Lightkeepers
Last updated 2026-09-09
The Lightkeepers are an organization from Nod-Krai, Snezhnaya. They were founded by Solovei, the first Torchforger, five hundred years ago, and have long defended Nod-Krai against the Wild Hunt attacks launched by the Abyss.[1]
Their traditional insignia is a nightingale holding a burning wick in its beak.[2]
Overview
The Lightkeepers were established by royal edict of the Tsaritsa shortly after the Cataclysm, who approved Solovei's request for jurisdiction within Nod-Krai as an autonomous region.[3][4] Solovei was appointed to become their first Starshyna.[5] To aid them in their mission, Aila giften Solovei an Arrow of Terpikeraunas, which the Lightkeepers have held in their possession ever since.[4][6] In the present day, they have become severely weakened due to previous battles.[7]
They placed Tideseal Stones all over Nod-Krai to dispel the permeation of the Wild Hunt.
Organization
The Lightkeepers are lead by the Starshyna. This position is currently taken by Nikita. The group's headquarters are in Piramida.[8] Due to the scarcity of Lightkeepers, some view the headquarters as haughty. It is nearly impossible to relay information to them, and they tend to ignore it on a daily basis. Meanwhile, they expect their members to handle Wild Hunt incursions that can appear anywhere, despite their low numbers.[9]
The highest-ranking positions under the Starshyna are the Sergeant Majors (sometimes addressed as Captains). They each are responsible for a different area in Nod-Krai and tasked to coordinate the Squad Leaders. Squad Leaders are in charge of their squad comprised of ordinary fighting members, called Ratniki (singular Ratnik).
Ratniki that violate direct orders can find themselves in serious trouble.[10] Valdis found himself nearly reprimanded by Illuga for straying off-path to study mandragoras, though they had saved him from the Wild Hunt.[11] Some may also be assigned different positions if they suffered severe injuries that would prevent them from handling daily tasks but would wish to continue serving, such as Ivar.
According to Dori, the Lightkeepers are made up entirely of volunteers.[12] Though they all share the same goal, not all members share the same obligations, causing many people to either consider an early retirement or quit altogether.[13]
All Ratniki are required to carry Oath Lanterns, with which they can be detected by other Lightkeepers and the Starshyna.[14]
Oath
Every Lightkeeper has to swear on the following oath when joining:[15][16]
"Thus did I foresee —
waves crashing on the shore, the night sky devoured by deathly silence."
"Thus did I declare —
whomsoever cradles the flame and keeps it burning unquenched need not descend into that darkness."
"Thus did I vow —
our bones and blood we shall use as fuel, we shall make life greater than death."
"The winds awaken, the leaves whirl round,
free your heart from dreams of the living."
"Our cheeks are pale, our hair does flutter, our eyes burn bright as flame."
"We shall part the snow-curtain of the sky, and blast the winter winds across the wasteland."
"We are the Lightkeepers, who shine the eternal light of hope into the endless snow-swept plains."
Members
Notable Members
| Icon | Name | Element | Position | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikita | — | Starshyna | — | |
| Sigurd † | Starshyna | The One Who Swore to Hunt the Hunt | ||
| Solovei † | — | Starshyna | First Torchforger | |
| Illuga | Squad Leader of the "Nightmare Orioles" |
Nightmare's Burning Heart | ||
| Flins | Ratnik | Ratnik of Nod-Krai |
Sergeant Majors
Squad Leaders
Ratniki
- Aimo †[18]
- Alyosha Dmitriyevich[10]
- Anleifr
- Beryna
- Bjorn †
- Chernov †
- Chicherin — formerly
- Danuta Khorin †[19]
- Dietrich †
- Eetu †[18]
- Egle
- Filaev †
- Haapa †[18]
- Hamalainen Khorin †[19]
- Inga — former Squad Leader
- Jaakob †
- Janusz
- Lantainen
- Lauri
- Levonty
- Lost Phantom †
- Lushne
- Lyubertsi — former Sergeant Major
- Malusha
- Oskari
- Patolichev — quartermaster
- Radimir
- Ritual-Conducting Phantom †
- Rolf
- Rollon
- Shonokovych †
- Sieciech
- Sukhovykh
- Vacarao
- Valdis
- Virtanen[17]
- Veyde †
- Vlaicu
- Wszebor
- Zimin
- Zvoni
Other Members
Squads
Investigation Squads
"Nightmare Orioles"
Formerly led by Olsson. Three years ago, this squad was the first to respond to an unprecedented surge in Wild Hunt activity coming from Kipumaki Cliff. During this incident the team got overwhelmed by Abyssal enemies and only Illuga and a heavily injured Ivar made it out alive. Because of Ivar's strong injuries, the leadership of the squad got transferred to Illuga.[21]
Currently, the squad is tasked with keeping watch over Kipumaki Cliff and established the Cliffwatch Camp to do so.
Known members: Anleifr, Egle, Rollon, Valdis, and Vlaicu.
"Wildnight Owls"
Formerly led by Inga. This squad is temporarily suspended from duty due to Inga's recklessness in command during their last operation, that led to Lauri getting injured. All members of the team except Malusha were sent home on leave for emotional distress.[22]
Known members: Malusha and Lauri.
"Snowfield Falcons"
Recently replaced the "Wildnight Owls" in conducting patrol duties around Piramida.[23]
Known members: Alyosha Dmitriyevich (formerly). He got reassigned to assist with logistical tasks, after being caught drinking alcohol on duty.[10]
Special Support Squad "Sumrak"
This Special Support Squad was stationed on the island that today is the Final Night Cemetery. This squad was tasked with reinforcing Piramida if needed and awaited the lighthouse signal to do so. An unknown time ago, all of the members of this squad died at the Final Night Cemetery and were remembered with a grave.[24]
Known members: Lost Phantom
Trivia
- Not long before Moon-Prayer Night came around after the Traveler arrived in Nod-Krai, some former Frostmoon Scions joined the Lightkeepers.[25] This appears to be related to when some had left the Frostmoon Scions after Lauma revealed the truth about Teyvat's false sky and moon that they had revered.[26]
- Lightkeepers is mentioned in the descriptions of the following 9 Furnishings:
Etymology
- Ratnik comes from ратник, that means "warrior" or "fighter" in Russian language. In medieval Russia, this word was also used in another, narrower sense, referring to warriors who were recruited from among the rural population and townspeople only when needed.
Gallery
Other Languages
| Language | Official Name | Literal Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| English | Lightkeepers | — |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 执灯人 Zhídēng-rén | Lantern Bearers |
| Chinese (Traditional) | 執燈人 Zhídēng-rén | |
| Japanese | ライトキーパー Raitokiipaa | — |
| Korean | 등지기 Deungjigi | Lightkeepers |
| Spanish | Lampareros | Lamplighters |
| French | Gardiens de lumière | Lightkeepers |
| Russian | Светоносцы Svetonostsy | Lightbearers |
| Thai | ผู้เฝ้าประภาคาร Phu-fao Pra-pha-khan | Lighthouse Keepers |
| Vietnamese | Người Giữ Đèn | Lightkeepers |
| German | Lichthüter | Lightkeepers |
| Indonesian | Lightkeeper | Lightkeepers |
| Portuguese | Portador da Lâmpada | Light Bearer |
| Turkish | Işık Muhafızları | Light Guardians |
| Italian | Guardaluce | Lightguard |
Change History
Notes
- ↑ The Piramida Bulletin Board lists her as "Sergeant Major", while her ingame title is "Squad Leader".
- ↑ The special brooch on the left lapel of the Lightkeeper's uniform indicates his position as Squad Leader.
References
- ↑ Artifact Set: Long Night's Oath
- ↑ Weapon Ascension Material: Flare of Long Night Flint
- ↑ Weapon Ascension Material: Blaze of Long Night Flint
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Artifact, Long Night's Oath: Lightkeeper's Pledge
- ↑ NPC Dialogue: Nikita
- ↑ Interactable, Sanctum of the Oathbearer: Letter to Aila
- ↑ Event: Song of the Welkin Moon
- ↑ Loading Screen Tip: Piramida
- ↑ Artifact, Long Night's Oath: Nightingale's Tail Feather
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Point of Interest, Piramida Bulletin Board: Ratniki Notice (V): Drinking at Work
- ↑ World Quest: The Moonlit Watcher
- ↑ Archon Quest, Song of the Welkin Moon, Act I - A Dance of Snowy Tides and Hoarfrost Groves, Part 1: Where the Moon Rises
- ↑ Flins's Voice-Over: About Illuga
- ↑ Archon Quest, Song of the Welkin Moon, Act II - Elegy of Dust and Lamplight, Part 5: Rest Beyond Reach
(Traveler): Why were the Lightkeepers able to detect your lantern?
Flins: Well, because otherwise, I'd get in trouble with the Starshyna. If they couldn't detect my own lantern, I suspect the higher-ups would foist a standard-issue Ratnik lantern on me. - ↑ World Quest: Lightkeepers' Oath
- ↑ Final Night Cemetery: Monument
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Story Quest, Varka, Lupus Majoris Chapter: Act I - To Those Who Embark on the Expedition, Part 2: Fated Warrior
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Interactables, Final Night Cemetery: Graves
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 World Quest: The Lost Child's Tale
- ↑ Interactable, Final Night Cemetery: Engraved Inscription
- ↑ World Quest, Nightingale's Song: Chapter II - Darradarljod: When War Songs Rise
- ↑ NPC Dialogue: Malusha
- ↑ Point of Interest: Piramida Bulletin Board
- ↑ World Quest: The Special Support Squad's Tale
- ↑ Archon Quest, Song of the Welkin Moon, Act V - A Nocturne of the Far North, Part 2: Ripples That Will Never Reach
- ↑ Archon Quest, Song of the Welkin Moon, Act I - A Dance of Snowy Tides and Hoarfrost Groves, Part 3: In the Shadows of Night
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
