u/SupermarketWrong9517

Intro

Let me start off by saying I really want Mistiltein to have something cool to do with Thrain and taking down Phanes. I'm aware people often link Mistiltein with the event predating Ragnarok involving Loki tricking Höðr (Hodr) into throwing the one thing that could kill his brother Baldur which is mistletoe. Interestingly too the Primordial one aka Phanes is the name of a god of light from Greek Mythology. So he's a god of light just like Baldur. Moreover the brother who kills him Höðr (Hodr) is associated with darkness and winter (I mean come on Capitano has black ice and a void face.)

Technically Mistiltein the sword is Thrain's weapon from Hrómundar saga Gripssonar. It's not the same thing as the mistletoe that kills Baldr which is described as a dart or arrow. I believe Mistiltein is old Norse for Mistletoe so I guess it can connect to both myths or perhaps its more than one weapon.

So the theories about the Tsaritsa's polearm weapon that appears to have Naberius (Shade of life powers) tied to it presumably gifted by Rhinedotter (Gold) is what this Mistiltein Columbina mentions, makes a degree of sense. A weapon of life being the only way to kill the goddess of death.

But wait.....Thrain might still be relavent regardless of its HIS weapon or the Tsaritsa's anyway.

Hoyo may have specifically chosen to refer to it as Mistiltein instead of mistletoe for an additional reason that still connects it to Thrain even it doesnt turn out to be his weapon.

#Additional context about Myth Thrain

Fun but not so fun fact about Myth Thrain. Mistiltein is the name of his former weapon. Draugr/king/sorcerer Thrain, once weilded it and slayed 420 men and then later retired to a borough with his sword and riches. Eventually he turned into a undead creature called a draugr and is described as black and blue with cat like claws.

A man named Hrómundar stole Thrain's weapon "Mistiltein" killed him and then burned him to ashes so he couldnt regenerate. So basically Thrain was killed by Mistiltein.

#My 3 possible theories*

1.If Mistiltein in Genshin is Tsaritsa's spear imbued with the power of life it could play a role in ending or altering the curse of immortality. What Capitano calls the curse of absolute life. I'm not saying that Ronova's death would undo the curse just like that, nor would it be a good story if all the immortal Khaenri'ahns suddenly dropped dead and thats it. Rather it could be used to alter or reset the effects it had on Khaenri'ahns. Like an undo, revert, or rebirth button. Gold and the Tsaritsa could've decided to join forces since they both have possible personal reasons for it (a sinner trying to right her wrongs/ a mother of a possible Khaenri'ahn and close friend of Khaenri'ahns trying to give them a second chance) using Naberius's power of life.

In this way Genshin's Thrain is also killed by Mistiltein but he rekindles in the flames because he had to truly die (be rid of the curse) in order to truly live again. That and I think death and rebirth is a common theme in the Fatui both literally and figuratively. I think it has something to do with transcendence like the trailer title. It may even allow for the chance to become a descender or at least someone who cant be effected by the rules of Teyvat like most.

2. Mistiltein could be Capitano's weapon used to kill Phanes, and they're combining myths but subverting Thrain's death (he lives on, comes out of the enternal flame rather than being damned by one and takes the role of Hoor (winter/darkness god). I mean Capitano is already a subversion of the Comedia dell'arte's Capitano and Genshin Thrain is basically the opposite of myth Thrain so he gets the right to be reborn instead of being denied it.

3. What I said in 2 except he's killing or upsurping Ronova not Phanes. Kind of funny that she won't allow him to die and that would actually give him a huge advantage coupled with weilding the one weapon that could kill her. He did say the following -

>"Your curse in now the tool with which I will overturn the oppression of the gods."

Frankly Hoyoverse can pick and choose which parts of the myths they want to refrence or subvert but these are some scenarios that came to mind.

#Bonus

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Mistletoe - significance (tied to life)

Was considered a heal all to druids

Known to grow berries and leaves in bunches of three (trinity) used for Christmas.

Associated with Love (Capitano's got a golden heart, the Tsaritsa's ideal is love.

Interperated by some to be the golden bough allowing safe passage in the underworld in the classic Aenid.

Golden bough in genshin is a branch of irminsul - see - https://genshin-impact.fandom.com/wiki/Golden_Frostbound_Oath

Sources -

https://www.odins-gift.com/poth/2stories/thestoryofthemistletoe.htm

https://www.germanicmythology.com/FORNALDARSAGAS/HromundarSagaGripssonChapell.html

https://www.biblicalcyclopedia.com/M/mistletoe.html

This trailer has Sandrone sad about the people she lost and Capitano is not one of them! I believe this works well in his favor for his absence not being permanent or significantly longer.

Yes, you could argue oh she's not as close to him as she is with the others absent from her life. But idk I get the sense she is fond of him. Enough to be allowed at her tea parties and she wrote about him in her diary and how he decided to stay in Natlan. She also seemed bummed about him not coming to another tea party.

She's a queen , he's a knight. If you think about it Thrain used to serve King Irmin who probably let him down in the end. He lost his country, his king, his way of being (a knight of Khaenri'ah). The Tsaritsa gave him a new direction and probably empathized wish his feeling of loss.

I'm taking a wild guess she has a fur cape and a crown.

​

1. The expressions should not be too much of a concern in my opinion even if we never see his actual face. Look how they made his shadow face slightly lighter in this scene so we could see him smiling. Moreover if he's supposed to have glowing eyes that kind of helps with emoting too.

2. I know things can be subject to change but his helmet star does have a glow texture. Not to mention we're getting stellar reactions. Would be kind of neat if that tied into his kit somehow.

3. Notice how theres black smoke that comes out of his helmet when he took it off? If he gets his skin restored he could simply dispell the black smoke hiding his face whenever he chooses too.

The Genshin Impact animated short "The Final Gift" officially premieres in three days. Stay tuned!

I cant speak too much for this dude's canon personality, I can only guess. He seems kind of brooding, mysterious, willing to smite gods for some reason but looks can be deceiving. I'm hoping he'll be secretly honorable or has a kindness to him like cap but idk.

Design wise he's got the gold accents, gold heart looking thing on his chest and black scales on his forearm. Or do I just see Capitano in things now? Anyway he's one of the protagonists you can play as which is neat. We'll see how he compares to Capitano but at least there's finally something adjacent to what Ive been looking for in a game I can actually play.

Aka one thats accessible to me and my abilities and doesnt cause more stress than joy) with a capitanoish character.

This comes out in September. If he's still not back I reccomend Cap fans play this to help with the wait.

Allegedly back in 2024 Genshin's chief editor and writer, Xiao Luohao did a talk/ Q&A session at Fudan University. There, he confirmed that the burning of irminsul teased in The Winter Night's Lazzo, is an actual future event. Again, this was in 2024 and we are just now experiencing this!

Wouldnt that imply its not totally out of the question for somebody (idk maybe me) could singlehandedly 100% confirm Capitano's return just by asking Hoyoverse the yes or no question of if the Ignition Teaser (all of it) is depicting the actual future? Even if hypothetically they are absolutely not allowed to talk about Capitano, maybe they are allowed to tell a curious consumer/fan if the Ignition Teaser is advertising the future.

Any thoughts? You miss all the shots you dont take so I'm gonna try to see if I can ask someone. Also, there's power in numbers so if anyone else wants to try, please do.

Original post from AboutTeyvat- https://x.com/AboutTeyvat/status/2058990752534057428?s=20

Edit : Interlude could be around the 8th and 10th. I didnt realize the last two interlude trailers had slightly different dates.

I just seasoned it with extra Capitano and added a date. The last interlude teaser (The God's Limits) came out Jul 8th which was before we got the character teaser for 6.x . Since Snezhnaya is a month sooner we can expect things in early and late June. So within the next 35ish days we should be getting promotional stuff for Snezhnaya. Hopefully more good news for us.

Doesn't it totally look like Capitano's about to get crushed? Does he move out of the way? No. Does he cower in fear? No. He stands his ground and prepares to strike. Why the heck are we doomposting? We're so close to Snezhnaya and he literally has the fatui logo on his freaking forehead.

Weirdly his narrative kind of mirrors the experience of being a fan. A long road of uncertainty and dissapointment when the win we waited for hasnt happened yet.

It was literally part of his story that he wandered Teyvat (no idea for how long) looking for just one win (finding leylines that will accept the souls he carries/ having a way to make that so) Natlan was seventh times the charm.

I'd like to think Snezhnaya is that for us.

​

Inspired by that other post showing the new artifact set with this symbol.

First Snezhnaya trailer?

So last year our first trailer for Nod Krai the Nod-Krai teaser trailer came out on the same day as the version 5.7 Special program (Jun 6). Since there is no 6.8, there's a decent chance the special program this Friday (effectively the second to the last luna patch) may have the first Snezhnaya trailer!!!

Capitano? Crumbs?

That means the odds of a Capitano appearance or at least crumbs are higher than usual. Yes, no garauntee's but still.🫣🥹 The first trailer for Nod Krai showed us some of the characters who would be involved in the plot. Like major hype characters half of which were playable. Alice, Nicole (was the narrator) Dottore/Nod Krai Fatui and Varka with the Knights of Favonious. It also gave us some hints about the coming story. Come on Mistiltein, Bakunawa and or frozen throne!

About 6.7 and Character trailer

It appears that last year the character trailer for Nod Krai (July 21st) came a few days after the 5.8 special program. (Jul 18th). I just realized then that technically if Capitano makes an actual in person appearance in 6.7 they could effectively show him in the trailer for that version (June 19th) and then him being in the Snezhnaya character trailer would not be as much of a spoiler per say. We also dont know if his return is beginning to be set up in 6.6.

Any thoughts?

[Sources] https://artefacts-collector.com/vine/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crown\_of\_thorns

[V.5.3] Chapter V: Act V - Incandescent Ode of Resurrection

https://youtu.be/2iu7xGqiNzM?si=pHtSWz0\_3x1JTV5v [To Snezhnaya and the Future."]

Capitano mod [showing glow textures in action]

"Mavuika: Training Day" — The Web Event

Fatui Wheel

5.6 Imaginarium theatre - Rime Grass Blessings

"Memories of This Life" Animated Short

Bonus

- Myth Thrain's sword Mistiltein is a plant.

- Dps's for new reactions in Nod Krai released between 6.0 - 6.3. Flins, Nefer, Zibai.

- If Sandrone is a superconduct dps then her electro support might be useful for rime grass too since rime grass works with electro.

We've already got Mistiltein and Fimbulwinter (Ever winter) mentioned.

Interesting that they chose to skip 6.8. They could've made it a Natlan patch. It seems like they intentionally wanted Snezhnaya to start with an eclipse. Perhaps there is a prelude in 7.0 before we go to Snezhnaya? Or maybe a storyquest that also functions as a part one?

#Another prediction/hope

Capitano rime grass dps in 7.0 or 7.1?

I'll leave that for another post.