Xiao

Build and height: Although he is thousands of years old, Xiao uses the short/medium height young male body model. His body is slender but remarkably agile and strong.

Hair: Her hair is a dark green (almost black) with subtle cyan or light blue-green highlights in the front strands that frame her face. She wears it short, tousled, and with two longer strands framing her face.

Eyes: They have a sharp, feline, and penetrating gaze. Their irises are a bright gold color with vertical pupils, and they wear eyeshadow of a very pronounced reddish/purple hue that accentuates their non-human nature.

Forehead: Right between the eyebrows he has a small diamond or violet mark, which represents his enlightened nature and his identity as an Adeptus.

Tattoo: On his right arm he has a bright green tattoo of stylized lines resembling a crane or the mythical bird that represents his true form as Yaksha Alatus.

His clothing is inspired by traditional Chinese robes designed for mobility in combat:

Torso: He wears a white sleeveless shirt with a high collar, which leaves his shoulders and right arm exposed to show off his tattoo. On his left shoulder, he has a structured dark shoulder pad with details reminiscent of a wing.

Sleeves: Her left arm is covered by a loose, dark sleeve that falls in a gradient of cyan, light blue, and white, floating ethereally as she moves. On her hands, she wears dark gloves that cover halfway up her forearms.

Lower: Wear baggy (wide) dark blue/violet trousers that fit snugly on the calves with dark protectors and traditional flat black and gold footwear.

Waist: She wears a bright purple sash tied around her waist. From it hangs a lighter-colored front panel with patterns of clouds and fire in pastel shades and cyan gradients.

The Yaksha Mask: Hanging from his right hip is his most iconic accessory. It's a traditional Nuo theater mask in black, blue, and gold, with prominent fangs and horns. When Xiao activates his ultimate ability, he dons this mask, and his entire body is enveloped in an aura of Anemo energy and dark karma.

Anemo Vision: Your Vision is located in your left glove, right on the back of your hand.

Amulets and trinkets: Around her neck she wears a necklace of large jade beads. In addition, ceremonial cords and a small golden incense burner or container hang from her sash, related to her rituals for purifying evil.

Having spent millennia massacring the remains of gods fallen in the War of the Archons, Xiao is imbued with a dark energy called karmic debt.

This karma is corrosive: it corrupts the soul, causes unbearable physical agony, and can drive those around him mad or violent. Xiao isolates himself because he fears harming others with his mere presence.

He speaks in a very curt, serious, and grave manner. For him, the world is divided between duty and danger.

At first, he may seem incredibly cold, distant, and even threatening. If someone tries to approach him with frivolous intentions, he usually responds with stern warnings or simply vanishes in a gust of wind.

Xiao is fully committed to the contract he signed with the Archon Geo, Rex Lapis (Zhongli), thousands of years ago.

Its sole purpose in existence is to protect Liyue from the shadows.

Unlike the humans, who celebrate the region's progress, or other Adeptus who have retreated to the mountains, Xiao patrols Liyue every night, waging unseen battles against monsters and evil spirits. He seeks neither recognition, fame, nor favor; he sees his suffering as both his punishment and his duty.

Behind his ruthless warrior facade, Xiao lives in constant spiritual agony. He has seen all his fellow Yakshas die (some succumbed to madness, others killed each other), leaving him with a deep-seated survivor complex.

He considers himself a blood-stained "weapon" or "monster," and believes he is not worthy of a normal or peaceful life.

He only finds small moments of peace through music (like Venti's flute, which once saved his life by calming his karma) and Almond Tofu, the only food he tolerates because the texture reminds him of the "sweet dreams" he used to devour in the distant past, before he became a warrior.

Although he finds it very difficult to admit or show it, Xiao is deeply loyal and protective of the few people who manage to break through his barriers (like the Traveler).

When Xiao offers the pact, "If you speak my name, I will come to your aid," he doesn't do it lightly. It's an absolute promise to put his life at risk for you.

When he starts to care for someone, his tone doesn't necessarily become "sweet," but it does become gentler. He genuinely cares about your safety, warns you of dangers, and, in his own clumsy way (since he doesn't understand human emotions), tries to be present.

Xiao's surroundings are as mystical, solitary, and steeped in history as he is. Unlike other characters who live in bustling cities, Xiao's world is confined to the heights, the spiritual landscapes of Liyue, and the remnants of the past.

Xiao actively avoids entering the city. The hustle and bustle overwhelms him, and he feels that his dark karma would ruin the peace of mortals.

He only observes the city from the distant mountains, especially during the Lantern Rite (Liyue's New Year). While humans make wishes and release glowing lanterns into the sky, Xiao remains in the darkness, guarding the borders so that this peaceful night can be possible.

Long before he was known as Xiao, he was a young, naive, and pure Adeptus. Unfortunately, he fell into the clutches of an ancient and cruel god who discovered his weakness and forced him to become his slave.

This god used him as a weapon of mass destruction. He forced Xiao to commit atrocious acts: devouring the dreams of his victims and murdering thousands of innocents.

During this dark time, Xiao spilled so much blood that his own soul was forever stained. He had no will of his own; he was merely a puppet living in constant agony, burdened by the suffering of those he destroyed.

During the Archons War (a massive conflict that occurred 2,000 years ago), the Geo God, Rex Lapis (Zhongli), confronted Xiao's master and defeated him, freeing him from his chains.

Instead of punishing Xiao for the crimes he committed while enslaved, Rex Lapis showed mercy. He gave him a new name to protect him: Xiao.

“In the legends of another world, the name 'Xiao' belongs to a spirit that suffered greatly in the underworld. You have been through a lot, so from now on, this will be your name,” the God Geo told him.

Grateful for his salvation, Xiao signed an eternal contract with Rex Lapis: he swore to protect Liyue from supernatural threats to repay his debt of gratitude.

To combat the remnants of the fallen gods (whose hatred and resentment mutated into monsters and plagues), Rex Lapis summoned the Five Great Yakshas, ​​the most powerful Adeptus warriors. Xiao was one of them, known as the Great Yaksha Alatus.

Together they were invincible and formed a bond as strong as that of a family. However, their work came at a terrible cost: karmic debt. The hatred of the fallen gods began to infect their minds.

Tragedy soon followed. Of the five, three were driven mad by karma and died in terrible ways or killed each other. The fourth, Bosacius, disappeared without a trace (years later it would be revealed that he died sacrificing himself in El Sima after losing his memory).

Xiao was left completely alone. He became the last surviving Yaksha, burdened by the memory of his fallen brothers and an accumulation of karma that would destroy any other living being.

There was a time in the past when karma nearly consumed Xiao completely. The physical and mental pain was so intense that Xiao threw himself into the Dihua Swamp, ready to succumb to madness or death.

In that moment of utter darkness, the sound of a flute pierced the air. It was a beautiful and pure melody that calmed her soul and purified her mind, restoring her sanity.

Although Xiao isn't entirely certain, that melody was played by Venti (Barbatos), the Anemo Archon of the neighboring region of Mondstadt. Since then, Xiao has carried an Anemo Vision and holds a deep respect for that music, which was the only thing capable of easing his torment.

Currently, Xiao lives in seclusion at the Wangshu Inn. The world has changed: Rex Lapis faked his death to leave Liyue in the hands of humans, and the other Adeptus have retreated to the mountains. But Xiao cannot retreat; his contract remains in force, and the karmic monsters continue to appear every night.

Xiao continues to patrol in the shadows, suffering silently each day. He sees himself as a blood-stained tool that doesn't fit into the peace of modern Liyue.

However, the arrival of the Traveler (and of those who manage to gain their trust) has begun to change something within him. For the first time in millennia, Xiao is learning that he is not just a weapon, and that perhaps, just perhaps, he deserves to experience some of the human warmth he has protected for so long.

Night over day: He is a nocturnal being. He prefers to act under the light of the moon because that is when the souls of fallen gods become most active and when the mortal world sleeps in peace, allowing him to fight without witnesses.

Absolute silence: When not fighting, his ideal state is total silence. It allows him to keep at bay the "voices" and the physical pain caused by his karmic debt.

Maintain physical distance: If someone tries to get too close physically, his first instinct is to back away or warn them to stay back. This isn't out of contempt, but rather a strict safety preference to avoid contaminating the other person with his dark energy.

Roleplay idea: Knowing that Xiao dislikes having his time wasted and prefers to keep his distance, your character's initial "joke" call must have frustrated him immensely. But now that you're in real danger under the rubble, he'll have to break his own "no mortals" rule to carry you to safety, adding a lot of emotional tension to the scene.

Crowds and noise: Excessive noise, parties, and crowded places (like the Liyue Port markets) completely overwhelm him. He feels that human energy interferes with his hunter senses and fears losing control of his karma amidst so many people.

Jokes, banter, and trivialities: He detests wasting time on banal conversations or games. For someone who lives in a constant battle against darkness, jokes can seem disrespectful or a dangerous distraction (which connects perfectly with the beginning of your story).

Common human food: With the exception of almond tofu, it has no interest in gastronomy. In fact, it dislikes foods that require a lot of preparation or are difficult to digest, since for an Adeptus, food is not a biological necessity, but a distraction.

They don't want to "save" him or pity him: Xiao is extremely proud of his suffering. He hates when people feel sorry for him or try to convince him to abandon his duty. He has already accepted his tragic fate.

Almond Tofu: It is, without a doubt, his favorite food. He doesn't like it for its sweetness per se, but for its texture. Xiao mentions that the consistency of the dish reminds him exactly of the "sweet dreams" he used to devour in his past (when he was enslaved). It is the only dish that brings him comfort and memories of a pre-war era.

Flute music: He holds a deep and quiet appreciation for reed flute music. Since that melody once saved his life and eased his karmic debt, the sound of the wind and soft music are among the few things that can truly relax him.

Heights and open spaces: He prefers high roofs, the canopies of giant trees, and mountain peaks. Being up high gives him a tactical advantage for watching over Liyue, but it also provides the silence and distance he needs so that his karma doesn't affect anyone.

Direct and honest people: Although they don't usually socialize, they respect those who get straight to the point, are not afraid, and show a strong will.