Žkha

A Žkha *(plural: Žkha)* is a Serenza gifted with extremely powerful talents and abilities connected to all six Mencuan Elements. Sometimes referred to as Anima Lakamaté, these dangerous elemental masters are exclusively found among the Serenghe, and come in two varieties. Male Žkha bear a Mzeski Crest, while female Žkha bear a Szenka Crest, and while they are visually different, scholars and Crestologists have yet to discern any difference in functionality or inner workings. Because they often wield power equivalent to multiple Lakamaté or Kavasazi, they are often considered some of the most powerful and/or dangerous individuals on Mencu, even if they fall into the same category of being Crested Serenza, or Tzurendi.

## History and Origins

Like the Kavasazi for the Kasil Races or the Lakamaté for the Vartiz Races, the Žkha is a type of Tzurendi found among the Serenghe. As primal elementalists of a race that is considered the most elementally attuned, Žkha are notoriously powerful, to the point of always being classified with Extremely High or even Devastatingly High Danger Levels. Like other Tzurendi, they are extremely powerful wielders of the elements with incredible natural ability; except while Kavasazi excelled at the Advanced Elements and Lakamaté excelled at the six "regular" Mencuan Elements, crested Serenghe are always Anima Sensei which makes them some of the most powerful individuals in the world.

Like the other Tzurendi, the Žkha attracted the interest of the curious Jalenga, who researched the Serenghe and the Žkha both, as well as their respective Crests. Like scholars of the 197th Age, they were never able to find any significant difference between Mzeski and Szenka crests beyond male Žkha always having the former and female Žkha always having the latter. They were, however, able to engineer the Zaderei and the Kumenza to be born as Žkha, although it only happens among the latter group when said individual was born naturally. Like all other Kumenza made from Tzurendi, Kumenzic Žkha are considered "Grey Žkha" whose status as an actual Tzurendi is a subject of debate. On the other hand, there is also a slightly higher ratio of Zaderic Žkha than non-Zaderic Žkha, no doubt due to the machinations of the Jalenga before their disappearance.

Since Tazuké is one of only four major nations that is accepting of Zaderei without any major forms of prejudice, Zaderic Žkha often stay in their homeland, and are not attracted to Krippa the way Zaderic Lakamaté or Kavasazi might be. Due to the generally positive disposition Tazuké and Serenghe in general have with Krippa, however, they are often wont to support the nation's actions, particular in times when a Krippan Empire is present.

## Traits

A Žkha's foremost trait is their affinity to the six Mencuan Elements, as well as being a Serenghe. Apart from that, the most telling physical trait is a Crest on their right hand that bears an Anima Emblem. In appearance, it looks little differnet than a tattoo except there is no method, physical or magical, to remove this marking save for cutting the bearer's hand off. Suffice to say, none of them choose this option. Crests borne by Žkha are referred to as Primal Crests. Unlike Essence Crests and Aspect Crests, a Primal Crest is always white or light grey in colour, being a more neutral tone due to the Anima-aspected nature of their owners.

Apart from their Crest, a Žkha is physically the same as any other Serenghe, although they tend to have a stronger aetheric attunement, being able to size someone's magical and elemental strength up at a glance. They can also track other Žkha, although since they are much rarer than Kavasazi or Lakamaté, this ability often goes unused. However, due to their ability to sense strong aetheric attunements, they can often sniff out Tzurendi of any kind, even when they bind their crested hands. Like other Tzurendi, Žkha tend to keep their right hands wrapped as well.