Venneti

Venneti is the het ship between Venti and Vennessa from the Genshin Impact fandom.

Prologue: Songs of the Wind
The bulk of Venti and Vennessa’s interactions take place in the prologue of the webtoon that takes place roughly one thousand years before the start of Genshin Impact.

Vennessa is a Muratan, and her people spent generations wandering the land. However, their people often went hungry, and most of the knowledge passed down through the generations were combat and survival techniques rather than their history. One of the few stories she did hear would be about Celestia, the abode of the gods. She was told that great heroes would be chosen by the gods to dwell with them in Celestia, becoming immortal and protecting the world with the gods.

Ten years before she met Venti, Ursa the Drake hounded and stalked her clan for four days straight, starving them. After this, her clan ended up in Mondstadt after fleeing from Ursa, only to be enslaved by the rich nobles. Vennessa became a slave warrior, fighting in the Colosseum for the nobles' entertainment in order to help her sister Lind and her people be free again. She became known as the "Lionfang Knight" for her undefeated streak, even slaying the Colosseum's previously undefeated champion.

On the day of Ludi Harpastum, Vennessa went out to buy herbs for her sickly sister, Lind, when Venti ran into her. Having raised the ire of Barca Lawrence, heir of the Lawrence Clan and son of the city's ruler, Venti fled the scene and hid behind her for protection, forcing Barca to stand down due to her reputation. However, Barca had his father purchase Vennessa and her clan, then had her imprisoned.

Venti paid her a visit in prison the night before her final battle and befriended her. He offered to break her and her people free, but she refused, claiming:

"We must fight and claim our own freedom. We can not beg for it. We must not kneel for it. Freedom given freely is only a guise for another shackle."

Pleased with Vennessa's response, Venti left as he concocted a plan. The next morning, Vennessa is horrified to learn that she is not fighting alone — her entire clan, including children and the elderly, will be pitted against Ursa the Drake itself. Lord Lawrence declared that if she can beat the monster in battle, she will win her people's freedom. He also had his archers slay any of her fellow clan members who attempted to escape the arena. When the commoners began to riot over the unfairness of the situation, Lord Lawrence added the keys to and control of the city to her rewards, fully expecting her to fail.

Despite despairing over the futility of her situation, Vennessa refused to give up, striking down hilichurls under Ursa's command and fighting Ursa itself. Before it can retaliate, Barbatos appeared in angelic form, bolstering Vennessa's combat abilities and helping her drive Ursa away. With Vennessa's end of the bargain fulfilled, Barbatos orders Lord Lawrence to hand over control to the city.

Legacy
While the manga ends her saga there, based on in-game lore, this triggered a much larger uprising throughout Mondstadt, with Vennessa as its rallying point. She was joined by the Dawn Knight Ragnvindr, who was inspired to fight against the aristocracy after befriending the Wanderer's Troupe's sword dancer, traitor to the Lawrence Clan Kreuzlied, and the Gunnhildr Clan, which had refused to follow the other nobles in their tyrannical ways.

In the midst of the rebellion, a secret treaty was found that claimed the nobles intended to sell them as slaves to Rex Lapis. Fearing for their own freedom, the soldiers serving the aristocracy turned on them and joined Vennessa's cause. It wouldn't be until generations later that historians would realize this treaty was actually fake — and yet unbeknownst to them was that it was forged by none other than Barbatos himself.

Accounts about her life after her rebellion differ, but they all converge at the end of her life. According to legend, Vennessa was recognized by the gods for her deeds and ascended to Celestia.

Character Stories
Within Venti’s character stories, she’s mentioned in both Character Story 2 and Where the Wind Doth Not Blow. There’s an additional mention in Jean’s fourth character story.

Venti's Character Stories, Character Story 2 & Where the Wind Doth Not Blow
“There is a towering oak tree at the center of Windrise, said to have sprouted when Vennessa ascended to the heavens a millennium ago. In the past few months, travelers resting in the shade of the great oak sometimes hear a young bard singing the tales of Barbatos, the Anemo Archon.”

“Thus the Anemo Archon returned after these 1,600 years to what was once the City of Freedom. He heard the cry of the slave girl Vennessa, and together with her raised a rebellion that overthrew the aristocracy.”

Jean's Character Story 4
“The great tree at Windrise is where the first Dandelion Knight came to the end of her journey. She was Vennessa, the founder of the Knights of Favonius and the restorer of Mondstadt. She bade farewell to the city she had vowed to protect, leaving behind her legend and a single sapling. After centuries of basking in the bliss of the thousand winds, this sapling grew into a towering tree.”

Windrise
The spot where she ascended at Windrise is where the massive oak tree — the Symbol of Mondstadt's Hero — now stands, said to have grown after her ascension. The Symbol of Mondstadt's Hero appears to have a direct connection to Celestia, which Venti utilizes twice during the Prologue Chapter of the Archon Quests.

After Venti sees that the Traveler's presence is capable of purifying Dvalin's tears, tainted by the power of the Abyss via Durin's poisoned blood, he is inspired to head to the tree at Windrise to heal himself of that same poison.

He returns there after Signora forcibly takes his Gnosis. Because his body is created with an archon's power, it cannot be healed through normal means. However, staying in the presence of the tree is capable of restoring his body.

He's shown in the tree in the Genshin Impact showcase, Scenery & Sentiment: Mondstadt Edition.

The Legend of Vennessa
''“Friends of Mondstadt, let us revel! Drink to your hearts' content! To freedom! To the Anemo Archon! To Vennessa, the first Knight to grace this world! Sons and daughters of Mondstadt, may the gift from the Anemo Archon be engraved in your hearts! And let it be known that this gift is not freedom, but just defiance!''

''It transpired in ages past. Friends, do excuse me for improvising, For it should be clear as day, that the glory and freedom of Mondstadt Were born when Barbatos struck the strings dolce. Poems sing of heroic fame, Yet to commemorate unnamed freedom should they aim.''

''Chained by royals, Mondstadt could barely suspire, And festivities were but vanity games of the rich, Beyond the grasp of the ordinary people. A withering dungeon, Mondstadt was. In slavery games the royal gaily relished, Oblivious to their place, the inmates were.''

''A fiery-headed dame confined to a cell, From the southern plains she did hail. Born free but now bound by chains, Though restrained by a tyrant her flesh remained. Still her pious soul never ceased to pray, For her people, for Mondstadt, for illusive freedom if she may.”'' - The Legend of Vennessa, vol. 1: A popular song since the reconstruction of Mondstadt. It tells the story of Vennessa, the founder of the Knights of Favonius, in her early years as a slave in Mondstadt. ''“Friends of Mondstadt, let us revel! Drink to your hearts' content! The day came when Barbatos answered her devotion. The Anemo Archon sought her fiery hair and descended to her position. "Every being deserves a name," the spirit grinned. "To weave your fair name into a song I yearn," "I seek nothing but your friendship in return." The girl happily reciprocated, her fears swiftly dissipated.''

''And so, to the battlefield she marched to Barbatos' singing voice, The demonic dragon fled from her might and the people did rejoice. Corpulent aristocrats crawled under tables at such a valiant sight. "Mondstadt is freedom," the winds sang for their people in delight. Lonely forest breezes converged, jointly they overthrew the tyrant's tower from the sky. Broken free from shackles at last, the young lioness stood firm in the winds with her head held high.''

''And so, the fiery-headed dame won herself prestigious fame. Her heart swelled with appreciation to sing by the Anemo Archon's side. But no words of gratitude should she utter, Barbatos replied: "You first conducted what now transpires in your song." "You have entrusted me with your friendship and your name." "To praise your freedom, my songs came."''

''Friends, let us drink some more! For thence flows the freedom of Mondstadt. When days become nights and faces fill with despair, Never forget the heroic tales of Vennessa, the dame with the flaming hair! Never cease to pursue freedom, even when the land is bare!”'' - The Legend of Vennessa, vol. 2: A popular song since the reconstruction of Mondstadt. It tells the story of Vennessa, the founder of the Knights of Favonius, in her early years when she met Barbatos, the Anemo Archon, as well as how she defeated the drake and overthrew the Aristocrats.

Quotes
"Good Lady, you’re hard as stone. Good thing I didn’t break any bones."

- Venti, meeting Vennessa (Prologue: Songs of the Wind)

"Alright, warrior. That temper of yours is very Muratan."

- Venti, meeting Vennessa again (Prologue: Songs of the Wind)

"Hear me, fiery-haired dame, every being deserves a name. A name to be called upon, and woven into song. So… will you share your fair name?"

- Venti, to Vennessa (Prologue: Songs of the Wind)

"You fought bravely for the freedom of your people, so allow me to fight for your freedom as well. After all, we’re very good friends."

- Venti, to Vennessa (Prologue: Songs of the Wind)

"To defend justice, and fight against the odious, flame-haired Venness founded the Ordo Favonius. At the end of the sagas of flame-haired Venness, the gods gave her a seat in holy Celest."

- Venti’s ballad about Vennessa (Prologue: Songs of the Wind)

"She’s still keeping watch over Mondstadt after all these years. Now I wonder if the world became a little bit stronger… she always hoped to see that happen."

- Venti, to Aether (Prologue: Songs of the Wind)

"But now, before us stands the Symbol of Mondstadt's Hero, the place from which Mondstadt rose. The wind amongst the branches is good, I love the way it smells… Being here with you beneath this great tree feels like when the tear was purified earlier. Like the poison is leaving my body… Mmmmmmm... Feels much better."

- Venti, about Windrise (Archon Quest: Let the Wind Lead)

"This plain bathes in an everlasting breeze. An ancient, monumental tree left behind by an ancient heroine speaks softly amidst the winds."

- Viewpoint, Windswept Wilderness: Windrise

"A valley surrounded by winds. In its middle grows a large oak tree. The shade of the tree protects the Statue of The Seven built at its feet from the rain and the wind, like Vennessa once protected Mondstadt."

- Expedition description


 * Venti: Seeing this tear has brought to mind a friend so dear.
 * Paimon: Friend?
 * Venti: Heh-heh, one must be going now!
 * Paimon: You idiot! That’s a misdemeanor. She downgraded the offense.
 * Venti: To the "Symbol of Mondstadt's Hero." Bye-bye~

- Venti & Paimon, Archon Quest: That Green Fellow (The “friend so dear” likely refers to Vennessa)


 * Paimon: He left? Already? Where'd he go?
 * Barbara: The Symbol of Mondstadt's Hero, that's what he said.
 * Barbara: I wanted to stop him, but Jean— I mean, Master Jean said to let him leave. How strange.
 * Paimon: Paimon remembers Venti healing under that tree before...
 * Paimon: (It's probably due to the connection between Windrise and the Anemo Archon. Master Jean has figured it out as well, but we can't tell Barbara...)

- Paimon & Barbara discussing the healing effects of Windrise (Archon Quest: Ending Note)

"Acting Grand Master Jean... Well, what do you think of her? Yes, I couldn't agree more: conscientious, courageous... kind and considerate too. Reminds me of another good friend…"

- Venti, about Jean (The “good friend” he’s referring to possibly means Vennessa)

"The Anemo called upon them, each one in turn; first their leader, the west wind, though he found himself spurned. The Lionfang Knight was less than impressed; “I’ve no time to join you and sing, dance, and jest, for you see to those three while I handle the rest!”"

- Venti, Character Teaser: The Four Winds

Fanon
Due to the fact that Vennessa made her debut in 2018 in the Genshin Impact webtoon, her presence in many fanworks is fairly negligible and small compared to other characters. Most of the content that features her and Venti is platonic with only a handful of people shipping them in a romantic light. There are currently 22 works on Ao3 that features them together in any sort of way, and the ship is largely overshadowed by pairings like Xiaoven, Diluven, and Zhongven with minimal contention from those who ship Vennessa and Ragnvindr due to the popular fanon that Vennessa is Diluc’s ancestress who married into the Ragnvindr Clan after her rebellion was waged.

However, given the fact that the webtoon foreshadowed the emergence of characters that gained immense popularity such as Cyno, Collei, and Il Dottore, and with Vennessa being the first character with ties to Natlan and Murata, it’s entirely possible she could serve as a later bridge to both.

Regardless, Venti and Vennessa have a rather warm relationship with each other, works revolving around them centered mainly on Venti’s nostalgia for the past and recounting his past friendships with Vennessa and the other Four Winds, a glimpse of which figures in Venti’s character teaser that shows him interacting with the three. Given how Venti and Aether are shown encountering Vennessa in her falcon form at the end of the webtoon’s prologue, and shortly after Venti awakens after being dormant for five hundred years, it means she’s still active in Mondstadt and possibly keeps up interactions with Venti offscreen.

Many works also like to focus on the time of the Rebellion and showing the pair’s efforts to rebuild Mondstadt as Venti intended before his assumed first hibernation after Decarabian’s fall. Canonically, Windrise is the tree that Venti spends the bulk of time within, often showcased in both the Archon Quest prologue and other media. Compared to even the other lairs of the two other known Four Winds—Dvalin in Old Mondstadt and Andrius in Wolvendom—he seems to favor Windrise the most. This speaks volumes of the closeness that Venti still feels for Vennessa, his “friend so dear.”

Due to the similarly shared ties between an Archon and their dear friend that is a running theme, Venneti’s close relationship shares parallels with Eimiko and ReZhong; this is especially true given how the Geo and Electro Archons and their close friends also share close ties with a notable tree, such and Eimiko with the Sacred Sakura and ReZhong with the Dragon-Queller in Nantianmen. To a familial degree, this is also true of Scarahida with the Divine Tree in Sumeru.

Fandom
FAN FICTION

Trivia

 * Both share the Anemo element, as Dr. Edith notes in the “Leaves on the Wind” commission, the leaves of Windrise bear Anemo elemental power.
 * "Vennessa" is likely an alternate spelling of the English name Vanessa. The name was coined by poet Jonathan Swift after one of his lovers, Esther Vanhomrigh . Given how Venti also has some talent as a poet, and how he nicknamed Vennessa “Venness” in his ballads, this could also relate to him and Vennessa.
 * The name Vanessa also became the name of a genus of—typically red—butterflies. In some symbology, red butterflies are also indicative of boundless passion and romance.
 * The weapon ascension materials, the Gladiator Shackle, are found in a domain known as the Cecilia Garden; they’re attributed to Vennessa in their descriptions. Cecilias are Venti’s favorite flower and he wears them in his cap and adorns his lyre with them.