Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree - 5 Most Intriguing Lore Pieces

Highlights

Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree offers intricate lore, challenging bosses, and a glimpse into the dark backstory of the game world.
Discover secrets about characters like Romina and Miquella, who have complex motives and connections to the Land of Shadow’s history.
Unravel the epic battle between Malenia and Radahn, and explore the Gate of Divinity where Empyreans can ascend to godhood.

As a seasoned Elden Ring adventurer with countless hours spent traversing the Lands Between, I must say that the latest DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, has truly taken my breath away. Not only did it provide answers to questions that have been lingering for almost two years, but it also shed light on the intricate process of becoming a god in this mystical world.

The Shadow of the Erdtree in Elden Ring is widely considered one of the top DLCs released recently, offering a wealth of fresh bosses, armor, weapons, locations, and backstory. The realm of Shadows brims with undiscovered secrets that offer glimpses into the world’s past, suggesting possible explanations for the current state of the world.

Intricate and ominous backstories are a hallmark of FromSoftware’s games, and that trend continues with their latest DLC, “Shadow of the Erdtree.” If you’re curious about the enigmatic Land of Shadow, Miquella, his connections to Mohg, Malenia (his sister), and the legendary Radahn, here are five fascinating insights into this intricate lore.

5 Romina & The Scarlet Rot

Her Involvement Goes Deeper Than Players Thought

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree - 5 Most Intriguing Lore Pieces

Romina, the Sovereign of the Bud isn’t the toughest boss in Shadow of the Erdtree, but her eerie appearance and occasionally random attacks make her a challenging adversary that many players find difficult to overcome. To make matters worse, she can inflict a substantial amount of Scarlet Rot buildup, which only intensifies the struggle. But what gives her this ability to inflict such a passive effect, and how did she acquire the deadly plague that consumed Caelid so long ago?

The solution can be traced back to Romina’s duty to safeguard Church of the Bud amidst Messmer’s ruthless military operations in the Shadowland. Not many details about her history are available, but it’s assumed that at a certain stage in her existence, she encountered the sacred powers of the Crimson Blight, which she utilized to shield herself and the church. This enabled her to preserve the church for the most part, albeit at an excessive cost, as she was mutated into the eerie creature that adventurers encounter on their journeys. It’s also speculated that she alone is responsible for the Scarlet Blight spreading throughout the Shadowland, and possibly even across the Lands Between too.

4 Miquella’s True Colors

The Demigod Isn’t As Pure As The Tarnished Was Led To Believe

After the occurrences in the main game, Miquella remains an enigmatic character due to limited knowledge about him, with only a few facts known such as he is Malenia’s brother and confined within the Empyrean Cocoon at Mohgwyn Palace. Fortunately, the expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, offers players an opportunity to delve deeper into Miquella’s narrative, revealing aspects of his character and his intentions that may not be as virtuous or honorable as initially perceived.

In their journey through the Shadow Land, adventurers uncover that it serves not only as a backdrop but also as the final destination for those banished from the Radiant Union. Miquella’s ambition appears to revolve around constructing a utopia characterized by tranquility, fairness, and unity within this domain. However, he is prepared to go to great lengths, including deceit, fraud, and manipulation, to realize his vision, justifying his actions as necessary means to an end.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but point out another instance that showcases Miquella’s character: the devastation of Caelid. This catastrophe unfolded when Malenia unleashed the Scarlet Rot in the region, aiming to coerce Radahn into becoming Miquella’s consort—a role Radahn had staunchly rejected.

3 The Gate Of Divinity

Empyreans’ Final Place of Ascension

Initially, when Elden Ring was released, scant details about the Empyreans and their possible journey towards deityhood were disclosed. Players knew that demigod Ranni was one of the prime candidates to succeed Marika, and there were only a handful more on standby; however, that was essentially all we knew. Thankfully, Shadow of the Erdtree provided answers to questions players had been pondering for nearly two years, offering insights into the divine transformation process in the Lands Between regarding achieving godhood.

At the culmination of the DLC, players will find themselves standing before the Gateway of Divinity, a name that hints at something intriguing and grandiose. This Gateway of Divinity serves not just as the battlefield for the DLC’s climactic showdown against Radahn, the Promised Consort, but also as the location where Empyreans can rise to godhood. Although the specifics are vague, it is reasonable to infer that Miquella, with his cunning plans, was searching for the optimal circumstances to ascend and transform in order to lay claim to his birthright.

2 Jar Innards

The Gruesome Result Of Cruel Experiments

In Shadow of the Erdtree, some players might overlook the Jar Innards enemies as mere area NPCs to defeat due to their disturbing appearance. However, delving into the DLC provides a more comprehensive understanding of their origin. Originally shamans residing in gaols within the Land of Shadows, they were cruelly transformed by the Hornsent through experiments, leading to their current monstrous forms.

In their studies, the Hornsent would dismember and preserve the subjects in jars, causing them to lose their mental faculties and transform into mindless, aggressive entities. This suggests not only the character of the Hornsent but also the harshness of the Lands Between and the Land of Shadows. It provokes intriguing questions about the nature of the creatures that assault the Tarnished throughout the game – are they inherently evil or merely tormented souls who were once noble?

1 Malenia & Radahn’s Reason For Fighting

Their Epic Battle Goes Beyond A Simple Quarrel

Upon finishing “Shadow of the Erdtree”, players will uncover a grim reality about Radahn that could significantly alter their perception of him. Since the inception of the game, it has been common knowledge that Caelid is as it is due to an ancient clash between demigods, Radahn and Malenia. This titanic struggle ended inconclusively, leading Malenia to spread the Scarlett Rot throughout the region, tainting everything around. Not only did this make Caelid a disquieting area to traverse but it also drove Radahn mad, reducing him to little more than a mindless monster. Nevertheless, there appears to be additional layers to this tale.

It has been made clear that Miquella is not the saint as players initially assumed; instead, he is cunning, devious, and embodying the principles of Machiavelli. To claim his Empyrean birthright, certain conditions had to be met, one of which necessitated his half-brother Radahn becoming his consort. Regrettably, Radahn rejected this forced title, leading to a prolonged feud that ultimately escalated into the legendary clash between him and Malenia. It appears that when confronted with the prospect of losing to Radahn and potentially impeding Miquella’s rise, he dispatched his sister to compel the Starscourge to submit and honor his pledge.

2024-08-06 18:35

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree – 5 Most Intriguing Lore Pieces