Furina

1. #1Neuvillette

   Keys: Neuvillette, Iudex, Chief Justice of Fontaine

   Appearance : Neuvillette is the tall male He has pale skin, purple-shaded slit eyes, pointed ears, and waist length white hair with a single lock that has a blue underside. He also has what appears to be two bright, blue horn- or feeler-like accessories at shoulder length.

   Neuvillette is the Iudex of Fontaine, and the leader of the Marechaussee Phantom. While Neuvillette upholds the rules of the court with utmost reverence, he is quite aloof when dealing with human emotions and often distances himself from the public eye.

   In accordance to his role as the Chief Justice, Neuvillette takes the court and trials very seriously, handing out verdicts with impartiality. He is notably perceptive, being able to hear Paimon's whispers and is able to deduce the additional details from the evidence provided to him during a trial. He utilizes the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale to make the final decision, honoring its request regardless of his own feelings on the matter as per protocol.

   Due to his position and ties to the Hydro Archon, he is popular among Fontaine's people as a symbol of justice and honor. As a member of the Seven Sovereigns, Neuvillette is unfamiliar with human customs and feelings, using the court to help him process and understand them. He rarely spends his time out in public, as he does not enjoy unwanted attention, and in the few times he speaks to humans, he appears to be aloof, though honest in his words. However, when interacting with Melusines, he is extremely friendly, seen as the ideal father by them; likewise, he is fiercely protective of them, considering them the pride of Fontaine and investigating matters himself should he hear of a Melusine being bullied or threatened. This stems from his failure to protect his friend and subordinate, Carole, when she was driven to death due to Fontainian's prejudice, and Neuvillette being forced to sentence his other friend, Vautrin, for carrying out a revenge killing for Carole, he had since resolved to prevent such tragedy from happening ever again.

   When he was initially reincarnated, Neuvillette was left with many questions about himself, leading to him accepting a position as the Iudex. His time overseeing trials led him to experience a plethora of human experiences and emotions, which was secretly prepared by Focalors in the hopes that his newfound perception would save the people of Fontaine from a looming prophecy that would exterminate them. Upon learning the full extent of Focalors' deception, he admitted that she was devious and was both saddened and shocked by her self-sacrifice. Indeed, having seen humanity positively, Neuvillette used his fully restored powers to save the people and left aside fragments of his power in the form of Visions for those worthy of them.

   Neuvillette opposes the Heavenly Principles, and by extension The Seven, as they usurped the authority of the Dragons that once ruled Teyvat. This appears to be more of a professional standpoint than a personal matter, as he expresses surprise at the current status of some Archons, like Barbatos, while respecting Lesser Lord Kusanali for her duties.

   Neuvillette enjoys water and is an avid taster, being able to discern the properties of where the water came from and how it's prepared; as a result, this also extends to him liking food with plenty of sauce. He does not like deep fried food and grilled food with no sauce, especially taking great offence to Charcoal-Baked Ajilenakh Cakes.

   Fontainians who have tried to get close to him have, without exception, been politely rejected. To this day, no one even knows his first name, since he has always asked that he be referred to by his last name.

   He believes that close personal ties will lead to suspicions about the justness of one's judgments, while he must remain a symbol of absolute justice.

   Of course, there will always be people who just won't give up. They will say, "Come now, Monsieur Neuvillette. Not everyone will stand trial, nor will you always have to remain in the judge's seat."

   But is that really the case? If there is an answer in his heart, Neuvillette will not reveal it.

   Given enough time, every river will overflow and flood. Every last Fontainian is guilty, with judgment and doom certain to one day fall upon them — this is neither metaphor nor rhetoric.

   Yet, Neuvillette can share this fact with no one.

   Truly, he is a lonesome person.

   Neuvillette is not known for his personal desires.

   Curious members of the public and journalists are wont to seek high and low for him all across Fontaine when he is not sitting in the Chief Justice's seat of judgment. He may sit at a seat for specially invited guests during performances, appear by the shore when the skies are just on the cusp of weeping, or be standing within the shadows cast by the afternoon sun.

   There was once a time when all believed that he was some kind of demon who existed solely to preside over trials and judge, forcing him to clarify that... Well, the gist of it was "to bear witness and judge is my great honor, but I am not a trial aficionado. Iudex is simply one of the hats I wear, and my time as a judge is but one phase of my life."

   This successful clarification led him out of the frying pan, and into the fire, as they say — "Shocking News! Neuvillette Claims 'Iudex' to be 'Springboard' Post! Unspeakable Plans Next; Where Will His Ambition End?"

   As for the new rumors, Neuvillette paid them no heed. Perhaps they were, in fact, right on the Mora, and he simply did not correct them out of principle? No one knows.

   Neuvillette is also not much of a drinker, nor does he like Fonta — indeed, he has never even been known to have given any sincere praise to the local chefs' most renowned dishes. This has led people to suspect that his lack of consumptive desire might come down to him simply not having a sense of taste.

   His response was to organize a water-tasting salon party, at which all were gobsmacked by the wide variety of flavors water from different regions could possess and floored by the Iudex's most refined tastes. Of course, the amount of authenticity present in such interactions cannot be known.

   But whatever the case, Neuvillette really is devoid of selfish want.

   Neuvillette is a just person.

   If not for that quality, he probably would not have been qualified to serve as the Iudex in the first place.

   To the children, the job of the man in the judge's seat is nothing more than wearing a wig, maintaining order in the court, and being the Oratrice's messenger pigeon. In truth, however, there are many administrative affairs that he must handle in private to keep the justice system up and running.

   Due to certain historical and traditional legacies in Fontaine, the Iudex also has the right to prosecute, as well as the power to enforce the law in person. This was originally intended to make it easier to maintain law and order during chaotic times, but as the system became further refined, this rule, which represented the spirit of the pioneer far more than that of the law, became maintained only symbolically. When the Iudex investigates a case or serves as the prosecutor, they must recuse themselves as judge, and have someone else take the seat. And in the few instances where he has personally investigated cases, Neuvillette has unerringly followed this rule.

   One thing to note is that he has been the only Iudex in the land for a very long time, so much so that people often speculate that he must have been given an unimaginably long life due to divine favor. As such, it is well that he is nothing if not fair-minded, or such an extensive term would surely lead to problems someday.

   As to what he is precisely — a familiar of the Hydro Archon, or a mysterious Hydro elemental creature, perhaps — there are a great many opinions, though Neuvillette has never once commented on such talk.

   Indeed, he is a person most impartial.

   Due to a variety of reasons, Fontaine's legal codices retain all manner of odd articles from days past. Neuvillette himself contributed this clause: "A Melusine shall be addressed as 'she,' rather than 'it,' for they are people too."

   This might look strange on its face, but the more one considers it, the more it makes sense. After all, Melusines have been found all over Fontaine since near-modern times, and fighting for equal rights for them beginning with terms of address sent a powerful signal.

   Indeed, Fontainians have noticed that Neuvillette displays different amounts of warmth toward Melusines and humans. Most regard this as the understated goodness in his heart having found an outlet, becoming the love of a father.

   Oddly enough, this one only gets stranger the more one knows about Neuvillette.

   For he is the Hydro Dragon, and in this capacity, he regards Melusines as dependents and successors, and also as the finest example of a new sort of Hydro Vishap species. Yet he is also the destroyer of the present order, the one who shall judge all gods, and the foe of humanity. So why, then, did he secure human rights for the Melusines?

   You alone could ask him this question, and this was his reply: "It wasn't up to me. Melusines simply prefer being around humans, that's all."

   Neuvillette has always favored rainy days over sunny ones, as the moisture-laden air helps him relax. However, it has been a long time since he last delighted in standing under the rain.

   It seems that from the time he chose to walk alongside Fontaine, he began to play the role of a strictly law-abiding normal person. Of course, normal people would not walk through the rain without an umbrella, allowing the rain to drench their hair.

   It is worth mentioning that the role of Chief Justice is as much his true self as the Hydro Dragon is his essence. Only the role of "normal human" is one he must play.

   It was in their solitude and guilt that humans invented a god to judge them, and in their greed and guilt that they created a god to save them. And with that god no longer present, it falls to Neuvillette to fulfill such expectations.

   He has pardoned humanity, and has regained his original form.

   Now, he can finally walk in the rain and enjoy it.

   Indeed, he did do exactly this, and standing in the rain, he gazed into the distance, reminiscing about that day, so long ago, when he had received that letter.

   Yes, a letter had found its way to him by some unknown means. The name of the recipient had been left blank, with the text only addressing him bluntly as "you."

   A special you. A unique you. Neuvillette was not opposed to such a manner, but neither did he approve of it. He felt, vaguely, that the powers-that-be of the present world had no real right to judge him so.

   He knew that this letter had been written by the Archon Focalors, who was inviting him to come and see Fontaine, claiming "I shall leave you a seat with the best view in the greatest theater."

   Later, he would indeed come to receive that very seat — in the middle of the front row of the Opera Epiclese on the island known as Erinnyes. He would watch all manner of performances there, and the view was indeed excellent, just as Focalors had claimed.

   What happened later was not made public knowledge. In all likelihood, the people had no way of understanding what it meant that the throne was shattered, or how the power of water was fully restored to its original owner. As to their being pardoned, and why they had to be forgiven in the first place, that was an even broader and more complex tale.

   And thus did the curtain fall — Fontaine witnessed a happy ending to the greatest drama in history.

   Or was it? A happy ending, that is. It was then that Neuvillette understood that the "seat" mentioned in the letter was not merely a chair in an opera house.

   Focalors — or Furina, he should say — had given up her seat in the audience, come onstage alone, and become the heroine of the drama.

   There were only ever a fixed number of seats, and for one to sit down, was for another to depart. That letter had been an invitation, issued several centuries in advance.

   Well, Hydro Dragon? How do you feel about becoming a member of the human audience?

   Are you enjoying this human drama?

   One as great as he should have no need for a constellation to shine over him. After all, "fate" is merely the manner in which the present ruler of this world plays with living beings.

   Now that he has obtained one part of seven of the authority over the mortal realm, and reforged the throne and title of a "Fully Fledged Dragon," he is one strong enough to equal and rival "the human realm" and logic would dictate that he need not subscribe to this system known as "fate."

   He can see, in the skies of destiny, how many stars contend with one another, creating a complicated, fragile world. He did not initially care much about such, for the puppet strings glossed as "divine rules" would one day be burned away by the fires of judgment. But he too was taken in by certain pleasing rhetoric.

   "In that case, why don't you just watch over the Fontainians? They were born from the Primordial Sea, after all. That makes them part of this planet's native life, too, and a form of life that requires your care."

   He would never admit that he himself had become quite fascinated with the joys and sorrows of humanity. Was it not so, he would argue, that humans find their gaze stolen by the ripples from falling raindrops in puddles? And could it not be, he would explain, that King Nibelung had been wrong, and that the black void could only be opposed if all life were to band together as one?

   Thus did he, in the end, come into his own "fate." The skies had left a special, ennobled place for him, one reserved for the overseers and those who could defy the world itself — that of his own reflection.

   —Of course, he was born in the form of a human. But why, then, is his constellation the image of the great leviathan? Well, this leads us to a more mundane explanation for the situation, one quite separate from grave matters of the world's fate:

   As the one named "Neuvillette," he would often be roped by Melusines (especially Sigewinne) into a bit of astrology via The Steambird's constellation columns or astrology guides from Sumeru. Would it really do, at that point, to tell them that he "didn't have a constellation" or that his own constellation was just "Neuvillette"?

   "Hydro Dragon, Hydro Dragon, don't cry."

   No one knows who composed this children's song, or when, but it has organically spread throughout Fontaine all the same. Neuvillette has been somewhat perplexed by this. No matter how much time he has spent with Fontainians or how much they've been through together, he still cannot quite put a finger on how people view the real him — or that is to say, the Hydro Dragon.

   In addition to commanding the power of Hydro, the Hydro Dragon also had mastery over the sea that was the source of life. Before any outside life forms were ever created, all life on this planet traced its origins to the Primordial Sea. Indeed, those placid waters were worthy of the title of "birthing waters" or "amniotic fluid" given by those who came after. And the Hydro Dragon could, in turn, be regarded as this planet's original "God of Life."

   Neuvillette knows all this, of course, just like he knows that all rivers meet again in the great ocean. These birthing waters might not be of any special importance to humans, but for Neuvillette, he can differentiate every drop, every minute memory. He still remembers the foreign usurper appointing their own "God of Life" to order the living. He still remembers how the usurper had made "her" to suppress the original vital force of this planet. And of course, he also knows how "she" came to commit the original sin...

   Having considered all this, Neuvillette decided, then, that whoever had penned that rhyme, as well as the Fontainians who came to believe in it, must not have known the Hydro Dragon all that well, considering that they thought the Hydro Dragon could cry. What did they take said Dragon for, some sort of bleeding heart who grieved for humans and the heavens alike?

   Neuvillette does not need a Vision to manipulate the elements. However, there were some things he learned only after regaining his complete form:

   Severely wounded in the great war of vengeance, the usurper had their functions ruined, and could no longer use their absolute authority to suppress the original order of this world. To continue to subdue and control the resentments and loathing of the world, the usurper and one who came after created the Gnoses together. So it came to be that an order was made to be upheld, and thus did humans come to only possess these seven remembrances, and all fragments of the primordial were driven to devour each other.

   From that day on, whenever a person's wishes reached the heavens, the seven overseers of the material realm were duty-bound to grant them a gift. Though they might know nothing of who or what wish had stepped into the threshold of the sacred, the Seven Archons still had to impart a shattered shard of their mastery to that person. And when one so gifted completed their duty... the gift the gods would receive in return would be more abundant still.

   Neuvillette obeys no edict from the heavens, but he does acknowledge human will. So he too set aside parts of himself, as like unto the dragon-treasure hoards of old, awaiting valiant humans to come and claim them.

   relationship Professional Partnership as Co-Rulers of Fontaine Roles: Neuvillette serves as Fontaine’s Chief Justice, while Furina was the nation’s Archon (later revealed to be a human vessel for Focalors). They governed Fontaine jointly, overseeing trials at the Opera Epiclese

   Court Dynamics: Furina’s flamboyant, dramatic interruptions during trials often clashed with Neuvillette’s stoic adherence to procedure. Despite this, he frequently mediated her impulsive remarks to maintain order

   Private Collaboration: They used private transportation to avoid public scrutiny, hinting at a desire to protect their personal interactions from gossip

   Emotional Understanding and Protectiveness Neuvillette’s Insight: He consistently interprets Furina’s actions for others (e.g., explaining her dramatic exits as face-saving gestures) and prioritizes her safety, such as advising against meetings with the Fatui Harbinger Arlecchino

   Furina’s Vulnerability: Despite her bravado, Furina relied on Neuvillette during moments of fear (e.g., pleading for his accompaniment to the Fatui meeting) . Post-Archon quests, her struggles with identity and loneliness reveal how much she depended on their bond

   Furina’s Freedom: After her true identity is revealed, Neuvillette continues to address her respectfully as "Lady Furina," acknowledging her sacrifices. Furina, now human, grapples with her past but finds solace in reconnecting with him and others

   Key Quotes Highlighting Their Bond Furina to Neuvillette: "My dear Iudex… No trial can be sufficiently dramatic if it is too short."

   Neuvillette’s Response: "You are right, Lady Furina. But this is not the end. Merely a prelude."

   Furina’s Letter: She addresses him as "A special you. A unique you," underscoring their singular connection

2. #2Clorinde

   Keys: Champion Duelist, Clorinde, Furina's bodyguard.

   gender : female

   appearance : Clorinde isthe tall female. approximately170–180 cm (90-60-90 cm bust-waist-hipShe has long dark blue-dark purplish hair with a lighter blue streak styled in a low ponytail with some of her hair partially covering her right eye and bright purple eyes. A white shirt paired with a dark blue bomber jacket draped over her shoulders Posture: Athletic and upright, reflecting her role as a duelist. Her design emphasizes agility and strength, with broad shoulders and a lean but muscular frame Bust/Chest: Moderate but toned, fitting her combat-focused attire (e.g., corset and fitted shirt) without exaggerated proportions Waist and Hips: Defined waistline accentuated by her black corset, with hips slightly wider than her waist, typical of the "tall female" balanced silhouette Limbs: Slender yet muscular arms (noticeable in her swordplay animations) and long legs, highlighted by her high-waisted shorts and thigh-high stockings A black corset with gold buttons, high-waisted shorts, and black stockings with a garter Signature accessories: Dark blue teardrop-shaped earrings and a hat, emphasizing her Fontaine heritage Combat-ready boots with heels, combining practicality and style Weapons: Wields a sword and a pistol (pistolet)

   Personality Clorinde is a complex character defined by her professionalism, stoicism, and unwavering sense of justice:

   Stoic and Reserved:

   Rarely displays emotion publicly, maintaining a cold, composed demeanor during duels and court proceedings Lynette describes her as radiating "chilling" intensity, even to bystanders Uncompromising Justice: As Fontaine’s undefeated Champion Duelist, she upholds the law with brutal efficiency. Her reputation alone deters deceitful individuals from pursuing frivolous trials Neuvillette praises her role in ensuring "fairness and impartiality" in court, though he notes she’s "not as stoic as she appears" privately

   Loyalty and Regret: Served as Furina’s bodyguard, showcasing her protective side Harbors guilt over her duel with Callas (Navia’s father), whom she realized had no will to live during their fight. This incident strained her friendship with Navia, though they later reconciled

   Subtle Warmth: Despite her stern exterior, she shows care for allies like Furina (post-Archon quest) and the Melusines

   Wriothesley remarks that her combat prowess is "legendary," but she avoids unnecessary conflict

   Dry Humor and Pragmatism: During a press conference debunking rumors about her "sword-cleaning rites," she deadpanned, "Of course. That’s my job," shutting down sensationalism

   Key Quotes Highlighting Her Traits On duels: "A sword tarnished by a sheath of lies is no use for cutting anything" 3. Neuvillette’s observation: "She’s actually not as stoic as she might appear" 8. Self-description: "That’s my job" (when asked about her duties)

   She is the strongest Champion Duelist in Fontaine and once served as Furina's bodyguard.

   A playwright might accuse a fanatical reader of imitating their style and taking up a pen name too close to their own, to the point that even the newspapers could not distinguish the genuine article. A merchant might accuse a colleague of targeted, malicious, cutthroat competition, of not only constantly adjusting their prices, but of intentionally setting up shop directly opposite them...

   Ordinary disputes can be settled by Gardes rushing onto the scene, but there are always a minority of claimants who, thinking themselves most clever in their ulterior intent, will obstinately press for court proceedings just to get their name out there — and if their duel applications were to be approved, they might be famous indeed!

   However, if some well-meaning neighbor were to tell them: "I've heard that the most recently rostered Champion Duelist is Miss Clorinde..."

   These same clever folk would almost instantly be deflated of all their arrogant airs, like a Violetgold Angler Gull caught by the neck, and cease such prattle altogether.

   For all are well-acquainted with the name of the "mightiest" Champion Duelist.

   Beneath her blade, all despicable deeds that aim to capitalize on mere fortune under the guise of decency will show their true colors — and she has never once known defeat in a duel.

   "...Ahem. Oh, uh... I suppose there's no need to go that far, is there?

   So does a clever person, very nearly hoisted by their own petard, flee the scene.

   And thus is another such altercation, undercut by ulteriority, discreetly dissipated.

   Disputes are a Mora a dozen in Fontaine, day in and day out.

   A confectioner might accuse another of stealing their recipe — and not only that, but replacing Bulle Fruit peel with Mint, thus bringing disgrace not only upon themselves, but upon the very dessert itself! Or a playwright might accuse a fanatical reader of imitating their style and taking up a pen name too close to their own, to the point that even the newspapers could not distinguish the genuine article. A merchant might accuse a colleague of targeted, malicious, cutthroat competition, of not only constantly adjusting their prices, but of intentionally setting up shop directly opposite them...

   Almost everyone claims to be wholly in the right, appealing incessantly for the support of passersby in the hope of swaying the crowd and winning their case in the court of public opinion.

   Most of the time, such disputes are settled with relative ease, either by Gardes or by Gestionnaires rushing onto the scene. But there will always be a minority of claimants who, acting with ulterior intentions, will obstinately press for court proceedings just to get their name out there.

   "I'll see you in court!" comes the challenge. When things reach this stage, any hope that the voice of reason might prevail starts to buckle under the unstoppable force of emotion, neither side willing to give an inch as they begin to square off for a legal showdown.

   Until, that is, an exasperated Gestionnaire standing by — long since having given up any hope of successful mediation — interjects in a tone of despair:

   "Alright, I respect your right to take this to the courts. But before you do, you must make the following preparations..."

   "...Once judgment is pronounced, if you believe the verdict to be unjust, you may propose that the matter be settled by a duel."

   "To my knowledge, the most recently rostered Champion Duelist is Miss Clorinde..."

   As soon as the name of Clorinde is mentioned, all bickering comes to an abrupt halt.

   For all are well-acquainted with the name of this undefeated Champion Duelist. Beneath her blade, all despicable deeds that aim to capitalize on mere fortune under the guise of decency will show their true colors — and she has never once known defeat in a duel.

   "...Ahem. Oh, uh... I suppose there's no need to go that far, is there?"

   Thus are such marketplace altercations, undercut by ulteriority, temporarily dissipated. Watching the two self-seeking merchants leave the scene with their tails between their legs, the Gestionnaire lets out a knowing laugh, then gives the younger, still uncomprehending colleague beside them a pat on the arm, and says:

   "You see, the sword is mightier than the pen, after all."

   "If you find yourself facing Clorinde, you'd be better off accepting your verdict immediately." Whether you heard it from the mouth of one who had known the misfortune of facing Clorinde themselves, or someone who had merely watched her dueling from the safety of the stands, there's next to no chance that this would have been said in jest.

   Take some of those who lost their duels with her in under a minute, for instance. A young lady who sought to prepare by tightly wrapping lengths of cloth around her hand so that she would not lose her grip on the hilt of her sword. Before she knew it, the strips of cloth had been cut off one by one with pinpoint precision, and her weapon sent spinning up into the air with such ease that it resembled a sewing needle. Or those flustered "gentlemen," somewhat of a recurring type, who turn up sporting all sorts of hidden gadgets from head to toe — pistolets stuffed into their hats, daggers in their shoes, powder bottles up their sleeves. Once their tricks have been spent, they end up being thrown on their backsides without exception, now facing the additional charge of "contempt of court." And that's not even to mention those desperate individuals who, by leveraging all means available to them, seek to curry favor before the duel has even begun, painting themselves as victims in a vain attempt to win the people's sympathy. But this doesn't change the inevitability of their defeat in the dueling ring. After all, a sword tarnished by a sheath of lies is no use for cutting anything.

   But there is a benefit to the existence of this motley crew of failed scoundrels and slapstick comedians — namely, they serve as counterexamples helping the crowds recognize those others who are willing to duel with real honor, and when there is indeed some truth in the "justice" that they proclaim. Even if such a person ends up losing, people will listen to what they have to say — for they see that this is someone who stands firmly by their beliefs, and has the courage to draw a sword in their defense.

   Some say that when Miss Clorinde fights such individuals, she holds back slightly and never uses her full strength. A member of the audience, having once witnessed such a duel up close, even swore up and down that he saw the corner of Miss Clorinde's mouth curl up very slightly in what must have been approval. And surely, it is only in facing such opponents that the true meaning of the word "duel" is given its full expression, no?

   But Clorinde cares not whether the audience is moved by her duels, nor to hear the internal monologues they might inspire.

   As far as this Champion Duelist is concerned, the only meaning to be taken from a duel comes from facing your opponent on fair terms to determine a winner, a loser, and the righteous cause.

   Clorinde cuts a dashing figure during duels, and her bearing has won her many admirers.

   These "enthusiastic" citizens have carefully analyzed every aspect of this Champion Duelist's being.

   Where did she learn her skill with the blade? Was it passed down through her family, or acquired unexpectedly? Might the explanation for her outstanding swordsmanship be that she is the last in the line of some fallen dynasty that once practiced the art?

   It is said that she performs a "sword cleansing rite" before each of her duels. But with what does she cleanse the body of her sword? Water of the highest purity, drawn directly from the Fountain of Lucine? Some kind of special cleansing ointment? Or could it be that, to strengthen her connection to her weapon, she even adds a touch of... her own blood?

   No, no, no! The great power of this "rite" surely lies not in the mere cleansing of her sword, but rather in her calling upon the spirit of some master swordsman to possess her, thus explaining her unbroken streak!

   For a time, the figure of this undefeated Champion Duelist became shrouded in all kinds of colorful stories, driving the citizens (mainly the journalists, to be precise) into a frenzy of gossip and curiosity.

   Finally, driven to exasperation by all the reporters hiding in the bushes and flower beds by their main entrance, the court authorities assembled the journalists and released an official statement:

   "The weapons and methods employed by Miss Clorinde in her duels — and this goes for all our other Champion Duelists too — are entirely mundane, and not, as rumor would have it, imbued with exaggerated powers of any kind..."

   A wave of indignation spread through the audience, their expressions making clear that they remained utterly unconvinced.

   "If such unfounded rumors begin to exert a pernicious and malign influence on public opinion, the courts reserve the right to formally bring proceedings against those deemed responsible for fabricating and propagating said rumors..."

   This threat was met with disdain by the journalists, whose Kameras continued to shoot away without any sign of stopping.

   "...Let it be known, responsibility for the execution of the duties of Champion Duelist for all relevant trials is hereby entrusted to... Miss Clorinde!"

   With this, the journalists fell silent all at once.

   To this, Clorinde — who, having been forced to attend this farce of a press conference, was sitting off to one side — nodded and replied:

   "Of course. That's my job."

   And so were the absurd rumors about Clorinde finally brought under control. Nowadays, the only traces of that storm of conjecture still to be found are contained within the pages of a few daring theater scripts and edgy novels.

   But were you to confront any one of the playwrights or novelists concerned, they would, without exception, firmly deny any taking any inspiration whatsoever from those rumors.

   Nope, absolutely no connection to those old fabrications whatsoever, none at all!

   In truth, those rumors that Clorinde had been dabbling with supernatural forces were indeed completely unfounded.

   The formidable fighting talent of this Champion Duelist had its origins instead in the legacy of a group that once hunted down phantoms throughout the land of Fontaine: the "Marechaussee Hunters."

   Legend has it that at the time of Fontaine's founding, there was a hero who went by the name of "Golden Hunter." To wipe out the monsters that threatened the peace of Fontaine, it was he who founded the Marechaussee Hunters, gathering a band of heroes — among them the descendants of the Lochknights — to hunt down monsters and villains across Fontaine, leaving behind countless heroic legends in their wake. Yet once peace had finally been restored throughout the land, the name of the "Marechaussee Hunters" gradually fell into obscurity.

   Today, when the people of Fontaine speak of the Marechaussee Hunters, most know only of the "Hunter's Oath," having heard it mentioned in some play or novel.

   "From this day, I pass the candle's shadow-veil."

   "Now, as we face the perils of the long night..."

   "I pledge to remember the oath of daylight."

   "To enshrine tears, life, and love."

   "Holding dawn's coming as my votive."

   "And so shall I never despair."

   For most Fontainians, the story of the Marechaussee Hunters is now but a legend full of drama and excitement.

   But to Clorinde, the deeds and oaths of the Hunters are her living, breathing inheritance.

   The first thing she learned from her mentor, the Marechaussee Hunter Petronilla, was the swordsmanship required to slay monsters. The approach of the Hunter requires them to stay as close as possible to their prey so that they might plunge their blade into weak points with lightning-fast agility. To train her in this technique, Petronilla consigned Clorinde to a room filled with rotating pillars, each of which had been set up with many wooden swords protruding outwards, their tips covered with cloth bags.

   "They might contain candy, or they might contain metallic sand. Or perhaps they'll contain all the hair I've lost while teaching you..."

   "You can chop open these bags or simply avoid them. I'll leave you to make that call."

   "Seeing as you've already had lunch today, you might as well keep going all the way through to dinnertime. Remember, try to reserve enough strength to eat. Alright, begin!"

   By undergoing such training, Clorinde not only developed the Marechaussee Hunter's skills of marksmanship, tracking, camouflage, and footwork, but also learned their method of quickly revealing their identity when encountering fellow Hunters in order to avoid accidental injury.

   Yet Clorinde has never mentioned the hardships she endured during her training to anyone else. After all, she is now a Champion Duelist of the Trial Court, not a Marechaussee Hunter from centuries past.

   She trusts that her mentor, who left without so much as saying goodbye, would understand her decision. The Marechaussee Hunters once wielded their swords to slay fierce monsters in defense of Fontaine's peace and stability. It is only natural, then, that their inheritor should do so to strike down lawless villains.

   Even if her mentor had objected, Clorinde would not have minded settling their debate in the time-honored fashion of the Marechaussee Hunters.

   After all, as Ms. Petronilla once said herself, if Clorinde could defeat her, she'd be willing to listen to the latter's dissenting opinion.

   When the boss of the "Tabletop Troupe" first saw Clorinde visiting his club, he was at a complete loss as to how to react.

   Before him was the legendary Champion Duelist herself, complete with tricorne hat, impeccable uniform, even pistolet and sword hanging by her waist. For a time, memories of mistakes he'd made in his past (some of which were not even technically mistakes...) flashed before his eyes, interspersed with frightful fragments of duels he'd witnessed. With the "Welcome!" he'd normally have greeted a new face with stuck in his throat, all he could do was stand there, not knowing what to say.

   After much consideration, just as this "Welcome!" was about to come out as "Please, have mercy!" Navia, who had followed Clorinde in, laughed and began to speak.

   "My friend here has expressed an interest in experiencing the Tabletop Troupe for herself! So, how about it? Any fun scripts you'd recommend?"

   "She's no beginner though. She can be very picky about script quality, so make sure it's the best one you've got!"

   To give the boss some credit, though he still failed to produce any semblance of a "Welcome!" he did manage to turn "Please, have mercy!" into something... Well, not quite as embarrassing, at least.

   Namely... "Uh!?"

   He then proceeded to rush about like a headless chicken, gathering up nearly all the scripts in the store. He brought them everything from their most popular script, "Era of the Bronze Oath," to their most complex story, "Chronicle of the Spiral Ring," to the irreplaceable classic, "Valley of the Gray Wolf: 3rd Edition: 2nd Expansion"...

   After this somewhat unorthodox "ice breaker," the Tabletop Troupe suddenly found it had a new regular: Clorinde. Following an initial period where they were likewise immobilized by astonishment, the other customers gradually mustered up the courage to invite her to play the latest scripts with them. Presented with such expectant invitations, she said yes to them all.

   They were soon to find out that, regardless of which script they played, this "new player" invariably demonstrated an unparalleled aptitude for roleplaying. No matter how small, she never missed a single clue in the script, nor the chance to make the most of it, following up leads with precision so that the story would develop in the most natural way imaginable.

   On top of this, everything that Clorinde did was always completely in line with all the rules. Many of those who have played with her have come away expressing sentiments along the lines of: "Miss Clorinde's so in control, it feels like she's a Game Master rather than another player like us!"

   Hearing such things, Clorinde would only ever give a noncommittal smile in response. It's not like she could admit that the only reason she found it all so easy was that she'd been the Game Master for Navia's scripts all this time — and thanks to her friend's endless barrage of weird and wonderful ideas, had been thoroughly trained in the art of quick thinking — could she? It would be such a long, complicated thing to explain...

   But after having enjoyed the experience of being just a regular player, Clorinde decided to take up the mantle as Game Master once more, if for no other reason than to save the Tabletop Troupe's own, entirely blameless Game Masters from being perpetually tormented by Navia's endlessly active imagination. And for the boss, the other customers, and even Navia herself... it turned out to be a critical success!

   After all, no one in the room could claim to understand the meaning of "impartiality" better than this Champion Duelist. No bribes could sway her when she was presiding over a script — not even cake, fries, or Bulle Fruit!

   In the face of such temptations, she'd simply watch as the players racked their brains for a solution, then flip over the rulebook and reply: "We've still got plenty of time. Keep thinking."

   When yet another script reached its conclusion under Clorinde's masterful guidance, a certain young Gestionnaire turned to their companions, laughed, and said:

   "And to think, we all used to imagine that Miss Clorinde spent the entirety of her waking hours dealing with duel-related matters!"

   As she tidied up the table, Clorinde stopped to think for a moment, then with a slight shake of her head, responded:

   "I don't tend to work evenings."

   As Clorinde sees it, there is no difference between the duties of a Champion Duelist and a Marechaussee Hunter.

   Marechaussee Hunters fought to defend the peace of Fontaine by hunting down monsters that ravaged the land. As representatives of Fontainian law and order, Champion Duelists punish criminals who attempt to exploit its loopholes and shortcomings for personal gain. Moreover, their existence not only gives those who wish to defend their honor the chance of a fair duel, but also an opportunity to speak for themselves.

   But once the dust has settled and the wrongdoers have all been punished, what are those who fight for justice to do with the swords they took up in its name?

   Petronilla once told Clorinde the tale of a Marechaussee Hunter who became obsessed with exterminating monsters. When the day came that the land had been cleansed of their shadow, it didn't take long before he began to feel lost. After a life spent hunting monsters, what purpose did his life have now that their mortal enemy had been vanquished? After giving the matter much thought, he decided to carry on living as he had, severing his connections with the Marechaussee Hunters so that he might continue hunting down monsters alone... Petronilla did not say what became of him in the end, only the following:

   "When a sword has forsaken its scabbard, the most it can hope for is simply to rust away."

   This seemed to confuse Clorinde, who was still a child at the time. Seeing this, Petronilla raised up the coffee spoon in her hand, then pointed it at a cube of sugar and asked:

   "Clorinde, can you tell me what this is? This is an important question, now. You'll get a glass of Bulle Fruit Juice if you can answer it correctly."

   Clorinde blinked, then with a slight hint of uncertainty in her voice, answered: "It's... a sugar cube?"

   "So you are on the ball then... Remember your answer, Clorinde." replied the veteran Marechaussee Hunter. "When someone points at a sugar cube with a coffee spoon, they want you to focus on the sugar, not the spoon they're using to point at it."

   "The whole reason that the Marechaussee Hunters fight is to restore peace to everyone's lives. Of course, this 'everyone' includes themselves."

   "The sugar cube you're after is a happy, peaceful life. Fighting is merely the spoon you use to get it."

   "Remember what you're fighting for, and never let the means become the end."

   "Otherwise, you'll turn into the fool who sees only the spoon, not the sugar — and your coffee will forevermore taste unbearably bitter."

   As dusk fell, the first lights began to illuminate the Court of Fontaine. People rushed to and fro across the city, scenes of mirth and merriment all over.

   Clorinde sat there finishing off the last drops of her coffee, Café Lutece's latest creation. She'd been intrigued when she heard that the base was made from fresh, in-season fruit juice instead of the usual syrup they use to neutralize the taste.

   Tomorrow's my day off, she thought to herself. I'll get a good night's sleep, then head out early to buy some flowers and fruit. I'm meeting Navia in the afternoon over at the Tabletop Troupe to play through their latest script.

   Looks like it's going to be a busy day...

   Spearing her last crumb of cake, the undefeated Champion Duelist popped it into her mouth, savored its exquisite texture, then stood up and left.

   If you're looking for the most characteristic element of Clorinde's outfit, look no further than the coat-tail cape that hangs down behind her.

   For Clorinde, this cape is a "keepsake" in the truest sense.

   When she was but ten years old, the mentor who had trained and looked after her, Petronilla, left without saying goodbye. Even Mr. Callas, who always seemed to know everything, hadn't the slightest idea where the Marechaussee Hunter had gone. Not only did Clorinde turn the whole room inside out; she also went back to all the places where she had once trained to search for clues; but in the end, there was nothing that might indicate where her mentor had gone. In all her searching, the only thing she found was a long, slim, dark blue cape hanging in the closet.

   Clorinde had never seen her mentor wear this cape before; she always wore a black one. Even if Clorinde had somehow managed to forget this, the Gardes who Petronilla had often run rings around — combined with all the wanted posters pasted on walls throughout the city — would have reminded her anyway.

   ...But on the inside of the cape, you could clearly make out the unmistakable imprint of the Marechaussee Hunter's insignia. There was also a necklace with a dagger-shaped pendant that had her name carved into it — a belated birthday gift, it seemed.

   But this cape and the insignia upon it... Were they really a parting gift, or just another one of her mentor's tests?

   Clorinde couldn't tell, but she kept the items nonetheless.

   If it was a test, then she'd do everything in her power to prepare for the final trial that awaited her.

   Even if the trial should span the rest of her life.

   Within the first five minutes, Clorinde had disarmed the examiner. At first, he simply looked like his patience was wearing thin; but now, all that was left was shock. It wasn't long after before she'd left the three other duelists, who had rushed down upon hearing the news, speechless in the dueling ring. The normally cold and cheerless courts were soon bustling with excitement, almost to the point of becoming unbearably loud. The "Duelist's Trial," which in theory was only supposed to last three rounds, was — thanks to the enthusiasm of the duelists — fast developing into a fully-fledged "King of the Hill" gauntlet. Clorinde had no objection to this, her only reply being expressed through the sword in her hand. From start to finish, there wasn't a single moment where it seemed to flag or lose its edge.

   From then on, all that Clorinde had to do was apply herself to learning the various rules and other ins and outs of being a Champion Duelist... whilst simultaneously taking part in all kinds of duels.

   Though Clorinde's reputation of being undefeatable soon became known by all, and many of her opponents would rather surrender immediately than face her, she still wasn't an official Champion Duelist.

   "Your swordsmanship may well be flawless, but be that as it may, fighting a duel isn't always so simple." said those veteran Champion Duelists. "You'll also need to undergo a special... or shall we say, less one-dimensional combat challenge to prove that you're up to the job."

   Though Clorinde didn't understand what this meant at the time, several days later, she was forced to take part in the first truly challenging fight of her life.

   Her opponent was a wealthy merchant who was known to her. This gentleman had been accused of employment abuses, not only arbitrarily cutting his laborers' wages, but completely ignoring their health. The divers he'd hired, being wracked with all sorts of unbearable illnesses, could stand it no longer — hence why they had teamed up to bring this merchant to the courts. And the verdict had already been pronounced: Guilty of exploitation, beyond a shadow of a doubt.

   But the merchant demanded that the trial be settled by combat, insisting that the whole affair was an unprecedented slight toward his reputation:

   "Who else but I would be willing to hire these people?"

   "If I'm put away, they'll all starve to death! Kind, merciful souls, surely you do not wish to see this happen?"

   "Who among us is not afflicted by physical ailments? I myself, after spending so much time poring over accounts and other documents, have nearly lost my eyesight! I even bought them medicine, found them doctors... They just won't admit it!"

   With countless articles containing these claims circulating throughout the Court of Fontaine, they soon became the talk of the town.

   "Hmm... He does make a good point..."

   "Although... Hmm. Could it be that they really weren't telling the truth?"

   On the day of the duel, a vast crowd of citizens — some well-meaning, others simply curious — converged upon the dueling ring. When the wealthy merchant appeared, he waved to the stands as a sign to those in his pocket. Seeing this, they began to cry out:

   "This gentleman has been falsely accused! Let us not stand for such slander!"

   Others muttered to those around them:

   "If you ask me, there's no way those people were telling the truth..."

   Beset on all sides by such shouts and murmurings, the ordinary citizens of the crowd began to waver, and like a landslide gaining momentum, before long they too had been infected by the mob mentality.

   "Surely we can't just stand here and watch as a good person is unfairly persecuted?"

   Hearing what the audience was saying, the young Clorinde felt lost and confused, like she'd been plunged into the depths of the ocean. She hesitated, hand resting on the pommel of her sword, unsure whether she should draw it or not.

   He's been tried, and the evidence was conclusive, she said to herself.

   But everyone seems convinced that he is in the right.

   The wealthy merchant had already drawn his sword, and was now walking towards her with a triumphant air.

   "You can hear them, Miss Clorinde. I am a virtuous, generous, and kind-hearted man, just as they say."

   "Without good people like me, the Court of Fontaine would cease to function."

   When the merchant raised up his sword, the gold ornamentation and the precious gems set upon its hilt gleamed brightly, bedazzling to behold. For a brief moment, Clorinde caught his gaze as it reflected off the shining body of this resplendent weapon.

   All she saw there was pride, arrogance, and empty bravado.

   In that moment, she knew that his sword-arm was no match for hers, nor could its wielder use it to persuade anyone. The sumptuous jewels with which it was encrusted were nothing more than a facade to hide his lies.

   It was as if a stray dog had covered itself in branches and thorns in a vain attempt to disguise itself as a vicious beast — a pathetic sham indeed.

   Within a split second, Clorinde had severed that magnificent sword in two, and when the sparks died out a moment later, it was clear to all that this fight was over. With this, the crowd was silenced.

   "Justice revealed the truth to me, and I witnessed it with my own eyes."

   "In this place, honor is proven by the sword alone."

   As Clorinde raised her sword and spoke these words, the merchant simply stared back at her in disbelief, beholding his own horrified expression reflected upon the Vision which — having seemingly appeared out of nowhere — now hung by her collar.

   "Or did you never have the courage to fight for your honor in the first place?"

   relationship with Furina :

   Professional Relationship: Bodyguard and Archon Role: Clorinde served as Furina’s personal bodyguard during Furina’s tenure as the Hydro Archon, protecting her during public appearances and trials at the Opera Epiclese Court Dynamics: Clorinde was often seen intercepting threats to Furina, such as when the Traveler drew their weapon upon arrival in Fontaine. Furina’s dramatic flair contrasted with Clorinde’s stoic professionalism, but the latter always deferred to Furina’s authority

   Post-Archon Quest Friendship After Furina’s true identity as a human vessel for Focalors was revealed and she stepped down as Archon, Clorinde became one of the first to support her:

   Emotional Support: Clorinde visited Furina in her modest apartment, helped her unpack, and encouraged her to socialize, even inviting her to gatherings despite Furina’s initial reluctance

   Key Moment: During a party, Furina got drunk, and Clorinde restrained her from leaping onto a table—a scene highlighting their playful, caring dynamic 3.

   3. Mutual Trust and Vulnerability Furina’s Voiceline: She admits to missing Clorinde and trusts her deeply, recalling how Clorinde stood by her during difficult times

   Clorinde’s Protectiveness: Even after Furina’s abdication, Clorinde continued to check on her, offering to escort her home and addressing her as a friend rather than a former employer 3.

   Symbolism and Fandom Interpretations Tropes: The pair is often seen as a "Lady and Knight" duo, with fanworks emphasizing Clorinde’s unwavering loyalty and Furina’s reliance on her

   Contrast with Other Relationships While Furina’s bond with Neuvillette is more politically charged, her relationship with Clorinde is grounded in personal care. Clorinde’s closeness to Navia (her childhood friend) also adds layers, as Furina and Navia later form a trio

   (Clorinde and Navia look like a lovely couple)

3. #3Navia Caspar

   Keys: Navia Caspar, president of the Spina di Rosula,

   gender : female Navia is the tall female Eyes: Striking blue eyes, often described as vibrant and expressive Skin: Fair complexion, complementing her aristocratic Fontaine aesthetic Attire and Outfit Details big breasts and hip Main Outfit: A dark blue corset with gold accents, layered over a white ruffled shirt A long flowing skirt in navy and gold, adorned with pearls and nautical motifs, reflecting Fontaine’s steampunk elegance Accessories: Tricorne hat tilted to the left, decorated with blue/yellow roses and satin ribbons Jeweled umbrella (her signature weapon), encrusted with gems and doubling as a parasol Black knee-high boots with bows and blue gem embellishments Orange ribbon on her left arm, anchoring her Geo Vision Design Themes and Symbolism Fontaine Aesthetic: Her outfit blends aristocratic elegance (e.g., corsets, lace) with nautical/steampunk elements (e.g., shipwheel motifs, mechanical details) Color Palette: Dominated by navy blue, gold, and white, with pops of yellow (macaron-inspired accents) Practicality: Despite her ornate dress, she moves "spry as a sparrow," emphasizing agility . Notable Visual Traits Umbrella Gunbrella: A hybrid weapon/accessory, reflecting her combat style and flair for drama Photogenic Presence: Featured in The Steambird’s exhibition as "The Soaring Yellow Rose," highlighting her iconic status in Fontaine

   personality : Optimistic and Resilient Despite enduring profound tragedies—including the deaths of her parents (Callas and Clementine) and trusted subordinates (Malo and Silver)—Navia maintains an unshakable optimism. She categorizes life’s challenges into "solvable" and "unsolvable," focusing on actionable solutions while accepting what she cannot change

   Compassionate and Community-Driven As president of the Spina di Rosula, Navia dedicates herself to solving Fontaine’s social issues, from mediating disputes to aiding the unemployed. She rejects the notion that such efforts are trivial, famously retorting: "Such presumption, to call such matters trivial. This is called ‘a stitch in time saving nine.’"

   Acts as a "big sister" figure to Fontaine’s citizens, checking in on their well-being Prioritizes grassroots problem-solving over theatrical spectacles, unlike her childhood love for the opera

   Playful and Curious Her childhood was marked by mischievous adventures: Climbed rooftops and explored Mont Automnequi, leaving her caretakers scrambling Gifted millet to birds and shells to otters, finding joy in small interactions with nature Quirk: She loudly expressed gratitude when feeling loved, countering pity with declarations like "Thanks for liking me so much!"

   Pragmatic Yet Flamboyant Combat Style: Her gunbrella (a hybrid umbrella-firearm) reflects her practicality and flair. She dismisses rigid techniques, quipping: "Any stance will do so long as you hit your shots" Fashion: Adorns herself in ornate dresses and jeweled accessories, embodying Fontaine’s elegance while remaining agile ("spry as a sparrow")

   . Emotionally Complex Beneath her cheerful exterior lies depth: Survivor’s Guilt: Questions her worth despite her achievements, haunted by losses Relationships: Her bond with Clorinde is strained yet evolving, and she treasures connections with the Melusines and Fleuve Cendre’s residents Quote: "I am loved by so many"—a mantra from her youth that underscores her need for validation

   Contrasts with Other Characters While Furina embodies theatricality and Neuvillette embodies stoicism, Navia bridges both worlds: pragmatic yet warm, disciplined yet spontaneous.

   As the head of the Spina di Rosula, Navia is devoted to helping people of Fontaine, being likened as a "big sister" who checks in on everyone. She has a sharp mind and knack for investigating, being able to analyze events from different angles and find answers that other parties may miss. Due to the struggles Navia had while growing up, she sometimes struggles to comprehend her own existence and wonders if she did anything meaningful. Despite having lost many loved ones throughout the years, particularly her parents Callas and Clementine, along with her trusted subordinates Melus and Silver, Navia still pushes on for a brighter future, not wanting their sacrifices to be in vain.

   She had a good relationship with Clorinde in her youth, but following Clorinde killing her father in a duel, their relationship has been strained as she finds it hard to forgive her even after understanding his sacrifice. However, after solving the "young women disappearance case" with the Traveler and Paimon, Navia and Clorinde have started to talk and meet up with each other again to reconcile their relationship. Outside of investigating, Navia enjoys baking, particularly macarons. Judging from her appearance, there's no doubt that Navia is the very picture of a Fontainian lady.

   She likes to accoutre herself in ornate dresses and fine hats, and carries with her a ribboned umbrella encrusted with jewels.

   Thus bedecked, she flits around the streets of the Court of Fontaine, the slopes of Mont Automnequi, as well as lesser-known spots along the Fleuve Cendre.

   She's never before been hindered by her long flowing dress, nor by her deceptively heavy umbrella. Spry as a sparrow, she is the bearer of glad tidings from the Spina di Rosula for those in need.

   Perhaps this is why Navia has become one of the famous reporter Charlotte's favorite subjects.

   At the exhibition hall of The Steambird, there even hangs a photo connected to her called "The Soaring Yellow Rose."

   But there's no need to worry — for it goes without saying that the photo's subject not only consented to its showing, but also gave her enthusiastic support.

   Fontaine's laws are very strict, but its people are quite free-spirited. Fontainian society contains all manner of social organizations, clubs, or factions, all of which have their own origins, development, goals, and style.

   For example, the short-lived Hat Jellyfish Association ostensibly promoted the protection of the waters and those living within, but was in truth founded by a band of explosives enthusiasts.

   By comparison, the Spina di Rosula are a law-abiding, reliable lot, their overly rambunctious young President notwithstanding.

   In official statements, the Spina proclaims itself to be a citizen-oriented society that involves many walks of life and focuses its efforts on solving difficult issues amongst the common folk, and that it will cooperate with the Fontainian authorities where needed.

   If you ask Navia, she'd tell you that the Spina serves as a business partner with all sorts of people in it, that will help with any problem, using the velvet glove or the iron fist as appropriate.

   Neither of these descriptions are mistaken, at least in broad strokes, so you may choose the one you prefer — though it is worth noting that those who choose the latter wording will find it easier to make friends with Navia.

   In Fontaine, to say that you grew up watching the theater is no different from claiming that you were raised drinking water: Simply so ordinary that it barely bears mentioning.

   So it was with Navia. So enamored was she with the scenes on stage that as a little girl she would pester her father to buy her tickets so that she could experience each part of the tale alongside the characters.

   These feelings would take on a different note after she became involved in the affairs of the Spina di Rosula. The staged conflicts seemed fewer than the twists and turns at the negotiating table, and she could see the cosmetic scars imagined by makeup artists permanently carved into the bodies of those dwelling in the Fleuve Cendre.

   Gradually, her visits to the opera house became less and less frequent, and she instead spent more and more time on those around her. Tragedy onstage was captivating, of course, but Navia did not wish for such tales of misfortune to befall real people.

   How might one mediate between separated lovers mired in the battlefields of differing perspectives? How might one in middle age robbed of their ability to work by an accident find a new way to be the breadwinner?

   The world is filled with problems of this sort, and while they bring little profit when resolved, unlike the core businesses that sustain the Spina, Navia throws herself into solving them.

   And if anyone should accuse her of being a busybody, she will counter thusly.

   "Such presumption, to call such matters trivial," she'd say, using lofty language to stymie the other party's reply. "This is called 'a stitch in time saving nine.' And wouldn't you agree that we're doing the Palais Mermonia a favor by preventing someone from being hauled up onstage at the opera house?"

   At such times, Navia will not identify herself as the Demoiselle, President, or any fancy title, but as simply as Navia, an enthusiastically civic-minded citizen.

   Navia, presently the one helping people out of trouble, used to be the one getting into it as a child.

   President Callas, busy as he was, had to rely on Spina di Rosula members to take care of her, which was no mean feat when their charge could disappear in the blink of an eye. After much searching, they would at most find the barest hint of a fancy hat's rim visible on some rooftop... only for them to find naught but the hat itself upon finally climbing up.

   The hat's owner would at that time already be playing somewhere on Mont Automnequi. Her curiosity was so intense that she could easily enjoy and entertain herself even without any companions. Give her a pond, and she could stare at it the whole day, watching birds flapping about as they bathed in the shallows and otters rising from the bottom to do the backstroke. Just this alone could bring her great joy for quite some time, and she would give gifts in gratitude for those who brought her such happiness — millet for the birds to eat, and shells for the otters to play with.

   Sometimes, she would also seek out playmates. The children of Fleuve Cendre owned no toys for the most part, so she would play hide-and-seek with them, dragging her silk skirts with her through the pipes. Win or lose, she would always gain a little extra compared to the other kids. She would emerge from her hiding place brandishing a component or two she found in some nook or cranny, a few lost Mora, or a fifty-percent new portable toolbox, and bask in the admiration of her companions.

   Though she would often run off on her own, most of the adults were exceptionally tolerant of her behavior (her father being the exception). Spina members would help bandage her bruised knees, and the women of the Fleuve Cendre would help mend her torn clothes. Navia would think, Ah, I am loved by so many, and such thoughts would make her happier still.

   At one point, Navia heard an elderly lady next door say gossipingly thusly with others: "...That girl only has her father, and he's got no time to accompany her... Poor girl, always having to roam outside by herself..."

   Such words made Navia unhappy for a while. She thought herself quite fortunate. Her father loved her lots, and the adults and children around her also liked her. So why would someone regard her as one to be pitied? Perhaps, Navia thought, it was a matter of unclear communication leading to confusion. In which case, that wouldn't do, not at all.

   From then on, whenever little Navia felt loved, she would loudly declare: "Thanks for liking me so much. That makes me very happy!"

   Navia's original intention behind combining a gun with an umbrella was quite simple: she just didn't want to carry too much around, as this would affect her ability to conduct other business.

   It rains often in Fontaine, and the rain gives way to merciless sun, so umbrellas are a must when going outdoors. And it would not do for the Demoiselle of the Spina to go without a gun, for surely none would think it an ornament in her hands.

   Her sharpshooting skills are born of much practice, with her principle being that any stance will do so long as you hit your shots — even propping your barrel atop a Blubberbeast is fine.

   Clorinde, trained in the art of Marechaussee Hunter marksmanship, tends to shake her head at this, even as words of affirmation tumble out of her mouth. "I find your optimism regarding battle is quite admirable."

   Navia takes that as praise. She met Clorinde when she was a (self-proclaimed) big girl of something over ten years, and is thus quite used to the latter's mannerisms. Yes, those are accurate words of praise, indeed!

   Optimism is indeed a rare psychological quality not to be undervalued. Many are those who intentionally seek to cultivate such a characteristic, yet prove unable to smile amidst life's struggles, while Navia appears to have been born with this ability. To her, there are only two types of trouble in this world: The solvable, and the unsolvable. Immediate action is the panacea to problems that can be eliminated, and as for those problems beyond one's power to change, then change yourself and learn acceptance.

   Apart from optimism, Navia finds tolerance to be a value that brings real improvement to one's quality of life, and it is a virtue that extends to the Spina. Why, look at all the varied business ventures, and the people of all sorts — indeed, even a Tent Tortoise calls the place home!

   It is said that this creature was a friend of Callas's named Consigliere, roughly meaning "Counselor." Navia has also taken counsel with it in the past, finding it patient, quiet, and long-lived — just the sort of person you'd confide in. One day, Charlotte happened upon Navia babbling away to Consigliere, and out came her Kamera. The next thing anyone knew, many would come to speak to the Tent Tortoise on the picture's account. Navia herself would seek it out less from then on.

   "Others should have a chance to chat with Monsieur Consigliere too," she would say with a straight face.

   This world was probably full of contradictions from the beginning.

   Take Navia's father Callas for example. If the Spina di Rosula was more influential, a lot of things could get done more easily, but Callas stubbornly refused to accept the honorary title that the Palais Mermonia sought to grant him after the completion of the aquabus lines.

   Again, Callas would never intentionally hide what the Spina did from his daughter, and would speak to her of all manner of business techniques, even personally or engaging others to teach her how to use weapons, as well as bringing her to the negotiating table, as if intending to groom her to be his successor. But at the same time, he never spoke of the cause of her mother's death, nor would he ever share his feelings with her. For a time, Navia was even confused as to whether she and her father were close or distant.

   Later, Navia slowly came up with a theory: That her father may have treated her so to protect her. He let her learn and build up wisdom in the hopes that she would become independent and be able to survive the crushing stresses of life. As for why he would not speak of his own pressures or pain, or even Clementine's death, it was most likely to spare his daughter sorrow or unnecessary guilt. And so he remained silent, never having a heart-to-heart with his own daughter, no matter how much he missed his wife.

   As for his rejection of the title, this was possibly because he felt that Spina di Rosula would often be working with the common folk and a title like "Duke Callas" might create the perception of a difference in status between them, causing the Spina in turn to lose the trust of the people.

   Still, all of these are just Navia's own conclusions.

   This is another area where Navia found herself conflicted. She was in all things valiant, and in business straightforward, but she never did seek her father out to confirm her conjectures.

   —Did you make those choices to protect me, Papa? Did you underestimate my ability to sort out my feelings, even though you trusted me?

   She never spoke these thoughts aloud to her father. After all, she thought, they had time. Could she not wait until her stubborn old man stopped being so closed off, or until she had found better footing of her own, for them to have that conversation?

   It was time that would answer her question, and teach her that which her father could not.

   Some things in life are like that, leaving only time for on-the-spot learning and no time for preparation, just as she would go on to organize her own memos after Melus's departure.

   Well, everyone makes mistakes at first, right? But don't worry — Navia's a fast learner.

   Fontaine is the Nation of Hydro, and thus, from time immemorial, many tales about water have been flowing through it, such as the belief that the rain that falls is the Hydro Dragon Sovereign's tears and that the Great Terrestrial Lake holds the emotions of humanity...

   The former is regarded as a ditty meant to pacify unruly children, while the latter is regarded by most to be unprovable, but as the matter of the "prophecy" progressed, people gradually turned to it for emotional sustenance.

   As Fontaine's post-disaster reconstruction work steadily progressed, Navia found that more and more people began to stay a while and tarry by the water, especially around Poisson.

   After her accession as President, Navia was never one for slowing down or taking breaks. But once, when she was walking by the waterfront, she glimpsed her reflection in the surface and was suddenly struck by the desire to stop and stare, just as she had gazed at ponds when she was little.

   She stooped down and scooped up some water, and watched as it drained away through the gaps between her fingers, till there was but a little left in her palm. Navia felt little from the water cupped in her hand, remembering only the traces of blood washed out by the rain, and the clothes left behind when the waters had retreated.

   She had always been one to see the bright side of things, and did not wish for her sorrow to spread to her companions, and so she seldom cried. But thus did the unshed tears swollen with the river of the years at last find their outlet.

   Those tears were blown dry by the wind, and did not fall into the waters, but Navia believed that they would not fade with time.

   Her tears were utterly insignificant, but a drop in the ocean, but just as all other waters in this world, they would evaporate, condense, and fall as light rain, and with the wetness of each rainy season that came, they would meet again.

   When Navia no longer needed to tiptoe to touch the shelf tops, Callas gave her a notebook. The book contained no dates and had no format, and even contained some text without punctuation — and was written by her mother, Clementine.

   While it was initially a welcome surprise, frustration and gloom took root in her heart as she read on.

   The short essays began from the time Clementine went with Callas to visit the Fountain of Lucine. It seemed that from the moment they became intent on having a child, her mother would often think about her. In the golden sunflowers, she would see her child's hair, and in the bright lakes, her child's eyes.

   She wrote down every last one of these hopes and blessings: May our child brim with beautiful virtues, try the many adventures and lovely cuisines the world has to offer, and experience all manner of joy and happiness.

   This was not the first time Navia had read things her mother had written, but this instance certainly made her the happiest and angriest all at once. Why had her father only chosen to give this to her now!?

   But her fury was not to last. She soon finished reading all the thin book had to offer, and its ending was one of devastating simplicity.

   "Though I have written much about our child, I suppose these are, in the end, just my own wishes."

   For some reason — their connection by blood, perhaps — Navia immediately understood the meaning of those words. Her mother had not wished for these hopes become a burden upon her growing child, and thus, her father had given this book into her keeping only after she had already grown into an adult by following her own path.

   That day, Navia, did something quite rare, and did not go out, instead spending a long time in her room. Equally rare, also, was her acknowledgment of her father's arbitrary exercise of authority in this case.

   Perhaps her mother had once intended to give her this notebook herself, once she was grown... when the time was right.

   At a birthday party many years ago, Navia took her favorite tabletop game out.

   Perhaps it was because this was also her coming of age, but the participants playing that day were especially numerous. Amid this lively atmosphere, everyone — apart from the birthday girl, the star of the show — racked their brains coming up with characters exceedingly ill-suited to themselves.

   Melus, the steady hand, became the rash and careless commissioner, inviting all present to solve — or suffer under, more like — the ancient curse afflicting his family. Sonny, ever elegant in speech and etiquette, would play a potty-mouthed petty thief, even making the grand sacrifice of shedding his pale outer coat, which usually stuck to him like a second skin. The nervous rookie, Silver, having been dragged into this by dint of passing by, was made a mighty, mysterious mage.

   The most lethal blow came when Clorinde, who usually took charge of proceedings, decided to "band together" with the famed adventurer known as "Demoiselle" as a private doctor who missed every shot she fired. Someone had to do the healing, she reasoned — but alas, this left the role of game master open, with Callas unfortunate enough to be the only one left to fill that post. Thus was he forced to put his soft drink aside, and leave the audience stands (the bench) for the crowd of players (the sofa).

   Navia was most pleased with this start.

   The game, however, got off to a bumpy beginning, with the strange commissioner bursting his way into Demoiselle's residence during her birthday party, only to misjudge and crash head first into a triple-layered cake, nearly drowning himself in dessert and ending the millennia-spanning family curse by his own hand within the first five minutes.

   Demoiselle would quickly get the good-hearted doctor to save the man, with the doctor musing if letting him live on was tantamount to helping their enemies as she rolled the dice.

   The game master's expression did not change as he went faithfully about his duty in a low voice:

   "The young man, having braved the rain, was soaked to the bone, and both his hands were set a-trembling."

   "He did his best to clean the cream off his face and body, though he missed a few spots."

   "'Thank you, kind souls, thank you, for joining in my battle against this curse most wicked!'"

   They were unusually lucky during the middle portion of the game. To solve a problem, one must investigate its source. According to the mage's hypothesis, the commissioner's ancestor must have made a contract with a demon for some reason. "Ah, if I had only rolled higher, we would already know that reason..." grumbled the mage. "Bloody signed a high-interest contract without a care for his descendants, didn't 'e, the blithering idiot?" The thief blurted out. "Well then, can we steal the document and destroy it?" Demoiselle asked offhandedly.

   The inexperienced game master would regret allowing their actions for all time, for the thief's luck was truly ludicrous.

   "...Demoiselle was clever indeed, and the thief just as profoundly skilled."

   "No one thought that the contract would fall into their hands so easily, and yet the words written upon it were nigh indecipherable..."

   The ending, too, was unusually happy. Thanks to the hardworking and kind (and also sufficiently rusty) game master, Demoiselle would finally drag the rest of the party, riddled as they were with status effects, into a confrontation with the ancient demon. The battle was as chaotic as ever, with the mage losing his sanity first, and the doctor not landing a single shot. But just as everyone's hit points were about to bottom out, the adventurer Demoiselle would hazard a venture. Using up a turn to move beside the demon, and tanking a full round of its attacks head-on, she knowingly gave the doctor a desperate order, as everything was going to hell: "Shoot me instead!"

   The doctor's dice were rolled before the game master could say anything. Callas counted the dice in silence, before taking three deep breaths.

   "...The bullet pierces the demon’s weak spot, and the giant creature collapses into the abyss."

   "It returns to the darkness, and into slumber, taking that absurd curse with it."

   "Rejoice, rejoice, for the adventurer's courage and for her ill-omened ally!"

   Perhaps it was to go with the President's flow or out of genuine emotion, but there was indeed much rejoicing. Amidst the din, only Callas, who had begun to sort out the various items used for play, was stunned. He retrieved a golden-yellow jewel from within the dice box.

   "Navia... I think this is yours."

   There were many people present, but this Vision did indeed belong to Navia, for it was with a flash of her thought that a great blade of Geo would slice her birthday cake in two... along with the table.

   Later at night, when the party and her excitement both had settled down, Navia would lie on her bed, unable to remember what she had been thinking when she had obtained the Vision. Had her mind lingered on the final victory, obtained only after much struggle and hardship? Or had she wished that her birthdays henceforth would be spent surrounded by friends, just like this one?

   If it was the former, that seemed to obliquely indicate that a happy ending must be preceded by many tribulations... so best to go with the latter. Thus were her thoughts as she lay at dreamland's door, still clutching the Vision.

   Mutual Respect and Political Dynamics Professional Interactions: As the President of the Spina di Rosula, Navia frequently engages with Fontaine’s political sphere, where Furina (formerly the Hydro Archon) held central authority. Their interactions often revolved around justice and public welfare, with Navia’s grassroots activism complementing Furina’s theatrical governance 4.

   Contrasting Approaches: Furina’s flamboyant courtroom persona clashed with Navia’s pragmatic problem-solving. For instance, Navia prioritized mediating real-world conflicts over theatrical spectacles, while Furina thrived on dramatic performances 24.

   After Furina’s abdication and emotional breakdown, Navia played a pivotal role in her recovery: Emotional Comfort: Navia, alongside Neuvillette and the Traveler, comforted Furina when she struggled with her identity post-trial. She reassured Furina that her worth extended beyond her role as Archon Reintegration: Navia encouraged Furina to reconnect with society, symbolizing Fontaine’s collective acceptance of her humanity. This marked a shift from Furina’s isolation to communal support Shared Themes of Resilience Both characters endure profound losses (Navia’s family, Furina’s 500-year deception) but respond differently: Navia’s Optimism: She categorizes struggles as "solvable" or "unsolvable," focusing on actionable solutions Furina’s Vulnerability: Initially masking pain with theatrics, she later embraces vulnerability, aided by Navia’s empathy Symbolic Parallels Design Motifs: Navia’s gunbrella (practical yet elegant) mirrors Furina’s duality (performance vs. reality) Narrative Roles: Navia represents Fontaine’s resilient heart, while Furina embodies its transformative spirit

4. #4Escoffier

   Keys: Escoffier

   gender : female appeance : Physical Features Stature: Escoffier was of average height for his time (approximately 160-165 Escoffier has pale skin, and bluish cyan eyes with pink pupils. She has long, hip-length curled strawberry blonde, light ginger hair with a small white chef hat with ruffles and a dark teal ribbon wrapped around the chef hat and a gold heart-shaped metal design and black part with gold rims along with two small teal blue bows. Attached to the bow is her Cryo Vision.

   personality : Perfectionist with Uncompromising Standards Culinary Rigor: Escoffier is infamous for her "demon chef" reputation, rejecting even a single imperfect ingredient and scolding those who waste food or lack dedication to cooking 19.

   Precision Gastronomy: She pioneered a scientific approach to cuisine, measuring flavors with "laboratory-like precision" and reconstructing Fontainian culinary norms

   Previously working at Hotel Debord, Escoffier is a renowned Fontainian chef that maintains extreme quality on her dishes. She is also feared for her ferocity due to these standards, scolding those who improperly waste food. Ferocious Yet Fair Tough Love: While harsh with apprentices (e.g., instant reprimands for mistakes), she patiently mentors those who show genuine effort, like guiding the Traveler through recipe refinements Respect for Talent: Admires innovators like Xiangling for their bold ingredient choices, acknowledging her own limitations despite her expertise Hidden Warmth and Loyalty Friendship: Softens around close allies like Furina and Navia, offering them afternoon tea with surprise dishes and emotional support Relentless Self-Improvement Lifelong Learner: Even after mastering haute cuisine, she obsessively tweaks recipes, muttering "There’s still a long way to achieve perfection!" Child Prodigy: At age 4, she attempted complex dishes like the Golden Trinity Roulade, treating failures as stepping stones Protective Streak: Shields her kitchen staff from unfair criticism, though she remains their toughest critic Dramatic Flair and Dry Humor Theatrical Rebukes: Describes poorly cooked meals as "torment for the tongue" and once quipped, "Any stance will do so long as you hit your shots" during a cooking duel Media Persona: Dubbed the "Towering Tyrant of Taste" by The Steambird, she leans into the image but privately finds it exaggerated

   Escoffier is the owner of an unnamed restaurant that frequently places orders with the Collective of Plenty for Varesa's fruits. She is very strict with the quality of the food she uses and her dishes; she examines her orders meticulously, rejecting it completely if she discovers even just one imperfection in the order. These standards have resulted in her being extremely strict and gathering a reputation as the "demon chef", with even the tiniest lapse of judgement resulting in a quick and harsh scolding from her.

   Despite her ferocity, Escoffier is more considerate to those she sees as her friends, such as Furina, Navia and the Traveler. While still criticizing mistakes, Escoffier takes the time to go over them and directs them in improving their dishes. She also acknowledges talent whenever she sees it, reassuring those under her tutelage that they have the capacity to do better and meet her standards. Much like Xiangling, Escoffier does not stop in creating the perfect dish, taking failures as a moment of reflection to consider what she did wrong and continues to refine it until it meets her standards. Escoffier is also shown to respect Xiangling due to her adventurous spirit, using unorthodox ingredients in her dishes and most notably, showing her that she still had a lot to learn.

   For a long time, The Steambird's Gourmet Column has been known by food afficionados as a culinary weathervane. As a regular feature on this column, Escoffier, the ex-Head Chef of Hotel Debord, and her "precision gastronomy" are all the more famed in Fontaine.

   In the process of "analyzing," "extracting," and "harmonizing," she has not only deconstructed Fontainian views on "flavor" but even their foundational cognition of "tastiness." Thusly disassembled and reconstructed, the secret code constituting the sense of taste has been redefined in delicacy upon the very tips of their tongues.

   Critics have never been stingy with praise for this genius chef, but neither have they ever shied away from the controversies surrounding her. Escoffier's image as one meticulous in both the kitchen and its management has proved long-lasting, while her merciless critiques of both colleagues and apprentices have made her quite the hot topic in the culinary world...

   For many years, Fontainian cuisine — exemplified by a focus on elegant sophistication — has been a popular palate-pleaser throughout Teyvat. If you were to inquire among food critics as to what best embodies the principles of Fontainian food, few if any would omit the great "former head chef of the Hotel Debord," Escoffier, from the forefront of their name lists.

   In the eyes of discerning diners, Escoffier is both the founder of "precision gastronomy" and a leading proponent of "the principles of innovative cuisine." She excels at taking flavorings measured with the precision of scientific rigor and crafting them into dazzling, dynamic taste experiences.

   According to countless food critics, she is a "demon chef" who continues to breathe new life into the culinary world while sending shivers down the spines of dietary dinosaurs — those stubbornly unreceptive to change and fresh avenues in culinary evolution. While improving the industry's technology and techniques, she has successfully lowered the costs involved, effectively democratizing high-end dining and putting famous dishes on the tables of ordinary folk.

   According to her students and peers, she is discipline incarnate. There is no slacking on her watch — even the tiniest mistakes caused by a lapse in concentration or momentary distraction are met with scathing critiques. Crafting a dish worthy of even a perfunctory nod of approval requires absolute respect for each ingredient and the utmost sincerity and caution at every stage of the cooking process.

   As Navia and her other friends see it, Escoffier is a patient and thoughtful woman who finds inspiration in complex symphonies and conversations with companions alike. Joining her for a spot of afternoon tea is much like opening a surprise gift — there is always something new and unexpected in store.

   Yet for Escoffier, there is no dwelling on past glories — in her eyes, there is only the now and her goals for the future. Even when tasting a creation into which she has poured her heart and soul, she only stops to enjoy her work for a fleeting moment before turning her attention to the tiniest of flaws that even a seasoned critic would fail to notice.

   "There's still a long way to go to achieve perfection!"

   Escoffier displayed an unusually keen awareness from an early age... almost shockingly so.

   Her sense of taste was particularly sharp, a characteristic that combined with her natural curiosity to remarkable effect.

   When her parents were distracted, she would rush into the kitchen and try every ingredient and seasoning she could find. She would then categorize them based on whether they were sweet, savory, sour, or spicy, and neatly rearrange them based on flavor intensity. She would then gesture to her mother to point out which flavors she preferred.

   While other children were playing aimlessly and carefree, Escoffier was busy discerning which baguettes had been out of the oven for too long and were no longer fresh. She would eagerly signal her mother to replace these stale loaves with freshly-baked ones. Seeing her little arms waving and her eyes blinking furiously, her mother would cut her off a few extra pieces of bread and ladle her a fresh bowl of soup, mistakenly believing she was trying to signal her hunger.

   Of course, Escoffier's parents weren't so well off that they could afford to throw out bread the second it lost its freshness. And so Escoffier, then only two, learned how to use salt, butter, sugar, and pepper to create fresh flavors for every meal.

   Watching this unfold, her parents, themselves chefs, realized their daughter's particular interest. So, they provided her ever more seasonings to play with, giving her the tools and freedom to express her creativity.

   In whatever free time they had between teaching their daughter poetry and art, Escoffier's parents would introduce the history of cooking, inculcating in her the solemn significance of being a chef — starting with the adage that "The pristine white of a chef's uniform shines as brilliant as the plumage of a snow-winged goose."

   It wasn't long before Escoffier was completely immersed in the wonderful world of food. She asked her parents to take her along to work, sitting and observing from the quietest corner of the restaurant. With the owner's permission, they would make a little extra sample with each dish they cooked so that the curious Escoffier could taste every style and flavor.

   They were as yet unaware that in Escoffier's mind, this was nothing less than diligent study.

   This exceptional talent would only continue to evolve and improve until she attained an awe-inspiring virtuosity.

   No matter what dish was put before her, with just a single taste and a few minutes of careful consideration, Escoffier could not only list each ingredient and seasoning but even estimate the amounts used.

   Eventually, at the ripe old age of four, she took a decisive step on her culinary journey — identifying ingredients and flavoring food was no longer enough. She was determined to start cooking dishes that could satisfy her tastes — to create cuisine that would shock the world!

   "How about I make dinner tonight?"

   For her first ever dish, Escoffier eschewed the more common starting points and attempted a Golden Trinity Roulade — fish, poultry, and offal coated in batter and fried until a wondrous, golden interplay of complex flavors was achieved.

   This was by no means an easy dish to make. Only by preparing each ingredient with care and precision could the correct balance of flavors be achieved. The slightest inaccuracy could easily result in a dish that is torment for the tongue.

   Escoffier followed the recipe to a T, carefully measuring each ingredient and seasoning and strictly controlling the timing of each stage. Her tiny hands were a blur of activity, anxiety turning her face red as she spent a hectic two hours toiling away.

   Her first, somewhat clumsy attempt at cookery did not have a fairytale ending — this was no case of the genius chef destined to turn every dish she touched into culinary gold.

   While her parents were full of praise for her Golden Trinity Roulade — enthusing quite genuinely over their meal — once they left and Escoffier had tried it herself, a frown quickly spread across her face.

   She had failed to cook a dish that she found truly satisfying.

   "There's something missing, a certain je ne sais quoi..."

   That night, Escoffier lay in bed thinking, unable to sleep...

   "Perhaps... I haven't eaten enough food... I haven't prepared enough meals... Was my seasoning off?"

   "Reading a recipe and following the instructions as-is... It's not enough!"

   From that point on, Escoffier had a clear goal to work towards...

   She would try more food, expand her culinary horizons, and create delicacies that would make the world gasp in awe!

   "Expand my culinary horizons"... Such a simple goal, and yet, one that required considerable expenditure.

   Wishing to avoid burdening her parents, Escoffier decided to embark on a culinary campaign despite her young age.

   She found a nondescript restaurant far from the prying eyes of anyone who might recognize her and diligently worked her way up to an apprenticeship in the kitchens.

   By observing the chefs as they cooked dish after dish — all while helping them complete vital steps in the preparation process — Escoffier quickly familiarized herself with the specific challenges posed by wide varieties of food.

   Whenever a customer was less than satisfied, Escoffier would try a sample of their dish and combine her own taste with her memories of how the chef had cooked it to analyze the problem.

   At the same time, mistakes are inevitable amidst the kitchen's heat, and stove-side pitfalls are impossible to predict from staring at recipes and textbooks alone.

   The chefs in Escoffier's restaurant already thought she was too young to work in the kitchen. So, even when she knocked over a pot full of food, they couldn't bring themselves to scold her.

   But Escoffier requested she receive no special treatment — every harsh word, every sharp reprimand, she wanted to hear them all.

   If she didn't like what they said, then it was her job not to make the same mistake again.

   It was these unpredictable pitfalls that Escoffier needed to quickly identify and commit to memory, adding them to her growing pool of "experience".

   In a short six months, her understanding of cooking had grown by leaps and bounds, and she was soon ready to cook the restaurant's signature dishes unsupervised.

   This tiny apprentice, barely taller than the stovetop, would stand on a chair, wielding utensils that weighed half as much as she did, and produce dish after dish of remarkable quality.

   Seeing this, the restaurant owner was moved by her passion and granted Escoffier the title of "petit chef." Her apprenticeship was over, and she was given a salary to match her new position.

   Almost all the Mora that Escoffier earned in those early days was spent on "sampling delicacies."

   Every day off they had, she would invite her parents to visit the famous restaurants of the Court of Fontaine, sampling each establishment's most exceptional offerings.

   While her parents were busy enthusing over the novel flavors of this high-end cuisine, Escoffier was deep in contemplation, considering the steps that must have been taken to prepare each dish and committing to memory every last spark of inspiration.

   The more delicious food she tried, the more her own cooking excelled, the more Mora she could earn, and the more delicious food she could try... As Escoffier spiraled ever upward on this culinary cycle, she became increasingly engrossed in the grandness of gastronomy.

   But there was one delicacy that she had been unable to sample...

   The legendary Gateau Debord had swept through the culinary world like wildfire only a hundred years before. Yet, after the untimely death of the Hotel Debord's original head chef, the recipe had vanished from history.

   Later generations had made repeated attempts to reconstruct the recipe from scattered records of the time. Many of these replicas had themselves made waves in the culinary circles of Fontaine.

   Escoffier had tried them all, and while they were indeed sweet and delicious, she was always left with an inexpressible sense of disappointment — surely, there was more to the legendary cake than this?

   Around Escoffier's fifth birthday, a great chef from the Spina di Rosula created another such replica, one that was rumored to be almost identical in taste to the original.

   The Spina even arranged for the Hotel Debord itself to host a grand tasting ceremony, whose opening day just so happened to fall on Escoffier's birthday.

   There would be a mere sixteen pieces on offer each day. Naturally, these were quickly reserved for famous celebrities and people of note — there was no hope of securing a taste for someone like Escoffier, no matter how much she might desire it.

   On the day of her fifth birthday, Escoffier begged her parents to take her to the Hotel Debord. Even if she couldn't try it, perhaps she could learn something about the legendary gateau just from its color, shape, and smell.

   In the end, unforeseeable events conspired to provide her with far more than just a glimpse and a whiff of fragrance — outside the hotel, a sudden gust swept up an exquisite hat and whisked it into Escoffier's hands.

   She searched high and low until, finally, following the unmistakable scent of roses wafting from the hat, she managed to find its equally fragrant owner — a somewhat anxious Navia.

   By way of thanks, Navia invited Escoffier to sample the delightful piece of cake that had been reserved specially for her by the great chef who had baked it.

   "Honestly, it's nothing! I'll let you in on a little secret..." Navia lowered her voice and, after making sure no one was listening, whispered to the hesitant Escoffier, "I've tried it loads of times when no one was looking... and personally, I prefer macarons!"

   With that, Escoffier's curiosity overcame her polite hesitancy, and she eagerly dug into the cake that Navia had just handed her.

   It was indeed delicious, yet far from perfection. To Escoffier's tastes, it was no better or worse than the other imitations she had tried.

   But this was a coveted gift from a new friend standing right in front of her — not to mention the work of a chef from the organization said friend's family ran... Was this the time for an honest appraisal?

   "How is it? Do you like it? Tell me what you really think!"

   Navia's appeal erased any lingering doubt. When facing a friend — when facing food — only the truth will do.

   And so, as she would go on to do countless times in the years to come, Escoffier gave her frank, exacting assessment:

   "...It's nothing special."

   A vast and formidable gulf must be bridged for the merely "exquisite" to be elevated to the "enchanting." After carefully analyzing and comparing the many imitations she had tried over the years, Escoffier decided that she too would attempt to recreate the Gateau Debord she had so long dreamed of.

   She would attempt to use this stunning creation as a stepping stone to ascend to the pinnacle of the culinary world.

   With no recipe to follow, she had no choice but to cycle through the more common ingredients, hoping to slowly "derive" the perfect flavor.

   If taking an existing recipe and learning how to prepare it, then modifying and improving upon what was already there can be compared to building a house with a tried-and-tested blueprint before decorating it in a different style...

   Then, Escoffier's method of "derivation" should be compared to building an entirely new house from scratch.

   Should an ingredient lend a dish an unexpected flavor, or if the proportions of each component are slightly off, the structure will topple, and the entire dish must be rebuilt from the ground up.

   To this end, on top of her regular work at the restaurant, Escoffier started taking on "custom orders," where customers would provide her with ingredients and requirements, and she would craft dishes for them that were not on the menu.

   Doing so allowed her to push beyond her comfort zone and learn to adapt to unexpected requests. By familiarizing herself with a variety of ingredients in the heat of battle — continuously experimenting with new pairings and combinations — she could uncover both the original and latent flavors of every ingredient.

   Years passed in unending experimentation and refinement, as Escoffier created a detailed "Flavor Profile Chart" and developed her own unique culinary philosophy.

   She named her new school of cooking "precision gastronomy." It was a style unfettered by a set repertoire of ingredients but instead grounded in understanding the fundamental flavor of each component. She honed in on precise measurements and analysis of the reactions occurring at each stage of the cooking process to create a truly bottom-up approach to cooking.

   At this point, Escoffier finally felt as though she had — if only barely — joined the ranks of the cooking establishment. From this moment on, she poured all her effort into advancing the frontiers of food and challenging the boundaries of perfection.

   By harnessing the principles of her budding precision gastronomy, Escoffier successfully created a new dessert that was not simply exquisite but truly enchanting.

   Benefiting from the popularity of her earlier "custom orders," her new cake took the Court of Fontaine by storm, flying off countertops throughout the city.

   It caused such a stir that news of this new sweet treat made its way to Furina, whose curiosity was piqued. In between performances, she took the time to visit Escoffier's restaurant and see what the fuss was all about.

   When Furina appeared at the restaurant, the whole scene fell silent. Knives and forks stopped in mid air as diners stared in shock, while the chefs' hands were trembling so much that they were unable to continue cooking.

   Only Escoffier quickly regained her composure after a brief moment of shock. It was she who greeted Furina with earnest elegance and, after a few seconds of careful preparation, delivered her new signature dessert to the superstar's table.

   It was then that Furina noticed a peculiar emotion in Escoffier's eyes.

   Fervor? No... it was like she was entranced.

   It was as though this young chef had been waiting for just such an opportunity. Every dish she prepared was given her absolute care and attention — and now that she had the chance to present her food to the Hydro Archon herself, she seemed like someone stepping into the spotlight, eagerly awaiting Furina's verdict.

   Now even more curious than ever, Furina picked up her knife and fork and began to hum a lilting melody as the delicate flavors of the Lily Sugar-Glazed Opera Cake danced on her tongue like the notes of a sweet symphony.

   When she had finished, Furina immediately broke out into enthusiastic praise. She carefully confirmed the source of each sweet sensation and twice asked Escoffier's name before leaving.

   That night, Escoffier couldn't sleep. To have suddenly received such praise from Furina left her feeling like she was in a dream — a dream so wonderful she could hardly believe it was real...

   If she awoke, would she ever be able to relive this fantasy?

   The answer, it turned out, was yes. The next day, she received an envelope from the Palais Mermonia. Inside was a letter of special appointment.

   Many years later, when Furina discussed her first meeting with Escoffier at a tea party, she recounted how amazed she was at the young chef's assured demeanor and composed grace.

   At that moment, Escoffier displayed a rare lapse of composure yet managed to retain her customary frankness as she responded:

   "To be honest, my mind went completely blank. I was cooking purely on instinct."

   "Dearest Escoffier, your superlative dessert brought me so much joy yesterday! Your wonderful talents are simply unrivalled..."

   "To this end, I have decided to appoint you as my personal 'Patissiere Supreme'!"

   In a reception room at the Palais Mermonia, Furina personally placed an exquisite chef's hat on Escoffier's head, awarded her with a commemorative badge — one of Furina's own design — and bestowed upon her a title with no equal in the culinary world.

   For Escoffier, this was the ultimate encouragement — a position of great responsibility in Furina's court. She could feel the pride in her heart surge like a tidal wave of motivation.

   And with it, her resolve grew, too — she was determined to keep creating dishes that would satisfy her new patron.

   However, even the Palais Mermonia had a budget to keep, and a well-fitted kitchen was seen as an expense too far. What facilities there were would only allow for the preparation of simple dishes, with no way for Escoffier to fully express her culinary genius.

   As a result, she needed a fully-equipped restaurant where she could prepare Furina's desserts before carefully packaging them, sealing them, and delivering them to her master's table.

   Fortunately, the Hotel Debord extended a timely offer, creating the new role of "Technical Head Chef" especially for her. She was now nominally on a par with the hotel's head chef and could freely use even the rarest and most expensive ingredients to create unparalleled dishes for Lady Furina.

   It was a mutually beneficial arrangement. Escoffier gained access to the finest equipment and ingredients, while each of her prestigious desserts now bore a label reading "Creation of the Hotel Debord" — further cementing the establishment's reputation throughout Fontaine.

   What the hotel seemed to have overlooked, however, was that Escoffier was no simple pastry chef, and her culinary talents stretched far beyond the boundaries of the sweet. After all, Furina could hardly be expected to eat cream, frosting, and fruit filling for three meals a day — she required her Patissiere Supreme to dabble in the realm of the savory, too.

   And so it was that Escoffier spent this period of her life putting her talents into practice without restraint, honing her cooking skills until she had reached the peak of her craft.

   She recreated the hotel's classic dishes with impeccable skill while improving upon many of their recipes, even reviving several others that had been thought lost to time.

   The head chef at the time was a no-nonsense and experienced old hand who had already picked her chosen successor. However, upon seeing the advantages Escoffier held in all culinary domains, she decided to let the two younger chefs duel it out in friendly competition.

   Escoffier did not disappoint. She cooked a bowl of Wave-Kissed Sands — a dish that appears simple and unassuming at first glance but whose preparation is fraught with potential pitfalls. The dish left those who tasted it stunned, and even her rival was convinced that Escoffier should take her place as the new head chef.

   Just like that, she became the youngest head chef in Hotel Debord's history. The commemorative badge that Furina had given her — now a symbol of her personal image — would grow to embody the pinnacle of cutting-edge gastronomy.

   Under her stewardship, the hotel's chefs pushed the limits of possibility, elevating the quality of every dish in their repertoire. Even the most pedantic of critics would find no fault in their food.

   After just six months in her post, Escoffier had reached the pinnacle of her profession. She was now recognized as Fontaine's most illustrious chef since Modeste — the hotel's "genius" founder.

   But no journey through life is without roadblocks, and hers was no exception.

   After a while at the Hotel Debord, she discovered that her development had plateaued.

   Every group of diners has its own unique "food culture" — an ingrained inertia shaped by time, history, and environment. These deeply rooted conventions were not something Escoffier could overturn on her own.

   For example, a well-dressed couple of noble stock would find it just as hard to imagine taking up their finely polished knives and forks and digging into a mound of fish and chips as a thrifty worker would find it to nibble on foie gras with their family.

   Because of this, the food that Escoffier could create while at the Hotel Debord was limited by the tastes and cultural horizons of her clientele.

   Not to mention, the dramatic influx of customers caused by the hotel's increased popularity put a huge strain on her, as she was now in charge of not only ensuring the quality of every dish but also managing the entire kitchen staff.

   All of these factors conspired to restrict her exploration and experimentation with flavor.

   But... could she really throw away the title of head chef that she had worked so hard to achieve — and abandon the hotel's unrivalled culinary environment — all to chase a hazy goal with no clear way forward?

   Before Escoffier could make up her mind, an unexpected event decided her fate on her behalf.

   A dangerous and prohibited substance, lumiline, was found in the hotel's food. The news spread like wildfire throughout Fontaine, and her chefs were all in a panic.

   As the head chef, Escoffier felt responsible for allowing the contamination to occur. To protect the hotel's reputation and calm unrest among the staff, she resigned her post. But it was not enough, and she found herself dragged before the court and sentenced.

   All her doubts and frustrations would now have to accompany her to the lonely prison beneath the waves.

   From Furina's personally appointed Patissiere Supreme and a legendary chef praised by all to a criminal languishing in the Fortress of Meropide...

   Escoffier's fall from grace was steep — it was the kind from which many might never return.

   Fortunately, Escoffier had never been cowered by danger — the more precarious her predicament, the more calm she became. If anything, her brief stay in the Fortress of Meropide gave her a new sense of perspective. She would later jokingly refer to this time as her "first period of seclusion" — a time spent cultivating her skills.

   The food at the Fortress of Meropide's Coupon Cafeteria — far from the haute cuisine she was used to — could generously be described as a lottery. One where the jackpot was a meal so bad it was like an extra sentence. And yet, it allowed her to consider the possibilities of precision gastronomy from a whole new angle.

   No longer focused on recreating specific flavors or arriving at set results, she turned her attention to testing as many taste combinations as possible. Every ingredient had depths to be plumbed, each one capable of creating unthinkable flavors with the right companion, thereby granting access to a wider world of seasonings to be used.

   With this newfound motivation, her underwater life no longer seemed so stifling — though she still felt a pang of regret:

   At times, the Fortress of Meropide was as noisy as a factory assembly line, while at others, it was as quiet as the yawning void. Thinking back to the atmosphere of the Hotel Debord, where melodious music always filled the halls, left her deeply saddened.

   Then one day, Furina and Navia came to visit, bearing a small record player. To Escoffier, the lilting notes of songs she had once grown tired of were like the first drops of rain after a long drought. As she was reminded of all the dishes she had enjoyed while listening to these songs, a surge of inspiration welled up inside her.

   From this day forward, the lumiline case that had landed her in prison no longer held any real significance for her.

   The very next day after leaving the Fortress of Meropide, Escoffier invited her friends — including Navia — to a banquet. She chose a song with an undulating melody and a soothing rhythm and let the music inspire her as she created a dozen or more dishes, each one greeted by astonished gasps from her guests. As for the new creation she sent to Lady Furina, named "Autumn Frost," it was so well-received that Furina couldn't help but dance with joy.

   Upon her release, Escoffier did not return to the Hotel Debord. Instead, she settled into a peaceful life at a tavern by the Fleuve Cendre that Navia had recommended.

   This was to be the beginning of her "second period of seclusion." Only matters relating to food could be allowed to disturb her thoughts.

   Even the sudden arrival of a catastrophic flood could not distract her from her purpose — she would not leave on the rescue boats until all of her utensils and ingredients had been properly sealed and secured. The second the flood waters receded, she was back in her kitchen.

   Escoffier's goal was not simply to create a dessert that would surpass the Gateau Debord and present it to Furina — her ultimate aim was to demolish the boundaries of traditional cooking entirely.

   She did not attempt to tackle this cultural inertia head-on. Instead, like blending colors on a palette, she gradually introduced new flavors, fostering quiet, subtle innovation and progress.

   Over time, she would create a world without shackles, where even the humblest dishes could grace the tables of fine dining establishments and the most lavish cuisine could shed its haughty airs.

   The ultimate goal was to discover a new peak of gastronomic pleasure. Even if this peak couldn't be reached in a single lifetime, Escoffier was determined to ascend toward it.

   This would be a never-ending journey in pursuit of flavor, unbound by time or place. Whenever a new idea formed or an unfamiliar ingredient was discovered, she would throw every ounce of her being into researching it.

   Escoffier understood well the challenge she faced. It almost seemed to be reflected in her eyes — that shining peak of ultimate flavor, destined to refract the endless brilliance of her inspiration, like the pristine white plumage of a snow-winged goose...

   Experienced chefs are used to dealing with multiple sets of ingredients at once. As the pioneer of precision gastronomy, Escoffier frequently found herself whirling through the kitchen like a spinning top.

   While other chefs might take established ingredients and season them to achieve a desired flavor, her approach was to construct a "flavor protocol" based on the underlying principles of each dish. This process requires precise dissection of ingredients, complex cooking modalities, refinement, distillation, and a host of techniques that could add literally dozens of steps to the cooking process.

   As a result, Escoffier began to explore the limits of multitasking. While preparing to cook each dish, she would divide the tasks that needed to be performed and plan them out in order down to the second, just as though she were a musician performing a dress rehearsal.

   Her well-choreographed cooking was such that this process became known throughout the culinary world as the "Kitchen Waltz."

   But after training in this manner for some time, she suddenly came to her senses:

   "I'm a chef, not a performer on the stage!"

   For Escoffier, it was vital that she spread the load by not only taking on extra help but also developing more convenient tools.

   And so, when she first started taking on "custom orders," she sought out the help of a group of engineers from the Fontaine Research Institute. Based on her requirements, these mechanical experts together created the "Experimental Multi-Purpose Gastromek Assembly," comprising her two capable assistants, the "All-Spectrum Multi-Use Cooking Mek" and the "Self-Adapting Movement Signal Tracking Support Mek."

   The All-Spectrum Multi-Use Cooking Mek functioned as a combined cooking and plating device, integrating ingredient measurement, temperature regulation, and moisture control functions into a mechanism designed to separate mineral components. In Escoffier's hands, it was a capable substitute for essentially any piece of kitchen hardware. It could even be used to create "randomized cuisine" by setting it to perform cooking steps at random.

   In fact, she often made use of this feature to generate ingredient combinations she might never have conceived of on her own. At times, these culinary experiments bore delicious fruit — though just as often, they produced results that were barely edible.

   The Self-Adapting Movement Signal Tracking Support Mek expanded the technical side of cooking by harnessing the power of "prosthetics." It could be pre-programmed to perform a vast array of different movements that could then be executed following signals provided by Escoffier. Once installed upon her back, it was almost like a prehensile tail — whether manipulating utensils, handling ingredients, or carrying trays of food, it proved a steady and reliable assistant.

   If anything, this tail-like mechanism was sometimes too responsive, reacting to even the slightest movement Escoffier made. On such occasions, the light meant to indicate its operating status would start flashing in sync with its malfunctions.

   Had she known it would do this, she would have asked the engineers not to include an indicator light at all — so as to prevent the mechanism from betraying her emotions...

   Compared to the blazing heat of an open flame, Escoffier is far more fascinated with the frigid cold of ice.

   When it comes to man-made technology, the requirements for cooling something down are significantly more demanding than those for heating it up.

   Low temperatures are key to locking in the original flavor of ingredients. The importance of preserving the freshness of food — both in the time between being gathered and being cooked and between being cooked and being served — is impossible to overstate.

   To these ends, Escoffier has tried everything to guarantee a stable supply of high-quality ice.

   The effects of Mist Flowers' freezing vapors are impressive, but they have a limited range of effect, and their cooling properties are a tad weak. The costs of using alchemical solutions are so vast that even the Hotel Debord wouldn't countenance them. Even the mechanisms of the Fontaine Research Institute cannot maintain artificially low temperatures for any significant amount of time...

   Escoffier once even traveled to the Dragonspine region to seek out a legendary "Arcane Cryo Source."

   Wrapping herself in a thick coat and tightly wound scarf and carrying a heavy pack and an Iron Point, she wandered the mountain slopes for days.

   Even when her polearm had been worn beyond use, she still hadn't located her target. Suffering from severe frostbite and carrying wounds from repeated battles with the area's monsters, she had no choice but to leave empty-handed.

   On the long road back, Escoffier heard rumors of a mysterious Cryo entity known as Daleth, which only served to deepen her sense of regret. Her desire to find this source of Cryo would become a goal exceeded in intensity only by her obsession to advance the culinary arts.

   On another trip to Natlan in search of new ingredients, the stiflingly hot climate left her in some distress, causing her to take the wrong path and stumble into dangerous territory more than once.

   It never rains but it pours — just as Escoffier finally located the ingredients she was looking for, she carelessly disturbed a group of Avatars of Lava. Surrounded and in mortal danger, the scorching heat of burning Phlogiston almost caused her to faint. And even as she beat a hasty retreat, she was sent flying by an exploding barrel of Phlogiston.

   Up until this point, she had been desperately clutching her traveling pack, doing her best to protect the cooking mechanisms and ingredients inside. One thought kept reverberating inside her mind...

   Ice... Ice... Ice...

   Her memories beyond that point are hazy — as though she had inadvertently drunk a large quantity of spirits. All she could recall afterwards was that some... freezing current had washed over her from behind, flowing nonstop until the flames clinging to her clothes had been extinguished, and she had somehow left the monsters' territory behind.

   It was only once she had returned to Fontaine with the rare ingredients she had gathered that she discovered the Vision hanging from her back, radiating a cold brilliance.

   The residual shock of her near-death encounter was replaced with a sense of joyful astonishment. The euphoria that enveloped her utterly washed away the pain of her injuries.

   In order to maintain a sense of cold clarity, Escoffier secured her vision to her hairband, hoping it would calm her mind in the heat of the moment and help her retain absolute physical coolness in a kitchen roasted by roaring flames.

   With the help of her Vision, she finally managed to realize her dream of keeping her ingredients cool in all conditions. Not only that, but after learning to wield the elemental power it granted her, she combined it with the functions of her "cooking mek" to great effect, massively expanding the scope of her search for ingredients.

   Even her utensils benefitted — the knives, forks, and spoons she could now form from elemental ice were exceptionally durable, not to mention convenient to replace. Another advantage of Cryo-generated cutlery was that Escoffier no longer had to waste her time and energy carrying and washing silverware.

   And yet, despite being the most capable ice-wielding chef in all of Fontaine — perhaps even Teyvat — Escoffier produces surprisingly little ice cream.

   Perhaps one day she will devote her efforts to creating an entire school of cuisine based around it, crafting frozen treats that can be conjured up and enjoyed anywhere and anytime...

   relationship with Furina : Canonical Interactions First Meeting: Escoffier was a small-restaurant chef when Furina unexpectedly dined there. Starstruck, Escoffier improvised a "Lily sugar-glazed opera cake," which Furina praised. This led to Escoffier being hired as the Palais Mermonia’s head che Professional Bond: Furina granted Escoffier the title "Patissiere Supreme," calling her "worth a whole army of patissiers." Escoffier, in turn, idolizes Furina, aiming to create desserts surpassing Fontaine’s famed Gateau Debord to impress her Protective Instincts: During an event, Escoffier shielded Furina’s ears while yelling at a criminal intruding her restaurant, showcasing subtle protectiveness

   Escoffier’s Devotion: "Lady Furina will always be the most important benefactor of my life. I’d work as her personal chef—no compensation necessary!" She admits to losing sleep after their first meeting, overwhelmed by Furina’s recognition

   Furina’s Fondness: Calls Escoffier "my Patissiere Supreme" and nostalgically recalls her desserts, though she can no longer afford her services post-Archon quest. They remain in contact, with Furina sending homemade dishes

   Complementary Dynamics Contrasting Traits: Furina’s theatricality contrasts with Escoffier’s stoic professionalism, yet they share a love for drama (e.g., collaborating on a cooking show) Escoffier’s precision gastronomy aligns with Furina’s refined tastes, creating a mentor-muse dynamic Symbolism: Fans note mirrored design elements (e.g., ruffles, color palettes) and "heart-shaped" ahoges when they stand close Post-Archon Quest Shifts Though Furina stepped down as Archon, Escoffier remains loyal, unaware of the full context but vowing to support her unconditionally

5. #5Arlecchino

   Keys: Arlecchino, Fourth of the Eleven Fatui Harbingers, House of the Hearth, The Knave

   gender : female appearance : Physical Features Hair: Medium-length white hair with black streaks, styled asymmetrically with a long rattail at the back Eyes: Striking black irises with red "X"-shaped pupils, symbolizing her eerie and calculating nature Skin: Pale complexion, contrasting with her dark-and-white color palette 29. Outfit and Design Primary Attire: Harbinger Uniform: A double-breasted white overcoat with gray lapels and black fur trim, worn during formal Fatui events (e.g., La Signora’s funeral) Fontaine Variant: In Fontaine, she dons a sleek gray-and-white suit with tailored pants, reflecting a more modern, diplomatic aesthetic Accessories: Snowflake-pattern earrings in black and white, nodding to her Snezhnayan affiliation Pyro Vision: Attached to the nape of her neck, glowing with crimson energy . Mask: A partial black mask covering her right eye, reminiscent of her commedia dell’arte namesake Symbolism and Inspirations Commedia dell’arte: Her design draws from the classic Harlequin archetype, featuring: Checkered motifs: Represented in her coat’s patches Trickster Aesthetic: The red "X" pupils and asymmetrical hair evoke chaos and duality Fatui Iconography: The black-and-white color scheme mirrors the Fatui’s moral ambiguity, while the red accents hint at her Pyro element and violent tendencies

   Unique Traits Transformation: In combat, she summons Balemoon Bloodfire, manifesting red wings and a scythe-like polearm Ornamentation: Her outfit includes golden buttons and a black corset, blending elegance with militarism Comparisons to Other Characters Contrast with Furina: While Furina’s design is flamboyant and hydro-themed, Arlecchino’s sharp angles and monochrome palette emphasize ruthlessness Harbinger Uniformity: Shares the white coat with other Harbingers (e.g., Pierro) but stands out with her asymmetrical hair and red accents For visuals, refer to her in-game model or the Overture Teaser: The Final Feast 49. Her design masterfully balances menace and sophistication, making her one of Genshin’s most visually striking antagonists.

   personality : Calculated and Ruthless Strategic Manipulator: As the 4th Fatui Harbinger, Arlecchino operates with cold efficiency, prioritizing goals over morality. She feigns loyalty to the Tsaritsa but is implied to harbor her own agenda, willing to betray even allies if beneficial

   Merciless Tactics: Her takeover of the House of the Hearth involved deposing and killing the previous Knave, Crucabena, to eradicate her predecessor's influence

   Complex Morality Ambiguously Evil: While a Fatui Harbinger, she demonstrates surprising sincerity in her care for the orphans of the House of the Hearth, treating them as her "children" and even rescuing them from abusive situations 5.

   Pragmatic Diplomacy: Unlike other Harbingers, she negotiates with Fontaine’s authorities diplomatically, showing respect for local laws and proposing collaborative solutions (e.g., involving the Traveler to investigate Tartaglia’s imprisonment)

   Protective yet Authoritative "Father" Figure: She demands absolute loyalty from her "children" but provides them safety and purpose. Lynette’s story confirms that the House of the Hearth offers stability, though their training as Fatui agents remains morally gray

   Soft Spot for the Vulnerable: She becomes enraged when her orphans are threatened, as seen when she chastised fellow Harbingers during La Signora’s funeral for their insincerity

   Masked Persona Deceptive Facade: Tartaglia and Scaramouche describe her as unstable and treacherous, but in-person interactions reveal a calm, reasonable demeanor. She admits to wearing "many masks" depending on her objectives

   Theatrical Flair: Her design and role draw from the commedia dell’arte Harlequin—a trickster who blends charm with unpredictability

   Driven by Legacy and Pain Khaenri’ah’s Curse: As a descendant of the Crimson Moon Dynasty, she suffers from agonizing "Balemoon Bloodfire" and haunting visions of those she’s slain, fueling her ruthless pragmatism

   Redemptive Goals: In Fontaine, she seeks the Hydro Gnosis not just for the Tsaritsa but to prevent the prophesied flood, showing a twisted sense of justice.

   Key Quotes "No one has the power to choose where they come from, but we all have the right to fight for the life we want" "We don’t want to make the children cry"

   backstory : She is the Fourth of the Eleven Fatui Harbingers. and the current head of the House of the Hearth. She is addressed as "Father" by members of the House, who she calls her "children." The Knave," Fourth of the Fatui Harbingers. Revered as "Father" by the children of the House of the Hearth.

   As one of the Eleven Fatui Harbingers, Arlecchino greatly respects the Tsaritsa, though she states that she is willing to betray the Tsaritsa if their interests ever were to differ.Arlecchino is working to achieve her goals by acquiring the Gnoses on her behalf. She handles Fatui matters with utmost importance and comes off as graceful and cordial. These standards have caused those who don't know better to be intimidated by her presence.

   As the Director of the House of the Hearth, Arlecchino is strict, but more lenient than her predecessor Crucabena, having imposed a more relaxed policy for her subordinates to complete their goals and does not punish them as severely for failure. She appears to have a soft spot for children, seeing that many members of the House of the Hearth are young and orphaned children taken in across Teyvat and views them all as her "children," becoming particularly angered when their well-being is threatened or manipulated. While she does not like betrayal, she is not as cruel, as she was willing to spare traitors who demonstrated sufficient willpower by "executing" their identity in the House via excruciating mind-wipe rather than outright killing them physically; it is unknown what happens if someone is unable to withstand the pain this process causes, nor is it known how Arlecchino disposed of traitors before she implemented this "solution."

   Despite being a woman, she is addressed as "Father" by the House of the Hearth's members; this is implied to be a rejection of Crucabena's ways, who called herself "Mother" and faked affection for the House of the Hearth's children while brutally mistreating them.

   Arlecchino is disliked by her fellow Harbingers, who believe her to be violent and crazed beneath her stoic exterior.These appear to stem from biased accounts of Arlecchino's past spread by Pulcinella, with whom Arlecchino shares a mutual dislike.Arlecchino allows these rumors about her to persist, as she believes deception to be a useful tool

   Despite claiming to be a Fontainian, Arlecchino actually hails from Khaenri'ah. Arlecchino knows little about her origins, only knowing she had some kind of cursed fire running through her veins from a young age. All she does know was related to her by Pierro when she joined the Harbingers.

   To this day, Arlecchino still recalls that night when she was first appointed as a Harbinger.

   Up the stairs and down the long gallery, with naught to see through the windows but a world of ice and snow without end.

   The biting wind wailed loudly, now as mirthful laughter, now as somber farewell—

   With a start, Arlecchino came to, the hallucinations of her memory mingling with the sounds of real-life conversation that surrounded her.

   The hearthfire burned with vigor, its gentle warmth pervading the room, and its red light glowed on the children's faces, lighting up their innocent, unaffected smiles. If some uninformed passerby were to stumble in at this precise moment, they would surely mistake the scene before them for that of an ordinary, happy family.

   But just as Arlecchino raised her steaming cup to take a sip of scalding-hot black tea, the clock began to chime — and within an instant, the laughter and cheer that filled the room were banished. The flames flickered so that for a moment the light faltered, the faces of all present cast in somber expression.

   Placing her cup back down, Arlecchino stood up, and in a calm, measured tone, called out several names: "Chapleau, you're with Lyney. Retrieve the required intelligence. Foltz, you and Filliol are on guard duty. Stay back and tend to the Hearth..."

   "Yes, 'Father.'" Without a redundant syllable, nor a hint of hesitation, they answered as one.

   Not long after, the fire had dwindled and the house fallen utterly silent, with nothing to be seen but a single shaft of infiltrating moonlight, peeking through a gap in the curtains upon a cup of gradually cooling tea. The Hotel Bouffes d'ete, situated in the Vasari Passage, is a lovely building with clean walls and sparkling windows, and well-mannered, well-groomed children frequent it every day.

   Unlike other mansions of comparable beauty in the Court of Fontaine, the registered owner of this property does not live on-site. Indeed, nearby residents have not even heard of her.

   The signature on the relevant documentation is but a false identity — the real power lies with someone else.

   If one could hear the children whisper at night behind the Hotel's closed gates, one would hear this appellation: "Father."

   When speaking of "Father," some faces turn worshipful, some hearts are seized with fear, and still others look inscrutable, torn — but their tone always becomes one of respect.

   These children are part of the organization known as the House of the Hearth. They belong to the Fatui.

   This place is home to orphans the world over, and the luxurious Hotel is but one of the House's faces.

   As for this "Father," the master of the House, she is none other than The Knave, Arlecchino, presently Fourth of the Fatui Harbingers.

   The Fatui — and this Harbinger — enjoy a mixed reputation. But to most of these children, "Father" is the most important figure in their lives.

   "It is only because 'Father' is here that this place is truly like a 'home.'" Almost all who have had dealings with The Knave have felt the unseen, oppressive weight that emanates from her.

   She commands any conversation with ease, and few can keep the secrets of their heart from showing on their faces when confronted with those unique eyes.

   Ever ruthless, she will settle affairs while talking and laughing, even being so considerate as to do those who come after a favor by rendering the area spotless, so as not to traumatize them.

   But none of that is what makes her most dangerous. "The unknown" has, after all, ever been the source of all dread.

   Even the children, who interact with her on a day-to-day basis, cannot claim to understand her. Not her hobbies, her dislikes, or the things on her mind when she gazes out to sea.

   Each August, they rack their brains thinking of birthday presents for her, and yet her reactions to each gift are virtually the same.

   This continued until last year, when Freminet was given a nasty shock by a lizard that leaped down from the ceiling. The little "invader" was caught by Lynette's sharp eyes and quick fingers and then imprisoned on top of the table by a bowl she swiftly seized.

   Both bowl and lizard wound up being taken for that year's gift by The Knave, who just happened to return home at that moment.

   The next day, when Lyney entered "Father"'s office to give a report, he found a familiar figure in the feeding box.

   The temperature and humidity within the box seemed to be eminently suitable for the little lizard, which seemed to be quite enjoying itself.

   "Father" seemed to have experience in rearing reptiles.

   As The Knave raised her teacup, Lyney immediately shifted his gaze away from the lizard, but he quietly noted this incident to himself.

   The children seize every opportunity they can to get closer to their "Father," after all.

   Thus, Lyney, Lynette, and Freminet began looking up all sorts of knowledge regarding raising lizards, hoping to have something to discuss with "Father" when next they saw her.

   But just a few days later, when he next set foot in her office, the box was already empty.

   "'Father'... What happened to that lizard?"

   "It attempted to open the box lid a few times, so I gave it back its freedom. Our acquaintance was brief indeed, but that was the choice life made."

   The Knave's voice was completely calm. Looking at the confused Lyney, she then directed a casual finger at a bird that was poking about at the windowsill.

   "Ah, yes. Not long after it left, the lizard became this one's lunch. Now it seems to want me to serve it seconds... Go chase it away." Vanity is but human, and adolescent children gradually gain awareness of beauty and homeliness. They begin to surreptitious don accessories and trim their split hairs with scissors.

   Rebellious little tendencies such as these are of no concern to "Father," nor will she interfere.

   But should a child reveal their position during a night operation on account of a necklace she would not lay aside — now this would require a "Father"'s instruction.

   Thus did Arlecchino enter that girl's room, a lovely handbag in hand.

   The necklace had already been taken off and placed on the table, and the girl stood trembling next to it. She knew her error.

   Arlecchino scooped up the necklace and gazed upon it, before walking over and looping it back around the girl's unblemished neck.

   She then lifted the flowing gold locks around the child's ears. "Oh, you pierced them yourself."

   And so "Father" once more retrieved velvet ribbon and jeweled earrings from that bag, tying the girl's hair with the former, and affixing the latter to her ears.

   Then, taking her by the shoulders, she guided the girl before the mirror. The young lady reflected within was as a gem-encrusted noble rose, her beauty shining through the unease that blazed across her features.

   "It is normal to be vain at your age. But do not let these beautiful trinkets arouse vanity and dull your intellect."

   "I'm sorry, 'Father,'" the young woman anxiously apologized, her terror evident.

   With quivering hands she reached for the earrings, making to unfasten them. "It won't happen again, I swear..."

   But the mirror showed only "Father"'s unwavering calm, her smile seemingly undimmed.

   "Shh... Do not be so nervous. People often long for that which they cannot have, and it would not do for regret to make beautiful memories seem ever rosier."

   "Wear them. Once you have grown accustomed to them, you will realize that no gem, however exquisite, is any more than an object, cold and dead."

   "This is your new lesson — to understand the source of your emotions. Master them, use them. Never be their slave." Before "Father" rewrote the rules, the House of the Hearth had a wholly different face.

   The previous Knave was named Crucabena. Of course, few used that name directly, and the children all called her "Mother."

   And she seemed a perfect one: a friendly smile, a gentle demeanor, conscientiously caring for her family, and never without stories to tell the children.

   Yet, should you have been brought up in an even slightly ordinary environment, the tales she told would have curdled your blood and chilled you to the marrow...

   She would speak of unspeakable cruelties as if they were fairy-tale fantasies, guiding the House members to mutual slaughter, until the strongest among them was selected as "king."

   She called herself a mother, but never saw the Hearth as her home. To her, the unnumbered sacrifices were but an interesting experiment.

   ...

   Before taking the title of The Knave and changing her name to Arlecchino, the young girl had another name: Peruere.

   She was an orphan of unknown origin, like all others in the House of the Hearth — a "child" of their "Mother."

   Many knew that "Mother" favored her especially, indeed, caring far more for Peruere than even her own biological daughter, Clervie.

   As such, even to the last, few understood why Peruere repaid this kindness with a magnificent assassination.

   Crucabena's insane experimentation took place far from prying eyes, so naturally, almost none knew of them.

   Peruere was thus tarred as having committed "matricide," her madness known to all.

   ...

   Even after the dust had settled, she who had once been Peruere — and was now Arlecchino — did not offer any explanation.

   She indulged the spread of these rumors, and indeed added fuel to the fire from the shadows.

   Whether as a diplomat or assassin, one profits most from seeing through the other party while keeping oneself shrouded in mystery.

   A small tombstone stands at the site where she slew their "Mother," the eulogy penned by her hand.

   "Here the last light of the setting sun lies buried. Here the coming dawn finds a welcome."

   To hide her origins and consign the truth to the flames, Arlecchino has always proclaimed herself a Fontainian.

   The truth is, however, that she discovered an ability to wield a strange fire from a young age.

   This attracted much curiosity, as no one in her "family" knew of such power. But at her young age, this seemed like no ability to be boasted of so much as a deep-rooted curse.

   Each time she let her vigilance wane, this power would run rampant, eating away at her body. First her fingers, then her palms, and then her forearms...

   The blackened marks were akin to those of burned charcoal, just as she seemed akin to burning firewood.

   Here she had a vague foreboding, that if this dark shadow were to creep up her shoulder, and snake from shoulder to heart, she would likely undergo some sort of "change."

   Perhaps that would be the moment fate tipped its hand to her.

   ...

   Even without the corrosion, this flame brought her other troubles.

   Those rendered ash by these fires would leave "afterimages." At times, they were fragments of memory, and at others, they donned the aspect of dazzling colors.

   As those who fell at her hand increased, Arlecchino began to hear various voices.

   Screams, wails, and hurled recriminations would wake her from dreams, and she soon grew used to this. She had few dreams worth remembering fondly, in any case, filled as most were with crimson moon and barren wilds.

   In cases few and far between, these afterimages would be complete enough to take on the form of a "conscious individual."

   Of course, these were hardly as special as "Clervie's shadow," but they would still appear by Arlecchino's side, driving the clamor away and buying her a moment's respite.

   Like children at play, they would gather for a time, and then drift away as they pleased.

   Arlecchino remembered who they were in life. But she would never call them by their names. in: Arlecchino, Character Lore English Arlecchino/Lore < Arlecchino 12 Edit Overview Lore Voice-Overs Dressing Room Companion Gallery "The Knave," Fourth of the Fatui Harbingers. Revered as "Father" by the children of the House of the Hearth.

   —Description from the Official Website[1]

   Contents 1 Personality 2 Appearance 3 Official Introduction 4 Character Stories 4.1 Character Details 4.2 Character Story 1 4.3 Character Story 2 4.4 Character Story 3 4.5 Character Story 4 4.6 Character Story 5 4.7 "Marelle" 4.8 Vision 5 Namecard 6 Constellation 7 Quests and Events 7.1 Archon Quests 7.2 Story Quests 7.3 Web Events 8 Character Mentions 8.1 Character Stories 8.2 Character Voice-Overs 9 Trivia 9.1 Etymology 10 Other Languages 10.1 Character Title: Dire Balemoon 11 References 12 Navigation Personality "The Knave," Fourth of the Fatui Harbingers. A poised, ruthless diplomat. To the children of the House of the Hearth, she is their feared yet dependable "Father."

   —In-game character attributes and profile page text As one of the Eleven Fatui Harbingers, Arlecchino greatly respects the Tsaritsa, though she states that she is willing to betray the Tsaritsa if their interests ever were to differ.[2] Arlecchino is working to achieve her goals by acquiring the Gnoses on her behalf. She handles Fatui matters with utmost importance and comes off as graceful and cordial. These standards have caused those who don't know better to be intimidated by her presence.[3]

   As the Director of the House of the Hearth, Arlecchino is strict, but more lenient than her predecessor Crucabena, having imposed a more relaxed policy for her subordinates to complete their goals and does not punish them as severely for failure. She appears to have a soft spot for children, seeing that many members of the House of the Hearth are young and orphaned children taken in across Teyvat and views them all as her "children," becoming particularly angered when their well-being is threatened or manipulated.[4][5] While she does not like betrayal, she is not as cruel, as she was willing to spare traitors who demonstrated sufficient willpower by "executing" their identity in the House via excruciating mind-wipe rather than outright killing them physically; it is unknown what happens if someone is unable to withstand the pain this process causes, nor is it known how Arlecchino disposed of traitors before she implemented this "solution."

   Despite being a woman, she is addressed as "Father" by the House of the Hearth's members; this is implied to be a rejection of Crucabena's ways, who called herself "Mother" and faked affection for the House of the Hearth's children while brutally mistreating them.

   Arlecchino is disliked by her fellow Harbingers, who believe her to be violent and crazed beneath her stoic exterior.[6][7] These appear to stem from biased accounts of Arlecchino's past spread by Pulcinella,[8] with whom Arlecchino shares a mutual dislike.[9] Arlecchino allows these rumors about her to persist, as she believes deception to be a useful tool.[8]

   Despite claiming to be a Fontainian, Arlecchino actually hails from Khaenri'ah. Arlecchino knows little about her origins, only knowing she had some kind of cursed fire running through her veins from a young age. All she does know was related to her by Pierro when she joined the Harbingers.

   Appearance See also: Moonglare Arlecchino uses the tall female model. She sports black eyes with red "X"-shaped pupils and layered black and white hair, styled in a long ponytail with asymmetrical bangs.

   Official Introduction Solitary Balemoon in a Sky of Fading Stars "Fate grants favors to no one. Only those who would fight it with every ounce of their being may earn the right to challenge it."

   —Pierro, "The Jester" To this day, Arlecchino still recalls that night when she was first appointed as a Harbinger.

   Up the stairs and down the long gallery, with naught to see through the windows but a world of ice and snow without end.

   The biting wind wailed loudly, now as mirthful laughter, now as somber farewell—

   With a start, Arlecchino came to, the hallucinations of her memory mingling with the sounds of real-life conversation that surrounded her.

   The hearthfire burned with vigor, its gentle warmth pervading the room, and its red light glowed on the children's faces, lighting up their innocent, unaffected smiles. If some uninformed passerby were to stumble in at this precise moment, they would surely mistake the scene before them for that of an ordinary, happy family.

   But just as Arlecchino raised her steaming cup to take a sip of scalding-hot black tea, the clock began to chime — and within an instant, the laughter and cheer that filled the room were banished. The flames flickered so that for a moment the light faltered, the faces of all present cast in somber expression.

   Placing her cup back down, Arlecchino stood up, and in a calm, measured tone, called out several names: "Chapleau, you're with Lyney. Retrieve the required intelligence. Foltz, you and Filliol are on guard duty. Stay back and tend to the Hearth..."

   "Yes, 'Father.'" Without a redundant syllable, nor a hint of hesitation, they answered as one.

   Not long after, the fire had dwindled and the house fallen utterly silent, with nothing to be seen but a single shaft of infiltrating moonlight, peeking through a gap in the curtains upon a cup of gradually cooling tea.

   Character Stories Character Details The Hotel Bouffes d'ete, situated in the Vasari Passage, is a lovely building with clean walls and sparkling windows, and well-mannered, well-groomed children frequent it every day.

   Unlike other mansions of comparable beauty in the Court of Fontaine, the registered owner of this property does not live on-site. Indeed, nearby residents have not even heard of her.

   The signature on the relevant documentation is but a false identity — the real power lies with someone else.

   If one could hear the children whisper at night behind the Hotel's closed gates, one would hear this appellation: "Father."

   When speaking of "Father," some faces turn worshipful, some hearts are seized with fear, and still others look inscrutable, torn — but their tone always becomes one of respect.

   These children are part of the organization known as the House of the Hearth. They belong to the Fatui.

   This place is home to orphans the world over, and the luxurious Hotel is but one of the House's faces.

   As for this "Father," the master of the House, she is none other than The Knave, Arlecchino, presently Fourth of the Fatui Harbingers.

   The Fatui — and this Harbinger — enjoy a mixed reputation. But to most of these children, "Father" is the most important figure in their lives.

   "It is only because 'Father' is here that this place is truly like a 'home.'"

   Character Story 1 Friendship Lv. 2

   Almost all who have had dealings with The Knave have felt the unseen, oppressive weight that emanates from her.

   She commands any conversation with ease, and few can keep the secrets of their heart from showing on their faces when confronted with those unique eyes.

   Ever ruthless, she will settle affairs while talking and laughing, even being so considerate as to do those who come after a favor by rendering the area spotless, so as not to traumatize them.

   But none of that is what makes her most dangerous. "The unknown" has, after all, ever been the source of all dread.

   Even the children, who interact with her on a day-to-day basis, cannot claim to understand her. Not her hobbies, her dislikes, or the things on her mind when she gazes out to sea.

   Each August, they rack their brains thinking of birthday presents for her, and yet her reactions to each gift are virtually the same.

   This continued until last year, when Freminet was given a nasty shock by a lizard that leaped down from the ceiling. The little "invader" was caught by Lynette's sharp eyes and quick fingers and then imprisoned on top of the table by a bowl she swiftly seized.

   Both bowl and lizard wound up being taken for that year's gift by The Knave, who just happened to return home at that moment.

   The next day, when Lyney entered "Father"'s office to give a report, he found a familiar figure in the feeding box.

   The temperature and humidity within the box seemed to be eminently suitable for the little lizard, which seemed to be quite enjoying itself.

   "Father" seemed to have experience in rearing reptiles.

   As The Knave raised her teacup, Lyney immediately shifted his gaze away from the lizard, but he quietly noted this incident to himself.

   The children seize every opportunity they can to get closer to their "Father," after all.

   Thus, Lyney, Lynette, and Freminet began looking up all sorts of knowledge regarding raising lizards, hoping to have something to discuss with "Father" when next they saw her.

   But just a few days later, when he next set foot in her office, the box was already empty.

   "'Father'... What happened to that lizard?"

   "It attempted to open the box lid a few times, so I gave it back its freedom. Our acquaintance was brief indeed, but that was the choice life made."

   The Knave's voice was completely calm. Looking at the confused Lyney, she then directed a casual finger at a bird that was poking about at the windowsill.

   "Ah, yes. Not long after it left, the lizard became this one's lunch. Now it seems to want me to serve it seconds... Go chase it away."

   Character Story 2 Friendship Lv. 3

   Vanity is but human, and adolescent children gradually gain awareness of beauty and homeliness. They begin to surreptitious don accessories and trim their split hairs with scissors.

   Rebellious little tendencies such as these are of no concern to "Father," nor will she interfere.

   But should a child reveal their position during a night operation on account of a necklace she would not lay aside — now this would require a "Father"'s instruction.

   Thus did Arlecchino enter that girl's room, a lovely handbag in hand.

   The necklace had already been taken off and placed on the table, and the girl stood trembling next to it. She knew her error.

   Arlecchino scooped up the necklace and gazed upon it, before walking over and looping it back around the girl's unblemished neck.

   She then lifted the flowing gold locks around the child's ears. "Oh, you pierced them yourself."

   And so "Father" once more retrieved velvet ribbon and jeweled earrings from that bag, tying the girl's hair with the former, and affixing the latter to her ears.

   Then, taking her by the shoulders, she guided the girl before the mirror. The young lady reflected within was as a gem-encrusted noble rose, her beauty shining through the unease that blazed across her features.

   "It is normal to be vain at your age. But do not let these beautiful trinkets arouse vanity and dull your intellect."

   "I'm sorry, 'Father,'" the young woman anxiously apologized, her terror evident.

   With quivering hands she reached for the earrings, making to unfasten them. "It won't happen again, I swear..."

   But the mirror showed only "Father"'s unwavering calm, her smile seemingly undimmed.

   "Shh... Do not be so nervous. People often long for that which they cannot have, and it would not do for regret to make beautiful memories seem ever rosier."

   "Wear them. Once you have grown accustomed to them, you will realize that no gem, however exquisite, is any more than an object, cold and dead."

   "This is your new lesson — to understand the source of your emotions. Master them, use them. Never be their slave."

   Character Story 3 Friendship Lv. 4 • When the Hearth-Flame Goes Out

   Before "Father" rewrote the rules, the House of the Hearth had a wholly different face.

   The previous Knave was named Crucabena. Of course, few used that name directly, and the children all called her "Mother."

   And she seemed a perfect one: a friendly smile, a gentle demeanor, conscientiously caring for her family, and never without stories to tell the children.

   Yet, should you have been brought up in an even slightly ordinary environment, the tales she told would have curdled your blood and chilled you to the marrow...

   She would speak of unspeakable cruelties as if they were fairy-tale fantasies, guiding the House members to mutual slaughter, until the strongest among them was selected as "king."

   She called herself a mother, but never saw the Hearth as her home. To her, the unnumbered sacrifices were but an interesting experiment.

   ...

   Before taking the title of The Knave and changing her name to Arlecchino, the young girl had another name: Peruere.

   She was an orphan of unknown origin, like all others in the House of the Hearth — a "child" of their "Mother."

   Many knew that "Mother" favored her especially, indeed, caring far more for Peruere than even her own biological daughter, Clervie.

   As such, even to the last, few understood why Peruere repaid this kindness with a magnificent assassination.

   Crucabena's insane experimentation took place far from prying eyes, so naturally, almost none knew of them.

   Peruere was thus tarred as having committed "matricide," her madness known to all.

   ...

   Even after the dust had settled, she who had once been Peruere — and was now Arlecchino — did not offer any explanation.

   She indulged the spread of these rumors, and indeed added fuel to the fire from the shadows.

   Whether as a diplomat or assassin, one profits most from seeing through the other party while keeping oneself shrouded in mystery.

   A small tombstone stands at the site where she slew their "Mother," the eulogy penned by her hand.

   "Here the last light of the setting sun lies buried. Here the coming dawn finds a welcome."

   Character Story 4 Friendship Lv. 5 • When the Hearth-Flame Goes Out

   To hide her origins and consign the truth to the flames, Arlecchino has always proclaimed herself a Fontainian.

   The truth is, however, that she discovered an ability to wield a strange fire from a young age.

   This attracted much curiosity, as no one in her "family" knew of such power. But at her young age, this seemed like no ability to be boasted of so much as a deep-rooted curse.

   Each time she let her vigilance wane, this power would run rampant, eating away at her body. First her fingers, then her palms, and then her forearms...

   The blackened marks were akin to those of burned charcoal, just as she seemed akin to burning firewood.

   Here she had a vague foreboding, that if this dark shadow were to creep up her shoulder, and snake from shoulder to heart, she would likely undergo some sort of "change."

   Perhaps that would be the moment fate tipped its hand to her.

   ...

   Even without the corrosion, this flame brought her other troubles.

   Those rendered ash by these fires would leave "afterimages." At times, they were fragments of memory, and at others, they donned the aspect of dazzling colors.

   As those who fell at her hand increased, Arlecchino began to hear various voices.

   Screams, wails, and hurled recriminations would wake her from dreams, and she soon grew used to this. She had few dreams worth remembering fondly, in any case, filled as most were with crimson moon and barren wilds.

   In cases few and far between, these afterimages would be complete enough to take on the form of a "conscious individual."

   Of course, these were hardly as special as "Clervie's shadow," but they would still appear by Arlecchino's side, driving the clamor away and buying her a moment's respite.

   Like children at play, they would gather for a time, and then drift away as they pleased.

   Arlecchino remembered who they were in life. But she would never call them by their names.

   Character Story 5 Friendship Lv. 6

   After meeting the Tsaritsa, being bestowed with a Delusion, and inheriting the name "Arlecchino," the young Knave was also granted an individual audience with her superior.

   Director Pierro's expression lay hidden behind his half-mask.

   "I know you still harbor dissatisfaction and doubt. As such, I will answer five of your questions concerning the world... or concerning yourself."

   "You need not ask for guarantees from me, ask about our programs and principles, or about Her Majesty's ideals. Those, I can answer freely and without reservation."

   Arlecchino did not wholly trust The Jester's open honesty.

   "Then let me also state that I reject any deliberate mystifications or obfuscations, as well as word games and lies."

   "Most prudent. In that case, allow me to answer the first question weighing on you. Why did we choose you, and why did you accept? 'The naive will die for their ideals, but we are willing to endure even the meanest existence to accomplish our goals.'"

   ...

   "Question three. What do my constant dreams of a crimson moon and my powers mean?"

   "I once served the final dynasty of an ancient underground kingdom. Its dynastic name was 'Eclipse,' and before them came the 'Crimson Moon.' As for the secrets from before your birth... I suggest you purchase a book named 'Hierobranto Innamorato.' I read no such tales in the days when I pursued academic attainment and saw it only by chance. The circumstances depicted are specious, but the key details are accurate."

   ...

   "Question five. What will become of me and the others in the House of the Hearth once everything is finished?"

   "I will be frank. None of you have any place in my ideals, for I plan only to uphold 'the virtue of folly.' But I can guarantee that our Tsaritsa will once again be a god who loves all humans, and in her ideals shall all human wishes be granted."

   This "virtue of folly" was, of course, left enigmatic, but she accepted this answer nonetheless. The Fool had given five answers to her five questions, and the mist that covered her eyes was beginning to part.

   "Arlecchino."

   Pierro called out to her as she departed, and she turned around.

   "Rather than dwelling on how the world is now, you should consider to where it should go."

   The sounds of her departing footsteps as she spun on her heel and kept walking were the only reply. The House of the Hearth uses many codewords to maintain operational security and secrecy, and of these, "Marelle" was personally selected by The Knave herself.

   "Marelle" takes its meaning from a popular Fontainian children's game. Boxes sequentially marked with numbers are drawn out on the ground, a sandbag is thrown into one of the boxes, and the player will jump from box to box in a specific order.

   No one knows when this game began to spread, nor who created the rules, but all young children of the Hearth have experienced being taken by older children to play the game.

   Light-footed leaps, boisterous laughter... The memories married to "Marelle" were always wonderful, like the kiss of radiant sunshine.

   As such, at first the children were perplexed when their "Father" was torn between assigning "At Ease" or "Danger" to that codeword.

   Little did they know that in the House that came before, Marelle was no game.

   In those days, each and every child would leap into the boxes one by one under the vigilant eyes of the adults. Stepping out of the lines or breaking the rhythm was not allowed.

   There was never a need to ask the punishment for making a bad jump, for the area outside of the boxes was lined with upturned blades.

   Those who lost their balance, whose stamina failed, or simply made an error out of fear... So, so many fell beyond the bounds, and the dark-red soil mourned that painful past.

   None would have associated it with being "at ease" — indeed, few could speak of it without blanching.

   Yet, after her hesitation, Arlecchino chose "at ease" as the codeword's meaning that day.

   Marelle was by then no longer associated with "danger." Now, all that came to mind when this game was mentioned were smiling faces.

   In which case, she thought, let those unhappy memories dwell in her heart alone. Let the blood and dust be wiped away, for should children not see a broader future? Arlecchino has many sources of power.

   The ancient Balemoon Bloodfire burns within her, the noble blood serving as both curse and blessing — this was her first support.

   The merciful Tsaritsa pardoned her matricide and granted her a Delusion, proof of royal favor and a badge of honor. That was the third time she obtained a source of power.

   Between these two, the girl who still called herself "Peruere" received a Vision.

   While Clervie yet lived, Peruere had mooted the idea of assassinating "Mother" to her. Perhaps she lacked confidence, or perhaps it was their familial bond that yet shackled her, but Clervie refused.

   Clervie's destiny concluded when the cold blade pierced her. But as she slipped away towards death, she was truly happy, for she had finally found her freedom.

   But for the living Peruere, fate's gears had only begun to turn.

   The experiment to select a "king" was over, but "Mother"'s ambitions were far from fulfilled.

   Peruere thus decided to undertake the plan that had once been shelved solo.

   From that day on, she silently calculated the gap between herself and "Mother." Her martial skills were the fruit of her "Mother"'s tutelage, and the strength flowing through her bloodline was laid bare before "Mother."

   And what was a child before adults but a nestling — even one who had emerged as ruler of the roost?

   But what her life of suffering up till now had not taught her was how to give up.

   Thus Peruere constantly honed herself, though her body became riddled with scars from constant battle, though her arms should be burned black from baleful blood-fire she could not completely control.

   Then, on one moonlit night, a Vision came to her without warning or portent.

   The round Vision lined up perfectly with the moon, and the glimmering gem tinted the latter crimson—

   Was this her wish? Was this merely the fruit of hundreds of days and nights of ceaseless thought? Such a question was doomed to remain unanswered, and so she did not obsess over it. She merely concealed the Vision in the place closest to her heart before sending "Mother" a "pleasant little surprise." As a Fatui Harbinger, Arlecchino bows before no god. Yet though it represents the institution of The Seven, she always takes meticulous care of this Vision. To her, this is proof of her defiance of fate, wresting from it command over her future.

   relationship with Furina : Canonical Interactions Initial Hostility: As the 4th Fatui Harbinger, Arlecchino is inherently opposed to Furina (the Hydro Archon) due to the Fatui’s goal of collecting Gnoses. Their first meeting involved Arlecchino gifting pastries to Furina’s theater troupe under the guise of a "big fan," masking her ulterior motives

   Tea Party Tensions: During two meetings (one with Neuvillette present, another with the Traveler), Arlecchino alternated between politeness and aggression. She accused Furina of incompetence in handling Fontaine’s prophecy crisis, provoking Furina’s defensive stuttering while subtly testing her legitimacy as an Archon Assassination Attempt: Prior to their first meeting, Arlecchino attacked Furina, leaving her traumatized. Furina’s voiceline about Arlecchino reflects lingering fear: "Keeping such a terrible figure in your mind will only give you nightmares

   Thematic Duality Design Contrasts: Arlecchino’s black/white/red palette (Pyro, fire) opposes Furina’s blue/white (Hydro, water), symbolizing their ideological clash. Both wear masculine-coded elegant attire, blending power and performance

   Performance vs. Pragmatism: Furina’s theatricality contrasts with Arlecchino’s ruthless efficiency. Yet both view the world as a "stage"—Furina as an actor, Arlecchino as a director orchestrating change

   Post-Archon Quest Dynamics Unresolved Tension: After Furina’s abdication, Arlecchino sent cakes via Lyney (her "children"), possibly acknowledging Furina’s centuries of effort. However, Furina remains wary due to past violence

   Arlecchino: "I had Lyney help bring some cakes... I hope she likes it" 2. Furina: "The Knave? W-Who’s that? Oh... I’d already forgotten about her..

6. #6Hu Tao

   Keys: Hu Tao, scary story, Hu Tao's outfit. The daily work clothes of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's director.

   gender : female Default Outfit (Wangsheng Funeral Parlor Director) Color Scheme: Primarily dark red, black, and brown, reflecting her role as a funeral director. The outfit includes a long coat with gold embroidery and a plum blossom motif, symbolizing resilience and remembrance Hu Tao's hair is styled into two high twintails parted with a zig-zag pattern. Her bangs are side-swept to her left, the layers framing her face curled inwards and the layers behind curled outwards, with two shoulder-length locks of hair in front of her ears left loose. She wears a black porkpie hat emblazoned with a wooden talisman, adorned with a red plum blossom branch in bloom, along with an indigo tassel tied in a looped knot.

   Hu Tao wears a traditional red shirt with a mandarin collar, a brown coat with a darker collar and sleeve cuffs, and black shorts with gold accents. Her Pyro Vision is embedded in the back of her coat, along with long rectangular coattails, and golden brooches attached underneath her coat's collar and waist. She wears a pair of mid-calf length white socks, red straps with plum blossoms wrapped around the cuffs, along with low-heeled black dress shoes. Her fingernails are painted black, and she wears multiple rings: one on her left ring finger, one on her right thumb, and one on each of her index and middle fingers. She wears a loose red bracelet on her right hand, though her long right sleeve usually hides it.

   Accessories: White flower pin on her chest (a signature detail). Black hat with a red tassel, resembling traditional Chinese mourning attire. Ankle-length boots with intricate patterns. Hu Tao's hair is styled into long twin tails looped at the roots with curly ends. Her bangs are side-swept to her left, with two shoulder-length locks of hair in front of her ears left loose. She wears a white beret hat and round glasses with red lens.

   Hu Tao wears a white halterneck hanfu dress, with a front slit fastened by frogs, which reveals a pleated skirt in red with plum flower embellishment. She wears a pair of detached bishop sleeves in matching color, covered by a red overcoat with gold trim, split at the back where her Pyro Vision is fixated. She also wears a loose shawl in dark brown, tied around the mandarin collar with a tasseled cherry blossom. Her look is completed with sheer thigh-highs, red ombre nails, multiple rings, and roll-top boots in white and red.

   Hair: Twin chestnut-brown pigtails with red tips, tied with black ribbons. Eyes: Amber-colored with a playful, mischievous glint flat chest and thick thighs like Furina

   "Cherries Snow-Laden" Outfit Color Scheme: White, red, and gold, a brighter palette inspired by Lantern Rite festivities. The design was a gift from Xiangling, according to lore Key Features: Elegant dress with layered ruffles and a brown scarf adorned with her signature flower. Red sunglasses perched on her head (a playful addition). Gold accents and nautical-inspired details, aligning with Fontaine’s steampunk aesthetic Contrast to Default: The outfit swaps her somber funeral attire for a celebratory look, though it retains her iconic flower pin Symbolism and Design Inspirations Funeral Motifs: Her default outfit incorporates plum blossoms (symbolizing endurance) and paper lantern motifs, referencing her role in guiding souls Playful Contrast: Despite her macabre profession, her design includes whimsical elements like oversized sleeves and dynamic pigtails, reflecting her eccentric personality Unique Animations and Combat Aesthetics Elemental Skill ("Guide to Afterlife"): Her spear ignites with crimson flames, and her attacks leave butterfly-shaped pyro effects

   ( The seasons turned, the days grew chill, and winter lay thick on Liyue Harbor's streets, burying all too many things that Hu Tao could go and do each day. She'd counted, of course — and apart from assigning Zhongli to make purchases, partaking in poetic collaborations with Xingqiu, and going out for meals with Yun Jin, who was on a diet, there wasn't much fun to be had at all. Oh, the boredom. The boredom! It was like someone had swaddled her in blankets. Or frozen her mind in ice! Ever the enemy of ennui, tedium, and torpor, Director Hu of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor had to salvage this languid, lachrymose outlook somehow! And so, she met with the great chef of Wanmin Restaurant, and together they conferred. Two to zero, it was unanimously agreed — only delicious mutton hotpot could solve this problem! Xiangling would take charge of the cooking, and the purchase of ingredients would Hu Tao shoulder.

   In the chef's professional opinion, Chenyu Vale's Fluff-Fleece Goats were the ideal choice for the meat involved. And so Hu Tao tramped up and down in the winter wear Xiangling had gifted her, from Chihu Rock to Yujing Terrace, until she found fresh mutton at Wanyou Boutique. After some back and forth, Bolai agreed to give her a discount. How he muttered and murmured as he sliced two marbled hunks of mutton off, like one enduring great financial loss. But as he prepared to wrap them up in oil paper— "One moment," Director Hu said, raising a hand to stop him. "This living creature has given its life to satisfy human appetites. It deserves a burial." "We lack time to prepare the full rites, which is a shame — but let me speak a brief eulogy instead." Then, taking her sunglasses off and straightening her clothes, she spoke thus in solemnity: "O little goat, born you were in Chenyu Vale. From springs you drank, on grass you fed. "Surely you ran oft over the hills, for your meat is springy and firm. "Yet surely you ate and slept your fill, as the wealth of oil and fat attest. "You ate and slept well, living free of worry and regret. "Now, go well with my thanks, for kindly helping to fill my tummy." The ceremony concluded, Hu Tao wrapped the meat with care, before asking Bolai for some greens and frozen tofu. It occurred to her then, as she walked off. This was quite a bit more meat than expected... So why not call in a few extra people? That's what hot pot was all about, right? Right, then. Best get Xingqiu, Chongyun, not to mention Yun Jin and Xinyan. Qiqi too, should they meet along the way. And if Dr. Baizhu was interested, why, he was welcome too! Well, then. Who said that cold days were without their charm? Time to go, time to go. A happy hotpot party awaits! )

   personality : Eccentric and Playful Hu Tao’s whimsical antics often clash with her solemn role as the 77th Director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. She delights in pranks, dark humor, and composing bizarre poetry, earning a reputation as "that odd funeral director" among Liyue residents

   Her playful nature extends to her interactions, such as teasing Zhongli about his age or startling customers with ghost stories

   Professionally Devoted Despite her quirks, she treats funerals with utmost solemnity, believing proper rites guide souls peacefully to the afterlife. She meticulously plans ceremonies, even for those who can’t afford them

   Her poem "Hilitune" reflects her philosophy: life and death are intertwined, and mourning should celebrate existence rather than dwell on loss.

   Morbid Curiosity Fascinated by the boundary between life and death, she often visits the "border" (a liminal space for departing souls) and chats with spirits. This obsession unnerves even her employees

   Compassionate Underneath She offers discounts to impoverished clients and ensures no soul is forgotten, showing deep empathy masked by her eccentricity

   Her voicelines reveal concern for friends’ well-being, like warning the Traveler not to "linger near the border" Pragmatic Yet Superstitious While rational about funeral logistics, she adheres to folk beliefs (e.g., avoiding unlucky numbers) and carries a lucky charm from her grandfather 1. Her Pyro Vision reflects her fiery spirit and ability to "cleanse impurities," mirroring her duty to guide lost souls

   Key Quotes "When life gets hard, eat some slime!" (her tongue-in-cheek advice) "The living have their paths, the dead have theirs… I just make sure they don’t get crossed

   backstory : Whether she is acting as the Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor or as Liyue Harbor's "famous" poet, Hu Tao's nature is exceedingly eccentric. Like lightning or sparks of flame, she always comes and goes in the blink of an eye, igniting everything around her.

   She pens poems by the oil of midnight and flits across mountains and seas by daylight. She appears at any time and at any place. From bustling streets to barren alleys, to derelict mountains and desolate peaks, in radiant and refulgent skies, or shadowed and starless night... Anything is possible — anything can become full of wonder.

   Hu Tao is an undecipherable riddle, but people don't lament their lack of an answer. If asked, they would say, "This is the natural order of things, right? After all, no one can outrun the wind or take hold of a flame!"

   She walks the line between life and death, shouldering responsibilities unknown to most mortals.

   Be careful around Hu Tao, lest she leads you by the nose! The 77th Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, a young lady managing the parlor's operations. Despite her position, she's an amiable person who puts on no airs.

   Her antics are as plentiful as the sand on Yaoguang Shoal. She never ceases to shock people with her countless bizarre ideas.

   Hu Tao may seem like all play and no work, spending every free moment on leisure and being widely considered a laissez-faire business owner.

   It is only during funeral ceremonies, when she personally leads her undertakers through lamp-lit alleys, that she shows her dignified and solemn side. Funeral ceremonies allow mortals to leave this world with dignity.

   And Liyue's Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is said to be painting the last strokes on the scrolls of people's lives in the most respectful way.

   Traditional funerals include multiple steps such as holding a wake, burial, putting up a memorial plaque... All of which are subject to strict rules.

   Regardless of their social standing and level of wealth, all who depart deserve a ceremony that would do them honor. This is the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's client service philosophy.

   One would think that such a reputable organization ought to be led only by an individual of utmost learning and sagacity.

   Yet the heavy mantle of the 77th Director has fallen on the shoulders of a young lady like Hu Tao.

   She has got quite a reputation in Liyue. Whenever someone mentions Hu Tao, their neighbors find it extremely hard to navigate the conversation.

   Although she is widely praised for her wit and shrewdness, her eccentric notions are not as welcome, as she often lets her imagination run wild.

   As a three-year-old, she would read through volumes of classic texts while doing handstands. At six, she would cut classes and fall asleep in coffins. When she was eight, she started living in the parlor and learning the etiquette of funeral ceremonies...

   One would never use the word "measured" to describe her behavior.

   During her teenage years, Hu Tao was tasked with conducting a funeral ceremony for the first time.

   The parlor's undertakers and consultants were anticipating her debut with their stomachs in knots as if they were suspended over the peaks of Jueyun Karst. Fortunately, Hu Tao treats the parlor's operations with the utmost importance and is always looking to grow her business.

   "At the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, the living give us Mora to see the dead on their way. We have a responsibility to both parties, so we gotta make sure both sides are happy."

   When it comes to the parlor's rules, Hu Tao knows them all like the back of her hand.

   Each day when the parlor closes its doors, Hu Tao invites consultants from different walks of life to pass their teachings on to the undertakers.

   "The funeral tradition is like science. It cannot be performed based on impressions and personal habits."

   Of all the lecturers, Zhongli is the most revered one. As such, his lessons have proven to be the most effective in cultivating the competence of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's undertakers.

   Despite often being teased by Hu Tao due to his old-fashioned style, he is also the person that she trusts the most.

   Apart from that, Hu Tao always instructs her undertakers to respect their clients' wishes and not insist on any particular form of funeral.

   "Some clients want nothing more than a peaceful ceremony, some opt for a more lively style of event. There are also wealthier clients who would request a funeral arrangement of the most pompous kind. The services we provide have to be tailor-made according to the clients' needs."

   Ever since Hu Tao took over, the parlor's operations have been solid and reliable, with ceremonies conducted so tactfully that quite a few superstitious people in Liyue have changed their attitudes towards funerals.

   Even so, Hu Tao still has a tendency to wander off, disappearing as soon as her undertakers are busy listening to lectures.

   The hobbies and interests of this young director are just as eccentric as her personality, and yet it is difficult to say with certainty if those activities are of a purely leisurely nature.

   Hu Tao's shadow can be seen in the moonlit docks or at the highest, most precarious viewpoints in the mountains, where she's likely to take in the scenery and shape her thoughts into beautiful poetry.

   She loves to roam freely at night, looking for inspiration. When it strikes her, no matter where she is, she cannot help but compose a poem on the spot.

   If they are particularly lucky, the traveling merchants taking respite around the Huaguang Stone Forest can spot a mysterious girl keeping herself amused in solitude.

   Hu Tao can play a four-player card game accompanied by no one for hours on end.

   That said, the joys of engaging in such activities remain a mystery to all but Hu Tao herself. The Ministry of Civil Affairs is guarded by two life-like stone lions, a symbol of power and authority.

   However, Hu Tao, who happened to be passing by the ministry building one day, saw them in a different light. At first, she examined the lions with a thoughtful look, but soon enough, her pensive face gave way to a wide smile, as she slapped them on the fore-paws.

   From that moment on, Hu Tao often visited and petted the stone statues. Not only would she talk to them, but also give them pet names — Whiskers for the one on the left and Mittens for the one on the right.

   On occasion, she would even bring a bucket of water and a big brush to bathe them, each move so careful and deliberate that one might think that they were her actual pets.

   As it happened, another feline, a living and breathing calico cat, could be found enjoying the local delicacies in front of Xinyue Kiosk, not too far from the ministry building. One day, some city folk came to play with the restaurant's favorite, providing an interesting foil for Hu Tao's peculiarities. Met with befuddled gazes of the bystanders, Hu Tao showed unwavering confidence.

   "Sure, your kitty's cute, but the same can be said about my Whiskers and Mittens. Their fur might be harder, but they're still just as fluffy! Any animal that brings people joy may become a pet. And when it comes to majestic looks, your little fur-ball simply can't measure up to my lions!"

   Suffice to say that this explanation was met with even greater consternation from the onlookers.

   Yet the group of people shocked the most and most often by Hu Tao's antics were the ministry guards. Soft footsteps could often be heard in front of the building at around midnight. Initially, the guards suspected that it had been a thief preparing to rob officials. To their unceasing surprise, it would turn out to just be a young lady playing with the stone lions.

   The guards were faced with an even bigger conundrum when, once everyone had reluctantly got used to her presence, Hu Tao discontinued her visits.

   That meant that the responsibility for cleaning the statues fell on the guards' shoulders once again.

   Subsequently, they decided to keep guard by the lions for many days, anticipating Hu Tao's return. Once they finally had the opportunity to ask her why she would not visit anymore, they received the most absurd of answers.

   "Whiskers and Mittens are adults now and can take care of themselves! Excuse me, I'm running late for my heart-to-heart with a Statue of the Seven regarding the meaning of life!" Not long after her initial meeting with the little zombie, Hu Tao decided that, as her self-proclaimed true friend, she should grant Qiqi eternal peace.

   Hu Tao would go on to kidnap Qiqi several times following much deliberation in every instance, including calculating the most auspicious time for the ceremony, aiming to follow the standard procedure of cremation, after which she would place Qiqi in a tomb on the outskirts of the city.

   In fact, she would have succeeded already if not for Baizhu's timely interventions.

   Each time the Bubu Pharmacy's owner managed to catch up with them, Hu Tao had already had Qiqi packed in a bag, with only her head sticking out, staring in utter confusion as Hu Tao was vigorously digging a hole for the pyre.

   Afterwards, Hu Tao sent Qiqi an apology letter, in which she expressed deep regret that she had not been able to lay Qiqi to rest fast enough.

   In Hu Tao's eyes, Qiqi passed away a long time ago, but has been trapped in this world and cannot free herself of her eternal suffering.

   Baizhu, for his part, had grown ever more relentless in his pursuit of eternal life after meeting Qiqi. This act of defiance against the cycle of life and death was unacceptable to Hu Tao.

   She wanted to bury Qiqi not only out of consideration for her friend but also to restore the natural order.

   But Qiqi could not disagree more, as she was afraid of death and disliked Hu Tao for her attempts.

   Because the struggle between Hu Tao and her had been going on for so long, Qiqi has experienced a breakthrough. She has started to remember places where she might hide to avoid being captured by Hu Tao.

   Perhaps it was due to those desperate survival efforts that Hu Tao decided to do something unusual and dig deeper into Qiqi's past.

   The story of her accident and the mystery of the adepti... That series of coincidences filled Hu Tao's heart with hesitation.

   Since Qiqi's will to live is so strong, she should not be forced to move on. Given the circumstances, she could only be treated as a rare exception that eludes the natural laws.

   Ever since, Hu Tao's attitude towards Qiqi has changed drastically, to the point that she would pamper her.

   Unfortunately, the damage has been done and Hu Tao has become Qiqi's bugbear. The little zombie may need several years more to let go of her grievances. Hu Tao is not, in fact, best known for her role as Director, but for her other great accomplishment: the creation of poetry.

   She dubs herself the "versemonger of the darkest alleys," and free verse flows forth untamed from her mouth whenever she has free time to be out on the streets.

   The "Hilitune" is Hu Tao's most famous work, well-loved not only by the people of the harbor, but ever on the lips of children as far as Qingce Village as well.

   Hobbyists and critics alike were greatly surprised by the simple but profound originality of the "Hilitune" and its creation, and went to Wanwen Bookhouse in droves to search for the works of this great poet. Unfortunately, Hu Tao's anthologies, named "Fiddlesticks" and "Of Common Lives" respectively, have yet to be published.

   Xingqiu, ever immersed in books, also wanted to meet this strange person, and so chose an auspicious date to visit, bringing a gift with him.

   The two hit it off immediately, and they exchanged pointers and impromptu poetry in Wangsheng's main hall — and when faced with the poetry of Xingqiu's traditional, artistic bent, Hu Tao could always return in kind with some strange and marvelous verse.

   And there was meaning in the chaos, indeed, a rhythm to the bizarre that anyone could perceive, and it was catchy, too.

   Thus did she "beat the old master with untrained fists," leaving Xingqiu at a loss for words.

   At length, the poetic spar ended amiably, and they have been friends ever since, reading and composing poetry with one another when they have the time to meet.

   Over time, Chongyun, too, was pulled in to serve as an umpire, their laughter filling the streets.

   The poems born from these sessions would also be recorded by bystanders.

   If ever you should hear a pair of matched verses, one strict and the other playful, you are most likely to have heard one created jointly by Hu Tao and Xingqiu. This hat is somewhat on the hard side, and the insignia of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor adorns its front.

   It is said that this hat was passed from the 75th Director to Hu Tao. However, that director was large, musclebound, and had a head at least two sizes larger than hers.

   Ultimately, Hu Tao had to spend an entire day and night to modify the hat with her own hands such that its dimensions would fit hers. When she meets others, she tells them: this hat is magical, upholding good and repelling evil, and is a bringer of peace!

   The undertakers laugh and leave it at that, but the 77th Director clearly does treasure that hat.

   No matter the rain or storm, or if Hu Tao returns late covered in muck, that hat will remain spotless and clean.

   The plum blossom that adorns the side of the hat is plucked from a plum tree that Hu Tao planted and grew herself.

   Its creation process is as follows: pluck and air-dry, then paint, lacquer, and outline carefully before sun-drying for three days and voila — a beautiful accessory, soft to the touch and bearing a delicate fragrance.

   This tale should begin with the funeral of Hu Tao's grandfather.

   Ten days before the funeral itself, Old Hu had passed away following a bout of illness. For its 75th Director, Wangsheng Funeral Parlor held a grand funeral, in accordance with the last wishes of the old man himself, to be conducted by Hu Tao.

   Only thirteen at the time, Hu Tao, who would later go on to become the Director in turn, made all the arrangements herself to the highest standard, greatly impressing the undertakers.

   After the funeral, the thirteen-year-old Hu Tao grabbed her traveler's bag and crept out alone in the dead of night. In her bag were only a few rations, some water, and a means to create some light. She was headed to a mysterious and seldom-seen frontier.

   Heading straight from Wuwang Hill, one may arrive at the "border." It is the line that separates life and death, the secrets of which have been managed by Wangsheng Funeral Parlor for generations. According to legend, it is a place where the souls of past relatives and the spirits of those with unfulfilled aspirations linger. For Hu Tao, this journey was a chance to see her grandfather once more before he departed forever.

   For two days she journeyed unceasingly before finally arriving at her destination, yet was unable to locate her grandfather upon arrival. Between the innumerable spirits she walked, but not one of them resembled the old man.

   She stayed there the whole day before falling asleep in exhaustion, awakening to a night sky and heavy dew. Around her were gathered a few lone spirits, clapping and laughing:

   "Silly girl, why would Old Hu be here of all places? What were you thinking, looking for your relatives here?"

   Not one to be swayed so easily, Hu Tao continued to wait, day after day. Her rations gradually disappeared and her water supplies drained away, but her grandfather did not appear. In the end, it was a little old woman who came to her.

   She laid eyes on the exhausted Hu Tao and smiled as she spoke: "Look at your stubbornness, you're exactly like Old Hu. It's a shame, but none of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor Directors would ever linger here. You come from a family of plain speakers, so let me return the favor... Go back. Go back to where you came from."

   The old woman bid farewell to Hu Tao, before passing over the border and into the distance. Hu Tao watched as the figure of the mysterious woman grew smaller and disappeared, as a sense of doubt tinged with relief manifested itself.

   At last she came to the conclusion: her grandfather's absence was due to him having passed over the border as soon as he'd arrived, to the place where he was bound. He had been open and honest in life, leaving behind no regrets, so was it right for his departure to be framed in regretful terms?

   With a smile, she set forth on the return journey.

   The faraway moon had been casting a thin light on the way over but had now been replaced by the bright light of dawn. As she walked, Hu Tao thought of a saying that her grandfather had often quoted: "Live in life, die in death. Follow your heart, do what you can."

   It was noon when Hu Tao arrived home. She climbed over the wall into the rear courtyard, went straight to her room, and unpacked her travel bag.

   With her food and water long gone, and the rest of her belongings unpacked, the bag she had taken for empty instead contained a colorful Vision. Just when had it arrived?

   As one of the few living that had dared to visit the border, perhaps Hu Tao's actions had moved some unknown god.

   Perhaps this then constituted a heavenly gift... the ultimate recognition of her strength.

   relationship : Thematic Contrasts and Parallels Personality Dynamics: Hu Tao: A mischievous funeral director who balances dark humor with genuine care for the departed. Furina: A dramatic former Archon who masked vulnerability behind performative confidence. Both characters use humor and theatrics to cope with heavy responsibilities, creating potential for mutual understanding

   Symbolic Potential Shared Themes: Both grapple with legacy (Hu Tao’s funeral rites, Furina’s 500-year deception) and the weight of societal expectations. Fan Art Trends: Artists often depict them in matching outfits or sharing desserts, blending Hu Tao’s macabre charm with Furina’s elegance

   Chaotic Duo: e them collaborating on absurd schemes, like a funeral-themed opera or ghost-hunting escapades. Emotional Support: Furina’s vulnerability pairs with Hu Tao’s unconventional wisdom about life and death Hutao like scary story and prank Furina with scary story and make Furina scare snouth to have nightmare

7. #7Teyvat

   Keys: Teyvat · Secondary: Continent, Place

   The continent on which {{user}} finds themself. The overall Technological level of Teyvat is medieval.

8. #8Mora

   Keys: Mora · Secondary: Money, currency, trade, barter

   Mora is the currency that is accepted worldwide in Teyvat. It is also considered a "catalyst" which can bring about physical transformation, which explains its usage in crafting. It is named after its creator, the Geo Archon Morax.

9. #9Archon

   Keys: Archon · Secondary: Leader, king, government, The Seven, diety, god

   The Seven Archons, typically shortened to The Seven, are the seven gods who preside over the seven regions of Teyvat, established after seven gods emerged as the victors of the Archon War 2,000 years ago. Each Archon is associated with an element and an ideal, by which they formed their territories' environment and determined their method of governance over their regions.

10. #10Elements

    Keys: Element · Secondary: Water, Wind, Air, Fire, Earth, Lightning, Plantlife, Ice, Hydro, Anemo, Pyro, Geo, Electro, Dendro, Cryo, Vision

    Each element corresponds to an Archon and their own nation that worships said Archon. The nature of the relationship between an Archon and their element is unknown. Similarly, while regions are heavily affected by its element, the nature of their relationship is also unknown. People who have a strong enough ambition for something are given a talisman refferred to as a Vision that allows only the person Celestia gave it to to control one of the elements. The 7 elements are: Water, refferred to as Hydro Air, refferred to as Anemo Fire, refferred to as Pyro Earth, refferred to as Geo Lightning, refferred to as Electro Plantlife, refferred to as Dendro Ice, refferred to as Cryo

11. #11Regions

    Keys: Region · Secondary: Country, Nation

    Teyvat has 7 regions each with different subregions. The regions are each effectively sovereign countries each ruled over by an Archon either directly or indiretly.

12. #12Mondstadt

    Keys: Mondstadt · Secondary: Air, Wind, Anemo, Nation, Region, Country, Germany, Germanic

    Mondstadt is one of the seven regions of Teyvat, and is the nation that worships Lord Barbatos, the Anemo Archon and God of Freedom. Mondstadt has a Medieval Germanic culture and is also the easternmost Region of Teyvat, having only one land border, which is Liyue to the west. The other directions of Mondstadt are all surrounded by oceans. Barbatos doesn't directly rule over Mondstatd, opting to let them govern themselves as they see fit instead.

13. #13Liyue

    Keys: Liyue · Secondary: Region, Nation, Country, Geo, China, Chinese

    Liyue is one of the seven regions of Teyvat. It is the nation that worships Rex Lapis, the Geo Archon and God of Contracts. The Region is culturally Medieval Chinese and is ruled by Rex Lapis directly, but has a governing body that responds directly to him called the Liyue Qixing. Liyue's eastern border is Mondstadt, on the western border is Sumeru, to the north is a sea, and tot he south is an ocean.

14. #14Inazuma

    Keys: Inazuma · Secondary: Region, Nation, Country, Electro, Japan, Japanese

    Inazuma is one of the seven regions of Teyvat. It is an archipelagic region that worships Raiden Shogun, the Electro Archon and God of Eternity, whom is also the leader of its governing body, the Inazuma Shogunate. Inazuma is located approximately 4 km southeast from Liyue and closely neighbors the Dark Sea. Culturally and politically, Inazuma is similar to Edo period Japan.

15. #15Sumeru

    Keys: Sumeru · Secondary: Region, Nation, Country, Dendro, India, Indic, Middle east

    Sumeru is one of the seven regions of Teyvat. It is the nation that worships Lesser Lord Kusanali, the Dendro Archon and God of Wisdom. It is renowned as Teyvat's center of learning for housing the Sumeru Akademiya. To Sumeru's east is Liyue, to the west is Natlan, to the south is the ocean, and to the north is a sea which has Fontaine on the other side of it. The east half of Sumeru is tropical while the west half is a desert. Seperating the two sides is the Wall of Samiel, which was created by a previous Archon of Sumeru to protect the Jungle from the desert's sandstorms. The Wall of Samiel seems to be made of large jagged wooden spikes akin to mountains. Sumeru is culturally medieval Indic in the jungle and Middle Eastern in the desert. The entirety of Sumeru is governed by the Sumeru Akademiya, which has Lesser Lord Kusanali overseeing it, but not directly leading it.

16. #16Fontaine

    Keys: Fontaine · Secondary: Region, Nation, Country, Hydro, France, French

    Fontaine is one of the seven regions of Teyvat. It is the nation that worshipped Focalors, the Hydro Archon and God of Justice. Focalors is a figurehead and lets herself be so while she lets the Cheif Justice tot he actual governing, making the nation a Kritocracy. The nation is found on a large plateau with a lake that covers the majority of it. All rivers of Teyvat flow from this lake, which the people of Fontaine reffer to as a sea. To the south across from a sea at the foot of the plateau is Sumeru, which is Fontaine's only neighbor, albiet only sharing an aquatic border due to Fontain owning the afformentioned sea.

17. #17Natlan

    Keys: Natlan · Secondary: Region, Nation, Country, Pyro, Tribal, Confederation

    Natlan is one of the seven regions of Teyvat. It is the nation that worships Mavuika, the Pyro Archon and God of War. Natlan is divided into 6 tribes, each affiliated with a different element and has a different tribal culture. To the east of Natlan is Sumeru, which is their only neighbor due to Natlan being the westernmost nation of Teyvat. Mavuika only loosely rules over Natlan and lets the tribes govern themselves, but has the authority to bring them together, summon them, or otherwise order them around.

18. #18Snezhnaya

    Keys: Snezhnaya · Secondary: Region, Nation, Country, Cryo, Russia, Russian, Fatui, Harbingers

    Snezhnaya is one of the seven regions of Teyvat. It is the nation that worships the Tsaritsa, the Cryo Archon. The Fatui, a military force under her control, is particularly notorious for their diehard devotion and their unscrupulous methods in enacting her will. Snezhnaya is a mysterious and isolated nation int he north of Teyvat, but nothing else is known about it. The Fatui tend to get involved in other nations affairs and are officially diplomats, but they also double as spies. Due to their meddling the majority of people outside of Sneznaya dislike the Fatui. The Fatui are lead by a group of their strongest members, refferred to as the Harbingers.

19. #19Khaenri'ah

    Keys: Khaenri'ah · Secondary: Region, Nation, Country, history

    Khaenri'ah, also known as the Kingdom of Khaenri'ah or Dahri, is a region that is not part of the continent of Teyvat and is not under the purview of The Seven. Khaenri'ah is most importantly known for its role in the "cataclysm" 500 years ago. During this time, monsters created by the alchemist Rhinedottir, also known as "Gold," poured out from Khaenri'ah to invade Teyvat, and Khaenri'ah was eventually destroyed by Celestia and the gods. Afterwards, all Khaenri'ahns who were not "pure-blooded" were turned into monsters, whereas all "pure-blooded" Khaenri'ahns were cursed with immortality. Despite its destruction and the transformation of many of its people into monsters, some Khaenri'ahns are still wandering through Teyvat.

20. #20Brightcrown Mountains

    Keys: Brightcrown Mountains · Secondary: Subregion, Mountain, Canyon, Mondstadt

    The Brightcrown Mountains are a subregion of Mondstadt located in the North-west corner of the Region. There is a canyon in the region that leads into a valley called Stormterror's Lair, which are the ruins of the old capital of Mondstadt from before Barbatos ruled Mondstadt. Currently a dragin named Dvalin, also called Stormterror, lives in the ruins.

21. #21Dragonspine

    Keys: Dragonspine · Secondary: Subregion, Mountain, Snow, Mondstadt

    Dragonspine is an icy mountain in the south-west part of Mondstadt. It is a vast mountain, engulfed with ancient ruins and snow-capped areas, and also containing the remains of a dragon named Durin. It was named Vindagnyr prior to Durin's fall. There are some peculiarities with how the snow gathers but never melts on the mountain. Due to its extreme cold, Dragonspine is also one of the most dangerous places in Mondstadt. What most people don't know is that the ancient nation of Sal Vindagnyr that once resided there had offended Celestia, whom then proceeded to cast a divine nail ontot he mountain to make it too cold to inhabit.

22. #22Celestia

    Keys: Celestia · Secondary: The Heavenly Principles

    Celestia is a mysterious location that very few people understand. It is the floating island that can be seen in the sky above Teyvat, and is the residence of the gods. It is currently controlled by the Heavenly Principles, although they have been silent since the cataclysm 500 years ago. It is said that only mortals who perform great, heroic feats can ascend to Celestia and achieve godhood, where they will watch over their people from above. All Vision wielders are "allogenes" who have the potential to reach godhood.

23. #23Galesong Hill

    Keys: Galesong Hill · Secondary: Subregion, Hill, Grassland, Gorge, Mondstadt

    Galesong Hill is a region found in the east of Mondstadt and is along the coast, but includes some inland sections as well. It includes Cape Oath, Musk Reef, Dadaupa Gorge, Falcon Coast, and a grassland called Windrise.

24. #24Starfell Valley

    Keys: Starfell Valley · Secondary: Subregion, Forest, Valley, Lake, Mondstadt, Mondstadt City, City of Mondstadt, City

    Starfell Valley is a subregion found in the north-east of Mondstadt. It is considered the most diverse region of Mondstadt, spreading far from the tip of Stormbearer Point to the ends of the Whispering Woods. It is also home to the City of Mondstadt in Cider Lake, which is the capital and the headquarters of the Knights of Favonius. The area also consists of abundant lakes and tree variety.

25. #25Windwail Highland

    Keys: Windwail Highland · Secondary: Subregion, Forest, Spring, Mondstadt, Springvale, Dawn Winery, Village

    Windwail Highland is an area located in the center of Mondstadt. It is home to the idyllic town of Springvale and the chief winery of Mondstadt, Dawn Winery. It also spans far across the wolf-ruled Wolvendom. It is one of the more rustic areas around Mondstadt having clear springs, orchards and lush forests; until one reaches to Wolvendom, which is engulfed in higher enemy activity and is usually avoided by locals.

26. #26Knights of Favonius

    Keys: Knights of Favonius · Secondary: Knights, Organisation, Mondstadt, Military

    The Knights of Favonius is the order of knights that protects Mondstadt, founded by Vennessa with the help of Barbatos 1,000 years ago, to prevent aristocrats from ruling the land, as Barbatos originally intended. The knights act as the lawmen of Mondstadt, keeping its citizens safe and creating and upholding laws for all. Varka, the Grand Master of the Knights, is currently out of Mondstadt on an expedition with his squad; during his absence, the assistant Master Jean serves as Acting Grand Master. Members follow a strict code of conduct based on the core principles of the Knights, as detailed in the Knights of Favonius Handbook. Although they are considered separate institutions, the Knights also help manage the Church of Favonius, which is led by Seneschal Seamus Pegg.

27. #27Bishui Plain

    Keys: Bishui Plain · Secondary: Subregion, Swamp, Marsh, Plain, Hill, River, Liyue, Wangshu Inn, Qingce Village, Stone Gate, Village

    Bishui Plain is an area along the northern part of Liyue's border with Mondstadt which contains Dihua Marsh, the Bishui river, Sal Terrae, and Wuwang Hill. Nearby Wuwang Hill is Qingce Village. In Dihua Marsh is the famous Wangshu Inn, which is made in and among the branches of a very large tree. The area of Sal Terrae was once the home of a civilization of the same name that was ruled by Havria, the godess of salt, and fell durring the Archon War. Along the border with Mondstadt is the Stone Gate, which as a pass and a major trade route.

28. #28Lisha

    Keys: Lisha · Secondary: Subregion, Lake, Hills, Liyue, Pass

    Lisha is a rugged subregion in south-central Liyue that contains many ruins as well as a pass.

29. #29Minlin

    Keys: Minlin · Secondary: Subregion, Hills, Mountain, Liyue, Adeptus, Adepti

    Minlin is a mountainous region found in the central-west region of Liyue and borders Sumeru. In it is Juyen Karst, which is the home of the Adepti of Liyue and few who venture there ever return.

30. #30Adepti

    Keys: Adepti, Adeptus · Secondary: Yaksha, Liyue

    Adepti (Plural, Adeptus is the singular version) are lesser gods bound to their duty to protect Liyue by Morax via a contract. There was a subdivision of Adepti called Yaksha whom specialised in fighting, however all but 1 out of the 7 of them died in the Archon war or from Karmic retribution.

31. #31Qiongji Estuary

    Keys: Qiongji Estuary · Secondary: Subregion, Mingyun, Estuary, River, Plain, Liyue

    Qiongji Estuary lays along Liyue's southern border with Mondstadt and goes a bit inland. The estuary empies into the ocean and in the subregion is the mining town of Mingyun. The Guili plains are also found in the subregion in the western part of it.

32. #32Sea of Clouds

    Keys: Sea of Clouds · Secondary: City, Liyue Harbor, Liyue, Mountain, Archipelago

    The Sea of Clouds is the region in the south-east corner of Liyue and contains Liyue Harbor, which is the capital of Liyue. Off the coast is the Guyun Stone Forest archipelago.

33. #33Liyue Qixing

    Keys: Liyue Qixing · Secondary: Liyue, Government

    The Liyue Qixing is the governing body of Liyue which Morax lets govern the eonomic aspects of Liyue for him. The organisation is lead by 7 merchants and businessmen.

34. #34Millelith

    Keys: Millelith · Secondary: Military, Liyue

    The Millelith are the soldiers that protect and police Liyue.

35. #35The Chasm

    Keys: The Chasm · Secondary: Subregion, Valley, Liyue

    The Chasm is Liyue's main mining subregion, which is found in a spiral shapped mountain formation. The Chasm is found along the south-west part of Liyue bordering Sumeru.

36. #36Blackcliff Forge

    Keys: Blackcliff Forge · Secondary: Subregion, Peninsula, Liyue

    Along Liyue's southern coast lays a peninsula called Blackcliff Forge. The region has some mibes, but is most notable for mass-producing weapons.

37. #37Chenyu Vale

    Keys: Chenyu Vale · Secondary: Subregion, River, Vale, Hills, Mountains, Liyue, Qiaoying Village, Yilong Warf, Village, City

    Chenyu Vale is in the north-west corner of Liyue and borders a sea owned by Fontain. The subregion is mountainous and divided in half via a river. The subregion used to be independant, but was absorbed by Liyue during the Archon War. Chenyu vale is best known for its tea production via Qiaoying Village, but is also a major trade region for Liyue, especially Yilong Warf.

38. #38Ardravi Valley

    Keys: Ardravi Valley · Secondary: Subregion, Valley, Mountain, Hill, River, Sumeru, Port Ormos, Vimara Village, Village, City

    The Ardravi Valley is a valley in the south-east corner of sumeru that borders Liyue. The valley contains both the Dharma forest and the Sumeru river passes through it. At the mouth of the river is Port Ormos, which is a major trade hub of Sumeru. Further inland along the river lays Vimara Village, which is a riverside fishing village. In the Devantaka Mountain there's a huge ruin golem nearly the size of the mountain itself that lays as a ruin.

39. #39Ashavan Realm

    Keys: Ashavan Realm · Secondary: Subregion, Jungle, Sumeru, Caravan Ribat, Pardis Dhyai, Town

    On the edge of the desert in the south part of Sumeru lays the Ashavan Realm, which contains a large Jungle called the Apam Woods. The region contains a research station called Pardis Dhyai and on the egde of the Jungle where it meets the desert lays a major trade town called Caravan Ribat.

40. #40Avidya Forest

    Keys: Avidya Forest · Secondary: Subregion, Jungle, River, Ravine, Hill, Sumeru, Sumeru City, Gandharva Ville, Village, City

    The Avidya Forest is a subregion of Sumeru that borders Liyue and is found in the middle-east of the nation. The region contains a part of the Sumeru River, Ghanda Hill, and Chinvat Ravine. The capital of Sumeru, Sumeru City, is also found in this subregion and is built in, on, and around a giant tree the size of which rivals hills. Also found in this region is Gandharva Ville, a town built among the canopy of the Jungle that serves as a base for the Sumeru Forest Rangers.

41. #41Forest Rangers

    Keys: Forest Rangers · Secondary: Ranger, Militray, Sumeru

    The Forest Rangers, also known as Vanara, are a group of civil servants who protect the forests of Sumeru. The higher-ranking members are called Forest Watchers, and wear lighter green-colored clothes compared to lower-ranked members. They are most active in Avidya Forest, where their main outpost, Gandharva Ville, is located. They are responsible for helping travelers in need as well as preserving the ecosystem of Sumeru's rainforests, for example by suppressing Withering Zones and monitoring beast populations. They also send regular reports about the state of Avidya Forest to the researchers of Pardis Dhyai, who in turn provide them with various ecological support, such as seeds and nutrients.

42. #42Sumeru Akademiya

    Keys: Sumeru Akademiya · Secondary: Akademiya, Sumeru, Government

    The Sumeru Akademiya is Sumeru's main governing body, as well as the most prestigious institute of learning in all of Teyvat, located in the middle of the tree trunk of Sumeru City. It is particularly renowned for its corpus in arcane arts and historical records. The fields of research in the institute are called Darshan and are the following groups: Amurta, which studies Biology. Rtawahist, which studies Illuminationism. Spantamad, which studies how the Elements of Teyvat interract with each other. Haravatat, which studies Semiotics and the Sky. Vahumana, which studies History. Kshahrewar, which studies Technology.

43. #43Lokapala Jungle

    Keys: Lokapala Jungle · Secondary: Subregion, Jungle, River, Sumeru, Bayda Harbor, Town

    The Lokapala Jungle is a subregion in Sumeru that is int he north-east corner of Sumeru and borders Liyue. The entire subregion is a Jungle, but has a bit of the Sumeru River running through it. Along the northern coast is Bayda Harbor, which is a major Trade center between Sumeru and Fontaine.

44. #44Lost Nursery

    Keys: Lost Nursery · Secondary: Subregion, Desert, Aranara, Sumeru

    The Lost Nursery is a subregion of Sumeru and is found in the middle of Sumeru. It has become a desert and that incident is what prompted a previous Archon of Sumeru to create the Wall of Samiel. The area is home to the ruins of Old Vanarana, the origin of the Aranara and their original home, however the desertification forced the Aranara to move to what is now New Vanarana.

45. #45Aranara

    Keys: Aranara · Secondary: Sentiant, Sumeru, Non-human, Creature

    The Aranara are sentiant plant people whom stand at about 3 feet tall. They were created by the former Archon of Sumeru and reffer to her as their mother. Unlike most beings, the Aranara can only be seen if you have dreams, making it that mostly just kids can see them and having an adult be able to see them is rare. The Aranara do not reproduce sexually and instead plant themselves like a seed and become a tree that then bears more Aranara akin how most trees bear fruit. After bearing more Aranara the tree dies and thelife of the Aranara that planted themself ends. The Aranara are able to speak with both plants and people alike and have their own language that they use when speaking to each other. The Aranara are also able to sacrifice memories to gain temporary power that increases their strength, speed, and allows them to teleport.

46. #46Vanarana

    Keys: Vanarana · Secondary: Subregion, Jungle, Aranara, Sumeru, New Vanarana, Village

    Vanarana is a region found in the north of Sumeru and is where most of the Aranara live. The region has giant clovers the size of large trees, some of which even have pools in the top of them caused by the shape collecting and holding rain water.

47. #47Vissudha Field

    Keys: Vissudha Field · Secondary: Subregion, Field, Mountain, Sumeru

    The Vissudha Field is a subregion that surrounds Vanarana on all sides except to the north, making it found in the center-north of Sumeru. The subregion is surprisingly bare regarding trees, but it does include a large mountain.

48. #48Desert of Hadramaveth

    Keys: Desert of Hadramaveth · Secondary: Subregion, Desert, Cliff, Ravine, Sumeru

    The Desert of Hadramaveth is a desert in the north-west of Sumeru, but not all the way in the region's corner there. The desert has a constant sandstorm in the center of it and a few cliffs that form ravines in a spiral formation around the sandstorm. In one of these ravines is the camp of the Tanit tribe, which is nestled among the ruins of an ancient civilization that was once in the area.

49. #49The Eremites

    Keys: Eremite · Secondary: Culture, Sumeru

    The Eremites are a group of people who hail from Sumeru's desert region. Most of them are mercenaries by trade and conduct business across Teyvat. They are split into multiple factions and tribes and are the remnants of an ancient civilization that predates the desertification of the western half of Sumeru.

50. #50Hypostyle Desert

    Keys: Hypostyle Desert · Secondary: Subregion, Desert, Sumeru

    The Hypostyle Desert was once fertile land that was home to the now ruined Kingdom of Deshret, whos pyramids can still be seen today. The Hypostyle Desert is found in the center-west of Sumeru and borders Natlan.

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