What is Snezhnaya and Its Importance in Genshin Impact?
Snezhnaya is one of the seven regions of Teyvat. It is the nation that worships the Tsaritsa, the Cryo Archon. The Fatui, a military force under her control, is particularly notorious for their diehard devotion and unscrupulous methods in enacting her will. Moreover, Snezhnaya is a region of perpetual winter storms; Nadia states that blizzards can last for a month straight, and despite being in the midst of danger, its people look up to the sky and are just happy to be alive.
Interestingly, Snezhnaya is considered to share the same status as Mondstadt, being independent and not belonging to any other nation, according to Jean. Additionally, the Adventurers’ Guild originates from Snezhnaya; while this fact seems not to be a secret, few people comment on it, and the Guild doesn’t face the same apprehension that people regard the Fatui with.
Technological and Military Significance
- Technologically, Snezhnaya is much more advanced than the other regions of Teyvat. Venti has noted that the Fatui are the strongest military among the seven regions, as all of their known fighting members utilize elemental attacks. The description for Agent’s Sacrificial Knife calls it a ‘weapon made with superior Snezhnayan technology.’
- Snezhnaya is known as the strongest nation on Teyvat due to its economic power, intelligence capabilities, technological prowess, and military strength. The Northland Bank has shifted Teyvat’s economic center from Liyue to Snezhnaya, indicating its financial dominance. The ‘House of the Hearth’ has also deployed numerous spies to gather vital information, showcasing its intelligence network.
- Regarding military power, the Fatui soldiers are highly dedicated and willing to sacrifice their lives for the Tsaritsa. Strong figures like The Captain and the Harbingers lead them, with their capability highlighted by their ability to confront Archons, exemplifying their formidable strength.
- Advancements in technology are represented by leaders like the Doctor and Marionette, who contribute to research including elemental weapons and Delusions for the Fatui soldiers, demonstrating Snezhnaya’s cutting-edge technological advancements.
Cultural Inspirations
Snezhnaya seems to be inspired by a mix of Tsarist and Soviet Russia, primarily Siberia in regards to the landscape. It often uses Russian words for names. However, it also draws from other European nations, as seen in its usage of Italian commedia dell’arte stock characters’ names for the Harbingers.
Geopolitical Dynamics
Snezhnaya, Genshin Impact’s mysterious Cryo region, is set to be the last major nation explored by players. It is described as a nation of constant winter storms based on the Soviet Union, with Childe stating that people can literally freeze to death if they don’t keep moving. Snezhnaya is home to the Fatui Harbingers, who are the ongoing antagonists of the story. The Cryo Archon of Snezhnaya, known as the Tsaritsa of the Zapolyarny palace, leads a nation that is ahead of others in Teyvat in terms of economy, intelligence, technology, and military power.
Additionally, leaks indicate the presence of a powerful Fatui Harbinger, Columbina, within the upcoming region. Domestically, little is known about the Fatui’s reputation within Snezhnaya; however, it is hinted that ordinary citizens have little dealings with the Fatui on a day-to-day basis, seeing them largely as a military organization.
Understanding the Tsaritsa: Who is the Cryo Archon of Snezhnaya?
The Tsaritsa is the Cryo Archon of Snezhnaya and de facto leader of the Fatui. Neither her face nor ideal is currently known. She is gathering the Gnosis from the other 6 Archons in rebellion against the divine. Dainsleif states that she is a god with no love left for her people, nor do they have any left for her. Her followers hope to be on her side when the day of her rebellion against the divine comes at last.
Taking her quote from the Shivada Jade Gemstone, her motivations seem to be to burn away the old world. However, it remains unclear whether this is truly for the sake of peace or if there is more to uncover. Despite Dainsleif’s description, Tartaglia portrays her as a gentle soul with a cold but pure gaze, noting that her dreams of peace have led her to declare war on the entire world.
As the head of the Fatui, the Tsaritsa uses them to pressure other nations politically and financially. Though highly secretive, the Fatui have a vested interest in the Seven Archons and seek to amass enough power to challenge them. The 11 Fatui Harbingers, who answer directly to the Tsaritsa, receive their powerful Delusions from her.
Her Royal Highness the Tsaritsa, whose Goetic name and corresponding ideal remain unknown, is the Cryo Archon presiding over Snezhnaya. With supreme rule, she manipulates and intimidates other nations of Teyvat using her loyal followers in the Fatui. Although she targets the other Archons’ Gnoses for reasons unknown, it is likely related to her goal of ‘burning away the old world.’
It should be noted that the Tsaritsa is not one of the original members of The Seven who emerged victorious at the end of the Archon War. The details of when and how she ascended to her position as Cryo Archon remain unknown, although it occurred some time before the cataclysm 500 years ago, which left her deeply changed.
While the Tsaritsa does not appear in any quests, her Harbingers enforce her will and aim to rebel against the divine. They have been tasked with obtaining the Gnoses of her fellow Archons. Signora, for instance, personally collected the Anemo and Geo Gnoses on her behalf, first taking Barbatos’ by force due to animosity between them, and later acquiring Morax’s after the Tsaritsa offered him something he accepted as the ‘contract to end all contracts.’
Snezhnaya, one of the seven regions of Teyvat, worships the Tsaritsa, making her an overarching antagonist in Genshin Impact. The Tsaritsa, a mysterious Cryo Archon, still holds many secrets. New players can travel to Snezhnaya in Archon Quest Chapter VI, where they might see the original shape and design of the Cryo Archon.
What Unique Challenges and Puzzles Can We Expect in Snezhnaya?
Unique Challenges in Snezhnaya:
- Mamull Puzzle: Players must clear the Color Memory Game by memorizing painted stone sequences. They will use Hued Monetoo to color stones in the correct order. The challenge comprises three rounds with increasing difficulty. However, players may face a rigged game situation during the third round.
- Assisting the Iktomisaurus: In addition to the puzzle challenges, players are tasked with helping the Iktomisaurus by finding the key to free its child. This adds an additional layer of complexity to the gameplay. The key can be found at the upper right side of the wooden platform where the challenge takes place.
- Unlocking Achievements: Successfully completing these challenges leads to unlocking the ‘Alert and On Guard!’ achievement. This makes the puzzles rewarding in terms of in-game accomplishments.
- Location of Mamull: Mamull is located on the wooden structure just down and southwest of the Statue of Seven found by the Masters of the Night-Wind tribe settlement. Speak with him to start the Painted Stone Challenge.
- Solving the Painted Stone Challenge: To solve the first two puzzles of Mamull’s Painted Stone Challenge, players must remember the colors appearing on the stones atop the boxes. They need to extract colors from nearby Hued Monetoos to create the desired colors for the stones. After recreating the color pattern on the stones, talk to Mamull again to complete the puzzle and open a common chest.
- The Third Puzzle Challenge: The real difficulty arises with the third puzzle, which unlocks the Luxurious Chest in the back. In this round, Mamull will attempt to deceive players by having the Iktomisaur Saurian change the stone colors once painted. To counter this, players need to free the Iktomisaur’s child locked inside a cage found on the left side of the area. The key to unlock the cage is located by investigating a barrel on the right side of where the chests are.
- Communicating with Iktomisaurus: Once freed, players must speak with the adult Iktomisaur by transforming into one, as they won’t communicate with humans. There’s a transformation spot just to the left of the challenge area. Make sure to inform the adult Iktomisaur about their child’s freedom before returning to Mamull to restart the third challenge.
- Chamber Challenges: Each of the three Chambers features a different puzzle and mechanic that requires players to think strategically and utilize available tools. Carefully navigate each Chamber to complete the unique challenges.
About Snezhnaya:
Snezhnaya (Russian: Снежная Snezhnaya) is one of the seven regions of Teyvat. It is the nation that worships the Tsaritsa, the Cryo Archon. The Fatui, a military force under her control, is known for its complex schemes and challenges that may require players to think strategically and solve intricate puzzles.
