Who is Pulcinella in Genshin Impact?
Lord Pulcinella in Genshin Impact
Lord Pulcinella, also known as The Rooster and the Fifth of the Eleven Fatui Harbingers, is a minor antagonist in the 2020 action role-playing fantasy video game Genshin Impact. He serves as a Mayor in Snezhnaya and plays a significant role in the operations of the Fatui, a military faction that governs Snezhnaya under the Tsaritsa.
Character Relationships
- Pulcinella maintained a close, almost familial relationship with Tartaglia (Childe). He became acquainted with Childe’s family and promised to look out for them whenever the junior Harbinger was abroad. True to his word, Pulcinella looked after Childe’s family when he was away, giving sweets and other gifts to Tartaglia’s younger siblings, earning their affection.
Authority and Influence
- As one of the Eleven Fatui Harbingers, Pulcinella was invested with nigh-unlimited executive authority by the Tsaritsa of Snezhnaya. He possessed significant political influence and could command the authority of any Fatuus who weren’t themselves Harbingers, wielding unquestionable authority in Snezhnaya.
- Additionally, his official position as a Snezhnayan diplomat meant that he couldn’t be prosecuted in foreign nations without causing significant political tension.
Appearance and Characteristics
- Pulcinella is depicted as a white-haired elderly man with a white mustache and rounded glasses, alongside a pointy nose and ears. He wears a dark blue longcoat with flared and feathered sleeves over baggy blue tros and long flared shoes.
- His coat features a wide feathered collar, complemented by some form of hat or headdress with a pair of feathers. He is often surrounded by ice, but it is unknown if this implies the possession of a Cryo Vision or Delusion, or serves as just a visual shorthand for Snezhnaya.
Origins of the Name
- The name Pulcinella is derived from either pollastrello (meaning “rooster”) or pulcino (meaning “chick”). The stock character is typically depicted as a top-heavy, chicken-shaped man who wears a mask with an exaggerated nose.
- Pulcinella as a Commedia stock character was known for being melodramatic, often displaying unexplainable fits of rage in which he would take out his anger on others.
Overall Persona
- Pulcinella, often portrayed as a selfish and self-serving old man, embodies the traits of an ‘extreme egoist’ in Commedia dell’arte. However, his identity is not always fixed, and he can be male or female.
- He is one of the important figures within the Fatui organization and the fifth member of the Fatui Harbingers.
Exploring the Role of Pulcinella as a Fatui Harbinger
Pulcinella is ranked as the 5th Harbinger of the Fatui and is known by the codename ‘The Rooster’. He is characterized as a fearless and egotistical self-preservationist who manipulates others to get what he wants. This aligns with the common traits found in his namesake from commedia dell’arte, where Pulcinella typically sides with the winning side in conflicts.
He works closely with Pantalone and Dottore, indicating his influential role within the Fatui. His involvement in the internal dynamics of the Harbingers suggests that he plays a significant part in the political maneuvers and strategic planning of the group, characterized by its complex interrelationships and often conflicting motivations.
The Eleven Harbingers are the most powerful and highest-ranking of the Fatui, given god-like authority by the Tsaritsa. They are tasked with obtaining the other six Gnoses. The Harbingers often use each other for their ends, showing a willingness to cut loose those who are deemed to have lost their value, highlighting the cutthroat nature of their organization.
Pulcinella, the Rooster, was first shown in the Travail storyline teaser. He has shown great interest in Tartaglia, whose prowess in battle enabled him to the Fatui Harbingers. Pulcinella also seems to be genuinely affectionate towards Tartaglia and his siblings.
Additionally, the Fatui Harbingers are the primary antagonists of the game, working under the command of the Cryo Archon, the Tsaritsa. Each Harbinger has their own reason for swearing fealty to the crown; however, ultimately, all of them vow to seize the power of Celestia by obtaining all the Gnoses in Teyvat.
Furthermore, the name Pulcinella is derived from the stock character in commedia dell’arte, an early form of professional theatre originating from Italy. Little is currently known about Pulcinella beyond his rank and title.
