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| “ | You are the greediest human I have ever met, and the fiercest negotiator. No other would seriously ask to borrow my power. My domain is death, and its power comes at a great price... The question is, are you prepared to pay? | „ |
| ~ Ronova negotiating with the Pyro Archon Xbalanque. |
| “ | I have grown weary of the endless wait. The fate of this land is of no interest to me anymore. However, you humans managed to meet the expectations of the Heavenly Principles... For that result, you deserve praise. Mavuika, as the price for using my power, I shall now bear witness to your death. And with you, the war that your nation has waged for more than a thousand years shall meet its end. | „ |
| ~ Ronova returning to claim the Pyro Archon. |
Ronova, also known as the Ruler of Death, is a major antagonist in the 2020 action role-playing fantasy video game Genshin Impact.
Ronova was a god who served as one of the Four Shades of the Heavenly Principles. Known as the "Ruler of Death," she had complete control over the essence of death. She used her power to curse the people of Khaenri'ah with immortality and provide strength to the people of Natlan.
Ronova is voiced by Selene in Chinese, by Aiden Dawn in English, and by Fumiko Orikasa in Japanese.
Synopsis[]
Ruler of Death[]
Ronova was one of the Four Shades, powerful gods that were created by the progenitor god known as the Heavenly Principles to serve as their enforcers in their war against the Seven Sovereigns of the land of Teyvat. Known as the "Ruler of Death," Ronova had total control over the concept of death itself. The Heavenly Principles and the Four Shades eventually defeated and deposed the Seven Sovereigns, allowing them to establish a new order for Teyvat.
Rules of Natlan[]
When the Second Who Came arrived to Teyvat, the Heavenly Principles fought against the Descender and the ancient Dragons with the aid of its allies. Ronova is also believed to have taken part in this battle, though the outcome was disastrous - the land that would eventually be known as Natlan would be severely devastated and its Ley Lines taking extreme damage. Though the Heavenly Principles and the Second Who Came would forge an alliance later, Ronova ordered her subordinate Yohualtecuhtin to reconstruct the Ley Lines in the form of the Night Kingdom and assigns her as the Lord of the Night and the overseer of the new realm. However, this act would not go unnoticed by the Heavenly Principles, who considered this as overstepping of the authority granted by them and were greatly displeased.
Xbalanque, a mere human who became the first Pyro Archon by slaying a weakened Xiuhcoatl, strikes a deal with Ronova to let him borrow the power of Death to empower the Pyro Archon throne and create a system known as the Sacred Flame that allows people with Ancient Names that died while fighting the Abyss to be resurrected. He also ensured that a new system was created that would allow humans to become Pyro Archon, create the Night Kingdom to act as the new Leylines for Natlan, at the condition that if the Heavenly Principles realize they struck a deal without their permission, she will deny her involvement, citing her powers were stolen and that in due time the price for using the powers of Death must be paid - the price being the demise of the Pyro Archon.
Though the Four Shades were apathetic towards being worshipped, the integral role that they and their master played in the creation and maintenance of Teyvat's modern form earned them reverence in various cultures. In Nod-Krai, an autonomous region of the nation of Snezhnaya, the Frostmoon Scions, a culture that worshipped the Three Moons rather than the Seven, saw the Heavenly Principles and the Shades as malevolent entities that needed to be appeased. Ronova was called "Tuonetar" by the Scions, who sacrificed animals in her honor until they eventually abandoned their veneration of Celestia.
Cataclysm of Khaenri'ah[]
Around a millennia and a half after helping Xbalanque, Ronova, in her duty as an envoy of the Heavenly Principles, used her power over death to place a curse on the pure-blooded people of the Kingdom of Khaenri'ah. A small group of Khaenri'ahns (later known as the Five Sinners of Khaenri'ah) had harnessed the power of the Abyss to garner great power and, for their sin, their people were condemned by the Heavenly Principles. The curse laid upon the pure-blooded Khaenr'iahns was a curse of immortality that ensured that, while their body still slowly degraded overtime, they could never properly die. Just moments before placing this curse on them, Pierro, the Court Mage of Khaenri'ah, sees Ronova.
Natlan Archon Quest[]
After defeating the Heart of The Abyss Gosoythoth, the Traveler and Mavuika return back to the world of the living and celebrate their victory. However, Citlali approaches the Traveler with a concern because she found out Mavuika is still fated to die as per the agreement held many years ago. They travel to Ochkanatlan, where Ronova makes her first on-screen appearance (though it is later revealed to be merely an "eye" of sorts used to observe Teyvat) along with Mavuika and Yohualtecuhtin. Mavuika says that she must sacrifice her life for Yohualtecuhtin so she can have enough power to continue protecting the Night Kingdom from future Abyss attacks now that it is free from Abyss control, allowing the people of Natlan to finally lead a normal life. However before Mavuika can sacrifice herself, Yohualtecuhtin says she has another person who can be used as a sacrifice instead and he is revealed to be the Captain.
The Captain and Ororon arrive just in time before Mavuika makes her choice, offering himself to be a sacrifice instead. His power is comparable to an Archon so the bargain is considered. However, the curse of immortality creates a paradox - one that would threaten Teyvat's laws, and the Captain is more than happy to create a situation in retaliation for the suffering she has put Khaenrians through. If he was to be sacrificed in Mavuika's place for Yohualtecuhtin, she will inherit his immortality and no longer need a sacrifice in the future, thus breaking Ronova's rules, or Ronova has to lift the curse for the Captain to allow the rule to be upheld, or risk creating a paradox in a system that could break Heavenly Principles' laws entirely.
Not wanting to awaken the Heavenly Principles, Ronova accepts the Captain's offer. She chooses to uphold the curse of immortality, thus allowing the Captain and the souls in his body to become part of the Night Kingdom where they can finally be at peace, while his body will remain seated at Ochkanatlan until the end of time. After the process is complete, both Ronova and Yohualtecuhtin leave. With Natlan's Leylines secure and stable, the Natlanese are now able to leave Natlan and explore freely, all thanks to the Captain's sacrifice.
[]
Ronova makes her first physical appearance in Teyvat Chapter Interlude Teaser: The God's Limits, after observing Rhinedottir, perform an experiment in an unknown area. It is later revealed that Rhinedottir has merged herself with Naberius, the Ruler of Life, and has indirectly become one of the Four Shades, long after consuming her heart.
After the Shades, including Istaroth, Ruler of Time, convene a meeting with each other, they notice that their fellow Shade, Ruler of Space, Asmoday, has not attended this meeting (which has not happened previously), and that she has likely switched sides, and may possibly be serving a new master, annoying Ronova. Istaroth states that Ronova is being watched, to which the Ruler of Death is surprised and asks whose gaze could be so far, and looks back at the one gazing. The one watching the Shade of Death in contempt is revealed to be the Jester, who looks on from the Fatui Stronghold in Nod-Krai. Ronova remembers that she saw him just before casting the curse of immortality on Khaen'rians. Rhinedottir states that he is her old acquaintance and that working for the Tsaritsa has likely caused him to let go of his past obsessions.
However, Ronova scoffs at the Tsaritsa's ambitions, questioning how one with such 'paltry' powers could even dare challenge the Heavenly Principles. While discussing the Cryo Archon's recent movements, Rhinedottir calmly notes that the Heavenly Principles have yet to "awaken" and suggests that in the Archon's position, she too would not pass on such an opportunity. Her speculative remark prompts a swift reaction—Naberius manifests separately from her with a stern tone as she warns Rhinedottir not to think in that manner. Rhinedottir merely laughs in response, brushing off the tension, casually telling her that it was merely a hypothetical statement.
Amid the exchange, Ronova observes the situation with quiet intensity. With no direct orders given, she states that the time has come for them to take action.
Powers & Abilities[]
Powers[]
- God Physiology
- Death-Force Manipulation: As a concept, death was the end of all life, upon which a lifeform's biological functions would cease and they would begin to decay. Ronova, being the Ruler of Death under the rule of the Heavenly Principles, had absolute control over the essence of the concept of death and could manipulate it to her desire.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- The names of gods in Genshin Impact were derived from the names of demons detailed in the Ars Goetia, one of the five books that comprised the seventeenth century demonology grimoire The Lesser Key of Solomon. "Ronove" was ranked twenty-seventh among the seventy-two demons described in the Ars Goetia and was depicted as a count and one of the fifteen marquises of Hell. A teacher of art, languages, and rhetoric, Ronove commanded twenty of Hell's demonic legions. He was a collector of old souls, often coming to Earth to harvest the souls of lifeforms close to death.
- The etymology of figures, places, and concepts related to the region of Nod-Krai were derived from the various stories of Slavic mythology. In the religion of the Frostmoon Scions of Nod-Krai, Ronova was referred to as Tuonetar. In Finnish mythology, "Tuonetar" was a goddess of the subterrain world and Queen of the Underworld Tuonela, ruling alongside her husband Tuoni.
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 Houkai Honkai Beasts Anti-Entropy Schicksal World Serpent Sky People Quantum Shadows Imaginary Creatures Others  Heavenly Principles Seven Sovereigns Mondstadt Liyue Inazuma Sumeru Fontaine Kingdom of Remuria Natlan Snezhnaya Khaenri'ah The Abyss Light Realm Others  Aeons Antimatter Legion Annihilation Gang Jarilo-VI Denizens of Abundance Interastral Peace Corporation The Swarm Penacony Masked Fools Stellaron Hunters Genius Society Amphoreus Garden of Recollection Memetic Entities Other Characters Other Organizations Crossover  Top Members Janus Quarter Branch Ravenlock Family Waifei Peninsula Branch Drowned Ideals Proxies Other Vision Corporation Red Fang Gang Ethereals Sacrifice Mountain Lion Gang The Vanquishers Defense Force Obsidian Division Others Astra-nomical Moment (Special Episode) Defense Force Obsidian Division | ||