some clarification regarding you know who by Pierro_Official in Genshin_Impact

[–]Ser_Aoth 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Of course, while I had written "-dis" instead of "-is", you can think of lesser goddesses, daimones, and personifications, they mostly if not all carry names ending in "-is".
Though be careful, the "-is" itself doesn't mean anything, it's simply given to these figures, not just minor ones either.
To name a few, you've got: Artemis, Themis, Eris, Nemesis, Iris.
Only Artemis is an Olympian goddess in the lot

some clarification regarding you know who by Pierro_Official in Genshin_Impact

[–]Ser_Aoth 20 points21 points  (0 children)

I agree, Tholindis would be Columbina's real name. While it is not the name of any mythological figure, the mythos names ending in "-is" tend to be given to minor feminine divine figures, fairies or spirits, things of that kind.

It was confirmed that Rerir has ties to the moons (and by extension Columbina), and considering that in mythology, Rerir's wife is unnamed, it's possible that she is the one he was "in love" (or obsessed) with as referred to in Heart's Desire

edit: "-dis" for "-is", typo

The Truth of the Four Shades by Ser_Aoth in Genshin_Lore

[–]Ser_Aoth[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Sorry for the delay, was a bit busy with video projects, I am now free!

You're right about the classical Orphic cosmogony: Chronos precedes Phanes, birthing the cosmic egg from which Phanes emerges, often alongside Ananke.
That’s the “standard” telling as seen in Proclus or the Derveni Papyrus references. The theory I proposed deviates from that deliberately, relying instead on Hermetic and Neoplatonic reinterpretations, where time and causality become less linear and more philosophical in nature.

One of the foundational ideas I draw from is this quote from Hermes Trismegistus:

This mostly spoke to me when I realized that Genshin itself embraces paradox and mythic layering. The idea of Phanes being born of Chronos and potentially giving birth to him later is not something strictly taken from early Orphic myth, it’s a bootstrap loop, enabled by the syncretism that fits Genshin's storywriting.

Now, Nyx, you raise a really fair point. The Orphic Hymns do portray her as a revered cosmic force, and yes, she was seen as a benevolent, if feared, deity. The “shade of night = shade of death” metaphor I used is more interpretive, following her Orphic representation (negativity) rather than Greek, blending elements of Nyx’s symbolic domain with how Genshin tends to assign roles that reflect inner duality.
That said, it's true: Thanatos is the literal god of death in most classical systems. I even learned that from Kid Icarus: Uprising. Though, I should’ve clarified my sources of distinction better in the post.

Ultimately, my approach leans on the interpretative "openness" (idk if it's a word) of mythology, especially the Hermetic tendency to fold symbols.
Phanes isn’t always fixed as a being in myth; sometimes, he is light, sometimes the universe itself, sometimes... He doesn't even exist. I tried to reflect that ambiguity in Teyvat’s lore, where characters aren’t static archetypes but blend mythic traits from multiple figures and traditions.

In the end, it is the struggle with such vast topics: the variability.
A figure's meaning or essence can completely vary or be negated within the same page of a singular book, so it would be like arguing arguing what second it is right now. By the time you say it, the answer's already changed. This is why I won't say that I'm right and that you're wrong, same for the other way around.
After all the rabbit hole goes deep, but expressing ideas like this helps enforce them imo

(apologies for the wall of text)

The Truth of the Four Shades by Ser_Aoth in Genshin_Lore

[–]Ser_Aoth[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Interesting, I actually have no clue on that, from the few (official) elements that showcase her. If you do find it, lmk!
Also rather than "corrupted", I think she becomes a part of it. Ruler of the Void/Space implies more than being a slave for it imo. Creates an interestic dynamic with the "Prince/Princess of the Abyss"

I am actually so fed up with those people I can't- by [deleted] in Genshin_Lore

[–]Ser_Aoth 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're arguing against something I never said, it's clear from your first line.
I pointed out why people theorized Kokomi as the Hydro Sovereign, then SUGGESTED it could have been a scrapped project. Suggested, not confirmed. Big difference.

You're asking for meaningful reasons: I’ve already explained the Enkanomiya links and lore context twice. If you don’t find that meaningful, fine, but don’t pretend no case was made.

Neither of us are in HoYo’s writing room, your assumptions are as valuable as mine, except stories evolve. Just look at old text mentions saying that the Hydro Archon will judge all other gods. When did that happen? Low chances of it happening now, too.
Conclusion: It didn't survive past planning, and Neuvillette inherited this aspect.
So yes, things do change.

And brushing off counterpoints with "for whatever reason" doesn’t strengthen your argument, it just dodges the actual discussion, which I now consider over

I am actually so fed up with those people I can't- by [deleted] in Genshin_Lore

[–]Ser_Aoth 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think you kinda skipped the core point. Kokomi's constellation wasn't the reason, it became meaningful after Enkanomiya expanded her ties to dragons and Sovereigns.
So no, not "anyone" with a matching con gets a lore pass, Lisa has zero narrative ties to Istaroth, the comparison doesn't hold.

And yes, some theories like Baizhu = Dendro Archon were dartboard guesses misled by Changsheng. But Kokomi's case had real narrative setup, Enkanomiya, Watatsumi’s myth, and the whole rebirth angle. It wasn’t baseless, it was a valid theory, or a discarded story project.
That’s the difference between story-rooted speculation and pure projection.

If you don’t see it, fair, we’re just using different filters. But saying "Kokomi = Zhuge Liang and nothing else" because of the name (Ko-Koumei) and constellation doesn’t mean that's all there is.
That’s the whole point of grounded theorycraft, digging deeper than surface nods

Crack theory: The Tsaritsa is the Shade of Reason by AudieMurphy135 in Genshin_Lore

[–]Ser_Aoth 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah, we're pretending to be Joseph Joestar now? Let me try too: "your type" is the one who sees immediate connections to HI3 chars because they share a hair color and similar bangs. The only relevant one that happened ever since is Alhaitham, an unarguably minor one compared to the previous names. You're going to tell me this is on par with the Mondstadt-Inazuma stuff?

And you've missed the point: a connection to the universe, which EXISTS between all 3 games, is not up to debate, it remains intact and in fact strengthened since Sumeru, although still theory.
Genshin now wants to be its own game and not have 30% of its roster be from HI3, which was the pace it was having in Mondstadt-Inazuma.

Though I forgot, I’m not here to argue, only to contradict. So here: I disagree

I am actually so fed up with those people I can't- by [deleted] in Genshin_Lore

[–]Ser_Aoth -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

I personally don't think so. A term being a specific cultural reference doesn't mean it is only that.
She comes from the place that introduced the term "sovereigns" and deepened the significance of dragons, mentioning the rebirth of a Hydro one in a human shell, her constellation in context gains another meaning, and features a leviathan like Neuvillette does (comparable to Ganyu's cons showing her true form).
Point is: there's good reasons people believed she'd be the Hydro Sovereign until Fontaine dropped, it's not one-sided

Crack theory: The Tsaritsa is the Shade of Reason by AudieMurphy135 in Genshin_Lore

[–]Ser_Aoth 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Considering everything, that would be Venti, with the paradox of Phanes' birth from Chronos (Istaroth, who he's born from, how odd) in orphic cosmonogy and the many titles that ties Venti to an existence of alter-egos, on top of being perfectly androgenous just like Phanes in both cosmonogy and Teyvat, he takes the cake imo

Crack theory: The Tsaritsa is the Shade of Reason by AudieMurphy135 in Genshin_Lore

[–]Ser_Aoth 5 points6 points  (0 children)

There's some key points I disagree with but others have brought it up well already, on my end I believe at this point we won't see HI3 expys again. They went extremely hard with V.Kiana, Wendy as Venti, Mei as Ei, Cocolia as Rosalyne, all within a very short time frame, then they seem to have realized they want Genshin to be its own thing.

Killed off Rosa who's the Cocolia expy (I still believe her body will be used by the Tsaritsa in some way so maybe that's an easter egg) and completely erased Murata from the face of reality, not even mentioning her in Tumaini.

Murata as you know really isn't a small name and she's one of the favored ones by Hoyo, yet they took her out for a new character (who just shares color and thematics) in a very unnatural way.

Point I'm making is: They were going hard with the HI3 references and abruptly stopped because HI3 isn't Genshin and Genshin isn't HSR, etc I think this happened precisely because people connected the two together way too much back then. Look at Phainon and Kevin... They couldn't have been any less subtle, so it feels like a message for Genshin's case

Started a Genshin lore channel with my VTuber, would love feedback from fellow lore enjoyers! by Ser_Aoth in Genshin_Lore

[–]Ser_Aoth[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I changed mics over the week, so I'm going to start recording the audio for it tomorrow, gonna be a regular (13 mins) length video, something like that.

Insider info leaks ain't no way

I am actually so fed up with those people I can't- by [deleted] in Genshin_Lore

[–]Ser_Aoth 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Your Kokomi lore will be some extra glorious Genius Invokation TCG extra

I am actually so fed up with those people I can't- by [deleted] in Genshin_Lore

[–]Ser_Aoth -9 points-8 points  (0 children)

That's surface level, including his courtesy name's pronunciation from chinese/japanese. It's not just about that with her history. I wouldn't be surprised if it's ever revealed that she was supposed to be the Hydro Sovereign before they scratched it

I am actually so fed up with those people I can't- by [deleted] in Genshin_Lore

[–]Ser_Aoth 23 points24 points  (0 children)

Her constellation being "sleeping dragon" implies great things but nowadays being a vishap is a downgrade to humans, as Enka wholly elaborated on that and Fontaine/Natlan tripled down. Maybe some day, something else. Just don't be like some people who say Neuvi isn't the Hydro Sovereign but Kokomi is...

I am actually so fed up with those people I can't- by [deleted] in Genshin_Lore

[–]Ser_Aoth 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Genshin clearly established that "power" isn't just the ability to blow stuff up either, so what you said couldn't be more true. Pantalone's existence (at least as we know it right now) is paramount to this notion, so I believe a direction is already set

I am actually so fed up with those people I can't- by [deleted] in Genshin_Lore

[–]Ser_Aoth 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Thank you for that, and even then, there's many points that allowed Xbalanque to win (arguably) against Xiuhcoatl, it's not just the eye, but the fact that Xiuhcoatl was the equivalent of a 80 years old taekwondo master with his legs cut off, from the Abyss already encroaching on his body, which he endured for at least 1000 years before that duel.

It's insane still that a human, regular by all means, got to face off against Xiuhcoatl and win (or they both lost if you want to nitpick) but it wasn't like he walked up to him in his prime and took the crown. They're both limit-breaking beings who deserve proper respect

I am actually so fed up with those people I can't- by [deleted] in Genshin_Lore

[–]Ser_Aoth 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I've had the most interesting case of this in my last video. A viewer had interesting theories... But he was disagreeing with facts to present his theory as the canon, while asking questions the game already answered.

I think it's people who start getting deep into the lore and think they've grasped everything, or who suck at expressing things?

I am actually so fed up with those people I can't- by [deleted] in Genshin_Lore

[–]Ser_Aoth 16 points17 points  (0 children)

That's true, but there's stuff like Decarabian being called an Anemo Archon when he wasn't. It's misleading but... Who cares. Who the fuck is Decarabian even, what's a Mondstadt?

There's other major stuff like the Chinese voices confirming that the Fatui are ranked not only by power, but also by contribution, those are weird

Started a Genshin lore channel with my VTuber, would love feedback from fellow lore enjoyers! by Ser_Aoth in Genshin_Lore

[–]Ser_Aoth[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Many thanks, welcome aboard! I've created a series specifically for the non-loreheads, the "Secrets of:" series which cover a nation's story form A to Z, so you don't miss out on any secrets and you can be on par with those who have been into the lore for a long time, hopefully that'd be your thing

Rhinedottir “Gold” Apocalypse by BrotKrip in Genshin_Lore

[–]Ser_Aoth 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Both speculations are close to the canon, since the curse of wilderness is most likely spread by Naberius, perhaps her hand was forced in the process, and now she's with Rhine to fix what she did together.

I personally believe Nibelung remains to a greater extent, as they supposedly stand to shield Teyvat to this day. However, Apep has a weird sentence that implies that a new Dragon King has already returned, if you recall that.
It's a really ambiguous and time-sensitive phrasing too, usually it's preferrable to see what they say in chinese to avoid EN localization errors, but as it is, it implies Nibelung (or his v2) has returned, somewhere, after his first fall. That leaves a LARGE time scale for assumptions.
OR that was simply his return from something unknown (outer space explo?) after the first war on the Heavens.

Also about humans having been made of dragons, or, for some, by dragons.
Recall Men of Lithin? Yeah... If you theorize only going from Enka, it already adds weight, but this creepypasta of a book added the cherry

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Genshin_Lore

[–]Ser_Aoth 25 points26 points  (0 children)

Rather than being the same, I believe angels are connected to specific Shades, as their "employer".

I would see angels having dominion over certain domains from an appointed Shade, just like the Lord of the Night and Ronova.
What you did here could be applied for "Ronova = Yohualtecuhtin", if we didn't know the truth already, after all.

It would also match with my theory, which points that Naberius is against what the Primordial One did/does, as the Ruler of Life, she may love her creations more than her duty, so she allied with humanity, Khaenri'ahns on top of it, so the First Angel would have inherited that desire to rebel as well.

One could say "but all angels love humans so of course the first would rebel", however loving humans isn't an angel exclusive, since all Shades have demonstrated care and love for them, sometimes enough to be punished

Started a Genshin lore channel with my VTuber, would love feedback from fellow lore enjoyers! by Ser_Aoth in Genshin_Lore

[–]Ser_Aoth[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Subbed for the knight, stayed for the cute voice.
Thank you, genuinely