Summary
With the trademark intricacy ofFromSoft’s storytellingcombined with the depth of worldbuilding lent by George RR. Martin,Elden Ringhas some of the most intriguing lore in gaming. TheShadow of the ErdtreeDLC expanded that lore in some surprising ways.
Some fan theories have confirmed, others have disproved, while still more remain open to interpretation. On top of that, were plenty of fresh discoveries that massively expanded the understanding ofElden Ring’s world and history.
This article contains spoilers for the story ofElden RingandShadow of the Erdtree. The discussions here are conclusions based on in-game hints, and as such, there is some speculation involved. These discussions are influenced by the work ofSmoughTown,Vaatividya, andZullietheWitch, as well as the wider Elden Ring community.
10The Obscuring Of The Land Of Shadow
More Than Just A War
Perhaps the biggest revelation aboutShadow of the Erdtreeis presented front and center. The Land of Shadow, where the DLC takes place, was once a part of the Lands Between, but was obscured by Queen Marika, separating the two lands.
Not only that, but it seems that the separation of the lands happened after sending her son Messmer to war there. Thus, sealing him and his followers inside in a move that may well have been intentional.
9Bayle, Father Of Drakes
Draconic Civil War
At the top of the Jagged Peak lies Bayle the Dread, one of themost fearsome dragon fightsinElden Ring.Head the other way before ascending to his arena though, and players can meet an NPC called Ancient Dragon Florissax. She is a servant of the dragon lord Placidusax appearing in humanoid form, who reveals some interesting things about Bayle.
Ages ago, Bayle rebelled against Placidusax in a fight which gravely injured both dragons. That was when Bayle left Farum Azula and settled in the Jagged Peak. He also sired a second race of dragons, the drakes, and the Tarnished harvest dragon hearts fordragon communionas a result of his betrayal.
8Midra And The Frenzied Flame
A Sage Who Knew Too Much
Before the Tarnished, or even Vyke, sought the Three Fingers beneath Leyndell, a sage from the land of shadow had found the frenzied flame. Midra had, intentionally or otherwise, become a vessel for the frenzied flame long ago, but theHornsent inquisitionsubdued her.
This suggests the Three Fingers' influence has pervaded the world for a long time, perhaps as long as the Two Fingers. The Tarnished finds Midra in a wrecked state, but it seems the players' aggression forces his awakening as a lord of frenzied flame. This may have been tempered by his suffering at the hands of the inquisition’s barbs.
7The Aspect Of St. Trina
Love Abandoned
“I abandon here my love.” This is a quote from Miquella’s cross at the top of the stone coffin fissure. Far below lies St. Trina, in a garden of purple flowers growing among putrescent remains. This confirmed a popular fan theory that had existed since the base game: that St. Trina was an aspect or alter ego of Miquella.
Trina and the cross are surrounded by nectarblood burgeons, suggesting blood was spilled as Trina was physically divested from Miquella. It seems that St. Trina was to Miquella as Radagon was to Marika: a physical aspect that could manifest, yet also a part of their being.
6Redeeming Mohg’s Reputation
Used, Deceived, Destroyed
Mohg seemed like a dark character in the base game. He took his young sibling’s cocoon from its resting place in the Haligtree, apparently killing him in the process and even defiling the corpse with his blood. Sir Ansbach’s dialogue and other sources in the DLC, though, paint those actions in a new light.
It seems that Mohg’s obsession with Miquella was a result of Miquella’s charms and a part of his plan all along. The defilement of Mohg’s omen blood was required to divest Miquella of grace and let him enter the land of shadow. To add insult to injury, he even uses Mohg’s corpse to resurrect his consort.
5Messmer’s Curse
The Original Sin
During the player’s fight with Messmer, he removes his eye. This was a seal placed there by Marika to restrain his curse, the serpent within him. Not much is known about this serpent, only that it seems to be related to Marika’s own “original sin.” This sin is alluded to, but sadly never expanded on.
It is known from the duelists' armor that the serpent is an ancient and symbolic enemy of the Erdtree. This may help to explain why Messmer’s curse was seen as dangerous, and why he was sealed away along with the Land of Shadow. It’s worth noting that some of his men among the black knights rebelled when they learned of his serpentine curse.
4Miquella’s True Power
Domination By Kindness
The bewitching branch speaks of Miquella’s ability to charm others. The DLC puts into context how terrible that power can really be. It seems that anyone who comes into contact with Miquella, even demigods, can have their hearts stolen.
As shown by the events in the DLC, the charm can be broken. Yet, this still raises a number of questions. Was Mohg under Miquella’s charm? Was his sister Malenia? Once the charm breaks, several of his followers go their own way. Was manipulation always what brought followers to Miquella’s side?
3The Hornsent And The Crucible
Ancient Cultures, Unknown Gods
There are plenty of tidbits in the DLC that let players know the Hornsent were around before the Erdtree and the Golden Order. Further than that, there are the remnants of cultures in the land of shadow that predate the current Hornsent, perhaps even stretching back to the beginnings of the world.
In one of these ancient ruins, the player finds the crucible knight Devonia, searching for the origin of another ancient force inElden Ring, the Crucible. The Hornsent revere the Crucible, and its influence is everywhere in the Land of Shadow. The horns that grow on almost all life are its evidence. It seems the Crucible originated in these lands, and could itself represent the beginnings of all life inElden Ring.
2Marika’s Origins
The Seduction And The Betrayal
Marika’s origins are laid bare inShadow of the Erdtree. Her people, the Numen, were known asshamans in the Land of Shadow. They were used in ghastly rituals by the Hornsent to create the living jar innards encountered in-game. Yet, from among these people Marika arose as a queen, then a god. There’s even evidence her reign was accepted by the Hornsent for a time, until an event referred to as “the seduction and the betrayal.”
It seems that Marika somehow betrayed the Hornsent, perhaps even killing their existing god and using its power to ascend to godhood herself. The mechanics involve the gate of divinity where Miquella achieves godhood, but the events surrounding Marika’s rise remain unclear.
1The Mother Of Fingers
Defective From The Start
Count Ymir, found in the cathedral of Manus Metyr, is one of the mostknowledgeable NPCs inShadow of the Erdtree. He’s also uncommonly willing to share information, revealing much about the nature of the Two Fingers and the greater will in his dialogues.
According to him, all Two Fingers were born from Metyr, who residesbeneath the cathedral. Metyr was meant to be a conduit to the greater will, but at some point, their connection was severed. This meant that all Two Fingers were defective, and their directives were never related to the greater will. This also means that the Golden Order, created by Marika under the guidance of the Fingers, was also defective from the start. The implications of this lore reveal ripple across the whole ofElden Ring.
