Dainsleif/Lore

OverviewLoreGallery

Personality

Dainsleif is a man of mysterious origins but claims to have knowledge of fate itself.

—Official Twitter EN and JP VA Announcement

Dainsleif is an enigmatic character, but glimpses of his persona can be captured through the narrations of the Collected Miscellany videos and the Teyvat Chapter Storyline video.

Dainsleif claims that his memory has "all but faded," yet is seemingly able to vividly recall the events of the Fall of Khaenri'ah. Additionally, he is also somehow able to recall many of the events that occurred in Mondstadt from thousands of years ago, including stories of Andrius, the Wolf King of the North and Dvalin, the Dragon of the East.

He appears to be a curious person, questioning how someone as diligent as Jean is able to press on so tenaciously, and insists that he will find the answer to his own inquiry. He also notes how Zhongli's placid attitude towards the fall of Morax as interesting, and wonders if Zhongli could be a player in the Rite of Descension. To his own theory of Zhongli, he persists on waiting, for he does not "lack time." In "Bough Keeper: Dainsleif," his curiosity is all the more evident as he requires three answered questions from the Traveler regarding recent issues concerning mortals and deities, along with 500 Mora, in order for him to become available as an ally of the Traveler during particularly difficult commissions regarding the Abyss Order.

Although Dainsleif detests deities that side with the Seven and dislikes the adepti for signing contracts with Rex Lapis, he has great respect for those who are hard at work, such as Ganyu. He also greatly respects Diluc's unwavering attitude when it comes to protecting Mondstadt, but wonders if his resolve would stay the same if Diluc were to experience the same disaster that he had witnessed himself; the fall of Khaenri'ah.

While indifferent to most crises, Dainsleif states that he would not tolerate the dangers posed from his former homeland, as he is only interested in opposing the Abyss Order. Likewise, he is particularly wary of Albedo due to his knowledge on the Art of Khemia, a form of alchemy that brought ruin to Khaenri'ah, and would personally intervene if Albedo made a single mistake with it.

During the cataclysm, the Pari Zurvan found Dainsleif in the wilderness and brought him to the Vourukasha Oasis. According to Zurvan, "Half of his body had become that of a monster," and "he was holding a ring tightly in his hand." After his arrival, Dainsleif and Zurvan traveled together and fought off invading monsters from the Abyss. Afterwards, Dainsleif left, accompanied by the Traveler's Sibling.

At one uncertain point in time, Dainsleif desired to take fate into his own hands.

Appearance

Dainsleif is a tall man with light blond hair and sea blue eyes with distinct, star-shaped irises that are common among "pure-blood" Khaenri'ahns, such as Chlothar and presumably Pierro and Kaeya. He wears a mask-like eyepatch covering the right side of his face while still showing his right eye. Dainsleif wears a black jacket with blue details, a gray vest, and black pants along with black armored gloves and boots. He also wears a black cape with a starry, space-patterned interior.

Parts of the right side of his body appear to be covered in a blue veined pattern; namely his right arm, part of his right foot, the upper portion of his right pectoral, and as a faintly visible streak along the right side of his neck. This is more prominent in his artwork that depicts him demonstrating his abilities; in which the glowing veins marble the entire length of a fully blackened right arm, with a similar effect appearing on the foot.

Official Introduction

"Bough Keeper" — Dainsleif

The confluence between the past and future.

The original calamity had been overturned, yet the island in the sky set the earth to burn. Chalk pursues gold, in this time inopportune, the eclipse is swallowed by the crimson moon. The future must atone for bygone mistakes, as the bond familiar falters and breaks— of the same blood, elders and the youth... Such is the cycle of the world, in truth. Dain, what is that strand of blonde hair to you? Someone you must kill? Or the object of your penitence?

—A self-proclaimed prophet.

Quests and Events

Archon Quests

• Chapter I
  • Act IV: We Will Be Reunited
    • A Herald Without Adherents
    • A Soul Set Apart
• Chapter II
  • Act IV: Requiem of the Echoing Depths
    • In the Depths, an Unexpected Reunion
    • The Grave of the Guarded
    • Memories of Inteyvat
    • The Black Serpent Knights' Glory
• Chapter III
  • Act VI: Caribert
    • Destined Encounter
    • Portended Fate

World Quests

• Chapter I
  • Act IV - Prelude: Bough Keeper: Dainsleif

Trivia

• Dainsleif is titled the "Bough Keeper" (Chinese: 拾枝者 Shízhī-zhě, "Bough Picker") in-game and in the trailers.
  • "Bough" is a likely reference to boughs and branches of Irminsul, the Tree of Ley Lines, which are containers of travel experiences of the time-flourished world. Dainsleif is rich in experiences and memories throughout his life of "picking and keeping boughs."
• Dainsleif narrates the Teyvat Chapter Storyline Preview, as well as the Collected Miscellany videos (with the exception of Aloy, Dori, and Wanderer's, which are narrated by Alice instead).
  • The Chinese version of "Collected Miscellany" is 拾枝杂谈 "Picking Bough Miscellany", a reference to his title. Thus Collected Miscellany videos can be seen as his comments on each of the characters he had previously met.
  • In the Teyvat Storyline Trailer, his dialogue switches to first person at the Khaenri'ah section.
• Dainsleif's immortality was first hinted at in his narration in Venti's Collected Miscellany, Venti: Skyward Sonnet, where he says: "A thousand years have passed since the God of Anemo left this land. But to me, it has only been half that time."
• Although Dainsleif is confirmed to be a playable character in the future, his character card lists for his Vision element and he does not have a visible Vision on him.
  • Dainsleif's abilities are briefly shown in We Will Be Reunited. His hand is surrounded by a dark blue, galaxy-like aura when restraining an Abyss Herald without physical contact.

Etymology

• In Norse mythology, Dáinsleif is the name of king Högni's sword, crafted by the dwarf Dáinn. When drawn, the sword cannot be sheathed again unless it has taken a life.
  • Dáinn can also refer to the four stags of Yggdrasill, Dáinn, Dvalinn, Duneyrr and Duraþrór. The four stags feast on the branches of the tree of Yggdrasill. "Stormterror" Dvalin also shares a name with one of the four stags.