Honkai Star Rail 2.3 has just launched, wrapping up the captivating Penacony saga with a satisfying conclusion as the Trailblazers get ready to journey to Amphoreous, The Eternal Land. In the final mission, the Astral Crew honored the Nameless Founders of Penacony and Gallagher before departing on the Astral Express. Curiously, Gallagher was absent throughout the 2.3 mission, leaving us with a somewhat ominous yet heartfelt letter at the end. This letter raises questions about Gallagher’s fate—whether he is alive or dead. Here’s what we know about him and my thoughts on his status in HSR 2.3.
What Gallagher’s Final Letter Means in Honkai Star Rail:
After completing the HSR 2.3 trailblazing missions, players find a letter from Gallagher in the Astral Express. In it, he thanks the newer generation of the Nameless (the Astral Express Crew) for their role in the Penacony events. However, the unsettling part reads, “I will likely have gone to where Mikhail went.”
Mikhail Char Legwork, the Watchmaker of Penacony and one of the Nameless who helped liberate the region, is central to the story. In version 2.2’s Trailblazing missions, we discover that Misha is actually a manifestation of Mikhail’s memory. At the end of the 2.2 mission, Misha dies after sharing all he knows about Penacony with the Astral Crew.
Gallagher’s letter implies that he too has passed away, like Mikhail. However, it’s unclear whether Gallagher is truly dead or if the “character” of Gallagher has simply ended. If this seems confusing, let’s explore Gallagher’s backstory and character for clarity.
Who Exactly is Gallagher in Honkai Star Rail?
Gallagher is a uniquely intriguing character in Honkai Star Rail, both in lore and backstory. He identifies as a Fictionologist and wields the power of Enigmata, which revolves around deception. In version 2.2, we learn that Gallagher embodies traits from all the Families, a notion first noted by Sunday at the end of version 2.1.
In version 2.2, Gallagher claims to be the founder of the Dreamflux Reef and the deputy of the Watchmaker. He also identifies himself as Gallagher, the History Fictionologist, and is responsible for sending the Watchmaker’s invitation to the Charmony Festival.
However, Gallagher’s true identity and his connection to the events in Penacony, as well as the question of his mortality, remain unclear. So, who is Gallagher, and how has he survived for so long?
Now, I’ll venture into speculation—acting like a fictionologist, if you will. I suspect that Gallagher is a fictional creation, utilizing the power of Enigmata. It’s uncertain whether he was brought into existence by Mikhail, like Clockie, or by someone else.
One theory is that a traveler of Enigmata visited Penacony, perhaps intrigued by its history and creation. While there, this individual witnessed underlying injustices and uncovered the secret of the Stellaron. This led to the creation of Gallagher, a character formed by combining the Family’s traits, with the purpose of liberating the people of Penacony from the Order’s influence.
Is Gallagher Dead or Alive?
So, is Gallagher dead? Yes, I believe Gallagher’s character has died in Honkai Star Rail. If my theory about him being a fictional creation intended to aid the people of Penacony is correct, then his purpose in the story is complete.
Life and death are simply aspects of fiction on the path of Enigmata, much like farewells and reunions.
A line in the letter reinforces my belief that Gallagher is a fictional character created to assist Penacony. If that’s the case, even if Gallagher is dead, his creator may still be alive and could support the trailblazer in future adventures with other characters.
Along with the letter, we received the Page of Past Dreams, which features a “boy’s graffiti” depicting Misha, Clockie, the Origami Birds, and another figure holding flowers.
If Gallagher drew this, his claim of being only 12 years old in the version 2.1 missions becomes clearer. Whether this child is Mikhail or someone else, it’s likely that Gallagher was created by them.
That’s my perspective on Gallagher’s status. Please share your theories in the comments below.
