She's still a mystery, but a few tidbits shine a light on her identity
When you create a new Genshin Impact account and start the game, you'll see the Twins fleeing from some unknown disaster. However, a mysterious figure stops them. During the battle, you're given the choice of male or female Traveler, while the god takes the Twin you didn't choose.
The dialog used to identify the figure as an 'Unknown God.' An update has changed it to 'Sustainer of Heavenly Principles.' The latter gives us some insight into her role as a god, as she wants to keep order in Teyvat. Still, her motivations and true intentions are vague and unknown to the player.
Some Info on the Origins of Teyvat
While exploring Enkanomiya, you'll encounter various books depicting the universe's history and origins. As it explains, the world once comprised two realms: elemental vishap (light and dragons) and dark (Abyss). They were ruled by the Seven Sovereigns, dragons who control one of the primordial elements.
Then, the Primordial One came, defeated the Sovereigns, and established the Human Realm. They also created the gods and humanity. There was a time of relative peace until the 'Second Throne of Heavens' appeared. A war ensued, and Enkanomiya was sealed under the sea.
The rest of its history isn't relevant to our topic, but it describes Enkanomiya's sufferings throughout the years in darkness.
It was likely that the Second Throne established Celestia, though this has yet to be shown in lore. The floating group of islands is also called the Heavenly Order and is where the Archons get their powers through their Gnoses.
Celestia, the 'Seat of the Gods'
In-game, it's a floating set of islands seen in the sky. Many new players ask about this when they see it. It's distinct in shape compared to the Jade Chamber, another landmass in the air. However, the latter hovers closer to land, and Celestia is higher up and unreachable.
At any rate, Teyvat citizens believe Celestia is where benevolent gods who watch over them live. They sent the Archons to govern them for prosperity. Citizens also think they can 'ascend' and receive 'godhood' and a seat there. However, only two recorded people have achieved this.
It is unknown how many gods there are in Celestia. Is it a resting place for those who have since perished? Is the Second Throne of Heaven there? We know of the Sustainer, but what other beings govern Teyvat? What happened to Venessa in Celestia?
We are shown a small part of the inside of Celestia through the manga when Venessa ascends. Some people have noticed or mentioned that it looks like a Panopticon, though only for that part. This fact alerted these people that Celestia isn't the benevolent eye in the sky the citizens think.
The Sustainer and the Destruction of Khaenri'ah (Spoilers for Archon Quests)
Celestia is also the reason for the destruction of Khaenri'ah due to the people daring to practice the Art of Khemia. The Sustainer called it the 'arrogation of mankind,' which she said to the Twins as they tried to flee.
The proof that it was Celestia, or at the very least, the Sustainer, who destroyed the kingdom was her powers. It takes the form of red cubes, which you'll see in scenes of the kingdom's ruination. It is also implied the original seven Archons were also there. Still, as Zhongli says, they are under contract not to say anything about it.
This is important because the Twins were trying to escape this catastrophe in the introduction scene of the game. For the Sustainer, the unchosen Twin (who becomes the Abyss leader) is part of the kingdom and must be punished with the rest. The Traveler was innocent, though their long sleep in their imprisonment was troubled by constant nightmares.
What Else Do We Know About the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles?
Though milder, she is associated with four-pointed stars. The portal she comes out of in the introductory scene is shaped like three of them, though she comes out of the center one. What this means for the narrative is unknown but essential due to being one of the game's arc symbols.
She resembles Kiana Kaslana in Honkai Impact 3rd in looks and power color scheme, something the fandom did not let slip. They also share the same voice actress in some languages, but not all. The character designer hints at a greater connection, but the game has not revealed anything else.
Speculations and Theories
Some have said that she could be a shade of the Primordial One. However, the artifact set theory is the current best one about the four 'clones' and the Primordial One. There are five in a set:
- Flower of Life (Life)
- Feather of Death (Death)
- Sands of Eon (Time)
- Goblet of Eonothem (Void)
- Circlet of Logos (Logic)
We know of one shade from Enkanomiya lore: Istaroth, the God of Time and the Wind. She fits perfectly in the Time slot (Sands of Eon), which implies the other three shades, and the Primordial One governs the other domains. The Sustainer doesn't fit any of those domains. Her name already says it all, to sustain (to keep [something] going) the heavenly principles.
Life and Death are vehicles of change. Time is already taken. Void doesn't apply, and Logic can lead you to unexpected paths. Nothing of those suggests the position of the Sustainer, especially Void. It is literally nothingness, which means there's nothing to sustain. It's a good guess, but it doesn't fit.
Another popular theory is that the Sustainer is or is related to Paimon. It's because the emergency food has design elements of Celestia on her clothing. Specifically, her cuffs, boots, and floating crown/tiara look like the designs on fully leveled Archon Statues. You also see those designs on the Skyfrost Nail and the Pillar in the Chasm. Paimon is also associated with four-pointed stars due to her hair clip. Enjou insinuates that she will betray the Traveler in the future.
This still needs to be confirmed or debunked. The design elements prove that Paimon is related to Celestia but not the Sustainer. Other than the four-pointed star, none of their character designs resemble the other.
One of the theories says that supposing Celestia is a 'conqueror,' it could have borrowed elements from civilizations it has dominated. Paimon could be part of one overtaken people, so she has those elements in her clothing.
The general consensus leans toward 'no, Paimon is not the Sustainer or related to the god.' Paimon proves to be knowledgeable about Teyvat and its people, but nothing beyond that. She is as confused as the Traveler when specific topics are talked about. She also doesn't like the Sustainer because they were the ones who took away the Traveler's Sibling.
Even if we explain that away with amnesia, instincts cannot be forgotten. If Paimon were a god, she'd still remember her role and instinctively do it. With four nations explored, something must've come up by now that has let Paimon remember something about herself, but there is nothing yet. It's shaky evidence, but the game has not hinted at or revealed anything obvious.
Looking Forward to Uncovering the Mystery
Since the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles is directly involved in the Cataclysm, the Traveler's current journey is on track to reveal more information about her. They are looking for their Sibling, and the god and the Twin have the Khaenri'ah disaster in common, so they'll get there eventually.
Still, a mystery this big would likely be answered near the end of the game. It will bookend the story, beginning and starting with the same character. It's exciting to think about, and the fun lies in speculating and connecting the dots before the answer is revealed.
In-game Genshin trading of items and currency may not be possible, but information can be freely passed among players. This broadens the scope and perspectives of theories, though that doesn't always mean becoming more accurate.
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