Diluc/Venti

DiluVen is a pairing in the Genshin Impact fandom. In canon they are acquaintances who work together toward a common goal, while in fandom they are sometimes shipped romantically. 
 
== Canon ==
Diluc Ragnvindr is the heir to the prestigious Ragnvindr Clan of Mondstadt. As such, he is the current owner of both the Angel's Share Tavern and the Dawn Winery. Because of his lineage and the control he holds over Mondstadt's beloved wine industry, he is regarded as the "Uncrowned King of Mondstadt" by many of its people. However, Diluc works in the tavern infrequently, spending more time working from the shadows as a vigilante, eliminating anything that threatens the safety and well being of Mondstadt and its citizens. 
Meanwhile, Venti is known as the "most popular bard in Teyvat" to many. A select number know the truth behind his identity — Venti is the Anemo Archon and God of Freedom, Barbatos, living among his people in secret. Diluc is one of few who know Venti's true identity.
In canon, Diluc and Venti meet for the first time after Venti cajoles the Traveler and Paimon into helping him steal the Holy Lyre der Himmel from Mondstadt's cathedral. It is needed to quell Stormterror's attacks on the city. As the three of them run from the Knights of Favonius, Venti, Traveler, and Paimon take refuge in the Angel's Share where they run into Diluc. While this is the first time the player encounters Diluc and Venti together, their dialogue in the following scenes implies they have an established level of familiarity. 
 
Even with the Knights of Favonius in pursuit, Diluc does not rat out Venti or the Traveler, instead asking them if and why they stole the Holy Lyre. After consulting Jean, Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius and one of Diluc's childhood friends, Diluc joins Venti and the Traveler on their quest to cure the corruption within Stormterror. 
Outside of the Prelude Archon Quests, Diluc and Venti aren't often spotted together. Diluc does, however, make a small cameo in Venti's story quest, Carmen Dei Part 1. During the party at the end of Jean's story quest, Diluc admits to keeping track of Venti's "alarming pace of progress through [Diluc's] wine," so that he can present him with a bill when the party is over. Paimon calls Diluc a "meanie" for this to which Diluc smiled and explained it was only a joke; Venti will not have to pay the bill. This is notable because Diluc rarely smiles. In her voice lines, Klee says, "He's one of the weird grownups. He's so grump all the time... Why does he never smile?" Similarly, Barbara mentions in her voice lines that "Last time, when I was performing at Angel's Share, he kept frowning."
==Fandom==
The first fic on Archive of our Own featuring DiluVen was published on 12 October, 2020. As of 1 April, 2023, there are 930 fics tagged Diluc/Venti. As characters introduced during Genshin Impact's Prologue, fans have been creating Diluc/Venti works since the early days of the game's launch. 
As is common within the Genshin Impact fandom, the order of the character's names in the ship's nickname or tag holds deeper meaning among some DiluVen fans. While not ubiquitous, some fervently believe that ship names (for example DiluVen versus VenLuc) determine the characterization and personalities of the individual characters. Most of the fan events about Diluc/Venti have subscribed to this belief, barring works which do not fit the "Diluc/Venti" archetype. 
 
===Fan Commentary===
===Common Tropes and Fanon===
====Reincarnation====
Due to Venti's status as an immortal god — it is worth noting, immortality in Genshin Impact doesn't adhere to the same rules as the definition typically implies — reincarnation is a common trope. This can take different forms. In some depictions by fans, Diluc is reincarnated in the future after his death in the current timeline. In other's, the Diluc of the current timeline himself is a reincarnation of either the Red-Haired Warrior or Ragnvindr the Dawn Knight. The Red-Haired Warrior was in league with Venti — then just a wisp — and the Nameless Bard during Decarabian's reign and eventual downfall; Approximately 1000 years later, Ragnvindr the Dawn Knight befriended Venessa eventually joining her rebellion. Together with Venti, they overthrew Mondstadt's tyrannical aristocratic government of the day. The Ragnvindr clan, including Diluc, are descended from Ragnvindr the Dawn Knight. It is heavily implied that Ragnvindr and the Ragnvindr clan are also descended from the Red-Haired Warrior. These connections between Diluc and important people of Venti and Mondstadt's past are one of the reasons why reincarnation is a popular Diluc/Venti trope.
==== Sunshine/Grumpy (Opposites Attract) ====
==== Trans Venti and/or Diluc ====
==== Asexual Spectrum/Demisexual Diluc ====
==== Immortal/Mortal ====
==== Parenthood ====
==== Broke/Rich ====
==== The "Wedding" Weapon Series: ====
During patches 1.4 Invitation of Windblume and 3.5 Windblume's Breath, an event exclusive weapon was available as rewards for completing event quests and mini games. These weapons were Windblume Ode (bow) and Mailed Flower (claymore) respectively. Windblume Ode is considered one of Venti's best free-to-play bows, and Mailed Flower is a good free-to-play option for Diluc. Among fans, these weapons have jokingly been referred to as DiluVen wedding weapons or simply as the DiluVen weapons for several reasons. The bow, while a good fit for Venti, is more like Diluc's aesthetics. Similarly, the claymore is a good fit for Diluc but is styled like Venti's aesthetic. The claymore is also styled with lamp grass and cecillias. Lamp grass being Diluc's ascension material and cecillias being Venti's ascension material. Additionally, the Windblume Ode's description features lore about Diluc's ancestors, the origins of his clan, and what they stand for. 
File:Screen Shot 2023-04-28 at 1.32.35 PM.png|alt=Official announcement of Windblume Ode (bow) on Twitter|Windblume Ode
File:Screen Shot 2023-04-28 at 1.32.17 PM.png|alt=Official twitter announcement for Mailed Flower (claymore)|Mailed Flower
*
==Example Fanworks==
===Fanfic===
*speak low if you speak love by waterleveldropping is an example of asexual spectrum Diluc.
*by your side by whimscott is an example of Diluc/Venti and the reincarnation trope.
===Fanart===
Diluc carrying Venti bridal style is a commonly utilized trope by fan artists. Other common tropes are similar to those found in other types of fanworks including trans Venti and/or Diluc, sunshine/grumpy, divine date, and parenthood.
File:Junoliberty tumblr diluven divine date example art.jpg|alt=Diluc is kneeling before Venti. Venti is wearing his archon outfit and has angel-like wings. Diluc expression is reverent.|Example of DiluVen and the divine date trope by junoliberty on tumblr.Source
File:Sweep my off my feet clemaqti twitter diluven example fanart.jpg|alt=Diluc is holding Venti bridal style. They are kissing passionately.|Example of Diluc carrying Venti bridal style by clemaqti on Twitter.view on twitter
File:Dlvn weapon fan art example.jpg|alt=Diluc holds windblume ode (bow) and Venti holds mailed flower (claymore). Venti appears to be tying flowers onto the claymore while Diluc looks on with fondness.|Diluc and Venti featuring the "wedding" weapon series by burquillos via tumblr.View on tumblr 
===Zines===
File:Shards of memories zine cover diluven zine itch.io.jpg|Shards of Memories: DiluVen Zine 2022 on itch.io.view on twitter
===Memes===
File:Diluven knight and maiden meme by frogboy38618514.jpg|alt=A knight uses his shield and cape to shield a maiden from a crowd. In this meme, Venti's wings and cape make up the knight's sheild and cape, and Diluc is the maiden.|by Bee on Twitterhttps://twitter.com/frogboy38618514/status/1635678134770204672
File:DiluVen meme sunshine grumpy dynamic via tumblr.jpeg|alt=an edit of a meme from Facebook comments featuring Diluc and Venti from Genshin Impact. It features Diluc posting an updated profile picture to which Venti comments "a smile might be good". Diluc replies with "nothing to smile about in my life."|An example of the grumpy/sunshine (opposites attract) dynamic that is popular with Diluc/Venti fans.view on tumblr
===Other Fanworks===
* 🔥🍃;; of the fire who loves the wind, and the god who fell in love with a mortal a fanmix by shekaos
* diluven 🍷 a fanmix by michaelmagma with a detailed explanation on tumblr
===Meta===
== Fan Events ==
=== DiluVen Week (May 2021) ===
=== DiluVen Week (December 2021) ===
=== DiluVen Big Bang (2021) ===
The DiluVen Big Bang was announced by @DiluVenWeek on Twitter on 26 July, 2021 and ran from 30 July, 2021 to 30 December, 2021. The works are hosted in a collection on Achive of our Own moderated by Cho_ranch. As with other events run by @DiluVenWeek, the big bang barred the use of VenLuc or other representations of DiluVen's ship name.
==Archives and Communities==
* Diluc/Venti (Genshin Impact) tag on AO3
==Other Fannish Resources==
==References==
Category:Genshin Impact Relationships
Category:Boys' Love Pairings
Category:Slash Pairings
Category:Yaoi Pairings