Nod-Krai is right around the corner, and with the region’s marketing campaign in full swing, it’s easy to feel buried under all the new details. To make things simpler, we’ve pulled together everything we know so far about the factions that will shape the next chapter of Genshin’s story. We’ll start with the groups we’ve already met, then dive into the fresh faces joining the lineup.
The Fatui
From the very start of your adventure, the Fatui have stood out as one of the main forces working against you. But while they operate under the rule of the Tsaritsa, that doesn’t mean every member shares the same agenda.
In Fontaine, for example, Arlecchino’s debut showed us that not all Harbingers are strictly enemies. The same was true for Capitano’s role in Natlan. It only raises more questions about how the rest of the Harbingers might play into Nod-Krai’s story.
So far, we know that Sandrone and Columbina will make an appearance. Columbina’s situation seems especially tricky, since she currently appears to be at odds with the Fatui themselves. As for Pierro and Dottore, their involvement is still speculative, but not entirely off the table.
What’s certain, though, is that the Fatui are making moves in Nod-Krai. They’ve started setting up facilities and have their eyes on the region’s ancient power.
The Hexenzirkel
Another mysterious group tied to the story dates all the way back to the game’s early days, when Mona’s quest first introduced them. The Hexenzirkel may be allies, but their true motives remain murky. They’re incredibly powerful, and their actions often feel just out of reach. At the end of the Nod-Krai teaser, we finally got a look at their founder, none other than Klee’s mother, Alice.
The teaser also introduced another member: Nicole Reeyn. If she sounds familiar, it’s because she reached out to us telepathically at the end of Sumeru’s story. Nicole warned us about disrupting the order of Teyvat and the difficulty of defying Celestia’s grip on destiny. Unable to speak physically, she communicates directly into people’s minds.
Both Alice and Nicole seem set to play a major role in Nod-Krai, though they might not be the only witches we’ll encounter. One likely candidate is Rhinedottir, a figure central to Teyvat’s lore. She’s the creator of Albedo and Durin, a member of the Hexenzirkel. She’s also one of the infamous Five Sinners of Khaenri’ah. In an Interlude Teaser, it was revealed that she fused with Naberius, the Ruler of Life. It places her among the most powerful beings we currently know of in Teyvat.
The Knights of Favonius
During our time in Nod-Krai, we’ll team up with the Knights of Favonius to uncover the region’s many secrets. As the very first faction we crossed paths with at the start of our journey, it feels fitting to join forces with them once again. And this time, with Grand Master Varka finally stepping onto the stage, we’ll definitely have some serious strength backing us up.
The Treasure Hoarders
At first glance, they might look like small-time thugs, random enemies you bump into along the way. But HoYoverse clearly has bigger plans for them in Nod-Krai. Ever since launch, fans have speculated about their insignia, which bears a striking resemblance to the symbol of Khaenri’ah. That connection hints that the treasure they’re chasing could be tied to the lost civilisation itself. And with Reed Miller’s fabled treasure rumoured to be hidden in Nod-Krai, it looks like we’re finally going to learn a lot more about this mysterious group.
The Adventurers’ Guild
The Adventurers’ Guild may look like nothing more than a helpful organization for travellers. But ever since the game’s launch, players have been wary of them, and with good reason. The Guild has long-standing ties to the Fatui.
That connection isn’t surprising given their many branches spread across Teyvat. But here’s the twist: the Guild’s main headquarters are actually in Nod-Krai, where we’ll supposedly meet its leader, rumoured to be none other than Sandrone, a Fatui Harbinger. This theory has been circulating for some time, but the new region may finally provide us with answers. And who knows, maybe Katheryne isn’t quite as friendly as she seems…
The Frostmoon Scions
Shifting to factions unique to Nod-Krai, we have the Frostmoon Scions, a group Lauma belongs to. They trace their lineage back to an ancient civilisation called Hyperborea, also known as the “Golden City.” Very little is known about Hyperborea, except that it was swallowed by the sea after the fall of a Celestial Nail. Forced to abandon their homeland, the Frostmoon Scions resettled in Nod-Krai, carrying with them the memory of what they lost.
Their presence poses a serious challenge to the Fatui. As descendants of one of Teyvat’s oldest civilisations, the Scions wield powers older than the seven elements themselves. They are abilities reminiscent of the Dragon Sovereigns. Some speculate that Hyperborea’s ruins lie near Snezhnaya, which could spark yet another clash between the Scions and the Fatui.
The Wild Hunt
The Wild Hunt serves as the Abyss’s army in Nod-Krai, making them one of our main adversaries in the region alongside the Fatui. Their goal? Uncovering the secrets of the three Moon Sisters. In fact, their assaults on Nod-Krai stretch back long before the Cataclysm itself.
This suggests they aren’t directly tied to the Abyss Order led by our sibling. In fact, that organisation only came into being after the fall of Khaenri’ah. That points to another mastermind pulling the strings behind the Wild Hunt’s attacks.
Many theories point to the involvement of one of the Five Sinners, and the idea makes a lot of sense. Given their deep ties to the Abyss, it feels inevitable that we’ll learn more about them as the story unfolds. One strong candidate is Rerir, also known as Rächer of Solnari. His title translates to “Moon Hunter”, a name that couldn’t be more fitting for Nod-Krai’s mysteries.
The Lightkeepers
After discussing the Wild Hunt, it’s only fitting to turn to their counterparts, the Lightkeepers. Very little is known about this faction, except that they were formed to protect Nod-Krai from the Wild Hunt’s relentless attacks. The group was founded by the Torchforger, another enigmatic figure we may learn more about once we encounter Flins.
The Voynich Guild
As an autonomous region, Nod-Krai doesn’t have a formal government to oversee its people. The closest thing is the Voynich Guild, which mainly handles trade, at least according to Liben. But the Guild has also managed to enforce certain rules across Nod-Krai, often through fear. And it looks like Nefer may have played a role in shaping that influence…
The Snowland Fae
The Snowland Fae were once devoted followers of the First Cryo Archon, the Belyi Tsar. This magical race recalls Fontaine’s Oceanids and their connection to Egeria, the first Hydro Archon. According to what we know, they appear to have lost much of their power following the disappearance of the First Cryo Archon. This fall from grace might even be linked to the current ruler of Snezhnaya, the Tsaritsa and leader of the Fatui.
Even so, the Snowland Fae are set to play a major role in Nod-Krai’s story. They could also hold crucial clues about the Tsaritsa’s larger plans, making them a faction to watch closely.
The Clink-Clank Krumkake Craftshop
Last but not least is a machine workshop famed for the prodigy who runs it. From our encounters with Ineffa, it seems this genius, Aino, is expected to be a major ally as we explore Nod-Krai. We’ll likely meet them in Nasha Town, but we won’t know for sure until the update goes live.
So, what do you think about all these factions? Excited to uncover their secrets and see how they connect with each other?
If you’re itching for more details, the Song of the Welkin Moon web event is still a great place to dive deeper, as it revealed plenty about these intriguing groups!
