Tenkyoshin

The Tenkyoshin, also known as the Deities, are a race of celestial beings with the power to create, wield and manipulate advanced types of Prana. Due to their innate connection to Prana, which underpins all of reality, Tenkyoshin are regarded as the 'primary' species of the universe.

## Homeworld

All Tenkyoshin are born on their home planet, simply referred to as the Heavenly World. This planet is a dimensional anomaly, existing at the intersection of all realities and timelines. The planet is immeasurably large, and has a nigh-infinite supply of Type-IV Prana flowing through it in the form of rivers, streams and waterfalls. The planet is enveloped in an indestructible barrier composed of Type-I Prana, and cannot be accessed through normal means, even by the Tenkyoshin that came from it. Once born, Tenkyoshin typically reside on their home world for several millennia to feed on the Prana streams and develop their powers. Once they manifest Type-III (Elemental) Prana, a Tenkyoshin will depart through a one-way Rift, transporting them into what is known as the 'Outerworld': i.e. the observable universe. From here, the Tenkyoshin will seek out worlds inhabited by mortals in an effort to create amass followers via the Soul Pact mechanism to gain more Prana, beginning their slow advancement up the ranks of divinity.

However, some Tenkyoshin choose to remain on their home world even after manifesting elemental powers. This can be due to multiple reasons including fear of the outside world, a lack of drive, and simply being contented with their surroundings. The home world represents a safe haven for the species as no external beings can enter, allowing them to enjoy a simple and eternal life. However, the effect of Type-IV Prana on a deity's development has rapidly diminishing returns. As such, the Heavenly World is populated entirely by Lesser Deities. Nonetheless, despite their equal evolution stage, these Tenkyoshin range broadly in terms of strength and intelligence as a function of their environment and the amount of Prana they have consumed, and as such have developed complex societies just like those that exist in the outside world.

## Birth

Tenkyoshin are not conceived in the natural sense. Rather, they originate from the accumulation of Type-IV Prana in an environment with perfect spiritual equilibrium. This requires that all Pranas, emotions and other metaphysical notions are perfectly balanced and neutral. The Heavenly World is the only known place where this equilibrium permanently exists, although these conditions have been simulated at various points in time across the various realities, resulting in the 'hatching' of Tenkyoshin outside of the Heavenly World - for example, in temples and laboratories. However, newly-born Tenkyoshin are extremely fragile, and all externally-born specimens died shortly after birth due to environmental disturbances caused by the researchers or monks that created them.

Tenkyoshin are born in a purple 'blob'-like state. After birth, Tenkyoshin instinctively gravitate towards reserves of Type-IV Prana. These reserves include rivers, streams, lakes, fruit and even puddles. Once they reach the supply of Prana, they will begin the slow process of assimilating it into their bodies, causing them to grow in size and gradually manifest physical features that allow them to move, communicate and gain sentience.

Prana is generally expressed in Quanta. An average fruit from a Prana Tree contains approximately 1 Quanta, and is the basis of measurement. Prana that exists in a fluid state, such as in streams or puddles, is much more abundant but slower to absorb.

Once a Tenkyoshin has consumed one thousand Quanta, it will metamorphose from its newborn stage into a bipedal intermediate stage known as the "Lesser Form".

## Lesser Form

The Lesser Form is the highest state attainable by Tenkyoshin that reside on their home world. At this stage, Tenkyoshin will have evolved into bipedal creatures somewhat reminiscent of humans. These Tenkyoshin stand at over 3 metres tall and possess superhuman intelligence, speed, strength, stamina and durability. Furthermore, they do not age, possess extremely rapid healing and simple shapeshifting, and are immune to any forms of disease that might exist elsewhere in the universe. Tenkyoshin can continue to consume Prana reserves to grow larger, more powerful and more intelligent, but the amount of growth from each Quanta diminishes rapidly. The largest known Lesser Tenkyoshin, Hakutaku, has consumed over a million times as much as a newborn, but is only about ten times larger and stronger than a newborn would be, standing at 30 metres tall.

The physical form of a Lesser Tenkyoshin depends on its personality, which, like all species, it gradually develops over its lifetime. Although Lesser Tenkyoshin can alter their appearance, they possess the same basic features as a human body except for a lack of reproductive organs and the possibility of altered extremities, such as being hairless or covered in fur, having claws, different numbers of fingers and so on.

Apart from their formidable physical and mental traits, and the ability to mutate into more powerful beings, Lesser Tenkyoshin possess no supernatural abilities. Upon reaching this stage, Tenkyoshin decide whether or not to leave their home world in the pursuit of more strength. Tenkyoshin that choose to stay behind are known as 'Pacifists', while those that leave are called "Marauders".

If a Tenkyoshin chooses to leave, they do so via one of several Rifts scattered across the Heavenly World. These Rifts are sacred, and due to the size of the planet take several decades to reach from the nearest Prana system, where Tenkyoshin normally congregate.