Genshin Impact takes place in the world of Teyvat, and is composed of seven major nations being Mondstadt, Liyue, Inazuma, Sumeru, Fontaine, Natlan, and Snezhnaya, each ruled by a god. The mysterious floating island of Celestia is allegedly home to gods and mortals who have ascended to godhood through great, heroic feats. Underground lie the ruins of the nation of Khaenri'ah which was destroyed by gods 500 years before the events of the game. Unlike the seven major nations, Khaenri'ah was not ruled over by a god. The player character, the Traveler (male or female depending on the player's choice), is separated from their twin and becomes trapped in Teyvat. They are joined by a companion, Paimon, as they journey through Teyvat in search for their lost sibling. The male traveler is named Aether, and the female traveler is named Lumine; although players can choose the name they want to be referred by, the Traveler's sibling (whichever twin not chosen at the start of the game) refers to the Traveler by either Aether or Lumine (depending on the gender of the player's chosen twin), regardless of their custom name.

Each nation is associated with and worships one of The Seven, a group of gods known as Archons who each preside over one of the seven nations. Each member of The Seven is tied to one of the game's elements, and is also reflected in their nation's aspect. Barbatos, Rex Lapis, Raiden Shogun, and Tsaritsa are archons of Mondstadt, Liyue, Inazuma and Snezhnaya, respectively. However, the god who is the Archon may change over time as Archons pass away. Specific individuals chosen by the Archons are granted a Vision — magical gemstones that give their bearers the ability to command an element and the potential to ascend to godhood and reside in Celestia.

Mondstadt, the city of freedom, worships the Anemo Archon Barbatos and sits on an island in the middle of a lake. The city is protected by the Knights of Favonius, who are tasked with protecting Mondstadt and its citizens. To the southwest, Liyue worships the Geo Archon Rex Lapis and is the largest market harbor in Teyvat. The harbor city is presided over by the Liyue Qixing: a group of business leaders, and ancient guardians known as Adepti, magical beings that includes Rex Lapis himself. Across the sea lies the isolationist island nation of Inazuma, overseen by the tri-commission and the authoritarian regime of Raiden Shogun.

Snezhnaya, ruled by the Cryo Archon Tsaritsa, send out diplomats named the Fatui who maintain a friendly appearance while using more underhanded methods secretly. The Fatui are also led by the Eleven Harbingers, individuals given extraordinary powers and executive authority by the Tsaritsa. Among them include Scaramouche, La Signora, and Tartaglia, who are respectively the sixth, eighth, and eleventh of the Eleven Harbingers. In addition to the Fatui, another antagonistic faction in the game is the Abyss Order legion of monsters that declares themselves to be enemies to all of humanity, and are led by the "Prince" or "Princess", the lost sibling of the Traveler.

Plot

A pair of twins who travel across the stars and visit different worlds arrive in the land of Teyvat, but find that the nation of Khaenri'ah is under cataclysmic siege. Attempting to leave to avoid the carnage, the twins are separated by an unknown god, who takes one and seals away the other. Five hundred years later, the sealed twin, referred to as the "Traveler", awakens and meets Paimon. The pair travel to nearby Mondstadt to start their search for the Traveler's missing twin.

The duo arrive at Mondstadt, and encounter a dragon named Stormterror which attacks the city. Aided by an unknown entity, the Traveler fends off Stormterror and is recognized by Jean, acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius. The Traveler helps the Knights restore order to the region, and then meets Venti, a local bard who comes up with a plan to stop Stormterror, whose true name is Dvalin. Venti requests for them to retrieve a holy lyre so that he may play it to Dvalin, calming him. After retrieving the lyre, which was first stolen by Fatui, Venti attempts to calm Dvalin but realizes that the Abyss Order have been manipulating him, and Venti's true identity is revealed: Barbatos, the Anemo Archon, who was also the one who guided the Traveler during their fight with Dvalin. The Traveler, accompanied by Jean, Diluc and Venti, pursue Dvalin to his domain and free him from the Abyss Order's influence. Returning to Mondstadt, Venti is ambushed by Fatui Harbinger La Signora, who steals his Gnosis.

Venti advises the Traveler to travel to Liyue next to meet Rex Lapis, the Geo Archon. However, during a ritual, Rex Lapis is apparently killed, and his body hidden. The Traveler meets Fatui Harbinger Childe, who is secretly searching for Rex Lapis' gnosis. Childe manipulates the Traveler to destabilize Liyue by relaying the news of Rex Lapis' death to the Adepti, who lose faith in the Liyue Qixing. He then works with the Traveler and Zhongli, a funeral parlor consultant who is overseeing Rex Lapis' funeral. While working with Zhongli, Childe discovers the location of Rex Lapis' body, which had been hidden away. The Traveler confronts Childe who attempts to take the Gnosis but is unable to find it, concluding that Rex Lapis is still alive. To lure out Rex Lapis, Childe summons Osial, an ancient god once defeated by Rex Lapis, but the combined forces of the Traveler, the Liyue Qixing and the Adepti defeat it. Afterwards, Traveler discovers that Zhongli is the human vessel of Rex Lapis, who gives his Gnosis to La Signora as part of a discreet contract with the Tsaritsa. Zhongli explains he faked his death as he wished to step down from his role as Archon, and that their defense of Liyue proved that they did not need his protection. Back in Mondstadt, the Traveler meets a mysterious individual named Dainsleif, and together they investigate a plot by the Abyss Order to create an artificial god to topple Celestia. While investigating, the Traveler reunites with their sibling, discovering that they have become the leader of the Abyss Order. The sibling reveals that Dainsleif was a guard of Khaenri'ah, and failed its people when the nation fell 500 years ago. Remarking that the Traveler will come to understand the true nature of the world at the end of their journey, the sibling departs, and Dainsleif chases after them. The Traveler attempts to follow but is unable to, and resolves to continue their journey.

The Traveler decides that their next destination will be Inazuma; however, the nation has closed off its borders under order of the Electro Archon, the Raiden Shogun. They find a ship captain, Beidou, willing to give them passage to Inazuma, but must participate in and win her martial arts tournament to do so. Easily winning the tournament, the Traveler learns more about the oppressive rule of the Raiden Shogun, and that she has decreed that all Visions are to be confiscated. Arriving on Ritou, Beidou introduces the Traveler to Thoma, the Chief Retainer of the Kamisato Clan, who promises them an audience with the Raiden Shogun and invites them to the Kamisato Estate to meet Ayaka, the clan's eldest daughter. The Traveler reluctantly assists the Kamisato Estate in resisting the Vision Hunt Decree. Thoma is captured by the Tenryou Commission and is planned to have his Vision confiscated by Raiden Shogun, but the Traveler intervenes. Although they lose the duel with Raiden Shogun, they are able to escape with Thoma and his Vision. Now with a bounty on their head, the Traveler goes to the resistance army to seek refuge. They are granted asylum and assist the resistance in battling the Shogun's army.