Historypart2

   Years would pass and the Shih spread throughout china. They grew in numbers and knowledge, learning the ways of the shen in all their varieties. They developed ways to see shen in their true forms and through their magics, ways to make prayers become living magics to aid them and honed their bodies into near perfect weapons.

   During his travels Yi met and came to love a woman, a hsien (or at least legends hint she was) who taught him to view shen in terms of being individuals. Some being evil, while others good as any mortal he could encounter. The shen have her to thank for turning the shih into more than destroyers. Yi married the woman, who bore him several children. They would all in time follow their father in becoming Shih.

   In this new wisdom, Yi decided to learn to judge the shen he encountered, only dealing harshly with those who overstepped their duties under heaven or those who threatened all near them. This justice, in time would extend to mortal man as well: for we can be as monstrous as any shen. Then one day the heavens shuddered as the kuei-jin betrayed their place in the way of things and allied themselves with the Yama kings.

   In an attempt at godhood, the kuei-jin had the Yama Kings set 10 suns in the sky. At the time they took this action Yi had discovered the slaughter of his family by the shen in retaliation for his father finally defying them and had been gripped with madness born in grief. Yi lashed out with all the power at his disposal slaying all shen in his path, mercilessly.

   Kung Kung, the great dragon of heaven, had taken notice of Yi as the Shih master lay waste to shen after shen in blind rage. He left his perch in the heavens themselves to attempt to do what no other creature under heaven could. he flew to the vengeful Shih calling him to speak. Even Yi had to pause to hear the words of the dragon who once nearly toppled the pillars of heaven.The two met and spoke for hours, with Kung Kung eventually lifting Yi into the heavens with him. Together they flew high into the sky, Yi using his bow struck down the 9 false suns and cursed the Kuei-jin for their actions, each bolt fired carrying a curse to both the Kuei-jin and the Yama kings.

   The battle took its toll on Yi, draining him . He lived only long enough to see his homeland free of the Shen and his children at peace. With this done, the magnificent archer went to join his ancestors in peace.

   Over the next centuries the Shih would grow, forming a great army dedicated to destroying the shen. However, this arrogance was an affront to heaven and the wise Shih walked away. Those that remained in this great Celestial Army were destroyed in a great cataclysm, which wiped out their base in the Kun Lun Mountains.

   Today, with only a few exceptions, you will find only a solitary Shih or two, wandering, perhaps appearing destitute or homeless.Rare are the remains of the great houses. A few Shih can be found perhaps hidden elsewhere in society or in temples, but they rarely draw attention to themselves. They seek to carry out the hunt as Yi intended. Judging, helping and carrying out heavens will for all.