Elden Ring's Lore ► Explained!

Summary

This video unpacks Elden Ring’s sprawling mythos: a cosmic Outer God (the Greater Will) sends an Elden Beast that becomes the Elden Ring, housed in the parasitic Erdtree that supplanted an older Great Tree. The Two Fingers enforce cosmic law while Marika — an empyrean chosen by them — removes the Rune of Death and reshapes existence into the Golden Order. Her shadow Maliketh, demigods, and wars against giants, dragons, and Carian sorcery follow. A stolen fragment of death triggers the Shattering, and the revealed, ambiguous union of Marika and Radagon spawns further tragedy (Miquella, Malenia) and enduring mysteries. A dense, theory-rich retelling.

Takeaways

• 😀 Marika and Radagon's union represents two opposing laws of the Golden Order: Causality (Marika) and Regression (Radagon).
• 😀 Marika shattered the Elden Ring, causing a cosmic rift, while Radagon attempted but failed to repair it.
• 😀 Radagon and Marika are suggested to be the same being or intertwined in a way that raises major questions about their true nature.
• 😀 There is significant ambiguity about whether Radagon was always Marika or if he became her, creating a central mystery in the lore.
• 😀 The demigod children of Radagon and Marika, Miquella and Malenia, are deeply afflicted yet chosen as Empyreans, eligible for godhood.
• 😀 Miquella suffers from eternal childhood, while Malenia harbors a devastating rot within her, highlighting the tragic nature of their existence.
• 😀 The Greater Will seems desperate to find a worthy successor, explaining the divine affliction of Miquella and Malenia.
• 😀 The story of Marika and Radagon is one of interconnected destinies, and their roles reflect key philosophical themes in the game's lore.
• 😀 Elden Ring’s lore is rich in symbolism, with key moments involving eureka realizations from item descriptions and character interactions.
• 😀 The use of a mind map to visualize the connections and relationships in *Elden Ring*'s lore has been invaluable in piecing together the story.
• 😀 The complexity and mystery of the Marika-Radagon relationship, especially their connection to the Elden Ring's shattering, is a major source of intrigue in the game’s narrative.

Q & A

Who are Marika and Radagon, and what is their connection?

Marika and Radagon are central figures in *Elden Ring's* lore. Marika is the Queen of the Lands Between, while Radagon is a key figure in the Golden Order. The mystery surrounding them is that Radagon and Marika might have been two separate beings, but they are also heavily implied to be the same entity in some way, particularly because of their union. Some theories suggest Radagon 'became' Marika after their marriage, hinting at a deeper connection between them.

What is the significance of the shattering of the Elden Ring?

The shattering of the Elden Ring is a pivotal event in *Elden Ring’s* lore. Marika shatters the Elden Ring after a fragment of the Rune of Death is stolen, causing the Elden Ring to break into several runes, both great and small. This event leads to a massive war, with various factions vying for control of the shards. The shattering destabilizes the world and sets the stage for the Tarnished to seek the Elden Ring's fragments and try to claim the throne.

Why did Marika shatter the Elden Ring, and what were the consequences?

Marika shattered the Elden Ring as an act of defiance or due to her deviance from the Golden Order. The act of shattering caused immense chaos, leading to the fragmentation of the Elden Ring. As a consequence, Marika was imprisoned within the Erdtree, and the world was thrown into a state of turmoil, setting the stage for various factions and demigods to fight over the remnants of the Elden Ring.

What is the relationship between Radagon and the laws of the Golden Order?

Radagon represents the law of regression, which contrasts with Marika’s law of causality, the law of cause and effect. These two opposing laws were supposedly brought together through the union of Marika and Radagon. This union may have been an attempt to 'correct' Marika’s deviance by balancing these fundamental forces, though it remains open to interpretation.

What do the characters Miquella and Malenia represent in the lore?

Miquella and Malenia are the demigod children of Marika and Radagon, born under tragic circumstances. Miquella is cursed to remain in eternal childhood, while Malenia is afflicted with a deadly rot. Despite these afflictions, both are considered sacred beings chosen to inherit godhood. They are pivotal figures in the struggle for the Elden Ring and represent the fragility and power of divine bloodlines.

What role does the Greater Will play in the events of *Elden Ring*?

The Greater Will seems to be a cosmic force that plays a major role in the quest for godhood in the Lands Between. It is implied that the Greater Will was searching for a worthy successor to inherit the Elden Ring after its shattering. This divine force likely has a hand in selecting figures like Miquella and Malenia, as well as influencing the Tarnished’s return to the world.

How does the video explain the ambiguity around Radagon and Marika’s identities?

The ambiguity around Radagon and Marika’s identities is explored in-depth through different theories. While some believe they were once separate beings, there is evidence suggesting that Radagon might have always been a part of Marika. The line 'thou'rt yet to become me' from Marika hints at this transformation. Vaati suggests that this ambiguity adds depth and mystery to the story, allowing for different interpretations.

What is the importance of the Tarnished in the story?

The Tarnished are central to the narrative of *Elden Ring*. They are a group of beings who, after being cast away, return to the Lands Between to claim the shards of the Elden Ring and attempt to take the throne. The Tarnished serve as the player's avatar, and their journey is key to the progression of the game's events. The struggle for the Elden Ring shards symbolizes the fight for control and power in a world fractured by Marika’s actions.

What role do item descriptions and world-building play in *Elden Ring's* lore?

Item descriptions and world-building are integral to understanding *Elden Ring's* lore. They provide important context and often hold key pieces of the puzzle that players can use to piece together the larger narrative. The game's lore is told through environmental storytelling, dialogues, and the descriptions of items, each of which reveals more about the world, its history, and its characters. Vaati emphasizes that many of these moments lead to 'eureka' moments for players.

How does Vaati suggest players can better understand the game's complex lore?

Vaati suggests that creating a mind map, similar to the one he developed with the help of others, can be a highly effective way to understand *Elden Ring's* lore. This mind map visualizes the relationships between characters, events, and other lore elements, helping players organize and make sense of the vast amount of information in the game. He plans to eventually release this asset to the community to help others understand the lore in a more accessible way.