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Nod-Krai is a long-awaited sub-region ofGenshin Impact’s ever-elusive nation of Cryo. It’s officially considered to be autonomous from Snezhnaya and is known to be a place where different people from all over Teyvat gather.Genshin Impactplayers might recognize this region as something similar toChenyu Vale in Liyue.
Nod-Krai has been mentioned quite a few times during the story, and its reputation precedes itself. Il Dottore, one of the Fatui Harbingers, is known to have a base there, and it also seems that Varka, the Grand Master of Mondstadt, will be investigating the region. Players can expect to see new NPCs, new environments, and new elements that even predate Teyvat. For those looking to find out more, here’swhat to expect from Nod-KraiinGenshin Impact.
A More Substantial Story That Fills In The Gaps
A lot ofGenshin Impactplayers may deem this patch as a ‘filler,’ but Nod-Krai’s purpose is to bridge the gaps that many players find within the story. Although the game includes most of the plot through the Archon Story, a chunk of it is also divided amongst side quests, world quests, and NPC interactions. However, there is another percentage of the game’s lore that istold through books collectedand scripts found in the wild. It’s a fact that not all players may know or read these carefully hidden snippets, which is why the developers have decided to introduce Nod-Krai as that source of information.
Nod-Krai will essentially discuss most of the missing lore (that was already addressed in the books) and make it easier for players to understand the world of Teyvat before they reach Snezhnaya. Snezhnaya is the supposed ‘finale’ of the story, but it is imperative that we understand all these little plotlines so that it won’t be confusing when Snezhnaya finally unearths all the mysteries of the world. It will basically provide context to the situation and the many factors leading to the finale.
A Culmination Of All The Factions In Teyvat
From the Knights of Favonius and Aristocrats in Mondstadt to the Narzissenkreuz of Fontaine,Genshin Impacthas come a long way in the number of factions Teyvat seemingly has. Each nation players have visited has introduced them to existing and old factions that not only add substance to the side plots of each nation but also contribute a great deal to the hidden lore that Travelers are trying to unravel. This hidden lore primarily pertains to Celestia’s punishment on Teyvat and theCataclysm that occured 500 years ago.
Since Snezhnaya is the last nation the Traveler will visit inGenshin Impact’s story, it’s vital that the nation also gets its own share of factions. However, due to the eerie and mysterious nature that Nod-Krai brings to the story, the factions don’t fall short on their own hidden agendas. So far, most of the factions previously introduced have been quite tame in comparison, and this may be because Nod-Krai has a history that even predates the rise of the Seven. Some factions that players can look forward to meeting are:
The City Where All Elements Converge
Expanding on Nod-Krai’s ancient existence, it seems that this autonomous nation worships its own God and not the Archons. To be more specific, the area puts a lot of significance into anything related to the “Moon.”
Now, manyGenshin Impactplayers who are locked into the lore of the game may recognize how important the Moon is in the story. There has been much foreshadowing surrounding it, and it all starts from Mondstadt, going all the way to Natlan’s Archon story, where players witness a shattered sky and a broken Moon in the distance. This is where the Song of the Welkin Moon comes in.
More Focus On Representation Of The Moon
The Song of the Welkin Moon essentially relates to the name of the Version that Nod-Krai comes under. This version update will last for 1 year, and in that time, the game will address all the plot holes and fill in any gaps with additional information. What we know so far is that Teyvat once had three Moons, and it has been speculated that these Moons were in fact Goddesses. There are many stories hidden in artifact pieces and books which speak of these Goddesses who once ruled Teyvat and held the purest form of primordial power. Primordial power is a plot point that has been mentioned since Fontaine’s arc. It has also been made clear thatDragon Sovereigns (Neuvillette) also have primordial power, but it has not been confirmed yet on whether the Moon’s primordial power is stronger.
As Nod-Krai’s ancient civilization places significance on the Moon Goddesses (similar to the citizens of Enkanomiya with their deity), their faction, the Frostmoon Scions, live in seclusion and are often at ends with the other factions due to their eccentric beliefs. We can expect to see coverage of the reason behind the death of the two Moons, Celestia’s wrongful punishment against Teyvat, and perhaps the reason why the Tsaritsa is going against the Primordial One. If players want to familiarize themselves with the significance of the Moon inGenshin Impact, they should head to Enkanomiya and read the “Before Sun and Moon” book series and study the murals in Ochkanatlan and Tsurumi Island.
Additionally, since the Moon’s power in Nod-Krai is at its highest, the area is a hot bed for criminals and factions looking to make it their own. This leads back to the factions and the huge significance they will bring to the plot.
Varka And Dottore’s Appearance
Dottore’s appearance was confirmed by Mavuika during the epilogue of Natlan’s Archon Quest. She mentioned to the Traveler that Nod-Krai was seemingly overrun by the Fatui, and they had plans to overthrow the citizens and take the land for themselves. There is speculation that Dottore once used a plot of land in Nod-Krai to conduct experiments but left for a bit due to failing results. On the other hand, there are some artifact pieces which state that Dottore conducts his research solely in Nod-Krai due to the power residing there, and he plans to take over the region under the Tsaritsa’s orders. His presence has caused some problems, and this may also be one of the reasons why Grand Master Varka decided to head to Nod-Krai as well.
Varka is a name that has been mentioned throughout the Traveler’s journey through Teyvat, and it’s only now that they finally get to meet this ‘friend’ from afar. TheGrand Master of Mondstadt, Varkais considered to be one of the strongest fighters they have and a cut above the rest. He actually left on an expedition six months prior to when the Traveler landed in Teyvat and took 80% of Mondstadt’s armed forces with him. Some reckon it was a hasty decision, whereas others believe it was a necessary move the Grand Master had to make.Genshin Impactplayers got confirmation of his whereabouts after meeting Mika, who was also on the expedition with Varka. Mika confirmed that Varka and he had met Capitano, before Mika was sent back and Varka chose to head towards a lead they found near Natlan.
This was eventually confirmed to be Nod-Krai, and Varka’s presence in the land is to do with the ancient power that resides there. The community is yet to find out whether Varka will be playing a hand in protecting this ancient power of the moon or using it to fuel his own personal plans related to the expedition. One can only wait to find out.
Nod-Krai is just around the corner, and it’s safe to sayGenshin Impacthas left some hidden messages for its arrival. The developers have stated that it will release as soon as Version 5.8 wraps up, and one of the livestream codes teased that Version 6.0 and Nod-Krai will drop onSeptember 10, 2025.