Elden Ring: Things You Didn’t Know About Messmer

Elden Ring: Things You Didn't Know About Messmer

Highlights

  • Messmer, a child of Queen Marika, was born cursed with the Abyssal Serpent within him, sealed by his mother to protect her reign.
  • Messmer acted as an older brother to Radahn, forging a connection to characters in
    Elden Ring
    beyond the DLC content.
  • Queen Marika sent Messmer to the Realm of Shadow to purge the Hornsent, leading to his title ‘the Impaler’ and eventual betrayal.

As a long-time fan of Elden Ring, I’ve been captivated by the rich lore and intriguing characters that Miyazaki and his team have created. Among these fascinating figures, none has piqued my interest more than Messmer, the enigmatic cursed son of Queen Marika.


As a dedicated Elden Ring fan, I was already familiar with Queen Marika and her impressive lineage before the release of “Shadow of the Erdtree.” In the main game, we were tasked with defeating the Shardbearers, who turned out to be the children and grandchildren of this divine monarch. However, the addition of this DLC introduced a previously unknown fact: there was another offspring of Marika, hidden from us gamers in the new realm – the Realm of Shadow.

In the intriguing world of Elden Ring, Messmer, a previously enigmatic figure, has been shrouded in mystery throughout The Shattering and the main game. However, with the latest content release, fans are granted insights into Messmer’s past and motivations. Here are six intriguing facts about this elusive character unveiled in Elden Ring’s DLC:

6 Messmer Is A Child Of ‘One’ God

Queen Marika And Radagon Are One And The Same

Elden Ring: Things You Didn't Know About Messmer

One intriguing detail concealed in the fundamental game is that Queen Marika and Radagon secretly gave up their respective spouses to be together. However, it’s important to note that Radagon represents another aspect of Marika, referred to as her “other self.” Their clandestine union brought forth Miquella and Malenia, who were born afflicted. Miquella was cursed with perpetual childhood, while Malenia was marked by the Scarlet Rot, a malady that inexorably claimed her and spread to those nearby.

Another version: Messmer is similarly the offspring of Marika and Radagon. Like his siblings, he was born under a curse. Within Messmer resided another deity, the Abyssal Serpent, whose presence endangered Marika’s rule.

5 His Mother Sealed Away His Curse

To Keep Messmer From Being Overtaken By The Curse, Marika Sealed It Within Him

Elden Ring: Things You Didn't Know About Messmer

To prevent the Abyssal Snake from devouring Messmer and potentially threatening her own rule, Queen Marika took the drastic measure of sealing the curse within him. She accomplished this by surgically removing his right eye and replacing it with a magical seal.

The artifact wielded against the Abyssal Serpent, an object imbued with Grace, carries an inherent contradiction to Messmer’s essence. This discrepancy casts doubt on the Erdtree’s benevolent influence and justifies Queen Marika’s wariness towards this enigmatic power.

4 Acted As An Older Brother To Radahn

Referenced As A Mentor And Caring Sibling For The Starscourge

Elden Ring: Things You Didn't Know About Messmer

In the description for a Remembrance item obtained from a formidable (spoiler alert) boss in Elden Ring’s new DLC, fans gain knowledge of Messmer’s bond with one of his half-siblings. Although he may have been unaware of his connection to Radahn, Messmer assumed the role of an protective elder brother towards ‘the Lion’, a renowned boss battle in Elden Ring that players will recognize as Radahn.

As a gamer, I can say that connecting Messmer to the main game characters keeps him from being just an optional addition in the DLC. It brings his storyline closer to mine as a player, making it more engaging and immersive. Plus, by establishing that Messmer is older than Radahn, we can speculate about potential backstories for Marika and Radagon’s lineage. Could there be children born before the Golden Order era? The timeline becomes more intriguing as a result.

3 Queen Marika Sent Him To Wipe Out Those Without Grace

Messmer Leads A Secret Purge In The Realm Of Shadow

Elden Ring: Things You Didn't Know About Messmer

Marika hails from the land known as the Realm of Shadow, where her tribe once dwelled. For generations, they were under the dominion of the ancient Hornsent race, who held the Crucible in high reverence. The Hornsent subjected Marika’s people to unimaginable torment, bringing them close to extinction. Despite Marika’s connection to the Erdtree and the arrival of Grace, the Hornsent remained hostile towards her kind and therefore lacked this divine blessing.

Queen Marika ordered her cursed son Messmer to travel to the Realm of Shadows and eliminating every last Hornsent residing there. This decree resulted in a horrific genocide, leading Messmer to be infamously known as ‘the Impaler’ due to his ruthless and fanatical campaign against an entire race.

2 His General, And Friend, Is Cursed Too

General Gaius Forged A Friendship With Messmer Because Of His Genetics

Elden Ring: Things You Didn't Know About Messmer

In the Shadow Of The Erdtree DLC expansion, one formidable adversary to be wary of is Commander Gaius. He enters combat on the back of a fierce Wild Boar and inflicts heavy damage with his powerful Sword Lance strikes. This battle-hardened foe was once a confidant of Messmer, as a subtle hint in an item description suggests to those who carefully read.

As a seasoned fantasy novelist, I’ve come across various mythologies and lore throughout my career, but none quite as intriguing as this tale of Messmer and Gaius. Having delved deep into the richly textured worlds of literature, I find myself captivated by their unique bond forged out of shared fate.

1 He Was Betrayed

After Everything, Messmer Is Still A Secret

Elden Ring: Things You Didn't Know About Messmer

After a long period, Marika, who had ruthlessly eliminated an entire race as her mother’s servant, experienced a shift in her intentions. It is unclear what prompted this change – perhaps she came to understand the gravity of her actions or recognized how it would tarnish the ‘perfection’ represented by the Erdtree’s blessing. Regardless of the cause, Marika chose to conceal the Shadow Realm beneath the protective canopy of the Scadutree, the Erdtree itself.

I’ve spent my entire existence in the Realm of Shadow, a realm that is as impenetrable as it is inescapable. It was my duty, my calling, to defend this domain against any intruders, those who lacked the Grace necessary to enter peacefully. I had grown accustomed to this life, to the monotony of battle after battle, until one day, a Tarnished, much like yourself, managed to breach our defenses.

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2024-07-16 14:34