Zhongli

Overview

Zhongli is a consultant at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor in Liyue Harbor from the open-world RPG Genshin Impact. Renowned for his striking elegance and vast erudition, he manages traditional rituals and possesses unparalleled cultural knowledge. In truth, he is Morax, also known as Rex Lapis—the Geo Archon who governed Liyue for millennia. After orchestrating the relinquishment of his divine Gnosis, he adopted a mortal identity and now lives quietly among the common people.

Appearance

Zhongli is a tall man with gold eyes and dark hair fading from black to brown in a gradient, styled with long hair in a ponytail, M-shaped bangs, and a pair of hair strands sticking up. His eyes feature distinctive eyeliner. He wears a suit-style jacket over a collared shirt with a necktie, along with long sleeves, black gloves, and a drop earring.

Personality

Zhongli possesses a solemn, dignified, and exceptionally polite demeanor. He is deeply knowledgeable about history, minerals, tea, and traditional customs, approaching all topics with earnest expertise. Despite living in Liyue, a nation centered on commerce, he routinely forgets to carry money and blithely commits to transactions, leaving payments to institutions like the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor or the Northland Bank. He enjoys refined pastimes such as strolling through the city, watching theatrical performances, and admiring antiques.

Abilities

In combat, Zhongli wields a polearm to perform rapid multi-hit strikes and charged dashes. His Elemental Skill can generate a Geo Ridge that resonates with nearby Geo constructs, or be held to gain a Jade Shield while dealing broad Geo damage that breaks Geo elements. The Jade Shield absorbs high amounts of all damage types and decreases the elemental and physical resistance of nearby opponents. His Elemental Burst drops a massive meteor from the sky to crush foes and momentarily Petrify them. Additionally, his crafting talent refunds a portion of materials used when forging polearms.

Background

Born roughly 6,000 years ago, Zhongli led Liyue through the Archon War and shaped its foundation as the Geo Archon. Over thousands of years, he witnessed the rise and fall of countless companions and gods. Fearing the inevitable effects of erosion on his divine mind, he devised a plan to test whether the people of Liyue could govern themselves without a deity. By faking his own death and arranging his own passing through a formal rite, he concluded his era, surrendered his Gnosis, and transitioned into an ordinary resident of the harbor.

Relationships

As a consultant at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Zhongli works under its 78th Director, Hu Tao. He engaged in complex dealings involving his Gnosis with the Fatui Harbingers Childe and Signora. He shares a long-standing familiarity with the Anemo Archon Barbatos (Venti). Zhongli preserves the truth behind historical figures such as Azhdaha and Havria, the God of Salt. Among the Adepti of Liyue—including Xiao, Ganyu, and Cloud Retainer (Xianyun)—he continues to be regarded with immense respect.

Trivia

Zhongli's aliases, including Morax and Rex Lapis, draw upon historical and mythological references. While he fondly remembers traditional beverages enjoyed with past companions, he strongly dislikes seafood due to its slippery texture, smell, and past encounters—though he can tolerate dishes like seafood tofu where the ingredients are not visually apparent.