Prodigal descendants of the elemental planes. The power to manipulate the world in fantastical ways. Creatures of unimaginable power and intelligence that rivals some of the greatest minds of There. The mystical might of Fire, wind, water, earth, light, dark...all made manifest upon our plane of existence. The Kirin. 

By all accounts, the kirin have been upon There's lands for as long as time itself. They, much like all the rest of the fauna, flora, animals, peoples, and races that populate our world are a part of the cycle of the world. Where they differ in this regard though, is how they interact with it. 

Each kirin has a direct connection with one of the elemental plains. That connection is the direct link to their life force. Also, these creatures have varying strengths of relationships. 

From the lowest of the low, the Ko a creature not much bigger than a squirrel and possessing next to no magic power. In many cases, they are seen as not much more than rodents in any regard. 

To the minor Kirin, whose connection has strengthened their bodies making them more dangerous versions of nature's counterparts. These are often trained as pets or weapons. They possess enough intelligence to learn, but often not much more than that. 

To the major Kirin, beings that slip in and out of our world at will, capable traversals between planes. They are also the link magi use to conjur the elements into our world. 

To the grand kirin, beings with permanent presences upon There, but have portals within their hearts directly to four out of the six elemental planes. 

Speaking of these creatures would be incomplete without mentioning the grand kirin and how major kirin have directly changed the way we interact with our world for good. But alas, both are best left for another day. 

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A new short story about Therra published weekly. Be ready for next week when I talk about magic and its relationship with the kirin.