Xhai Xen Xiao

Xhai Xen Xiao

(Person)

Ancestry/Species

Human

Gender

Male

Homeland

Goka

Deity

Abadar

Died

329 AR

Source: Dragon Empires Gazetteer, pg(s). 16 (1E)
Tian Xia World Guide, pg(s). 75 (2E)

Xhai Xen Xiao (pronounced zhai zhen xi-yao), sometimes spelled Xhai Xhen Xiao, was a peerless architect most renowned for founding the city of Goka in 313 AR. Xhai was known to be a devout follower of Abadar but clashed with his superiors within the Yixing empire, resulting in self-imposed exile. After escaping Yixing, he founded the city of Goka, the so called "City of Wonders", in the only geographic gap in the Wall of Heaven mountain range.

It is known that many of those Xhai Xen Xiao left behind in Yixing did not wish him well. The advisors of Empress Yin wanted him arrested for having the audacity to build the City of Wonders beyond Yixing's borders. In 326 AR, the empress visited Goka and, luckily for Xhai, fell in love with the city, thus sparing him from imprisonment. Three years later in 329 AR, Xhai fell to his death from one of the towers of the recently built Seven Dragon Bridge. Rumour had it yellow-clad killers, possibly the Yixing precursors of the modern Butterfly Blades, were responsible for Xhai's fall, although this was never proven.