The Omega Files - The Tenebrae Noctis

Author’s Note: The Horijan are extremely powerful and meant for cosmic campaigns only. Don’t try to put your Wilks’ laser pistol toting vagabond up against one unless they’ve got a major suicide wish. The Horijan are the type of foes that would give a Cosmo Knight (or ten) a run for their money. They should never, ever, be allowed as player characters.

In the darkest corner of consciousness, something stirs...

A rustling is heard by those ethereal denizens of the void, but no other. A pair of eyes crack open, coal black orbs that reflect no light. If one dared to look close enough, they would see pupils the shape of a crescent moon, black slivers in sable orbs. The eyes move away from a small planetoid, a shadow forming around the twin spheres. The planetoid continues spinning through the void, a piece of an ancient cage hewn from a planet.

The shadow shakes its head in confusion, not knowing who it is or even what is was or ever had been. However deep inside it is at peace, knowing that a new life had begun for itself.

Floating in space, the creature sweeps the glittering void and sees the remnants of what could only have been a planet drifting around it. Off in the distance pulses a huge red star. The star is in the last stages of its epic life. It has seen civilizations rise and fall, from primitives beating each other with rocks to star-faring civilizations that terra-formed worlds. However its illustrious life will soon end, and a piece of history will be gone.

Deep down inside itself, the creature feels a stirring, and with unknown powers soars on cosmic winds towards the star, feeling its ebbing power and reveling in it. Closer and closer it soars until it is encased in the star's corona. Inward it flies until it rests in the heart of the star. Spreading its arms, the creature feels power flowing into it, like a kiss long forgotten. The sweetness is intoxicating and it absorbs more and more energy, until the star dwindles down to nothing but a pinprick of light. There is nothing except for the tiny light and the being, now glowing with a fiery aura all its own. A sudden, convulsive explosion lights up the void as the star commences its final death throe. Yet its energy has been drained and after a moment the once-might star winks out of existence for all eternity.

The being bellows, reveling in the dark emotions released by the energy. It knows who it is, who it was, and who it will become. It is one of the Horijan, the Darkness of Night. A devourer of stars and life placed in an eternal prison made from a planet and sustained by the life force of the recently deceased star. It is one of the elite, a master of the Shadow Dimension, also known as an Overlord of the Horijan.

The Horijan were a race of beings related to the Shadow Beasts but infinitely more powerful. They evolved in a Shadow Dimension filled with magic energy of unbelievable proportions, about five times that of Rifts Earth. Their evolution occurred during the Time of Chaos before the rebellion against the Old Ones. However the Horijan did not evolve from animals or other such life, but from the magic itself! They are an evolution of magic, and as such have incredible magic powers.

The Horijan were creatures of darkness, both of body and soul. For thousands of centuries they were trapped in their Shadow Dimension, unable to escape. During the rebellion against the Old Ones the barriers holding them to the Shadow Plane were torn asunder and thousands escaped.

After stars began to die and planets turned into frozen wastelands, billions of people met their death from the cold and starvation. Planets were thrown off of their orbits and universal chaos reigned. The few heroes left from the Time of Chaos began to search for the cause, and discovered the Horijan.

The Horijan were discovered to be P.P.E. vampires, but ones unlike any other species known. Because they were made of magic in a sense, they had to feed on it. This led to their consumption of entire stars and planets. A unique property of the Horijan was that the more P.P.E. they absorbed, the more powerful they became. When groups of Horijan began draining suns, they became infinitely powerful. The Horijan evolved yet again, the most powerful becoming the heinous Horijan Overlords, the less powerful becoming the "common" Horijan.

The Horijan Overlords began to devour the entire Megaverse in their mad rush for power. They did not consider that after they consumed the universe that there would be no more energy for them to feed on.

The greatest magicians and gods bent themselves to the task of forever sealing the Horijan back into their shadowy world, but they could not send back the ones currently on the loose. This led to the systematic genocide of the Horijan. All of the Horijan were hunted down and killed, except for the Horijan Overlords. There were over thirty of them, and because of the massive amount of magical energy they contained, it was believed that if they were killed the resulting P.P.E. explosion would cause massive amounts of destruction and upset the mystical plane of the Megaverse. Some even theorized that it could damage the Astral Plane. The Dreamstream had already been ravaged by the billions of lives that were lost, generating severe Dream Storms.

Instead of destroying the Horijan Overlords, they were each imprisoned in a planet. These planets were turned into magical cages, fed by the neighboring suns, suns that were expected to live for billions of years. It was hoped that by the time the stars went nova that the Horijan Overlords would be weak enough to be destroyed without damaging the rest of the Megaverse. It would have worked, if it were not for an innocent accident.

A new type of rift generator was being tested in the depths of the Anvil Galaxy by the United Worlds of Warlock when a serious mishap occurred. The Rift destabilized and opened into the heart of the star, immediately destroying the small fleet of ships when the nuclear flames spewed through the Rift and tore out of the ship, consuming everything within hundreds of miles. The star, previously nearing the end of its life, was hastened on its journey and the unknown spells that held the planet-cage together collapsed. The giant star let out a tremendous shock wave that destroyed all of the planets in the system, and the Horijan Overlord awoke from its sleep.

The Horijan Overlord was hugely weakened, but still powerful. A new player has reemerged into the Megaversal game of dominance.

The Overlord that emerged will search out the remaining Horijan Overlords and free them, hoping to gain forces in order to begin anew their genocidal war against the Megaverse.

It was not widely known, but the gateway to the Shadow Dimension was not sealed, but rather blocked from the Horijan's side. They could not leave, but they could be summoned and people could enter their domain. This allows the Horijan Overlords to summon "common" Horijan at will, but if they return they won't be able to escape unless they are called.

The Horijan don’t particularly enjoy confronting their enemies unless they are of no threat. Overlords prefer to work in the background because every battle they engage in saps some of their energy. If they get embroiled in a large battle, they could be weakened to the point where they would have to hide for years or decades in order to recoup their losses. Just because they’re immortal doesn’t mean they’re patient.

The Horijan Overlords

Alignment: Diabolic, always!
Attributes: I.Q.: 3D6+10, M.A.: 5D6, M.E.: 5D6+10, P.S.: Special, P.P.: Special, P.E.: 5D6+10, P.B.: 4D6, Spd.: 3D6x10 running or up to 10 light years per hour in space.
M.D.C.: 1D4x1000 + P.P.E.
P.P.E.: 2D4x2000 + P.P.E. drained from other sources.
Horror Factor: 16 + P.P.E. divided by 100,000 if true nature is discovered
Natural Abilities:: Nightvision: The Horijan can see in total dark up to 2 miles with hawk-like vision.
Physical Strength: Their physical strength is based on the amount of P.P.E. they have stored. Their PS is equal to 5D10 plus their P.P.E. divided by 10,000 (rounding down). Strength is considered supernatural.
Physical Prowess: Their physical prowess is also based on the amount of P.P.E. that they have stored. Their PP is equal to 4D6 plus their P.P.E. divided by 10,000 (rounded down).
Lack of Regeneration: The Horijan have no natural healing or P.P.E. regeneration abilities. In order to heal themselves they have to expend an amount of P.P.E. equal to the amount to be healed. For example: To heal 2,000 M.D.C. of damage they must expend 2,000 P.P.E.. In addition, they do not regenerate P.P.E.. In fact, they lose P.P.E. every day. Horijan Overlords lose 100 P.P.E. per day just in bodily processes. In order to live they must consume P.P.E.. This is generally a fairly simple task. However in order to grow they must consume more and more P.P.E.. In addition all P.P.E. gained from sacrifices and Ley Lines / Nexuses is stored and can be used later.
Energy Resistance: Due to their exposure to stars, Horijan Overlords have incredible resistance to energy. All energy-based attacks do 1/50th damage.
Invulnerability to Fire: This means all types of fire, from a match to a sun! They take no damage whatsoever, including magical fire, plasma, and dragon fire!
Drain P.P.E.: This is the natural ability of the Horijan. To drain the P.P.E. from a person and absorb it into themselves. The Horijan can absorb P.P.E. equal to their Mental Endurance times 5 per melee round. To do this they must be touching their target and concentrate on draining their power. If a creature's total P.P.E. is drained in this way they fall into a coma for 1D4 days. The P.P.E. that is drained recovers at the normal rate.
Absorb Stars: The ultimate power of the Horijan Overlords is to devour stars and use their energy for the Horijan’s own purpose. The Horijan can convert the energy absorbed into P.P.E.. A star will provide between 1,000 and 100,000 P.P.E. (1D100x1,000). Yes, this seems like a lot, but the Horijan can only absorb P.P.E. equal to its Mental and Physical Endurance added together times 1,000 at once. If it absorbs more than that the Horijan is destroyed and releases an energy backlash that usually destroys the solar system. To prevent this from happening Horijan Overlords may work in teams in order to not be "overloaded". A Horijan can only absorb two stars per year.
Powers over Darkness: The Horijan have natural powers over darkness. They can cast the Shadow Meld and Summon Shadow Beast at no cost. They can also summon 2D4 Horijan every 24 hours.
Powers over Fire: The Horijan Overlords have developed significant powers over fire in order to survive the heat of stars. Horijan can cast the following spells at no cost: Fireball, Circle of Flames, Blinding Flash, Fire Bolt, and Fuel Flame. All of these spells do damage in Mega-Damage instead of S.D.C..
Mystic Bolts: The Horijan Overlords can fire bolts of mystic energy that do damage equal to the amount of P.P.E. expended. For example: A Horijan Overlord expends 200 P.P.E. and hits his target. The target takes 200 M.D.C.. Remember that for each point of P.P.E. spent, the Horijan will lose one point of M.D.C.

Combat Skills: Supernatural
Number of Attacks Per Melee: 8 physical / magical, or 1 Drain P.P.E. attack.
Combat Bonuses: +3 to strike, +4 to parry and dodge, +3 on all saving throws, and impervious to horror factor.
Magic Knowledge: None other than natural abilities.
Skills: Generally not applicable. Assume they have a 75% chance to succeed in most things.
Habitat: Scattered throughout the Megaverse, however there are only 25 that survived their imprisonment.
Enemies: Anyone with half a brain.
Allies: None! Only their servants: Shadow Beasts, Common Horijan, and other creatures of the Shadow Dimension (These creatures do not serve out of choice, but are forced into serving the Overlords of the Horijan).
Size: About 8 feet tall.
Weight: About 450 pounds.
Appearance: Humanoids with coal black eyes and crescent moon pupils. They average about 8 feet tall and 450 pounds. Their skin is pale white and they have tattered leather wings extending from their back. They generally dress in pitch-black robes that are enchanted to offer protection.

The "Common Horijan"

The Common Horijan were the Horijan that did not evolve, so they could be considered the monkeys of Horijan-kind. They are still powerful in their own right, but not nearly as powerful as the Horijan Overlords are. They are confined to their Shadow Dimension except when they are summoned by Horijan Overlords. Only then can they leave and wreak havoc on the Megaverse.

Alignment: Always Diabolic!
Attributes: I.Q.: 3D6, M.A.: 4D6, M.E.: 5D6, P.S.: 5D8, P.P.: 3D6+3, P.E.: 5D6, P.B.: 4D6, Spd.: 2D8x10 running or up to 7 light years per hour in space
M.D.C.: 3D12x100 + one quarter of P.P.E.
P.P.E.: 2D4x1000 + P.P.E. drained from other sources
Horror Factor: 14
Natural Abilities:: Nightvision: The Horijan can see in total dark up to 2 miles with hawk-like vision.
Lack of Regeneration: The Horijan have no natural healing or P.P.E. regeneration abilities. In order to heal themselves they have to expend an amount of P.P.E. equal to the amount to be healed. In addition they do not regenerate P.P.E.. They in fact lose 30 P.P.E. per day just by basic bodily processes. In order to live they must consume P.P.E.. This is generally a fairly simple task. However in order to grow they must consume more and more P.P.E.. In addition all P.P.E. gained from sacrifices and Ley Lines / Nexuses is stored and can be used later.
Energy Resistance: The Common Horijan are resistant to energy due to exposure to cosmic anomalies in their Shadow Dimension. All energy-based attacks do 1/2 damage.
Invulnerability to Fire: This means that they are invulnerable to all types of fire, whether it be a match, a plasma-ejector, or a star. This also includes magic fires such as the spell Fireball and Dragon fire.
Drain P.P.E.: This is the natural ability of the Horijan. To drain the P.P.E. from a person and absorb it into themselves. The Horijan can absorb P.P.E. equal to their Mental Endurance times 5 per melee round. To do this they must be touching their target and concentrate on draining their power. If a creature's total P.P.E. is drained in this way they fall into a coma for 1D4 days. The P.P.E. that is drained recovers at the normal rate.
Powers over Darkness: The Horijan have natural powers over darkness. They can cast Shadow Meld and Summon Shadow Beast at no cost.
Mystic Bolts: The Horijan can fire bolts of mystic energy that do damage equal to one half of the P.P.E. expended. For example: A Horijan expends 200 P.P.E. and hits his target for 100 MD. Use physical prowess bonuses (if any) to strike.

Combat Skills: Supernatural
Number of Attacks Per Melee: 6 Physical / magical, or 1 Drain P.P.E. attack.
Combat Bonuses: +2 to strike, +3 to parry and dodge, +1 on all saving throws.
Magic Knowledge: None other than natural abilities.
Skills: Generally not applicable. Assume they have a 50% chance to succeed in most things. If they can't do it themselves they will get someone else to do it.
Habitat: Imprisoned in the Shadow Dimension and in service throughout the Megaverse.
Enemies: Anyone with half a brain.
Allies: None! The Horijan Overlords don't count because they are their masters, not allies.
Size: About 6 feet tall
Weight: About 350 pounds
Appearance: Humanoids with coal black eyes, pale white skin and tattered leather wings extending from their back. Their wings are smaller than the Horijan Overlords’ are, however. They usually dress in pitch-black robes in imitation of their master's. However they are not as powerful armor.
Note: It is possible for a common Horijan to become a Horijan Overlord! The main difference is that the evolution is brought about by the exposure to the powerful magics that the Horijan Overlords wield. If a common Horijan could find out how to absorb a star, they would be transformed into a Horijan Overlord! However no Overlord will ever let a common Horijan learn. They will kill them first.

Artifacts of the Horijan

Tooairee Robes
The Tooairee (pronounced too-air-ee) Robes of the Horijan are actually enchanted cloth that serve as armor. The amount of protection that they offer generally fluctuates from Horijan to Horijan, depending on their power. The robes allow them to fly at a speed of Mach 7 in the atmosphere, and allow them to escape the gravitational pull of a planet and make it into orbit. Note: They cannot escape a planet's orbit on their own, they must use these robes or some other means!
M.D.C.: Generally between 1,000 and 6,000 M.D.C. (1D6x1000 M.D.C.)
Weight: Virtually weightless

Black Bone Staff
This is the traditional staff of the Horijan Overlords. They were originally fashioned from the souls of multiple Shadow Beasts, but of late the Horijan Overlords have began making them out of Common Horijan. This staff amplifies the power of the Horijan Overlords by increasing the power of their mystic blasts and fire powers by 50%! This means that if a Horijan Overlord fires a mystic bolt using 100 P.P.E., it does 150 MD! The staves are black in color and have a curious crystal attached to the top that is a magical combination of diamond, fire opal, and Obsidian. These staves are only used by Horijan Overlords and the most powerful of the Common Horijan.