Anxiang

Floating within the depths of a chaotic cosmos, Vistāra is a densely populated world of storied conflicts, sprawling empires , tumult and flux. The fates of it's people have largely been dependent on the higher beings that rule over them.

Many races dwell on the surface of Vistāra, many more dwelling beneath in the sprawling underground nations formed in the wake of the many cataclysms brought on by these great conflicts. Many nations claim a patron deity as their guardian, whilst many others claim themselves to be of divine concord or even declared themselves fueled by a far more grounded philosophy. To many, the myriad higher spirits of the world are hard to deny. Their presence is felt everywhere. From the subtle ways the river bends when given tribute to the lowly trickster god plaguing a land for it's amusement. Many of them prefer to stay invisible to mortal perception, only really perceptible by those that have a touch of higher power. Others have been known to manifest themselves as mortal kings, powerful avatars and natural disasters. These beings come in many forms - yet highest amongst them are the Celestial Spirits, whos origin is as long reaching as their will.

In aeons long past, before memory - at the very dawn of creation, came beings from beyond the celestial tapestry itself. Keepers and adjudicators of the cosmic order, higher spirits that turn the clockwork wheels of the universe. Some people call them Celestials, others Gods and Great Ones. Be they beings that predated the cosmos or an extension of it's will by nature - no one knows. Even these Celestials do not fully understand their own origins - as they are born with a singular mote of understanding: They are.

However, in the ages before life came to be, Vistāra was a world cold and barren - an endless expanse full of crawling nightmares and malignant possibilities. A wheel that spun aimlessly through that which was and still is. That is, until the coming of the Golden Spider and their Celestial children. It is said that the Golden Spider wove the very tapestry of the universe into being, and carried the fledgeling Celestials on it's legs. When they first found realization and willed themselves to think, they found themselves fueled by an urge to create and shape. And so did they bend the wheel with the weight of their newfound creations, until it's spokes touched and created the great sphere Vistāra. Finally, the eldest amongst them set themselves alight with their own power - creating a blazing pinion so grand as to set the world alight in it's glow, creating the everblazing sun that bestowed the gift of warmth upon Vistāra.

And for the first time - dawn came to creation.

Eons later, the first civilizations had started to form upon the child world. It was the collective will of the people that gave the beings that dwelled within the sun inspiration for their newest creation. For the people of this world they would create guardian spirits - to govern the subtler workings of the world. Thus came to be the Terrestrial Gods. As these gods were given life, they interacted with one another. Allied with one another, warred with one another as the people did...and they would inevitably conflict with their creators. Though this rebellion was soon put down, the Celestial spirits would impose an exile to their Terrestrial children. None more may enter the great Celestial Palace - it's light was now barred to them. In response, a group of the eldest amongst these spirits chose to leave the world, seeking out a place of solitude to contemplate their sins...In time, the weight of their collective regret gathered into a great satellite. It was on that day that the moon had first become visible within the skies of Vistāra at all time. A pale blue glow had overcome it, for in hearing the regret in their children's words, they chose to bestow their glow upon it.

In exchange for these actions, they were transformed into vessels for their patron Celestials, servants and representatives - the most loyal and powerful of their agents. They formed tribes of their own upon the moon along these lines, the strongest amongst them being chosen to host motes of the divine essence from their progenitors.

These beings used their proximity to infiltrate the dreams and minds of the people below, taking the forms of creatures born from myth and legend. They became the ki-rin, the gryphons, dragons, sphinxes and naga of the world below. Those that chose to live a life even further from their celestial origins found themselves exiling their newfound physical forms to the world below. Basking under the light of both the sun and the moon, their mortal natures soon set in, allowing them to live as these creatures - allowing them to become paragons of these new forms.

It was amidst all of this that Anxiang was born. Her people were formed from tales spun of the mythical qilin worshiped by the people of the Shèng-Sī Empire. Although the qilin (or similar magical creatures such as the unicorn) themselves have appeared in many mythologies beyond Vistāra's own, this particular incarnation came with some slightly unique qualities. For one - they were seen as the patron animals of cleansing and purification aswell as divine causes. Often times they were depicted as the mounts of gods or powerful emperors. By all intents and purposes, there were two collective impressions of the qilin- as bringers of auspicious signs & changes aswell as the steadfast divine warhorses of powerful beings.

In truth, Anxiang's people were vastly unlike this. Due to the people's belief , they inherited powerful magical abilities within their nature along with a divine touch infused into their horns. However, the Lunar Qi-Rin were often headstrong and combinative. Able to shapeshift like a lot of their brethren, they could assume humanoid forms capable of wielding or crafting weapons. And there was no shortage of use for them. For they were defined by the ability to excel and conquer. Battle and wisdom was the song within their blood, it was the sweet wine that left them drunk with duty. They who were bred as keepers of the order, as distant watchers who's intervention was feared and not called upon. And those that would have them called by their side would be bestowed victory from on high.

It was because of this fact that conflict was inevitable after the Second Divine Emperor of the Shèng-Sī - a 'Sorcerer King' known for molding his kingdom with mystic and martial prowess - created a powerful new spell that translocated several of his warriors into the Imperial Palace. He was motivated by curiosity more then anything else. Curiosity and arrogance. The Emperor was well into his years, his lifespan artificially extended thanks to his magical abilities and renowned as a divine being on his own. So the chance to meet with holy beings that dwelled upon the moon was something he could not pass on.

However, these warriors were far from pleased to be ripped from their home. Their translocation became very evident when they felt much of their demi-godlike power draining from them, reducing their strength significantly. Regardless , they were quick to attack the denizens of the palace and wreak quite a bit of havoc before they were subdued. Of the ten that were brought down, six had perished during the initial attack. The fate of their bodies was unknown, however the survivors were imprisoned and restrained. Held for questioning by curious Emperor. In time, he had learned of things he had never dreamed off, having purged valuable secrets necessary to tap into the moon's power. As a reward for their assistance, he allowed the survivors to go free and wander the land after he'd had his fill of information. All, that is, except for the leader of their raiding party.

Anxiang was a renowned warrior within her tribe. Well known for flawlessly mixing evocative magic and martial skill in both her fighting styles and her strategic nuances. The awe that was struck within him upon viewing a glimpse of her mystical might soon cowed the mortal, convincing him of her station.

However, the Emperor did not seem interested in keeping here merely as a trophy or a powerful bargaining chip. Instead, after assessing her abilities, the Emperor started a long-term plan to help solidify his divine status in the eyes of his people and immortalize himself in the process. Due to the status of her kind in the eyes of the people , he took it upon himself to fabricate rumours that she had come down from the heavens to become his bride.

In exchange for playing along? She was given education, shown how to integrate within the Empire's society and allowed to learn the intriquite culture of the Shèng-Sī with the faint promise of being returned home the bribe. In order to both further his scheme and try to gain her favour, he returned a vast portion of her power back to her thanks to the information he'd been given.

She introduced herself to the people as a being sent down to rule over the aspects of change and transition within the land, acting as a conduit for coming seasons and shifting forces. In reality, she was simply using her own magic combined with leadership skills to keep the people in check. The Emperor, meanwhile, observed as his newfound spouse had gained renown as a resident deity of the land.

A tower was built in her honour, organized by the Empire's greatest architects and built to be worthy of a being of her power. In the eyes of the people, their nation's resident deity had to live in a home worthy of her stature. The Emperor's chambers were hardly a place appropriate for a being of her calibre, as she was seen as something beyond the authority of mortals. At first, this was a concept that deeply disturbed Anxiang. Whilst her place within her tribe had brought her a lot of privilages born out of respect, she certainly never found herself above her people's laws. She was given the reins and allowed to shape not only her own future, but a future for a group of people she barely knew. Here she was, placed in charge of a bunch of alien beings that enslaved her and held her there against her will.

As expected, this made her quite reluctant.

However, when one lives an eternity they learn much. At first, she simply stuck to doing her duties as expected. She would help to induce changes within seasons and the world around Shèng-Sī's citizens and help to keep the world around them vibrant and ever changing. Thus she was dubbed the Mother of Changes, ruling from a sanctified and hidden shrine, a place of worship known to only the most devout of her followers. As time went by, she began to take a further interest within the people of the land. Hard ships came and went, and her position of power was something to be admired. She may have been bound to these people, but in a way that acted to her advantage. Indeed, she soon started to include herself within more varied matters - from land disputes to rituals, she soon began to take an active role in helping to become more of a being of wisdom worthy of consultation in the eyes of the people.

Her followers grew, and before long she was approached by the Emperor once more. The land had changed greatly over the years. Thanks to his powerful sorcery, being able to stave off aging was a mere side-effect at that point. However, his term as Emperor had lasted so long that even those loyal to him had started to slowly grow tired of his self-imposed reign. Using her blessing and influence, he could sway those around him to remain loyal to him for centuries to come. After which, she could simply leave and return to the moon she called home without a single quarrel. It could all have been over with a few simple words. But such things are never as easy as they sound.

On that day, she found herself standing before thousands of the Empire's people, her husband kneeling before her as he beamed - ready to indulge in the fruits of his labours after long last. It was standing there in a ceremonial gown as white as a cloud and green as a leaf's essence that she soon realized just how much she had changed. It was the moment she held the ceremonial blade that was to cut her palm so that her husband could drink the blood of a god before his people that reminded her of whom she always would be. She was a warrior - one that stood for the safety of her tribe. And one that tampers in domains beyond what is natural - to commit untimely changes all for his own gain was worthy of leadership. It was the reasoning that hung heavy in her heart when she turned from the lifeless and scorched remains of his body, announcing to the people of Shèng-Sī that their Emperor held intent so vile that her pure blood had poisoned his very being. Announcing a successor on the spot, she soon decreed that by her right as the land's true matron, she would have a hand in testing and choosing any future Emperors of the Shèng-Sī, intent on choosing on the brightest and strongest of rulers for her people.

For now, they were her tribe. Her people. Hers to keep safe. The Emperors may have lead the people in power, the lords may own the lands...but she was going to keep them safe. At any cost.

By nature, her body is something of an entropy. In essence, all beings like her are simply reflections of the beliefs of the people combined with their own innate ability to change form at will. The base is there, but all other then that is completely up to them. Because of this, one can define a celestial being by two true forms. A physical form that it has shaped based off the faiths of the people within proximity of it or the true form comprised of an amorphous gathering of energy that any whom look upon it say it defies explanation.

This energy form does not subtract any sentience away from the being and is fully capable of casting spells, communicating telepathically and vocally as well as interacting with the world around it. It's considered hot to the touch and is able to travel across huge distances within moments, even in the vacuum of space. By it's nature, it's radiance can be enough to set most living creatures within proximity aflame with the heat and light it emits. All of this is - of course - dependant on the being's true power.

Her physical form, however, has very little fluctuating variables. At times she has assumed different forms, though her primary one appears to remain consistent with perhaps only a few minor features being changed.

Appearing in the form of a humanoid unicorn, she stands relatively tall and retains a very elegantly thin physique. Her vibrantly white fur seems oddly thin for a horse, impeccably groomed out of pure fastidious nature more then anything. Her features appear to be predominantly equine with a noticeable sharp gentleness to them. Her angular head begets a long snout, tipped by thick and full lips and large nostrils. Her ears are noticeably long, thin and easily able to adjust themselves to listen to anything around her. Her cheekbones are arched, cheeks themselves shapely and round, complimenting her features quite well. Her eyes appear to be a brilliant shade of blue, having a natural luminosity that seems to keep them aglow. This is, however, easily removed when she wishes to blend in a little more naturally. Her mane is noticeably elongated and seems to have grown quite wild, able to reach down to her upper back with it's length and impeccably well tended to with an almost metallic golden sheen. From the top of her forehead sprouts a long and seamless ivory horn, measuring a whole other head taller then her. It appears to be relatively mundane other then that, although it stores a vast amount of her innate power.

Her torso appears to be suitably lithe and supple, with long and slender arms combined with unblemished, delicate fingers capped with equine callous. Her shoulders are dainty and narrow whilst her chest is thin and slender, topped with meager and modest bosoms that add to the image of respectable feminity. Her abdominal region appears to be firm and slim with a noticably smooth and persistant waistline and mild musculature.

Her hips are noticably wide for her form - yet not clashing so much as providing a mild contrast. Her legs are long and deceptively firm with dense musculature, able to keep her stride strong whilst keeping a persitant appearance. Above her firm and shapely rump sprouts a tail that is never persistant with it's form. Often it appears to be far different then that of a typical Vistāra horse. Rather - it appears to be long and thin, ending in a large and oversized brush of a tail. It's shape may not be incidental, as she often uses it as a secondary catalyst for spellcasting - so it's pointed and bulbous-ended shape may be intentional. Otherwise, in peaceful times, it is hardly any different then a regular horse's tail, albeit colored a vibrant gold.

Her choice of attire differs vastly on what the situation is - just as the details of her form. She may choose to make herself seem gaity and clad herself in golden armor should intimidation be a factor. But most often - especially within her shrine - she wears very little other then meager scraps of yellow cloth that covers her breasts and loins, often with a flowing and loosely tied cloak or shawl around her waist. Adding to her attire is a vast amount of gold jewelry that decorates her horn, neck, hooves and wrists, often studded with large gems. Each of these gems seems to be ever-changing in it's color, each seemingly never the same color at the same time. All of this is not without purpose - of course. Her clothing is designed to give a further impression of reverant nobility whilst also representing the temptation to defile purity. The people of Shèng-Sī find minimalism to be a sign of nobility and grace, although depictions of their Divine Virgin wearing such suggestive attire is considered taboo.
Simply put , Anxiang's innate warrior persona has certainly blended in well with her newfound gentle guardian persona. She prefers to take a very hands-on approach to everything, favoring a direct way to solve a situation rather then a subtle one. She prefers to communicate up close with others and detests having to use long-distance methods of communication. Often times she ends up being quite eccentric in the eyes of others, particularly open and expressive when she has an opinion or wishes to assess a situation. Sometimes it can come off as a little intimidating or antagonistic. In fact, often times she is a little too passionate. She can take a duty to heart and become obscessed with it, come to like a person enough to be fiercely protective and although her outward appearance is frail and elegant, she tends to act the opposite. Regardless of this, she never intends to be cruel to other beings. Harsh if the moment calls for it , but never unjustly speaking down to others.

In the grand scheme of things, she thinks of herself as a force of justice and change, partially brought on by her duties. Being an immortal, however, her personality can shift over the course of a few decades. A long life tends to make one have more then a few mood swings, however she always endeavours to do her best for those that look up to her.

That is not to say - however - she stays cooped up in her Shrine all of the time. She has been known to take rather abrupt absences when the urge to explore comes along! The multiverse is a large place, and with all manner of worlds out there she often times finds herself setting off to visit these worlds and experiance them for herself. When dealing with unique environments, situations and people she tends to quickly become far more wide-eyed and curious, usually quirky to quite a significant degree and easily swayed by the romantic aspects of seeing new things. This major clash tends to make anyone from her own world snicker endlessly behind her back.

Electrical Discharge (Major, 2 turn cast time) - Manifesting in the form of a powerful bolt, this decintegrating release of electrical energy is often dispelled through her horn at a single target or spread out amongst multiple foes with less destructive results.

Climate Control - This spell has the subtle effect of inflicting change upon the climate of an area, changing factors like humidity, rainfall and other factors over a period of time. Proper use of this ability can help struggling sections of the land stablize or even render an area completely famine-ridden.

Environmental Augmentation - (4 Turn cast time) In a way, a far more specific and quick-working version of the Climate Control spell, this has the ability to spontaniously change the weather of a specific radius of up to 5 miles around the caster and manipulate the temperature to anything between -10°C and 30°C.

Innate Shapeshifting - This ability allows her to manipulate her physical form to change into any humanoid creature up to 4m (9'8") or manifest herself as a pool or sphere of any of the basic elements of medium size.

Psionics (Telepathic) - Innate psionic abilities allow her to speak into the minds of other beings within a radius of 10 miles (16km). Beings with few mental resistances may even have visions projected before their very eyes. Adding to this is the ability to sense the minds of anyone within a one mile (1.6km) radius, an ability that comes in use when on dangerous soil. Undead, spirit-based beings and creatures with stout minds can block themselves from detection.

Dominate Beast - This ability allows her to gain the favor of non-intelligent creatures within a short distance, opening them to suggestion and even allowing her to see through their eyes after mental contact has been established for six hours.

Teleportation (Major) - (2 Turn Cast Time if solo, 1 extra turn per character) Able to transport herself and up to 5 other beings over a distance of 500 Miles, this spell can take a few moments to properly cast. An instantainious cast acts much like a blink, teleporting her to a random location over a random distance.

Summon Being - (2 Turn Cast Time, requires concent) A curious combination between psionic ability and arcane spell - this allows her to transport anyone she has mentally linked with to her location if they are willing. Those that are unwilling will find that the notion being in their mind alone blocks the spell.

Purge Illness - This healing spell is in fact part of her innate abilities. Upon touching another being, she may attempt to induce a surge of rejuvinating energy that clenses the body of malign sickness and it's effects. This effects the other being visually by encasing them in a brilliant blue glow. This effect can fail of the illness is magic based.

Celestials are an enigma as far as races go. Whilst being far from the only energy-based beings to exist within the universe and further from extremely powerful (as far as the comparison to other energy-beings in the multiverse goes) in their own right, their properties are unknown to most beings that have not studied them up close. In fact, their existance is largely unknown to the general populous, to them they are simply the magical creatures that inhabit Vistāra or simply their gods. Powerful magic users tend to quickly become aware of the true nature of the supposed magic-based creatures and deities of the world and are quick to begin studying them. These as Anxiang's racial aspects.

• When a Celestial's physical body is destroyed, it reverts back to an energy form and retreats towards it's point of origin. This form can be damaged, essentially allowing souldeath to occur.
  
• She is highly resilient to elemental and energy based damage, however energy of extraplanar origin is utterly devastating to her kind and can easily bypass the physical body to damage the essence.
  
• The phyiscal form of these celestial beings does not require oxygen nor food. This does not - however - mean that they are unable to eat nor breathe. Often times they tend to emulate living creatures by eating meals, drinking and even perspiring should they allow their forms to utilize these functions. Their bodies are not immune to physical damage and are just as susceptable to death as any other creature. They have a functioning heart and brain , albiet fueled by their own essence. If either dies, so does their body, causing their energy to lose shape.
  
• Regardless of their nature, they can also become diseased if effected by magic-based illnesses, are suscptable to curses and blights aswell as certain natural processes. Whilst they do not need to eat, a celestial that does choose to eat in their physical form can develop an appetite, require the use of a restroom and even feel satesfied and full. Drinking can even lead to one becoming drunk, which is usually considered taboo amongst many of their cultures.
  
• Celestials can have offspring with most other races. Uncommon as it is, it does occur every once in a while, leading to the birth of a half-celestial Blessed One (Known as a Starchild to the more scholarly). If the mother is a celestial, then the child will resemble a combination of both parent's traits with the mother's own being the dominant traits. If the father is a celestial, then the child will resemble the father's race regardless of the mother's own. Gestation priods in both cases are very, very brief, usually lasting anywhere between three weeks and two months. This child tends to manifest some of the abilities of their parent, though mostly depending on their race or if a unique sun-born, traits and abilities relating to their parents domain. This has lead to many of the world's great heroes in fact being Starchildren themselves. The abilities that a Starchild recieves if their parent is amongst the Moondwellers is dependant on the creature they represent. Decendants of manticores tend to develop the ability to spit deadly venom, half-unicorns gain a healing touch akin to their parent's own, half-basalisks cause any they gaze upon to undergo petrification, half-dragons gain a specific elemental breath and so on and so forth!