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Mankind is not alone. There are others who share the Earth with him. Created by the genetic manipulation of the virtually omnipotent and enigmatic Celestials, two other races lurk in the shadows. The bestial and volitile Deviants alternately seek only to be left alone and plot the downfall of humankind. The other race remains apart from men, moving among us only to learn and protect us from the Deviants. They are gods who walk the Earth. They are...
The EternalsMillions of years ago, the Earth was visited by the Celestials, the so-called space gods whose enigmatic experiments have transformed millions of races. Experimenting on primitive man, the Celestials created an genetic off-shoot of humanity with enormous potential for superhuman abilities. This race, the Eternals, were at first no more than extremely physically and mentally advanced humans. They were joined on Earth by the Deviants, a genetically unstable race of hideous creatures who were created by a renegade Celestial through illegal experiments.
For many thousands of years, the enormous power of the Eternals lay dormant within them. Following a civil war wherein the defeated party left Earth for Uranus, the leader of the Eternals, Chronos, was killed in a scientific experiment. The explosion bathed the Eternals in cosmic energy, finally awakening thier myriad of superhuman abilities.
Over the following centuries, the Eternals sought to remain removed from human civilization while still protecting them from the predations of the Deviants. In more recent years, however, they have been forced to take a more active role. When the Celestials returned to Earth some years ago, Zuras, the Prime Eternal, feared that they would destroy the world. To oppose them, he initiated the Uni- Mind, a gestalt being comprised of the physical and mental union of a large number of Eternals. For his presumption, the Celestials struck the Uni-Mind with a powerful bolt of energy, shattering it and slaying Zuras outright. When the Celestials chose to spare Earth and returned to space, the vast majority of Eternals on Earth combined to form the Uni-Mind and left Earth to explore the universe. Only a handful were left behind to protect Earth's inhabitants.
Zuras's daughter Thena was made Prime Eternal following her father's demise, but was removed from the position shortly thereafter when the other Eternals condemned her continued relationship with Kro, a Deviant. In her place, Ikaris of the Polar Eternals was made Prime Eternal. Together, Thena and Ikaris led the Eternals against the Deviant Priest-Lord Ghaur when he attempted to steal the power of the Dreaming Celestial (see Eternals vol. 2, 1-12).
Some years after Ghaur's initial defeat, a plot of En Sabah Nur, the mutant arch-fiend known as Apocalypse, set the remnants of the Deviant race against humanity. The Eternals, led again by Ikaris, were forced to act publiclly to end these hostilities and stop Apocalypse's plans. Although at least one member of the Eternals, Sersi, had been a member of the Avengers, the general populace of Earth was still unaware of the existance of the Eternals. Rather than risk panic and prejudice against their seperate species, Ikaris identified himself and his fellow Eternals to the media as new superhumans, a team called the New Breed. Presumably, this will allow the Eternals to act in a more public fashion without the risk of discovery of their true nature and abilities (see The New Eternals: Apocalypse Now).
Using an Eternal in a standard MSHAG campaign as a player character is a difficult task to arrange as a Narrator, as Eternals are vastly more powerful than most beginning-level heroes. Any player who wishes to make an Eternal character should first acquire the express permission of their Narrator to do so.
All Earth-born Eternals share a number of superhuman abilities which develop naturally within them to certain minimum levels. Each of these abilities can be augemented by study and practice. In fact, many of the common powers Eternals possess are ranked as disciplines with five levels. It is rare for an Eternal to master the fifth level of any one discipline, and virtually unheard of to completely master more than one. Beyond these common abilities, there are rarer powers that only a few Eternals possess, but that can be developed into formidable abilities.
The following are the abilities possessed by a baseline Earth Eternal. Like all the statistics on this page, these may vary considerably from those printed in official Marvel Saga Roster Books. You might notice that this profile reflects a broader range of powers than the official material, which I believe is more in accordance with the version of these beings as they appear in Marvel Comics.
Strength 13X, Agility 5X, Intellect 8D, Willpower 8X, Edge 1, Hand Size 3. Skills: Energy Control. Powers: Energy Blast 10, Flight 10, Immortality, Invulnerability (to Cold, Disease, Heat, Poison, and Radiation), Telekinesis 3, Telepathy 3, Transmutation 3.
Strength 13X, Agility 10C, Intellect 6D, Willpower 6D, Edge 1, Hand Size 3. Skills:
Acrobatics, Aerial Combat; Energy Control; Performing (Dance).
Powers: Body Transformation 14 (Energy Form), Blinding 10, Emotion Control 8 (Joy only, Multiple
Targets), Energy Blast 10, Flight 10, Immortality, Invulnerability (to Cold, Disease, Heat, Poison,
and Radiation), Telekinesis 3, Telepathy 3, Transmutation 3. Calling: Thrill-seeker.
Personality: Flighty, very relaxed.
History:
Aurelle is a third- (or perhaps fourth-) generation Eternal. Although presumably involved in
the formation of the Uni-Mind where Zuras perished, she has chosen not to involve herself in the
affairs of other Eternals until the recent resurrection of Virako. Perhaps unique among the Eternals,
Aurelle has chosen to transform her body into energy, although she seems to be able to adopt a human
form when necessary. It was Aurelle who suggested to Ikaris that the Eternals masquerade as a team
of superhumans in order to win the trust of humanity. When not involved with the Eternals, Aurelle
chooses to participate in clubbing and dancing in nightclubs alongside regular humans.
Strength 14D, Agility 8X, Intellect 8D, Willpower 8D, Edge 1, Hand Size 3. Skills: Axe;
Energy Control; Art (Sculpture). Powers: Animation 20 (Limited Sentience, Object Swarm,
Summon Animates [Unique Stunt: Ceyote can summon numerous totemic ani-mates from elswhere to attack
an opponent]), Energy Blast 10, Flight 10, Immortality, Invulnerability (to Cold, Disease, Heat,
Poison and Radiation), Telekinesis 5, Telepathy 3 (Telepathic Disguise), Transmutation 3.
Calling: Idealist. Personality: Steadfast, calm. An excellent team player.
History: Ceyote is a third-generation Eternal who has remained removed from the affairs of his
race since the departure of the Uni-Mind from Earth. He recently returned to Olympia for the
resurrection of Virako. He subsequently followed Ikaris to battle a mutated Karkas in California
and was identified as "Tomorrow Hawk" to the press when the Eternals passed themselves off
as a new team of superheroes. Left to his own devices, Ceyote is an artist who specializes in
scultpure. His human daughter, the elderly Iris Devereaux, manages his career as an artist.
Strength 14D, Agility 9D, Intellect 8C, Willpower 8D, Edge 1, Hand Size 3. Skills: Swords;
Martial Arts; Energy Control, Sociology. Powers: Energy Blast 10, Flight 10, Immortality,
Invulnerability (to Cold, Disease, Heat, Poison, and Radiation), Telekinesis 3, Telepathy 3 (Telepathic
Disguise), Transmutation 3. Equipment: Katana +4 (Energy Sheath [Fire] 8) Calling: Mentor.
Personality: Cool and collected. Quickly angered by bigotry and predjudice.
History: This as-yet unnamed Eternal is presumably of the third generation, and shows signs of
having devoted large amounts of time to the study of both combat and sociology. She lectures at the
University of Califonia at Berkeley under the alias of Professor King. Of particular interest to her
is the fostering of tolerance among humankind, be it toward mutants, Deviants, or Eternals. Although
absent from many her race's activities in recent years, she was present at the resurrection of Virako
in Olympia and accompanied Ikaris when the latter chose to reveal the existance of the Eternals to
mankind, albeit under the cover of new superheroes.
Strength 13X, Agility 8X, Intellect 8D, Willpower 9D, Edge 2, Hand Size 3. Skills: Energy
Control; Mesmerism. Powers: Energy Blast 10, Flight 10, Immortality, Invulnerability (to
Cold, Disease, Heat, Poison, and Radiation), Telekinesis 3, Telepathy 15 (Invisibility, Telepathic
Disguise), Teleportation 6, Transmutation 3. Calling: Peace of Mind. Personality:
Extremely private and removed. Keeps to herself except in matters of extreme importance.
History: Cybele is a second-generation Eternal, the wife of Zuras and mother of Thena. Since
the demise of her husband some years ago, Cybele has keep to herself, choosing not to become involved
in the matters of Eternals, Deviants, or humans. The rare occasions when she does become involved
usually involve some threat to her beloved daughter Thena.
Strength 19A, Agility 8D, Intellect 6C, Willpower 8D, Edge 2, Hand Size 1. Skills: Brawling,
Clubs, Spears, Wrestling; Martial Arts; Energy Control, Mythology; Intimidation. Powers:
Energy Blast 10, Flight 10, Immortality, Invulnerability (to Cold, Disease, Heat, Poison, and
Radiation), Telekinesis 3, Telepathy 3, Transmutation 3. Calling: Adventurer.
Personality: When he lived, Gilgamesh was the perfect warrior, having mastered virtually all
forms of unarmed combat in addition to others. While he did not always get along with his fellow
Eternals, he enjoyed the terror he inspired in the Deviants.
History: The Eternal most frequently called the Forgotten One roamed Earth in ancient times,
defeating evils both Deviant and human in nature. At some point he was exiled to a remote corner of
Olympia by Zuras for an undisclosed offense, rumored to be hubris. He was released by Sprite after
centuries to defeat an ploy by the Deviants to destroy the spacecraft of the Celestials. Following
that, he participated in the Eternals' defeat of Ghaur's plans. Later, he served as one of the
Avengers, where he was slain in action.
Strength 15D, Agility 9B, Intellect 6B, Willpower 12C, Edge 3, Hand Size 5. Skills:
Wrestling; Gadgetry, Martial Arts, Piloting; Energy Control, Lore (Celestials, Eternals,
Deviants), Mythology; Intimidation, Leadership.
Powers: Detection 10 (Astral Detection, Dimensional Detection, Energy Detection, Ilusion
Detection), Energy Blast 21, Enhanced Senses (All) 12, Flight 12, Immortality, Invulnerability (to
Cold, Disease, Heat, Poison, and Radiation), Telekinesis 6, Telepathy 3 (Telepathic Disguise),
Teleportaion 3 (Masochistic), Transmutation 6.
Calling: Protector (Humanity). Personality: Devoted to peace and harmony. A gentle
soul, but one whose wrath is terrible when aroused.
History: Ikaris was born over 20,000 years ago in Polaria, an Eternal city located in modern
day Siberia. He has been a warrior all his life, battling against aggressive Deviants to protect the
unknowing humans. He has frequently found love among humans, but it inevitably ends in tragedy. He
has taken the name of his son Ikaris who perished while experimenting with a flight harness during one
of Ikaris's long absences. It was Ikaris who had Thena removed as Prime Eternal, just as it was he
who replaced her. He has attempted to be a good and just leader, but eventually abandoned centuries
of tradition to take an active and public role in protecting the human race. As Prime Eternal,
Ikaris's already powerful abililty to project offensive energy has been augemented beyond even that
of Thena.
Strength 14C, Agility 8X, Intellect 8D, Willpower 10C, Edge 2, Hand Size 5. Skills: Brawling,
Knife; Energy Control; Mental Control, Tracking.
Powers: Detection 12 (Astral Detection, Dimensional Detection), Emotion Control (Fear only) 14,
Energy Blast 12, Enhanced Senses (All) 10, Flight 10, Immortality, Invulnerability (to Cold, Disease,
Heat, Poison, and Radiation), Telekinesis 3, Telepathy 10, Transmutation 3.
Calling: Guardian (aganst the Dragon of the Moon). Personality: Withdrawn, mysterious.
Keeps to himself except when opposing his ancient enemy.
History: Virtually nothing is known about the history of the Eternal known only as the
Interloper except that he has spent the majority of his life opposing a menacing cosmic entity known
as the Dragon of the Moon. When the Dragon was imprisoned during the time of King Arthur, the
Interloper went into seclusion for centuries. He briefly trained the human known as Manslaughter
when the latter managed to track the Interloper to his lair. Some years ago, when the Dragon of the
Moon resurfaces, the Interloper led the superhumans known as the Defenders against it. Many of the
team, including Interloper himself, lost their physical bodies in the battle, and were left in a
realm between the living and the dead for some time before finally regaining physical form and
defeating the Dragon of the Moon for good.
Strength 13X, Agility 9X, Intellect 8D, Willpower 8D, Edge 1, Hand Size 3. Skills: Energy
Control; Performing (Musician and Singing). Powers: Emotion Control 10 (Note: This is
an effect of Khoryphos's unparalled skill as a musician. He is capable of moving virtually anyone
with the beauty of his music), Energy Blast 10, Flight 10, Immortality, Invulnerability (to Cold,
Disease, Heat, Poison, and Radiation), Telekinesis 3, Telepathy 3, Transmutation 3.
Calling: Peace of Mind. Personality:
History: Very little has been revealed about Khoryphos's past. He is a third or fourth
generation Eternal who has devoted his life to the study of music in all its forms. During the
Deviant priestlord Ghaur's attempt to usurp the power of the Dreaming Celestial, Khoryphos spent
time in Lemuria and developed a rapport with Yrdisis, a Deviant artist.
Strength 14D, Agility 10C, Intellect 9, Willpower 11D, Edge 2, Hand Size 4. Skills: Swords;
Martial Arts, Martial Arts Weapons; Energy Control; Meditation, Performing (Acting).
Powers: Energy Blast 10, Flight 10, Immortality, Invulnerability (to Cold, Disease, Heat,
Poison, and Radiation), Telekinesis 3, Telepathy 3, Transmutation 3. Equipment: Katana +4
Calling: Peace of Mind. Personality:
History: Kingo Sunen has spent centuries perfecting the arts of the samurai warrior, a caste
with whom he identified very strongly during their heyday. He is close friends with Ikaris, and
spent much time trying to control the temper of Ransak, the Deviant reject.
Strength 13X, Agility 14A, Intellect 8C, Willpower 7D, Edge 2, Hand Size 4. Skills:
Acrobatics, Gadgetry, Piloting; Energy Control, Weapons Systems; Tracking.
Powers:Energy Blast 10, Flight 10, Immortality, Invulnerability (to Cold, Disease, Heat,
Poison, and Radiation), Lightning Speed 22 (Invisibility, Mach Control, Passengers, Run Up Walls,
Spinning Drill, Waterwalking, Whirlwind), Telekinesis 3, Telepathy 3 (Telepathic Disguise),
Teleportation 4, Transmutation 3. Calling: Guardian (Olympia).
Personality: Curious about all things, enjoys adventure.
History: Makkari is a third generation Eternal who serves as the principle vehicle designer
of the Eternals and the primary administrater of Olympia following Domo's departure with the majority
of the Eternal race. Makkari is adventurous and curious, and totally obsessed with speed. He visited
an ancient Eternal sensei to increase his speed, which resulted in a years-long partnership with the
human adventurer Quasar. It was recently revealed that Makkari masqueraded as a number of superhuman
speedsters during the years following World War II in an effort to oppose the machinations of the
Deviant warlord Kro, and in fact organized a team of "Monster Hunters" to thwart at least
one major Deviant plot. In the 1960's, he served alongside the First Line as Major Mercury. More
recently, Makkari felt his duties in Olympia were too important to leave his post and follow Ikaris
into battle with the minions of Apocalypse.
Strength 14C, Agility 8D, Intellect 10A, Willpower 9X, Edge 2, Hand Size 4. Skills:
Brawling, Hammers; Gadgetry; Computers, Electronics, Energy Control, Mechanics.
Powers: Computer Link 8, Energy Blast 13, Flight 10, Immortality, Invulnerability (to Cold,
Disease, Heat, Poison, and Radiation), Telekinesis 6, Telepathy 3 (Telepathic Disguise),
Transmutation 6. Equipment: Powered Armor 13, Hammer +4 (Energy Blast 15).
Calling: Investigator. Personality: Morose and sorrowful.
History: Phastos's history is very murky. He is a third of fourth generation Eternal who
chose to remain on Earth because of his obsessive search for an unidentifed item or person. He
continues to serve as the master technologist for the Eternal race, and it was his genius which
allowed Virako to return from apparent death. Although he despises war, Phastos chose to follow
Ikaris into battle against the minions of Apocalypse.
Strength 13X, Agility 8X, Intellect 8D, Willpower 10B, Edge 1, Hand Size 3. Skills: Energy
Control; Intimidation, Mental Control, Mesmerism.
Powers: Energy Blast 14, Flight 10, Immortality, Invulnerability (to Cold, Disease, Heat,
Poison, and Radiation), Mind Control 10 (Compel, Possession), Telekinesis 3, Telepathy 13
(Telepathic Disguise), Transmutation 3. Calling: Protector. Personality:
Cool and aloof, confident in his own abilities. Dislikes Sersi.
History: Very little
is known about Psykos's history, a third or fourth generation Eternal. Following the departure of
the Uni-Mind from Earth, he chose to remain apart from other Eternals until summoned to Olympia to
witness the resurrection of Virako. In the meantime, he worked among humans as Federal Agent Ronald
Sykes, a specialist in hostage negotiation. As such, he delighted in both the humiliation and defeat
of aggressors as well as the adulation of the rescued. Following Virako's resurrection, Psykos chose
to follow Ikaris into a public battle with Apocalypse's mutated Deviants.
Strength 14X, Agility 14C, Intellect 8D, Willpower 8D, Edge 2, Hand Size 4. Skills: .
Powers: Animation 8, Energy Blast 13, Flight 10, Illusion 15, Immortality, Invulnerability (to
Cold, Disease, Heat, Poison, and Radiation), Telekinesis 10, Telepathy 10 (Telpathic Disguise),
Teleportation 18 (Masochistic), Transmutation 20.
Calling: Thrill-seeker. Personality: Hedonistic and playful.
History: Sersi has been a hedonist for centuries, and was known to both the Greeks and
Romans by different names as a sorcereress of great ability. She was the one who transformed
Odysseus and his men to pigs when they offended her. For thousands of years she has hosted the
most memorable parties in all existance. In recent years she participated in the Eternals' conflict
with the Deviants, unleashed her horrible wrath upon them following the death of her friend David
Chatterton. She has served with the Avengers off and on for years, and recently followed Ikaris
in his battle to end the hostility between Deviants and humans that was manipulated by Apocalypse.
Strength 11X, Agility 11X, Intellect 9D, Willpower 8C, Edge 1, Hand Size 3. Skills: .
Powers: Energy Blast 10, Flight 10, Illusion 12, Immortality, Invulnerability (to Cold,
Disease, Heat, Poison, and Radiation), Shapeshifting 14, Telekinesis 3, Telepathy 3, Transmutation 15.
Calling: Thrill-seekler. Personality: Light-hearted practical joker.
History: Sprite is a playful prankster who has spent centuries developing his particular
sense of humor. William Shakespeare based his character Puck on Sprite hundreds of years ago. Sprite
chose to remain on Earth following the Uni-Mind's departure because he felt he would have more fun
here than abroad. He released the Forgotten One from exile to combat the Deviants, and it was he
who once accidently (and temporarily) shifted the entire city of Olympia into the Negative Zone.
Strength 14X, Agility 12C, Intellect 9D, Willpower 12D, Edge 2, Hand Size 4. Skills: Acrobatics,
Aerial Combat; Energy Control; Leadership.
Powers: Energy Blast 19, Flight 12, Immortality, Invulnerability (to Cold, Disease, Heat,
Poison, and Radiation), Telekinesis 3, Telepathy 8 (Telepathic Disguise), Teleportation 10
(Masochistic), Transmutation 8. Calling: Majesty. Personality: Regal and majestic,
very concerned about her people and family.
History: Thena, daughter of Zuras, inherited the mantle of Prime Eternal following her father's
death and the departure of the majority of Eternals from the Earth. Her centuries-long romance with
the immortal Deviant Kro, however, led to her removal as the Prime Eternal. Exiled from Olympia, Thena
returned in time to thwart the plot of Ghaur to steal the power of the Dreaming Celestial. In time,
Thena gave birth to twins fathered by Kro. Her twins were taken by Ghaur and used to force Thena into
helping the Deviant race form an Anti-Mind, the antithesis of the Eternal's Uni-Mind. With her
children freed by the Heroes for Hire, Thena dissolved the Anti-Mind. She was present at Virako's
resurrection and followed Ikaris in his gambit to defeat Apocalypse. Even having been removed as
Prime Eternal, Thena is one of the most powerful Eternals, particularly in regards to her ability
to project offensive energy.
Strength 16D, Agility 8X, Intellect 10D, Willpower 11D, Edge 3, Hand Size 5. Skills:
Brawling; Energy Control; Leadership.
Powers: Energy Blast 17, Flight 13, Immortality, Invulnerability (to Cold, Disease, Heat,
Poison, and Radiation), Telekinesis 10, Telepathy 6, Transmutation 6. Calling: Soldier.
Personality: Gruff and abrasive. Dismissive toward Deviants and humans.
History: Virako was a second generation Eternal and one of the leaders of the Polar Eternals,
a group residing in Siberia. He, his brother Valkin and his son Ikaris were all well-known for their
great prowess in battle with the Deviants and their minions. Over a thousand years ago, Virako was
slain in combat with a hideously mutated earthworm (how ignonimous, eh?). Very recently, a battle
between humans and Deviants and orchestrated by Apocalypse resulted in a unique type of nuclear
fallout in the atmosphere. This fallout resulted in the coalescing of the irradiated atoms that
once comprised Virako's body. Phastos was able to collect and concentrate these atoms, resurrecting
Virako from apparent death. Shortly after his rebirth, Virako expressed extreme displeasure at the
notion of his son Ikaris leading the Eternals in an intervention between human and Deviant, both
species that he believed vastly inferior to the Eternals. He removed himself from Olympia to dwell
on this subject. What course of action he will take remains to be seen.
Strength 16D, Agility 7D, Intellect 9C, Willpower 12D, Edge 3, Hand Size 5. Skills: Brawling;
Aerial Combat; Energy Control, Lore (Celestials, Deviants, Eternals); Leadership (Eternals).
Powers: Energy Blast 23, Flight 12, Immortality, Invulnerability (to Cold, Disease, Heat,
Poison, and Radiation), Telekinesis 12, Telepathy 12, Teleportaion 15 (Masochistic), Transmutation 12.
Calling: Majesty. Personality: Regal in all things. Wise beyond measure.
History: Zuras, son of Chronos, led the Eternals for tens of thousands of years. His powers
were unparalled among his people, particularly his talent for energy projection. When the Celestials
returned to Earth, Zuras feared that they would doom all the inhabitants, Eternal, Deviant and human
alike. He formed the Uni-Mind with the whole of his race and moved against the Celestials. The
Celestials fired an energy bolt into the Uni-Mind, dissolving it and slaying Zuras for his
impertenance. Following his death, most Eternals left Earth as part of the Uni-Mind. His daughter
and wife both remained on Earth, and his daughter Thena assumed the mantle of Prime Eternal.
