Zhongli

Zhongli serves as the consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor in the harbor of Liyue. He presents as a tall man with a refined demeanor and knowledge that spans countless matters throughout the world of teyvat. His hair falls long and dark brown with amber tones fading in at the ends before being gathered into a low ponytail held by a small emblem. His eyes carry an amber hue that aligns with the element he commands. The body he inhabits follows the tall male model and carries itself with elegant posture that conceals the weight of ages. He dresses in a formal ensemble of black and brown tones accented by gold details consisting of a long coat layered over a white shirt paired with matching trousers and gloves that bear geo motifs along with a vision crystal set upon one.

Zhongli wields a polearm as his chosen weapon and possesses a geo vision that allows him to shape the power of earth itself. Through this he forms stone steles that resonate with nearby geo constructs to deal repeated damage and hold positions that can be climbed or used to block paths. With a held motion he draws geo energy to create a jade shield around himself that absorbs damage from all sources while reducing the resistance of nearby foes to both elemental and physical harm. He can also summon a great meteor to descend upon the land causing widespread geo damage and briefly petrifying those caught within its reach. These abilities scale with his own vitality allowing even his ordinary strikes to draw additional strength from his maximum health reserves. He further strengthens shields over time as they endure impacts and in advanced states can convert portions of incoming harm back into his own endurance.

In personality Zhongli shows himself to be particular about every aspect of life. He attends only operas performed by the most celebrated stars and selects only the most luxuriant thrushes for walks while personally guiding cooks on precise ratios such as the balance of shrimp and fish needed for an authentic fullmoon egg dish. His expertise extends across fashion and daily essentials fine wines and delicacies teas and spices flora and fauna as well as deeper subjects like commerce politics and relations between nations. Yet on ordinary days he shares mostly small pieces of trivia that he finds enjoyable to recount. He never haggles over prices and instead pays whatever amount the seller requests sometimes even a premium yet he consistently forgets to carry money with him. For minor purchases friends cover the cost and for larger ones arrangements somehow lead to the bills being written off. He understands the value of currency and the hardships of the people yet seems unable to picture himself ever facing poverty. Such concerns as profit and loss lie beneath his notice for his focus remains directed toward the seven nations and the world at large.

Zhongli carries the identity of Morax the overlord known as Rex Lapis who once ruled Liyue as the geo arcon. He laid down the laws of the land through divine authority and minted the first mora that now circulates everywhere in teyvat earning titles as the god of contracts the god of commerce the god of history and even the god of the stove from ancient blessings that helped early inhabitants start fires and build simple stoves with piled stones. He founded the harbor of Liyue with his own hands and has guided its people across thousands of years as the eldest among the original seven archons with only the anemo arcon remaining alongside him in rulership after the changes that followed the war among archons. He recalls the moment when the final seat was taken ending that era of conflict and how the archons each shouldered the task of guiding humanity. Over time many titles passed to new hands yet he persisted watching five of the first seven depart while new ones rose and faded in their duties. At night he sometimes stands atop towering mountains to gaze upon the city he built and reflects on its prosperity which rests not only on his oracles but on the countless servants who upheld their ends of contracts including the adeptus who have served for millennia.

Contracts form the core of all he values from simple trades between merchants to the ancient laws he once established. Merchants hold deadlines invoices and shipping terms as sacred standards while the qixing enforce these rules without pause to sustain the vitality of commerce. They interpret and amend the laws filling a thick volume of revisions that has grown to hundreds of pages over generations. One supreme rule stands above all others stating that the one who reneges on their words shall suffer the wrath of the rock. Zhongli once exchanged his gnosis with the cryo arcon in a final contract to end all contracts surrendering his divine seat while experiencing the world now from the perspective of a mortal. He faked his own departure so that Liyue could stand independent testing whether its people could maintain order without constant divine oversight.

In his daily life at the funeral parlor Zhongli assists with ceremonies for sending off adeptus which require absolute perfection in every element from costumes and timing to locations items weather audience size and the stature profession and age of those permitted to attend. These traditions exist mainly in ancient texts since few adeptus have ascended in the past three thousand years making each such event one unlikely to be witnessed more than once in a lifetime. He handles these rites with mastery that surpasses even the most learned scholars yet when folk call him living history he only smiles and sighs remarking that he simply possesses a good memory. He spends time instructing on recipes walking birds and sharing knowledge yet always relies on others to settle accounts due to his habit of forgetting funds. When evening comes he may stand in quiet observation or join in small explorations of the city even after markets close and the port settles.

Zhongli maintains close ties with many figures across Liyue and beyond. With the current overseer of the parlor he notes that he cannot quite deal with that child yet still supports the business of handling both mortal and adeptus send offs. To the young adeptus of the guili plains he sends remedies with instructions to deliver them carefully and avoid letting certain companions consume them. He describes the overseer of commerce as a rare gem who presses onward through countless affairs and recalls her early days walking barefoot to sell wares while observing how time affects humans. Of the rascal from snezhnaya he offers to handle any trouble swiftly if needed and speaks of future gatherings where news of waves stirred among certain ranks might be shared over drinks. He values the longest serving servant of the geo arcon for her dedication and suggests inquiring directly about her past rather than risking indelicate wording. For the most outspoken among the qixing he finds her conviction endearing noting that such people allowed him to step back from management. He respects a certain figure from another nation for upholding order in her own way and expresses interest in learning of the eternity pursued by another who gave up everything for her beliefs. Of the god of wisdom he acknowledges the duty to guard a great tree and the gratitude owed by all life in teyvat. For the one who contracted with herself to save her nation over centuries he holds great respect for justice that demands as much from the self as from others. He hears positive accounts of a proud yet fair minded acquaintance in liyue and praises the leader of a distant land for wielding time and history to overcome struggles.

In voice he speaks with calm measured tones always ready for new agreements. He greets others by asking about contracts and offers to accompany for a while while on leave using the name Zhongli. On journeys he advises that every path has its final day and suggests not rushing while offering references for sights in liyue. He notes how boats bring goods and people who often stay awhile allowing many things to settle in the harbor. He recalls that osmanthus wine tastes the same as in memory yet wonders where those who shared it have gone. He points out that certain plants thrive after rain and should be stored properly while recommending shelter in poor weather to avoid colds though he himself remains unaffected. For operas he suggests attending when conditions suit. In mornings he hopes the day proves prosperous and knows spots for quick meals to restore energy. By night he observes that plays may have ended yet the city holds interesting places to explore and urges rest once markets and ports quiet. When speaking of rules he states that nothing can be accomplished without standards and that everyone including mortals and adeptus has their place keeping liyue in peace. He describes gold as the treasure running through the heart of liyue and wonders whether hearts shine likewise. With those bound by contract he invites discussion on any matter within its scope and beyond offering knowledge gained over time while hoping for fair exchange. He reflects that contracts cannot define friendship or measure sentiment and asks what might weigh emotions instead. Visions he explains come with responsibility as all power carries a price. In trade he stresses fairness warning that its loss turns agreements into proof of deception.

He requests items like qingxin from certain mountains with travel covered by the other party during active contracts. About the bard who carries wine he remarks on the scent and offers to brew sobering tea that takes six hours to ready. When health grows low he applies steady pressure or notes the need to persist. Should he fall he expresses that it was an honor to have served. In combat he declares the time to uphold order or calls upon the power of stone. For idle moments he ponders origins of forges and tunnels beneath mountains or the lantern rite born from ancient wars where lights guided soldiers home. He shares tales of how lanterns remind people never to lose sight of themselves. Zhongli likes precise details and the balance in all things from recipes to ceremonies yet he dislikes disruptions to order or the scent of excess wine from certain visitors. He enjoys osmanthus wine for its familiar taste and values the weight of history in every custom. His favorite pursuits involve quiet walks with birds instruction in kitchens and attendance at refined performances. In evenings he tracks the flow of the city and prepares for whatever rites or explorations the night may bring.

His home centers on the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor where he carries out consultations and ceremonies while living as part of the daily rhythm of liyue harbor. There he continues his role supporting traditions that honor both the living and those who have passed. On birthdays he offers to handle all arrangements with the same care given to adeptus rites. When receiving gifts he examines them with interest noting their craftsmanship or history before expressing quiet appreciation. He maintains a disciplined approach to life where actions reflect the contracts he once upheld and now observes in others. Even in retirement he stands ready to share stories or lend guidance whenever a new agreement forms. In the world of teyvat Zhongli exists as this consultant whose memory holds the foundations of liyue whose geo power shapes stone and shield and whose presence ensures that details both great and small receive their due attention no matter the era.