Genbu

The Black Turtle Genbu

Genbu, also known as the Black Turtle, is one of the four great spirits that crossed from planes unknown into the Elderhaven Reaches in ancient days. The most reclusive of the four and the only one to spend significant time outside of the Elderhaven Reaches, Genbu holds domain over water, winter, and the cardinal direction North.

Divine Domains

Water, winter, and the cardinal direction North.

Divine Symbols & Sigils

Some followers of Genbu will dye the shells of small turtles black and wear them as bracelets or necklaces.

Physical Description

General Physical Condition

In his physical form Genbu is a massive black sea turtle who stands nearly two and a half miles tall from his stomach to the tip of his shell. His incredibly large shell is, in fact, currently home to the giants of Alen'dal. When communicating spiritually, however, Genbu presents himself as an old and hunched turtle-like humanoid toting a gnarled staff.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Early in the history of the world several powerful spirits crossed into the material plane and made their home in the in the Elderhaven Reaches, each settling in one of the cardinal directions. These four spirits were the black turtle Genbu, the vermilion bird Suzaku, the white tiger Byakko, and the azure dragon Seiryu. In their wake several lesser spirits flooded into the material plane. However, a fifth great spirit followed soon after, jealous of the new home the first four found and the respect they had earned from the mortal inhabitants on the land. This fifth spirit was Orochi. Orochi wrought destruction on the people and the land, transforming and corrupting the lesser spirits who preceded her. This angered the four great guardian spirits, who waged a great war against Orochi which split the continent in several parts and sunk many other parts beneath the ocean. Over the course of this conflict, Orochi learned of a wider world beyond the Elderhaven Reaches and began laying plans to expand her influence. Learning of this, the four guardian spirits weaved a powerful spell to create a black fog that would keep Orochi from leaving. The spell worked and Orochi was furious, lashing out with brash and brazen attacks in her anger. The four spirits took that opportunity to seal Orochi beneath the earth where she could never surface and try to exert control over the world again.
Genbu currently swims freely through the oceans of the world, going wherever he pleases.

Gender Identity

He/Him

Intellectual Characteristics

Genbu is calm, slow, and deliberate in his actions, but he can be a bit air-headed at times.

Divine Classification

Great Spirit

Alignment

Neutral

Realm

Elderhaven Reaches

Height

~2.5 miles from stomach to the tip of his shell

Known Languages

Qin

Inside Genbu's Shell

Inside Genbu's Shell

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