Aged Genghis

Origin

Shortly after the dawn of humanity, Aged Genghis made a pact with forces beyond the Earthly sphere (presumably the Vishanti) In return for knowledge, he agreed to bring together the world’s greatest mystics once every hundred years. He would then preside over a contest of sorcery which would sorely test their skills, and would determine and acknowledge one among them as Sorcerer Supreme. He performed his duty, conducting the contest for countless millennium. Centuries ago, he came to dwell in a cavern in Tibet. Watched over by a devoted servants, his original name was lost to the eons, and he became known as the Aged Genghis. The mind of the Genghis was long ago consumed by the mystic forces which swirl about our reality. His sanity is only restored for the duration of the contest of the sorcerer supreme. He is supposedly overwhelmed to the point of madness by the infinite knowledge and the secrets of the cosmos.

Creation

Aged Genghis was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko

Major Story Arcs

Most of his history long since forgotten Aged Genghis is a mad ancient master of the mystic arts and the arcane.

Aged Genghis was approached by many travelers seeking a mystic tutor. Presumably, he turned away all or at least the majority of them. He was even approach by Victor von Doom after being scarred by the explosion during his failed attempt to access the Netherworld. The senile mystic acknowledged that he knew Doom had come to him seeking to learn the ways of sorcery, but told him he would not be his guru, and that he should look elsewhere. Irate Doom grabbed him and hurled him against a wall, stating his past experience and insisting that he help him. Continuing to refuse to teach, Genghis referred him to an order of holy men in high Tibet, from whom he would find his destiny. Genghis then directed him to the group that would become known as the Monks of Doom.

Early the next morning, Dr. Strange–on his way back to the America at the direction of his mentor, the Ancient One–stopped to pay his respects to Genghis, finding him lying crumpled in a heap on the floor. As Strange nursed Genghis back to health, the elderly mystic predicted that years in the future Strange would meet the man who had assaulted him. Strange stayed with Genghis for three days.

Unlocking Eternity

Seeking the means to locate Eternity in order to save the Ancient One, Dr. Strange sought out the Aged Genghis. When Dr. Strange mentioned the target of his search, Genghis grew excited, stating that only he and the Ancient One knew the secret of Eternity. Whilst complaining about his mind being clouded, Genghis recalled a scroll, which he found and gave Strange. However, when Strange performed the spell, he was not brought to Eternity, but rather to the Netherworld of Eternal Doom.

A wise madman

Clea, unwilling to seek aid from Dr. Strange, sought out other mystics for aid against Dormammu, made mental contact with the Genghis. Knowing his wisdom was hidden beneath senility, she ignored his ramblings about Dormammu’s worshippers. Breaking contact, she thus missed his statement that Dormammu’s servitors were amassing outside of Dr. Strange’s Sanctum. While Dormammu fought Umar, the Aged Genghis laughed mindlessly from his distant cave. Dr. Strange again sought the secret of Eternity from the Genghis, but his requests met with only a gibbering giggle. Realizing that the Genghis was helpless to even care for himself, Strange prepared to guide him to his Sanctum to care for him. However, the chaos of the Genghis’ deranged soul took physical form, assaulting them both in the form of tentacles. Overcoming this threat, Strange realized that he dare not disturb the Genghis further, and left him to chuckle as he slipped back into dream. Baron Mordo’s astral self entered the Genghis’ cave, drawn by the very madness that consumed them both. The Genghis merely laughed as he entered. While Genghis sat unaware, Mordo’s mad spirit merely sat across from him. However, as Dr. Strange approached the Genghis’ cave, its two inhabitants’ madnesses achieved harmony, dreaming up a magical doppelganger of Dr. Strange (Necromancer) to battle the original. Strange defeated the doppelganger, while Mordo regained enough of his wits to exit the cave and confront Strange directly. Another would be mystic sought out the Aged Genghis, telling him he wished to study at his feet. “Ah, you wish to study feet! Excellent! The foot, my son, is the pathway to the soul!” he responded. However, when the man explained that he wished to study magic, the Genghis told him that he no longer troubled himself with such things, and sent him to seek out Dr. Strange, who lacked a disciple at the time.

A number of others also learned of Dr. Strange’s current status and sought him out as Aged Genghis made regular habit of sending would be mystic’s to Strange for tutelage. The Genghis’ acolyte attempted to convince him to eat, as he had long ago forgotten how to feed himself. Dr. Strange visited him, requesting that he not send further would-be disciples to him. However, the Genghis’ ramblings made it clear that the message was not fully received.

The man who would be the Highwayman sought out supernatural means to fight off the ravages of time. Among those he sought out was the Aged Genghis, who dismissed him, saying, ” Do I look like one who knows the secret of Eternal Youth?”

The Contest

As the Genghis’ acolyte again sought to convince him to eat, the mystic’s mind was drawn to the word “doom,” and he detailed his past meeting with Dr. Doom. As he spoke, the aged one’s mind cleared and he was bathed in a light that restored his power, sanity, and clarity. Recognizing that the Time of the Vishanti was upon them. his sanity restored Genghis revealed that it had been his destiny to send Doom on to his destiny. He transported himself to the jungles of South East Asia, to the Javan Rainforest, to the Temple of the Three. Clearing a century’s worth of plant growth from the Temple, he then sent out a call heard only by those most learned in the ways of sorcery. At least thirteen mystics responded, including Manuel Diego, Dr. Doom, Dr. Strange, Khalid Inshallah, Jules St. Thomas, Screamer, Sen-Yu, Tareva, and Wai Chee Yee.

The Genghis then confronted the sorcerers, explaining the purpose of the gathering, and the Vishanti themselves then appeared and confirmed his statements. The winner would become the Sorcerer Supreme of Earth, a boon would be granted, and lives would be changed. The Genghis then called upon the Vishanti to encase him in mystic crystal, after which they explained that the one who freed the Genghis from their embrace would win the contest. Dr. Strange succeeded in overcoming the others and releasing the Genghis, merely by touching the crystal and saying, “Aged Genghis…I pray you, come forth!” Dr. Strange accepted the honor, though he declined the boon, but the Genghis explained that the Sorcerer Supreme does not receive the boon…he must grant it…to any other mystic who evaded the power of the crystal. Only other mystic had done so: Dr. Doom. Genghis told Strange that he was duty-bound to fulfill Doom’s wishes to the best of his ability. Strange reluctantly agreed when Doom revealed his desire to free his mother, Cynthia von Doom, from the clutches of Mephisto.

Stating that his duty was done for another century, Genghis vanished, returning to his cave, his mind quickly degenerating into senility once again, and the Temple collapsed without his magic to support it.

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