Xbalanque
Last updated 2026-09-08
Xbalanque, also known by his divine name Haborym and bearing the Ancient Name Kiongozi, was the first God of War and Pyro Archon of The Seven, who presided over Natlan.[3][4] He unified the people of Natlan, leading them in defeating the Pyro Dragon Xiuhcoatl and ending the rule of the dragons. The scarlet-eyed youth eventually succeeded him as the second Pyro Archon.
Profile
Xbalanque was first mentioned in Neuvillette's official introduction, saying, "Someday, when they return, their true ordeal shall begin."[5] He was an outlander to the tribes of Natlan[6] who killed the Pyro Dragon Sovereign Xiuhcoatl and returned from the battle to become the first Pyro Archon.[7][8]
Appearance
Based on current depictions in murals and the Natlan: Divine Army Namecard, Xbalanque is portrayed as a tall man with dark skin and various gold-like accessories, including a large headpiece, earrings, collar, gauntlets, and a large loincloth around his waist. While not confirmed or shown in the aforementioned, it is suggested that Xbalanque also donned glowing shoulder pads and gauntlets at one point, as seen when he duels Mavuika whilst possessing the body of Mausau.[9]
Quests and Events
Archon Quests
- Chapter V
- Act IV: The Rainbow Destined to Burn
- A Fuel Named "Fate" (flashback)
- Act IV: The Rainbow Destined to Burn
Story Quests
Story
In the earliest legend about Xbalanque, he was a mortal champion and outlander, who never appeared in any prophecies.[6][10] At the time, the tribespeople had been taught about Phlogiston by the Sage of the Stolen Flame, Kukulkan. Still, they continued the act of sacrifices and ended up starting a civil war to have more offerings.[11] Xbalanque conquered one tribe after another, and all the tribes agreed to an armistice.[10]
It is presumed that during his conquest, he met the half-human, half-dragon Och-Kan and showed compassion to him when the latter was imprisoned by the dragons.[12] Their party would grow to include other historical figures, such as Maghan, Lianca, Yupanqui, Uenuku, and the twins Ahpub and Ixquieh.
After unifying the tribes, Xbalanque was given a crown by the Lord of the Night.[10] He then fought Xiuhcoatl for rulership over all Natlan, which would "stain the skies black" and according to legend took place in the Great Volcano of Tollan.[4][13] After defeating Xiuhcoatl, Xbalanque was "revived from the flames."[8][14] Right after his victory, Ronova, the Ruler of Death, appeared without notice and showed Xbalanque the grim future of Natlan ahead.[4] Undeterred, the new Pyro Archon bargained with the Ruler of Death to borrow her power to establish the rules that would aid Natlan's fight against the Abyss — the Ode of Resurrection and the Pilgrimage of the Return of the Sacred Flame.[15] He also set up the systems and rules that would allow future mortals to ascend to Pyro Archonhood.[16] He believed that humanity would prevail in its war against the Abyss; seeing that Ronova was somewhat interested, he also made a small bet: if humanity did win, he would be allowed to see the new world for himself for one day, sunrise to sunset, which she also agreed to.[4][9]
It is stated by the Belyi Tsar that the Fate ordained by the Heavenly Principles did not permit Xbalanque to become Pyro Archon, instead divinely anointing the "Sacred Lord," Och-Kan. The Belyi Tsar speculates that Xbalanque's usurpation of Fate was made possible by the cumulative effects of countless rebellions against Celestia over the millennia.[17]
Xbalanque had slashed the great dragon's eye in the battle, which split it into the two Golden Entreaties capable of activating the Huitzilopochtli array and destroying Natlan if they were ever pieced together. He and Kukulkan each took one, swearing an oath to maintain peace between humans and dragons thereafter.[8] Xbalanque was aware of the threat Huitzilopochtli posed to Natlan, and his alliance with Kukulkan was meant to prevent its activation.[18]
After the end of the Archon War, Xbalanque traveled to Liyue to attend the gatherings of the original Seven Archons.[19]
Legacy
The Eternal Empire of Ochkanatlan was founded by Xbalanque's followers. After Xbalanque "arose from the throne to enter the Sacred Flame,"[20] Och-Kan took over as its king. However, he went on to betray the commandments that Xbalanque had left him, and Ochkanatlan was abandoned after the Scarlet-Eyed Youth and his party overthrew Och-Kan. The scarlet-eyed youth succeeded Xbalanque as the second Pyro Archon.[21]
Present Day
During the Traveler and Mavuika's battle against the Abyss, Gosoythoth extracts the memories of Xbalanque and previous Pyro Archons and taunts its foes with twisted voices of the previous Archons in an attempt to sow despair. However, the two defeat Gosoythoth, purging the Night Kingdom of Abyssal influence for the time being.[22] As Mavuika used Ronova's powers to thwart Gosoythoth's abyssal invasion, Ronova appeared in Ochkanatlan shortly after the two returned from Night Kingdom and demanded Mavuika's life as payment to fulfill the pact set by Xbalanque, but was ultimately circumvented by Capitano and the Lord of the Night Kingdom.
Due to the Natlanese winning the war, Ronova honored her bet with Xbalanque and allowed him to see present-day Natlan. The Wayob informed Citlali that Xbalanque would be returning to the nation and she informed the Traveler and Mavuika, who began preparing to welcome his return to Teyvat. Xbalanque possessed the body of Mausau, a young boy, as his original body could not be restored. He heard of the tournament and applied, but because of Mausau's young age, he was not able to perform the feats he could back then and was quickly eliminated. However, Mavuika sensed his presence and later took him away from the Stadium of the Sacred Flame for a conversation. She explained how they prevailed against the Abyss and he told them what he did when he arrived on Teyvat. He also told them that he would only stay for a single day before returning to the Night Kingdom.[9]
As the first Pyro Archon, Xbalanque wished to test his mettle against Mavuika, but given the considerations with Mausau's body, brought them to a spiritual area that would not have any impact in the physical world. Xbalanque dueled Mavuika but narrowly lost. Impressed by the legacy passed down by his Ancient Name, he offered Mavuika the rest of his life force, which could be used to bring someone back for a time so she could have them visit her much like he had. Mavuika declined the offer, stating that it would be best to leave matters as is. Impressed by her resolve, Xbalanque revealed that her family, friends, and comrades in the Night Kingdom had told him that was exactly how she would respond to the offer, and to enjoy the future she had forged with her own hands. Mavuika then offered him a trip around Natlan on her Flamestrider, which Xbalanque agreed to. After the short trip, he thanked her for their time and left Mausau's body to return to the Night Kingdom.[9]
Character Mentions
Character Stories
| Character | Stories |
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Character Voice-Overs
| Character | Voice-Overs |
|---|---|
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Mails
| Sender | Mails |
|---|---|
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Gallery
Videos
Trivia
- During his visit to Natlan, Xbalanque referred to himself as an "old man," indicating his general age at the time he died.
- When Mavuika expressed surprise that he had a sense of humor, Xbalanque was a bit disappointed to learn that there were no records (or any that survived, at least) stating that he was "totally hilarious."
- Xbalanque is one of the voices that Gosoythoth mimics while the Traveler is fighting the Lord of Eroded Primal Fire incarnated by it.
Aliases and Titles
- Xbalanque was known be these aliases and titles
- Haborym (divine name)[4]
- Kiongozi (Ancient Name)[4]
- Pyro Archon
- One Entombed With the Primal Fire
- God of War
- The First Sun[23]
- Dear Beloved Sun (self-proclaimed)
- Lanque (nickname by his friends)
- Blazing Sun[24]
Etymology
- Xbalanque is the name of one of the Maya Hero Twins.
Other Languages
| Language | Official Name |
|---|---|
| English | Xbalanque |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 希巴拉克 Xībālākè |
| Chinese (Traditional) | 希巴拉克 Xībālākè |
| Japanese | シュバランケ Shubaranke |
| Korean | 스발란케 Seuballanke |
| Spanish | Ixbalanqué |
| French | Xbalanque |
| Russian | Шбаланке Shbalanke |
| Thai | Xbalanque |
| Vietnamese | Xbalanque |
| German | Xbalanque |
| Indonesian | Xbalanque |
| Portuguese | Xbalanque |
| Turkish | Xbalanque |
| Italian | Xbalanque |
Change History
- Xbalanque was released as an NPC in A New Pilgrimage in Mavuika's Story Quest, Sol Invictus Chapter: Act I - As the Blazing Sun.
- Xbalanque was introduced as an NPC (voice only) in Archon Quest A Fuel Named "Fate" in Chapter V: Act IV - The Rainbow Destined to Burn.
- Xbalanque was mentioned in-game.
- August 14, 2022:
- Xbalanque was mentioned in Neuvillette's Character Introduction.
References
- ↑ Story Quest, Mavuika, Sol Invictus Chapter: Act I - As the Blazing Sun, Part 1: After the Peace
- ↑ Twitter: JP VA Self Announcement
- ↑ Tribal Chronicles, Yupanqui's Turnfire, Act I: A Mysterious Visitor From Huitztlan
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Weapon: A Thousand Blazing Suns
- ↑ HoYoLab: He who looks down on all that are haughty
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Weapon: Chain Breaker
"If you truly wish to bestow the weak with a place where they are equal, then, O Outlander, whom they acclaim as a hero, I shall journey with you." - ↑ World Quest: The Road Ahead
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 World Quest, Between Pledge and Forgettance: Revelations from the Past
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Story Quest, Mavuika, Sol Invictus Chapter: Act I - As the Blazing Sun, Part 3: Hearken, Ye Who Have Returned
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Artifact, Obsidian Codex: Crown of the Saints
- ↑ Weapon Ascension Material: Blazing Sacrificial Heart's Resolve
- ↑ Weapon Ascension Material: Delirious Desolation of the Sacred Lord
- ↑ World Quest, Between Pledge and Forgettance: Rite of the Bold
- ↑ Book: Records of Hanan Pacha
- ↑ Archon Quest, Chapter V, Act IV - The Rainbow Destined to Burn, Part 1: Beneath the Secret Source
- ↑ Archon Quest, Chapter V, Act II - Black Stone Under a White Stone, Part 3: Echoes of Life
- ↑ Interactable, Notes by a Certain Noble Individual (IV): [[Notes by a Certain Noble Individual (IV)#|]]
- ↑ World Quest, A Finale Emberforged, Part 1: An Omen of Annihilation and the Final Entreaty
- ↑ Archon Quest, Chapter I, Act III - A New Star Approaches, Part 3: Solitary Fragrance
Ganyu: When the Archon War came to its end two thousand years ago, the first iteration of The Seven would gather in Liyue and drink with Rex Lapis. - ↑ Weapon Ascension Material: Delirious Demeanor of the Sacred Lord
- ↑ Weapon: Astral Vulture's Crimson Plumage
- ↑ Archon Quest, Chapter V, Act V - Incandescent Ode of Resurrection, Part 4: Where All Hopes Lie
- ↑ Story Quest, Mavuika, Sol Invictus Chapter: Act I - As the Blazing Sun, Part 2: A New Pilgrimage
- ↑ NPC Dialogue: Amoxcihuatl
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