Forbidden Knowledge
Last updated 2026-04-17
Forbidden knowledge, also referred to as the apocalypse, is a kind of information sourced from the depths of the Abyss[1] that is alien to the world of Teyvat, likened to a form of "truth" that cannot be understood by its native residents. Because of its extraterrestrial nature, this knowledge is constantly rejected by the world, and has ill effects on objects and living creatures alike.[1]
According to Nahida, forbidden knowledge was a form of abyssal corruption tailored specifically to target Sumeru, as the Abyss is known to dynamically manifest in a manner that proves most dangerous to the region it attacks (akin to Gosoythoth in Natlan and The Wild Hunt in Nod-Krai).[2]
Overview
Forbidden knowledge was first introduced to Teyvat by the Dragon King Nibelung, who was corrupted by it at some point during his journey in the Sea of Stars and contributing to his conflict with the Heavenly Principles, resulting in the war of funerary flame. However, this knowledge proved to be massively destructive towards the world and its inhabitants, causing the heavens and earth to nearly collapse before the Heavenly Principles cast down the Celestial Nails to stabilize the world.[3][4]
A second surge happened in the Great Red Sand several thousand years ago, when King Deshret pursued forbidden knowledge in an attempt to rebel against the Heavenly Principles.[5] King Deshret's dabbling in forbidden knowledge brought disaster upon the desert people, driving them insane and causing an Eleazar epidemic. Their civilization was almost completely destroyed, with the last remaining embers coming to rest in Aaru Village. Greater Lord Rukkhadevata managed to contain the apocalypse by expending a great portion of her strength to infuse the desert temples with the divine power of life. Meanwhile, King Deshret chose to sacrifice himself by letting Apep devour him as part of a deal they had made in the past. This apparently spelled the end of the disaster, but actually transferred the brunt of the consequences upon Apep, whose pain and loathing towards the world were greatly amplified as the forbidden knowledge continued to fester within her.
The third and last known surge of forbidden knowledge occurred during the Khaenri'ahn disaster five hundred years ago. While the exact details are unclear, it is implied that Khaenri'ahns also sought forbidden knowledge in order to defy the rules that the world under the Heavenly Principles were subjected to, but ended up precipitating the Cataclysm instead.[6] This time, the destruction was particularly severe, as forbidden knowledge managed to contaminate the consciousness of Greater Lord Rukkhadevata herself, threatening to spread abyssal corruption throughout Irminsul. She persisted in this state for five hundred years, until her successor Nahida entered Irminsul and deleted Rukkhadevata's tainted existence from the world, which finally eradicated all forms of forbidden knowledge for good.
Effects of Forbidden Knowledge
- Oozing Filth, present in The Chasm: Underground Mines
- The Withering, present in Sumeru's Dharma Forest
- Eleazar, unique to citizens of Sumeru
Other Languages
| Language | Official Name | Literal Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| English | Forbidden Knowledge | — |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 禁忌知识 Jìnjì Zhīshì | Forbidden Knowledge |
| Chinese (Traditional) | 禁忌知識 Jìnjì Zhīshì | |
| Japanese | 禁忌の知識 Kinki no Chishiki[7] | Forbidden Knowledge |
| Korean | 금단의 지식 Geumdan-ui Jisik | Forbidden Knowledge |
| Spanish | Conocimiento Prohibido | Prohibited Knowledge |
| French | Connaissance interdite | Forbidden Knowledge |
| Russian | Запретное Знание Zapretnoye Znaniye | Forbidden Knowledge |
| Thai | ความรู้ต้องห้าม | |
| Vietnamese | Tri Thức Cấm Kỵ | Forbidden Wisdom |
| German | Verbotenes Wissen | Forbidden Knowledge |
| Indonesian | Pengetahuan Terlarang | Forbidden Knowledge |
| Portuguese | Conhecimento Proibido | |
| Turkish | Yasak Bilgi | Forbidden Knowledge |
| Italian | Conoscenza Proibita | Forbidden Knowledge |
Change History
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Archon Quest, Chapter III, Act V - Akasha Pulses, the Kalpa Flame Rises, Part 4: Where the Boat of Consciousness Lies
- ↑ Nahida's Voice-Over: About Haborym
- ↑ Story Quest, Nahida, Sapientia Oromasdis Chapter: Act II - Homecoming, Part 2: What Shape Does the Self Hold
- ↑ Artifact, Flower of Paradise Lost: Amethyst Crown
- ↑ Weapon: Staff of the Scarlet Sands
- ↑ Interactable: Someone's Abandoned Letter
...Of course, I am keenly aware that the four pillars of our kingdom have achieved the prosperity they have today precisely thanks to us spying upon secrets from beyond the skies... - ↑ Archon Quest, Chapter III, Act V - Akasha Pulses, the Kalpa Flame Rises, Part 1: Through the Predawn Night (Japanese Voice-Over)
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