Halfdan

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Ensemble Dark Horse
Full Name	Halfdan
Alias	No information
Origin	Genshin Impact
Powers/Skills	Indomitable Will Greatsword Proficiency Razor Wind
Family	-
Allies	Dainsleif Other Black Serpent Knight comrades The Traveler & Paimon
Enemies	The Abyss Order Vedrfolnir
Goals	Protecting the people of Khaenri'ah (Failed) Prevent the Abyss Order's "Purification" ritual to protect Teyvat. (Succeeded)
Why Do People Love The Character?	His memorable heroic sacrifice to save Teyvat from The Abyss Order, despite Khaenri'ah's state was beyond repair and being unable to save his people (Who were cursed by Gods into Hilichurls). At least, he gave Liyue stalling The Abyss Order within the underground of The Chasm.
Type of Ensemble Dark Horse	Tragic Patriotic Soldier

“	Halfdan: Apologies, Captain Dainsleif, Twilight Sword. Back then... I failed you, and failed to protect our people. Dainsleif: No, for five hundred years, you have faithfully done your duty. To this day, I am proud of you all. Halfdan: Khaenri'ah... didn't fall, did it? Since you're still here... Dainsleif: Correct. So... no need to revive the homeland.	„
	~ Halfdan giving Dainsleif a final salute after stopping The Abyss Order's plan, The Black Serpent Knights' Glory

Halfdan was a major supporting character in open world role-playing video game Genshin Impact. He was a one of the known Black Serpent Knights and a subordinate of Captain Dainsleif of Khaenri'ah's Eclipse Dynasty. He only appears in Archon Quest Chapter II Act IV: Requiem of the Echoing Depths.

He is voiced by André Luc Martinez in English dub, and Tabuchi Shohei in Japanese dub.

What Makes Him Ensemble Dark Horse

• Despite only appeared in Genshin's Archon Quest the Traveler's Chapter, Halfdan becomes a memorable Khaenri'ah NPC by the audience for being a genuinely loyal subordinate towards Dainsleif and the people of Khaenri'ah even if their homeland's state was destroyed beyond repair.
  • Additionally, Halfdan, like Dainsleif were also displaying patriotism to protect other people in Teyvat even if he couldn't protect his own people, while The Abyss Order is a delusional cataclysmic faction of Khaenri'ah who would kill any people of Teyvat as a revenge against The Gods of Celestia. Also, the Traveler don't have to fight him as he orders his Shadowy Husk comrades to let Dainsleif in and remembers his orders.
• What makes Halfdan's story tragic is like any Khaenri'ahn brethren, he was cursed by Gods of Celestia, his homeland was destroyed, and the people he protects were also cursed into Hilichurls. Being a Black Serpent Knight who recognizes his superior, he is one of the Shadowy Husks who regains consciousness before dying, as he succeesfully thwart of the Abyss Order's "Purification" ritual in Dainsleif's orders and standing out among his other fallen comrades before the introduction of Thrain's refugee platoon in Natlan.
• Along with the introduction of the new area in Liyue, The Chasm, which is known to be the most memorable underground level in Genshin Impact, the Archon Quest took place in the underground of The Chasm, which you need to meet Zhiqiong and The Chasm research team to unseal the The Chasm's entrance. After that, players will encounter Dainsleif again, along with the involvement of the Black Serpent Knights (Previously appears in limited-time version of Enkanomiya) such as Halfdan, and the brief cameo of Yelan in the World Quest.
  • Also, the Archon Quest has a serious and somber build-ups, which involves Hilichurls were once the people of Khaenri'ah, the brief appearance of The Traveler's Sibling, the Shadowy Husks revealed to be Khaenri'ahn fallen royal guards that were maddened by The Abyss, The Abyss Order's unholy purification ritual, and Halfdan's heroic sacrifice as the proper resolution of the conflict of the plot, though he only can stall them.

Trivia

• Halfdan and Zhiqiong were Genshin Impact Ensemble Dark Horses that were released in version 2.6.
• Halfdan is Nordic given name, and the namesake of the few Norse Mythological figures.