The Transformation of Dvalin: From Guardian to Stormterror
Dvalin’s Origins
- Dvalin, also known as Stormterror, is an Anemo elemental dragon and the original Dragon of the East of Mondstadt’s Four Winds.
- More than 2000 years, Dvalin has been a friend of Barbatos for over 2000 years, his birth occurring before the Archon War ended when the gods still walked among us.
- Thousands of years ago, Dvalin was born in the high heavens from a convergence of elemental energy. A curious dragon, he observed humans but could not understand their emotions as they fled from him.
- Through Barbatos, Dvalin learned human speech and how to love the people of Mondstadt.
- After Barbatos disappeared a thousand years ago, Dvalin was appointed as one of the Four Winds, powerful deities entrusted to protect Mondstadt.
The Cataclysm and Dvalin’s Decline
- Approximately five hundred years ago, the land was engulfed by the cataclysm. Durin, a black serpentine dragon, rose from the abyss to cast its shadow over Mondstadt.
- The prayers of Mondstadt’s people awoke the Anemo Archon, and his will summoned forth the Wind Dragon Dvalin. As Mondstadt’s last line of defense, the two battled the wicked dragon to the death in raging storms.
- Dvalin ultimately prevailed, tearing open the throat of the wicked dragon at the cost of ingesting its poisonous blood.
- However, Dvalin was grievously injured in battle and settled in the ancient god Decarabian’s abandoned tower to recuperate.
Transformation into Stormterror
- Over the course of five hundred years, the Abyssal poison in Durin’s veins that Dvalin ingested continued to torment him, while the people of Mondstadt forgot him. When he finally awoke, Dvalin believed himself abandoned by the Anemo Archon and Mondstadt.
- Dvalin awoke and returned to Mondstadt, only to be greeted by fear and scorn from the humans of this era, who had forgotten about him and his identity as one of the Four Winds.
- Angry and hurt, both from the rejection and the lingering pain from the poisoned blood clots on his back, Dvalin was easily swayed by the Abyss Order into rescinding his title as Dragon of the East and attacking the city.
- This earned him the name Stormterror, and Decarabian’s city — which he had taken up as his residence — came to be known as Stormterror’s Lair.
- Dvalin, better known under his alias Stormterror, is a major antagonist turned supporting protagonist in Genshin Impact, serving as the main antagonist of the Prologue chapter.
The Path to Redemption
- Consumed by both his hatred and the venom circulating through his system, Dvalin became a monstrosity that terrorized Mondstadt until Venti and the Traveler soothed him of his wrath.
- To take back Dvalin, these poisoned wounds need to be destroyed. Dvalin the Stormterror continues to strike fear amongst Mondstadt’s residents after letting go of his role as east protector.
Dvalin and Venti: A Legendary Friendship
Dvalin and Venti: A Legendary Friendship
Dvalin, also known as Stormterror, is an Anemo elemental dragon and the original Dragon of the East of Mondstadt’s Four Winds. He has been the Anemo Archon Barbatos’ friend for almost 2000 years and is the longest-worshipped of the Four Winds.
However, during the cataclysm five hundred years ago, Dvalin was grievously injured in battle against the corrupted black dragon Durin. He subsequently settled in the ancient god Decarabian’s abandoned tower to recuperate.
Over the course of five hundred years, the Abyssal poison in Durin’s veins that Dvalin ingested continued to torment him while the people of Mondstadt forgot him. When he finally awoke, Dvalin believed himself abandoned by the Anemo Archon and Mondstadt.
One day, attracted by the music from the Holy Lyre der Himmel, he landed next to Barbatos, the Anemo Archon of The Seven and the deity of Mondstadt. Though the humans panicked, Barbatos remained calm and sang of the dragon’s beauty. Seeing that the god wished for him to be understood as well, Dvalin decided to stay by his side and befriended him. He learned human speech and the Archon’s singing techniques.
Despite Dvalin’s tribulations, his sanity was eventually restored through the efforts of Barbatos’ mortal form Venti, the Traveler, Paimon, Jean, and Diluc. Venti played a significant role in this friendship, as he confessed to finding the Traveler’s ability to discern what he’s thinking as discomforting but admitted that he appreciated having a true friend like Dvalin.
Upon investigating the anomaly, it was discovered that the Abyss Order attempted to manipulate Dvalin into a war entity. After thwarting one attempt to restore Dvalin, the small group organized to save him tracks him down and confronts him at Decarabian’s tower. They destroy the poisonous blood clots, and Dvalin eventually realizes that Mondstadt had not intentionally rejected him.
In addition, Venti’s form is modeled after the Nameless Bard, a friend who perished in the rebellion to liberate Decarabian’s Mondstadt 2600 years ago. Venti, who enjoys roaming around Mondstadt playing songs to his people—most of whom are unaware of his true identity as Barbatos—is also an avid drinker of alcoholic beverages.
Furthermore, around 2,600 years ago, during the Archon War, Venti met a young boy who knew how to play the lyre and longed to write the greatest poem of all. The boy, who had never seen birds in flight, expressed his desire to experience the beauty of the sky.
Ultimately, Dvalin relinquished his position as one of the Four Winds after the events of the Archon Quest in Mondstadt. Now, he soars the skies free from duty. He looks out for Barbatos, just as Barbatos looked out for him, and they both sought freedom from the grip of the Abyss with the help of the Traveler, Jean, and Diluc.
Exploring Dvalin’s Origins and Ancient Powers in Genshin Impact
Dvalin’s Origins:
Dvalin is a Dragon from the Anemo element.
He has been a loyal, trusted, well-respected, and worshipped entity in Mondstadt.
Roughly 2000 years ago, Dvalin was born through the convergence of elemental energy in the high heavens.
From there, he descended to observe the world of Teyvat and its inhabitants.
Due to his sizeable sprawling nature, Dvalin unintentionally caused trouble when he flew too close to the ground or near civilization.
This sparked outrage and intimidation amongst the humans in the area. This negativity severely affected Dvalin, who did not understand why he was treated this way.
Bond with Barbatos:
One day, Barbatos (now known as Venti) was playing music from the ‘Holy Lyre der Himmel.’
Upon hearing the music, Dvalin flew down and sat next to Barbatos, having taken a liking to it.
Upon sensing a mutual feeling to be understood and accepted, Dvalin and Barbatos formed a bond through the music.
Dvalin chose to remain close to Barbatos, even learning Barbatos’ different singing techniques and human speech afterward.
Cataclysm and Aftermath:
Due to the events of the Cataclysm, all of the nations and landmarks in Teyvat were under attack.
As monsters from Khaenri’ah laid waste to Teyvat, they sent Durin to cast a shadow over Mondstadt.
After a long and grueling battle in the sky above Mondstadt and the mountain of Vindagnyr, Dvalin was victorious and ripped Durin’s throat out.
As Durin crashed onto the mountain below, Dvalin flew overhead, but at a considerable cost.
In the process of defeating Durin, Dvalin ingested the poisonous blood from the Abyss that flowed through Durin.
Now flowing through Dvalin’s veins, this poison caused him to fall into a deep slumber that lasted nearly 500 years.
Return and Transformation:
Following the consequences of the Cataclysm, Dvalin awakened during the same time frame when the Traveler entered Teyvat.
Upon awakening, Dvalin flew over to Mondstadt, only to be greeted by fear from its citizens.
Hurt and feeling betrayed by these interactions, which were catalyzed by the poison in his veins, Dvalin was manipulated by the Abyss Order.
The Abyss Order successfully turned Dvalin against his beloved Mondstadt.
They further convinced him to relinquish his title as Dragon of the East and attack the city, earning him the title ‘Stormterror.’
