The Shadows Deepen

The Shadows Deepen is the second quest of the Shadows Amidst Snowstorms Event.
==Steps==
# Head for Albedo's campsite
# Follow the source of the voice
# Return to Albedo's camp
# Wait until nighttime (18:00 – 06:00 the next day)
# Speak to Albedo
# Light the bonfire
# Talk to everyone
#* This step occurs automatically.
# Go to the painting spot
#* Steps 4 to 8 need to be repeated if the Traveler performs other tasks and the time exceeds 18:00 – 06:00.
#* The time cannot be manually adjusted during this step.
# Start painting
# Talk to everyone
# Head beneath the cliff to look for your companions
# Look for Albedo (0/2)
#* The fallen rocks have formed a haphazard pile. Try looking for Albedo amongst them.
# Talk to everyone
# Descend the mountain with Albedo
# Talk to everyone
# Talk to Eula
# Defeat all opponents
#* Defeat the Fellflower
# Speak with Albedo
# Return to the adventurer camp
==Dialogue==
;(Upon login)
: Paimon: The time has come! Let's go meet Albedo at the camp!
;(Approach the campsite)
: Paimon: Albedo, we're here!
: Albedo: Traveler, Paimon.
: How is your investigation going?
: Albedo: ...Your faces say that, perhaps, you haven't turned up anything?
: Paimon: We investigated all over the mountain, actually. But we didn't see anyone that looked like you, or hear of anyone else meeting you...
: Albedo: This is not unexpected. I haven't made much progress, either. He appears to know that we are looking for him, and has opted to lie low for the time being.
:: (Or maybe he has always operated discreetly.)
: Albedo: Still, there is one thing I found. I discovered footprints on some parts of the mountain, and although they were a little covered by the snow, I could tell they had been left by someone of a similar size to myself.
: Albedo: The footprints were quite numerous, so I believe my next step will be to rule out each of the adventurers active on Dragonspine one by one...
: Paimon: We can help with that. We have plenty of contact with the adventurers.
: Paimon: So now we...
;(Some noise occurs in the background)
: Paimon: Aaaah! What was that!?
: Albedo: It came from that direction.
: Paimon: Could it be the impostor?
: Let's go check it out.
: Paimon: Yes, let's hurry!
----
;(Approach the source of the voice)
: Paimon: Rocks? Ah! And what are these boars also doing here!?
;(Approach the rock pile)
: Paimon: Hey, did you see that? Did those rocks shake just now?
: Eula: Phew. That was most unfortunate.
: Paimon: What are you guys doing here!?
: I'd assume it was some sort of bad luck.
: Amber: I have to agree. We've been wandering this area for days...
: Bennett: We ran into Pallad earlier. You know, the, uh... kind of a reckless sort of guy? You know the one? Anyway, he said he was unlucky, so I gave him some adventuring survival tips...
: Eula: After that, he disappeared to rejoin the training camp.
: Paimon: Wait, wait, wait... are you saying that after all this time, you still haven't made it back to the base camp?
: Amber: Haha... Well, as you can see...
: Bennett: It was nothing, really. We just hit a few landslides and snowdrifts, and took a few downhill tumbles, you know the deal.
: Albedo: They sound like unforgettable life events to me.
: Eula: Anyway... You're correct, we haven't made it to the base camp yet. We have had extraordinarily poor luck over the last few days, almost as if a sinister force has been trying to thwart our every move.
: Eula: Fortunately, I made advance arrangements for Gerald to remain in a safe location and conduct some basic physical training exercises.
: Bennett: I'm sorry... I'm the one to blame for all this. I've always had bad luck and it always rubs off on everyone around me...
: Bennett: Sorry to create so much extra trouble for everyone... *sigh*.
: Bennett: I don't know what to say... Maybe this is the awesome power of fate — the scary kind, I mean.
: Don't say that.
: It has nothing to do with fate.
: Albedo: I agree.
: I am not scared to be around you.
: Paimon: Yep, we're just used to it now! Besides, it's not like we have the most amazing luck ourselves...
: Bennett: Really? I think you guys have way better luck than I do!
: Paimon: Well... what can we do about that? Oh, Paimon knows, how about Paimon shares some of her luck with you!
: Amber: You're welcome to a bit of mine, too! Although, if the last few days are anything to go by, it seems in pretty short supply at the moment...
: Take some of mine, too.
: Bennett: ...You guys...
: Bennett: Aww... Thanks. With a little luck from everyone combined, we'll make it down this mountain for sure!
: Amber: Yeah, you bet!
: Bennett: Let me flip a Treasure Hoarder Insignia to test it out... Alright! It's tails, the opposite of what I guessed!
: Paimon: So you can predict your fortune this way? But why are you so happy that you got it wrong?
: Bennett: It has two sides, so there is a 50-50 chance of me getting it correct.
: Bennett: Luck all comes down to probability, too. So as long as I use up all the bad luck, everything else will go smoothly!
: Bennett: Guessing wrong when I flip an insignia is one way to use up some of the bad luck. So the probability of having some good luck in the near future just got a little higher.
: ...
: Paimon: Hey, he's making no sense at all... why aren't you calling him out!?
: Come on, he isn't you.
: I'm actually polite to most people.
: Bennett: Guys, I guessed wrong in my insignia flip, which means we should be able to make it back to camp!
: Paimon: Paimon's not sure that's how it works.
: Bennett: Lemme try. It's this way, right?
: Bennett: Whoa!!! Ouch... Ow, my butt!... What is this shard of ice doing here!
: Albedo: How truly miraculous... This is a miracle of misfortune.
: Eula: I don't usually believe in luck, but Bennett makes the best case for it I've ever seen.
: Eula: Amber, if you are ever required to partner with Bennett in your future work and you encounter anything like this again, do not take any rash action. Wait for me and I will come to support you.
: Amber: Huh? Y—Yes, of course...
: Everyone must be exhausted...
: Amber: Now that you mention it, I do feel a little tired... Trekking in the mountains has a way of wearing you out.
: Albedo: Since everyone is tired, why not take a rest in my camp?
: Paimon: Paimon's so sleepy... A nice bowl of hot soup and a good sleep would sure be welcome right now...
: Amber: Yawn... Suddenly I'm kinda sleepy, too...
: Eula: Amber will fall asleep in the snow if we keep going much longer... Come on, let's move! We shall head to Albedo's camp and get some rest, take stock of our supplies, and decide how to get off this mountain.
----
;(Return to Albedo's camp)
: Albedo: Here we are. Make yourselves comfortable.
: Albedo: Oh... I forgot, I don't have that many chairs. Please wait a moment.
: Paimon: What's he doing? Painting?
: Amber: He is!
: Eula: He is painting a chair... Wait, alchemy can turn paintings into objects!? How is this possible?
: Albedo: My paintings are like blueprints — alchemy simply enables me to omit the manufacturing part of the process. It's an elementary-level technique.
: Albedo: With enough research and experimentation, this same technique can even be used to create living beings.
: Bennett: Whoa... Well, since you can magically produce chairs, can I have one with a backrest?
: I'll have a stool.
: Albedo: No problem. How many of you want backrests?
: Bennett: Me!
: Amber: Me! Me!
: Eula: ...I'll also take one with a backrest, if you please.
: Paimon: Can Paimon have a chair that comes with a juicer?
: A whole chair is way too big for you, surely?
: Paimon: Still beats squeezing onto a stool with you! Hmph!
:
: Bennett: Cool, we have chairs now! Haha, this is so comfortable! Makes me want to stay the night here!
: Albedo: You're very welcome to stay overnight, if you wish.
: Albedo: There's still some time before dinner. Get some rest, everyone. I'll tend the stove.
: Amber: Hey now, we can't be letting you do all the work! I can help, please, put me to work!
;(Talk to Albedo)
: Albedo: Pace yourself, dinner could be a while... I still have a few things to prepare.
:;(Talk to Albedo between 18:00 and 06:00 the next day)
:: When will dinner be?
::: Albedo: It's almost ready now. Traveler, please light the campfire and gather everyone for dinner.
::;(Continue to next section)
: About the paint...
:: Albedo: I hadn't expected you to be so interested in paint.
:: Albedo: I once tried grinding Mist Flowers into powder and mixing it with white paint to replicate the sparkle of snowflakes.
:: Albedo: The end result was quite satisfactory. But works that use this kind of paint need to be stored carefully.
:: Albedo: If you want to try it for yourself, I can help you.
:;(Dialogue returns to option selection)
: About Dragonspine...
:: Albedo: Even now, I don't believe I have fully grasped the nature of the threat that Dragonspine poses.
:: Albedo: But I will endeavor to keep you safe. That much you can trust in.
:;(Dialogue returns to option selection)
: How are you holding up?
:: Albedo: Hah. I wish I could simply respond with, "I'm fine."
:: Albedo: But you are a true friend to me, so I should be honest with you.
:: Albedo: Recently, certain questions have been occupying my mind... questions about the nature of life, and creation.
:: Albedo: However, I feel that rushing into a discussion with you on these topics before my ideas on them are fully formulated will bring you far more confusion than clarity.
:: Albedo: So I will wait till my thoughts are clear in my own head before I share them with you. Until then, please forgive me.
:;(Dialogue returns to option selection)
: About what happened today...
:: Albedo: Don't worry about it. A chance like this to gather around the fire and chat into the night is a rare and precious one for me.
:: Albedo: I won't participate in the conversation much. It's just a habit of mine.
:: Albedo: But please know that I am enjoying the atmosphere all the same.
:: Albedo: Of course, I'm happy to continue chatting with you if you'd like.
:;(Dialogue returns to option selection)
: I'll leave you in peace.
:: Albedo: This is my camp, but let's not get bogged down in technicalities. I want you to be able to relax and make yourself at home here.
;(Talk to Bennett)
: Bennett: I wonder if there's anything I can do to help out... ?
: About the rookie...
:: Bennett: Oh, you mean Gerald? I heard that Eula developed a whole training program for him.
:: Bennett: He might be new, but I bet he'll improve pretty quickly with a mentor like that.
:;(Dialogue returns to option selection)
: About Dragonspine...
:: Bennett: *sigh* I feel bad, it's hard knowing that I've been causing so much trouble for everyone.
:: Bennett: Being a little unlucky is usually no big deal for me. But in a place like this, it makes me worry that something really bad might come of it...
:: Bennett: No, wait, I shouldn't have said that. I might have actually jinxed it now.
:;(Dialogue returns to option selection)
: How are you holding up?
:: Bennett: Haha, you know me, same old Bennett... unlucky as ever.
:: Bennett: But as long as bad luck doesn't break me, I'll always get back up again.
:: Bennett: Especially on a cool adventure like this one. I gotta make the most of it!
:;(Dialogue returns to option selection)
: About what happened today...
:: Bennett: Hehe, sorry for dragging you guys into another situation.
:: Bennett: I didn't use to know any of these knights very well, but after spending some time with them on this trip, it's really opened my eyes to my own shortcomings.
:: Bennett: They're all so talented and kind. I have a lot to learn from them.
:: Bennett: Oh yeah — you gotta tell me sometime how you managed to make friends with so many talented people!
:;(Dialogue returns to option selection)
: I'll leave you in peace.
:: Bennett: Okay, cool. Make sure you eat plenty when dinner's ready.
;(Talk to Amber)
: Amber: It's so nice and warm here...
: About Joel...
:: Amber: Joel's been doing pretty good. Having people to play with has put him in a good mood.
:: Amber: I'll tell you what though, he seems to have even more stamina than me!
:: Amber: So long as they're playing, kids always seem to have endless amounts of energy.
:;(Dialogue returns to option selection)
: About Dragonspine...
:: Amber: It's more dangerous up here than I thought.
:: Amber: In a hostile environment like this, even a knight of Favonius has to keep their eyes open and keep their wits about them at all times.
:: Amber: Still, this has been a pretty unique adventure for me. It's definitely been worth it.
:;(Dialogue returns to option selection)
: How are you holding up?
:: Amber: You know, when I was keeping Joel company, I started missing my grandfather really bad...
:: Amber: After he disappeared, I never saw him again. I have no idea how he's doing.
:: Amber: But at least what I can do is focus on being a great Outrider! If I can do that well, I know he'd be proud.
:;(Dialogue returns to option selection)
: About what happened today...
:: Amber: Oh, all that? Ah, don't worry about it.
:: Amber: Eula is a good person. She might not show it, but she'd never let that kind of stuff get to her.
:: Amber: As for Bennett, he seems like the kind of guy who can keep his spirits up when things aren't going well.
:: Amber: I feel bad for having to ask so much of Albedo, though...
:: Amber: Still, it's kinda nice to have everyone together like this, so... yay for silver linings.
:;(Dialogue returns to option selection)
: I'll leave you in peace.
:: Amber: Sure thing. Bet you're tired as well? You should get some rest, too.
;(Talk to Eula)
: Eula: This is quite cozy... for Dragonspine, I'm pleasantly surprised.
: About the snowman...
:: Eula: I gave it a try, and I actually quite enjoyed it.
:: Eula: ...
:: Eula: But Amber said the snowman I made was too artistic... apparently, the conventional style is more rotund in appearance.
:: Eula: I couldn't tell if she was complimenting me or mocking me. Either way, I'm not about to let it go.
:;(Dialogue returns to option selection)
: About Dragonspine...
:: Eula: I'm quite familiar with Dragonspine by now.
:: Eula: But this time, I have a newcomer to worry about, and I am traveling in a group with Amber and the others. Not things I'm terribly well accustomed to.
:: Eula: Still, I've taken the job, so of course I'll do what's asked of me to the fullest of my ability. I'll settle this score once this is all over.
:;(Dialogue returns to option selection)
: How are you holding up?
:: Eula: Me? I'm coping perfectly well. I don't need looking after.
:: Eula: You should talk to Amber and Bennett. They're not as well acquainted with Dragonspine as I am.
:: Eula: Seeing how much you can find to talk about even with Albedo, you must be quite the conversationalist. So put that skill to good use — teach them all how to survive on Dragonspine. I'm sure this is well within your capability, no?
:;(Dialogue returns to option selection)
: About what happened today...
:: Eula: If you're talking about Bennett's situation, I think I'm used to it now. It's hardly the end of the world.
:: Eula: Don't ruminate on it. Take this chance to get some proper rest. The nights are long on Dragonspine.
:: Eula: ...
:: Eula: *sigh* A glass of ice-cold wine would not go amiss right now.
:;(Dialogue returns to option selection)
: I'll leave you in peace.
:: Eula: Don't mind me. Just do whatever you like.
----
;(Light the bonfire)
: Paimon: Yay, dinner's ready!
: Paimon: Food's ready, everyone! Come on, let's eat!
: Albedo: I made a few dishes based on some popular Mondstadt recipes. This is no Good Hunter, but there should be enough to go around.
: Albedo: Please, help yourselves.
: Bennett: Wow, smells great! Don't mind if I do!
: Eula: Wait, don't steal all the fried vegetables. Leave some for me! ...Hey!
:
: Paimon: Ah... Paimon's full. What a great meal!
: Bennett: Albedo, you're too modest. These dishes are as good as anything you'd find in a top restaurant. Are all alchemists so good at cooking?
: Eula: You may be onto something there.
: Paimon: Right? Paimon thinks so, too! It's his lab manner that gives it away — the kind of guy who holds a potion bottle as steady as a rock isn't the kind of guy who's gonna be slapdash with his salt and pepper.
: Amber: Actually, that makes a lot of sense!
: Bennett: I'm so sleepy after all that food... zzz...
: Amber: Did Bennett fall asleep sitting up? He must be totally wiped out.
: It's been a tough few days.
: Eula: The way he's sleeping is so... alert. I'm impressed.
: Bennett: Zzz... zzz...
: Paimon: He seems to be in a deep sleep. Paimon wonders if he sleep talks?
: Bennett: Ugh... Ugh, no dad, no apples for me... I want Sticky Honey Roast and Fisherman's Toast...
: Eula: Sticky Honey Roast... That's your favorite, isn't it, Amber?
: Amber: Hmm, sure is! Give me a Sticky Honey Roast from Good Hunter any day!
: Amber: I used to take Eula to Good Hunter a lot back when we first met. Before long, Sara would start cooking our usual orders as soon as she saw us coming.
: Amber: She said we ordered the same things so often that it was practically muscle memory by that point! Haha.
: Amber: She also said that if everyone in Mondstadt ordered like we do, her job would be so much easier. All she'd have to do is to memorize everyone's favorites...
: Eula: Ahem!
: Paimon: Always eating together... Aw, it's nice that you two are so close.
: Paimon: and Paimon always eat together, too. It's a sure sign of true friendship!
: Eula: Two people simply sharing a meal says nothing either way about the relationship between them.
: Albedo: That depends if it's a one-off meal or a regular occurrence.
: He's not wrong.
: Paimon: Aha! Paimon just noticed something! Whenever Eula doesn't want to admit to something, she raises her chin or puts her hands on her hips.
: Eula: ...Hmph.
: Amber: Ah, you've all picked up on that. Didn't know Eula's tells were so easy to spot.
: Eula: We are done here, yes? I am free to go, am I not?
: Eula: Please excuse me. I have a frozen lake I need to be at.
: Amber: You're going for an ice bath at this time of the night? W—Wait up, don't go without me!
: Eula: I thought you wanted to get some sleep? So maybe you should stay here and rest.
: Amber: No, I should come with you. It's late, and it's dark, and you're not good with directions like I am. Come on, let's go together.
: Paimon: An ice bath...? Whew, rather them than Paimon.
: Bennett: Zzz... so much... roast meat... zzz...
: Bennett: Oh... hey dad... I'm doing alright... I'm the leader of my own adventure team now... Zzz...
: Paimon: Wow, Bennett really is a sleep talker.
: Paimon: Okay, looks like we got some downtime now!
: Albedo: Alright you two, time to paint.
: Prepare to be amazed.
: Time for me to show what I can do.
: Albedo: Have you decided what to paint?
: Paimon: Heh, like you even need to ask! It's obviously going to be Paimon.
: ...Okay. Paimon it is.
: Albedo: Sure. But we should move elsewhere. We're likely to disturb Bennett's sleep if we stay here, so let's go outside.
: Paimon: Okie-dokie! Alright, grab your easel, paper, brushes, and paints, don't leave anything behind!
;(Talk to sleeping Bennett)
: Bennett: Zzz... zzz...
: Observe Bennett.
:: Observe Bennett.: Bennett is sleeping soundly with his eyes tightly shut...
: Listen to Bennett's sleep talking.
:: Bennett: Huh... Hey! Paimon, no, don't touch that!
:: Paimon: ...What the heck?
:: Bennett: Don't touch that mechanism! Or you'll... fall down... ugh, oh well, never mind...
:: ...
:: Paimon: Ahhhh! What the heck is this guy dreaming about!
----
;(Approach the painting spot)
: Albedo: Let's paint here.
: Paimon: Allow Paimon to adopt an elegant pose for your artistic reference!
: Huh?
: Paimon: Hey! What's that look for? Cut the attitude and start putting your perfect Paimon down on the page! You'd better take this seriously, 'cause this is going on Paimon's wall!
: Alright then.
: I'll humor Paimon.
: Albedo: Confidence is a good thing. Those to whom it is endowed do well to flaunt it. I'm looking forward to the finished piece.
;(Start painting)
: Paimon: Alright. Let's start with the head! Now, , in your mind's eye, what is written on Paimon's face?
: "Paimon's all out of brain juice"...
: "Paimon's peeved"...
: Dopey but adorable...
: Paimon: Huh? Is that how Paimon really looks to you? Huh...
: Paimon: Okay forget it, we can come back to that. Let's move onto the body! C'mon! Paint what you see when you look at Paimon!
: Top-quality emergency food...
: A top-tier flying pet...
: Paimon: Ugh... Paimon's starting to feel like this is not going to turn out so great... Now Paimon's getting nervous...
: Done.
: Paimon: Lemme see, let Paimon see...
: Paimon: Aah! What is this!?
: Not bad, right? I'm pretty happy with it.
: Paimon: Why, you... how could... Huh. Paimon is lost for words! The brushwork is smooth and the composition seems professional-quality — you had no problems there, so what the heck happened with the face, huh!? Explain that stupid expression! Explain it!
: Albedo: ...Smooth... Professional-quality...?
: Paimon: And those eyes! Those boring, lifeless eyes! Where is the soul!!!
: Albedo: Traveler, have you previously received any education in the fine arts?
: ...Very, very little...
:: Paimon: Oh, really? So it's just a hobby then? Well that sure explains a lot! There's no way you would have made Paimon look like this if you'd had any amount of formal training.
:: I was just trying to convey how special you are.
: No, but... art comes from the heart, so...
:: Paimon: What? You pour your heart on the page, and THIS is what comes out!?
:: I just wanted to convey how special you are.
:: Paimon: "Special"? Huh... You seriously think "special" is supposed to look this ugly? Paimon's not convinced... but Paimon is struggling to come up with a .
: Albedo: Fascinating.
: Albedo: Paimon, if this is not to your liking, I can make a few amendments. Traveler, what do you think?
: Please. And thank you.
:
:Albedo: ...
: Albedo: Alright then.
: Albedo: Paimon, is this better?
: Paimon: It's... It's...
: Paimon: It's a total ground-up overhaul, that's what it is! It's soooo pretty... is that really what Paimon looks like...?
: Albedo: Adding flourish to the finished piece is an essential component of what makes art, art.
: Albedo: This is not to say that you differ from the painting on a fundamental level. Rather, that the real you and the you in the painting present two different styles of beauty.
: Albedo: You remain the core reference point for the painting. So, Paimon, you can put your misgivings aside and hang this painting wherever you like.
: Now I see the gap in our painting talents.
: This was my trial by fire as an artist.
: Paimon: Wow... Thanks, Albedo!
: Albedo: I merely added a flourish here and there. You should be thanking the Traveler.
: Albedo: (In truth, "ground-up overhaul" is more or less an accurate description.)
: Paimon: The more Paimon looks at it, the more she likes it... Hehe, great! Paimon has a portrait painting!
: Paimon: Paimon's gonna show this off to everyone!
: Paimon looks so happy. Thank you.
: Albedo: It's nothing. I can paint you next time, if you'd like. You can hang it in your home as a souvenir.
: Albedo: I rarely entertain so many guests at my camp. It's lively — a little noisy, even. But I don't dislike it.
: Albedo: Liveliness is a rare thing here on Dragonspine.
:
----
: Paimon: It's a new day. Let's go meet up with everyone.
;(Examine Paimon's portrait)
:You examine the picture...: (This artwork is, to the last stroke, one made with extreme aesthetic sense. Paimon looks elegant and dignified, and she wears an enigmatic but romantic smile, her upturned lips displaying a vast brilliance beyond human ken. Very pretty, of course, but this isn't the Paimon you know at all...)
;(Approach the group)
: Bennett: Hey! Good morning!
: Amber: I slept great last night! How about you guys? All rested up?
: Eula: I'm fine, as usual.
: I slept pretty well, too.
: Albedo: The path down the mountain is easier to follow in the daylight. Let's take this chance to head down to the base camp.
: Paimon: Let's go! If we make good time, maybe we can all get lunch together.
;(A cutscene plays)
:: Bennett: I flipped another insignia just outside the camp. Wrong again!
:: Amber: So your bad luck is all used up. We'll be down the mountain in no time!
:: Bennett: Yeah! My thoughts exactly, today's the day!
:;(A rock lands at Albedo's feet, Albedo looks up to see a snowslide.)
:: Albedo: Oh no!
:: Albedo: Avalanche!
:: Bennett: Look out!
;(Cutscene ends)
: Amber: Traveler, Paimon! Are you alright? Are you hurt?
: Paimon: Uh, Paimon's fine...
: I'm okay. You?
: Amber: Phew... That's good... My arm got a little scratched up, but it's nothing serious.
: Eula, how about you?
: Eula: I'm okay. But I don't see the other two. I'm afraid... the avalanche may have pushed them off the cliff.
: Paimon: They fell down!? Th—They'll be okay, though, right...?
: Eula: I think they're both robust enough to survive the fall. But if the falling debris knocked them unconscious, and they're lying there in the freezing cold...
: Eula: We have to get down there and rescue them, immediately.
: Amber: Okay, let's move!
: Paimon: Hang in there, guys...
----
;(Approach the bottom of the cliff)
: Paimon: Bennett!
: Amber: Bennett, are you okay!? Shout if you can hear me! Bennett!
: ???: ...Ugh...
: Eula: A voice — over there!
: Paimon: Bennett, is that you!?
: Bennett: Guys... I'm over here...
: Paimon: Are you alright? Are you hurt?
: Bennett: I—I... lemme check...
: Bennett: Hmm... I'm a little dizzy, but I'm not in any pain... I don't think I'm injured.
: Amber: Thank goodness... scared the life out of me.
: Eula: If you're dizzy, sit and rest for a while.
: Bennett: Ah, it's fine, really. This kind of thing happens all the time, I'll be fine. Thank you.
: Bennett: Oh, wait, where's Albedo? Isn't he with you guys?
: Paimon: We thought he fell off the cliff with you... He still hasn't shown up...
: Eula: We've found Bennett here, so Albedo can't be far away. Keep searching this area.
: Amber: Got it!
;(Break one rock pile)
: Paimon: Albedo!
: Paimon: Hmm... no response. Are we definitely looking in the right place?
;(Break the other rock pile)
: Paimon: He's not here either. Hmm... Let's check in with the others.
;(Approach the group)
: Amber: Well? Any sign of him?
: Eula: Not a trace.
: Bennett: Nothing from me, either.
: Paimon: Strange, we didn't have any luck, either... Where could he have gone...?
: Albedo: ...Everyone.
: Paimon: Ah! Albedo!? Are... are you okay?
: You're not hurt?
: Albedo: Nothing serious.
: Eula: Okay. Everyone accounted for.
: Bennett: Guys, I—I think... it's gotta be because of me. The avalanche only happened because I'm here.
: Bennett: I guess flipping a Treasure Hoarder Insignia isn't gonna change my luck after all... No wonder no one wants to go adventuring with me. *sigh*
: Bennett: I'm so sorry!
: Eula: Don't say that. I'm hardly the lucky type myself, so I'm not about to go blaming every little thing that goes wrong on you.
: Amber: Exactly! Besides, Dragonspine is a dangerous place. Avalanches literally come with the territory. Bad luck has nothing to do with it, okay?
: (...Was that really an accident?)
: Amber: Traveler, what's wrong?
: Paimon: Your face looks... *gasp* Oh no! Did you get hit on the head!?
: No, I'm fine.
: Paimon: Phew...
: Albedo: Everyone, the incident is behind us now. We should keep moving.
: Eula: Why do I feel that Dragonspine has become more dangerous than it used to be... I hope it's just my imagination...
: Eula: Our top priority now is to get off the mountain and regroup with the adventurers. Whatever further dangers this mountain has to throw at us, we must face them together.
: Amber: Agreed. Guys, keep your eyes peeled and watch your step. Careful does it.
;(Approach the base of the mountain)
: Amber: Whew! We've been heading in the right direction for a good length of time now — we must be getting close, I can feel it!
: Paimon: Victory is in sight, hooray!
: Paimon: As soon as we get to base camp, Paimon wants a bowl of hot soup and some barbecued meat!
: Bennett: I hope we can all get there safely. No more incidents, please...
:: (...)
:: (Weird things have been happening this whole trip... Something feels wrong, but what is it...?)
: Paimon: Hey, , what's on your mind? You seem a little distracted.
: Nothing, it's just...
: With some things, I don't know where to begin.
: Paimon: Something's up, isn't it? Uhh... are you hungry? Cold? Shall Paimon hug your head to warm you up?
: Thanks, but I'm alright, Paimon.
: Amber: I don't think I've spent so much time on Dragonspine before. It sure is cold, but the view is amazing! Isn't it, Eula?
: Eula: ...
: Amber: Eula?
: Eula: Sorry, I wasn't listening. What did you say?
: Amber: I was just thinking — whenever I've met up with you at Dragonspine in the past, we always stick to the same few spots. It's much more vast and beautiful here than I realized.
: Amber: If it were a little warmer and a little safer, I bet this place would be bustling with visitors.
:: (Something seemed to grab Eula's attention. Does she sense that something's off, too?)
: Eula: I agree... People are put off by the cold and have an aversion to danger. They don't realize that there is much to explore beneath the icy exterior, if you are willing to spend the time and energy.
: Eula: Albedo, is this the way down?
: Albedo: Yes.
: Bennett: I think there are several routes in this area, hmm, does the path fork off here? It looks like it does... hmm, but maybe it doesn't... my head's still a little fuzzy from the impact...
: Amber: I'm kind of dizzy, too. I keep thinking things are swaying a little... Maybe I'm just hungry?
: Albedo: Either path will work for us. The smaller trail is less worn and harder to see, but it's also shorter. Since everyone is weary, I suggest we take the shortcut.
: Albedo: Follow me.
: ...
:
: Eula: Wait.
: Eula: Bennett and Amber don't look well. Can we take a break? We can continue once their conditions have improved.
: Bennett: Ugh... Now that you mention it...
: Amber: Huh? I...
: Eula: You hit your head earlier, didn't you?
: Amber: Oh, y—you noticed. Hehe... Are you sure it's worth holding everyone up over a little thing like this?
: Paimon: No problem at all, health and safety always come first!
: Take a break, both of you.
: Amber: Okay... Sorry for this. Thank you.
: Bennett: Yeah... thank you.
: Albedo: ...
: ...
----
;(Talk to Bennett and Amber)
: Bennett: Drinking some water can help with the dizziness! Oh, and uh, lying flat on your back helps too.
: Amber: Thank you, Bennett. Seems like you really know your stuff!
: Bennett: Haha... Well, when life gives you lemons...
: Eula: Bennett, weren't you feeling dizzy too? Stop pushing yourselves, both of you. Get some rest, we'll continue when you've gathered your energy.
: Amber: Pfft...
: Amber: Eula might come off as a little frosty, but she takes caring for her friends super seriously, more than anyone else I know. Every time I see that look on her face, I'm just like... Aah! Stop staring at me!
;(Talk to Eula)
: Eula: Traveler, I know what that look means. What's on your mind?
: ...I have a bad feeling about this.
: It's like something bad's about to happen.
: Eula: Maybe seasoned veterans have an instinct for it.
: Eula: I sense it too. Something seems to have changed, but I can't confirm for sure... it could be difficult to verify.
:: (What could it be...)
: Eula: It might be... imprudent to speculate out loud. But I believe you know what I am referring to.
:: (...)
: Albedo: ...
: Eula: Traveler, I think...
:: (...!?)
: Eula: You...
: Watch out!
;(A cutscene plays)
:;(Albedo attempts to create a Cryo Solar Isotoma but gets stabbed through the chest by another Albedo.)
::Paimon: Albedo!? What's...
::Albedo: It's not over yet
;(Cutscene ends)
: Albedo: Brace yourselves. This will be a challenge.
: Eula: Stay back. I'm going to cut this weed down to size!
;(Defeat the Fellflower)
: Albedo: ...Hmph.
: Paimon: What in the world was that thing!? One moment it was human, the next it was a plant...
: Albedo: Is everyone alright?
: Amber: We're fine. But can you please tell us what's going on? I—I don't understand...
: Eula: I take it this monster is whom I had the pleasure of meeting last time.
: Albedo: Correct.
: Albedo: As you might have guessed, this is a mutated whopperflower. An extremely rare kind.
: Paimon: But can whopperflowers turn into humans?
: Albedo: Not typically. But conditions on Dragonspine are far from typical.
: Albedo: Perhaps the dragon's blood seeped into the land, then was passed to the monsters via the ley lines, accelerating their rate of mutation.
: Bennett: How could that happen!?
: Albedo: This mountain is home to the remains of Durin, the venomous dragon. If there is anywhere in the world one might expect life to do unfathomable things, it would most likely be here.
: Albedo: Durin was an artificially created life form. Its existence is nothing short of a miracle, and proof of countless possibilities.
: Albedo: In other words, this mountain we stand on is a cradle of life's profoundest mysteries... A vast and terrifying hotbed of possibilities.
: Eula: The avalanche... it must have been the work of this impostor.
: I think so, too.
: Albedo: Agreed. All the other troubles you faced on the way down could also have been its handiwork. My guess is that it was targeting everyone that I've had contact with.
: Did this whopperflower steal your alchemy notes, too?
: Amber: Right! I forgot all about that!
: Albedo: It's not inconceivable.
: Amber: But... what was its purpose? Was it just trying to get rid of us?
: Albedo: ...
: Albedo: I have a preliminary hypothesis on this.
: Albedo: Whopperflowers are masters of mimicry, and those we encounter in the wild often appear in the vicinity of the plants they impersonate.
: Albedo: In other words, the whopperflower likely has an instinct to "replicate and replace."
: Albedo: As a plant, it will disguise itself as another plant and infiltrate the group, hiding among them for cover. The plant being imitated has no way to detect or fight back against this behavior.
: Albedo: But when it disguises itself as a human...
: Paimon: It wanted to replace you and infiltrate our group?
: Albedo: Yes. Maybe it created the avalanche to get rid of us. I predicted this eventuality, so I availed myself of the avalanche to hide and lure it out.
: Albedo: It was watching us the whole time, and when it saw that I had disappeared, its instinct was to take my place. At that point, its disguise was complete and its next move was to hunt its prey.
: Amber: Yes, that's exactly how whopperflowers operate.
: Eula: So when it approached and attacked Joel... what was that? A trial run?
: Albedo: Perhaps... Or maybe it enjoyed posing as a human and wanted to experience what it felt like to be human.
: Eula: We're fortunate to have discovered it in time. I think the Traveler was the first person other than Albedo to notice something was wrong.
: Eula, you were very perceptive too.
: Albedo: Traveler, how could you tell the real me and my impostor apart?
: Bennett: I wanna know, too! I had no idea the other guy was an impostor... They looked exactly the same to me.
: The impostor didn't have a star-shaped mark on its neck.
: Albedo: I see...
: Albedo: It goes to show how difficult it is to impersonate a human. This mutant whopperflower tried its best to replicate the original exactly, but still managed to miss some details.
: Amber: Unbelievable... to think that Dragonspine creates such terrifying possibilities...
:: (A whopperflower... it adds up, but a piece of the puzzle is still missing...)
:: (...Was this the same one we met on the day we were chasing the thief? It didn't feel quite the same... Could the whopperflower's mutation be unstable?)
: Bennett: Anyway, at least we won in the end. It looks like my method did work after all — I used up all the bad luck, and the good luck finally came through!
: Albedo: About that...
: Albedo: If you're referring to having fallen down the mountain and avoided injury, well, that's because I was secretly protecting you.
: Bennett: Huh? Uhh... well that still counts as good luck to me!
: Albedo: Haha, yes, that's not an unreasonable way of looking at it.
: Albedo: Okay. We've been delayed long enough. Time to move on.
: Paimon: Yeah, let's go!
: Albedo: ...
----
;(Approach the camp)
: Bennett: Woohoo! I'm back!
: Amber: Cyrus doesn't seem to be here... He must have headed up the mountain. Let's wait for him here.
: Eula: Amber, are you feeling better?
: Amber: Yep! All good now. Nothing to worry about.
: Bennett: I don't know what I'd do without you guys... if not for you, I'd probably still be locked up in that cage...
: Bennett: I really wanna thank you all properly, but I can't think how at the moment...
: Paimon: Huh? You must be pretty used to being on the receiving end of people's kindness by now, though, surely? You probably need it often enough given your... situation, hehe.
: Bennett: *sigh* ...Come on, don't put it like that.
: Bennett: Sure, plenty of people have shown me kindness before. But that doesn't mean I will ever take it for granted. No matter how many times people help me out in life, I will never forget any of them.
: Albedo: Well, instead of repaying those who helped you, perhaps you could help others yourself? Everyone meets others in need from time to time. By choosing to be there for them, you're passing the kindness you received onto others.
: Bennett: Yep, you're right. That's what I've always tried to do and will always continue to do.
: Bennett: Hahaha, right! And when Cyrus gets back, I'll find some way to help him out, too!
: Eula: Phew... This has been quite an eventful day.
: Amber: Yeah, it has! It's really hit me how tired I am now that I've started to relax...
: Eula: I need to rest. Everyone, please excuse me for a while.
: Amber: Yeah, I need to get some water and maybe a piece of fruit. Once I'm rested up, I need to get back to being an instructor again...
: Paimon: Phew, well it looks like the curse of the mountaineers who couldn't get off the mountain is finally broken.
: Paimon: Feels like an action-packed chapter has come to a close. Shall we find somewhere to rest and chat, too?
: Albedo: Why not. Then, please come with me.
: (Knew he had something to say to me...)
: Albedo: You sensed something too, didn't you? Then let's go.
: Paimon: Huh? Are you going back to your camp again? Paimon thought maybe we could talk here?
: Come on, Paimon.
: Paimon: Ugh, okay... might as well come with you...
: Albedo: Good. Shall we set off right away?
: Sure.
:
: Albedo: Sorry for bringing you back here once again. Some topics are best discussed in private.
: Paimon: Is this about the impostor?
: Albedo: That's right.
: Albedo: I have to say, Traveler... I'm very surprised you noticed the difference between me and the impostor.
: Do you mean the mark on your neck...?
: Albedo: Yes. This mark... perhaps it's where it all began.
: Paimon: Ooh! Sounds like the beginning of a big story, keep going!
: Albedo: Well, I can't deny that what I'm about to say does sound like something from a children's storybook.
: Albedo: So, what do you think this diamond-shaped mark means?
: Paimon: Uh... A tattoo? A crest? ...Something else?
: A scar?
: Albedo: No. Consider it... a birthmark.
: Albedo: Have you ever seen an intricate glass ornament and wondered how it was made? Well, one method for crafting with glass is a technique known as "glassblowing."
: Albedo: Glassblowing is not a widely known art in Teyvat. For this reason, glassware made in this way is usually very expensive.
: Albedo: As the name implies, glassblowing involves blowing air into a hole, much like blowing up a balloon.
: Albedo: This type of glassware is known for having a "pontil mark" at the point where the blowpipe was inserted, where the hole was sealed at the very end. This mark is a sign that the item was crafted by a human hand.
: Paimon: Sounds kind of amazing.
: Albedo: It is a wondrous and beautiful art form. Alice says that these marks are seen as proof of the maker's fine handiwork, the only flaw in an otherwise perfect work of art.
: Albedo: My mark is something similar to this.
: Albedo: The difference between synthetic and natural life lies in the directional flow of the life force.
: Albedo: The energy of a natural life form flows out from within. That's why flower buds bloom and curled leaves unfold. It is the very reason we watch in wonder at blossoming flowers.
: Albedo: Creating life artificially, on the other hand, involves — to a certain extent — the introduction of an external source of energy into the embryonic life form. When the hole where the life force was infused is sealed at the end, it leaves a mark not dissimilar to the pontil mark in blown glass wares.
: Albedo: The alchemical substance drips and spreads out in all directions, resulting in this rather ingenious diamond shape.
: Paimon: Wow, so that's where it came from...
: Albedo: This mark is a sign of my artificial origins, and proof of my imperfection as a human.
: Albedo: I presume that the impostor intentionally avoided replicating this mark, so as not to become less than perfect himself.
: ...
:: Should you be telling me all this?
: Albedo: You are fundamentally different from other people. I have few qualms about sharing my secrets with you.
: Albedo: Just as Paimon said, it all sounds like a story. Even if you were to tell anyone else, they would regard it as nothing more than a tall tale.
: Albedo: The transcendent and miraculous are not the only things to which human beings aspire. They pursue the everyday, the ordinary, to a far greater extent than I would have ever imagined.
: Hence the notion of "otherness."
: Albedo: People like to believe that those who are thoroughly different from themselves could only ever exist in stories. It makes things much easier.
: Albedo: Or in other words, all the unfathomable things we have seen recently would make good material for a novel.
: Albedo: I have friends who write novels. If they wrote this story, it would probably be even more complex.
: Paimon: Making up stories is easy. Even Paimon can do that!
: Albedo: Oh? I didn't know you had that kind of talent.
: Paimon: Hehehe, Paimon's the best guide in Teyvat. Making up stories is a piece of cake.
: Albedo: In that case, how about we have a storytelling contest?
: Albedo: We can base our stories on the events of the last few days.
: Paimon: Sounds great! But we still have to help out the Adventurers' Guild...
: Albedo: I understand. Creativity is something that cannot be rushed. Take your time, and come back when you have found some inspiration.
: Albedo: We'll see whose story is more compelling.
: Paimon: Deal!
: Paimon: Okay, we'll regroup with the Adventurers' Guild for now!
: Albedo: Sure.
;(A cutscene plays)
:;(A snowflake lands in Albedo's hand)
::Albedo: My story...
::Albedo: Yes
::Albedo: I should have known
:;(Albedo looks up into the sky)
::Albedo: Master's failed specimen in the dragon's belly
::Albedo: This
::Albedo: Is where the story truly begins
:;(Albedo closes his eyes)
::Albedo: If we switched places...
::Albedo: If you were the survivor...
::Albedo: Then, as the abandoned experiment
::Albedo: The failure of the Primordial Human Project...
:;(Albedo looks up to see the false Albedo staring at him from a faraway cliff)
::Albedo: I'd wanna replace you too
::Albedo: I would replicate your appearance
::Albedo: Study your alchemy
::Albedo: And create miraculous lifeforms
:;(Albedo draws out his Cinnabar Spindle and walks forth)
::Albedo: To divert your attention
::Albedo: I would wait for the right moment
::Albedo: Then dispose of you and the Traveler
::Albedo: The sole person to have known your secret
:;(A Snow Weasel walks into Albedo's footsteps)
::Albedo: And then...
::Albedo: I could finally experience the joy
::Albedo: Of being brought into the world
;(Cutscene ends)
===After the Quest===
;(Talk to Amber, Eula, and Joel at the Adventurer Camp)
: Amber: Hahaha, it's been ages since I've built a snowman — it's so fun! Still a little cold, though... Brrr... My fingers are numb...
: Eula: Amber, if the cold is getting to you, there's always hot soup back at the camp. Take a rest if you need one. Don't put too much pressure on yourself.
: Joel: So Amber really feels the cold, huh... but Aunty Eula, it doesn't seem to affect you at all.
: Eula: Maybe it's because of our different capabilities. Elemental energy is... Ahem, sorry, not something you need to know about in any great detail. Simply put, it's because we have different abilities.
: Amber: Yeah, harnessing the cold is definitely her specialty. In fact — in summertime, just standing next to her cools me down!
: Joel: Huh... c—capability? I didn't really get it, but... never mind. I like snowmen too.
: Joel: I, uh... really wish my dad could see them...
==Soundtracks==
==Trivia==
* The Traveler's painting of Paimon will change depending on the combination of dialogue options selected while making the painting.
==Gallery==
Portrait - Paimon's out of brain juice - Top tier emengency food.png| "Paimon's all out of brain juice"+"Top-quality emergency food"
Portrait - Paimon's out of brain juice - Flying pet.png| "Paimon's all out of brain juice"+"Top-tier flying pet"
Portrait - Paimon's peeved - Top tier emergency food.png| "Paimon's peeved"+"Top-quality emergency food"
Portrait - Paimon's peeved - Flying pet.png| "Paimon's peeved"+"Top-tier flying pet"
Portrait - Dopey but adorable - Top tier emergency food.png| "Dopey but adorable"+"Top-quality emergency food"
Portrait - Dopey but adorable - Flying pet.png| "Dopey but adorable"+"Top-tier flying pet"
Portrait - Fixed.png| Portrait with improvements by Albedo
==Other Languages==
==Change History==
pt-br:Nas Sombras
ru:Тени сгущаются
ja:暗然たる影