Is Elden Ring Nightreign Canon?

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Generally speaking, it’s been clear that every piece of any FromSoftware game belongs to the same universe, even if it tells a different story. Dark Souls 2 deviated significantly, but it still followed the original game’s rules and timeline. This leaves Elden Ring Nightreign, an offshoot with roguelike elements, in a rather peculiar position.

As a fan, I found that Nightreign offers a more streamlined approach by reusing assets from its predecessor, which means there’s less information to be gleaned from the environment and enemies. The dialogue is sparse, but it serves as our primary guide. Interestingly, the behavior of the Nightlords hints at a possible deeper connection within Nightreign than I initially suspected.

As A Sequel To The Age Of Stars Ending

When Dark Souls received sequels, it was impossible to pinpoint the exact timeline. Over vast expanses of time, history accumulated and the world gradually dissolved. Conclusions became insignificant as they were erased by the passage of time. However, Elden Ring distinguishes itself from previous FromSoftware games in that it boasts a much richer, unchanging mythology.

This implies that Nightreign must occupy a spot in the sequence of events, and we are provided with one quite early on. The Shattering has taken place, and the Erdtree once dominated this location but has since departed from this realm, fading from the recollection of many others. Although this period still covers a vast expanse of time, it does pinpoint a definite moment post-passing – the narrative of the initial Elden Ring game.

In Elden Ring, the catastrophic event known as the Shattering is not depicted, and its exact timing remains a mystery. Death is no longer a part of this world, with Demigods locked in eternal combat instead. Yet, there are certain truths, and among them, the Erdtree stands supreme. Though we’re unsure when the Shattering took place, Demigods traverse the land, and the mighty Erdtree looms over everything. The fact that it’s absent suggests it has been removed, a circumstance only encountered in two possible endings.

In The Lands Between, it’s clear that The Flame of Frenzy’s final blaze doesn’t consume everything entirely, not even the Erdtree. This suggests that there is still much to be found in The Lands Between, and no widespread signs of madness among its people. Consequently, only Ranni’s Age of Stars ending remains as a possibility.

Ponder this: The Erdtree symbolizes the greater power known as the Greater Will, which utilized Marika as a means to assert its dominance over The Lands Between. Since Ranni has decided to distance herself from the influence of the Outer Gods such as the Greater Will, one might infer that the Erdtree would also fade away. This could account for its disappearance and why there appears to be no remnants left of the Golden Order or their rule.

In the past, the Lands Between were graced by a mighty tree known as the Erdtree, shaped by a higher power called the Greater Will. Now, it seems that this ancient Great Tree is what we’re seeing when we approach Nightlords, explaining why there are still skeletal trees around. These aren’t remnants of the Greater Will, but rather, they are leftovers from the Lands Between themselves.

This leads us to the enigmatic figures known as the Nightlords. Ranni aims to usher in an era where individuals chart their own course, free from divine rule and devoid of rewards for religious devotion. Instead, you are responsible for your own destiny, whether it be favorable or unfavorable. In this context, the Nightlords take on greater significance. They embody the very essence of night, symbolizing our deepest fears yet also representing those who have thrived in the shadows.

This discussion leads us back to Heolstor, the embodiment of the Night Aspect. Initially, he seems merely an empty silhouette until infused with night’s potent energy. Then, he progressively reveals an arsenal of weapons, including the Darkmoon Greatsword, Moonveil, and wielding magic, as well as command over the very darkness itself. In a sense, Heolstor could be considered Ranni’s companion, channeling her power in much the same way Marika served the Greater Will, or Radahn did Miquella.

Therefore, Nightreign could very likely showcase a realm that reflects Ranni’s desired state, having departed to traverse the cosmos. In the Lands Between now stand only the resilient beings capable of enduring its challenges, uninfluenced by divine intervention.

As A Parallel Story

In essence, the story is not a continuation or direct sequel of the original Elden Ring’s events, but rather an extension or offshoot stemming from the Shattering, as confirmed by director Junya Takahashi.

It seems we need to consider that everything was common before the catastrophic event, which serves as our dividing line. But what might have led to such a drastic change in the world post-division?

What if, in contrast to Elden Ring’s original lore, the Grace of Gold never reappeared in the eyes of the Tarnished? This would imply that The Lands Between were left unattended and struggling on their own.

In a similar fashion, it could be reasoned that The Lands Between would plunge into darkness during this time. However, Ranni was still in action during this era. Could the Night of the Black Knives have been more destructive? Could it be possible that Ranni successfully manipulated Death to dismantle not just fragments, but the entirety of the Golden Order, the Greater Will, and even the Erdtree itself?

It’s undeniable that Ranni holds the key to it all. I can feel a strong urge to bring this mystery into The Lands Between, especially since the Greater Will is already here. To let the night truly reign, I believe its influence must first be countered, and that’s where Nightfarers come in. They have hazy recollections of their past, let alone the history of these lands before them. It seems only The Executor, with his tangible remembrance of the Erdtree, might possess the knowledge we need.

In this perspective, it seems plausible to suggest that Ranni skillfully leveraged the chaos of the Shattering to execute her own scheme even more effectively in this alternate reality.

Is Elden Ring Nightreign Connected To Dark Souls?

Indeed, there’s a significant question unanswered – why do Dark Souls enemies appear in Nightreign? Unlike the storyline of Nightreign or its placement in the timeline, the explanation for Dark Souls can be more and less straightforward at the same time. For the most part, we can view it as easter eggs and references.

In essence, you might conjure up some elaborate hypotheses. The darkness found in Nightreign may actually be an offshoot of the dying flame from Dark Souls; the Night Aspect could be the Soul of Cinder, a collective of countless fallen warriors merged into one entity that symbolizes the night. However, these theories are more imaginative than grounded in reality. They share commonalities, such as themes and concepts, but they are not proven connections. Instead, they are similar ideas, not identical ones.

In addition, following the defeat of Night Aspect, additional costumes become available for each character. Specifically, two new costumes per Nightfarer, and they’re inspired by characters from the Dark Souls series. While it’s interesting to speculate if these outfits have a deeper connection to their respective characters, they do not impact the storyline in any significant way. Essentially, they can be seen as hidden references or tributes, a playful nod to the fans of the Dark Souls franchise.

Indeed, it’s unlikely that you’ll encounter the Nameless King as a child of Marika and Gwyn in this lore. However, there’s still a treat for fans! You might just get to witness some powerful Dark Souls bosses being brought down a peg or two.

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2025-06-01 18:05