Oceanid

This article is about the species. For the Normal Boss, see Rhodeia of Loch.

Oceanid
Rhodeia of Loch, a full sized Oceanid in her true form
Type	Species Lore
Region	Fontaine

The Oceanids, occasionally called the Lochfolk, are a species made of pure Hydro energy originating from Fontaine. They are able to control water and mimic real life forms with water.

Overview

The Oceanids originate from Fontaine and are devotees of Egeria, the previous Hydro Archon. According to the Ancient Natural History Excerpts in the Institute of Natural Philosophy, legends say that Egeria shed the "first tear", which gave birth to the first Oceanid, from which all other Oceanids were born. She tasked the Oceanids with spreading all over Teyvat as spies, not out of any malicious intent, but rather as a way to connect everyone similar to how water is connected throughout the continent. Some of these Oceanids saw human life and envied them, asking Egeria to grant them the ability to do so. Egeria did so by siphoning water from the Primordial Sea and injecting it into the Oceanids' blood vessels, creating humanoid forms for them. This act was seen as a "sin" by the Heavenly Principles, who decreed a prophecy that the people of Fontaine would dissolve into water and leave the Hydro Archon weeping on the throne by herself.

At some point after Egeria's death during the cataclysm, the Oceanids fled Fontaine. According to Idyia, they did so because the waters changed and became full of pain and hatred. However, Rhodeia implies that some, like her, left because they didn't want to accept Focalors as the new Hydro Archon and wanted to "keep the dreams of yesteryear alive". The coming and death of Elynas was specified to taint Fontaine's lands and waters, and although Fontaine researchers promised that the pollution had been cleansed, this factor may contribute to the current status of Fontaine's waters.

During their self-imposed exile, the Oceanids came to Tunigi Hollow in search of their master. However, after seeing that the Harvisptokhm was not what they had hoped to find, they scattered in different directions. People followed their pilgrimage trail, eventually establishing the Purification Spring domain.

The descendants of the transformed Oceanids were later absolved of sin and made "true humans" by the Dragon of Water, Neuvillette, after his Authority was restored when Focalors executed herself through the death sentence rendered by the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale and thus destroying the Hydro Archon's divine authority and heavenly throne; people caught in the waters after his verdict were not dissipated into water, however, the people dissolved prior to this did not return.

Powers and Abilities

Oceanids are able to float through the air, and are capable of achieving significant speeds. In combat they manipulate water, both to fire a variety of Hydro attacks and to create creatures formed out of water. As seen with Idyia and Callirhoe, they can also mimic a human form, though they will be afflicted with Hydro under Elemental Sight. Particularly powerful Oceanids who possess both wisdom and compassion are able to create Oceanid manifestations which can replicate other humans, much like Idyia did with her past human companions in the Veluriyam Mirage.

An Oceanid's growth is very different from other creatures'. Separating from the others and departing from their homeland apparently causes them to lose much of their intelligence and ability, though they can restore it over time. Oceanids learn and gain intelligence mainly by joining with water sources, such as bodies of water, or even tears. One of the most potent sources is the water creatures created by another Oceanid. They can also gain some intelligence by looking upon the moon's reflection in the water.

The secret to Oceanid reproduction is only known to Oceanids. However, according to the Ancient Natural History Excerpts, Oceanids must first approach the Hydro Archon or an elder for permission to claim the "Helixsplit," which allows them to split into little Oceanids. The exact nature of what the Helixsplit is remains unknown to humans. Caterpillar speculates that Oceanid reproduction is accomplished through imagination and mimicry—when an Oceanid "imagines the path that could have been taken," a new Oceanid may be born. This appears to be the case with Ann, who was born when the merged consciousness of the Oceanid Lyris and Mary-Ann Guillotin dreamed of living forever in a simple, fairytale-like world.

Oceanids are also capable of merging with each other and becoming a single, more powerful Oceanid. Most Oceanids seem to see this as something positive or normal, though some like Ann are upset by it. However, they must still be careful as it is supposedly possible for an Oceanid's mind to be shattered if they join with a smaller but wicked mind.

Oceanids are born from the water's essence. They can control and manipulate water, but they are also affected by changes in the water. For example, Rhodeia's enmity towards Endora turned the water connected to her pool bitter, which nearly killed the younger Oceanid. Endora was able to recover by taking in the sweet water from Springvale's spring, which was home to a friendlier Oceanid.

Known Oceanids

Name	Status
Ann	Traveling with Mary-Ann, Seymour and Mamere
Mary-Ann	Traveling with Ann, Seymour and Mamere
Callirhoe, the Spring Fairy	Residing in Springvale, Mondstadt
Endora	Accompanying the Traveler
Focalors	Executed in The Opera of Noirceur and Blancheur
Idyia	Residing in Veluriyam Mirage
Lyris	Merged with Mary-Ann Guillotin to become Mary-Ann
Narzissenkreuz	Died in Rowboat's Wake
Rhodeia of Loch	Residing in Bishui Plain, Liyue
Urania, the Hateful Oceanid	Appeared in a Domain at Yaoguang Shoal, Liyue

Uncertain Members

• The "fell dragon" named "Narcissus" appears in the Annapausis in the form of an Oceanid, though this is likely an illusion.

Other

• All Fontanians that were dissolved through Water from the Primordial Sea as a result of its power escaping their blood vessels would return to the Sea. but their consciousness would remain and take form of an Oceanid. As seeing with Vacher's victims and Poisson flood victims, they can merge together into a collective consciousness, forming a only Oceanid. It is unknown if they share another power with Oceanids beyong their appearance and ability to merge.

Trivia

• The Spring Fairy's blessing is the reason why Diona's drinks always taste delicious, no matter how disgusting the ingredients or flavor combinations are. It is unclear whether all Oceanids are capable of giving out blessings, as no other Oceanids introduced in the story have been mentioned or shown to have such an ability.
• The Oceanids, similarly to the Melusine, are technically a genderless race who have been shown as females. Although Hydro Mimics and Eidolons have been shown taking male forms, they seem to only do so when pretending to be a specific human.
  • The Master of the Narzissenkreuz Ordo is the first known male Oceanid, but as he was an Oceanid created by a human, Master may not be affiliated with the original Oceanid race.
• The English and Thai localizations are the only two languages to make a distinction between "Lochfolk" and "Oceanid." A translation note in the Thai dialogue of Life Flows On (I) claims that "Oceanid" is the name which outsiders use for Lochfolk, although this has been left unexplained in English.
• The Oceanids' form resemble real-life sea angels, which may have been the inspiration for their design. Oceanids joining or binding together may be a reference to sea angels binding while mating and hunting together.

Etymology

• The term Oceanid is derived from the Oceanids in Greek mythology, who were nymphs of springs; they have a male equivalent known as the Potamoi, who were the gods of rivers and streams.
  • Rhodeia, Urania, Idyia, Lyris, and Callirhoe's names are directly lifted from those of Greek Oceanids, whereas Endora's name has no exact match but may be based off the Oceanid Eudora.
• The term Lochfolk is a portmanteau of loch (lake) + folk.

Other Languages

Language	Official Name	Literal Meaning
English	Lochfolk (endonym) Oceanid (exonym)	—
Chinese (Simplified)	纯水精灵 Chúnshuǐ Jīnglíng	Pure Water Spirit
Chinese (Traditional)	純水精靈 Chúnshuǐ Jīnglíng
Japanese	純水精霊 Junsui Seirei	Pure Water Spirit
Korean	물의 정령 Mul-ui Jeongryeong	Spirit of Water
Spanish	Oceánida	Oceanid
French	Océanide	Oceanid
Russian	Океанид Okeanid	Oceanid
Thai	Lochfolk (endonym) Oceanid (exonym)	—
Vietnamese	Tinh LinhTinh Linh精靈 Nước Trong	Pure Water Spirit
German	Okeanide	Oceanid
Indonesian	Lochfolk	—
Portuguese	Oceanid	—

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