Xinshi
(shin-shee)
The Maestro
The world is governed by fundamental rules. As a country is ruled by its emperor, and a government by its law, the very fabric of being on which we stand consists of numerous, countless permutations which determine the bounds of existence.
- The Lawful Formulations. Written by Archivist Xinshi
The name Xinshi is oft mentioned in the circles of the scholarly. There are debates on whether this mysterious figure was even real, or if his name was simply a pseudonym for some noble who wished their work to be anonymous. The only known fact is thus: The works of ‘Xinshi’ appeared sometime during the thirteenth century. These works are long gone except for scraps and excerpts quoted in other works, but it is thought that Xinshi was a resourceful scholar, and one respected in his community.
Rumors whisper that Xinshi still walks the land. Perhaps it is impersonators, or servants, or those who have inherited his will. They are always cloaked and masked, and their sightings are few and far between. One thing is known, however: The appearance of ‘Xinshi’ is one of omen. It signals the dawn of something new, for he cannot abandon his past as an Archivist.
Values
Given his past, it should come to no surprise that Xinshi finds purpose only in the strict laws of mathematics and logic. It is oft said that he harbors appreciation only for the greatest good — a sentiment that some believe he coined. That is the purpose for his research and his creations- though none can say what he believes is the ‘good’ he seeks.
Magic, like logic, requires rigid attention and dedicated study to master. Xinshi has spent hundreds of years perfecting this art- and has made himself willing to share his studies with those willing to follow in his pursuit of discovery and innovation.
Views on Other Patrons
Despite his age, Xinshi acknowledges the other patrons. He finds the actions of all to be like looking through stained glass, changing the perspective by which one sees the world. However, his rules and laws come first, and as such he cannot abide Nyx. He thinks them childish and feral, and has made attempts before to teach them refinement. To no avail.
Being a Mage under Xinshi
Innovation requires sacrifice. Those pacted under Xinshi are expected to know this and to make sacrifices of their own- there is no room for illogical thought or emotional connections. This is not to say those pacted under Xinshi must remove these entirely- he understands the need for distraction. But in the end, that is all those things are. Distractions. Ones that Xinshi will expect his pacted to abandon, should the time require it.
