Source: HoYoverse
With Natlan coming to version 5, we’re off to discover new branches to the overarching plot of Genshin Impact. What can we expect from the Nation of Fire and its elusive God of War?
Much is not known about the customs of Natlan and its god, Murata. But with the known Genshin Impact plot formula so far, we can expect an internal struggle within the nation, most likely either helmed by its own god, its people, or the circumstances of Celestia.
Natlan is located on the other side of Sumeru’s desert region, the Great Red Sand, and is surrounded by natural hot springs made from volcanic activity. Mare Jivari, an oft-mentioned barren expanse of ash and lava since the beginning of the game, is theorised to be located somewhere within Natlan.
Natlan’s people are separated into tribes, though it is unconfirmed how many tribes there are in the current era. 1,000 years ago before the creation of the Mare Jivari, Natlan was separated into 6 major tribes.
One of the known tribes in modern-day Natlan is known as the Nanatzcayan people, who work as miners near the border between Natlan and Sumeru.
Natlan natives are described as energetic, with a red-hot passion for war and battle, but with reservations about leaving their homeland. Boxing is the nation’s favorite pastime.
Alongside the sizable human population, dragons called Saurians also reside in Natlan. The Saurians are different from all the other dragons in Teyvat, as after having undergone years of development and evolution, they have formed close bonds with Natlan’s people as companions.
A few key figures in Teyvat’s history hail from Natlan. Venessa, the hero who rebuilt the corrupted city of Mondstadt and founded its Knights of Favonius, is said to be a “Flame-touched Muratan '' who wandered across the continents with her tribe until being enslaved by tyrannical nobles. There is also Tenoch, whose story is chronicled under the “Talking Stick” claymore’s description. Tenoch unified Natlan against a “turbid black tide” threatening the nation 1,000 years ago.
Natlan also has a unique ore, known as Obsidian. It vastly differs from other nations’ metals, and boasts a “divine flame” that makes it extra strong and hardy.
Natlan seems to be inspired by the Latin Americas, as well as African, Hispanic, and Aboriginal Australian cultures.
Murata
Murata is known as the second Pyro Archon, having ascended to godhood probably a thousand years ago. Not much is known about this archon, except that they are female and a very formidable warrior. Murata is also known as the “Lady of Fire”.
Venti, the Anemo Archon, describes Murata as “pretty obnoxious at times” in the manga prologue “Songs of the Wind”, recounting stories of how her people would perform rites of combat and celebrate victories in her name.
It is unknown either as to how Murata ascended to her position as Pyro Archon, but it can be confirmed that she did not fight in the Archon War where the original Seven took their claims to godhood and the Gnoses. We can infer that the first Pyro Archon was one of the original Seven, and perished somewhere along the way before the establishment of New Mondstadt and the Knights of Favonius.
There was also no mention of Murata during the Khaenri’ahn cataclysm 500 years ago, although it was confirmed that she, alongside five of the seven Archons of the time, was present during Khaenri’ah’s downfall.
What kind of dilemma will we face when we enter Natlan? It seems that HoYoverse has some new scheme up its sleeves, and we’re excited to find out!