[Theories & Lore on Pantalone]

Pantalone, 9th of the Fatui Harbingers and head of the Northland Bank, is teased from the start of the game. As the Traveler explores Teyvat, subtle signs suggest Pantalone’s efforts effectively pace their journey - and yet, he remains nowhere to be seen. However, Genshin Impact has provided sufficient information over the years to suggest we may already know his name, personality, character connections, and role in the plot. The following theories are based on information presented in-game, and real world historical entities. Stop reading now if you haven't completed Archon/Character Story Quests. Otherwise, enjoy!
Part 2 is here, and it's a breakthrough!
*Disclaimer: Don't know how to use Reddit yet, please forgive me for mistakes in formatting.
[What is Pantalone’s Plan?]
Pantalone intends to reclaim economic control from the Gods, and re-center Teyvat’s economy around Snezhnaya. This is acknowledged in the “Moment of Cessation” artifact from the Pale Flame Artifact Set, which alludes to the motivations of several Harbingers. Pantalone’s artifact description includes the following statement:
https://preview.redd.it/82d6anfwvj0d1.png?width=360&format=png&auto=webp&s=58f16778fe413308e9579636dc0125ad17573eaf
“The people of the land from which these coins hail revere contracts above all else. In the name of money, I shall respect the contract between us… We shall, by whatever means necessary, become the heart that pumps money around the world. And, when the moment comes, that heart shall cease beating by our will alone.”
But how, and why?
--Step 1. Halt the production of Mora by enforcing the contract with Zhongli.
https://preview.redd.it/mxc77e7rvj0d1.png?width=512&format=png&auto=webp&s=a0f496813a63b580e3188a8c802967212be66856
One of the Fatui’s first moves was enforcement of the yet-detailed contract made with Zhongli. When Zhongli steps down from the role of the Geo Archon, Paimon questions what will happen to the world economically. After all, the Golden House is the only mint on the entire continent. Zhongli explains the following:
“As the Rex Lapis Morax, I can easily create Mora. But since I have chosen to walk this earth as the mortal Zhongli, I should abide by the same rules that mortals do. (…) …The Mora present now will not vanish. But the Golden House will indeed have to cease operations for a lengthy period of time, since creating Mora requires the use of the Geo Archon's power.”
The game made it a point to emphasize this consequence, and it lends credence to the idea that the Fatui weren’t just interested in the Geo Gnosis, but economic destabilization of the entire continent. Given their ambitions, it’s unlikely they’d create this problem unless they also intended to solve it.
--Step 2. Use Northland Bank and lending policies to ensure Snezhnaya gains control over the remaining Mora in circulation
https://preview.redd.it/dazvms40xj0d1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=3f3075e05cf9d588a01c7d5b28aa2de064fb3d36
Note that we’re observing Pantalone’s plan in real time, and this is likely why we haven’t met him yet. You can find ample evidence walking around Teyvat that he's still in the process of establishing banks in Nations (check out message boards in different cities including the Fontaine location, which just opened), advertising lending rates heavily (see Liyue message board, Fontaine message board), financing Fatui business (likely including the emergency Fatui finances used to help repair Poisson), overseeing illegal trade routes (see Yelan's Story Details,) overseeing the loan sharks in some capacity (see: Mister Qi's dialogue on being afraid to seek a loan after a friend who failed to pay the bank "disappeared"), and so on. It's also noted the Fatui made it a point to purchase other banks in Liyue, including the Minghua Bank. Per Gentry De'an:
"I used to have my own bank... The Minghua Company and the Minghua Bank used to be the two proudest stores on this whole street. But then those bankers from Snezhnaya started descending on the Liyue financial market... All thanks to backing from the Fatui, I might add, not an honest-to-god bootstrapper among them! Anyway... that marked the beginning of the end for the old guard... If I was a young man with some fight left in me, oh you can be sure I'd be fighting to make my comeback... But there's not much an old man like me can do now. The Fatui? What about them? ...You've never heard of them? They came over here from Snezhnaya, flaunting their diplomatic immunity, then they started poking around business circles, putting feelers out... I had a bad feeling about them from the start. Then they started interfering with my business... They were intent on getting Snezhnayan investment into Liyue one way or another. They were just relentless. Eventually, I had no choice but to sell off the bank to them. And the company? Who knows how much longer it will last. Business is getting worse by the day..."
In other words, these markets are being insidiously monopolized. Pantalone’s a busy man, and he’s going to extreme lengths to ensure he has meaningful influence over the economy.
--Step 3. Make the “Heart” of the economy Snezhnaya: stop circulating Mora, and replace it with a new currency
https://preview.redd.it/q0ergji4xj0d1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=4b9afc949b6a8c3b3df950226f7df6dc5e61f2a9
Hoyoverse tells stories in fragmented and disjointed ways with the intent of having players fit the pieces together like a puzzle, and that’s precisely what we’re doing with Pantalone. With the introduction of the Fortress of Meropide, and Wriothesley’s weapon description, we learned the following: Pantalone made use of the Fortress of Meropide as a “micro economy” to test this plan, before turning it on the rest of the world. He did so by establishing the Credit Coupons as an alternative and community-specific currency to Mora, and used the device now known as the Cashflow Supervision Catalyst to observe how the economy functioned.
“It may be difficult for you to imagine this with words alone, so allow me to show you how it’d look like in the world. We’ll start by creating a new currency to replace the dependence on Mora. As for the location, it should be a micro-economy isolated from the rest of the world. I’ve set my sights on a nation within a nation with minimal interference from the divine. Infiltrating it shouldn’t take too much time. And what should I name the new currency? Hmm, I am really not a fan of naming things. Oh, I’ve got just the word. In honor of the credit you’ve given me to run this experiment, I will call it the “Credit Coupon.”
-Why? He’d prefer it be a dog-eat-dog world, not a God-eat-dog world.
As Wanderer puts it in his About voicelines, the Regrator is “obsessed with the idea of ‘fair exchange’, to the point of wanting to overthrow the natural imbalance between gods and humans.”
https://preview.redd.it/vqvi0nudxj0d1.png?width=250&format=png&auto=webp&s=0aa19215caced9688ca72190ef2485491668b07c
As for the Cashflow Supervision Catalyst’s description:
“Either to become a rentier and gain power and control, or to be subjected to control and work to death. The rules are always fair. Thus, humanity will stand on equal ground with the Gods by virtue of their inherent ambitions and wealth, and the weak who failed to prevail shall be swallowed by the flood that is the mortal world. The power of the Gods shall no longer intervene to embellish the power of the wealthy before the poor, Nor shall the wealth of the Gods descend, to rescue the dignity of the poor from the feet of the rich.”
[What’s His Personal Motivation?]
-The Moment of Cessation artifact description from the Pale Flame set in the Archive suggests the roots of his motivations to lie in the trauma of poverty, and rejection or invalidation.
“Money is the lifeblood of the world, and the pathways along which it flows are the world’s arteries. Then, the center of the world is a heart made of gold. He was not one of the favored, and could only pursue worldly power. But though money ought mean nothing to the Gods, they held it firmly in their grasp nonetheless, along with countless other forms of power they wielded. Perhaps he lusted for money because he had once been destitute, or perhaps the fact that the gods had never looked upon him with favor ignited a burning desire for resistance inside him…”
-In other words, this man probably didn’t get a hug, food, or a Vision when he really needed it.
My personal interpretation leans towards “profoundly traumatized and acting out” particularly because of Pantalone's fixation with comparing nuances of wealth to life itself. Repeated references to the “Heart of Gold”, “arteries”, “lifeblood”, and so on may be an allusion to his understanding of reality: the circulation of money is the difference between life and death.
[Okay, So What’s Pantalone's Real Name?]
By process of elimination, Pantalone’s name may be Rouran. But to properly answer this question, we must look at history, and establish our understanding of 3 different characters + relationships. Pantalone, Baizhu, and Rouran respectively.
-Who is Pantalone? The “Regrator”. "Regrator" means "a person who regrates or buys up commodities in advance and sells them for a higher price, especially during a crisis." An ambitious Fatui Harbinger active in Liyue, with serious business acumen, and a mysterious/deceptive nature indicated by the Smiling Man trope. He may be frail or ill, and this is emphasized by his comparatively pale skin in the Fatui Harbinger line-up, and the white chunk of hair curling around the left side of his face – suggestive that he has used a Delusion to unhealthy extents. He sports expensive and formal attire, including extensive jewelry and regal colors.
-Who is Baizhu? The Pharmacist of Bubu Pharmacy. An ambitious healer from Liyue, with serious business acumen, and a mysterious/deceptive nature indicated by the Smiling Man trope. He is canonically ill due to his contract with Changsheng, evidenced by his Story Quest (and playable voicelines featuring him coughing upon running.) He sports comfortable and colorful attire, including woven snake motifs.
-Who is Rouran? The mysterious proprietor of the Pearl Galley, the “Lotus Boat” anchored off of Liyue Harbor. Once you've completed "The Ocean Pearl" quest, Luoxia will tell you: "There are very, very few who have the privilege of meeting the boss… If I may say one more thing… If you do indeed meet our boss, do be mindful of your actions. Our boss may seem like a delicate flower, but you will find few thorns to match in all of Liyue Harbor.” She also compares the Traveler to Rouran, mentioning he's an "optimist." What little we know about the Pearl Galley informs what we know about Rouran. He's likely to possess business acumen and confidence given the operation he's running. Based on Luoxia’s description, “Rouran” may be ill, gentle in appearance, and dangerous.
[So Wait, What About-?!]
-Why can’t Baizhu be Rouran? If we’re operating on the assumption that all of the information the game has handed to us is true so far, Baizhu’s temperament and contract with Changsheng disqualify him from being Rouran. The contract stipulates a number of required traits, including “purity of heart.” Given this, it’s unlikely Baizhu would secretly run a Flower Boat. Flower Boats, historically, are brothels where a number of illegal activities take place. In other words, the Pearl Galley is a brothel where folks regularly dine/drink themselves to death/disappear; this is confirmed by word-of-mouth in-game, and the "Connoisseur Catalog" the Traveler can peruse, which lists the escorts available under codenames.
https://preview.redd.it/wlmyznhpwj0d1.png?width=1200&format=png&auto=webp&s=717a6a9778f9552b880ec83da29f52a7c1ef6205
-Why can’t Yelan be Rouran? This was a popular theory prior to Yelan’s release, and has been debunked by several factors. Yelan works for Ningguang, and has her full trust, which is quite rare. Yelan’s story reveals her interests are primarily in protecting Liyue. Per Luoxia, the Pearl Galley has the Qixing’s “tacit” approval, suggesting a silent tolerance between the two, not a happy or formal agreement. The secret ‘casino' Yelan was suggested to be affiliated with turned out to be the Yanshang Teahouse, not the Pearl Galley. Finally, Yelan works alongside Uncle Tian - who is actively keeping tabs on the boat, under the guise of "fishing."
https://preview.redd.it/kpa3azok0k0d1.jpg?width=1382&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=85f0296f72fdc5f7623bfae43aa8b0d904e19be1
[So, why would Pantalone be Rouran?]
-1. The name “Rouran” (柔然) in and of itself may be a dead giveaway. As you already know, Hoyoverse takes inspiration in plot and character designs from real-world history. If you research “Rouran”, you’ll come across the Rouran Khaganate. So, allow me to provide you with a brief and inspecific history lesson, featuring the Rouran Khaganate.
https://preview.redd.it/7rxnxmc0yj0d1.png?width=220&format=png&auto=webp&s=eaab278be595499d05a117a0566beb1bc02c52b0
-“The founder of the Rouran Khaganate, Yujiulu Shelun, was descended from Mugulü, a slave of the Xianbei ... Considered an imperial confederation, the Rouran Khaganate was based on the "distant exploitation of agrarian societies", although many researchers claim that the Rouran had a feudal system, or "nomadic feudalism". The Rouran controlled trade routes, and raided and subjugated oases and outposts such as Gaochang. Their society is said to show the signs of "both an early state and a chiefdom". The Rouran have been credited as "a band of steppe robbers", because they adopted a strategy of raids and extortion of Northern China. The Khaganate was an aggressive militarized society, a "military-hierarchical polity established to solve the exclusively foreign-policy problems of requisitioning surplus products from neighbouring nations and states. The Rouran Khaganate made up the territories later known as China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Russia."
This sums up most literature better than I could after reading in depth. Later historical references discuss forceful diplomacy, alternating gifts/aid with attacks. Other Harbingers territorial affiliations have already been implied/openly established to degrees that leave Pantalone and Liyue as major uncertainties. Pantalone’s establishment of illegal trade routes, attacks on existing trade routes (see Yelan's Story Details), and extortion of other nations to benefit Snezhnaya notably resembles the Rouran Khaganate’s own dominating history. It's worth noting that the Rouran Khaganate is thought to have begun with the descendant of a slave; given Pantalone himself is described as having once been "destitute" (meaning, so impoverished he didn't have basic necessities for survival.) It's also worth noting that in every historical text I've consulted, Yujiulu Shelun is described as particularly cruel and genius in matters of political organization and commerce, to revolutionary extents.
Per Uncle Tian's commentary on Pantalone at the end of Yelan's Story Quest: "Regrator" is the 9th of the Fatui Harbingers, though likely the first among them where wealth is concerned. However, his "wealth" is not a mere question of how much Mora he has to his name. He has a very unique understanding of wealth... And what he's planning may very well shake the world to its core."
2. But wait! There’s more! Let’s talk about the currency used by the Rouran Khaganate.
“The nomadic tribe of Jouan-Jouan, later known as the Rouran Khaganate, conquered the Kushan city of Balkh around 195 CE, and occupied it until the Sasanians drove them out around 230 CE. They issued their own coins, crudely imitating the coinage of King Huvishka.” Some historians and coin collectors assert the abundant presence of these coins indicated that the Rouran Khaganate may have taken over a number of cities like Balkh, and replaced their currency to establish control – much like the Fatui and Pantalone intend to.
3. The ominous implications of the Pearl Galley’s purpose: The rules and ambiance of the Pearl Galley are very interesting, as they suggest the primary purpose of the vessel is actually intelligence-gathering and assassination.
The rules are as follows: Guests can only board with an invitation, and only existing members can extend invitations. When speaking with Pinghai, the Boatman, he'll tell you the following: "The Pearl Galley is where the wealthy bigwigs of Liyue pass their time. It's no place for plebeians. With the exception of honored guests, any ordinary person who goes aboard will just be there as an onlooker." When you board without permission and begin the invitation quest, you'll discover the guests participating onboard singing its praises are primarily wealthy merchants visiting the Harbor on serious business.*
However, when you speak with Uncle Zhao, a guard on the boat, you’ll discover a different, darker narrative: “Some guests will party lavishly one day, and then be gone without a trace the next – as if they never existed at all. I’ve served as a guard on board this ship for over a decade now. Such occurrences are hardly new. This Pearl Galley is dazzling to gaze upon, but there won’t even be bones left by the time it’s done picking you clean. If you’ve nothing else to do, don’t stick around these parts. Eyes on the prize, Traveler.”
The Pearl Galley is manipulative and extortionate in its very design, using exclusivity, luxuries/vices, and interpersonal connections to lure what could be considered high value targets, who drink and loosen their tongues. Whether these people are being "disappeared" because of their influence, or because they indulge to the extent of debt, is unclear. But in either case, this methodology and reasoning would certainly track with the espionage-oriented methods Pantalone's subordinates (and other Fatui) tend towards in quests; and may explain a question raised by multiple Liyue characters in Yelan's Quest: How is Pantalone obtaining sufficient intel to remain active in Liyue's political/commercial affairs? "Rouran" owns the boat upon which the rich and powerful frequent to "eat, drink, and be merry!"
[*Interestingly, if you speak with one of these guests in the evening, you’ll learn he was diagnosed with a terminal illness by Baizhu, and chose to live the rest of his life indulging. He frames it positively, but it’s evident he’s a drunken, emotional mess. Why am I noting this? See below for the Foil theory.*]
4. How Rouran takes interest in the Traveler:
The nature of "The Ocean Pearl" invitation quest itself also implicates Rouran's identity. When the Traveler boards the Pearl Galley for the first time, you're taken aside by Luoxia, the manager, who informs you that you need an invitation to remain onboard. You're given the opportunity to go around the boat begging for invitations. Interestingly, none of the wealthy/decadent merchants help you, all citing issues of character, self importance, and exclusivity. Only the humble staff are willing to work with you. After helping the staff and talking with Luoxia again, you'll learn those you helped are finding ways to advocate or "get around" the rules for you.
"Don't you find it amusing? The VIPs are quick to turn you away without a second thought, while it's the regular folk who are happy to lend you a hand." Then, Luoxia informs you it's all unnecessary.
Rouran had already prepared an invitation, taking interest in the Traveler "quite some time ago", and required the Traveler do the work nonetheless before receiving the invitation.
Again, only the wealthy and socially elite are invited to the Pearl Galley, and the mysterious owner himself prepared a letter and a wild goose chase for the Traveler, to teach them a lesson about earning their place. Keep in mind that using a Vision-bearer is canonically worthless during the quest; we were anticipated to have boarded using a Glider (not Kaeya) by Luoxia, and the quest required we climb the tallest peaks in Liyue for Qingxin flowers. The Traveler had to rough it without elemental powers to succeed. This mirrors Pantalone's rhetoric. His belief in fairness is very much about attaining power on your own merits. Rouran may have been teaching the Traveler a lesson about his own perspective on life.
5. Luoxia mentions meeting Rouran is rare, suggestive of someone who is very busy or living somewhere distant. If Pantalone is currently managing the economic state of Snezhnaya from Snezhnaya, it tracks that a periphery operation like the Pearl Galley would be left to subordinates.
6. Luoxia’s description of Rouran’s appearance: Rouran is framed as a “delicate flower,” but the Traveler is warned not to drop their guard based on Rouran’s appearances. Gotta be real, here: My entire argument is just for y’all to look at the official video featuring Pants, and then try to tell me he’s not a delicate flower. Come on, now.
https://preview.redd.it/tlu6zh9awj0d1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=89b18050f7b23646247cab7112b37ada54649fb5
Joking aside, what’s particularly notable is that Hoyoverse emphasized the lock of white hair tussled over Pantalone’s shoulder compared to other Harbingers, and his overall paleness in the Fatui character design line-up. If “delicate flower” is referencing Rouran’s appearances or constitution, it’s possible this weakness relates to an illness from the use of something like a Delusion.
That all said, there are 2 flaws to this theory. Accuracy may be contingent on whether or not Hoyoverse felt like pranking us.
Did we already meet him or not? When we discuss Rouran with Luoxia during the quest to obtain an invitation to the Pearl Galley, Luoxia goes out of her way to mention the following. “You may have already met him…” This statement was the primary reason everyone cast suspicion on Baizhu – after all, we met him during the Liyue Archon Quest, and he suits the “delicate flower” definition rather well.
However, Baizhu’s “purity of heart” and passive temperament likely disqualify him from being Rouran, and no other character part of the existing Playable or NPC casts before this quest became available quite suits Luoxia’s full description of Rouran. Additionally, after completion of the quest, Luoxia’s line changes somewhat – she warns the Traveler to mind their actions “if you do” meet Rouran, leaving the original insinuation up in the air.
Translation conflicts: Some translations of the discussion the Traveler has with Luoxia about Rouran suggest the pronouns were left neutral or feminine instead of "he," leaving Rouran's gender entirely up in the air.
I was informed there may be a plausible explanation for this involving homonym-based wordplay in the CN version of Pearl Galley materials, Pantalone's CN codename "Furen," and a certain media trope about "Madams" running brothels. After further investigation, it's worth noting, as one of the last recorded noble Rouran descendants was named Yujiulu Furen, and Hoyoverse has used wordplay before for lore. Unfortunately, there isn't room to discuss it properly here; I recommend looking up archaic variations of the honorifics "Lady" and "Madam" in Chinese, (hint-hint, "Fu'ren") and then checking out the CN translation and comment sections of Rouran's wiki page for details, as other players have commented on it in varying depth. That said, it's ultimately another facet of supposition without further info.
In other words, Rouran may be 3 Xianglings in a trenchcoat (i.e. someone innocent-seeming and totally unexpected to imagination-defying lengths), a forgettable NPC villain we’ve encountered before, or he’s someone we’ve yet to personally encounter, after all.

"But Baizhu Still Seems Really Sus... Are you sure about this?"

[Introducing: The Foil Theory]
There’s an argument to be made (with limited information) that the original suspicion cast upon Baizhu being Pantalone isn’t entirely unfounded... But rather, that the controversy surrounding him was deliberate on Hoyoverse’s part. Naturally, everyone jumped to 2 binary conclusions when Pantalone's design was released; they must either be the same person in disguise, or Hoyoverse was just *that* lazy during character design. I suspect we jumped to the wrong conclusions. Pantalone and Baizhu may be intentionally likened to one another as part of a narrative device called a “foil.”
Wait, what’s a foil? “In any narrative, a foil is a character who contrasts with another character in order to better highlight or differentiate certain qualities of the protagonist. A foil to the protagonist may also be the antagonist of the plot.” This narrative device is commonly used in the original Commedia Dell'arte (the Italian Theatre works the Harbingers roles were inspired by,) typically a comic foil between Pantalone and Il Dottore, or "The Doctor." In the cases of Pantalone and Dr. Baizhu in Genshin Impact, there are a number of intersections to suggest a connection, with their *moral character* being their primary differences as of now. There's a ton to touch upon, I can't get to all of it, but I'll do my best. Genshin Impact is likely deliberately contrasting these two for plot purposes, and the most solid evidence for this is:
-1. How we meet Baizhu, Baizhu's Contract, and the meaning of Pantalone's Codename:
We first meet Baizhu during the quest to gather materials for the Rite of Parting. Think back to the events of the legendary "Cocogoat". Baizhu, upon learning of our efforts and intentions to help Qiqi, was happy to sell us Everlasting Incense – for the modest sum of 3 million Mora. When Childe attempted to barter with coconut milk, the price was lowered by a whopping 10,000 Mora, to which everyone gives into. At the end of the exchange, Changsheng remarks:
"That sound is the laughter of a man who's found new people to fleece. Consider yourselves warned..." Baizhu took advantage of the crisis of Rex Lapis’ death to make a profit, fulfilling the definition of “Regrator.”
This was particularly suspicious if you considered the reactions of the other merchants involved in the quest, who offered discounts or items for free upon learning what they were being used for. Care for the Gods didn’t even make Baizhu hesitate before overcharging.
https://preview.redd.it/c84krlekxj0d1.png?width=1444&format=png&auto=webp&s=99c2812595d36bab20b9348fe0ebea764aa9b73e
Baizhu exhibited a near-callous degree of business acumen on our first meeting, and it's noted that this isn't uncommon for him. This led players to the assumption Baizhu/Pantalone/Rouran were the same person. When Pantalone's base design was released, this sentiment spiraled out further.
However, again, Baizhu's background and lore - particularly his contract with Changsheng - suggest this isn't reasonable. Baizhu is well-intended, and every context in which he's been framed as questionable has ultimately boiled down to his pursuit of immortality to protect Changsheng and others. Even Qiqi testifies to his good character, as she can sense he holds personal concern for her beyond his motivations, and he's very protective of her from more "troublesome" characters like Xingqiu and Hu Tao. Pantalone, however, is deeply implicated in a number of darker affairs. Why would Genshin Impact go out its way to introduce us to Baizhu in a decidedly suspicious light… Then introduce Pantalone, and implicate ambitions related to the imbalance between mortals and Gods… And then later spend Baizhu's first questline canonically asserting his good character, and ambitions to attain immortality – something only Gods typically possess?
To emphasize that while he shares meaningful relevance to the plot, and similarity to a yet-met villain, his good character distinguishes him from that villain.

1. Other appearances in the plot so far:

Baizhu and Pantalone’s similarities run deeper than their base designs, and their main differences emerge in the morality of their businesses and motivations. Here’s further evidence suggesting their characters are being deliberately contrasted in-game: Guan Hong, the man aboard the Pearl Galley who is dying of a terminal illness.
https://preview.redd.it/9x7oo0gs0k0d1.jpg?width=1162&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1867c39fb6b9a0f8b750a19598bfbc069baeda6f
If the Traveler speaks with him in the evening, you’ll learn he spent his entire life working and sacrificing his health, only to acquire a terminal illness.
"What am I doing? I'm enjoying life! I always thought that work was the most important thing. I slept little, ate little — got myself neither a wife nor kids! ...At least, that was until Dr. Baizhu told me I was a goner a little while back. That's when I figured it out! What work? What career? It's all hogwash! Good thing all the money I've saved in my earlier years is more than enough for me to wine and dine myself to death here at the Pearl Galley... Actually, when I put it like that, things aren't so bad! Hahaha! See you around, then."
Baizhu tried his best, but was unable to help him. Guan Hong laments that he never took the time to take care of himself, or settle & start a family: so he chose to spend the remainder of his life dining and drinking aboard the Pearl Galley.
‘Rouran’ is evidently more than happy to let the world "swallow" Guan Hong, as he spends the rest of his money killing himself in a depressive alcoholic spiral.
Furthermore, Baizhu and Pantalone indirectly “clash” during Yelan’s Story Quest. As a refresher, Pantalone’s subordinates attempted a power-grab during Yelan's quest. Uncle Tian was poisoned as part of these events, and it was none other than Baizhu who developed the antidote to the poison, saving him just in time. Changsheng makes an interesting comment: “How did they successfully secure such a seldom-seen poison? It seems the Fatui are extremely resourceful! Unfortunately for them, they were up against us.”
Yet again, these two were distantly but deliberately entangled in the contexts of life and death, with Baizhu's involvement representing hope and life, and Pantalone's involvement representing apathy and death.
3. Enormous rhetoric, ambitions, and sacrifices related to the "natural imbalance" between humans and Gods:
Baizhu's motivations for his somewhat questionable business practices and research stem from grief and the desire for control, as he resents death. He lost both of his parents to a terrible and bloody plague at a young age, and later his Master to the Contract. He heals others at great cost to himself, and is frequently bedridden. He possesses the earnestly kind desire to help people while rescuing Changsheng from the nature of their Contract. To Hu Tao's point, he's effectively blaspheming by attempting to attain immortality itself; something only Gods tend to possess. And he's doing so with the support of a Vision.
Pantalone’s motivations for his unethical business practices stem from yet-revealed trauma related to poverty, and the desire to feel in control over life and death through wealth; he's subjugating people across the continent in the name of his somewhat callous definition of "fairness" to spite the Gods, likely sacrificing his health with the aid of a Delusion. He's doing so without the support of a Vision.
They share a distinct fixation on fairness: If you speak with Baizhu or paid attention to in-game information about him, you'll find that he believes strongly in fairness in multiple respects. His definition of fairness always boils down to care and equality; for example, one of his "About Us" voicelines:
"I tend to anyone who comes to Bubu Pharmacy seeking medical attention, regardless of their wealth or status. I treat everyone fairly, and I do my best to heal them. You are no exception."
Similarly, you'll find he often laments about the fairness of death and sacrifice; particularly when he speaks of his Master, and of the greater issue of physicians failing to prioritize themselves. "Those who willingly give themselves up for others are worthy of our respect, but we should not accept their sacrifice as predestined or an inevitable part of life."
As noted above, in-game information regarding the Regrator highlights a fixation with a more selfish version of fairness:
"Either to become a rentier and gain power and control, or to be subjected to control and work to death. The rules are always fair. Thus, humanity will stand on equal ground with the Gods by virtue of their inherent ambitions and wealth, and the weak who failed to prevail shall be swallowed by the flood that is the mortal world."
To the Regrator, struggling to death is a natural consequence divine power shouldn't interfere with. To Baizhu, it's an affront he'll do anything, including using his Vision, to rectify. They're both implied to be very passionate and reactive about these conflicting ideologies.
4. Their character models, lilt, and body language/facial expressions:
Let’s address Pantalone and Baizhu’s appearances and self-expression; particularly symbolism in their base designs. Their physical similarities extend to their split hairpieces with hair hanging over the left eye, bottom-rimmed bejeweled glasses, tall model type, and black-and-white Yin-Yang motifs.
https://preview.redd.it/mlx0ezdq1k0d1.png?width=1200&format=png&auto=webp&s=20103b16761e8e8bca58f3f1b65abf18869d7d1c
Here's why their differences are rather interesting: Baizhu's untamed bright hair falls gently over the left side of his face, while Pantalone's dark hair falls over the left side of his face with a devilish curl. Baizhu's glasses feature a free-hanging chain on the right side, while Pantalone's appear to be an attached chain. Baizhu dresses flashily, but ultimately comfortably; Pantalone dresses flashily and formally. Baizhu's Yin-Yang motif presents in his black and white armpieces, with his left armband being black and right being white. Pantalone's Yin-Yang motif presents in the black and white heart-shaped pattern on his coat (likely referencing the 'Heart of Gold'), with the left side of the "heart" being white, and the right being black. The physical similarities and differences highlighted between them suggest intimate, yet opposing tastes and natures.
Now on to affect/body language, keeping in mind that all of this is deliberately scripted for our interpretation: If you're an EN player, you’ll notice their English voice actors both make it a point to speak with a melodic lilt, and both characters have a habit of chuckling before speaking on serious or interesting matters. Their choreography features slow and thoughtful hand gestures, suggestive of similar attitudes. Our first meeting/sighting of Baizhu and Pantalone feature close-up scenes of them smiling with their eyes closed, suggestive of a “two-faced” or “masking” nature. This trope is typically used to convey contradictions in affect, intentions, or personality that unnerve or raise the suspicions of the audience; and only Pantalone and Baizhu have distinctly displayed these constellations of body language so far. This degree of mirroring in body language and affect appears deliberate.
In essence, there are degrees of direct information and symbolism to suggest Hoyoverse wants us to pay closer attention to these two's relationship to one another, and the plot.
[Anyway...] My point is ultimately that this game loves to tease us, and the in-game lore combined with some historical information paints a compelling picture as to who Pantalone is, and how the plot may advance. My fingers hurt, but I was driven, I guess. Share your thoughts and have a day!
(Just a lil nudge. Part 2 is even cooler.)

​
Elf on the Shelf
Year after year, children and adults alike are baffled by the mystery of how Santa really knows who has been naughty or nice.
After much urging by the elves and Mrs. Claus, Santa has allowed his biggest secret to be revealed in The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition (ad)
At the start of each Christmas season, the elf appears to serve as Santa's eyes and ears, traveling back to the North Pole each and every night to make a detailed report of the day’s activities.
This keepsake gift set includes a North Pole pixie scout elf and a hardbound watercolor picture book. Children can register their elf online to receive an official adoption certificate and a special letter from Santa.
Amazon: • Elf on the Shelf (US) • Elf on the Shelf (CDN) • Elf on the Shelf (UK) • Walmart (ad)

Elf on the Shelf Freebies:

Running out of ideas for your Elf on a Shelf? Or just getting started? Here are tons of printables, ideas, and activities to help bring this North Pole magic into your home.
Make Your Own Elf! -- You don't have to buy an Elf on the Shelf - you could make your own out of paper or cardboard!
The large papercraft makes a very nice wall-hanging decoration for Christmas time. It also makes a nice centerpiece for a classroom bulletin board with children's Christmas poems or artwork hung around it.
You can attach the arms and legs with brass tacks (brads) instead of glue if you want them to be movable.
Click for Elf on a Shelf template
🧝 An Elf Travel Passport -- So how DID this magical Elf travel to your home? Was it by Reindeer, floating on a snowflake, posted through the mail? However he arrives, he will need a passport to get back home again!
Click for printable passport
📷🧝 Shelf Elf Freebie Pack -- Contains over 60 pages: Three-Part Cards, Beginning Sounds, Matching Cards, Read Write the Room, Pocket Cards, Which One Is Different, What Comes Next, Pre Writing Practice, Pattern Cards, Ten Piece Puzzles, Four Piece Puzzles, Size Sorting, Sorting, Coloring Pages, Math Pages, Writing Pages, Graph the Room, Good and Bad Chart, Dot Marker Pages and more.
Click for Shelf Elf Freebies
📷🧝 Elf on the Shelf printables
-- These printables are a bit different from her norm. Instead of activities, there are little cards to be printed out and placed near your Elf on the Shelf while he is caught creating some mischief. Also included is a list of 32 relatively simple ideas and a matching card with a rhyme to go along with the idea. Designed for kids 2-10
Also, there are strips to be used as a Christmas countdown chain featuring the elves!
Click for Elf on the Shelf Printables

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🧝 25 Free Elf on the Shelf Printables – Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas
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More: FREEBIE: 100+ of the Best Elf on a Shelf Activities, Coloring Pages, Printables, Make Your Own Elf, more!