The Ultimate Guide to Unlocking the Hidden Secrets of Genshin Impact's 'Heavenly Principles'

Highlights

Genshin Impact's lore includes the mysterious Heavenly Principles, who played a major role in The Cataclysm and the destruction of Khaen'riah.

The Heavenly Principles, also referred to as the Unknown God, possesses the ability to inflict permanent curses, as evidenced by the affected inhabitants of Khaen'riah.

The Fatui Harbingers, along with other concerned parties, dread the resurgence of the Unknown God and the possibility of another sinister conflict arising if the Abyss Order manages to awaken the entity.

Beneath Genshin Impact's vibrant visuals lies a rich lore that stretches far into the past, weaving a compelling narrative that has brought the game to the forefront. Just like any well-crafted story, certain aspects of its history remain shrouded in mystery, particularly within the realm of Teyvat, prompting players to carefully consider these enigmatic elements. Popular games such as Destiny 2 have begun unraveling intricate lore through quests like "Parting The Veil," and Genshin Impact follows suit by shedding light on the elusive Heavenly Principles. Delving into the game's paradigm-shifting events known as The Cataclysm reveals glimpses of the Heavenly Principles' immense power, with clues to their nature hidden within the accompanying tragedy.

Taking place approximately 500 years prior to the main events of Genshin Impact, The Cataclysm represents the most recent occurrence in a long history of violence that dates back to the Archon War. The Cataclysm ultimately led to the destruction of Khaen'riah at the hands of the gods and the enigmatic Heavenly Principles. Since then, these beings have maintained an unobtrusive presence, leaving players with only a brief encounter in the game's opening scene with the enigmatic entity known as the Unknown God, also referred to as the Heavenly Principles. However, little is known about its origins or how it came to be, and characters only touch upon this mysterious figure in fleeting dialogues, although Nahida and a select few Fatui Harbingers seem to possess knowledge of its secrets.

The Unknown God Has a Streak of Violence

Also known as the First Descender as referred to by Nahida, the Heavenly Principles is a being that originates from beyond Teyvat. The only other known member of this group is Genshin Impact's protagonist, Traveler. The people of Khaen'riah initially suspected the Principles' extraterrestrial roots and spent thousands of years planning to overthrow the gods. They even developed Ruin machines to battle against Celestia and sought evidence of the gods' deceptive nature from Enkanomiya. Interestingly, the nation remained untouched until they delved into the powers of the Abyss 500 years ago, resulting in their rampage across Teyvat.

The revolution was suppressed by Celestia and the gods, leading to the destruction of the ancient country that had existed for millennia. Through this defeat of their would-be usurpers, the Heavenly Principles showcased its terrifying abilities. Furthermore, it imposed a final cruel punishment on the people of Khaen'riah. The First Descender possesses the ability to lay nearly irreversible curses and pronounced a curse on the living citizens based on their social status. Those belonging to pure bloodlines were cursed with immortality, similar to the afflictions suffered by the Seelie after their conflict with the Sovereigns. On the other hand, non-purebloods faced a grimmer fate as they were stripped of their thoughts and transformed into hilichurls.

The Heavenly Principles faced significant challenges and casualties during the battle. The Hydro Archon, known as Lord of Amrita, and the Electro Archon, Raiden Makoto, lost their lives. The Electro Archon was replaced by Ei, causing a rift within the Heavenly Principles. The Tsaritsa, later joining the Fatui Harbingers, also played a role in the aftermath. After the conflict, the Heavenly Principles, much like some members of The Seven, withdrew and entered a state of dormancy within the world of Genshin Impact following the destruction of Khaen'riah.

Even after centuries, the display of power by the Heavenly Principles remains in the memory of Teyvat's citizens. The Fatui Harbingers, in particular, understand the capabilities of the Heavenly Principles. They fear the return of the Unknown God and the potential chaos it could bring, despite their ambitious goals. The power of the Unknown God is seen as undeniable, and there is a genuine concern that the Abyss Order may awaken this entity, leading to another devastating conflict.

Genshin Impact is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, and mobile devices. A Switch version is in development.