A Wanderer's Travels in Teyvat

Chapter One: The Beginning

Hello, most would call me a Wanderer, but I have been known by many names. If you are reading this, you are reading the only record this world will ever have of my true past and future. I am recording this in this book for the sake of the people who may come after me, should there be anyone after me.

I want to write about my experiences of exploring Teyvat on my own volition and not the whim of others, for I am now free and no one can tell me what to do anymore. The first thing I did when I got back from Simulanka was talk to Nahida about what I must do in future. She told me that I must find my own place in this world, right my wrongs if I felt as such and in general spend some time for myself.

As such, I first decided to travel to Mondstadt, the Land of Freedom. I had three goals in Mondstadt, I wanted to find a way to speak with Barbatos, the Archon of Freedom. I wanted to do this to thank him for my Anemo Vision and I wish to seek his advice for finding my own place in this world. Secondly, I want to investigate the remains of Durin in Dragonspine, I want to see what was going on with his corpse and maybe find some way to help him. Finally I want to look into a man who is said to be like me, the man known as Albedo. The Traveller has told me about him being an artificial construct like me and I wish to seek answers from the man.

On my lengthy journey towards Mondstadt, a group of treasure hoarders tried to rob me while I was travelling. I was charged by the first man, he had a pitchfork, I sent him flying with a strong gust of wind using my vision. The second man tried to throw a Molotov at me only for it to blow back at him and explode on his face. As this happened the rest of the group of treasure hoarders ran away in fear. As I stood there triumphant I saw a shadow on the hill to my right, it disappeared into a cloud of teal smoke before I could get a good glimpse.

By day six, I finally arrived in Mondstadt, I passed through Stone Gate, Dawn Winery coming into view. I was fairly hungry and I had overheard while passing Wangshu Inn that the lord of Dawn Winery was a very generous man. As I walked up to the building I knocked gently on the large cedar doors. A maid named Adelinde came to greet me at the door, she asked me what I was doing there, I explained that I was wandering towards Mondstadt on a journey of self-reflection. She asked if I was in need of any food or water, I poorly explained that I had run out of water and was low on food, she gracefully decided to offer me to stay at the Winery for dinner, she said that it might be good for me to meet Diluc as he may be able to answer my questions.

Later that day, Adelinde told me that Master Diluc would be slightly late as he had to deal with a few stragglers in the Angel's Share, a tavern in Mondstadt where Diluc works as a bartender and as the owner. Seeing as I had a good bit of free time now, I decided to go on a short walk, I walk down the path, out past the gate and towards a cliff overlooking Cider Lake. The setting sun's rays bouncing off the water casting shadows across the outer walls of Mondstadt city, it resembled a lotus in the waters of Sumeru.

As I strolled back to the Winery, I saw a man with red hair limping towards the Winery as well. I ran over to check on him and realised that he had a wounded arm and he was be, but he kept muttering that he 'Must reach the Winery', as such I decided to help him on his way to the Winery. We entered the Winery and I yelled 'Hello, Is anyone here, I need help for this guy, he was hurt somehow!' Adelinde came running down the stairs. 'Master Diluc, are you alright!?' To my surprise, it turns out the man I helped was actually the Master of the Winery that I had been waiting for. i helped Adelinde to move him to a seat nearby, she ran off to find bandages or something to help him. I decided to inquire with him, 'How did you get into this state?' I asked him, he said that he would answer my questions after he rests. Adelinde returned and asked politely if I could leave for the moment while she tends to his wounds, I complied and left the room.

I went outside and flew to the the roof of the Winery, from there I stared up at the sky, I envisioned myself gliding across the sky like a gentle cloud. Someday, I would fly up there, the truest form of freedom. I felt an odd breeze from behind me, it sounded like music, I turned around to see nothing but a dandelion seed blowing towards me. I grasped it and blew it high into the sky with my vision, giving it a freedom most can't imagine.

I heard the doors of the Winery open below me, I glided down to see Diluc standing at the door to guide me back inside. He led me to an open room with three seats and a fireplace, one seat clearly unused for a long time. I decided to avoid sitting on that seat in case it was special, i sat opposite of Diluc. 'So, I heard you had some questions for me?' he asked curiously. I answered him by saying 'That I do, to start. What happened to you, you seemed very badly injured?' I inquired. 'I had to put a stop to a fight between some bar patrons' he said, clearly lying. 'Alright, I understand' I said, not seeking to ask further. 'Secondly, would you know of any way to meet with the Anemo Archon, I have been told that he resides here as the bard, Venti' A visage of shock appeared when I mentioned that name. Diluc leaned forward and rested his hand on the pommel of his large blade and asked 'Where did you hear that?' in a hushed, threatening tone. I said that 'The Traveller told me, i know of everything that happened in Mondstadt while he was here'. This revelation seemed to put Diluc at ease, he said that he can trust anyone who is a friend of the Traveller seeing as he is a competent and trustworthy individual.

Diluc tells me that I can probably find Venti anywhere where there's alcohol. He tells me of two spots and two people to look for who may help me. The Angel's Share and the Cat's Tail taverns or Rosaria and Kaeya, two of his drinking buddies who may be of help. I told him that I had but one more question for him, does he know if anyone named Il Dottore has been spotted in this area at all. His face hardened at the mention of the name and he responded 'Why are you looking for that man?' his hatred clearly evident. I explain that he has wronged me in the past and that I would like to seek revenge for what he has done.

He expresses sympathy for me as he understands the feeling of being wronged by the Fatui and he says that he will help me however he can in future. As I left the Winery, I felt good having made an ally today, or maybe even a friend. I walked along the road from the Winery towards the city, I passed through a canyon until the walls of the city came into view. Once I crossed the bridge leading to the gate, I saw a figure walking in the moonlight. As I reached the gate they turned around and....

To be continued in Part 2.