Unraveling the Mystery: Raiden Shogun’s Sister in Genshin Impact
The Raiden Shogun’s sister is Raiden Makoto, the former Electro Archon of Inazuma. She served as the original vessel and public face of the Electro Archon before her tragic death during the cataclysm 500 years prior to the game’s present timeline. Her calm and peaceful demeanor contrasted with her sister Ei’s martial prowess, creating a balanced dynamic in their joint rule over Inazuma.
The Twin Goddesses of Eternity
A Legacy Forged in Harmony
The story of Inazuma is intricately woven with the relationship between twin sisters, Raiden Ei and Raiden Makoto. Initially, both participated in the Archon War. However, it was Makoto who ascended to become the Electro Archon, one of The Seven. To ensure Makoto could take her place, Ei sacrificed her own body. Afterwards, Makoto, as the new Archon, recreated her twin’s body to serve as her kagemusha, a shadow warrior. While Makoto handled governance and diplomatic affairs, Ei served as her protector and enforcer, ensuring Inazuma’s safety from external threats. This division of labor allowed for a more holistic and effective rule, embodying the principle of unity in duality. The two Raiden Shogun, with their blended strengths, ensured Inazuma thrived.
The Tragedy of Khaenri’ah
The idyllic partnership was shattered during the cataclysm that struck Khaenri’ah five centuries ago. Raiden Makoto perished in the conflict, leaving a void in Inazuma and a deep-seated trauma within Raiden Ei. This event was pivotal in shaping Ei’s obsession with Eternity, a desire to preserve Inazuma from the perceived chaos and destruction of the outside world. Losing her sister motivated Ei to isolate Inazuma and create the Shogun puppet, ensuring the country’s unchanging existence, as she percieved it.
Raiden Ei’s Burden
Following Makoto’s death, Raiden Ei retreated into the Plane of Euthymia, an isolated mental realm where she sought to achieve her ideal of Eternity. She transferred her consciousness into the Musou Isshin, which is now stored in the Shogun puppet. This puppet, while acting as the Raiden Shogun, was essentially a tool for Ei to enact her vision of an unchanging Inazuma, blind to the potential stagnation and suffering it caused. Ei’s grief and desire for Eternity can be seen as a consequence of the death of Makoto, her beloved sister, and the devastating effect on the world.
The Impact on Inazuma
Makoto’s death profoundly affected the people of Inazuma. While her name remained revered, the circumstances surrounding her demise were shrouded in mystery. This led to a misunderstanding, with many believing Raiden Ei to be the original Electro Archon, further obscuring Makoto’s legacy. The impact of the Raiden Shogun’s rule, driven by Ei’s pursuit of Eternity, resulted in the Vision Hunt Decree, a controversial policy that further fueled resistance and unrest within Inazuma. Ei’s actions can be partially attributed to the trauma of losing her sister, coupled with her own interpretation of the divine mandate as Archon. Studies on the effects of gaming narratives on player engagement, such as those published by the Games Learning Society, underscore the power of character relationships and their impact on shaping player perspectives and investment. You can learn more at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Was Raiden Makoto also known as Baal?
Yes, Raiden Makoto was indeed known as Baal. This title was inherited by her sister, Raiden Ei, after Makoto’s death, adding to the confusion surrounding their identities.
2. How did Raiden Makoto die?
Raiden Makoto died during the cataclysm in Khaenri’ah 500 years ago. The exact circumstances of her death are not explicitly stated, but it is heavily implied that she was involved in the conflict and ultimately succumbed to its dangers.
3. Who is stronger, Raiden Ei or Raiden Makoto?
Raiden Ei is demonstrably the stronger fighter. While Raiden Makoto focused on governance and diplomacy, Ei dedicated herself to martial training, becoming a formidable warrior who protected Inazuma from external threats.
4. Did Raiden Ei sacrifice her body for Makoto?
Yes, Raiden Ei sacrificed her body so that Makoto could ascend to Celestia and become the Electro Archon. Makoto then recreated Ei’s body.
5. What is the relationship between Raiden Ei and the Shogun puppet?
The Shogun puppet is a creation of Raiden Ei, serving as her vessel and representative in the mortal realm. Ei transferred her consciousness into the puppet, allowing her to maintain control over Inazuma while remaining in the Plane of Euthymia.
6. Is Scaramouche related to Raiden Ei and Raiden Makoto?
Scaramouche is a prototype puppet created by Raiden Ei, making him a creation of hers but not directly related to Raiden Makoto. He could be considered her child in a sense, though this is complex.
7. Why did Raiden Ei abandon Scaramouche?
Raiden Ei abandoned Scaramouche because she deemed him a failure as a vessel, as he possessed too much emotion and was not suitable for her vision of Eternity.
8. What is the Plane of Euthymia?
The Plane of Euthymia is a mental realm created by Raiden Ei where she seeks to achieve her ideal of Eternity. It is a place of unchanging stillness and contemplation.
9. Was Raiden Ei a tyrant?
Some perceive Raiden Ei as a tyrant due to her rigid pursuit of Eternity and the consequences of her policies, such as the Vision Hunt Decree. However, her actions are driven by a desire to protect Inazuma from perceived threats, albeit in a misguided way.
10. What is the Musou Isshin?
The Musou Isshin is the sword that houses Raiden Ei’s consciousness, allowing her to control the Shogun puppet.
11. How old are Raiden Ei and Raiden Makoto?
The exact age of Raiden Ei and Raiden Makoto is not explicitly stated, but they are both thousands of years old, having lived since the time of the Archon War. It has been estimated she is roughly 3000 years old.
12. What is Raiden Shogun’s full name?
Raiden Shogun’s real name is Raiden Ei. The term “Raiden Shogun” refers to both Ei herself and the puppet she controls.
13. Did Raiden Ei have any other creations besides Scaramouche and the Shogun puppet?
While not specified in the current lore, it is possible Raiden Ei had other creations as part of her experiments to find the perfect vessel for her consciousness and her ideal of Eternity. However, Scaramouche and the Shogun puppet are the only ones explicitly mentioned.
14. Was Raiden Makoto aware of Ei’s plans for Eternity?
Yes, Raiden Makoto was aware of Ei’s desire for Eternity. However, it’s implied that Makoto had a different perspective on what that meant, possibly viewing it as the continuous flow of time and change, rather than complete stagnation.
15. How did Makoto and Ei rule Inazuma as one Raiden?
Raiden Makoto took care of politics and laid down the laws, while Ei defended Inazuma from danger and fought Raiden’s battles.
By understanding the complex history and relationship between Raiden Ei and Raiden Makoto, players can gain a deeper appreciation for the rich lore and narrative intricacies of Genshin Impact. The legacy of these twin goddesses continues to shape the fate of Inazuma, reminding us of the enduring power of love, loss, and the pursuit of ideals.