I've been wandering the chilly landscapes of Nod-Krai for weeks now, and let me tell you—the rumors about Fatui activity here weren't exaggerated one bit. As a traveler who's seen their fair share of Teyvat's wonders and dangers, I thought I was prepared for what awaited in this southern reach of Snezhnaya. Boy, was I wrong!
The Unexpected Detour
When HoYoverse first announced we'd be heading to Snezhnaya in 2025, I was pumped to finally confront the Tsaritsa directly. Instead, we've found ourselves in this fascinating border region called Nod-Krai. It's technically part of Snezhnaya, but has its own distinct identity that sets it apart from the Cryo nation proper.
This detour is actually extending Genshin's roadmap by a full year! Not that I'm complaining—Nod-Krai is breathtaking with its three moons (Aria, Sonnet, and Canon) casting an ethereal glow over frost-kissed forests. The political tension here is so thick you could cut it with Xiao's spear. The power struggles between local factions have created the perfect breeding ground for Fatui interference.
Harbingers Gathering in the Shadows
After everything that went down in Natlan (still can't believe I survived that volcano eruption!), the Tsaritsa recalled all her Harbingers back to Snezhnaya. But they weren't called home for a cozy reunion—they were immediately dispatched to Nod-Krai. Talk about workplace stress! 😅
From what I've gathered during my exploration, at least three Harbingers are confirmed or rumored to be operating in the region:
-
Dottore - This guy gives me the creeps. I've seen him in person leading Fatui forces during my first week here. His presence was confirmed in the official Nod-Krai teaser trailer, and locals whisper about his experiments in the abandoned mines to the east.
-
Sandrone - According to intelligence I've gathered from questionable tavern sources, she's expected to make an appearance in one of the early 6.X updates. Her mechanical puppets have been spotted patrolling the outskirts of settlements.
-
Columbina - Now this is interesting! There are whispers that she might actually be the legendary Frost Moon Goddess that the Frostmoon Scions worship. If true, that would explain the faction's unwavering devotion and the strange lunar phenomena I've witnessed.
The Frost Moon Connection
Last night, I managed to infiltrate a Frostmoon Scion ceremony deep in the northern woods. The devotees were chanting to the moons, particularly focusing on what they called "the newborn Frost Moon." Their rituals mentioned a goddess who had "descended among mortals to guide the worthy."
If Columbina is indeed this Frost Moon Goddess, it makes perfect sense why she'd be operating in Nod-Krai. The region's connection to the three sister moons runs deeper than I initially thought. The Frostmoon Scions aren't just some fringe cult—they control significant territory and resources.
One elder I spoke with (after bribing him with some Mondstadt wine, works every time!) mentioned that their goddess was "born of celestial frost but walks with human grace." That description matches what little we know about Columbina.
Playable Potential?
Look, I'm not just exploring for the thrill—I'm always on the lookout for potential allies. So naturally, I've been assessing which of these Harbingers might join my team someday.
Dottore? Fat chance. The man experiments on children! Even by Fatui standards, he's a special kind of evil. I've heard rumors he might become a weekly boss fight, which makes more sense than him becoming playable.
Sandrone seems equally unlikely. Her reputation for cruelty precedes her, and from what I've observed of her mechanical minions, she's not the type to play nice with others.
Columbina, however... now there's potential. If she truly is this benevolent moon deity, she might have motivations that align with mine at some point. Unlike her more sadistic colleagues, she hasn't been portrayed as purely villainous yet.
My Current Situation
I'm writing this from a small inn on the outskirts of the main settlement. The Fatui presence has increased dramatically over the past few days. Their agents are questioning locals about "unusual travelers"—which is never a good sign when you're an unusual traveler.
Tomorrow I plan to investigate the ancient lunar observatory in the mountains. Local legends say it was built to communicate with the three moons, and I've seen unusual Fatui activity around the site.
The Road Ahead
As Version 6.0 unfolds, I expect my path will cross with Dottore's directly. Whether that happens immediately or gets pushed to Version 6.1 remains to be seen. The pattern in Fontaine suggests we might get a slow buildup—remember how we knew about Arlecchino long before actually confronting her?
The upcoming story arc might feature the largest concentration of Fatui activity we've seen yet. Three Harbingers in one region? The Tsaritsa isn't messing around.
I can't help but wonder though—with the Fatui gathering such significant forces in Nod-Krai, what exactly are they preparing for? Is this just about regional control, or is something bigger brewing in the shadows of those three mysterious moons?
What would you do in my position? Rush headlong into confronting these Harbingers, or continue gathering intelligence from the shadows before making your move?