#genshin lore notes

[tunaafishyy]

Reasons why you should read Durandal's Visual Novel for Hoyoverse Lore even if you don't play Honkai

Disclaimer: this is not an in-depth summary of the story.

Rather, this post will go through a single conversation to show people the depth of lore hidden in Durandel's VN… and maybe convince you to consider reading it if you want to expand ideas for Hoyo lore.

Since I'm not going to be covering the story here, there will be events and things referenced that I won't be giving anything but a brief explanation of, but even without knowing all the details... I think the lore will speak for itself

I guess the most important thing to know before reading is that two people (Valkyries) from the Honkai Impact 3rd world - Durandal (Bianka) and Rita - have used a device called a Genius to travel to a new world… universe… thing ... which we will simply refer to as a world for the context of this post...

Onward!

***

First, it mentions how there are different versions of people across different worlds. Not super mind blowing if you’re familiar with hoyo lore… but good to cover the basics of the hoyo multi-verse lore.

Bianka: Uh… can I ask a question now? Darwin: Go ahead. What’s the matter? Bianka: Just now… you said your last name was Darwin, right? It wouldn’t be the one from “Origin of the Species”… Darwin: Oh, you mean my dad? Indeed, before I left that world he was planning on writing such a book. Darwin: I’m happy to learn that his book changed people’s worldview for the following century. Bianka: Oh… you’re his “daughter”? Bianka: But in that case, wouldn’t the “Origin of the Species” you read be the work from a different world’s Professor Charles? Darwin: Nope. As far as I’m aware, from all known worlds, there is only one Darwin who published “Origin of the Species”, married and had children, who is my father.

***

Then we revisit an earlier event in the story where the High Priestess is converted into data in the Sea of Quanta (and its not a good experience for her I can tell you that...). This part of the story (the Zarathustra portion) is so incredibly lore heavy... and the fact Zarathustra connects to Genshin, Honkai, and Star Rail....

Anyways, what should be focused on here (aside from the Sea of Quanta data portion) is the acknowledgement of Different Universes

Bianka: Huh? Bianka: Then just like the “High Priestess” of the Yucatan, you spent so long in the form of data in the Sea of Quanta that it resulted in an apparent time leap? Darwin: …It’s essentially different. Bianka: But… in your case we can’t use “Different Universes have different starting points and different flows of time” as an excuse! Darwin: Because that’s not the case. And I’m not immortal like the “snake” you met.

***

But then things get REALLY SUPER INTERESTING because now we're talking about people who are copies of others.... (Theory of Forms intensifies), but also... it covers the results of death and how these copies are a result of the world's structure

(The term Star Whisperer is also an important concept but that is also out of scope for this junk post)

(Edit from original post: the Ether Anchor is kind of like the core/backbone of the world…)

Darwin: The reason why there is a time contradiction in what I said is-- Darwin: I’m a Star Whisperer born from the death of someone. A mere copy. Bianka: “Born from death”? “Copy”? What are you talking about? Darwin: The real “Anna Charles Darwin” died of illness at the age of 10. Darwin: The one standing in front of you is just an afterimage inherited from the Sea of Quanta. Bianka: ……？！ Darwin: Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I’m a ghost or a spirit. This is just the result of applying the Ether Anchor’s ability of “copying the world” on “people”.

***

Theeeeeennn we start talking energy shenanigans.... Selene designed to put Honkai Energy under control to use it for creating new Negentropy....

(I'm going to stop highlighting things at this point I trust if you've read this far that you want to find the goodies and I don't need to convince you further)

Darwin: Be it the achievements of civilization or intelligent life, they are ultimately an amount of “Negentropy”. You can use the “Ether Anchor” as a “medium” to “balance” the "Negentropy". Schrodinger: …And Negentropy and Imaginary Energy - That is, Honkai Energy - are associated with each other. Schrodinger: In theory, we could indeed do the opposite: Use Honkai Energy under control to create new Negentropy. Schrodinger: -That is the basic principle behind the “Selene”. Darwin: Haha, as expected of Dr. Schrodinger, who proposed the theory behind Negentropy - You already seem to understand what I’m talking about. Bianka: Well, what are you talking about? Schrodinger: ……

***

Our next topic is energy manipulation to copy things out of thing air.... (*looks at teapot and puts adepti energy into super sus category*)

Additionally, the Ether Anchor (the "backbone" of the world they're in) is "salvaging info from the sea of quanta"... hm...

Schrodinger: Valkyries, do you know the power of the “First Herrscher”? Bianka: You mean the “Sovereign” of Anti-Entropy? He can copy all kinds of mechanical devices, Sacred Relics and even Divine Keys out of thin air, right? Schrodinger: A good summary, but if we’re being technical… he doesn’t make those copies out of “thin air”. Schrodinger: On the contrary: By manipulating the Honkai Energy stored in his body he creates reason, making constructs out of something similar to “Negentropy”. Schrodinger: Generally speaking, Honkai Energy is almost impossible to control - but he is a herrscher, a superpower beyond human comprehension. Schrodinger: Miss Darwin… Your “Ether Anchor” has a similar power, but you can’t manipulate it as you wish, correct? Darwin: Hmm… To be more precise, the “Ether Anchor Point” can’t be controlled at all. Darwin: It, by itself, is “salvaging” information that can be restored from the Sea of Quanta - An ocean of data.

***

This next portion is covering why the two characters from the Honkai world are able to appear in this world as themselves instead of as copies

Darwin: Those two Valkyries there must have gone through the experience of being informatized and later rematerialized. Darwin: - That is a specially targeted “salvage”. Darwin: This type of “salvage” is always happening in the “present continuous”, therefore their souls and consciousness also remain the same - Even if they show up on the other side of the world, they are still themselves. Darwin: But the information of “Anna Charles Darwin” is already “past perfect”, the Ether Anchor just happened to read this vanishing data from the Sea of Quanta and restore it. Darwin: …That’s why I can be sure I’m just a copy of a historical figure. Darwin: Perhaps there is a more complex mechanism out there that can truly revive the dead - But this world’s “Anchor” can not.

Anyways... that's all for now!

Read the VN!! (it’s available in CN and EN… not sure about other languages)

There's collective consciousness, Alice, Zarathustra, snake-y things, people turning into dragons... and much more!

*swims away*

[kaeyachi]

Kaeyappreciation post!

Kaeya is wonderful in a sense that he:

Has a penmanship described as "Beautiful Handwriting". He for sure worked on that.

Willingly spends his time making sure his outfit looks perfect

Is well-loved by Mondstadt and the Dawn Winery staff

Is described to like a prince, both in looks and in actions

Is shown to be gentle and caring to children and elderly, most seen with Klee and the staff from Dawn Winery

Is a great listener and, therefore, also knows what gifts to buy based off of something someone said in passing

Is predominantly kind- unafraid to help out and defend someone in need. His first reaction is always kindness, and worry about covering up that kindness later on

But Kaeya also has his moments where he:

Says things out of pocket with enough alcohol in his system. Things that usually lead to shame and regret.

Would rather give others the credit for his hard work if he could help it

Intentionally makes himself look suspicious by withholding information and only throwing tidbits that are not of substance

Has sadist tendencies, which affects how he treats both his (cavalry) company and his enemies

Can and will use underhanded tactics to gain the upper hand

Rarely ever says what he truly wants to say

Has a fake smile. Usually lies or only deals with half truths.

He is such a complex character. I really do want people to appreciate him and his intricacies more. The fact that his entire personality and story is done so well and continues to actually grow and expand as the story progresses is something that genuinely makes me want to keep watch of him. I have never, in all my fandoms, stuck to a character as long as I did with Kaeya, and honestly? I know I'm not alone with this.

Look at how well they made our boy!

[lovesickeros]

can.. can I ask for an affectionate reader with characters who aren’t normally like… used to the love? like, not just through words but physical affection like hand-holding, kisses, hugs, all that shebang. probably with a few people like yelan, ei, basically any character that is either cut-off from society or seems socially distant or isolated. 😞

☆ affectionate reader with yelan, ei, & furina

[ 4.2 Archon Quest spoilers ]

× yelan

Varies between how you display your affection, to be honest. Just like being affectionate with people? She's cool with it as long as you don't pop by while she's working (mostly because she'll end up dragging you into it for a bit of fun). I don't think she's all that touchy feely herself, but she'll absolutely get you gifts instead– like pretty knick nacks? She'll make sure to snag any she thinks you might like. Like a good meal? Sure, she'll take you out to one of the restaurants in the city, doesn't matter how expensive. Her treat. If you do prefer physical gifts rather then being taken out, you'll eventually get used to the random unmarked letters and packages showing up where your staying pretty often. It's obvious to know who it came from even if she never signs anything.

Flirty reader, though? Whole nother can of worms and now it's a challenge. The more confident you are the more interested she is. The other acolytes would absolutely seethe at the idea but she has no hesitation at just straight up flirting back– she's as charismatic as they come and she's got a poker face that's basically impenetrable. She'll probably also make a bet to see who cracks first (she always wins, unsurprisingly). Probably won't get dragged into any of her schemes this way but if you ask politely maybe she'll consider it, anyway.

The smell of freshly brewed tea and the clatter of dice across wood was a common sight at the Yanshang Teahouse– less common was the woman secluded in the far corner, her lips pulled into a grin that flashed fangs and a look that would scare off the most confident of men.

She'd normally try to scope out any new blood that'd made the mistake of stepping into her teahouse and was equally stupid enough to accept a gamble against her just for the thrill of it, but she was far too absorbed in the warm body at her side, one of her die clasped tightly in their hand as she guided them through the motions– they had a knack for it, she had to admit. The thought made her preen, the clatter of the die as it rolled across the table giving her that subtle, familiar rush.

Even if she knew exactly where it'd land.

"Six. Hm, maybe you're just lucky," She muses, plucking the die from the table and holding it up to her eye like a prized jewel, "Or maybe you're not as innocent as you'd have us believe." There's a sharp glint in her eyes at the prospect, but everyone else has the sense to keep their heads down and their words to themselves as she tosses the die herself.

"So why don't we find out and make a bet, just between you and me?"

× ei

Varies between Ei and the Shogun, because you'll probably be seeing either as much as the other. Sometimes you gotta really squint to tell who it is sometimes, but you get used to it. Both are fairly similar, though, in that their first instinct (especially in public) is to tense up like you're about to attack them or something. Difference is Ei eventually relaxes after a solid minute of trying to process your sudden affection and, if no one else is around, she might even reciprocate. Just don't tease her for being a little stiff and awkward about it, she's trying. That's what happens when your only company is a robot and uh. Nothing. For like 500 years. She's trying. Raiden, on the other hand, is just about as awkward as you can imagine. She's polite (blunt) about it because Ei is fond of you and also you are. The Creator. But she's not really built to deal with personal relationships and so she doesn't know how to deal with affection.

..Depending on what you do you may or may not blue screen Ei hard enough that she retreats back to PoE

Ei usually isn't fond of sitting still, unless it's to meditate. At least then she goes in with a purpose, something to achieve– but now, she's just focused on trying not to make a fool of herself. Her muscles are starting to ache from how hard she's tensing, though, in an effort to sit as straight and still as possible as their hands glide through her hair, weaving it into a single braid.

She can just barely hear the subtle lilt of their voice as they hum– and though it is soothing, it is also..very distracting. She can't focus long enough to try and meditate, too lost in the gentle rise and fall of their voice and the care they take to braid her hair. If she'd had a heart, she'd sure it'd be beating so wildly against her ribcage they could hear it.

But then it stops– their hands fall back to their sides and their humming falters. She freezes, too, racking her brain for any slights she must have committed. Instead, she is met with a calm, tender touch on the back of her neck, making her inhale sharply.

"Am I making you uncomfortable, Ei? You're so tense.." She has to grit her teeth to stop herself from bowing so low her head presses against the ground, her hands folded in her lap, clenching instinctively. "..No, Divine One." She answers simply, trying to contain the adoration swelling in her chest.

Yet as much as she tries to relax, to ease their worries, she finds that she cannot.

"Hm." That small murmur, a simple sound that nearly made her jump, was the only warning she got before they scooted closer, wrapping their arms around her stomach and resting their chin on her shoulder with a grin she would liken to Miko's, if she dared to make such a comparison. "Really?"

She swears she must've been feverish at the affection, lightheaded and dazed until she thought she might simply perish at the brush of their hands against her own.

Much to her embarrassment, however, she doesn't realize she's instinctively pulled back into Plane of Euthymia until she sees the familiar dull purples engulf her vision once again.

Though only a small solace, it seemed a little..brighter, this time.

× furina

Varies between pre 4.2 and post 4.2 archon quests to be honest.

Pre 4.2 she comes off as very vain– of course the most Divine would see fit to spoil her with affection! She deserves it, and is obviously their favorite! Just don't look too hard because she's terrible at hiding how flustered she actually is. Absolutely goes home right after and screams into her pillow for at least thirty minutes minimum.

Post 4.2 she's a lot more openly bashful and flustered. She's really not used to affection and even the smallest show of it has her folding immediately. Now that she doesn't need to worry about being found out she's a lot more receptive to affection. Cup her cheeks and compliment her and her knees are buckling. Like. Especially weak for compliments and praise (she deserves it. please spoil her).

She swears she must be hallucinating– she had been having trouble sleeping recently. But..no. The visage of the Creator was as real as the sweat beading on her brow as she stared at them for a long, awkward moment. Should..she let them in? But then they'd see the pathetic state she was in, and the last thing she wanted to do was make a fool of herself in front of them-!

Her choice was quickly made for her, anyway, as she let out an undignified squeak of surprise when they suddenly tugged her forward into their chest, enclosing her in a hug.

Her first reaction was to freeze– her second was becoming absolutely flustered, her cheeks flushing a soft pink and her mouth closing and opening as she tried to find her words.

"I– ah..um." She stumbled over her words instead, floundering like a fish out of water. Yet she felt a distinct sense of emptiness wash over her when they finally pulled back, looking a touch sheepish. "Sorry, sorry– you just looked like you needed a hug."

The silence spoke for itself, her shoulders tensing slightly. But the way the concern and affection bled through their voice made her waver, her hands trembling as she let out a shaky breath that almost sounded like a sigh.

"It's..It's fine! Fine, I'm fine." She repeated, trying desperately to ignored the way her voice cracked and how hot her face felt– though it was more an attempt to affirm herself that she was not thinking about how warm they felt, how much she..actually enjoyed the hug. She wasn't thinking about it all! Absolutely not!

..Maybe a little.

"Just warn me next time, please?"

[blood-orange-juice]

Considering how samsaras in genshin tend to repeat themselves with different participants and how vision holders stories seem to be similar (hydro character syndrome where folks try to mold themselves into something they are not, anemo characters with dead friends, pyro wielders inheriting family quests).

What if having a vision binds a character to a type of samsara/story?

[purrfectlycontent]

something something this scene from the trailer being a parallel to mary-ann and seymour (fated to end up alone in their despair and having to “act” a part)

add this to the fact that mary-ann’s last name was guillotin and furina gets, well…

[ink-blot-thoughts]

OK so could someone please explain what the fuck is going on with Dottore's age to me?? Cause like in the Sumeru Archon quest he's referred to as that dude who got kicked out and became a Harbinger, implying that this was recent enough for people to remember him and his crimes against life itself or whatever.

But then in Scaramouche's backstory he was a fully grown adult 300 years ago?? And had enough bullshit going on to know what was happening in Tatarasuna and do his fun little murder spree???

And like yeah I know segments but they don't explain this cause they're clones of him at different ages it doesn't mean he can time travel.

So here's the only options I can think of:

1)He's like 400 but his dramatic murder-and-drop-out is legendary enough at the Akademiya that everyone still knows him by face (which doesn't really explain the Zandik notes but whatever)

2)He can fucking time travel now

Or 3) He's doing that Twilight thing where every few years he goes back to the Akademiya for shits and giggles, but the most recent visit is when he got kicked out

Personally I'm with option 3 but fuck if I can think of something that makes sense. Lore masters, pls assist.

[caluupin]

Father!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[narcoticwriter]

Granny Oni is going to be so proud of her boy going to seek higher education... despite everything the writers throw at him he stays fucking winning.

[ask-court-genshin]

"..."

There was one thing that they would desire, and that was to survive. Considering Lumine had given them life from being an Oceanid, they had a thought that there would be a price to pay.

With the stakes at hand, they knew opposing her isn't a good idea. Gathering information to where her brother could be, however... is one of the biggest factors they must consider.

After being briefed on what to do and the risks if they should fail, they turned their head to the blonde, their yellow eyes narrowed.

"So, miss Lumine," they spoke, turning their head before facing the female outlander more properly.

"I need to ask, but is there a deadline I must keep an eye on? I can't stay complacent without knowing the stakes, since you're the one who holds my life in your hands. Quite literally, might I add."

They gestured to her, giving her a wry smile.

"Also, where should I find you? If, well, I'm in need of some help... or maybe to consult to you when I do accomplish my goal. Don't tell me you don't have a plan to our meet up, hm?"

Maybe this will help ones like me... or maybe not. All I can hope for is to survive.

«Lumine: +20 POINTS»

Lumine seemed to have appreciated your enthusiasm to help whereas Sy made garbled and sad squirming noises.

Lumine: You do know who Kokomi is, right? You're a hydro eidolon after all. If you're ever in a tough spot, she'd likely give you sound tactics to help out.

Lumine: If Kokomi cannot solve your problem, then I'll decide to step in.

Quite frankly, you do not know who "Kokomi" is, but the knowledge counts for something. Probably.

Lumine: You've got quite the attitude. I do not "meet up" with anyone without an appointment. Meeting me should be a last resort. So do not smile so recklessly in my direction.

Lumine opens up a portal.

Lumine: Now tell me, which place do you want to go? Do you wish to head to Murmure Court post-haste? Do you wish to land on Mount Sumeru? The Heavenly Moon? The Free City? The choice is yours.

Current route: Common Route (Tip: Fill up any of the LI's meter to start a route)

Lumine status: 20/100

New game

[tunaafishyy]

Enkanomiya Enigmas - Part 1

A look into some of the strangest comments made by Enkanomiya’s residents

Note: this post is incomplete, I’m just starting the new year by clearing out some of my old drafts… maybe I’ll go back and fill these in better one day :)

Draft last updated 2022-12-26

In the Beginning…

Eboshi: Before Byakuyakoku fell into the deep sea, the whole world had a single unified culture.

Eboshi: Later, a great war broke out, in which the heavens capsized and the earth was ripped asunder. This land was then plunged into the dark ocean depths.

Eboshi: However, the heavenly order seemed to not wish for those who remembered all this to remain on earth. We searched for a road of return, but there was none to be found.

Eboshi: Much, much later, heaven’s powers of prohibition would gradually weaken. This did Watatsumi Omikami manage to fall into this place.

Out of Heaven’s Reach

Eboshi: They are primordial elemental beings, unbent and unbowed by the power that came from the heavens owing to their living deep underwater.

…

Eboshi: Watatsumi Omikami, due to ill-fortune, fell into this place, beyond the jurisdiction of the heavenly order.

Holy Soil Phenomenon

Eboshi: The Holy Soil phenomenon is, in fact, the expansion of their habitat. That means that the primordial elemental power of the three realms is growing stronger.

Eboshi: Only by using Watatsumi Omikami’s life force to awaken its second servant could we convert this raw, raging elemental power.

…

Tsumi: According to what I have read, the fundamental purpose of the Watatsumi Goryou Matsuri is to use the serpent god’s life force to awaken its second familiars: the Sangacorallia.

Tsumi: They are creatures that break down raw, primitive elemental energy into the milder elemental energy of the human realm. The giant coral is a symbol that the Sangacorallia have been awakened by the serpent’s blood.

…

Tsumi: Things are even more complicated than usual this time. The darkness from the Void Realm seems to be surpressunf things in the Light Realm and the Human Realm, causing them to come to a standstill.

Tsumi: You may need to use the power of the Bokuso Box to dispel the darkness and allow the ecological transformation to continue.

Orobashi’s Sacrifice

Eboshi: Unfortunately, by making contact with us, it also grasped a truth that came before it’s own existence. Thus, it was forced by heaven to sacrifice itself.

Eboshi: The truth behind this sacrifice had to remain unknown to all. Only this could the people of Byakuyakoku be allowed to live under the rule of The Seven.

Forgetting & Discovering the Truth

Eboshi: Due to the phenomenon known as Sinshades, the “past”, “history”, and “truth” of Enkanomiya would endure even if left to their own devices.

Eboshi: As such, a great effort was expended, not that we might remember but that we might “forget”. Lady Sangonomita was of this view.

Eboshi: The trial to obtain the branch was intended to limit the number of people coming after us who could know the whole truth of the matter.

Eboshi: As for me, I supported leaving records of the truth. As such, Watatsumi Omikami permitted me to add another trial path that, if passed, would lead to knowledge of our secrets.

Eboshi: “In the faintness of everlasting night, beyond the rushing of the river Styx, within the sinless flow of heavenly light.”

Eboshi: Release the seal on The Emanant Skylight. Then, you may ascend to the Gate of Heaven and access the site of the trial.

Vishaps

Eboshi: They are actually very intelligent, and they are adept at evolving. They would even evolve into different elemental forms throughout the history of their war against us.

Eboshi: I would not be surprised at all if they have learned language or perhaps even evolved into lizard-people of a sort.

The Traveler

The sinshade of Clymene, caretaker of the Sunchildren, recognizes the Traveler’s garb.

However, she then goes on to say that she was born in Enkanomiya (post-sinking) and that she’s never seen someone from outside of it.

For Clymene to have seen it, but to also never have left/met an outsider, implies that the Traveler’s Outfit existed in Enkanomiya.

She also makes a comment about not having seen it in awhile. This could be due to her either being a sinshade and not having perception of time, or the outfit being a carry-over from Enkanomiya’s society before it sank, and thus was as common post-sinking…

??? (Clymene): Hmm? How strange. I have not seen someone in your garb for a many long years…

??? (Clymene): From your mannerisms, you are not from Byakuyakoku either. Are you some guest from afar who fell into this place?

Traveler: That’s more or less correct…

??? (Clymene): To think that there were ways to access Byakuyakoku from the outside world… Shocking news indeed.

??? (Clymene): I was born here, and I have never seen anyone from the outside world.

Memories

Clymene: It has passed through the hands of every Sunchild, and the memories it has inherited are enough to fill the gaps in their souls.

Clymene: … Even though these memories are double-sided.

Traveler: Double-sided? Memories have sides?

Clymene: of course. In this case, the memories are two-fold. On one hand, you have your own memories, and on the other, you have others’ memories of you.

Clymene: Thus the gaps are being filled by both the Sunchildren’s own memories, imprinted upon the bridle… As well as the memories of them as the children who were blamed by Byakuyakoku, of those who became children of sin.

Clymene: my own memories are insufficient, and so I had to supplement them with those of the people of our nation.

Clymene: and it is thanks to these transgressions that have been laid upon them that they have now been remembered by Byakuyakoku, and can now leave their afterimages behind.

Clymene: Thank you, Traveler. My greatest wish now lies fulfilled. Yes, I… can finally be with those children again… I can finally… be at ease.

[welcometoteyvat]

@apologems here, some shenhe & baizhu for you [random character pairs asks] thanks for your patience because this is really late and enjoy <3

———

The light fragrance of qingxin emanates from the little brown pills in Shenhe's palm. It will not change how the pills taste, though, so she downs them all at once.

… They're not as bitter as she expected. The taste is like… like regret softened with honey, a tinge of sweetness lingering in her throat. Something indescribable dislodges itself from Shenhe’s chest, escapes in a barely perceptible sigh. When she looks back up, two pairs of eyes—gold, crimson—human, snake—are gazing intently at her.

“Swallowed it without even a sip of water! You must have taken a lot of bitter medicine before.” The snake draped around the doctor’s neck speaks in a sing-song voice, blinking owlishly up at her. Shenhe stares back at it—and although she is not good at reading humans, and snakes even less, she thinks it seems a bit surprised that she hasn’t yet looked away. When it lowers its head a moment later, suddenly timid, Shenhe feels an inexplicable bubble of satisfaction pressing against the bindings of her red ropes.

The corners of Baizhu’s serpent eyes turn down unhappily, and he frowns a little. “Changsheng. Manners.” And then, to her, in a gentler voice, "Here. Take this dried goji and haw; it’ll wash out any of the remaining bitterness.” He takes out a burlap satchel from one of the many little cabinets behind the front desk, and places it carefully in her still outstretched hands.

“Thank you… Mr. Baizhu— Doctor.” She can’t quite remember what the person before her had said before leaving, but… any parting phrase should suffice, right? None of the other adepti chide Master when she leaves their gatherings without any goodbyes, after all.

“No need; this is simply part of my job.” Shenhe must have said the right thing, because Baizhu is smiling graciously, waving away her thanks. Shenhe follows the crescent-moon curve of his pale lips all the way to the premature crow’s feet crinkling at the corners of his eyes, and wonders if the years have been unkind to him. As she studies Baizhu’s amber irises and vertical pupils, her thoughts wander to the tomes of adeptal transformation arts squirreled away in a corner of her master’s abode. She wonders how long it has taken him to reach this form, for it almost rivals her master’s in its beauty.

“Ah—on another note, I don’t recall filling a prescription for you in Bubu Pharmacy before? Is it your first time coming here?” Baizhu peers at her carefully over his oval glasses, eyes like yellow jade and Hulao amber. Shenhe holds his eye contact, and then—slowly, slowly, like the boiling of medicine and the flow of ages past, Baizhu’s gaze becomes something… vaster, something… boundless—and suddenly, Shenhe’s falling, rushing past the sights and sounds of Liyue as experienced by generation after generation of disciples and masters and masters and disciples and the ever-present white snake wound around their necks. And then, just as suddenly she is back in the pharmacy, and Baizhu’s eyes are simply circular drops of molten gold, and he has a concerned expression on his face.

“Shenhe, are you alright? Apologies if my question was too prying; I was merely curious.”

“No. I have never been here.”

“Well, in that case, welcome to Bubu Pharmacy. May your coming days be full of good health.”

———

A/N: these two are an absolutely slept on character pair thanks for opening my eyes. sorry that nothing consequential happens in this fic i wanted to squeeze in something about not listening to fate and baizhu looking up her name for connections to the adepti etc. but that didn't happen and ive been stuck on it for 2 weeks so i threw in the towel and said to myself that i'll put it in a more-inspired sequel. sorry if this is again confusing. if there's only 1 take home message you get from this I hope it's that baizhu is A SICKLY ASS MAN (please take care of yourself)

and ofc, if ooc let me know, i heart feedback etc etc. open call for shenhe and baizhu likers to give me their theses on either character because i need to Understand them and study them under a microscope

crossposted to ao3 too ig

[mtkanna]

jakob, rene and the narzissenkreuz ordo have connections to quite a few of the playable characters, which i think is. quite funny actually

j&r leave their notes in hangeh afrasiyab -> klingsor and the abyss -> klingsor's blood feud w/ the alberich family -> totally normal guy kaeya

j&r institute research -> samples of elynas, chasm mud, scarlet quartz -> elynas and durin -> albedo and the primordial human project

j&r establish the ordo -> neuvillette and a legislative response, probably

j&r learn about the hyperborea ~500 years ago -> childe is named after the same hyperborean legend and is now intertwined with the primordial sea

rene page 8 -> nahida, wanderer, and the idea of samsara

rene and the picnic at petrichor -> the hydro hypostasis -> kokomi

[avemstella]

Lady Egeria the Seer, first Archon of Fontaine, could see everyone's futures as if reflections upon the water. It allowed her to cast the most perfect of judgements and change the tides of fate itself. However, there was one future that escaped her sight, that future being her own. And for that reason, she did not see how her story would end until her blood stained the sands and there was nowhere else to run.

[zinnia--0]

energy using elemental force?

this is a very dangerous passage; what if people started thinking about trying to use visions as a source of energy since it can be used to channel elemental energy and is powered by a person's will?

— from rene's investigation notes

it doesn't really help that fontaine is facing a huge power crisis right now. 🤷‍♀️

[peruers]

A keen-edged weapon, luster dazzling as the crimson moon. It is said that an ancient dynasty once regarded it as a ritual object that could bridge two worlds, but none still remember the beliefs and ceremonies of that bygone age.

"O High Lord of the Nobles of Khaenriah, the crimson-red moon has long since fallen into the abyssal firmament, and the blindness of your blood has ended your line,"

"O benevolent lord who leadeth us, should you still pity the children of humanity, then drink deep the wine in this cup."

It was an ancient era, before the dark sun's light illuminated the underground, and an ancient and glorious clan still ruled that vast kingdom. The dogmatic priests convinced the muddle-minded king upon the throne that the remnants of the Crimson Moon in the sky ruled all. For it is the color of the moonlight that flows beneath mortal flesh, and the darkness hidden within the bottom of the abyss shall too emerge from the Crimson Moon.

This being so, the king of humanity should take upon himself the name of the Crimson Moon, and by light and flame of two worlds judge fickle fate. Thus, they yearned for transcendent individuals to build countless glorious towers, and prayed for the long dead Crimson Moon to bring them salvation.

Until the astrologists branded as heretics glimpsed in the inverted image of the false sky the origin of all the world’s fate.

Until the unquenchable flames of doubt and fury blazed across the dreamless realm like wildfire, finally burning to the moonlight-hued palace itself…

By the time of the blackened sun, the name of the Crimson Moon had long faded with the crimson that had flowed. Only the epithet “Balemoon” remained to stain the lingering detritus. Whether the unclean who suffered from the curse, or those unblemished ones not yet tainted by fate, non would consider themselves a follower of the moon’s remnants. Few survived the utter destruction of their kind, hiding in the shadows where the sun did not shine, longing for the Crimson Moon to decree their desire for vengeance be repaid—

But the so-called repayment never came, and the dark sun fell to the same ignorance and arrogance.

When destruction was once again nigh, only the mocking moonlight spilled forth upon the shadow of the sun, long burnt to ash.

“Fate, fate, O terrifying and pale fate, why must you abase yourself and submit to such a tyrannical usurper if the Balemoon’s remnants had already sealed your doom, what meaning could be found in the blood vengeance of bygone days? If the destiny she wove mocks us so, then let us mock destiny as loudly as we may. Until the last shadow of ashen burns away the old world, until the Crimson Moon witnesses the immaculate dawn.”

[starsandthorn]

iridescence tour but no xinyan... :(