Vol.00: Synopsis

Prologue: The Outlander Who Caught the Wind (Mondstadt)

The prologue, Prologue: The Outlander Who Caught the Wind, serves as an introduction to the foundational themes that permeate the entire narrative: the destabilization of the Heavenly Principles and the dynamic distance between gods and humanity.

The protagonist, the “Traveler,” who arrives from another world, has their twin taken and powers sealed by an “Unknown God.” Accompanied by their guide, Paimon, the Traveler steps into Mondstadt, the Land of Wind. While Mondstadt devoutly worships the Anemo Archon Barbatos (Venti), its true essence lies in being a city of “Freedom” that has discarded direct divine rule. However, Mondstadt at the time is plagued by the “Stormterror threat”—the rampage of Dvalin, the Dragon of the East and former familiar of the Anemo Archon. Dvalin’s madness stems from the poisonous blood he ingested during an ancient battle with the dragon Durin, coupled with the psychological corruption (delusion) inflicted by the Abyss Order, an underground organization bringing calamity to the world.

Joining forces with Jean, the Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius; Diluc, a tavern owner; and Venti, the Anemo Archon disguising his identity, the Traveler ventures into Stormterror’s Lair and succeeds in liberating Dvalin from his torment. What is depicted here is not submission forced by divine authority, but “salvation” achieved through bonds and willpower, highlighting the dual nature of the “freedom without a god” offered by Barbatos.

However, immediately following the resolution of the crisis, Signora, the Eighth of the Fatui Harbingers—the diplomatic and military arm of the Snezhnayan Empire—launches a surprise attack. She forcibly seizes the “Gnosis,” the symbol of Barbatos’s divine authority. This event hints that a massive international and theological conspiracy is pulsing beneath Teyvat’s tranquil surface. Furthermore, the Traveler catches a glimpse of a devastating truth: the “Prince/Princess of the Abyss,” leading the Abyss Order from the shadows, is none other than their own long-lost twin. From this moment, an inevitable destiny unfolds—one where saving the world directly opposes saving one’s own kin.

Chapter I: Farewell, Archaic Lord (Liyue)

Chapter I: Farewell, Archaic Lord centers on the departure from mythic rule and the social order built upon “contracts,” depicting a historical transition in which civilization is entrusted directly to human hands.

Following the footsteps of their missing sibling, the Traveler arrives in Liyue, the Nation of Contracts and harbor. Coincidentally, the annual “Rite of Descension”—a grand divine prophecy delivered by the Geo Archon Morax—is underway. Unexpectedly, the descending Geo Archon (appearing as a golden dragon) plummets from the sky and dies in an unprecedented calamity. Framed for assassination, the Traveler is drawn into a tense conflict between the “Liyue Qixing” (human political leaders such as Ningguang and Keqing) who hold power in Liyue, and the “Adepti,” ancient guardians bound by contract to the god, living in secluded mountain realms.

Pulling the strings behind this chaos is Tartaglia (“Childe”), the Eleventh Fatui Harbinger. He attempts to retrieve the Gnosis from the Geo Archon’s vessel (the Exuvia), but fails. In a drastic move, he mass-produces and uses ancient “Sigils of Permission” to break the seal on Osial, Overlord of the Vortex, an ancient ocean god, plunging Liyue Harbor into peril. Setting aside their differences, the Qixing and the Adepti unite, ultimately sacrificing the floating fortress known as the “Jade Chamber” to re-seal Osial. This proves that humanity can defend its city independently, without relying on the powers of gods or Adepti.

Yet, it is revealed that this entire crisis was an “abdication test” orchestrated by Morax (Zhongli) himself. By faking his own death, Morax sought to test whether Liyue could transition from the “Age of Gods” to the “Age of Humans.” Having witnessed the successful outcome of the trial, Morax quietly surrenders his Gnosis to Signora in accordance with the “contract to end all contracts” struck with the Cryo Archon, the Tsaritsa of Snezhnaya. Thus, a monumental paradigm shift—the voluntary departure of a god and the self-reliance of humanity—is completed.

Chapter II: Omnipresence Over Mortals (Inazuma)

Chapter II: Omnipresence Over Mortals is a tragic story of conflict, depicting a deity’s fear of and obsession with erosion and demise, set against the explosive energy of human “desires.”

Inazuma, a far-eastern island nation ruled by the Electro Archon Beelzebul (Raiden Shogun / Ei), is stifled by the “Sakoku Decree,” which severs contact with the outside world, and the “Vision Hunt Decree,” which confiscates the people’s “Visions.” Traumatized by the loss of her twin sister Baal five hundred years ago during the cataclysm, Ei cast aside her physical body to create an autonomous puppet, the “Raiden Shogun.” Ei herself retreated into the spiritual realm known as the “Plane of Euthymia,” pursuing a static “Eternity” that rejects change. Deprived of their Visions, the people lose their dreams, desires, and very reasons for living, sinking into mental desolation.

The Traveler aligns with Sangonomiya Kokomi’s Resistance, which rebels against the Vision Hunt Decree, as well as figures like Kamisato Ayaka, who bear the frustrations of the populace. Behind the scenes, however, lies the covert manipulation of the Fatui (Signora and “Scaramouche,” a prototype puppet of the Electro Archon), who manipulate Inazuma’s commissions and distribute Delusions to muddle the conflict. In a duel before the throne, the Traveler defeats Signora, who is subsequently executed by the Raiden Shogun’s “Musou no Hitotachi.”

In the climax, aided by the Grand Narukami Shrine Maiden Yae Miko, the Traveler enters the Plane of Euthymia. Carrying the light of “desires” emanating from the confiscated Visions of Inazuma’s people, the Traveler confronts Ei. The strength of these inner wishes shatters Ei’s closed heart, leading her to realize that true eternity is not stagnation, but a continuous evolution alongside the people’s journey. Ei repeals the Vision Hunt Decree, allowing Inazuma to embark on a new path. Meanwhile, it is revealed that the Electro Gnosis had previously been handed over to Scaramouche by Yae Miko in exchange for the Traveler’s life.

Chapter III: Truth Amongst the Pages of Purport / Akasha Pulses, the Kalpa Flame Rises (Sumeru)

Chapter III: Truth Amongst the Pages of Purport (culminating in Akasha Pulses, the Kalpa Flame Rises) is an intricate sci-fi and philosophical chapter that delves into the manipulation of wisdom and memory, as well as the alteration of the world’s underlying truth.

In Sumeru, the Nation of Wisdom, the academic institution known as the “Akademiya” holds absolute authority, using the brain-wave device called the “Akasha System” to centrally manage the knowledge of the populace. Following the death of the previous Dendro Archon, Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, the newly born current Dendro Archon, Lesser Lord Kusanali (Nahida), was deemed lacking in ability and confined within the Sanctuary of Surasthana. Grand Sage Azar of the Akademiya conspires with Dottore, the Second Fatui Harbinger, to siphon “dreams” from the populace via the Akasha. Their goal: fuse the collected Gnosis with Scaramouche to create an artificial god, “Shouki no Kami, the Prodigal” (Everlasting Lord of Arcane Wisdom).

By synchronizing minds with Nahida, the Traveler breaks through the infinite dream loop of the Sabzeruz Festival and subsequently orchestrates a successful coup against the Akademiya alongside Alhaitham, Cyno, Dehya, and others. The Traveler and Nahida defeat the newly birthed god Scaramouche, allowing Nahida to reclaim her rightful position as the sovereign ruler of Sumeru.

However, the true core of the narrative lies in the purification of the World Tree, Irminsul. To completely purge the Forbidden Knowledge corrupting Irminsul, the very existence of Greater Lord Rukkhadevata—who had once merged with the roots of Irminsul—had to be erased from the World Tree itself (erased from history). Nahida personally erases her beloved predecessor from world history, causing Rukkhadevata to vanish from all memories across Teyvat. History is rewritten such that Nahida was the sole Dendro Archon from the beginning.

Immediately after, Nahida negotiates with Dottore, handing over two Gnoses in exchange for vital, highly classified knowledge: “the false sky of the world.” This reveals the terrifying structural nature of Teyvat—the fragility of memory and the historical overwriting power of Irminsul.

Chapter IV: Masquerade of the Guilty (Fontaine)

Chapter IV: Masquerade of the Guilty is a dramatic courtroom drama and structural epic that portrays how gods and humans defy a predetermined destiny—the “Prophecy”—to achieve true salvation.

In Fontaine, the Nation of Justice, an ancient prophecy foretold that “the people will dissolve into the waters, and only the Hydro Archon will remain, weeping on her throne.” The current Hydro Archon, Furina, governs with a flashy, dramatic flair that captivates her audience, while Chief Justice Neuvillette (the reincarnation of the ancient Hydro Dragon Sovereign) maintains strict legal order. However, anomalies occur as Primordial Seawater surges, causing painful sacrifices where citizens dissolve into water, signaling the approach of the prophecy’s hour.

Following a trial designed to evade the prophecy, a shocking truth comes to light. Furina is not a god, but an “ordinary human” created 500 years ago when the true Hydro Archon, Focalors, separated her divinity from her humanity. Furina endured 500 years of excruciating performance, pretending to be a god to deceive the eyes of the Heavenly Principles.

Behind the scenes, Focalors, hiding within the divine throne, accumulated 500 years’ worth of Indemnitium energy inside the Oratrice Mecanique d’Analyse Cardinale. Her objective was to execute herself along with the “Throne of the Hydro Archon.” Through Focalors’s ultimate sacrifice, the divine throne is destroyed, and the full authority of the Hydro Dragon Sovereign—once stolen by the system of the Seven—is returned to Neuvillette.

With his authority restored, Neuvillette redefines and elevates the citizens of Fontaine—who bore the “imperfection of dissolution (original sin)” due to being born from the Primordial Sea—into complete, genuine humans, saving them from their fate of dissolving. Through the noble sacrifice of Focalors, the 500 years of solitude endured by Furina, and the forgiveness of the Dragon Sovereign, the prophecy is averted. The Hydro Gnosis is subsequently relinquished to Arlecchino (“The Knave”), the Fourth Harbinger, in recognition of her vital support in relief efforts.

Chapter V: Incandescent Ode of Resurrection (Natlan)

Chapter V: Incandescent Ode of Resurrection tells a story of the pinnacle of human heroic will, forged amid death, rebirth, and a millennia-long total war against the Abyss.

Natlan, the Nation of War, exists in an extreme state of ongoing combat against the Abyssal corruption eroding the Ley Lines. Mavuika, the Pyro Archon of Natlan, is a mortal who ascended to godhood from humanity; unlike the other Archons, she possesses a mortal body bound to death. Natlan operates under a unique system called the “Ode of Resurrection,” where the souls of fallen warriors are sent to the Ley Lines (the Night Kingdom) to pass on their memories and wills, allowing them to be revived. However, the forces of the Abyss threaten to destroy the Ley Lines themselves, pushing all of Natlan to the brink of annihilation.

Intervening in this crisis is Capitano (“The Captain”), the First Harbinger of the Fatui. Harboring his own vision of justice and salvation for Natlan, he clashes with Mavuika’s policies, forming a complex and tense standoff against their shared enemy, the Abyss.

To prevent the total collapse of Natlan, Mavuika wagers her own life and divine glory, rallying the memories and souls of heroes chosen from the Six Tribes. The Traveler also participates in this desperate struggle as a “variable from outside” unbound by Irminsul. Through the Ode of Resurrection, the lingering wills of countless heroes who perished in past battles resonate together, birthing a grand miracle that turns back the Abyssal horde.

What is proven in the Natlan chapter is that humanity’s memory and pride, passed down through generations—rather than reliance on divine omnipotence—serves as the ultimate shield against the end of the world. Mavuika’s unyielding resolve and the defiance of Natlan’s warriors leave the Traveler with a deep realization of their potential to rewrite the destiny of Teyvat itself.

Chapter VI: Everwinter Without Mercy (Snezhnaya)

Chapter VI: Everwinter Without Mercy serves as the climactic stage where the grandest rebellion against the ruler of the world, the “Heavenly Principles,” takes place, and the truths of Teyvat scattered throughout the story are laid bare.

The Tsaritsa, ruler of the frozen empire of Snezhnaya, along with the Fatui, finally secures all “Seven Gnoses” collected from the deities of Teyvat. The Gnoses are not merely elemental conduits, but “world-law anchors (control mechanisms)” instituted by the Heavenly Principles to govern and regulate the realm. The Tsaritsa’s true purpose is to shatter the absolute rule of the Heavenly Principles by destroying and restructuring the Seven Gnoses, seeking to reclaim the love lost during the tragic destruction of Khaenri’ah five hundred years ago.

Upon the snowbound lands of Snezhnaya, the Traveler stands against the full remaining forces of the Fatui and the Tsaritsa herself. Though the Cryo Archon embodies an unyielding ruthlessness needed to challenge the divine, beneath her cold exterior lies a deep, albeit twisted, love for humanity and the world. Carrying the bonds forged with people across the seven nations, the Traveler’s will intersects with that of the Tsaritsa—not to destroy the world, but to achieve its true salvation.

At the same time, the Sustainers of the Heavenly Principles and the primordial forces of the Abyss intervene, causing the balance of the world to collapse. As the “false sky” shielding the world peels away, Teyvat’s true nature as a closed terrarium suspended in the dark void of outer space is exposed to the light of day. The Traveler throws themselves into the final battle to rewrite the laws of the world.

Interlude: The Loom of Fate and Khaenri’ah

The Interlude chapters (centering on Dainsleif and Khaenri’ah), which unfold beneath the main narrative, serve as pivotal episodes that illuminate the structural flaws of Teyvat and the meta-theological reality of the Traveler’s existence.

Khaenri’ah was an ancient nation that possessed no god, flourishing solely through human technology and strength before being destroyed five hundred years ago by the Seven Archons and the Heavenly Principles. Together with Dainsleif, the “Bough Keeper”—a survivor of Khaenri’ah afflicted with the curse of immortality—the Traveler explores ancient ruins across the world, such as The Chasm and the depths of Sumeru.

Here, the origins of the Abyss Order and the true goal of the Traveler’s long-lost twin are revealed. Driven to despair by Khaenri’ah’s fall, the sibling seeks to complete an ultra-ancient weapon known as the “Loom of Fate,” capable of rewriting the Ley Lines and consciousness itself. Their ultimate aim is the restoration of ruined Khaenri’ah and the complete overhaul of the “irreversible fate” dictated by the Heavenly Principles.

Furthermore, it is revealed that the Traveler is the “Fourth Descender,” a being unbound by the history and records of Irminsul. Able to retain true memories even when Irminsul is rewritten, the Traveler is the sole uncertain variable (an observer) capable of forging new divergent paths within this “deterministically bound world” of Teyvat.

Reunions, partings, and secret conflicts over the Loom of Fate elevate the Traveler’s quest far beyond a simple search for family. They confront the Traveler with a profound choice: to accept this world as it is, or to destroy and rebuild it anew. The subsequent analytical discussions in this book proceed on the premise of the historical and theological foundations established in these synopses.