Descender
Last updated 2026-08-28
A Descender is an individual who is fully transcendent above Teyvat's "laws" and capable of influencing its fate. Descenders are typically defined as outlanders from the sea of stars, though it is hypothesized by Rene that it may be possible for entities native to Teyvat to become Descenders as well. Four Descenders are currently known to have existed at some point in the history of Teyvat.
Overview
The origins of the term "Descender" are unclear. It has been used by the Moon Sisters,[1] the dragons,[2] Fatui[3][4] and by Rene based on his research on various ancient nations, including Khaenri'ah.[5] Very few people in Teyvat know the term or whom it encompasses; for example, Nahida, an Archon with a direct connection to Irminsul, first learned about it from Dottore as part of his information trade for the Dendro Gnosis.[3]
Descenders are not bound to the Heavenly Principles's laws and are unaffected by circumstances that affect beings from Teyvat. Furthermore, information and memories about them will not be recorded in Irminsul, which only collects information about Teyvat.[3][6] Conversely, their memories are not changed when Irminsul is tampered with. Normally, this affects not only people's memories, but also non-sentient items such as books, and even in-game descriptions such as Character Stories. For example, the Traveler remembers Greater Lord Rukkhadevata after all traces of her existence were erased from Irminsul and thus, from history and memory itself.[7][8] They also remember Scaramouche after he removes his names from Irminsul, while Nahida and Paimon both forget him.[4][9]
The Four Great Rulers have enough power to deal with Descenders, but usually through great effort; Ronova told the Traveler that her powers would only allow her to temporarily sever their soul from their body, and killing them for good would require her to either destroy their body or soul.[10]
Not all beings who come from outside of Teyvat are necessarily Descenders.[11][12] Rene's research with the Narzissenkreuz Ordo, largely derived from ancient Khaenri'ahn, Remurian, and Sumeru sources, led to his conclusion that Descenders are beings with "wills that can rival an entire world."[5] Similarly, the allegedly Khaenri'ahn Perinheri claims that Khaenri'ah awaited the "arrival of beings who could transcend the gods" from among those who came from "outside this world," but that such a person never appeared during Perinheri's time.
The Third Descender's remains were used to make the Gnoses, which can enhance elemental abilities. Because of this, Paimon and the Traveler speculate that an inherent affinity for elemental power may be a shared trait among Descenders.[13] Meanwhile, the Heavenly Principles was able to take the Seven Sovereigns' elemental Authorities for themselves.[14]
After learning about the concept of Descenders, the Fontainian-born Rene aspired to become one in order to become powerful enough to save Fontainians from the impending prophecy of Fontaine. However, his attempts failed twice,[15][16] and the Traveler's intervention in Fontaine is what ultimately averts the prophecy.[11]
Known Descenders
| # | Image | Person | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Heavenly Principles[17] | Dormant |
| 2 |  |
Nibelung[18][19][Note 1] | Killed by the Heavenly Principles during the war of funerary flame |
| 3 | |
Saarelainen[20][Note 2] | Killed by the Heavenly Principles in Pohjola |
| 4 |  |
Traveler[3] | Alive |
Heavenly Principles
The Heavenly Principles is described by Canon as the First Descender.[17] They are the same entity as the Primordial One described in Before Sun and Moon, who was the first entity from outside of Teyvat to have established themselves on the world after defeating the Seven Sovereigns.[21]
Nibelung
Nibelung was the Dragon King who ruled over Teyvat before the Heavenly Principles' arrival. He was warned by Anacharsis that the world was destined for destruction.[22] This caused Nibelung to journey to the sea of stars and create Three Moons to govern Teyvat in his stead.[23] At some point during his journey, Nibelung encountered the Abyss and discovered Forbidden Knowledge.[24] Upon returning to Teyvat, Nibelung rallied his dragon kin to fight against the Heavenly Principles, starting the war of funerary flame that brought the world to the brink of collapse. Although Nibelung was ultimately slain by the Heavenly Principles, he was able to critically wound them,[25] disrupting their authority to suppress the original order of the world.
Saarelainen
Sometime after the end of the war of funerary flame, Saarelainen arrived in Teyvat from sea of stars, landing in ancient Snezhnaya[26] where he travelled across the forsaken isle of Hiisi Island and the dark, mist-shrouded lands of Pohjola to court the daughter of Pakkaisukko, a maiden of peerless beauty. Pakkaisukko agreed to grant his daughter's hand in marriage on the condition that Saarelainen open the gates of Pohjola for him. Though aware of his wicked scheme, Saarelainen went forth willingly, for if he refused, Pakkaisukko's daughter would suffer the punishment instead. Upon entering Pohjola, Saarelainen was carved into seven pieces by the Heavenly Principles.[20] As the Third Descender, he was subsequently erased for violating the “one rule”, though the method of his erasure remains a mystery.[27]
Traveler
The Traveler along with their sibling was originally the ruler of an unnamed planet in the Sea of stars.[28] After their homeworld was destroyed by a "star-devouring darkness,"[29] they began traveling between various worlds in a spaceship,[30] during which they witnessed "the birth and death of stars."[31] Eventually, they arrived in Teyvat, an event which was witnessed by Khaenri'ahn researchers in the Universitas Magistrorum,[32] and their spaceship ended up crash-landing on Starsand Shoal.[33] Years passed before they were eventually awakened by their sibling during the Cataclysm 500 years ago[34][35] and attempted to flee Teyvat. However, they were confronted by Asmoday, who then attacked the twins and sealed them away.[36] After waking up in present day, the Traveler and Paimon began their journey through Teyvat.
Notes
- ↑ Lauma refers to the war of funerary flame as a conflict triggered by Descenders, which is later specified by Nicole as having been a battle for dominance between the Heavenly Principles and Nibelung. Though Nibelung was the first Descender to be present on Teyvat as its native original ruler, the Heavenly Principles is considered to be the First Descender instead. Before Sun and Moon similarly recounts a narrative of a war involving a "Second Who Came" who was considered to be the second "throne of the heavens" in comparison to the Heavenly Principles, referred to as the "Primordial One," that they fought against. The nature of how and when Nibelung became a Descender or how the official order is determined is unstated, and remains unclear.
- ↑ Volume 2 of Hymns of the Far North describes Saarelainen as being carved into seven pieces by an individual known as Pitkamoonen. Based on their entry in Volume 1, Pitkamoonen is strongly implied to be an alternate name for the Heavenly Principles. Likewise, Skirk claims in Finale that the seven Gnoses were created from the corpse of the Third Descender, and according to Neuvillette's character profile Vision story, this deed was performed by the Heavenly Principles and another unidentified person. Therefore, it is heavily suggested that Saarelainen is the identity for the Third Descender.
Other Languages
| Language | Official Name | Literal Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| English | Descender | — |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 降临者 Jiànglín-zhě | Descender |
| Chinese (Traditional) | 降臨者 Jiànglín-zhě | |
| Japanese | 降臨者 Kourin-sha | Descender |
| Korean | 강림자 Gangrimja | Descender |
| Spanish | (Descendido/ | Descended One |
| French | (Descendeur/ | Descender |
| Russian | (Сошедший/ (Soshedshiy/ | Descended One |
| Thai | ผู้มาเยือน Phu Ma Yuean | Visitor |
| Vietnamese | Kẻ Đổ Bộ | Outlander |
| German | Ankömmling | Incomer |
| Indonesian | Pendatang | Newcomer |
| Portuguese | (Descido/ | Descended One |
| Turkish | Gökten Gelen | One Who Came From The Skies |
| Italian | Discendente | Descendant |
Change History
References
- ↑ Archon Quest, Song of the Welkin Moon, Act VIII - True Moon, Part 1: The First Sliver of Moonlight
- ↑ World Quest, Lost Traveler in the Ashen Realm: Act III - The Tonatiuh Quivers, Part 2: Moment of Awakening
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Archon Quest, Chapter III, Act V - Akasha Pulses, the Kalpa Flame Rises, Part 5: A Toast to Victory
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Archon Quest, Interlude Chapter, Act III - Inversion of Genesis, Part 1: The Night-Bird Falls at the Curtain's Call
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Interactable, The Narzissenkreuz Ordo: Notes #1
- ↑ Archon Quest, Interlude Chapter, Act III - Inversion of Genesis, Part 1: The Night-Bird Falls at the Curtain's Call
The Balladeer: But unfortunately, there's no information about the Descenders in Irminsul.
Nahida: If even you can't find anything, that seems to confirm it: Irminsul does not keep records on the Descenders. Anyone who comes from beyond this world is not counted as part of Teyvat. - ↑ Archon Quest, Chapter III, Act V - Akasha Pulses, the Kalpa Flame Rises, Part 4: Where the Boat of Consciousness Lies
- ↑ Archon Quest, Chapter III, Act V - Akasha Pulses, the Kalpa Flame Rises, Part 5: A Toast to Victory
Dehya: Five hundred years ago, Lesser Lord Kusanali used all her power for the people of Sumeru, and what did they do in return?
(Traveler): (It seems that after everyone forgot Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, their understanding of Sumeru's history also changed...)
(Traveler): (Now everyone believes that Lesser Lord Kusanali has been Sumeru's archon all along.)
(Traveler): (Maybe I'm the only one in all of Teyvat who remembers that Greater Lord Rukkhadevata ever existed.) - ↑ Archon Quest, Interlude Chapter, Act III - Inversion of Genesis, Part 3: The Kabukimono's Finale
Nahida: The Balladeer... Hmm. Sounds like some kind of code name.
(Traveler): (...Oh no...)
(Traveler): (Even Nahida doesn't remember... Just like last time, any changes to Irminsul affect her as well.) - ↑ Archon Quest Act, Chapter VII, Act II: Wraith's Nocturne
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 World Quest, In the Wake of Narcissus: Act III - Waking from the Great Dream: Waking from the Great Dream
- ↑ Story Quest, Skirk, Crystallina Chapter: Act I - Whispers Betwixt Stars and Night, Part 2: Special Training
- ↑ Archon Quest, Chapter IV, Act V - Masquerade of the Guilty, Part 6: Finale
- ↑ Archon Quest, Chapter IV, Act IV - Cataclysm's Quickening, Part 4: Calamitous Tread
- ↑ Quest Item: Enigmatic Page (IX)
- ↑ Interactable: Log
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Archon Quest, Song of the Welkin Moon, Act VIII - True Moon, Part 1: The First Sliver of Moonlight
- ↑ Archon Quest, Song of the Welkin Moon, Act VI - Melting Moonlight in the Morning Mist, Part 1: Where Does Her Name Rest?
- ↑ Archon Quest, Song of the Welkin Moon, Act I - A Dance of Snowy Tides and Hoarfrost Groves, Part 1: Where the Moon Rises
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 Book: Hymns of the Far North, Vol. 2
- ↑ Book: The Byakuyakoku Collection, Vol. 2 - Before Sun and Moon
- ↑ Finale of the Deep Galleries#Deep Gallery's Distant Pact
- ↑ Fractured Halo
- ↑ What Shape Does the Self Hold
- ↑ Neuvillette/Profile#Vision
- ↑ Genshin Impact Version 7.0 Special Program
- ↑ Quest Item: Anomalous Tree Marrow III
- ↑ Wind Glider: Wings of Fate's Course Intertwined
- ↑ Weapon: Sword of Descension
- ↑ Archon Quest, Chapter V, Act VI - A Space and Time for You, Part 1: The Key That Unlocks Fate
- ↑ Wind Glider: Wings of Descension
- ↑ Namecard: Achievement: Orbits
- ↑ Archon Quest, Song of the Welkin Moon, Act II - Elegy of Dust and Lamplight, Part 2: The Dark Side of Memory
- ↑ Archon Quest Act, Chapter I, Act IV: We Will Be Reunited
- ↑ Traveler's Character Story: Character Story 1
- ↑ Archon Quest, Prologue, Act I - The Outlander Who Caught the Wind: Wanderer's Trail
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||