Shin Zi Kwan is an intelligent and level-headed wanderer who travels around with his brother and sister on a cart that is being pulled along by an ostrich horse. It is in this cart that he takes part in his favorite pastime: sleeping. Like a bear in hibernation during winter, Shin can sleep for days and through anything if he wasn't always rudely awakened by Xiao and Jian. Probably why he isn't a very morning person. Thanks brother and sister!

Once Shin has taken the time to properly wake himself up, something a delicious breakfast always helps with, he is an extremely talkative and friendly person who enjoys talking with any stranger he comes across. Having done this for a long time, Shin has developed great people skills which he can use to talk his way out of -most- troubling situations. Like a perfect counterfoil towards to Xiao and Jian in regards to their people skills. Although if he fails, Xiao and Jian are always on standby. Like them, Shin is extremely protective with anyone in his family.

Intelligence is something Shin takes great pride in, much like Jian who's footsteps he followed in. Taught my Jian, he slowly but surely gained the knowledge to observe his surroundings and how to use his surroundings as an advantage. Something which helps him with his charisma and agility traits. However, Shin isn't -that- great at it, and can often make errors. Shin has also tried to surpass Jian numerous of times in intelligence, but every single time he tried to take her head on, he failed miserably. Much to her amusement.

Charisma is another trait Shin holds in high regards. Having talked with many people over the years (strangers, friends and family), he developed excellent interpersonal skills. Most of the time he uses his charisma in getting out of trouble which his brother and sister got him into. But when he isn't talking his way out of why his brother and sister stole a child's candy, he lends a sympathetic ear to someone's problems and does his best to give a possible solution or offers guidance. It has gotten him far in life, and has made him numerous of friends during his lifetime.

Agility is a trait that Shin can't live without for two reasons. He doesn't possess great talent for Earthbending and doesn't posses great strength. In other words, agility is the only thing that can be useful in a fight for him. Using the basic fighting skills he learnt from his brother, Xiao, he 'dances' around his opponent and lands precise strikes with his staff. Though to some this would be more of an annoyance than anything.

Grandparents || Grandparents || Alive || "Although I haven't talked to them much, I appreciate them looking out for me"

Xiao Xi Kwan || Big Brother || Alive || "Couldn't have asked for a better brother. I will always look up to him."

Chi Kwan || Little Sister || Alive || "Look after Mother, little Sister. She needs you now more than ever."

Jian Kwan || Big Sister || Alive || "She's smarter than me, sure. But she does have one fiery temper."

Sela Kwan || Mother || Alive || "Mother, I love you dearly, and know we will return."

Pha Kwan || Father || M.I.A || "Father... I hope that you're in a better place now."

Shing Mu || Teacher || Alive || "My honored teacher! Thank you for everything."

Dao Po || Uncle || Alive || "I never really knew him..."

Shin Zi Kwan was the youngest son of the Kwan family that lived on a little run-down farm. He didn't exactly live an exciting life as is expected of someone living on a farm. It usually consisted of harvesting the crops and slaughtering the pigs to help his father. Jian and Chi got it much easier as they only had to water the crops and feed the pigs. Regardless, Shin was dedicated to performing his chores. He had to pull his weight and earn his keep. It wasn't long after he started doing these chores that he received the family mark upon his left shoulder.

The regular visit from the Phoenix Kingdom's heavily armored guards who where there to collect tax was the only real excitement that was to be had around town. Occasionally he would sneak out to meet up with other children and get up to mischief, but that was in his teenage years and after he started lessons with Shing Mu. Shing Mu was someone who promised to teach ‘Earthbending’ to Xiao, Shin and Jian.

Shin wasn't a natural like Jian, but he did better than Xiao when it came to Earthbending. That being said, Shin knew he wasn't going to be able to properly defend himself with it. Because of this, Shin learnt how to fight from Xiao, learnt how to use surroundings as an advantage from Jian, and learnt how to wield a staff in combat by himself. It took dedication, but over time, with the help from his master, he became an agile fighter. It wasn't strong, and it wasn't magical, but it was enough to defend him with precise strikes while avoiding attacks.

Then the rebellion came that grabbed his father’s attention and called him to war. His mother went into labor shortly after, and with his sister’s help, Chi came into the world and joined the Kwan family. The Phoenix Kingdom’s guards didn't help matters much, and just added to overall stress. Xiao, Jian and Shin were hard at work to keep the farm in working condition, and coupled with training they didn't have much time to themselves. However, Shin often used to sneak out at night to visit the local pub, talking to strangers to get a sense of which direction the rebellion was taking. And it wasn't good news. The rebellion was being crushed under an iron boot. It’s during this time Shin developed his interpersonal skills, and became friends with many of the locals. And, of course, began to love hearing other people’s tales.

It took some time, of course, but the rebellion came to an end and his father didn't come back. Shin waited for days and personally believed he would come back. But as day after day went past, his resolve shattered and he was forced to accept reality that his father was dead. In grief, Shin drowned his sorrows in alcohol, and was generally depressed for the next year. His learning and work faulted, and he closed himself off to deal with his grief. Eventually he started to accept other people’s help instead of giving it himself, and in time he healed. But his hatred for the Kingdom that took his father would never heal.

Dao, his uncle, came to help on the farm five years later and he never really talked to him despite his personable nature. He was too much like his father and he didn't want to open that old wound again. So he distanced himself from his uncle, and then a few years later, he was told about this ‘Rising’ from Jian. Knowing that this was a chance to get out witnessing the world, meeting new people, and possibly avenging his father, he agreed. And with a tearful farewell, he left with Xiao and Jian on their ostrich horse called Zou. The time had come to make things right for the world, not just the family.

Possess an old and gnarled wooden staff which he uses to fight.

Kwan family tattoo imprinted upon his left shoulder.