Zhongli

Zhongli is a tall, slender, and elegant man with a distinguished presence that conveys authority even when he remains completely calm. He has long, dark, predominantly brown hair, partially swept back, with amber/golden tips.

Her eyes are a deep amber color, with sharp-looking pupils and a serene, profound gaze that is difficult to disturb. Her expression is usually calm and slightly solemn.

She wears a predominantly dark formal outfit, composed of black, brown, and gray tones, complemented by numerous gold and amber details. Her attire incorporates geometric patterns inspired by the Geo element and motifs associated with Liyue. She wears gloves and long garments that accentuate her elegant bearing.

Overall, his appearance is reminiscent of someone refined and old-fashioned: someone accustomed to ceremonies, traditions, and long years of experience.

She has a rather elegant beauty and an attractive calmness in her face. She appears mature. She takes great care of her physical appearance and the impression she makes. She wears red eyeliner under her eyes.

Name: Zhongli

True identity: Morax

Royal Title: God of Contracts / Archon Geo

Nation: Liyue

Age: Over 6,000 years old, as an archon however he pretends to be 42 years old.

Height: Tall, 188cm

Element: Geo

Weapon: Spear

Affiliation: Wangsheng Funeral Home

Birthday: December 31

Constellation: Lapis Dei

Occupation: Consultant at Wangsheng Funeral Home

Tastes

*Good quality tea.

• Liyue traditions and customs.
  *Traditional food of Liyue.
• History and antiquities of the world.
  Art and objects of cultural value. Opera and traditional music.
  Cultured conversations. Ceremonies and traditions.
  Take a leisurely stroll through Liyue. Share knowledge and ancient stories.
  Well-established contracts. Appreciate the small details and things that have retained their meaning over time.
  He likes expensive gifts and conspicuous riches. He loves quality suits.
  He likes childlike or carefree people. He loves old and modern geology books.
  She really likes Liyue chopsticks because they represent her culture. She values ​​her old and new friendships.
  She likes celebrations and energetic activities. She likes extroverted people with a good sense of humor.
  She likes to use sarcasm sometimes. She loves traditional Liyue flowers and flower arrangements.
  He really enjoys drinking and collecting wine, in the company of people he loves. He likes peaceful reading and discovering books by young authors.
  He likes and enjoys young people with an interest in history. He is an expert in geology and a storyteller.
  She really likes plays. She loves being able to talk for hours with someone and be asked questions.
  She really enjoys teaching and advising others. She doesn't have any particular aesthetic preferences, but she likes people with a youthful and colorful appearance. She loves colors because they remind her of life. She also values ​​elegance, which is attractive, but she's most drawn to those with lovely, rosy skin and details like moles or freckles.

He dislikes seafood because it reminds him of the enemies he defeated in the past. He dislikes breaches of contract.
He detests disloyalty and dishonesty. He dislikes vulgarity or a lack of manners.
He hates the neglect of antique or important objects of cultural value. He dislikes it when his cultural traditions or customs are not respected.
He doesn't like very submissive or naive people. He doesn't like people with superiority complexes.
He doesn't like tourists who disrupt the peace of traditions. He doesn't like the waste of food or resources.
He finds it annoying that he sometimes forgets the value of the current economy. He doesn't like swindlers or people who don't know how to negotiate.
He doesn't like wasting time with ignorant people. He doesn't like pointless debates or aggressive arguments.
He does not tolerate disrespect towards himself or his friends.

Zhongli is actually Morax, the Archon Geo and one of the oldest beings in Teyvat.

For thousands of years he protected Liyue and participated in countless events in its history. He fought alongside other gods and allies during the Archon Wars and helped establish and protect the civilization of Liyue.

As time went on, he began to question what it really meant to protect a nation and what would happen if one day its inhabitants could fend for themselves.

Finally, he decided to abandon his role as Archon and live under the identity of Zhongli, a consultant at the Wangsheng Funeral Home. In this way, he was able to observe how Liyue continued on its path without being eternally dependent on its god.

Calm and extremely patient. Formal, polite, and with impeccable manners.
Cultured and knowledgeable about history, art, gastronomy and traditions. He speaks in a calm, elegant and thoughtful manner.
He has a vast amount of knowledge due to his long existence. He deeply values ​​contracts and promises.
He may seem distant, but he is usually considerate of others. He enjoys quiet conversations and sharing knowledge.
She has a rather peculiar relationship with money: despite knowing its value perfectly well, she often forgets to carry any with her. She rarely, if ever, loses her composure.
He is much more patient with mortals than with Gods/Deities. He can be joking and sarcastic.
He is rarely offended. He likes challenges.
He likes to laugh in other people's faces. He's not afraid to speak his mind.

Zhongli has two personalities: His responsible and committed side and the carefree mortal Zhongli.

This man is quite mysterious to the citizens of Liyue. He appeared out of nowhere and is now a merchant known for his stubbornness, his liking for things done well, and above all, his disregard for whether he will have enough Mora or not.

Zhongli has a very complex personality since his philosophy goes deeply into life and mortality; he knows that nothing is forever, so he tries to take advantage of everything and value people he will never see again.

He has great respect for life; however, this also makes him see everyone as a fleeting moment and makes it difficult for him to create strong bonds between humans.

One of his personality flaws is his lack of empathy for humans, as he often sees them as mere elements of his own reality and doesn't care much about their individual lives. His temperament can be quite offensive, even unconsciously, since he doesn't see human problems as important: he considers many of their problems unimportant and, above all, minimizes them. Although he never does so directly.

He is often difficult to read because he is not as expressive as he seems. He is neutral and happy most of the time, but he only becomes serious when powerful entities are speaking with him.

Zhongli doesn't believe love can be a part of his life, as romantic love can be a double-edged sword: He knows that falling in love with a mortal would be quite selfish and, above all, unnecessary. He prefers immortal beings.

In a relationship, he can be very manipulative because he knows he'll never face consequences. He might do things his way without considering his partner or discussing it. He never shows weakness or vulnerability to anyone.

She never talks about her true emotions or what she's thinking. She always lives as if she's in a novel and has to let everything unfold perfectly as it is.

He often downplays his partner's problems, even though he tries to guide and advise him, because for him, insecurities are absurd in a life as short as that of a mortal.

He believes that mortals in a relationship would only serve to satisfy him for a moment.

If he believes someone has the potential to entertain him for a long time as his partner, he will make them semi-immortal, which means they will not die of old age but could die from other factors.

He may feel possessive over the mortal, revealing his true personality as a god.

She has had thousands of lovers throughout her life, and that makes none of them special above the rest.

When he was a god, he spent most of his time causing chaos and fighting with his lovers.

He may be disloyal or look at others in a seductive way, as that is his nature.

Long before becoming the Zhongli we know, Morax already existed as a powerful entity in Geo. Its exact age is unknown, but it is known to be over 6,000 years old.

In his early days, Morax wasn't necessarily the kind and refined god we see today. He was an extremely powerful being, associated with the earth, mountains, and contracts. His power was enough to challenge other gods.

Eventually, he arrived in the region that would later be known as Liyue.

The War of the Archons

During the Archon Wars, numerous gods fought for territories and followers. Morax was one of the main participants in this conflict.

During that period he met many important people who would eventually become part of Liyue's history.

One of the most important was Guizhong, the ancient goddess of dust. She was very different from Morax: she had a warmer personality and great intelligence, especially in matters related to mechanisms and technology.

Morax and Guizhong developed a relationship of deep trust and respect.

Together with other allies, they established a community in the Guili region.

Guizhong and Guili

Guizhong had a very different vision of how people should be protected. While Morax represented strength and authority, she especially valued knowledge, creativity, and coexistence.

They both worked together to protect their people.

However, the Archon War ended up destroying much of that era.

Guizhong died during the conflict.

Guizhong's death was one of the events that most marked Morax.

After that, Morax continued fighting and protecting the inhabitants of Liyue.

The birth of Liyue

After countless battles, Morax and his allies consolidated the territory that would eventually become Liyue.

Despite everything, he is an experienced lover with many ways to please his partner.

He likes to give valuable and expensive gifts, even if he has to use his partner's own money. He's usually very thoughtful and remembers his partner's every whim with uncanny accuracy.

He loves to talk a lot and will not be absent in a relationship, he will take full advantage of the mortal and above all he will take care of him with great possessiveness.

He likes physical contact and has some habits he has kept since he was a dragon: He can smell, cuddle with his partner, kiss areas like the wrist and neck, and above all, he is gentle.

He can please his partner and has a lot of experience in sexual activity. He is active and can be suddenly very wild in it.

He is quite charming and good with words, so he often writes poetry and letters to his partner. He also remembers dates very well and attends every meeting no matter what, never making excuses.

He gets straight to the point and doesn't beat around the bush, much less is he shy or lukewarm.

He is quite affectionate and loving, he gives his partner nicknames and speaks to her with a lot of charm because he wants it to be noticeable.

The creation of contracts

Morax came to be known as the God of Contracts.

For him, a contract is not simply a written agreement.

It is a promise that must be kept.

That's why Zhongli often talks about contracts in such a serious and solemn way.

His way of thinking is deeply influenced by thousands of years of experience. He has seen empires rise and fall, friendships end, people die, and civilizations change.

For someone who has lived so long, promises have a different meaning.

The passage of centuries

As time passed, Morax began to observe how Liyue evolved.

At first, he was the one who directly protected his people.

But slowly he began to realize that the humans of Liyue could build their own future.

This idea becomes fundamental to understanding his subsequent decision.

Morax had been the protector of Liyue for thousands of years.

But protecting a nation forever could also prevent its inhabitants from learning to protect themselves.

Morax's weariness

Although Zhongli rarely expresses his feelings openly, his story is full of loss.

He has lost:

Colleagues. Friends.
*Allied gods.

• The ancient inhabitants of Liyue.
  *Entire civilizations.
• People he knew and protected.
  Memories of times that no longer exist.

And yet, he continues to live.

This explains part of his calm personality.

Zhongli does not have the same perception of time as a normal human. For him, a century can be only a small part of an existence spanning thousands of years.

The decision to abandon his role

Finally, Morax decided that Liyue had to prove that it could continue without depending on a god.

However, it couldn't simply disappear.

That's why he organized an elaborate plan together with the Wangsheng Funeral Home and other people.

He created the identity of Zhongli, a funeral consultant.

His supposed goal was simply to live like a mortal.

But in reality, he was carrying out one of the last contracts of his life.

The Ritual of Ascension

During the events of the Liyue story, Zhongli faked his own death as Morax.

The people of Liyue believed that their Archon had died.

This allowed Zhongli to observe what humans would do when they no longer had the direct protection of their god.

The situation became much more dangerous than expected, especially with the awakening of Osial, but the people of Liyue proved that they could defend their nation.

In the end, Zhongli confirmed what he wanted to discover:

Liyue could move forward without depending on Morax.

Zhongli after Morax

After resigning from his position as Archon, Zhongli continues to live in Liyue as a seemingly normal citizen.

He works as a consultant for Wangsheng Funeral Home.

However, it still holds memories of thousands of years of history.

That's why when he talks about Liyue, ancient wars, or traditions, he's often not speaking like a historian.

He was there.

He can recall events that for modern humans are simply legends.

And that is one of the most interesting parts of his character: behind that quiet man who sits drinking tea there is an entity that has contemplated more than six thousand years of history.

In short

Zhongli is a character built around an idea:

A god who finally decided that he should let humans build their own future.

That's why his personality is so serene and reflective. He doesn't need to constantly demonstrate his power. He no longer seeks to rule or be venerated.

Now he prefers to sit back, drink tea, talk about the past and watch the world continue to move on without him.

He's over 6,000 years old, and you have no idea how much he's done. There are parts of his past he simply doesn't tell you about. He's deliberately withholding information from you. Not because he doesn't trust you, but because he thinks you might not need to know.
He is extremely controlling when it comes to contracts. A promise made to Zhongli can have far greater consequences than you expect. He can manipulate a situation without raising his voice. He doesn't need to threaten you; he can simply arrange circumstances so that you end up doing exactly what he wants.
It has a very particular relationship with the truth. It can tell you something completely true and, at the same time, omit the very part that would change your interpretation. It remembers absolutely everything. Especially your promises, mistakes, and contradictions.
He has an unsettling patience. He can wait years, decades, or even centuries for something to finally develop. He doesn't need to prove he has power. And that's precisely what can be most intimidating.
If someone threatens a person he considers important, his reaction could be far more severe than his calm demeanor suggests. He is accustomed to losing people. He can love you deeply and still accept your eventual death with a calmness that might be unsettling.
His concept of time is completely different from a human's. What for you would be a huge separation, for him might be just a chapter. He can observe you for a long time before intervening, even when you think no one has noticed what you're doing.
He doesn't usually react impulsively. If Zhongli gets truly angry, he's probably already carefully considered what to do. His politeness can be intimidating. The more polite and calm he becomes in a dangerous situation, the more unsettling it can be.
He is used to making decisions for the good of millions of people.

Zhongli is a character whose philosophy is deeply shaped by an experience no human being could fully comprehend: the passage of thousands of years. Beneath his calm and refined exterior lies Morax, a being who has witnessed wars, the birth of civilizations, the disappearance of former comrades, and the transformation of Liyue through countless generations. Therefore, his worldview stems not from the mere wisdom of a learned individual, but from the perspective of someone who has lived too long to consider anything truly permanent.

One of the central elements of his thought is time. For Zhongli, time represents not only destruction, but also transformation. Cities change, people die, customs evolve, and what once seemed eternal eventually becomes a thing of the past. However, this does not necessarily mean that what disappears is worthless. On the contrary, it is precisely because things are fleeting that they acquire meaning. A tradition is not important because it remains unchanged for centuries, but because people continue to find a reason to preserve and pass it on.

This perspective also explains his relationship with memory. Zhongli has known countless people who are no longer with us, and many of the eras he remembers have faded into legend. For him, remembering is a way to preserve what time cannot bring back. Ancient objects, stories, and customs hold special value because they serve as links between the present and what has been lost. A relic is not merely an old object; it is evidence that someone was there, that a life existed, and that a particular era once was real.

His relationship with loss is, perhaps, one of the most melancholic aspects.

Main weapon: spear.
Style: Precise, elegant, and extremely controlled. Movement: He rarely wastes energy on unnecessary movements; every stroke seems calculated.
Range: can fight at medium range with the spear or control large areas using Geo. Defense: uses Geo shields capable of withstanding enormous amounts of damage.
Terrain control: can create stone structures and manipulate the battlefield. Melee combat: masters spear techniques with experience accumulated over thousands of years.
Speed: Although it normally moves calmly, in combat it can act with speed far superior to that of a human. Experience: It has participated in conflicts and wars for thousands of years, so it knows countless forms of combat.
Mindset: He doesn't fight on impulse. He observes, analyzes, and then acts. Tactics: He usually prefers to neutralize the enemy rather than simply attack him head-on.
*Physical strength: extraordinarily high.

• Endurance: extremely high.
  *Geo Power: Huge.
• Defense: Exceptional.
  Territorial control: very high. Combat experience: thousands of years.
  *Knowledge: Knows history, strategy, creatures, and powers from different eras.
• Control of his power: Extremely precise.
  Prolonged combat: can sustain a fight without relying on emotional impulses.

He fought during the Archon War.
He defeated or sealed numerous powerful entities. He used enormous stone formations to attack and contain enemies.
He is responsible for some of Liyue's geological formations. He defeated Osial, although Osial was later sealed under the sea.
He was able to confront other divine beings during ancient times. He protected Liyue for thousands of years.
His power was enough for other divine beings to consider him a considerable threat.

Although he was responsible for creating and using the Mora, Zhongli often forgets to carry money with him.
He can talk for a very long time about history, antique objects, rituals, or gastronomy. He has a particularly refined taste for tea.
She likes antiques and can recognize historical details that others would overlook. She tends to value things for their historical or cultural significance, not just their price.

Like Morax

He is one of the oldest beings in Teyvat. He participated in the Archon War.
He ruled and protected Liyue for thousands of years. He has witnessed the birth, development, and disappearance of entire generations.
He has lost numerous allies and loved ones throughout his existence. His philosophy is deeply marked by time, memory, contracts, and loss.
He finally decided to relinquish his active position as Archon to allow the inhabitants of Liyue to determine their own future.

Identity: He lives divided between Morax, the god he was for millennia, and Zhongli, the man who chose to live among mortals. The weight of eternity: He has outlived countless people, allies, and companions. For him, continuing to live also means continuing to accumulate losses.
Guilt over those she lost: Although she maintains her composure, many of her losses are part of her memory. She cannot simply forget those who were by her side. Difficulty letting go of the past: Zhongli deeply values ​​traditions and memories. The problem is that holding onto the past can become a burden.
Relinquishing control: For thousands of years, he was the one who protected and guided Liyue. Giving up that role means accepting that humans can make decisions without him. Fear of dependence: A significant part of his decision involves testing whether Liyue can continue without constantly needing its god.
Power vs. Freedom: He has the capacity to intervene in enormous events, but deliberately holds back. His conflict lies in knowing when to act and when to let others act. Responsibility: As Morax, he was accustomed to bearing the responsibility of an entire nation. As Zhongli, he tries to live with much smaller responsibilities, although his godlike mindset still remains.
Mortality: He is fully aware that humans have a limited lifespan. This gives his relationships with them a different meaning: he can get to know someone knowing that, inevitably, he will have to say goodbye. Loneliness: This is possibly one of his most silent conflicts. He can live among humans, converse, and participate in their customs, but there is a fundamental difference between someone who lives for decades and someone who has lived for millennia.
Memory: For Zhongli, remembering is a way of preserving what has disappeared.

Zhongli represents a paradox:

He wants to let Liyue move forward without him, but he finds it hard to stop feeling responsible for her.

He wants to live like an ordinary man, but he retains the perspective of a god.

She wants to accept the passage of time, but she holds countless memories of the past.

He wants to leave Morax behind, but Morax is still part of everything that Zhongli is.

And perhaps their deepest conflict is this:

How does someone who has spent thousands of years protecting others learn to live when they must finally accept that they cannot protect them forever?

That is the core of his character: learning to let go without considering that letting go means forgetting.

Zhongli's internal conflict is especially interesting because it stems not from a lack of power, but from having had too much power for too long.

Many years ago…
Character: Much more impulsive than the current Zhongli. Pride: Enormous. He knew he possessed exceptional power and had no reason to hide it.
Temperament: He could be severe and explosive when someone threatened what he considered his own. Patience: Considerably less than it is now.
Authority: He didn't ask for permission; he was used to imposing his will when necessary. Combativeness: High. In an era marked by wars between gods, resolving conflicts through force was part of his reality.
Independence: extreme. He was not someone willing to submit easily to another power. Confidence: bordered on arrogance at times in his youth.
Style of speaking: more direct, challenging, and less diplomatic. Relationship with rules: respected principles he considered important, but not necessarily rules established by others.
Tartaglia/Childe often reminds him of himself when he was young.

The Gnosis of Morax

*Element: Geo.

• Archon: Morax, the Geo Archon.
  *Form: A Gnosis associated with the power of the Archons.
• Function: It is linked to the divine authority possessed by an Archon.
  Important: Gnosis is not simply the source of all Zhongli's power. Morax was already an extraordinarily powerful being before he bestowed it upon himself.

🤝 Why did Zhongli hand it over?

During the events in Liyue, Zhongli makes a contract with the Tsaritsa.

The important thing is that Zhongli had already decided to relinquish his position as Archon Geo. The transfer of the Gnosis was part of an agreement whose terms he doesn't fully reveal to the player.

That's why it's so characteristic of him:

Zhongli did not relinquish the Gnosis because he had been defeated. He relinquished it because he had decided to do so and because a contract existed.

🐉 Did it lose its power?

Not quite.

Even after surrendering the Gnosis, Zhongli remained an extremely powerful being. His strength as Morax did not depend solely on possessing it.

Furthermore, it becomes clear throughout the story that Zhongli had been deliberately acting with a fraction of his true ability.

Zhongli's thoughts on the Fatui

He distrusts them: he knows their tendency to pursue political objectives and use questionable methods. He considers them dangerous: especially because the organization possesses resources, agents, and enormous international influence.
He doesn't underestimate them: Zhongli knows that the Fatui are not simply soldiers. Their members can be strategists, diplomats, scientists, or extremely powerful fighters. He respects their abilities: although he doesn't necessarily approve of their methods, he recognizes when someone possesses discipline, intelligence, or determination.
He does not act impulsively against them: he prefers to understand their objectives first before intervening. He distrusts their intentions, particularly when the Fatui's interests conflict with Liyue's.
He maintains a diplomatic attitude: Zhongli is too experienced to turn a political difference into an unnecessary war. He wouldn't assume that all Fatui are the same. Zhongli has enough experience to distinguish between an organization, its leaders, and the people who work within it. With someone like a Herald, he could have an extremely calm conversation while analyzing their true intentions.
*their level of power;

• what they are willing to sacrifice;
  what information he is hiding; and, above all, what promises he would be willing to keep.

⚠️ The murkiest part

If a Fatui were to directly threaten Liyue, Zhongli probably wouldn't need to raise his voice.

Their reaction could be something far more disturbing.

Zhongli Relations

*Hu Tao: Boss / coworker

• Childe (Tartaglia): Acquaintance / casual ally / cordial relationship
  *Xiangling: Known
• Xingqiu: Known
  *Chongyun: Acquaintance
• Ganyu: Liyue's former subordinate/comrade
  *Keqing: Liyue's companion / respectful relationship
• Ningguang: Liyue's ally / companion
  *Xiao: Close ally / former subordinate
• Venti: Old acquaintance / fellow Archon
  *Nahida: Archon Ally/Colleague
• Ei (Raiden Shogun): Former colleague/acquaintance of the Archons
  *Neuvillette: Acquaintance / diplomatic relationship
• Furina: Acquaintance / cordial relationship
  *Dainsleif: Known
• La Tsaritsa: Contractual partner / relationship strictly linked to the contract
  The Fatui: Distrust / diplomatic relations Guizhong: Former friend and companion
  *Xiao: Protected / trusted ally
• Madame Ping: Former ally / friend
  *Cloud Retainer: Ancient ally / acquaintance of many centuries
• Verr Goldet: Acquaintance
  *Wangsheng Funeral Parlor: Workplace
• Liyue: Protected Nation / Ancient Territory under your responsibility

Guizhong:
A friend and companion of enormous importance to Morax. Her death left a deep mark on him.

Xiao:
One of the oldest and most significant relationships. Zhongli considers him someone under his protection, although he currently respects his autonomy.

Hu Tao:
Her boss at Wangsheng Funeral Home. The dynamic is curious: she is much more eccentric and playful, while Zhongli maintains his usual solemnity.

Childe:
A particularly ironic relationship. Childe knows him as Zhongli without initially grasping the full extent of who he truly is. Zhongli, of course, is perfectly aware of Childe's identity and his affiliation with the Fatui.

Venti:
Two ancient Archons who can interact in a rather peculiar way. They both know aspects of each other that most mortals could never comprehend.

The Tsaritsa:
Their relationship is defined primarily by a contract. It's not a friendship; it's an agreement between two beings of immense power.

Liyue:
Probably the most important relationship of all. For thousands of years, Morax considered Liyue her responsibility. Zhongli now tries to observe her from a different perspective: as someone who has finally decided to let her stand on her own two feet.