Genshin "Arlecchino" Peruere: Analysis of "The Song Burning in the Embers"

At nearly this same time last year, we welcomed the release of "The Song Burning in the Embers," the personal animated short of "The Knave" Arlecchino. To this day, this short film remains vividly etched in my memory, and our "The Knave"-Peruere "Arlecchino"-will soon be rerun during Versions 5.7 to 6.0. I am certain both new and veteran Travelers eagerly anticipate this. Why not join me in revisiting Arlecchino's story through this cinematic narrative!

Arlecchino The Song Burning in the Embers

The Song Burning in the Embers primarily depicts Arlecchino's rebellion against the former "The Knave" and subsequent usurpation of the position. The animation opens by illustrating the cruel "rules of growth" within the erstwhile House of the Hearth through a fairy-tale framework-this orphanage, which trained and supplied soldiers and spies for Snezhnaya, incessantly brainwashed and forced gifted children to fight one another, ultimately selecting the strongest and most loyal child to become the so-called "King." To put it bluntly, it was akin to "breeding venomous insects in a pot."

The past sins of the House of the Hearth certainly extend beyond what has been mentioned. If you have been following the subtext lore within the game, you would know:

The appearance of the previous-generation "The Knave" is also formally revealed in the animation. From the introductory captions of the animation, her true name can be seen as "Cruscabena." The children in the orphanage would reverently address her as "Mother."

"Cruscabena" may etymologically derive from a reversed derivation of "Ceridwen" in "Pseudo-Gaulish" terms. Ceridwen is a witch proficient in brewing magical potions from medieval Welsh legends (belonging to Celtic mythology). She had a beautiful daughter named Creirwy-this being the prototype of "Croiwei" (where "Clervie" is the Gallicized spelling of Creirwy).

While other children were listening to "Mother's" teachings, little Arlecchino was an "outsider." A child reported to "Mother" that she was performing a burial rite for her dead spider. Here we finally learn Arlecchino's true name, "Peruere," and Cruscabena believed Peruere's disobedience might indicate the "curse" was acting up again. She thus sent "Clervie" to find her.

Regrettably, the animation still does not explicitly explain the source of Arlecchino's formidable power, merely mentioning it as a type of "curse." Based on previous inferences drawn from in-game materials, this power should be related to the curse associated with the Fire of Two Realms inherited from Khaenri'ah and the power of the Crimson Moon. Furthermore, attentive viewers may notice the detail in the animation showing dark abnormalities spreading across little Arlecchino's hand.

On one hand, this reveals that Arlecchino's current near-complete corruption of both arms was not caused overnight; on the other hand, it seems to suggest that this curse is linked to changes in one's inner state? The mention of little Arlecchino keeping spiders as pets here also forms a parallel with the terrifying spider-like skeletal wings that unfurled behind her when she unleashed her power.

Of course, I believe there is another key point this segment of the story aims to convey: The fact that little Arlecchino solemnly buried her small pet demonstrates she was a child with a tender heart and profound empathy. This sowed the seeds for her future break with "Mother."

The adorable pink-haired girl Clervie was little Arlecchino-that is, Peruere's-best friend. They were constant companions throughout their growth, leaving behind many unforgettable and heartwarming memories.

However, as children of the House of the Hearth, all warmth and sweet dreams ultimately come to an end in the cold grip of reality-"The Selection of the King" has commenced.

This scene of Clervie receiving treatment for her injuries reveals an unbelievably harsh truth: Clervie was not some orphan at all; she was in fact the biological daughter of the orphanage's director, Cruscabena (their identical hair color serving as an additional hint). Her injuries here resulted from a fierce quarrel with her mother (which also reaffirms that the former "The Knave" was indeed a stone-cold madwoman).

The scene transitions once more. She, who had once smiled and made a pact to "go see the auroras in Snezhnaya together when we grow up," now lay growing cold in her arms... Clervie became a sacrifice of "The Selection," falling beneath the sword of her dearest friend. Yet in her final moments, she softly said to Peruere, "Thank you." (The kind-hearted Clervie likely could not bring herself to fight her childhood companion to the death, and had grown weary of the endless nights devoid of hope, thus deliberately seeking death to pave Peruere's way to becoming "King.")

Under the overcast sky, icy rain fell. A subsequent montage of bleak and unsettling scenes implied that all other children of the same cohort as Peruere and Clervie had been ruthlessly eliminated in this battle royale-esque "Selection."

Clervie's death finally shattered Peruere's last thread of restraint. Unable to endure any longer, she resolved to challenge the unquestionable "Mother." Beneath the cold moonlight, Peruere arrived with her sword drawn. Cruscabena seemed to have anticipated the arrival of this "rebellious" child long ago, even declaring without shame, "I should have pruned this flower long ago, not waited till it wilts... How grotesque..."

What followed was an extended sequence of spectacular duel animation. Cruscabena initially gained the upper hand (though her actual strength appeared inferior to Peruere's). She intermittently taunted Peruere, provoking her into rash attacks before delivering a treacherous blow-directly striking Peruere down with a Hydro-Pyro Vaporize reaction.

Amidst adversity, the wounded Peruere saw the Lumidouce Bell blooming by the wall. Memories surging within granted her strength, guiding her to rise once more.

Here we observe the dark abnormalities on Peruere's arm spreading with visible intensity, signaling the intensification of the "curse" and further liberation of her power. This explains why Peruere, originally at a disadvantage, suddenly manifested overwhelming strength.

Cruscabena continued spouting delusions to Peruere-"Let your 'Mother' guide you, and you shall become the one true 'King'"-to which Peruere responded only with "You are unworthy." Thereafter, the tides of battle reversed, shifting into a one-sided domination by Peruere. The mad "Mother" was ultimately defeated by her "child."

As a subordinate killing her superior, Harbinger, this was undoubtedly a grave crime. Imprisoned within the jail cell, Peruere silently awaited the Tsaritsa's impending judgment. She gazed upon the vibrant auroras dancing across Snezhnaya's night sky beyond the iron bars-yet the one who had promised to witness this splendor alongside her was no longer here...

What transpired next we have long known. Peruere, who slew the former "The Knave," was not punished by the Cryo Archon. On the contrary, she received pardon, inherited the title of "The Knave" (Arlecchino), and ascended to become the new Harbinger and head of the House of the Hearth.

Though nominally attributed to "Her Majesty's decree," one senses the true decision-maker among the Fatui was none other than the venerable Pierro. Particularly if Peruere's power indeed stems from the Crimson Moon and Khaenri'ah's inherited secret rites, Pierro-himself a remnant retainer of Khaenri'ah-would assuredly have lobbied the Tsaritsa to preserve Peruere's life.

In the final scene of the animation, Peruere-now the new head of the House of the Hearth-adopts a homeless child wandering in the wilderness, telling him, "Come with me. I will raise you as my child. Like a strict and unfeeling 'Father."

The first animated short of Genshin Impact was an immediate success upon release. The short film won praise for its smooth animation and gripping storyline, sparking widespread discussion with its high viewership. It also revealed for the first time the past of Arlecchino and the deeper reasons behind her being called "Father."

Beyond its impressive online performance, the officially launched “Song of the Ashes” themed merchandise series has also been enthusiastically embraced by players, with the rabbit plush featured in the animation becoming a best-selling item.

Let’s check out all the amazing merchandise!

This plush appears in the animated short — the pink one represents Clervie, while the white one symbolizes Arlecchino. In the story, the two characters support each other and form a deep bond of friendship. The plush not only faithfully recreates their in-game appearance but also captures this heartfelt connection across dimensions, offering a delicate tribute to the emotional core of the original story.

In addition to the Alchonno and Clervie Plushies, there is also an Alchonno backpack designed based on her appearance in the animation, which is very cute as well.

Classic scenes from the animation have also been captured in the form of badges and bookmarks.

In truth, the animation clarifies Peruere's desire for children to address her as "Father," an honorific that may initially seem peculiar: Compared to that hypocritical "loving mother" who feigned affection while callously exploiting children as pawns beneath her veneer of warmth, Peruere chooses to embody a strict yet inwardly tender "father"-one who teaches children independence and resilience to survive. These two generations of "The Knave" stand as contrasting inversions in both demeanor and ideology. Choosing the title "Father" serves as a form of self-admonishment for Peruere.

why is arlecchino called father?

Under Peruere's leadership, the House of the Hearth underwent profound reforms. The malicious practices enacted by the former "The Knave" were abolished (as later revealed in the Fontaine's Fontaine Research Institute's investigations, Peruere seems to be rooting out remnants still loyal to the previous regime). She is both revered and deeply relied upon as "Father" in the children's eyes, who now genuinely experience the warmth of a "home" and "family."

This context is best understood through the Lyney siblings' backstory. Regarding Lynette's voice-over commentary, I believe it conveys the children's most sincere sentiments toward this "strict Father"-

"How 'Father' expresses love... well, not everyone can accept it."

"But it is only because of 'Father' that home... can be called home."

This concludes all our analysis of "The Song Burning in the Embers," the animated short for The Knave. I wonder if this has helped Travelers newly acquainted with Arlecchino to gain greater insight into The Knave Arlecchino? Admittedly, I trust Arlecchino's story has long been carved into the hearts of most Travelers. Don't miss more analysis articles and merchandise related to Genshin Impact