Bajin Oni Concept

 There is more to the setting than just the Zhu Empire. A major part of the early stories will also be the Baji Isles, a japan based setting within the larger world.  I couldn't do Japanese inspired fantasy without Oni so they were something I spent some time making.  I'll save the details for when they get a race post along other Bajin races, but here are the ideas behind them.

The base idea came from sort of the modern view of them, large orge like creatures who love to drink normally have red skin and horns.  Kept that for both male and females, but took the anime route and made sure they look humanish in the face. I went with the more humanized ideas of them and gave them distinct cultures and societies with customs beyond base urges. I based their cultures loosely on the old pop culture view of Native Americans, with a little mongol thrown in.  Making them quasi nomadic tribes with their own specific customs based on the area they are found in.  Known to be aggressive towards outsiders but can be reasoned with and have established trade relationships with certain settlements. They are the most physically dominant race in Baji in my setting and you will often see them in physical roles in any appearance in my games normally solo against groups of humans.

Zhu Race Sheet/Info

Art by http://starduo.deviantart.com/

Native to the kingdom of Xerathis are the Zhu race known as Xerin. Outside of the Zhuni the Xerin are the most populous Zhu race within the Capital Kingdom. Appearance wise they look like Zhuni with fox ears and tails naturally growing on them, the tails ranging anywhere from 1 to 9 in number. With more tails being a sign of higher magic potential (3 Being the average 9 being very rare) and being one of the biggest status symbols among each other. Unlike the Zhuni who live as individuals and small family units, Xerin tend to be divided in much larger clans with all of their communities both in their own kingdom and within the greater Empire being made up of people within the same or closely related clans. The clans that the royals come from is often a subject of heated debate among Xerin and can get ugly fast, and they will frequently go and try to speak to the Empress about how the certain clans shouldn't be allowed to.

Culturally they are very similar to Zhuni when it comes to how important Honor is to them but differ when it comes to their primary form of worship. Whereas for Zhuni it is discipline, for Xerin it is grace resulting in their major form of expression being not in the martial arts but in elaborate dances. Through these dances they activate their chi much how a Zhuni would with a stance, allowing them to manipulate their own and nearby energy as they do so. These dances range from forms of complex communication (Zhu Races can see more layers of the dance than other races) to ways of dueling, and when large numbers of them do certain dances they are known to directly alter the weather of their kingdom. This results in them mostly being support units in military situations, dancing from behind the front lines to aid the more directly combat minded Zhu in a battle. Their dances can easily be altered for battle though and many of the stronger ones are more than capable of channeling up waves of mystical energy and such. 

Native to the capital, Zhu Shang, and the majority Zhu population overall are the Zhuni. Appearance wise they are very human, specifically appearing as humans from the region of East Asia. That appearance extends to the common aesthetic of many buildings and the majority of their clothing, resulting in the superficial feel of being in ancient china to travelers from Earth. The most major difference between humans and Zhuni is of course that that as Zhu, Zhuni have a different form of chi and extra senses built solely around energy. In general Zhuni are also physically greater than humans in every aspect, although with significant training a human could bridge the gap on most. They as a whole tend to look pretty fit, with the partial energy being state of their existence pretty much making even the unhealthy Zhuni rarely look it unless the result of a powerful poison or illness. When it moments of high emotion or stress their eyes tend to glow whatever color their chi tends to manifest itself as, their aura subtly becoming visible around them as well. Appearance wise the sexual differences between men and women are the same as with humans, though it mostly ends there. Physically speaking there is no difference between Zhuni men and women in regards to strength, speed, or toughness; though the women tend to be lighter and thus easier to knock backwards. In regards to the Dantian women have a much wider center and their chi reserves go deeper on average, with men having a narrow dantian that makes using chi easier but normally weaker.

Zhuni have a very stable birth rate and although spikes occur they mostly keep around the same population for extended periods of time, with the majority of people almost always being in their teens and 20s. The average life expectancy is around 55 although through magic and chi control one can live to be hundreds of years old, it simply takes too much to be a practical solution to most. For the same reasons the physical effects of aging rarely show on Zhu outside of their 20s, their bodies keeping a mostly consistent form no matter how old they get and only the energy itself beginning to wear down. Most couples have their first child between the ages of 15 and 17 and another one shortly after; the Zhuni having a pregnancy of only 4 months makes many births end up closer together then on Earth. The family duties are pretty evenly split although with the fathers normally having a much larger role than the mother while the first child is a toddler as she will be in the military and on active duty in most cases. A mostly matriarchal society (this extends to the most other Zhu races also), the Zhuni mothers are head of the household and tend to be who makes all the major decisions involving a family or clan.

Culturally they are a society that admires strength and martial prowess above most things, resulting in the highest levels of fame being that of great warriors and martial artists. To keep that focus all women are forced to undergo military training and brief service upon graduation from school, with men being able to choose if they want to. They are deeply entrenched in tradition and it shows in their extreme respect for their environment, animals, and the importance of family. They are bound by the concept of honor to such a degree that if known for having been dishonored you are treated as subhuman by many and stripped of your job in most cases. Entire books and branches of government exists to help define what things are dishonorable and honorable as well as to what degree since it is such an important part of life within the nation. 

The Xenkor are a Zhu race who mostly stay within their own kingdom (Xenkor Hu), with very few full bloods living in the other Zhu kingdoms, although Zhu Shang has more than others due to being the capital. Their most distinct physical feature is the fact that they all have gray skin and bright red eyes, making their very human appearance seem very alien. These gray skinned Zhu's kingdom is on a world where barely any sunlight gets through, resulting in most areas being in complete darkness. As such Xenkor have weak eyesight/ extreme light sensitivity only being able to see up close and in low light, them being completely blind during a sunny day on another world or even a well lit room. As such they primarily see through energy perception and a form of echolocation allowing them to maneuver around and go about their lives with very little problems, as they are able to get all but the small details of people and things.

The main cultural distinction between them and the other Zhu is that they value cunning as second to honor. The Xenkor people are just as aggressive and violent as the Zhuni can be only they don't brawl in the streets like their siblings, instead they goad, trick, and trap each other when they have problems. Moving up in a position is all about persuasion, it's not enough to have the needed skill you have to convince or trick the others into agreeing with you. They are very rapid thinkers, their minds thinking things about everything they know to aid them the second they learn something. Their chi tends to be less refined than the others as they use it primarily as a way to survive, but it allows them to require next to no training to use it as a sense augmenter and they even are born being able to use it to substitute breathing for a few minutes at a time. In the military Xenkor tend to be assassins and spies and stick to ranged energy based combat when in direct fights. Given their methods of seeing, they are virtually impossible to sneak up on, and also make good look outs. While not normally trained beyond basic level martial arts, the Xenkor that do decide to become more dedicated warriors are very feared given their unique way of seeing and rapid minds making misdirection and feints all but useless on them.

Making their home in arid Galkahr region of the planet Ternu Si, are the race known as Ethera. They are one of the younger Zhu races, one of the last few to be created and the most recent to be reintegrated. Their appearance is that of humans with very rich solid red and pink skin tones and often glowing chi points across their body in tattoo like patterns. They tend to be heavier than most other Zhu races, their bones being very dense and their muscles capable of growing at a moment's notice. They are the most naturally gifted of the Zhu races in terms of power both physical and magical, quickly coming upon more potent applications of their abilities with little to no training. They are capable of boosting their abilities even more by going into a berserker state known as Qi-Zan where their chi pushes itself into overdrive their bodies becoming harder to damage and all of their abilities vastly increasing as their mind does nothing but pump the energy out at whatever is before it. The ability is very powerful and hardwired into their genes, occurring on its own both whenever stressed until they learn to control it. During the state they have difficulty stopping themselves until they run out of energy and fall asleep, or are incapacitated. While various objects and methods arose to snap them out of this, the only reliable way was through special signals sent from chi of other Zhu races or by something or someone they have a strong connection to. The most effective and reliable method is through the dancing of talented or powerful Xerin, the dance calming them back to normal rather quickly in most cases.

When the Zhu races were split apart tens of thousands of years ago, the Ethera handled the isolation the worst. Their natural aggression and uneasy mental state made them quickly become enemies with other intelligent species on the planet their home ended up forming on. Eventually they ended up the only species of any intelligence left on the planet, resulting in a society that was only stable long enough to rebuild after it destroyed its cities fighting itself. When they were found by the rest of Zhu and their world reconnected to the Empire they were immensely grateful, and have reformed their actual Zhu society with the help of their sister races keeping them calm.

Xerin (species)

Sketch by http://starduo.deviantart.com/

Native to the kingdom of Xerathis are the Zhu race known as Xerin. Outside of the Zhuni the Xerin are the most populous Zhu race within the Capital Kingdom. Appearance wise they look like Zhuni with fox ears and tails naturally growing on them, the tails ranging anywhere from 1 to 9 in number. With more tails being a sign of higher magic potential (3 Being the average 9 being very rare) and being one of the biggest status symbols among each other. Unlike the Zhuni who live as individuals and small family units, Xerin tend to be divided in much larger clans with all of their communities both in their own kingdom and within Zhu Shang Qiao being made up of people within the same or closely related clans. The clans that the royals come from is often a subject of heated debate among Xerin and can get ugly fast., and they will frequently go and try to speak to the Empress about how the certain clans shouldn't be allowed to.

Culturally they are very similar to Zhuni when it comes to how important Honor is to them but differ when it comes to their primary form of worship. Whereas for Zhuni it is discipline, for Xerin it is grace resulting in their major form of expression being not in the martial arts but in elaborate dances. Through these dances they activate their chi much how a Zhuni would with a stance, allowing them to manipulate their own and nearby energy as they do so. These dances range from forms of complex communication (Zhu Races can see more layers of the dance than other races) to ways of dueling, and when large numbers of them do certain dances they are known to directly alter the weather of their kingdom. This results in them mostly being support units in military situations, dancing from behind the front lines to aid the more directly combat minded Zhu in a battle. Their dances can easily be altered for battle though and many of the stronger ones are more than capable of channeling up waves of mystical energy and such. 

The Kougari

Beneath the surface(One could say the entire Crust) of Kios exists a place known as the Dark Realm, a forever separate yet connected world beneath what most people call Kios. Drawing it's named from the sky only alternating between dark gray and dark red, this world within a world is the source of all dark energy and black magic within Kios. Like most realms it has its own ecosystem full of unique plants and animals dotting it's jagged landscape. Most importantly however are the intelligent life forms that evolved there. As in known with Kios, energy only can build up for so long before it ends up changing form. In the Dark Realm that energy became Kougari (closest translation would be demon).

In the ancient days of Kios, the buildup energy began to draw in thoughts from the realm above, the powerful emotions reacting with it and forming the ancient Kougari lords of old. Hungering Kiku-Tunka, Bahu of Shadow, Lunkr of Filth, Painful Cen Hup, and Rageborn Ri-Sun. These ancient demons were masters of their realm, soon spreading out to the other parts of Kios and making their mark known. They were still new to life, obsessed with bringing their bodies and minds newfound pleasure driven by impulse and little more. They spread untold destruction across all planes of Kios, until one by one they were forced back into the dark Realm with Kiku-Tunka and Cen Hup being sealed between realms in a state between life and death. When they returned those things were different, there were other Kougari now, weaker yet more complex ones, it had became a species. With very rarely ones like them forming from individuals drawing in so much magic over time and becoming a unique entity.

The Kougari are a collection of intelligent life forms formed from the dark energy of the world, while they had roots in random formation they are now creatures in every sense of the word reproducing through sex and needing "food" to survive. They lack any form of true society their species too diverse for its own good as they have thousands of variations with vast differences; most preferring to live in packs of their own kind so they can focus on fulfilling their desires. Every now and then individuals crop up who want to forge more but all attempts fail, or only last for either short term of small groups normally resulting in the more social Kougari to move into Raiki cities and live among them.

The countless variations normally saw their genesis in a reflection of a fear or thought from the surface, creating things such as succubi/incubi, rage beasts, love demons, fear feasters, etc. As such many feed on raw emotion, ideas, and concepts instead of actual physical meals although many are capable of doing so. Their natural connection to the energy that forms their realm allows them easier access to the other realms much like their ancestors before them, making their primary hunting ground against the races that live on the surface. Their hunts shaping the various species as great enemies of the majority of intelligent life living above them, the Kougari themselves having no organized view on other creatures and simply hunting them because it was fun and useful to them some actually liking them.

They have a rather unusual biology in the sense that the magic within them allows them to breed either any life form no matter how radically different from them. If it can reproduce sexually they can impregnate it or be impregnated by it, the Kougari normally taking said creature back into the dark realm with them making it not an uncommon sight to see non demons or Raiki amongst Kougari packs or settlements but such are normally slaves or toys, and only rarely are they there out of love. Mixed children with the Kougari are always Kougari but possesses traits from whatever the other parent species is ones that happen a lot becoming their own sub races over time.

Phoenix Warriors

Art by Henry

Normally I'd put the concept for this specific character, but instead I'll put the in universe explanation of the group he represents in his appearances

Northern Spirit- Vesta
Southern Spirit - Kon'Shu
Western Spirit - Ralvir
Eastern Spirit- Loc'Tun

In the Early days of the universe, when Kios formed from the ambient energy between the various planes of existence 4 spirits were birthed from the left over energy. The spirits were birthed in the form of massive bird like creatures of spiritual fire, these forms soaring across the various planes of existence for millions of years, watching over the state of affairs and seeing how things were meant to be. Over time things began to change, various life forms began to form all throughout the realms and those life forms attracted those who sought to end the balance. Beings from beyond sought to disrupt it, and various creatures from within sought to control or end it. The spirits were powerful in their home realms but had little influence outside, yet they all knew they had to uphold their duty of protecting the balance somehow. To solve this they each sought out a life form on or near the planet Kios, each having their own reasons for who they chose. They gave these beings power and the freedom to use it as they pleased as long as they became their avatars and defended the various planes from all who threatened the delicate cosmic balance.

The spirits each take up residence in a different sector of the planet's spirit realm watching over the various planes that intersect with that sector and sending any needed information to their avatar. How they communicate various from spirit to spirit, as does their criteria for choosing an avatar two things that have been shaped by their various experiences over their infinite life span.

Each Avatar is transformed into a new life form that straddles the line between the various planes, them gaining the ability to step into other realms and dimensions as needed, their bodies components changing if needed. They are given intimate knowledge of an ancient fighting art crafted by the spirits, and a superhuman body to match it. They all have a natural attunement to flames of the soul, a fire that burns both the body and the spirit as its user wishes. The specifics of the fires look and other uses vary from avatar to avatar, normally based on the persons mental state. The most notable gift each avatar is given, is the gift of immortality they become immune to age and illness and will regenerate from any fatal wound (no matter how extensive), slightly more powerful than before. All avatars hold the memories and experience of all previous avatars of their particular spirit.

Despite this they don't last forever, every so many years the spirits fight their avatars in order to test if they are still worthy. Every time the spirit loses it returns multiple times stronger than before forcing the avatar to constantly improve, the moment they don't is the end of their service as they are defeated and stripped of their powers allowed to live out the rest of their days as a normal person or be killed if they seek a warriors death. One can also willingly give up their powers but such a thing is very rare

Zhuni (Race)

A specific race of the Zhu species: Species info

Sketch Henry

The native people of Zhu Shang Qiao and majority of the mainland population are a race known as the Zhuni. Appearance wise they are very human, specifically appearing as humans from the region of East Asia. That appearance extends to the common aesthetic of many buildings and the majority of their clothing, resulting in the superficial feel of being in ancient china to travelers from Earth. The most major difference between humans and Zhuni is of course that that as Zhu, Zhuni have a different form of chi and extra senses built solely around energy. In general Zhuni are also physical greater than humans in every aspect, although with significant training a human could bridge the gap on most. They as a whole tend to look pretty fit, with the partial energy being state of their existence pretty much making even the unhealthy Zhuni rarely look it unless the result of a powerful poison or illness. When it moments of high emotion or stress their eyes tend to glow whatever color their chi tends to manifest itself as, their aura subtly becoming visible around them as well. Appearance wise the sexual differences between men and women are the same as with humans, though it mostly ends there. Physically speaking there is no difference between Zhuni men and women in regards to strength, speed, or toughness,; though the women tend to be lighter and thus easier to knock backwards. In regards to the Dantian women have a much wider center and their chi reserves go deeper on average, with men having a narrow dantian that makes using chi easier but normally weaker.

Zhuni have a very stable birth rate and although spikes occur they mostly keep around the same population for extended periods of time, with the majority of people almost always being in their teens and 20s. The average life expectancy is around 50 although through magic and chi control one can live to be hundreds of years old, it simply takes too much to be a practical solution to most. For the same reasons the physical effects of aging rarely show on Zhu outside of their 20s, their bodies keeping a mostly consistent form no matter how old they get and only the energy itself beginning to wear down. Most couples have their first child between the ages of 15 and 17 and another one shortly after; the Zhuni having a pregnancy (specifics on that will come later. It isn't like a human's) of only 4 months makes many births end up closer together then on Earth. The family duties are pretty evenly split although with the fathers normally having a much larger role than the mother while the first child is a toddler as she will be in the military and on active duty in most cases. A mostly matriarchal society (this extends to the most other Zhu races also), the Zhuni mothers are head of the household and tend to be who makes all the major decisions involving a family or clan.

Culturally they are a society that admires strength and martial prowess above most things, resulting in the highest levels of fame being that of great warriors and martial artists. To keep that focus all women are forced to undergo military training and brief service upon graduation from school, with men being able to choose if they want to. They are deeply entrenched in tradition and it shows in their extreme respect for their environment, animals, and the importance of family. They are bound by the concept of honor to such a degree that if known for having been dishonored you are treated as subhuman by many and stripped of your job in most cases. Entire books and branches of government exists to help define what things are dishonorable and honorable as well as to what degree since it is such an important part of life within the nation.

Zhu Religion

An explanation of the religion of characters such as Li Hua and Xing Yi


The dominant Religion of the Zhu Empire has no unique name in its but is referred to under the umbrella term of Zhu by most outsiders and in conversation with outsiders.  As old as the society itself it focuses on a set way of life and virtues that are to be followed and interpreted in a way that benefits both yourself and society.  In terms of Deities it is a monotheistic faith but with various lesser beings of power and prophets within the cosmology that are revered or of great power but not really worshiped.   It is a somewhat ethnocentric religion but it is more than accepting of others who follow similar codes of ethics.

Name

For most of the Empire's history their system of beliefs was completely nameless, it being so ingrained in to them and simply how they lived that the notion of it needing a name was strange to them and even offensive to some.  It wasn't something labeled or really discussed it simply was just as they just were, what more was there to it? It was only when they began having more and more communication with other cultures that the need for labels and names become more important for explanations and reference purposes.  They settled on the name Zhu as a collective term for the people, the language, and their faith/philosophy.  Zhu was them in all of their aspects so why differentiate?

In Society

The Religion is as mentioned, completely inseparable from the Empire as it is the foundation of it.   Priestesses and such are important members of government, ethics are shaped by what the teachings of it dictate, and the belief is the primary thing that binds each race to one another and makes them so loyal.   There are temples in every neighborhood and attendance is mandatory for Zhu at least once a week, though more encouraged.   The Temples are important community centers and how the religious community sees someone has a large baring on how the rest of society sees them.  Religious stories and aspects are taught in all schools and whole castes of society are devoted to areas of it.  Blasphemy is regarded as a serious crime for Zhu, and a moderate crime for non Zhu.  

Beliefs

The System

The Zhu refer to Existence as The System, a sort of incomprehensible Cosmic machine  with mechanisms that span all of time and space running concurrently across all dimensions and realms simultaneously at all points in time.  Given the vastness and age of the System there is no definite religious answer to who if anything created it, and what exists beyond it.  The system is conscious to an unknown degree, somewhat aware of what goes on inside of it.  Creating what could only be described as antibodies to cleanse the Universes that form inside of it, purging them after a while and leaving no trace of them behind while the new one forms. 

It's callous disregard for what spawns within itself creates an endless cycle of universal creation and destruction; a Pattern of death and rebirth stretching across infinity on an unimaginable scale.  Some believe the system seeks perfection and destroys all that doesn't fit it's unknown definition of it.  Others believe the System is simply unaware of what is born within it, and destroys it out of fear once it finds out that more exists beyond it.  Others still feel the System was formed to monitor and contain something else.  All are theories that are debated by religious scholars and will likely continue to be far into the future.  

The Great Mother

The Deity of the Zhu Religion is a being known as the Great Mother, a powerful woman who came from the prior Universe.  Over the course of time she brought the various predecessor races of the Zhu people onto Kios before began to alter them into what would become their current forms in order to fit the landscape of the land she had made for the planet.  She is worshiped as a warm of loving creator, with people referring to death as returning to her loving embrace.  All religious activities are done in her honor as they hope to one day appease her enough for her to return to them, and make everything the way it was supposed to be.  Speaking ill of her is a criminal offense within the Empire, especially if the speaker is Zhu.  

After Life

There are three areas of life that the Zhu take note of: The Body, the Chi, and the Soul. When a Zhu dies they aren't buried but laid out somewhere away from wildlife with a sheet over their body, over the next few hours their chi converts their body into base nutrients and returns it to the ground (Though people with unstable Chi will literally burn up instantly upon death).  Both the Soul and the chi are brought into the Sea of Chi a mystical realm within the planets center where a vast sea of all the Empire's chi flows, seeping through the land and across space itself to the other areas. 

There the person's essence is processed by systems left in place by The Great Mother.  If a person was honorable their soul is moved on to be joined with her in a state of bliss and enlightenment their chi recycled and sent out into the world on its own, helping keep the land and people healthy (or stored for them to later return as divine warriors).  If they were a dishonorable in life both their soul and chi are kept together and recycled into a new life, that will have certain aspects and a vague memory kept over in hopes their soul can learn and have a more honorable life. 

Five Tenets of Faith

Strength: Weakness in all of its forms is to be challenged and overcome and not allowed to fester within one's body, mind, or soul. To accept the weakness within is to fail the Great mother and accept dishonor.

Courage: Never allow fear to take hold of your mind, one must fight through it and continue on with whatever causes them distress. To follow Zhu is never whimper in the face of fear, but to bear your fangs and destroy it.

Loyalty: Blood may be thicker than water but Loyalty is stronger than blood. Your loyalty must be the most sacred bond you have no matter who it may be too. When you swear loyalty you must stay true to it as long as it stays honorable, the faith and those who you are loyal to must take precedence over any others.

Honor: The most important of all tenets is to be an honorable person at all times. To disregard Honor is to forsake the Great mother and be a blight on society and those above you. Even in the face of certain death, Honor must be maintained for the integrity of one's soul is more important than the vessel of flesh

Discipline: Having control over ones life, keeping yourself balanced in the aspects that form a proper Zhu. You must be able to control your emotions and reign yourself in when needed, or have the strength of will to force yourself to learn how.  You don't abandon tasks of import and force yourself to see them through to the end.  You must be in complete control and no instincts or circumstances should win over your mind unless you want them to.   

Institutions

Temples

Temples are the primary location of worship in the Zhu religion, one in every neighborhood they vary from modest home sized buildings to massive castles. Much like the size the contents vary based on location and need but some things are universal. There are always areas designated for both prayer and meditation, normally a specially marked section of the floor covered in mats or special seals.  There is seating areas in various parts of most temples, or a somewhat large section of the smaller ones.  An altar and statues of whatever patron prophet or various ones if a larger temple, religious texts, and various private rooms for when people need to be more isolated for whatever reason.   

Religious services are usually done on either and individual level or in small groups, only in very special occasions with a large group at one time.  More normally an individual or small group is assisted by a priestess who aids in prayer, consul, meditation and various rituals.  Depending on the size of the temple there are anywhere from 5 to hundreds of priestesses, either security golems or warriors hired as guards, and some have dragons of their own which help watch over the place and take supplies back and forth places.  The Temples are open all day and night never without at least a few people on staff and always willing to aid whoever needs shelter, help, or just wants to get closer to the Great Mother.  If one has nowhere else to turn they'll always find a reassuring shoulder, a warm meal, and a place to sleep regardless of their race or actual religion for honor compels them to help any who need it. 

Priestesses

The primary and most common job regarding the religion is the all female staff that are the public's guide and aid to the faith.  They are government employees that work at the temples closest to their home, aiding in prayer, teaching religious tales and lessons, group meditation, consoling,  and general work within the community.  Priestess are required to always be willing to help those who are in need, and if a dishonorable person seeks redemption they are required to aid them in the task and speak on their behalf in regards to any trouble they've got in.  This isn't a get out of jail free card for the criminal since the priestess has to actually believe they want to change, and even then it only reduces the sentence and not actually removes it all together.  They are well respected in the community and serve as sort of community mother and big sister figures to many people of all ages for how much they assist others and their warm friendly attitude.

To become a priestess one has to go through a year of classes which take place every day at the temple, and once they prove they have learned the basics and concepts they are made a priestess in training where they shadow a more experienced Priestess for several years learning more and more of the practices as well privately studying with them to ensure they become as dedicated and understanding as the job requires.  As time goes on they are allowed to do more and more things on their own until they are allowed to take a final test to prove they are ready.  The test involves memorization of several legends and holy texts, at least a basic understanding of how to do magic, consoling a person in need while the Head Priestess observes, explaining how the Five Tenets of Faith apply to  them on a personal level, and the sacrifice of their great accomplishment (if it's not a physical object then a symbolic sacrifice of it) on an altar to the Great Mother.  

Zhu (species)

Image of the Empress and her Adviser.  Any with this sort of coloring is done by Henry

Slight change from my character or concept specific posts to put some stuff on a species itself, just a brief bit on what they are like.  Just still showing what sort of stuff I'm working with.



Zhu is a general term for the collective of species and are the descendants of the final creatures created by the Great Mother.  They are natives of the Zhu Empire, a space faring highly militaristic society that originated on the planet Kios.  A diverse species made up of 4 very distinct races and many more sub-races, they are all largely humanoid in shape though with various non human traits.  Outside of their military they are a race most known for their natural attunement with energy and their intense love for nature.



While there are differences between the various Zhu races they all share certain key biological traits as well as certain things programmed into their minds.  Most notably is their chi, the backbone of all Zhu life.  Unlike most other creatures their chi isn't some passive energy that flows through all life forms, instead a unique living energy; their true selves in a sense.  It is housed in their dantian like with humans but it is made up of an unknown energy type, theorized to have been brought into the Universe with the Great Mother.   This energy is naturally drawn to others for the purposes of absorbing, granting every Zhu the ability to absorb energy and perceive all forms of it. These sense of energy perception is their strongest allowing them to fully navigate their environment through it as well as communicate with one another and other chi based creatures.  Their ability to absorb energy is very powerful and can be used as a substitute for actually eating if the individual has strengthened the ability enough.

As they are at their core, energy beings, their physical shell is moldable to a degree making the Zhu populace latent shape shifters.  Some speculate they were meant to have full control over their forms but the process wasn't fully developed, and others say it was a quirk that developed randomly through evolution.  Regardless of how and why it is known that Zhu are capable of altering their bodies to a degree, most commonly in things such as forming claws, fangs, and in rare cases extra sets of arms.  So far all instances of shape shifting are known to be additions to the body such as that, though it is possible more advanced techniques exist and are kept hidden from most people.

While all Zhu have free will, their minds are inclined to certain ways of thinking most notably towards preferring balance with one another and the environment, leading to them being very strict conservationists.  Each Zhu race taking the minimum amount from the environment and leaving the vast majority as it was initially created by The Great Mother.  Great care being taken to ensure everything is and every creature is kept in stable numbers and in as close to the proper condition as is possible.   A large example of how such a thing consistently is shown is through every Zhu being born with an innate connection to their dragons.  If a baby Zhu sees a baby dragon the two will instantly be comfortable around each other and even communicate through altering the wavelength of their chi.  Similar innate interaction exist with other intelligent lifeforms in Zhu, leading to a deep understanding with every related race around them.