A Brief (Ancient) History

Eighteen days define the memories of the Shivastra. It was eighteen days of war between the greatest heroes of an era, where he was a simple soldier who eventually earned his place among the great names through his feats on the battlefield. In his final conflict against the great hero Arjuna, he earned the title of the Shivastra, favoured of the Parameshwara.

The Shivastra is a legend straight from ancient history, pulled to the current day and age by a powerful ritual in order to fight for the summoner. The legend of the Shivastra is drawn from a lesser known offshoot poem to the Mahābhārata, titled the Cēharāvihīna Arcara (The Faceless Archer). It vaguely covers the adventurous life of the young Subala Malik, a boy who was born with a natural talent for archery. From when he first displays his prowess by shooting a thieving bird out of the air to the instant of his death at the hands of Arjuna on the 18th day of the Kurukshetra War, exact dates and numbers are sparse making placement of when it all occurred and the Subala's exact age very difficult to tell. However, if it is anything like the Mahābhārata then it could have taken place anywhere between 6000 and 500 BCE.

The tale mentions the many wondrous exploits of Subala and his allies, the first half of it being mostly episodic and about combating various Rakshasa including Kumbhakarna the Colossus, brother of Ravana. In the second half, Subala finds himself fighting along side the Kauravas in the Kurukshetra War, dealing with both the lead up and the 18 days of conflict. During this time, he did not once take off his golden helmet in fear of ridicule for his youth. Alongside his impressive skills with a bow, he earned himself the nickname of 'Faceless Archer', after which the poem is named.

Personality

The poem mentions how Subala is a kind, hopeful youth with an energetic streak. Indeed, upon meeting the Shivastra in the flesh the poem would prove accurate in its assessment of Subala, who seems eager to try and listen to others and help with their problems, be it a town being tormented by a monster or a cat stuck in a tree. Even when brutalities of war made themselves evident to Subala, he never thought less of humanity, believing that all people and beings are capable of and kindness and penance for those who have commit evil deeds. To him, all they require is someone to listen to them and then try and guide them down the right path. Of course, while this is what he believes no matter the case, he has unfortunately had to kill in his lifetime, and the poem even makes note of the large number of deaths he was responsible for during the war. Being overly serious is not in Subala's purview, and anything that manages to make him uncharacteristically serious is probably deserving of it and then some.

Subala's approach to life is a rather impractical one, but it's one that makes him happy. He tries to save everyone, often putting himself at risk to do so. He has suffered for this suicidal selflessness, his upper body a mess of marks from times where he has 'saved' people, using his own body as a shield. After all, there's nothing wrong with the thought of wanting to save people. In line with this, he is a strong believer in honour and fair fights, a philosophy which came to him naturally but was finally taught to him when in the Kauravas army.

Powers

As a Guardian Spirit, all of Subala's power is drawn from the legend attached to his names. He may not have been so powerful in life, but as he is now no normal human would be able to stand up to him.

Skills

These reflect the feats of a Guardian Spirit in life, and their legend.

Eyes of the Fleeing Bird - Subala was certain, the thief had to have been miles away, but a dark speck in the distance carrying away what belonged to another. Undeterred, he drew back the bow string, eyes wide. His arrow flew.

The Shivastra has the eyes of an eagle and then some. From atop a sky scraper, he can pick out individuals in a below crowd with ease. This power finds its base in when Subala completed his first 'heroic' feat by shooting a bird from the sky many miles away, using only his eyes as a gauge. This ability also grants him sight of the unseen, such as spirits and the like.

Like Indra - The Faceless Archer moved from point to point, like Indra with a thunderclap and a flash of lightning, already setting up his next shot to launch into the panicking column of Pandavas' soldiers.

The Shivastra can move from distance to distance by calling upon Indra's lightning. While the line this ability is based in may merely mean 'he moved quickly', the magic of summoning Guardian Spirits has turned it into something much more.

Battle Continuation - Precious blood poured from the Faceless Archer's body, Lord Arjuna's great arrows porcupine him in all the points which should have killed him. He lived, none the less. The Faceless Archer drew one more glowing arrow from Suraja Camaka, steeling himself for the last shot.

A deadly strike which may otherwise render the Shivastra incapable of fighting will not effect him greatly, and allow him to go on fighting unless a decisive killing blow is made on him.

Will of the Universal Destroyer - Lord Arjuna and his disciple Satyaki looked down at the body of the fallen archer, face still hidden behind his helmet. Around them, the aftermath of the battle, bodies surrounding their feet and landscape ruined. For the eighteen days, they had encountered this archer again and again, and now they recognised him. No soldier could torment them in a manner which he had, but a herald of the Parameshwara...the Shivastra, could.

At his base, the Shivastra's strength and endurance are ranked at a C in Guardian Spirit terms (already above the standard human), but this skill allows for those parameters to rise to near herculean lengths under certain conditions. The conditions are vague, but can be summarised as 'fight a foe far greater than yourself' such as Lord Arjuna.

Techniques & Equipment

Specific attacks and equipment that is associated with the Guardian Spirits legend.

Suraja Camaka - Also known as the Bow of the Suns Glare, it was given to Subala on the third day of the war by Karna, son of the sun god, as a reward for directly aiding him in battle. The bow has a string made of some form of energy, and requires no quiver or arrows. The wielder need only 'will' an arrow into their free hand, and an arrow made of the same stuff the bowstring is will appear. It is a supposedly invincible weapon and capable of fending off swords.

Alaga & Karana - The Blades of Unbinding were granted to Subala by an old witch during the time prior to the war, which he used to defend her abode from a Rakshasa who sought to consume her. They are known to be effective against creatures of evil and monsters, and so when used by Subala as a Guardian Spirit they have the Monster Killing trait ingrained upon them. Any blow to something considered a 'monster' by the user is far more damaging and painful then it would be without the trait.

The Shivastra: O Shiva, Destroy Me - The true form of the Shivastra. Subala surrenders all the power gifted to him by the god Shiva and is granted a unique arrow with devastating capabilities. While the arrow is materialised, Subala is greatly weakened.