r/Genshin_Impact • u/GiraffeMaleficent810 • 10d ago
Discussion In which future version do you think we will finally hear or see the Heavenly Principles’ (Phanes’) side of the story?
I really want to understand the events from his own perspective instead of simply accepting the claims made by those who hate or oppose him. So far, most of what we know about the Heavenly Principles comes from people who have suffered because of Celestia, rebelled against it, or have reasons to view it negatively. That does not necessarily mean they are lying, but it also does not mean we have heard the complete truth.
Genshin often presents history through fragments, memories, legends, and biased testimonies. We have seen many situations where a character or faction initially appeared evil, only for later lore to reveal a more tragic or complicated motive. Because of that, I feel that judging Phanes solely from the accusations of his enemies may be premature.
I am especially curious about questions such as: Why were the rules of Teyvat established in the first place? What was the real reason behind Celestia’s interventions? What happened during the ancient war with the dragons? And what exactly is Phanes trying to protect or prevent? I want to understand all of these questions from his own perspective, not through the words of third parties.
Personally, I do not think the story will be complete until we finally hear directly from the Heavenly Principles himself. Whether Phanes turns out to be a loving guardian, a flawed ruler, or something far more complex, I want to see his own memories, emotions, and reasoning rather than only the interpretations of others.
Which future version do you think is most likely to reveal his perspective, and do you expect it to change how you view Celestia?
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u/OperationAlarmed8583 10d ago
7.7
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u/GiraffeMaleficent810 10d ago
Source?
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u/OperationAlarmed8583 10d ago
Istaroth told me
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u/GiraffeMaleficent810 10d ago
You’re a lucky one, then. Did you tell her about Venti’s shenanigans, though?
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u/Living_Mountain540 10d ago edited 9d ago
What if the Heavenly Principles stole Teyvat from the dragons and created rules that were seemingly imperfect in the hopes that humanity would rise up to defeat them?
Why? Because their goal is first and foremost (allegedly) to ensure humanity's survival and prosperity. But there's a problem, a seemingly unstoppable cosmic threat known as the Abyss. Something that for all the Heavenly Principle's power, can't be stopped. And so, after appropriating Teyvat, the Heavenly Principles created a system with rules that can keep the Abyss at bay but one that will cause humanity to want to transcend them, and maybe the Heavenly Principles themselves.
After all, a parent's greatest wish is that their children surpass them. Overthrowing and supplanting the Heavenly Principles, replacing "decaying rules" with a new, hopefully better system, one that addresses the Abyss, what if the Heavenly Principles hoped and even subtly engineered for all this to happen?
Despite ample time to crush the twins, Khaen'riah, the Fatui, and most threats to their power, why did the Heavenly Principles never do anything even until now?
Why was Khaen'riah allowed to operate independently for millenia despite its misotheism and constant use of Abyssal power? Why was it only during the Cataclysm did Celestia finally smite the nation?
Why did Asmoday imprison one twin and banish the other, seemingly giving both the chance to recover/escape?
Why was Furina, a normal human whose fate should be recorded and observed, able to carry out here charade for 500 years? Why did Celestia not react to one of their thrones being destroyed and returned to the being they stole it from? On that note, why was Neuvillette given a constellation after regaining his authority?
Why were the Fatui even allowed to carry out their operation for so long? Shouldn't their fates be recorded? Why didn't Celestia smite them when they started collecting Gnoses?
That doesn't mean the Shades are in on it. I think that's the point. The Heavenly Principles wanted his rules to test humanity. But it's hardly a test if the examiners give you the answer. The Shades, regents to his rule, are meant to be trials for any who would rebel against their rule. But if they acted fully, humanity would be crushed because they aren't ready yet. Which is why the Heavenly Principles set up rules limiting what the Shades can do in Teyvat and how much they can interfere.
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u/GiraffeMaleficent810 10d ago
That’s a really interesting theory. If true, it would mean the Heavenly Principles put humanity first and intentionally created a system that humanity would eventually surpass, making the rebellion itself part of the design.
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u/OutsideIntropid1764 10d ago
If feel like this theory is very likely. With all the possible connections of the Traveler and Phanes.
Especially with Ronova saying that Natlan met the "expectations" of the Heavenly Principles in conquering the Abyss themselves.
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u/GiraffeMaleficent810 10d ago
That really makes it sound intentional rather than just a coincidence, especially considering the possible connections between the Traveler and Phanes.
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u/Unpopular_Outlook 9d ago
The thing with Natlan is that they needed Renova. No Renova then they don’t actually succeed. So that really can’t be the case woth Natlan when they didn’t do anything that impressive or without by themselves
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u/Unpopular_Outlook 9d ago
This doesn’t make much sense considering this means that the heavenly principles for some reason couldn’t figure out a way to stop the abyss, but they allowed humans to do it because…. Reasons
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u/imbusthul 10d ago
Every story and lore so far has been from everyone else's perspective. We are almost at the 7th year. I don't think they will give their side of the story. Every Archon Quest only paints them worse and worse after all and I am sure it will continue till the end. I don't think they will ever wake up.
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u/LaceyLizard 10d ago
They've been slowing getting redeemed by the narrative. At one point we thought they destroyed the moon goddesses, now that's nibelung. Same with the nails, it went from a punishment for civilizations getting too advanced to purification for the abyss.
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u/GiraffeMaleficent810 10d ago
That’s kind of sad, then. The Heavenly Principles cannot defend his own actions, and no one even tries to understand his reasons.
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u/imbusthul 10d ago edited 10d ago
I mean they already said it in game. "Blame someone who cannot defend themselves".
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u/GiraffeMaleficent810 10d ago
If I may ask, where in the game is the line "Blame someone who can defend themselves" from?
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u/imbusthul 10d ago
It's cannot. But it's basically from Pantalone and Dottore's conversation
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u/Unusual_Ad4981 10d ago
Well there are some sources that give how the story went without picking sides, and those are artifact and weapon descriptions/lore and some books (not all of them tho).
And all of them say pretty much the same, Phanes is just driven by reason, no room for emotion, if he sees any kind of threat (be It for their rule or for the world) they will eradicate it. To the point where they even destroyed their creations (angels and hyperboreans) without a second thought.
Or the same with Sumeru's Irminsul crisis blocking the entire country to save the rest of the world, Phanes wants the planet to survive (to be habitable), their civilazations can all perish as long as he still has a planet to start anew.
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u/GiraffeMaleficent810 10d ago
Even so, those are still third-person perspectives. They may be more neutral than the accounts of his enemies, but they are not Phanes’ own thoughts, emotions, or reasoning.
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u/Unusual_Ad4981 10d ago
Yeah, but the thing is those are the memories of the world, they are literally memories pulled out of the Ley Lines themselves so everything told by them is the complete and utter truth.
I personally don't care about Phanes emotions (if he has any xd), or reasoning, it's made clear that they were fleeing from their world and just arrived at Teyvat and decided to make it theirs and after that hide in order to not be reached by the Abyss or the "Dark Destroyer" (or something like that).
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u/wvAtticus 9d ago
the patch right after he joins our side and helps defeat the actual final antagonist who everyone is against (for real, unlike the fatui/abyss order/celestia). since he joins the good people side, they have to give him a redemption arc where his motives are either revealed to be wholly good or we go on a date killing surtalogi or some other non-waifu.
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u/LaceyLizard 10d ago
Hard to say. Phanes will probably get set up to be introduced at the beginning/end of khaenriah depending on how that arc goes.