#vedrfolnir!mc

~ 🐸-anon

—MC—

MC grew up with loving parents, who supported them unconditionally. They had a weak immune system and were often sick and confined to bed - this was how they were introduced to Genshin and they adored it. Their favourite characters in-game was Dainsleif - his story compelled them, and they were obsessed with the lore concerning Khaenri’ah.

They loved painting, drawing and reading - one of their favourite things to read were Greek myths, especially those that included seers, oracles and prophets. Some of their favourites were Kassandra of Troy and Tiresias (despite their fates).

Due to their persistent health issues their life was shorter than many, but they died happy - an independent poet/author and artist - if sad that their parents outlived them and were forced to see them die.

—KHAENRI’AH—

He wakes up again as a baby with blurry figures naming him as their son: Vedrfolnir!MC.

The first few years of his new life are filled with confusion: he is in a new world, one he had only known as a game in his past life. It isn’t helping Vedrfolnir!MC that he can see flashes of the past, present and future, what will be, what has been and what could be, alongside strange strings as strong as chains tying things together. It is only later - after the birth of his little brother Dainsleif and him being recognised as a Seer by his parents - that he realises that these are the strings of fate.

Outright snapping these strings is almost entirely impossible for Vedrfolnir!MC, especially at his young age - even just nudging the string to a similar outcome is painful to him. The threads too don’t want to change from their original weave, always eventually returning to the original “path”. Vedrfolnir!MC vows to make sure his brother and future friends will not suffer their canon fates and throws himself into studying his Sight.

—

Vedrfolnir!MC becomes known as a wonderful artist, blending traditional painting with stone carving and applying the arts to his Sight. His works sell quickly, even the ones with no ites to his visions - a great help to support his brother and himself after their parents die, leaving them orphaned.

It is during his studies that he meets two of the Sinners, Hroptatyr and Rhinedottir - academic rivals despite studying different areas. Although the two were off to a rocky start, Vedrfolnir!MC manages to have them connect to each other on a more personal level, eventually introducing them to his brother as his friends. (The two scholars are too proud, and will still refuse to call each other friends, even if they are. Vedrfolnir!MC enjoys needling them about it, much to their exasperation.)

Thrain, Surtalogi and Rerir are introduced to him by Dainsleif. Much to Thrain and Rerir’s amusement and Dainsleif’s disgust, Surtalogi developed an instant crush on Vedrfolnir!MC - his friends’ brother was beautiful, and his artworks were exquisite. (He only realises after that Vedrfolnir!MC is in fact the Court Prophet, and not just an artist.) Pierro is inducted into their found family through his friendship with Thrain, the Royal Mage ending up just accepting that he will end up surrounded by half-mad scientists, and overpowered soldiers.

Vedrfolnir!MC accidentally manages to befriend Venti during one of his waking dreams - dreams where he projects himself across Teyvat and is just able to watch the going ons of life. Venti is the only one so far that has been able to see Vedrfolnir!MC in this state and the two get to talking, despite Vedrfolnir!MC’s hesitance as a Khaenri’ahn to a god. Venti is able to get Vedrfolnir!MC to lower his guard, and even agrees to spread his prophecies across Teyvat. The only one who knows of their friendship is Dainsleif!MC, who had helped his brother bring the tablets outside of their home. It is also Venti who finally convinces Vedrfolnir!MC to act on his feelings for Surtalogi (The crush on sight was reciprocated, not that anyone but Venti knew).

—

Over the entirety of his life, Vedrfolnir!MC was only able to snap two strings of fate.

One was his brothers - and since he had done so he’s been unable to see his little brother’s fate. Dainsleif had become almost completely invisible to his Sight. (The Abyss takes notice of this. If it can’t convince the Seer it wants so desperately, surely if it has his brother he would be more willing to join it? It continues to try and convince Vedrfolnir!MC to join it, but begins to focus more on convincing Dainsleif.)

Surely you can see your brothers’ exhaustion, Twilight Sword? The king is working your beloved brother to death, my dear knight. Can’t you see it? And those bruises he tries to hide from you, where are those from? Do they not look like shackles? What is being done to your brother, Dainsleif? Who do you want dead? Don’t you want your brother safe?)

The second string Vedrfolnir!MC was able to snap was Tholindis’. She would no longer die in the moon gate. In doing so he had meddled in Rerir and Tholindis’ relationship enough that they knew the secrets that the other tried to keep from them, leading to the two actually communicating and growing closer than ever. Rerir still gains his title as the Rächer of Solnari, but (unknown to the king) instead of killing the Crimson Moon Dynasty members he’s helping smuggle them out of the kingdom. Rerir and Tholindis marry mere months before the Cataclysm. The two privately making fun of Surtalogi’s nervousness at asking his beloved to marry him. Unknowing of what horror was rapidly approaching Khaenri’ah.

It is shortly before his imprisonment (not even a week from when Surtalogi was planning on proposing) that Vedrfolnir!MC stumbles into Dainsleif’s bedroom after another horrific vision regarding the Fall of Khaenri’ah, crying silently and apologising to a sleeping Dainsleif about what will happen.

(”I’m so sorry little brother, I tried to change it, I promise. Despite everything that will happen, I promise, none of this is your fault, you could have done nothing to change it - it is my fault for being to weak to break the chains of fate. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Constants are so difficult to change, it was just too strong.”)

Unknown to Vedrfolnir!MC, Dainsleif was awake and heard all of this. Over the years, he had gotten used to his brother needing comfort after difficult visions - he always woke up when his brother came into his room, even if only to watch him breathe.

The next day, Vedrfolnir!MC is summoned by the king, and he goes to the palace knowing what will happen. Dainsleif seems to catch on to something being wrong, but Vedrfolnir!MC acts like it was just another day when he leaves. At court, Vedrfolnir!MC warns king Irmin of the Fall of Khaenri’ah at the hands of the Heavenly Principles and the Archons if he continues with his forays and reasearch into the Abyss, displeasing the king. He has Vedrfolnir!MC imprisoned post-haste, visiting the Seer only later in the evening. Unlike his game counterpart, Vedrfolnir!MC’s eyes aren’t gouged out, instead the king slashes them with a dagger, blinding the Seer in the physical sense.

Like in canon, Dainsleif gathers the Sinners to free his brother, except here they are much more willing to break Vedrfolnir out, especially Surtalogi. He had been planning his proposal for weeks, and just when he was about to ask his beloved artists to marry him the king had him imprisoned.The rescue does not go as planned.

The palace starts to collapse on the Sinners after they kill the King. Dainsleif and Surtalogi cry out as they watch the prison area of the palace collapse in on itself and start burning in an unnatural fire. Vedrfolnir!MC was dead - there was no way to survive that destruction. With their reactions and horror, the Abyss’ voice becomes louder, promising ways to get him back, to bring Vedrfolnir!MC back from the dead, safe and uninjured and then he will never leave them again.

Tholindis doesn’t realise that the Abyss is whispering to the Sinners and urges everyone to leave and help others escape the destruction, telling them that Vedrfolnir!MC would want them to help the innocents. Just as it seems that she gets through to Rerir, the floor groans and begins to break apart and one of the experimental moon gates that the Universitas and palace scientists were experimenting with opens behind her. Rerir runs forward with a cry, trying to catch her as she fell backwards and down into the gate, but he fails. The gate closes in front of him and Tholindis is gone. Just like Vedrfolnir!MC.

It is the straw that breaks the camels back, and the Sinners gain their roles, with Dainsleif replacing Vedrfolnir!MC. Out of all of them, he has the most freedom, able to travel across Teayvat as he wants, but only at night, when Celestia’s sight is less absolute and the Archons rest alongside their nations. Surtalogi still leaves Teyvat to look for the student Vedrfolnir!MC told him he’d get, and trains her desperately when he finds her, unwilling to lose his student their daughter like he did his love. Skirk grows up being told stories of her teachers’ fathers’ beloved Seer, and tells these stories to her student son, Ajax. Thrain and Pierro join the Tsaritsa in her crusade against Celestia. Vedrfolni!MC remains trapped in the hidden prison, encased in crystal and guarded by the now-cursed servants of the Vinster King.

—MONDSTADT—

The Traveller has heard a kind voice since waking up in Teyvat and worries for whomever it belongs to - it sounds weak and in pain, even if it tries to hide the latter. Paimon can’t hear whoever it is, but believes the Traveller that there’s someone talking, since it tells them things that even Paimon didn’t know.

When they get to Mondstadt, Amber looks surprised and almost happy to see them - almost like she recognises the duo. (She doesn’t, but she recognises their descriptions) Amber is overly helpful and tells them she’ll bring them directly to the Acting Grandmaster of Mondstadt - and immediately beings backtracking and reassuring the dup they’re not in trouble when she sees their reactions.

(”Ahhh! You’re not in trouble, sorry! Sorry, I should have said that better! You said you’re looking for your sister, yes? Jean - the Acting Grandmaster - can help you with that, and she doesn’t want civilians outof the city walls while the Dragon of the East has been corrupted! I’m sorry, you’re not in tr- Oh, you didn’t know about Dvalin?”)

With the multiple assurances - and them seeing Dvalin fly overhead with an angry roar - they agree to go to Mondstadt where even more people (the knights and church members specifically) seem to recognise them, which does make the duo slightly wary. The Traveller only relaxes when they’re brought to the Knights of Favonius’ Headquarters, and when they hear the voice speaking to them again.

(”They mean both of you no harm, Traveller of the stars. I apologise to you both, but they will ask you for your help. You will be able to do it, don’t doubt yourselves.”)

The voice falls silent before they can ask for an explanation, and the presence they associate with it fades away as they get beckoned into Jean’s office. The majority of the Archon Quest goes as in canon, but there’s less damage and the lyre isn’t badly damaged. When the group returns the lyre to the Church, they’re forgiven immediately, surprising the Traveller and Paimon. Barbara sees their reaction and starts scolding Jean and Venti for not telling the two about the prophecy tablets. The Traveller voices their confusion, and Barbara brings them back down to the Church Vault to show them what she meant.

There’s a stone tablet in the vaults of the Church that depict Dvalin getting corrupted by something or someone - its too damaged to tell what or who does this, but it’s intact enough that Mondstadt knows Dvalin is not being malicious, he’s being controlled when he attacks them. A second stone tablet shows an unknown person together with a flying fairy-esque being healing the dragon of the corruption - the person is confusing, sometimes depicted as male with long hair or female with short hair, almost as if whoever carved them didn’t know who to put.

(”See? It’s why you two were trusted really quickly, even with you two being strangers! Lord Barbatos brought these tablets to the Church Vaults Himself personally just over five centuries ago, shortly before going into a deep sleep. Our Lord is said to have told the church to make sure the tablets were kept as intact as possible and to make sure no outsider other than the ones depicted see it! He’s most gracious and we were lucky he was kind enough to forgive us for not being able to save the paints on it when the nobles got it water damaged! We only have records of what it used to look like - the golden hair, your golden hair, was focused on… Oh, I’m rambling. I’m sorry, but the faillures of the Church make me so. So. So angry! Lord Barbatos trusted us with this remnant of His friend and we failed!” “I’m sure he forgives you, dear Barbara! Who knows, perhaps your beloved Archon even has a copy of the tablets? Now who wants to celebrate a well-ended prophecy with wine?” “VENTI! No drinking in the church vault!”)

As Barbara chases Venti out of the vault, the Traveller quietly tells Jean that the female figure looked like his sister. Jean acknowledges this and tells him that’ll help with the Missing Persons posters. Barbara comes back down in a huff, and tells her sister that she needs to prepare for church service. The three leave the vault, not noticing the tear in space that opens as they go.

(Dainsleif wasn’t going to leave his brothers’ prophecies in the hands of an Archon, even if it was the one who had been kind to Vedrfolnir!MC. And the Harbinger was going to keep him occupied long enough for him to take the tablets. He swore that he briefly felt the presence of his brother, but that was impossible)

Signora rips out the Gnosis as in canon, with Jean and the Traveller witnessing it happen just as they leave the church. Signora and the Fatui agents are forced to flee.

—LIYUE—

Jean directs the Traveller to visit Liyue next, and mentions that the next Rite of Descension should be soon.

(”Security is always very strong during the Rite, it’s the only time Morax reveals himself to the people of Liyue. Why the extra protection? I don’t actually know, Morax is plenty strong himself, but the people of Liyue have always been wary of outsiders during the Rite - the amount of guards in the harbour is truly impressive. There are even rumours of the adepti appearing. You don’t-? Oh, of course, my apologies. The Knights of Favonius will provide you with a guide to Liyue and it’s adepti. Best read it before you arrive for the rite.”)

Once again, the duo seems to be recognised as they approach the harbour, though they don’t notice it this time - Yelan’s people know how to be discreet. The quest again goes quite similar to canon, except the Millelith are recalled from hunting the Traveller before they even get to the adepti. The Traveller meets with all the adpeti and leaves for the Harbour, just missing Ganyu on her way to the Cloud Retainer.

(”We must’ve gotten the order of the tablets wrong, Master. This means Osial is going to rise soon - What can we do? Lord Morax was supposed to be here for this - he’s on the tablet!”)

They meet with Childe and Zhongli as in canon, and Ganyu manages to catch up with them too. She accompanies them to Ningguang (avoiding the whole ballista misunderstanding scene), who is currently talking with the adpeti - where the two finally notice the fact they appear to be recognised again.

(”Perhaps there’s another tablet like in Mondstadt? Does Mr. Voice know, Traveller?” “He’s rather quiet right now Paimon, I think he’s tired.”)

The Traveller acts as mediator between the Qixing and Adepti, who are arguing less about Morax’s death and more about how they got “the order wrong”. Paimon interrupts the argument to ask if they were talking about “those weird prophecy tablets that showed the Traveller and his twin”. Cloud Retainer answers Paimon’s question and confirms that there are tablets, but that they were placed in an adepti-sealed area in the Golden House to protect them from thieves. The Traveller and Paimon are given permission to view the tablets, but are asked to continue helping Zhongli with the Rite of Parting, and if they could take Ganyu with them since she needed to check on something in Dihua Marsh anyway.

Canon events commence, with Vedrfolnir!MC still being silent (they absolutely refuse to speak in the company of the Geo Archon. They are well aware of what the qilin-dragon hybrid can and has done), only talking during their confrontation with Childe.

(”Oh, those are Surta’s moves. …Oh. Oh! How lovely. …How sad. I wasn’t there.” (Vedrfolnir!MC is just realising he’s a grand/parent now, seeing brief flashes of Surtalogi telling Skirk about him, and Skirk telling Ajax about them both. He does not explain their revelation to the Traveller, only acting even fonder of Childe than he had before. The Traveller is very confused why the voice is practically cooing over a Harbinger while simultaneously scolding him for fighting the Traveller.))

The fight against Osial goes roughly the same, except the Qixing and adpeti are more willing and able to work together to defeat Osial. After everything (including the Gnosis transfer) and Ningguang’s announcement of Morax ascending to the Heavens and watching over Liyue from a distance (or whatever the official story was), the Traveller is able to see the tablets.

The stone tablets are intricately carved. Every curve is smoothed out, there are no blemishes in the work, and the stone glitters golden in the light of the Golden House. The first tablet - which had been mistaken as being the second and was the reason security at Rites had been so thorough - showed the Exuvia collapsed on the ground, surrounded by traditional offerings and bleeding heavily. The Travellers’ figure is standing in front of the false corpse and a Paimon-esque figure, seemingly protecting them from a defaced outline - making its features indistinguishable. The second tablet shows Osial attacking Liyue harbour - it being defended by the adepti and the Qixing - the Traveller being barely distinguishable from the rest of the people fighting the Lord of the Vortex. The humanoid figure of Morax - in an outfit similar to his statues - watches from high on top a cloud covered mountain in the corner of the tablet. A proud smile carved onto the only visible part of his face.

—INTERLUDE: A FAMILIAR STRANGER—

Instead of Dainsleif in the Interlude quests it’s Vedrfolnir!MC - more aware in those times, able to speak more and have Paimon hear him as well - and Tholindis. (Thank you for that idea 🦔-anon)

(”AHH!! Paimon just heard a voice!!! Traveller!!! Traveller!! Help! Why aren’t you freaking out?! There’s nobody here! What do you mean ‘you can hear him too’? …Wait is this who you’ve been hearing?! Why are you two laughing, oh this is sooo weird!”)

After the little scare with Paimon suddenly being able to hear Vedrfolnir!MC, the Traveller and Paimon return to Mondstadt after the whole chaos at the Rite to talk to Venti at Zhongli’s request - he wanted them to tell the Anemo Archon what had actually happened. After talking to Venti, who through the winds already knows what happened, the two wander around Mondstadt for a bit. In a quiet area outside the city the two talk to Vedrfolnir!MC. The Traveller asks him if he knows anything about their sibling - to which Vedrfolnir!MC says he does.

(”I do know of your sibling, but have not seen them in years. I knew them as the Prince/ss of my nation - they had been adopted by our king after he found them memoryless, wandering around the kingdom. I'm sorry, but you won't find them there, our nation was destroyed five centuries ago. Don't look like that, they survived the Fall - I know that much. …I don't know how I'm still alive, I was not cursed the same way like the rest of our people. …Oh, have I not already… Apologies, you know the hilichurls that mindlessly attack others? The ones that the other hilichurls look after? …No, we were a nation of humans, not monsters. Their appearance is the result of the curse, with the insanity being the final stage. Am I-? No, I don't think so.”)

When the two try to find out more about the fallen nation, the curse, and why Vedrfolnir!MC doesn't know how he's cursed, Vedrfolnir!MC stays silent. The duo give up when they realise that he's uncomfortable, and they go to the Adventurer's Guild to complete some commisions. They get told about a “stranger with unusual clothes” and decide to check them out. Asking around Mondstadt they get about the stranger hiding their face, asking about strange materials and loosing any tails from the Knights. With encouragement from Vedrfolnir!MC, the Traveller and Paimon go to the Angel's Share and wait there to see if they'll come across this unknown. And they do. Instead of meeting Dainsleif in the tavern however, they meet Tholindis. They are wary of her like they were Dainsleif in canon, but both relaxed when they hear “Mr. Voice” recognise her.

(”…Tholindis? …what? Where’s my… How is she here?” “Miss Stranger, is everything alright, you look spooked?” “Everything is alright, miss Paimon, i just thought I heard someone I knew once.”)

Tholindis can’t hear Vedrfolnir!MC clearly - only heard a faint and broken-up whisper - and thought she’d just mistaken a tavern-goers voice for her old friend’s. Tholindis is more amicable than Dainsleif was, still however keeping people at arms length. Much like Dainsleif originally, she's hunting down anything about the Abyss Order (and looking for anything pertaining to Vedrfolnir!MC, not that she tells them that tidbit). The group fails to catch up to the Abyss Heralds in Mondstadt, and Vedrfolnir!MC speaks up to tell them about the commission in Liyue (- the Traveller thinks at first that he had just seen the commision, but later gets confused since Ganyu was just putting it up when they get there -), and the Traveller brings it up to Tholindis, who agrees to travel with them to Liyue, if not into the harbour itself. The quest goes mostly like canon, just with added commentary and information from Vedrfolnir!MC.

Vedrfolnir!MC is unable to “follow” them into the ruins, the defiled statue and abyssal influence making it difficult and painful to do so. This means he doesn’t see the confrontation between the Traveller, Paimon and Tholindis, and the Abyss Prince/ss and Dainsleif. The confrontation goes… worse than canon I suppose, even if nobody dies or is permanently injured. Tholindis isn’t recognised, having been mistaken for a random Crimson Moon descendant loyal to king Irmin, or at least against the Abyss Order.

(”Are you truly still loyal to the Vinster King, Crimson Descendant, even after learning of his crimes against your people? It has been five centuries, surely you know of them by now?” “I have never been loyal to him, but what you are doing is madness! the Visionary is gone, you won’t -!” “ENOUGH!”)

Dainsleif and Tholindis come to blows, Dainsleif furious that this “stranger” would “slander his brother”. The Traveller tries to appeal to their watching sibling, but fails. It is only when the ruins become unstable that the two separate, thankfully not a long time, only a minute or three.

The Abyss Prince/ss and Dainsleif leave, with the Herald staying behind to delay Tholindis and the Traveller long enough for the portal to close. Tholindis follows the Herald into his portal, leaving the Traveller alone with Paimon in the shaking ruins.

It is only when they leave that Vedrfolnir!MC can talk to them again. He notices that something happened in the ruins, but he attributes it to the Traveller being confronted by their sibling.

(”Are you alright, Traveller? Where is Tholindis?” “My sibling…refuses to leave this world.” “Oh. Do you wish for me to leave you be? Or tell you about the nation of Inazuma?” “Inazuma please.” (Vedrfolnir!MC knows that the confrontation would be similar to the game, but they had hoped against hope that their attempts to break fate had at least changed this. He can’t imagine being at such odds with his brother. He wishes he could see what Dain was up to. If he was happy.))

—INAZUMA—

(Honestly, Inazuma was giving me so much trouble, so this will be the shortest and most canon-compliant)

The majority of the Inazuma archon quest stays the same - the Traveller having to smuggle himself into the nation, having to have Thoma get him out of Ritou, etc - just with added commentary and warnings from Vedrfolnir!MC.

(”The current Electro Archon lost her twin in the fall of Khaenri’ah, and has taken it out on the world ever since - blaming its inability to conform to the impossible standards set by Celestia and the Heavenly Principles for the fall of nations. Her trauma is dooming her own people - and those that could do something stand by and do nothing.”)

(”It is foolish to take away Visions. They may be Celestial constraints, but they hold the wishes - and partially the souls - of their people. Separating them in the way that the Electro Archon is doing is just damning them to a slow and painful death.”)

(”Thoma is going to be the 100th victim tomorrow. If we are lucky enough we can avoid a confrontation with the Shogun puppet and the Archon.”)

The Traveller, Thoma and Paimon make their way to Watatsumi Island in time to rescue Teppei and meet up with Gorou. Vedrfolnir!MC warns the Traveller that if they want Teppei to survive, they’d have to keep an eye on him. The confrontation with Kujou Sara goes as in canon.

Vedrfolnir!MC warns the Traveller of the anonymous letter Sangonomiya Kokomi tells them about, revealing that it is the Fatui and that they’ve hidden Delusions among the supplies. He tells them what the side effects are of them, letting the Traveller decide when and if they’ll relay this to Kokomi. The Traveller decides to wait before telling the Priestess, since they had no proof and “a voice told me” is not a good explanation. They are more suspicious of Teppei’s good mood when they come across him after his promotion.

When Teppei becomes visibly ill and blames it on the tatarigami, the Traveller resolves to figure out what is going on - hoping that it is not a Delusion that Teppei is using. It is there that they come across the prophecy tablet.

There is only one tablet in Inazuma. It is half covered in moss near the abandoned village on Yashiori Island. It warns of the Mikage Furnace being destroyed, of a blacksmith being betrayed and killed, and of a little prince being deceived by a shapeshifter. (It is the only reason that the people of Kannazuka and Yashiori Island didn’t believe a word of the Shogunate when they blamed Niwa Hisahide for it’s destruction.)

(”You’re the one who made these tablets aren’t you? You’re a Seer, and these are incredibly accurate.” “…Yes, I was.” “Why didn’t you stop these events from happening?” “I tried. And somewhat succeeded in many cases - the events depicted on my tablets sh- would have been much worse had I not interfered.” “Then why aren’t you doing more now?” “I can’t.”)

With that out of the way the Traveller returns to Watatsumi Island to warn Kokomi of the Delusions - and the Fatui. They make it in time to stop Teppei from rapidly aging and dying, but he is now permanently disabled and banned from combat.

The Traveller isn’t as angry as they were in canon, and don’t rush off to destroy the Delusion factory on their own. They are still knocked out and wake up in the Grand Narukami Shrine with Yae Miko. Together with the help of Sara and Miko, they reveal the Fatui plot in Inazuma - not just to Ei, but to the people as well.

Vedrfolnir!MC doesn’t follow the Traveller into the Tenshukaku, or into the Plane of Euthymia where Ei fights the Traveller and Miko interferes.

(For a second, Ei falters. Perhaps it was a trick of the light, but for a moment she saw a figure waiting outside the Tenshukaku for the Traveller - the Khaenri’ahn Prophet that the Heavenly Principles seemed to both hate and adore and who had gone missing days before the nations’ fall.)

It is only after the dust settles from the final confrontation that the Traveller finds out that Miko just gave the Fatui the Electro Gnosis.

(The Electro Archon seems like she wanted to ask the Traveller something, but whenever they turned to her she appeared as indifferent as ever.)

—TSURUMI: A BITTERSWEET REUNION—

Before returning to Liyue to make their way to Sumeru, the Traveller and Paimon decide to take on a few commissions to make some mora. Vedrfolnir!MC listens to what commissions are available, and quietly tells them that they should take on the one from the novel-writer Sumida. The duo are confused, but accept the commission. It is only when they get to the island that they understand why.

(”Nobody knows when the tablets appeared, or if they’ve always been there. The fog covers them most of the time, and despite their beauty they tell a horrible tale. Also don’t appear to be in order, but nobody’s been able to move them, nor do they want to. Why? The rift hounds and other monsters won’t go near them. Dunno why, but they absolutely refuse to break them - they’ll only go near them do get rid of people trying to move or harm them.”)

Vedrfolnir!MC hadn’t been able to do anything for Ruu while in Khaenri’ah, the King and his Court unwilling to have their Prophet leave the country. The most he managed was to have prophecy tablets delivered to the shores. They tell of the sordid history and human sacrifices committed by the inhabitants, the indifferent Thunderbird soaring above the island until a child’s song reaches its ears. The second tablet depicts a child - quite clearly Ruu if they met the spirit - meeting and singing to Kanna Kapatcir, the bird shown resting for the first time in the tablets and enjoying the child’s company. The third tablet depicts the sacrifice and the death of Ruu - and the resulting desolation and rage of the Thunderbird. The fourth and last tablet depicts Serai Island the Thunder Manifestation halfway transformed into Kanna Kapatcir floating midair in front of a child-like figure. The corner of the last tablet is damaged, but fragments of a small floating figure remain.

Before the traveller can ask a silent mourning Vedrfolnir!MC what had happened here, they see Ruu along the path up ahead. They startle him accidentally, he hadn’t heard their approach.

(”Yikes! You’re… outlanders? Hello! My name’s Ruu!” “Uhm, hello, Paimon’s Paimon and this is the Traveller, we -” “Who’s the pretty one with the blindfold?” “…what”)

Even Vedrfolnir!MC is startled Ruu can see him. Paimon starts grilling Ruu about Vedrfolnir!MC’s appearance, the Traveller literally having to pull her away from the child. Ruu is confused about the duo’s reaction, turning towards Vedrfolnir!MC’s “direction” in confusion. (Vedrfolnir!MC isn’t aware of his “body” when he’s projecting his spirit outside of his prison, so the knowledge that he has an “appearance” was a surprise.) The Seer quietly explains to Ruu that he’s not physically present on Tsurumi Island, and that nobody has ever been able to see him like Ruu’s able to.

(”Ohh, so why am I able to see you mister?” “It is probably, little one, because you are dead.” “RUU IS WHAT?!” “Oh, that makes sense.” “WHAT”)

With Vedrfolnir!MC and Ruu clearing up what happened on Tsurumi Island and why it’s stuck in an apparent time loop (horrifying the Traveller and Paimon), the group does manage to skip a large amount of the quest line (the fetch quests and looking for Ruu bits). The Traveller and Paimon still struggle to convince Ruu that him being sacrificed was wrong, but eventually manage when they bring in Kama, who tells Ruu about his ancestors.

With Vedrfolnir!MC’s help and convincing (confusing Kama greatly - he has no idea who everyone is talking to), they manage to convince Ruu to go with them to Seirai Island and sing to the Thunder Manifestation/Bird.

(”Oh, you want me to sing to Kapatcir on Seiraii Island, Mister Ved? But how will I get there?” “Who is-” “Shh!” “Yes, Kanna Kapatcir is stuck there much like how you are stuck here, and unlike you she does not have a helpful feather-artefact to anchor her among the living realms.”)

As Ruu sings his song, the Thunder Manifestation floats down from its perch to hover in front of Ruu. With a (somehow quiet) clap of thunder, it transforms into it’s old form - losing its sharp edges and leathery wings, feathers forming out of lightning, a beak growing from its “face” - until it looks like the Kanna Kapatcir from Ruu’s memories.

(For a second, it seems like the bird looks directly at Vedrfolnir!MC, acknowledging him with a blink. Then the moment passes)

A gentle croon rings out as Ruu’s song comes to an end, and the curse on the distant Tsurumi Island is lifted. Kanna Kapatcir dissolves into motes of purple as Ruu smiles at his friend, promising to be there soon.

The Traveller, Paimon, Kama, Ruu and Vedrfolnir!MC return to Tsurumi Island to let Ruu rest and to say their goodbyes. The Traveller promises to take Ruu’s feather across Teyvat with them.

(”Goodbye everyone! Good luck getting Mister Ved’s body back!” “What” “Shh Kama, don’t worry about it.”)

—INTERLUDE: A LONG AWAITED GOODYBE—

The Traveller accept a commission in Liyue at the request of Vedrfolnir!MC regarding the Chasm. It has always had strange hilichurl activity - but considering it was the kinder, more human, hilichurls the miners weren’t too fussed. However, a larger amount of hilichurls than normal were sighted, and the miners wanted to be sure they didn’t have to worry. It is here that they meet Tholindis again - much like Dainsleif having followed an Abyss Herald into a portal only to end up separated from their quarry. She grumbles about not having the issue with moon gates, prompting questions about herself from Paimon and the Traveller.

Tholindis is more open about speaking of her past, and is willing to explain what Dainsleif and the Abyss Prince/ss meant when they called her a Crimson Moon Descendant - she considers both the Crimson and Eclipse Dynasties to have been left in the distant past. She the duo when she mentions her blood technically being made of fire - and Vedrfolnir!MC can’t help himself from making a joke, thinking only the Traveller and Paimon would hear him.

(”Tholindis always did have a hidden fire in her, it’s what-” “WHOAH! Why did you just pull your sword!? Paimon didn’t say anything bad!!” “Did you hear that.” “Paimon heard noth-” “You can hear Vedrfolnir!MC too?”)

Tholindis demands an explanation from them - how do they know Vedrfolnir!MC’s name, and what do they mean by “hearing his voice”? The Traveller and Paimon barely manage to stutter through an explanation until Vedrfolnir!MC recovers from the shock and explains as much as he is able to. Tholindis is beyond relieved that Vedrfolnir!MC is alive and demands him to tell her where he is so they can reunite.

(”…I do not know, Tholindis. Wherever the king brought me and whatever he did has limited my Sight. I am barely conscious long enough to aid the Traveller.”)

Vedrfolnir!MC urges Tholindis to focus on the current situation, and with further urging from the Traveller and Paimon, she agrees, though her and Vedrfolnir!MC talk all the way until they reach the Inverted City

Unlike in canon, all Black Serpent Knights keep their minds - Tholindis is able to communicate with them in Khaenri’ahn sign language - meaning the group avoids any potentially hazardous confrontations. The situation at the Chasm was explained - it was just a larger group of hilichurls coming for healing and/or release than normal, alongside extra guards as the Abyss Order had been sniffing around the Chasm and the cursed Khaenri’ahns in it.

The Knights manage to explain to Tholindis (and unknowingly to Vedrfolnir!MC as well) what the Abyss Order is planning, mentioning the ‘Loom of Fate’ Project, even if they do not know what it is.

The sound of a battle ring out nearby, alerting the group to the encroaching Order, and the group - including the Black Serpent Knights - rush towards the noise. They manage to stop the Abyss Lector from activating the amplification device and destroy the mechanisms powering it - Halfdan surviving to continue guarding the dying Khaenri’ahns. Tholindis and the Traveller split here, Tholindis to look for Vedrfolnir!MC’s physical form and information about the Loom of Fate, the Traveller to report the commission complete and to continue their journey.

—SUMERU—

The Traveller and Paimon still follow Haypasia into the cave - Vedrfolnir!MC feeling mischievious to the Traveller, but doesn’t realise why until he’s waking up from looking at Irminsul (and hearing a faint voice beg for forgiveness) and being scolded by Tighnari. Vedrfolnir!MC explains what exacvtly happened when the Traveller fell unconscious. (The Traveller notices their body-less friend stumble over the tree’s name, but says nothing.)

The Traveller and Collei bond over their friends in Mondstadt, and Tighnari and the Traveller bond over defeating Withering Zones and gathering medicine ingredients. After checking on Haypasia, meeting the Aranara and reconvening with Tighnari, the Traveller and paimon make their way to Sumeru city.

(The aranara is confused why nobody acknowledged the longer golden-haired nara. Weren’t injuries supposed to be treated? This nara was leaking nara-sap slowly, and didn’t naras need to use their eyes to see? The aranara resolved to ask the other aranaras on what to do.)

The Traveller and Paimon accept the Akasha Terminals from the city guard - the Traveller noticing Vedrfolnir!MC’s dislike of the devices. They attempt to look up how to meet with Lesser Lord Kusanali, but find nothing (as in canon), and are approached by Dunyarzad about the Sabzeruz Festival.

Their meeting with Al-Haitham stays the same, as with Dori and the fight with Mizri. However, instead of the scholar telling them to “World… Forget me”, it is “World… Forgive me”.

—

The duo aren’t recognised in the Akademiya from any prophecy tablets - something they are both grateful over and worried about. Vedrfolnir!MC had left behind tablets for the nation, so them to seemingly not know about them was worrying. (Unknown to them, Sumeru did know of them - it was just that they didn’t notice the Eremites tracking them.)

After the confrontation between Nilou and Azar, Vedrfolnir!MC warns the Traveller that not everything will be as it seems tomorrow, and that he’ll be there when they wake up for the Festival.

Which is why it is the lack of Vedrfolnir!MC that first tips off the Traveller and Paimon that something is wrong. The Seer was often quiet - unused to being heard or too weak to talk - but even so his presence could be felt.

The endlessly repeating Sabzeruz festival is almost exactly like canon, only with Dehya recognising Nahida as the Dendro Archon each loop - thus figuring out them being in a dream sooner.

Again, this part of the quest goes much like canon with the Traveller ending up in Aaru village, though Candace is not as confrontational and seems to recognise them.

Dehya is the one to tell the Traveller about the tablets.

The tablets are in the one area where eremites do not fight - the place being considered sacred ground. The oasis is hidden from the wider desert, kept unkown from the Akademiya (their ignorance is enforced with extreme prejudice) and the people of the rainforests. The tensions between the forest and desserts of Sumeru are not entirely because of the Akademiya - the Eremites are aware that the Sages have imprisoned Nahida and have been working to free her without the sages noticing (their arrogance has been a great help in this), and they hate (and pity) the ignorant Sumerans. They have been trying to help Nahida - the daughter of their king's friend - escape her prison, but have only been able to grant her more freedom in dreams. Instead of only being able to enter the dreams of children, she's able to enter the dreams of any Eremites as well, where they inform her of the happenings of Sumeru and Teyvat.

The Traveller is allowed to see drawings of the tablets, but without Nahida being free is not allowed to know where the oasis is - that, and they're running on limited time and have Akademiya-aligned co-conspirators with them. Until the tribes agree, they are not letting any of them near or in the oasis.

These tablets are much like the ones in Inazuma, not focusing on the Traveller, instead depicting a friendship between Al-Ahmar/Deshret, Nabu Malikata and Rukkhadevata, along with their fates. On the second tablet, Nahida is depicted as Rukkhadevata's daughter and her imprisonment by the Sages can't be mistaken for anything else. The Traveller and Paimon are only shown in the third and last tablet, leading Nahida out of her prison, as a Valuka Shuna and a Hermanubis-like figure ward off enemies who appear to be puppeted.

—INTERLUDE: SUMERU INTERRUPTION—

Unlike in canon, the Interlude quest takes place during the Archon quest, before they manage to free Nahida, but after the Rahman confrontation - though that either happens differently or doesn’t happen considering the Eremites know that Nahida is imprisoned by the Sages and no Eremite would knowingly or willingly work for them. Instead of a confrontation, it’ll probably be more like a recruitment. (Also no Kaeya is a descendant of the Abyss Order founder reveal.)

The Traveller and Paimon agree to go Gandharva Ville to update Tighnari about the plan - the other people are either too noticeable or too busy - Dehya was commissioned by Dunyarzad’s parents for a truly ridiculous amount of money and she had accepted before they’d gone to Aaru village, and she couldn’t cancel without looking suspicious.

—

After updating Tighnari, the two come across Tholindis - who coincidentally had been following trails about the Loom of Fate in the area and came across the Abyss tampered Ley Lines. Having nothing else to do while they wait for the rescue plan to continue, the duo joins Tholindis in her investigation and ley line cleansing. The majority of the first half of the quest stays the same, with one difference being Caribert’s curse.

Unlike his counterpart, Caribert isn't entirely a hilichurl, only showing a few traces of the curse (areas of discoloured and rough skin, long ears on top of head). However, he was one of the few unlucky ones and was hit worse mentally by the curse, which is what his father is trying to heal.

It is only when they get to the Unknown Sanctuary that the quest truly diverges. There are no worshipping hilichurls, instead they witness Abyss Heralds acting suspiciously. The Traveller and “Eide” decide to follow them from a distance, careful to stay unnoticed.

They see the Crystal Prison in the distance, but the amount of Abyss Heralds disquieted and stopped the two from getting any closer - It is then that Vedrfolnir!MC speaks for the first time since the Traveller woke up with “Eide”.

They notice something is off when Vedrfolnir!MC speaks - he sounds so much weaker than usual and doesn’t appear to acknowledge or recognise the Traveller. The situation reminds the Traveller of Sumeru City, but before they can panic they remember the Leyline Disruption and how Vedrfolnir!MC had previously mentioned that it can mess with time, space and memories.

Vedrfolnir!MC warns them to not come closer, and tells “Eide” how to heal his son before seemingly falling unconscisous after waarning them one final time that the memory wiping curses are still active in the domain. Once they sneak past the guards and out of the domain, “Eide” rushes back to his hut to see if the remedy given works - and is beyond relieved when it works.

Caribert is still groggy after being given the mind-healing cure, and he falls back asleep after his father comforts him.

(”It will be alright son, the Visionary had a cure for you. You’ll just look a little different from now on - like the Khaenri’ahn story books that you adored.”)

“Eide” reveals himself as Chlothar Alberich to the Traveller and vows to free Vedrfolnir!MC from the remnants of king Irmin’s cruel servants - even if he has to fight to remember what transpired in the cave. He asks the Traveller to join him in helping free Vedrfonir!MC - “especially considering what he has done to protect your kind, Crimson Moon”. Gazing into the mirror, the Traveller sees an unknown face staring back at them.

The Traveller is jerked awake by a worried Tholindis and Paimon. They are frozen for a second, scrambling through all the memories they’ve just witnessed, before blurting out that they know where Vedrfolnir!MC’s body is kept.

Tholindis and Paimon are confused, but are aware that Ley Line abnormalities, especially those tampered with by the Abyss, can have interesting effects - witnessing the past being one of them.

The group rush towards the Unknown Sanctuary, halting only for the Traveller to break through the protections keeping the domain hidden. As soon as they do so, Vedrfolnir!MC’s voice becomes the clearest and strongest (though still weak) that they’ve ever heard. It is when they enter the Unknown Sanctuary that Tholindis is finally able to hear Vedrfolnir!MC’s voice, and becomes even more determined to free him. His voice is clearer the further into the domain the group gets. There are two Abyss Heralds guarding the hidden cave, and the group kills both before they can alert any other guards. Tholindis recognises the domain as soon as they enter - confusion and horror growing inside her.

(”This is… the secondary palace prison? How is that possible - we are nowhere near where Khaenri'ah was? Did they keep Vedrfolnir!MC here instead of the primary palace prison? Has he been here this whole time? Vedrfolnir!MC, have you been here this whole time?! This was already known in Khaenri’ah to be the worst place to end up in - a place of no return! Vedrfolnir!MC!” “…”)

The trio are confronted by four Abyss Heralds - loyal servants of king Irmin who continued to keep Vedrfolnir!MC imprisoned even long after the Fall of Khaenri'ah and the curse ravaging their bodies.

(”Halt, strangers. You are trespassing on the grounds of the all-knowing King of Khaenri'ah. Leave now and your punishment shall be lighter.” “A member of the Crimson Moon Dynasty? By the order of the king, you will be put to death for treason and conspiracy.”)

It was a difficult battle for Tholindis and the Traveller, but they managed to defeat the Heralds - using their contrasting elements against them - even able to stop them from alerting any other servants still wandering the prison.

It was tricky, figuring out the mechanisms for releasing Vedrfolnir!MC - even Tholindis was unable to decipher them, and there were no clues left behind by careless or tired guards, the Vinster King would not let any such people guard the Visionary. Eventually though, the trio break the chains on the crystal and manage to get it to the ground without dropping it - Tholindis uses her Crimson Moon inheritance to do so, using the blood-flame strings to gently lower the crystal prison to the floor - and they shatter the crystal, freeing Vedrfolnir!MC from his five centuries long imprisonment.

—INTERLUDE: FREEDOM—

The crystal breaking knocks Vedrfolnir!MC out. The prison had also acted as a power dampener, limiting his sight alongside everything else - a sort of sensory deprivation chamber with added chains/restraints if you will. (Poor Vedrfolnir!MC is so very touch starved after five centuries, and he’s barely even aware of the fact. That’ll be fun for him for me to find out.)

Tholindis rushes forward to catch him as he collapses, barely reaching him in time to stop him from hitting the ground. The crystal breaking had given him some shallow cuts, but there was nothing obvious that could have caused him to fall unconscious. (It was the sudden influx of visions that his prison had held back that caused it - they overwhelmed him and his mind couldn’t handle it.)

The group can hear more guard approaching and run, Tholindis carrying Vedrfolnir!MC as they escape and avoid being seen. The Traveller collapses the entrance behind them and uses Geo and Dendro to barr the entrance further. With little choice and no way to knwo what was wrong with their friend, they bring Vedrfolnir!MC to Tighnari in Gandharva Ville - Tholindis never leaving his side.

They meet Dehya and Dunyarzad there, having being sent there by Dunyarzad’s parents after they heard about Tighnari helping treat Collei’s Eleazar - they had hoped he could cure her or at least alleviate the symptoms from the Sabzeruz Festival. Vedrfolnir!MC is placed in a shared room with them and Collei, with Dehya and Tholindis standing guard. Dehya becomes more determiend to protect Vedrfolnir!MC alongside Dunyarzad when the Traveller tells her that he was the one to create the prophecy tablets.

Although unwilling to share too much about Khaenri’ah, Dehya needles them until Tholindis and the Traveller confirm that Vedrfolnir!MC was targeted for his visions and has spent the last five centuries imprisoned

(”Honestly, you three are terrible at keeping secrets, it’s written all over your faces. Your Seer was targeted for his prophecies, no? Those are bruises and cuts you get when you’re forcibly restrained, and no offense you two, but your friend looks like a stray wind could knock him over if he was awake. Any Eremite worth the name would agree to guard him from whoever had him - he shares way too much with little Lord Kusanali for anyone to help his captors get him back. So? Who do my men need to look out for?” “…Abyss Heralds.” “Well shit.”)

The Traveller has to leave (to continue the Archon Quest) - Dehya eventually following him to support him, but they leave behind Tholindis and several of Rahman and Dehya’s men to protect Vedrfolnir!MC if anything happens.

—

So Vedrfolnir!MC isn't really the “speaking” character for the majority of this post? More like he haunts the narrative or watches with a side of depression and self-loathing.

There’s a theory that the Fontaine prophecy tablets were created by Vedrfolnir (not sure if that’s been confirmed) so I decided have tablets in every nation, even if I didn’t get to Fontaine in this post.

Some notes regarding this post:

I was originally planning to have a similar situation with king Irmin like the Dainsleif!MC post, but realised that Vedrfolnir!MC would not be able to avoid the king like D!MC was able to so scrapped that idea.

The immortality curse: No rot, and after a century people can choose to die - it takes that long for the curse to deteriorate enough for them to do so

Hilichurls: Many people only gain characteristics, and the vast majority of those turned fully into hilichurls keep their sanity, only some loose their minds and even then can choose to die like the immortals

Scaramouche: Not sure if I want to keep hima Fatui Harbinger or have him stay on Kannazuka with the miner families. I kept the Inazuman Harbingers vague for that reason.

I headcanon Dottore as Eremite before joining the Akademiya. Because of this I wasn’t sure if I wanted to make him nicer to Nahida (raised knowing she was a prisoner), or have him be like canon just with slightly different motives/actions

It also doesn’t really come up, but I wanted Rukkhadevata to be remembered, so she wasn’t corrupted by the Forbidden knowledge, just greatly injured and having to focus the entirety of her power on keeping it at bay, leaving the Dendro Archon seat to her child - which is why it’s “Forgive” and not “Forget”.

Natlan Leylines: Aren’t as badly damaged and the Abyssal incursions/invasion isn’t as bad, giving the children more ime to grow up before joining the warriors ranks

(Also Capitano doesn’t need to die - all the souls can move on once the Leylines stabilise)

So. LONG! 👀

You and 🦔anon, I swear! You two come up wirh such interesting ideas! I don't even know what to say! It's. Just. So. GOOD! 🤩

But poor Ved!MC! Gosh, dude has gone through it... but at the very least he's free? But he's gonna need a lot of cuddles and hugs and just positive touches like head pats or someone holding his hand...

...Think the Aranara visit him if they stay in Sumeru for a bit? I doubt Ved!MC will be in any shape to be moved for a LONG while. Those little guys would probably be pleasant guests for him.

Sides that, again, love all the world building and hcs you got going foe this idea. And if you continue on with the other nations, I potentially await those parts to come!

JEALOUS SINNER DAIN!!!! Watch out Traveler + Paimon, he's hunting you!! Vedrfolnir!MC get away quickly so he doesn't kidnap you!!

Oh my gosh... I just had an idea for how Dain finds Ved!MC...

Imagine that one day, Dain was exploring the mountains or something (or someplace near Ved!MC's hideout) and then he heard humming. The song is unfamiliar in the way he hasn't heard it in so long yet it is also so achingly familiar. He knows that voice, somewhat, he knows that song, somewhat.

It reminds him of VED!MC... it is so painfully familiar it HURTS. He has forgotten a few things over the years, what color Ved!MC's eyes used to be (before they were torn out, fuck you King Irmin), the way Ved!MC's lips stretched in a small smile, the way Ved!MC ran his fingers through Dain's hair when the younger boy had a nightmare. He's forgotten the lyrics to the songs Ved!MC would sing to him.

When Dain realized this (350 years ago so about 150 years into the curse) he had panicked and made sure to burn the remaining things about Ved!MC into his mind. He hasn't forgotten anything else luckily, but he still feels so angry and guilty that he dared to forget even the small things about his brother.

So when Dain heard this humming, heard the soft voice singing LYRICS... he froze. Because he knew that song but not those lyrics.

Could it be!!!

Was his brother alive!!!!

Dain practically flew with how fast he ran and then he saw it. A lone figure with long, blonde hair, crooked fingers (from scarring that was barely visible and damaged nerves), a blindfold, and sitting in the forest clearing. The blonde was weaving a flower crown (Ved!MC is able to see MANY paths, instead of just one, so his mind is constantly assaulted by different timelines, some similar, some different, some from alternate timelines, etc. etc. As such, he sadly did not notice that the current path had led to Dain hearing his humming and running to him), and even with crooked fingers and a blindfold, he was quite skilled.

Dain's breath was knocked out of his lungs because that is his brother!

But then why didn't he come back earlier? Why didn't he reveal he was alive?

Did he think they would hate him??

No, that can't be the reason.

He looked closer at his brother and narrowed his eyes.

No, his brother was DEAD (he witnessed the destruction of the castle himself) so who was this IMPOSTER.

But then he saw two figures running out towards the blonde yelling 'Vedrfolnir!MC' excitedly. The traveler and Paimon...

The name was what grabbed his attention though and he froze.

Could it actually be??

His brother...

HIS BROTHER WAS REINCARNATED!!!!

Dain had his brother back!!

His brother had died, Dain knew that (no you don't silly boy), so that meant this had to be his brother reborn!!

Why he hadn't been reborn earlier was something that puzzled him but perhaps it was because of the Cataclysm and ARCHONS + SHADES + HEAVENLY PRINCIPLES that prevented it from happening sooner.

Dain wouldn't let his brother leave him again.

Dain froze when he saw the traveler and Paimon tackle HIS brother in a hug, calling him 'big brother Ved!MC'. An ugly feeling twisted in his chest.

He was stuck in place, his feet rooted to the ground as Traveler and Paimon took Vedrfolnir!MC's hand and dragged the blonde away, the two talking to HIS brother excitedly.

They disappeared from view, from his sense, yet he was stuck there, frozen in place. How long had he been there?

Hours?

Days?

He didn't know.

His mind was replaying the events over and over. Has his brother lost his eyes in this life too?!!! Why did the traveler call HIS big brother 'big brother Ved!MC'?!!! Did Ved!MC remember?!!!

All he knew was that he would not let this chance go, that he would not let Ved!MC leave him again.

Now first, he had to find him...

(Ved!MC was currently in his hideout which completely hides him, his presence, his soul, and the entrance to the hideout so... yea, he won't be found unless Traveler + Paimon leads someone there [which they WON'T] or he goes out/leads someone in)

(Ved!MC is also panicking because FUCK!!! Dain discovered he's alive!! Dain and the other sinners along with Pierro + Capitano are going to actually kill him!! They probably hate him now that they know he's alive!!! Ved!MC is having a panic attack yet he is still snapping Fate's Weave carefully because he needs to take his mind off the current predicament and besides his only goal, his only mission was to completely destroy/unravel Fate's Weave/Plan.

He can't let them find him because he cannot die before his mission is over. After everyone is free and fate can never reweave another... then he will die. Either his soul and existence will be completely destroyed/frayed/unraveled because of the consequences of destroying the threads of fate will finally add up enough to kill him... or he will be killed by those he once/still does hold dear... Either way he will gladly accept death, will welcome it like an old friend because he is TIRED.

The only reason he isn't dead by now is because that would be selfish of him, dying when his mission isn't over, dying when there are still people who are trapped by fate...)

- 🦔 Anon

Jealous Sinner Dain is definitely a dangerous Dain. Here's to hoping that the Traveler and Paimon realize they're being stalked now... cause if not, they're gonna accidentally lead Sinner Dain back to Ved!MC, and, well... Ved!MC might just go 'missing'...

🦔 anon

Rerir definitely blushes like a fair maiden when he sees Tholindis being all badass in her Crimson Moon Dynasty self. He spoons, he blushes, he needs to sit down- 🥵

And lol, Ved!MC is watching his friends, probably feeling relaxed after a LONG time... and he gets kidnapped by a feral Surtalogi?! Oh dear- Tholindis! Don't kill him!

Honestly? I hadn’t really thought past the Sumeru quest line - I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with Dottore and Scaramouche so kept those details vague, which would mean lots of rewriting if I changed my mind halfway through.

I think that the Abyss Order might feel the Unknown Sanctuary being breeched? The Traveller did destroy the protections keeping the place hidden. The Abyss Order would go and check out what caused the energy surge near a tainted Ley Line, and discover the domain entrance - the Traveller did seal it in a rush, they weren’t really focused on hiding it, just stopping the guards. Any Khaenri’ahns that dealth with the king and court would recognise the area for what it was and summon the Prince/ss and Dainsleif. (Wonder what their reaction to the prison would be? 🤔)

The Fatui might have some kind of device that would notice the energy surge? But Dottore’s people are focused on the Sages and Nahida, and if Dottore’s already in the area they might just send him a report and leave it at that.

—

I like your idea of Dottore joining the Fatui to free Nahida! If he was an Eremite (or just doing his usual science-y things), he WOULD have met her, yes. Though I’m not sure how’d he spin that with the Fatui… Maybe rescuing her as a recruitment strategy? Her being grateful enough to be rescued to give them the Gnosis left behind by her “neglectful mother”? I suppose her being born after the Cataclysm would grant her some respite from the Khaenri’ahn Harbingers.

I can see Dottore being much less interested, if at all, in being a moon god, so maybe his interest in the moons are for Columbina and Arlecchino? And later Tholindis as well after Nahida is freed - that is the goddess’ friend now.

…Ooo, could have Dottore show up in Gandharva Ville when Vedrfolnir!MC is still recovering, and before they confront the Sages and implement their plans. (Have Nahida tell the group in short message that someone she trusts and who has been helping her is on his way to them, only for Il Dottore, Second of the Fatui Harbingers and the person they’re supposedly fighting against to show up.)

—

Tholindis!MC is not letting Vedrfolnir!MC out of her sight! The only reason she’s not attached to him like a limpet is because he’s in recovery. As soon as they find out he’s fine(ish) and only unconscious because of visions she’s hugging him and not letting him go. Try to remove her and be stabbed. No, she doesn’t have any separation and touch-related issues, what are you talking about?

She did at first think about spiriting away Vedrfolnir!MC, but she couldn’t have provided the same quality of medical care, so Gandharva Ville has become her temporary base as he recovers.

Hmmm… I think Vedrfolnir!MC’s recovery will take time, even with Sumeru and Nahida’s help, so he won’t be there for Fontaine’s quest. The Traveller has to go through Sumeru again anyway to get to Natlan, so they can pick him and Tholindis up then.

Vedrfolnir!MC does wake up and become (mostly) coherent before the Traveller leaves for Fontaine, and gives some warnings of what will happen. Meaning the Traveller can confuses Arlecchino with familiarity to her bloodline and the group with his non-reaction to the tablets! :D

(”You are remarkably nonplussed at these tablets, Traveller, Paimon.” “Well yeah, Paimon’s just glad we’re not in them this time!” “Pardon?”)

(Maybe a funny sentence or two slips into the advice Vedrfolnir!MC gives? (”Give the fish a pat from me, Traveller, Surta’s not very good at being comforting. And tell my grandson he’s adorable and the spitting image of his grandfather.”))

—

Instead of chasing after the Fatui and dismantling their operations, the Traveller (and Dottore?) goes after the Withering Zones - the logic being that Rukkhadevata can help if no longer focused on stopping the Forbidden Knowledge corrupting Irminsul. An angry goddess “coming back from the dead” would be very helpful in killing her child’s abusers. The Sages are deader than dead.

—

While the Traveller and Paimon are in Fontaine, and after Vedrfolnir!MC gets better, the two Khaenri’ahns wander around Sumeru for a bit, completing any time sensitive side quests that the Traveller missed. This is how Vedrfolnir!MC acquired a bunch of Aranara bodyguards. (They be small, but mighty!)

The city got a bit much for them - they were unused to the people, and Vedrfolnir!MC kept on having to stop himself from blurting out prophecies and giving prophetic advice. Their appearance also drew attention - they’re both really pretty, even when hiding identifying features, and Vedrfolnir!MC is wearing a blindfold despite not being an Eremite. (The attention is not helped by Nahida and the other conspirators knowing them, or by the Eremites clearly keeping an eye out for them.)

The two were worried the attention would notify the Abyss Order (and other Fatui members), so left to wander - with the understanding that they’d frequently meet up with Tighnari to make sure Vedrfolnir!MC’s recovery was going well.

—

I’d say that Vedrfolnir!MC can still communicate with the Traveller and Paimon like before, but he doesn’t do so often, as it takes up all his attention and leaves his body vulnerable. Tholindis is there to guard him though, so he’s doing so quite often while the other two are in Fontaine. (He manages to stop Poisson from flooding too badly, warning the Traveller who is able to rescue many of the people living there.)

—

Yes to the Traveller and Paimon calling the two Khaenri’ahns their “big brother/sister”!!!! Vedrfolnir!MC has been one of the most helpful people in Teyvat, always looking out for the duo even when he was imprisoned and unable to do much, and Tholindis helped with some of their quests, was close to Vedrfolnir!MC and was so nice and sister-shaped! (…Jealous Abyss Sibling trying to find out who the Traveller is calling their siblings)

—

I do like the idea of a teapot for Tholindis and Vedrfolnir!MC. Maybe the Traveller and Paimon acquire it in Fontaine? A giant library, a room filled with pillows and cushions for nesting and napping, a lab for Tholindis when she misses her research, a room that’s basically an artists heaven for Vedrfolnir!MC, etc. (Rooms catered to the Sinners and Harbingers, exact to their taste)

~ 🐸-anon

Oh god, imagine if both Abyss Prince(ss) and Sinner Dainsleif found notes or clues taking about who originally had been trapped here... and with the area having been clearly broken into recently, the prisoner must've just escaped or been taken...

Suddenly Sumeru is looking less safe for both Tholindis and Ved!MC... if they're not careful, Ved!MC might be snatched up. Though if push comes to shove, at least his Aranara bodyguards can beat up some Abyss Order punks, lol.

And wouldn't that be embarrassing? The Abyss mages come back and have to explain to their leaders that sentient vegetables beat their asses black and blue.

Sides that, I can say I love all the other ideas as well~

Ok little thing for Vedrfolnir!MC so it isn't just me asking stuff.

Imagine if in the au where he took the place of Dain he meets the Traveler and stuff and is super nice to them but doesn't speak, just uses sign or writes. They were their mask, though the hood of the cloak is down.

Traveler, Paimon, and Vedrfolnir!MC get close but one day the two see Vedrfolnir!MC without his mask and he panics. He nearly has a panic attack but they calm him down before questioning (with very tight and threatening smiles on their faces) where his eyes were.

He just said they were torn out long ago and the person who did it died a long time ago.

It doesn't make them feel better and they're about to revive this fucker just to rip out his eyes and see how he likes it before torturing the dude and only killing him when he's broken or whatever.

Vedrfolnir!MC basically sees their plan on their faces and quickly changes the subject. He proceeds to tell them of his truth (Khaenri'ah, the abyss sibling, the cataclysm, his abilities, the sinners, and his little brother). It shocks the two but they all bond even more and Vedrfolnir!MC just shot up to their favorite person and he's never coming back down from that pedestal.

When Vedrfolnir!MC and Traveler + Paimon meet Abyss sibling the Traveler is ready to slap Abyss Sibling because they clearly DESPISE Vedrfolnir!MC (even though he did tell them it was for the best) despite the two having been incredibly close back then (he also told them no one actually knows what he looks like/sounds like so they hate him even more.

Then Abyss Sibling leaves.

Vedrfolnir!MC accompanies Traveler and Paimon for a bit before leaving. They occasionally pop in to see him and he sometimes appears to hang out/see them. They know where his hideout is too.

Then one day they see him holding tight golden/shimmering/translucent strings in his hands and the ends of the strings fade away as if they are only being seen because Vedrfolnir!MC has brought them forward or something. Then he snapped the strings and the two watched horrified as blood leaked from his lips and he hunches over, coughing violently, blood seeping between his fingers.

They question him between worried motions and he reveals that those were the strings of fate and he's slowly been getting rid of fate's weave.

The two despise what he is doing because it is KILLING him and HURTING him yet they know they cannot stop him.

The two proceed to cuddle him for the next few days.

- 🦔 Anon

I love the image of the Traveler and Paimon giving Ved!MC love. It's so cute and precious~

He's practically their big brother and they will not stand for anyone or thing hurting him! ...Uh, just thought of something... imagine jealous Sinner Dainsleif eventually finding Ved!MC, and finding out the whole sibling relationship he has with the Traveler/Paimon.

Jealous Sinner Dainsleif activated, and that there was a VERY dangerous Sinner Dainsleif...

He actively fights against fates weave. He snaps strings of fate, his, his family’s, his friends, people his friends care about, main cast people and then everyone else in that order.

Except doing that has consequences, each fate averted, each thread snapped… his soul frays a little more at the edges, his eye existence unravels a bit, and more blood leaks from his lips. He is dying but he does not care for he will do anything to give those he cares about a happy ending.

When he snaps the threads of fate excruciating pain courses through him but he doesn’t care.

He snaps the threads of the sinners, Fatui Khanerians, the the people his loved ones care for, the traveler/abyss sibling, the archons, the main cast, etc. etc.

He dated Sertalogi back when Khaenri’ah was whole but when it was destroyed the castle was seen to be destroyed/collapsed/blow up/up in flames or whatever with Vedrfolnir!MC still in it. Everyone essentially thinks he’s dead, he’s not. He’s actually just fine, or as fine as you can be considering everything.

Sertalogi was actually planning to propose to him except then the king locked him away and Sertalogi felt rage so he gladly joined the plan in getting them back.

The sinners, Dainsleif, Tholindis, Capitano, and Pierro were all just one giant family gathered by Vedrfolnir!MC

But ya… he’s actively doing something that is killing him slowly and painfully because in his mind his life holds no meaning compared to everyone else…

- 🦔 Anon

...Here me out. Idea time... since by the sound of it Vedrfolnir!MC most likely wouldn't want to become a sinner... what if all these changes causes Dainsleif to take his place?

Especially if his brother thinks he 'died'.

Sides that... I have found a new MC that I want to wrap up in a blanket and hug cause this guy needs a hug and a nap... and Surtalogi. Give him his boyfriend-

I’m glad you liked it! The Khaenri’ah part was a bit forced - it was the last thing I wrote. …And I forgot to add the Abyss Sibling in it 🤦. Just… assume Vedrfolnir!MC befriended them at Court and introduced them to the rest of the Sinners or something. (Seriously, how did I forget that? Them wanting to help free Vedrfolnir!MC is kind of vital to the plot?!? 😅)

But yes! Vedrfolnir!MC is finally free! In need of lots of cuddles and head pats. The return of the full amount of his vision and Sight will cause issues that hugs can help with - he needs the presence of others to anchor himself, needing the reminder of when and where he is. (Dainsleif and Surtalogi were best at comforting him back in Khaenri’ah. He misses them.)

jfkdhkugvhbks- Vedrfolnir!MC holding an Aranara like a plushie. That is his emotional support potato and nobody can take the sentient vegetable away from him. (I had thought about the Eremites being able to see the Aranara - since they’ve been in contact with Nahida via dreams for centuries they’d know of them, maybe even helping them discreetly with the Withering Zones? - but didn’t get far enough into the Sumeru questline for me to incorporate it.) (Also, Aranara are pretty powerful compared to their appearance and demeanour. They make great guards.)

I’d say that he stays unconscious long enough for Nahida to be freed - nobody knows how to wake him from his visions, or even why he’s unconscious until either Nahida visits Gandharva Ville or Vedrfolnir!MC is brought to Sumeru City, where she deduces what’s happening (Rukkhadevata is still dealing with the Withering - the Travller will get to that as soon as Verdfolnir!MC is better).

Nahida and Vedrfolnir!MC cuddling Aranara and bonding over being imprisoned by madmen with superiority complexes for five centuries - with Tholindis and Rukkhadevata bonding over being unable to help their loved ones from imprisonment!

~ 🐸-anon

Ved!MC having a emotional support Aranara is the best thing ever. So cute! And even more so if the Eremites can see them as well!

And yes, they would make the perfect bodyguards! They're small but powerful! They will help the hurt golden Nara!

Also, love the image of Ved!MC and Nahida cuddling. Poor Ved!MC might get flashbacks to when Dainsleif was young and the same size as Nahida... he definitely starts crying then-

And yes, yes, YES to Tholindis and Rukkdevata bonding. Two beautiful women bonding over shared trauma of not being to help their love ones...

Questions! Does anyone like the Fatui or Abyss Order or sinners realize Ved!MC was freed? Did they feel something happening or something changing?

Ved!MC is going to be caged in Tholindis' arms and she will not let him leave.

Speaking of which, does she spirit him away to somewhere safer? When/If he gets better will he continue to help the traveler + Paimon?? If so does Tholindis come with?

Imagine with Dottore he joins the Fatui to FREE Nahida/kill the sages.

Also does Dottore still have such a giant interest in becoming a moon god?

Wait... Rerir's reaction to knowing/hearing that Tholindis and Ved!MC are alive...

If the two decide to stay hidden I can see Traveler + Paimon occasionally popping in to visit. OH, OH!! Does the Traveler and Paimon get closer to Ved!MC and Tholindis to the point where the two call them big brother, big brother Ved!MC, brother, big sis, big sis Tholindis, sis or any variations of those??

If the two do decide to stay hidden does the Traveler + Paimon talk about them occasionally, calling them nicknames and such (or by big sis/big brother if we are going with them viewing the two as older siblings)??

I can see Tholindis also being touch deprived so her and Ved!MC cuddle all the time or hold hands or their arms or legs or knees touch, they're just always touching each other, sometimes even without knowing!

If the two decide to not stay hidden but don't accompany Paimon + Traveler, do they go to a nation? The wilderness? The Aranas? If they go to the nation I'm guessing they'd go to Mondstat or something?

Also one more question so I stop bombarding 🐸 and you with questions, can Ved!MC still communicate with them like how he did before???

I love it so much I had to bite something to stop myself from squealing in glee/screaming happily!!

- 🦔 Anon

Hear me out! Somehow, someway, the Traveler and Paimon get their hands on another Adeptus Teapot and give it to Tholindis/Ved!MC! That way Ved!MC can have a safe place to rest while also being on the move with Tholindis!

And also, they even make a big cuddle room full of pillows and blankets, practically a giant nest, and Ved!MC can nap in it or cuddle with anyone willing to cuddle with him at the moment.

And the idea of Dottore joining the Fatui to FREE Nahida is such a cool idea! Oh, imagine if he managed to even speak to her prior to joining the Fatui! Like, just wait a little longer, Nahida! You'll be free soon enough and boy does Dottore have so many questions for you!

Also like the idea of Tholindis also being touch deprived, probably not as bad as Ved!MC, but she definitely goes looking for cuddles if she's comfortable with you.

Probably has definitely also snatched Paimon out the air for a hug and even carries her around as well. Paimon is perfectly fine with this, especially in colder climates cause I hc that Tholindis Crimson Moon Blood makes her body run hotter, if that makes sense? So, she's basically a walking heater.

Now for your last question, honestly, I'm not sure. Maybe once he gets some of his strength back again Ved!MC might be able to communicate with his friends like he did before, but it might take a while...