Hsien

The Hsien, or Shinma, are the "little gods" of the Middle Kingdom. Once servants of the more powerful gods in the Celestial hierarchy, they were responsible for answering the prayers of mortals in accordance with the wishes of their superiors.

In the Fifth Age, however, they are cut off from much of their power, unable to enter the spirit realms, and must cloak themselves in the flesh of mortals, usually the newly born or recently deceased. Factionalised and uncertain, some seek to answer mortal prayers without the aid of the bureacracy of heaven, while others seek selfish dominion over humans.

Hsien are divided into ten kwannon-jin, types of Hsien which determine their nature.

The five noble Kamuii are aligned with the five elements:
 * Chu-ih-yu (Metal)
 * Chu Jung (Fire)
 * Hou-chi (Wood)
 * Komuko (Earth)
 * Suijen (Water)

The five commoner Hirayanu each transform into a certain type of animal:
 * Fu Hsi (snakes)
 * Hanumen (monkeys)
 * Heng Po (fish, particularly carp or catfish, or dolphins)
 * Nyan (cats)
 * Tanuki (badgers)