The recent “The God’s Limits” teaser has unveiled the identities of the **Four Shades** in Genshin Impact, entities more powerful than the Archons who govern Teyvat on behalf of the Heavenly Principles. These revelations shed new light on the lore and hint at major developments in the upcoming 6.0 and 7.0 updates.
The Four Shades: Rulers of Teyvat
The Four Shades act as emissaries for the Heavenly Principles, each overseeing a crucial aspect of Teyvat.
Ronova: Ruler of Death
Ronova’s influence has been felt since the Natlan Archon missions. She established the rules in Natlan, aiding Yohualtecuhtin in creating the Night Kingdom. Her powers, accessed through the Divine Throne, were crucial for Mavuika to defeat the Abyss in Natlan.
Most significantly, Ronova is responsible for the **Curse of Immortality** placed upon the natives of Khaenri’ah. This curse is the root of the Abyss Order’s resentment, preventing the Traveler’s sibling from reviving Khaenri’ah. This suggests a direct confrontation between Ronova and the Abyss Order may be imminent.
Istaroth: Ruler of Time
Worshipped by the Enkanomiyans, Istaroth holds dominion over time. She played a pivotal role in diverting the Traveler’s sibling away from Khaenri’ah during the Cataclysm. Her power to bestow “History” likely contributed to Teyvat’s rich and diverse culture.
Istaroth’s portrayal in “The God’s Limits” teaser suggests a bored and fickle-minded demeanor, which could be a deliberate facade to conceal her well-calculated actions.
Naberius: Ruler of Life
Naberius, the Ruler of Life, appears to have merged with **’Gold’ Rhinedottir** after the Cataclysm. Rhinedottir, one of the Five Sinners of Khaenri’ah, was responsible for the Cataclysm 500 years ago, having defied the Heavenly Principles by creating artificial life forms like Durin and Albedo. It’s believed that Naberius devoured Rhinedottir, and they now share the same body.
Asmoday: Ruler of Space
Asmoday is none other than the **’Unknown God’** encountered by the Traveler and their sibling at the very beginning of Genshin Impact. It was Asmoday who separated the Travelers and cast them into Teyvat. She previously identified herself as the “sustainer of Heavenly Principles.”
However, the latest teaser strongly suggests that **Asmoday has switched sides**, indicating she will now oppose the Heavenly Principles. This revelation finally brings peace of mind to players curious about the true identity of the “Unknown God” and sets the stage for a dramatic shift in the narrative.
The unveiling of the Four Shades marks a significant leap in understanding Genshin Impact’s core lore. This development hints that miHoYo is preparing to fill in the remaining gaps in the story, as previously promised. The upcoming Genshin Impact 6.0 update is highly anticipated to provide more insights into these powerful new characters and their roles in the unfolding saga of Teyvat.
What are your thoughts on the reveal of the Four Shades and their implications for the future of Genshin Impact? Share your theories in the comments below!
