Hello Shardstriders,

I've got another preview today, this time from our next shard section coming on Tuesday - Four Colors. This spins the World of Scion into a four color comic book universe. Following up on yesterday's fiction, I'll share some of the iconic characters from this version of The World.

Before we get into that, a few quick updates for our campaign. We have indeed unlocked our first dice set Stretch Goal and are well on our way to the unlocking another!

ACHIEVED! - At $33,000 in Funding - NEW ADD ON - AFTER THE END-THEMED DICE SET - A dice set selected to represent After The End will be offered as an option Add On to all backers pledging to a reward tier that includes a hardcover copy of Scion: Mythic Shards. A drawstring bag with ten 10-sided dice in After the End colors can be added to your pledge for +$20 each.

At $34,000 in Funding - NEW ADD ON - CYBER-SCION-THEMED DICE SET - A dice set selected to represent
Cyber-Scion will be offered as an option Add On to all backers pledging to a reward tier that includes a hardcover copy of Scion: Mythic Shards. A drawstring bag with ten 10-sided dice in Cyber-Scion colors can be added to your pledge for +$20 each.

After those two goals, we're on our way to expand our Mythic Shards book by adding a sixth shard to twist your Scion game.

At $35,000 in Funding - ADDITIONAL MYTHIC SHARD - A sixth Mythic Shard setting for Scion second edition will be added to the Scion: Mythic Shards PDF and hardcover book. The theme for this additional Shard will be decided by Backer vote!

That's right! If we manage to achieve $35,000 in Funding, the developers and writers will come up with a SIXTH SHARD to add to the Scion: Mythic Shards book. The theme of the new shard will be decided with a Backer Poll. 
Your options for a new shard, should we achieve this Stretch Goal target:

The poll for backers to vote on their favorite will run until NOON Eastern Time the DAY AFTER we achieve this Stretch Goal. Again, we'll be voting now, but this shard will only be added to the development list and added to the eventual Scion: Mythic Shards book if we unlock this Stretch Goal at $35,000 in Funding!

Finally, before I get to today's Four Colors preview, I've got a couple of links to share to learn more about Mythic Shards and the work that's gone into creating this book. While Hiromi was out sourcing dice to build our Stretch Goals, co-developer Kim Godwin sat down with the folks at The Old Ways Podcast for an in-depth interview, which is available to listen to at https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/32320657

In addition, Kim is also Eddy’s guest on the latest episode of the  Onyx Pathcast, availble <here> so take a listen as they talk about the book, as well as Kim’s excellent, ever-growing, body of work with Onyx Path!

Finally, for a sneak-peak at the final Shard coming in just over 10 days, check out Awkward GM Corbin‘s vid as he takes a look at the Space Odyssey Shard, available here: https://youtu.be/aOdSb74Hh8I?si=SBPy-8upvnAXJ22V

Comic books emerged in the early 20th century and gradually changed much of literature, so much so that many academics have written of them as contemporary reinterpretations of ancient myths and legends. Starting as tales of masked crime-fighters, as time went on, parallels between comic book protagonists and ancient heroes like Hercules became clearer, gradually shifting the landscape of comic books. Soon, more contemporary eras of modern heroes emerged, which were quickly dubbed “The Golden Age of Superheroes.”

Four Colors situates the world of Scion within the Golden and Silver Age of comic books. The first half of this chapter is equally appropriate for players and Storyguides, providing useful information on creating the uniquely vibrant tone of this era of superhero stories with a mythical Scion twist. Players will also find various new game options set within the world of Four Colors.

The Society of Justice carries on in the shadow of the departure of one of its founding members, Major Thunder through a dimensional rift. Society superheroes emerge from many walks of life and stand together unified to protect humanity. 

Eric Donner grew up as an orphan on the streets of the Bronx, New York with no inkling of what fate held in store for him. By his early 20s, he worked hard, finding a part-time job, and scraping together enough to rent a small apartment —he believed he could accomplish more. He joined the Marine Corps propelling him to the Western Front of the Great War. At the height of the Battle of Belleau Wood, Donner discovered a shard of Mjolnir in the ruins of Eglise Saint-Etienne de Belleau. Desperate for his friends and forces to survive the bloody conflict, he felt something calling him. He reached out and grasped the current of power that answered his prayers and fused with the divine power of Thor.

His marines stood in awe of their officer surging with the power of the storm and dubbed him, Captain Lightning. When the Marine Corps command heard of one of their own walking as a superhero, they hoped he’d stand shoulder to shoulder with Major Thunder to defend the American way on the world stage.

But Captain Lightning learned from what he and men like him experienced in the trenches. He saw where the games of mutually assured destruction led and it didn’t interest him to keep playing, nor did being a political pawn. Donner truly believed in the ideals he stood for; truth and liberty, not merely paying them lip-service. No sooner had he been unveiled, with much fanfare, as America’s protector alongside Major Thunder than he renounced the idea of acting as a threat to ideological rivals. Captain Lightning instead began working to better the lives of American citizens. For years he fought to crush human trafficking rings, free cities from the grips of organized crime, expose corruption and white collar crooks. As more super-villains emerged, he garnered his own wealth of enemies including the sinister Doctor Arcturus.

Donnie Rhodes inherited his divine nature by birth, from his mother Aphrodite of the Theoi pantheon. Rhodes never doubted his nature to be anything other than a Scion, and since emerging into his power he’s come to relish every moment of it. Aphrodite made no secret of her identity, revealing herself to Rhodes on her son’s seventeenth birthday and telling him all of what it meant to be the child of a Goddess of sexuality, desire, and prosperity. However, in Donnie, the power of his mother’s sexual nature manifested as a deep-set compassionate love for all humanity.

By the time Rhodes adapted to his newfound potential, the first of the World’s superheroes began to emerge. Although Rhodes had already begun to use his abilities to aid others, he did so without adopting a secret identity as a superhero. Aphrodite had taken care to ensure her child had a sizeable inheritance, one which Rhodes used to foster social care and progressive systems throughout Inner Metro City. Rhodes adopted the persona of Silverheart only after he realized the identity could serve as an ambassadorial brand, growing the reach his philanthropy possessed.

His biggest achievement, though, was his role in forming the Society of Justice. Acting as the group’s bankroller, Rhodes utilizes his super-human levels of appeal, charm, and fortune to help guide the Society, navigating the rigors of public appeal and media. Despite the enormous accomplishment of not only forming the world’s first superhero team but acting as their frontman, Rhodes hides a wish that his heritage had granted him greater physical feats as well; wishing that he could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Captain Lightning in defending the weak and powerless. Silverheart always doubts himself, even in battle, to the point where his lack of confidence is his greatest weakness; one which he constantly struggles to overcome.

Yukiko Kuromizu was always an energetic child. Ambitious and competitive, she was perpetually driven to win and wasn’t afraid of considerable odds. She’s the seventh child in her family — something her parents believed to be good fortune, and her winning streaks at high school sports was proof of that. Her first job saw her train as a firefighter, believing she could turn her natural gifts to good use. After years of duty, she had saved many, earned the gratitude of hundreds, and drew the attention of Susano-o, Kami of the sea and storms, who found her a worthy avatar for his might.

As one of those who were chosen to be gifted her powers, Yukiko had already shown her worth. Her patron’s divine essence manifested in an ability to grasp and manipulate the forces of acceleration, propelling her at considerable speeds. With this, she could help more people than she could ever imagine; and soon garnered recognition as one of Inner Metro City’s guardians. Her reputation soon preceded her as a hero who’d help anyone no matter how big or small the issue, from stopping armed gunmen to rescuing cats stuck in trees, and always willing to stick around to give a reassuring smile before rushing off to the next job.

However, Jetwire’s newfound abilities also landed her in more than her fair share of trouble as well. Perpetually over-confident, she’s unwilling to let any slight or offense slide, no matter if it’s from mortal or God. She’s already earned a reputation as an upstart troublemaker among numerous pantheons due to her tendency to give aloof, arrogant deities a stern down-to-earth talking-to. Not even her own patron Susano-o is free from her lectures on the importance of moral values. He’s quite willing to put up with her outspokenness — as far as he’s concerned, Jetwire has barely begun to scratch the surface of the powers he’s granted her.

Nán Fāng Zhū Què died during Apep’s rise to power centuries ago, devoured by the Annihilator who feasted on his rival’s power. But Gods are resilient and don’t perish easily, and even though Nán Fāng Zhū Què was utterly cannibalized, a flickering of her divine nature survived. Forming into an ephemeral, celestial soul-egg, the remnants of Nán Fāng Zhū Què gathered, lingering in slumber until her strength and consciousness coalesced firmly enough to facilitate her rebirth.

Her spirit dwelled in a long-buried tomb until, in 1908, it was uncovered by an eminent archeologist and Scion of Heru, Horace Farrow. Farrow had already garnered a reputation for recovering valuable artifacts for the Boston University’s Gabel Museum of Archaeology. Locating the fallen God’s temple in Yunnan, Farrow led an expedition on behalf of Boston University to “chart China’s unwritten history”. In the inner sanctum, Farrow located a sealed chamber which housed the God’s soul-egg. Believing the relic to a treasure, the Scion placed his hands upon it and was imbued with the Phoenix God’s lingering essence. Indwelled by Nán Fāng Zhū Què, Horace Farrow now acts as a host for the phoenix’s ancient personality.

Since then, Farrow has been the site of a — mostly — internal battle between the Egyptian God Heru and the Vermillion Bird. While Heru only rarely speaks to Farrow, the God’s voice is clear and loud, making his wishes known. Meanwhile, Nán Fāng Zhū Què dwells within Farrow, tempting and steering him in ways that even he is not fully aware of. When the professor maintains full control, he’s able to tap into the benefits of the phoenix, providing him with exceptional powers: flight, mastery of fire, eternal youth, and healing. But this comes with a cost, as Nán Fāng Zhū Què is not always content to play a backseat role. Usually, she limits her interaction with Farrow to manifesting herself as a guiding voice which only he can hear; but at times, the phoenix rises to become her host’s dominant personality, taking control. Unlike Farrow, Nán Fāng Zhū Què is reckless; she has lived without physical sensation for centuries and takes full advantage to indulge in the best life has to offer whenever she’s in control, much to Farrow’s chagrin.

Brigitte de la Croix is twice blessed and twice cursed, for her father is Baron Samedi, but her maternal grandfather is Apep the Annihilator; every choice she makes risks upsetting a powerful God. Her well-dressed father steers her towards unabashed hedonism and reveling in life’s gifts, while her world-devouring grandpapa pushes her along the road to violent overthrow of the world order. For years, she tried walking on eggshells, avoiding overt choices that might put her in the Gods’ bad graces. But Apep eventually swayed her to his side, grooming her to become one of his chief lieutenants. She inherited many of his powers: control of shadows, telepathy, a deep understanding of the occult and magicks, the means to control the minds of others, and the ability to transform into the form of a serpent.

For several years, Lady Grim was Apep’s dark harbinger, working diligently to further his goals by spreading chaos and destruction. She clashed many times with the Society of Justice, earning herself a place among their rogue’s gallery as one of their deadliest foes. Her own schemes were often far less brutal than Apep’s own, however; using her powers to turn Inner Metro City into a palace dedicated to herself and controlling the minds of the population to loyally serve her. In truth, Brigitte simply didn’t share Apep’s thirst for destruction, and began to see more merit in her father’s love of life. After all, if her father found so much to love about life that he sought to enjoy every drop of it, why should she destroy it? The Society of Justice were not unaware of this, coming to see Lady Grim less of a foe and more a potential ally if she could be shown the error of Apep’s ways. 

Ultimately it was Silverheart who convinced la Croix to turn her back on her grandfather’s evil schemes. Since then, Lady Grim has put her villainous ways behind her. Initially she wished nothing to do with superheroes, but over time (and with the aid of Silverheart and other allies) she came to recognize the importance of using her powers for good. Now she fights alongside the Society of Justice as one of their core members, much to the aggravation of her grandfather.