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The Story and Lore of ELDEN RING explained

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2024-12-17 10:10:09

How It Started/ended

The Creation of the World: The Elden Ring and the Erdtree

At the heart of Elden Ring's story is the Elden Ring, a mysterious and powerful force that governs the fabric of reality in the world of The Lands Between. The Elden Ring is tied to the divine power of the Greater Will, an outer god that shaped the world and imbued the Erdtree—a colossal, glowing tree that serves as a symbol of life and divine rule in the Lands Between.

The Elden Ring was originally a harmonious force, but it became shattered, causing a collapse in the natural order. This event, known as the Shattering, set off a series of catastrophes, resulting in the death of the previous Elden Lord, Queen Marika the Eternal, and the scattering of the Great Runes, which are pieces of the Elden Ring that hold immense power.

The Key Figures: Marika, Radagon, and the Demigods

Queen Marika the Eternal: Marika was the divine ruler of the Lands Between, married to Radagon (who is also her counterpart). Marika was responsible for the governance of the world and held the Elden Ring, which she kept protected within the Erdtree. However, Marika’s own decisions and actions led to the Shattering. After the death of her husband Radagon, Marika decided to break the Elden Ring and allowed chaos to spread, making her the catalyst for the world’s downfall.

Radagon: Radagon was the former husband of Queen Marika, and his identity is tied to both the Golden Order and Marika’s tragic fate. After Marika’s death, Radagon was resurrected in her place as a manifestation of the Elden Ring's power.

The Demigods: Marika and Radagon had children, many of whom were demigods, and they became key players in the aftermath of the Shattering. These demigods are powerful beings, each holding a portion of the Elden Ring’s power in the form of Great Runes:

Godwyn the Golden: The son of Marika and Radagon, Godwyn was a prominent figure but was killed during the Shattering. His death marked the First Death, which brought death to the world, a stark contrast to the immortality that Marika's rule once promised.

Miquella: A demigod and one of the children of Marika and Radagon, Miquella sought to cure the world of its suffering and was associated with healing, light, and order.

Maliketh: The Black Blade, a loyal companion to Marika, Maliketh’s role was to protect the Great Rune, which is tied to the death and decay of the Elden Ring.

Rennala: Queen of the Carian Royals, she was once a powerful sorceress who helped create the academy in Liurnia of the Lakes. Her connection to Marika is through her marriage to Radagon, though she was later abandoned.

The Shattering and the Role of the Tarnished

After the death of Godwyn and the destruction of the Elden Ring, the world descended into chaos, as the various demigods and factions fought for control over the shards of the Elden Ring. This event is known as the Shattering. The world became fractured, with many regions being overtaken by war, corruption, and decay.

The Tarnished, the player’s character, are outcasts who were exiled from the Lands Between when the Elden Ring was shattered. They were marked by the Lost Grace and are chosen by the Outer Gods to return to the world to restore the Elden Ring. The Tarnished are called back to the Lands Between by a mysterious Grace and a Guiding Flame that directs them to gather the Great Runes and repair the shattered Elden Ring.

The protagonist of the story, the Tarnished, is tasked with challenging the demigods, reclaiming the Great Runes, and ultimately becoming the next Elden Lord to restore the Elden Ring and the world’s order.

The Great Runes and the Elden Ring's Restoration

Throughout the game, the Tarnished collects the Great Runes—fragments of the Elden Ring, held by the demigods. These Great Runes can be obtained by defeating the various demigod bosses that rule over parts of the Lands Between, such as:

Starscourge Radahn: The leader of the Redmane Army in Caelid, Radahn is one of the most challenging bosses, holding a Great Rune.

Morgott the omen king: Once known as Morgoth, this ruler is in charge of Leyndell, the capital of the Lands Between.

Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy: A grotesque and terrifying god-eater who holds a Great Rune.

Malenia, Blade of Miquella: A powerful, tragic figure who holds a Great Rune of immense power.

Godfrey, First Elden Lord: The first Elden Lord and husband of Queen Marika. His role is central to the Elden Ring’s legacy.

The Conflict of Outer Gods

The Greater Will: The cosmic force behind the Elden Ring’s creation, the Greater Will is an outer god that shaped the world and sent the Elden Ring to govern it. However, it is implied that the Greater Will might have manipulated Marika into breaking the Elden Ring, allowing its power to be fragmented and the balance of the world to be disrupted.

The Frenzied Flame: This is another outer god, represented by chaos and madness. The Frenzied Flame opposes the Greater Will, and its influence is most notable in the Frenzied Flame Ending, where the protagonist can choose to set the world ablaze in a final act of destruction.

The Night of the Black Knife: A key event where the assassins (sent by the shadowy figure Radagon) kill Godwyn, setting the stage for much of the conflict that leads to the Shattering of the Elden Ring.

The Endings

In the final stages of the game, the Tarnished is given a choice of what to do with the Great Runes and the Elden Ring. The player can choose between several endings:

The Elden Lord Ending: In this ending, the Tarnished defeats the final boss, Radagon/Marika, and chooses to repair the Elden Ring and become the new Elden Lord, restoring balance to the world under the guidance of the Greater Will.

The Age of Stars Ending: If the player follows Ranni the Witch’s questline, they can choose to serve her and restore the world under her guidance. This ending represents a departure from the Greater Will’s influence and brings about an age of stars, with Ranni taking control of the world.

The Frenzied Flame Ending: The player can choose to embrace the Frenzied Flame, burning the world down to its core, bringing about chaos and the destruction of the Elden Ring itself. This ending is one of pure destruction and rebirth.

The Lord of the Dusk Ending: In this ending, the Tarnished does not repair the Elden Ring but instead embraces an alternate, more bleak path of ruling the world with their own authority.

Themes and Symbolism

The story of Elden Ring is steeped in themes of corruption, divine conflict, and the cycle of destruction and rebirth. The fragmented Elden Ring represents the disintegration of order, with the various gods, demigods, and outer beings all vying for control of the world. The Tarnished, as a blank slate, must decide whether to repair the order or choose a new path entirely, reflecting the themes of choice, destiny, and the consequences of power.

Conclusion

The story of Elden Ring is a grand, tragic tale of gods, powers beyond comprehension, and the attempt to restore a shattered world. The player’s character, the Tarnished, serves as a catalyst for change, and depending on their choices, they will either restore order, embrace chaos, or forge a new path for the future of the Lands Between. The game's open-ended nature allows players to uncover different pieces of the story, and its rich lore encourages interpretation, making it a truly unique experience.

Source: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3385336485

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