I just finished the Fontaine Archon Quest, and I have some thoughts. More under the cut!
Warning: contains spoilers for the story.
QUEST BREAKDOWN
Chapter 4 Act 1 - Prelude of Blancher and Noirceur
The first act is quite short, and flows very smoothly, in my opinion. We are first introduced to some of Fontaine's characters, the most import ones being the twins, Lyney and Lynette. The storyline is good, but we're also introduced to the basic way things work in Fontaine.
I like the end of this act the most, I think. Lyney's big performance is really, really good - and it has the perfect shock factor once the rope snapped. I love guessing plot twists, but I genuienly couldn't figure this one out!!
Honestly, I didn't expect death from Genshin. I know we've had characters dying multiple times before, but never like this! Although he wasn't that important to the story, it still quite shocked me. (My mouth was agape for like 5 minutes after, lol)
Chapter 4 Act 2 - As Light Rain Falls Without Reason
The second act is pretty short too. It didn't feel dragged out and with lots of unnecessary dialogue (yeah, I'm looking at you, Sumeru). The most important character is definitely Navia here.
The story is good and well thought-out. I liked how they solved the missing women case. That part where the Oceanids/women came for Vacher was so scary tho?? Like they just casually dropped that he lost his soul. What.
Chapter 4 Act 3 - To The Stars Shining
The begining of act 3 was a little fast-paced, considering that we found out Childe was missing and everything.
Neuvillette looked so good tho😻
I like how they designed Fortress of Meropide, yet I don't understand certain important things. For example, how is the fortress' entrance at the Opera Epiclese, yet it's actually in the sees under the Liffey Region? Strange if you ask me. I love the steampunk vibes, tho!
For me, this part of the archon quest was the most boring and most dragged-out one. For the majority of the quest you are either working, investigating or sleeping. And literally nothing else. It really annoyed me that we manually had to return to our bunk to sleep!
Chapter 4 Act 4 - Cataclysm's Quickening
The first half of this quest - up to the point we talk to Wriothesley - is also very boring to me. Nothing significant happens. I feel like they could've done without this part.
Much is explained in this act, including the reasoning behind Fountaine's prophecy and it's eventual downfall. The storyline with the boat wasn't bad, and I liked how some characters liked Wriothesley while the others didn't - he also seemed like such a villain when Lyney thought he kidnapped Lynette.
We meet with Arlecchino, which was a much less significant character in the storyline than I thought she was going to be. The gnosis is mentioned only like, 5 times in the entire quest, and The Knave is about the same amount, too. I'm not saying that's bad, we are just used to the Fatui being the main problems in these Archon quests.
Chapter 4 Act 5 - Masquerade of the Guilty
This act was... Wow. What an end to this chapter of the quest. I mean, so many things happened! It was a rollercoaster of emotions. First of all, I was so sad when Navia's friends died. So much death in this quest!
The trial against Furina was painful to read. Her attitude is just so infuriating, yet the whole thing is really really interesting and the story is, as always, so great! It was such a shock when the Hydro Archon was sentanced to death!
However, Focaloros' plan was brilliant and I have to say, I underestimated her as an Archon. At first, I was a little sceptical on how she was one of The Seven, but I get it now. Also, I'm very sad that she's dead. Her sentance was so unfair to her, yet she did what was right for her people and I respect that.
Neuvillette was amazing in this part of the story, as well. I'm glad that he has the Hydro Archon's power now.
QUEST SUMMARY
new characters we met:
5 ☆ Lyney (bow, pyro): good character, a very concerned brother. he lied to us but for a good reason - turned out he's in the Fatui.
4 ☆ Lynette (sword, anemo): quiet, reserved, an assistant to Lyney.
4 ☆ Freminet (claymore, cryo): same as Lynette, but more shy
5 ☆ Navia (claymore, geo): passionate, brave and adventuristic. she runs a major organisation called Spina di Rosula. during the quests she turns into a real friend of us (plus she looks like Taylor Swift in the fearless era!!)
5 ☆ Neuvillette (catalyst, hydro): 😻😻😻. I'm in love. Literally. I'm so thankful the Genshin team desided to give us more very handsome men in Fontain. he's also a great character, and wields great power. (currently saving up primogems for him)
5 ☆ Furina (sword, hydro): might be an unpopular opinion, but I HATED her character. she's obnoxious, she's self-centered, and while I know it's only to put on a show for her citizens, I still don't like her.
5 ☆ Wriothesley (catalyst, cryo): I'm actually lucky enough to have Wriothesley in my team currently, and honestly, I really recommend him as cryo!!! I love his play style, and he's just been fitting into my team so well! aside that, i really like his personality as well. he's a bit playful and sure, just a tiny bit cocky, yet still sweet.
4 ☆ Charlotte (catalyst, cryo): a very annoying character to me as well. she's too pushy for my taste.
new info we gathered:
Lyney and Lynette are working under the House of Hearts, a Fatui organization based in Fontaine.
the "father" of their house is Arlecchino, the 4th of the 11 Fatui Harbingers, who's been sent to Fontaine to take the Hydro gnosis
Even though used as a punishment, the Fortress of Meropide is a separate institution from Fontaine's justice system and oparates separately. The "leader" of the fortress is Wriothesley, an ex-criminal.
Neuvillette is the hydro dragon sovereign.
Furina isn't the actual archon - she's the cursed human version of Focalors, placed on Teyvat for the last five hundred years to display the image of an archon. After Focalors' death, she turned into a normal human, and will continue on to lead a normal life.
Focalors, the true archon, served a death sentance to be able to save her people from the terrible prophecy. She left all of her power to Neuvillette.
Neuvillette gave the gnosis to Arlecchino as a gift, showing once again no resistance to the Fatui harvesting these materials.
Our next destionation is Natlan, the pyro nation. We learn from Neuvillette that Natlan is a country of war and dragons.
As for our sibling, we have learned nothing new. (Shocking, I know)
All in all, Fontaine is a beautiful new region which I cannot wait to explore fully. I think that the genshin team really outdid themselves (yet again). The story could have been changed just a tiny bit (were 5 acts really necessary?), but nevermind. We've got amazing new characters which I'm glad to play with, and a new little piece to the giant puzzle we call Genshin Impact.
Thanks for reading! Hope my guide helped. Follow for more!!
okay my fellow Genshin players, yesterday I played Arataki Itto's story quest and I would just like to share some screenshots cause MAN THIS IS GOLD
please enjoy this little commentary, brought to you by my love for this man
1. The Second I Was Pretty Sure I Passed Out
idk man all i know is that in one moment i was playing this, watching Paimon scold Itto for what (they thought) he did, and in the next i was passed out
2. You're just now figuring that out, Paimon?
The dissapointment in her eyes says everything you need to know about him.
3. Arataki Itto, the master philosopher
I LOVE how he just bragged about being in 800+ bug fights and how he's a professional bug fighter and then it came out that he hasn't won. ever. not a single fight.
and then he pops up with these "some people try really hard for their dreams but it's not meant to be" inspirational stuff, like no babe you just need to find a better bug
4. i was ready to throw hands.
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YOU'RE REALLY GONNA DO THAT TO ARATAKI??
i mean.. you're not wrong.. but still
He takes care of the kids and plays with them!!
5. what.
You literately look like an NPC with horns who's way too dramatic, what business do YOU have calling out Itto??
6. Proof that he's more than a handsome dumbass:
Yeah, sure, Itto is usually a very goofy guy, almost taking nothing seriously. I mean, when the Traveler and Paimon went to arrest him, he started joking with them! However, when Itto knows it's time to be serious, he's serious.
7. How can anyone dislike him??
THIS WAS SO ADORABLE
You can say what you want about him but he's one of the most caring characters in the game. For literately everyone he met. He takes care of Grandma Oni, he took care of Daisuke when his parents were kidnapped, he cared for and protected the blue oni without even knowing why he was doing all of that, AND told the Traveler and Paimon to run and that he's going to take care of everything despite knowing them for only a day.
8. Grandma Oni speaks for all of us Arataki Itto simps.
It is. That's exactly what makes him so adorable.
9. Truer words haven't been spoken.
Petition to make more side quests and story quests and events with Itto:
10. For the last one, the prettiest picture in the history of Genshin Impact:
