Theory: Dainsleif and Verdfolnir are fragments of Nibelung
I’ve been researching into Nibelungs connection to both Vedrfolnir and Dain and I think that they both actually be fragments of Nibelungs
To get to my conclusion we have to go analyze where a lot of lore behind Khaaneiah is inspired from, Wagner’s opera Der Ring does Nibelungen
In an underground realm called Nibelheim. Alberich created a ring using stolen Rhine gold from Rhine maidens and put a curse on it. The ring is called “the Ring of Nibelung” and it had the power to rule the world. Alberich also had a younger brother Mime, who wanted the ring for himself and also ends up hating Alberich. Also note that both of brother are from a species that are called “Nibelungs” and they are referred by the term “The Nibelung“ more than by their names in the opera (they are also the only 2 Nibelungs in the opera)
Dain and Ved clearly parallel these two characters. According to lore from the glider “Wings of Leisurely Moments” Dainsleif had also wanted the ring as a child and it was verdfolnir who originally owned it. Verdfolnir was also the one who ends up putting a spell (which Tbf is said to be neither blessing nor curse) on the ring which resets the body’s condition and Dainsleif did end up actually get the ring he wanted with the “heavy fate” that came with it.
On a bit of a side note I do think the ring of Nibelung does have some sort of power that we and maybe even dain is unaware of (given that within wagner’s opera the ring of Nibelung has the power to “rule the world“) potentially Nibelungs memory or maybe his authority as well which would be fitting since dainsleif is set up to be one of the games final bosses and him having Nibelungs power would make sense as while he’s strong now I don’t know if he’s strong enough to be a worthy opponent at the conclusion of the game without a power up of some sorts
We also have to take a look at Norse mythology. Both Dain and Ved seem to have references as snakes. Namely Dainsleif’s constellation being ouroboros which in mythology represents infinity and cycles. Dainsleifs cape also has the infinity symbol on the back of it as well. We also see in Dainsleif’s introduction (which is very likely narrated by Ved himself)
Dainsleif own fate being represented as oroboros with his mind and body being held together by the ring as it resets his body’s condition and slows erosion
Ved’s chess piece in genshin 6.1 Luna 4 AQ also seems to be a snake as well
Ved’s main gimmick seems to be that he spreads his prophecies as absolute truth because he does truly see no way of escaping it. Snakes can bite their own tails when sick, and I think over here the snake represents Nibelung, who sees no escape from the sickness of teyvat which also sounds a lot like Ved.
I think Dainsleif is possibly on his way to break or become a part of that cycle as well since oroboros represents his “fate“ after all.
Neuvillete does refer to Neuvilette as the Heavenly Father as well if I recall correctly and Ved seems to have some inspiration from Jesus and you can even argue he runs something inspired by a fanatical Christian cult (namely Clothar Alberich devotion) so I could see a trinity like situation like with Dainsleif, Verdfolnir and Nibelung but this may be a stretch
I can see the possibility of the two brothers being incarnations of parts of Nibelung, kinda similar to how focalors and furina were one being before splitring into furina and focalors (if I recall correctly) or I could see them being spiritual heirs to Nibelung, while Nibelung himself may be gone he “lives on“ through dainsleif and Verdfolnir. I think it’d also be cool from a story standpoint with Dainsleif/Vedrfolnir represent the old world order, with the HP representing the current world order and The Traveler obviously representing the new world order
I very well could be wrong but what do you guys think? is my theory plausible? Any whole or gaps in my theory I’m not addressing? I might just be losing my mind and making up a bunch of convoluted bs lol. I’m open to any critique and discussion. I think even if my theory doesn’t hold to be true there is seriously some deeper connection between Nibelung and the two brothers.
