Why Does Dainsleif Hate the Abyss?
Dainsleif’s hatred for the Abyss is not a simple, one-dimensional emotion. It’s a complex tapestry woven from threads of personal tragedy, a profound sense of responsibility, and a deep-seated revulsion for the Abyss’s twisted nature. At its core, Dainsleif despises the Abyss because it represents the destruction of everything he once held dear – his homeland, his people, and the principles he believed in. His motivations are far from purely altruistic; they are deeply personal and rooted in the trauma of witnessing his nation’s horrific downfall and the subsequent transformation of its people. This article will delve into the core reasons behind Dainsleif’s animosity towards the Abyss, exploring the historical context and personal experiences that fuel his relentless opposition.
The Fall of Khaenri’ah: A Source of Unending Pain
Witness to Catastrophe
The most significant reason for Dainsleif’s hatred stems from his role in the tragic destruction of Khaenri’ah. As the former Captain of the Royal Guard, he was not only a citizen of the nation but also a protector, charged with the safety and wellbeing of its people. His failure to prevent the calamity that befell Khaenri’ah weighs heavily on him, transforming into a driving force behind his actions. The Abyss, in many ways, is both the consequence and a representation of that failure, acting as a constant reminder of his inability to protect his people and their homeland.
The Transformation of His People
Adding to Dainsleif’s torment is the horrific transformation of the citizens of Khaenri’ah into various monsters, notably the hilichurls. The sight of his once-proud people reduced to such a state is not just a source of grief; it’s an affront to his sense of justice and order. It’s not simply that they have become monsters, but that the Abyss is a source of their cursed existence. Dainsleif refuses to stand idly by while the Abyss continues to perpetuate such suffering, thus fueling his personal mission to stop the Abyss’s influence. He sees the continued existence of hilichurls, and the painful attempts to revive them, as abominations. He would rather the hilichurls “wither peacefully” than have their tragic existence prolonged by the meddling of the Abyss Order.
The Curse of Immortality
The personal torment Dainsleif endures is amplified by the curse of immortality he was inflicted with during Khaenri’ah’s destruction. This curse forces him to witness the continuous erosion of what remains of his past, while being powerless to change it. He is condemned to an eternity of wandering Teyvat, a constant reminder of his failure. The curse essentially transforms him into a living memorial of Khaenri’ah’s doom, forever bound to the sight of his transformed people and the Abyss, who are the harbingers of such despair. This eternal penance is a crucial part of why his disdain is so potent and deeply felt.
Principles and Ideologies
Disdain for Worship and the Status Quo
Dainsleif fundamentally disagrees with the concept of worship. This dislike is evidenced by his aversion towards the Adepti of Liyue, whom he criticizes for their unwavering loyalty to Rex Lapis and their lack of change throughout millennia. This same aversion is why the Abyss’s attempts at worship and their radical reordering of reality are so abhorrent to him. He also holds a strong belief in maintaining the existing status quo, preferring that the hilichurls fade out naturally rather than being twisted and forcibly revived by the Abyss Order.
A Fight Against Unnatural Order
At its core, the Abyss represents an unnatural force striving to subvert the established order. Dainsleif’s opposition to the Abyss is therefore not simply a matter of revenge or personal vendetta; it’s a fight to protect the natural order, however imperfect it may be. His rejection of radical change and his dedication to upholding the existing structure of the world further solidify his stance against the Abyss. To Dainsleif, their actions are not just an attack on Khaenri’ah or its inhabitants, but an assault on the very fabric of reality, an assault he is determined to prevent.
Maintaining His Identity
By fighting against the Abyss, Dainsleif is also fighting to hold onto his identity. The fall of Khaenri’ah resulted in the loss of his homeland, his people, and his former purpose. Opposing the Abyss is how Dainsleif maintains his connection to his past. It is through his struggle that he continues to define himself as a Khaenri’ahn, a person of the past striving to prevent the kind of destruction that ravaged his home from happening again.
The Abyss Order: The Embodiment of His Hatred
A Perversion of Khaenri’ah’s Legacy
The Abyss Order, founded by an Alberich, a name that Dainsleif knows all too well, embodies all that he hates about the Abyss. They are a cruel mockery of his people and their legacy, representing everything wrong with the aftermath of the destruction. Their actions, ranging from the manipulation of hilichurls to the perversion of ancient technologies, are an anathema to Dainsleif.
The Abyss Order’s Goals
Dainsleif’s fight against the Abyss Order isn’t just about preventing their plans; it’s about containing the damage that has already been done. He wants to prevent them from further corrupting the natural order and perpetuating the suffering of his transformed people. His hatred is fuelled not only by the memory of the past but also by a desire to prevent more tragedy from unfolding in the present and the future.
A Personal Battle
Dainsleif’s battle against the Abyss is a deeply personal one. Every encounter, every thwarted plan of the Abyss Order, is not just a victory in a larger conflict but a step towards reclaiming some semblance of control over his own tragic narrative. His relentless pursuit of the Abyss is a testament to his enduring spirit, even in the face of insurmountable grief and a seemingly endless struggle.
In summary, Dainsleif’s hate for the Abyss is a complex reaction driven by the trauma of Khaenri’ah’s fall, his curse of immortality, and his profound sense of responsibility and revulsion towards their actions. He is not a simple hero, but a tragic figure burdened by his past, determined to fight the forces that destroyed his home and transformed his people. His animosity is not just about opposing a villainous group, but about upholding his values, maintaining his identity, and ultimately, finding some sense of purpose in an eternal and painful existence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Dainsleif and the Abyss
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How did Dainsleif become immortal?
Dainsleif was cursed with immortality after the fall of Khaenri’ah as punishment for failing to prevent his homeland’s destruction. This curse forces him to eternally wander Teyvat, witnessing the consequences of his failure. -
Did Dainsleif work for the Abyss at any point?
No, Dainsleif has never worked for the Abyss. In fact, he is a staunch opponent of the Abyss Order, and dedicates his life to fighting them and their influence. -
What is Dainsleif’s relationship with Lumine?
While Lumine considers Dainsleif an enemy due to her allegiance with the Abyss Order, some interactions and narrative hints suggest that Dainsleif may harbor feelings of betrayal and hurt towards her, possibly implying a past connection. Some theories also portray them as ex-lovers. -
Is Dainsleif a Fatui Harbinger?
No, there is no evidence suggesting Dainsleif is a member of the Fatui. While some fan theories have proposed the idea, it is not supported by in-game information. -
Why doesn’t Dainsleif turn into a monster like other Khaenri’ahns?
While other Khaenri’ahns were transformed into hilichurls and other Abyss monsters, Dainsleif was cursed with immortality instead, making him an exception. -
What are Dainsleif’s opinions of the hilichurls?
Dainsleif prefers the hilichurls to wither peacefully than be painfully revived by the Abyss Order. He sees any intervention into their fate as a form of disrespect. -
What role did Dainsleif have in Khaenri’ah?
Dainsleif was the captain of the Royal Guard of Khaenri’ah, a position of high honor and responsibility. -
Does Dainsleif know the Traveler’s sibling?
Yes, Dainsleif’s past traveling companion was indeed the Traveler’s lost sibling, making him one of the few people who know their whereabouts. -
What does Dainsleif think of the Adepti of Liyue?
Dainsleif looks down upon the Adepti for their unwavering loyalty to Rex Lapis and their lack of change over the centuries, showing his dislike for blind worship and static ways. -
What is Khaenri’ah and why was it destroyed?
Khaenri’ah was a technologically advanced nation that existed outside the gods’ control, and it was destroyed due to reasons that are still being explored within the game lore. -
Is Dainsleif related to the Abyss Order’s founders?
While not a direct member, Dainsleif is connected to the Abyss Order indirectly through its founder being an Alberich – a name of Khaenri’ahn origin, likely connected to his past. -
What is the meaning of the name “Khaenri’ah”?
According to some, the name “Khaenri’ah” translates from Arabic to mean “wind betrayers”, though this translation is still debated and not confirmed by the game itself. -
Does Dainsleif possess a weapon?
While his in-game model does not show him wielding a weapon, the lore connects him with the sword named “Dáinsleif”, a significant blade in Norse mythology. -
What were the leadership of Khaenri’ah?
Khaenri’ah was ruled by the “Eclipse Dynasty,” including a final ruler named “Irmin.” -
What were Dainsleif’s words about Lumine?
Dainsleif has mentioned that he will always remember how much “she,” referring to Lumine, “loved these flowers,” suggesting an amicable past shared between the two.