Tsaritsa

The Tsaritsa is diametrically described as being cold and stern by her Harbingers,[13][12][16] as well as being gentle and compassionate,[17][18][19] although it is suggested that she has sealed her emotions beneath her icy demeanor.[13][19] From her actions immediately after the Cataclysm, she may be considered iron-willed, if not to the point of ruthlessness, particularly in her renunciation of the nobility.[20]

Appearance: Despite being centuries old, the Tsaritsa appears untouched by time, seemingly ageless. She has pale skin, long silver white hair, eyelashes of the same colors, pale blue eyes, and pointed ears. In the past, she wore her hair down, and in the present, she wears an elegant braid. She is often described as "a statue with no expression carved onto the face",[13] with a "cold but pure"[14] gaze. Columbina describes her as being ice-cold and sharp: "crystal clear in some ways, yet profoundly unfathomable in others".[12] She wields a scepter.[15]

Signora collected the Anemo and Geo Gnoses, taking the former by force from Venti, and receiving the latter from Zhongli as part of a "contract to end all contracts" offered to him by the Tsaritsa. When Paimon inquired as to what she offered, Zhongli cryptically told her and the Traveler that they would have to find out themselves in their journey across Teyvat.[29]

After Signora's death in Inazuma, the Tsaritsa held a funeral for her in Snezhnaya. Before the proceedings began, she played a game of chess with Pierro (with the already collected Anemo and Geo Gnoses placed on the board as chess pieces), using her powers to remotely move her pieces. After all of the Fatui Harbingers arrived to pay their respects—except Scaramouche, who had gone missing—the Tsaritsa froze her tomb along with the entire mausoleum, encasing it in thick layers of ice.[5][30][Note 3]

In Sumeru, Dottore claimed that the Tsaritsa had called him back to Snezhnaya, a command he ostensibly fulfilled by sending one of his segments instead. The segment that stayed behind was able to successfully acquire both the Electro Gnosis (that Scaramouche had previously taken and gone missing with), along with the Dendro Gnosis held by Nahida after exchanging knowledge with her.[31]

In Fontaine, Arlecchino obtained the Tsaritsa's permission to use the Hydro Gnosis first to potentially avert the disaster foretold by the prophecy of the Primordial Sea before handing it over to the Tsaritsa.[32] After the prophecy was subverted through other means, Arlecchino was given the Hydro Gnosis by Neuvillette as a "diplomatic gift," which she later gave to the Tsaritsa.[33]

After Capitano duelled Mavuika for her Gnosis and later refused to capitalize on her weakness, he sent a letter to the Tsaritsa requesting to be relieved of his duty to acquire the Gnosis. She agreed to the request, and after he sacrificed his life force to get revenge on Ronova, she notably kept his rank intact. Mavuika suspected that the Tsaritsa would dispatch another Harbinger to collect the Pyro Gnosis for her.[34]

During a meeting between three of the Four Shades discussing the missing whereabouts of Asmoday, Ronova sensed Pierro defiantly gazing upon her, quips at the Tsaritsa trying to overthrow the Heavenly Principles with her "paltry powers," and suggests that the Shades intervene within the "extent permitted by the rules." Meanwhile, Pierro makes his way to Nasha Town, where he declares on behalf of the Tsaritsa that "even the gods have their limits."[35]

Before Columbina left the Fatui and fled to Nod-Krai, she "fulfilled her promise" to the Tsaritsa that required parting with a great deal of her power.[36] Shortly after, the Tsaritsa issued the Palestar Edict, calling for the Fatui to find and arrest Columbina at all costs, and assigned three Harbingers—Dottore, Sandrone, and Arlecchino—to oversee Fatui operations in Nod-Krai.

Following Rerir's expulsion from Teyvat, Arlecchino grew suspicious of Dottore's motives, and asked the Tsaritsa to recall him to Snezhnaya on the basis of redundancy. The Tsaritsa agreed and Dottore seemingly complied,[37] but in reality stayed behind to attack Columbina and attempt to steal the power of the Three Moons.[38]

Learning of Dottore's rogue behaviour and the now-growing situation in Nod-Krai, the Tsaritsa sent Tartaglia to assist Arlecchino in evacuation efforts while having the Fatui Internal Affairs division investigate Dottore's conduct. The division concluded that Dottore had gone against the Tsaritsa's will, which granted Arlecchino and Sandrone executive authority to eliminate Dottore should the need arise.[39] Once the situation was handled, she also rescinded the Palestar Edict.[12] Afterwards, she summoned Pantalone and Pulcinella before her to answer for the recent events; Pantalone excused any involvement he had with Dottore on pressure from the latter's seniority.[40]

The Tsaritsa is currently overseeing a massive plan known as Project Stuzha. While its details are unknown, it is connected to a concept or thing known as "Mistilteinn".[12]