually the appearance of someone close to the traveler they are harassing. Occasionally, their manes also have razor sharp spines. As with other fey creatures, they are known to cause disorientation that could be just a function of their environment if they are from the realm of Faerie and that this is a sideeffect of moving into and out of said realm. Certainly, many fey creatures (and those in Filipino mythology) seem to have this ability, but Tikbalang are considered to be masters of it. The have been known to drive some poor souls insane after becoming so lost in their illusions. This ability has not been shown in the comic book Tikbalang, so it may only be true of those guarding the paths to the Faerie realms or perhaps just the shamans of their people since the depictions appearing in the comics seem to focus on tribal warrior types of characters. It is said that being quiet in forest so as not to disturb or turning one’s clothes inside out is a way of avoiding the ire of a Tikbalang (since the trickster finds the inside-out clothing humorous). If one can find the golden hairs in their mane and pluck them, it is said that Tikbalang can be controlled and perhaps will even grant wishes; other stories simply have this as a result of being able to outmatch it in a contest or wresting a stone from their person. F A S E R I P In Rm Rm In Gd Rm Rm Health: 140 Karma: 70 Resources: N/A Popularity: 0 Powers: Dimensional Travel: Tikbalang can travel back and forth from the faerie realm (Otherworld) with Shift X ability. Enchantment: As per the Realms of Magic spell, at Incredible ability. Hyper-Speed: Remarkable rank Disorientation: Tikbalang create an aura of disorientation with a 2-area radius, at Remarkable rank, as per the Confusion spell. Emotion Control: Good rank; they often use this ability for seduction. Illusionary Shapeshifting: They can cast a spell to change their appearance at Amazing rank. Cast Illusion: Remarkable ability. A Red FEAT may cause temporary insanity (-2 CS to Fighting and Agility). Spines: A tikbalang’s mane can transform to razor-sharp spines. These will do Excellent edged damage to whomever attacks them with any attack that requires body contact, such as Grappling maneuvers. 59

Weakness: Plucking the golden hairs of a tikbalang’s mane, or defeating one in a physical contest will indebt the tikbalang to the person who defeats it. The tikbalang may Enchant the character as per the Enchantment spell at Excellent rank (effects permanent) or may be forced to accompany or aid the character (duration at the GM’s discretion). Talents: Tikbalang all have the Archery skill, Wrestling and Occult Knowledge. They frequently will have area knowledge, and knowledge of various dimensions. They will often have training in one or more forms of weapon combat. The Chinese variation will have Performer as well. MANANANGGAL The manananggal is a particularly horrifying form of vampire, described as scary, often hideous, usually depicted as female, and always capable of severing its upper torso and sprouting huge bat-like wings to fly into the night in search of its victims. The manananggal is said to favor preying on sleeping, pregnant women, using an elongated proboscis-like tongue to suck the hearts of fetuses, or the blood of someone who is sleeping. The severed lower torso is left standing, and is the more vulnerable of the two halves. Sprinkling salt, smearing crushed garlic or ash on top of the standing torso is fatal to the creature. The upper torso then would not be able to rejoin itself and would perish by sunrise. Variations of the manananggal are found throughout Southeast Asia: they are known as Ahp in Cambodia, as Kasu in Laos, Penanggalan or Balan-balan in Malaysia, and Leyak, Kuyang, or Palasik in Indonesia. In the universe of Earth-101001, the vampire hunter Blade and his allies once fought against genetically60

enhanced manananggals as well as mandurugos, another Southeast Asian vampire, which can assume a bird-like form. Typical Manananggal F A S E R I P Gd Ex Rm Rm Ty Gd Ex Health: 90 Karma: 36 Resources: N/A Popularity: -10 Powers: Animal Communication: The manananggal possesses Remarkable ability to communicate telepathically with any animal larger than an insect. Heightened Senses: The manananggal’s senses are superhuman. All 5 senses are heightened to Remarkable levels. Hyper Speed: Manananggals are naturally quicker than when they were alive enabling them to move and attack at superhuman speeds. This is considered Typical Hyper speed. Blending: The manananggal may lurk in the shadows and and thereby shroud itself from sight with Amazing ability. Night Vision: Manananggals may see in "natural" darkness with Excellent rank ability without difficulty. Claws: The manananggal has claws that inflict strength +1CS damage. Bite: A manananggal bite does Typical damage per round by draining the blood from a victim. If the target has been drained of blood to Shift-0 health then reinfused with manananggal blood from the "parent" manananggal the target will return to life as a manananggal. Blood: Manananggal Blood has a high level of toxicity. Should manananggal blood come into direct contact with a living being, it will inflict Feeble acidic damage (burn) for 1 round. If it enters the bloodstream of a non-vampire, it causes Feeble damage for 1-10 rounds. In greater quantities the blood could also have an effect of turning the target into a manananggal (Endurance FEAT to avoid). Flight: Excellent winged airspeed (10 areas/round) LIMITATIONS Manananggals must drink the blood of others to survive. Voluntary or involuntary deprivation of blood results in weakness -1CS on all stats and powers every two days until they feed (or reach Shift-0 FASERIP scores and enter a state of Suspended Animation until they are exposed to blood) and causes a overwhelming desire for blood. Upon seeing blood, a vampire who has not feed will automatically attack if failing a Psyche Feat. Exposure to direct sunlight causes a manananggal Remarkable damage. Reduction to zero health in this manner will reduce a manananggal to dust. Material weakness: salt, smearing crushed garlic or ash sprinkled on the manananggal’s lower torso while it is separated causes Excellent damage per round of exposure to the creature’s flesh. When the manananggal’s Health is reduced to 50%, the lower torso is considered destroyed, although the upper torso will continue to be functional until it is killed. 61

CHAPTER 2: JAPANESE MYTHOLOGY In Japanese Mythology, "AmatsuKami" translates as "heavenly ones", "Kami" describing divine spirits. Kami may, at its root, simply mean spirit, or an aspect of spirituality; the AmatsuKami is the group of deities residing in the dimension of Ama and its associated realms. In general, kami are of two minds. They can nurture and love when respected or they can cause destruction and disharmony when disregarded. Kami must be appeased in order to gain their favor and avoid their wrath. Traditionally, kami possess two souls, one gentle (nigi-mitama) and the other assertive (ara-mitama); in some traditions, they have two additional souls that are hidden: one happy (sachi-mitama) and one mysterious (kushi-mitama). Because Shinto, the religion of Japan, is still practiced by some, the AmatsuKami tend to be stronger than some of the other pantheons, as gods usually derive their power from worshippers. As a result, the gods of Ama have a much closer connection to Earth than many pantheons. Given the recent destruction of Takamagahara (see Chaos War, below) it is entirely possible that some of these deities have fled to the earthly plane and now roam there disguised among mortals. This is consistent with their traditional portrayal as mobile beings, visiting their places of worship, of which there can be several, but never staying forever. In traditional Japanese mythos, the kami are not visible to the human realm, instead inhabiting sacred places, natural phenomena, or people during rituals that ask for their blessing. In the Marvel context, it is more likely that they use their magical powers to remain unseen by humans; if they are to be found on earth, they will choose to visit these places of nature, of which there are many. In fact, the number of Shinto shrines in Japan is estimated to be around 100,000, providing many hiding places connected to both Earth and the divine realms. There are many different varieties of kami. There are 300 different classifications of kami listed in the Kojiki, a Japanese sacred text, and they all have different functions, such 62

as the kami of wind, kami of entryways, and kami of roads. All kami have a different guardianship or duty to the people around them. Just as the people have an obligation to keep the kami happy, the kami have to perform the specific function of the object, place, or idea they inhabit. The ancestors of a particular family can also be worshipped as kami, as those spirits often end up residing in Toyoyonaku, a region of Ama. Shinto followers believe that the kami are the ones who can either grant blessings or curses to a person. Shinto believers desire to appease the evil kami to "stay on their good side", and also to please the good kami. In addition to practicing the four affirmations daily, Shinto believers also wear omamori to aid them in remaining pure and protected. Mamori are charms that keep the evil kami from striking a human with sickness or causing disaster to befall them. 63

JAPANESE MYTHOLOGY IN A MARVEL CAMPAIGN With stories of ninjas, samurai, and martial artists running abound, incorporating Japanese mythology into the superhero genre is almost a no-brainer. Certainly, heroes like Psylocke and Wolverine and even Daredevil (through his enemies, the Hand) have strong ties to Japan, and a standard investigative plot could easily lead to interactions with the Amatsu-Kami. Naturally, the ancient mythology of Japan is often referenced in modern anime, manga, video games, etc., which blend almost seamlessly into the superhero genre and may be a useful source of inspiration for adventures. In many ways, Japanese mythology is similar to that of Western cultures. Knights in shining armor, damsels in distress, and hideous and savage monsters that threaten the natural order of things are all staples of both. In fact, the threat against order -- from the upsetting of village life to the reshaping of the universe! -- is particularly important in Japanese myth through its connection to Shinto. The Shinto influence can be seen in the many tales in which nature is somehow disrupted, either by man or by supernatural forces. Similarly, purity is a common recurring theme, and heroes of Japanese tales must often undertake a quest to remove their own negative energies before the true action can begin. [In game terms, a hero should gain Karma for completing a purification ritual, the amount of Karma depending on the difficulty of accomplishing this.] Chaos being the greatest enemy is, of course, personified in AmatsuMikaboshi, the “big bad” of the Japanese pantheon. Most recently rampaging through all the mystic realms during the Chaos War, an epic level campaign could focus on the Chaos King himself, or his countless evil minions who wish to see his return. Nature itself is often seen as both destructive and beneficial, as deities and supernatural beings frequently take the form of animals to both help and hinder the heroes. On a smaller scale, the Western genre bears many similarities with the heroics of Japanese myth. Both often feature a knight errant -- in this case, the samurai honor-bound to the code of bushido or the masterless ronin -- wandering the earth and helping those in need. This usually culminates in a showdown with a main enemy after facing a series of smaller obstacles, a formula that translates well into both modern-day superheroics and Japanese myth alike. Talents and Weapons: Japanese mythological characters will often have the Talents of Oriental Weapons, and one or more Martial Art, especially A (which include jiujitsu, aikido and judo) and/or D. Among those of a fighting class, Sharp Weapons is common. Ninjas will have Stealth. Kenjutsu, the precursor to modern kendo, is the Japanese art of sword fighting. Training is done with a bokken (wooden sword; treat as Club). A distinctive aspect of kenjutsu is the paired use of the katana and wakizashi (long sword and short sword, respectively -- treat as Paired Weapons talent when used thus.) Some martial arts involve the use of the naginata, a pole arm resembling the European glaive. Other common weapons include the yari (spear), kama (sickle), tekko (knuckleduster), shuriken (throwing stars), weighted and bladed chains, bo staff, and various tonfa, sais, bows, and swords. Ninja have a broad range of tricks up their sleeves (sometimes literally) that include the use of caltrops, poisons, explosives and other means of distraction as well as devices for disguise and concealment. The Japanese language will usually be the default for non-deity characters, although English may be taken as its own Linguistic talent. History, Area Knowledge, or Trivia skills related to Japan, Ama, and other Japanese mystic realms are frequently chosen. 64

New Talents: Iajutsu: This is a quick-draw sword technique popular with samurai. It applies the benefits of Quick Striking (+1CS to Fighting FEATs involving trying for multiple attack rolls, and a +1 on initiative rolls) applied to sword combat. Kagura: Kagura refers to a specific type of Shinto theatrical dance. This dance tradition typically tells a story, honors the gods, or celebrates natural phenomena. A character performing a kagura dance prior to a battle is endowed with Good body resistance in the form of divine protection, which lasts a number of turns equal to the performer’s Agility rank. Sumo: Sumo is a Japanese full-contact wrestling style. Typically, this can be taken as a form of the Wrestling talent. However, it may be taken as a specialty taking the place of an additional Talent. Doing so provides the additional benefits of +1CS for Slam results, and +1CS against Charging attacks. 65

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THE CHAOS WAR Undoubtedly, the most prominent story arc in the Marvel Universe to feature Japanese deities is 2010’s storyline “Chaos War.” In the Dream Dimension, Nightmare saw that Hercules had returned, and he planned to use Hercules' visions of Amatsu-Mikaboshi's army to horrify the world, only for Amatsu-Mikaboshi (now naming himself "King Chaos") himself to arrive and kill Nightmare himself. Hercules assembled a group of heroes and told them that AmatsuMikaboshi was coming to Earth, had taken down many of the alien pantheons and was adding to his army. He gave the assembled heroes a fraction of his power in order to help fight Amatsu-Mikaboshi, leading them through the skies and opening a portal to the Dream Dimension to challenge Amatsu-Mikaboshi. Upon arrival, they saw Nightmare's hordes fleeing, and Nightmare's corpse, realizing that the Chaos King had slain him and claimed his power to destroy the minds of all the mortal heroes. Amadeus Cho, Hercules and Thor managed to return to Earth with the dozens of defeated heroes, reaching the Olympus Group headquarters where Hebe attempted to embrace Hercules, but was unable to due to his unstable new powers. As Hebe and Venus attempted to revive the fallen mortal heroes, the other three prepared for the inevitable conflict with Amatsu-Mikaboshi while trying to fight his chaos around the Earth. After seeing Hercules preventing the death of millions, an enraged Pluto was assuaged by his wife Persephone, who told him that "one day", all life would be his. Hela suddenly broke into his throne room, warning him of the Chaos King's assault on the realms of the dead. Pluto began to threaten her, only for an all-out assault on his Underworld led by the thousands of alien gods he enslaved from world to world to begin. Pluto released the souls of the dead, both blessed and damned, to fight for his realm, freeing Zeus, Hera, Ares, various mortal heroes (consisting of Banshee, Swordsman, and Yellowjacket) and various mortal villains (consisting of Abomination and Iron Monger), only for AmatsuMikaboshi himself to arrive amidst the chaos of the colossal invasion and brutally tear out the heart of Zeus yet 68

again, his armies already threatening to overwhelm the domains of Earth's death deities with ease in the first few moments of the conflict. Hercules, sensing this, was distracted long enough for him to stop his timefreeze over the planet and next summoned Eternity who refused to aid them against Amatsu-Mikaboshi. Rejecting Cho's demands that he summon other cosmic beings such as Infinity or the Living Tribunal to their aid, Hercules instead summoned Sersi, revealing to her that Athena had fled when he returned to Earth. Upon her suggestion for more power, Hercules summoned Galactus and the Silver Surfer, who violently attacked them in fury that they had teleported them to Earth just when Galactus was about to satisfy his hunger on an alien world. Hercules struck him down and Venus next used her power to enthrall him. Daimon Hellstrom next arrived from Hell itself, telling them that Death had fled their reality. The Chaos King had triumphed over the Underworld and that all the souls of the deceased were now unleashed on Earth. John Proudstar suddenly found himself returned back to life along with other former X-Men Banshee, Moira McTaggert, Sophie and Esme Cuckoo, and the clones of James Madrox. They found themselves in the ruins of the Xavier School, and there they found Destiny's Diary which held the secrets in defeating the Chaos King. The team traveled to Muir Island to find the remaining pages of Destiny's Diary. Later on, Moira (possessed by the spirit of Destiny) revealed that they needed to call upon and unleash the most primal force of the Earth itself in order to defeat the Chaos King. Hercules, Thor, Amadeus, Sersi, Hellstrom, Venus, the Silver Surfer and Galactus battled Zeus, Ares, and Hera (now enslaved by the Chaos King). Zeus easily downed Galactus with a massive bolt of lightning with even the World-Devourer's power seemingly unable to defeat them. The Council Elite sealed the Throne Room in an attempt to conceal themselves from Amatsu-Mikaboshi and protect the doorways to each of their divine realms, and most importantly, to protect the font of creation itself. After Hercules used his omniscience to pierce the veil hiding the Council, the Chaos King and his alien deity army (bursting out of the dying Zeus's chest) invaded the realms of Earth's pantheon until only he and his army remained, easily destroying many of the gods, including the Shinto sun goddess Amaterasu (despite her promises that the gods of Japan would best him as they did ages past) and decimating their twilight realms with brutal ease. His void seemingly consumed everything including the Upperworld, Avalon and even Ama falling him to him in quick succession. Amadeus Cho at last admitted that it was simply not possible for the Chaos King to be defeated, pleading with the other members of the Squad to retreat from Mikaboshi (now a colossal being of pure darkness greater in size than even entire planets and towering over Galactus himself) and the God Squad joined their powers in a last desperate attempt to shield themselves from the forces of primordial chaos. Athena (with her owl Pallas) at long last appeared to Amatsu-Mikaboshi and reminded him that none of this would have been possible without the wisdom of his greatest servant. As Amatsu-Mikaboshi's army attacked Earth, Thor ended up engaged with the alien god Glory where he beat Glory. Drained from the fight, Thor crashed back to Earth reverting to an amnesiac Donald Blake form. He was nurtured by Rebecca Steinhardt (a woman living alone). Alien swarms released by Glory followed Thor and eventually materialized into a many-headed monster which attacked Blake and the woman. The Gods of Zenn-La (the homeworld of the Silver Surfer) gathered together after one of them, Thrann: Saint of Science, told his fellow deities that, just as the Universe had been given "orbit, organization, and order", its cosmic fire lighted from a beginning of primordial darkness and chaos by the First Mover, the First Mover had also extrapolated that the Nil Star would herald the end of 69

times. Amatsu-Mikaboshi, in a colossal monstrous form, led his army of enslaved gods, from which he had leached their powers to bolster himself, invaded the Cosmic Plane of Zenn-La's gods, and was able to swiftly annihilate most of them with ease, with the gods and mortals of Zenn-La estranged for eons, especially due to their inaction when Galactus threatened their planet. Thrann, remembering that a mortal, Norrin Radd, not Zenn-La's gods, had delivered their world from doom, mustered his last strength against Amatsu-Mikaboshi. Despite his best efforts, Thrann was consumed and enslaved, his last words a warning to Amatsu-Mikaboshi that Earth had not just one hero, unlike Zenn-La, but a multitude. The Impossible Man confronted Mikaboshi, trying to humor and reason with him while shape-shifting in various forms to divert him, but the Chaos King tired of him and brutally dispatched him. Impossible Man's last words were "I thought we were just playing around..." Amatsu-Mikaboshi designated the netherworlds of Hell as his next target. While Satan told Amatsu-Mikaboshi that the damned choose their own paths and fates through free will, Amatsu-Mikaboshi countered that the old laws between gods were void and his void would be a release for them, and he unleashed his power against the forces of Hell, including Ghost Rider, Daimon Hellstrom, Satannish, and Pluto. As Hela screamed that Hell's fires began to dim, Satan urged Hellstrom to flee and warn the mortals to prepare to meet not their Maker, but their Unmaker, and vowed to hold Mikaboshi off as long as he could. Even empowered by all Hell's fire, Satan was overpowered and devoured by the Chaos King who seized control over many of the dead 70

souls of the Underworld only to face the combined forces of the living including every single hero of Earth led by Hercules and his reunited God Squad. After Mikaboshi gained dominion over Earth's Council of Godheads and decimated the various pantheons and their realms, the God Squad (with Hercules, Thor and Amadeus diverted elsewhere with their own struggles) managed to form a shield against the darkness of Mikaboshi by joining their powers. Finding themselves in a dark tunnel between realities, the God Squad came upon Inari, messenger of the Kami, with his sacred fox pet, who had been grievously wounded by the Chaos King. He charged the four members of the God Squad to seek out the Amatsu-Kami at the temple above Yomi's gates. Led by Inari's fox, the God Squad eventually entered the realm of the Panther God, Bast, and though she threatened to devour them for their sudden intrusion into her domain, she sensed Mikaboshi's growing darkness and agreed to join them on their quest to reach the remaining Kami. Eventually, upon reaching Tagamakahara, they were greeted by Susanoo, the Japanese god of the sea, who revealed that he knew Venus in centuries past. Joined by Tsukuyomi, the Japanese god of the moon. Susanoo and Tsukuyomi told the God Squad that Izanagi released Mikaboshi because he thought he could restore his honor if he served alongside noble gods, believing that if such a thing was indeed possible, the Kami themselves could break their own eternal cycle of death and rebirth. However, as the God Squad reached the gates to Yomi, where both Inari and Amaterasu awaited them, all the Kami betrayed them, revealing that they were under Mikaboshi's control all along, attacking them ruthlessly. Eventually, the God Squad managed to overpower and slay most of the gathered Kami, but a lone survivor broke Yomi's seal, releasing hordes of Japanese demons. Venus summoned the Kraken to their aid, and Hellstrom, unable to re-enchant Yomi's stone seal, instead used Yomi's remaining "soul-energy" to open a portal to an unknown place elsewhere. The Panther God, urging them to flee, made a final stand against Yomi's demons to hold them off, falling to them as the God Squad escaped. Because of what happened in the death realms, several deceased Avengers return from the dead. They discovered that a resurrected Grim Reaper had allied himself with Amatsu-Mikaboshi. Meanwhile, Guardian, Vindicator, Shaman, and Marrina returned from the dead and reunited with other Alpha Heroes, They came together again as Alpha Flight when the Great Beasts returned due to Sasquatch releasing them to kill the Chaos King. However, after Snowbird froze them, the Chaos King impaled them with his tentacles. The Silver Surfer, Daimon Hellstrom, Venus and Sersi meanwhile battled the forces of Amatsu-Mikaboshi, assisted by Bast. After Hiro-Kala was in K'ai restoring the planet, the Hulk was shown mourning the loss of Hiro-Kala with Skaar present. A-Bomb, the She-Hulk and Red She-Hulk told Korg to enter the warp, only for the Hulk to tell them to keep waiting. The Hulk was then contacted by Doctor Strange, telling him that Amatsu-Mikaboshi had killed Nightmare, decimated the death realms, and sent Death fleeing from Earth. The Hulk and his allies eventually returned to Earth where they ended up facing a resurrected Abomination and numerous demons released during Amatsu-Mikaboshi's attacks and Zom (with the Zom part in Doctor Strange rekindling). Athena insisted to Amatsu-Mikaboshi that he would need her aid in the final battle to destroy Hercules, telling him that Creation would simply emerge from his void even if he did triumph, but the Chaos King enslaved her in turn. With the God Squad scattered, Gaea and her daughter Pele, goddess of fire, summoned the surviving gods to a remote isle of Hawaii for a brief moment of succor before the very end. Cho insisted that they must retreat to Hera's Continuum to escape Mikaboshi's oblivion, but 71

Hercules refused to aid him in doing so, seeking to fight the Chaos King with his own power still. Balder told him that the deities who still cherished Earth would stand by his side, and Hercules himself sensed just how powerful King Chaos has become before hesitating. Athena brutally attacked Hercules with all her power, screaming that she exiled him to Hera's Continuum bubble universe because she sought to protect him from Amatsu-Mikaboshi. Even in death, Hercules was still as stubborn as he was in life. Gaea then screamed in pain as she felt the Chaos King feasting on her flesh and the fading of her bones. She directed Hercules to follow her at the center of Mt. Halemaumau where according to Hawaiian legend, Gaea created her first miracle. The Elder Goddess revealed that she is the true font of creation, the first being to form out of chaos which is the Chaos King. It was she who birthed the Gods themselves, and the true source of what the gods can do and have done. She then instructed Hercules to embrace her daughter, Pele, which Hercules followed despite Hebe's plea that Gaea would change him into something else entirely. Hercules's body was then destroyed in flames as Gaea taught him what it really meant to be the God of Gods. Hercules then recreated himself (imbued with Gaea's powers) and casually annihilated Athena with one gesture. As Donald Blake was being treated by Rebecca Steinhardt, the forces of Glory were closing in. The Dead Avengers ended up facing off against Grim Reaper. During his fight with Abomination, Doctor Strange was attacked from behind by Amatsu-Mikaboshi, who awakened the Zom part of Doctor Strange. As the Hulk and his allies fought a Zom-possessed Doctor Strange along with several demons, the Hulk discovered that Brian Banner was also back from the dead. He also discovered that the demons were going after Marlo Chandler as she was mentioned to have once hosted Death. While the Hulk and his allies, the God Squad, Alpha Flight, and the surviving Dead Avengers fought Amatsu-Mikaboshi's forces, Amadaeus Cho and Galactus worked on a machine that would transfer Earth to the sealed-off continuum. Not wanting to allow them to seal off the Earth forever, Hercules threw Mikaboshi inside it, sealing him off from all of reality instead. He then restored all that Mikaboshi had destroyed by expending his entire power, returning to being a "regular" mortal in the process. 72

JAPANESE COSMOLOGY AMA Ama (heaven) is a lofty, sacred world. Like most pantheon home dimensions, Ama is a small planetoidlike landmass within its own pocket dimension, floating in a cosmic void and closely connected to the earthly plane. It is one of the two main mystic realms in Japanese myth, the other being Yomi, the Underworld. According to legend, the universe originally was immersed in a beaten and shapeless kind of matter (chaos), sunk in silence. Later there were sounds indicating the movement of particles. With this movement, the light and the lightest particles rose but the particles were not as fast as the light and could not go higher. Thus, the light was at the top of the Universe, and below it, the particles formed first the clouds and then Heaven, which was to be called Takamagahara. Thus, the dimension of Ama is composed of a matter-like substance of a higher energy and “purity” than the earthly realm, which may account for its mystical properties. Similar to Olympus, the beings, materials and structures of Ama are of a much more durable composition than that of Earth. In game terms, treat all substances as having a Material Strength one column shift higher than the earthly equivalent. Ama (as well as Yomi) has an earthlike atmosphere and gravity with an ecology and terrain resembling that of Japan. Amatsu-Kami society as well echoes that of Imperial Japan, with a bureaucratic imperial governmental structure. Kami technology appears to be that of medieval Japan, augmented by the use of magic to take the place of higher technology (unless one subscribes to the belief that “magic” is simply technology of a level too high for mortals to understand). In addition to being the home of the gods, Ama is also where enlightened souls go after death. Those souls who are particularly enlightened are called Nyorai. This is also the realm of the Hotoke (Spirit of Many Things); these are the spirits of dead Buddha, saints, etc., who achieved enlightenment in their time on earth before dying. Takamagahara Takama-ga-hara (高天原, "Plain of High Heaven") is the capital city of Ama, home dimension of the Japanese gods. In architecture and landscape, it resembles an idealized version of a traditional Japanese city. It is connected to the Earth by the bridge Ama-no-uki-hashi (the "Floating Bridge of Heaven") much in the same way that the Bifrost connects Asgard and Midgard (earth) in Norse mythology. Ryūgū-jō In Japanese folklore, Ryūgū-jō (竜宮 城, 龍宮城, "Dragon palace castle") is the undersea palace of Ryūjin, the dragon kami of the sea. Depending on the version of the legend, it is built from red and white coral, or from solid crystal. The inhabitants of the palace were Ryūjin's families and servants, who were denizens of the sea. In some legends, on each of the four sides of the palace it is a different season, and one day in the palace is equal to a century outside its boundaries. Ama-no-Iwato Ama-no-Iwato (天岩戸) literally means "The cave of the sun goddess" or "heavenly rock cave". In Japanese mythology according to the Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters), the bad behavior of Susano'o, the Japanese god of storms, drove his sister Amaterasu into the Ama-no-Iwato cave. The land was thus deprived of light. In order to get Amaterasu out of the cave the other gods called Yaoyorozu-no-kami threw a party outside with wisdom of Omoikane. The goddess Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto performed a lewd dance, eliciting laughter. Amaterasu grew curious about the source of amusement and peeked out of the cave entrance. She became fascinated by her own reflection in the Yata no Kagami mirror which the other gods had 73

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crafted and hung before the cave for that purpose, and stood transfixed. Ame-no-tajikarao then forced the cave open and the world was bathed in light once again. As Amaterasu stepped out of the cave a holy seal was applied to it so that she could never go back into hiding. Tokoyo-no-kuni Japanese legend also tells of Toyoyonaku, the Everlasting Country, a submarine world that most likely lies beneath the sea in the dimension of Ama. Also known as Nirai Kanai, or Yamakoshi Shimbun, this is the place where the soul goes when a person dies, or where one journeys to find a distant ancestor. Ne-No-Kuni Ne-no-kuni (根の国, "Land of roots; Land of origin"), also called Soko-tsune-no-kuni (底根之國, "Distant land of roots"), Ne-no-kata-su-kuni (根之 堅洲國, "Borderland of roots), or Haha-no-kuni (妣國, "Land of my late mother") refers to a netherworld in Japanese mythology. It is often confused with Yomi or Tokoyo-nokuni, but there is no clear consensus on the relationship between these three realms. This land is ruled by Susa-No-O-Izumo. According to legend, when the deity Ōkuninushi visited Ne-no-kuni and insulted Susanoo he was submitted to overcome three ordeals, one being described to sleep in a house infested with snakes, centipedes and wasps. Unlike the land of Yomi, in Ne-no-kuni death regenerates rather than pollutes, indicating that the realm is more likely to be a part of Ama than Yomi. Idzumo This is the first inhabited piece of newly created earth known as “The Central Land of The Reed Plains.” This land is said to be on the earthly plane, but its magical nature indicates that it may actually exist on Ama with a mystic link to earth, or vise-versa. When it was originally created, all of the plants in this land -- flowers, trees, reeds, etc. -- had the ability to talk. Eventually noisy humans came to inhabit the land and the plants grew quiet, but they may still be heard by those who listen closely. Characters who make a Red Intuition FEAT roll that attempt to listen to the plants here may communicate with them (with appropriate bonuses to anyone with Empathy, Plant Control, or similar powers). How the plants respond will depend upon the character’s Popularity. YOMI Yomi, or Yomi-no-kuni (黄泉 or 黄泉 の国), is the Japanese word for the land of the dead (“World of Darkness”). According to Shinto mythology, this is where the dead go after life. Once one has eaten at the hearth of Yomi it is impossible to return to the land of the living. Yomi in Japanese mythology is comparable to Hell or Sheol and is most commonly known for Izanami's retreat to that place after her death. 75

Izanagi followed her there and upon his return he washed himself, creating Amaterasu, Susanoo, and Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto in the process. This realm of the dead seems to have geographical continuity with this world and certainly cannot be thought of as a paradise to which one would aspire, nor can it appropriately be described as a hell in which one suffers retribution for past deeds; rather, all deceased carry on a gloomy and shadowy existence in perpetuity, regardless of their behavior in life. It is a shadowy land composed of the leftover chaos from the creation of the universe, with Mikaboshi as its embodiment. This dark and vaguely defined realm was believed to be located beneath the earth, but it was not until later that it was described as an underworld in contrast with a heavenly realm above. Yomi is generally taken by commentators to lie beneath the earth and is part of a triad of locations: Takamahara (高天 原, or Ama, located in the sky), Ashihara-no-Nakatsukuni (葦原の中 つ国 the "central land of reed plains", located on earth), and Yomo-tsu-kuni (黄泉国) or Yomi-no-Kuni (黄泉の国, the "Land of Yomi", located underground). Yomi has also often been associated with the mythological realm of Ne-no-Kuni (根 の国 lit. "Root Land / Land of Origin"), also known as Ne-noKatasukuni (根の堅洲国 lit. "firm/hard-packed shoal land of origin"). In Japanese legend, Yomi is ruled over by Izanami. The entrance to Yomi lies in Izumo province and was sealed off by Izanagi upon his flight from Yomi, at which time he permanently blocked the entrance by placing a massive boulder at the base of the slope that leads to Yomi. Upon his return to Ashihara-no-Nakatsukuni, Izanagi noted that Yomi is a "polluted land" (kegareki kuni). This opinion reflects the traditional Shinto association between death and pollution. Later, Susanoo takes this position over. Like Ama, the political and governmental structure of Yomi is highly structured and bureaucratic. Yomi is mostly populated by Oni and Shinma demons, and the souls of the wicked who have willingly submit to the will of Mikaboshi. Mikaboshi’s underlings run the bureaucratic court system, while the Oni do the dirty work of torturing those who have sinned. Jigoku Jigoku (地獄), is the Japanese Buddhist interpretation of hell, and in the Marvel Universe is assumed to be a region or sub-dimension of Yomi. The Buddhist hell, is a lot more hellish than Shinto hell, more closely resembling that of Judeo-Christian hell, complete with demons, fire and all the punishment one might expect. Some of the Buddhist sects of Japan and elsewhere teach that there is a sliding scale of reincarnation: if one lives a good life, he or she will be reincarnated into a better life until the person reaches Nirvana. However, there's the other end of the scale too: If you live a life that is not worthy of reincarnation, you might find yourself in Jigoku. At the entrance to Jigoku is the kimon, or “demon gate,” guarded by oni (ogrelike beings). Japanese art depicts through pictures and writing the inventively unpleasant hells awaiting you after death if you don't live a good Buddhist life. On the Nara scroll, apart from the eight main hells, there are also sixteen lesser hells; The Black Sand Cloud, Excrement, The Five Prongs, Starvation, Searing Thirst, Pus and Blood, The Single Bronze Cauldron, Many Bronze Cauldrons, The Iron Mortar, Measures, The Flaming Cock, The River of Ashes, The Grinder, Sword Leaves, Foxes and Wolves, and Freezing Ice. The names tell you exactly what you are getting. For example, the hell of The Flaming Cock has a giant fire breathing chicken. Very straightforward, if terrifying. However, ending up in Jigoku is not necessarily an eternal damnation. Like China’s Buddhist tradition, Jigoku houses its own Ten Courts of Hell, where each court is presided over by a different King. These courts are how 76

one can escape hell and return to the cycle of reincarnation. After 100 days of death, the soul is tried by King Byoudou. If the soul fails this trial, his or her next chance comes one year after the soul died, in the court of King Toshi. If he or she fails again, then the soul will have to wait until the two year mark, then again for the six year anniversary of his/her death, and then the twelfth anniversary if he or she fails that trial. The final trial occurs 32 years after the person has died. Passing a trial depends on a combination of the person’s good behavior, and the prayers of living family members. SHINKAI Kami are believed to be "hidden" from this world, and inhabit a complementary existence that mirrors our own: shinkai (神界, "the world of the kami"). To be in harmony with the awe-inspiring aspects of nature is to be conscious of kannagara no michi ("the way of the kami"). Shinkai appears to be sort of a parallel dimension to earth, existing alongside it much as the Otherworld of the Fey does -- in fact, Shinkai may have a close relationship to Otherworld, by way of dimensional proximity or interdimensional nexuses. The kami that inhabit Shinkai are also found on Ama, indicating that Shinkai may in fact be a bridge of sorts between the realms. 77

GODS OF JAPAN: AMATSU-KAMI AND OTHER BEINGS Name: Amatsu-Kami Aliases: Kami, Shinto Gods, Japanese gods Base of Operations: Ama Known Representatives: Amaterasu, Bishamon, Inari, Izanagi, Kaminari, Susa-No-O-Izumo, Ame-No-MiKumari, Hotei, Kagutsuchi, Mikaboshi, Tsukuyomi The Kami, also known as the Shinto gods, are a race of roughly 400 to 550 beings who have been worshiped by Japan's inhabitants as early as 10,000 BC into modern times. Shinto is still Japan's biggest religion although no longer the state religion it once was. Most of the Kami dwell in Ama, a small pocket-dimension adjacent to Earth. An interdimensional nexus between Ama and Earth known as Ama-No-Hashidate, or the "Bridge of Heaven," once existed near Miyazu Bay in modern-day northern Kyoto Prefecture on the island of Honshu, although the nexus has since been severed. Ama is also inhabited by other kami (divine spirits), including both guardian spirits and gods of the land ("Kunitsu-Kami"). The extradimensional netherworld realm of Yomi is associated with but separate from Ama and inhabited by various shinma demons, Oni (horned ogres), and tengu (avian-like devils). Although Shinto is no longer Japan's state religion, many households still contain shrines associated with the Amatsu-Kami. The Amatsu-Kami's precise origin, like that of all Earth's pantheons, is shrouded in legend. According to ancient myths, the Amatsu-Kami originated in the other-dimensional realm known as Ama, where they had lived for seven generations. After many of the demonic Elder Gods were purged from Earth by the Demogorge, the interdimensional barriers separating Ama and Earth were weakened and the Amatsu-Kami Izanagi (also known as "Yo") was sent to the Earth realm where he met Izanami (also known as "In"), an aspect of the primordial Earth Mother Gaea. Together, Izanagi and Izanami ventured into a formless world that was dominated by a dark, primordial void where the ancient force of nature known as Amatsu-Mikaboshi existed and reigned alone in the state of eternal nothingness. Izanagi and Izanami stood upon the Bridge of Heaven and dipped Izanagi's Jeweled Spear into the seemingly endless void, forming the islands of Japan. The divine couple then descended to the newly formed land masses and began to populate them with living creatures as well as lesser AmatsuKami who later came to be worshipped as gods by the inhabitants of Japan. The chaos of life now perpetuated in an endless cycle where there had once been a lifeless void, and this enraged Mikaboshi, whose solitary existence came to an abrupt end at the moment Izanagi and Izanami began their acts of creation. His attempts to topple the fledgling Amatsu-Kami pantheon were foiled, and he was forced to descend to Yomi, the gloomy and desolate realm that Izanagi designated to serve as the Shinto underworld. Later, when Izanami vanished after giving birth to the fire god Kagutsuchi, Izanagi believed she had perished and descended to Yomi, but his attempts to retrieve her from the land of the dead were unsuccessful. Later, when the extraterrestrial Celestials threatened the Earth in approximately 1000 AD, Izanagi attended the Council of Godheads' meeting to discuss this threat. In modern times, the god of happiness Hotei briefly offered his services to the Chinese government and was assigned to capture the brothers Han, Chang, Lin, Sun, and Ho Tao-Yu (the Collective Man), who had escaped imprisonment; but Hotei relented in his pursuit upon seeing the joy that the brothers' presence brought to their sick mother. Later, the rice god Inari assisted Wolverine (Logan/James Howlett) and the Miko priestess Mana against Mana's corrupt sister Hana and the shinma 78

demon Ryuki by revealing Ryuki's weakness to gold, which Wolverine exploited. Meanwhile, Mikaboshi remained in Yomi, biding his time as he usurped control of the legions of shinma demons, oni, and other evil spirits inhabiting the underworld. He eventually acquired Kusanagi, the mystical Grasscutter Sword once wielded by the storm god Susanoo, and used it to destroy many of the lesser kami and force the surviving Amatsu-Kami into hiding. Mikaboshi then launched a full-scale invasion into the Olympian realm, abducting Alexander Aaron (demigod son of the Olympian war god Ares) and tricking him into nearly killing his father and becoming the new Olympian war god. Ares ultimately returned his son to his senses, while Inari joined forces with the Olympian god Hermes and tricked the Amatsu-Kami and Olympians into forming an alliance despite their pride. Together, the Amatsu-Kami and Olympians defeated Mikaboshi and his demonic forces, but not before Olympian ruler Zeus was slain and the realm of Olympus was virtually destroyed and rendered uninhabitable. Since 1000 AD, the Celestials have forbidden the Amatsu-Kami to be worshipped by mortals. Despite this, Shintoism, the worship of the Japanese gods, continued well into modern times until after World War Two when Japan resolved to separate church and and state, and the current emperor renounced his divinity. Relationships to Other Pantheons: The Kami or Gods of Japan have undefined tenuous links with the Xian of China, the Kahunas or Oceanic Gods of the Pacific and even the Devas (Hindu Gods of India) due to their connections to Buddhism. Each pantheon has left an indelicate mark on the religion which has resulted in several of their deities to share attributes as Buddhist deities; for example, the Japanese goddess Benten is often linked to the Hindu goddess Sarasvati and the Chinese goddess, Guan-Yin, and is respected as a goddess in both the Hindu and Japanese pantheons. Furthermore, it is possible, Emma-O, the god of the dead, is actually Yama, the Hindu god of the dead. In recent years, the Kami have also become allies of the Olympians against Mikaboshi. It has also been suggested that the Kami might have ties with the Anasazi gods of North America and the Coatli of Central America based on vague similarities between the culture of the Orient and the Ancient Mexican culture. It is believed these similarities could be connected to Japanese sailors and invaders visiting the Pacific coasts of North America and South America in the First Millennium. Typical Amatsu-Kami: The Amatsu-Kami all possess certain superhuman physical attributes. They are virtual immortals who age extremely slowly upon reaching adulthood, and they cannot die by conventional means. The AmatsuKami are immune to all terrestrial diseases and are resistant to conventional injury. If an AmatsuKami 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 an Amatsu- Kami 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. Amatsu-Kami flesh and bone are about two times denser than similar human tissue, contributing to the gods' superhuman strength and weight. An average male god can lift about 20 tons; an average goddess can lift about 10 tons. Though generally weaker than Asgardian and Olympian deities, the Amatsu-Kami have proportionately faster reflexes. The gods' metabolism gives them superhuman endurance in all physical activities. Many Amatsu-Kami also possess additional superhuman powers. For instance, the water goddess Ame-No-Mi- Kumari can create instant tidal waves and floods. 79

KAMI (TYPICAL STATISTICS) 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 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 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: Most Japanese gods are highly skilled metamorphs and can shift all portions of their bodies into the shapes of animals, inanimate objects, other humanoid beings, etc. at IN ability. Mystical Energies: Many Japanese gods also possess additional superhuman abilities that are magical in nature. A common example of this is to be able to open magical gateways to other realms or dimensions. A few of them, however, are more advanced. Kaminari, the Japanese Goddess of Lightning for example, is capable of summoning and creating storms as well as controlling lightning. Typical AmatsuKami magical abilities include: ● Dimensional Travel - IN ● Shield - Great - EX ● Eldrich Bolt - RM Talents: History: Kami, History: Japan, Occult Knowledge. Many are also skilled in Oriental Weapons and one or more Martial Art. 80

AMATERASU F MN (75) A MN (75) S AM (50) E AM (50) R IN (40) I IN (40) P UN (75) Health: 250 Karma: 180 Resources: UN Popularity: 20 BACKGROUND Real Name: Amaterasu Occupation: Ruler of the Japanese Gods,Goddess of the Sun Legal Status: Ama Identity: Most residents of Earth-616 believe Amaterasu to be a fictional mythological deity. Other Known Aliases: None Place of Birth: Onogoro, Japan Marital Status: Married Known Relatives: Izanagi (father); Izanami (mother); Susanoo, Tsukuyomi (brothers), Takamimusubi (husband) Base of Operations: Ise Palace in Ama Past Group Affiliations: None Present Group Affiliations: AmatsuKami, Council of Godheads 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: IN 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. Weather Manipulation: Amaterasu can control weather, albeit in a more limited capacity than Izanagi or any of the other sky chieftains. She can create and control storms at Unearthly ability. 81

Flight: Incredible airspeed Dimensional Travel: Amaterasu can move between alternate dimensions, such as between Earth and Ama at Shift X ability. Energy Creation: She can create energy for both defensive and offensive purposes at Shift Z rank. She can use this ability to conjure great heat and light on the level of a small sun. She can create a burst of light powerful enough to register as a small explosion. Her power is linked to the sun and its purifying effects can repel the Oni (Japanese demons) and destroy all sorts of undead creatures, including the kappas (vampires and zombies) -- treat as Class 1000 versus undead. Matter Creation: She can conjure objects, such as altering her apparel between her royal and farming attire, with Remarkable ability. Enchantment: Can be used on both people and objects, at Amazing rank. PETS Amaterasu's sacred bird is the rooster. She is also assisted by an enchanted three-legged crow named Yata-Garasu who delivers her messages from Ama to Earth. YataGarasu’s statistics are: F A S E R I P Ex Un Pr Un Ty Rm Rm Health: 224 Karma: 66 Powers: Flight at Shift-Z airspeed, Dimensional Travel (Shift Z), Remote Sensing (Amaterasu can experience through the crow’s eyes and other senses at CL1000), Beak and Talons do edged damage. EQUIPMENT Amaterasu was known for her necklace of pearls named Mikuratananokami, and her mirror Yata-katami (or Kagami) which she gave to her grandson Ninigi as relics and proof of his divine heritage. Mikuratananokami: This necklace symbolizes a sacred bond. Whoever is gifted this necklace is spirit-bound to pledge allegiance to the giver. The necklace must be taken willingly, but failure to ally with the giver results in immediate death. Accepting the gift gains both the giver and receiver 200 Karma to their Karma pool; when the Karma has been exhausted, the obligation is considered fulfilled. Yata-katami: This mirror has the ability to store a being’s soul. Even if reduced to zero Health, the being affected cannot truly die unless the mirror is broken or the soul is released by the holder. Talents: Leadership, Agriculture, Weaving, Martial Arts a and E, Meteorology Contacts: Amatsu-Kami, Council of Godheads, Young Gods, Gods of Olympus ROLE-PLAYING NOTES Amaterasu is a powerful and beneficent goddess of great wisdom and kindness. She is a fair and just ruler committed to harmony, prosperity and balance. HISTORY Amaterasu (天照), Amaterasuōmikami (天照大神／天照大御神／ 天照皇大神), or Ōhirume-no-muchino-kami (大日孁貴神) is a deity of the Japanese myth cycle and also a major deity of the Shinto religion. She is seen as the goddess of the sun and the universe. The name Amaterasu is derived from Amateru and means "shining in heaven". The meaning of her whole name, Amaterasuōmikami, is "the great august kami (deity) who shines in the heaven". According to the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki in Japanese mythology, the Emperors of Japan are considered to be direct descendants of Amaterasu. Amaterasu is one of a trinity of gods at a large hierarchy of deities along with Susanoo, the storm-god, and Tsukuyomi, the moon-god. It has been written that Amaterasu had painted the landscape with her siblings while she created ancient Japan. Amaterasu was said to have been created by the divine couple Izanagi and Izanami, who were themselves created by, or grew from, the originator of the Universe, Amenominakanushi, in actuality an aspect of Gaea. All three deities were born from Izanagi when he was 82

purifying himself upon entering Yomi, the underworld, after breaking the promise not to see dead Izanami and he was chased by her and Yakusanno-ikaduchigami, 八雷神, surrounding rotten Izanami. Amaterasu was born when Izanagi washed out his left eye, Tsukuyomi was born from the washing of the right eye, and Susanoo from the washing of the nose. Izanagi set Amaterasu up as the ruler of the High Plains of Heaven, Tsukuyomi as the ruler of the night and Susanoo as the ruler of the seas. Originally, Amaterasu shared the sky with Tsukuyomi, her husband and brother until, out of disgust, killed the goddess of food, Uke Mochi. This killing upset Amaterasu, causing her to label Tsukuyomi an evil god and split away from him separating night from day. The texts also tell of a long-standing rivalry between Amaterasu and her other brother, Susanoo. Susanoo insulted Amaterasu, claiming she had no power over the higher realm. When Izanagi ordered him to leave Heaven, he went to bid his sister goodbye. Amaterasu was suspicious, but when Susanoo proposed a challenge to prove his sincerity, she accepted. Each of them took an object belonging to the other and from it, birthed deities. Amaterasu birthed three women from Susanoo's sword while he birthed five men from her necklace. Claiming the gods were hers because they were born of her necklace, and the goddesses were his, she decided that she had won the challenge, as his item produced women. After Susanoo’s defeat he went on a rampage destroying much of the heavenly and earthly realm, Amaterasu's rice fields, hurled a flayed pony at her loom, and killing one of her attendants in a fit of rage. Amaterasu, who was in fury and grief, hid inside the Ama-no-Iwato ("heavenly rock cave"), plunging the earth into darkness and chaos. Eventually, she was persuaded to leave the cave. Initially, eight hundred Kami threw a party outside of the “heavenly rock cave” to lure Amaterasu out but it wasn’t until the Goddess Ame-no-Uzume danced promiscuously outside of the cave that Amaterasu came out. Susanoo was punished by being banished from heaven. Both later amended their conflict when Susanoo gave her the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi sword (a.k.a. the Grasscutter) as a reconciliation gift. When they both reconciled the sun became visible again. According to legend, Amaterasu, who was responsible from keeping balance and harmony within the earthly realm, bequeathed to her descendant Ninigi: the mirror, Yata no Kagami; the jewel, Yasakani no Magatama; and the sword, Kusanagino-Tsurugi. Collectively, the sacred mirror, jewel, and sword became the three Imperial Regalia of Japan. Ninigi is said to be descended from Amaterasu and Takamimusubi and was sent to watch over the Japanese Islands, with the imperial regalia, which were growing unstable. Ninigi used the imperial regalia bestowed upon him to prove he was descended from Amaterasu. Ninigi’s descendant Jimmu became the first emperor of Japan. Jimmu settled on the island of Honshu and founded the Land of the Rising sun in 660 BCE. In one story, Emperor Jimmu was leading his soldiers over a mountain in Nara when a poisonous vapor surrounded them. Amaterasu cleared the poisonous mist and sent Jimmu a sun crow to lead them out of the mountains. According the story, Jimmu lived to be 127 years old and reigned over Japan for seventy five years. Amaterasu declared that Jimmu’s descendants would reign over Japan forever and would rule by “The Way of the Gods”. In other words, the Emperor of Japan does not act on his own, but communicates with Amaterasu and does what she wishes. It is said that if anyone, person or kami, tried to stand against the Emperor of Japan they would be struck down by Amaterasu. In 1000 AD, the Third Host of the Celestials occurred, during which the aliens informed they would return 1,000 years later to judge Earth's right to continue existing. While the pantheons prepared for war, Gaea planned a peaceful solution to the 83

problem with many goddesses, among them Amaterasu. For the next thousand years, they searched for humans representing mankind's highest ideals, to be offered to the Celestials as an offering. The goddesses placed the candidates in suspended animation, with their superhuman potential, the legacy of the First Host, awakened. Amaterasu and the Council of Godheads attempted to avoid the doom of Amatsu-Mikaboshi, the Chaos King, but were inadvertently revealed in their pocket dimension by Hercules. Amaterasu and her pantheon were killed, consumed by Mikaboshi, and turned into his slaves. 84

BISHAMON F UN (100) A MN (75) S AM (50) E MN (75) R GD (10) I GD (10) P RM (30) Health: 300 Karma: 50 Resources: CL1000 Popularity: 20 BACKGROUND Real Name: Bishamon Occupation: God of war, fortune and happiness Legal Status: Ama Identity: Most residents of Earth-616 believe Bishamon to be a fictional mythological deity. Other Known Aliases: Tamon, Bishamon-temo, Bishamonten Place of Birth: Ama Marital Status: Married Known Relatives: Izanagi (father), Marichi-Ten (mother), Komoku, Zoco (brothers), Kishijoten (sister/wife), Takamimusubi, Tsukiyomi, Susanowo, Kagutsuchi, Emma-O (half-brothers), Amaterasu, Uke-Mochi (half-sisters), Fukrokuju, Daikaiko, Hotei, Jorojin (sons), Ame-no-Mi-Kumari (niece), Ebisu (granddaughter), Jimmu Tenno (descendants, deceased) Base of Operations: Ama Past Group Affiliations: None Present Group Affiliations: AmatsuKami, Shi Tenno, Shichi Fukujin 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: EX 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. Luck: He possesses the ability to dispense ten forms of good luck among mortals and himself. Using this power on others, the recipient character receives the ability to pick the higher number on percentile rolls (i.e., a roll of a 2 and 9 will read as “29” regardless of which is the “tens” die). The recipient may choose whether or not to use this ability on any given roll, but may only use the powers ten times and it may not be 85

renewed. If used on himself, Bishamon is able to cast this power on himself once per week (i.e., allowing for ten “lucky” rolls in one week). Berserker Strength: He can use this ability as per the power of the same name, at Incredible ability. EQUIPMENT Armor: Bishamon’s armor provides IN resistance to physical attacks. It is made of SH-X strength material. Spear: Bishamon’s spear does IN edged damage and is made of SH-X strength material. It may double as a Thrown Edged weapon. Swords: Bishamon carries two swords constructed of an unknown indestructible substance similar to but not identical to Olympian adamantine or Asgardian uru. The swords do AM edged damage and are constructed of a Class 1000 strength material. Pagoda: Bishamon carries a miniature pagoda identified as a “tower of treasure.” The pagoda brings prosperity to all who hold it, giving the user a boost in wealth from sudden good fortune. In game terms, Resources for the holder increase +2CS as long as the item remains in his or her possession. Talents: Martial Arts A - D, Bladed Weapons, Thrown Weapons, Oriental Weapons, Business/Finance Contacts: Amatsu-Kami, Shi Tenno, Shichi Fukujin ROLE-PLAYING NOTES As one of the Shichi Fukujin, Bishamon embodies their qualities of fortune, magnanimity, candour, dignity, popularity, longevity, and amiability. He is a protector of law among gods and a defender of the righteous. HISTORY Bishamon is a member of an extradimensional race of beings known as the Kami who were worshipped as gods by the ancient people of modern Japan. He was considered the heavenly god of the north among the Shi Tenno, four gods who defended the four cardinal points of Japan. He was also counted among the Shichi Fukujin, seven gods of luck who represented and revealed the gods as symbols of nature representing fortune, magnanimity, candour, dignity, popularity, longevity and amiability. As a god, he was protector of law among gods and mortals. To the Japanese, Bishamon represented a blue-faced warrior clad in full armor. His attributes include a spear and a pagoda, a symbol of religious devotion. Through his granddaughter, Ebisu, Bishmon was considered an ancestor of the divine emperors of Japan, including Emperor Jimmu Tenno. In the Sixth Century, one of his descendants, Prince Shotoku of Yamato, called on him in his crusade against anti-Buddhist factions invading Japan. Bishamon joined the other gods of Japan in journeying to the aid of the gods of Olympus, who were sieging the lands of the demon Mikaboshi, and believed that their aid had been requested due to the manipulations of Inari. The combined forces of the gods ultimately prevailed over the demons. Bishamon fought the Chaos King and his alien god army when the Chaos King attacked the Kami. He seemingly fell in battle. 86

INARI F IN (40) A AM (50) S IN (40) E UN (100) R GD (10) I EX (20) P AM (40) Health: 230 Karma: 70 Resources: RM Popularity: 10 BACKGROUND Real Name: Inari Okami Occupation: Messenger of the Heavens; God of rice Legal Status: Ama Identity: Most residents of Earth-616 believe Inari to be a fictional mythological deity. Other Known Aliases: Inari Okami, Kodomo-no-Inari Place of Birth: Ama Marital Status: Widowed, now Remarried Known Relatives: Takamimusubi (father), Amaterasu (mother), Himiko, Homimi, Nioo (brothers), Ninigi, Hiruko (nephews), Uzumei (neice), Shinatsukiko, Tsukiyomi, Susanowo, Kagutsuchi, Emma-O, Minato-o-kami, Hiruko, Takamikazuchi (uncles), Shina-no-tobe, Kawanokami, Wakahirume, Haniyasuhime (aunts), UkeMochi (aunt/wife, deceased), Benten (second wife), Izanagi (grandfather), Izanami (grandmother), Kumari (cousin) Base of Operations: Ama Past Group Affiliations: Former pawn of Mikaboshi Present Group Affiliations: AmatsuKami KNOWN POWERS Body Resistance: RM versus Physical, Shooting, and Force attacks plus Magic. 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: IN ability Hyper-Speed: AM 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. Mystical energy manipulation: Inari can manipulate magical energies to a number of purposes such as: ● Teleportation: Shift X ability ● Levitation: Remarkable rank. ● Energy blasts: As per Eldritch Bolts, in Realms of Magic. Incredible rank. ● Animal Empathy: Amazing ability, Monstrous with foxes. ● Plant Growth: As Inari is the protector of rice crops, he can control plant growth at Monstrous 87

ability. He can telepathically control plants as a power stunt. Shapeshifting: Inari has the ability to change his form and appearance to that of any creature, humanoid, and inanimate object that he wants, at Unearthly rank. Though he has not yet shown this power, he has been depicted in other forms, including a woman, a fox and sometimes even as a dragon. EQUIPMENT Wooden staff: This enchanted peachwood staff is of Unearthly material, and does Remarkable blunt damage. Talents: Leadership, Martial Arts A - E, Agriculture, Instructor, Occult Lore, Demonology Contacts: Amatsu-Kami, Gods of Olympus, Mana Yanowa and the Shosei Order, Wolverine PETS Inari is often attended by two foxes that act as his messengers. Collectively known as zenko, or simply “Inari foxes”, these two identical creatures are intelligent, benevolent, and exclusively loyal to Inari. They may have some relation to the kitsune, a mythical shapechanging fox spirit (see the section on Korean mythology for information on kumiho, the Korean equivalent). Inari’s foxes have the following attributes: F A S E R I P Rm Am Gd Un Ex Mn In Health: 190 Karma: 155 Powers: Dimensional Travel: CL1000 Speed: The foxes move at Amazing speed on land (10 areas/round); opponents are at -2CS Fighting to hit them due to their speed. Communication: As Inari’s messengers, the foxes each can communicate telepathically with sentient beings, in the target’s own language. Tracking: Unearthly ability Natural Weaponry: Teeth and claws attack as Edged damage. ROLE-PLAYING NOTES Inari is wise and patient, lacking the arrogance of many of his brethren. HISTORY Inari is the son of Amaterasu; he is brother to Homimi, father of Ninigi, the first Emperor of Japan. Inari was taken as a husband by the foodgoddess, Uke-Mochi, but she was slain by Susanowo, the sea-god, who was offended by her mystical ability to summon food from her body. In her absence, Inari stepped in to replace her as protector of the rice crop. In Shinto Religion, Inari-worship was merged with worship of UkeMochi and Inari's worshippers learned to honor him in both male and female forms. Sometime after Uke-Mochi's demise, Inari took the sea-goddess Benten as his wife. In his prime, Inari served as messenger of the Heavens, moving between different worlds in the blink of an eye. Centuries ago, priestesses of the Shosei Order visited Inari. Inari long kept an eye on Logan (aka Wolverine). Mana departed to seek out Inari in hopes of learning the means to permanently defeat her corrupt sister, Hana, and the demon Ryuki. Mana rediscovered that secret texts spoke of the god Inari's connection to their clan, and traveled to the Toji Temple in Kyoto, Japan where she magically opened a chamber into a lower room. She approached a statue of Inari and touched her hand to its forehead, saying "I bow my head and say a prayer, to the fox with silver hair." Noting it had been centuries since a Shosei Order priestess had visited him, Iinari revealed he knew the fate of the order, as well of the threats of Hana and Ryuki. He told Mana that 88

Ryuki was defenseless against the element gold, just like many other spirits are vulnerable to silver. Inari than bade Mana farewell, telling her that they would meet again and, on that day, she would return this favor. Inari also told Mana to pass his blessings on to Logan. Coating Wolverine's claws in gold enabled him to defeat Ryuki, and Mana slew Hana, banishing Ryuki back to Ashurado. Later, Hermes told and showed the other Olympians he had found an old man just sitting in the ruins of Olympus, refusing to speak to anyone but Zeus. Ares confronted the old man, telling old man Zeus was unavailable, and demanded he speak and reveal his identity. Assuring Ares he brought no harm, Inari identified himself and then tried to convince the Olympians of the common threat against both of their pantheons. He shared that his people were too prideful to seek the aid of the "barbarian west," but that if the Olympians could just reach out to them in a small gesture, together they could turn the tide. However, the Olympians were also too prideful to ask for help, and they further distrusted Inari as he came from the same pantheon as Mikaboshi; Ares felt he could not trust his advice as more than a trap. Ares instructed Hermes to see Inari back off to the East, and Inari asked if he could at least have some water to quench his traveler's thirst. Ares told Hermes to give him their best, and then to take him away. Inari eventually returned to the remaining Amatsu-Kami - including Ame-No-Mi-Kumari, Bishamon, Kaminari, and possibly Izanagi - scaling the steps carved into an immense mountain and presenting the water given to him as a gift from the Olympians and telling them it was in consideration of their assistance against Mikaboshi. This led the Amatsu-Kami to believe the Olympians had asked for their help, and Inari bowed his head, secretly smiling as he noted he only delivered the message. Inari joined the other Amatsu-Kami as they arrived to aid the Olympians, meeting with Hermes and acknowledging the success of the ruse they had set, crediting Hermes with the idea of the gift of water. The Amatsu-Kami's presence distracted Mikaboshi, and as he turned to destroy them, Ares' son Alex slashed Mikaboshi with the Grasscutter sword, banishing him back to Yomi. Inari and Hermes carried away Ares and Alex, respectively, as the Neptune and Ame-No-Mi-Kumari used a massive wave to wash away Mikaboshi's weakened demons. Mikaboshi conquered and enslaved the Amatsu-Kami - including Amaterasu, Inari, Susanoo, and Tsukuyomi. Mikaboshi then used the Amatsu-Kami in a plot to defeat the "God Squad" (Sersi, Silver Surfer/Norrin Radd, Son of Satan/Daimon Hellstrom, Venus/ naiad), a union of beings walking the line between god and mortal and thus somehow protected from means Mikaboshi had used to destroy gods or mortals. The God Squad encountered Inari in a tunnel between realities, where he claimed to have been struck down by Mikaboshi on the way to deliver a message to his brethren. As he seemingly died, Inari tasked the God Squad with following his fox to travel to Takamagahara, the temple above Yomi's gate, the last stronghold of the Amatsu-Kami. He told them to tell the gods that Inari Okami had sent them, and they were to join with the Amatsu-Kami in one final battle with Mikaboshi. The fox led the God Squad to the realm of the Panther God (Bast), a god originally from the Ennead/ Heliopolitan Gods/Egyptian gods worshipped by the Wakandans. The Panther God recognized the fox as one of Inari Okami's little pets and agreed to join them in their quest to stop Mikaboshi. The fox finally led the group to Takamagahara, where they encountered Susanoo and Tsukuyomi, who brought them to the gate of Yomi, in which Mikaboshi had formerly been imprisoned. While the God Squad considered re-imprisoning Mikaboshi within Yomi, the corrupted Inari and Amaterasu then revealed 89

their presence, and all four gods admitted that they were already under Mikaboshi's influence. Inari's white fox turned to black as it rejoined Inari and several other black foxes, and Inari claimed to desire what Mikaboshi had offered: an escape from eons of endless suffering and servitude; he welcomed the coming abyss. In response, the Panther God leapt forward and devoured Inari despite his black foxes' efforts. The God Squad destroyed or fought off the other Amatsu-Kami, and ultimately the Panther God stayed behind to fight off the demons of Yomi while the others transported out of the realm of the Amatsu-Kami to continue the struggle against Mikaboshi. Inari was present when Phobos (Alexander Aaron), son of Ares, was found worthy by the Council of Godheads to be a god. 90

IZANAGI F MN (75) A MN (75) S AM (50) E AM (50) R AM (50) I AM (50) P MN (75) Health: 250 Karma: 175 Resources: SH-Y Popularity: 30 BACKGROUND Real Name: Izanagi-No-Mikoto Occupation: Ruler of the Gods of Japan; Emperor of Ama, God of the sky Legal Status: Ama Identity: Most residents of Earth-616 believe Izanagi to be a fictional mythological deity. Other Known Aliases: Izanagi-NoMikoto, Yo Place of Birth: Kyushu, Japan Marital Status: Married Known Relatives: Izanami (wife), Susanoo, Tsukuyomi Takamimusubi, Bishamon (sons), Amaterasu (daughter) Base of Operations: Ama, within the Court of Jade Past Group Affiliations: None Present Group Affiliations: Council of Godheads, Amatsu-Kami 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: IN 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. Mystic Powers: Izanagi can wield a large range of magical powers. Some of the abilities he has demonstrated include: ● He can create and generate beams of force at Shift X strength. ● Matter alteration at Shift Z rank ● Generate force fields at Unearthly rank ● Weather Control at Shift X ability. ● Create earthquakes at Unearthly intensity ● Dimensional Travel at Shift Y ability EQUIPMENT Jeweled Spear (Ame-No-Tamaboko): This staff, also called the Staff of Supremacy (Amenonuhoko) 91

represents Izanagi’s sovereignty over the Japanese gods.Izanagi often channels his vast energy powers through Ame-No-Tamaboko for a variety of effects. Some powers that the staff has demonstrated include: ● Shift X damage, may be used as an Edged or Thrown Edged attack. The spear is composed of an unidentified mystic ore of Class 1000 strength material. ● Augmentation of Strength and Endurance: Adds +1 CS while using the spear; Izanagi must activate this power before it takes effect. ● Enchantment: At Monstrous rank. As per the Enchantment ability in Ultimate Powers Book, but may be used on living beings as well as objects. ● Projection of energy bolts: Treat as Eldritch Bolts spell, at Amazing rank. ● Creation of interdimensional apertures at Class 1000 ability rank. ● Earth Control: Shift Y ability; it is powerful enough to stir volcanoes and create islands out of the earth's crust. Totsuka-no-Tsurugi (十拳剣, "Sword of Length of Ten Fists"): This unusual sword is sheathed in a sake jar; the blade is unlike any other — rather than a conventional form, the blade is actually the liquid inside a gourd, that when released is shaped into a blade. Abilities of the Totsuka sword are: ● The blade is incredibly sharp, doing Monstrous edged damage and is constructed of a Class 3000 strength material. ● “Sealing”: Can entrap the target in a crystalline substance of Monstrous material strength. ● Induce Hallucinations: Those who are stabbed by the sword may be drawn into the jar and trapped in an illusory "world of drunken dreams" for all eternity, at Unearthly ability rank. Talents: Leadership, Weapons Specialist: Spear, Edged Weapons, Occult Lore, Ritual Magics Contacts: Amatsu-Kami, Council of Godheads, Gods of Olympus ROLE-PLAYING NOTES Izanagi is generally shown as a human man without any obvious divine or supernatural features. He is almost always shown with his partner Izanami. Izanagi is ethnically Japanese in appearance and wears traditional clothes. Izanagi is mainly known for his role in creating, well, everything in Japan, both natural and supernatural. He was a pretty busy guy, that’s for sure. HISTORY The seventh-generation god Izanagi ( イザナギ commonly, 伊弉諾 or 伊邪 那岐 depending on the historical record) of the Amatsu-Kami was the first of his people to descend from Ama to Earth via the dimensional nexus known as Ama-No-Hashidate (the "Bridge of Heaven"), where he met Izanami-No-Mikoto (also known as "In"), an aspect of the primordial Earth Mother Gaea. The Earth realm at this time was a formless world dominated by a dark primordial void where the ancient force of nature known as Amatsu-Mikaboshi existed and reigned alone in the eternal nothingness. Izanagi and Izanami stood upon the Bridge of Heaven and dipped Izanagi's Jeweled Spear into the seemingly endless void, forming the islands of Japan. The divine couple descended to these newly formed land masses and began to populate them with living creatures as well as lesser Amatsu-Kami who later came to be worshiped as gods by the inhabitants of Japan. The chaos of life was now perpetuated by an endless cycle, which enraged Mikaboshi, whose solitary existence came to an abrupt end. Izanagi designated the shadowy land of Yomi to serve as the Shinto nether realm, and relegated Mikaboshi there. The birth of the fire god Kagutsuchi left Izanami so badly burned that she fled with all their children into the land of Yomi, the Japanese Underworld. Izanagi followed them to return their children to the land of the living, but was so frightened of his wife's form as a rotting corpse that he left her and their last son, Emma-O, to rule the land of the dead. He baptised his children from the springs at modern-day Hyuga to make them gods and made Amaterasu Empress of Japan as he returned to heaven. 92

Sometime around 1000 AD, Izanagi 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 Ragnarok among the Norse Gods, Thor came to Ama seeking a portion of the life energies to restore the Asgardians. Believing Thor to have defeated a threat to all gods, Izanagi graciously granted the needed energies. Later, a group of Godheads including Izanagi met to discuss the actions of Akhenaten against humanity: However, Akhenaten detected them and attacked, destroying all present, except Thor and Zeus, who managed to flee. Thanos then gained the virtually unlimited power of the Heart of the Infinite and altered time so that Akhenaten never gained his power, effectively undoing his actions and restoring those he had destroyed, including Izanagi. However, to those who could understand or even remember what had happened, these actions were seen as the replacement of one threat with another, perhaps even worse. The Godheads joined together with a multitude of heroes and villains from Earth and the rest of the universe to oppose Thanos, who had gained supreme power from the Heart of the Infinite. Thanos easily wiped out every single being in the universe, but later was convinced by Adam Warlock to sacrifice himself to restore the universe to its previous state. The Kami were later approached by their messenger god Irani, who brought them a cup of water from the gods of Olympus, presenting it as a gift. Izanagi decided to return this favour by assisting the Olympians against Mikaboshi, unaware that both pantheons had been deceived by Irani and Hermes into forming an alliance. With the aid of the Kami, the Olympians triumphed over Mikaboshi. The Council of Godheads was gathered by Athena to prepare a force with which to combat the Skrullian gods. Izanagi released Mikaboshi from Yomi to add him to Hercules' team. 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. 93

KAMINARI F IN (40) A AM (50) S IN (40) E AM (50) R GD (10) I GD (10) P IN (40) Health: 180 Karma: 60 Resources: RM Popularity: 10 BACKGROUND Real Name: Kaminari Occupation: Goddess of thunder and lightning Legal Status: Ama Identity: Most residents of Earth-616 believe Kaminari to be a fictional mythological deity. Other Known Aliases: Raiden-sama, Yakusa no ikazuchi no kami, Raijin, Kaminari-sama, Narukami, Thunder Queen Place of Birth: Ama Marital Status: Single Known Relatives: Kamikazi (sister); Izanagi (possible uncle) 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: EX 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. Elemental Magic: Kaminari also has limited experience in the mystical arts, mostly in tapping and manipulating elemental energies in generating wind, rain and thunder. The exact limits of her power are unrevealed, but it is unknown if she is as powerful as other thunder-gods as Zeus or Thor. These abilities include: ● Wind generation: Monstrous ability ● Water creation: She can conjure rainstorms of varying frequency at Amazing rank ● Thunder: She can summon atmospheric vibration akin to clashes of thunder. Treat as an Amazing-strength Vibration attack. 94

● Lightning: Kaminari can summon and mentally control the strike points of lightning bolts. Treat as Summon Lightning at Unearthly ability; a storm must already be present to use this power, although the storm can be one that she summoned herself. Talents: Meteorology, Martial Arts A, B, and E, Occult Lore Contacts: Amatsu-Kami ROLE-PLAYING NOTES In some depictions, Kaminari cares a lot about the inhabitants of the Earth and would risk anything to protect it; Marvel’s version appears to be more aloof however, as she has rarely been seen. As Raiden, he can appear very sympathetic and works well as the leader of a group. In some depictions, although he is a thunder god he can relate with feelings of justice and goodness and not only rage and arrogance. HISTORY Very little is known about Kaminari that is specific to the Marvel Universe, other than that she assisted the other Japanese gods in their conflict with Mikaboshi, the Chaos King. She is the sister of the windgoddess, Kamikazi, who created winds powerful enough to blow away the enemies of the Japanese gods. She was accepted by the thundergod, Takamikazuchi, to be his wife, and was worshipped as the goddess of thunder. Takamikazuchi was one of the champions of the Amatsu-kami, defending Japan from threats to the Japanese gods. Unlike the majority of Earth’s gods, Kaminari and the Amatsu-kami have been worshipped well by the Japanese well into the Twentieth Century, although they no longer traffic with mortals as much as they did in ancient times. In recent years, when Mikaboshi unleashed the demons of Yomi upon Ama, Kaminari was protected by the war-god, Bishamon, along with a small group of Japanese gods fleeing Ama for another dimension. 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. When Hercules and Inari deceptively united their two pantheons against Mikaboshi, Kumari and Kaminari helped to rally with the Olympian gods against Mikaboshi and eventually ousted him from power, restoring Ama in the process to the Amatsu-kami. She appears to be a female aspect of Raijin (雷神), or Raiden, the traditional Japanese god of storms, lightning and thunder. Raijin is a god of lightning, thunder and storms in the Shinto religion and in Japanese mythology. Raijin is typically depicted as a demon-looking spirit beating drums to create thunder, usually with the symbol tomoe drawn on the drums; as Kaminari, she appears as a pale, featureless but feminine figure. According to Japanese mythology, Raijin was created by the divine pair Izanami and Izanagi after the creation of Japan. There is a legend which says the eight lightning gods were charged with protection of the Dharma by the Buddha. As Raijin, his companion is the demon Raiju. In Japanese art, the deity is known to challenge Fūjin, the wind god. 95

SUSA-NO-O-IZUMO F MN (75) A MN (75) S IN (40) E AM (50) R RM (30) I GD (10) P RM (30) Health: 240 Karma: 70 Resources: IN Popularity: 20 BACKGROUND Real Name: Takehaya-Susanowo Occupation: God of the sea and storm Legal Status: Ama Identity: Most residents of Earth-616 believe Susa-No-O-Izumo to be a fictional mythological deity. Other Known Aliases: Susanoo, Susanowo, Taka-haya-susa-no-wo, Susano-o-no-Mikoto ("His Brave Swift Impetuous Male Augustness"), Susanoo, Susa-Noo, Take, AtagoGongen, Buto Place of Birth: Onokoro, Japan Marital Status: Married Known Relatives: Izanagi (father), Izanami (mother), Takamimusubi, Uhjini, Tunokui, Ontonoji, Omadaru (uncles), Kamimimusubi, Suhjini, Ikugui, Ootonobe, Kashikone (aunts), Tsukiyomi, Kagutsuchi, Owatatsumi, Shinatsuhiko, Minantonokami, Takaokami, Haniyasuhiko, Ooyamatsumi, Hiruko, Emma-O (brothers), Amaterasu, Uke-Mochi, Wakahirume, Kawanokami, Shinatobei, Kuraokami, Haniyasuhime (sisters), Kushinada (wife), Okuninushi, Ohmagatsumi, Otoshino, Uganomitama (sons), Suserihime, Miyazuhime, Isohime (daughters), Takiribimeno, Ikitisimapime, Takitupime (daughters by Amaterasu), Takemikazuchi, Ajisukitakahikone (sons by Amaterasu), Sukuna, Yorodaumime, Mihotsuhime, Omohikane (cousins), Onitsunu (grandson) Base of Operations: Ama; formerly Onokoro, Japan 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 96

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: Susanoo can also tap into and manipulate the Earth's elemental energies and can conjure storms and tidal waves somewhere on a scale equal to Zeus or Poseidon of the Olympian gods. He has dominion over the sea and can create tidal waves, hurricanes and tsunamis capable of destroying fishing fleets and whole villages. He can animate and control sea water into pillars, torrents and shapes such as thrones and giant hands and faces controlled by his mind. Treat as Shift Z water control, capable of Shift X damage when used as an attack. Marine Lifeform Control: He also has control over the benign elements of the sea, such as being able to influence sea life. Treat as Shift X ability to control any aquatic plants or animals. This includes seaweed, which he can mentally move to hold and constrict around his enemies (PR material strength). Water Freedom: He is immune to the sea-crushing depths and can dive underwater for long periods of time without any ill effects, at Class 3000 rank. Berserker Rage: Amazing rank, as per the Berserker power. WEAKNESSES Susanoo is traditionally more powerful closer to Japan in the land of his worshippers than he is elsewhere on Earth. Although he doesn't lose his godly power away from the North Pacific, he is not nearly as powerful in the North Atlantic or in the Indian Sea. Treat his powers as -1CS per every 2,000 miles he is outside of an 8,000 radius centered on Okonoro, Japan (on earth) or Takamagahara (in Ama). Talents: Weapons Specialist: Sword, Martial Arts A - E, Leadership, Oriental Weapons, Underwater Combat Contacts: Amatsu-Kami, Venus/ Aphrodite, Hercules EQUIPMENT Grasscutter Sword: This Class 1000 material nodachi is a holy relic and is armor piercing (-2 C/S to armor) and inflicts Unearthly (100) edged damage. The Grasscutter Sword is one of mythology’s most legendary swords, perhaps second only to Excalibur. Ages ago, there was a conflict between the Olympian and Japanese Gods. Both Zeus and Amatsu-Mikaboshi asked the Blacksmith to forge great weapons for them that would help them win the war. The Blacksmith forged two swords: Kusanagi or Grasscutter for Amatsu-Mikaboshi and Godkiller for Zeus. Somehow, the Grasscutter ended up in the body of the monster Yamata no Orochi. When Susanoo slayed Yamata, he recovered the sword and gave it to Amaterasu. In the 1st century AD, the Grasscutter was used by the great Japanese warrior Yamato-Take. At some point, Thor and the Warriors Three were sent to claim the sword as part of a wyrd. They reached its location, finding the temple warriors battling Mikaboshi's demons. Spirits slain by the sword manifested themselves and guarded the sword as Thor approached. After the tanuki in charge was told why the sword was needed, the spirits allowed it to be taken. This in turn freed them from their binding within the sword. The sword was entrusted to Fandral. When the oath was fulfilled, the blade and other items claimed by Thor were returned to their proper places. Years later Mikaboshi's forces were finally able to overrun the temple and claim the sword. Grasscutter was given to Phobos, the god of fear, by Amatsu-Mikaboshi which Phobos used to kill his own father. The blood of Ares stained the blade red, and 97