Shou Hsing (Intermediate God)
Shou Hsing is the god of longevity and the arbiter of life spans. He possesses a set of tablets upon which he has inscribed the date of everyone’s death. As these dates are written in stone, they are supposedly immutable. However, the god has been known to “juggle the writing” and change the dates favorably for those who treat him especially well.
In his true form, Shou Hsing is an aged man with a pure white beard and eyebrows. He has an enormous, egg-shaped bald head. Shou Hsing usually supports himself with a large, rough stick, and carries a P’an Tao – one of the peaches of immortality-in his free hand.
Roleplaying Tips
Although he has no formal temples, Shou Hsing enjoys being worshipped. Many people maintain a shrine to him in their homes and regularly offer nim barley cakes and wine. Members of such households seldom suffer the infermities of old age, but those who neglect such sacrifices seldom age gracefully.
Omens from Shou Hsing include signs of premature aging, such as graying hair, loss of hearing or sight , and unexplained arthritic aches.
STATISTICS
- Alignment. Chaotic Neutral.
- Worshippers Alignment. Any alignment.
- Spheres of Influence. Long life.
- Holy Symbol. Peach.
Clerics of Shou Hsing
Priests devoted to Shou Hsing devote themselves to protect and comfort the elderly. They are often called upon to preside over parties thrown to celebrate the 50th, 75th, and100th birthdays of long-lived individuals.
Alignment Restriction. Any alignment.
Weapons Allowed. Staff.
Armors Allowed. Any armor.
Divine Domains. Forge, Grave, Life, Trickery, Twilight, War.
GRANTED POWERS
- Level 1. Cleric ages at half the normal rate.
- Level 10. Cleric no longer ages.
- Level 20. Cleric can halt the aging of others at the costs of one point of his own Constitution