I’jin is one of the nine trickster gods of Omu, represented by an almiraj (a horned rabbit). She is a chaotic neutral deity characterized by fickleness, unpredictability, and constantly changing course.
Legend and Origins
According to Omuan legend, I’jin was a wily almiraj who helped Obo’laka the zorbo attempt to cook a stew of the Omuans’ good qualities for the god Ubtao. However, I’jin snuck recklessness into the pot (viewing it as a virtue), which caused Ubtao to spit out the stew. This betrayal made I’jin and Obo’laka eternal enemies. I’jin taught her followers to live unpredictable lives, always changing course and never sticking to a plan.
Shrine in Omu
I’jin’s shrine stands in the ruined city of Omu, flanked by cracked monoliths. The entrance doors feature relief carvings showing I’jin (a horned rabbit) charging Obo’laka (a small bear with sharp claws). An Old Omuan inscription above the doors reads: “I’jin teaches us to take the path least expected.”
The shrine contains one of nine puzzle cubes required to enter the Tomb of the Nine Gods. An actual almiraj lives in a burrow beneath the courtyard.
In the Tomb
I’jin’s Tomb (Area 35)
I’jin’s tomb is located on level 3 of the Tomb of the Nine Gods, accessible through a complex puzzle. The chamber features:
- A gold-inlaid funeral barge atop a stone dais
- A small golden sarcophagus (worth 7,500 gp) decorated with horned rabbits
- Four stone sphinx statues in the corners that conjure swarms of locusts if floor tiles are stepped on incorrectly
- A hieroglyphic floor puzzle requiring characters to step on eight specific tiles in sequence: vulture, serpent, door, reed, scarab, scepter, foot, and urn
The entrance is guarded by a stone block featuring a jackal-headed painting and a hidden dial mechanism that reveals the correct tile sequence.
I’jin’s Spirit and Powers
Inside the sarcophagus are I’jin’s fragile bones and her spiral horn, which functions as a wand of wonder. When a character touches the horn, I’jin’s spirit attempts to inhabit them, manifesting as streamers of light forming a spectral horned rabbit. A female voice whispers: “Quick, quick, let me in! We must stop Acererak!”
Spirit Inhabitation Effects:
- Flaw: “I never stick to a plan”
- Power: The host’s Dexterity score becomes 23 (unless already higher)
- Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
Spirit Behavior
When inhabiting a character, I’jin offers unpredictable and often impulsive advice:
- Urges pulling levers to see what happens
- Wants to ride dangerous constructs like the golden mastodon
- Encourages investigation of mysterious mist gates
- Changes her favorite color frequently (suggesting purple-tiled paths one moment, gold the next)
- Generally advocates for spontaneous, unplanned action
Relationships
- Enemy: Obo’laka the Zorbo (due to the ruined stew incident)
- Opposite: As a chaotic neutral deity, I’jin opposes Obo’laka’s lawful neutral nature in the puzzle configurations
Puzzle Configuration
In the tomb’s entrance puzzle, I’jin’s cube must be placed opposite Obo’laka’s cube on the 3x3 grid, with Unkh positioned between them as the neutral mediator.
Treasure
The horn-shaped wand of wonder normally turns to dust if it leaves the Tomb of the Nine Gods, but may persist if the player exceptionally roleplays I’jin’s flaw while attuned to it.