The borisin are a humanoid species with canine features who are the most dominant race among the Denizens of Abundance. Distantly related to the Foxian species,[1] the borisin have long been arch nemeses to the Xianzhou Alliance.[2]
Description[]
Origin[]
The borisin share a common ancestor with the Foxians, yet the two have diverged onto very different paths. Foxian epics tell how the races were divinely inspired by a Lord of Longevity from beyond the stars. Drinking from the Redspring, they were granted immortality. But later historical developments saw the borisin consider the Foxians as slaves or cannon fodder, fueling their desire to conquer the stars.[1]
According to borisin folk songs, their first Warhead, Duran, obtained immortality from the dew of a tree guarded by Foxians tasked by Yaoshi to protect it. The song claims that Yaoshi only blessed the strong and used the Foxians as a test. After Duran and the beast, Taowu, slaughtered the Foxians, Duran asked Yaoshi to bless the borisin with immortality. However this narrative is a fictional myth created by the borisin to justify their enslavement of the Foxians and to solidify their racial identity through worship of Yaoshi. Yaoshi does not bless only the strong and it is evident that the borisin interpret "Abundance" based on their own cultural norms and values.[3]
Physiology[]
Borisin Moon Rage Fangs
The borisin have a distinct canine anatomical structure: Broad, lean skeletons; powerful jaws and neck muscles; well-developed canine fangs; pointed beast-like ears atop the skull; and sharp claws on hand and foot. Some borisin have large and fluffy tails while others have short and thin tails. The borisin worship the concept of a strong body, seeing strong physique as a blessing from the gods. The wingweaver Xili implied that Foxians on the Xianzhou Zhuming look similar to borisin.[4] Within the broad classification of long-life species, the borisin can be said to have the greatest healing ability. Alongside this hyper-healing is their ability to shapeshift, known as "Moon Rage." This ability has also been observed very rarely in some Foxians, apart from the Foxians of the Yaoqing.[1] The Yaoqing Foxians are said to be genetically similar to the borisin.[5]
The Eclipse borisin are able to consume the flesh of their enemies, allowing their bodies to quickly mutate and enhance itself.
Shapeshifting is accompanied by intense hyperplasia of the bone and muscle structure, such as a protruded snout and jawline, and the twisting in of the foot structure. This damaging deformation process is eventually completely restored by the borisin's rapid healing ability. During battle, the borisin emit a pheromone known as Lupitoxin, which stimulates fear in the amygdala. To counteract these effects, the Cloud Knights either have to wear a breathing mask with filters that can resist it, or consume a poison-proof pellet.[1] When the livers of borisin are removed, it was found that they turned into a huge, aggressive "cancerous mass" within a few hours.[6] The coloration of their blood is pitch-black.[7]
Borisin tissues can be implanted into machinery, as shown with the Howling Casket, a combat machine built by the Intelligentsia Guild which is supplemented by borisin tissue. These combat machines are capable of utilizing Moon Rage and can even put their kin in a frenzy faster.
Borisin fur can be used to create strong rope.
Technology[]
The borisin are masters of biotechnology, and use it to manufacture weapons, armor, and spaceships, as well as modify their own bodies. Their weapons and armor have some characteristics of living beings, while their spaceships, called mechabeasts or beast ships, are living beings with the ability to feed, attack, and reproduce.[1] They have been known to enslave and modify members of other intelligent races to attack and plunder planets.[2]
With the Redspring as a medium, everything that the borisin needed was made from this miraculous source. The fields no longer grew grain but viscorpi instead, and borisin garments were no longer of linen or fabric but of embryonic flesh. Even the chilly snowlands that once terrified The Old Verdant Home civilizations were no longer a concern, for the borisin cultivated biological membranes in the polar regions to craft into warm dome-shaped tents, blocking the Lupuswinter beyond this barrier.[8] Their birdles use neural spike whips to stun and tame mechabeasts.[9]
The Chiseltooth Pack's genetic shamans produce nearly all of the borisins' biotechnology, while the Bloodwind Pack have the largest fleet of the main packs. Unlike the other packs, the Rhinohound Pack do not rely on biotechnology, but instead take more interest in industrial technology. During their coming of age ceremony, Rhinohound pack members are given a set of exoskeleton resembling a divine beast from borisin lore.
Mok Tok's pack was shown to take a pill that allowed them to assume the forms of Xianzhou Natives or Foxians, though it is not known if they made it themselves. The pill was potent enough that it could visually trick people, but a keen Foxian could see through the disguise with their sense of smell.
Society[]
The borisin have a tribal council system, and have a culture that reveres strength and preying on the weak. A single tribe is called a "Pack," while a coalition of tribes is called a "Great Pack." The leader of a Pack is called a Brood Lord, typically the strongest and most cunning among them. In a Great Pack, the Brood Lords of each pack fight each other and are ranked based on strength, with the strongest of them being called the "Father Wolf" or "Warhead". The Warhead is both the spiritual leader and the strongest warrior of the tribe, commanding its tide-like army, and dominating life and death on the battlefield.[1] It is borisin tradition for the chief's partner to act as the leader of all officials.[10]
An unknown rank among the borisin is Great Erkhan, also known as a top military officer.[11]
The borisin despise settled civilizations and roam the galaxy bringing all-consuming war with them. Their harsh beliefs in survival compel them to fight incessantly and devote themselves to a life of bloodshed and conquest. The former Warhead, Hoolay, took pride and joy in ravaging other civilizations. In order to surpass former leaders, the new Warhead had to lead his soldiers on an expedition in order to make a name for himself and affirm his position in the tribe. When put on trial by the Ten-Lord Commission, Hoolay was confused by the sentence, as he saw his crimes as nothing more than him following the laws of survival.[7] Borisin who choose to lead non-violent lives generally looked at with disdain, though they are all equally vital to borisin culture.[12][11]
Despite this, some borisin view "strength" as not just meaning physical strength, as Dr. Zongguang remarked that a physically strong borisin would not dare mock a frail but genius poet without careful consideration, lest they be shunned due to "disrespecting the strong." Zongguang also noted that on the planet Pisdo, Chiliyan and fourteen other people rose from war slaves to positions of power, indicating that borisin place more importance on capability than birthright. He also notes that due to borisin valuing strength, they would always be at their best, not slacking off or relaxing from their previous successes.[11]
Well-trained sorya don jellyfish-like membranous armor under the leadership of a yonda. They then board the beast ships that can warp between stars, explore different worlds, and swear in the name of Duran and the Yaoshi to make the stars into their herding ground.[9]
While borisin look at Foxians with disdain, a unique outlier is the Whitewolf Pack, which is not led by borisin but instead by Foxians. These were former slaves who revolted against their borisin masters following Hoolay's capture, and the borisin were unable to quell the rebellion. It is implied that they were eventually accepted, though most of the borisin outright fear the Whitewolf Pack foxians due to their savagery and ruthlessness.[11]
Borisin Groups[]
According to information complied by the scouts of the Verdantia Fleet, there are currently six major borisin packs. The authors of the Yaoqing Recruit Handbook: Borisin Pack Overview acknowledge that there are other borisin packs that they have not identified.[13]
- Sableclaw Pack[13]
- Eclipse Pack[13]
- Rhinohound Pack[13]
- Chiseltooth Pack[13]
- Bloodwind Pack[13]
- Whitewolf Pack[13]
- Bluefang Pack (status unknown)[14]
- Aksin's hunting pack (status unknown)[14]
- Shepherds Fleet (status unknown)[14]
- Claretwheel Temple[13]
Culture[]
Borisin bridle
When the dual rising moons meet, and the night sky is at its brightest, the voodoo masters of the hunting tribe gift bridles to the children of Duran to symbolize them entering adulthood. This blank bridle would become a book that records the history of their battles throughout their lives. These were the reins, shackles, and whips. The first thing taught to borisin youths who had grown taller than war beasts' legs was to always grasp the reins tight in their hands, or else the youths themselves would become enslaved livestock — or worse, become feed.
As soon as the adulthood ceremony ends, the borisin youths must walk into the weapon farm, then pick and tame their first battle mount among the "mechabeasts" that have been filtered and bred via gene witchcraft. Mechabeasts that consume the conquered as their feed have astounding agility, perception, and ferocity. On that night, borisin youths must chase and duel against the mechabeasts. Dying to the beasts is considered the result of cowardice.
Some will kill their peers, which is considered the law of how the beasts shall be distributed. The borisin youths trip the desired mount to the ground and tie the bridle, which is inlaid with neural spike whips, onto the animal's neck. The beast will be stunned through telepathy with its future master and become as tame as if they already received hundreds of whiplashes. When the beast willingly carries the master on its back, the youth is considered a full-fledged borisin sorya.
Then, the borisin bridle will become the recorder of wars, and the reins will gradually become full of scratches, knots, and accessories. On the bridle, light scratches indicate how many enemies the owner had slain, knots record how many major campaigns they were involved in, and the accessories dangling from the reins are loot such as human teeth and Intellitron cores obtained from pillaging frenzies. They are considered medals for borisin individuals to demonstrate their strength.
When the mounts beneath the warrior perish in warfare, or when borisin wish to mete out punishment, the bridle can also be fastened around the bodies of other living beings. Their targets are usually foxians. Whenever rare war-like individuals emerge among the foxians, the master of the wolf-head would prioritize binding these foxians with the bridles, driving them as war slaves to serve as vanguards on the battlefield.
If all slaves are dead, and the weapons are bent, then the bridle can still act as a whip if one attaches a spike to the end. If the bridle is snapped and the warrior perishes in war with their fangs and claws shattered, then the bridle will become the sole remaining epitaph and memories for borisin.[9]
Language[]
The borisin language had heard several times without the interference of the Synesthesia Beacon translation. Foxians enslaved by the borisin also spoke the language.[15] Some of the words' meanings have been translated:
- Adusa! — unknown[16]
- A-Rraaa... — unknown[17]
- Assa-chita — the living book[9]
- Harr-zaa-xi? — unknown[16]
- Koolur — war slave/cattle[18]
- Sain Jiyaa — fate[19]
- Sorya — rider, warrior[9]
- Xuu haa... — unknown (possibly an incomplete Xuu harr)[16]
- Xuu haar — unknown[16]
- Yonda — leader, centurion[9]
History[]
Both the foxians and borisins came from the Verdantia, the "Planet of Verdant". The foxians inhabited the riverlands while the borisins were herders who inhabited the grasslands. The foxians saw the borisins as savage while the borisins saw the foxians as deceptive merchants. Despite their animosity, they cooperated with each other during the extreme climates of the "Vulpesummer" and "Lupuswinter". In the summer, they would set down their weapons for the rich harvests, but during the winter there would be unceasing conflict due to hunger.[9]
One Lupuswinter lasted far longer than usual, causing mass starvation. A prophet saw the end of the world and made a wish to Yaoshi for sustenance. This person is known as lady Tushan in foxian legends while the borisins believe it was a man named Duran. Yaoshi split the mountains and the divine nectar of the Redspring poured forth. Those who drank from the Redspring gained vitality and strength from the meat of beasts they ate. Their bodies became increasingly bestial. The Redspring transformed the the Planet of Verdant, which experienced a population explosion and ecological collapse. The canine races prayed to Yaoshi for help but THEY did not respond. As a result, the borisins and foxians left for space. The borisins became spacefaring conquerors who brought the "Lupuswinter" to other planets.[9]
Under the borisin, the Denizens of Abundance were involved with three large-scale wars with the Xianzhou Alliance. The borisin once invaded Thalassa but driven out by the High-Cloud Quintet of the Xianzhou Alliance. After the capture and imprisonment of the Abundance Axis's last Warhead, Hoolay, the coalition has greatly declined in strength,[2] and the borisin political landscape was plunged into a state of extreme instability.
At some point, the Brood Lord Aksin lead his hunting pack into the Echidna skywall, struggling to fight off the hostile Shepherds Fleet. Their fleet consisted of 16 beast ships and 325 battleships. The Xianzhou Yuque planned to observe the borisin's internal war and send out a battle report afterward.[14]
In 7900 Star Calendar, the Cloudpeer Telescope detected Reignbow Arbiter's manifestation at three coordinates in the Consternation Starzone: The Yadav variable star; the Cerulean Nightmare; and the Knucklebone. It was predicted to be plagued and the Cloud Knights' Rainbowfall Fleet successfully dealt with the borisin Bluefang Pack who had plundered everything.[20]
In the year 7992 Star Calendar, Yewliho was born into a Bloodwind Pack beast ship operator family. The Bloodwind Pack "inspired awe across the universe" with their gigantic fleet of beast ships. Within a society like borisin that honors strength above all, beast ship operators from this generation, like Yewliho, naturally held a relatively high level of political influence.[10]
By 8023 Star Calendar, Yewliho already had her own personal fleet, the "Preta," at only age 31. She had already independently planned and completed dozens of plunder and ransack missions. As far as Xianzhou pilots at the time were concerned, Yewliho was an unparalleled nightmare. She was renowned for her fearless attacks and many schemes, and could be said to lead the most brutal and efficient fleet at that time.
Before long, thanks to her many military exploits, Yewliho's rank among the pack skyrocketed. In 8025 Star Calendar, Yewliho and the Bloodwind Pack Chief Hosing Khan were married. As it is borisin tradition for the chief's partner to act as the leader of all officials, Yewliho had suddenly risen to the second-highest rank within the Bloodwind Pack. In 8032 Star Calendar, Yewliho gave birth to a child named "Cherluwoo." If everything went as planned, Cherluwoo would become the next leader of the pack. However, there was an unexpected development the year that Cherluwoo turned 5.
Originally, Hosing Khan had already exceeded 400 years of age without bearing an heir. If the regular route of succession were to be followed, the title of chief would go to the next "Duran descendant"... Hosing Khan's nephew, Kobo. However, the birth of Cherluwoo had shattered this plan. After having prepared all his life to inherit the pack, Kobo led the 3,000-strong beast ship fleet that had sworn loyalty to him to reclaim his power and attacked the chief's great beast ship. Hosing Khan had no time to react before he was murdered by his bodyguards that Kobo had bribed. Naturally, Kobo's next targets would be Yewliho and her son.
Fortunately, Yewliho had always retained her own fleet that vowed loyalty to her, the Preta. Although they only boasted 300 ships, every member was a trusted ally that had accompanied her on pillages for many years. Yewliho and her fleet successfully forced their way out of Kobo's encirclement. However, with the huge beast ship fleet that pursued them like locusts, there was no way for her mere 300 ships to escape. However, "Kobo Khan" called off his manhunt a short while later and returned to the Bloodwind Pack, successfully becoming the next chief. Yewliho would never say how she managed to escape that lethal pursuit, it is only known that her only child, Cherluwoo, died during that escape.
In the year 8038 Star Calendar, Yewliho led the Preta (with 127 men remaining) to the Fanghu, determined to submit and pledge allegiance to the Alliance. After two long years of careful deliberation, the Alliance decided to pardon these borisin for their crimes and allow them to live inside the Fanghu under strict surveillance. This was on the condition that they comply with all Alliance research on borisin, as well as submitting all beast ship-related technology to them. This was also the time that Zongguang met Yewliho. As a cultural anthropologist, they were ordered to interview these 127 borisin, in order to deepen the Xianzhou's understanding of borisin society.
Throughout the course of her research, Yewliho and Zongguang developed a deep friendship. She was an intelligent, frank, and courageous warrior who was able to summarize the complex and chaotic world of borisin society and logic to Zongguang in concise, clear language. Likely because of her hatred towards Kobo, Yewliho always hoped that she would be able to lead her Preta to fight for the Alliance. However, a request like this was unlikely to receive approval. Yewliho made this request again and again and was rejected every time. After 30 years, she could bear this cycle no longer and began to seek Zongguang's assistance.
They suggested that she write a long letter explaining her life and background in detail. This would allow her to explain her hatred of her enemies to the Seven Arbiter-Generals and why she longs to fight for the Alliance. When she did this, Zongguang would be willing to put their personal reputation on the line to vouch for her. Two years later, Yewliho wrote My Return to the Path.
During the Third Abundance War of 8072, the Denizens of Abundance had assembled again with revival of Ketu Mirage, the roaming star. The borisins invaded the Xianzhou Fanghu and were nearly successful in winning the battle. With the Fanghu serving as the main battleground, it quickly descended into a terrifying bloodbath. Pressed with their backs up against the wall, no one was free to keep watch over Yewliho. So, without receiving permission from the Alliance, the Preta launched their final assault.
It is unknown just how many Abominations of Abundance the Preta wiped out in the war. However, they managed to transport at least 4,000 civilians to safety. Just as the Xianzhou faced defeat, the Reignbow Arbiter descended onto the physical plane and annihilated the Borisins' fleet using THEIR Lux Arrow. And during this process, all 127 borisin warriors of the Preta, including Yewliho perished.[10]
Reports from the Xianzhou Yaoqing revealed that Phantylia, taking on the guise "Mangas", was organizing the borisin groups into larger packs following her defeat at Scalegorge Waterscape, who believed that she would bring them back to greatness. A large pack of borisin, led by Mok Tok, infiltrated the Xianzhou Luofu to break Hoolay out from prison, taking on the appearance of Xianzhou natives or Foxians through a unique pill that allowed them to get through undetected. Due to various concerns about Jing Yuan's conduct, Feixiao was sent to the Luofu to pick up Hoolay so he could be moved to The Xianzhou Yaoqing. Aware of an IPC transport carrying borisin-infused machinery, several borisin attacked the ship to force it to seek shelter in the Xianzhou Luofu, knowing that its contents would have to be inspected.
Led by Mok Tok, the borisin were able to infiltrate The Shackling Prison while also gaining the assistance of mara-struck soldiers. They were successful in freeing Hoolay and escaped the prison, though the Alliance was able to hunt them down, resulting in the group's demise and Hoolay's death by Feixiao.
Known Borisins[]
- Duran — Warhead (first)
- Hoolay — Warhead (former)
- Aksin — Brood Lord
- Leesa
- Rangan
- Mok Tok — Rhinohound Pack leader
- Geliko Khan — Rhinohound Pack founder
- Yewliho — Former Bloodwind Pack Chief's wife
- Hosing Khan — Former Bloodwind Pack Chief
- Cherluwoo — Former Bloodwind Pack Chief's son
- Kobo — Bloodwind Pack Chief
- Arma — Owner of Arma Correctional Group
- Chiliyan — Great Erkan
- Samatha — Claretwheel Temple Monk
- Dhyana — Claretwheel Temple Monk
- Virya — Claretwheel Temple Dharmic Monk
Trivia[]
- Borisin is the only other language besides Mendasian that has been observed to be spoken without the Synesthesia Beacon translation.
- A possible inspiration to the Borisin could be the Mongols. With similarities in a nomadic-pastoral life style (with another possible inspiration, Turks being semi-nomadic) before a big movement to conquer. In similar vein, for Hoolay the designers could have taken inspiration from Genghis Khan, among other notorious figures.
- The Claretwheel Temple's conversion to religious pacifism may be inspired by the Mongols' conversion to Buddhism.
Etymology[]
- The name Borisin may derive from Borjigin, the tribe Genghis Khan was born into.
- It may also be related to the Turkic Börü, meaning "wolf," rendered in the Turkmen language as Böri.
- Before Version 2.2 the title Warmuhtar was used in place of "Warhead" and referred to Muhtar, the elected head in villages and neighbourhoods of Turkey.
Other Languages[]
| Language | Official Name |
|---|---|
| English | Borisin |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 步离人 |
| Chinese (Traditional) | 步離人 |
| Japanese | 歩離人 |
| Korean | 보리인 |
| Spanish | Borisin |
| French | Borissien |
| Russian | Борисинцы |
| Thai | Borisin |
| Vietnamese | Người Boris |
| German | Borisin |
| Indonesian | Borisin |
| Portuguese | Borisin |
Change History[]
- All instances of "Warmuhtar" in-game were changed to "Warhead."
- Borisin was introduced.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Readable: List of Archenemies
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Seat of Divine Foresight, Interactable: File Repository: Nemesis — Abomination: Borisin
- ↑ Readable: Borisin Folk Song Collection
- ↑ Readable: Transcript of Ten-Lords Commission Interrogation With the Wingweaver Xili
- ↑ Adventure Mission: Sinners Misled, Credence Falsified
- ↑ Readable: Travelogue on Xianzhou
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Relic, : Prisoner in Deep Confinement
- ↑ Relic, Duran, Dynasty of Running Wolves: Duran's Tent of Golden Sky
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 Relic, Duran, Dynasty of Running Wolves: Duran's Mechabeast Bridle
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Readable: My Return to the Path Foreword
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Readable: Respect Only the Strong: A Borisin Cultural Study and Commentary
- ↑ Arma's dialogue
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 13.7 Readable: Yaoqing Recruit Handbook: Borisin Pack Overview
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Readable: Surveillance Report from the Xianzhou Yuque
- ↑ Relic, The Wind-Soaring Valorous: Valorous Greaves of Pursuing Hunt
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 Trailblaze Continuance, Finest Duel Under the Pristine Blue (I): A Startlement of Fur and Feathers
- ↑ Trailblaze Continuance, Finest Duel Under the Pristine Blue (I): Rogues on the Run
- ↑ Honkai: Star Rail (September 03, 2024). Myriad Celestia Trailer — The Arrow that Seeks the Stars. YouTube. Retrieved September 03, 2024.
- ↑ Trailblaze Continuance, Finest Duel Under the Pristine Blue (I): Inquisition to Rectitude
- ↑ Readable: Record of Reignbow's Road