The Lore of Elden Ring is Insane

The Transformation of Midra's Sanctum

From Paradise to Abyss

• Midra's sanctum was once a paradise but is now referred to as an abyss, associated with frenzy and forbidden by the hornsent.

• The term "Naraka," used in Japanese, signifies a place of great suffering akin to Buddhist hell, indicating a significant transformation in perception.

Midra and the Hornsent

• Midra, despite lacking visible horns, is considered part of the hornsent community; his manse features spiral pillars symbolizing their culture.

• The church within the sanctum is geographically distant from Midra's Manse, suggesting that spirituality may not have been central to their lives.

Knowledge and Learning at the Manse

• The manse was characterized as a hub for discussion and learning, previously filled with books and knowledge-sharing spaces.

• Most books are found burned or piled up upon arrival at the manse, hinting at deliberate destruction possibly by hornsent inquisitors aiming to eradicate frenzy.

Frenzy: A Link Between Knowledge and Suffering

• There’s speculation that Midra’s sect uncovered dangerous knowledge leading to frenzy; parallels drawn with Bloodborne suggest shared themes of madness linked to knowledge.

• In Elden Ring, frenzy arises from suffering rather than mere insight; it reflects an intrinsic cosmic order where despair coexists with existence.

Cosmic Origins of Life and Mistakes Made

• Hyetta speaks about creation stemming from "the one great," which fractured into many forms due to mistakes made by a "greater will."

Understanding the Fracture of the One Great

The Nature of the Greater Will and Its Envoys

• The Greater Will sent down Metyr, the Mother of Two Fingers, followed by the Elden Ring. It is noted that she is not described as the mother of Three Fingers.

• A separate entity emerged from the fracture known as an Outer God, which embodies chaos and believes that regression is necessary for progress.

• The envoys of this chaotic aspect are represented by Three Fingers, suggesting a balance with Two Fingers representing order; together they symbolize a five-fingered hand.

• Unlike Two Fingers, Three Fingers convey a message about past mistakes in creation and advocate for unity through chaos to alleviate suffering caused by division.

Chaos vs. Order: Philosophical Implications

• Speculation arises regarding the origins of existence stemming from a void associated with the Greater Will, hinting at life emerging from nothingness.

• Frenzy's destructive nature leads to annihilation, reinforcing themes of despair and torment prevalent in this universe.

The Role of Frenzy in Midra's Sanctum

• Spirit gravestones in a graveyard setting illustrate how frenzy can consume even eternal spirits; it highlights fear surrounding this chaotic force.

• Historical context reveals that frenzy was present before an Inquisition aimed to eradicate it; however, its threat level was likely underestimated initially.

Consequences of Fear and Torture

• The Inquisition’s extreme measures against perceived threats only exacerbated frenzy's existence, creating a cycle where fear breeds violence leading to more chaos.

• This self-perpetuating cycle illustrates how societal cruelty towards those affected by frenzy ultimately reinforces its power.

Inquisitorial Methods and Their Symbolism

• Comparisons are drawn between different inquisitorial forces within this universe; both utilize torture but differ in methods—Hornsent use golden arcs symbolizing coercion while Rykard’s employ fire.

Exploring the Hornsent and Marika's Influence

The Connection Between Hornsent and Elden Ring

• The hornsent's barbs resemble the Rune Arcs of the Elden Ring, prompting questions about their cultural significance and historical context.

• The hornsent perceive Marika as a betrayer, indicating her integration into their culture prior to her actions that led to this sentiment.

• Evidence of Marika’s influence is found in the realm of shadow, where stakes of Marika exist, suggesting her presence predates the Inquisition.

Torture and Its Role in Golden Order

• Torture is depicted as an ingrained aspect of the Golden Order, enforced by various factions including Rykard's Inquisitors.

• A tortured phantom expresses despair over cruelty within their ranks, highlighting internal conflict among brethren during times of frenzy.

Frenzy and Its Consequences

• The spell "Frenzied Burst" reflects struggles with madness faced by those attempting to control frenzy flames; it symbolizes a meager victory over chaos.

• The forest surrounding the sanctum becomes a horrific representation of frenzy's impact, contrasting with the inquisitors who remain unaffected.

Inquisition Dynamics

• The Fat Inquisitor possesses revered spirit ash, indicating a connection between past warriors and current inquisitorial practices.

• Jori, an elder inquisitor, exemplifies seniority within the Inquisition; his role emphasizes continuity in duty even after death.

Doubts Within the Inquisition

• New inductees may struggle to comprehend torturous rites performed by older members; doubt about these practices was prevalent among them.

Analysis of Midra's Execution and the Frenzy Phenomenon

The Context of Midra's Execution

• The ten individuals bound and executed outside the manse are likely associates of Midra, indicated by their similar attire and gold adornments.

• Midra accepted the Great Sword of Damnation, pledging to endure eternal punishment while warning others to avoid him to prevent succumbing to his fate.

• Despite the Inquisition's apparent victory, frenzy is deeply rooted in the area, affecting both nature and wildlife.

The Impact of Frenzy on the Environment

• The landscape shows signs of frenzy; multicolored flowers have transformed due to its influence, leading to products like frenzy flame perfume.

• A notable enemy called "The Madding Hand" embodies revenge through a glove made from flayed skin, representing heretics' desire for vengeance against inquisitors.

Lore Behind The Madding Hand

• Speculation arises about whether The Madding Hand personally skinned victims or if it was part of a broader torture method used by hornsent inquisitors.

• He wears Grave Bird's black quill armor linked to ancient death processes, suggesting a connection with local catacombs that utilize ghost flame.

Speculations on His Role

• There are theories regarding his past as a defender of catacombs or as an ally to frenzied beings in the forest.

• His blindfold may symbolize a deeper connection with frenzy, possibly enhancing one's perception of nothingness associated with it.

Threat Assessment: Winter Lanterns

• The true danger in the forest comes from Winter Lanterns—aging untouchables heralded by specific insects that signal imminent threat.

• A diary note suggests an aging untouchable existed before the Inquisition arrived, indicating that frenzy was present prior to their invasion.

Insights on Gameplay Mechanics

• Players can combat frenzy effectively by avoiding contact with Winter Lantern entities; parrying their attacks allows for defeating them and obtaining unique items.

What Defines the Aging Untouchables?

The Nature of Aging and Frenzy

• The aging untouchables are defined by their aging process, symbolized by a sprig of ripe grapes, which reflects their exaltation.

• These beings were once hornsent and now exist to inflict frenzy upon others, with ripening being a crucial aspect that occurs over time.

• The concept of frenzy is likened to a gift, similar to the Shabriri grapes given to Hyetta for enlightenment; it emphasizes shared experiences among the hornsent.

• Midra, an old sage, is intended to fully ripen in his frenzy through torture, suggesting that suffering enhances his power as the Lord of Frenzied Flame.

• Despite being described as too weak initially, Midra ultimately becomes a lord; this contradiction raises questions about strength and endurance.

Midra's Struggle with Madness

• Midra perceives madness as a curse and warns others against approaching him due to its destructive nature; he expresses care for Nanaya.

• His plea for forgiveness from Nanaya indicates deep emotional ties and suggests he believes her guidance was meant for both himself and others.

• There’s speculation that Nanaya urged Midra to endure suffering so that his frenzy could mature; this connects her character with themes of sacrifice and love.

The Role of Shabriri in Chaos

• A theory posits that Nanaya may be linked to Shabriri, who embodies chaos and seeks to ensure chaos has its lord through righteous hardship.

• Shabriri's ability as a skinwalker allows him to inhabit bodies post-mortem; this connection raises questions about manipulation in relationships like those between characters such as Vyke and Midra.

Historical Context of Characters

• Vyke's story parallels Midra’s struggle with frenzy; both characters face choices influenced by external forces advocating for their ascension amidst personal sacrifices.

• The narrative establishes a trend where Shabriri uses individuals like Vyke and Midra in pursuit of creating lords from their suffering.

Shabriri's Woe Talisman and Nanaya's Character

Theories Surrounding Nanaya

• The Shabriri's Woe Talisman is described as having a disturbing likeness to Shabriri, with an unsettlingly flirtatious smile that parallels Nanaya’s own expression in the portrait.

• The speaker acknowledges their bias towards the theory that Nanaya could be Shabriri, while also considering the possibility of her being an independent character with similarities to Shabriri.

• An alternative interpretation suggests that Nanaya may parallel Hyetta, another character who unintentionally occupies Irina's flesh and serves as a Finger Maiden for the three fingers.

Interpretations of Nanaya’s Intentions

• There is skepticism about whether Nanaya genuinely wants Midra to endure suffering; evidence suggests she has manipulative intentions linked to her connection with a prior Lord of Frenzied Flame.

• Descriptions indicate that a feeble Lord of Frenzied Flame existed long ago, raising questions about the relationship between this figure and both Midra and Nanaya.

Symbolism and Connections

• The narrative implies that there were previous aspiring Lords of Frenzy before Midra, suggesting a historical context for their struggles.

• The act of cradling the remains of a feeble Lord by Nanaya hints at malintent towards Midra, especially given her position in his chair while holding a torch symbolizing frenzy.

Speculations on Relationships

• Some speculate whether the spine cradled by Nanaya belongs to her child; however, this claim is contested based on descriptions indicating it belonged to a man rather than an actual child.

• Arguments arise regarding whether this spine could belong to an adult child or even Midra’s child due to visual cues in portraits, but these theories lack substantial lore support.

Conclusion on Character Dynamics

• While compelling theories exist about familial connections between characters, the speaker leans towards viewing Nanaya as having sinister motives rather than being well-intentioned.

Exploring the Mystery of Nanaya

The Enigmatic Character of Nanaya

• The speaker raises questions about Nanaya's true intentions and actions, pondering whether she genuinely caused chaos or is merely pretending.

• There is speculation on whether her actions led to the Inquisition and the emergence of new powers within the lore.

• The character of Nanaya is highlighted as a lasting mystery that will intrigue the lore community for years to come.

Promotion of Displate Artwork

• A promotional segment discusses a current deal from Displate, offering discounts based on purchase quantity.

• The speaker mentions their store featuring artwork, including a newly available print titled "Skyward Swords" by Anato Finnstark.

• Emphasis is placed on the quality and ease of hanging Displate metal prints, reinforcing their value as wall art.

Insights on Midra's Endurance

Observations from Community Contributions

• A tweet by user littlechurchlore references assets extracted by zlofsky2nd, contributing to discussions about Midra's character.

• It’s noted that Midra wears a brooch with green jewels, which in FromSoftware games typically signifies increased stamina.

Theories Regarding Fortification Resources

• The discussion suggests that these jewels may have contributed to fortifying Midra’s endurance in Elden Ring.

• Mentioned items like Viridian Amber and its medallion found nearby hint at potential resources accessible to Midra.

Conclusion on Chaos and Order

• Ultimately, despite Midra succumbing to frenzy, his transformation appears futile as chaos persists alongside order.