Esmeralda Story Quest Act 1
Chapter: Vitae Cyberus
Act I: Mechanical Insight
Requirements: 1 story key, Chapter I Act III: A New Star Approaches, Tartaglia Act I: Mighty Cyclops' Adventure!
One day, Katheryne in Mondstat has a special commission for you. You and Paimon go to the Adventurer's Guild to check it out.
Look for Katheryne in Mondstadt.
Paimon, waving: Hey, Katheryne! Did you mention a special commission?
Katheryne: Ad Astra Abyssosque, Traveler and Paimon. That's right. It is an especially difficult commission, and few dare take it up. Sometimes, it takes weeks to get completed.
Paimon: Wow, really? So what is it? Do we have to kill a Lawachurl? Oh, or a Ruin Grader? Whatever it is, we've got it covered!
Katheryne: You're almost correct, actually. The person giving the commission is called Esmeralda, and she has requested one Chaos Core and three Chaos Devices.
Paimon: Whoa, Ruin Guard parts? Why would anyone need that?
Katheryne: I do not know what she plans to use these components for. If you accept, please deliver the parts to Esmeralda directly at Stormterror's Lair. She has given me the location. Also, she specifies that the Chaos Core must be in good condition, so be careful when attacking the Ruin Guard. Can I assume that you plan to accept this commission?
Paimon: Yep, we accept. Come on, Traveler! Let's go to the Thousand Winds Temple. There's usually a Ruin Guard there. Let's go get that Core! Paimon wants to see what it's for!
Go to the Thousand Winds Temple.
Paimon: There, a Ruin Guard! Take it down, but be careful not to damage the core!
Defeat the Ruin Guard without hitting its weak spot.
Pick up the Undamaged Chaos Core.
Paimon: Got it! Now, let's go to Stormterror's Lair and find this Esmeralda! Paimon's so curious!
Head to the marked location in Stormterror's Lair.
Entering Stormterror's Lair, you approach the location Katheryne gave you and come across an empty camp. There is machinery scattered around the area, and it looks recently used. It seems that the owner of the camp had recently left.
Paimon: There's no one here. Do you think Esmeralda is in trouble?
Aether (choice): The camp looks to be in good order. / There's no sign of any struggle.
Paimon: Oh, so she probably wasn't in a hurry. She'd probably just stepped away to get something! / You're right. If there was a fight, everything would be messed up! That means that she probably just left for a bit.
Paimon: Let's wait for her to get back.
Cutscene
As you and Paimon settle down to wait, you see movement nearby. Looking over, you see a young, orange-haired woman with fox-like ears and a tail hurrying to the camp where you rest. In her heels is some kind of unknown automaton; a cross between a Ruin Guard and Hunter.
Quickly, you leap to your feet and face the automaton, summoning your (dull) blade. Focusing on the machine, you fail to notice that the girl - Esmeralda - looks more angry than scared.
"She's being chased by a Ruin Hunter!" Paimon cries out, "Or some other kind of Ruin Guard? But that's not important now! Quickly, Traveler, go help her!"
You nod and dash forward, blade swinging to stab directly into the glowing eye of the automaton - its weak spot.
To your surprise, the automaton reacts and moves far more quickly than you thought possible, blocking your attack. Your blade cuts into its arm but fails to damage anything important.
Your sword is stuck. In the seconds that you try to remove it, the automaton shifts, backhanding you and knocking you back.
Barely managing to land on your feet, you look at Esmeralda staring down at you, the Ruin machine behind her. Its eye was glowing a fiery red instead of the usual yellow, and it seemed to be completely ignoring the girl. She looks furious.
Esmeralda: Filthy Treasure Hoarders! How many times must I tell you, leave my stuff alone! Where are your friends hiding? I'm going to kick their asses so hard -
Paimon, waving arms frantically: Whoa, Treasure Hoarders? We're not Treasure Hoarders, we're adventures!
Esmeralda, glaring: Then why'd you attack me?
Paimon: Attack you? No, we thought you were in trouble when we saw you running from the automaton!
Paimon: Also, why isn't that thing attacking? Ruin Hunters are supposed to be hostile to, well, everyone.
Esmeralda, affectionately stroking the automaton's side: Daisy won't hurt anyone unless I tell her to.
Paimon: Wait, you named that thing?
Esmeralda: I did. I'm Esmeralda, by the way. So, who are you?
Paimon: Oh, right! This is Aether. He's a Traveler and adventurer, and Paimon is his trusty traveling companion!
Esmeralda, looking wistful: I'm sure he's lucky to have you.
Esmeralda: An adventurer, huh? Are you here to complete my commission?
Give Esmeralda the Undamaged Chaos Core and 3 Chaos Devices.
Esmeralda: Thank you! You have no idea how hard it is to get this stuff. Most of the time it takes weeks for my commissions to be accepted. Here is your reward, as promised.
Paimon: Why do you need these parts anyway? Does it have to do with that thing?
Esmeralda: Her name is Daisy, and yes, I need the parts to maintain her. I suppose you have questions?
Paimon: Yes, of course we have questions! Like, do you control it? And how? And what even is it? Also, Paimon wants to know -
Aether: I'd like to know if I can have my sword back, please.
Esmeralda: Oh! Right. Take it.
Paimon: Um, are you sure it's safe?
Esmeralda, smirking: She won't bite, I promise.
You retrieve your (dull) blade.
Esmeralda examines the Ruin machine - Daisy - and gasps.
Esmeralda: Oh no! What is your sword made of?
Aether: Is something wrong?
Esmeralda: You managed to cut through Daisy's armor and circuitry so easily... I demand compensation!
Paimon: What?!
Esmeralda: That's right. You attacked and damaged Daisy, and I want you to apologize.
Paimon: But you attacked us first! Why should we apologize?
Esmeralda: Um, well... Alright, fine. Look, I've heard about a Ruin Hunter in Tianqiu Valley in Liyue. I want to go check it out, but the path is full of Treasure Hoarders. And for some reason, they all simply cannot resist Daisy here. So, I want an experienced adventurer to accompany me.
Aether (choice): Why not just post a commission? / You look capable of handling yourself.
Esmeralda: I could, but Mora isn't that easy to come by, you know. Especially when I need to commission all these parts as well. / I mean, yes. But it's always better to be safe, especially with all the Treasure Hoarders.
Esmeralda: So, are you in?
Aether:...
Esmeralda, sighing: Alright, fine. I'm sure you're still curious about Daisy, right? If you help me, I'll answer some of your questions. Please?
Paimon: Oooh! Let's help, Traveler! Paimon is curious. So many questions.
Aether: Alright. I'm curious too.
Esmeralda: Great! I need some time to patch up Daisy and pack up camp, so let's meet at Wangshu Inn in a few days.
Paimon: Why Wangshu?
Esmeralda: The path from Mondstat to Liyue is mostly safe. It's when we pass through Cuijue Slope to Tianqiu Valley that I'm worried.
Paimon: Oh, I see. But why so long? Aren't you in a hurry?
Esmeralda, pointing accusingly: I could be done by today if you two didn't come here and immediately attack me. Luckily, you brought what I need to fix Daisy up as well, so it won't take too long. But automaton repair is not easy!
Paimon: Ah, er, heh. Alright, we'll leave you to it. Come on, Traveler!
Meet Esmeralda at Wangshu Inn.
You and Paimon arrive at Wangshu Inn, where Esmeralda is waiting. Daisy is nowhere to be seen.
Paimon, waving: Hey, Esmeralda! Wait, where's the Ruin Hunter?
Esmeralda: I told her to stay hidden in the swamp, out of sight from the inn. It's easier for me to travel when people don't run screaming when they see her.
Paimon: Yeah, that makes sense. So, are you ready to go?
Esmeralda: Yup! We'll go fetch Daisy first, then head through Cuijue Slope. Let's go!
Head to Cuijue Slope.
You and Paimon meet Esmeralda and Daisy at Cuijue Slope and began to walk.
Paimon: So, Esmeralda, now that we're on our way, it's time for you to answer some questions!
Esmeralda, laughing: Ha, alright then. So, what do you want to know?
Paimon, pointing at Esmeralda: That! How did you manage to take control of a Ruin Hunter? And is it even a Ruin Hunter?
Esmeralda: Well, first of all, I've dedicated my life to researching Ruin Machines. Very few people can claim to know more than me about them. Over time, I managed to figure out how these automatons work.
Paimon: Are you saying that you can take control of Ruin machines? I want one!
Esmeralda: Sorry, but no. It took a combination of very specific situations for me to rewrite Daisy's programming. Part of that involves my Vision.
Paimon: Aww...
Esmeralda: As for your other question, Daisy was originally a Ruin Guard. It was too cumbersome, so I removed its legs and replaced them with a Ruin Hunter's floating mechanism.
Esmeralda: I also replaced the eye section with a Ruin Grader's, for increased protection and focus. Plus some other modifications.
Esmeralda: Increased armor, better target lock, voice recognition capability, the works.
Paimon: Wow... So, wait, if you can do all this, can you just make a Ruin Guard?
Esmeralda: Well, no. The machinery needed for that- Look out! Treasure Hoarders!
Defeat the Treasure Hoarders.
Esmeralda: Phew. These guys seriously annoy me. Good work on taking them out.
Paimon: Aether's got plenty of experience with them! It seems that the Treasure Hoarders are just really greedy. So, by the sound of it, you've run into them before?
Esmeralda: All the time. They see Daisy and immediately try to attack. Probably trying to make a quick profit, or worse, use her for some nefarious means.
Esmeralda: Seriously, though, it seems like every other day some of those idiots come over and try to attack me. You'd think that after a few tries they'd get the point that it's not going to work, and just leave me alone.
Paimon: Wow, seems like the Hoarders are a real issue for you.
Esmeralda: Yeah. Good thing is, I have Daisy and my Vision, so usually it's no problem to fend them off. I wish they'd just stop, though.
Paimon: You keep referring to Daisy as she. Is it actually, you know, female? Like, alive?
Esmeralda: Ah, no. It's just a habit. Unfortunately, she's not actually sentient. Yet. I'm working on it.
Esmeralda: Anyway, where were we?
Paimon: You were saying how you can't make me a Ruin Guard.
Esmeralda: Ah, yes. That's right. Without specialized machinery, it's difficult for me to repair or modify them. Trying to construct one from scratch is simply impossible, and the resources needed are simply too great.
Esmeralda: The core of the Ruin Machines, especially. They're the power source that keeps the automatons running, but even I have no idea how to replicate it, or how it seems to have unlimited energy.
Esmeralda: I suspect that they draw their power from the Leylines, but what if I need to go somewhere beyond their reach? There must be some kind of power storage involved.
Esmeralda: As for Daisy, she's powered by elemental energy, using my Vision as a conduit. I can't replicate it. Even I barely know how it works.
Esmeralda: Hmm, seems like we have company. Get ready!
Defeat the Treasure Hoarders.
Esmeralda: Sigh. So, yeah. That's about it.
Esmeralda: Whoever originally made these machines had much, much better technology than we do now.
Esmeralda: Even with a Vision, it's difficult for me to understand them. Now, I'm not sure if the original creators had Visions or not, but with such widespread production, I think it's safe to assume that they could be mass-produced without such an aid.
Esmeralda: I've never actually found any, but I believe that the original creators of the Ruin Guards must have created some number of factories, somewhere, in order to have made so many of them.
Paimon: That's right! We saw that Ruin Guard factory, didn't we?
Esmeralda, stopping: Wait, you found a Ruin Guard factory?! Where is it? Bring me there!
Paimon: Whoa, wait up! I thought we were going to find a Ruin Hunter. Now you want to go to a factory?
Esmeralda: Of course! Compared to an entire factory full of them, one Hunter is secondary!
Esmeralda: The technology! The knowledge! Do you have any idea what secrets an automaton factory could hold?! Can you bring me there? Please?
Aether: The factory doesn't work.
Paimon: Yeah, it's been abandoned for a long time now. Also, we may have damaged the place the last time we were there. Heh heh.
Esmeralda: It's fine, that's not an issue at all. Even ruined, it must still hold some answers. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me! Come on, let's go! We're wasting time.
You and Paimon bring Esmeralda to the Ruin Guard factory at Lingju Pass.
Esmeralda: So this is the factory. Looks abandoned, all right.
Paimon: Yep. So, do you still wanna go in? It may be abandoned, but if any Ruin Guards are still in there, it could be dangerous.
Esmeralda: I'm sure we can handle a few guards. Let's go!
Enter the domain. (Trial character: Esmeralda)
Esmeralda: Wow, I've never actually been in anything like this. The technology...
Esmeralda: Come on, let's explore!
Paimon: Wait! Ugh, she's run off. Why does this seem so familiar...
Paimon: Nevermind that. Quickly, after her!
Explore the factory.
Esmeralda: Amazing. The equipment here is very interesting... But I have to ask, has anyone been here recently, though?
Paimon: Stop running off! It's dangerous around here!
Paimon: And yes, we've been through this place before, with some friends of ours. Childe and Teucer.
Esmeralda: Are any of them researchers? Or do they, you know, know about how Ruin Guards work?
Paimon: What? No. Childe is a Har-
Paimon: Uhh... I meant, he's a warrior. The only thing he knows about Ruin Guards is how to destroy them. Teucer is his younger brother. Why do you ask?
Esmeralda: Someone else had tinkered with this machinery before. Whoever they are, they're good. Like, 20 years ahead of current technology good.
Paimon: That's... Worrying. Do you know anyone like that, Traveler?
Aether: No. / Haven't a clue.
Esmeralda: Well, it's not important. Look, this must be the doorway to the central control center! Come on, let's go!
Paimon: Hey! Wait for us!
Enter the room and defeat all opponents.
Esmeralda: Well, I'm assuming that this Childe you spoke of is responsible for all the Ruin Guard, um, ruins here. Given how many there are, he must have been really strong. Who did you say he was, again?
Paimon: Just an adventurer, like us. Right, Aether?
Aether: Right.
Esmeralda: I see. Still...
Paimon: So, what do you think of the stuff around here?
Esmeralda: Oh, right! Let me take a look.
You and Paimon stand guard while Esmeralda examines the controls.
Esmeralda: Interesting.
Paimon: What is it? What did you find? Can you make a Ruin Guard for me?
Esmeralda: There seems to be some kind of larger experimental automaton in this factory.
Paimon: Like a Ruin Grader?
Esmeralda: Seems like it. It'll probably be quite useful for research. Think you can take it down?
Paimon: We've defeated loads of Ruin Graders before! We've got this!
Esmeralda: Alright then. I'm activating the mechanism to release it. Get ready!
Fight the enhanced Ruin Grader.
You attack the Ruin Grader. However, it is constantly regenerating and cannot be destroyed.
Paimon: Why isn't it working? It keeps regenerating!
Esmeralda: This Grader is drawing power from the factory to repair itself. Give me some time to locate its source. Try not to die until then.
Paimon: Hurry!
Survive for 60 seconds.
Esmeralda: I've got it. See those electrical devices around the room? Overload them, and the Ruin Grader will lose its power source.
Destroy the three power sources.
Defeat the Ruin Grader.
Esmeralda: Phew. You're really good at this.
Paimon: That's right! We've defeated Fatui, giant dragons, and even a god!
Esmeralda: A god? Impressive. Well, I know who to ask if I need help in the future.
Aether: Paimon is exaggerating.
Paimon: I mean, we did drop the Jade Chamber on Osial. That put it down, right?
Esmeralda: You did what?
Paimon: Well... It's kind of a long story.
Esmeralda: I'll have to ask you about it next time. For now, though, I consider my commission complete. Here's something for your help. See you next time!
Quest complete.
Optional: Speak to Esmeralda. (repeatable)
Esmeralda: (Esmeralda appears deep in thought, analyzing the control panel)
Esmeralda: Oh, you're still here, Traveler. Do you have a question?
Option 1: What's your plan now?
Esmeralda: Well, I'm definitely going to stay here for the time being. It'll take me weeks or months to puzzle out the inner workings of all the machines here.
Paimon: What about the Treasure Hoarders? Isn't it dangerous to stay so far from Liyue Harbor?
Esmeralda: The factory itself is armed. I'll likely be setting up some guards and traps here soon. So if you want to come to visit me, please do enter from the back.
Paimon: I thought you couldn't control the Ruin Guards? How are you going to use them as guards?
Esmeralda: I can't. The factory might, however, and worst case scenario, I just put a bunch of Ruin Guards between them and me, and lock the door.
Esmeralda: So remember, back door! Unless you want to want to fight your way through a bunch of traps and Ruin Guards.
Option 2: Can you get the factory running again?
Esmeralda: Unfortunately, no.
Paimon: Aww... Paimon wants a Ruin Guard.
Esmeralda: Like I keep saying, Paimon, it's not so easy. The factory has suffered too much damage from both man and time.
Esmeralda: It's simply impossible for me - or anyone else, really - to bring it back to how it was originally. Still, it's not completely destroyed.
Esmeralda: Many Ruin Guards lay dormant around it, and several basic systems still work. It'll definitely help with my research and maintenance on Daisy.
Paimon: Dormant? Does that mean-
Esmeralda: If you want a Ruin Gaurd that won't immediately smash you into pulp, come back in 20 years.
Paimon: Aww...
Option 3: About Daisy...
Esmeralda: Daisy is the most advanced of its kind. Definitely an improvement over the automatons in the wild.
Esmeralda: In a duel, she can definitely win against any other Ruin Guard or Hunter. I try to avoid that kind of thing, though, because it's going to be difficult for me to repair her, especially if something major breaks.
Esmeralda: Still, Daisy is only capable of responding to commands for now. Someday, I'll find a way to make her sentient, so that she can think for herself.
Esmeralda: Wouldn't that be nice? Finally, I'll be able to... No, never mind, it's nothing.
Option 4: About the factory:
Esmeralda: A factory designed to create Ruin Guards! It's a dream come true!
Esmeralda: The technology here could give me so many answers. The source of their power, their decision-making algorithms, how they coordinate and communicate, and maybe even how to finally control them.
Esmeralda: Who knows, maybe I'll even be able to set up communications with other factories like this one! Wouldn't that be amazing?
Esmeralda: Imagine the insight we could gain if we ever find a research facility! Oh, the possibilities!
Esmeralda: Ok, enough fantasizing. I need to get to work.
Option 5: No, there's nothing else.
Esmeralda: Alright. Bye then. Let me work in peace.
Leave the domain.
