Monkey King Gokou
By Athyra Di Giovanni (demonsreiche@yahoo.com)
Totem of War and Cunning
Author's Note
I decided to do TWO versions of the Monkey King. Hanuman, the Legendary Monkey King, is based on the stories I've read in various books and graphic novels. (e.g. Dragon Ball, Orion, Ranma 1/2 - yes! Ranma, as far as I can see, is partially based on the legends of the Monkey King.) This is based on his true Trickster God nature. If anyone find fault in this, send word to the e-mail address. Thank you.
Background Cost
Restrictions
Only Pongida (wereapes) and followers of Asian faiths may become children of this Trickster God. No Ahroun may follow this aspect of the Trickster. Monkey King Gokou will only choose those he feels are worthy. In order to be worthy, one must be talented in the arts of the mind (Occult, Engimas, Wits, and Perception must be 2+). He also values the ability to glide through the trees (Dexterity, Acrobatic/Athletics, and Dodge must be 3+). Finally, the Monkey King likes his subjects to be able to perform well in front of the "hairless apes". (Manipulation, Subterfuge & Etiquette must be 2+).
Description
Monkey King Gokou is the aspect of the Trickster God that many North Americans have likened to such characters as Spiderman [(c) Marvel Comics], Bugs Bunny [(c) Warner Brothers], and many television antiheroes. His curiosity, unlike the cat, never gets him killed; his enemies never manage to outsmart him, either. Nothing on or off Gaia is beyond his grasp. This is very true if he finds it interesting. The Monkey King enjoys a good tale or a well-done practical joke. The stories about him are many; his victims are legion. The Monkey King is an honoured member in the hearts of many Asian children, bringing joy and humour to their lives.
Merits and Minor Gifts
The Monkey King gives his subjects the ability to gain the following gifts: Cat's Feet, Shriek, Fortuna, Beast Speech, Assimilation, Scream of Gaia, Persuasion, Blissful Ignorance, Blur of the Milky Eye, The Falling Touch, Awe, Resist Pain, Voice of the Mimic (Corax gift), Tongues (Corax gift). The chosen subjects of the Monkey King also gain the following merits: Ambidextrous, Dual Nature, Daredevil, Danger Sense, and Luck.
Bans and Blasphemous Deeds
Subjects of the Monkey King are not the most Honourable of the Changing Breed, and as such suffer a loss of 1 Honour every time Honour is gained. The subjects of the Monkey King also suffer from kleptomania, and are very overconfident. (Flaw: Obsession-Kleptomania, Overconfident). The Monkey King was not always known for his perkiness, and his subjects show this flaw as well (Flaw: Deep Sleeper). Finally, the subjects of the Monkey King must try to bring the gift of understanding to the world, even if that means creating radical and dangerous pranks in order to accomplish that goal.