When we’ve seen Kaveh ahead of his playable debut in Genshin Impact, he hasn’t always been shown in the best light. Yes, we know he’s a talented architect and Akademiya scholar. But whenever we’ve seen him or heard him referenced, HoYoVerse tended to focus on his faults or more annoying qualities for the sake of humor. He let Dori take advantage of him while building The Palace of Alcazarzaray, leaving him bankrupt. He’s constantly quibbling with Alhaitham and getting worked up over things. However, while A Parade of Providence is a showcase giving many Sumeru characters their moment, this Genshin Impact especially is something of a Kaveh redemption piece.
Editor’s Note: There will be spoilers for the Genshin Impact A Parade of Providence event in the article below.
Screenshot via Siliconera
So yes, there is still some of the Kaveh and Alhaitham quibbling that we’ve come to expect from their relationship in this Genshin Impact event. However, due to its execution, I’d say there’s a bit more nuance to it. After seeing the comments juxtaposed with Kaveh’s actions, his reports about what Alhaitham said to him hits differently. By the point Kaveh’s saying how his roommate chastised him for not thinking about why he “ended up relying on luck every round” of the tournament, we already saw exactly why Alhaitham said it. Knowing both, we know Alhaitham probably said it in a brusque manner, which Kaveh took badly. Also, we can absolutely tell Kaveh is the sort of person who would have brought up to Alhaitham than he is his upperclassman.
Yet there are also moments when we see there is a genuine friendship and admiration there. Kaveh mentions the two worked together on a project while they were students. When he’s sharing details about Sachin with the Traveler, he mentions Alhaitham apparently respected him enough to consult him about notes. He also offers the notes to the Traveler, knowing Alhaitham well enough to know it is okay. Not to mention at the end of the questline, the Traveler runs into Alhaitham in Aaru Village. When they explain Kaveh bought everyone a fancy meal and he missed it, he’s not put off. His response is that since Kaveh was there and involved, it will mean he’ll bring leftovers home for him.
Screenshot via Siliconera
The event also acts as an unintentional showcase of Kaveh’s consideration, generosity, and integrity. For example, for the first Interdarshan Championship, he agrees to work with Faruzan to combine their talents to try and find the Swiftfly. He then refuses to take the points when offered, instead drawing lots. When this opportunity comes up in the second round, he behaves the same way. When he runs into an uncertain and anxious Layla, he reassures her. After winning the competition, he offers Cyno the rare Genius Invokation TCG. Initially, he even refuses to accept money for it. Though even when he is paid for the card, he uses part of that money that doesn’t go toward his debts to buy dinner for everyone.
It even shows his kindness towards those you wouldn’t expect would get it. During the second Interdarshan Championship challenge, he basically doesn’t end up beating Faruzan to one of the leyline disruptors because of desert foxes. A group got discombobulated by the event. He sacrificed the food he was given during the task to feed them, and then even took a pause from competing so he could lead the trio to safety. Because, as he said, “It’s not like any of you asked to be trapped in a Ley Line disruption.”
Image via Siliconera
But the best example of who Kaveh is as a person comes when he manages to win the Interdarshan Championship. He has the Diadem of Knowledge. We heard him rant about living with Alhaitham earlier and explaining how he wanted to move out immediately. The event established how his father didn’t win this championship, and he wanted to essentially accomplish this for him too. He has the opportunity to get the money needed to do all he wants, and perhaps even some knowledge as well. But he refuses it. He denies the mindset of Sachin, and instead chooses to donate everything he’s won as Sachin’s successor to make Sumeru a better place. There’s no regret about it. Even when having dinner with Cyno, Collei, Tighnari, and the Traveler later, and here how he could have accepted, then destroyed the research and kept the money, he brings up how dishonest it would have been and is adamant he made the right decision.
The Genshin Impact A Parade of Providence event is full of defining moments for Kaveh. It’s wonderful to see him fleshed out in such a way. Instead of being some comic relief character, it highlights all elements of his personality and shows how they positively and negatively affect his life.
Genshin Impact is available for the PS4, PS5, PC, and mobile devices, and the A Parade of Providence event runs until May 15, 2023.
