Elden Ring Lore Rykard the Snake & Tanith the Charmer

[@dumbdead8835]

It’s crazy how their relationship is the least toxic in all of Elden ring

[@ravendelacour1917]

*Tanith snaps and starts eating Rykard)s corpse* Tarnished: "Do you want some ketchup to help wash that down?"

[@jamesnorman9160]

One of the most unnverving things in Elden Ring to me is coming back to Rykard's severed head and Tanith just...eating it, because she's desperate to keep him alive somehow. But considering the snakes on the head are sill writhing around, he IS living on somehow. I also like how the battle for Volcano Manor is repeatedly referred to as the most horrific battle of the Shattering, and you can see that even as your Tarnished tries to make their way up the goddamn mountain. The terrain is hostile, you can only get up the sheer cliffs via ladders that have been left, and there are marrionette soldiers, Virgin Abductors, Grafted Scions and all sorts of menaces on the road to the manor...unless Rya shows you the back way in, so to speak.

[@joshuahowell7637]

I missed her lol and fought all the way there walked through their front door did not know she was at the lift I think took the mountain climb called it the coward's way I think wtf also went Patches way thought the lift was the easy way fuck that lol.

[@sebastianrose8145]

Creepy how the most committed couple in the land between are these two.... got to respect it tho they take through thick and thin seriously

[@sunderland69]

Rykard and Tanith is the most wholesome couple in Elden Ring tbh.

[@ZeroFallout1]

At least Rykar and Tanith willbe TOOOGETTHAA!

[@ZugzugZugzugson]

well i mean... yeah... unless you kill Tanith... her Crucible Knight bodyguard won't like it, but there's nothing he can do about it other than try (and fail) to kill the Tarnished.

[@St._Matthew]

“ lonely Tarnished… i left the serpent slaying spear in the Lord’s chamber .. brandish the spear and run him through “ “ that unspeakable monstrosity “

[@jojibot9193]

He says "worthy Tarnished", not "lonely Tarnished".

[@TRACTOOOOOOOOOR]

The volcano manor is one of the most unsettling places. The screams of the albinaurics will haunt me.

[@Αστερίων13]

"As for Rykard, in a way I feel that his blasphemy represents one of the strongest wills in Elden Eing. To put it in grandiose terms, I find his determination and commitment almost enviable" - Hidetaka Miyazaki, interview from the Elden Ring Book of Knowledge Volume II Arrogant, authoritative, ambitious, rebellious and extremely determinated, he's my favourite demigod and the most underrated one imo!

[@AegisKHAOS]

Considering Rykard was likely the lawmaker of the land, that is quite the fall from grace in becoming a giant snake. Also liked the thumbnail.

[@videocrowsnest5251]

Considering, the Golden Order was not that nice of a bunch and had some very crooked values, it's worth remembering just because something is a law does not make it right. Rykard did really enjoy getting to torment people who da law said were worth it, which does show quite a bit of sadism. Once the Golden Order fell and the Shattering began, it's no surprise he would look for other means of restoring that position. The laws were just a convenient outlet for Rykard, and I doubt he really cared beyond what he got out of enforcing them. Power, status, wealth, respect and countless people to indulge his sadism with. He likely was not at all a nice fellow even before the giant snake entered the picture, and I doubt his company would be very enjoyable to most. Even if he likely could put on a charming and friendlier face when it suited his purposes. A strict lord who makes it his business to question and investigate the character of other people. Likely with little time for those of lower standing. It's also worth noting the Volcano manner implements imply the unfun house treatment was for people of higher class, such as nobles and the sort. Commoners would likely just be put to the sword, not even worth the hassle of torturing. And likely had a much lower bar for penalties to begin with, so even some gossip could end in death. All overseen by the office of Rykard. Glad and happy to get to kill and torment while reaping the rewards from it.

[@redheadsilver8041]

Rykard is technically in his prime and the more time passes, the more powerful he becomes.

[@tlx4122]

Honestly, the only demigod that has good evidence on being past his prime power wise is Radahn. The rest are either in or pushing beyond their prime. Now, mentally...

[@redheadsilver8041]

@@tlx4122 All demigods got a power boost because of the great runes. For some bosses, it's not that linear. They got buffs but some downgrades as well. Take Malenia for instance, best example in the game: ++Got great rune -buffed her. ++Ascended to goddess of rot during fight (even if she may be inexperienced in using the power and the power does rot away her body in the long term). - - substantial mental degradation. - - some physical degradation since Caelid.

[@MaXXssg]

@@redheadsilver8041 very true on the mental piece, she’s pretty confused, I also don’t understand exactly why she attacks us…. My best guess is she’s delusional and blind…also our character said nothing to her which is also confusing since we talk to a few npc’s

[@redheadsilver8041]

@@MaXXssg Miquella may have made her move. Remember, we get in each cutscene a "gust of wind" that alerts her to our presence and another "gust of wind" that distracts us while she ascends.

[@cjh.1920]

I’d argue that the serpent diminished Rykard. He seemed much more capable before his transformation.

[@vaclavsoukup7302]

That thumbnail goes crazy

[@TheHollowedKing754]

It’s crazy, if we just stick to the main part of the game, and depending on who’s great rune we get, Rykard will keep devouring people, and his soldiers will never have someone take him out, Radahn will still hold the very stars in their place, blocking Ranni’s path for free will, Godrick will still rule over Stormveil, Mohg will form his blood dynasty, and Malenia will wait for her brother for eternity, but the only mandatory demigod we have to defeat… is none other than the most hated one of all, by his mother, the omenkillers, and bystanders who see his kind as mistakes, the Omen King, Morgott… the Grace Given

[@gliitterlance]

Thank you for covering Tanith! she's my favorite ER character and there are almost no lore videos about her

[@SooperPogi]

Relationship goals

[@tropezando]

Just love how everyone uses dead bodies as powerups in the lands between. Godrick, Rykard, technically us, big M...

[@square-table-gaming]

Both life and death are a source of strength in the lands between

[@MMMeteor192]

So many more endings should have been added, some I would have wished to see: 1. The ending you proposed, where the lands in between would be set free. 2. The tarnished somehow steals the elden ring from fractured Marika‘s body and becomes a god

[@ravendelacour1917]

And yet, still not the most messed up couple in the Soulsverses.

[@momzilla2010]

This vid was more captivating to me then some of the others. can't wait to see your shadow vids!

[@porcus123]

i liked that the last act of patches was a "fuck you" to tanith, sadly she had already gone south by the time I gave it for her.

[@afk2402]

Wdym by fuck you ? I don’t remember the dialogue

[@porcus123]

@@afk2402 he gives you some castanholas, which are implied to be a dancers instrument. He says it's for her to remember where she came from. I believe tanith wouldn't like them lol

[@afk2402]

@@porcus123 oh that’s why…

[@amanda-zg5ho]

@@porcus123i don't think it was a 'fuck you' though, i got the impression that he had good intentions

[@darklordauron]

I wonder if Tanith comes from the Lands of Shadow, if perhaps a blasphemous ending could be a hard to get ending brought in by the DLC. Perhaps you bring Tanith some shadow dancer hoobijoob that allows her to fulfill her consumption and bring on the age of blasphemies.

[@_Smile_Today]

Well we know where rykard met Tanith and why she didn’t mind him becoming apart the serpent from the DLC

[@bruzh6359]

The only thing I know for real Is that Rykard could rizz a God. No way Tanith didn't drink the oblivion drink, remained with him after Rykard's private Man-Serpent snusnu and ran to help/eat him immediately.

[@VioletSilence]

I also asked myself that question, why Volcano manor doesn't have a distinct game ending. That would be truly blasphemous

[@splatypus-8573]

Taniths people put the dead in jars as their strengths are then reborn ("together...). (Hence crucible knight protector) My theory is she tempted rykard into the eatings of these. He followed a psuedo religion, perhaps finding out about the times before Marika. The snake skin found in the dlc tracks with taniths past and the place tracks with the dancer speculated to be taniths sister. There are dancers that perform with snakes. I believe taniths actions of eating her lord track with the SOTE lore. And perhaps she wishes to become the new lord.. and maybe her sending us to him could have been part of her plan all along. She wouldn't be the first one full of dark ambition in the lands between.

[@square-table-gaming]

This assume's that Tanith was a hornsent. We can actually remove her mask and see her character model, showing us that this is not the case.

[@splatypus-8573]

@square-table-gaming just bc the hornsent did this does not mean it was only they nor does it mean Bonny village was the only place affected by them. Masses do many things for their religion including willing sacrifice and self mutilation. There is a lot going on in the manor with nods to the crucible. Given the author of the lore it would not be surprising to see Tanith grooming her "daughter" to become the next serpent.

[@Okkusen]

Wrote it many times and still love your videos and the effort you put inot it to find out so much about the lore! Thank you

[@aldosalas2722]

I hate that we don't get answers to soooo many questions we had from the main game. Like the history of the snake been a blasphemy, we sort of do but we are missing so much on the DLC...or aren't we? we are. There is carcass of a snake in the shadow realm, and I believe since Reik was a judge of many people, it included the shadow realm and there is where he met the dancing queen and had the Lava tools for the castle and got the serpent, as mount elmoir goes deep.

[@kaihamza4710]

imo rykard is the most interesting of all the Demi gods and really underrated I’m so happy you made this vid:)

[@square-table-gaming]

Glad you like it!

[@Chris-sBlood]

Ahh yes, the age old tale of someone high in power falling for an exotic dancer 😂 I love it.

[@RetroVideoGamer23]

Nice video! I didn’t know too much on Rykard

[@icelusthefish]

I have a theory that rykard is the one who carved the rune of death into ranni's flesh

[@ChampionGold]

Get you a girl that rides for you like Tanith did for Rykard

[@frankiefromky]

I know it's odd and prob meaningless, but I just noticed in this video that when Rykard pulls the sword out of the Serpent's mouth... the Serpent's head is upside down... 🤔

[@ChristIsKing630]

if you mod the game and get a different camera angle you can see that the sword just spawns in an is sticking out of the other side of the serpents head

[@cullenmacgillivary6669]

Also it would be cool to find out if Mesmer trained with rykard

[@Sparkbomber]

Theory: the Blasphemous Serpent is akin to Placidussax, a former bearer of the Elden Ring.

[@sk8legendz]

I would like to know more about what the rituals actually consisted of. On a vulgar surface level. We could assume some level of hedonistic intercourse of some sorts. But I also feel like a lot of the wordings imply. It could be something more nuance than that

[@Dr_Disconnect]

There needed to be an ending where you can go the Blasphemy route. I guess Dung Eater is the closest we get and because of that ending this one couldn't exist. Ultimately I feel Rykard and Michelle have a lot in common. One wants to keep the outer gods away and at bay. The other wants to devour them and add them to their own strength. Both want to remove them from the equation but only one wants to make use of them.

[@ErnestoCifer]

Just in time I wanted to do a Gelmir build

[@keiroty7187]

Those two loved each other till the very end if that’s not love I don’t know what is

[@mish8753]

if elden ring 2 happens then i bet rykard and tannith will return. i can totally see them fusing

[@joelhemphill1968]

So is it just a coincidence that Messmer and Rykard both use fire and snakes. What if the serpent spear was originally made to kill Messmer.

[@tlx4122]

IMO they both just take after Eglay(?)and its cult. Well, Rykard does a little more than just that.

[@Carl-vx9ws]

Ranni’s two fingers aren’t located in what would be considered an impact crater, but rather inside of a cave. Were they hidden away? Absolutely, by whom is the question you poised but the place makes me think Ranni or someone other than Marika hid them. ✌🏼

[@cullenmacgillivary6669]

I would have loved to fight Rykard in his real form it would have been cool to know what he was before the serpent would also be cool if he had armor too.

[@gonzoevolved2552]

I was waiting for the crucible night after tanith dies

[@ilejovcevski79]

It's my interpretation, that like many factions fighting against oppression, the side they picked as their allies, ended up being just as bad, if not worse then the one they fought to begin with. In the end this was their undoing, and the cause for their demise.

[@cjh.1920]

The Elden Ring represents the laws of nature. It is as much a part of the lands between, as the lands between are a part of the Elden Ring. There was never an escape from the Elden Ring for Rykard and his followers.

[@alanabyss9246]

Rykard I feel like was a good person deep down.

[@henrygarcia588]

Tanith the snake charmer? Or tanith the God devouring snake charmer?

[@methodsocratic]

In the spirit of answering STG’s call for questions regarding (possibly) unaddressed lore, I’ve got two questions I’ve literally been avoiding posting for months now: After having watched dozens of full play throughs from several streamers, & after watching so so many of STG’s lore videos, I still don’t know A) what, exactly, literally, is the Elden Ring? B) what, exactly, literally, does it mean to be the Elden Lord? lol probably pretty obvious why I’ve avoided asking up till now. But after all the content I’ve watched, I kinda feel like I still shouldn’t have those questions. Edit: TLDR, to be clear, I have paid attention in class. I know parts of the answers. To be Elden Lord seems to have implied also being Merika’s consort (or consort of whomever embodies the ring); the Elden Ring apparently had to be “embodied by” or “possess” a Hyperion (which is, I understand, a large part of Ranni’s motivation to kill her body, because she was, I guess? Next in line to embody the Elden Ring?) But, here’s the thing: assuming I’m understanding my examples above (and others) correctly about aspects of both ring & lord, I’m left then with even more questions: why was being “embodied by” the Ring undesirable? If being consort to Merika (or whomever is possessed by the ring) is part of being lord, how does that fit in with our Tarnished’s possible endings? It seems as if ring & lord are a coupled pair, yes, but a coupled pair “worn” by different entities (eg, Merika had to split herself from Radagon so one half could be possessed by ring, the other could be lord). Does the Elden Lord have duties? Is it a position with responsibilities or is it just kinda being “the First Gentleman or the First Lady to the president? If so, who would want the job? See? Lots of questions.

[@square-table-gaming]

Let me think on this because I have some ideas, but I dont want to just throw them out there without thinking it through

[@methodsocratic]

@@square-table-gaming thanks very much. Does it make sense why I’ve held off ever asking? It seems like what the ring & lord mean should be obvious, given, ya know, the title of the game…but, here's the thing: I'm not super dumb, I'm fairly well educated (particularly in storytelling), & I'm fairly well informed about the game. Am I missing some obvious cut scene (implausible given how many hours of ER content I've watched)? Like, how have I missed this info?

[@methodsocratic]

@@square-table-gaming like, shouldn’t that info be Elden Ring 101? How do I know about far more niche lore/plots/characters, such as Fia’s motivations & backstory, or the possible folks being carried around by giant mausoleum dogs, & not basic foundational info like what *actually* is the friggin ring, & what *actually* does it mean to be lord?

[@square-table-gaming]

@@methodsocratic you have not. I believe it's intentionally obtuse.

[@methodsocratic]

@@square-table-gaming lol that fits the overall theme then, so like, ok, I feel sane. I was digging through your older content as well, & couldn’t find any video answering these questions, which actually led me to think it should’ve been obvious because otherwise, wouldn’t there already be an STG video about it? Which is a big part of why I thought I was missing something obvious in the game.

[@Kraziel797]

Can you do Magnus Beast Claw?

[@square-table-gaming]

We have in our series, The Tarnished Files!

[@D0verking69]

ngl some of the demigods are in their prime like Mogh, Godrick, and arguably Malenia

[@ms4110]

Well, I don't think that's the case for Malenia, given that she's been physically and mentally crippled

[@D0verking69]

@@ms4110 Yea that’s phase 1, phase 2 she turns into a goddess which could be stronger than she was when fighting Radahn that’s what I think at least

[@CrimsonUltrafox]

@@D0verking69 She's got no eyes, is missing an arm, half a leg, and both feet. I mean...I wouldn't consider that to be prime. Plus her Aeonia in Caelid nuked the whole zone. The one she does against us doesn't do anything close to that. Considering that phase 1 Malenia is actually harder than phase 2, I would imagine her "prime" being a suped up phase 1. Also, I don't think she became a full god. We don't get a "God Slain" message when defeating her (which we do for 2 other bosses) and that bloom in the room before hers is probably one of Millicent's sisters since we find their clothing right next to it. It's likely she was in metamorphosis to become a full god when we defeat her though.

[@D0verking69]

​@@CrimsonUltrafox Are you saying that her prime was before fighting Radahn because she was missing both an arm and a leg when fighting him. I always thought she didn't have eyes when she fought Radahn; that's cool to think about. I still think the 2nd phase is when she was at her strongest (and the harder phase, I don't think I can agree with that, sorry) because even if she hasn't fully become a goddess (it says it in the name, I agree with your point that it says demigod slain), she is still using outer gods' powers which I opinion is more powerful than having perfect sword skills. I always like talking about this stuff because I like these games and their broken worlds; thanks for the reply!

[@PR1ME98]

Mmmmmm yeeeeooouuuuuuuuuuu 🐍

[@ZugzugZugzugson]

i started a new playthrough recently, and this time i'm going to hold back on killing Tanith until the DLC comes out. given the whole snake theme Messmer has going on, i'm thinking maybe there's be at least a nudge or a wink to the player, should they go back to volcano manor at some point during the DLC.

[@EpicShortBus]

Ahh thats why the Serpent Blade doesnt work anymore it only works on giant snake demons okay cool lore reason but still they could have given us 1 or 2 giant snakes to kill for funsies

[@GodWarsX]

I wanna take that weapon thru the Forbidden Woods in Bloodborne

[@tlx4122]

The WA should still have gotten the extra range.

[@thex6992]

Wasn't there cut content where tanith was originally supposed to be a guy (something with dae)? Would have been interesting as well. Their love is really interesting in general, imagine wanting someone to live on so bad you eat his gigantic snake infested head that is 50x the size of your body.

[@CDio-vr3bx]

The cut content has daedicar as a man and committed adultery with rykard. Though Im not 100% certain

[@Αστερίων13]

Yes, the description of the Daedicar's woe talisman in patch 1.0 was different and reads as follows: "Disturbing likeness of a an old noble whose skin was flayed. He smiles with a serene tenderness. Increases damage taken. This soft-featuted man's name was Daedicar, and he was one of Captain Rykard's paramours, as well as an attendant in his inquisition. He would test new methods of torture first upon himself, making a gift of pain and first-hand knowledge to the one he loved." In the final game the talisman description was changed, Daedicar is now a woman who became the mother of all the man serpents including Rya through a forbidden ritual with Rykard. I personally think that this original male Daedicar in the final game became Ghiza, the inquisitor who invades you in Volcano Manor, he has many scars on his face and he fits the description of the talisman very well

[@trigoyouramigo5973]

please make a video about messmer

[@square-table-gaming]

It's in the works. I want to have ALL of my bases covered!

[@trigoyouramigo5973]

@@square-table-gaming i'll be here for it my guy, do u think he's marikas son? or u wanna save it for the vid

[@square-table-gaming]

@@trigoyouramigo5973 he's absolutely Marikas son. What exactly that means for the overall lore... That's gonna be fun

[@trigoyouramigo5973]

@@square-table-gaming 😊😊😊thought so cannot wait i've got notifications on for you're vids now

[@OscarTheStrategist]

STG are you staying spoiler free or have you seen the preview of the DLC?

[@square-table-gaming]

I've watched literally every video about the DLC so far. I wish we would have been invited to try it but can't say I ever expect us to grow to that point where we're actually noticed by Bandai Namco

[@OscarTheStrategist]

@@square-table-gaming cool, I ask because in your video about Rykard when you mention lady Tanith… SPOILER WARNING … Do you think her mask could be fashioned in the image of Rellana? Or will it be some other queen not even from the land of shadows?

[@square-table-gaming]

@@OscarTheStrategist that's a good question. I would think no since it's a foreign "queen" and as far as we know Rellana was not a queen. That could be proven wrong though the more we learn!

[@OscarTheStrategist]

@@square-table-gaming yeah, I don’t know if she becomes a queen in the land of shadows. That’s also why I thought it may not be. Although this story of Rykard and Tanith seems kinda similar to what I’ve heard has happened with Rellana and her following/admiration of Messmer. I am looking forward to unveiling more on this 🔥

[@LiliumCruorem]

I’ve always pronounced “Justicar” as JUS-Tissy-ARE. Have I been wrong or is it one of those words you can pronounce either way and be correct? Like Macabre?

[@square-table-gaming]

Nope you are absolutely right haha, terrible pronunciation on my end

[@davidfrancisco3502]

Guys, Rykard never had a beard he had malformations around his mouth and chin that looked like reptile scales.

[@square-table-gaming]

There are multiple portraits of Rykard depicting his beard

[@davidfrancisco3502]

@@square-table-gaming That's actually not a beard they're malformations around his mouth, chin and cheeks that looks like reptile scales.

[@darellmawitjere]

No. Rykard have a beard it implies he was older child of Radagon & Rennala​@@davidfrancisco3502

[@Skeletongentleman7808]

Middle children will do anything for attention

[@aldosalas2722]

also you don't touch on who is that guy on the portrait? is he the father of the dancer or is he Rykard with a mask as taking part of HER culture.....man I need my own chanel

[@square-table-gaming]

I believe that's rykard. That would be his justicarial mask worn when sentencing people

[@amirehunter8708]

Elden loooooreee

[@ajizunataprawira]

Hello, do you need a thumbnail designer?

[@square-table-gaming]

Nope all of our thumbnails are created by our in-house artist

[@ajizunataprawira]

@@square-table-gaming owww, thats good

[@alsimmonshellspawn6021]

Why was godwyn so weak?

[@square-table-gaming]

He wasn't! Just taken by surprise, attacked in his sleep presumably.

[@alsimmonshellspawn6021]

​@square-table-gaming how strong do you think he was?

[@square-table-gaming]

@@alsimmonshellspawn6021 he beat Fortissax badly enough for him to join the golden order. When we face him he's badly weakened by death and still a deeply difficult fight. Imagine that at full power laying siege to Leyndel. Godwyn was stronger than that at the very least.

[@alsimmonshellspawn6021]

​@@square-table-gamingstronger than melenia?

[@square-table-gaming]

@@alsimmonshellspawn6021 probably yeah, it's tough to say with Malenia because she was either stronger before because her body hadn't rotted yet, but also, with each bloom she gains more strength. If we assume blooming=strength then yes, when he was alive her was stronger than Malenia.

[@ClashxClipzz]

First

[@d3thkn1ghtmcgee74]

Damn!

[@d3thkn1ghtmcgee74]

Lol

[@ClashxClipzz]

@@d3thkn1ghtmcgee74 finally, FINALLY!!!!

[@d3thkn1ghtmcgee74]

@@ClashxClipzz well done champion

[@sinenomine3449]

Can't wait for the expansion and your videos on it's lore, see ya in jolly cooperation town🎉❤

[@aviniciussouza100]

I killed Tanith. I could not allow this circle of depravavity to continue.