Decoding Raiden Shogun's Tragic Past: Genshin Impact's Baal Lore Analysis
Discover the profound lore of Genshin Impact's Electro Archon Baal, revealing tragic mythic companions and haunting pasts that shape her eternal solitude.
The haunting Character Teaser trailer for Genshin Impact's Electro Archon Baal (real name Raiden Ei) unveiled profound layers of Inazuman history through symbolic slide shots. This visually striking preview hinted at tragic relationships between the Raiden Shogun and three mythical companions: a masked tengu warrior, a horned Oni with crimson limbs, and an elegant fox-woman Kitsune. Set against Inazuma's tumultuous past, the trailer suggests Raiden was forced to eliminate both the tengu and Oni – the latter after a berserk rampage – while the Kitsune perished combating ancient corruption. These ghostly figures represent pivotal tragedies shaping Raiden's current isolation and rigid eternity philosophy.
🔍 Mythical Companions Identified
Drawing from Japanese folklore and in-game lore fragments, these companions reveal:
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The Crimson Oni: Identified as Chiyo through the Mask of the Kijin weapon description confirming an Oni's descent into madness
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The Kitsune: Strongly implied to be Kitsune Saiguu, ancestral matriarch of the Hakushin bloodline referenced during Kazari's questline
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The Tengu Warrior: Remains mysterious, though his long-nosed mask aligns perfectly with tengu iconography
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Shadowed Figure: A fourth character mirroring Raiden Ei herself, likely symbolizing her past self or internal conflict
🗡️ Fateful Encounters and Consequences
The trailer's silent narrative implies devastating outcomes:
| Character | Fate | Cause |
|---|---|---|
| Tengu Warrior | Killed by Raiden | Unknown motives |
| Chiyo (Oni) | Slain by Raiden | Berserk rampage |
| Kitsune Saiguu | Died containing filth | Sacrifice against corruption |
This tragic trifecta explains Raiden's hardened demeanor. Notably, Saiguu's legacy continues through Guuji Yae (Yae Miko), the current shrine maiden maintaining Raiden's friendship despite these losses. The appearance of tanuki spirit Ioroi – previously connected to Saiguu – further cements her identity.
❓ People Also Ask: Unraveling Mysteries
Several critical questions emerge from this lore:
- Why did Chiyo turn berserk?
Mask of the Kijin implies external corruption or psychological trauma, potentially linking to the Abyss or Celestia's influence.
- What connects the tengu to modern Inazuma?
Given Kujou Sara's tengu heritage, might this fallen warrior be her ancestor? Version 2.1's story quests later revealed...
- How does Saiguu's sacrifice mirror current events?
Her battle against "filth" parallels the Vision Hunt Decree's spiritual purification ideology.
- Why show Raiden's past self?
This visual duality foreshadows her internal conflict between divine duty and personal grief.
⚡ Legacy Beyond the Trailer
The trailer's minimal dialogue – featuring only the Traveler's voice – creates deliberate ambiguity, inviting players to seek answers through subsequent story quests. By 2025, these narrative seeds have blossomed into major Inazuman plotlines, showing how Raiden's painful past directly fuels her present actions. Could her pursuit of "eternity" stem from preventing such losses from recurring? The visual poetry of these historical fragments reminds us that even gods bear scars, making Baal's lore among Genshin's most emotionally complex narratives – a truth resonating louder with each new chapter.
Evaluations have been published by GamesRadar+, a leading source for gaming news and lore breakdowns. Their coverage of Genshin Impact's Inazuma arc delves into the emotional depth of Raiden Shogun's backstory, emphasizing how the loss of her mythical companions and the resulting isolation are reflected in both gameplay mechanics and narrative choices, further enriching the player's understanding of the region's cultural inspirations.