There are multiple facets to what make Ardence, but they all ultimately lead to her heart's devotion, especially to the Tsaritsa — her family lie close, but even they know they fall short of the Empress.

Though you'd seldom find her in a library, she is always seeking knowledge in the many veins of gossip of Teyvat and has become a primary source of contact for information in lieu of it.

Her relationships are complicated with her standing as a Fatui liaison, but Ardence knows where her loyalties should lie when the time comes — but maybe where they do lie is a little different.

Character Story 1

Gossip, however outlandish they may be, always has at least a sliver of truth to them. Ardence values being relied upon for information as it makes her hold dominion over those who need it and it gives her the power to manipulate just exactly what details to tell and which to omit.

And so most days, you could find her strolling the roads and alleyways of what Teyvat has to offer by day, and pensively sitting in a corner of bars and taverns by night. People are always so willing to tell her their troubles — be it romance, familial, or regional — when they have just a bit too much to drink and she conceals her identity as Fatui. She may take pride in her standing, but she isn't stupid to ignore the trepidation of their presence.

Ardence seldom divulges her information — and some may view it as useless as what's the point of information if not shared — but when she does, it is most typically to the Adventurers' Guild. Several times over, they've tried to recruit her as an Intelligence Department investigator, and several times over, she's refused. She'd only answer to Nika with her information, anyways.

Character Story 2

Being a Fatui liaison has a fluidity in its role that Ardence has come to appreciate. Being such meant she was whatever the situation needed of her — a diplomat, an envoy, or even an escort. There is yet to be a role she is not able to fulfill.

Being so free in her role lets her make use of her ever growing list of contacts and she is always opportune to add to it. Whether her superiors need the names of the seller with the best prices of Starsilver, the inner turmoil of a group on the brink of opposition, or the place best to eavesdrop on a conversation meant for private ears, Ardence is always there to provide.

Being the last to know something is always the best way to upset her and to keep her on edge for some time, almost as if the lack of instant knowledge was an attempt to undermine her. She takes much pride in just simply knowing — too much, maybe.

Character Story 3

Her family were no strangers to how she vied for conscription into the Fatui — how she vied even further when Aleksei refused the conscription when offered, how the refusal made a fire burn in her stomach so akin to hate for him.

So when the opportunity for conscription came, she snatched it with greedy hands — whatever the cost, she was willing to do it by the decree of the Tsaritsa. While her parents had little to say when she came home the day after she did what was asked of her, Ardence could see it in their eyes: fear. She doesn't know if she had been thrilled or upset by it, or if she had mistaken the disappointment as fear.

Character Story 4

"Don't you ever get lonely?"

The question had been asked of her once upon a time by her sister, during the first few times Ardence forced her to seek her out for information pertaining to her Adventurer's Guild work. It had caught her off guard, but she side stepped it with a confused smile. "What do you mean? I'm right here with you, aren't I?"

"I cannot be your only friend," she deadpanned, and Ardence laughed. "Besides, you know what I mean. Doesn't being with the Fatui feel... lonely?"

"Working for the honor of the Tsaritsa is an honor!" She was deliberately avoiding the question, and her sister was no fool as she stared at her pointedly. But what answer could Ardence give?

"It's fine, you don't need to answer," she eventually said, sighing, and that had been the end of the conversation in the tavern. As Ardence watched her leave, she had her answer: yes, she felt lonely.

Character Story 5

Ardence learned the hard way there was no friends among Teyvat, not when those who stood against you were many and few between and those who stood with you would not pass on the opportunity to strike you down to advance their position — Ardence knows she would.

What's In a Name

Her name was once Katja Morozov, before she had taken the life and vision from her brother in one fell swoop. When Katja became Ardence, her new name had stemmed from her late brother Aleksei — as if a delayed homage to family. She holds the name close to her, and even to her family do they rarely — if at all — let the name be uttered from their mouths lest they meet the end of her flames. The name sits above her heart, nearly foreign to her.

Vision

Her brother was the first and only of her family to receive a vision, coming to him in when he had protected her from a hostile wolf pack out in the winter woods when her seventeen year old self had fled her home in an angry attempt to cool her head after a dispute with her mother — he had shielded her, both physically and magically. Gripped in his hand was a Pyro Vision, inlaid in the typical Snezhnayan fashion — sharp and silver.

Coming back home had her immediately cast to the side in favor of Aleksei and his shiny new toy still biting into his hand — like if he let go, it'd disappear. She had wished it would. Maybe they'd stop doting on him.

When she was twenty, she was given an opportunity for the Fatui conscription — at the price of her brother's life. He had been growing restless under the heel of the Tsaritsa's management — couldn't stand her way of handling how best to bring her vision to the world — and in lieu of it, was no longer reserved in keeping his mouth shut about his opposition. Though he never dared to openly oppose the Tsaritsa herself, her methods were under his scrutiny. And who was he to dare scrutinize the Empress?

She took the opportunity on a gloomy day full of sleet, as if Snezhnaya had realized what she was to do that day. Running a sword through him was all it took to dim the light of his Vision and in his eyes. When she told her family that day of what had become of their eldest, no one took notice of the way the Pyro Vision biting into her hand had lit up.