ELDEN RING Lore | The Architecture of Castle Morne

[@lowhangingvegetable]

Yeah this stuff is great. Between you and Tarnished Archeologist there won't be much environmental storytelling left unnoticed.

[@sidewaysfcs0718]

Those carvings are the Great Tree in fact, this is further supported by the presence of "Storm Hawk" motifs around the castle walls. When Godfrey (Hoarah Loux at this time) defeated the Storm Lord (and Serrosh) he took over their former castles, just like Stormveil, Morne features many of the same motiffs, except Stormveil saw extensive redecoration and renovation with the addition of all the gold-tinted masonry and embelishments. Since Hoarah Loux would have done these conquests before the age of the Erdtree, it makes sense for these castles to feature Great Tree and Crucible decorations of the era, Stormveil does in fact feature some Crucible statues showing the "man picking golden sprout from several sprouts" statue which is common to the Crucible style. You can also find many similar details in the Roundtable Hold (both the physical version and the one we always teleport to).

[@A.H.-ub4vg]

1:58 Correction: The Norman conquest was in 1066, not 1088. By 1088, William the Conqueror had already died...

[@LoreHunter]

Thanks! That was a transcription error on my part, and has been noted by yourself and others 😅

[@lorddervish212quinterosara6]

Isn't it weird that someone managed to invade Erdtree lands, build a castle using materials brought by the sea and do so fast enough before the Erdtree forces came to kick his ass out of the Weeping Peninsula? I think the Champion usurped the castle and then dared Huroah Loux, who was on his march out of the Lands Between for banishment, to come and kill him, which he did.

[@brandonjensen586]

I love it when creators mix their real jobs with their passions, giving us insights that most people wouldn't have gotten. I'd love a full fledged series of Architecture in not only Elden Ring, but any and all of the Fromsoft games

[@nikolaskulka9574]

Same, it's really exciting

[@awayman]

Love this! 7:07 Check out Tarnished Archeologists videos for an explanation about those tree carvings. They are distinct and NOT of the erd tree, but likely of the great tree that preceded it.

[@TeoReviews]

Mind blown.

[@ibrahimrafii2160]

This was great! I would love to see more of it. One thing though. According to the Tarnished Archeologist, the tree carving you showed depicts the great tree and the wider tree carvings in places like Leyndell depict the Erdtree.

[@matiasluukkanen7718]

There is no great tree, the mention of the great tree in the english flavor-text is simply a minor translation mistake. Great Tree refers and always has been referring to Erdtree itself, it is just another name to it.

[@ibrahimrafii2160]

@@matiasluukkanen7718 I recommend watching the Tarnished Archeologist if you haven't already. He makes a very compelling case. From my understanding the great tree was destroyed and the Erdtree grew out of it. So in a sense they are the same but also different. I have a bad memory at the moment though so I still recommend watching the Tarnished Archeologist.

[@KingUniverso]

@@matiasluukkanen7718 yea i think the ancient roots and everything TA says makes a super compelling case for the great tree, regardless of any in-game dialogue.

[@IsaacClodfelter]

​@@matiasluukkanen7718 there has been a lot of item descriptions that would lead me to say while the original use of the name Great tree in i think root resin item description was misinterpreted since then we have even more things that point to a possible previous tree that got overtaken by the erd tree. Just by the name of the crucible of life. A wilder less restricted order of life, death, and rebirth. There are even a few items that seem to depict two trees intertwining which sounds a lot like how golden order followers would represent the erd tree being a glorified parasite.

[@maxreef7698]

I think that since elden ring is so heavy on exploration, analyzing the architecture is just as important as the item descriptions in terms of piecing together a story

[@elleofmusic]

This is so interesting! I'm no architect, but I definitely got the impression that this castle was all about defense. The huge wall and ravine bottlenecking any land approach, the lack of any normal settlement inside that wall, and then the castle built up on the rocks like that, with only an elevator... It's the kind of thing you build when you're fully expecting a nigh unstoppable army to come for you, and it really speaks to Godfrey's power that he managed to take the castle anyway. I'd love to see more of your observations about the architecture around the Lands Between! The black stone structures in particular. In the Ruin-Strewn Precipice and the connected Magma Wyrm cave in particular, they seem to be serving as a kind of aqueduct system, while in other places they look like they're bracing cliffs to prevent collapse or erosion.

[@dreadlordcthulhu1394]

Makes it all the more ironic that the conflict that brought the castle's downfall came from within.

[@TheCronesEye]

This is great! TIL that The Lore Hunter is also The Tarnished Architect! I’m so glad you’re doing this. 🥳👍 P.S. Those narrow windows you mention near the end of the video look more like arrow slits than proper windows. Perhaps they were added later (similar to the hoardings, but more permanent)? Anyway, *please* do more of these! Thanks again.

[@ronaldramsey7736]

Yes more like this

[@PureConsoleGamers]

One thing to note is that an 'Ancient God" is buried here within the boss arena. This is evident by the large headstone found there that has the hole in it. This is evidenced by the Fingerprint Stone Shield, as its lore description states... "Part of the tomb of an ancient god, the Readerless Fingers relayed their message through these imprints, said to be the very seeds from which frenzy first sprouted." If you look carefully at the hole in the tombstone, you can see remnants of fingerprint patterns around the borders of the hole itself.

[@LoreHunter]

That's really interesting! I'm gonna take a closer look.

[@Red-nl4lk]

Considering just how important the level design is in the series it's weird to not really see much discussion on it. I'd love to see this become a series. I'd love to see Nokstella examined.

[@eel-to-eel]

I am so glad that you pointed out that Norman architecture equates with Romanesque... I actually didn' make that connection, and it really helps to contextualize the Romanesque architectural features we can see in lower Leyndell/Sellia/Ordina! Great video!! I agree with your proposed conclusions:)

[@olivewooled1297]

There is 100% an interest in this kind of video.

[@jamesbrincefield9879]

I work in logistics/supply chain management but also have a background in engineering. I’ve always thought it would be neat to deconstruct certain games from that perspective but felt like it would only be appealing to like five people tops. It’ll probably just continue to be a pipe dream but it’s inspiring to know that someone else succeeded in using the knowledge gained from their professional background to talk about video games.

[@eonwe5885]

To expand on what others have said, Tarnished Archaeologist also finds the 'Great Tree reliefs' in Stormveil and the Fortified Manor, which both share Morne's Norman castle style, as discussed in his 'Godfrey and the Truth of the Crucible' video.

[@thegreatcosmicaxolotl]

The Beast and tree surcoat kind of debunks that idea considering it straight up calls that the Erdtree

[@eonwe5885]

@@thegreatcosmicaxolotl not really, as far as Godrick and his soldiers are concerned, any tree devices they use do symbolise the Erdtree. This is way deep in the past.

[@thegreatcosmicaxolotl]

@@eonwe5885 yes but its the same exact tree on the surcoat and its called Erdtree by the description. I like Tarnished Archeologist videos as much as the next guy but some of his takes are just reaching

[@eonwe5885]

@@thegreatcosmicaxolotl His ideas are certainly speculative, but the description is hardly decisive evidence against him here . Setting aside general issues about the nature and authority of item descriptions, this one does not contradict the theory. The design of the surcoat is probably Godrick's personal coat of arns. The reliefs themselves would long predate it, on this view. It's entirely possible that the surcoat depicting the Erdtree is based on earlier reliefs depicting the Great Tree.

[@thegreatcosmicaxolotl]

@@eonwe5885 we already got little to no evidence of another tree, expecially since the Greattree itself is a misstranslation, then if you just ignore evidence like this we will never get anywhere, the symbol tarnished archeologist talks about is the same depicted in the surcoat, and it is clearly stated to be the Erdtree. We see multiple represantations of the Erdtree and we know it changed during the different eras, the Greattree idea is outdated and straight up wrong, it needs to die already.

[@TheMemoman]

This is your best video so far. You get to shine basking in your expertise. Loved every second of it. The historical context intro was stellar.

[@meekaboo_]

I could watch this all day, I don't usually watch lore videos, but saw this on twitter and was particularly intrigued! The creature, armor/weapon, and environment designs are my favorite parts of fromsoft games, and this was a fun way to look at that! Very good stuff, here's hoping for more!

[@nightscout9979]

Based on the Hand Ballista weapon noting that it's great for "reckless acts such as storming a castle or facing an entire army alone," and its location in a chest instead of on a dead body, I think the weapon may indicate that the Hero of Castle Morne single-handedly sieged the castle.The hero's weapons were kept after his defeat, and he was probably from Altus, since his tombstone matches those of the golden skeletons near Leyndell.

[@kae5717]

I love this stuff~ I might recognize the physical differences in-game, but I don't have the experience to know what real-world stuff is being referenced, so these breakdowns are lovely. I definitely liked the idea of the renovation for the odd gothic windows, too. It fits the story, Castle Morne changed hands and that story is told in the stones. Easier [slightly] to adjust a few windows for new owner's tastes than to alter the whole building.

[@0ptimystic386]

Architecture has always been fascinating and evocative to me so I'd definitely love to see more of this!

[@DeathxStrike18]

A correction: the first castle the player meets is Stormveil Castle, where the first Main story boss Is encountered. It is also the first complex map area a player will face with many lifts not operational needing to find routes along the roof tops or under ground to enable them. Many players will follow the grace and find that the enemies on that route will be difficult and may need to turn and do other things. Castle Morne will likely be the second finding the southern part of the map to be an easier area.

[@LoreHunter]

That was not my experience, but also I meant the first castle you will likely explore and complete. I think most players going to Stormveil first took a paddlin’ and looked elsewhere. Either way I just thought architecturally and sequentially it was a good starting point.

[@swamashijudbedolofritt4448]

I agree.

[@RazorOfArtorias]

I work as a Level Designer and also love From Software games. This video series is my jam. Thanks!

[@LoreHunter]

Glad to hear it! Level design and architectural design have such interesting overlap in the experiential creation of space while also being beholden to practical needs. I'd be happy to hear your insights and perspective as I explore these spaces.

[@RazorOfArtorias]

@@LoreHunter Exactly! I agree that the attack to Morne castle was from the North, the broken wall you enter (next to the merchant) maybe is a hint to this siege, they destroyed the outer defense wall to reach the castle. And about the gothic windows it's quite possible that those are part of the 'stone main entrance castle door' modular piece to build the castles and From didn't had a romanesque one or the environmental team decided it looked cool. All Morne seems a large location built with a lower budget (with fewer unique assets) so they cleverly used the 'standart Elden Ring castle kit' (like a LEGO). Great video, I hope other cool locations get your analysis.

[@yetanotherbassdude]

Absolutely loved this one! The architecture is such an important part of Elden Ring that it definitely deserves more attention, and it's awesome to get the perspective of a professional with enough knowledge to really dig into what's in the game. Maybe you could take a look at Raya Lucaria next? The architecture there to me is so clearly drawing from Oxford and Cambridge Universities, and this fits so well with the idea of this haughty, erudite place of magical learning and the often veiled power and influence it exerted on the Lands Between. Also, as a Brit I feel I have to make a small correction that William the Conqueror invaded England at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, not 1088. King William apparently died in 1087, so I'm not sure where you got that date from?

[@LoreHunter]

Thank you! The date was just a transposition error, apparently 66 looks like 88 to me 🥴

[@QS2435]

I love the architectural detail in Fromsoft's games, please do more video like this, may be for Dark Souls and Bloodborne too

[@mauriciocalle5601]

This is awesome. Please do more Elden Ring castles. Super cool to hear your take on them, as an Architect.

[@TeoReviews]

Dude holy shit. More of these please. This is amazing. Really great observations here, it's astounding to me that a game can be this lense that people can share their passion and knowledge through and bring people together with education through the guise of entertainment. It really is just next level. As someone who wants to tell stoies it's a little daunting the amount of research and metaphor that goes into Elden Ring specifically. The fact that people can debate whether this is the great or the erdtree is just like one tiny facet of like i don't even know what to call it. It's wild. Thank you for making this. Jumping to Stormveil now!

[@Krondon-SSR]

My fav castle in the game. Also cool traversing down to the seaside for the bossfight

[@Lunesscape]

ive been searching for a youtube creator do something exactly like this!!!!!! Thank you, great stuff

[@andrewgrunde-mclaughlin4145]

This was fantastic! Please do more.

[@Wrathaholic0588]

I can never get enough of this.

[@BlizzardofKnives]

Nice topic, would watch more on it.

[@nikolaskulka9574]

Really cool video. Love the use of your expertise in architecture to dig deeper into elden ring. Super fun to learn about both at the same time

[@LoreHunter]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mementohikikomori1532]

I would honestly love if you made one of these for every single structure of note in the game.

[@dreddpirate7619]

This channel definitely changed gears for me. That was awesome I can't wait to catch the next one!

[@anndedma5355]

GREAT IDEA! i love lore like this and especially from my fav lore hunter

[@heir8095]

This is the content I've been looking for! Thanks for a great and thorough analysis

[@eonwe5885]

YESSS. Thank you, Lore Hunter, now everybody please like and comment.

[@classica1fungus]

Okay just finished the video, loved it, please make more this is great

[@laurenmcconnell206]

I absolutely love that you're going to the architecture to help unpack the environmental storytelling. Definitely want to see more. Maybe I missed your explanation, but I am curious as to what this castle might have been protecting, if it's atop a high cliff, not fortifying the land against the sea, and was attacked from its landward side? Not territory, surely, so any conjectures?

[@_ariosto1519]

Thank you for another great video! This castle is a great mystery!

[@vancecannella6995]

Need more of this my man! Keep Up the great content!

[@nailin18]

Really liked this analysis, more please.

[@rocketb00t]

Yes, more of this please! (and thank you)

[@katdeasyy]

would love more lands between architecture videos!

[@superdadelen]

I'm reporting a definite interest in seeing more videos like this!

[@Camilothegodfather]

Loved this video. Great to see the architectural perspective on these locations! Def want to see more.

[@Writh811]

This was great and very insightful!

[@repcom38]

I love this! 😍 Please continue this series. 🙏

[@johnleecooper8520]

dope, would love more architectural analysis of the game!

[@halobrood]

Super interesting stuff please make more!

[@greg_allen]

This type of video is great. Next should be volcano manor

[@minerman60101]

My ranking of the Castle locations: 1. Caria Manor 2. Castle Morne 3. Shaded Castle (close third) 4. Castle Sol 5. Redmane Castle (I'm bitter about the fire whetstone knife being weirdly out of the way compared to all of the others)

[@alejandrolievano5573]

Good stuff, do more. Look at the small town inside the capital wich is also romanesque in style please

[@Wralis]

bro lol this video is so good-click wanting to learn about a castle in a video game and get a great lesson on architecture

[@ni9274]

Could you analyse the architecture of lothric castle ? Sometime it looks like they just slapped assets together to create a fantasy castle, but despite that it looks really good and the vibe is amazing. Good video too 👍

[@catalopeminiatures2979]

Battle of Hastings was 1066 not 1088 which is when William the Conquerer took the English Throne. Its kinda drilled into us at school over here.

[@LoreHunter]

I've noticed xD I've gotten a number of kind comments correcting my unfortunate slip up, thank you! I will never forget either.

[@DrnMontemayor]

Nice direction to tackle lore.

[@SaintTrinaLore]

This one was so fun!!!

[@chables74]

This was fun!

[@cornthdl]

Awesome you’re doing this! I don’t think the Revenger built the fortress personally. I think it was part of the Saints Empire that worshipped the “great tree(s)” as a remote fortress that Marika and Godfrey’s budding empire took over and the Revenger fell back to this fortress for his last stand.

[@MrJinkyTjaz]

Not to be pedantic but the battle of Hastings, the date of the Norman conquest of England, was 1066 not 1088. William the conquerer died in 1087 i believe.. Great video but just a minor fact check. Peace and love.

[@LoreHunter]

Not a problem at all someone else pointed it out. Wires got crossed taking notes 😅

[@classica1fungus]

Since you're an architect, it makes me wonder what you think of the ancient structures like the ones in Egypt, Ive been getting into that stuff lately and it's scary some of the stuff they were able to do, with granite no less

[@metaltero8726]

Really cool video! I would love to hear your opinion on the mohgwyn palace.

[@aith7rios]

Please do every castle!

[@kchurchjr]

I love this definitely do more architectural analysis

[@ZiotGaming]

PLEASE DO MORE!

[@topcat59]

Great vid bro.😺

[@whatever3912-h7e]

I would assume that the current damage of the castle is a result of a siege during the Shattering, not the one in the times of Godfrey. The era of Radagon was really long, so it wouldn't make sense for them not to repair the damage. BTW, have you noticed the surprising lack of harbors and docks in the Lands Between? While their lack can be excused in areas like Liurnia (cliffs probably erroded) or Caelid (rotted away), I would expect some to exist in Limgrave/Weeping Peninsula

[@LoreHunter]

I do agree with that at least in theory, because that is a very long time. We just don't have any information on any skirmishes in WP during the Shattering to work with, which doesn't mean it didn't happen, but we do have the siege that occurred with the revenger and the more recent uprising so it is more narratively interesting to consider those events and why it might have stayed as it was all the time. With that in mind, the idea that the Castle's original purpose was lost and that the garrison there seems to be there mostly to hold it, and I can see it being something that was not maintained. This is certainly a conceit that stuff in games will stay in stasis for the benefit of environmental storytelling, but it does occur even with From.

[@PlaXer]

i wonder if george made the story about that castle. amazing video!

[@zadig08]

I am here for this

[@NerdStuffGaming]

So interesting I want more

[@AlexanderJoneshttps]

I love the lore of this game

[@mollifier]

Yaaaaay I love specialized knowledge being used to deepen analysis! Please do more like this. Also, further to Eonwe's point from earlier, here's the main video where The Tarnished Archaeologist argues that the image of the tree at Castle Morne is the image of a previous Great Tree, not the Erdtree: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6rXfJ-pZ7qCjtU

[@TheMkmciver]

More please

[@demonofdeath2020]

where is the inspiration of this castle located ? especially the boss grace

[@goober7535]

love it

[@JustinZode]

MORE. MORE!!!!

[@aPache43211]

Love it! Can't wait for the hogwarts wizard school between the sniping shrimps!

[@brandonwright2285]

The carving of the trees are probably from the original tree that was burned long ago. Not the golden one we see today.

[@alexrocky9147]

More… MOOOOORE

[@greenfrogbad]

A comment.

[@blumiu2426]

You have the knowledge behind it, so go for it. I'm no architect, but I enjoy drawing Medieval structures so it's of interest to me.