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Aether's Swordgirl Harem is the poly ship between Aether, Keqing, Ayaka, Nilou and Furina from the Genshin Impact fandom.
Canon[]
Aether is a Traveler who, due to a mishap that separated him from his sister, landed in Teyvat as a Descended and is now traveling through the Seven Nations in order to search for more clues. Along the way, he made many friends, both male and female. However, for each nation, except Mondstadt and Natlan, there are some girls who stand out from the rest of Aether's friends, with the peculiarity that they became the closest friends to Aether, to the point of telling him phrases that presumably "want to have something more with the traveler than being friends"... What they all have in common is using a light sword, just like Aether. They are from different regions: Keqing (Liyue), Ayaka (Inazuma), Nilou (Sumeru) and Furina (Fontaine).
Keqing[]
- Main article: Aeqing
It all starts when Aether, in Liyue, meets Keqing in the middle of a problem with the Milelith troops, in his search for the Guizhong Ballista, trying to reach the Jade Chamber. Keqing, who turns out to be the Yuheng of the Qixing, orders the troops to stop bothering him since he did nothing wrong. They have a brief discussion about Keqing’s skepticism of the gods, afterwards commenting the Traveler is a good listener. She then gives Aether the directions to the Jade Chamber and departs.
Later, Aether and Keqing would be in a battle to resolve the crisis in Liyue caused by Tartaglia and the Fatui using the Overlord of the Vortex. Following the conclusion of the battle, she approaches him at the Rite of Parting area and offers to repay them for their aid during the Osial confrontation. Aether requests help in setting up missing person posters around Liyue. She later comments that if he were looking someone, he could have just told her in private.
In the second Lantern Rite, Aether's closeness to Keqing would be noted by Ningguang, to the point that she requests Aether to persuade Keqing to have a rest from working intensely since Keqing can be stubborn with Ningguang's words. In the end, Aether and Keqing end enjoying the fireworks together.
Kamisato Ayaka[]
- Main article: Ayather
After leaving Liyue, Aether enters in Inazuma, where he meets Thoma, who tells him that Princess Heron wants to see him in person. He reveals to him that she is Kamisato Ayaka, a member of the Kamisato Clan from Yashiro Commission and eventually he takes Aether to Kamisato Estate to introduce him to her. She was sitting right behind a traditional Inazuman screen, similar to a Japanese Shoji. Ayaka asks him to help her fight the Vision Hunt Decree, but Aether, who visited Ayaka in hopes of meeting the Raiden Shogun, promptly declines and tells her he's going to leave. Ayaka begged him to stay and promised that she'll help him meet the Raiden Shogun under one condition; Aether had to fulfill three small wishes for her, namely meeting three people who had their visions taken from them by the Vision Hunt Decree.
After meeting them, Aether comes back to the Kamisato Estate. When stepping inside, there was no voice, until Ayaka came out behind the screen. Seeing him for the first time Ayaka told him that she was delighted to meet him face-to-face. Ayaka states that she now considers Aether a friend. Aether (and Paimon) both accept her friendship, which Ayaka, who is later revealed to have few friends, is very thankful for.
Eventually, Aether and Ayaka go together to work in Ayaka's errands and later going to a festival. Then, they go to the Chinju Forest and there, Ayaka was very thankful for this day to Aether, being her first time going to a festival. Before parting ways Ayaka had one last gift for Aether as she dashed through the stream and performed a dance like no one was watching.
Later, Ayaka helps Aether to make his way to confront Raiden Shogun with the only purpose of defeating her to stop the Vision Hunt Decree. Aether joins the Sangonomiya Rebellion, but when he is saved by Yae Miko, he works in a plan with Ayaka and Sayu to steal one of the evidences of the Tenryou Commission, to prove Kujou Sara that something is wrong. Fearing that her actions would might be viewed as a declaration of war, she leaves the rest to Aether. Eventually thanks to Ayaka and the others' help, Aether finally fights Raiden Shogund and defeats her, ending the Vision Hunt Decree.
In Warrior's Spirit event, Aether joined a competition and climbed up victorious with each match. Aether wins the exhibition and will accompany Ayaka, now with her new dress, to the final exhibition match against the Shogun's chosen envoy which is the Maguu Kenki. Aether tells Ayaka that he'll pick her up in the morning. Ayaka tells Aether that he should take care of his sword because if she manages to steal it some day, his life would end in her hands. Not to mention that she wants to keep it a secret with Aether, even from Paimon at all cost.
Eventually, Ayaka, with Ayato, Yoimiya and Chiori, travels to Fontaine to search for Aether and make a new movie directed by Furina. After the production of the movie ends with a great hit, Ayaka has another of her moments with Aether, talking to each other, alone, without Furina noticing it.
Nilou[]
- Main article: Aelou
After ending the Vision Hunt Decree and solving the problems in the Chasm, Aether continues his journey, with Sumeru being his next destination. With help from Tighnari and Collei, Aether arrives at Sumeru City, where he begins the search for Lesser Lord Kusanali's devotees. Soon, Aether meets a terminally ill devotee, Dunyazard and Dehya, her bodyguard, who mention Nilou while they eat out in a restaurant. Aether and company then make their way to the Zubayr Theater where he meets Nilou for the first time. As they explore the Zubayr Theater, Dehya informs Aether of a situation with the Eremites in Port Ormos, forcing Aether to leave Nilou and company in the capital.
Later, after finishing matters with help from Alhaitham, Aether returns to the Zubayr Theater, where he finds Nilou being accosted by Grand Sage Azar, who is calling for the cancellation of the Sabzeruz Festival. Aether and Paimon soon discover that they're stuck in a time loop, and endeavors to break the loop, with help from the enigmatic Nahida. After over sixty loops, Aether comes into the conclusion that Nilou is the source of the time loop, and inform her of the fact, with Nilou now awakened, they are finally free to start the Sabzeruz Festival once and for all.
In Nilou's Story Quest, Nilou invites Aether to an event that celebrates the successful Sabzeruz Festival. While helping out around the theatre, Sharif, a member of the Akademiya, arrives to proclaim that the Zubayr Theater would be demolished within the next 30 days. Aether encourages Nilou to defend the theater by debating Sharif, a debate which Nilou unexpectedly wins. After her win. Nilou thanks Aether for his support, gifting him a miniature replica of the theatre and welcoming him to all her future dance shows.
Later, Nilou is scouted by Alhaitham to join the Dendro Archon Rescue Team, via distracting the Akademiya. After Aether successfully acted as bait to get sentenced to prison, Nilou went to the outskirts to the Akademiya's main entrance to distract with her beautiful dancing. With Aether and Nilou having done their part of the plan, they leave the others (Alhaitham, Cyno, Dehya and the Eremites) to finish it once and for all resulting in a judgement against Azar and Nahida's successful rescue.
Some time later, during a meeting with Collei, Aether receives a letter from Nilou, inviting him to a celebration along with the rest of the Denro Archon Rescue Team (Alhaitam, Dehya and Cyno) and Duhnyazard. After the party, Aether departs from Sumeru City to continue his journey through Teyvat.
In Summertide Scales and Tales, Aether and Paimon are suddenly transported to Simulanka where he is suddenly hugged by Nilou, now as the Forest Fairy, having missed him since he left. Together, they managed to restore the Forest of Blessings to its former glory and later, with Navia they went to restore the Constellation Metropole and defeated Durin, the evil Dragon, with the Wanderer. After that, Nilou returns to Sumeru with her new companions from the Forest of Blessings, Almond, Streamer, and Padisarah, and bring them to the Zubayr Theater.
Furina[]
- Main article: Aerina
After leaving Sumeru, Aether goes to Fontaine, where he would meet Furina for the first time. Carried by the excitement of the court, Furina accidentally accuses Aether of a crime, but thanks to Lyney's magic, her accusation is overturned. In response, Aether confronted Furina in a court session, defending Lyney successfully with Navia's help. In the process of trying to overturn the prophecy that would flood the entirety of Fontaine and kill all of its citizens, Aether accuses Furina of not being the true Hydro Archon, fighting her and eventually defeating Furina in the Opera Epiclese. Having been declared guilty, the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale sentences Furina to death, to the shock of Aether and audience. Feeling that she's failed in her duties, Furina collapses back to her throne and sheds tears. It was there that Aether enters Furina's mind and learns of her past, that she is the remnants of the Hydro Archon's humanity. As Focalors, the divine half of the Hydro Archon hidden within the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale, sacrifices herself and returns her the Hydro Authority to Neuvillette, he pardons all Fontainians and forces the flood to recede.
Eventually, Aether and Furina become involved in making a new movie with Ayaka, Yoimiya, Ayato, Chiori and Chevreuse and the results are a total hit. Before departing for Natlan, Furina and other friends bid Aether farewell, with Charlotte taking a group photo of group with her camera.
Quotes[]
- “I feel I have grown immensely from my travels with you. If, one day, I finally manage to make my dreams a reality... I wonder, will you still be there by my side?”
- — Keqing's Feelings About Ascension: Conclusion
- “Though I cling to that which has given me the strength to hold on, the weight of letting go is ever-foreboding. My apologies, it should be a happy occasion, and yet it is such a sad phrase that comes to mind. Our time together has been so pleasant that I am fearful of losing what I have gained. I'm sorry, I must compose myself.”
- — Ayaka's Feelings About Ascension: Conclusion
- “I really like being with you. I don't know why, but it feels like a butterfly is trying to burst out of my chest... Anyway, how about I show a new dance to you?”
- — Nilou's Feelings About Ascension: Conclusion
- “I didn't know you cared so much about me. Does that mean that you still need my power? But given the way I am now... there's a chance I won't be able to give you everything you need. Hmm? All you really care about is... me? In that case, then let us act out our future journey together!”
- — Furina's Feelings About Ascension: Conclusion
Fanon[]
Initially, this polyship started with Aeqing in Liyue, although initially it was a rare pair among fans because most of players chose Lumine and the few who chose him, preferred to ship him only with the boys, especially Xiao, Venti and Kaeya due to Aether's "femboy" trait even as a "fake" het ships, a costume that similarly happened with Honkai Impact 3rd.
However, the popularity of this harem would really begin to rise with the arrival of Kamisato Ayaka to the cast of Genshin Impact, imposing the standard of the swordgirl, also affecting Keqing. Because of this standard, these two starter ships of this "harem" would overwhelm other otherwise popular Aether ships like Shenther, Aemiya, and Kokother.
As more regions were added, this standard was expanded so that any female character with a sword and a teenager's size and being 5 stars was automatically shipped with the Traveler. That is why Nilou was added by fans to this "harem" since version 3.1 of this game (although not as strong at first) and then with Furina from version 4.2 of Genshin Impact. However, the Natlan region does not have female characters that meet this standard, so it is on Standby for the moment until the Snezhnaya region is revealed.
Although popular in the fandom, this polyship and the idea of Aether having a harem in general has received negativity from detractors, most notably Viatwins, Paither and Aether's Slash shippers, mostly Xiaother shippers. Not to mention popular rival ships that involve the girls in this harem, such as Ganqing, Kazuyaka, Kavelou and Neuvifuri. Viatwins shippers state that Aether only cares about his primary goal of the game to find Lumine (in the case of Aether being the Traveler) or simply engulf all the Archon's thrones and possibly destroy Teyvat (in the case of Aether being the Prince of the Abyss), although this is contradicted since Aether can ask about his love prospects during the Sumeru Archon Quest.
It is currently in direct competition with the poly-slash counterpart, the Aether's Yaoi Harem (Which includes Venti, Xiao, Kazuha, Scaramouche, Lyney, Kinich, Tartaglia and others).
Gameplay[]
While shippers like to have the sword girls fight alongside Aether in explorations and combat against enemies, META players who like challenges like the Spiral Abyss often rarely use them together. According to META players, most of Aether's elements he uses are not that powerful or he doesn't apply them correctly and with the exception of Dendro and Pyro elements, there are usually characters better than Aether in any element (Like Venti and Kazuha vs Anemo Aether, Zhongli and Chiori vs Geo Aether, Fischl and Raiden Shogun vs Electro Aether, and finally, Neuvilette and Mualani vs Hydro Aether).
This makes forming a good Aether's team with any of the sword girls extremely difficult because either any Aether's element does not synergize well with any of them or they require a lot of investment to finally shine together against stronger enemies.
These are the best elemental reactions that Aether can do with any of them, according to most players:
- With Keqing: Catalyze, with Dendro Aether (Quicken, Spread and Aggravate)
- With Ayaka: Cryo Swirl, with Anemo Aether. Good to apply to Frozen Enemies.
- With Nilou: Bountiful Bloom, only with Dendro Aether. The bestest against groups of enemies.
- With Furina: It may be Bloom with Dendro Aether, but her Burst can't buff this reaction, but possibly Pyro Aether can with whoever has better synergy.
However, it should be noted that with the exception of Nilou, META players use any of the aforementioned girls with characters that they claim are better than Aether in terms of combat. In fact, Ayaka is used in a team with Shenhe, Kazuha, and Kokomi as her best team, Keqing is used with Nahida, Yae Miko, and Kazuha, and finally, Furina is mostly used in a team with Neuvillette, Kazuha, and Xilonen.
Nilou is a special case since previously, in version 3.1, META players used her together with Dendro Aether, Collei, and Kokomi. Starting from version 3.2, Collei was replaced by Nahida and since then, it becomes the bestest team for Dendro Aether and Nilou, making it a META ship in the Abyss Spiral especially against groups of enemies, although this team is in competition with teams that usually use Anemo characters to gather enemies. F2P players who can't afford Nahida and Kokomi yet often put Collei and Barbara as best supports for Aether and Nilou.
However, this may change when new elements for Aether are released in future Genshin Impact versions.
Fandom[]
- FAN FICTION
- Aether has a Harem tag on AO3
- TIKTOK
- Aether Harem tag on TikTok
Variations[]
- Aeqing refers to the ship between Aether and Keqing
- Ayather refers to the ship between Aether and Ayaka
- Aelou refers to the ship between Aether and Nilou
- Aerina refers to the ship between Aether and Furina
Trivia[]
- Only 2 girls from this harem (Keqing and Nilou) presumably wished Aether a happy Valentine's Day as seen in their official Valentine's Day quotes in the official Genshin Impact accout from Twitter/X.
- Because Aether and the girls in this harem all use a light sword, some fans pointed out possible candidates for entry: Jean Gunnhildr, Layla, Lynette, and Xilonen. However, none of them were able to enter due to the rules established in this harem:
- The character must have a medium female model (teenager) and behave accordingly to be the same size as Aether, regardless of age. This means that characters with a tall female body type like Jean and Xilonen are excluded from this harem.
- Only the most popular sword medium female character (shipped with Aether) from a nation is considered (there can't be two from the same nation), so, for example, Lynette isn't as popular as Furina (both are from Fontaine) and is therefore excluded.
- She must be a 5-star character. This means that 4-star characters like Layla are excluded.
- Must have memorable moments with Aether, whether through voice lines, the Archon Quest, their own Story Quest, or a limited event. (Such as Ayaka in her own Story Quest, Keqing in Fleeting Colors in Flight, Nilou in Summertide Scales and Tales and her voice line Feelings of Ascension: Conclusion, and Furina for Fontaine's Archon Quest)
- The only 5 star medium female sword user not included in this ship is Chiori.
