Genshin Impact: Wriothesley and Neuvillette to come in update 4.1
HoYoverse has revealed that Genshin Impact update 4.1 will feature Wriothesley and Neuvillette as new playable characters. Both of them are tall males, so any husbando enjoyers in the fan base can start allocating their Primogems accordingly.
Wriothesley
Wriothesley has a bit of a goth look to him, but one that’s mixed with classic uniform elements. We don’t see his weapon on the released artwork, but he’s stated to be a Cryo character. He’s apparently a nobleman with the title of a duke and commands the Fortress of Meropide. Going by the accessories he has on his person – such as the handcuffs on his belt – this might be the prison of the Court of Fontaine.
Wriothesley looks a bit like Sampo from HoYoverse's Honkai: Star Rail.
HoYoverse
Here are the two official descriptions accompanying the announcement:
"Administrator of the Fortress of Meropide" – If Wriothesley needed a namecard, this would suffice. No foreword, and no epilogue. Just like that place of exiled convicts he's in charge of, standing there silently at the bottom of the sea. Despite its discretion, as a resting place for criminals, the Fortress of Meropide harbors a network of conflicting interests that would have a corrupting influence on many. But even if someone was bent on infiltrating this place, they'd soon be swallowed up like breadcrumbs in a bowl of soup. Some have lauded His Grace's aptitude for taking care of thorny problems. Hearing such praise, Wriothesley would simply lower his teacup... and pick up his newspaper. "You've got the wrong end of the stick. They just wanted somewhere to lead well-ordered lives, and I gave them the 'tranquility' they required."
"Navia, do you remember when I refused the title of 'Baron' bestowed upon me by the Palais Mermonia a few years back? Well, that's beside the point. Today, I finally met the Administrator of the Fortress of Meropide. I had always assumed that 'Duke' was simply a hollow title too... But it turns out that Wriothesley is far more worldly than he looks." – Callas, former President of the Spina di Rosula.
Neuvillette
Neuvillette is the Iudex of Fontaine – the chief judge. This is obviously a position of great power and authority in the nation of justice and we’ve repeatedly seen him in a prominent position in the courthouse in the two trailers released about Fontaine so far. Neuvillette seems to wield a sword going by his artwork – fitting, since the classic depiction of justice also wears one – and is stated to be a Hydro character. However, Neuvillette doesn’t seem to command a vision like most other characters, so it’s likely that he isn’t quite the regular human being he appears to be.
Neuvillette looks very prim, proper, and pompous.
HoYoverse
Here are the two official descriptions accompanying the announcement:
"Given that our previous behind-the-scenes editorial on the Hydro Archon earned us the honorable epithet of 'tabloid journalism' from our dear Monsieur Neuvillette, this time we'll be focusing on the mysterious Iudex himself. We know little indeed of his true character, and sadly our multiple requests for an interview were all turned down. Instead, we have decided to reach out and draw upon the wisdom of the masses. In the pursuit of the truth, all anonymous submissions and attestations of manifestly questionable veracity have been filtered out.
We were rather intrigued, however, by the following letter written in a particularly adorable script: ... "If the Darknight Hero really does exist, he's probably just someone in disguise. When he gets up in the morning to brush his teeth, it's the real him. Only in the dead of night does he become the Darknight Hero. But not (Monsieur) Neuvillette. The Chief Justice IS the real him. For us Melusines, our ideal of the perfect father – that's also the real him. The only person that isn't really him is the one that goes by the name of Neuvillette." From this, we can safely surmise... that Neuvillette must be the only male Melusine! Granted, the Melusines actually appeared much later than when Neuvillette took up his post. But in the face of such ironclad evidence, there's bound to be some way of explaining this!" – Seven Nations Gazette, a notorious tabloid.
Someday, when they return, their true ordeal shall begin. – Xbalanque, One Entombed With the Primal Fire.
Before Wriothesly and Neuvillette, who are both likely 5-Star characters, join the fray, update 4.0 with Lyney, Lynette, and Freminet released on August 16, 2023. Version 4.1 is due in six weeks, so at the end of September 2023.
