Shen's people (as yet unnamed, as is their home shadow) are a agricultural/gatherer race that live amidst the bamboo along the wide river spanning the plains of his land. They have a relatively peaceful and long-held philosophical and traditional way of life, a reverence for the "nations" of their fellow beasts on the plain (particularly the "black-and-white bears" of their bamboo forest, followed by the striped cats and mighty deer of the plains), and make their way crafting bamboo and other grasses of the plains.

Physically, they're not unlike strong, largish humans, nearly always athletic to stocky in build, ranging from 5 1/2 to 7 feet tall in both genders. Their thick skin ranges in color from pale green to yellowish tan, often with thin dark brown or greenish stripes and markings resembling the camoflauge of the cats in the plains over much of their bodies. Their manes of hair span pale gold and silver to light brown, occasionally with striped highlights or streaks, and continue down the center of their backs to cover a mostly-prehensile tail, usually 3 to 4 feet in length. Their eyes come in the colors of the plains, usually pale grey or green, but occasionally light gold or light brown. They have slightly pronounced canines relative to humans.

Their spirituality and lore is one largely of the land, inspired by the open skies and windy plains over which their people have wandered for many generations. The skies, from which all things come, are most revered, as are the wind sprits that travel them and deliver the weather and peace that marks their time. The river, too, is held in great regard. Their way is somewhat one of peace through transcending the immediate world, leaving any harsh conditions outside the mind and seeking the tranquility that remains beneath them.

Storytelling preserves the history of their people, especially the tales of those who've wandered far beyond the plains to meet great sights and other peoples, as well as the tales of their ancient ancestors, who were hunters and warriors during harsher times. Rarer in their lore are tales of occasional wanderers, other races who can stride through worlds as most can through fields, and even twist them to their will. Myths of their magical ways and machines dot the legends, lending a rich aspect of fiction to the culture, albeit only a streak of mythology in their lives.

Amidst this village world, Shen is somewhat physically exceptional. He is some 23 years of age, and a largely-built 6'9", typical of his people. His color, however, is somewhat pale, his markings quite subdued, and his tail a short 2 1/2 feet or so. His mane is an almost-never-seen near-black with faint highlights of brown stripes, and his eyes are an equally rare dark brown.

It is known that Shen's uniqueness is due to mixed blood. His father is of this village, but his mother was of another race, and she came to travel to this place some time ago. She had pale, unstriped skin, dark hair and eyes, and no tail, and some rumored she was kin of those who were world-wanderers, though she came and left through normal means (why and how, I'll leave to you, Mer). Shen was conceived in love, as far as his father was concerned, at least, and his mother remained to carry him, but left a few seasons after his birth. After, he was nursed and cared for by another woman of the village, who had just weened her own daughter (Nari).

Despite his difference, Shen was raised well within the village, largely by his father and foster-mother's family. He came to learn the ways of life therein - the weaving of bamboo, the wandering of the plains and forest trails, and the communion with the beasts about them. His people, tolerant of the occasional visitor and aware of the few others in their history born of mixed tribes and bloods, thought little of his lineage.

So that's about it. Shen loves the life and world he's known, although he wonders often about his mother's world, wherever it may be. He's not certain he believes the rumors of her being of the mythical world-wanderers, but he cannot discard it either. Like all of us, he finds his best to seek peace, and, unlike most of us, he usually can find it - in his case, deep in the earth and winds of his plains.