The Horse Minister

Yi Xia, the Exalted

The Horse Minister

City State: Xigang, The City of Sports.

With his booming voice, carefree spirit and sense of fair play, Yi Xia does not rule the City of Sports so much as he referees it. Yi Xia’s face and skin are painted gold, giving him the appearance of a living statue.

 Interested in the various athletic and martial skills, he built the City with the intent of creating a training ground for the future champions of the Empire. He believes a sound mind should be housed in a sound body, and doesn't make it a secret that he thinks those laggards who do not know at least a modicum of a martial arts should be put to the gymkhana immediately.

The City itself could be likened to an Olympic village. Facilities for all sports known to the Empire are housed there, including practice courts for more combative (and deadly) physical skills. It is famed for its Champion's Gauntlet, a yearly event where martial athletes compete against each other in a combination of mixed styles; he who has proven to have mastered the most styles is declared winner. The Horse Ministers considers this day his favorite, as nothing pleases him more than a show of strength. As long as he gets to keep his City and the events and competitions it hosts, he is content with his Emperor.

Unfortunately, Yi Xia is something of a chauvinist; while he respects athletic women, there's no denying the fact that the greatest feats of strength are performed by men. This reflects in his choice of partners: strong well shaped men are far more likely to be invited into his bedchamber than comely women.

Yi Xia sees the coming of Shadow as a new challenge created specifically to test the glory of his City of Sports. This arrogance has alarmed some of his advisors, as they sense Yi Xia would tear himself from his responsibilities to give himself a shot at defeating the creatures of Shadow. To date, the Horse Minister has not indulged in his desire to test and pit himself against what he thinks will be his greatest challenge.