#there is something so appealing about Mondstadt and its god (Venti bias here) that made me to love this region and archon the most

[banterismylovelanguage]

I’m gonna try to say this without sounding weird… okay?

Another reason why I like Barbatos so much as an Archon is that he is the type of god I would want for me.

He’s so human-like that it’s easy to forget he’s a god. He actively interacts with humans regularly to understand their culture, and he encourages “rest” and “joy” in life through a strong drinking culture and “whimsical” lifestyle.

It really is about finding joy in an everyday life.

Not only that, but he actively participates in putting on events to further this motto, most recent case scenario: The Poetry Event!

It’s these small things that he partakes in that encourages his people to grow and learn new things/try new things while—most importantly—having fun (!) that portray a god that is FOR the people first and foremost. Remembering that even though it’s simple (ish. Poetry is hard, sometimes, to me LOL), it is something new and exciting and breaks that monotonous life cycle.

He’s also a god that doesn’t “hover”; he’s there if you really need him but, otherwise, you have to fight your own battles. You need to grow; you need to realize your own strength by not having him around all the time.

Sure, he pokes fun at himself in these instances, sleeps so often that he really isn’t there all the time, is a drinker, etc., that it’s almost hard to see him as a god at all. He is so human.

You’re only reminded he’s a god when you realize he’s had a whole life, and several lives, really, before this one.

So, perhaps the reason he’s so appealing as a god is because he doesn’t really act like one at all. He acts like a “good” and humble human.

I suppose those that you find similarities in are what attracts you, so maybe that plays a part in Venti’s appeal. (Aka his human similarities)

On the other hand, Zhongli is probably best in encompassing the picture of a god: strong, capable, ready to step in but also ready to test his people “if they’re worthy” of standing on their own.

Ei is… a god in the sense that she’s feared. Untouchable. Hard to see any likeness in her to a human, so, she is, indeed, separate from her people.

Nahida holds knowledge so unfathomable and intangible that she is otherworldly, but due to her age, she is hard to compare to an “otherworldly god” and more seems like “another power”/“oracle”/“great other being” to seek out advice but to never quite “worship”—or at least, that’s what the Archon quest felt like to me.

Focalors is… well, she is painted to be the one imitating a god—down to the dotted ‘i’ where she puts on a bravado with none of the power to back it up. By all means, she should be the feared god, the powerful and interesting one that has an iron hand and all-wisdom—as if she plays both Nahida and Zhongli at once—but her power is that of a Venti, an everyday man that speaks ostentatious language to intimidate but never follows up on his word—for now. She’s just getting started, after all.

(Note: haven’t played the continuance of the Archon Quest at this time)

I guess it depends on how you define a god, which is why these portrayals are all so unique. It would then also depend on each individual to pick which one is the most appealing god to you—a protector, one with wisdom, a feared god, one that is active and fascinating, or—the one that blends in with its people.

#this was inspired by someone saying ‘Venti is a god I’d worship’ #and while I felt weird putting it that way #there is something so appealing about Mondstadt and its god (Venti bias here) that made me to love this region and archon the most #my type is the ‘gentle god’ archetype #also short men. #anyway #venti #zhongli #nahida #focalors #furina #it’ll take me a minute to switch over to her name #genshin impact #genshin archons #my rambles or something #truly these are just rambles #aka if I was iseki’d into genshin