Tengu

**Tengu** are a race of Japanese creatures that can either be good or evil.

## **Characteristics**

The *Konjaku Monogatarishū*, a collection of stories published in the late Heian period, contains some of the earliest tales of the Tengu, already characterized as they would be for centuries to come. The Tengu are the troublesome opponents of religion, who mislead the pious with false images, carry off priests and drop them in remote places, possess women in an attempt to seduce holy men, rob temples, and endow those who follow them with unholy power. They often disguise themselves as priests or nuns, but their true form seems to be that of a kite.

By the 13th century, Tengus began to abduct young boys as well as the priests they had always targeted. The boys were often returned, while the priests would be found tied to the tops of trees or other high places. All of a Tengu's victims, however, would come back in a state of near death or madness, sometimes after having been tricked into eating animal dung.

## **Types of Tengu Offshoots**

There are four different offshoots of Tengu, each kind are usually characterized by where they live, their power levels, and if they are good or evil.

### Konohatengu

Konohatengu, are the weakest offshoot of Tengu who have not yet accumulated much supernatural power, usually depicted in a primal and mostly primitive form.

### Kotengu

Kotengu behave more like wild birds than like people. They usually live solitary lives, but occasionally work together. Kotengu have very little respect for humans. They feast on human flesh, and commit rape, torture, kidnap and murder just for fun. They abduct people and drop them from great heights deep into the woods; or tie children to the tops of trees so all can hear their screams but none can reach them to help.

### Kawatengu

A kind of Tengu that prefers to live near rivers. Apparently they are shy and rarely seen. They are rather mischievous and are known to create fireballs and annoy fishermen in the Tokyo area.

### Daitengu

Daitenguare the most powerful offshoot of Tengu. Daitengu live solitary lives on remote mountaintops, far removed from humanity. Their time is spent in thought, meditation, and perfecting themselves. They can also be just as savage and unpredictable when angered, making them potentially much more dangerous. However, they also possess more self-restraint, and some of them are occasionally willing to give aid to worthy humans.

## **Powers and Abilities**

* **Super Strength**- Tengu are very powerful in terms of physical strength, they can easily rip apart humans, break bones, and carry full grown humans for long distances and place them on top of trees.
* **Super Senses**- Similar to real birds of prey, Tengus have incredible vision, being around four to eight times more powerful than a human's eyesight.
* **Super Agility**- While in mid-flight, they have enhanced dexterity and reflexes, able to quickly turn on a dime and preform incredible dives.
* **Super Stamina**- A Tengu is able to carry full grown adult humans while flying and carry them long distances while not feeling fatigued.
* **Advanced Invulnerability** - Tengus can only be killed by each other, divine weaponry, or by gods.
* **Flight**- With their powerful wings, they are able to take flight.

### Type Specific Powers

* **Pyrokinesis**- The Kawatengu are able to create balls of fire. These fireballs are presumably harmless.
* **Weather Manipulation**- The Daitengu can create strong sudden blasts of wind which is strong enough to cause significant damage to buildings.
* **Possession** **-** Daitengus and Kotengus can possess humans, the Kotengus usually use this power to possess beautiful women to seduce priests and corrupt them.

## **Weaknesses**

* **Deities**- Gods can effortlessly kill any Tengu.
* **Divine Weaponry** - A weapon of a god can destroy Tengus.
* **Each Other** - Tengus can kill each other.