In a surprise move on July 9, 2025, HoYoverse dropped a nine-minute video titled “Teyvat Chapter Interlude Teaser: The God’s Limits“. In doing so, they released major information on years of Genshin Impact lore speculation.
With no prior warning, players were treated to the official reveal of the Four Shades of the Primordial One: Istaroth, Asmoday, Ronova, and Naberius/Rhinedottir.
For longtime players and lore-hunters, this is no minor reveal. It is the culmination of countless fragmented story threads scattered across quests, artifacts, loading screens, and whispers in the wind, now finally stitched together in a single video.
You can watch the teaser here:
Heavenly Principles, Primordial One, & Four Shades
The Heavenly Principles is a descender and the original god who came from beyond Teyvat. He currently serves as the ruler of Celestia and Teyvat. In “Before Sun and Moon” they are referred to as the Primordial One.
The Four Shades, on the other side, are basically four gods, often described as direct envoys or emissaries of the Heavenly Principles. They were all created by the Heavenly Principles after it descended upon Teyvat to fight the elemental Seven Sovereigns. The Four Shades are said to be more powerful than any Archon, and do not like to be named by their names, including by the Archons, preferring to remain in the Shadows as Shades.
While they have lingered in Genshin’s mythology for years, this is the first time HoYoverse has confirmed their identities, and it is a turning point for the game’s main narrative. Here is a breakdown of each Shade and what we know so far about each of them!
Istaroth – The Shade of Time
Also known as the “Thousand Winds of Time” and “Kairos”, Istaroth has been part of Genshin’s lore from the beginning. Although never physically seen until now, her influence has echoed throughout the story:
- Enkanomiya’s lore references her as a deity revered long before the Archons.
- Raiden Makoto’s backstory contains hints of her connection to Istaroth.
- The Windblume Festival and even Mondstadt’s origin myths suggest she helped shape Teyvat’s destiny.
In an especially telling detail, Istaroth shares voice actors with Venti across all dubs, implying the Anemo Archon may once have been part of her, or perhaps still is. This also explains why Venti seemed to recognize the Traveler in their very first encounter.
Ronova – The Shade of Death
Ronova was a very mysterious figure until she appeared last year in Natlan‘s 5.3 Archon Quest, Ode of Resurrection. It was immediately clear that she plays a massive role in the backstory of Khaenri’ah, the curse of immortality, and also Natlan’s Sacred Flame.
Now that more was revealed about Ronova, we have a clear view of her terrifying abilities:
- She has the power to dissolve space itself. This was supposed to be the power of another Shade, which means that they may not be strictly confined to one elemental or dimensional area.
- We can also assume she will most likely wield other abilities on top of dissolving space.
In the video that was released by HoYoverse, Ronova also refers to the Heavenly Principles, not the Primordial One, as her master. With the Principles now mysteriously silent, she suggests it is up to the Shades to restore divine order. This could mean that things are about to change. However, it is unknown if it will be for Teyvat, or against it.
What are the god’s plans? While the teaser answered a few questions, it also raised many more!
Naberius – The Shade of Life
Naberius was long considered lost to time, her name preserved only in lore and artifacts like the Heart of Naberius. But in Version 5.6 Archon Quest it is revealed that Rhinedottir, also known as “Gold”, consumed her Heart and fused with her essence, claiming the divine authority of the Shade of Life.
Rhinedottir’s dark legacy includes the creation of Albedo and Durin. Now reborn as Naberius, she is no longer just part of the Hexenzirkel and a Khaenri’ahn, but a divine being herself. While she was already creating living beings before, she now has the divine power of life and creation, making her even more powerful.
This teaser also confirmed what Albedo stated in the last Archon Quest, Paralogism: his master has become something more than human.
What is Rhinedottir’s plan? Is she doing this in order to help Teyvat have an “insider” spy, or does she have her own agenda?
Asmoday – The Shade of Space
Asmoday is the final piece of the puzzle, and perhaps the most familiar. She is none other than the Unknown God who stopped the Traveler and their sibling at the very start of Genshin Impact. She is the reason your journey through Teyvat started, and maybe she will be the reason everything will end.
Revealed to be the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles, Asmoday commands spatial manipulation: cubes, dimensional prisons, and warping powers far beyond even the Archons. She does not appear directly in the new teaser, but she is mentioned as having taken a new form.
And then, there is Paimon.
A theory as old as the game itself suggests that Paimon and Asmoday may be connected, or even the same. The teaser adds fuel to the fire by implying that Asmoday has “taken on a new form” and now “loves her new master.”
With her affection possibly directed at the Traveler, many now believe that Asmoday switched sides, setting in motion various events through Genshin’s entire storyline.
What This Means for Teyvat’s Future: Nod-Krai and Beyond
The second half of The God’s Limits teaser teases the upcoming region of Nod-Krai, expected to open September 10, 2025. The region appears to be the center of nearly every major Genshin “faction”:
- Fatui Harbingers, including Pierro and Columbina, are shown preparing for major moves.
- The Hexenzirkel, of which Rhinedottir and Alice are members, seems ready to return.
- The Knights of Favonius may also play a part, suggesting Mondstadt‘s arc is not finished.
The teaser heavily hints at an event called the Palestar Edict, which centers on Columbina. The Fatui have been recalled to Snezhnaya and then dispatched to Nod-Krai, possibly to capture her, as she may have gone rogue.
In a recent developer preview, HoYoverse also described The Song of the Welkin Moon (the overarching saga leading into Nod-Krai) as a year-long event. With the Four Shades now revealed, the Fatui ready to act, and Celestia still silent, the stage is set for a spectacular confrontation.
A Massive Shift in Genshin Lore
This is more than just a teaser. It is a major shift in how we understand Genshin Impact’s world. The Four Shades, long whispered about, now have names, faces, voices, and a purpose. The divine chessboard is set, and all the pieces are in motion.
It does not matter if you are a diehard lore fan or a casual player, The God’s Limits is an important part. It retroactively clarifies everything that’s come before, and teases a future full of cosmic wars, divine conspiracies, and the long-awaited showdown with Celestia.
