Why Isn’t the Traveler’s Sibling a Descender in Genshin Impact?
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The question of why the Traveler’s sibling is not classified as a Descender in Genshin Impact is a complex one, steeped in lore and open to interpretation. While the Traveler is unequivocally identified as the fourth Descender, their twin is notably excluded from this categorization. The primary reason lies in Irminsul’s perception, which considers the sibling to be a being native to Teyvat, despite their origin being clearly outside of this world. This distinction is not based on their true origin but rather on a significant event in their timeline: their visit to Khaenri’ah. This visit fundamentally altered how Irminsul recorded their existence, effectively overwriting their status as an outlander.
How Irminsul Influences Descender Status
The Role of Teyvat’s Memory
To understand this discrepancy, we must first grasp the concept of Irminsul. It is the world tree of Teyvat, essentially serving as the world’s memory and the source of all knowledge within the realm. Irminsul records the history and essence of all beings in Teyvat, and this record appears to dictate who is considered native to the world and who is not. Descenders are those whose existence isn’t originally recorded by Irminsul because they originated from outside of Teyvat. They are exceptions to the rules of the world.
The Sibling’s Khaenri’ah Connection
The critical turning point for the Traveler’s sibling is their arrival in Khaenri’ah prior to the cataclysm that destroyed the nation. This is a crucial point. It seems that by being present in Khaenri’ah, their existence became interwoven with Teyvat’s history according to Irminsul. Therefore, they were no longer seen as an exception, but as an entity that belonged within Teyvat’s framework. This is a key difference compared to the Traveler who is directly labeled as a Descender because their interactions with Teyvat were not as deeply rooted in its history. The sibling’s visit to Khaenri’ah is speculated to have resulted in some form of alteration, making them appear native in Irminsul’s records.
Contrasting Perspectives: The Fatui and the Traveler
The Fatui’s View
The Fatui also acknowledge the discrepancy in their records. They recognize the Traveler as a Descender, just as Nahida does. However, they, like Irminsul, see the sibling as a being native to Teyvat. This aligns with Irminsul’s altered record of the sibling. The Fatui base their information and records on the same sources as Irminsul, which is why they also do not consider the sibling a descender.
The Traveler’s Belief
Despite the evidence, the Traveler maintains that both they and their sibling are from outside of Teyvat. They are fully aware of their origins and share a deep connection with their twin. This disagreement highlights the central conflict between reality as presented by Irminsul and the deeper understanding of those who are outside its influence.
Consequences of the Sibling’s Changed Status
Memory Manipulation and Irminsul
The fact that the sibling was changed by Irminsul also suggests that Irminsul can manipulate information and how it is perceived. This highlights the limitations of depending entirely on Irminsul’s information, especially when dealing with beings who fall outside of Teyvat’s natural order.
The Sibling’s Role in the Abyss Order
The sibling’s alignment with the Abyss Order is also influenced by their perceived status within Teyvat’s history. This could potentially be a case of a deliberate manipulation, or perhaps the twin believes that they need to fight the very system that has made them a “native.” This is a part of the lore that is still being uncovered.
Conclusion
In summary, while the Traveler is classified as a Descender due to their nature as an outlander, the sibling’s visit to Khaenri’ah resulted in them being categorized by Irminsul as a being from Teyvat, thus losing their status as a Descender in the eyes of Irminsul and therefore the Fatui. This distinction is a vital part of the plot, highlighting how Teyvat’s memory can be manipulated and how perception can influence reality. The Traveler’s belief that they are both from outside of Teyvat continues to be a major driving force in the game’s ongoing narrative.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a Descender in Genshin Impact?
A Descender is an individual who originated from outside of Teyvat. Their existence is not tied to Irminsul in the same way as Teyvat natives, which means they can’t be manipulated by the world tree’s memory and are not bound by its laws.
2. Who is considered the first Descender?
The Heavenly Principles (also known as the Primordial One or Phanes) is speculated to be the first Descender in Genshin Impact, arriving from another world and establishing the current order of Teyvat.
3. How many Descenders are there?
We know of at least four Descenders: The Heavenly Principles, the first, the mysterious person who destroyed Khaenri’ah the second, the mysterious person who the Fatui call the third, and the Traveler, the fourth. The identity of the third is currently unknown.
4. Is the Traveler the only Descender that doesn’t belong to Teyvat?
Yes. Both the Traveler and their sibling, despite the sibling’s Irminsul categorization, are believed to originate from outside of Teyvat.
5. Why doesn’t Irminsul record the Descenders?
Irminsul records beings who are native to Teyvat. Descenders, by definition, originate from outside of Teyvat, which is why Irminsul has no record of them initially.
6. Did the sibling’s visit to Khaenri’ah change their memory?
It’s not so much that their memory was changed, but that their very being was re-categorized by Irminsul as a native entity of Teyvat because of that specific visit.
7. Does the Traveler’s sibling forget they are not native to Teyvat?
There is no confirmation in the current lore to support that they forget that they are not native to Teyvat. The sibling is very aware of their origins and what is the truth of the world.
8. Does being considered a native of Teyvat by Irminsul weaken the sibling?
This is not explicitly stated, but it may be implied that being recorded by Irminsul might make the sibling subject to its influence, but is not a weakness to their personal power.
9. Are there any other beings in Teyvat that are not recorded by Irminsul?
The Descenders are the most prominent individuals who are not initially recorded by Irminsul. There might be other individuals who have also somehow circumvented the system, such as Alice.
10. If the sibling is not a Descender, why do they possess powers similar to the Traveler?
Both the Traveler and the sibling share a similar origin as outlanders with the ability to manipulate elements, suggesting they share similar origins and are likely to have similar inherent abilities despite the Irminsul categorization.
11. Is Aloy a Descender?
Aloy is a crossover character and is not considered part of the main lore. If she were to be considered, she would be the fifth Descender, as she arrived after the Traveler.
12. Are Archons Descenders?
Most archons are natives to Teyvat, having risen to godhood through the Archon War and the Gnosis. There is speculation about Zhongli being a Descender but it is still unconfirmed.
13. Can the effects of Irminsul be reversed?
There is currently no evidence that Irminsul’s influence can be reversed, however, there are some known individuals who are capable of manipulating it and even circumventing it, such as Alice.
14. Is the sibling evil because they are not a Descender?
No. The sibling’s alignment with the Abyss Order is not related to their classification by Irminsul. Their reasons are their own, and it’s possible their actions are motivated by their unique situation and the knowledge they gained by visiting Khaenri’ah. It’s likely they were manipulated or brainwashed into working with the Abyss.
15. Will the sibling ever regain their status as a Descender?
This remains one of the key unanswered questions of Genshin Impact. As the story develops, we might see the sibling’s status change or their true nature fully revealed.