#kindaa

JAX MY LOVE

im so glad its canon now guys omg TuT

Because like. They can die. Seemingly. The Traveler seems to treat it as a possibility. Though it seems remarkably difficult to do, im fairly certain the Traveler IS one of the sturdiest people in Teyvat. We've seen them taken out of a fight a few times (Raiden's slamming them with lighting, getting sent into a rock by Beisht,) but thats only been temporary. They were able to get back up a few minutes after at most, and keep moving. But they've never said that they cant die, they do treat it as a possibility... vaguely. When captured, they always resort to 'what, you gonna hurt me?' over 'you gonna kill me?' Being killed isnt out of the realm of possibility to them, but its more of something that seems less feasible to them. They consider injury before death, the death of their companions before themself. They seem to know it would take an extraordinary amount of effort to actually kill them.

And then, the Traveler is also canonically very long lived. They are one of the oldest beings thus far in Teyvat. The only other beings we know of so far who are around the same age, are Zhongli, Venti, Azhdaha, Zibai, Ineffa, Nicole, Alice, the angel in natlan im not even going to try to spell the name of, and the Tsaritsa. I struggle to think of any others around the same age. And still like. the Traveler (and Abyss Twin) are still probably older tbh.

I believe that the reason the Traveler doesnt ever tell anyone they arent a mortal is because its easier to be assumed a human than explain what they really are. Because while theres non-mortal beings beyond gods, Traveler isnt any of those. They arent any form of elemental being- they arent an adeptus or yokai or anything of the sort. (No, arguably they are closer to Angels, because the Traveler and their Twin are beings of light made biological, not unlike Angels such as Nicole.) And they arent a god. So, they go with peoples assumptions.

But.. well. Are they not a god?

Thing is, gods in teyvat can in fact, also die. We've seen it in every nation. Hell the literal first world boss we get access too (andrius) is a literal dead god. Theres a reason Morax's death is believed, and its because gods can die. Its just rare now, and was incredibly difficult to achieve. And would always leave a lasting effect on the world.

Gods dont have to exactly be super powerful either. The god of Salt was canonically a fairly weak god, But she was still a god. (Though the Traveler is one of the strongest people in Teyvat as they stand in the current story.)

Theres no specific race in teyvat which designates you a deity. Rukkhadevhata was a living tree branch, Morax an adeptus, Barbatos a wind sprite. Xblanque a human, Orobashi a snake-creature. Beist and Osial water snake dragon fucks, Zibai an angel, Andrius a wolf-spirit (whose also apparently the child of Koitar) we dont know what the fuck the Raiden Twins were before Ei went Puppet (possibly a yokai, possibly an elemental emanation, angels themselves, fragments of the Electro Sovereign, moon-related beings WHO FUCKING KNOWS-)

Its more so worship that turns someone a deity. Yes, you need some semblance of power to start. But it doesnt have to be innate. Venti wasnt particularly powerful, he was a windsprite. But he was given power from Istaroth and the Anemo Authority. At his base, he was not particularly strong, his strength was given. But 'who the fuck was worshipping gods like Beisht and Osial-' im sorry, are you asking me who was giving worship to angry sea gods? Bruh. Do you know how many angry sea gods exist in our own mythos? Worship was given to them not out of reverence, but fear. Worship in a plea to be granted leniency. Hell, up until present day, the Raiden Shogun was an archon worshipped more out of equal parts fear and reverence. Shenhe was a sacrifice (a form of worship) to an 'evil god' ('s remnants). Worship out of fear is worship all the same as that of reverence.

After everything that the Traveler has done? I wouldnt be too surprised were they to be worshipped in the same way greek and roman heroes are. I mean, Natlan already DOES borderline worship Tumaini. But the other nations too, adore the golden haired traveler.

What happens when the hero worship turns into more traditional worship?

The Traveler isnt a mortal, nor are they a god. But of the two, they walk a path more aligned with that of godhood.

The keeper is fading away; the creator has not yet come. But the world shall burn no more, for you shall ascend.

You know what Abyss Twin said they needed to face Celestia? The will of a world- they arent a Descender. Their will does not rival that of a world. The Traveler is a Descender. Their will does rival that of a world. But the Heavenly Principles, whoever it currently is, is also a descender. Their will matches that of the Travelers. And as it stands, they have the world themself.... right?

Do they though? So far, it really does seem like the worship in Celestia is moreso out of fear and.. habit. Its all anyone knows. But people worship the tangible archons and gods moreso than Celestia, love and adore their archons more than Celestia. The Heavenly Principles, and the Shades, they are so far from Teyvat and its people none even know their names. The deities of Celestia are untouchable beings that.. slumber. That dont seem to truly care for Teyvat, but will wrought punishment upon those that defy them.

The Traveler is the direct opposite. The Traveler is a being who is incredibly tangible, who celebrates and fights and walks among the common human. No nation has gone untouched by them, not even ones theyve yet step foot onto.

Everyone who has interacted intimately with the Traveler has for the most part, come to like them. Its been pointed out even by Dottore. The only ones who dont are ones that the Traveler themself only views an enemy. Hell, its fairly likely that even a Shade herself has already turned sides to that of the Traveler.

When inevitably, in spite of who may the Heavenly Principles be, the Traveler comes to face the Heavenly Principles, a being whose will rivals that of a world all the same as the Traveler.. who is it really that the world will stand behind?

The guiding star that has saved so many who Teyvat adores, or the distant light which has seemingly done little but rain punishment upon the world whom Teyvat fears?

that SURELY has to be an insane experience, yeah. Especially before GardenView was open