"Vibrant Harriers Aloft in Spring Breeze" Version 4.4 Update Details
Dear Travelers,
Below are the details of the Version 4.4 update "Vibrant Harriers Aloft in Spring Breeze" and the update compensation.
〓Compensation Details〓
Maintenance Compensation: Primogems ×300 (60 Primogems per hour the servers are down)
Issue Fix Compensation: Primogems ×300 (please refer to the relevant compensation mail for more details)
〓Scope of Compensation〓
Maintenance Compensation: Travelers who have reached Adventure Rank 5 or above by 2024/01/31 06:00 (UTC+8).
Compensation must be claimed before the end of Version 4.4.
Issue Fix Compensation: Travelers who reach Adventure Rank 5 or above by 2024/01/31 06:00 (UTC+8).
Please log in and claim your compensation before 2024/02/03 06:00 (UTC+8).
Our developers will distribute compensation to Travelers via in-game mail within 5 hours after the update maintenance is finished. The mail will expire after 30 days, so don't forget to claim the attached compensation in time.
〓Update Schedule〓
Update maintenance begins 2024/01/31 06:00 (UTC+8) and is estimated to take 5 hours.
〓How to Update Game Client〓
PC: Close the game, open the Genshin Impact Launcher, and click Update.
iOS: Open the App Store and tap Update.
Android: Open the game and follow the directions on-screen.
PS5™ and PS4™: Highlight Genshin Impact from the Home Screen, press the OPTIONS button and select "Check for Update."
Please do not hesitate to contact Customer Service if you encounter any issues installing the new version. We will do our very best to resolve the issue.
〓Update Details〓
I. New Areas
New Areas in Liyue Now Available
◇ New Areas: In Version 4.4, the following areas in Liyue will become available: Chenyu Vale: Upper Vale, Chenyu Vale: Southern Mountain, and Mt. Laixin.
※ As long as you have completed Archon Quest Prologue: Act III "Song of the Dragon and Freedom," a Teleport Waypoint will be automatically unlocked near Liyue's Chenyu Vale: Upper Vale (If you have already completed this Archon Quest, the Teleport Waypoint will be unlocked after the update). You'll also receive the Primogem reward for this Teleport Waypoint when it unlocks automatically.
New System in Liyue
Rainjade Oblation
Fujin's adeptal energy has transformed into many Spirit Carp that are scattered all over Chenyu Vale. Collect the energy within Spirit Carp and transfer it into the Votive Rainjade within Carp's Rest to increase its level and obtain the blessings of Chenyu Vale.
Rainjade Oblation System Unlock Criteria:
• Complete the World Quest "The Cloud-Padded Path to the Chiwang Repose"
In addition, there will be new Fishing Points and "Radiant Spincrystals" in Liyue.
II. New Characters
5-Star Character "Passerine Herald" Xianyun (Anemo)
◇ Vision: Anemo
◇ Weapon: Catalyst
◇ One of the Mighty and Illuminated Adepti of Jueyun, known as "Cloud Retainer." Expert in all kinds of mechanical contraptions, her heart now turns towards the affairs of the mortal world, through which she walks under the name "Xianyun."
◆ Elemental Skill "White Clouds at Dawn"
◆ Xianyun enters the Cloud Transmogrification state, in which she will not take Fall DMG, and uses Skyladder once. In this state, Xianyun can cast Skyladder continuously to leap, where her Plunging Attack will be converted into an even stronger Driftcloud Wave instead, which deals AoE Anemo DMG. The more times Skyladder is used, the more DMG the resulting Driftcloud Wave will deal and the larger its AoE.
◆ Elemental Burst "Stars Gather at Dusk"
◆ Brings forth a sacred breeze that deals AoE Anemo DMG and heals all nearby characters. It will also summon the "Starwicker" mechanism that follows the active character and periodically heals all nearby party members. When the Starwicker has Adeptal Assistance stacks, characters will have their jump height increased. When they complete a Plunging Attack, Adeptal Assistance stacks will be consumed and deal AoE Anemo DMG.
4-Star Character "Leonine Vanguard" Gaming (Pyro)
◇ Vision: Pyro
◇ Weapon: Claymore
◇ Guard of the Sword and Strongbox Secure Transport Agency, and the head of the "Mighty Mythical Beasts" Wushou troupe.
◆ Elemental Skill "Bestial Ascent"
◆ Gaming pounces forward using the Wushou arts, leaping high into the air after coming into contact with a target or surface. If he immediately uses a Plunging Attack, he will use Plunging Attack: Charmed Cloudstrider instead, dealing AoE Pyro DMG to opponents hit.
◆ Elemental Burst "Suanni's Gilded Dance"
◆ Gaming enters Wushou Stance, briefly applying Pyro to him, recovering a fixed amount of HP, and summons his companion, the Suanni Man Chai, to smash into his target, dealing AoE Pyro DMG. After doing so, Man Chai will then attempt to roll towards Gaming. When it links up with Gaming, Man Chai will leave the field and reset the CD for Gaming's Elemental Skill, Bestial Ascent. While Wushou Stance is active, his resistance to interruption is increased, and when Gaming lands with Charmed Cloudstrider attack or completes the forward pounce attack from Bestial Ascent with over 50% HP, he will summon Man Chai again.
III. New Equipment
New Weapon (Examples based on Refinement Rank 1)
Crane's Echoing Call (5-Star Catalyst)
After the equipping character hits an opponent with a Plunging Attack, all nearby party members' Plunging Attacks will deal 28% increased DMG for 20s. When nearby party members hit opponents with Plunging Attacks, they will restore 2.5 Energy to the equipping character. Energy can be restored this way every 0.7s. This energy regain effect can be triggered even if the equipping character is not on the field.
◆ During the event wish "Epitome Invocation," the event-exclusive 5-star weapon Crane's Echoing Call (Catalyst) will receive a huge drop-rate boost!
IV. New Outfits
Ganyu: Twilight Blossom
◇ A light and graceful festive outfit accented mainly in black nightshade and cerulean blue. Its hair accessory is as radiant as the Qingxin — a pairing that Ganyu is most fond of.
◆ Between the start of the Version 4.4 update and 2024/03/11 03:59, Ganyu's outfit "Twilight Blossom" will be available for purchase in the Character Outfit Shop at a limited-time discount! During the discount period, the price of the outfit is 1,350 Genesis Crystals. The price will revert to 1,680 Genesis Crystals after the limited-time discount ends. The outfit can only be purchased once.
Shenhe: Frostflower Dew
◇ This Lantern Rite gift that Shenhe received is a set of elegant formal attire that her master, Cloud Retainer, had commissioned for her. Red ropes still adorn her arms, but the bitter cold in Shenhe's heart has faded.
◆ Between the start of the Version 4.4 update and 2024/03/11 03:59, Shenhe's outfit "Frostflower Dew" will be available for purchase in the Character Outfit Shop at a limited-time discount! During the discount period, the price of the outfit is 1,350 Genesis Crystals. The price will revert to 1,680 Genesis Crystals after the limited-time discount ends. The outfit can only be purchased once.
Xingqiu: Bamboo Rain
◇ Formal wear prepared by the Feiyun Commerce Guild for Xingqiu. The bamboo prints are refined and the cut is most flattering, but Xingqiu's favorite aspect of the outfit is its inner pockets, into which a thinner novel might be stuffed.
◆ During Version 4.4, Travelers can obtain Xingqiu's outfit "Bamboo Rain" for free by participating in the limited-time "Vibrant Harriers Aloft in Spring Breeze" event.
◆ After Version 4.4 is over, Travelers can buy the outfit in the Character Outfit Shop.
V. New Main Story
1. New Story Quest
Xianyun's Story Quest - Grus Serena Chapter: Act I "A Thousand Moonlit Miles"
Permanently available after the Version 4.4 update
◆ Quest Unlock Criteria:
• Reach Adventure Rank 40 or above
• Complete Archon Quest Interlude Chapter: Act I "The Crane Returns on the Wind"
2. New World Quests
◆ New World Quests: "Chenyu's Blessings of Sunken Jade" Quest Chain, "The Cloud-Padded Path to the Chiwang Repose," "Threefold Expectations," "A Wangshan Walk to Remember," "Scrolls and Sword Manuals of Guhua," "Shrouded Vale, Hidden Hero," "The Roaming Abode," "The Dealing Sands," "Our Chenyu Vale Trek," "Chili Con Cloudy," "Qiaoying, the Village of Many Tales," "Temporary Acclimatization," etc.
VI. New Enemies
Solitary Suanni
◇ These elegant and proud mystical beasts only live in mountains shrouded in adeptal energy.
It can use Hydro and Anemo simultaneously in battle. Render it Frozen while it is gathering Hydro-aligned adeptal energy, before using Shatter, Melt, or other Elemental Reactions to break the ice and cause it to enter an immobile state. When it is gathering Anemo-aligned adeptal energy, use attacks from Elements that can react with Anemo to destroy the Spiritwind Pearls summoned during the process to achieve the same advantage.
Located at Chenyu Vale: Southern Mountain
Xuanwen Beast
◇ Fierce creatures that inhabit the mountains of Chenyu Vale.
Use Elemental Reactions to freeze this creature and use Shatter, Melt, and other Elemental Reactions to break the ice and render it immobile temporarily.
VII. Other Update Details
New Recipes:
○ Chef Mao (NPC): Honey Char Siu
○ Lianfang (NPC): Chenyu Brew, Jadevein Tea Eggs, and Tea-Smoked Squab
○ Licai (NPC): Deep-Fried Doublecrisp and Braised Meatballs
○ World Quest Rewards: Guhua Fish & Lamb Soup and Fine Tea, Full Moon.
○ Event Reward: Eight-Treasure Duck
New Character Specialty Dishes:
○ Xianyun's specialty: "Encompassing Gladness"
○ Gaming's specialty: "Yummy Yum Cha"
Adds new "Chenyu's Splendor" Achievement category, and adds new Achievements to the "Wonders of the World" category.
Adds Set 29 of "Paimon's Paintings" chat emojis.
Adds some prompts for loading screens.
New Namecards:
"Xianyun: White Clouds": Reward for reaching Friendship Lv. 10 with Xianyun
"Gaming: Man Chai": Reward for reaching Friendship Lv. 10 with Gaming
"Achievement: Adeptal Valley": Reward for completing all achievements under "Chenyu's Splendor"
"Chenyu: Rainjade Rite": Reward for reaching Rainjade Oblation Level 10
"Travel Notes: Vibrant Harriers": Reward obtained via the BP system
New Wildlife: Fluff-Fleece Goat, Malachitin Lumibug, Redbill Pelican, Jadestone Turtle, and Velvetfall Duck
New Fish: Jade Heartfeather Bass
New Function: Fast Equip Artifacts
(1) Quick Configuration: A set of Artifacts will be put together for your reference based on data from recently active players. When generating a configuration, it will only consider Artifacts not already equipped by other characters.
(2) Custom Configuration: Custom Configuration data will be based on the settings laid out for each character. When using a Custom Configuration, you can configure based on conditions such as Artifact Main Affix, Set Type, and Minor Affixes and choose whether or not to use Artifacts that haven't already been equipped. The configuration created by Custom Configuration can be adjusted, with alternative Artifacts sorted based on the overall priority levels of their Artifact Set and Affixes. When "Other Options" > "All" is selected in Custom Configuration, when the configuration includes Artifacts already equipped by another character, the Artifacts will be removed and equipped to the target character.
Adds the "Borderless Mode" fullscreen option in "Display Mode" in "Settings / Graphics" interface on PC.
"Genius Invokation TCG" Gameplay Update:
New Character Cards: Thoma, Sayu, and their corresponding Talent cards. Corresponding invitation duels and guest challenges have been added to the Player List.
New Character Cards: Cryo Hypostasis, Millennial Pearl Seahorse, and their corresponding Talent Cards. Their Tavern Challenges have also been added.
New Action Cards: "Sapwood Blade," "Veteran's Visage," "Jeht," "Silver and Melus," "Machine Assembly Line," "Sunyata Flower," and "Matsutake Meat Rolls" can be purchased from Prince at The Cat's Tail.
The Forge Realm's Temper is once again available. The theme of this edition is "The Forge Realm's Temper: Clever Stratagems":
(1) During The Forge Realm's Temper: Clever Stratagems, you can select the parameters for each stage. Parameters that may be set include: stage difficulty, the round limit for the match, and enemy bonus HP.
(2) After you complete a certain stage battle, you will gain a score based on the difficulty selected for each parameter in said stage. At the same time, you can claim the corresponding rewards when your highest score reaches a specific score.
Spiral Abyss
Floor 11 Ley Line Disorder changed to:
• All characters in the party gain a 75% Anemo DMG Bonus.
Updated the monster lineup on Floors 11 – 12 of the Spiral Abyss.
Starting from the first time that the Lunar Phase refreshes after updating to Version 4.4, the three Lunar Phases will be as follows:
Phase I:
Ascendant Moon
When a character receives healing, it will be counted. When the count reaches a total of 16, a shockwave will be unleashed at the character's position, dealing True DMG to nearby opponents and clearing the count. 1 such shockwave can be unleashed every 8s.
Phase II:
Resilient Moon
After the active character's Plunging Attacks hit opponents, the character's Plunging Attack DMG is increased by 20% for 8s. This effect can be triggered once every 0.1s. Max 3 stacks. Each stack's duration is counted independently. This effect will be cleared if the character leaves the field.
Phase III:
Plummeting Moon
After the active character's Plunging Attacks hit opponents, unleash a shockwave at the character's location, dealing True DMG to nearby opponents. 1 such shockwave can be unleashed every 2s.
〓Adjustments & Optimizations〓
● Serenitea Pot
Adds new Furnishing categories, reclassifies certain Furnishings, and adjusts the sorting of certain categories.
Refactors the filter function in the "Inventory > Furnishings" and "Creation / Furnishings" interfaces, now supporting more conditions and allowing direct searches.
When placing Furnishings using the same editing mode, your current position in lists will be remembered. It will not be reset after switching to another Furnishing category.
Adds the display of Friendship Levels in the Companion tab on the editing screen. Characters without Friendship Lv. 10 will be displayed in descending order of Friendship Level.
Optimizes the sorting of Character Hangout Events and their corresponding Hangout Memories in the Furnishing "Lingering Moment."
● Genius Invokation TCG
Standardizes the skill descriptions of certain cards in some challenges.
Adjusts the text description for the Talent Card "Rending Vortex" of the Character Card "Dvalin" (actual effect remains unchanged).
The original description was: "When your Dvalin, who has this card equipped, is on the field, when Total Collapse attached to opposing active character is removed: Apply Total Collapse to the next opposing standby character."
The adjusted description is: "When your Dvalin, who has this card equipped, is on the field, when Total Collapse attached to an opposing character is removed: Apply Total Collapse to the next opposing standby character."
● System
Increases the number of party compositions in the "Party Setup > Configure Team" interface from 10 to 15.
Renames "Fullscreen" in "Display Mode" to "Borderless" in the "Settings / Graphics" interface in the Irminsul Server on PC (actual display effect remains unchanged; after said adjustment, available options in "Display Mode" in the Irminsul Server on PC are "Borderless" and "Windowed").
Adds a red notification dot in the "Adventurer Handbook > Commissions" interface to remind Travelers to go to the Adventurers' Guild and claim Bonus Rewards after obtaining all 4 Daily Commission Rewards every day.
Adjust the "Exit Challenge" interface in the "Test Run" event and add the "Other Trial Stages" option.
Adjust the "Mystic Offering" interface to support the display of the corresponding Artifacts' 2-Piece Set and 4-Piece Set effects.
Adjusts the source descriptions of Character Ascension Materials and adds a shortcut to "Adventurer Handbook > Domains."
Adjusts certain button texts in the "Artifacts Filter" and "Artifact Auto-Lock" interfaces.
● Audio
Adds a voice-over trigger scenario: Related voice-overs will be triggered the first time you obtain a character and view their character portrait, as well as the first time you obtain a character's outfit and view their character outfit portrait.
Optimizes the "Character/Ascension" screen so that characters' idle voice-overs now stop completely after being interrupted by Ascension voice-overs.
Optimizes the Korean voice-overs for certain characters and quests.
● Other
If related achievements of a Commission Quest are not unlocked yet, the probability of that Commission Quest appearing will increase.
The "Dynamic Character Resolution" feature has been added for PlayStation® and some PC devices. This will be activated by default on PlayStation® and no option will be shown. On PCs that support this feature, you will be able to find and enable "Dynamic Character Resolution" in Settings > Graphics (this option will not be shown on PCs that currently do not support it).
The text descriptions of some achievements have been fixed (the corresponding Achievement Trophies on PlayStation® cannot be modified currently).
After the Version 4.4 update, new UID naming rules will be used for newly registered accounts on the Asia server (existing account UIDs will be unaffected).
〓Genius Invokation TCG Balance Adjustment〓
Adjust the effect of the Event Card "In Every House a Stove" to the following: Draw a number of cards equal to the current Round number minus 1. (Up to 4 cards can be drawn in this way).
Adjusts the effect of the Equipment Card "Vourukasha's Glow": Only after triggering its "draw 1 card" effect, its other effect "heal the attached character for 1 HP" can take effect in that same Round.
Adjusts the effect of the status "Lightning Rod" for the Character Card "Thunder Manifestation": The effect "While this status is active, can be triggered once: DMG received by the attached character from Thunder Manifestation or its summons is increased by 1." has been adjusted to "When the attached character takes DMG from Thunder Manifestation or its summons: Remove this state, cause this DMG instance to increase by 1."
Adjusts the Elemental Dice cost of the Talent Card "Grieving Echo" for the Character Card "Thunder Manifestation", and adds effects: The number of dice required has increased from 0 Electro Dice to 3, and adds the effects "Combat Action: When your active character is Thunder Manifestation, equip this card." as well as "After Thunder Manifestation equips this card, immediately use Strifeful Lightning once."
〓Bug Fixes〓
● Enemies
Fixes an issue whereby, when the enemy "Black Serpent Knight" was defeated, the defeat animation would not play properly in certain situations.
Fixes an issue whereby, when the enemy "Armored Crab" was hit by Chevreuse's Elemental Burst, it would remain suspended in mid-air for an unusually long time in certain situations.
Fixes an issue whereby, when different Pneuma- or Ousia-aligned enemies were overloaded at the same time, there was a chance that the enemy "Arithmetic Enhancer Mek" would fail to remove its teammates' Deactivated statuses as it should do.
● Character
Fixes an issue whereby when Lyney approached opponents after turning into a Grin-Malkin Cat with his Elemental Burst, there was a small chance that he would deal an additional instance of DMG to the same opponent.
Fixes an issue with the Traveler (Hydro) whereby, when the Sourcewater Droplets produced by casting their Elemental Skill were absorbed, a special effect would abnormally remain.
Fixes an issue whereby, when Sayu and Furina were in the same party, there was a chance that Sayu's Passive Talent "Yoohoo Art: Silencer's Secret" would abnormally fail to take effect.
● System
Fixes an issue in the "Adventurer Handbook > Commissions" interface whereby despite still lacking an extremely tiny amount of Encounter Points, it would suggest there were already enough to claim the rewards.
Fixes an issue whereby the in-game camera would work abnormally when the character used the drive valve in the Fortress of Meropide: Abandoned Production Zone under certain circumstances.
Fixes an issue whereby the special effects of the All-Devouring Narwhal would display abnormally in the Living Beings section of the Archive after the Version 4.3 update.
Fixes an issue with Artifacts with 1-Piece Set effect whereby the 1-Piece Set effect would display abnormally as activated without being equipped.
Removes redundant scene objects under certain lower graphics quality settings.
● Genius Invokation TCG
Fixes an issue with the Character Card "Cryo Cicin Mage" whereby while using her Elemental Burst, if she took DMG from triggering "Sparks 'n' Splash," "Fatui Ambusher," and other Combat Statuses, the Shield Points of her Flowing Cicin Shield generated by the Cryo Cicins would be incorrect.
Fixes an issue with the Character Card "Layla" whereby the Combat Status "Curtain of Slumber Shield" created by her Elemental Skill lacked the "Shield" tag.
Fixes an issue during challenges whereby, when cards imbued with either Pneuma or Ousia energy became Deactivated after casting skills that needed to be prepared, the statuses of these skills would abnormally remain.
Fixes an issue whereby, when the Character Card "Alhaitham" had the Status "Chisel-Light Mirror" attached, the text description for the character's Normal Attack abnormally failed to state that DMG inflicted would be Dendro DMG (this was purely a textual error as the actual effect was working properly).
● Audio
Fixes an issue whereby there would be abnormal background noises when enhancing Artifacts.
Fixes grammar mistakes and errors with the Chinese voice-overs for certain characters and quests.
Fixes an issue whereby Kuki Shinobu and Navia's Korean chat voice-overs did not match their actual idle animations.
● Other
Fixes an issue in Co-Op Mode whereby the host couldn't use the Xenochromatic Ball Octopus's ability to interact with targets under certain circumstances.
Fixes an issue in Co-Op Mode whereby Leisurely Otter (Wildlife) could abnormally swim above the water surface under certain circumstances.
Fixes an issue with Hydro Crystalflies in Fontaine's underwater areas whereby there was a chance that they didn't appear or they got startled before the character approached close enough.
Fixes an issue in the Serenitea Pot whereby the "Invite" button of the Gift Set "Full Force Forward in the Forbidden Fortress" was being abnormally obstructed by the furnishing model.
Fixes an issue whereby, when using a controller to interact with the gadget "Crystalfly Trap" or "Parametric Transformer," the screen for converting Genesis Crystals into Primogems would be abnormally opened in certain situations.
Fixes some text errors in certain languages and optimizes text. (Note: Related in-game functions have not changed. Travelers can view the changes in different languages by going to the Paimon Menu > Settings > Language and changing the Game Language.)
Text-related fixes and optimizations in English include
◆ Optimizes inconsistencies between certain voice-overs and the corresponding lines in the Version 4.2 Archon Quest
◆ Optimizes certain translations on the Artifact Auto-Lock screen.
*This is a work of fiction and is not related to any actual people, events, groups, or organizations.
"PlayStation", "PS5", "PS4", "DualSense", "DUALSHOCK" are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
105 notes
·
View notes
My two cents on Daemon and Rhaenyra's Sexual encounter
I'm nobody but I have a lot of thoughts about what went down between daemon and rhaenyra and the motives on Daemon's end so I'm just gonna put it all down here because why not.
So I've come to the conclusion that Daemon's actions are not abusive (contrary to what the creators said), not about a quest for the throne, and not completely without malicious intent.
I think to truly understand it all and how it fits into the story you have to understand a few key things:
Daemon has psychogenic erectile dysfunction ( more on that later)
Daemon has an unending desire to upset Viscerys but he actually does love him
Daemon cares about Rhaenyra deeply and always has
Daemon is sexually attracted to Rhaenyra
Daemon is impulsive and manipulative but he's not a complete idiot
When you combine all of those character points for Daemon his behavior this episode makes a lot more sense to me.
(if you know me from other fandoms you know I'm long winded so proceed at your own discretion lol )
Let's go back to the very beginning of the episode. Daemon returns from the stepstones. He's now a war hero. He's known as the dragon that conquered the narrow sea and saved the realm a headache. This is the most praise and adoration he's gotten in a long time. He makes a show of giving up his crown to Viscerys and pledging fealty to him once again and he smugly looks at otto when he's embraced by his brother again.
To me this is important because I believe Daemon's actions here are genuine at that moment. The creators said in this scene Daemon seems like a changed man to the audience which I can see on casual viewing BUT is he truly a changed man? The narrative proved that to be a huge no and really that was the only conclusion when none of his actual gripes with Viscerys have been resolved. Plus what's so different about Daemon now? When has Daemon ever not supported Viscerys's claim as king? When has he ever publically done anything but swear loyalty to his brother since he was crowned (no comment on dead baby aegon, he got no love from daemon lol). Nothing about it truly screams Daemon is changed so why does he do it? My opinion is that it shows he didn't actually go there to be duplicitous. He didn't return pretending to be someone he's not to deceive everybody. That's important in the bigger picture.
So Daemon hasn't changed BUT something has in fact changed in King's Landing. Rhaenyra.
Rhaenyra is happy he's back. She actually follows him in the throne room. She wants to see him. In the garden, she approaches him first with the giddy but tries to play it cool presence of someone with a huge crush. She is starry-eyed in his presence and is eager to engage with him. Daemon looks at her walk away in the garden. His eyes are on her in part because he's curious (he noticed her stiff interactions with her father) and because it's the first time he's seen her in years and she's a woman now but he doesn't follow her. I think they deliberately showed us that in most ways that matter before the sexual encounter Rhaenyra is the chaser, not Daemon. That matters. Later Rhaenyra finds him again and he's soaking in the air in KL, another indicator that Daemon is possibly relieved to be home and is not here to cause chaos. Rhaenyra even straight up asks him why he's there because she knows him, she knows he likes to play games with her father so there has to be an agenda but is there? He says the comfort of home. I personally don't think there is one on his mind at that moment. The key part is he acknowledges her maturation for the first time and he discusses it in the context of physical appeal. She's blossomed into a beautiful young woman entering the stage of courtship. He notices. She realizes he notices.
They've always had a bond. She's always had a special hold over him and she's always looked at him like he hangs the moon but it was never something with any real clarity for Rhaenyra and never something that Daemon would ever acknowledge or act on but that's changed it has been 4 years. She's at least 18 now. She's at the stage of life where romance and sexual curiosity makes a bit more sense now even if she's still unsure about how to navigate that as a woman in westeros. So yeah It's different between them. Rhaenyra has changed and most of all they are both curious about what this tension is between them and how far it can go.
Before I move on to my next point I want to make sure I'm not misinterpreted here. I'm not saying Daemon has been creeping on her this whole time just counting the days until she's of age. I don't think he's ever said to himself "when she's 18 I'm totally gonna have sex with her". I don't think he has the thought to go there sexually with her until the moment he actually sees her again after she's matured.
That brings me to their one-on-one in the garden. This is an important part because I feel like Daemon's intentions after this conversation can make his actions somewhat within reason or absolutely horrible. Rhaenyra is very candid with him about her frustrations with having to marry. She feels like a broodmare with no sexual autonomy at all, just a pawn to be sold to the highest bidder for the use of her womb and her title. She feels like no one cares about what she wants, what she wants to do with her body. She's so averse to the idea that would prefer to live a life completely alone over having to marry and have all of her stripped away for duty. Daemon tries to assure her that all is not lost for her. Yes, it's a political contract but he basically tells her she does have power and autonomy within the confines of a marriage. She can do whatever she wants. She can control what does and doesn't happens to her. Having this power is clearly important to her. He also genuinely tries to alleviate her fears about having the same fate as her mother. He was there, he knows her grief and pain. She wants to take that trauma and become a recluse. He doesn't want her to fear a fate she can not truly control because it prevents her from ever experiencing the better parts of life. Solitude is lonely. He himself is married and he's still lonely. He doesn't want that for her. We can say it's familial affection or something even more but the key is I do not think that any part of this conversation, especially the last part, is a manipulative game to him. He's comforting her and trying to guide her in the right direction for her own good just as he's done several times before.
So this is the entire lead-up to their night out and sexual encounter. What part of this feels well planned? what part of this feels like a scheme or anything but a simmering curiosity and moment of honesty between two people who up to this point have only had a familial connection? The answer is none of it feels like a well-planned manipulation, not even in retrospect and it doesn't feel that way because in my opinion, it wasn't.
The first moment you can make a real argument that Daemon has done some plotting is when she arrives in her room and finds the clothing and the note. But even then the question becomes what exactly did he plan and why did he plan it? The more cynical perspectives floating around suggest that everything was daemon manipulating Rhaenyra to open her up to the night on the town, then he planted the clothes and the note to lure her away with the full intention of ruining her reputation for his own ploy for power. To me, this falls apart very quickly as an explanation despite what the creators implied (I'll get to that in a second).
As mentioned above hours ago they had a conversation where Daemon tries to tell Rhaenyra there is a lot more to the world she can enjoy versus resigning herself to solitude and misery. The truth of the matter is Rhaenyra is very green. She has been sheltered in the red keep her whole life. Her mother died at a crucial age. She has had no one to guide her through the confusing developmental aspects of adolescence. Daemon sees his role as a guide to help her reach a new level of understanding of the many forms of sexual expression and freedom that will ultimately liberate her from the confines of her gender and her station that she's been desperately fighting against this whole time. But why does he want to do this? Does he want to do it because her sexual awakening can be used as a tool to rise to power or does he do it because he actually cares about her and want her to actually feel empowered in this important way and he can conveniently also explore his sexual desire for her as well?
This is the most important question to ask in this entire analysis but this is also where the waters truly get murky making it difficult to answer the question. To me the most obvious answer is the latter but this is seemingly contradicted by the creators and by Daemon himself. I would like to argue that it actually wasn't.
Up until the point, he enters the brothel with her Daemon has been a comforting source of familiarity to Rhaenyra. He has shared vulnerable conversations with her. He tenderly held her hand at every moment and took her through the city watching her in amazement as she saw things she's never seen before. He has allowed all of this to go on while maintaining anonymity, which is crucial because it gives her freedom she otherwise would not have had. At no point did he ever come off as if he wanted to coerce her into something, he or was guiding her in a certain direction for a plan. It all seemed spontaneous and about exploration and most importantly they did as much as she wanted them to do. He is fascinated by her curiosity. He is enamored with her enthusiasm. Why behave like this if this was all a power play? if it was because he really really wanted to manipulate her then why would he stoop so low to hurt someone he clearly cares about for a throne he has never actually said he wants?
I've seen several takes that try to connect him taking her disguise off when his plan to expose her but even that falls apart quickly. He doesn't do it until they are deep into the brothel where they are less likely to be discovered. He also takes his own disguise off exposing himself. If he wanted to ruin her reputation all he needed to ensure was that she was seen in a brothel with someone. Making that someone actually him actually works against him in a long game. Even Viscerys points this out later with alicent. There was a small chance that daemon would be able to say "whoops I slept with her she's ruined not I have to be heir" or "whoops I slept with her and she's ruined not we have to marry" but remember my bullet points?Daemon is impulsive and manipulative but he's not a complete idiot. The much more likely outcome was enraging Viscerys who he has only been on solid footing with viscerys for a few hours, not even a whole day. Enraging viscerys would get him absolutely nothing. The only thing he gains is hurting Rhaenyra and Daemon cares deeply for Rhaenyra so it wouldn't be in character. Like I said even Viscerys acknowledges this and he's not the sharpest tool in the shed.
So if he gains nothing why is he doing this? How is this a power play for him and a power play he would be willing to engage in at the great expense of the only person he seems to actually care about? Maybe he just doesn't actually care about her that way. Maybe his care is not outweighed by his lack of morals and boundaries or maybe it's none of the above. Maybe there is a much simpler explanation for this entire ordeal.
I believe Daemon fully intended to push her sexual boundaries once they were in the brothel but I do not think his desire was to see her exposed while in that brothel to ruin her. I think he was just caught up in his own sexual desire for her and thrilled by the prospect of her liberation so he was callous about the entire thing and didn't care if she would be exposed because there is no real harm that can come. I don't even think he consciously thought about her being exposed in the moment but once presented with the issue it's never was a big deal to him. He even outright says this to viscerys. People whore, sure not women but Targaryens do. They are the blood of old valyria, they are dragon riders and rulers of the realm. They are above everyday conventions in society. They bed family members because they can. They whore because they can. They start wars because they can. The world is theirs for conquering and every aspect can be bent according to their will, including the truth and the truth is whatever viscerys says the truth is. Viscerys can decree his daughter is a maiden and whoever disputes it is treasonous and no one can defy him because well they have dragons. So no It was not calculated, it was just callous which fits into Daemon's personality perfectly and the difference between those two things is important when you're trying to put his actions into context. Also, if Daemon's plan was in fact to use Rhaenyra to gain power why did he even tell Viscerys he can just make it go away before the idea of a marriage even comes up? See the math isn't mathing.
This brings me to the most controversial part of their sexual encounter but the part that I think it the most fascinating. When Rhaenyra asks what is this place Daemon tells her it's where people come to take what they want. This is important for her because she's never seen sex as something that she can take for herself or as an act where she has power but Daemon takes her to a place where she can. Where they both can. This tells you that this experience is meant to be empowering for both of them but especially Rhaenyra. Being there empowers Daemon to cross a boundary he had not crossed before. He gets to take Rhaenyra. Being there for Rhaenyra empowers her to take control of her sexual expression and seek control, seek pleasure, seek passion, seek something that's purely about want and need and about nothing else. He outright tells her that this is what sex is for men AND women. This directly contradicts the idea that Daemon cares nothing about her awakening and it's a plot.
You could argue he says these things to manipulate her into an act but why chose a form of manipulation that plays into her gaining the most instead of him? A sexually empowered Rhaenyra can navigate her duty much more effectively than before. She can make smarter decisions and stop the tantrums that are holding her back. A sexually empowered Rhaenyra that is bold and unafraid and enlightened can form alliances that will strengthen her claim to the throne. We actually see this happen by the end of the episode when she agrees to marry Laenor without dispute and forces Viscerys to get rid of Otto as his hands. This Rhaenyra does not serve a Daemon who only wants to control her and use her for power, it does the exact opposite.
let's look at how the acts even take place for some ideas about his motives. He doesn't try to overwhelm her. He doesn't hungrily attack her even though he is hungry for her. He also doesn't dominate her completely. She's as into it as he is. She doesn't move a pace beyond where she is comfortable. He doesn't rush her and aggressively try to get into to submit to him. He doesn't overwhelm her with pleasure he gradually builds her up and lets her chase it. They passionately but tenderly kiss. He caresses her hair and her body. She pulls him close for more and doesn't shy away from her. Yes he's the one who turns her and moves towards the wall but she walks with him keeping up with her pace perfectly. Even when she is pushed against the wall she is excited and challenges him, she's not overpowered. He doesn't yank her clothing off he sensually exposures her. One of the best moments was when he takes her pants off. SHE ACTUALLY HELPS HIM DO IT. Her hands move to remove her own clothing and they actually do it together. He does not flinch when she initially changes position, it's AFTER that he pulls back. He's still into it when she turns and kisses him and nothing about the power dynamics in that kiss changed from their previous kisses.
This is the entire reason I don't agree that Daemon ends their encounter because he no longer had control of the sex act which is what pretty much everybody thinks the creators mean when they speak on this part and why he ended it. Is he shocked that's shes so responsive? Yes but I don't think that shock has a negative impact on the moment because he never actually had complete control of the sex act and he wanted her to feel powerful. That was never the point to begin with. Rhaenyra is supposed to take control of her sexual encounter, she's supposed to be an equal participant. She's supposed to seek pleasure and take what she wants. She's supposed to give him as good as she gets. That's the lesson. That's the whole point of the awakening. This entire thing is about empowering them both, not just him. This empowerment is important for rhaenyra for all the reasons I mentioned above and Daemon knows this. He had an entire conversation with her about this. He comforted her about her lack of all these things earlier. We even hear Rhaenyra tell alicent that her hundreds of suitors don't actually want her, they want her name and her valyrian blood. Daemon is supposed to be the exception. He intentionally wants to make himself the exception. So having Daemon have a motive of wanting to dominate her sexual encounter and being unable to do so which makes him abruptly abandon then sell her out to ruin her for a title her would make this scenario even worse than it already is because it means he wanted to completely disempower her all so that he could have a shot at the iron throne that he was never going to get. It's literally making her worst fear, the source of all of her teen angst for the last 4 episodes come to life. This interpretation colors every single one of their interactions with darkness from the very moment he has a full conversation with her this episode and gives him a level of villainy that completely takes away his nuance as a character because this act with this motivation requires selfishness and callousness towards her that crosses a line. Ultimately I just don't think this characterization well supported by the narrative and It would also make it difficult to even sell a later romance between the two of them.
So the math ain't math'n so how can we make it all add up? That's what this entire analysis boils down to based on what I've already demonstrated:
Daemon didn't set out to manipulate rhaenyra and this was not a well-plotted plan to ruin her. He wanted to initiate her sexual awakening for her own good because he cares and for his own selfish desire to have her sexually
He loves viscerys but still has resentment towards him leading to an unending desire to upset him when the opportunity presents itself. He was well aware that his actions would potentially stick a knife in Viscerys's back if he found out about it and he relished it but it was not merely a ploy to piss him off.
He did not go out of his way to ensure viscerys found out about it. He just didn't care about the consequences if Viscerys or anyone else found out. He had no connection to the spy at all. The spy was Otto doing the whole time with the help of mysaria.
He actually enjoyed her having control during the encounter, it made him desire her even more because he has always been enticed by her moments of self-assuredness. It makes him crave her instead of wanting to reject her.
The only reason he could not complete the sex act with her is because Daemon has psychogenic erectile dysfunction for reasons that are yet to be revealed.
Daemon did not pre-plan asking for Rhaenyra's hand. It happened at the moment because for the same reasons he was unable to get an erection.
If you watch the scene just before he leaves the brothel Daemon is very much still into engaging with Rhaenyra when she turns around to kiss him. As I said before he was actually relishing her show of control, not shying away from it. The problem is at the point in the encounter where she turns around he has already kissed her, caressed her body and he has already stimulated her vaginally.
(You can see his hand move from her hip further down when he has her against the wall. It was clearly meant to stimulate digital stimulation but it was purposely obscured by shadows and angles to focus on Rhaenyra's pleasure versus the actual physicality of the act)
When she turns around the next escalation in their sexual encounter is actual penetration. She wants it. He wants it....only Daemon can not get an erection. That's why he pulls away and looks at her for so long. He is hoping her desire, her look of hunger, her hair, anything will get his penis to stand up but it doesn't. She pushes to continue but he can't to he pulls away every time. He even attempts to push through it but giving in to her again but he still can't perform. That's when he finally reaches peak frustration which is both embarrassing and inconvenient so he leaves her to nurse his wound on his own. That is why he see that he ended up passing our drunk somewhere and Mysaria has to retrieve him. The control the creators were speaking about wasn't control of the power dynamics of the act, it was about control of his ability to perform aka exert his power ultimate during the acts.
Daemon has psychogenic erectile dysfunction. He had this issue before Rhaenyra since we saw him in the middle of sex with Mysaria, someone he clearly enjoys but he was unable to maintain his erection and reach a climax. That's why they even showed us that scene. Daemon is not physically impotent, he has no vascular issues preventing erection, and he has no neurologic issue preventing erection. It's purely psychologic. When he retreats from Mysaria he is clearly preoccupied with several thoughts. He is chaotic as hell but he is extremely emotional. The emotions we see most often are just petulance, anger, and resentment. His encounter with Mysaria established that when Daemon has too many emotions and thoughts in his head it interferes with his ability to sexually perform. I don't when this started but that is exactly what happens with Rhaenyra.
Daemon sexually desired Rhaenyra but I think once he started the actual act of being with her sexually he completely lost control of his emotions and his thoughts NOT the power dynamics that that's what rattles him. Maybe a little bit of guilt for attempting to have sex with his young niece in the middle of a brothel kicked in, after all until this point he has only known her as family and despite the familial history of incest he himself has never actually engaged in it before (that I know of). Maybe he feels something because Rhaenyra completely trusts him and that trust is why he's about to take her maidenhead in the middle of a brothel even though that is not how her first time should actually be. Maybe he feels an overwhelming emotional connection to her at the moment that caught him off guard because this was supposed to be about sex. It's probably all of the above really but the idea is these thoughts come up and he can not control them and because he can not control them he can not get an erection to actually do the one thing he truly set out to do which is have sex with Rhaenyra. He also can not tell her this because she has no idea what erectile dysfunction is and he can not explain it to her without being humiliated. He is supposed to be the one giving her a sexual awakening not a lesson on men with broken penises. So he leaves her there when under any other circumstances he would never do that to her.
That knowledge makes the entire puzzle come together because it gives his reaction at that moment some context that fits with the lead-up and that makes his later actions make some sense.
When he is confronted by Viscerys he straight up lies to enrage Viscerys and to cover for his own humiliation. Those are literally the only real things he can gain from telling that lie. Unbeknownst to us all and Rhaenyra, Daemon also had an awakening with Rhaenyra and that's why when the opportunity presents itself he seizes the chance to take her hand in marriage. Through his humiliation, he discovered that he desires Rhaenyra in a way that is bigger than he realized. He doesn't just want her sexually he wants her fully and completely. He wants her laugh, her childish curiosity, her determination, her ability to see right through him, her bravery, her stubbornness, her petulance, her anger, her beauty, her valyrian blood, her claim, her everything. I mean he straight up tells Viscerys he will take Rhaenyra just as she is. That was about so much more than a reputation. It firmly makes Daemon the opposite of the men Rhaenyra hates which actually fits the narrative but makes it even more interesting because Rhaenyra is unaware of all of this so it gives them so much more to explore and play with for the characters and their relationships later.
So no he didn't plot to marry her, it isn't until Viscerys himself presents him with the opportunity that he decides that's what he wants to do. It solves the problem of her reputation and gets him what he wants which is Rhaenyra and the restoration of his house to a level of glory and admiration that he feels Viscerys has sullied with his weakness. That's why I think it's important to acknowledge that Daemon was being truthful about his motivations when he says he can restore his house to glory. That is definitely a part of it. Sure it makes his intentions less pure but it makes them authentic and that's what matters the most. If this wasn't spontaneous he would have tried to end his own marriage before he even brought it up to make it more likely to happen. Instead, he never asks to end his marriage, he only suggests taking a second wife because at that brief moment where viscerys has him at knifepoint it's the only reasonable way forward. He didn't have time to actually think about a more seamless way to have her hand in marriage.
Finally, Daemon actually does accomplish his goal. Rhaenyra leaves their encounter and she feels fully empowered so much so she feels comfortable propositioning Criston for sex AND she takes the dominant position placing her own pleasure above all. Her view on sex and relationships and her own power have completely changed thanks to Daemon. This is further solidified by the fact that when her father tells her she's marrying Laenor she doesn't fight him. She will actually do her duty now because she gets what it fully means and no longer feels like she will be a prisoner in a marriage. She even feels so empowered she challenges Viscerys to get rid of Otto, a man he has been loyal to for decades AND it actually happens. Rhaenyra can now effectively navigate her future because of one intense experience with Daemon that shifts her perspective and I think that's pretty awesome for Rhaenyra and for Rhaenyra and Daemon as a pairing.
So in summary: Daemon Targaryen is a chaotic man with chaotic feelings but he is sprung on rhaenyra targaryen and he is not a cold-hearted master manipulator. Rhaenyra is now a boss bitch. Thanks, Daemon. The end lol
596 notes
·
View notes