Son of Primordial Flow

Overview

The Son of Primordial Flow, known as Yuanliu (a gender-neutral name) in the Chinese version, is the player character and protagonist of Honor of Kings: World. A student at Jixia Academy, the protagonist has just returned from a "studying abroad" project, but between their decision to travel and their return, they have no recollection of what happened on their journey. This central mystery drives the opening narrative as the Flowborn discovers an unprecedented connection to the Primordial Flow the deepest, most fundamental layer of Flow energy that sustains Primaera.

The awakening

Upon returning to Jixia Academy, the protagonist experienced inexplicable phenomena. Magic began surging uncontrollably through their body. They accidentally destroyed the dormitory's tea table, and energy flows materialized into weapons in their hands without warning. These incidents attracted the attention of senior academy scholars and marked the Flowborn as someone with an extraordinary and dangerous connection to the Flow.

The gap in the protagonist's memory is a central mystery of the story. What happened during their time abroad that triggered this awakening? Why did the Primordial Flow (a force that predates mortal civilization) choose this particular student as its conduit? These questions drive the narrative across the game's ten-chapter main story.

The Flowborn identity

Being Flowborn means having an innate ability to absorb, channel, and shape Flow energy without the extensive training normally required. Flowborn are rare but not unique in the game's world. Several exist across Primaera. What makes the protagonist extraordinary is the depth of their connection. While typical Flowborn can channel the echoes of one or two legendary heroes' fighting techniques, the Son of Primordial Flow can channel an unprecedented number of Flow styles, effectively inheriting the martial prowess of dozens of historical and mythological figures.

A constant ability in all of the Flowborn's forms is the gathering of energy flows that affects their other skills. This innate trait is what the game uses to justify its core gameplay mechanic. The ability to switch between combat styles based on different heroes. The lore and the gameplay are tightly integrated: the protagonist's unique power is the combat system.

Connection to Primordial Flow

The Primordial Flow is distinct from the ordinary Flow energy that permeates Primaera. While regular Flow is the diluted, surface-level energy that Flowborn and scholars interact with, the Primordial Flow is the deep, unfiltered current that originates from the Heart of the Universe in Celestia. The protagonist's connection to this deeper current is what sets them apart from other Flowborn.

The nature of this connection is one of the game's central mysteries. Why does a student with no notable family lineage have a direct link to the most fundamental energy in the universe? Several hypotheses are explored throughout the story:

Character customization

Despite having a defined narrative identity as the Son (or Daughter) of Primordial Flow, the protagonist's physical appearance is fully customizable. Players choose between male and female character models and can extensively modify facial features, hair, body type, and voice. The first appearance or gender change is free.

During character creation, players also choose from three starting hero types, Tank, Mage, or Marksman which determines their initial combat moveset. Additional Flow styles are unlocked through story progression by region, with a "basic set" provided through the storyline and more available through gameplay or purchase. The starting type does not lock the player into a specific path, all styles become available eventually.

Narrative role

The protagonist serves as the player's window into the world's mythology and conflicts. As a returning student with amnesia, the protagonist shares the player's initial ignorance of the deeper truths about Primaera, Celestia, the gods, and the ancient threats stirring beneath the surface. The main story spans ten chapters with an estimated 40–60 hours of gameplay.

Over the course of the game, the protagonist evolves from a bewildered student into a figure of genuine importance. Their ability to channel multiple Flow styles makes them uniquely capable of confronting threats that no single warrior could handle. Their connection to the Primordial Flow gives them insights into the ancient systems that sustain the world, insights that even the scholars of Jixia Academy and the divine successor Yang Jian lack.

Key relationships

Key details