Dragons, also known in their juvenile form as Vishaps, are enormous and powerful creatures that inhabit both land and sea of Teyvat.
They are creatures of the Light Realm and were the dominant race of the old world before the arrival of the Heavenly Principles. It defeated the Seven Sovereigns, the dragon-lords who ruled the old world, and created a new world for humanity.[1]
Overview[]
Dragons are a naturally large species of reptilians with varying appearances. Some are quadrupedal, some are serpentine, and some either have wings or none at all. They typically have physical attributes reminiscent of their associated element: for example, the Earth Dragon Azhdaha has rough stone skin befitting of Geo, while Dvalin has a much more sleek and svelte appearance befitting of Anemo.[Note 1] A dragon's size is proportional to its strength; the immensely powerful Azhdaha, at his full strength, was as large as a mountain range,[2] and his size when fought in Beneath the Dragon-Queller is his form after years of erosion.[3] Dvalin is also stated to have suddenly grown in both size and power when he reemerged as Stormterror.[4]
Vishaps and elemental dragons are born from the elements.[5][6][Note 2] The dragons of Natlan believed that the souls of all dragons arose from light, of which one of the highest manifestations was the Primal Flame, or phlogiston.[7] The ancestry of all vishaps, and thus presumably all dragons, is directly descended from the Fontemer.[8] As elemental beings, they have far longer lifespans than mortals and even gods.[6] They typically grow more powerful with age, and several dragons are known for having enough strength to rival the likes of Archons and other similarly powerful beings. Such dragons include Azhdaha,[6][9] Dvalin,[5] and Durin.[10] However, other dragons like Ursa the Drake can be felled by powerful Vision or Delusion-bearers.[11]
According to Kukulkan, the dragons of Natlan subsisted on the land due to phlogiston-rich soils which the Heavenly Principles and its human colonists regarded as "Holy Soil".[12] This term however has previously been applied to the infertile soils of Watatsumi Island affected by the Light Realm, so it is almost certainly the case that all dragons in Teyvat in fact subsisted on similar "Holy Soils".[13]
Dragons are not immune to erosion and are still subjected to the rules of the Heavenly Principles.[6] However, some fully-fledged dragons (such as Neuvillette and Natlan's Thirteen Sovereign Lords) are not suspectible to some of the Heavenly Principles' rules, such as destiny.[14][15] Vishaps and elemental dragons in particular are also extremely susceptible to the darkness of the Void Realm.[16]
Vishaps[]
Vishaps (Chinese: 龙蜥 lit. "Dragon-Lizard") are reptilian creatures who have existed since primeval times. They are believed to develop into dragons after long periods of time,[17] such as how Azhdaha is from the Geovishap species.[3] Some vishap species, such as the Geovishaps, are able to absorb elemental energy from the Ley Lines, and some vishap species, such as the Bathysmal Vishaps, are even capable of elemental divergence through evolution, allowing them to inherit more and better combat-related characteristics than their predecessors. However, this evolution has severe consequences for their race — namely, the fact that they are no longer elementally "pure" and thus cannot have one of the Seven Sovereigns be born among them.[18]
Saurians[]
Saurians are the descendants of the ancient dragons of Natlan, which have diverged into six lineages after being acknowledged by the Wayob and the Night Kingdom: Tepetlisaurs
, Yumkasaurs
, Koholasaurs
, Qucusaurs
, Iktomisaurs
, and Tatankasaurs
. Unlike dragons in other nations, they live alongside the humans of Natlan in peace and are considered equal members of the community. Like Bathysmal Vishaps, they are now considered elementally impure, and the new Pyro Sovereign cannot be born among their ranks.[19]
Some Saurians are born with a mark called the Flamelord's Blessing, which grants them the power of ancient dragons. However, this power is far greater than what modern Saurians can bear; the Wayob and the Night Kingdom also reject this power and refuse to accept these Saurians. As they grow, the power will become more uncontrollable and tear at their bodies, eventually killing them or driving them insane. According to legend, the mark can be removed by bringing two tokens to the Great Volcano of Tollan and performing a baptism on the affected Saurian. However, not a single tribal warrior has succeeded, and the tribes gradually abandoned this custom, simply taking care of the Saurians until they die.[20][21]
Wenut[]
Wenut are serpentine Anemo-wielding creatures found exclusively in the Great Red Sand and said to be the scions of the Dendro Dragon, Apep.[22] This means they would have inherited Vishap status from their progenitor, though it is said that they have undergone extensive evolution to survive in their changed habitat after the Celestial Nail fell,[23] meaning they might not be considered Vishaps anymore.
Melusines[]
Melusines are the "daughters of Elynas" created during a Pneumousia explosion inside Elynas's corpse, during a clash between the Marechaussee Phantom and the Narzissenkreuz Ordo over 400 years ago. They are considered to be a new form of Hydro Vishap or "dragonheir" in multiple instances,[24][25] taking the form of young girls with features resembling sea slugs. However, they may be aligned more with the Void Realm than the Light Realm, due to the abyssal nature of their progenitor.[26][27]
Elemental Dragons[]
Elemental dragons (Chinese: 元素之龙) have not been well-documented, although several examples exist: Dvalin[5] and the Seven Sovereigns[16] are explicitly called elemental dragons.
Elemental dragons and ley lines will affect each other. Dvalin's rampage sent Mondstadt's elemental flow and ley lines into disarray, which forced the Knights of Favonius to cut off his connection to the other three of the Four Winds' temples.[4][Note 3] Powerful Geovishaps are capable of drawing energy from ley lines.[28] Azhdaha planned to absorb the energy from the entire world's ley lines and use it to destroy everything after freeing himself from the Dragon-Queller,[29] and at the start of his boss fight's second phase, he draws energy from the ley lines through his limbs.[3] Likewise, when human mining at the Chasm damaged the ley lines, it brought Azhdaha physical agony.[6]
It is unknown whether non-elemental dragons exist, as all natural-born dragons named in the game have an elemental affiliation. Durin was created through alchemy and may not be subject to normal dragon physiology, while Ursa the Drake only appeared in the Manga and little detail went into its background or abilities.
History[]
According to legend, dragons were the dominant species of the old world and were led by Dragon King Nibelung and the Seven Sovereigns. In ancient times, Nibelung met Seutervoinen, a voyager amidst the stars, who offered to take him away from Teyvat, which like all worlds, was doomed to inevitable entropic destruction. Nibelung refused, resolving instead to lead all his people to the stars together.[30] Subsequently, the society of the dragons developed advanced technology such as the Secret Source Automatons, astronomical observatories,[31] artificial intelligences,[32] vast megacities, holograms, virtual spaces, artificial stars, space elevators, and microscopic computronium matter in the form of Phlogiston.[12]
When the Heavenly Principles descended, it waged war against the Seven Sovereigns and, after forty years of battle, emerged victorious with the help of its Four Shades. It began recreating the world to pave the way for humanity, while those who refused to capitulate, such as the Bathysmal Vishaps, fled into the oceans.[1] Some of the Seven Sovereigns survived, such as the Pyro Dragon Xiuhcoatl, who was frozen in lava,[12] and the Dendro Dragon Apep, though their elemental authorities were presumably stolen and later used to create the divine thrones of the Archons.
The Holy Soil upon which the dragons depended was destroyed by the agricultural practices of human settlers arriving on Teyvat. This was used by the Heavenly Principles to suppress the dragons; due to their ability to adapt to any environment, the removal of phlogiston from the soil forced them to "regress" into smaller forms incapable of human speech or organized resistance.[12] This is shown by the Watatsumi Goryou Matsuri ritual taught by Orobashi in Inazuma, and the "Essence of Sacrifice" and Grainfruit gifted to humans by Yohualtecuhtin, Lord of the Night, in Natlan.[33]
Since then, dragons have often come into conflict with denizens of the Human Realm, including humans and gods. Ancient gods and dragons have "never seen eye-to-eye,"[5] and on the rare occasion that gods, humans, and dragons have managed to coexist, later circumstances would drive rifts between dragons and those of the Human Realm.[2][34] However, the majority of dragons that had been reborn were now free from the hatred they once harbored against gods and humans,[35] thus mostly ending the feud between them apart from a select few.
Ancient Natlan was originally ruled by dragons led by the Pyro Sovereign Xiuhcoatl, who alongside the Thirteen Sovereign Lords oversaw their empire from the Ancient Sacred Mountain. They made use of the Secret Source as their source of power. His brother, the dragon sage Kukulkan, foresaw the fall of the dragon race, due to their reliance on brute strength to maintain positions of power, and believed that salvation could only be found by sharing their wisdom with other races.[36] He stole a seed of Phlogiston from a scion of Xiuhcoatl[37] and traveled the world, eventually coming across humans, whom he taught how to use Phlogiston after witnessing their tenacity, unity, and courage. Seeking the path of evolution, and intending to merge the two species of dragon and human as one, Kukulkan told the people to expect the arrival of a "savior of two worlds," who would one day slay Xiuhcoatl and become the next Pyro Dragon.[38] He intended this savior to be his son Och-Kan, a dragon mixed with a human soul who would be raised among the human tribes, and an heir of the Flamelord's Blessing.[39]
Instead, Xbalanque slew Xiuhcoatl and became the new Pyro Archon. The humans revolted against the dragons, and many of the Sovereign Lords were slain during the siege of Tollan. In the end, only one of these lords remained, albeit imprisoned in a phlogiston bracelet and implied to not like the form they were in.[40]
The Archon War[]
In Liyue, the Geo Sovereign Azhdaha's awakening caused the earth to tremble with every movement he made.[6][Note 4] Morax approached him, seeking to stop the earth's shaking, and managed to befriend the dragon for some time,[2] with the dragon even participating in the Archon War on Morax's behalf. However, later on, a combination of erosion and human mining at the Chasm caused Azhdaha to forget his friends and his love for humanity. Azhdaha lashed out and attacked the Chasm, destroying the settlement at Tianqiu Valley in the process.[41] Morax chose his duty to protect humanity and personally went to the mines to subdue him. The Geo Archon's power alone was insufficient to overpower the eroding dragon, and he needed the help of Moon Carver, Mountain Shaper, and an unnamed adeptus to create a domain that would be able to seal Azhdaha away. Even then, Azhdaha willingly allowed himself to be sealed.[6][9]
In Inazuma, the serpent god Orobashi fell into Enkanomiya and eventually became its people's god, subduing the Bathysmal Vishaps which had harassed the humans and further empowering the Dainichi Mikoshi.[42] It personally led research into Bathysmal Vishaps and their evolution. In the process, Orobashi and the researchers eventually came to the conclusion that vishaps naturally rejected Orobashi's power because they came from different realms, although they eventually succeeded in grafting Orobashi's coral onto vishaps.[43] These coral fragments are necessary for the Watatsumi Goryou Matsuri, a ritual that prevents Watatsumi Island from being absorbed by the Elemental Realm.[44][45]
As a result of the Bathysmal Vishaps' "impure" evolutions into Cryo and Electro forms, this caused a prophecy to claim that the Hydro Dragon would be reborn in a human form.[43]
In Sumeru, Apep, the Dendro Sovereign, was corrupted by King Deshret's body. Apep allowed Deshret to build a kingdom in her lands in return for her consuming his body for his knowledge when he died, but King Deshret died with Forbidden Knowledge, causing great anguish to Apep as she had to muster all of her strength to survive, unable to analyze the knowledge acquired.[35]
In Fontaine, the Hydro Dragon was the "first heart" of the Primordial Sea and had absolute command over it.[46] However, the Hydro Dragon perished in the battle of the Seven Sovereigns against the Heavenly Principles. To replace the Hydro Dragon's duty as the heart of the Primordial Sea, Naberius created Egeria.[46] Later on, when Egeria was imprisoned by the Heavenly Principles due to her sin of turning Oceanids into humans, the Dragon Prince Scylla was tasked to guard her prison. When Remus sought Egeria for the solution of the prophecy, Scylla was impressed with Remus's plan and chose to follow him to Remuria.[47][48] When Phobos went rogue, Scylla was supposed to control the surge of power according to Remus's plan, but he failed to show up after being trapped by Boethius. Remuria sank underwater and Scylla was sealed in Initium Iani.
In Natlan,[Note 5] Och-Kan was imprisoned at some point. A man named Xbalanque showed him great compassion, and after Och-Kan was freed and accepted by his old tribe, he vowed his loyalty to Xbalanque.[49] During the people's war against the dragons, Och-Kan used his knowledge of the draconic language to decipher Iridescent Inscriptions for the human warriors. He found great satisfaction in using the skills he learned from the dragons against them, and his hatred for dragons was so great that it even concerned his allies.[50] Meanwhile, the Pyro Dragon Xiuhcoatl, who had grown weak and decrepit from abyssal corruption, began laying waste to Old Natlan and its ley lines. Xbalanque fought him at the Great Volcano of Tollan[51] and pierced the dragon's eyes, one of which was split in two and became the Golden Entreaties.[52] Both Xbalanque and Xiuhcoatl fell from a great height during the battle. While Xiuhcoatl died, Xbalanque was wreathed in fire and revived, and went on to become the first Pyro Archon.[53][39]
After the Archon War[]
Sometime after Barbatos became the Anemo Archon and god of Mondstadt, the newborn Wind Dragon Dvalin appeared before him, enamored by his music. Barbatos sang songs of Dvalin's beauty and befriended the dragon, later naming him the Dragon of the East of the Four Winds.[5][54]
Around 1,000 years ago, Ursa the Drake lurked around Mondstadt, occasionally threatening the City of Mondstadt. Ten years before her rebellion, Vennessa and her tribe, having wandered far from their homeland, were attacked by the dragon and fled to Mondstadt. Although they were taken in, they were promptly enslaved by the corrupt Mondstadt Aristocracy. When Vennessa stood up to Barca Lawrence on Venti — who, unbeknownst to them, was Barbatos' mortal disguise — the Lawrence scion retaliated by purchasing Vennessa and her entire tribe, and forcing Vennessa to win successive gladiatorial battles for their freedom. The Lawrences, however, had no plans on letting Vennessa win; in exchange for peace, they negotiated with Ursa the Drake to sacrifice Vennessa and her tribe to it. In the middle of the battle, Venti revealed his true identity and drove Ursa away.[55]
At an unknown specific time, after Egeria exited hibernation in the deep sea, the new incarnation of the Hydro Sovereign, Neuvillette, was born.[56] He was born in a human form, as foretold by the Enkanomiyan prophecy, and lacked the full powers and memories of his predecessor, since the Ancient Dragon's Authority was still separated from him as an Archon's Divine Seat.
After Xbalanque entered the Sacred Flame, Och-Kan assumed leadership of Ochkanatlan in his stead. Though the people awaited a successor to Xbalanque, Och-Kan believed that Xbalanque should remain the one and only god and became obsessed with eliminating all possible threats to the people, inadvertently becoming a tyrant in the process. He eventually broke the commandments that Xbalanque left behind regarding the peaceful coexistence of humans and dragons,[57] hunting down dragons and imprisoning Ix Uxul Tz'ib Bolon Ch'ule-L within a stone statue. Despite the existence of the Grand Alliance, he began consolidating his power as the sole leader and believed that having multiple rulers only led to internal strife. He used Turnfire to oppress anyone who opposed him,[58] eliminating any possibilities of revolt.[59] Och-Kan was eventually overthrown by a party of heroes led by the Scarlet-Eyed Youth, and presumably fell to his death.[60]
The Cataclysm[]
The Khaenri'ahn alchemist Rhinedottir created one of her masterpieces, the artificial dragon Durin. 500 years ago, around the time of the cataclysm, she sent Durin to the surface world; however, he ended up unleashing havoc and destruction upon Mondstadt on his arrival. Hearing the suffering of his people, Barbatos awoke from his slumber and summoned Dvalin to aid him in ending Durin's rampage. The two eventually emerged victorious, slaying Durin over Dragonspine; however, Dvalin ended up ingesting Durin's poisonous blood and fell into a deep slumber in the ruins of Old Mondstadt to recuperate.[5][54]
Around 500 years ago, Focalors, the second Hydro Archon, sent Neuvillette a letter to invite him to the Court of Fontaine and serve as its Iudex.[61][62] Neuvillette agreed, hoping to find the answer to his existence and his lost memory.[63][64]
Present Day[]
Four years before the events of the game, on Diluc's eighteenth birthday, Ursa the Drake was lured into attacking his and his father Crepus's caravan.[Note 6] Their entire retinue was slain and Diluc was defeated by the dragon when Crepus intervened, using a Delusion to repel the dragon. However, the Delusion's power backfired on him; he died shortly afterwards,[65] either from the Delusion itself[66] or by Diluc killing him to spare him the agony.[67] Sometime afterwards, Il Dottore visited Mondstadt and personally slew Ursa, thus indebting Mondstadt to the Fatui.[11]
During the events of the Archon Quest Prologue, the Abyss Order sought to weaponize Dvalin in their plans to destroy the nations of Teyvat and eventually, Celestia.[68] However, their plot was eventually foiled by the combined efforts of Venti, the Traveler, Jean, and Diluc. Freed from the poisonous blood that put him in physical agony and freed from the Abyss Order's lies, Dvalin rekindled his friendship with Venti and became Mondstadt's ally once more.
Azhdaha, through the artificial vessel Jiu, attempted to break Morax's seal at the Dragon-Queller by having miners chip away at the seal from outside, while Azhdaha overpowered it from within. The plan was eventually thwarted when Zhongli, the Traveler, and Kun Jun — who was unknowingly possessed by a fragment of Azhdaha's consciousness that retained his goodwill towards humanity — investigated the miners' disappearance and stumbled upon the plot. After a hard-fought battle, Azhdaha's body was resealed, while his spirit went dormant again.[6]
Nahida, who was supposed to take care of Apep, had initially forgotten about her task due to her tampering of Irminsul to remove forbidden knowledge.[69] The removal of the forbidden knowledge ended up creating a large void in Apep's body, and by the time Nahida had remembered her task, Apep was on the verge of death, which would unintentionally destroy Sumeru with its abundance of energy. Apep was successfully saved by Nahida and two elemental beings taking the form of elemental fungi that had escaped Apep's body during the cataclysm. The two fungi, and all the others' consciousness of the same species that they were carrying, sacrificed themselves to restore the Heart of Oasis in Apep's body. Although remaining distrustful of the gods and humans, Apep elected to simply watch them to see how far they could go under the Heavenly Principles.[70]
During the events of Archon Quest Chapter IV: Act V - Masquerade of the Guilty, Neuvillette recovered his authority as part of Focalors's plan to divert the prophecy and save the people of Fontaine. As the Iudex, he declared them innocent of their original sin, granting them the true properties of humans due to his absolute control over Hydro and the Primordial Sea, ensuring that they would not be dissolved when the second flood came.
Prior to the Traveler's arrival in Natlan, Kinich would discover Ajaw in some underground ruins. Realizing the threat he would pose if left unchecked, he made a deal with Ajaw to let him out as long as he controlled the use of his powers, which Ajaw agreed to as long as he would possess Kinich's body when he passed away.[71]
While exploring the ruins of Ochkanatlan, the Traveler and Paimon were attacked Och-Kan's body, which had been completely transformed into a full dragon and used as an Abyss conduit by Kukulkan. Och-Kan's body stole the Golden Entreaty from them, but later merged with Cocouik — his surviving consciousness — and fought the Traveler as Cocouik purged the abyssal poison from his body. After the battle, Och-Kan recognized Little One as a fellow bearer of the Flamelord's Blessing and entrusted the Golden Entreaty to him. He shared his memories of the past with the Traveler before finally passing away.[39] The Traveler and Little One would later head to the Great Volcano of Tollan and entered the ancient city within the Ancient Sacred Mountain. There, they discovered remnants of the dragons' society and eventually Little One came face to face with Kukulkan, who asked him to activate the Huitzilopochtli array. Little One declined, wishing to protect the Traveler and destroyed a Primeval Source Dragon Mech that was threatening the Traveler. As they left, Kukulkan faded away.[12]
Alternative Present Day[]
In a non-canonical outcome of An Omen of Annihilation and the Final Entreaty, Little One did choose to activate Huitzilopochtli and become Pyro Sovereign. However, he became the sole surviving being remaining within the Primal Flame, and endured billions of years of loneliness. He never forgot Paimon or the Traveler, and always wondered whether he could have made a different choice.
Known Dragons[]
Kings[]
| Element | Name | Region | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A[Note 7] | Nibelung[35][72] | All | Deceased (slain by the Heavenly Principles) |
| Azhdaha[Note 4] | Liyue | Alive (sealed by Zhongli) | |
| Apep[Note 9] | Sumeru | Alive | |
| Neuvillette | Fontaine | Alive | |
| Unknown | Unknown[Note 10] | Deceased (succeeded by Neuvillette) | |
| Xiuhcoatl | Natlan | Deceased (slain by Xbalanque) | |
Princes[]
| Name | Element | Region | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scylla | Fontaine | Alive | |
| Kukulkan | Natlan | Deceased as of An Omen of Annihilation and the Final Entreaty |
Thirteen Sovereign Lords of Natlantea[]
| Rank | Name | Title | Element | Territory | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CL-01 | Aj Nimalaj Chuq'ab Hun | Valiant One | ? | Unknown | Deceased (Slain by Xbalanque during the siege of Tollan)[73] |
| CL-02 | Ix Je'lal K'ua'l Ka' | Jade Maiden | ? | Unknown | Deceased |
| CL-03 | Ix Kemonel Jasjatem Oox | Weaver of Secrets | ? | Unknown | Deceased |
| CL-04 | Aj Awaj K'umilal Kan | Hermit of Myriad Fates | ? | Unknown | Deceased |
| CL-05 | Aj K'astajibal Cha'ama' Ho'o | Bestower of Bitter Springs | ? | Ek' Pulinik | Deceased (Slain during the siege of Tollan)[74] |
| CL-06 | Aj Tininik Oyowal Waak | He Who Shakes the Earth Like Thunder in His Wrath | ? | Unknown | Deceased (Slain by Lianca's second daughter)[75][76] |
| CL-07 | Aj Chojojik Kamikabal U'uk | Toxic Rain Over Boundless Forests | ? | Unknown | Deceased (Slain during the siege of Tollan)[77] |
| CL-08 | Ix Ajkotz'i'j Iq'ismal Waxak | Priestess of Floral Candles and Skyborne Feathers | ? | Ch'upikaq Tajin | Deceased (Executed by vote of the Chamber of Deliberation during the siege of Tollan)[78] |
| CL-09 | Ix Uxul Tz'ib Bolon | Chronicler of the End Times | ? | Chichen Uctokah | Deceased as of Open Your Heart to Me |
| CL-10 | Aj Imuch' Paxlaq Lahun | Undying Wings of Lofty Isolation | Unknown | Alive[75][79][Note 11] | |
| CL-11 | Ix Raq'lapuj Chue'q Buluk | Mirror of the Dawning Morn | Unknown | Split into two halves, with one being deceased as of the events of Searing and the other becoming Ineffa[80] | |
| CL-12 | Ix Roq'ratik'obala' Ka'alahun | Murmuring Spring | ? | Q'umqaraq'aj | Deceased (Slain during the siege of Tollan)[81] |
| CL-13 | Aj Q'uplajik Ooxlahu | Bonebreaker | ? | Unknown | Deceased |
Other Dragons[]
| Name | Element | Region | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durin | ? | Khaenri'ah | Deceased (slain by Dvalin, corpse lies in Dragonspine, heart's energy drained by Albedo during the events of The Gardener) |
| Dvalin | Mondstadt | Alive | |
| Durin | Mondstadt | Alive | |
| Och-Kan (half-dragon) | Natlan | Deceased as of Moment of Awakening | |
| Primo Geovishap | Liyue | Alive | |
| Ursa the Drake | ? | Mondstadt | Deceased (slain by Dottore) |
Trivia[]
- In the Chinese version of Archon Quest Rite of Descension in Chapter I: Act I - Of the Land Amidst Monoliths, Ivanovich states that Morax's Exuvia is allegedly a cross between two of Liyue's divine creatures: an Eastern dragon and a qilin. The English version does not specify what two creatures it is based on.
- In Liyue folklore and media, Morax is often depicted as a dragon, using a form nearly identical to his Exuvia's.[82]
- Although Haishan is never explicitly called a dragon, Beidou's epithet in the Chinese version is Dragon Lord (Chinese: 龙王), which is translated in the English localization as the "Uncrowned Lord of the Ocean." The exact origin of this byname is unclear, but it is likely related to her slaying of the leviathan.
- In the Chinese text, powerful, antagonistic dragons have been dubbed 魔龙 "Demon/Evil/Magic Dragon"; this is usually translated as "evil dragon," reinterpreted, or left out of the English localization entirely. Dragons who have been called by this phrase currently include:
- The following have been described as "dragon-like," but are never directly or explicitly linked to dragons:
- Baqiu, a behemoth of a sea monster that Morax fought against in ages past.[85] In Chinese mythology, a Qiu (Chinese: 虬) is a type of horned dragon; Baqiu (Chinese: 八虬) was thus likely an eight-horned dragon-like monster.
- The Chi, another type of sea creature in the Liyue region. Morax defeated one that took over Mt. Qingce,[86] while the Skipper defeated another one and turned its spine into the claymore Serpent Spine.[87][Note 12]
- Orobashi is, on one occasion, described as a "dragon-like serpent god."[88]
- Elynas, described as a "great beast" and whose remains in the Beryl Region somewhat resemble those of large draconic beasts. The children of Elynas, the Melusines, are referred to as "dragons" or "vishaps" on numerous occasions,[24][25] and Elynas' flesh and blood is described by Rene as having the same properties as Durin.[26]
- Conversely, Fontainians have never been described as dragon-like, but as beings born from the Primordial Sea, they are considered forms of life requiring the Hydro Dragon Neuvillette's care.[14]
- Once, the Sacred Seat of Judgment states that ten of the Thirteen Lords fell during Xbalanque's attack on the Sacred City of Tollan, and confirms that only one other than the Ninth Lord was left alive in the present day. According to the Sovereign Rulers' Council Records, No.: B-CL-13097, the Sixth and Tenth Lords had already fallen prior, with the former having been killed, and the latter imprisoned alive in the mountains by humans, matching the narrative in Ring of Yaxche. With the description for the Tenth Lord's fall matching the circumstances under which K'uhul Ajaw was found in Kinich's Character Story 5, in addition to all other Lords being stated as having fallen and presumably deceased, this strongly implies that Ajaw's true identity is that of the Tenth Lord.
- The Fourth Lord may be an alternate potential candidate for Ajaw's identity. According to the Sovereign Rulers' Council Records, No.: B-CL-13097, the Fourth Lord lived on a citadel atop the high cliffs. According to Kinich's Companion Dialogue, Ajaw also lived in a castle at the highest point in the nation. Additionally, Aj Awaj K'umilal Kan (Chinese: 阿·阿瓦乔·库穆勒坎)'s name is similar to Ajaw; however, it is stated in Smoldering that Ajaw no longer remembers his true identity, and as such it is probable that "Ajaw" is not his real name, therefore making it unlikely that there are any ties between this name and the Fourth Lord's name of "Awaj".
- The Chinese transcription of "Awaj" in the name Aj Awaj K'umilal Kan has certain peculiarities that most of the other lords' names do not have:
- Based on the other lords' names, final consonants in their names that cannot be final consonants in Chinese are generally carried over to the next word if it begins with a vowel. For example, Aj Imuch' is transcribed as if it were A Jimuch'. As such, Aj Awaj should have been transcribed as if it were A Jawaj. Instead, it is transcribed as if it were A Awaj.
- However, Ajkotz'i'j Iq'ismal (from the name of the Eighth Lord) shares this discrepancy, as it is transcribed as if it were Ajkotz'i Iq'ismal instead of Ajkotz'i' Jiq'ismal.
- The phoneme /x/, represented by the letter j, is inconsistently transcribed into Chinese using pinyin j, q, x, and h for no clear reason. Word-final /x/ in particular has been transcribed for the other lords' names using not only 乔 qiáo but also 加 jiā (Nimalaj) and 赫 hè (Raq'lapuj). As such, the usage of 乔 qiáo has a chance of being a deliberate choice.
- Based on the other lords' names, final consonants in their names that cannot be final consonants in Chinese are generally carried over to the next word if it begins with a vowel. For example, Aj Imuch' is transcribed as if it were A Jimuch'. As such, Aj Awaj should have been transcribed as if it were A Jawaj. Instead, it is transcribed as if it were A Awaj.
- The Chinese transcription of "Awaj" in the name Aj Awaj K'umilal Kan has certain peculiarities that most of the other lords' names do not have:
- The Fourth Lord may be an alternate potential candidate for Ajaw's identity. According to the Sovereign Rulers' Council Records, No.: B-CL-13097, the Fourth Lord lived on a citadel atop the high cliffs. According to Kinich's Companion Dialogue, Ajaw also lived in a castle at the highest point in the nation. Additionally, Aj Awaj K'umilal Kan (Chinese: 阿·阿瓦乔·库穆勒坎)'s name is similar to Ajaw; however, it is stated in Smoldering that Ajaw no longer remembers his true identity, and as such it is probable that "Ajaw" is not his real name, therefore making it unlikely that there are any ties between this name and the Fourth Lord's name of "Awaj".
Gallery[]
Notes[]
- ↑ In Azhdaha's design notes and the Chinese version of Amidst Chaos, the Rock Is Unmoved, Azhdaha is called an Earth Dragon (Chinese: 地龙) rather than a Geo Dragon, which would be 岩龙, although he is still affiliated with the Geo element. The English localization similarly opts to translate 风龙 as "Wind Dragon" instead of "Anemo Dragon" in Breeze Amidst the Forest.
- ↑ Azhdaha claims that he was "forged of elemental crystal" (Chinese: 元素结晶创生之物 "born from elemental crystallization,") while his design notes mention that he is of the same species as Geovishaps.
- ↑ The term translated as "elemental sphere" (Chinese: 元素流动) in Knights of Favonius is translated as "elemental flow" in the rest of the game, which is a more accurate translation.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 The term for "Dragon Sovereign" (Chinese: 龙王 "dragon king") in the English localization is derived from the same term used for Azhdaha's title of "dragon king" (Chinese: 龙王). Additionally, the Chinese version of Azhdaha's boss title, the "Sealed Lord of Vishaps" (Chinese: 被封印的岩龙之王 "Sealed King of Geo Dragons"), matches the Chinese title for Xiuhcoatl as the Pyro Dragon Sovereign (Chinese: 火龙之王 "King of Pyro Dragons").
- ↑ It can be assumed that Xbalanque lived during the end of the Archon War, as he became the Pyro Archon shortly after he killed Xiuhcoatl, similar to the other Archons being awarded with Archonhood following the end of the conflicts in their respective regions. The period of warfare described in Crown of the Saints also matches with various descriptions of the Archon War.
- ↑ When Vennessa faced off against Ursa 1,000 years ago, it was much larger than her and only fled after Venti directly ordered it to leave. By comparison, the Ursa faced by Diluc, Crepus, and later Dottore four years ago is much smaller. Whether Ursa weakened and shrank over time, or if the two are entirely different dragons of the same species, is left unknown.
- ↑ The modern system of Elements is an adaptation imposed by the Heavenly Principles that split the primordial energies of the Light Realm into seven distinct forms. As the original ruler of Teyvat, Nibelung likely possessed the complete and undivided powers of the Light Realm.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Can also absorb Cryo, Pyro, Hydro, and Electro
- ↑ Though Apep has never been directly referred to as the Dendro Dragon Sovereign, she is stated in Where Lies the Path Home as having been the ruler of Sumeru prior to the arrival of the Heavenly Principles, which aligns with the Seven Sovereigns' role as the original rulers of Teyvat. Additionally, she is referred to by Asenath as a "Dragon King" (Chinese: 龙王), which is the same term from which the title of "Dragon Sovereign" (Chinese: 龙王 "dragon king") is derived from in the English localization.
- ↑ The original Hydro Dragon likely had a presence in Fontaine, given its control over the Primordial Sea. Whether its domain was limited to modern Fontaine's borders has not been addressed.
- ↑ While Ajaw's original identity has not been explicitly confirmed and there is information that suggests Ajaw could be either the Fourth Lord or the Tenth Lord, it is currently more likely that Ajaw was the Tenth Lord. See Trivia for more information.
- ↑ The Chinese name for Serpent Spine is 螭骨剑 "Chi Spine Sword."
Change History[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Book: The Byakuyakoku Collection, Vol. 2 - Before Sun and Moon
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Weapon Lore: The Unforged
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Design Notes: The Birth of a Dragon: A Behind the Scenes Look At the Creation of Azhdaha
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Archon Quest, Prologue, Act I - The Outlander Who Caught the Wind, Part 8: Knights of Favonius
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Book: Breeze Amidst the Forest, Vol. 1 - Ballad Selection Excerpt
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 Story Quest, Zhongli, Historia Antiqua Chapter: Act II - No Mere Stone, Part 4: Amidst Chaos, the Rock Is Unmoved
- ↑ Character and Weapon Enhancement Material: Ignited Seeing Eye
- ↑ Neuvillette's Voice-Over: Interesting Things: Vishaps
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Liyue Hidden Exploration Objective, Unordered: Hidden in Nameless Treasures
- ↑ Event The Chalk Prince and the Dragon Quest: Act II, Part 2: Archon's Rival
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Manga, Chapter 1: Bad Wine (Part 1) (pg. 12)
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 World Quest, A Finale Emberforged, Part 1: An Omen of Annihilation and the Final Entreaty
- ↑ World Quest, The Moon-Bathed Deep: The Moon-Bathed Deep
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Neuvillette's Character Story: Character Story 5
- ↑ Interactable, Chamber of Deliberation: Sovereign Rulers' Council Records, No. B-CL-13097
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Event Three Realms Gateway Offering Quest, Aphotic Diffusal: Three Realms Gateway Offering: The Eve
- ↑ Character and Weapon Enhancement Material: Fossilized Bone Shard
- ↑ Archive, Living Beings, Enemies and Monsters, Mystical Beasts: Rimebiter Bathysmal Vishap Hatchling
- ↑ Interactable, Legendary Tonatiuh: Notes Someone Left Behind (II)
- ↑ NPC Dialogue: Manqu
- ↑ World Quest, Between Pledge and Forgettance: Rite of the Bold
- ↑ World Quest, The Dirge of Bilqis, Part 2: The Temple Where Sand Flows Like Tears
Liloupar: It's nothing... Ah, the children of Apep, reduced to this... - ↑ Archive, Living Beings, Enemies and Monsters, Mystical Beasts: Setekh Wenut
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 Neuvillette's Character Story: Character Story 3
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 Sigewinne's Character Title: Wondrous Dragonheir
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 Quest Item: Enigmatic Page (V)
- ↑ Archive, Living Beings, Enemies and Monsters, : Breacher Primus
- ↑ Archive, Living Beings, Enemies and Monsters, Mystical Beasts: Revived Primo Geovishap
- ↑ NPC Dialogue: Jiu
- ↑ Artifact, Finale of the Deep Galleries: Deep Gallery's Distant Pact
- ↑ Forgery Domain Entrance Description: Ancient Watchtower
- ↑ Character Level-Up Material: Gold-Inscribed Secret Source Core
- ↑ Interactable, Ancestral Temple: Damaged Stone Tablet (IV)
- ↑ Archon Quest Chapter: Prologue
- ↑ 35.0 35.1 35.2 Story Quest, Nahida, Sapientia Oromasdis Chapter: Act II - Homecoming, Part 2: What Shape Does the Self Hold
- ↑ Artifact, Obsidian Codex: Reckoning of the Xenogenic
- ↑ Book: Records of Hanan Pacha
- ↑ Artifact, Obsidian Codex: Root of the Spirit-Marrow
- ↑ 39.0 39.1 39.2 World Quest, Lost Traveler in the Ashen Realm: Act III - The Tonatiuh Quivers, Part 2: Moment of Awakening
- ↑ World Quest, Chronicler of the Crumbling City, Part 2a: Once, the Sacred Seat of Judgment
- ↑ World Quest: Trails in Tianqiu
- ↑ PlayStation Blog: Genshin Impact version 2.4 brings grand celebrations and a mysterious new area to Teyvat
- ↑ 43.0 43.1 Book: The Byakuyakoku Collection, Vol. 5 - Bathysmal Vishap Experimental Records
- ↑ World Quest Act: The Moon-Bathed Deep
- ↑ World Quest: The Still Water's Flow
- ↑ 46.0 46.1 Wind Glider: Wings of Merciful, Wrathful Waters
- ↑ Artifact, Fragment of Harmonic Whimsy: The Grand Jape of the Turning of Fate
- ↑ World Quest, Canticles of Harmony: Third Movement - Pharsalia's Rhapsody, Part 1: Gradus ad Capitolium
- ↑ Weapon Ascension Material: Delirious Decadence of the Sacred Lord
- ↑ Weapon Ascension Material: Delirious Desolation of the Sacred Lord
- ↑ World Quest: The Road Ahead
- ↑ Quest Item: Golden Entreaty (Moment of Awakening) (Description)
- ↑ World Quest, Between Pledge and Forgettance: Revelations from the Past
- ↑ 54.0 54.1 Archon Quest, Prologue, Act II - For a Tomorrow Without Tears, Part 3: That Green Fellow
- ↑ Manga, Prologue Chapter: Songs of the Wind
- ↑ World Quest, Canticles of Harmony: Second Movement - Prisoner in Shackles, Part 1: The Last Day of Remuria
Monsieur Os: Well, "fell dragon" was the name they gave, but it was no more than a Vishap that was a teensy bit stronger than normal. After all, no new Hydro Dragon could be born so long as the Mistress of Many Waters hibernated in the deep sea. - ↑ Weapon Ascension Material: Delirious Demeanor of the Sacred Lord
- ↑ Tribal Chronicles, Yupanqui's Turnfire, Act I: A Mysterious Visitor From Huitztlan
- ↑ Interactables: Holy Sovereign's Notes
- ↑ Weapon Ascension Material: Delirious Divinity of the Sacred Lord
- ↑ Story Quest, Neuvillette, Diluvies Chapter: Act I - The Remains of the Past Day, Part 3: In a New Light (Cutscene Summary)
- ↑ Archon Quest, Chapter IV, Act V - Masquerade of the Guilty, Part 5: The Opera of Noirceur and Blancheur
- ↑ Neuvillette's Character Story: Character Story 4
- ↑ Youtube: Character Teaser - "Neuvillette: Watcher in the Deep"
- ↑ Manga, Chapter 7: Dusty Chest (Part 1)
- ↑ Diluc's Character Story: Character Story 3
- ↑ Kaeya's Character Story: Character Story 5
- ↑ YouTube: Story Teaser: We Will Be Reunited
- ↑ Archon Quest Act, Chapter III, Act V: Akasha Pulses, the Kalpa Flame Rises
- ↑ Story Quest Act, Nahida, Sapientia Oromasdis Chapter: Act II: Homecoming
- ↑ Kinich's Character Story: Character Story 5
- ↑ Item: Fractured Halo
- ↑ Interactable, Skyfire Circlet: Iridescent Legacy: Part I
- ↑ Interactable, Flame-Melding Ritual Grounds: Iridescent Legacy: Part III
- ↑ 75.0 75.1 Interactable, Chamber of Deliberation: Sovereign Rulers' Council Records No.: B-CL-13097
- ↑ Book: Fires of Autumn Twilight
- ↑ Interactable, Heart of Force Inversion: Iridescent Legacy: Part II
- ↑ Interactable, Chamber of Deliberation: Sovereign Rulers' Council Records No.: B-CL-16130
- ↑ Kinich's Character Story: Character Story 5
- ↑ Archon Quest, Song of the Welkin Moon, Prelude - The Journey Home, Part 3: Searing
- ↑ Interactable, Sea of Shifting Sentience: Iridescent Legacy: Part IV
- ↑ Event Moonlight Merriment Quest: Part I, Part 1: One for the Foodies, Two for the Show
Xiangling: The body of a dragon? The stories about Rex Lapis say the same thing. - ↑ Liyue Hidden Exploration Objective, Unordered: Hidden in Nameless Treasures (Chinese only, used as part of a sentence rather than a title)
- ↑ NPC Dialogue: Iris (Dragonspine Adventurer Camp)
- ↑ Weapon: Primordial Jade Winged-Spear (Chinese)
- ↑ Book: Diary of Roald the Adventurer, Vol. 2 - Qingce Village
- ↑ Weapon: Serpent Spine
- ↑ NPC Dialogue: Miyazaki Saburou
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