Khaenri'ah

"Khaenri'ah was a nation without a god — not because it had a god that died or abandoned them, but because it never had a god to begin with. It was a powerful nation built purely by humans, an unprecedented flourishing and glorious civilization — it was the pride of humankind. [...] 500 years ago, the gods descended upon the world and brought desolation to Khaenri'ah. The "pride of humankind" was uprooted and crushed, like a weed removed from the garden of the gods..."

— Dainsleif

Khaenri'ah is a mysterious nation outside of the mainland of Teyvat where the Seven do not reign. Five hundred years ago, the work of the alchemist known as "Gold" unleashed a terrible curse on its people that transformed those afflicted into monsters. This further drew the ire of Celestia, who razed the entire nation to the ground. At present, the survivors fight against their curse, living underground and continuing to practice the mysterious alchemical art of Khemia that eludes the people of Teyvat.

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General Tropes

Ambiguously Evil: The biggest mystery surrounding Khaenri'ah is why exactly Celestia destroyed it. 500 years ago, something happened that caused six of the Seven Archons to be sent to Khaenri'ah, most likely to raze it to the ground. The seventh, Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, went to combat an incursion of Forbidden Knowledge which threatened to destroy Irminsul, and Teyvat along with it. While Dainsleif is bitter about Celestia's choice to punish every denizen of Khaenri'ah for their country's "crime", as of 4.2 available evidence points towards someone or something in Khaenri'ah as the instigator for the conflict. It remains to be seen whether it was genuinely an act of malice, an attempt for greatness swatted down by Celestia, or simply an accident that spiraled completely out of control.
Cataclysm Backstory: The still-living Khaenri'ahns are survivors of the Cataclysm that devastated their homeland 500 years ago though some of them have turned into hilichurls or monsters of the Abyss, and a few of them went on to form factions that seek to oppose Celestia for the disaster they inflicted.
Crapsack World: Dainsleif believes that the world is "sheltered eternity" where people "live" but do not "dream", while in the "hidden corners where the gods' gazes do not fall" (including Khaenri'ah itself), there exist those who "dream of dreaming". For the past five centuries, the people of Khaenri'ah have become cursed to transform into monsters while the rest live in hiding, all because of Gold's mysterious Khemia work.
Driving Question: Why do no gods rule over Khaenri'ah? Where is Khaenri'ah? What is Khemia? How did Gold's alchemical work lead to the fall of the Eclipse Dynasty and the curse over Khaenri'ah? As of 4.2, only Khaenri'ah's location has been revealed to be somewhere close to Sumeru with many of the ruins in the desert implying that it is located underground in the desert around Gavireh Lajavard in the Girdle of the Sands with the sealed gate at the bottom of Hangeh Afrasiyab heavily implied to be the entrance.
Exotic Eye Designs: Natives of Khaenri'ah have 4-point star-shaped pupils, unlike other characters' standard round ones. This may specifically be the case for the Eclipse Dynasty only, as Arlecchino, who instead is of the blood of the Crimson Moon Dynasty which preceded it, instead has the opposite: sinister X-shaped pupils.
Look on My Works, Ye Mighty, and Despair: Implied to be behind the reason of Khaenri'ah's destruction. Teyvat Chapter Storyline Preview mentions how the ruins of Khaenri'ah is set as an example for those who dare trespass, trying to claim that which is not reserved for them.
Yet buried in the depths of this world lies smoldering remains, a warning to those that dare trespass. "That throne in the sky is not reserved for you." But mortal arrogation never stops. None will escape the flames.
The Punishment: The gods inflicted this upon all of Khaenri'ah's citizens, giving them immortality but also cursing them to suffer and erode away. Pureblooded Khaenri'ans retained their human bodies but suffered memory loss, while Khaenri'ans from other nations were turned into hilichurls.
Rage Against the Heavens: Even long before the cataclysm, Khaenri'ah was seeking ways to undermine the gods, like the time they tried to steal the book Before Sun and Moon from Enkanomiya to prove that the gods were foreign to Teyvat and that they weren't always around. This may have been a reason why Celestia chose to raze the civilization to the ground.
Underground City: Well, more like underground country. According to Albedo's character story, Khaenri'ah was an underground realm with few natural fauna.

Monarchs

Irmin

King Irmin

The last king of Khaenri'ah from Eclipse Dynasty, known for his one eye. Despite the efforts with him and his people, they were unable to revive the fallen nation.

The Prince/Princess of Khaenri'ah

The Prince/Princess of Khaenri'ah from 500 years ago currently serving as the Prince/Princess of the Abyss Order. See their entry here.

The Alberich Clan

Kaeya

The undercover agent of Khaenri'ah acting as "Calvary Captain of the Knights of Favonius". See his entry here.

Chlothar

Clothar Alberich

See his page here

Caribert (SPOILERS)

Caribert

Voiced by: Mi Yang (Chinese), Haruna Akagi (Japanese), (Korean), Kim Gasiciel (English)

The illegitimate son of Chlothar and a woman from Mondstadt.

And I Must Scream: The curse transformed him into a hilicurl, already a terrible fate. But after the Abyss "blessed" medicine restored his mind, he looked at his reflection in a mirror. What he saw is unknown, but this action caused him considerable distress and he would be consumed by abyssal energies after tearing off his mask in despair.
Bastard Angst: Hinted at. Caribert was the illegitimate son of a nobleman, with the Alberich clan not allowing father and son to live together. Chlothar sees being together in exile as the only possible good to come out of their circumstances.
Child of Two Worlds: His father was a noble from Khaenri'ah, while his mother originally hailed from Mondstadt. His mother had turned her back on worshipping the gods, but this connection meant the Heavenly Principles judged mother and son to be less guilty than the pure-blooded Chlothar. This meant they became monsters, while the now-immortal father was left to care for Caribert as a hilichurl.
Living MacGuffin: Whatever his fate, it's clear that Caribert has become the so-called Loom of Fate that the Abyss Order has centered its main goal around, but it still remains unknown what role he plays in this.
Meaningful Name: He is named after the French king Charibert I, who was the son of Chlorthar I. Unlike in Genshin however, Caribert I was Chlothar I's legitimate son.
Tragic Keepsake: Caribert looked exactly like any other hilicurl, save a blue scarf wrapped around his forearm. This was apparently a gift from his mother, and his father's means to identify him even in his monster form.
Uncertain Doom: The Traveler is knocked unconscious by the abyssal energy released from Caribert, and his father's vague explanation of what happened makes little sense. As such, it isn't clear exactly what became of him, or how this factored into the current goals of the Abyss Order.
Uniformity Exception: He looks indistinguishable from any other average hilichurl, save for the blue scarf he wears on his left wrist.
Vocal Dissonance: Despite being a hilichurl, he speaks in a smooth, normal voice expected from someone his age rather than the raspy vocalization common amongst fellow hilichurls.
Was Once a Man: By the time the Traveler meets him, Caribert has long since been transformed into a hilicurl. Even after his mind is restored, his body remains transformed.

Kaeya's Father

Kaeya's biological father who left him as a young child outside Dawn Winery.

Ambiguously Evil: His intent behind leaving Kaeya in Mondstadt is ambiguous. Kaeya believes that he was placed there as a Double Agent and that he would eventually have to side with Khaenri'ah against Mondstadt, but later begins speculating that his father had the more benevolent intention of giving him a better life.
Disappeared Dad: Kaeya never saw his biological father again after the night he was left at Dawn Winery, and his Vision story implies that he presently holds some resentment towards him for it.
Give Him a Normal Life: When discussing his past with the Traveler (and Dain), Kaeya suggests that his father's true intentions might have been to give him a chance at a peaceful life. Notably, though, he makes no mention of his alleged role as a Double Agent. As such, it isn't clear how genuine Kaeya was being in offering this theory as to why his father abandoned him.
Impoverished Patrician: According to a note saved by Kaeya, his father clung to the importance of their name even if that was the only thing they had left. The clan had once been powerful nobility, serving as the regents for the king in the final days of the nation. After the Heavenly Principles destroyed Khaenri'ah, they were left cursed and forced into exile in the lands of the Seven. Kaeya's father taught his son of the importance of their name, and the ideal that they should live with pride in contrast to the other "sinners" that survived in the shadows.
Parental Abandonment: Kaeya's father left him in Mondstadt to fulfill his mission as an agent of Khaenri'ah, and he grew up under the Raginvindr household instead.
The Voice: Has yet to make an appearance in game, though Kaeya briefly remembers his words during the 3.1 ''Of Ballads and Brews'' event, telling him that he must stay in Mondstadt.

Black Serpent Knights

Dainsleif

Voiced by: Sun Ye (Chinese), Kenjiro Tsuda (Japanese), Choi Han (Korean), Yuri Lowenthal (English)

The Bough Keeper

"Some say a few are chosen and the rest are dregs, but I say we humans have our humanity."

A wanderer from Khaenri'ah who narrates the Teyvat Storyline Preview

and Collected Miscellany

trailers. The Traveler first meets him in Mondstadt after he arrives to search for the herald of the Abyss Order behind the Stormterror incident.

Dainsleif was announced

as an upcoming playable character prior to the release of Genshin Impact, albeit he will not be expected to be released for a very long period of time.

Always Save the Girl: In the Teyvat Storyline Preview, he challenges the Traveler (depicted as Aether) to become worthy of saving a mysterious woman that he wishes to save.
Badass Cape: His black cape has glowing stars filling the inside of it, as a reflection of his powers.
Body Horror: Glowing blue veins blacken his right arm, which he also uses to cast his powers.
Byronic Hero: As a dark, brooding Anti-Hero with some rather unconventional views for the setting he's in and a Dark and Troubled Past, Dainsleif fits this trope quite well.
Casting a Shadow: The "We Will Be Reunited" Archon Quest reveals that he can use Abyssal Magic. He first uses it to find Eye of the first Ruin Guard, and later uses a Psychic Strangle to restrain the Abyss Herald to prevent it from escaping.
The Comically Serious: The typical result when Dainsleif talks about the goofier members of the cast in the Collected Miscellany videos.
Comically Small Demand: The price he asks for you to commission him as your adventuring partner is 500 mora and you answering 3 of his questions.
Cool Mask: He has a black mask with glowing blue markings on it over his right eye.
Curse: Dainsleif is under a curse from a god that does not allow him to age.
The Cynic: In his own words, he is a "self-confessed pessimist".
Dark and Troubled Past: Dainsleif was once the Twilight Sword, the captain of the Royal Guard for the final dynasty of Khaenri'ah. He could not prevent the fall of the kingdom and became cursed with immortality.
Dark Is Not Evil: He wears dark clothing, wields Abyssal Magic, and is a pretty secretive guy overall, but he's clearly on the side of good.
Dub-Induced Plot Hole: Though the Chinese and Japanese versions correctly have everyone say he has a black mask on, the English translation has Katheryne saying he is a stranger with an eyepatch on his right eye... even though his mask does not cover his eye at all, confusing players as to why exactly characters sent the Traveler to Dainsleif despite asking about a stranger with an eyepatch.
Early-Bird Cameo: Before Dainsleif appeared in Chapter I Act IV, he already voiced the early Collected Miscellany videos, and appeared in the Teyvat Chapter Storyline Preview trailer.
Everyone Has Standards:
- Despite being a nay-theist with no love for gods and deities, he is against going after and overthrowing Celestia, even warning the Traveler to not hunt them down, not even the Unknown God, describing Khaenri'ah's plan to overthrow the divine as a "failings of my forebears". Which is why he's after the Abyss Order to prevent them from accomplishing their goal.
- He is not particularly an idealist as far as he's concerned, however, as shown at the end of Heizou's Collected Miscellany he is quite supportive of Heizou's ideals to rid Teyvat of crime from inside out.
- Despite his general attitude towards the divine, Dainsleif notes in the Collected Miscellany entry for the Dendro Archon that even he doesn't bear any ill-will towards a god like her.
Foil: For Paimon. Like Paimon, Dainsleif was a companion with a Mysterious Past to one of the Celestial Twins and is very knowledgeable about Teyvat. However, while Paimon is bubbly and silly Dainsleif is serious and secretive, and where Paimon is the Traveler's True Companion and sticks with them through thick and thin, Dainsleif split ways with the Prince/Princess long ago and ended up becoming their enemy.
Foreshadowing: Crossed with Bait-and-Switch and Metaphorically True, his narrations in Teyvat Storyline Preview hint at the plot and twists.
- Chapter I: "The God of Contracts, senselessly slaughtered as his people watched on in horror. In the end, he will sign the contract to end all contracts." It hints that Morax, the aforementioned God of Contracts, faked his death by seemingly being killed in front of his people.
- Chapter III: "The God of Wisdom's enemy is wisdom itself, and the oasis of knowledge is a mirage in the desert of ignorance. In the city of scholars there is a push for folly, yet the God of Wisdom makes no argument against it." The hostile wisdom can refer to the corrupt academic ruling body of Sumeru, the Akademiya, or the Forbidden Knowledge, both of which were dealt with in Chapter III. Kusanali, the God of Wisdom made no argument against folly because she couldn't, as she was imprisoned by the Akademiya. The "oasis of knowledge" refers to the Akasha, a system that gathers easy to access information and knowledge while the "desert of ignorance" is likened to Sumeru as a whole since they were too over-reliant on the Akasha to the point where they were incapable of thinking for themselves since the Akasha did it for them, something the Sages took advantage of to make a new god under the radar with no one the wiser. The phrase "push for folly" is also a double meaning, and refers to folly in both the literal^* and metaphorical^* senses.
- Chapter IV: "The God of Justice lives for the spectacle of the courtroom, seeking to judge all other gods. But even she knows not to make an enemy of the divine." While the apparent God of Justice indeed lived for the spectacle of the courtroom, it was not for personal fun but rather for a signal that her great task is finally over. And the real God of Justice did indeed judge all Archons, including herself and the very throne she sits on. But she could not make an enemy of the Heavenly Principles, so she hid and waited, and instead of directly defying the Heavenly Principles' prophesized flood, she simultaneously followed it and saved her people by sacrificing herself to restore Neuvillette's powers, allowing him to absolve them of their sins so they could survive the flood. The Chapter title, "Masquerade of the Guilty," refers to both Furina's masquerade as the Hydro Archon and the "sinful" Oceanid-based Fontainians masquerading as true humans.
Gameplay and Story Integration: The lines in Dainsleif's prelude quest change depending on which twin you chose to play as, with Dainsleif noting that you are like "him" if you are playing as Lumine, and "her" if you are playing as Aether, indicating that he has journeyed with your sibling in the past.
Genre Refugee: While violence and conspiracy is by no means uncommon in Teyvat, the setting in general is a World Half Full with a colorful aesthetic. As a dark and brooding supporting character with a personal vendetta against the bad guys and mysterious powers, Dainsleif comes across like the hero of a more conventional Dark Fantasy whose interests coincidentally coincide with that of the more classically heroic protagonist. It makes him stick out like a sore thumb at the best of times, although there's a very good explanation for it all.
Hero of Another Story: He had a hand in stopping the Cataclysm five-hundred years ago by purifying the Harvisptokhm, with assistance from the Pari and the Order of Skeptics.
Jerk with a Heart of Gold: As the narrator of the "Collect Miscellany" videos, he will frequently make snide remarks about the characters being demonstrated in between explaining their movesets and abilities, although there are a few exceptions, as he has instead said kind words about Yaoyao and Ganyu and sympathized with Nahida and Kaveh in their respective videos.
Knight in Sour Armor: Very, very sour armor, given his grudge against the gods, but a knight nonetheless. Regardless of how he feels about the way Celestia chose to assign blame for the Cataclysm, or how it chose to punish Khaneri'ah for its "crimes", he acknowledges that "someone" or "something" connected to Khaenri'ah triggered the horrific, senseless destruction of the Cataclysm, and works to protect Teyvat from both the lingering aftereffects of that war and the possibility of further similar incidents. In the distant past, he also worked with the Pari and the fledgling Order of Skeptics to extinguish the Sign of Apaosha.
Knight of Cerebus: Every time Dainsleif makes an appearance in the Traveler's journey, the story is bound to take a darker turn due to how deep he is connected to the Abyss Order, Khaenri'ah, and most importantly the Traveler's missing sibling.
Mr. Exposition: He's the narrator for various trailers that detail the landscape as well as the "Collected Miscellany" trailers that detail how characters function in-game (with the exception of Aloy, Dori, and the Wanderer whose trailers are narrated by Alice).
Mystical High Collar: Is the only character shown with one, which is attached to his cape.
Nay-Theist: By his admission, he detests deities. In the story trailer, he describes humanity's struggle for divine power as a prize goaded onto them by the divine, and he ends the trailer saying that while gods may have divinity, at least "humans have their humanity" and he vows that humans will defy the world "with a power from beyond". The "We Will Be Reunited" Archon Quest adds further context to this by revealing that he was once a member of the Twilight Sword, one of the Royal Guard of the final dynasty of Khaenri'ah and watched as the gods destroyed the kingdom, leading to his disdain for deities.
Noble Bigot:
- He's not fond of the Archons or their adherents. That doesn't stop him from expressing compassion and empathy for them however. While narrating their respective Collected Miscellany videos, he compliments Ganyu for her thousands of years of work in service of Liyue and expresses concern about Xiao's thankless Forever War and what it's doing to him. And while he is quick to point out the disastrous consequences of the Raiden Shogun's actions, he admits his criticism here is particularly fierce partly because he's speaking from experience. His words about how attempting to grasp the Heavenly Principles just brings ruin upon the people are likely as much of a dig towards Khaenri'ah's own folly as they are towards Ei's misguided pursuit of eternity.
- He also shows a deal of Fantastic Racism towards Hilichurls, but this is due to their nature as corrupted citizens of Khaenri'ah and his belief their curse cannot be removed and they are mindless. While he himself is a victim of this curse and understands its particulars, this can be somewhat hard to swallow when Hilichurls are often shown in the overworld engaging in mundane activities and enjoying themselves, and the Ella Musk quest shows that Hilichurls can communicate with humans and be reasoned with.
Not So Above It All: Because of Dainsleif's status as a Byronic Hero with a Dark and Troubled Past tied intricately to an Ancient Conspiracy, his storylines are among the most serious, which makes the gag about him staying behind to finish the drink he ordered rather than getting down to brass tacks immediately hilarious. Up until that point, it was easy to believe he had no real interest in the drink and only ordered Kaeya's favorite to endear himself to The Alcoholic, particularly as the drink in question was a Gargle Blaster.
Older Than They Look: Dainsleif reveals that he has been to Stormterror's lair before Dvalin was corrupted: over 500 years ago. The "We Will Be Reunited" Archon Quest reveals that this is because he was cursed with immortality.
The Omniscient: He somehow knows exactly what has been going on during your quest, despite never personally being there. This includes the fact your sibling and you are Dimensional Travelers, Venti's true identity, and the secret behind-the-scenes deal that led to the Liyue incident. How much he knows, naturally, shocks the Traveler, to which he responds with:
Dainsleif: I know everything that I should.
Platonic Life-Partners: Implied to have been this with the Traveler's sibling as he followed them in their travels.
Psychic Strangle: Used one to restrain an Abyss Herald trying to escape.
The Punishment: His immortality is stated to be a curse, and implied to be a punishment for failing to prevent the destruction of Khaenri'ah.
Red Baron: The game also refers to him as the "Bough Keeper".
Say My Name: Is on the receiving end of this almost every time a new Abyssal enemy is made aware of his presence.
Secret Test of Character: He asks you three questions about the Stormterror incident, the Morax incident, and whom you believe the gods value most, to understand how you see Teyvat, its gods and its people. Depending on your answer, he will remark that you are like, or different from, someone he used to know.
Super-Speed: At the end of "We Will Be Reunited", he briefly sprints far faster than the traveler in a way reminiscent of Mona and Ayaka.
Take Your Time: Invoked; he urges the Traveler to not rush in finding their sibling, insisting that their journey is just as important as its conclusion.
Tall, Dark, and Handsome: He's a little over 6 feet tall, wears dark clothing and uses Abyssal Magic, and he's conventionally attractive both in appearance and voice.
They Call Him "Sword": He's named after the sword of King Hogni from Norse Mythology.
Third-Person Person: His prophecies refer to himself in the third person.
Threshold Guardian: If Teyvat Chapter Storyline Preview is to be believed, he will be the final obstacle between you and your sibling.
Unreliable Narrator: While one can count on Dainsleif to honestly share knowledge to the best of his ability, it's important to remember that his knowledge comes not from omniscience but from being a well-traveled individual with 500 years of experiences under his belt. While this makes him privy to certain details lost to time, his perspective is not only colored by his heavy bias against the gods, but also incomplete, as he has admitted to having holes in his memory due to 500 years of erosion, which are big enough to include important facts he learned in his journey with the Traveler's sibling. It's also possible that there are secrets hidden in the corners of the world even he has never witnessed, the most prominent being what exactly the Traveler's sibling learned at the end of their journey, as they were separated at the time.
The Watcher: Consistently refers to himself as someone content to watch events unfold rather than interfere himself. That said, Dainsleif makes an exception of Albedo in his Collected Miscellany since he is one of the few who knows the alchemist’s true origins and the threat that Albedo poses.
We Used to Be Friends: He was once friends with the Traveler's Sibling, but something happened that caused them to separate. When we encounter the Sibling at the end of the "We Will Be Reunited" Archon Quest, they now regard Dainsleif as an enemy.
We Will Meet Again: Promises to see you again after your little adventure with him in Mondstadt. After all... he still owes you for the 500 Mora and 3 questions he charged to go on one of your adventures.
What Measure Is a Non-Super?: The Travail trailer has him questioning the belief that those favored by the gods are the chosen of Teyvat, retorting that all people still have fundamental humanity that one should respect, even if it means defying the entire world.
Who Wants to Live Forever?: He's not particularly happy with the people Khaenri'ah, including himself, being cursed with immortality so they can suffer more under their "divine punishment", and would rather their empire be forgotten and they would just have the freedom to die peacefully.
Wild Card: He has no love for any of the gods nor the abyss, meaning he has no interest in working with Archon controlled regions like Mondstadt or Liyue, nor antagonist factions like the Fatui or Abyss Order. He will not even talk to you until you introduce yourself as a traveler rather than as someone affiliated with any faction in Teyvat. He is, at least, looking for the Abyss Order, as he mentions that he had "history" with them.

Halfdan (Unmarked Spoilers)

Halfdan

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/screenshot_2023_04_09_at_50633_pm.png

Voiced by: Shohei Tabuchi (Japanese), André Luc Martinez (English)

A member of the Black Serpent Knights. He managed to retain his will despite centuries of erosion and continued to follow Dainsleif's last order — to protect the citizens of Khaenri'ah at all costs.

BFS: Wields a massive greatsword, but we never actually see him use it before he dies.
Determinator: And how! He managed to keep his will for the past 500 years in spite of Dainsleif alluding to lacking something that allows Dainsleif himself to retain his personhood, and when the Abyss Order actives their purification device, which causes great pain to all those affected by the curse, he manages to power through it and throw himself onto the device, blocking it long enough for the Traveler to destroy the amplifiers.
Heroic Sacrifice: He gave up his life to buy Dainsleif and the Traveler more time to stop the Abyssal plot to use the ruins in the Chasm to attempt to purify the Hilichurls and Black Serpent Knights there.
They Look Just Like Everyone Else!: While we never see what's under his armor, after he dies his soul briefly manifests and shows that he has a standard male NPC model but with a special outfit.
The Unfought: Despite his model being that of a Serpent Knight - Windcutter, he's never actually fought. This is because he recognizes Dainsleif and knows that he and the Traveler can be of assistance.
Was Once a Man: He was once a normal man who was corrupted by the gods' curse upon Khaenri'ah.

Rhinedottir's Creatures

Albedo

One of Gold's children. Currently working for the Knights of Favonius. See his entry here.

Durin

Durin's silhouette behind the Festering Desire

^{Click here to see Durin when he was alive.}

A dragon corrupted by Gold to conquer the other nations for Khaen'riah, only for Dvalin to defeat him in a battle on Dragonspine. Years later, someone used part of his body and essence to forge the cursed sword, Festering Desire.

Dying as Yourself: He only awoke from his corruption and regained his mind right as Dvalin killed him.
Evil Weapon: The Festering Desire is a sword forged from Durin's corpse, but anyone who wields it succumbs to a curse. The Traveler is the only one able to wield it without issue as their power is not of this world.
Obliviously Evil: Part of Gold's corruption made him unable to understand his actions; the story describes him as "dreaming" when he was rampaging in Mondstadt, and he only "woke up" after Dvalin fatally wounded him.
Posthumous Character: Corrupted by Gold, an ancient Khaenri'an alchemist, and died long before the events of the main story.
Small Role, Big Impact: Durin's blood poisoned Dvalin when they fought, which is why Dvalin became corrupted in the Prologue act of the main story.
Used to Be a Sweet Kid: The Flavor Text of Festering Desire tells of Durin as a child thanking his Mother for giving him life, and expressing a desire to tell people about his beloved Mother and birthplace. In the text for Dragonspine Spear, he still had innocent thoughts even as he laid dying after Dvalin killed him, and he thought of Dvalin and the "bard" as his friends.

Golden Wolflord

Introduced: v2.3 "Shadows Amidst Snowstorms" (November 24, 2021)

Nameless King of the Rift

Leader of the riftwolves who wields the power to create dimensional rifts from which it beckons its lesser kin. After being driven back by human civilizations many times, the rifthounds eventually found a suitable abode for their lord in the long-abandoned island of Tsurumi in southern Inazuma.

As with its lesser kin, the Golden Wolflord can inflict Corrosion with all its attacks, which slowly drain away at its victims' HP, be it through spinning itself into generating a tornado, firing a laser beam from its mouth raking across the field, ramming at its target, sending three phantasmal rifthound skulls that home in on its target, or sweeping the field with its tail. Once its HP is sufficiently low enough, it will cover behind an impregnable shield while summoning three large rifthound skulls that periodically fire homing projectiles on its targets, a situation that can only be remedied by destroying the skulls, sending them hurtling back to the Wolflord and chipping away at its armor until it collapses on the ground. In addition, during or after its shielded phase the Wolflord will occasionally use Earthshaking Dive, a devastating attack that damages its enemies within a wide radius, followed by nine smaller bursts around itself.

Animalistic Abomination: Even moreso than the Rifhounds. While the Rifthounds actually resemble wolves, the Wolflord is a serpentine creature with a wolf's head glued onto it and its legs reduced to stubbles. It makes its entrance by emerging from a dark portal and much like its lesser kin, when defeated it's forcibly pulled back into said portal, as if the world of Teyvat is saying that it doesn't belong here.
Breath Weapon: One of its attacks has it fire a beam of Geo energy from its mouth in a sweeping motion.
Damage Over Time: Like its rifthound servants, the Wolflord's attacks can inflict Corrosion on the party, causing all members to slowly lose HP.
Dimensional Traveler: It makes its entrance by emerging from a large dark portal. Archive text also describes it using rifts in time and space to summon its lesser kin.
Flunky Boss: Once its HP falls below 70%, it will periodically summon three large rifthound skulls to fire homing projectiles while it covers itself in an impregnable shield. Destroying these skulls will chip away at the armor until the Wolflord collapses on the ground.
Giant Flyer: The Wolflord is a large flying serpent creature.
Inferiority Superiority Complex: Its Archive description tells that it is aware of being an accidental creation of "Gold," and that the reason that it invades other worlds is to make a name for itself.
The Wolflord has no name, for it was but one of "Gold"'s unintentional creations, and that is precisely why it is obsessed with invading worlds that do not belong to it and making a name for itself.
It Can Think: Implied. According to its description, after suffering a defeat in a previous invasion, the rifthounds moved to Tsurumi Island to set up a base for its descent.
King Mook: It is a gigantic rifthound with unique and powerful abilities not seen in its other kin.
Only Known by Their Nickname: The Golden Wolflord isn't its actual name. In fact, it actually has no name as it was one of Gold's accidental creations. Its Boss Subtitles even call it the "Nameless King of the Rift."
Ramming Always Works: One of its attacks has it slide along the ground and attempt to ram the party.
Tornado Move: One attack has it spin around to generate a large golden tornado, though it is left stunned and exhausted afterwords.
Turns Red: Like its Rifthound servants, when its health is low enough, its attacks will become stronger but at the cost of lowered resistance to Geo attacks.
Unreliable Narrator: Pretty much everything that we know about the Golden Wolflord has been called into question by the reveal that even Khaenri'ah was sieged by Rifthounds from Another Dimension.

Subject 2 (Unmarked Spoilers)

Subject 2/"the Primordial Albedo"/Dorian

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/npc_primordial_albedo.png

The Prototype

A prototype of the Primordial Human Project designed to artificially create a perfect human. He was sealed within Durin's body and sent off to spread Gold's works to far off lands. He awakened in the present day and became resentful of Albedo's existence, wishing to live among humans as well.

All There in the Manual: His in-game model refers to him as "Dorian", revealing his name to be such.
Ambiguous Situation: Albedo simply claims that the prototype Albedo's plan to Kill and Replace him had failed, without giving any details. Whether that means the real Albedo drove off the prototype, the prototype killed the real one and lied about it, or the real and prototype Albedos came to an agreement is ambiguous.
Anachronic Order: Despite being the prototype Albedo he is referred to as "Subject 2".
Artificial Human: Just like Albedo, he is a homunculus created by Gold.
Become a Real Boy: He wants to gain the acceptance of and live among humans as one of them. Unfortunately, he thinks the only way to achieve this is to Kill and Replace his brother.
Caged Inside a Monster: He was sealed within Durin's body and only recently woke up despite the dragon's death hundreds of years ago.
Cain and Abel: The Cain to Albedo's Abel.
Distinguishing Mark: Subverted. It is the lack of Albedo's four pointed star mark at the base of his neck that arouses suspicion in the Traveler when they first encounter him, then alarm when the Albedo they meet at the conclusion of Shadow Amidst Snowstorms demonstrates the ability to remove his mark.
Green-Eyed Monster: He is greatly jealous that Albedo was able to gain acceptance among humankind and wanted the same for himself.
Imposter Forgot One Detail: The lack of the star mark on his neck is what tipped the Traveler off that the Albedo they were talking to during ‘’Shadows Amidst Snowstorms’’ was not the one that they were familiar with. Subject 2 also has a colder demeanour than Subject 1 due to his resentment at being discarded and jealousy over seeing Subject 1 being accepted by and living among humans.
Instant Expert: All he needed to do was read Albedo's notes to be able to replicate his alchemical prowess.
Kill and Replace: He wants to do this to Albedo to live among humans.
Maker of Monsters: He created Subject 3, the Fell Flower that attempted to Kill and Replace Albedo and lure the Traveler into a trap.
Mirror Character: The Wanderer shares some similarities with Subject 2, both using Medium Male body models, being Older Than They Look, wear white, black and blue, are Artificial Humans created with Khaenri'ahn arts by female creators that were rejected and sealed away for being failed creations, having the same desire to Become a Real Boy and gain acceptance for what they were intended to be causing them to became the Psycho Prototype after being freed, and attempting to Killand Replace the "true" version of who they wanted to be. The one difference is that the Wanderer has a Distinguishing Mark that betrays his nature as a puppet, while Subject 2's mark is not visible on his body. Albedo theorises that he intentionally hid it in order to blend in better with humans, while the Wanderer's artificial origins has always been known to the people around him.
Psycho Prototype: While it is unclear what failing caused Gold to seal him away, in the present day he wants to Kill and Replace Albedo in order to live his life.
Separated at Birth: He was sealed within Durin's body before Albedo's creation, with neither being aware of the other's existence until they met on Dragonspine mountain.
Sibling Murder: He intends to kill Albedo in order to replace him.

Others

Crimson Moon Dynasty remnant (Unmarked spoilers!)

Peruere

A descendant of the enigmatic Crimson Moon Dynasty, who works as Arlecchino/the Knave of the Eleven Harbingers. See her entry here.

Schwanenritter Knights

The Schwanenritter Knights were the knights who piloted the two known Ruin Golems that are now stranded in Sumeru. Some of their fates were unknown while some were deceased before the game's main story took place.

Ambiguous Situation: What exactly they and their complement of Ruin Golems were doing in Sumeru 500 years ago. Though it's easy to assume that they were part of the attack on Teyvat, the notes the Knights left behind in their Golems include action reports on operations against Abyssal monsters and a last testament from a dying knight who hoped their actions would stop an "inglorious war". This suggests that they were against whatever insanity led up to the Cataclysm and fought on behalf of Teyvat rather than Khaenri'ah's leadership.
Field Promotion: Hadura, The Knight Commander was previously conferred the title Sentinel of the Golden Hall By Marshal Regent Anfortas after successfully led the operation to repel the Abyssal Beasts.
The Ghost: Apart from one, the rest of the knights are only mentioned on scattered notes that detail about the situation with the Golems.
Heroic Sacrifice: At some point during the Cataclysm, the Schwanenritter Knights asserted emergency authority over Khaenri'ah's citizens and led an evacuation to the surface while they stalled the onslaught of monsters, and on the whole they gave their lives in the name of duty. Their heroism inspired Nagarjuna, who fought alongside them, to found the Order of Skeptics and join the Pari in the desert to continue the fight against the enroachment of the Abyss.
Never Found the Body: Ynghildr, Damsel of the Dale went onslaught on the dark beasts. Only her signet ring was recovered, while the rest of the Schwanenritter Knights arranged her proper funeral. Unbeknownst to the rest of the knights, Ynghildr is in fact alive, but was corrupted into a becoming part a Shadowy Husk.
Samus Is a Girl: Ynghildr is a female member of the Schwanenritter Knights, and she takes on the appearance of the obviously masculine Serpent Knight Windcutter.

Ruin Golems (Unmarked Spoilers)

Ruin Golems

These gigantic ruin machines were once Khaenri'ah's field tilling Machines of War codenamed: Mechanical Wardens that peaked as it trembles the world. Three of these models were produced, and in the present day, all of them are stranded in Sumeru (one in Devantaka Mountain, the other in the Valley of Dahri, and the last one in the Desert of Hadramaveth).

Ambiguous Situation: Given the ancient conflict between Khaenri'ah and Celestia, seeing the hulks of these war machines towering over Sumeru gives the impression that they were part of the attack on Teyvat. Leftover records found in the Ruin Golems however reveal that they were attacked by monsters of the Abyss, and the one stranded in the Valley of Dahri broke down there after wiping out a massive wave of them. This raises the question of whether the carnage unleashed during the Cataclysm was genuinely the will of Khaenri'ah as a whole, or the machinations of a few individuals.
Awesome, but Impractical: On paper, the Ruin Golem is a devastating war machine. In actual combat, while powerful enough to raze cities, it was plagued by a design flaw which resulted in having to distribute power cores in select areas for either locomotion or combat, while the weapon systems melted down due to overuse. The Golem in Sumeru's Great Red Sand lost its ability to walk due to its smart systems failing. The end result is two immobile colossi that are currently on standby awaiting retrieval for evaluation.
Humongous Mecha: A colossal Ruin Guard that shakes the ground with each step. It requires more than one individual to drive this war machine: the pilot and the maintenance crew.
Not Quite Dead: As noted, they can operate in a limited capacity despite supposedly having broken down centuries ago. The one on Devantaka Mountain can briefly be operated as part of the World Quest, and the other on the Valley of Dahri will attempt to shoot you with its functional ocular energy cannon if you are in its line of sight. And unlike the first one, its ocular energy cannon can be operated without risk of breaking down. The Golem in the Desert of Hadramaveth (unlike the other two) can be operated normally due to its limbs and systems being completely intact, though it eventually broke down after being operated for the third time (though its eye beam cannon is still operational).
Token Heroic Orc: Most of the Ruin Machines that litter Teyvat are weapons of war made in the name of Khaenri'ah's rivalry with Celestia, and the ones that are still active usually remain a threat to the people of the surface. The Ruin Golems however were deployed by the Schwanenritter Knights to defend their people as they escaped their doomed homeland, and the action reports remaining from that time only ever mention operations against the Abyssal monsters chasing them, never about Celestia.
The Unfought: Justified. It's already hundreds of years and the two of them are broken down (with some systems having limited functionality), and given how massive they are, it's a good thing too.

Pierro

Former royal mage of Khaenri'ah, now Director of the Fatui. See his page here.

Characters / Genshin Impact: Khaenri'ah

Khaenri'ah

Monarchs

King Irmin

The Alberich Clan

Clothar Alberich

Caribert

Black Serpent Knights

Dainsleif

Halfdan

Rhinedottir's Creatures

Durin

Golden Wolflord

Introduced: v2.3 "Shadows Amidst Snowstorms" (November 24, 2021)

Subject 2/"the Primordial Albedo"/Dorian

Others

Peruere

Schwanenritter Knights

Ruin Golems

Previous

Index

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Characters / Genshin Impact: Khaenri'ah

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Khaenri'ah

Monarchs

King Irmin

The Alberich Clan

Clothar Alberich

Caribert

Black Serpent Knights

Dainsleif

Halfdan

Rhinedottir's Creatures

Durin

Golden Wolflord

Introduced: v2.3 "Shadows Amidst Snowstorms" (November 24, 2021)

Subject 2/"the Primordial Albedo"/Dorian

Others

Peruere

Schwanenritter Knights

Ruin Golems

Previous

Index

Next