Four shades. Four paths. One revelation that could redefine every fight, every rumor, every beacon of the Teyvat map.
These Four Shades are the Rulers in Genshin Impact, who are stronger than the seven Archons. They act as envoys or emissaries for the Heavenly Principles and are in charge of different aspects of Teyvat.
The latest Teyvat chapter, Interlude teaser: The God’s Limits, has finally revealed the identity of the Four Shades. All of them hold major importance in the story of Genshin Impact, and will likely have more to do in the upcoming 6.0 and 7.0 version arcs. So, here is a quick guide on all Four Shades in Genshin Impact.
1. Ronova: Ruler of Death
Ronova commands the power of death with precision and cold authority. Once a guardian of balance, she now governs the passage between life and decay, her presence marking the end of all vitality that dares defy the natural order. Her dominion is silent yet absolute, shaping Mortem’s domain where no soul escapes her sight. Legends tell that her gaze alone can halt time for those who challenge her law, turning defiance into dust.
Ronova was first mentioned during the Natlan Archon missions. She established the rules in Natlan and helped Yohualtecuhtin, the Lord of the Night Kingdom, in creating the Night Kingdom.
Mavuika used Ronova’s powers through the Divine Throne to defeat the Abyss in Natlan. Ronova is also responsible for the Curse of Immortality placed on all natives of Khaenri’ah. The Curse of Immortality is the core of the resentment of the Abyss Order. As long as the Curse of Immortality remains, Khaenri’ah cannot be revived by the Traveler’s sibling.
So, we might get to see an altercation between Ronova and the Abyss Order in the story very soon.
2. Istaroth: Ruler of Time
Istaroth, known as the Ruler of Time, governs the unseen flow of past, present, and future across Teyvat. Her influence is subtle yet enduring, weaving through ancient civilizations and divine events. Often described as both merciful and distant, Istaroth’s touch shapes destinies without direct intervention. The lingering traces of her worship in Mondstadt and Enkanomiya suggest a deity whose power transcends eras, hinting at secrets buried deep within the timelines of Genshin Impact’s universe.
Istaroth is the Ruler of Time in the world of Genshin Impact and is known to be worshipped by the Enkanomiyans. She was responsible for diverting the attention of the Traveler’s sibling away from Khaenri’ah during the Cataclysm.
She has the power to bestow “History” and might be responsible for the rich and diverse culture of Teyvat. Her appearance in the latest ‘The God’s Limits’ teaser seems to give the impression that she is constantly bored and fickle-minded. However, it can be her way of keeping suspicion away from her well-thought-out actions.
Also Read: Who is Barbeloth in Genshin Impact?
3. Naberius: Ruler of Life
Naberius governs the domain of life and vitality, embodying the force that nurtures growth and renewal throughout Teyvat. His influence is tied to the balance between creation and decay, maintaining the natural rhythm that sustains all living things. Known for his wisdom and compassion, Naberius stands as a guardian of existence itself, ensuring that the spark of life continues to flourish even amid conflict or change.
Naberius is the Ruler of Life, and she appears to have merged with ‘Gold’ Rhinedottir at some point after the Cataclysm. Rhinedottir is one of the Five Sinners of Khaenri’ah and was responsible for the Cataclysm that occurred 500 years ago.
She decided to go against the Heavenly Principles and created artificial life, like Durin and Albedo, which eventually wreaked havoc in Teyvat. At some point in time after that, she devoured the ‘Gold’ Rhinedottir, and both of them currently share the same body.
4. Asmoday: Ruler of Space
Asmoday governs the mysteries of space with boundless precision and control. His power bends the structure of reality itself, manipulating distances, positions, and celestial forces with unmatched skill. Within his dominion, the boundaries between stars and dimensions blur, creating patterns that reflect both order and infinite possibility. Known for a sharp intellect and calm authority, Asmoday shapes the balance of cosmic forces with a measured hand, maintaining harmony between the vastness of creation and the limits of perception.
Asmoday is the ‘Unknown God’that the Traveler and Sibling first fight during the opening cutscene of Genshin Impact. It was Asmoday who separated the Travelers and sent them to Teyvat. She calls, or used to call, herself the sustainer of Heavenly Principles.
The latest teaser suggests that Asmoday has switched sides. This can only mean that she will be going against the Heavenly Principles.
Who is Ronova and what are her abilities
Ronova is the Ruler (or Shade) of Death, one of the four powerful divine enforcers serving the Heavenly Principles (Primordial One) in Genshin Impact lore. She plays a key antagonistic role in Natlan’s storyline and the Cataclysm, enforcing cosmic order while showing complex motivations like aiding certain regions against the Abyss.
Background and Role
Ronova governs the laws of death across Teyvat, defining how entities die or denying death entirely, such as cursing Khaenri’ah’s pure-blooded people with immortality during the Cataclysm. She helped establish Natlan’s rules, guided Yohualtecuhtin in creating the Night Kingdom to combat the Abyss, and lent power to figures like the first Pyro Archon Xbalanque and Mavuika, though this led to reprimands from higher powers for overstepping. Despite her enforcer nature, she intervenes secretly in Teyvat’s fate, blending punishment with subtle aid, and observes events through crimson rifts manifesting multiple eyes.
Key Abilities
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Death Manipulation: Absolute control over death’s essence, allowing her to curse with immortality, collect souls, or dictate death forms; she summoned a black hole during Khaenri’ah’s fall to consume ruins.
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Space Dissolution: Can erase or split space, countering cube-based barriers from Asmoday, suggesting Shades share overlapping powers.
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Power Bestowal: Grants death-related authority to others (e.g., Mavuika), but at the cost of the wielder facing death if they falter.
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Observation and Enforcement: Manifests eyes via sky rifts for surveillance and intervenes to uphold Heavenly Principles, aware of threats like the Tsaritsa and Fatui.
Ronova’s role in Khaenri’ah Cataclysm
Ronova, as the Shade or Ruler of Death, played a pivotal role in enforcing the Heavenly Principles during the Khaenri’ah Cataclysm approximately 500 years ago. She imposed the infamous Curse of Immortality on all pure-blooded Khaenri’ahns, denying them natural death while allowing their bodies and minds to decay eternally as punishment for their nation’s sins-particularly the actions of the Five Sinners who harnessed Abyssal power.
Specific Actions
Ronova acted as an envoy of Celestia, observing Khaenri’ah due to its godless nature and location outside standard divine regulations, which raised concerns for the Primordial One (Phanes). During the Cataclysm’s chaos, she applied the curse indiscriminately, affecting even innocents, which later drew criticism from figures like Capitano for its breadth despite Khaenri’ah’s role in provoking the Abyss invasion. This curse created a paradox, as it potentially shielded pure-bloods from a secondary “Curse of the Wilderness” (hilichurl transformation) applied to mixed-blood Khaenri’ahns.
Motivations and Aftermath
Her involvement stemmed from duty, but lore hints at underlying guilt, influencing her later aid to Natlan (e.g., empowering Xbalanque and creating the Night Kingdom), seen by some as atonement before she grew indifferent post-censure by higher powers. Capitano later confronted her, attempting to force a rule break by transferring his life force, but Ronova upheld the immortality curse, granting eternal life to Yohualtecuhtin instead.
