NUSHI NO-KAMI – The Fiery Hearted One

Status:  2nd Generation Elder God

Level:  8000

Avatar:  Carint

Nushi is the youngest of all the deities in Bifrost; he is a turbulent storm god of fire and rage, a valiant but impetuous deity. Even from the moment of his birth Nushi was cursed for his lack of grace destroying much of the beauty in Bifrost with his tempers. Feng Po decreed that Nushi should be put to death, as he was a liability. Calling a secret meeting with the gods Feng Po could find no one up to take this task for although Nushi was cursed with violent tempers his heart was pure and he was truthful. Feng Po took his leave from the meeting and walked alone in the gardens. It was in the gardens that Feng Po met Shashiri who was spinning a web in a great oak tree. Feng Po asked Shashiri and she accepted the task. That night she crept into Nushi’s home bound him before gutting him in his sleep. A violent ending for such a violent deity she later told Feng Po.

This was not the end of Nushi for his spirit was true and pure and it wandered in Limbo waiting the time when it would be reborn to flesh. He eventually found pity in Mirkos and was allowed to come unto the Halls of the Dead on the understanding that he would never leave. Here Nushi stayed until his re-birth.  

Nushi’s re-birth came when the great Shogun, Izanagi the second was trying to wash away the polluting dust of the land of the gloom (Mirkos’ realm). This was the dust he collected when Feng Po allowed him to visit Mirkos’ Halls of the Dead to see his dead wife Tsien. Tsien being the chosen by the God’s to bear the Light God Child. She died in childbirth giving birth to the fifth incarnation of the children in 6ar. Whilst Izanagi loved his wife Nushi entered Inzanagi’s distracted mind.

Upon his return, Izanagi stepped through the great gateway back into Eä and he cleared his nose so hard that the storm god was expelled. Izanagi somewhat surprised at this train of events was terrified; he called upon the mighty priests of Feng Po who where waiting at the gates to drive Nushi away with terrible curses.

Upon his abrupt birth Nushi immediately grieved for Tsien, reminding him of his recent bereavement at the hands of the gods and fell in love with her. He was now torn he lusted for life yet his wanton love walked in the halls of the dead. Nushi rejected everything and became an outcast wanderer. Wherever he wandered he vandalised, stole, and fought every thing and everybody he met. Eventually he re-climbed Yggdrasil and became again a thuggish nuisance to the rest of the pantheon. Nushi was a despondent youth. Knowing that he could not have Tsien he lusted after Shen Lui and assaulted her in a dire rage when she refused his advances. For this crime Feng Po decreed that Nushi should be shaven, branded and have all his property confiscated and then be banished back to Limbo.

Nushi ran away before his trial and took to wandering again. At Izumo in the southern lands he met up with an old man and woman who were crying beside a young girl. When Nushi asked the reason for the tears the old man told him that every year a serpent of Shashiri, which had 8 heads had come and devoured one of his daughters. Seven had already been eaten and now the great snake was coming to take the last one. Nushi told the couple who he was and asked them to give him the girl. They gladly consented.

Nushi then changed the girl into a hair comb, which he pushed into his hair. He prepared eight large bowls filled to the brim with Ambrosia and rice wine. When the monstrous serpent appeared its senses were overwhelmed by the smell of the Gods nectar and wine and without hesitation 6 of the eight heads began to drink from the bowls. The great serpent became drowsy and fell asleep. Nushi attacked the serpent and tore open its belly. Inside he found the seven daughters asleep in a deathly torpor, a miraculous sword, a mirror, and a Jewell (articles which now form the insignia of the Imperial Shogun’s family). He took these and returned the unconscious girls to their parents. The eighth daughter asked her parents and was allowed to remain with Nushi as a comb. It is said that she became Nushi’s reasoning and kept him controlled when he set about atoning for his violent crime sprees. During this time Nushi’s exploits involved conquering Kargerett, wiping out plague and planting the western coast with trees. Nushi never returned to Bifrost and his location remains to this day the speculation of scholars and priests.

Nushi is depicted as a young man dressed in full samurai armour impregnated with a powerful magical gem, wielding a mystical sword. Wearing a hair comb he stands before a huge mirror which is said to mirror his humbled soul.

SYMBOL

A heart or Gem wreathed in fire

WORSHIP

Nushi’s followers are a mixed bunch of persons, the lower levels are extremely violent and bear a grudge against all people. They are usually delinquents and societies outcasts. As they progress through the ranks of the priesthood helped by the guilds elders, they become more worldly and mature to become extremely valuable members of society. The cult is somewhat fanatical about its own being and teaches extreme discipline and heriachical structure. Ritual and repetition form the mainstay of the priests life. It is only broken when the priest is unable to control his anger and he will leave the cults grounds to ‘wander’.

TEMPLES

Temples to Nushi resemble workhouses. They have many rooms each with a small shrine in it. The door to a temple of Nushi can never be locked (even if under siege).

HOLY DAYS

The 28th of Febrimonath is worshiped as the day of bloodshed. Disciples waive bladed weapons on chains around their bodies, cutting themselves and he who bleeds the most is ‘Gifted’ for the year.

FRIENDS AND ENEMIES

Priests of Nushi hate all followers of Feng Po and Shashiri, and it is not uncommon for the lower of the order to undertake vandalism on their temples or property. Nushi treats all other deities with neutrality.

CULT REQUIREMENTS

None, although the prospective priest must be able to use a weapon or be prone to violent tempers. Apart from that the Cult of Nushi accept anyone.

STRICTURES

• Never surrender. The Guilds motto in combat is, ‘An-ion po-ganghada, An-ion kodok’ (oriental - no retreat, no surrender).
• If a battle in which Nushi’s powers are called upon is lost the priest must commit ‘Sipiku’ suicide.
• No facial hair may be grown.
• Never lock a door to your abode or place of rest.