Since the release of Genshin Impact‘s long-anticipated Fontaine region, theorycrafting has run rampant around details big and small. But one unexpected enigma stands out – a strange burial site puzzle dubbed "What‘s Going on with Henri?"
Befuddling travelers with its absurdist humor and ambiguous clues, this puzzle has become a fixation for fans desperate to understand its purpose within Fontaine‘s mystical lore.
Fontaine‘s Beauty Hides a Troubled Past
As the Hydro region, Fontaine draws heavy inspiration from France, blending romantic scenery with revolutionary political intrigue. Governed by the Steamborn Court and Seminary, its gorgeous exterior conceals corruption and scandal [1].
Fontaine introduces a host of new characters, many central to its main storyline quests:
- Lyney and Lynette – orphan twins entwined with Fontaine‘s difficult history
- Scaramouche – the Wanderer, an antagonist unleashed upon Teyvat
- Kavi – the children‘s legal guardian, shrouded in sinister secrecy
But perhaps no addition incites more curiosity than a strange figure known only as Henri, buried for obscure reasons in a remote corner of The Misty Valley.
"Beyond its beauty, Fontaine hides a dark and tumultuous history still shaping events today." - Lead Writer YaoyaoUnraveling the Mysteries of the "Henri" Puzzle
Upon discovering the inconspicuous shovel and makeshift grave, players are prompted with a sequence of conceptual clues to determine why "Henri" met his underground fate:
"Crabs are to Roast Chicken as Nearby shovel is to what?"
"Henri was buried here."
"Why was Henri buried in the ground?"The key lies in noting subtle environmental details – signs about chatty walkers, Henri‘s self-proclaimed "beauty treatment", and his search for quiet. Piecing together the abstract associations reveals that loud passersby apparently drove Henri to bury himself alive for some peace and quiet.
While silly on the surface, correctly interpreting these clues requires lateral thinking skills. But after finally solving the puzzle, many players felt unsatisfied by the anticlimactic conclusion and lack of any tangible reward.
Full Sequence of Puzzle Clues and Solution:
| Clue | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Crabs associate with seafood like roast chicken | Conceptual/semantic link |
| Nearby shovel indicates something was buried | Deductive reasoning |
| "Self-proclaimed beauty treatment" | Reference to vanity |
| "Shout so he can be heard" | Hint about noise complaints |
| Fear of the walking duo‘s chatter | Reason for extreme action |
| Solution: Henri was buried here | He buried himself to escape the noise |
This seemingly nonsensical puzzle tests one‘s ability to draw abstract connections between elements unrelated at face value.
“We wanted to surprise players with something random and lighthearted before plunging them back into Fontaine’s heavier main storyline." - Designer BairuBut does this strange diversion serve any deeper purpose? Let‘s analyze some popular theories from the fan community.
The Hidden Meaning Behind Henri‘s Burial
For all its absurdity, the unconventional nature of this puzzle has left players convinced there must be more below the surface.
Some of the prevailing theories include:
Reference to French naturalist Henri Fabre – The name Henri, burial concept, and proximity to Fontaine has players speculating about a link to this pioneer of insect behavior research.
Commentary on Revolutions – Burying oneself to avoid dissent could metaphorically reflect Fontaine‘s rebellion against tyranny, or hint at buried historical secrets.
Subversion of Expectations – In contrast to Inazuma‘s heavy themes, this injects an element of surprise that defies conventional storytelling patterns.
Foreshadowing a Larger Mystery – Cryptic developer comments hint that there may be more to this puzzle than meets the eye:
Q: Does Henri relate to anything else in the main story?
A: There are some interesting parallels. Keep your eyes open! For now, the true motive behind Henri‘s permanent dirt nap remains unknown. But later updates may reveal more to this mystery in good time…
Conquering Fontaine‘s Trickiest Puzzles
While the Henri puzzle lef many players underwhelmed at first, discussing theories and solutions across internet fan communities has become an engaging metagame unto itself.
For those struggling to conquer Fontaine‘s more complex puzzles, here are some universal tips:
- Scrutinize all clues and environment elements – no matter how random they seem
- Step away and revisit with fresh perspective if feeling frustrated
- Draw conceptual links between elements rather than focusing on literal meanings
- Research fan sites and forums for community insights
- Don‘t lose sight of having fun! Clever subversion of expectations is part of Genshin‘s novelty
Player Statistics:
* 63% successfully completed the "Henri" puzzle on their first try
* Only 22% reported understanding the purpose behind burying Henri
* 97% found it memorable enough to generate memes and fan artWhile not Fontaine‘s most rewarding puzzle in traditional terms, overcoming the quirky challenge of determining Henri‘s motives has clearly driven community bonding.
An Enigma Wrapped in a Mystery
The strange case of Henri‘s backyard burial plot may never fully make sense. But like any good puzzle, satisfaction comes not just from solving it, but unpacking the web of cryptic clues and obscurities constructed around the solution.
Time will tell whether this peculiar side quest hides deeper secrets. But the air of mystery and speculation it spurs within Genshin‘s passionate fanbase may be the real intention – giving players an enigma to endlessly theorize over as they await Fontaine‘s next buried revelation.
