Episode 66: Dadaupa Gorge

The three tribes of hilichurls that call Dadaupa Gorge home are the Meaty, Sleeper, and Eclipse Tribes. Located in the Galesong Hill area of Mondstadt, this is the largest gathering of Hilichurls in one space in all of Teyvat.

Known for their large cooking pots, the Meaty tribe is the northernmost tribe in the area. Ever wonder, ‘What do they cook in these pots?’ Well, the answer is simple: You. You see, these pots aren’t for neighborhood cookouts, they’re actually for sacrifices. Yummy.

The Sleeper tribe is more our speed. The only sacrifices happening there are their ‘to-do lists.’ Assuming the list doesn’t just say ‘sleep more.’ They are located southwest of the center of the gorge.

Possibly related to the Eclipse Dynasty of ancient Khaenri’ah, the Eclipse tribe may be the smallest group, but they’re also the strongest. They are known for focusing their powers more on the occult than elemental like the others. And worship a symbol that looks like an eclipsed sun.

Feens and Al discuss the possible connections of Dadaupa Gorge and the other areas that surround them. Most importantly, its close location to Musk Reef (aka the Sprial Abyss). We know there was a battle against the monsters of Khaenri’ah there, but where did the monsters emerge from? Musk Reef might have some additional secrets.

Dr. Livingstone is the resident researcher of Dadaupa Gorge, focusing her studies on the sword cemetery and the tribes. She works with Dr. Edith, a researcher we meet who hangs out by Vennessa’s tree in Windrise. As Tif mentions, you can still find her over by Dadaupa Lake long after you complete the quests in the area.

The sword cemetery is a central focus of Dadaupa Gorge. A lake of standing swords represents the countless lives lost during the battle against the Khaenri’ahn monsters. But what about the catalysts? There’s no bucket of books anywhere. No crate of bows. Looks like the sword users need some practice. Wonder if Dr. Livingstone has any research on that.

Contrary to what our special guest host Vanessa thinks, we’ve done a Venti episode! We’ve even talked about him quite a bit in other episodes too, including Dvalin and Dragonspine. Do we need a Venti Part Two?

While talking about potential places that may be openings to Khaenri’ah, or to the Abyss, we talk about the Thousand Winds Extension Site and its mysterious staircase that seemingly leads to the bottom of the ocean. Perhaps it once was not underwater?

Feens reminds us of the story of Pilo’s Peak and how Venti was just reconstructing all of Mondstadt like it was a Lego set. She likens it to terraforming in Animal Crossing, where she has a Venti-like character. And it’s adorable.

Tif laughs at a pair of hilichurls in Mondstadt (north of Windrise) that stand and stare at a Flaming Flower Stamen, all while getting burned by the flames and losing XP! If you hide and watch them for long enough, you’ll see them expire and get the rewards as if you murked them yourself. Silly hilis.

If you’ve been around the pod for a while, you know we love ourselves some Unusual Hilichurl. The hardest working churl in Teyvat! Outside of the churlman from The Shade Chamber, of course. All he wants to do is dance and sell you some cabbages. If you’ve never seen this tattered businessman, he spawns daily in 14 locations across Mondstadt & Liyue.

Tif put aside her dislike of HSR and drove Feens to Sprinkles Cupcakes in Manhattan a few weeks ago for their limited-time March 7th cupcake celebrating the anniversary of the game release. She still refuses to play the game, but would gladly eat another one of those lemonade-blueberry cupcakes with raspberry frosting. Check out Feens’ TikTok for a cute recap.

Dr. Edith (left) & Ella Musk (right) are sisters. By looking at them, the vast majority of people would assume Dr. Edith is the older sister. But Ella is actually the older one. Dr. Edith tells us as much in one of her voice lines. Al thinks it was an oversight, Tif thinks it was left to mess with us, and Feens has a whole time-travel scenario. Let us know what you think about this pair.

Thank you to fellow travelers FoxRose, Wario, and PCThomas2 for writing in. We truly appreciate your questions and comments! If you’d like to send us mail via the Komaniya Express, reach out on our Instagram, X/Twitter, or email. We’d love to hear from you! And Kirara could use the work.

FoxRose’s theory of the Khaenri’ahn people potentially being in a cryogenic sleep made Tif think of the 2015 show ‘Wayward Pines.’ Which Bee confirmed is also a book series.

Thanks to Wario for discussing how rough Dragonspine is and PCThomas2 for teaching us about Elmore City, Oklahoma.