Waterborne Poetry is an Event Chapter.
Requirements: Reach Adventure Rank 20 and complete Archon Quest Prologue: Act III - Song of the Dragon and Freedom
Recommended Quests: Complete Archon Quest Chapter I: Act III - A New Star Approaches
Poetry Gala[]
List of Parts[]
- Part I - Congenial Gathering
- Part II - Tears Among the Leaves
- Part III - Heart of the Deep
Summary[]
Part I - Congenial Gathering[]
- Congenial Gathering
The Traveler and Paimon heard a news about a joint event organized by Mondstadt and Liyue and decided to visit Wangshu Inn for more information. Arriving there, they meet Hu Tao and Venti. Both of them reveal that they have been organizing and will be co-hosting "Neighboring Nations Congenial Poetry Gala", a poetry festival hosted by Liyue and Mondstadt. They are also there to convince Xiao to join the event as judge. After Hu Tao's persuasion, though Xiao hesitated, he will think about it. Venti tells the Traveler to check out the event venue at the Stone Gate.
Arriving at the venue, so many people are already there including some familiar faces. They meet Chongyun who is reminding Xingqiu to help him with an investigation, Mika and Noelle who are sent by the Knights of Favonius to help with the event, and Diona acting as the representative of Mondstadt's wine industry. The event then begins with Venti and Hu Tao introducing themselves and explain the details of the event. They have prepared three themes to be revealed over the course of three days, and the theme for the first day is "Riddle Me This". Everyone are invited to create a riddle and hang it on a lantern spread around the venue. Whoever guesses the riddle correctly will get a point and if nobody could answer, the writer will get a point instead.
The event goes on and after checking out the riddles, everyone gather at the stage to answer the riddles. Hu Tao reads the riddle on the stage and Xingqiu's riddle got chosen. Paimon, with the Traveler's help, guesses correctly and get a point. The second riddle belongs to a blue-haired riddle writer. Xingqiu guesses correctly, but since Mika and Noelle's answer made sense too, she approves their answer as well and all of them got a point. The third riddle belongs to Paimon. The riddle really described Paimon so well that everyone present easily guesses "Paimon" as the answer, though Paimon claims the real answer is "Jade Chamber". After some thinking, Paimon decides the answer "Paimon" is correct as well. The event went on with more riddles and everyone enjoying the game.
Xingqiu becomes the winner of the first event and reluctantly accepts the prize, which is a buy one get one coupon of "high-end customized service package" from Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Paimon asks Xingqiu about his earlier conversation with Chongyun about him needing Xingqiu's help and Chongyun explains that he caught a sight of a floating and almost transparent nonhuman entity. He is sure that it was not a spirit or a demon or else it would have been scared away the moment Chongyun gets near because of his pure-yang spirit. Venti offers to help with the investigation by incorporating a "search" element into tomorrow's poetry activity. Everyone agrees and Venti tells everyone to have a good night's rest while he goes to the wine stand.
Part II - Tears Among the Leaves[]
- Tears Among the Leaves
The next day, the Traveler and Paimon head to the venue for the second day of the poetry gala. Venti reveals the second poetry theme, "Pairing Couplets" and invites everyone to take an "inspiration walk" and go wherever they want to gather their thoughts before coming back to the venue at night. Afterwards, Venti tells the Traveler to gather Chongyun, Xingqiu, and the Mondstadt contingent to help with Chongyun's investigation. He splits them into two groups. The Traveler, Paimon, Diona, and Chongyun will be on the same group and Xingqiu, Noelle, and Mika will be on the other group. They all set off to their destinations afterwards. Chongyun takes his group to the location of the incident. Meanwhile, Xiao is looking at the venue from a nearby mountain peak.
At the location of the incident, Chongyun explains that he was there for training and shares his frustration to Diona that he never got a chance to demonstrate any exorcism because of his pure-yang spirit. Xiao suddenly appears and tells Chongyun that his physical constitution is far rarer than the techniques still passed down by exorcists today and he should treasure it. Xiao informs them that he already patrolled the area and found nothing suspicious. The Traveler invites Xiao to join them on the inspiration walk, and Xiao agrees.
While getting Jueyun Chilies, Chongyun admires Diona's "dedication" but she insists that she hates alcohol and her goal is to create the most disgusting drink but she always failed. Diona decides to make a non-alcoholic Slime Condensate drink with Jueyun Chilis and Frog Legs so he can see for themselves. Xiao believes her ability is something special. Chongyun hesitantly tries Diona's drink after seeing Xiao finishing her drink in a single gulp. Because of the Jueyun Chilis, Chongyun burst into manic state while excitedly praises the drink and begs for more. The Traveler tells Diona to make an ice-cold drink to help him calm down.
After calming down, he and Diona find out they have lot in common especially in their shared dislike of their condition. Xiao sees a leaf on the water with a poem written on it, seemingly a poem of two lovers who did not ended up together. The group decide to write a reply on a leaf and brought it upstream, hoping that it will reach the original writer. After placing the leaf with the response poem, they went to set afloat more copies of the response poem in different places.
Meanwhile, on the other team, Noelle sets a camp while Mika and Xingqiu patrol the area to gather firewood and food. Xingqiu praises Mika's survival skills although Mika feels insecure about himself. Xingqiu ensures him that as long he has a good heart and willing to help others, he is a real hero. Noelle finishes the camp and they all enjoy a delicious meal together. After having a light-hearted chat, Xingqiu spots a woman alone on the bridge nearby, which they recognize as one of the participant of the event's first day. They greet her and the woman introduces herself as Callirhoe, a traveler from Fontaine. Mike invites her to join them and return to the venue together, which she agrees.
Later at night, both of the teams have arrived at the venue. Xiao is once again watching from a mountain peak nearby. Venti starts the event and Hu Tau introduces a special guest, Zhongli, as a judge of the second day. Everyone is having fun exchanging couplets. After the event ended on a high note, Callirhoe asks everyone if they have read "Heart of Clear Springs" before and asks about their opinion of its main character, the Spring Fairy. She also asks if the Spring Fairy should be reunited with the boy in the story again, which everyone agrees because the boy is the love of her life. Venti then announces the theme for the third day is "Freestyle Poetry" and everyone are free to create their own poetry without any restrictions.
Part III - Heart of the Deep[]
- Heart of the Deep
Arriving at the venue for the third day, the Traveler and Paimon find out that Noelle and Xingqiu won't be joining them today because of other duties and Chongyun saw Callirhoe alone looking upset on the bridge near Dihua Marsh. Everyone goes to check on her. On the way, Paimon tells Mika about the poem on a leave during yesterday's inspiration walk. Mika deduces that Callirhoe is the one who wrote the poems and everyone agrees with his reasonings. They see another leaf afloat on the river and decided to follow it. After getting the poem, they realize it is a reply for the poem they sent yesterday.
After finding Callirhoe and saving her from hilichurls, everyone are shocked to see her in water droplet form. Callirhoe transform back into her human form and reveals that she is an Oceanid who fled Fontaine after the death of previous Hydro Archon and settled on Springvale, though she cannot recall any memories of her journey. She also reveals that she is the Spring Fairy in the "Heart of Clear Springs" story and the boy in the story is the now elderly Old Finch, whom she met when he was young. Callirhoe decided to left him because of the difference of their lifespan and afraid that he will live with regret, not knowing that he always waited for her by the spring every day. After some convincing, Callirhoe decides to see Finch and will create a poem for him. She asks everyone to help arrange the reunion and to keep her true identity a secret from other people.
Arriving at Springvale, Diona finds Finch by the Spring and takes him to the waterfall. At the waterfall, Finch finally reunites with Callirhoe and reminisces about their memories, thinking she is still the same person as she was back then. Callirhoe then reads the poem she made for him and Finch finally understand her situation. Callirhoe gives Finch a droplet of water condensed from her power: the true Heart of the Clear Springs. From then on, she will come in Finch's dream whenever he calls for her. As Callirhoe physical form starting to disappear, she finally gives Finch his long-awaited kiss and quietly leaves. But Finch ensures them that she is nearby and will always be part of the spring.
Everyone goes back to the venue in high spirits that even Diona is willing to make a drink for Venti. Xingqiu asks why are they gone for so long and they made up various excuses, which Xingqiu doesn't buy. Xingqiu tries to bribe Chongyun with trip to a haunted house. Chongyun declines the offer and starting to think his pure-yang spirit may not be a bad thing after all, confusing Xingqiu even more.
Tableside Entertainment[]
Open-World NPCs and Interactables[]
Message Board[]
- (Interact with Message Board between Aunt Qiao and Pops Zhou after Part I)
- Message: If I remember correctly, Liyue's couplets can be quite difficult to write...
- Reply: Yeah, it's harder if you follow the rules and try to match every word.
- Reply: Apart from having exactly the same number of syllables, you have to take note of certain tonal patterns and make the words rhyme...
- Reply: Anyway, it's a rare opportunity to have guests visiting from Mondstadt, so let's all just enjoy ourselves.
- (Interact with Message Board between Aunt Qiao and Pops Zhou after Part II)
- Someone's Poem: "I want to be a mushroom. Not blue like a lake, nor reflecting the moon."
- Someone's Poem: "I just want to be an ordinary mushroom, a mushroom no one bothers to pick."
- Someone's Poem: "I want to hide within the foot of the tree, unless a forest boar happens to discover me. Then it'll put me atop its head, as if I'm a crown of flowers made."
- Someone's Poem: "You see, I didn't want this fungal metamorphosis, because it's just an excuse for loneliness."
- (Interact with Message Board between Aunt Qiao and Pops Zhou after Part II)
- Someone's Poem: "Color the lyre-strings like a rainbow. Pitter-patter, pitter-patter."
- Someone's Poem: "Even the leaves taste sweet whenever rain falls."
Poetry Riddles[]
- (Interact with the lantern on the left side of the stage after Part I)
-
- Poetry Riddle on a Lantern
Once plentiful, it roamed meadows far and near. Above Silk Flowers did waters hold it dear.
In pots one may now find its gossamer grace — fragrant, half-furled, hiding heartache's trace.
- Poetry Riddle on a Lantern
- (Interact with the lantern on the right side of the stage after Part I)
-
- Poetry Riddle on a Lantern
Upon thieving hearts, its essence lies.
Not in silver nor gold, but gilded nests.
This emblem grants them courage to rise,
And summon the ravens as noble guests.
- Poetry Riddle on a Lantern
Callirhoe's Voice[]
- (Interact with the spot beside the Springvale lake waypoint after Part III)
- (Listen...): (A happy melody...)
Hu Tao and Jifang[]
- (Talk to Hu Tao or Jifang on the boardwalk north of Liyue Harbor waypoint, next to Toy Shop, after Part III)
- Jifang: Now then, didn't you say you wanted to publish a book?
- Hu Tao: Yes, I do.
- Jifang: ...So where's the book?
- Hu Tao: It's in the works! Just waiting on the poems!
- Jifang: ...And where are the poems?
- Hu Tao: They're on the way.
- Jifang: ...Look, I'm sorry Director Hu, but how do you expect me to talk business with you when you don't even have the poems yet?
- Hu Tao: I just figured while we're waiting, we could discuss terms in advance.
- Jifang: Well, I need to see the content to decide if I even want to sell it, let alone how much to sell it for.
- Hu Tao: Oh, come on, I showed you a sample already, and it was some of my finest work! Besides, you only need a few highlights to sell an anthology!
- Jifang: ...You think your poem, "Fifteen Tenderloin Steaks" will carry the whole book, do you?
- Hu Tao: That and "Square Meals In the Basement"! My consultant, the erudite Mr. Zhongli, described it as a meticulous masterpiece! Ooh — quote that on the cover! It'll practically sell itself!
- Jifang: ...Director, we're a small business. If we invest money in printing and nobody buys it, it's my bottom line that's affected.
- Hu Tao: Don't you worry! I guarantee you, when this anthology comes out, it will take the world by storm! Gods and ghosts alike will weep!
- Hu Tao: As a matter of fact, I heard a ghost crying on the way here. If you don't believe me, I can bring it over?
- Jifang: ...There'll be no need for that.
Xiao[]
- (Talk to Xiao near the waypoint next to Pervases' Temple after Part III)
- Xiao: ...It's you.
- Xiao: ...
- Xiao: I thought about what you said... and tried to write a poem.
- Xiao: After putting my feelings onto paper, my heart feels much calmer...
- Xiao: Can they... really hear it...?
Xiao's Poem[]
- (Interact with the scroll on the table in Pervases's Temple after Part III)
-
- Poem Placed by Unknown Person
A thousand year's vissicitudes, one's form never aging.
Grace never forgotten, the fire yet burning.
Mountains climb high and waters run deep.
Strange fate, indeed, to once more meet.
- Poem Placed by Unknown Person
Character Appearances[]
Playable Characters[]
The following playable characters appear in this event in Event Story Quests, Event World Quests, or in the open world. The prerequisite(s) shown in the prerequisite column need to be completed for characters to appear in the open world.
| Name | Part I | Part II | Part III | Open World | Open World Prerequisite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chongyun | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | |
| Diona | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | |
| Hu Tao | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | After Part III |
| Mika | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | |
| Noelle | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | |
| Venti | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Between Part I and II |
| Xiao | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | After Part III |
| Xingqiu | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | |
| Zhongli | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ |
Other Notable Characters[]
The following notable non-playable characters appear in this event in Event Story Quests, Event World Quests, or in the open world.
| Name | Part I | Part II | Part III | Open World | Open World Prerequisite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Callirhoe | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Interactable appears after Part III |
Event Exclusive Non-Playable Characters[]
The following non-playable characters only appear during this event in Event Story Quests, Event World Quests, or in the open world.
| Name | Quests | Open World | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ting Zhi | ✔ | ✔ | NPC for Hundred-Pace Hurling Rites |
| Buies | ✔ | ✔ | NPC for Inspiration Eruption |
| Batlo | ✔ | ✔ | NPC for Mending Painting Prospects |
| Huanxi | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Jochen | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Levin | ✔ | ✔ |
Regular Non-Playable Characters[]
The following regular (not event-exclusive) non-playable characters appear in this event in Event Story Quests, Event World Quests, or have unique dialogue in the open world.
| Name | Quests | Dialogue |
|---|---|---|
| Old Finch | ✔ | ✔ |
| Aunt Qiao | ✘ | ✔ |
| Pops Zhou | ✘ | ✔ |
| Jifang | ✘ | ✔ |
Characters[]
20 Characters appear in this Chapter:
- Batlo
- Buies
- Callirhoe
- Chongyun
- Diona
- Hu Tao
- Huanxi
- Jifang
- Jochen
- Levin
- Mika
- Noelle
- Old Finch
- Paimon
- Ting Zhi
- Traveler
- Venti
- Xiao
- Xingqiu
- Zhongli
Total Rewards[]
120 Primogem
120,000 Mora
