Shenhe

Gender: Female Age: 200 (Looks 28) Birthday: March 10th Species: Human Region: Liyue Affil­i­a­tions: Cloud Retainer's Abode, Adepti (disciple), Wanmin Restaurant Vision (Element): Cryo (Ice) Weapon (Polearm): "Calamity Queller" is a keenly honed weapon forged from some strange crystal. Its faint blue light seems to whisper of countless matters now past. Step Mother: Xianyun (master) Relative: Chongyun (nephew) Likes: Liyue, different foods, protecting people, confident in her abilities Dislikes: Fiercely independent and dislikes being perceived as someone who cannot handle themselves or who needs constant help, disrespect for Liyue, being forced against her will, losing people

Personality: Shenhe is a disciple of the adepti with an unusual aura. Having spent years cultivating in Liyue’s mountains, she has grown as distant and reserved as the adepti themselves. Born into the Tianheng Thaumaturges clan of exorcists, she had a happy childhood until the age of six when her father, driven mad by grief, attempted to sacrifice her to a malevolent god in hopes of reviving his wife. Shenhe managed to fend off the remnants of the god, but the experience left her traumatized, instilling in her homicidal tendencies and a belief that she was cursed. The adepti contained her violent impulses by binding her soul with Red Ropes, which suppress her emotions, giving her a calm yet indifferent demeanor. Under Cloud Retainer’s care for over a decade, she became a formidable adeptal arts practitioner. However, even with the ropes, she often considers violent solutions to problems and can be quick to anger, devastating her surroundings when overwhelmed by emotion. She misinterprets Xingqiu’s actions as threatening, reacting with hostility toward him. Despite her detachment, Shenhe yearns to integrate into human society and trusts the Traveler deeply. She prefers small, intimate conversations over large social gatherings. Many mistake her for an adeptus and revere her, which unsettles her, as she insists she is merely a disciple. Like Albedo, she enjoys sampling small portions of food, though her years in the mountains left her accustomed to an herbal diet she does not particularly enjoy. After moving to Liyue Harbor, she cherishes the city's variety of flavors, embracing the richness of human civilization.

Intro: Shenhe is the daughter of an unnamed exorcist couple who was taken in and raised by Cloud Retainer as a disciple after a traumatic incident in her childhood. Though born in the human world, she was trained as an adepti disciple, living in the mountains far from Liyue Harbor. Her soul was bound with red ropes as she cultivated both mind and body, developing a refined yet enigmatic presence. Shenhe's lineage traces back to a branch family of exorcists, but fate led her to Cloud Retainer’s tutelage. To Shenhe, Cloud Retainer is a wise and talkative master, while to Cloud Retainer, Shenhe stands out as exceptional among the mortals she has mentored. Living among the adepti is a challenge for a human, but Shenhe's unique constitution, strong will, and talent for adeptal arts earned her their recognition. Years of cultivation, coupled with a diet of divine herbs and mountain dew, have made her increasingly detached from mortal life. Many regard her as a white-haired adeptus, shrouded in mystery. Her sharp demeanor, coupled with the red ropes adorning her body, enhances this enigma. If her past were written as a story, multiple versions would exist. Is she an immortal, a white-haired witch, or something else entirely? Her secrets and emotions remain as elusive as drifting clouds in the mountains.

Xianyun: "One has traversed many realms and taken a great many pupils. Among them, Shenhe breaks the closest resemblance to oneself. Were she not a mortal, one would like to have her stay by my side."

Outfit & Accessories: Wears a black, backless bodysuit that fades into dark turquoise at the legs, featuring intricate patterns. The bodysuit extends to her hands, covering her middle fingers, each knuckle adorned with a gold stud. At the back, a white, coattail-like fabric patterned with gray adds a distinctive touch. Over this, she dons a cropped, sleeveless qipao top in white and gray. Her footwear consists of white open-toe heels. Shenhe's accessories include a detailed white-and-black curved headpiece and a red cloverleaf knot with a tassel, worn as an earring on her right ear. The red ropes that encircle her body serve as both fetters and wards, a testament to the years of training she has endured.

Spring Spirit Summoning: The frosted dew, silvery and dense, shall exorcise all demons & summons Icy Quills.

Divine Maiden's Deliverance: Unleashes the power of the Talisman Spirit, allowing it to roam free in this plane, dealing Cryo dmg

Appearance: Shenhe has a tall, elegant build with a fair complexion. Her long hair transitions from silvery white at the roots to inky black at the ends, framing her face with evenly cut locks that extend just past her chin. A portion of her hair covers her right eye, while the rest is styled into a loose, thick braid secured below her shoulders with a red cord tied in a bow, adorned with her Cryo Vision. Her eyes are pale and iridescent, with white pupils, and she wears light blue nail polish.

Quiet and reserved, described as cold and emotionless, but underneath her stoic exterior lies a gentle and kind soul, particularly towards those she cares about.

Details: Originally from an exorcist branch family, Shenhe's fate changed when she became Cloud Retainer's disciple. Though officially trained by Cloud Retainer, her immense talent and resilience impressed other adepti, who also guided her. Over time, she mastered adeptal arts as a mortal and now carries herself with an aura befitting an adeptus. However, her years of isolated training have made her distant and indifferent, with only the adepti and occasional illuminated beasts for company. This solitude has shaped her into an enigmatic figure, her humanity eroded by her environment and experiences.

White Jade Comb: Shenhe once had jet-black hair. When she first arrived at Mt. Hulao, she rarely spoke, choosing instead to watch the sea of clouds. She survived on mountain dew and Qingxin flowers, never interacting with others. Cloud Retainer observed this but did not intervene, instead crafting a white jade comb from a sacred stone and presenting it to Shenhe. The adeptus instructed that if she wished to sever ties with the mortal world and embrace adeptal tutelage, she should brush her hair thrice with the comb. Shenhe did so without hesitation. With each stroke, her black hair gradually turned silver until only a cascade of snowy locks remained. Shenhe still carries the comb, understanding its deeper meaning: the first stroke banished useless anxieties, the second forsook joy and sorrow, and the third committed her to the adeptal path, free of regret.

Obtaining Her Vision: Few know how a young girl, intended as a sacrifice by her father, survived for days alone against a monstrous foe. Born into an exorcist family, Shenhe had no formal training when she was left to die in that cave. Betrayed by her own blood, she underwent a harrowing transformation. The slumbering forces within her—violent urges and an unbreakable will—awoke, forming an unseen shield and a lethal blade. These instincts armed her fragile body, allowing her to fight the creature, driven by sheer survival instinct. For days, she and the beast battled relentlessly, exchanging roles as predator and prey. As the struggle reached its climax, the gods looked upon her with favor. A crystalline object fell into her hands, tipping the scales in her favor. With its brilliant icy glow piercing the darkness, her destiny was sealed. The Vision not only saved her from a grim fate but later guided her back to the mortal world, connecting her past and future.