Elden Ring's Lore ► Explained!

The Origins of the Elden Ring

The Greater Will and Outer Gods

• The narrative begins with an Outer God known as "The Greater Will," which is one of many Outer Gods in Elden Ring, akin to the Great Ones from Bloodborne.

• The Greater Will aims to assert its influence over the Lands Between by sending a golden star that carries an Elden Beast, described as a "vassal beast" representing order.

• This Elden Beast becomes the Elden Ring, composed of runes that symbolize a logical structure for the world, embodying concepts of order.

Laws Governing Existence

• Two fundamental laws are introduced:

• Law of Causality: Actions lead to consequences that create new causes, forming infinite relationships.

• Law of Regression: All things strive to return to their origins.

• The Elden Ring is housed within the Erdtree, which symbolizes this order but did not initiate life in the Lands Between.

Pre-Erdtree Existence

• Before the arrival of the Greater Will, various beings and factions existed in the Lands Between, including other gods and trees.

• The Erdtree's existence raises questions about its origins; it may have overtaken a pre-existing tree known as the Great Tree.

The Great Tree's Significance

• Incantations called "Aspects of the Crucible" suggest that all life was once unified within this primordial tree before being commandeered by the Erdtree.

• The Great Tree served as a powerful source for life and may explain why it became significant to the Greater Will.

Societal Implications

• As civilization advanced, aspects related to the Great Tree were disdained; enemies associated with it became marginalized or imprisoned.

• Marika states that through victories in war, the Erdtree transformed into an embodiment of Order against initial opposition.

Role of Agents in Maintaining Order

• To enforce order, loyal agents like the Two Fingers act on behalf of the Greater Will. They communicate divine messages despite their inability to speak directly.

• Finger Readers interpret these messages but seem increasingly disconnected from their original purpose due to changes over time.

Power Dynamics and Limitations

The Role of Marika in Elden Ring's Lore

The Greater Will and Marika's Ascendancy

• The Greater Will requires a physical manifestation of order, necessitating envoys and a god, leading to the introduction of Marika, the Eternal.

• Unlike Gwyn from Dark Souls, Marika appears to have earned her power; she is of the "Numen" race, which comes from outside the Lands Between.

• As an Empyrean chosen by the Fingers, Marika received aid from a Shadow named Maliketh, who serves as her loyal companion.

Understanding Shadows and Destined Death

• Shadows are bound to their Empyreans and are incapable of treachery; Maliketh was tasked with locking away Destined Death for Marika.

• Destined Death refers to the Rune of Death that Marika extracted from the Elden Ring when she became a god.

• By giving this rune to Maliketh, she effectively removed death from the Lands Between while maintaining control over it through her shadow.

The Concept of Death in Elden Ring

• Although death seems absent in gameplay (e.g., killing creatures), lore explains that spirits return to the Erdtree instead of facing true death.

• Summoning spirits involves calling forth those whose ashes have not returned to the Erdtree; some spirits rise as corpses due to unique circumstances like Deathroot.

Establishing Order: The Golden Order

• The removal of Destined Death marked a pivotal moment in establishing what is known as the Golden Order under Marika’s reign.

• This new order required military strength against various threats such as giants and ancient dragons; thus, an Elden Lord was needed.

Hoarah Loux: The Chosen Consort

• Hoarah Loux was selected as Marika's consort due to his ferocity in battle; he took on responsibilities beyond mere combat prowess.

• To suppress his violent nature, he bore Serosh upon his back, symbolizing his commitment to uphold order alongside Marika.

The Legacy of Godrick and the Golden Lineage

Godrick's Ancestry and Divine Blood

• Godrick is not a demi-god but likely descended from Godwyn, making him a distant relation to the true demi-gods.

• He is referred to as "the runt of the litter," indicating his diluted divine blood compared to others in the lineage.

• Future discussions will delve deeper into demi-gods, emphasizing their significance in the lore.

The Age of the Erdtree

• Godfrey led the Crucible Knights into battle, who fought using primordial powers associated with the Erdtree.

• Their efforts were aimed at ushering in an era known as the Age of the Erdtree, marked by life and prosperity.

• The Elden Ring symbolizes this new epoch, representing hope and renewal for those in the Lands Between.

Blessings of the Erdtree

• The Erdtree was viewed as a blessing for inhabitants near it, particularly in Llendell, its capital city.

• It provided blessings such as tears that fell like jewels and relief from death through its extensive roots.

• Receiving an Erdtree Burial was considered one of the highest honors for heroes.

Conflicts with Other Factions

• Various factions fell during this period; Stormveil was conquered, and giants were defeated by Marika herself.

• Liurnia posed significant challenges for House of the Erdtree due to repeated conflicts with House of the Moon over territory.

• Carian Knights played a crucial role in defending against golden aggressors despite being outnumbered.

The Union of Radagon and Rennala

• Radagon led a great host against Lady Rennala but ultimately fell in love with her, uniting their houses.

• This union symbolized reconciliation between sorcery (Lunar magic from Rennala) and faith (Golden Order).

Marika's Doubts about Order

Marika's Motivations

• Queen Marika began questioning her creation—the Golden Order—seeking truth behind it through hardship.

• She believed that breaking bonds could lead to better understanding and meaning within struggles faced by her people.

The Long March of Tarnished

• After Lord Godfrey’s last battle, he lost his grace; Marika sent him away on what became known as the Long March of Tarnished.

The Complex Legacy of Marika and Radagon

The Betrayal of Rennala

• After the death of her first husband, Lady Rennala was left heartbroken when Radagon abandoned her to become Queen Marika's second husband, taking on the title of second Elden Lord.

• The reasons behind Radagon's departure from Rennala remain a mystery, particularly why a mere champion was chosen for the seat of Elden Lord instead of his former wife.

The Impact on Liurnia

• Following Radagon's betrayal, both Rennala and her kingdom suffered greatly; civil war erupted between the Academy of Raya Lucaria and the Carian Royals.

• The Queen’s Set reflects that after losing Radagon, Rennala lost not only her husband but also her identity as a champion.

The Theft of Death

• During the Golden Age of the Erdtree, Lunar Princess Ranni stole a fragment of the Rune of Death from Maliketh, leading to significant consequences in Elden Ring lore.

• This act resulted in Godwyn the Golden's death—the first recorded death of a demigod—catalyzing events that led to the shattering of the Elden Ring.

Shattering and Its Aftermath

• Following Marika’s marriage to Radagon and subsequent theft of Death, she shattered the Elden Ring while Radagon attempted to repair it with no success.

• Divine Towers were constructed post-shattering to maintain order among Great Runes despite their fragmentation.

The Duality of Marika and Radagon

• A significant twist reveals that Radagon is essentially an aspect or extension of Marika; they are intertwined yet distinct entities before their convergence.

• Their union symbolizes opposing laws within the Golden Order: causality (Marika as cause/effect agent) versus regression (Radagon seeking completeness).

Children Born from Conflict

• Despite their tumultuous history, Marika and Radagon had two demi-god children: Miquella and Malenia. Both were afflicted by curses yet deemed sacred enough for potential godhood.

Patreon Rewards and Upcoming Lore Videos

Overview of Patreon Tiers

• The speaker mentions upcoming lore videos that will be discussed in the next main video, highlighting the benefits of becoming a patron.

• A new $20 tier has been introduced for patrons who wish to support the channel at a higher level, offering exclusive rewards.

Exclusive Merchandise

• Patrons at the $20 tier will receive a unique mug every three months, with four designs inspired by popular games: Dark Souls, Elden Ring, Sekiro, and Bloodborne.