Long ago, when the storm god Vulg was shaping the sky, a monstrous entity known as Forge appeared below. It was the first Mire Umbra, violent and chaotic; they wreaked havoc upon the material plane. Unable to intervene directly while he dealt with a different battle amidst the skies Vulg formed a weapon from a strand of his hair. This hair, long, sharp, and bristling with hard fibers, becoming the world's first feather. Vulg hurled the feather through a rift to the Elemental Plane of Air, infusing it with the very essence of the skies and commanding it to take form as the god's champion.

It multiplied a thousandfold, swirling with mist and wind, coalescing into the god of freedom, wind, beauty, and birds—Zhashi. Bursting from the Elemental Plane of Air, Zhashi emerged as the embodiment of the skies, the perfect counter to the Mire Umbra's power. With wings so vast they could forever evade their foe's reach, and a beak strong enough to shatter their armor, Zhashi drove the Umbra Forge deep underground, saving the material realm from certain destruction.

In gratitude, Vulg granted Zhashi dominion over the winds but warned that their link to the Elemental Plane of Air bound them to a near ceaseless journey. Zhashi must forever fly around the world, following the sun, for if they ever ceased their flight, the winds of Crius would falter.

Since that time, Zhashi has garnered a following of those who seek freedom and a connection to the skies. Their worshipers build temples atop mountain peaks or within towering trees, hoping for a glimpse of the god as they soar through the heavens. Yet, seeing Zhashi is no simple task. They fly high above the clouds at blinding speeds, sometimes even taking the form of vast flocks of birds, making their presence difficult to discern. Devotees leave offerings of birdseed to gain favor with the god, though Zhashi, true to their neutral nature, remains largely indifferent to mortal concerns.

Despite this detachment, Zhashi does bestow gifts upon a select few, granting them the power to sprout wings or command the wind. The first birdfolk of Crius were such followers, transformed by Zhashi’s blessings. Though constantly in motion, Zhashi possesses the unique ability to inhabit and control any bird on the material plane, allowing them to commune with mortals as they wish. The type of bird Zhashi inhabits can reflect their mood and goals, with certain forms signaling caution to the faithful. Devotees can identify Zhashi’s presence by a distinct golden feature sprouting from the bird’s head.