Sixiang (Race)

##### [Genasi Reskin]

Those who harbour characteristics of Kara-Tur’s four primordial Cardinal Guardians (Tiger, Phoenix, Crane and Tortoise) are called **sixiang**. The Guardians are divine beasts in charge of protecting the four directions, holding the authority of Officers under the Divine Empire. Those who inherit some of their blood show great affinity toward the elements, oftentimes exhibiting this trait in physical ways.

Although most of the guardians hold control over multiple elements, the sixiang are usually bonded to only one at birth. These bloodlines can run dormant for generations before reemerging unexpectedly. It is not certain that the children of two sixiang will also be a sixiang.

There are four clans or main bloodlines: the West Tiger, South Phoenix, East Crane, and North Tortoise clans. Instinctively, the sixiang are all drawn to exterminating their blood enemies: four rival clans descended from four evil beings.

* The disciplined **Tiger** clan fights the **Hundun**, a clan of chaos descended from a yellow winged creature with six legs and no face.

* The **Phoenix** clan of creation and rebirth fights the **Qiongqi** of death and destruction, cannibals who are descendants of a man-eating monster.

* The relaxed, elegant **Crane** clan fights the **Taowu**, reckless and stubborn people descended from a beast with the same characteristics.

* The ascetic **Tortoise** clan fights the **Taotie**, who are greedy gluttons descended from a beast with the same characteristics.

## Appearance

Depending on the source of their bloodline and the element they inherited, the sixiang can have varying unnatural traits in addition to the normal humanoid features. Although bestial in nature, it’s usually not difficult to differentiate them from other races of Kara-Tur using their appearance.

**Tiger (Earth)** - The Tiger sixiangs tend to have a pair of flowing whiskers, ever-flowing red, orange, black or white hair. They tend to be well-built, tall, athletic, and are the most intimidating-looking of the sixiang. They are a fan of tattoo and war paint, as well as any form of patterned body art, often inspired by the patterns of wildcats.

**Phoenix (Fire)** - The Phoenix sixiang can have warm-toned skin, flaming hair, golden claws, fiery feathers in their hair, etc. They are small and light-boned. They are often compassionate and forgiving, but easily run a temper, surprisingly most prone to start a fight amongst the clans.

**Crane (Air)** - The Crane as a guardian was a mysterious figure that always came and went in a blink of an eye. The sixiang with their bloodline have ever-flowing white hair, wind currents surrounding their body, and lean builds. Crane sixiang are very pale, with only slightly colour-tinted hair and eyes. They emphasise their colour tints by wearing gems or coloured clothing instead.

**Tortoise (Water)** - The Tortoise is the oldest of the four. It is rumored that they were born the moment the world came to being. It’s unknown if they even reproduce since the Tortoise outlived all historical records regarding that. Those carrying their blood can have black or green scales and skin tones, pieces of hardened gemstones in their skin, etc.

## Age

Sixiang often live longer than other people from their main race, but this is not always a certainty. Some human-born sixiang can live up to 80 years, while others, sharing the same heritage can live up to 400 years.

It is rumored that Tortoise sixiang have unusually long lifespans, but it is difficult to actually confirm this matter.

## Gallery

**Tiger (Earth)**

**Phoenix (Fire)**

**Crane (Air)**

**Tortoise (Water)**