What is the Next Nation After Natlan? Unraveling the Mysteries of Teyvat's Archon Order
For fans of the wildly popular game Genshin Impact, a burning question on everyone's mind is: what comes after Natlan? Natlan, the fiery nation ruled by the God of War, Murata, is the next major region slated for release in the game's ever-expanding world of Teyvat. But the journey doesn't end there. Players are eager to know what lies beyond Natlan, both in terms of storyline progression and the eventual introduction of new playable regions and characters.
To answer this, we need to delve into the established lore of Genshin Impact. Teyvat is divided into seven distinct nations, each under the rule of an Archon, one of the seven gods who govern the world. These Archons are tied to specific elements and ideals. We've already visited Mondstadt (Anemo), Liyue (Geo), Inazuma (Electro), Sumeru (Dendro), and Fontaine (Hydro). Natlan will be the sixth, leaving one more nation to be revealed after it.
The Established Order of Nations in Teyvat
The order in which these nations are presented to players is generally believed to follow a specific pattern, hinting at the future progression of the Traveler's journey. Here's the established order we've seen so far:
- Mondstadt: The City of Freedom, ruled by the Anemo Archon, Barbatos.
- Liyue: The Harbor of Contracts, ruled by the Geo Archon, Rex Lapis.
- Inazuma: The Nation of Eternity, ruled by the Electro Archon, Baal/Beelzebul.
- Sumeru: The Nation of Wisdom, ruled by the Dendro Archon, Buer/Nahida.
- Fontaine: The Nation of Justice, ruled by the Hydro Archon, Furina/Focalors.
- Natlan: The Nation of War, ruled by the Pyro Archon, Murata.
The Unveiled Seventh Nation: Snezhnaya
Based on the established pattern and numerous in-game clues and prophecies, the seventh and final nation to be revealed in Teyvat is widely speculated to be Snezhnaya. Snezhnaya is the homeland of the Fatui and is ruled by the Tsaritsa, the Cryo Archon. The Fatui are a prominent antagonistic force in the game, and their ultimate goals and the nature of the Tsaritsa's power are central to the overarching narrative of Genshin Impact. The Traveler's journey is expected to culminate in a confrontation or understanding with Snezhnaya and its Archon.
What do we know about Snezhnaya?
While details are still scarce, Snezhnaya is depicted as a harsh, cold nation. It's known for its advanced technology and military prowess, largely due to the influence of the Fatui. The Fatui Harbingers, the most powerful members of the organization, all hail from Snezhnaya and wield powerful abilities, often augmented by Delusions – artificial Archon Visions.
"The Tsaritsa, the God of Love, has turned against the divine. She has gathered enough power to overthrow the principles of celestia. And for that, her subjects are willing to wage war against the entire world."
- Tartaglia (Childe) regarding the Tsaritsa
This quote from the character Childe, one of the Eleven Fatui Harbingers, provides a glimpse into the Tsaritsa's ambition and the Fatui's motivations. It suggests a grander conflict is brewing, with Snezhnaya playing a pivotal role.
The Traveler's Journey and the Archon's Quest
The Traveler's primary goal throughout Genshin Impact is to find their lost twin sibling. Along the way, they become entangled in the affairs of each nation and its Archon, often resolving conflicts and learning more about the world's history and the nature of the gods. The quest to gather the seven Archons' attention, or to understand their motives, is a driving force behind the Traveler's exploration.
Therefore, the order of nation releases strongly suggests that after visiting Natlan, the Traveler will inevitably turn their attention to Snezhnaya to confront the Fatui and the Cryo Archon, potentially bringing the main storyline to its climax.
Why this specific order?
The order in which the nations are revealed isn't purely random. It often aligns with the elements' symbolic relationships or the narrative's pacing. For instance, the progression from Mondstadt (Anemo) to Liyue (Geo) establishes the foundational elements. Sumeru's introduction of Dendro brought a new layer of complexity to combat mechanics. Fontaine's focus on justice and Hydro's fluid nature provided a stark contrast to the previous nations.
Natlan, with its emphasis on war and the Pyro element, is expected to bring intense combat challenges and a focus on passion and conflict. Following this, Snezhnaya, representing Cryo and the concept of love (albeit a twisted or lost form according to the lore), will likely offer a conclusion that deals with profound themes and a large-scale conflict.
The Future of Teyvat
While Snezhnaya is the most anticipated seventh nation, it's important to remember that miHoYo, the developer of Genshin Impact, is known for its intricate world-building and potential for surprises. There could be entirely new regions or hidden lands introduced that aren't part of the initial seven Archon-ruled nations. However, for the foreseeable future, the "next nation after Natlan" is almost certainly Snezhnaya, marking the final step in the Traveler's quest to understand the Archons and find their sibling.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How will the Traveler interact with the Cryo Archon?
The exact nature of the Traveler's interaction with the Cryo Archon, the Tsaritsa, is unknown. However, given the Fatui's antagonistic role and the Tsaritsa's ambition to overthrow the divine, the interaction is likely to be confrontational or at least involve significant conflict and revelation about the true nature of Teyvat's hierarchy.
Why is Snezhnaya depicted as a cold nation?
Snezhnaya's depiction as a cold nation is symbolic, representing the Cryo element and possibly the perceived coldness or detachment of its ruler, the Tsaritsa, or the harsh realities of life and governance in that region. It also serves as a stark contrast to warmer climates seen in other nations.
Will there be more nations revealed after Snezhnaya?
While the current lore focuses on seven Archon-ruled nations, miHoYo has a history of expanding their game worlds. It's possible that after the main storyline involving the seven nations concludes, new regions or continents could be introduced to Teyvat or beyond, offering further adventures and mysteries to explore.
