Ali Arakoni Malipatlolla

Sidekick Extraordinaire. Yeti Fighter. Time Traveller.

Excerpt from Shocking Return To Black Goat Temple…

XVII.

We were only half-way up when the blizzard took us, the ponderously long stairway

faded from view as the air became a swirling stew of white and the bitter cold pierced

us even through the thick fur so generously gifted to us by the Shigatse monks.

Seemingly impregnable to the cutting wind and penetrating dampness, Ali and Abu

merely pulled their caps over their ears and raised their collars against the howling

winds. While the noble monk Tenzin, dressed in his usual robes and sandals

demonstrated that unusual mastery of his own aged form that made his temple and

students famous throughout the orient. Suddenly my heavy coat and leggings didn’t

seem such a burden as we negotiated the stone stairway to the Mystic Mount’s

forbidden plateau and its temples to cursed and forgotten deities.

Had the white-out not been so sudden and without warning, we might have been more

prepared – but within the space of a dozen steps we discovered our footing had

become icy and treacherous – precluding our plans to reach the summit before

nightfall.

“Can we make camp here?” asked Tenzin, his nimble mind responding to the new

conditions.

“That mossy cavern is near here somewhere…” muttered Abu thoughtfully.

“That cavern is frozen at this time of year.” Big Ali shot back tersely, still taken back

by Abu’s treatment of the Tibetan peasants in Shigatse.

“Even ice would be warmer than this wind.” I heard Tenzin state, but my precarious

balance prevented me from turning to properly see his expression.

…

The cavern was little more than a deep alcove in a stony outcropping adjacent to a

flash-frozen stream, with the four of us huddled inside there was barely enough room

for the secretly related duo of Abu and Ali to fit shoulder to shoulder. As the wind

died down the two big Indian men argued over the driest tinder available to start a fire

until desperate for peace and quiet I offered them the file of papers I had ‘borrowed’

from the Chinese port officials in frustration.

“Perfect!” Abu Gorakh boomed, passing half of the papers to Ali and shredding his

remaining half into the make-shift fire pit. Big Ali took the stack he was handed and

sensing no need for additional kindling began examining the unfamiliar script.

“Do you read, Ali?” I ventured, hoping to distract the two from further bickering.

“Yes - but not this alphabet.” Big Ali replied slightly defensive.

I shot a look toward Abu Gorakh, letting him know I would abide no more baiting of

his son, who for all Abu knew was simply a porter we had hired for the journey.

“If you would like, I will teach you that alphabet while we wait.” I offered, glancing

at Tenzin’s unreadable smile across from me.

“I would very much like that, Miss Gettel.” Responded Ali brightly, clearly interested

in the unreadable papers he was paging through.

Resigning myself to a night of waiting I gestured the big man closer to share his view

of the papers in Abu’s waxing fire-light. Almost as a reminder to never get too

comfortable; the random page of port-records selected by Ali’s flicking gave me a

start with a name I’d almost stopped looking for – M.D. Donighal.

As Big Ali patiently awaited his first lesson, the sharp minded Tenzin Jampa noted

my breathlessness and asked what I had read. At first I was at a loss for words (a state

with which I am rarely afflicted), the port officials had recently welcomed an ‘M.D.

Donighal’ into China a mere day before my own arrival.

“I need to contact Max.” I started, but my voice was interrupted by a chilling howl I

hadn’t heard for over ten years. Big Ali suddenly popped up alert, a cross of terror and

determination in his eyes. I simultaneously shivered and sighed knowingly at the

noise, as it seems no expedition into the worlds ceiling was complete for the Aeon

society without a run in with the abominable snowmen – the Yetis.

As the huge backs of the Arakoni’s filed cautiously out of the entrance I rolled my

eyes to Tenzin, who answered with his most contagious smile, reminding me once

more of the uniquely charmed lives we lead.

June 27th

, 1977

Aeon Society Person of Interest: Lama Tenzin Jampa

File Reference: Tibet-0A1-D

If local lore and hearsay is to be believed, the charismatic crime-fighting Lama

Tenzin Jampa was born in the late days of 1694, which if true; would make him the

oldest human member of the Aeon Society – although no surviving documents can

prove or disprove this doubtful claim.

While famously unwilling to discuss his own background, a few things had

been gleaned by his closest companions in suggestion form only. Firstly; that Tenzin

grew up amongst the Buddhist monasteries of the Himalayas and had been close to at

least three individual Dalai Lamas and two Panchen Lamas, secondly that the aged

monk was married once – but of the four children produced in this coupling; only one

survived past infancy to adulthood (1), thirdly that something happened to a

(comparatively) young Tenzin during a long-passed Tibetan summer that left him

inspired as a mesmerist.

While hardly the best of sources, Tibetan lore has made many claims of the

mystical and sometimes otherworldly life of Lama Jampa, including but not limited

to; dueling with wizards and sorcerers, outwitting a Hindu demon, travelling to the

Buddhist afterlife and romancing the Bon household goddess of Potala Palace. Also

of note is Tenzin’s reputation amongst the Himalayan women-folk as what might be

termed a ‘Buddhist sex symbol’.

While elderly and seemingly delicate, Lama Jampa had on many occasions

been shown to be more physically able then his form might suggest, from fighting off

a martially trained tiger (2) to surviving an abdominal bullet wound with only the

barest of medical attention (3). Indeed, the iron-shod staff that Tenzin is seen to walk

with in many illustrations could quickly become a deadly, whirling weapon – despite

the peaceful monk’s best intentions.

The first (possible) appearance of Tenzin Jampa in print was not an Aeon

publication, nor was it even an adventure – rather, the Scottish profiteer and explorer

George Bogle records an encounter with the already old monk in his journals circa

1775 (4), that the two figures are one and the same is up for dispute, but

circumstantial evidence points to Jampa being the humble priestly wanderer who

shared information freely but remained unnamed in the narrative.

The first named appearance of Lama Jampa are the informal notes of Russian

military spy Yaroslav Barabanschikova in 1803, who notes that Tenzin advocates

freedom for foreigners to travel in his homeland (5). This information seems to have

made it into British hands, as the documents used to train Himalayan surveyor-spies

in the 1850s call for travelers to seek out the monk (6) and evidence suggests that

Tenzin helped to disguise the presence of such infiltrators for at least a decade.

Seemingly in disagreement with his country’s xenophobic policies on visitors,

Tenzin next appears in a role familiar to many Aeon members alongside Baron

Shelter travelling in British India around 1866 (7), although these adventures didn’t

see print until the late 19th

century. Many of the duos most remembered adventures

took place in this period, including the discovery of the Time Urn (8) and Baron

Shelter’s first miraculous resurrection (9).

In early 1892 the two parted ways after a misunderstanding never talked about

by either man, but likely to do with the Time Urn – this time apart was brief however,

as by 1899 the Baron was once again joined by Tenzin in his journeys through greater

Asia (10). This period also saw the introduction of the mischievous, travel-savvy

child, Abu Gorakh Arakoni (11), who would become a permanent fixture to the

group.

Although the records of the group’s journeys received less publication during

the racially sensitive early 20th

century, their stories were later presented from

memory in Aeon Society titles during the 20s and 30s (12, 13) – sometimes presented

as flash-backs within the running narratives (14). Chief amongst these unpublished

adventures was the first appearance of the Ubiquitous Dragon under alternate

pseudonym, whose abilities were either un-witnessed by the trio, or were yet to

develop (15).

Sometime during the spring of 1921, after their quiet meeting with Sir Calvin

Hammersmith in Siam, the trio went their own ways - only to fully reunite at the

Aeon Christmas dinners of 1928-37 (16). Although the reasons for the split weren’t

discussed by the taciturn Shelter and Jampa, Abu Gorakh has revealed that a

disagreement over the Time Urn’s purpose had been encouraged and nurtured

successfully by the notorious Graceful Crane over the years (17).

During the early years of the Aeon Society, Lama Jampa was used often as a

mediator between Aeon Members and like-minded individuals based out of China and

the Himalayas, the most famous of these included the legendary teacher Huang Fei

Hong of Guangzong (18) and the stealthy French Lama, Alexandra David-Néel (19)

hidden in Tibet. It was this latter interaction which began the warm relation between

the monk and our former associate, Sarah Gettel who was to later obtain the only

known interview with the wizened Tibetan Priest (20).

It wasn’t until 1928, after an attack on Tibet by Baron Zorbo that Tenzin

officially joined the Society (21). While the Lama seemed to enjoy the travel and

wonder (22), his philosophy on how to treat the Telluric disruptions varied at length

with standard Aeon protocols – leading to conflict with Max and a series of

fascinating debates that even Primoris seemed to take notice of (23).

In the early 30s, the Aeon Society assisted Tenzin to solve a mystery that had

perplexed him since his childhood, when he, Abu Gorakh and Sarah Gettel lifted the

curse on the Black Goat Muto – transforming it into the Holy Kulan (24) whom

Tenzin has since cared for and interpreted for those who seek mystic wisdom. This

investigation seems to have rededicated Lama Jampa, as for the next few years the

priest’s commitment to the Society was only rivalled by his responsibility to Kulan.

This dedication was only decreased in the aftermath of Annabelle Lee Newfield’s

death (25) and subsequent battle with Primoris (26) during the events of the war, a

time when many members departed the society demoralized (27), if only temporarily.

In the quiet years after the war, Tenzin Jampa had less to do with Aeon and

more or less faded from prominence in the society, working independently with the

now freelance Sarah Gettel (28) or teaming up with Baron Shelter (29) and Abu

Gorakh (30), but never with both at once again. In the late 40s the Lama was part of a

short-lived but dynamic trio including Abu and his estranged son Ali Arakoni

Malipatlolla, whose adventures were published in the new Aeon society periodicals;

Adventure!.

Following this journey, Tenzin announced his retirement from the Aeon

Society in 1952 (31) after the Peoples Republic of China asserted its control of Tibet

militarily following some tense years of border scuffles. The Lama had asked Aeon

for intervention during that time, but still shaken by the events of the war in Europe –

the newly formed Aeon council, chaired by Michael Mercer had refused the monk’s

request.

Tenzin Jampa continued to appear afterwards in the independent journals of

Sarah Gettel, including the now famous interview (20) and a series of investigations

in Central Asia (32, 33, 34). In 1976, Sarah Gettel received word that Tenzin had

fallen gravely ill and despite the efforts of Aeon associates and inspired independents

alike – with his beloved homeland under harsh occupation; the timeless Lama Tenzin

Jampa passed away from heart failure during the early days of 1977. If the Tibetans

who now venerate him as a Bodhisattva are right, he was 283 years and twenty four

days old when he breathed his last.

1. Baron Shelter on the Roof of the World, The Argosy for September – 1905

2. Chairman Mao’s Kung-fu Tiger, Adventure!, 1947 Annual

3. The Thugee Cult of Murder, The Argosy for June – 1912

4. Bhutan and Tibet : the travels of George Bogle and Alexander Hamilton, 1774-1777

5. 1803

6. On the navigation and mapping of forbidden territories, 1848

7. The Indian Odyssey of Baron Shelter: Part I, The Argosy for November – 1897

8. The Urn of Time with Baron Shelter and Tenzin Jampa: Part II, The Argosy for April – 1898

9. Death of Baron Shelter with Tenzin Jampa: Part IV, The Argosy for October - 1898

10. Mystics and Murderers with Baron Shelter and Tenzin Jampa: Part I, The Argosy for January

– 1899

11. Tenzin Jampa and the Monastery of Fates with Baron Shelter: Part I, The Argosy for March –

1900

12. The Return of Baron Shelter and friends: Part I-VI, Tales of the Aeon Society – February-

August, 1925

13. Memoirs of Baron Shelter: Twenty years of Unheard Adventures: Part I-XX, Tales of the Aeon

Society – June, 1929-February, 1931

14. Before Aeon: A Night with Baron Shelter and Safari Jack Tallon, Tales of the Aeon Society –

1926 Annual

15. Dragon Essay: Tracing the roots of the Ubiquitous Dragon, Tales of the Aeon Society – 1927

Annual

16. Aeon Christmas Special, 1928-1937 Annuals

17. The Graceful Trap Part I-III, August-October, 1926

18. Huang Fei Hong and the Aeon Society, Tales of the Aeon Society – October, 1923

19. Sarah Gettel in Forbidden Tibet, Tales of the Aeon Society – January, 1925

20. Tenzin Jampa: Sarah Gettel’s Living Legends Series, Sarah Gettel’s New Adventures –

March, 1960

21. Tenzin Jampa Against Dr Zorbo and the Flying Citadel, Tales of the Aeon Society – May,

1928

22. Return to the Lost World, Tales of the Aeon Society – February, 1930

23. An Argument against Mercer in support of Jampa, Correspondence with Dr Primoris – Page

3, April, 1929

24. The Terrible Secret of Black Goat Temple, Tales of the Aeon Society – July, 1932

25. Baptism by Fire Part VII, Tales of the Aeon Society – November, 1942

26. Baptism by Fire Part XVIII, Tales of the Aeon Society – October, 1943

27. Baptism by Fire: Aftermath Part III, Tales of the Aeon Society – March, 1944 (the rare final

issue)

28. The Revered Teachings of Sacred Kulan, Sarah Gettel’s New Adventures – March, 1950

29. Unlocking the Secrets of the Time Urn, Adventure! January-April, 1951

30. Master Plan of the Graceful Crane, Adventure! August-December, 1951

31. Tenzin Jampa’s Retirement Notice, April, 1952

32. Chinese Occupied Tibet, Sarah Gettel’s New Adventures – September-December, 1956

33. Four Weeks in Afghanistan, Sarah Gettel’s New Adventures – May-June, 1963

34. Beyond the Iron Curtain, Sarah Gettel’s New Adventures – February-June, 1974

Aeon Society Place of Note: Kulan Temple in Shigatze (formerly Tsang Temple)

File Reference: China S372 (previously Tibet S57)

In the interest of staying concise, this report will discount the fabled history of

the Tibetan natives and concentrate on the more reliable documented past starting in

1847 with the arrival of Chinese historian Du Lang. Some excerpts of myth will be

shown when appropriate.

Du Lang’s first notes concerning the temple betray its Lama Jampa to be open

minded in recruitment, taking students from the men and women, young and old,

foreigners and Tibetans alike.

[...Unfinished text...]

May 18th

, 1951

Aeon Society Person of Interest: ‘Big’ Ali Arakoni Malipatlolla

File Reference: CA1942-10h

Like his father, Abu Gorakh Arakoni, encountered in the Himalayas by Sarah

Gettel (1), Big Ali is a large athletic man with a good eye and a near inspired ability

to carry heavy luggage uphill.

Not much is known about Ali Arakoni Malipatlolla’s early years, except that

he was raised by his mother while his father adventured abroad. Ali is first mentioned

by Tibetan Priest Tenzin Jampa in his 1942 correspondence to the society, when the

young Kashmiri accompanied the wise monk into the mountains as a porter. Only to

stumble upon a cunningly concealed operation of the Rational Experimentation Group

using the local Tibetan villagers as guinea pigs (2), according to Tenzin the young

man played an important role in outfoxing the Ubiquitous Dragon duplicate in

command. At the time our priestly operative was unaware of the relationship between

Ali and Abu, whom Tenzin also knew, although he was informed soon afterwards.

Based upon Tenzin’s report, the next year Happy Edwards of the Flying

Circus flew the intrepid Miss Sarah Gettel out to Kashmir to meet Ali Arakoni, now

aged twenty six. But, unlike his father, subsequent investigations and interviews with

Ali have failed to show any sign of inspiration, just an ox-like physique, an open mind

and the well-known himalayan endurance. None-the-less, Max himself requested we

keep track of him – hinting that the big Kashmiri may be important later.

Miss Gettel and Big Ali were re-united a few years later (3) joined by Abu

Gorakh and Tenzin Jampa. For reasons described by Tenzin and demystified by

Sarah, Abu and Ali (who had never previously met) were not informed of their

relationship due to the insights of a revered magical mountain-goat named Kulan –

who was previously cursed to plague Tibet as the terrifying Black Goat Muto.

After bidding farewell to our dear Miss Gettel in the newly red China, Tenzin,

Abu and Ali found themselves in a handful of adventures as they attempted to travel

home (4, 5, 6), this period marked the beginnings of the Kashmir Conflict and Ali

grew increasingly impatient to return to his family in the warzone. Despite the

promise the group had shown they soon parted ways, Ali returned to find his mother

killed in crossfire and his homeland ravaged by insurgents.

After the adventures, which showcased Ali’s talents as an assistant in

numerous situations, the Kashmiri has reportedly been experiencing difficulties. His

wife of seven years left him to join her pro-Maharaja family during the Kashmir

conflict and took their six year old daughter with her. Since then Ali has been used

once by the Society, when Michael Mercer climbed Everest in the summer of 1949

(7).

Note: As of this writing, Ali Arakoni Malipatlolla has been listed as missing since

February – no investigation is taking place by decision of Michael Mercer, Max might

still over-rule him when he returns, but until then this unsolved disappearance will

remain a mystery.

1. The Terrible Secret of Black Goat Temple, Tales of the Aeon Society – July, 1932

2. The Forgotten Ruins of Kill Mountain, Tales of the Aeon Society – October, 1942

3. Shocking Return to Black Goat Temple, Sarah Gettel’s New Adventures – Summer Special,

1947

4. Doom Riddle of the Graceful Crane, Adventure!, August – November 1947

5. Chairman Mao’s Kung-fu Tiger, Adventure!, 1947 Annual

6. Graceful Crane – Deadly Revenge, Adventure!, January – July 1948

7. The Last of the Yeti Kings, Weekly Tales of Adventure, Issues #63-65

…

April 21st

, 1952

To Michael Mercer,

An able student of my humble teachings has recently found his path into a fate

he never knew awaited him, seen by the holy Kulan and your father. The path taken

by Ali could only open for him and only under certain circumstances – knowing his

father was his companion Abu Gorakh, for example, might have lead him to stray

from the narrow path demanded by fate.

My role in this has been morbid work, knowing as I do that my student and

friend will never return from this journey – although Kulan assures me that the sacred

goat will talk with Ali again at some point – I regret that I may not share this pleasure.

Despite the results of earlier investigations, I still believe there is something about Ali

Arakoni that brings out the best in his companions, something unseen in the writings

of Donighal and Mercer.

Furthermore, with the current invasions of my homeland by communist China

I have become increasingly alarmed at Aeon’s inactivity in the face of this brutal

occupation – the Society learned not to choose sides in the war against Germany, but

will that prevent us from entering conflicts in the future? Even as neutral mediators?

It is this change in perspective which leads me to retire my membership in the

Aeon Society. Over the years the cold rationalization by the society has been a force

for good, helping to clear the debris and see the root causes of a phenomenon – but

now with the reduction of ‘Telluric’ activity we see the disappearance of many special

places and things. While I am glad to report the Sacred Goat seems unaffected, the

Yetis that once roamed the mountains are vanishing daily and those who come to

study the creature inevitably leave unfulfilled, not to mention what is happening to the

mystic mount.

In truth I never wanted to solve all the mysteries, only the ones that caused

harm – now that the ‘Telluric’ energies are dissipating; I feel that further investigation

is actively removing the few pockets of wonder left. As such, I cannot continue to

take on investigations for the Society in good faith, although I will continue to offer

access to Kulan, my modest hospitality and meager insights as I would for any visitor.

As I discussed in person with Sarah, there is no hostility in this parting of ways –

simply a difference in philosophy between your father and I.

Respectfully, Tenzin Jampa

Kulan Temple, Shigatse

Tibet province, China

Aspects of (K)Ali’s Anima

The aspects of Ali Arakoni’s Anima are multifaceted as the deities of Hindu religion

are wont to be. The anima is limited by the inherent low-power of his pre N-day

eruption, more or less removing his access to most powers. While broad, the overall

theme can be reduced into the following concepts:

1. Entropy/Death

“Ali Arakoni Malipatlolla – who; after falling through the place between space and

time, become mystically fused to the goddess of entropy and death!”

Kali represents entropy, the measure of time. Casting this fearsome goddess into the

role of a dancing Hindu reaper, this passes to Ali in the form of murderous fighting

capacity and the ability to affect the passage of time. This never allows time-travel,

but can extend to manipulating the subjects perspective of time-flow. From Ali’s

perspective, time never changes – except when he has been moved through time by a

third party.

Power range: Crush, Fast-Tasks and Quickness

Possible Development: Moar Quickness, Mega Strength and Mega Dexterity 2

Limitations: No personal time travel powers, murderous tendencies, when engaged in

mass murder Ali is prone to a type of blood-frenzy involving a spinning dance.

When surrounded by fresh death, Ali may roll a resisted Willpower against a difficulty

of +4 to break free of the urge to dance and kill. Upon botching or failing this roll,

the storyteller takes control, using his powers to first kill those that oppose Ali

Arakoni and then afterwards; those who don’t.

2. Crowd Control

“Ali Arakoni Malipatlolla – The master of a thousand foreign languages; he can walk

anonymously among us, but when he speaks – we know him!”

Religion talks to people, sometimes authoritatively and at others in peace or possibly

both at once – in this spirit the anima allows for communication with a spiritual slant

towards the masses. (e.g. linguistic genius, the voice, mister nobody)

Power Range: Linguistic Genius, Mister Nobody and the Voice

Possible Development: Rile (FP), Dreadful Mein, Mega Charisma and Mega Wits 2.

Limitations: Ali’s crowd control powers are more easily resisted by skeptics and non-

religious individuals, with the exception of mister nobody.

+2 Difficulty to appropriate Crowd Control powers when used against primarily non-

religious people.

3. Sacred Form

“Ali Arakoni Malipatlolla – A man like no other, tempered by his journeys into

forbidden Tibet and the perilous jungles of Burma!”

Finally, but not at all least of the package is the general aura of godliness – lending

Ali his unyielding endurance, striking presence and peak-level skills. (e.g.

adaptability, bloodhound)

Power Range: Adaptability, Bloodhound, Bestial Rapport.

Possible Development: Bruiser (NovaNet), Mega Stamina 2 & a soak enhancement,

additional Health levels, Mega Perception and Mega Intelligence 2.

Limitations: Despite an awesome tolerance for punishment, Ali is very much mortal

and prone to injury, unlike some novas.

No Armor, Invulnerability, Regeneration or any over-the-top powers not seen in the

genre of Adventure!

4. Stalwart Throwback

“Ali Arakoni Malipatlolla – Born in a time of daring adventurers, witness to the

strange effects of Dr Hammersmith’s mysterious Telluric burst!”

When Tenzin Jampa asked for Sarah Gettel to cast her careful eye over Ali Arakoni

Malipatlolla, what he expected to find wasn’t capable of developing in the telluric

dissonance of the era – but after his virgin time-voyage and subsequent meeting with

Max Mercer, Lama Jampa’s expectations have been fulfilled. This puts a fairly severe

cap on Ali Arakoni’s maximum Quantum, but allows access to inspiration, along with

losing the ability to max-out powers in exchange for immunity to taint.

Power Range: A usable Inspiration Pool starting at one.

Possible Development: Inspiration Pool can be raised to three with experience.

Limitations: Inspiration & Quantum cannot exceed 3, Mega Attributes limited to 2,

no Facet points or related abilities.

Anima as defined by Quantum Sight

“This one’s easy - it isn’t well defined yet, but you can see the resonance in the tattoos

– four-arms, elephant-head… It’s textbook India Syndrome, where a subcontinent

Nova takes on the traits of a chosen Hindu god. Although you can’t tell which one,

it’s usually pretty easy for most Hindus to figure out. There will be a suite of godlike

physical traits, often some form of crowd control and best of all the particular energy

type they can produce is of a previously unknown origin – magic you might say, or

divine energy.”

With a successful Academics (Religion) roll

“That black anima colour is a dead give away, ‘Kali’, the word, translates into English

as black. Big Ali the he-man has a goddess for an anima. Kali is the Hindu goddess of

death and destruction, but in modern views she is taken to represent entropy in the

universe – the collapse of order into chaos.”

Spoiler: Kali, who is female, could potentially reveal Ali’s dark secret to the majority

of Hindus.

Place of Birth: Lake Wular, Vale of Kashmir, India.

Date of Birth: May 3rd

, 1917

Occupation: Goat Herder and mountain porter

Legal Status: Some border-running charges here and there from 1947-48

Marital Status: Separated – Naveen Zat Janda (Wife)

Known Relatives: Batwan Cansai Malipatlolla (Mother, Deceased), Abu Gorakh

Arakoni (Estranged Father), Fateh Malipatlolla Janda (Daughter).

Known Companions: Abu Gorakh (Spelunker and Rascal father), Tenzin Jampa

(Tibetan Priest), Ramu (Eye-hawk), Ranuman (Original Goat companion, killed by a

Yeti in 1947), Kulan (Potential Mentor Upgrade and Magic Buddhist Mountain Goat)

Known Enemies: The Graceful Crane (Arch-Enemy of Tenzin Jampa), Himalayan

Yetis.

Place of Operation: Himalayan Mountains

Height: 6’7” or 201cm

Weight: 266lbs or 121kg

Eyes: Hazel

Hair: Greying Brown

Distinguishing Features: Hindu tattoos on his upper arms and back.

Noteworthy abilities: High altitude acclimatization

Nature –

Survivor Virtue: Gain Willpower whenever you survive a perilous situation through

your own cunning and perseverance.

Follower Vice: Spend Willpower to take the leadership role in a situation or

whenever you disobey an order from someone in charge.

Willpower 6

Strength 4 (Massive); Brawl 3 (Wrestling), Might 3 (Carry)

Dexterity 4 (Steady); Athletics 3, Firearms 3, Melee 3, Stealth 3 (Outdoors),

Throwing 2 – Bulk of Heavy Fur Coat reduces Dexterity pools by one.

Stamina 5 (Unyielding); Endurance 3, Resistance 3

Perception 4 (Alert); Awareness 3 (Tracking), Investigation 2, Navigation 3

Intelligence 2; Linguistics 2, Survival 3 (Altitude)

Wits 3

Appearance 3; Disguise 2

Manipulation 2; Animal Handling 2, Savvy 2 (Border Crossing)

Charisma 3

Cipher 1: Since the conflict in Kashmir, various corruptions have made it

tedious to research Ali’s roots. Not to mention his father’s knack of staying under the

radar.

Mentor 2: A Tibetan monk, Tenzin Jampa, who had some influence due to his

religious office, but mainly served as a source of information and was aligned with

the Aeon Society proper. Tenzin is dead after 1977, but his legacy lives on through

his teachings which have been all but assimilated into modern Buddhism.

Contacts 2: Although times may have changed, Ali still has a lot of contacts

spread over a vast geographical region (Central Asia, Himalayas mostly) - sometimes

through the children of those he knew best, sometimes by reputation only.

After Ali’s initial travels to the Ouroboros, he is at least moderately

recognized by some of the myriad alien and out-of-time natives of the temporal

citadel.

Menagerie 1: Ali has always been a goat herder and while the party is lucky

enough that he didn’t bring his herd with him – he did bring his trusted eye-hawk,

Ramu. While dear to Ali, Ramu can be replaced on the event of the anti-social hawk’s

death.

Sanctum 2: Apart from a charming rustic cabin off Wular Lake in the Vale of

Kashmir where Ali’s Mother once lived, Ali also maintains a scattering of highly

remote retreats in the Himalayas.

Jack of All Trades (5pt Merit): When using any ability which is untrained,

receive two bonus dice in your dicepool.

Vengeful (2pt Flaw): Any time you feel slighted by someone, roll Willpower

against difficulty of +1 or seek out equal or greater measures of vengeance. All Yeti-

kind have incurred this wrath through past actions, as has Ali’s Ex-wife and might

visit his father if Ali knew the truth about Abu Gorakh.

Dark Secret (1pt Flaw): The Hindu culture which raised Ali would not be

happy to hear of his sexual preferences (think gay cowboy), while he would not be

completely outcast it would leave him with little good will to draw upon in his

homelands.

Languages Spoken Fluently: Hindustani (native), Mandarin, Spanish and English.

Language Families: Indo-Aryan, Sino-Tibetan, European

Quantum: 1 Quantum Pool: 22

Mega Strength 1 (Crush), Mega Dexterity 2 (Fast Tasks), Mega Stamina 2

(Adaptability), Mega Perception 2 (Bloodhound), Mega Intelligence 1 (Linguistic

Genius), Mega Wits 1 (Quickness), Mega Appearance 1 (Mr Nodoby), Mega

Manipulation 1 (The Voice), Mega Charisma 1 (Bestial Rapport).

Heavy Fur Coat: Covers Torso, Arms and Legs with 0/1 soak. Bulk 1, Mass 5 (8

wet).

Fur Himalayan Cap: Covers head with 0/1 soak. Mass 1 (3 wet).

Fur Himalayan Boots and Gloves: Provides 0/1 soak to hands and feet. Mass 2 (4

wet).

Ghorka Knife: Strength+3 damage, Mass 1.

Winchester Rifle: +2 Accuracy, 7dL damage, 200 range, 1 rof, 5+1 clip, Mass 3.

Sherpa Backpack: Reduces the weight carried in it by 5%, Mass 4.

Contents of Backpack: mass 20 after adjustment.

Travel Provisions: 6 days of travel rations. Mass 1 per day, 6 total.

Spool of Rope: A fifty foot length of hemp rope, tied into a manageable shape. Mass

3.

Blankets: Two woolen blankets and a thick fur one. Mass 6 (11 wet).

Climbing Pitons: Burlap sack containing thirty one iron pitons. Mass 4.

Grappling Spade: Portable combination of grappling hook and shovel. Mass 2.

Hammer Head: The modern man’s version of a Neolithic tool. Mass 1

Tinderbox and Flint: Just like in D&D, but with a sleek 1950’s case.

Dated Maps of Central Asia: It’s been a while since the borders looked that way.

Soak: 7/5 all

Experience Record: 3 points per episode, 3 episodes, 2 spent on Contacts

background during 2nd

episode, 6 spent on Mega Charisma (Bestial Rapport) between

episodes 3 & 4. One experience point remaining, 4 points for episode 4 and 10 points

from training with Ouroboros. Mega Dexterity, Stamina and Perception rise for five

experience points each after Ouroboros training. Zero experience remaining.

Ali Arakoni Malipatlolla Mortal Porter

(This version is pre nova-point stage and without experience. Ali circa 1942 –

unknown to the Aeon Society and newly married; just in case)

Nature –

Survivor Virtue: Gain Willpower whenever you survive a perilous situation through

your own cunning and perseverance.

Follower Vice: Spend Willpower to take the leadership role in a situation or

whenever you disobey an order from someone in charge.

Willpower 6

Strength 4 (Massive); Brawl 2 (Wrestling), Might 3 (Carry)

Dexterity 2; Stealth 2 (Outdoors) – Bulk of Heavy Fur Coat reduces Dexterity pools

by one.

Stamina 4 (Unyielding); Endurance 3, Resistance 2

Perception 3; Awareness 2 (Tracking), Navigation 2

Intelligence 2; Linguistics 2, Survival 2 (Altitude)

Wits 3

Appearance 2;

Manipulation 2; Savvy 2 (Border Crossing)

Charisma 3

Cipher 1: Since the conflict in Kashmir, various corruptions have made it

tedious to research Ali’s roots. Not to mention his father’s knack of staying under the

radar.

Mentor 1: A Tibetan monk, Tenzin Jampa, who had some influence due to his

religious office, but mainly served as a source of information and was aligned with

the Aeon Society proper. Tenzin is dead after 1977, but his legacy lives on through

his teachings which have been all but assimilated into modern Buddhism.

Contacts 1: Although times may have changed, Ali still has a lot of contacts

spread over a vast geographical region (Central Asia, Himalayas mostly) - sometimes

through the children of those he knew best, sometimes by reputation only.

Sanctum 2: Apart from a charming rustic cabin off Wular Lake in the Vale of

Kashmir where Ali’s Mother once lived, Ali also maintains a scattering of highly

remote retreats in the Himalayas.

Jack of All Trades (5pt Merit): When using any ability which is untrained,

receive two bonus dice in your dicepool.

Vengeful (2pt Flaw): Any time you feel slighted by someone, roll Willpower

against difficulty of +1 or seek out equal or greater measures of vengeance.

Dark Secret (1pt Flaw): The Hindu culture which raised Ali would not be

happy to hear of his sexual preferences (think gay cowboy), while he would not be

completely outcast it would leave him with little good will to draw upon in his

homelands.

Languages Spoken: Hindustani (native), Mandarin and English.

Heavy Fur Coat: Covers Torso, Arms and Legs with 0/1 soak. Bulk 1, Mass 5 (8

wet).

Fur Himalayan Cap: Covers head with 0/1 soak. Mass 1 (3 wet).

Fur Himalayan Boots and Gloves: Provides 0/1 soak to hands and feet. Mass 2 (4

wet).

Ghorka Knife: Strength+3 damage, Mass 1.

Winchester Rifle: +2 Accuracy, 7dL damage, 200 range, 1 rof, 5+1 clip, Mass 3.

Sherpa Backpack: Reduces the weight carried in it by 5%, Mass 4.

Contents of Backpack: Mass 20 after adjustment.

Travel Provisions: 6 days of travel rations. Mass 1 per day, 6 total.

Spool of Rope: A fifty foot length of hemp rope, tied into a manageable shape. Mass

3.

Blankets: Two woolen blankets and a thick fur one. Mass 6 (11 wet).

Climbing Pitons: Burlap sack containing thirty one iron pitons. Mass 4.

Grappling Spade: Portable combination of grappling hook and shovel. Mass 2.

Hammer Head: The modern man’s version of a Neolithic tool. Mass 1

Tinderbox and Flint: Just like in D&D, but with a sleek 1950’s case.

Dated Maps of Central Asia: It’s been a while since the borders looked that way.

Soak: 4/1 all

Funny-buggery:

-2 Abilities for +6 specialties

Backgrounds, Merits and Flaws bought with the 7pts for backgrounds, resulting in

less background points

Rifle and Knife too expensive for Ali to normally obtain

Bonus Points:

6pts – Willpower +3

5pts – Dexterity +1

2pts – Resistance +1

2pts – Brawl +1

Language Powers

As a hint in case you were wondering, the languages that Ali can’t speak

include, but aren’t limited to; about 60% of Indian and Central Asian languages,

Nepali, any Asian language that isn’t Tibetan or Chinese, any African (including

middle east), or Native tongue of Australasia and the Americas. Because Ali is yet to

be exposed to unknown languages since his eruption, he is yet to choose one more

known language families out of the four he should have.

Foes

Thugs – they’re bound to show up, but they needn’t be unprepared – upon

realizing Ali is a mega-physical threat even the lowliest thug will consider pulling

back and arming up or re-evaluating their position and tactics. Although shock and

awe plays a large role in those witnesses prior to the Nova Age, Ali will be in for a

little shock and awe of his own in the future where well prepared thugs can take him

down fairly reliably.

Yetis – you know it. Give them mega strength 2 but no lethal damage – so

they can just lay you out for a night if you get in their face – we’re all novas so we

will recover quickly – don’t make it easy for Ali to lay them out damage tanking-

wise, but make it possible for him to take maybe two on a great run of rolls – these

creatures are the bane of Ali’s life and might require some play testing before they

properly fulfill that role. Additionally, they could kidnap Carla’s little character or

morally challenge Kirri with her animal cruelty thing. When it’s appropriate insert

one of the numerous crypto-zoological big-foot like creatures of the world, Ali will

recognize the relation. These foes can be used as comic diversions, full party

challenges or the focus of a whole episode.

Abu Gorakh Arakoni – I’ve no real input as I’ve said, but a detail occurred

to me that might be appropriate and helpful for Ali. This being Abu Gorakh owning a

nice framed photo of Fateh Malipatlolla Janda with her father Ali before the war and

the separation. A photo that Ali believed lost in the destruction he returned home to, it

shouldn’t be used for dark purposes by Abu who also values it highly (he may own

other mementos too). Used as a glimpse behind Abu’s gruff exterior, the item could

serve dramatic purpose to show that whatever terrible act Abu Gorakh might need

steering away from he isn’t unbendingly evil, just misguided. You can use this foe

anyway you like, even changing things about if you like, just make sure Abu isn’t a 2

dimensional villain.

The Graceful Crane: Whenever China messes with Ali or Tenzin, this man is

behind it – he defeats Tenzin in their climactic battle of will in 1951 leaving Lama

Jampa weakened which thematically leads into his later death (perhaps the crane stole

whatever kept the old Lama alive for so long? (Don’t answer this in-game let Tenzin

take his secrets to the grave)). Ali should never be able to outwit the Graceful Crane

by himself, but with Tenzin Jampa (or similar) guiding his newly inspired hand – the

arch-enemy might have met his match. Either way, I’d love to see this golden-age,

monarch-looking, rising star show up at some point – maybe at the tail end of another

plot foiled by a younger Lama Jampa, or as a distant future descendant carrying on the

perfected ancient tradition.

The Original Graceful Crane (1657-1689) Lei Shuai He, a notorious

mercenary and fighter – renowned for his razor intellect and effective training

regimen – earning his moniker Shuai He (Graceful Crane). Although the distinctive

lanky body shape his descendants inherit suggest the nickname might have been less

inspired by his wisdom and more in regard to his shape.

2nd

Graceful Crane (1689- 1750) Fe Shuai He, created the Master-Plan and

began to implement it – out-witting a young Tenzin Jampa in the process. The

detailed records kept by Fe seem to indicate he enjoyed the idealist Monk working to

thwart him as stimulus to ever higher levels of mastery.

3rd

Graceful Crane (1750-1785) Yuo Yi, Changing his name to better disguise

the myth his father had seeded, Yuo was the first Graceful Crane to truly despise

Lama Jampa – discovering the monk’s steadily growing inspiration was more than a

match for his uninspired, but still brilliant, ventures into Tenzin’s homeland.

4th

Graceful Crane (1785-1807) Jing Yi, continuing the work of his forbears,

Jing Yi lacked the finesse to deal with the rise of opium and was at one stage even

assisted by Lama Jampa to slow the rate of opium import. Jing was assassinated by

European profiteers at age 42.

5th

Graceful Crane (1809-1852) Gu Jing Yi, two years after the last Crane’s

death the initially teenaged Gu Jing began turning away from the steet-level dealings

that left his father dead, developing the strict rules of honorable ‘conflict tradition’

followed by later Cranes in a succession of clashes against Lama Jampa, with Gu Jing

becoming inspired in the process.

6th

Graceful Crane (1852-1899) Meng Yi, misunderstanding the intent of his

father’s conflict tradition against Tenzin Jampa, Meng worked to expel the crafty

Lama from the target of Tibet and suffered a less than inspired lifetime due to the

unexpected success of the plan.

7th

Graceful Crane (1899-1950) Ju Bei Yi, learning from his father’s mistake,

Ju Bei continued to refine the dance of inspiration – becoming the only Graceful

Crane to benefit from mesmerist inspiration after the Hammersmith Effect but was

overshadowed by the Ubiquitous Dragon. Ju Bei was the first Graceful Crane to retire

from the duty prior to death and the only Graceful Crane to have been removed from

his position by public pressures.

8th

Graceful Crane (1950-2017) Gao ‘Shuai He’ Yi, the only Graceful Crane to

have been identified and known to the public. Apart from (possibly) the 2nd

, Gao is

regarded as the smartest and most successful of the Graceful Cranes prior to N-Day,

but also the most ruthless and his legacy is a touchy subject to those that followed.

9th

Graceful Crane (2017-2032) James Yi, driven into hiding by the emerging

Nova underworld – James dramatically reduced the Master-Plan’s profile and made

inroads to mundane political avenues, all the while avoiding his super-human pursuers

for just over 15 years. Without ever laying claim to the family title, James was killed

by the same Novas who killed his father. But not before saving his daughter and wife

by outwitting the two super-criminals in a style perfected against the long passed

Lama Jampa.

10th

Graceful Crane (2035-2078) Katherine Ling, arising from hiding three

years after her father’s death and adapting the traditions to the deep cover of her

childhood, Katherine was not only the first female Crane, but also the one to see the

eventual completion of the 2nd

’s Master-Plan, 49 years earlier than scheduled.

11th

Graceful Crane (2078-2118) Matthew Ling, implements the forty year

term standard due to advances in medicine, begins work on a new Master-Plan to

move into the stars but the work is expanded and perfected by his Daughter Jennifer

after Matthew’s term.

12th

Graceful Crane (2118-2158) Jennifer Ling, becomes the next great

Graceful Crane due to process 418 in the 2120’s – Jennifer initiates a thousand year

plan to seed the galaxy with humanities children and achieves many benevolent goals

all through questionable methods – often misinterpreted by the well meaning new

generation of inspired adventurers.

The Myth of the Graceful Crane being a single undying entity was disproven

by the Aeon Society in the early 20th

century, but the myth still surfaces from time to

time. With the 9th

Graceful Crane; the title became more myth than truth and despite

the bloodline falling off the radar, the uniting cause has survived healthy long past its

origins.

The Graceful Cranes are an unbroken line of masked/hidden masterminds,

dating back to the mid 17th

century who have historically fought to keep China

isolated in the hope of building it into a juggernaut by 2100AD, a detailed 400 year

‘Master-Plan’ first devised by the second Graceful Crane, the master plan is

constantly rewritten and adjusted under the current Crane’s observations and

predictions – often requiring less than moral actions, but ultimately leading into a

masterpiece of social engineering only comprehensible by fellow masterminds,

leaving China as the most advanced nation in the world.

A plan which the line bring to fruition by the 2060’s, nearly fifty years earlier

than allowed for – and truly showing how far the Graceful Crane had come from the

ineffective comic book nemesis of a young(ish) Tenzin Jampa, to one of the longest

surviving traditions of inspired adventure. The switchover happened suddenly, when

the young communist 8th

Graceful Crane, Gao Yi, was forced to replace his father to

save the old man’s life from revolutionaries. This new Crane had no respect for

tradition and found himself welcomed into the future oriented red-movement,

abandoning the title and traditional masked costume of his predecessors.

The masterful luring of Lama Jampa and subsequent humbling of the old foe

was just one of the frightfully efficient and ruthless moves made by the 8th

, who

continued to implement and adjust the master plan as required until the early years of

the Nova age, when Gao was violently murdered by the emerging Nova underworld

cartels – who saw his legendary intellect as a threat. Since then the Graceful Crane

has remained low key and has become increasingly involved in politics where the

Crane’s subtle machinations are hard to separate from the noise of global intrigue.

For reference; the Graceful Cranes past the 10th

adopt a philosophy similar to

that of the 5th

, who had been a deeply respected foe of Lama Jampa, both having

taught each other invaluable lessons and had they not been so bound by their rich

game-like traditions of conflict might have been good friends – yet another way the

old Lama has left the world changed for the better. The future incarnations of the

Graceful Crane (9th

and over) never use violence to achieve any goal but last-ditch

survival, preferring to blackmail, manipulate and bribe their way, even when serving

the greater good.

The path developed originally by the 5th

in response to the unusual Lama

Jampa’s interference is the Graceful Crane’s ‘conflict tradition’, when followed

strictly against a worthy opponent the tradition invariably leads to inspiration even in

times of rarity – although finding a worthy opponent can be difficult for the

increasingly super-natural intellects behind the mask. While the previous Graceful

Cranes were never known for their bloodlust, the name has roots in a style of fighting

that wasn’t properly taught down the generations and was finally abandoned by the

8th

.

Since the 2nd

all Cranes have been geniuses, some (including the second,

eighth and twelfth, arguably the fifth and ninth) have possessed super-human

intelligence without peer, the Cranes are adept at becoming inspired through ‘arching’

appropriate foes, but rarely as anything stronger than daredevils. The Crane has

always worked from behind the throne, never stepping out of the cloak of legend that

has obscured the titled bloodline from public attention. The only exception is the 8th

–

enjoying some celebrity status during the early years of communist China.

No matter how bizarre things get, the better Graceful Cranes always have a

contingency plan for just the occasion prepared and waiting – this only becomes more

true with every successive generation, as more threats are accounted for. Somewhere

the Graceful Crane hides an archive of journals and Master-Plan records, a place so

well hidden even the Novas who sought it found nothing. A popular theory claims the

hideout was abandoned in the 1980’s after the forward looking 8th

digitized the old

archive and destroyed the physical records.

While Ali Arakoni never really earned the Crane’s focused enmity during his

years in China, the connection won’t be ignored by any future Cranes encountering

the known student of Lama Jampa, now strongly inspired and misplaced in time.

Reactions will vary between individual Cranes, but none will ignore such a mystery

seeing it as a challenge for their mythical intellect to solve and manipulate.

Multitude Aspects and Symbolism

Separating various conflicting morals as internal monologues for Ali is an idea well

suited for the India Syndrome Anima possessed by Ali. After all; most India

Syndrome Novas ended up believing they were truly divine, even as their taint

consumed them, as with Shiva in India Underground (Trinity fan supplement on India

and Quantakinetics).

Already we encountered an aspect of impatience and rage, wearing the form of the old

Tibetan Tiger. Variant forms for this aspect could be a severed Human head, draining

its blood into a bowl – the Hindu theological symbol used by Kali to mean the human

ego, which must be overcome.

Only by meeting some condition of enlightenment can Ali meet the aspect of Divine

Knowledge - a divine Sword (used by Kali to symbolize Wisdom) used to slay the

human ego to liberate their ‘soul’ from the endless cycle of karmic reincarnation held

to be true in Hindu Theology.