Roland

Roland,^[6] also known as the Bloodstained Knight and previously as the White Knight,^[7] was a noble-born member of the Knights of Favonius that served under Arundolyn 500 years ago.^[8] He was mentored by the Master of the Knights, Wolf Pup Rostam,^[9] who taught him chivalry, justice and swordsmanship,^[10] and as a result, became a powerful knight obsessed with justice. He also had a blind brother who traveled different nations to follow his sibling's footsteps but ultimately died in Sumeru.^[11]

The Black Sword was his weapon, while the artifact set Bloodstained Chivalry were once his possessions.

Quests and Events

Story Quests

• Lupus Majoris Chapter (Varka)
  • Act I: To Those Who Embark on the Expedition
    • Triumphant Warrior
    • Fated Warrior
    • Lonely Warrior

World Quests

• Nameless Bloodstained Monument

Story

While Roland was training with Rostam under the Knights of Favonius, Rostam instilled him the principles of chivalry, justice, and swordsmanship. Afterwards, Roland would often jump at the opportunity to correct any injustice he witnessed^[10] and on one such occasion he saved the maiden in Maiden Beloved who fell in love with him. She tried to give him various rewards, but he insisted chivalry was its own reward and only accepted a white flower from her.^[8]

Sometime during his many expeditions, Roland began to lose himself in the cutting down of his foes. He convinced himself that the feeling he was getting was satisfaction in justice being served and continued towards his goal of purging the world of evil. Another person tried to counsel him by telling him that slaughter in the sake of justice is still slaughter, but he didn't take their advice and continued on his path.^[10]

Following the Cataclysm, Roland and those loyal to him traveled westward.^[6]

As Roland continued towards his goal, he became increasingly stained by blood from all the monsters he fought, changing the appearance of his sword, armor and accessories as they all became stained black. The people that he saved from monsters understandably fled in fear from him, seeing him as another monster. Some of the Knights and a single Pale-Furred Wolf continued to follow him; aware of this, he asked them to cease, as his path was his to walk alone. The group, who revered him, explained their motives and Roland allowed them to continue, seeing as he had no right in denying them. Eventually, the knights fell in battle against a group of monsters near Kipumaki Cliff. Mourning the deaths of his comrades, Roland created a special space with Boreas' lingering power to grant them eternal peace and spared from the world's injustice, preventing anyone not deemed worthy by Boreas from disturbing them. The wolf, who survived the battle, would remain guard outside their resting place and eventually mutated into a powerful Radiant Glacial Wolf known as "The Homesick Lone Wolf".^[12]

He eventually came to the realization that there was no place left for him and went to an ancient fallen kingdom, intending to die in battle against the monsters there. However, he instead learned that the monsters were in fact the people of the fallen kingdom under a curse. He decides that this was the "ultimate injustice," and pledges himself to the Abyss. His fate was lost, but he presumably died; because he had willingly given up everything to the Abyss, it in turn learned everything from him.^[8]

At an unknown point in time after he had learned about "the crime of twisting man into a beast's form," Roland encountered the Viridescent Venerer, who had been tainted by relentless slaughter of Abyssal beasts. Seeing her as no different from monsters, the knight killed her before continuing his westward journey to settle the previously mentioned crime.^[11][13]

Roland's story would be known as the second incident in which the Boreas lineage was nearly extinguished. The story was lost to many people, including those in the Knights, leading to only the most highest-ranking members and a select few knowing the truth.

Following Rerir's expulsion as the leader of the Wild Hunt, the Abyss created an imitation of Roland to lead them in his stead. This imitation also infested Andrius' remains, twisting his thoughts and leaving the wolf god unable to find peace. Roland would lead the Wild Hunt in Nod-Krai and Mondstadt, confronting and seemingly killing Varka during their duel, unaware that the Knight of Boreas had done so in order to get to the wolf's heart. When he learned what he planned to do, Roland lamented his inability to bring him salvation, but after Varka revealed his plan, Roland unleashed all the souls he had killed in an attempt to prevent him from escaping. Varka escaped from the domain and ran into Roland's sword on the way back, telling the sword that while he did not meet the real Roland, he hoped that Roland knew that Rostam and Arundolyn had cared for him.^[14]

Trivia

• Maiden Beloved details the story of a certain woman's unrequited love for him. The flower that she gives him is the Bloodstained Flower of Iron.

Etymology

• Roland is a primary character in the Matter of France and Western European legends, he is one of the twelve paladins who serves Charlemagne.
  • Roland statues, knights with a drawn sword, protecting the city hall or market square, were often found in medieval German cities. Even today, many such statues still exist. One particularly famous example is the Roland of Bremen. He is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Gallery

Japanese Voice Actor Announcement
Official Genshin Impact X (Twitter)

Notes

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Change History

References