Elden Ring's Secret Influences & Speculation

This episode is for the curious, join me as we navigate the Lore of Elden Ring: parallels between the disciplined order of Rome and Queen Marika's Reign in The Lands Between. Shadow of the Erdtree is right around the corner! In this episode, we explore how these ancient concepts are reborn in the Elden Rings lore, design, and overarching themes.
#AncientRome #EldenRingLore #fromsoftware
▶ PATREON
/ moxiewatts
▶ TWITTER
/ moxie_watts
▶ INSTAGRAM
/ moxiewatts
▼▼▼ TIMESTAMPS ▼▼▼
00:00 Introduction
01:44 Roman Significance, Influences, and Enemies
12:03 Shadow of the Erdtree Influences
17:39 Charlemagne, the Aachen Cathedral & Raya Lucaria
22:13 Julius Caesar & Marika
25:40 Baroque Influence on Roman Architecture
28:30 The Great City of Alexandria & Farum Azula
32:39 Melina, Messmer & The Seal Flame of Ruin
36:15 Two Birds with One Stone: The Gloam Eyed Queen, the Twinbird, & The Elden Beast
41:19 The Veiled Goddess of Greek, Roman, Carthaginian & Celtic Civilizations
43:16 Conclusion
44:20 Outro
► VIDEOS USED FOR RESEARCH
spiritussanctusband ▷ Weltkulturerbe Aachener Dom und Rathaus - Drohnenaufnahme
• Weltkulturerbe Aachene...
UNESCO ▷ Aachen Cathedral (UNESCO/NHK)
• Aachen Cathedral (UNE...
DW News ▷ Aachen - 1200 years after Charlemagne | Discover Germany
• Aachen - 1200 years af...
DW History and Culture ▷Aachen Cathedral: A Journey Through Time I History Stories Special
• Aachen Cathedral: A Jo...
TedEd ▷ The Great Conspiracy Against Julius Caesar
• The great conspiracy a...
That Art ▷ History Girl History of the Baroque Period | That Art History Girl
• History of the Baroque...
Grim Dream ▷ HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE IN SKETCHES: Gothic Glossary
• HISTORY OF ARCHITECTUR...
Tarnished Archeologist ▷ Uncovering the Archaeology of Elden Ring's Grand Conspiracy
• Uncovering the Archaeo...
Unearthed History ▷ The Colosseum: Secrets Of The Roman Masterpiece | Colosseum: The Whole Story | Unearthed History
• The Colosseum: Secrets...
Norse Magic and Beliefs ▷ Yggdrasil True Meaning: Translation, Attestations, Theories of Norse Gods/Deities
• Yggdrasil True Meaning...
Roman Temples VS Greek Temples ▷ Understanding the Difference
• Roman Temples VS Greek...
Absolute History ▷ Baroque: The Edgy Art Movement
• Baroque: The Edgy Art ...
Púca Festival ▷ The Púca Festival 2022 - Trim & Athboy
• The Púca Festival 2022...
Púca Festival ▷ Púca Festival: where the Halloween's story began
• Púca Festival: where t...
Travelzoo ▷ Halloween 2019: Ireland's First Ever Púca Festival
• Halloween 2019: Irelan...
Vojta Šplinar ▷ Night of Samhain | Dublin Halloween Parade 2016
• Night of Samhain | Dub...
Ireland AM ▷ Ancient Celtic Festival of Samhain: The Origins & History of Halloween Explained
• Ancient Celtic Festiva...
►►► Link to all sources used (including the MonkeyK Map) docs.google.com/document/d/15...
(it was too long for the description which is already like 4200 characters XD)

[@tarnishedarchaeologist]

Just astoundingly well done.

[@moxiewatts]

Thank you, I have the most reliable sources out there ;)))

[@kr1spness]

You just made me realize Maliketh is actually Fenrir. They tricked Fenrir into being imprisoned because he was destined to cause the death of the immortal Gods. Poor doggos

[@moxiewatts]

I like the way you think! Wasn't 100% about to make the claim because i wanted to think about it some more and learn more of Fenrir's lore... What are you thinking up?

[@anonymousmurphy]

For my money, this channel has the best editing, pacing, and structure of any ER content creator out there. Just straight up documentary quality.

[@moxiewatts]

thats so sweet homie tysm

[@AyaGumede]

Calma 😂

[@OFCRKAY]

This is a fun switch up from the common Elden Ring lore video, I love it!

[@moxiewatts]

Hey! I could really use help spreading my videos out to more people who love Elden Ring as much as I do. If you have a homie that also loves Elden Ring, consider sharing! I appreciate your support homies. ❤

[@dethblak13]

Hey not to be a pedant but you made a pronounciation error! Samhain is pronounced more like Saw-when! Love your content, love the perspective you bring to Elden Ring :)

[@uglyrat3858]

@@dethblak13 respectfully, 🤓

[@MuffledFox]

On messmers sigil with the lands between and the land of shadow, idk if thats to far but if you look at the horizontal line of fire, the thing in the middle kinda looks like a boat traveling across the sides... but i also think that thats just me and its just fire

[@moxiewatts]

I see it this is why we call it heavy speculation its lit

[@moxiewatts]

i been thinking about this since you said it.... mf u might be cooking real hard rn

[@dirtblockandfriends]

So much work went into this. Love picking apart the architecture details from the trailer.

[@moxiewatts]

I had to for myself like i needed to know

[@cat_and_cabbage4662]

A-thens is simply unforgivable

[@moxiewatts]

;-; look man my dad is from the midwest athens blame him pls dont hate me

[@cat_and_cabbage4662]

@@moxiewatts understood, shifting the blame on to your father

[@cobleen3982]

I am genuinely willing to watch all the ads for this quality of content

[@2JOfficial]

You deserve a lot more views, these videos are great

[@moxiewatts]

TYSM homie! It would be so great if you could share with your homies as well! If you got any that play elden ring.

[@LucasDimoveo]

The editing goes so hard and is pretty unique in the ER space here on KZbin. 😮

[@moxiewatts]

Thank you so much, I went to school for film and broadcast tv! My degree is in directing :) I'm so glad you enjoyed homie :)))

[@hyydra_]

My mind has been blown! The quality of your videos are unparalleled 🔥 this video has really highlighted the incredible detail in the game, I can't wait to see what the DLC will bring...

[@moxiewatts]

Dude me either. I'm so hype.

[@JackisaMimic]

Can't believe I overlooked this video. This video was so funny, you actually had me laughing out loud. This was so excellent, I am amazed you were able to find nearly all of the real world references for not just things we have in game but also the what is found in the trailer. I have hypothesized that the Sun Realm is supposed to be representative as Rome, where we see this empire that controls everywhere the Sun can touch and is polytheistic, but Christianity (The Erdtree) comes along, and the religion of the Sun Realm becomes monotheistic. Eventually the Sun Realm fades away and the religion that spread through the land remains, with new empires taking their place. I feel very vindicated after watching this video! And I also learned a lot of real history, which is probably more valuable than learning Elden Ring history lol GRRM's influence is so apparent in this game. If it wasn't for him this type of historical influence would be present. It would still be there, Miyazaki is interested in history and folklore, but Martin borrows from history so heavily that famous scenes like the Red Wedding from ASOIAF/Game of Thrones are just lifted from real world events like The Black Dinner in Edinburgh Castle (Which Stormveil is modeled from)

[@moxiewatts]

and which is the topic for the next video I AM SO WITH YA BUDDY. but thank you for your kind words they are very sweet to hear. Welcome to my wacky tales homie. I have fun with it.

[@blakebailey22]

10:12 lmao. Also, nice connection to Messmer's posture and ancient Egyptian statues

[@moxiewatts]

thx

[@HopeiThis]

Incredible video!!! I may have had to slow it down to take in all the information this time around though 😅

[@moxiewatts]

issa lot

[@wrenchdodger]

After watching the whole video, your editing is amazing. And your insights are also very good. Wonderful video, deserves soooooo many more views!

[@moxiewatts]

Tysm homie! im so glad you enjoyed it :))

[@LittlePrincess101]

*You deserve a million SUBS* The entertainment and quality your videos bring is unmatch!

[@moxiewatts]

thats so sweet tysm homie

[@vongolamistowl]

Damn, the production value on this video is insane. Severely underrated creator.

[@moxiewatts]

tysm ;-; im so glad you like it

[@beansnrice321]

On the subject of gladiators, there is almost certainly a Spartacus subplot somewhere in the game. My initial hunch was that Godfrey was the slave who took over and was later driven out of Rome but it could have been Radagon. There is almost certainly some plot of a hammer-wielding champion who came from Castle Mourn. The language on the Brick hammer is the foundation of that theme. The link to Strength seems to imply a link to Godfrey but the word, "Champion," being used seemed to imply Radagon. I also think that it's not irrelevant that Godfrey's unique build and strength seem to only be shared with the Grave Wardens(ex-gladiators).

[@moxiewatts]

it was more for the gladiator tie in. i dunno i see a lot of similarities between them...both outcasts. castle morne is so fuckin weird in so many ways...especially the gravestones.

[@danieldirocco8282]

One figure I haven’t heard mentioned as an inspiration to Godfrey is Clovis, the first King of the Franks to covert to Christianity. At least according to legend, he did it in part because his wife nagged him into it. Clovis and his descendants (The Merovingians, sick name) were still Conan-ass warlords who just cosplayed as Christian Kings, but over time, they were slowly tamed into respectability and toothlessness. This all leads to that guy Charlemagne, who founded a new dynasty and founded the Holy Roman Empire, aka “look ma, we got a new Rome, ah fuck nope it’s cracked never mind”. Godfrey=Clovis/Merovingians Radagon=Charlemagne/Carlolingians?? Probably not, but there's echoes of them for sure. I’d highly recommend Dan Carlin’s podcast episode Thor’s Angels. It covers the time period of Late Antiquity, transitioning from late Rome to early medieval. Carlin also knows how to talk good, damn, I wish more history podcasters had an ounce of the sauce he has.

[@alexanderdiogenes8067]

The editing in this video is OUT OF CONTROL good.

[@kithugomusic]

This is too good. The amount of research, filming (in game), edit, voice overs, narrating, music/volume adjustments, the list goes on... As others have already stated; this kind of quality deserves a lot more views. I think your content is around the level of Vaati (in some ways better), only thing lacking is views and subs. Do you do all the editing and whatnot by yourself? Looking forward to the next!

[@moxiewatts]

Wow thats so sweet of you to say. I could never be Vaati~ hopefully if I remain consistent everything else will follow. I do everything myself~ I have a BA in directing film & television. I even worked in TV for a while. I don't think I could let anyone else control anything.

[@kithugomusic]

@@moxiewatts No need to be Vaati. Vaati does his thing so good it would be very hard to match. Same goes for you. You have your own style, just nurture that! Put in another way; you and Vaati are equals in doing your own thing, doing it passionately and compellingly! And if you hadn’t worked in TV or didn’t have a BA in directing film and television, I would had been slightly frustrated to be honest haha

[@jacobweeks777]

How often do you reckon Moxie thinks about the Roman Empire? 🤔🤔🤔

[@moxiewatts]

several times a day. Charlie has begun to question my gender...he thinks I gotta be a dude thinking of rome this often

[@kevinl-g9759]

Goddamn, this video is great! The editing, the pacing and the actual information is all top notch! You're already shaping up to be one of my favourate elden ring youtubers.

[@zachhiggins1668]

Funny, the thing that finally made ER connect with me (I loved it, just hadn't "clicked" yet) was realizing it feels so flucking much like a modern interpretation of the first Zelda game. And it's like, if you skip some steps of inspiration/competition bxw the two companies, I think it basically is. But it's cool how it's essentially the same concept. Here's a big world, solve it by exploring, thinking, using your senses, following your intuition. Rewards essentially the same way, same awe-inspiring yet desolate landscapes, same sense of an exhausted world being crept upon by parasites (soooo stoked to start cracking the themes here and seeing what y'all came up with 🔥🔥🔥)

[@moxiewatts]

Dude literally! You should see the video I did called Zelden Ring lol 😂

[@moxiewatts]

It’s literally the same game

[@zachhiggins1668]

@@moxiewatts I did! This comment was supposed to be on that video lol. I'm just stoked you're going about Elden Ring with the same mix of holistic and literary thinking you so brilliantly apply to Zelda. Dark Souls got me all into architecture and history, this epic obsession with ancient Rome. Got me to play a bunch of assassins creed lol.. (They're overhated on tho honestly) and I've been wishing I had the time to set aside to investigate and compare lore and literature/mythology/symbolism deep, so yeah can't freaking wait to watch those vids lol 🤓 got me playing Eldin Ring with a purpose 🤓🤓

[@kabobba]

let's goooo been waiting for this !

[@Luaeria]

Utterly masterful execution. Your conclusion is exactly a reflection of your own creation. Where history meets art & fantasy. Incredible and exceptional!!! Thank you!!!

[@moxiewatts]

no thank you! I really appreciate it ~ I love this game so much ;-;

[@zevrs5800]

The audio balance in this video is perfection. Not to mention the great editing, pacing, and quality analysis as usual. Keep up the fantastic work!

[@moxiewatts]

omg thank you im so self conscious about my audio literally all the time.

[@wast01d]

killin it yet again moxie. i'm gonna be pondering this one for a while. also it was so much fun to watch!!

[@imawizardbaby]

how does this not have more views. this is really good. especially the marika and the round table part.

[@moxiewatts]

ah, if only I myself knew. I'm glad you were just as mind blown as I was when I read it. I dunno it just seems to kinda fit right??

[@imawizardbaby]

@@moxiewatts i would have never made that connection. great work!

[@nicolasgorszczyk9291]

Yo these edits have no rights to look this good 🔥🔥🔥

[@wrenchdodger]

Just started the video and it’s already so so so good wow

[@moxiewatts]

omg tysm

[@bigdoopy]

The veiled goddess section at the end goes so hard 🔥 HYPEEEEE

[@bigdoopy]

I also need that song used in that section, so good

[@moxiewatts]

Tiko Tiko - Deepest Dive Also thanks! I had a lot of fun editing the shots for that part, took like 2 days

[@uglyrat3858]

The kitchen has cooked 🧑‍🍳🔥🔥🔥

[@moxiewatts]

You already know

[@orom6581]

saw your teaser, lets see if you be cookin 🗣️‼️

[@orom6581]

🔥✍️ indeed

[@moxiewatts]

twas sautéed

[@gyarados222]

Wow now THIS just BLEW my mind!

[@moxiewatts]

thanks Cole remember to actually watch it XD

[@Nightmareblader]

I like the way you put videos together. ❤

[@moxiewatts]

tysm

[@avgfunkygamer]

This was a 10/10 video for me, I hope it gets the recognition it deserves.

[@moxiewatts]

TYSM

[@LevovitLore]

Wow. I thought only the Tarnished Archeologist is able to do a video about historical references of such high quality. But you reached the same level. Really impressive work

[@BobSagettt]

Incredible video Mox.

[@jameslebus2432]

Although I disagree with some of your conclusions, your content as a whole is excellent. I’m sure you will gain the following your work deserves with time. Looking forward to the next one.

[@moxiewatts]

Ooo do you have anything you're thinking of? I always value hearing other people's perspectives on stuff. Y'all think of things in other ways which helps me reanalyze my work.

[@allthe1]

I can feel the amount of fun you're having with the sound and music editing reverberating through the crust of the earth

[@moxiewatts]

ALWAYS also i love hyperbole and a half

[@StarlingInSpace]

love your editing style, shame I haven’t subscribed sooner. Its refreshing to hear real life influences that the game takes inspiration from and has made me appreciate human history more. Got me looking into ancient religions and went down the rabbit hole for inanna/Ishtar, from ancient Sumerian religion, I think she’s the main inspiration behind marika and her story. Mainly the poems of her huluppu tree, inanna and the god of wisdom, the courtship of inanna and dumuzi, and inannas descent into the underworld. Would love to hear your interpretation

[@moxiewatts]

oh man i could def rant about Sumerians for a while

[@moxiewatts]

Yeah ill def relook into this

[@StarlingInSpace]

@@moxiewatts I really enjoy your content, would def be down to listen to some ranting

[@dorabyrne]

This channel is so great!

[@JasmineOdora]

I don’t know if anyone else has said or heard it, but I swear Moxie and SamWitch sound like twins! Lol Absolutely love this content! I’ve never even played the game! But I’m always so excited when you and Bandit post an Elden Ring video!!

[@moxiewatts]

Jasmine, you gotta play this game. trust you will not regret it!!

[@moxiewatts]

omg this samwitch girl is so cute i have to be here friend

[@scorematus9170]

Dude im waching this and edit is alredy fire

[@wjr4700]

Amaizing job. Awesome video. I have never heard of you but am now subscribed. Thank you for shedding more light on this amaizing lore.

[@moxiewatts]

Aw thanks homie! welcome to the crew. 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@jjchello]

Wow. You are really stepping up your game!! Great job!

[@moxiewatts]

I gotta give it my best

[@artemiscephei1339]

These edits are fantastic. The video quality and pacing is spot on. Entertaining and informative - youve got some great work here. Music choices work well - and the lore ideas (while some im not sure i agree with) are top tier. Really great research and connections made! Ive been telling all my nerdy lore friends about your last video. Now this one is gonna be evangelized too!

[@moxiewatts]

wow you're so sweet artemis! I really appreciate all these fine compliments, you're really too kind. Got any ideas otherwise?

[@nickerslarge3776]

Was I right?? “Mother” tattoo is sooo clutch! Very well done.

[@moxiewatts]

yeah you absolutely were i love it so much more lol

[@Andy-dh2sv]

Excellent quality, going to check out your channel

[@moxiewatts]

aw thank you very much homie

[@beansnrice321]

Love the production and all of the hand crafted art! Your channel is inspiring to aspiring vtubers! I love you're closing arguments about art and art history. To me that's so much of the essence of these games. Whether it's Miyazaki or someone on his art team but there is a depth of art history that has become their unmistakable signature. I'm not sure if I said it to you or somewhere else but their games feel like Monty Python style animations made out of cut-outs form an art history text book. Their games are collage-like in that regard. To me your average Miyazaki game is the game equivalent of taking a urinal, signing it, "R. Mutt," and naming it fountain. In other words they're the essence of art.

[@moxiewatts]

Miyazaki is a sociologist, so i wonder if he is trying to encourage people to dive into our history...like its also real easy to get 3d assets of these famous monuments.

[@moxiewatts]

i love that you picked up on the collage aspect. Thats what I wanted it to feel like. Thank you

[@littlechurchlore]

This is amazing 😌🔥

[@moxiewatts]

tysm homie

[@Memnoch_the_Devil]

30:06 one of the spiral pillars resembling the ones from the DLC trailer pointed out earlier in the video…

[@moxiewatts]

Yeah for sure! couldn't find anything on it, it may still exist but I think thats one of the things that was toppled. I THINK.

[@eldenringpvpenthusiast1710]

So I had this really freaky moment that made my heart skip a beat. I was in Fia's room trying to get a better look of the painting of Marika on the right, when you first enter. Something I thought while looking, besides how sad she always looks, is that her face is always at an angle where you can almost see her eyes or one of her eyes, but just never looking at you, like she doesn't want to make eye contact with the tarnished or something. But when I turned my camera around, the same thing was going on with Fia. She had been watching me the entire time, but even when I saw her, her eyes were veiled by her cloak. Then I noticed an urn below a painting of a tree with Marika's arms in her usual position, but after after using the paintings as clues in Rya Lucaria to find that secret area, I felt like the painting represents Marika rising from the ashes of that urn, with her arms stretched over Fia and pointing to her other painting. Then next time I talked to Hewg, he said something about "the sheer terror of her", but all I could think about was Fia staring at me straight through the wall. So I took Hewgs advice and played some Colloseum. But she seems to have a lot to do with secrets, drapes, and hidden areas too. Iv'e always felt like the baldachins blessing kinda looked like a doorway

[@moxiewatts]

Ok so you are indeed cooking. I'm tryna think, what could it mean.... i love your analysis about her eye line (never looking at the tarnished) so maybe the paintings are trying to convey a sense of shame, or like you said, secrecy. That being said, Fia is a deathbed companion (necromancer) which i imagine carries a sense of shame with it. There also isn't much we know about these companions other than really what we learn from Fia. I kinda been thinking maybe the doorway is the closed off axis mundi door, the door that would allow people to normally traverse between worlds. all and all interesting stuff homie. Im interested if you have more to add, im super invested in this comment.

[@eldenringpvpenthusiast1710]

@@moxiewatts I sometimes wonder if its a child of dark thing, like in ds1 there was a being called Manus that, when defeated, split into fragments of itself. The fragments were different parts of its personality and sin that were reborn as it's "children". I always felt like some of the female characters of Elden Ring were similar. The frenzy maiden, Tanith and Rodrika are other characters that remind me of different personalities of emotions that Marika potentially went through with godwyn's death. But I'm really confused about Godwyn. There is a picture of him seemingly after the black knife attack, where the assassins are themselves holding a sentry torch. Shouldn't it be reverse? What was the assassin that lives in dark trying to see? Who Godwyn really is? It kinda looks like he's wearing Marika's dress and has similar cracks on its body. And Im not exactly sure when the dragon cult was formed, but on fextrlife, the symbol for it is a dragon crawling on the tower of a burning city, so idk whats going on. lol, but its interesting. I think the dlc will shed light on the fallen sun realm, it feels like a chunk of lore thats been saved for later There's mention of Godrik, who claims to be a descendant of gold, disguising himself as a woman, interesting that its the same family line. This part is pretty deep in the rabbit hole, but theres mention of a meager victory over controlling the flame of frenzy, its incantation is called controlled or frenzied burst. I truly feel like Marika dealt with her other half through this concept of controlled bursts. Releasing some of her masculinity at times of war or something, so she could controll herself. I believe this power comes from a "borrowed" power of the greater will, that she never gave back, and kept a secret until it was stolen and used for humanity(prometheus story helps with this). The borrowed power may have come from Farum azula, with placidusaax still waiting for its fell sun god to return. The mistake the greater will did was trust the giant's could beat marika with the power of a sun god. Which Marika somehow beat and sealed away long enough to go nuts and frenzy, because it wants to go back where it came from bad style. But those statues of marika and cruified people are called effigies of martyrs and effigies of marika, implying they made a great sacrifice to do...something

[@Gord-writesGhost]

​​​​@@moxiewatts I apologize if I'm interjecting myself to the discussion, I wanted to add onto the idea regarding the Baldachin. I've yet to take time to challenge this idea, but I wonder if the arched doorway seen in Baldachin's iconography is analog to the arched doorway we travese through in the opening cinematic, to cross the fog admist a flood of radiant light spilling in. [EDIT] I used tts but had not realized theere was awas jumped tts to had not realized how incoherent the comment had been, so.

[@Writh811]

This needs way more eyes on it. Very quality work.

[@moxiewatts]

tell the church ;-;

[@moxiewatts]

also thank you very very much homie

[@jaycobobob]

Bro how are there so many good Elden Ring content creators 😭 this vid is fire yo

[@moxiewatts]

good question. I love all the ER content out there. live for it even

[@charlesallenw]

Man I wish I could play this game for the first time again 😢

[@moxiewatts]

ikr i was watching a friend play it for the first time and on god it was the most exciting thing i seen in the last few years.

[@useruseruser501]

Fantasic vid. Will share around. Only issue I had was on some of the voice mods, it was a little hard to understand at times.

[@moxiewatts]

Noted! thanks for letting me know!

[@kabobba]

I am so glad you switched to Elden Ring, you really can dive deep and no one does it like you

[@moxiewatts]

you the best kobobba ily so much

[@kabobba]

@@moxiewatts nahh u the best moxie ily too hahaha, i, as always look forward to everything you do

[@MrDeskart]

Ave Caesar, Morituri Te Salutant. Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori

[@moxiewatts]

love that regina spektor song

[@nickdaring]

So good

[@madwaluigi2860]

easily one of the best deep dives on elden ring this year you're the only channel other than tarnished archeologists that connected elden ring to rome.

[@moxiewatts]

golly, thats so sweet of u

[@Ontos99]

An insane video. Just my kinda crazy

[@komputerkaput1757]

Art Deco, is that you?

[@moxiewatts]

I love love love looooove that channel. I actually used one of their videos as a reference/refresher on baroque art.

[@WaruiDeshou]

Despite your egregious pronunciation of "Athens" 😝 I absolutely love this video! Well produced, well research, sasy to watch, and something most lore videos aren't: fun! Great stuff.

[@moxiewatts]

yeaaaaahhh im a hick apparently thanks so much tho im so glad you enjoyed, i had fun making it

[@kitetales]

DUDE HOW IS THIS EDITING SO SICK?!?!

[@moxiewatts]

trauma

[@falgalhutkinsmarzcal3962]

Laocoon and his sons were punished because he attempted to warn the Trojans about the horse, much as Cassandra was punished by Apollo to foretell prophecies no one would believe. Also, the Romans considered themselves the descendants of the Trojans, the Aeneid being a propaganda myth written by Virgil at the behest of Augustus.

[@moxiewatts]

Oh interesting context actually! I was watching something about this after it was edited the other day and I'm really fascinated by it. This idea of punishment by the Gods. But yeah wasn't Rome originally made of outcasts? Not too sure still researching to try to understand. I fall asleep to some of this and sometimes it doesn't all get through. XDD anywho tysm for this homie!

[@falgalhutkinsmarzcal3962]

@@moxiewatts another thing you might want to look into is Constantine and his "in hoc signo vincis" moment. He saw a sign of the Cross in the sky and conquered in the name of the Christian god (or so the story goes). Also, the Byzantium angle is interesting because of Yeats' poem "Sailing to Byzantium". It seems pertinent since it speaks of old age, the passing of ages, their monuments, how an old man has a heart "fastened to a dying animal" (which speaks of dualism, but is Godfrey and Serosh if taken literally), and it speaks of creating a golden body to inhabit, as well as the "artifice of eternity" and the "golden bough". Yeats was part of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn alongside William Sharp, another inspiration to not only Martin, but Miyazaki.

[@EZGaming0]

Great video, I was somehow unsubbed from you or something? But I subbed again because this was recommended to me. These ER videos are about to be heat.

[@moxiewatts]

Aw man you're gonna have to watch the ones I have already done I have four now i think

[@moxiewatts]

welcome back tho homie we missed u!

[@EZGaming0]

@@moxiewatts yeah thx you still stream on twitch???

[@Memnoch_the_Devil]

What’s the map at 31:47? It cuts off before I can get the whole picture.

[@moxiewatts]

Yeah I didn't want to reveal their whole theory! But yes here you are ~~ TheMonkeyK 『I tried to rebuild Farum Azula』www.reddit.com/user/themonkeyk/comments/1bc4zqe/i_tried_to_rebuild_farum_azula_what_do_you_think/

[@rancidavocado2166]

The point of the dlc will to be to get mesmurs flame snd be able to burn melina bypassing the fire giant and malkeith allowing us to sniff rannis feet a hole hour earlier. Mizyaki does it again.

[@moxiewatts]

the lore has been unpacked ladies and gents. nothing else to see here

[@beansnrice321]

I miss doing animation. =(

[@kr1spness]

If you ever watch Britannica it reminds me of that places underworld. Basically just after Jesus' death there is a spirit world where a demon in Norse mythology takes control of Rome and people are fighting while a war over land now they they've returned to the physical world through avatars, which would be the tarnished in the waking world ala bloodborne. The Lands Between would be the spirit world one man keeps visiting in the show by nearly drowning himself to death.

[@moxiewatts]

Lol i came across their videos recently, and i havent made it through the catalog. there's too much ah this is so interesting! I haven't played bloodborne but i couldnt resist watching lore videos. I was thinking about this idea of drowning himself in death but then, theres the serepus influence who is said to bring life after death, so if you kinda stir these ideas together it begins to kinda explain the respawn mechanic.

[@GILGAMESH069]

Miyazaki: what is the Roman empire?

[@moxiewatts]

GRRM: it was actually a pretty cool place where a lot of people did some pretty nifty stuff and some pretty horrific things. all in all 10/10 lore in rome lol

[@Bori.1776]

The pronunciation of Athens had me reeling but it’s not a Roman city. It was originally a Greek city and currently still is. Rome at one point might’ve governed over it but it was Greek. Alexandria as well was built by Greeks & governed by them along with the Egyptians for quite some time as well. I’m nitpicking, but if we’re gonna use history to use analysis we gotta do it right.

[@moxiewatts]

no no u right- my dad is from a place named athens, and the way they say it had me fucked up lol On Greece and Alexandria, I could have definitely clarified. I'll make it more clear in the future.

[@Bori.1776]

@@moxiewatts My bad if I came off aggressive. I do like the video, I’m just a nerd 😂

[@moxiewatts]

@@Bori.1776 No worries fam! Homie, I was so worried the whole time about getting details wrong. I actually had to rewrite the 'enemies of rome' part like 3+ times lol. I kept getting little details wrong. XDD I was positive I had to have messed something up the entire time though I was real real careful

[@Bori.1776]

@@moxiewatts HAHAHA, I gotchu. I forgot the KZbin channel, but someone also pointed that Messmer might be also inspired by a Sumerian god (forgot the name) but he was God of trees or lord of the good tree something like that and he has 2 snakes coming out of his back in his depictions. Honestly I believe Messmer has multiple inspirations like the ones you mentioned, Vlad the impaler (duh) and maybe this Sumerian god. Idk you might wanna take a look.

[@wurstbrotchen2135]

Great video. Your account is gonna blow up. One word on the title of the video, but perhaps as an European: Aachen, Byzanz, Athen, florenz: the lands between is basically... 'Rome'? It not even the S. P. Q. R.,it's europe. There is a big (colonial) difference I think(written by a child of the peoples of gaul 🤔(outside the limes))

[@moxiewatts]

yeah packaging this video was so hard; i dont think its packaged exactly appropriately, but its the best i could think of. but yea def all of europe whaddya mean by this btw?? "(written by a child of the peoples of gaul 🤔(outside the limes))" context?

[@wurstbrotchen2135]

@@moxiewatts Should be more of a joke about post-colonialism. But it is actually relevant in the history of the regions on which side of the Limes they existed. I grew up outside the limes. But with great view on it

[@markholdgate]

Aythens?

[@moxiewatts]

look.

[@captainxit5573]

Exactly What I've Been Sayin'!!! Ever Watch I•Claudius!?!?! Basically Elden Ring.😆

[@moxiewatts]

No i haven't! but i will go take a look homie ~~

[@anvitupadhyay5121]

Wow

[@stefanjackson1127]

My final thoughts on the main outcome. My theory is that Miquella's plan is to fuse with Messmer to become a god of the Shadow plane (the soul realm). In Alchemy and Hermeticism it's worth looking into the Alchemical Wedding. Miquella and Messmer are 2 sides of the same coin. Like Marika and Radagon. I believe Marika and Radagon were once separate and she ascended her qualities that made her the other half of Radagon. I believe they fused in the same principal of the Alchemical Wedding. I think each Empyrean has a plane they must belong on. There are 3 general planes of exiatence: the physical, the astral / mind, and the soul. I believe each Empyrean aligns wirh this; Malenia being the physical plane where she is a swordswoman who's main deal is decay, rot and rebirth. Ranni being the Astral / mind / psychic. And Miquella being of the soul. Based on this I believe the butterflies represent each Empyrean. Since we're on the Lands Between I believe we are on the Astral (Ranni's) plane. I think Miquella knew this and that's why he never chose to fight Ranni because he knew it was her plane to begin with. The Astral plane is the 2nd stage in the cycle: Physical > Astral > Soul, so it would make sense it would be the Lands Between. I think Ranni and Miquella (maybe Malenia too) all conspired in the Night of the black knives. My theory beforehand is that Marika made it impossible for the Empyreans to leave to their respective planes because she didn't want to lose any children and broke the cycle. I believe across the other planes there will be respective "other half" Empyreans for both Ranni and Malenia too. - I have a dew more ideas that seem to go with these theories and make sense. Between looking at Jungian Psychology, Hermeticism, Alcehmy, Tarot, Kyballah and the Rosicrucians, there is some real similarities.

[@moxiewatts]

I like that because like, if you think about it, it would affect the base game. #stephanspeculationforshadowoftheerdtree2024

[@stefanjackson1127]

Knowing From it could be just about anything and I could be a million miles off, but speculation is a big part of the lore fun. However the wait for the DLC isn't, we're all just coping until it releases

[@Nihil847]

Clearly, the player character is Marika. That’s why when the game starts you’re inside the erdtree before crossing the fog Idk but how come no one talks about waking up in the final arena or something that looks like it?

[@moxiewatts]

oh wait what the actual-- what the no wait wait stop.... wait omg wow

[@moxiewatts]

Ive been thinking about why we wake up in the erdtree for 3 weeks non-stop

[@moxiewatts]

(that is precisely where it is according to the data peeps)

[@Nihil847]

Ok good. I was kinda joking about the Marika part but that’s my unhinged theory that we’re either miquella or Marika. But I was always curious if we actually started inside the Erdtree but no one talked about it! This puts my mind at ease, kinda lmao Amazing video btw

[@moxiewatts]

@@Nihil847 tysm you are so sweet! I'd like to incorperate this into my next theory. You really got me thinking hard about the subject now...so it's the entire topic for the next video lol. the NG+ mechanic in general. Do you have more ideas around it? Anything you've noticed perhaps? I think we start in the Erdtree personally but im gonna double check everything.

[@zachhiggins1668]

You do ER content fuck yeah. I came to see if you had been thinking about Zelda any recently. Currently finally going through my first er run

[@moxiewatts]

Ah! yeah man its so gud right! be careful i might spoil you ;-;

[@zachhiggins1668]

@@moxiewatts I love how that emoji totally evokes the laughing guy loool (in my opinion 💪) Yeah I'm totally getting a bloodborne prequel thought? That blood church has got to..... No hell in way could I be convinced "coincidence". Gag, maybe, but that would be cruel. Dark Souls cruel 👿

[@ebog4841]

O, you don't have the right to make a vid that goes this hard!

[@moxiewatts]

lmao i had to XDD

[@ebog4841]

@@moxiewatts absolute maidenless behavior! XD

[@SappyMaragold]

The radio effect kinda killed it for me, but what I made it through was pretty good.

[@moxiewatts]

nw always trying something new :)) ty for the feedback homie

[@SirianXM]

That's one of the best parts! Level up that listening skill young Sappy

[@nbmoleminer5051]

❤

[@TomMooreT2S]

1. If you come to think about it, ancient orders have been prone to corruption as the times have come and gone. The Knights Templar (arguably and debatably) fits into the category as the “NATO” of medieval times until it met its end due to alleged corruption. But I can’t say for certain since documentaries tend to say one way or another. There aren’t any versions of the truth of what happened, but the bottom line is that people and nations change with the times. 2. “Why did it have to be snakes?” 3. The Ancient Greek religion wasn’t known for morality and stability within the deities. Disney’s “Hercules” (1997) may have established what should’ve been moral in Greek mythology. But let’s reflect what the reality of the myth was back then. The Greek gods were insanely unstable, no sense of morality, and whoever were the “heroes” were maniacs with no sense of honor. No wonder Kratos was pissed… Even though in the God of War series, whenever he kills a god, disaster occurs upon the mortal world. He’s only in for the revenge. 4. “Napoleon died by a body slam at Waterloo…” - Team Neighborhood Episode 4 XD 5. Did you know that Aachen was the first major city the Americans had breached into upon crossing Germany’s border from the west in 1944? This is more or less of a result from the failure that was Operation Market Garden. Because the invasion was halted at the Netherlands, the initial attacks on Germany’s soil were heavily disrupted, thus leading to the Battle of the Bulge at Belgium in December 1944. 6. I remember you once mentioned you were planning some speculation on “Outer Wilds”. How’s it going along?

[@moxiewatts]

1. I NEED to look into the knights templar 2. do you not like snakes?? my mum doesn't either. 3. so what do you think of the fingerslayer blade?? 4 XDDD 5. I didnt know that but i knew that the cathederal got fucked in the invasion. some kids put out the fire. but thats real interesting. 6. I dunno if i even could speculate on outerwilds bc its like so contained and all the questions are answered in the lore. i need to play the dlc

[@neatguy89]

Thank you....just thank you.....people have convoluted this entire thing and this is just refreshing for someone who just studies mythology

[@moxiewatts]

Ah it's just so fascinating. I fall asleep to either ancient lost civilizations, stuff about various religions, and mythologies of all different cultures. Its just like really interesting to me to hear people talk about these places and wonder along with them. :) Im glad u enjoyed the video homie :))

[@neatguy89]

OMG ITS BEEN MY THING SINCE I WAS A CHILD AND IM IN MY 30S NOW it was nerdy and dumb but it literally ties into everything I love games anime everything and editor to editor....youre 😤🔥😤🔥😤

[@josephdellavecchia7828]

Idk if it means anything but Marika wears bracelets that are in the forms of snakes. Why would she wear a symbol of blasphemy?

[@moxiewatts]

Hold on i need to go ponder the orb for a while...

[@manicpixiedreamgirl9223]

THIS is so good had me watching 3 times

[@moxiewatts]

Sheesh 3 TIMES? thank you so much for the support homie~~ :)

[@LittlePrincess101]

*Wish I had just bought Elden Ring DLC instead of Dragon's Dogma 2-* o(≧口≦)o

[@moxiewatts]

OOo gimme ur tldr thoughts on Dragons Dogma. Spill the beans. i been asking ppl

[@nicolasgorszczyk9291]

Dragons dogma 2 is awesome if you don't mind walking a lot and clunky stuff. Exploration is the highlight of the game, combat is real fun too but very erratic, nothing clean like FromSoft. Quests are not really marked explicitly on what to do or where to go but it's nothing too hard so it does feel rewarding to do them. Story and universe is very very generic though. Would totally recommend

[@LittlePrincess101]

​@@moxiewatts Sorry for any bad english (￣ ‘i ￣;) *The Gameplay* is good. Compared to elden ring there is no "real" Consistant playstyle instead your playstyle is tied to the class you pick. ( Some classes can dodge; however, other classes can parry with shields or counter.) So I'd say your class and playstyle have more of an Impact on your experience. Combat is suppose to feel more "realistic" but depending on which class you play it can feel like Monster hunter to devil may cry to classic dark souls combat. *The Story* (No spoilers) I think Dragon's Dogma 2 is more straightforward and tells a classic tale of "Hero & villian" if you complete it the "normal" way but the "true ending" can leave a lot more questions- *I went on a rant about the game's mechanics after this-* *Monsters* Dragon's Dogma 2 has put a lot of effort into how their monsters act- playing as female character makes ogres chase after you and Griffins will actively patrol the skies and dive bomb you even if you're already in the middle of fighting another enemy. Speaking of which, the monsters can be spotted fighting each other in the open world as well. They have their own unique weakest so its best to learn when to attack and what to attack instead of charging in randomly. (Compared to Elden ring, the amounts of monster encounters are lacking in my option. There are Minotaurs, Undead sorcerers and armies, medusa, sphynx, special mini bosses that guard chests, and tons of creatures but I've never found a *dullahan* and you'll fight many different varients of goblins type monsters, armored Cyclops, harpies, and *WOLVES, THE WOLVES ARE A THREAT.* For some monsters you actively have to seek/stumble across their specific area to encounter them. Typically the more rare monsters are found as you do a NPC quest) *Pawns* AI companions that accompany you on your adventure. There is your main pawn, designed by you, and other pawns (designed by players) you can hire from other players in the *"RIFT."* Your main pawn gains knowledge on monster weaknesses and locations of chests and certain quests completed. They can get hired by other players and your pawn will have that information with them while they're in that other players world. Naturally, if someone uses your pawn and completes a quest or finds a chest/item that you have not done or found yet, your pawn will gain that knowledge and can guide you those quests or locations. (Also your pawn can catch you if you fall from a cliff or flying dragon and pick you up off the floor if you get stomped or sat on by a cyclops. Its a real life saver) *NPCS* some will *INDEED* randomly approach you and start talking to you. They give you side quest (some of them have a limited time to be completed, so balance your missions wisely) *Romance* *THERE IS ROMANCE* *Other mechanics* Watch your weight, too much in your pack can cause you to be slower or prevent you from running at all. (put some items in your pawns backpack) During your adventure you will be taking damage and your overall maxium health will be lowered and unable to be healed so make camp to recover it sometimes. *Dragon's plague* Never suffered from it but if your pawn gets sick from it you are in for an experience. I think its a pretty great game but some performance is still being worked out- it might demand a lot CPU. Frame drops and some glitches. I've never encounter any glitches; however, Cities will cause framerate to drop considerably.

[@buckyhurdle4776]

Draggin the Dogma

[@neatguy89]

THE SAVIOR OF SOULSBOURNE LORE HAS AWAKENED

[@moxiewatts]

Vaati is that u

[@FirstLast-qj1gs]

Not a fan of the over editing. Too much loud music and sound effects, its hard to take it all in. Maybe it works on short form videos to have something flashy all the time but for a 45 min video... i made it to 10 mins before my brain gave out. Sometimes less is more.

[@iacobio6628]

Bro what are you huffing

[@moxiewatts]

so for my lore to sleep to this time i was going to do a clean version of the audio for both videos when i compilate them and either do ambience or like really soft music in the background...or nothing im not sure yet. & this version would probably be more up your alley. :)) thanks for the feedback homie it's always appreciated.

[@Throne6810]

Really great video this one🫡💯May the Golden Light Guide your way bro

[@moxiewatts]

yo homie thank you for the blessings, bless up