Elden Ring Lore | Godwyn Prince of Death

Godwyn the Golden and his murder has lead to the mass corruption of the lands between, as well as the Rise of Those Who Live in Death. In this lore video we explore Godwyn's soulless life, those born of the Death Root and his most loyal adherent; Fia, Deathbed Companion.
Editor: Creators Studio - creatorsstudio.co.uk/
Intro: 0:00
Godwyn The Golden: 2:32
Night of the Black Knives: 11:55
The Prince of Death: 37:45
Deathroot: 51:20
Fortissax and The Eclipse: 1:03:02
Fia and the Mending Rune: 1:13:44
The Age of the Duskborn: 1:28:02
This is an extremely expansive video that not only looks at Godwyn Prince of Death but also covers the following subjects: Deathroot, Those Who Live in Death, Fia, The Golden Order, Destined Death, Fortissax, The Night of the Black Knives, Godwyn, Deathbed Companions, Empyrean, The Greattree, Leyndell, The Age of Dragons, The Golden Lineage, The Eclipse, Soulless Demi-Gods, Age of the Duskborn and More!
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REFERENCES
Aesir Aesthetics Re The Horror Lost in Translation: • The Horror Lost in Tra...
Zullie The Witch Re Godwyn and Wormfaces: / zulliethewitch
V-Limit Eclipse Video: • The Eclipse | Elden Ri...
Post on Marika by u/Haahhh: / the_symbolism_of_marik...
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CREDITS
Commission Thumbnail art by the incredible DePietro Draws: / depietro_draws
Big Thanks to Last Protagonist for his fantastic videos and translations provided: / lastprotagonist
Thanks to the Embraced One for providing the Divine Dragon Footage: / theembracedone
Thumbnail layout by BrightSparkIV: / brightsparkiv
Please subscribe for more future Elden Ring Lore content!
Follow me on Twitter: / smoughtown
Images used from Fextralife Wiki: eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com...
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Soundtrack is Demon's Souls, Dark Souls, Sekiro and Elden Ring
I do not own the rights to Elden Ring, all rights to FromSoftware
#eldenring #godwyn #fia

[@SmoughTown]

Thanks for taking the time to watch everyone. Let me know your thoughts on Godwyn below!

[@captainlastname1932]

Dude you and vaati have been dropping vids like they're fire, because they are fire! Keep up the good work dude

[@pious83]

I do find it curious. What if Ranni's bid failed to kill Godwyn failed? If she killed herself and the Black Knives failed, she would have been completely dead. Would her own murder have paused with the news of such failure? Was there a plan for this?

[@VVabsa]

I would lowkey want to see what Godwyn would've end up if he continued to grow like that. It's like he would've taken over anyway, seeing his growths are able to grow almost everywhere. Like those minor erdtrees, would Godwyn sprout up to be minor "Deathtrees"?

[@varsoonhks3211]

Thanks for turning me onto Aesir's channel! I really love the shout-outs and influences that content creators have with each other. Vaati gave you a shout-out in their latest video, too!

[@christmaldonado89]

maybe Ranni and Godwyn were to be fused together into one being? But Merika knew they usurp her reign as queen so she orchestrated the shattering and assassination to forever be ruler and stay in power

[@Ell_Pacino]

Every time I think of what Leyndell was like before the Shattering, I laugh at the idea that Gransax’s body has just been sitting there for a hundred years because no one knows what the hell to do with it

[@MachineMindDesigns]

Marika: Okay...any idea on how are we going to move Gransax's body? Advisor 1: We could break it down for it's gravelstone scales! Advisor 2: We could just leave it as decoration and a memorial to the war! Advisor 3: ...we could just get either the other dragons or the fire giant to move it... Marika to Advisor 3:. >8( Advisor 3: :I

[@Molotov_Milkshake]

Seems like a fitting memorial to me. Now it's critical infrastructure.

[@noamias4897]

@@MachineMindDesigns advisor 4: we could make it the path up to the throne

[@lucamckenn5932]

It's a really good memento mori, as well as a grim reminder of the fate of any other dragons with the gall to dare and attack the honored -pretenders- defenders of the Erdtree.

[@nobodycares743]

It probably would have been a symbol of worship for many, since worship of dragons was allowed by the golden will.

[@616thedevil]

I think he's very disturbing. The fact that he is dead, he looks dead, he has no soul, and yet he's still somehow active in the world in ways we cannot understand is unsettling to say the least. I think he gets at the core of the horror of undeath. When you look at his eyes they are unmistakably dead. There can't be any will behind them, and yet somehow there is.

[@bengough6772]

I think of it less like a will like we have and more like tree roots. Not thinking and analysing but pushing and spreading to survive absent any emotion or desire. Alive in body but with no human thought any more

[@lemonywhippets]

I think his soulless body is possessed by The Twinbird, hence the death root/death birds. The Twinbird is the mother of death & death birds referenced in the Twinbird Kite Shield. Destined Death originally drove them away. Wasn't that what was carved out from his body after the Night of Black Knives?

[@Blessed_V0id]

Indeed, undeath is a deeply fascinating strength. Weak in body, but persistent. When one can fight for eternity, victory is garanteed, even if time lays the last blow

[@shokraven2231]

And Fortissax is the only thing fighting the death within Godwyn. So these hundred years fortissax has been forever fighting the internal death of Godwyn. Even further, proving his strength and Godwins both….

[@neonraindrop8357]

Probably not as disturbing as your profile and user name but I agree

[@Acheryx]

I think another reason why Ranni might’ve targeted Godwyn was because he was the embodiment of the Golden Order’s future success. He demonstrated the strength of the golden lineage while also wielding the courage to challenge and transform it by accepting multiple perspectives and unifying them. Ancient dragons are a great example. He was also had a great relationship with his half-brother Miquella, and likely Malenia too as a result. He was the lynchpin holding the order together, and with him not only gone, but “killed” so unexpectedly, the future of the order was all but guaranteed to crumble from all these separate factions vying for power. If destroying the order all together was your objective, undoubtedly, Godwyn would be your biggest threat.

[@reaperx2732]

Absolutely agree. I knew something wasn't right about that four armed haunted doll from the jump and this confirms it.

[@the_ideal_grease5565]

@@reaperx2732 just depends on how you morally see it, I like Ranni’s motive it may have not been a good move, morally but in terms of freeing everybody from control of a order that had injustices just seemed morally right to me, that’s just how I see it

[@the_ideal_grease5565]

@Alex Grey achieved her goal no matter the cost but without us it wouldn’t have been possible, as the chosen tarnished champion everything is up to us how we conclude the fate of the world, my perfect ending is marrying Ranni, obtaining the frenzied flame and only using it to save Melina, then cure myself with Miquella’s needle, beat the game and summon Ranni for age of stars, perfection

[@chipskyshart87]

@@the_ideal_grease5565 perfection. I’d love for there to be an additional ending scene with Melina if you cure the frenzied flame

[@the_ideal_grease5565]

@@chipskyshart87 if only they put it in the game originally but through Ranni’s ending if we decide to prevent melina from sacrificing herself and then cure ourselves we could see her in the sequel of elden ring, as much as Ranni had hood intention she did not choose wisely on how to commit these acts and in assuming she’d leave everybody with the freedom to choose their own fate, she left the world in ruin cause she didn’t mend the elden ring she took it away from the world with you alongside her, I like Ranni’s character but she doesn’t undertand what she did which believes me that she’ll be the main antagonist of the second game, and in a final act we take control of our original character who was married to her for one finale

[@midasdagonovich657]

I found Godwyn's new face when trying to jump from one ledge to another and falling down FROM THE ROOF TO HIS LAIR. That was horrifying

[@Cautionary-Tales-Band]

That happened to me too. Best moment in the whole game.

[@JeffreyAppSteam]

Same. Was great

[@jakesteinberg5902]

Happened to me too, hearing that it happened to a lot of other people, made me realize this was intentional on Fromsoft’s part, amazing game design

[@alexterieur8813]

Elden ring is an horror game

[@greydragon9082]

THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME!!! Genuinely terrifying.

[@dagdamor1]

"You can't work out for 3 hours, what would you listen to?" "I will listen to this. *Twice.* "

[@SmoughTown]

Hahaha hell yeah!

[@mcallan1]

Twice won’t be enough to get everything either 😂

[@silverhost9782]

I really feel bad for this guy. Seemed like a genuine chad who was loved by everyone, ended up a half-dead fish monster because of Ranni and Co. RIP

[@Ren-qd3gk]

Honestly most of Marika's children seem like decent people. Godwyn who was loved by all, Radahn who stayed true to his duty even after being infected by the Scarlet Rot, Malenia who wanted to protect her brother, Miquella who wanted to cure his sister, Morgott who was loyal to the golden order even though he was hated all his life. Its just Mogh and Rykard that are assholes. Ranni is ehh sorta morally grey.

[@ryankeith2712]

@@Ren-qd3gk And then there’s Godrick, the red headed stepchild

[@HalohbotTech]

@@ryankeith2712 He's not her child though?

[@stefanh5699]

Yeah but ranni’s got that blue good good.

[@CGImpala]

@@Ren-qd3gk Mogh is not entirely evil either. He just decided to embrace what he was hated for, being an omen. What I get from him is someone that didn't give a fuck about what people thought of him and decided to make his own path and destiny. That's something you can follow in the real world. Apart from Morgott who's just a moronic buffoon suffering from Stockholm Syndrome. Defending a corrupted order and family that never truly loved him and locked him away. It's not necessarily evil, but I wouldn't say it's decent either and I would replace him with Mogh. The only one who actually ended up being purely evil is Rykard. So you're right on that one. Ranni's acts may have been bad, but it was with good intentions. She didn't want to follow the normal standards of being an empyrean, she wanted to live her own life. She wanted her own individuality, her own freedom to carve out her own future. Something else to follow In the real world and just like the events in the game, making your own life does come with it's own risks and sacrifices.

[@fuzzysocks229]

If you hold off on talking to Rogier + doing Rannis quest while progressing Fias you can actually fight rogiers spirit at the deep root depths then go back to roundtable hold and find rogier not dead, chilling like normal

[@fuzzysocks229]

Just a weird detail I found while playing yesterday

[@QuantemDeconstructor]

I never sought out Rogier, as I play Incantations, that's a really odd detail, I thought her "Champions" are the essence she takes in return for the Baldachin's Blessing

[@tacticallemon7518]

@@QuantemDeconstructor because they are but there’s also a pool of npc’s in case you, the player, are offline

[@TheGrandChimera]

I love that you can really feel and see what George wrote for Elden Ring. The entire Night of The Black Knives just screams him in my opinion

[@tamiloxd7168]

Yes, it can be felt greatly the involment of George in the game.

[@SpiritStoneWarrior94-yx3gs]

I was about to comment the same! It reminds me so much of the Blood and Cheese section of the targaryen civil war in blood and fire

[@Comet_373]

​@@SpiritStoneWarrior94-yx3gswe're gonna see blood and cheese in hotd s2 in like 6 months

[@JimJamJ4]

Absolutely, Godwyn and the Greyjoy/iron born similarities. "That is dead can never die" and Godwin embodies that.

[@TolgaAtamtuerk]

Grrm only wrote the overall setting and world, miyasaki wrote the whole story that happens in Elden Ring, including the black knife stuff.

[@sebastianmorin9780]

Another thing that shows that Godwyn and Miquella were close is that even in death, Godwyn seems to be trying to protect or find Miquella, upon my 2nd playthrough, I noticed that several of Miquella’s Lilies can be found guarded by those who live in death, as well as basilisks.

[@eXodusArise]

I believe it’s actually backwards. Just like how Miquella seeks to cure Malenia’s rot, I think he was also trying find a way to give godwyn peace in death. Or seeking to reverse what was done to him. I don’t think those who live in death are guarding the lilies, but that the lilies sprout up around them thanks to Miquella attempting to fix what has happened.

[@sebastianmorin9780]

@@eXodusArise but there are two basilisks guarding the golden epitaph straight sword?? Edit: I believe that Miquella lilies haven’t sprouted anew in a long time. And there is also a bat lady who uses rancor guarding a Miquella lily. Also the Miquella lily that I speak of which I believe is in Caelid on the way up to Millicent, the undead only ambush you from behind after you get close and pick the lily.

[@sebastianmorin9780]

@@eXodusArise it’s not just Miquella either. Where you can find those who live in death near water there is usually a St. Trina lily close by, ride past murkwater cave and take the torrent up, right above some undead is 3 Trina Lilies. I believe you are correct Miquella/Trina is trying to give Godwyn a True Death, however I also believe Godwyn still has some semblance of thought and memory, and is seeking the only sibling he thinks can help him. Some basilisk can even be found in the sewers of Leyndell, which means Godwyn is aware that Mohg has Miquella/Trina.

[@Molotov_Milkshake]

Lilies are the flower of death.

[@user-ns4zm8qe9p]

@@eXodusArise that is backed by the golden epitaph description good point.

[@Knights_of_the_Nine]

I love how Rogier says that the death of Godwyn happened long before the shattering, but then immediately says, "soon after" the shattering happened.

[@paolarayo5737]

Yeah I thought the same thing. So which is it? Lol

[@KKKuma]

May be the long before the shattering that he mentioned was that the rune of death was stolen. Then it was lost for a a long time as Ranni setting things up.

[@wendigotoes]

The shattering of the Elden Ring and the war labeled the Shattering are two different events.

[@jacobirving8999]

@@wendigotoes lol That seems almost intentionally confusing

[@arlaux1099]

Honestly the dragons seem super chill. Like they seem like total bros.

[@dantoki6371]

For me the rune's description (the principle of life into death part) and the duskborn ending (a grey mist envelops the land) implies that after death everyone just becomes undead, Death is restored yeah, but for undeath to exist people have to die first and then that "principle" can be implemented into their death. So for me fia's ending isn't much better than Dung Eater's. Both of them kinda screw up death again. One makes you reborn as a cursed omen and the other makes you an undead if you die. While spooky gothic lands between sounds neat, on the long run it's going to be a bit crowded.

[@Heinous_Anus_Georg]

Sounds like a dark souls prequel imo 😂

[@MZ-9993]

To be honest, it would be only until next Elden Lord rises

[@triunegodfollower6449]

Have a look at deathrite birds they look fine for skeleton bird human hybrid so it’s not as bad as you think. Plus you save godwyn and everyone can achieve the power of the crucibles divine like powers without being persecuted.

[@Hi-Hi1990]

Omens are only considered curse because the Erdtree's rejection of them. And that thing seems to like only things that are human-like.

[@dantoki6371]

@@Hi-Hi1990 Well they are stated being cursed, not just considered. They are haunted by spirits in their dreams, some of them can even burst out wraiths to attack us and through dung eater's stuff we know that their condition has something to do with the fell curse, unlike the misbogettens' condition where they've just got in touch with the crucible and if I remember right, they were never called cursed.

[@connormcguire484]

One interesting thing about fortissax: every lich needs needs a phylactery - a “soul jar” or sorts that houses their living essence. From the looks of it, I think it could be argued that Fortissax cared so much for Godwyn that he tried to donate his living essence to him to bring him back, but unwittingly turned Godwyn’s body into a phylactery and became a lich. The act of becoming a lich usually “robs” one of their most powerful magics and in Fortissax’s case, it looks as though his divine lightning became corrupted into death lightning. And just looking at Godwyn’s body - he is confusingly sprouting a dragon’s tail while no other undead do. what do we find when Fia lets us enter Godwyn? The mortal essence of his best friend. I think it also is telling how a Lich is in and of itself much like a “worm eaten eclipse” in that it is a husk devoid of its original inner essence.

[@h8thebritish522]

You can’t apply rules from another entire different series (dnd) to Elden Ring. Different rules. Good headcanon though.

[@rynanjc]

@Connor Mcguire If your reference is DnD lich (from where the concept of phylacteries derivated) i must say that, although i agree with part of your argument, Liches does not lose their most powerful magics. On the contrary, the search for lichdom for a wizard is a possibility to achieve endless power, as they are not bound by flesh and limited by their human bodies anymore. They became stronger wizards when being liches.

[@seelcudoom1]

his name is likely using the old menaing of lich as just "corpse"

[@bazah23]

@Griffithdidsomethingwrong damn I never thought of it like that🥲

[@TheBeastr]

@Griffithdidsomethingwrong it would be very cool if the DLC explored both Miquella and Godwyn, possibly through dreams, sleep and the eternal death/rest Godwyn truly deserves, yet possibly we have to cut down Miquella who has become corrupted and so we complete one of his goals, though not his main objective of saving his twin sister, but finally putting his brother who has become a souless husk that lives in death

[@akaErma]

I would love to know what Marika was thinking when she removed Destined Death. It seems like an extremely short-sighted action for such an enlightened being. The fallout seems the logical conclusion, so she must have known that deathlessness would corrode the world. It was this action that actually caused me to suspect Marika's motives from the start, acting solely in her personal interest, not the best interests of the Lands Between. Rather than devising a method to counter the Black Flame, she chose to alter the metaphysical reality of the entire world. It just doesn't make sense on the face.

[@agm5424]

You're on to something. Smough alluded to this possibility in his video on Goldmask and the Golden Order.

[@deadshot1995]

Destined Death was a threat to the Golden Order, so Marika responded the same way she responded to most other threats: getting rid of it to the best of her ability.

[@tequilawhiskey]

I dont think that was her idea. I feel like her early actions were dictated by the Greater Will, but in time she saw what was happening, and put the dominoes in place to force it to change.

[@dragonlordplacidusax9413]

Absolutely not. All religion promises eternal life. None delivers and there's no proof. Golden order actually DID that. It's the reason it was so successful. Without Raani's interference or Marika's plan things were going well for the people.

[@deadshot1995]

@@tequilawhiskey I don't fully disagree, but dictated is a stretch imo. The Greater Will selects Empyreans to create their own Order, then exerts its own influence on that Order. Remember, the Gloam-Eyed Queen was also an Empyrean chosen by the Fingers/Greater Will. So had she defeated Maliketh and gone on to kill Marika and take the Elden Ring, the Greater Will would've made her its vassal God instead. It would've allowed her to start a 'Godskin Order', which would've been fundamentally different from Marika's Golden Order in many ways. The most significant of which is that they never would've confined Destined Death.

[@jamesnorman9160]

As you stated with the crabs and other aquatic lifeforms, you can see how Godwyn is continuing to exert an influence upon the world, despite the fact he's been dead long before the Tarnished came back to the Lands Between. Plus like you said, Those Who Live in Death didn't ask for that existence. They deserve some place in the world too. Can't help but feel sorry for Fia, too. All that work and she finally created the Mending Rune...only to be killed by D in the end. But hey, a typical From Soft ending, right?

[@mmyr8ado.360]

Fia was already dead when you acquire the Mending Rune, as if she died during childbirth, which is fitting thematically. D probably stuck his sword onto her and as if he killed her, and probably followed suit.

[@skiddytrippy7189]

I did Fia's Questline without ever waking up D's other half, and she dies of presumably exhaustion and on her corpse you find the mending rune. I think in this case it makes more sense though as the whole thing with deathbed companions are that they take living essence(5% max hp) from great champions in hopes of birthing the mending rune, and for a mortal body to give birth to the actual full death mark it would naturally take all her living essence(health) to complete this herculean task.

[@lemonywhippets]

I think Godwyns soulless body is possessed by an Outer God. The Twinbird. It's referenced on the Twinbird Kite Shield. As the mother of all death bird rites. Maybe that's why there is death root and death rite birds everywhere now. They were banished from the lands between by Destined Death originally. The moment Godwyns dies, it's carved out from his body and sealed once more. And he's a living husk. Also Miquella hates outer God's and their influence I think that's the dlc. Miquella created his needle and the golden epitaph sword to save his brother but never got to use them to do so. I think the dlc is miquellas vs the twinbird possessing his siblings body.

[@VERGILGASM]

It's been a long time since the Shattering too

[@X525Crossfire]

A really interesting analysis. A note about the characterization of Fia and the Deathbed Companions - Fia's mention of "embracing" those she takes warmth and vigor from is a literal translation, even though in Japanese *yosuru*, or "embrace", has a double meaning, in this case to having sex. Kind of like how in English we might say "knowing someone" as a way of saying we've had intimate relstions with them. Given the image of Fia naked with the corpse of the noble, it seems sex is a key part of the Deathbed Companions' duties. FromSoft just seemed to sanitize the scene by not having our characters go full Witcher. This then loops back to Norse myth and folklore, where a man's..."seed" contained his vigor, and could be transferred to a woman via sex. Through seidr (basically sex magic) female shamans called volva could draw power from men, which they would used to fuel their powers and have visions. And at the death of a chieftain, Norsemen would have sex with one of that chief's slave girls, to give her their "vigor", before killing her, believing she would be reunited with and continue to serve her master in the afterlife, including having sex with him to pass to him the vigor she was given by his followers to strengthen him. I can't remember off the top of head if there was another end goal to the process, but I hope I've painted enough of a connection for this all to make sense.

[@ksiezycowybobr1334]

It clicked to me as well. Baldachins are roof-curtain-like structures on top of noble's/rich people's beds after all (look at medieval to baroque palaces etc.). Going forward; when we sleep we leave our flesh to enter experience for our souls and bed is sort of 'kart' to do so. For many if us; if you think about it bed is also a sanctuary.

[@individual2122]

@@ksiezycowybobr1334 that's why it's called "the fortress of dreams".

[@scarlett8782]

I think the word rape would probably be more fitting than 'have sex' in the context of a slave you know

[@seannemcdaniel2126]

Fascinating

[@koontz1154]

@@scarlett8782 *smacks lips* "Akchually..."

[@kylefernandes5311]

SmoughTown just wanted to say your hardwork is not going to vain. You are by far and large my favourite Elden Ring Lore youtuber, I look forward to you uploads, and God knows it keeps me going through some of my toughest times. Thank you SmoughTown. Love you.

[@SmoughTown]

Hey Sd, that is so nice to hear and I will continue to do my best to provide quality content. I’m sorry you’ve gone through some hard times but glad my videos help in some way

[@kylefernandes5311]

@@SmoughTown Ah man thanks, means a lot. Times have been tough lately, You're Elden Ring Lore videos are a light in these dark times. Keep up the work. May the Golden Order shine through you.

[@aregeninotenshi6484]

I’ve expressed the same. Glad it’s not just me. Much love all 💕

[@user-ns4zm8qe9p]

@@SmoughTown yeah you’ve asserted your place as one of the heavy hitters in the fromsoft sphere with the impeccable quality and passion in every upload

[@ISayEssays]

It would be interesting if Lansseax was Godwyn's spouse, it would explain why Godrick claims both the golden lineage and dragons among his 'forefathers.'

[@wrathandflame3987]

Omgggg you are right. I always wondered why Godrick would call dragons his kin. This could be it

[@cloroxusthestainlessone4324]

That would also give a bit more context to the "most beloved" part of Vike's lore with (I can't remember the name) being a female dragon

[@MS-Melas]

​@@cloroxusthestainlessone4324 its Lansseax and thats why shes not Godwyns spouse.

[@burritowyrm6530]

donkey…

[@comradeweedity1648]

​@@burritowyrm6530😂😂😂

[@micahkeren-zvi9208]

The dimension and disfigurement of his corpse is so disturbing. Though there are suggestions of eyes and a nose I can never feel quite sure of what I'm looking at. And then the juxtaposition of Fia's beauty and compassion amidst the stench and hideousness of it captures so much of what I love about this world. Thank you for taking the time to discover and articulate these complex connections so thoughtfully and exhaustively.

[@ekosandvic7598]

Wow you described it so beautifully ^^ The contrast truly represents the souls series. Melancholic but bitter sweet yet hopeful. Thank you so much!

[@micahkeren-zvi9208]

@@ekosandvic7598 much appreciated Eko;)

[@lemonywhippets]

It's a bird skull being stretched out over a human face. His body is possessed by The TwinBird, an Outer God. The mother of death rite birds. Miquella wished to save his brother hence the golden Epitaph sword and the needle. Also it's why the death root is everywhere and death rite birds have returned to the lands between. They were originally banished by Destined Death. The thing carved out from Godwyns body, so essentially he's an empty husk for the taking that cannot die and is infecting the Erdtree. I'm pretty sure this is what the Dlc is entirely about. The Shadow of the Erdtree, a shadow like an infection, like a possession, and why Miquella is there to meet with you considering his entire deal is thwarting Outer God influences.

[@09csr]

it is "intentional uncanny valley" made to perfection.

[@dominicmanester8125]

One thing to note: Godwyn the Golden seems entirely based off Baldr from Norse myth. Both are heroic warriors and favourite sons of the chief god. Both are depicted as 'golden'. Both had their mother go to extreme lengths to keep them from 'destined death'. Both have almost total immunity to death save for one weakness. Both were murdered through an act of trickery and conspiricy. Both share a symbolism with tears on death. Baldr could be resurrected by tears and and Godwyn sheds black tears when he 'resurrects' as a zombie. Both had their death be the starting point for an apocalyptic war. (Ragnarǫk and The Shattering)

[@LyraLyraPantsOnFyra]

Godwin the Golden reminds me of Rhaegar Targaryen. A dead figure of legend, hero to some but respected by all, who's death changed the kingdom forever and who's legacy will continue to shape the destiny of the kingdom long after their death.

[@deadshot1995]

Except that Rhaegar was actually kind of a piece of shit who abandoned his wife and kids to die because they weren’t part of a prophecy.

[@andrewjones162]

Might have been George RR martins inspiration

[@DM-Oz]

I see it but not really that much. Godwyn ended a war and made friends with his enemy. Rhaegar started one and caused great division in the realm, and ruined his family. I am not a big fan of Rhaegar

[@notanimportantperson]

I like this

[@Comet_373]

​@@DM-Ozwell he had good intentions remember he believed in the prophecy of ice and fire and knew that his line would birth the promised hero (he was right as its most likely John) so if he hadn't started Robert's rebellion ironically the night king would have won no diff especially since till dany they're weren't even any dragons

[@heathenly_aesthetic7233]

Godwyn's corpse scared the hell out of me... Like, when I was following Fia's questline and saw *that,* I was fully expecting to fight that mess.

[@ahorseofcourse7283]

It's creepier still you *don't* fight it, because anything you fight you, can beat, and anything you can beat, you can understand. But Godwyn can't be fought, he can't be beaten, because he no longer exists as an entity -- he is a fungus, a disease. Godwyn the Golden is a cancer, unthinking, unliving, undying, forever growing and spreading.

[@dougdynamo9398]

Godwyn is, without a doubt, my favorite character in Elden Ring, and a lot hinges on his design. From the lore, Godwyn is the first of the demi-gods whose soul has perished, and we know that the primordial Crucible is from where all life began and returns. The Misbegottens were cursed and take on many aspects of the Crucible in their design and so does Godwyn. This perversion of Godwyn's image from a valiant warrior that fought and ultimately befriended an ancient dragons to this abhorrent display is one of my favorite stories in Elden Ring.

[@NWolfsson]

About the way the Half-Wheel of the Centipede was marked upon Ranni and Godwin's bodies: I'm personally under the impression that, rather than being carved by the assassins, the rune embedded itself metaphysically upon the body of the victims. I'm having a few impressions giving me that vibe, but if anything it would be surprising that the Black Knives, intended on fully branding Godwin, wouldn't leave space to carve a complete rune on his back.

[@yaboi2587]

The separation of “the mind” and “the soul” is a fascinating concept-where Godwyn’s mind, like his body, is actually still active and persisting without the soul. That over time, it has putrefied and been transformed into something as unrecognizable/inhuman as his body… that’s wild to me. Usually “the mind” and “the soul” are seen as the same thing, so before this I was thinking that after his spiritual death, only Godwyn’s body remained. But the idea that there’s something in going on his head, that some part of his mind still works in the same absent, cancerous way his body does is such a unique and terrifying idea to me Rogier’s quest has kind of sent me down this rabbit hole of trying to figure out what the hell is going on with Godwyn and the deathblight, and this vid has really helped, thank you Edit: Now that I’ve finished the video, I wonder what Godwyn’s mindstate means for Fia’s plans? While he seemed like a good guy in life, I wonder if his current state would allow him to truly wield (or fairly wield) whatever power she wants to him to have. While he does seem to have a passive power in-game, her wording makes me think she wants something more “active.” (Or maybe she just wants his current, passive force on the world to be recognized/accepted rather than seen as something to be purged?)

[@vonmeier]

I was wondering about the same... in Elden Ring what do they actually mean by the death of the soul? The death of the body seems more simple and familiar concept: the body just stops functioning and the soul/spirit remains that can possess dolls or remain as a specter, they retain the personality and memories of said person. So if they kill the soul they kill the person's essence, the personality, memories etc. and the body keeps functioning as a "typical" mindless undead with basic instincts? I think in all the lore I feel sorry for Godwyn and "miss him" the most. He was so iconic, a true good willed heroic character but we never had the chance to meet him, see his real personality... and we never will.

[@yaboi2587]

@@vonmeier Yeah, it raises a hell of a question-where is the personality housed? The mind or the soul? When Godwyn’s spirit was slain, how much of Godwyn’s self remained? And how has it deteriorated over time? With Godwyn’s soul-death, but enduring “mind,” my initial thought is that what remains of his mind only works on a more basal level. So it might be able to intake and even process incoming stimuli, but personality/convictions/emotions are what was destroyed. But then I wonder… perhaps those do remain, but are unable to be acted on-as in, perhaps the “soul” is what animates the mind and body. (The “bridge” between the mind and the body, so to speak) The fact that Godwyn seems (on the outside) to be little more than a husk seems to imply that without the soul, even if the mind lives it is somehow unable to reach the body. (I suppose that puppets might be evidence of this… but then where does that leave Fortissax? I have no idea, and my brain hurts, lol.) Really, I’m not entirely sure either answer is the one that totally fits, but it’s been a fascinating philosophical question for me to ponder these past few days. But yeah-The life and death of Godwyn, and the aftermath of it is quite an enigma. It seems like such a tragedy. I’ve watched this video, and Zullie the Witch’s various videos on Godwyn and the Death Blight and I still feel like I only have a partial grasp on it. It’s such a rabbit hole to be honest. Here’s hoping we get some more about it in the DLC

[@vonmeier]

​@@yaboi2587 Yes, it's such a complex matter and the more I think about it the worse it gets. I wonder if there's any evidence on this topic in Elden Ring lore, I mean what is exactly a soul, a mind, a personality in this world. It doesn't really look like the living, soulless body of Godwyn can really think, communicate or do anything - at least not in the usual way. More like a growing fungus and spreading death all over the lands.

[@dodohateswater]

My take of this is basically in medical terms... brain-dead, a vegetable, a body with no life.

[@S2Pot_Gaming]

What’s really interesting is how people respond to the concept of the undead. Some players might go full Fundamentalist and try to whip those who live in death out, while others feel sympathy and side with Fia, making undeath an acceptable form of life. For me, though, the Age of the Duskborn is not a good ending for those who live in death. They clearly exist without souls, and their fate is mourned, so in my mind it would make more since to put them out of their misery once and for all as a form of kindness and mercy. It intrigues me that others who share my sympathy for those who live in death, such as yourself, come to such a different conclusion than myself.

[@Filip_Agrippa]

Fortissaxx is one of my favourites. He has the most kickass soundtrack in the game, imo, has one of the coolest incantations and his ancient dragon model with the red lightning and dark roots is badass as hell. And on top of that, when I was collecting his story in the game, I found out he was one of the most heroic and loyal characters in the game.

[@CrowsofAcheron]

There are still many questions about the relationship between the Rune of Destined Death and the Curse mark. After we complete Fia's questline, we learn that the Full Wheel Cursemark is actually a new rune, the Mending Rune of the Death Prince. So I don't think the assassins needed to carve the Cursemark in order for it to take effect, I think the assassins carved this mark in a deliberate attempt to create the mending Rune. The assassins weren't trying to kill in a malicious sense, it was a large-scale attempt to escape the Golden Order's restrictions by cheating death.

[@mothsforeyes]

Maybe not cheating death, but by re-establishing death into the natural order. Even Goldmask himself comes to the conclusion that the Golden Order is critically flawed and requires mending - albeit his approach and solution diverges greatly from Those Who Live In Death. Essentially though, these "factions" intimately understand that there is a fatal flaw with the current Order. The absence of death within the Lands Between destabilised everything over time. Which we, as the player character experience firsthand through our playthrough. By reintroducing death back into the Order, Those Who Live In Death, Ranni (to a degree) and even the Nox are naively trying to make things right. I say naively because the Rune of Death itself, being fragmented, has lead to further corruption.

[@Pikachu-qr4yb]

@@mothsforeyes I'm still confused, before the Elden Ring Shattering, did ppl die naturally? Because didnt the shattering make it so ppl cant die? Im surprised to hear that they lived eternally before as well, what was the point in the shattering then

[@mothsforeyes]

@@Pikachu-qr4yb I believe Marika removed the Rune of Death from the Elden Ring long before the Shattering. The Shattering came after Ranni's plot to assassinate Godwyn, which required stealing a fragment of the Rune of Death. Immortality in the Lands Between seems to be a contrivance created by Marika by altering the Elden Ring and sealing off Destined Death in her shadow Maliketh. Before then, I suspect death was a natural occurence. But the gameplay and the lore are a bit contradictory here, as we the player character can permanently kill certain NPCs and bosses prior to releasing Destined Death. The lore is a little bit half-baked at times.

[@mothsforeyes]

@@Pikachu-qr4yb Sorry, will also add that the Shattering is just the name of the war Marika created after Godwyn's death, by fragmenting the Elden Ring. Seems that Marika went mad after the death of her firstborn and went all scorched earth on the Lands Between

[@valkoroska2369]

@@mothsforeyes im quite sure being tarnished allows you to bring death as youre not from the lands between

[@hennako1439]

Once again, absolutely cracking video! As for the centipede, imo the "half" centipede isn't just to represent the half-finished ritual, but also representative of stagnation in itself - where a full circle represents the cycle and life and death, an interrupted, or half-circle further emphasises the idea of halting or stagnation Nothing particularly new or interesting there, just where my mind went first

[@SmoughTown]

Thanks so much 😍

[@yael4171]

Excited for this one, I really hope we get to see Godwyn in a future dlc as he seems like one of the coolest Demi-gods

[@lemonywhippets]

I'm very sure Godwyns soulless body is possessed by The Twinbird. It's an Outer God, the mother of death rites and why death root/death birds have returned to the land between. They used to exist until Destined Death drove them from the lands between. When Destined Death was sealed they returned.. Literally what Miquella hates most, Outer God Influence. It's why he created the needle & the Golden Epitaph sword to save his sibling. We originally thought it was just for Malenia but the sword was crafted by Miquella to save his brother.

[@saphiwrath]

Godwyn's story is one of the most fascinating aspects of Elden Ring lore to me, so thank you for this very insightful and well crafted video!

[@matthewkitaj9854]

Smough is singularly my favorite Lorebrarian in gaming history I think. Him and Vaati just NAIL IT.

[@SmoughTown]

Thank you Matthew, being named beside Vaati is genuinely so humbling.

[@Baehellet]

24:30 when you talk about the cursemark breaking into two halves, I don't think it means that Ranni physically carved the wound upon herself or that the Black Knife Assassins did so upon Godwyn. My thought is that simply the action of being stabbed by the black knives would result in the full wheel of the centipede being carved into their flesh, but because two demigods were stabbed at the same time, it broke the wheel into the two separate cursemarks of death that we see in game. At least that's the interpretation that makes the most sense to me when I read the Cursemark of Death description. In the story cinematic where we see Godwyn's wound up close, it looks to be festering with roots spreading out from under the skin. This to me suggests that the simple act of being stabbed with a black knife, causes the skin to rip and tear itself from the initial puncture wound as the power of the rune of death flows into the target, which would normally result in the full cursemark being "carved" on their back. But Ranni being stabbed at the same time by that same power resulted in it not being able to fully take root in either her or Godwyn. I think the problem comes from the use of the word carved, because it implies a physical action but doesn't necessarily have to be taken so literally. There are too many inconsistencies and "Wait...really?" moments if we go forward with the idea that the cursemarks were carved physically. Remember, immediately after the Black Knife Assassins did the deed, they had to flee the capital, and some of them weren't successful, so I don't think they necessarily had the time to sit there and intricately carve such an elaborate thing onto Godwyn's back, especially if he was resisting. Apart from that, we really don't know if Ranni did it herself or if she had another BKA with her, though the closest one is in the Black Knife Catacombs which relatively speaking is only a stone's throw away from the Carian Study Hall/DT of Liurnia. So it is certainly possible that she had a BKA with her to do it, but her dialogue makes it sounds like she did it herself, which if that is the case, would only mean that the wound from the Black Knife carved the cursmark magically upon her flesh, rather than her doing with a series of mirrors as she bled out. I'd be super interested to get your response on this.

[@Cyrus-rodn45]

I believe that ranni and godwyn were to merge just as radagon and Marika were. with each representing body and soul. so while ranni body died, godwyn soul died and his body lived.

[@brodygates7535]

I love how there is always so much potential in these worlds…. and it’s always thrown to shit. Nobody gets what they should in the end and we all know that this is how FromSoft stories are but Jesus Christ do they give us tons to think about. Closest game to a book I’ve ever enjoyed and I don’t even have to read that much.

[@7F0X7]

Until we get confirmation that Godwynn was a nefarious character, we must accept the Ranni is a monster who not only murdered her innocent step-brother, but also turned the entire lands between into the hellish existence it is for most of its inhabitants.

[@moosiemoose1337]

But Ranni is cute so it's okay.

[@pory90n]

Marika did that tho, Ranni freed the world from the greater will so I stand by her ultimate goals. A lot of people here deffend MOHG but think Ranni is the worst lol

[@7F0X7]

@@pory90n Marika acted out of unimaginable grief, Ranni acted out of selfishness. Godwynn was an immortal like Marika, he was to become Elden Lord one day. Had he lived, the world would not be a hellish existence. Are your really going to justify cold blooded murder of an innocent immortal?

[@bonerbreath6747]

​@@7F0X7 Ranni can give four armed handjobs your point is void

[@eminempreg]

​@@moosiemoose1337gooner

[@McSwift0421]

One thing I've been chewing on in my latest playthrough is that it seems to me that Godwyn actually chose his fate, but something went wrong when Ranni died at the same moment. The Finger Reader Crone in Deep Root Depths says: "My poor, sweet lordling should have died a true death. As the first of the demigods to die." It's weird that she says "as the first to die" here, to me. It's also stated many times that Ranni dying at the same moment caused some strange schism where she died in body but he died in soul. I believe Ranni helped create the blades that killed Godwyn, but I don't think this was her betrayal. Her betrayal was having herself killed at the exact moment he was, which split the rune of death between the two of them and simultaneously freed her own soul to be put in a new vessel. (one that perhaps wasn't as easily controlled by the Greater Will) I'd argue that Godwyn knew he would be killed, and the portrait of him being stabbed evidences this. His hair is down and in front of him, his robes are tastefully laid out and undamaged, and though two assassins are holding his arms out he does not seem to be wounded or struggling while they carve a symbol into his back. Maybe this is why he is so loved today: He was a martyr.

[@abigcupofwater]

I like this idea. Lines up nicely with the Christian themes this game is filled with, if Godwyn willingly died to save the world. Are you suggesting maybe Godwyn was part of the plot/ a willing sacrifice? Or that when the assassins came he didn't resist because he agreed the Golden Order needed to change? I wish we knew more about his views of the Erdtree and the removal of death from the ring

[@topcat59]

It still makes me wonder why exactly did godwyn needed to die, since to me there’s nothing I can think of that warrants his death. Unless they were using him to test to see if they can kill the body without killing the mind so Ranni wouldn’t have to be bound to the two fingers but the same time there’s likely more to it than just breaking her chains.🤔🐱

[@krystasullivan3098]

from how i’ve come to understand it, because ranni’s goal was the death of her body, but not her soul, the ritual requires the death of another’s soul, so godwyn was killed to complete the ritual

[@leviathan-boogaloo8568]

I believe it was more than a test of ability, but necessary to ensure that Ranni would only perish in body, not soul. The cursemark states that Ranni and Godwyn died at the same time, causing the mark to split in half. I think that also represents how a true, proper death was forcefully split between the two.

[@Burrito_AM]

Maybe both Ranni and the Black Knives also wanted to take out the heir of the Golden lineage, next to likely become Elden Lord.

[@Lislio]

it could be black knives wanted godwyn dead, ranni gave them the tools to do it, but was using them to perform the soul killing half to allow her to shed her body, therefore it was not intentional to only kill his soul from the black knives pov, but ranni did it intentionally

[@Nightwyl]

Perhaps because Godwyn was so beloved by everybody and bathing in greatness, he was a potential contender for the throne. He was a threat to Marika's plan, which I believe to be freedom from her fate under the Elden Ring authority.

[@tubebrocoli]

Say what you want about Ranni, she is definitely brutally pragmatic and somewhat self-centered. Also, her idea for fixing the world is to keep the rules of the world so far removed from it that people won't believe it unquestionably... but that also conveniently makes it so that nobody can fight to change it either, doesn't it? Only her and her sole consort will be able to change the rules. While that also implies putting a lot of distance between the ruling order and people's individual lives, it's also absolutely as authoritarian as it can get.

[@lacrima5571]

People seem to be starting to understand the true nature of Ranni.

[@davebosak3395]

Having now watched every video you’ve done on this game, I’m blown away. Truly. Your work is fantastic, well explained and thorough. Your “speculation” is insightful and persuasive. I just wish I had key points on paper in front of me because what you do enhances my game. I really can’t think of a better comment than that.

[@SmoughTown]

Hey Dave, what a tremendous compliment I always am grateful to hear this because I always wonder how it will be received before I release it

[@Drawnartist]

Well said!

[@Cherryjango]

Another great vid Smough! Love having this channel for long in depth discussions on very specific topics. Godwyn is probably my favourite enigma in Elden Ring. He was such a mystery in my first playthrough. I love the way his corruption spreads almost like nuclear radiation. Rogier getting sick from getting too close to an outbreak under Stormveil. The spread of the sickness via root systems underground, resulting in deathroots. The spread of the sickness through infected water supplies, which we see with crabs and mariners. Your explanation of the inspiration being Japanese Shinto beliefs is far more likely, but I definitely see a similarity to nuclear radiation, especially considering Japan's history with nuclear weapons and the Fukushima disaster.

[@ezachleewright2309]

His personality reminds me a lot of Miquella. I really wish there was more about there relationship, although I'm glad we got as much as we did, such as the Golden Epitaph Sword and the chrysalid NPCs in Castle Sol.

[@WizzoTheMagicMan]

Godwyn has always been my favorite demigod. Im fairly sure he was the strongest too except for maybe miquella. Now my main reasonings are that radahn and malenia are named strongest of the shattering- not all time as godwyn died before hand leaving him out of the picture, likely intentionally. Im fairly certain hes also the oldest demigod. This all backed up by the fact he not only defeated an ancient dragon likely second only to plasidusax. He also befriended him which is very impressive. The last thing is besides malenia of course and maybe radagon. Miquela is shown to care deeply for him, setting up the church of the eclipse and attempting to revive godwyn. This is impressive as miquella is said to be the strongest emyprean, so he clearly demands respect. He also founded the dragon cult. Not to mention in order too kill him they needed to use the knife imbued with the rune of destined death in his sleep, which is sensible as i doubt they could take him in a fair fight. And lastly im fairly certain he was marikas favourite kid. And probably the only truly "perfect" demigod, not a rotting outer god vassal, not an eternal child, not the bitch who had him killed, not an omen(morgot is unlucky, mogh is just...) he also aint a guy into snake vore, and while radahn is awesome, i doubt hed decide to get into a fight with his sister for fun or press pause on space cus why not. If you have read all of this thank you for attending my shitty yt comment section ted talk. F in chat for godwyn for being a nice character in a souls game. R.I.P

[@miomio6890]

I really like how you went into the Japanese cultural references. I wish there were videos of Japanese people actually going into it and explaining the references for the western audience. Tho, perhaps to them the references are so ubiquitous they don't really clock most as being particular for their culture.

[@endma100]

i would like to point out at how doomed marikas “golden lineage” is. the first born (morgot and mohg) where cursed omens, godwyn the most promising of champions became festering fish boy and godefroy and godrick were sickly children that turned to the forbidden art of grafting for power. no wonder marika made us tarnished suffer so, she wanted/needed a worthy successor and being born of gold and grace proved to be unsuccessful time and time again. she must have come to the conclusion that for a true champion to emerge, they would not only need to know hardships but to thrive in them.

[@Rusty_Spy]

Morgot and Mohg were only considered cursed because MARIKA'S Golden Order deemed it so. I think it's possible that Marika was so disgusted by those two when they were born that all omen were deemed cursed; she definitely had a ruthless streak in her early reign and led countless wars to stamp out anything and anyone that didn't fit into her idea of order.

[@alexk5422]

When you do your video on The Deathbirds and their God, I’d love to hear some insight into Ravenmount and the Ravenmount Assassins and their relation to the Deathbirds and the Twinbird God

[@mrrd4444]

It's so so wild that I've never seen Rogier's bloodstain before! Genuinely thought it was another player. So cool, and tragic.

[@AuthoressPluto]

this has got to be one of my favorite videos you've done so far! Godwyn isn't talked about much in the item descriptions but whats there makes him one of my favorites. Always had a grudge with Ranni for killing him because he seems like such a genuine guy... couldn't she have picked an unknown cousin or something? I don't think the soul-less body is Godwyn anymore though. Godwyn is well and truly gone imo and what's left is just a malicious thing seeking to spread and replicate itself akin to some parasitic creature. Is it searching for it's lost soul like others have suggested, did something sinister come into being in the corpse the moment Godwyn's soul died? I dunno, but I've always been of the opinion (and this is just purely my subjective opinion) that the soul makes the person and the body is just a sack of flesh. Doesn't make the actions of Rogier, Fia and of course Fortissax any less heroic. Also doesn't make the fate of those who live in death any less tragic.

[@RindoRuruhara]

Love your content and your voice is just pleasing to the ear when storytelling. Glad a dedicated Godwyn video has been covered by you, by far one of my favorite Demigod tragedy.

[@SmoughTown]

Honestly my pleasure, Godwyn has fascinated me from my first playthrough!

[@jarltryggvi]

I hope we get a DLC depicting the past. Would love to get an interaction with Godwyn

[@Blessed_V0id]

Just found this channel. Ive been searching for two days for this kind of lore. Id never even seen Godwyn in Deeproot, nor knew he was the Prince of Death itself. Thank you for teaching me

[@SmoughTown]

Welcome to the channel my friend! Really pleased to have you here! More to come soon

[@baroncosmos6545]

I am absolutely enchanted by these feature-length lore analyses.

[@theshackledgamer799]

Becoming the Lord of Death is just so epic. FromSoft, add more Ghostflame/Deathbird content please!🙏

[@dtsnelson]

As long as I don't have to fight more of them I'm in. Had a non-bleed dex build my first playthrough and it ruined them for me. Miserable experience unless you are willing to respec for a heavy build.

[@theshackledgamer799]

@@dtsnelson they are susceptible to holy damage, so I used the Black Blade incantation to devastating effect.

[@recusanttv6276]

@@dtsnelson Try fighting them without locking on and staying underneath them close to their legs. It made the all the ones up to Caelid (I haven't got to consecrated snowfield on this character yet) pretty easy with just an Estoc.

[@portalmanHUN]

It sounds cool until you become a mound of flesh spreading through the land like a cancer.

[@dtsnelson]

@@theshackledgamer799 I didn't realize that. I just slam my head at them until it works cause I'm stubborn haha I'll try that out next time thanks!

[@iSheikah]

absolutely loving your long-form lore videos. I work very early solo hours doing production work in a bakery and often have a show playing on the ipad to have some noise going on, and recently I've been working through your library of elden ring content. Much appreciation for all the work you do to share such interesting gems of knowledge with us! ✌

[@SmoughTown]

Thanks amazing to hear! I love that my videos help you through your shift!

[@entysing6780]

Another banger, another hour+ of insightful speculation and spectacular deep diving, all wrapped up with credit to inspiring creators and amazingly clean visuals. The ER Lore GOAT Strikes again. 🐐 Much love and respect Geoff 🙏

[@SmoughTown]

Thanks as always bud. Appreciate the support 🙏

[@entysing6780]

@@SmoughTown Happy to be here mate 🍻 Thank YOU for your constant dedication to your craft.

[@yunume]

15:18 Interesting thing I noticed, Enia describes the Rune of Death as, "the forbidden shadow plucked from the golden order upon its creation." The Mending Rune of Death looks a bit like the shadow of a tree as seen from above.

[@vv0sans693]

The shadow of the erdtree…

[@DM-Oz]

@@vv0sans693 Was just about to say that, is like poetry, it rhymes.

[@kingzeus4754]

Ahhh, nothing like a well-thought, well-explained, and well-researched video to start the day… Yet that is your standard!!! Edit: and with a creator with a lot of involvement with his community!

[@SmoughTown]

Thank you Zeus 🙌enjoy

[@kingzeus4754]

@@SmoughTown always do, can’t wait for the next one.

[@colt4505]

We thank you for your efforts and story-telling. Godspeed, Tarnished.

[@SmoughTown]

Thanks as always Colt. Means a lot

[@Vioboy7]

Godwyn is easily my favorite part of elden ring's lore so it made my day seeing this in my feed. Love your work keep it up

[@Nugeorge]

This has really blown my mind and taken my appreciation for this game to the next level. Dude, you need to make some kind of written collection of all these theories.

[@jogadom6624]

Unreal detail dude, phenomenal how you’ve put it all together. Gives me a much deeper understanding of the game.

[@SmoughTown]

Thanks so much dude, love the lore of this world

[@yoitsjonmac188]

God I love how you drop these every time when I'm going in for the double. ❤️

[@TheApollo90]

Godwyn yes. Please please please take a break if you need it. Such structured, and lengthy videos can’t be easy to make every single week. You’ve got a heart of (unalloyed) gold. Don’t let them take it from you.

[@mikeredding4667]

This video was excellent. I love the way you tied the Nox into the black knife assassins. The Black Knight assassins previously felt almost shoehorned into the story, but them being tied to the Nox, and most likely tricked by Ranni into committing the night of black knives really makes that whole ordeal, as well as Ranni's search for the finger slayer blade make a lot more sense in context with each other

[@thesupersoniclegend7180]

I’ve been waiting for you to go in depth on this cuz it’s one of my favorite lore aspects in Elden Ring. You rock!

[@SmoughTown]

So do you!

[@ryanh3772]

Hey! I've been watching your channel for a couple of months, and I just wanted to say that you're by far my favorite person putting out content about Elden Ring. You're eloquent and thoughtful, and you lay things out in a clear and compelling way. This is a thoughtful video essay, and as always, I'm excited to see what else you have to say. Be well!

[@SmoughTown]

Thanks Ryan 🙌that means the world to me.

[@adamyohan]

This is one of the topics that intrigue me the most and I just want to let you know how thankful I was for this thorough dive into it.

[@thomascheckie2394]

been waiting for this one, i missed a lot of this lore. i appreciate the length you go to to ensure you adequately credit other creators

[@wpb5876]

Fantastic video as always. Thanks for sharing. Unrelated, but related. Regarding Melina. A theory that I’ve been pondering on is whether Melina is also a Numen and was brought to the capital by Marika when she was a Empyrean, or maybe after she became a God. Melina shares the same move set as the Black Knife assassins, who you wonderfully explain about and their connection as Numen and their connection to the Eternal City. Also, Melina has ties to Marika and seems to know her well from her dialogue when we rest at the sites of grace - Marika also being a Numen. And finally, the hidden room in the capital where we find the Blade of Calling is close proximity to the Erdtree and hints that’s where Melina might have lived(?) hidden away but close to Marika. After playing the game again, I also found it odd that Melina ‘needs’ us to get to the capital and close to the Erdtree, and once we arrive she becomes more independent and almost has a complete change of character. I think this might be because of her being close enough to Marika/Ragadon and it’s then that Marika/Ragadon instruct her to burn the Erdtree down (most likely Marika did this with evidence based on your fantastic Marika video) I don’t believe Melina is a daughter of Marika though, even though they share the same “M” that seems to be passed down in family names. The reason is because Morgott makes it clear who the other children are in his boss fight, and even for Morgott and Mohg they are known as Marika’s children despite being shunned/hidden. I don’t think Melina is Ranni’s sister or half-sister just because they both have one eye closed. I think that’s FromSoft throwing a ‘Red herring’ because I can’t see much more evidence to connect Melina and Ranni other than the eye. Could Melina be the Gloam eyed Queen and a Numen, and brought to the capital by Marika?. I think that’s possible. Maybe after she was defeated by Maliketh, Marika imprisoned her in the small room and kept her close incase she needed her (a bit similar to what Marika did to the last fire giant - which you also wonderfully explain in your Fire Giant video). Marika has used her enemies to her advantage in the past so she might do the same with the Gloam eyed queen (Melina)? Sorry for the ramblings - this all comes together in my head so nicely but hard to put into words. Melina is such a fascinating character and I look forward to you going in depth about her character in a future video!

[@jihosna6834]

I was really looking forward to this! Keep up the wonderful work!

[@gettinREALsaucy]

This man has become the best Elden Ring lore content creator on YT. Bravo, congrats, and a sincere thank you. The amount of time and passion in your videos is apparent and delightful.

[@michaelmott8043]

This is so top tier quality content and I can't believe it has taken me 6mos to find. Well put together, well spoken, and impressively thorough. Take my sub, I'll be watching the rest of your content as quickly as I can.

[@andrewspear3552]

Your lore videos are some of the best! Extremely informative and well paced. Godwyn is one of my favorite parts of the game and I'm very glad to see your video on it. Keep up the great work!

[@SmoughTown]

Thank you Andrew! I’ll keep on it

[@dejanlaurent3075]

It's good that your expanding on one of the more ambiguous parts of the story.

[@vkingu4871]

every part of their story is ambiguous lol

[@thefutt21]

Smoughtown, you are the best Elden Ring lore hunter out there, and I don't think it's even close. Thank you for all that you do!

[@BlueOga]

It's great to see such a detailed analysis of (in my opinion) the best character and lore of Elden Ring. Fantastic work.

[@jacobstaffordmiller1635]

OH LFG. I really appreciate your takes on the lore and for taking the time to produce these long-form videos

[@SmoughTown]

My pleasure my friend

[@Alexxf35]

The fact that From Software can put this many layers and detail into just one character in a game this massive is unbelievable.

[@drewhuscher496]

Thank you for putting this together. The story of Godwyn and the Hallowbrand is very subtle and hard to piece together, even when looking for it. The clarification on what a Deathbed Companion was helped a lot too. Loving your lore coverage and very excited to see what you have going on with the Deathbirds.

[@SmoughTown]

Glad you enjoyed it and I have more content this week! Thank you for the support

[@archite001]

still only halfway through and blown away by how thorough your analysis' are. looking forward to the next 45 mins 👏

[@Lexxochihua]

I wish I was able to like your videos as many times as I watch them. The work you put into your content is obvious and so worthwhile. Thanks for sharing all your thoughts and theories and making these fantastic lore videos.

[@SmoughTown]

Thank you Lex 🙏that’s much appreciated

[@ladyalesiel4209]

I’ve been so hype for this! Godwyn, Fia and their whole crew have been so facinating to me, and has one of my favorite endings to boot. Edit: I really like the animation the worm bois make when they are banging their head against the ground and crying. makes it seem like they are instinctively mourning Godwyn. Chilling.

[@bruh3861]

This is by far my favorite videos of yours so far and they just keep getting better. Thank you for making these!

[@SmoughTown]

One of my faves too tbh. Thank you my friend

[@dylanmiller9162]

This is the topic I’ve been most excited for you to cover!!

[@rookie5240]

good stuff as ever :)) the way that Godwyn the Golden is talked about has always reminded me of the way characters in A Song of Ice and Fire reminisce about Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning. can't put my finger precisely on what makes me draw the connection, just the vibe of the true and valiant knight epitomising an earlier more chivalrous era i guess? but yeah, it's an established GRRM theme, what makes a true knight and playing with that, such as having such a valorous knight turn into a vector of corruption

[@SmoughTown]

Thanks so much! And yeah I agree he just has these gallant vibes!

[@Ankation]

Fantastic video! One note: if you encounter D in Summonwater Village after killing the Tibia Mariner and accept his introduction to Gurranq, he mentions that he "spotted the mark of the centipede" in the village. He didn't receive it from his brother; he comes across it in Limgrave at the start of your journey.

[@RectArtable]

i cant stop going back to your videos smough, they remind me of good fun and exciting times, diving deeper in an universe i learned to love so much.. getting lost in it and helping me personally to go through hardship and struggle thanks for that. really.

[@skulldrac0]

Thank you for these videos. Being someone who's dealing with adhd and severe memory deficit, I have a hard time linking story elements that are spoken of extremely subtle or only shown through visuals. And most elden ring videos don't often talk about the interconnected pieces of subtle lore. So this series has really helped me understand what's going on. For instance, in the dozens of videos I've watched about Godwyn, Ranni, and the Black Night, not once did anyone mention that the Rune of Death was a piece of the Elden Ring. So it just never clicked. Thank you for your hard work!

[@miomio6890]

Thank you for another great video. It's really great how you go so deep into research, and involve the efforts of your Elden-Ring-youtuber colleagues, and the community. Inevitably, they always make me think about the lore and the characters. Looking forward to you next videos 🙏

[@SmoughTown]

Thank you Mio 🙏I love this community and we are all uncovering so much

[@dudenintendo605]

Thanks, great video! Finally someone who thaught about Godwyn's life before the plot, till now I heard no one talk about him and his powers! I believe the DLC will maybe show us the prime of Godwyn and we will understand a lot more! The shattering could be a ritual of Marika's despair, because Godwyn was the best successor to her position! After his death she didn't know who would be the next best candidate, because Godwyn was so perfect, so she shattered the ring, distributed the pieces to her other children (and Rennala) and wanted to see which one could collect the most parts!?

[@NewQuinnProductions]

One of the best ER lore vids I've seen so far. Awesome work. I appreciated that you brought Japanese mythology and terminology to flesh out these ideas.

[@SmoughTown]

Thanks so much Quinn! Really glad you enjoyed it

[@DH-oj2ru]

Definitely one of the coolest character concepts ever

[@pushpitkumar99]

Another masterclass video SmoughTown. I have to say, Godwyn and the whole deal with Those who live in death along with Malenia and Scarlet rot were the most intriguing parts of the game for me, mainly because of the early buildup starting in limgrave. I think its safe to say Godwyn was the eldest child of Marika followed by the omen twins who were kept underground at the time. The ancient dragons likely assaulted Leyndell after the order of Erdtree was established following the defeat of the fire giants. I think Marika had a hand in the events of night of the black knives, but I don't think she expected it to turn out the way ranni had it planned. We know that Marika had become disillusioned with the Greater will and was going to take some drastic steps and upon seeing godwyn's fate and the disastrous spread of the deathroot, she was pushed to the brink and shattered the Elden Ring as per the story trailer. Fia in my opinion is an underrated character and a sympathetic one. I also went with her ending in my playthrough because Those who live in death didn't deserve to be hunted by fanatic idiots like D, swear to God I hate him. Sorry for the long essay, keep killing it SmoughTown. Always look forward to your vids.

[@SmoughTown]

Thanks so much Pushpit. And I agree, I found fia to be very compelling and her position very just, which is why it was my first ending!

[@NosideGhst]

The black knives remind me of the manga “Claymore”. They look, act, and fight like Claymores. Their armor looks like a combination of their stealth, and battle armor.

[@itsthatsvee]

As a lover of Claymore, I didn't catch that reference from this at all. Care to elaborate on what you mean?

[@NosideGhst]

@@itsthatsvee their armor is a mix of the black outfit they wear after the time skip. And it has small armor pieces and a skirt that is like the white outfits.

[@itsthatsvee]

@@NosideGhst ah yes post time skip outfits! I can indeed see the similarities!! Thanks!!

[@bazah23]

I always wanted a deep video about godwyn and everything related to him thank you I’m in my third playthrough I’m going to choose this ending and this vid makes me satisfied with my choice

[@swamashijudbedolofritt4448]

The revelation at the end (no spoiling) is a true eye-opening discussion. It kinda reminds me of ashen hollow's theorys, and in like it. Yes it's speculative,but possible indeed. GJ on this video ST. Quality once again.

[@shepard6280]

LOVE the video as always man, love the work you're doing in pulling up all these facts. I was wondering if it's worth exploring the finger maidens in the game? I always found it weird that there's bunch of dead ones outside of the Queens Chamber in Leyndell and what their purpose is in deep depth.

[@_ariosto1519]

Amazing video, like all others in this channel. I love this game, so thank you for creating great content while we wait for DLC! 👍🏾

[@SmoughTown]

Thanks so much 👌I share your love for the game 😍

[@Zorev32]

Great work with compiling all those information. I would never expect so many things to be hidden in such details. And... whew... The creepy meter just went number of levels up. Certainly a potential material for the DLC... and with all the information, I'm not so eager to get Fia's ending anymore. Cheers!

[@Bastiglia-hi9nu]

Did the Duskborn ending just became my favourite? It certainly did. Love your videos so much, could watch them all day