Awakened Esmeralda: Character Sheet
A/N: This chapter is a little special. Because of how much Esmeralda has changed over the past few chapters, I feel that the original character sheet I gave her is now outdated. So, here's a new one. Think of this as Dan Heng Imbibitor Lunae from Star Rail.
Name: Esmeralda, Cardinal Ameliorator
Rarity: 5 star
Weapon: Catalyst
Vision: Geo
Sex: Female
Birthday: 30 Jan
Constellation: Vitae Cyberus
Nation: None
Affiliation: None
Titles: Researcher of the Fontaine Research Institute
Profile
Description:
Having recovered from her wounds, Esmeralda is ready to continue her adventures. With new technology, she is more perceptive, faster to adapt, and stronger than before, and so is Daisy, ever by her side.
Appearance:
Still a teen female with fox ears and a tail, Esmeralda has acquired and adapted technology to improve her personal combat abilities. Her attire has changed into a more combat-suitable one. She has changed her old dress to a deep blue and red bodysuit with neon green and white highlights. It is made of tough, metallic fabric that allows for free movement while offering decent protection.
With her eyes ruined, Esmeralda has created an advanced visor to regain her sight. It is made of golden metal and wraps around her head. She has mechanical gloves on her hands that increase her strength, as well as provide other utility. Her Vision is embedded at the side of her visor.
Daisy has also gained significant improvements. She is still comprised of a heavily armored main spherical body and a pair of large arms with overall silver, brown, and orange coloring. Her left arm has additional armored plating as well as a collapsible shield, while her Vision rests on the back of her right hand. A triangular frame floats behind her.
Personality:
With the loss and subsequent reconstruction of her eyes, Esmeralda is more confident in her own abilities. She is one of the greatest and most knowledgeable in the field of automatons and will not hesitate to use her skills. With Daisy's approval, she has also become more independent and capable of defending herself. She aims to prevent another incident like the one that took her eyes by training her body as well as her mind.
Esmeralda is polite and more outgoing than before, but more cautious with strangers. She is less emotional and more mechanical than before, reacting calmly to challenges and less angered when disturbed. Although some find that latter favorable, one cannot help but worry if she is becoming too much like the machines that she studies.
Outfit: Circuit Veil Ensemble
Combat
Awakened Esmeralda can swap between two distinct combat forms by using her charged attack.
Human Form:
Normal Attack: System Warning
Perform up to three consecutive attacks, dealing Geo DMG.
Charged Attack: Automaton Unleashed
Switch to Architect Form and gain a Hydro Shield.
Plunging Attack: System Warning
Gathering the might of Geo, Esmeralda plunges towards the ground from mid-air, damaging all opponents in her path. Deals AoE Geo DMG upon impact with the ground.
Elemental Skill: Summon Reinforcements, 12s CD
Summon a random Ruin Sentinel into combat, dealing AoE Geo DMG on entry. The Sentinel is targetable by enemies and will automatically attack nearby enemies. It lasts for up to 15s or until it is defeated. While Esmeralda is off-field and in Human Form, and this ability is ready, tapping her portrait will cast this ability instead of swapping her in. Up to 1 Sentinel can be active at once. Hold the button to determine the landing point.
Elemental Burst: Artillery Bombardment, 25s CD
Enter Aerial Targeting mode for up to 10s. During this time, select up to five areas for Legacy to bombard. While Aerial Targeting mode is active, all stage timers are paused, enemies cannot act, and no other actions can be taken. Upon exiting this mode, Legacy deals massive AoE Geo DMG at the selected locations. While Esmeralda is off-field, in Human Form, has full energy, and this ability is ready, holding her portrait will cast this ability instead of swapping her in.
Architect Form:
Normal Attack: Tidal Slash
Perform up to four consecutive elemental blade strikes, dealing Hydro DMG.
Charged Attack: Might of Humanity
Swap to Human Form, dealing AoE Geo and Hydro DMG.
Plunging Attack: Tidal Slash
Gathering the might of Hydro, Daisy plunges towards the ground from mid-air, damaging all opponents in its path. Deals AoE Physical DMG upon impact with the ground.
Elemental Skill: Binding Spear, 12s CD
Throw a spear at the enemy, pinning it in place, and dealing Hydro DMG. A Water Barrier is created around the target. It cannot be passed through, blocks projectiles, deals Hydro DMG to enemies within, and lasts 5s. Hold the button to aim this ability.
Elemental Burst: Sweeping Torrent, 15s CD
Create a field of torrential waves around Daisy, lasting 15s. Enemies within are slowed, pulled to the center, take constant Hydro DMG, and have their all Elemental RES reduced. Allies standing within gain resistance to interruption, additional Elemental Mastery, and restore health continuously.
Combat Talent 1: Neurolink
Upon entering combat, enter the Neurolink state. In this state, a Neurolink HUD is displayed. It highlights nearby enemies, their weak spots, the area of effect of their abilities, as well as certain additional information such as their current health and resistance of the closest enemy. The HUD will be displayed even if Awakened Esmeralda is not on the field and lasts until combat is over. It can be toggled on/off.
Combat Talent 2: Elements United
Awakened Esmeralda's abilities will all benefit from Physical, Hydro, and Geo DMG boosting effects regardless of the damage type dealt. Her attacks' elements cannot be overridden in any way. Human Form and Architect Form share the same Health; neither can be used if either is defeated.
Passive Talent: Mechanical Insight
When an automation-type enemy is defeated while Awakened Esmeralda is in the party, the drop rate of materials is increased. Boss materials are not included. Elemental sight can be used to assist in certain mechanical puzzles.
Constellation
1: Target Protocol
Awakened Esmeralda gains 25% Phy and all Elemental RES Penetration against the nearest enemy.
2: Support Protocol
The cooldown of Summon Reinforcements is reduced by 1 second whenever a summoned Sentinel deals DMG. The maximum number of active Sentinels is increased to 2. Binding Spear gains an additional charge.
3: Aid Protocol
Increases the Levels of Summon Reinforcements and Binding Spear by 3. Maximum upgrade level is 15.
4: Defence Protocol
Using an Elemental Skill or Burst while in human mode grants all active characters a shield. Whenever this shield takes DMG, gain 1 Charge. After using Sweeping Torrent, all Charges are consumed to immediately restore health and energy for all party members.
5: Combat Protocol
Increases the Levels of Artillery Bombardment and Sweeping Torrent by 3. Maximum upgrade level is 15.
6: Rescue Protocol
While Awakened Esmeralda is not on the field and the active character takes lethal damage, the damage is prevented. Awakened Esmeralda also immediately takes the field in Architect Form, deals AoE Hydro DMG, and regains full energy. This effect can trigger every 300s.
Special ascension stat: CRIT Rate
Stories
Character details:
So, it's me, Esmeralda. Something about myself? Well, I was born and raised in Sumeru, but I left to explore and research certain topics. Mechanisms and artificial life are the main foci of my studies. My goal is to master the technology behind creation and one day construct something truly wondrous.
Yes, that explains the big robot behind me. Her name is Daisy, and she is sapient. How she came to be, in her current form, is a long story that involves quite a bit of luck. She is my greatest success and my best friend, but I cannot replicate the miracle that gave her life.
What else? My outfit is also a technological masterpiece. With Chiori's help, it's designed to look nice while providing both mobility and strength. See these boots? They can temporarily overcharge to release a burst of energy that allows me to jump way higher than normal. There are also other functions, but I think I'll keep them secret for now.
Why are you still so worried about Daisy? She won't hurt you... unless you do something really stupid, like attack me. Don't worry about her.
Character story 1:
Mondstadt holds a special place in my heart. I made a lot of friends there: you, Daisy, Ariel, Sucrose, Amber... It feels nice and safe there.
Unfortunately, it's not very helpful for research. There are very few ruins around there, and the peaceful nature in part stems from the lack of Ruin Machines. It was a good starting point, but no more.
So yes, while Mondstadt still holds a place in my heart - it was where I met Daisy, and you, after all - but I had to move on. Remember how I was planning to go after a Ruin Hunter when we first met? It was a good thing you received my commission, or I would have left for Liyue. We would never have met and I would never have found that factory. That would be... Suboptimal.
I don't regret meeting you, Aether. I think that it might have been one of the best things to ever happen to me.
Character story 2:
Liyue... That's where you showed me that old Ruin Factory and I took control of it. It was actually quite a miracle that I managed that. It's been so long now, and I've learned so much. Most do what I know about Khaenri'ah technology, actually.
Their power source, for one. Our Visions have their own divine sources of power to draw from, but they did not have such luxury. Instead, they turned to the extensive Leyline network. It has basically unlimited power, so an army that uses it could be practically infinite and eternal. It's this that originally powered Daisy, although now that she has a Vision, it's kind of unknown exactly how she's getting her energy.
There were a lot of spare parts in that factory. If it hadn't been shut down by the fall of Khaenri'ah, it could have kept producing Ruin Guards for a long time. Easily a few thousand more over a few months. The records also show that it was just one on many such factories. At its peak, the manufacturing capacity of the fallen nation must have been immense.
Character story 3:
Inazuma is a nation where lightning and energy fills the very air. If such power could be harnessed, it would allow the creation and use of machines unlike any other. After all, even though Leylines are infinite, there is only so much that can be extracted in a short time. Massive machines would need another source of power to operate.
Take the Mikage Furnace, for example. The sheer power it can output is incredible. It was used for the production of some special steel, if I recall, but it could be used for so much more. Even at limited output, it can sustain hundreds of Ruin Machines indefinitely. If it were to be unshackled and its full output released all at once... the amount of energy released... let me do some quick calculations... It could possibly destroy the entire island.
That's the kind of power needed to sustain a Ruin Golem.
Character story 4:
Sumeru is my homeland. However, apart from visiting my parents and friends, I don't think that I'll be returning there very often. The nation bans my research, and I simply cannot abide by it.
It was Lesser Lord Kusanali that informed me of the forbidden nature of my studies. She is the God of Wisdom, but... how can she decide that knowledge is forbidden? Shouldn't she encourage the creation of understanding of any kind? The secrets of technology and artificial life could change the world.
Safety? I guess some of this knowledge could be used to cause all kinds of chaos, but on the other hand, it could just as easily be used to help people. Knowledge itself is not inherently good or evil. It is those who wield it that fall into these categories.
Forbidden knowledge? There exists knowledge whose mere presence can corrupt the world? That's... concerning. As much as I'm curious about it, I don't think I want to be responsible for the end of the world. You'll tell me if I ever get close to that, right?
Character story 5:
Fontaine is known as the most technologically advanced nation in the world, and I can attest to that. Their Clockwork Meks and unique Pneumousia energy system have allowed them to create machines unlike any other. They are not, I believe, at the level of mastery of ancient Khaenri'ah, but they are far ahead of the other nations, perhaps save for Snezhnaya.
With that in mind, I sometimes wonder why I chose to start at Mondstadt instead of Fontaine. I guess that I heard Mondstadt would be safer. I didn't have my Vision when I set out, so that was probably it. Oh, and there was the whole incident at the Research Institute of Fontaine that blew it sky high - hearing of that definitely convinced me to go elsewhere.
Still, I don't regret starting out in Mondstadt. Maybe I got lucky, but I managed to mostly avoid most Treasure Hoarders and find some very interesting things to work on. There are few Ruin Machines in Fontaine, which means that the chances of me coming across a disabled Ruin Guard, Daisy's original form, would be even smaller. That was nothing short of a miracle - and so was meeting you.
Vision:
My Vision, yes. I've been using it less and less recently. Just like the ancient people of Khaenri'ah, I would prefer to rely on human science and technology - things I understand, instead of divine magic and blessings. After all, if it can be given, it can be taken away just as easily. Who's to say that I would be able to control my Vision forever and that it would remain safe and effective?
If my Vision were to cease functioning, I would not begin to be able to do any kind of troubleshooting or maintenance on it. It would be catastrophic if it were to fail while I relied on it too much.
In the end, my studies are on mechanisms - not the divine. Human ingenuity has carried us from ancient times into modern civilization, and I will keep working to ensure that we can face the future. Whatever the cost.
Daisy:
My name is Daisy. I am... many things. Above all I am Esmeralda's friend and ally, and my loyalty lies with her. I am her guardian, defending her against external threats.
Once, I was a Ruin Guard, but now I am much more. I am the combination of various styles of design - the ancient technology of Khaenri'ah, the mythical technology of the Adepti, the forgotten technology of the Scarlet King, and of course, the Vision that I now wield.
It is odd, sometimes, to think about what I truly am. I am not human. Yet am I just a machine? I can think and feel. I wield a Vision, a gift from the gods. It is odd - there is nothing I can compare this to, for there is nothing else like me. I do not have an answer, though perhaps I may in time.
Story Quotes
Hello: Hello. Wanna hang out?
Chat - Daisy: She's changed a lot, hasn't she? Full sapience - quite unexpected really. There's nothing else quite like her.
Chat - Eyes: My eyes are fine. You really need to stop worrying about it. It's better than fine, actually. I can see everything now.
Chat - Weariness: I've been feeling quite tired recently. Probably just me staying up too late. I should take a break, but there's still so much to do.
When It Rains: Best to stay indoors, I think.
When Thunder Strikes: I'm definitely staying indoors.
When It Snows: It's snowing... Nope, I'm staying inside.
When the Sun Is Out: Whew, it's hot out there.
Good Morning: Good morning, traveler... *Yawns* Five more minutes...
Good Afternoon: Hang on, I'm busy.
Good Evening: Thanks for waiting. So, what's the plan? Should we go somewhere?
Good Night: I should probably go to bed. Let me just get this device working first.
About Ariel: She's scary at first, but it's really more... passionate. She doesn't hold back and makes her view known directly. She also tests a few of my creations for me, mostly weapons - if they can survive in her hands, then they're perfectly fine.
About Amber: One of my old friends. She was willing to help me out when I was new to Mondstadt. She's cheerful and outgoing - not like me. I'd rather just focus on my machines.
About Hu Tao: The Funeral Parlor Director. Sometimes she creeps me out, but she is nice enough, and playful. I don't mind hanging out with her, but maybe not in the middle of the forest at midnight.
About Zhongli: Now that I think about it, the reason that Daisy had such a strong reaction to him when we met was that her old systems
About Cloud Retainer: Oh, that Adeptus. She's really, really good at her mechanisms. Some basic stuff is in Daisy, but if I wanted to truly master Adeptal technology, it would probably take a few hundred years - she probably took that long. I wonder if I could go find her again. Wait, she lives in Liyue Harbor now? Xianyun? Huh.
About Faruzan: Madam Faruzan was my old mentor before I left Sumeru. She taught me how to read the old text within the ruins - Khaenri'ah's language. It's safe to say that her teachings helped me significantly.
About Lesser Lord Kusanali: The wise Dendro Archon. I understand that she can see the potential dangers of my research, but I cannot abide with having it banned completely. I... I don't know... I don't agree with her decision, but she is the Dendro Archon...
About Navia: She's helpful. I don't know how, but she can get her hands on quite the variety of components for me. In exchange, I do some technical work for her, which I find fair enough. Helps that she's nice, too.
About Charlotte: That journalist. I don't like her... never taking no for an answer. When she found out that I was accepted into the Institute without going through their usual tests, she pestered me all day for an interview. I had to lock myself in the workshop until she left - good thing I stay in there a lot anyway. Please tell her to stop.
About Esmeralda - Daisy: Daisy was initially my companion. I wanted her to keep me company and protect me while I was out in the wild. Now she has a personality and ambition of her own. I can't help but feel a little sad. If she chooses her own path, will I lose her?
About Esmeralda - Legacy: Legacy is not truly intelligent, unlike Daisy. It can recognize certain commands but has no initiative or ambition. It's as it was designed - a powerful weapon, nothing more. Perhaps one day I might be able to change that, but I still lack the knowledge to do so now.
About us - Friendship: You've been by my side all this time, Aether. From the start until now, you've helped me grow and learn. Thank you for everything, Aether. I... I... like you a lot.
About us - Puzzles: If you ever come across a complicated or interesting mechanism in your travels, maybe give me a call? I could help out, or just take a look at it.
More about Esmeralda - I: Sometimes I think back to my studies in the Academia before I left. The simple robotics and languages I was messing with then... It feels like I've come so far.
More about Esmeralda - II: I feel like I should take a few days off to just wander around and go adventuring, like what I was doing in Mondstadt before Daisy. Some of the puzzles I found in the ruins were truly challenging. They gave me a lot of insight on the thinking of Khaenri'ah's engineers.
More about Esmeralda - III: Am I still a Scholar? Or just a Researcher now? I guess in the end, such titles don't matter. As long as I can continue my work and advance my knowledge of machinery, it doesn't matter what they call me. What's important is my research.
More about Esmeralda - IV: There are many varieties of technology in the world. There's Khaenri'ah's Ruin Machines, King Deshret's technology, now Fontaine's Arkhe and clockwork systems, and doubtlessly more in the future. I will master them all, and create the grandest creation the world has ever seen.
More about Esmeralda - V: I know the story of Khaenri'ah's fall - some of it, at least. The greatest nation of humanity, shattered by the gods for their hubris. I won't make the same mistake. I'm just a single person, after all... the gods have no interest in me... I hope...
About the Vision: You know how I got the Vision. It was a lot more useful back then - now I use it less and less. I don't need it to connect with Daisy, and my equipment is powered by Leylines. It helps me manipulate Geo, but I don't even do that much.
Hobbies: Well, I did some gardening. Unlike with machines, I can't control the aspects of the plant and it's growth. It's strange... I kind of like it, though. Who knows how it'll end up.
Troubles: It's really hard to get knowledge about Khaenri'ah technology... They don't seem to have many robots in Fontaine. There are a lot of those Ruin Machines in Sumeru, but the Dendro Archon herself banned my research there. What a shame.
Favorite food: I like sweets. They're nice. Mmm... Do you have any?
Least favorite food: I don't like acidic food - like lemons, or pickled things. Fresh, sweet fruits are superior.
Receiving a gift I: Aw, thanks. You know exactly what I like, don't know you.
Receiving a gift II: Nice. I like it.
Receiving a gift III: Nope.
Birthday: Happy birthday! I made a little thing for you. Here, when you press this button, it'll send an emergency signal to me, and I'll be right there, no matter where you are. Just... don't hit it by accident.
Combat Quotes
Elemental Skill
(Esmeralda) Get them!
(Esmeralda) Reinforcements incoming.
(Daisy) Yield!
(Daisy) Come no closer!
Elemental Burst
(Esmeralda) Commencing bombardment.
(Esmeralda) Legacy, attack!
(Daisy) You are safe here.
(Daisy) Begone from my realm!
A/N: If you want to know what I took inspiration from, her skills (human form) are similar to Haxxor Bunny's from Honkai Impact 3rd.