Rhinedottir

Rhinedottir, also known by her title "Gold" and by her Hexenzirkel codename "R," is an alchemist researcher and one of the Five Sinners of Khaenri'ah. She is a practitioner of the Art of Khemia and is best known for her masterpieces, Durin and Albedo. After devouring and merging with Naberius, she assumed her functions as the Ruler of Life among the Four Great Rulers.

She is linked to the cataclysm 500 years ago, which led to the fall of Khaenri'ah's Eclipse Dynasty and spawned monsters in the world of Teyvat.^[13][14]

She is a member of the Hexenzirkel and described by the organization as "A flower that is not of this world."^[15]

Profile

Rhinedottir was an alchemist and researcher from Khaenri'ah who attained the pinnacle of both knowledge and alchemical prowess, thus coming to be known as "Gold". As one of the Five Sinners of Khaenri'ah, she is a transcendental being who possesses an "earth-shattering" amount of Abyssal power. She was particularly proficient in the forbidden Art of Khemia (the alchemical practice of creating life) and used it to create all sorts of living beings. At some point in time, she developed "a penchant for madness."^[16]

It is implied that Rhinedottir's creations draw on the power of the Ruler of Life, which confer them with a degree of immortality. Certain creations, like the Bakunawa, further augment it by drawing from Abyssal power instead.^[17]

Rhinedottir classified her creations under several pedigrees which appear to reflect the type of 'soil' from which they were produced. Three such categories are known, with "Alfisol" referring to the riftwolves, "Humus" being the origin of Durin, and "Cretaceus" for Albedo. Notably, the lattermost category (chalk) is said to be of highest quality. Many of her creations had a will of their own.

Rhinedottir was the architect of the Primordial Human Project, an ambitious experiment which aimed at creating a human being through alchemy. While the project was eventually successful, culminating in the creation of Albedo, it also produced failures like Subject Two, whom she disposed of by leaving in Durin's stomach.^[7]

At some point, Rhinedottir created the Bakunawa. However, she could not control it and it attacked her, swallowing a part of her body. She ultimately survived the incident.^[11]

She is longtime friends with the adventurer Alice, though how they came to know each other or how long ago they met, given the longevity of Alice and Klee's race, is currently unknown.

After discovering the Heart of Naberius with Albedo and consuming Naberius, she disappeared without a trace. However, she left Albedo with a note, a recommendation letter, and a piece of classical text. She tasked Albedo with finding the "truth and meaning of this world" as his final assignment.^[18]

Rhinedottir is known to Skirk, though she had only heard the name from her master Surtalogi. Skirk also remarked that like her master, Rhinedottir too is "pursuing some form of perfection".

Appearance

Rhinedottir is portrayed in several forms. Her physical appearance is that of a fair woman with light skin, golden eyelashes, and heterochromic eyes; the left eye is gray, while the right eye is yellow. The two eyes also bear two different symbols. Her blonde hair fades to an orange color and is let loose. She also has blonde eyebrows. There is one unique strand of hair on the left side that fades to a bright yellow and resembles the DNA symbol.

Rhinedottir's outfit closely resembles Naberius' outfit, having a white dress with gold accents, differing slightly as her white dress is mixed with black while containing various DNA design motifs. She has a singular long black glove with gold accents on her right arm, while her left arm has a long black sleeve that reaches slightly beyond the elbow with gold accents. She also wears a black neckpiece and a white veil, both lined with gold, with the veil containing a headpiece that glows yellow. Additionally, Rhinedottir has a glowing golden-yellow halo behind her that resembles the circular version of the DNA symbol, but more unique-looking. A smaller version of it is found within the overall halo as well.

When Naberius is speaking, some parts of Rhinedottir's appearance glow blue. These parts are namely the halo, the headpiece on her veil, and the fading yellow color on a particular strand of hair resembling the DNA symbol.

Like most Hexenzirkel mages, Rhinedottir is also shown in the form of a Dodoco in certain instances, with the tail covered in a golden hue and lighter colored DNA-shaped patterns, as well as a white and gold veil as seen in her physical appearance.^[19]

Story

Background

Rhinedottir was a proficient alchemist from Khaenri'ah with mastery over the Art of Khemia. Alongside Surtalogi, Rerir and Hroptatyr, Rhinedottir would help Dainsleif attack the Royal Palace in order to free his brother Vedrfolnir after he was punished by Irmin. She was surprised to hear the news, since she was aware of Vedrfolnir's position in the king's court, and she suspected that Dainsleif had been planning the attack for a while seeing how resolved he was to rescue his brother. While the rescue was successful, they were tempted by the Abyss, and ultimately each of them betrayed Dainsleif by stealing one sixth^[20] of the "world-shattering" Abyssal power that Irmin had the Traveler's Sibling absorb.^[21][22][23]

The Cataclysm

After Rhinedottir claimed her share of Abyssal power, she became a "transcendent being" with enough power to destroy the world.^[24] Soon after, an army of Abyssal monsters created by Rhinedottir besieged Khaenri'ah and the Seven Nations of Teyvat during an event that became known as the Cataclysm,^[13] with the Rifthounds in particular being part of the vanguard sent to make way for the other monsters. The fell dragon Durin terrorised the skies of Mondstadt, stopping only when the people's fervent prayers awoke the Anemo Archon who asked Dvalin to kill him. The great beast Elynas caused severe pollution throughout the land and sea of Fontaine, and being defeated only after the entirety of Fontaine's armada pursued it for a month and inflicted a wound which would cause it to eventually bleed to death. The immortal Bakunawa emerged in Natlan and devoured the entire tribe of Tenochzitoc, stopping only after a great sacrifice by Tenoch and Sanhaj caused it to be blown apart into countless pieces.

From the perspective of the people of Teyvat the abyssal creatures' invasion spelled nothing but disaster, but not all of Rhinedottir's creations were driven by malicious motive. The personalities of both Durin and Elynas betray an innocent, almost childlike delight at the opportunity to experience life in a beautiful new world, and their memories reveal that they were either unaware of or actually distressed by the harm their existence caused. Durin claims that Rhinedottir had sent him away from Khaenri'ah to "display [his] beauty,"^[25] with any nefarious motives left ambiguous, while the Riftwolves invaded Teyvat of their own volition.^[26]

After the Cataclysm

Rhinedottir apparently emerged relatively unscathed from the cataclysm. She eventually made a breakthrough in her Primordial Human Project and created the "perfect" Albedo, which she classified as "Cretaceus," and taught him everything she knew as they ventured in and out of domains.

One day, they stumbled upon an item known as the Heart of Naberius.^[18] Shortly afterwards, Rhinedottir devoured the heart and became one with Naberius, leaving Albedo with the task of discovering the "truth and meaning of this world" and directing him to seek out help from Alice in Mondstadt.^[27] After merging with Naberius, Rhinedottir took over her functions as the Ruler of Life among the Four Shades.^[28]

During a routine meeting with the other Shades in Celestia to discuss the whereabouts of Asmoday, Rhinedottir attended in Naberius's place. Though stripped of her agency, Naberius still voiced her disapproval of Rhinedottir's words and actions from within their shared mind.^[28]

After Albedo dealt with the original Durin, Rhinedottir sent the cat Sebas to check up on him in Mondstadt and giving him a new task of giving her questions to answer, especially those that she didn't know about. Learning of Durin, she also had Sebas give him a message. Sebas ran into Albedo in his facility on Dragonspine, leaving behind a "gift" for him, while she sent monsters at Durin in order to test his strength, aware of the shortcomings that the Durin she created had. She was pleased with Durin's progress and offered him a solution to control the abyssal energies within him at the cost of losing his connection to Teyvat, which he declined. She hoped that in their next meeting, he would continue to surprise her.

Creations & Corruptions

Creations

• Subject Two (first iteration of the Primordial Human Project)
• Albedo — "Cretaceus"
• Riftwolves — "Alfisol"
  • Golden Wolflord (unintentional)
• Durin — "Humus"
• Elynas
• Bakunawa — "Permeation"
• Sebas

Corruptions

The following are monsters that Rhinedottir did not actively create, and instead mutated through contact with her creations. According to Albedo, such mutated monsters can nonetheless be considered Rhinedottir's creations.^[29]

• Fellflower (a mutated Whopperflower created through Subject Two's alchemy and Durin's blood)

Quests and Events

Archon Quests

• Song of the Welkin Moon
  • Act IV: An Elegy for Faded Moonlight
    • All Is Foretold

Story Quests

• Draco Rubedo Chapter (Durin)
  • Act I: The Magic Known as Storytelling
    • A Prophecy From the Past (as "Sage-Witch")
    • Interlude: A Moment's Rest (2) (as "Sage-Witch")
    • The Solution of Fate

World Quests

• Witch's Homework
  • Of Questions Beyond Questions
    • Old Friends and New Knowledge
  • Of This World
    • A Child Wandering the World (Voice-Only)

Events

• Windblume's Breath
  • Windblume Festival
    • Part III: Joy Above the Clouds

Character Mentions

Character Stories

Character	Stories
Albedo	Character Story 2 Character Story 3 Character Story 4 Character Story 5
Durin	Character Story 5
Nicole	Character Details Character Story 5

Character Voice-Overs

Character	Voice-Overs
Albedo	When It Snows  Media:VO_Albedo When It Snows.ogg Media:VO ZH_Albedo When It Snows.ogg Media:VO JA_Albedo When It Snows.ogg Media:VO KO_Albedo When It Snows.ogg Master... About Family  Media:VO_Albedo About Family.ogg Media:VO ZH_Albedo About Family.ogg Media:VO JA_Albedo About Family.ogg Media:VO KO_Albedo About Family.ogg Family? Although Alice has always asked me to call her mother.... when I think of the idea of "family," my master comes to mind first. My earliest memories in life are of going on adventures with her. She taught me the art of alchemy and much knowledge about the world. Perhaps... even the words "family" and "master" are incapable of fully expressing her meaning to me. More About Albedo: V  Media:VO_Albedo More About Albedo - 05.ogg Media:VO ZH_Albedo More About Albedo - 05.ogg Media:VO JA_Albedo More About Albedo - 05.ogg Media:VO KO_Albedo More About Albedo - 05.ogg Even now, I find the nigredo processing stage of alchemy passed down by my master to be full of mystery. What did my master want to create using this technique...? My research is far from over, I will require your help to investigate further.
Nicole	About Mona  Media:VO_Nicole About Mona.ogg Media:VO ZH_Nicole About Mona.ogg Media:VO JA_Nicole About Mona.ogg Media:VO KO_Nicole About Mona.ogg So, for some strange reason, Mona and Barbie are still refusing to meet face to face, and their only contact is through letters? Well, I suppose it's understandable. It wasn't until after Rhinedottir turned twenty that I actually met her in person. Alice said it wasn't convenient for Khaenri'ahns to come and go, so she brought letters back and forth instead. Feelings About Ascension: Climax  Media:VO_Nicole Feelings About Ascension - 03.ogg Media:VO ZH_Nicole Feelings About Ascension - 03.ogg Media:VO JA_Nicole Feelings About Ascension - 03.ogg Media:VO KO_Nicole Feelings About Ascension - 03.ogg "'But without Alice, how can we possibly hope to be a match for Rhinedottir?' the group wondered, dismissing Nicole's suggestion. Seeing their frowns of doubt, Nicole stepped forward..."

Gallery

Rhinedottir's symbolic teacup as seen in The Mages' Tea Party.^[1]

Lunar Arcanum II: The High Priestess featuring Rhinedottir.

Rhinedottir as a Dodoco as seen in The Magic Known as Storytelling.

The game piece representing Rhinedottir during Archon Quest All Is Foretold in Song of the Welkin Moon: Act IV - An Elegy for Faded Moonlight.

Version 7.1 Special Program announcement

Videos

Story Teaser- The Mages' Tea Party - Genshin Impact

Teyvat Chapter Interlude Teaser- The Gods' Limits - Genshin Impact

Version "Luna II" "An Elegy for Faded Moonlight" Trailer - Genshin Impact

Story Teaser- Reflection of the Moon - Genshin Impact

Version "Luna III" "A Nocturne of the Far North" Trailer - Genshin Impact

Character Trailer - "Durin- A Story Born for This" - Genshin Impact

Transcendence Trailer - "Sudden Snow" - Genshin Impact

Trivia

• In the original release version of Breeze Amidst the Forest before Version 1.2, Gold was referred to with (generic) male pronouns. After the release of The Chalk Prince and the Dragon event with Version 1.2, the text was updated with Gold's pronouns explicitly changed to be gender-neutral, as to not cause any confusion in regards to their unconfirmed sex.
  • The English version of Breeze Amidst the Forest characterizes Gold as "corrupted by their own greed and ambition." However, the equivalent sentence in the original Chinese text simply says that Gold was a "sinner."
• In Dainsleif's character introduction, a "self-proclaimed prophet" says "Chalk pursues gold, in this time inopportune, the eclipse is swallowed by the crimson moon,"^[30] which may be an allusion to Albedo, Rhinedottir, Khaenri'ah, and the cataclysm, respectively.
  • "Chalk pursues gold" may be a metaphor for how Albedo, the Chalk Prince, hopes to reunite with Rhinedottir, who holds the title of "Gold," by completing his final assignment.
    • Alternatively, "Chalk pursues gold" could instead be a metaphor for how Albedo is pursuing alchemical perfection in himself. His final assignment may be to achieve citrinitas (the yellowing) himself, i.e. achieving "enlightenment" through learning for himself the truth and meaning of the world.
  • The final ruling dynasty of Khaenri'ah was the Eclipse Dynasty, while the visage of a crimson moon has been connected to the cataclysm — specifically, Celestia's role in Khaenri'ah's destruction. Additionally, the Crimson Moon Dynasty was the predecessor of the Eclipse Dynasty.
  • Additionally, eclipse, chalk, crimson, and gold represent the four stages of the Magnum Opus of alchemy, each of which is represented by a color: nigredo (black), albedo (white), rubedo (red), citrinitas (yellow/gold).
    • Materials about classical alchemy differ on the order of citrinitas and rubedo. As far as Khaenri'ah is concerned, citrinitas (yellow) comes after rubedo (red), as mentioned in Albedo's Feelings About Ascension. The Narzissenkreuz Ordo disagrees with this, claiming "Yellow is simply bait. Red is the final goal."^[31]
    • Furthermore, in historical accounts, after the 15th century, many writers tended to compress citrinitas into rubedo and consider only three stages. This may be parallel to some in-game mystic beliefs.
• Rhinedottir wrote Vol. 3 of The Little Witch and the Undying Fire.^[32]
  • Though it is unknown when exactly the book collection was written, the authors' notes state that Rhinedottir was in a lucid state of mind when she wrote Vol. 3, which was a rare occurrence for her. Indicating it was likely written before she fused with Naberius.
• Rhinedottir is the wielder of the sword Logseims.
• The game piece representing Rhinedottir during Archon Quest All Is Foretold in Song of the Welkin Moon: Act IV - An Elegy for Faded Moonlight is a unicorn with a pronounced golden/yellow horn. The unicorn is a legendary creature that has been described since antiquity as a beast with a single large, pointed, spiraling horn projecting from its forehead. In the Middle Ages and Renaissance, it was commonly described as an extremely wild woodland creature, a symbol of purity and grace, which could be captured only by a virgin. In encyclopedias, its horn was described as having the power to render poisoned water potable and to heal sickness.
• Rhinedottir is known by these aliases:
  • Rhine (by Alice)

Etymology

• Rhinedottir (Icelandic: Rhinedóttir) means "daughter of Rhine" in Icelandic and Old Norse and may be a reference to the Rhinemaidens. The Rhinemaidens, also known as Rheintöchter or Rhine daughters, are the keepers of the Rhinegold in Richard Wagner's opera cycle, Der Ring des Nibelungen.

Other Languages

Change History

References