Elden Ring's Spookiest Tarnished - Lore of the Ravenmount Assassin

[@elijahcafazzo-joyette8226]

I would have thought the ash in Leyndell would have been a result of Bernahl’s maiden burning herself. He abandoned the path of Elden Lord AFTER she threw herself into the fire, so surely the Erdtree would have caught flame, like it does when Melina burns herself.

[@MadLuigi]

Oh that could be an explanation, too. Youll have to take it up with Tarnished Archaeologist!

[@elijahcafazzo-joyette8226]

@@MadLuigi been meaning to watch his video on the Erdtree, the title was too thought provoking not to. Though thinking on this makes me wonder, if Bernahl got so close to becoming Elden Lord but Vyke was supposedly the Tarnished closest to becoming Elden Lord, did Vyke’s maiden burn too? Or did Bernahl’s maiden sacrifice herself without him having attained any Great Runes? Did he get the Beast Champion Armour in Farum Azula after having decided against becoming Elden Lord? Honestly, even if your choice of Ravenmount was only for the sake of the time of year, I’m glad you delved into one of the Tarnished. I feel a lot of the focus is on the central bosses when the Tarnished themselves are also a decent part of the lore. Hell, Vyke is descended from the line of Godfrey, he probably has as much god in him as Godrick did

[@maximusthedude8305]

@@elijahcafazzo-joyette8226 I don’t think Vyke ever made it as far as burning the erdtree. It’s implied he may have taken the frenzied flame to save his maiden, so she mustn’t have sacrificed herself, and his evergaol is located in the mountaintops of the giant which leads me to believe that someone somehow got to him and locked him up before he could light the forge of the giants himself. On the other hand, Bernahl is very likely to have lit the fire for two reasons. First, obviously, his armour state that his maiden threw herself into the fire - that fire being the forge of the giants is no huge leap of logic. But also, he’s the only other tarnished we encounter in Farum Azula. The exact mechanics are up to interpretation (I believe Farum Azula is being used as some kind of prison for those who commit the “cardinal sin” of burning the erdtree) but at least from a gameplay perspective the only way to go to Farum Azula is via using the forge of the giants. Why Bernahl choose to abandon the path of a lord and become a recusant I don’t know (perhaps he had a close relationship with his maiden and was distraught at her death?), nor do I know whether he had claimed a great rune up to that point, but I’m quite certain he did burn the erdtree and is responsible for the piles of ash we find in Leyndell

[@shnorkeythefourth4572]

@@maximusthedude8305 I just read his quotes on fextra life. One thing stood out to me: in his prayer to the greater will he says “inheritor to my brother’s will” as in singular brother. There’s nothing stating tarnished can’t travel in groups, perhaps he got disillusioned when his brother died in farum azula or shortly beforehand?

[@reyrodriguez4280]

Nah g Leybdell doesn’t become the Ashen Capital until you’ve killed Maliketh. Maliketh was alive still so Bernahl stopped there

[@Forbiddensirenz]

I feel he’s a nod to Bloodborne’s “Bloody Crow of Cainhurst.” And Sekiro’s mist raven prosthetic. The Bloody crow is also a killer that needed being put down and then the ash of war doing a similar thing to the mist raven prosthetic

[@vonbrendt01]

I am so glad people are starting to cover the Deathbirds, the Ravenmount assassins, the Deathbird cult, and the ghost flame. It has been one of my favorite cosplay and character builds for a long time.

[@puzzleheaded6195]

Lately I’ve been playing with the idea that the eclipse is the origin of Destined Death. If you look at the Eclipse Shotel, it bears a striking resemblance to the halfwheel cursemark found on Ranni’s and Godwyn’s corpses. It’s only when you bring them together and brandish the Elden ring that the eclipse finally happens and returns the principle of Death back into the Lands Between(Duskborn Ending).

[@youtubevoice1050]

Exactly, the eclipse resembles the full cursemark of death. Although, that doesn't bring death back, it rather allows undeath to be included into the order and therefore likely spreading. The eclipse is supposed to ward off death after all, as seen in mausoleum knights. So, Godwyn wouldn't die a true death, but rather regain his soul as the undead prince of death?

[@maximusthedude8305]

@@youtubevoice1050 Honestly I'm a little confused myself on whether the eclipse would allow Godwyn to die fully or reverse his death and bring back his soul, but honestly if the latter is true perhaps it is best it never came to pass. Imagine his soul returning, only to be trapped within the horrific abomination that his body became. Given that 'trying to hold onto / bring back something only for it to have terrible and grotesque consequences' is a trope inserted into like every corner of soulsborne lore, I would not be surprised if the eclipse succeeding would have lead to Godwyn suffering a much more agonising fate than his current state of half-death.

[@youtubevoice1050]

@@maximusthedude8305 Yep, the Ghoul- Prince of the dead. A truly dark fate.

[@Nami8302_OwO]

Duskborne you say? Sounds like DLC could have a Bloodborne ending through Mohg (I'm out of copium help ;;)

[@rohiogerv22]

The fact that a Death Rite Bird guards the outside of Castle Sol is really interesting too. If we assume all the elements are correlated somehow, there could be some pretty interesting narratives, albeit with little direct evidence. One idea that's really compelling to me is that Helphen *is* Elphael, under the eclipse. We find the ground zero of candletree imagery there, the ghost can't see the Haligtree in the memory, Ordina and other areas approaching the Haligtree provide the highest density of "spectral" objects and enemies. And not only that, but I never quite bought that the Haligtree soldiers were "looking for Miquella." They're holding torches forward in broad daylight looking out at a bright ocean. Clearly they are equipped for it to be dark, and *surprised* by the fact that it is light. Perhaps Helphen only became Elphael, became unshrouded, with the first burning of the Erdtree, the removal of the death rune, or some other event tied to the eclipse.

[@TaranPerry]

"The Deathbird" is a novelette by American writer Harlan Ellison. It won the 1974 Hugo Award for Best Novelette[1] and Locus Award for Best Short Story. It has been included in the author's short story collection Deathbird Stories.

[@TaranPerry]

Millions of years ago, "The Mad One", also known as Ialdabaoth or God, took over the earth in a sort of cosmic lawsuit. The original creators left behind one last member of their race, Dira, to tell humans the truth about their god, but the dominant traditions throughout the ages denounce Dira as evil. Now, the world is coming to an end and Nathan Stack, the latest incarnation of a long line of humans going back to Lilith’s husband, is revived by Snake (aka Dira) after spending 250 thousand years in an underground crypt to make the journey to the mountain where God lives. He is the only human capable of confronting him and putting the Earth out of its misery through the summoning of what is referred to as the Deathbird. The story also contains a few side plots, presumably about Nathan Stack or previous reincarnations of him. These stories tell of people that have had to make difficult decisions, allowing loved ones to die. In one such story, his mother is partially paralyzed and suffering from cancer which will eventually, slowly and painfully, travel to her heart. She eventually convinces him to inject her with a lethal substance in a hypodermic needle, killing her and ending her pain. This situation is repeated at the end of the story, where Nathan Stack must "use the needle" to summon the Deathbird and end the pain of the planet. [2]

[@Spearhead401]

Thank you!

[@MadLuigi]

Also, the shield mightve just been a reference to the normal burning of the Erdtree we do in-game. But that wouldnt be as fun

[@arlom5132]

"Erd" means life. Perhaps there is also a death tree.

[@schokoladenjunge1]

@@arlom5132 It means Earth- though, what do you mean? Earth-tree Erd-baum etc

[@KynElwynn]

Really surprised this didn't bring up the Twinbird Kite Shield, found by beating a Deathbird in outer Leyndell. "Shield featuring a vividly painted twinbird. The twinbird is said to be the envoy of an outer god, and mother of the Deathbirds. At dwindling levels of HP, this shield slightly boosts both attack and defense."

[@MadLuigi]

It definitely is a core item to the Deathbirds, but I think when I was writing the script, it never ended up adding much to note the outer god stuff. Either that or the video was already 2x as long as I originally intended so I just moved along. Thanks for the note!

[@KynElwynn]

@@MadLuigi no, thank -You- for the video! :)

[@pixelsyndicate3662]

I don’t know if you’re familiar with the theory of Marika being the orchestrator of the night of the black knives but I wonder if that were true and Godwyn was meant to get his soul back through the eclipse, then maybe the plan failing and him remaining soulless like the ghost says is why she went mad and shattered the ring

[@MadLuigi]

I have heard of that but never thought about it being part of the plan to have him die, interesting!

[@maiabones]

What if the candle trees are inverted in colour because they're ghost trees and in death they appear with their true black colour & blueish flame?

[@maximusthedude8305]

That is a very good suggestion, I like it

[@toomanylies7716]

I like the third theory. It takes what we know about Miquella and expands on it, but in a way that makes sense.

[@victorprati7908]

About the Candletree shield it might just signify the opposition of the Deathbirds to the Erdtree and the Golden Order A way to mock or show disdain using a forbidden depiction of a burning Erdtree Great video btw! omw to cosplay Ravenmount assassin

[@MadLuigi]

Thanks! And thats a good explanation

[@fiahpoa]

I love these videos centered around super obscure elements in Elden Ring and how they tie into the lore that we know more about.

[@MadLuigi]

I'm glad to hear! They're definitely fun to do, a different kind of investigation

[@joebykaeby]

Somebody at FromSoft went “Ok, so Elden Ring has lots of Dark Souls in it, but how can we squeeze in a little more Bloodborne…”

[@Cactar8]

i subbed today a few videos ago i love your content thank you for making these videos you have a nice voice bro

[@MadLuigi]

Thanks very much!

[@FabioDaFemboy]

5:36 looks amazing! Wallpaper moment?

[@kiritsugu_Evergarden]

Tarnished, Stand Up! *Salute*

[@heartstone44]

I have only just noticed that Necromancer Garris is a walking Pinwheel reference

[@BH-wh2vo]

G-1 = F. Farris. Ferris Wheel.

[@crilleedara]

Hmmm or perhaps the assassin/assassins betrayed Miquella and gave up his location to Mogh! That sounds pretty cool, and turns the assassin/assassins into pretty relevant character/characters

[@warioscousin]

I really appreciate these types of videos. I love the lore

[@MadLuigi]

Really glad to hear! Thanks

[@SixBeark]

This is a good video. I wonder if there might have been 2 different death rite rituals from two different eras. The one with the head chopping is the older one since that depicts the full fleshed birds. That would also explain why we have 2 sets of birds and why the spear dudes all got to keep their heads.

[@GrieveIV]

There’s numerous obelisk structures that are in the ground throughout the lands between, usually accompanied with a “try but hole” message atop. Their architecture seemed similar to the Helphen’s Steeple to me, and they, if grace didn’t exist, would be convenient in place of them as save points. And as such I believe them to have been the Lampwood at one point in time. But no longer as destined death is locked away

[@cameron4588]

2nd, can’t wait to see what “evil Batman” means

[@eIapidae]

7:33 good to see you again Pinwheel

[@joelando9485]

Keep the good work!! Great video

[@MadLuigi]

Thanks!

[@gavinkujava6141]

Im mot going to lie i do like your videos but i havent once gone out of my way to watch your videos mostly due to time constraints from work but the algorithm loves you so anyway the point is i subscribed

[@soulsmith5935]

Clicked on this cause I thought it was gonna be a story of a player who would roleplay invasions or something and a history of the players experiences with him, not what I thought, very enjoyable and pleased, you've earned this like

[@MadLuigi]

Glad to hear!

[@whatimthinking]

By no means do I feel like this is personal but I do greatly thank you for Making a video about one of my favorite NPC Is great work as always keep it up

[@MadLuigi]

Im really glad to hear, thanks!

[@thein8ererator518]

The arena bit was foreshadowing

[@firebeginer5694]

I wasn’t expecting this. I am pleasantly surprised.

[@talon4618]

This lore video is amazing. As an idea for another video and because I want to make a lore-accurate or at least lore-friendly character build for it, what is the lore surrounding the Ancestor Spirits and the Ancestral Followers? I mean, from what I've gleaned from the different items in the game, the Ancestral Followers worship the Ancestor Spirits (or maybe animal-like spirits in general) and they follow a sort of "death brings new life" philosophy, but I still feel like I'm missing something. Of course, whether or not you decide to make that video is entirely up to you, I don't want to come off as demanding.

[@MadLuigi]

Thanks! And that would be a great topic for video. Something to look into

[@talon4618]

@@MadLuigi I'm happy you've at least considered. Thank you.

[@adianmckee7053]

I rock a “death bird disciple” build. Love it

[@themasquerader101]

Fromsoft really missed the mark by not having a few helmets with pointy ear things on them. My Batman cosplay was so close to being perfect, but the black hood made it look more like a wannabe Azrael than Batman.

[@berylman]

Great stuff! Subscribed. I never even thought about the role of this guy

[@MadLuigi]

Glad to hear and thanks! Yeah definitely not someone most players will spend a lot of time thinking about considering we see him so briefly

[@themasquerader101]

In Jungian psychology, which Elden Ring is clearly based on, it is stated that the path to wholeness is found through many deaths. Dying every day and being reborn a new, more complete version of yourself.

[@crispymormon5977]

The black knife is likely connected and allied through their orders shared desire for a return to the natural order of death. The black knife are also connected to nokstella, as the eternal city made their silver knifes, and so too is the ghost flame connected to the eternal cities. It being found there. It’s likely that the black knife either allied with or taught the ravens. It seems to me like they are deeply connected.

[@Pimpnocchio]

I thought helphen’s steeple was talking about the red grace in the forbidden lands

[@elizabethlarkin0705]

There is another Ravenmount Assassin that invades you in Consecrated Snowfield

[@MadLuigi]

Really? do you know where specifically?

[@BaalFridge]

This guy is so enigmatic I forgot he existed

[@Graff-z4x]

Excellent vid! I love fringe character deep-dives. After this, my character was totally a Ravenmount assassin turned Confessor.. ahem... Just speculating on a possible connection btwn the Assassins and the Assassins: Albinaurics of that caliber of skill are specifically Black Knife Assassins. I know the connections to the Nox are greater, I am not offering an alternative. Tho, I think, the influence by the Nox would've been in the genius engineering/crafting of the armor and weapons; and the Black Knives were likely trained up by Ravenmount assassin(s) won over to the cause. Or at least paid a worthy sum. The Depraved Perfumer's Garb seems very similar to Ravenmount's. It's Curse upon the tree could even be a design venomously evolved from the "surreptitious prophecy" of the Candletree Shield. Given the Perfumer's proclivities and aggressive development. It's possible the specialized group was eventually cherry-picked from the Assassin's of Ravenmount. From here, perhaps a connection was made with Melina/Marika/Ranni, and at least one Ravenmount Assassin was used to beef up this group of radical Albinaurics. Can't wait for more, this was quite spooky! lol

[@Graff-z4x]

I'm liking this actually, it fits. and if it's true. House Marais/Ravenmount have a similar dynamic with the Order that the Koka/Iga ninja clans had with Nobunaga, in the Sengoku Period, the same period Sekiro takes place in... okay let me stop byeee

[@MadLuigi]

Im glad to hear, thanks! An interesting connection, would provide another cool role for the RM's other than just invading Tarnished randomly

[@Denny_Boi]

This guy isn't Batman, this is Corvus Corax, Raven Guard primarch.

[@jungtothehuimang]

I can't believe Eileen the Crow was 9 months pregnant with this guy when she fought the bloody crow of cainhurst.

[@dolphinboi-playmonsterranc9668]

My favorite thing about Elden Ring character videos is thinking "Who the hell is this"

[@robertwye9463]

Aren't the Ravenmount Assassins more than one person I would guess so based of the talisman that references them and their unique ash

[@break6t]

I think the sacrificial axe depicts the Twinbird, a deity of the deathbirds.

[@MadLuigi]

but it says "A Deathbird is depicted as a malevolent deity"

[@break6t]

@@MadLuigi Oh maybe. I just assumed that by "Deathbird" it was still referring to the Mother of the Deathbirds. Cool vid though! I never knew the Ravenmount dudes were affiliated with them

[@wolvenedvard3049]

0:39 and Melina. She has to be related to them, I am so sure about it.

[@KazeMemaryu]

I get the impression that Deathbird cultists are working with Miqella since he seems to be the only one interested in granting Godwyn a true death, which could only happen with the rune of Destined Death back in function. The Deathbirds and their followers likely lost a lot of influence and probably even power with the splitting of the Rune of Death. As such, I think it's very much in their interest to have people actually die properly. Other than that, though, I doubt they care much for Miqella's gardening shenanigans.

[@MadLuigi]

Yeah i think thats where I felt it went w the video too

[@ixiahj]

Whats interesting is his top is only the bandit top but with a feather cape attached. Are there supposed to be more of these guys?

[@MadLuigi]

It woulda been great if there were. A small school of unique enemies, getting invaded by two of them with Yura wouldve been a great possible encounter

[@jacktj166]

He got that Candel-bruh

[@amoschew3609]

Nah the order is just this one person who writes fanfiction about their own order but nobody joins anyway

[@qwormuli77]

I'm surprised you didn't mention that the candletrees in both symbolic depiction and as the physical/spectral entities are visually really highly tied to the branchswords, not just in general looks and imagery, but in the number of their branches, that being seven. Burning death in a fire, use in a certain death ritual, candles, sin containing fire and a connection of being banned. Hmm.

[@MadLuigi]

That wouldve been a good connection to make! I wana say crunchy might make some not of it

[@GoodKevin111]

Who do you think was the Storm Lord? Seems like a major figure, but there's almost no info on him.

[@MadLuigi]

It's really hard to say! I don't have any strong thoughts. Maybe Godfrey, maybe an unknown character

[@Cactar8]

the mask reminds me of the pest enemies

[@topcat59]

Likely he used to serve in the Mohg dynasty but do to how stagnant the dynasty has become, he likely abandon his servitude to find some type of newer purpose eventually stumbling onto the evil Batman’s.🤔🐱

[@MadLuigi]

So his origin would be w Mohg, interesting. WOuld be nice if we got more info on the histoy of the order

[@rachaelhammond5249]

Can’t help but hear FF9 Treno theme in this music!

[@MadLuigi]

Interesting since I havent played any FF and didnt grab a song from it! Do you know which part specifically? Cause then I could tell you what soundtrack might be similar?

[@rachaelhammond5249]

@@MadLuigi kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJykYmqHfpaaia8

[@minespatch]

Wait- That's just a DS2 suspicious shadow with a cape. 😆

[@hybricl]

love the KF4 ost

[@Yoshimina]

Probably someone has already mentioned before, but Vyke was the one, who got farest before us. He sacrificed her maiden and probably burned the tree. Correct me if I remember wrong.

[@MadLuigi]

Didnt he go with the Flame of Frenzy to avoid burning his maiden?

[@Yoshimina]

@@MadLuigi true, true

[@absolutedisgrace]

If the deathrite birds set fire to the Erdtree once before, who did they use as kindling? Do we know a character that has burned skin and has some sort of connection to death, like a beast eye? I am of course refering to Melina. Her in game depiction has her with already burnt skin, her closed eye is the beast eye, and she was "born at the erdtree" which could simply be the resurrection that the deathbird followers talk about. This might also explain why she feels its her destiny to burn the erd tree in our game, that desire still lingers even if she does not remember her previous life.

[@MadLuigi]

That could make the connection/theory work more. It's hard to draw a thematic connection between them, but if were goin for big speculation then theres something there

[@shnorkeythefourth4572]

What if both the giant stomach pits and stone tablets therein are just the by product of societal beauty pressures being taken to extremes? Drop a “you’re beautiful” prattling prate near one and see if it’s still hostile

[@tumblytim]

Ok so stick with me here but I think the Red energy you get from War Cry and a few other roars is actually the power of The Helphen. Helphen is where the spirits of Warriors who died in battle went when they died. Also notice Helphens Steeple has a skill with ghost flame, which is the released vengeful *spirits* of the dead. This, I believe, was the burial ritual for whoever followed the Helphen, as there was clearly a faith surrounding it. This is also related to the Deathbirds and thus The Twinbirds, Death, and the Primeval Current but I won't go there. Anywho, I think the land that Hephen may have actually resided over was Eochaid, as the concept of moving the sword through "will alone" along with the Red magic/grace (and used by warriors in battle) lines up well with how the Roars work. We also know Hoarah Loux was a notorious Warrior, and very well may have come from Eochaid, or was banished there by Marika. "The badlands" could actually just be an area in Eochaid. This also has to do with Bronze and how it is implied to be as significant as gold. Considering how versatile and powerful Gold is, there's no reason to assume Bronze and Silver aren't just as powerful. So Eochaid is to The Lands Between as Ghostflame is to Erdtree Burial (or whatever Erdtree afterlife looks like). It seems these two are even held in respect, as Ghostflame torches light rooms of Erdtree Burial.

[@doctortinkle7294]

let's subscribe to this man brothers

[@bait668]

"Mario? Marrrio?"

[@DerpyBerb]

Didn’t the Dung eater also have the formless mother branding on his face in the original 1.0 version of Elden Ring.

[@petro1864]

I don’t think miquella was trying to revive godwyn with the eclipse. After all he wants him to die a true death. I think he was trying to resurrect someone else…

[@sugisdoomguy54]

Do the lore of a rob and bull goats set user

[@blobbything2986]

Ravenmount/Deathbird DLC when

[@yoloman9411]

Maybe the only reason we see the one ravenmount assasin is because all the other ravenmount assasins are good at hide and seek. So to speak.

[@OG-ColorfulAbyss.]

Regardless of any lore or story implications. I'm just annoyed that the cape isn't the same color as the hood. The black with bloodstains is much cooler than the faded navy blue and also looks more appropriate in combination with the Night's Cavalry chest piece.

[@MadLuigi]

Yeah all black woulda been tight

[@Zombie851r]

great video

[@MadLuigi]

Thanks

[@CeCeDog]

He is me in middle school omfg

[@moniker2804]

Evil Batman ftw

[@TheAmericanZ]

Does anyone know how to get a link to the elden ring discord?

[@SixBeark]

Isn't the Ravenmount armor from the land of reeds?

[@MadLuigi]

I didnt come across any reference saying such

[@SixBeark]

@@MadLuigi yeah I think I am making that up. I thought the chest piece was made of reeds but now I think it looks more like some weird leather

[@MadLuigi]

@@SixBeark gotchya!

[@Kosmos_er]

Helphen DLC anyday now..

[@MadLuigi]

🙏

[@GrandNoble]

Everyone does lore vids on the nox but no one does lore vids on the zombie guys. The hawks or whatever theyre called.

[@MadLuigi]

The Band of Hawks?

[@GrandNoble]

@@MadLuigi just googled it. "Fallen hawk soldiers" no one does any lore on them.

[@MadLuigi]

@@GrandNoble bruv i literally have a video on them: kzbin.info/www/bejne/paqWnoWmopueick

[@GrandNoble]

@@MadLuigi comedy. I had about 4 of your vids on my later later and thar one was next. Watching it now. Thanks. The DLC vid is next.

[@maxvanderboon6875]

Featuring Travis Scott. Its lit.

[@MadLuigi]

i think ur the first mention of the meme. thank u

[@Shmeky.]

I thought the evil red man was evil batman

[@MadLuigi]

which red one

[@Shmeky.]

@@MadLuigi the evil red man that ruins the poor pvers pve experience by invading them, lol its an inside joke about how invaders are viewed by the rest of the community especially reddit

[@MadLuigi]

@@Shmeky. oh lol just the generic evil red man. well he is supposed to be an invader, so kind of yes! tho we never see him invade, sad

[@baloneysmelloney6468]

candlebruh

[@KarlsFormerRoommate]

My friend said this about him “ this thing is not a killer it is not a person it is a thing that you can’t trust or reason with, it will hunt you down and find and kill you as it will rip and tear not until it is done but until all is done and dead painted red with their own blood not his and it will be your blood he spreads if you are not careful”

[@D.boys6t9]

Everything (including desthbird) is decrepit bc no death so every one decays

[@childofcascadia]

"Unalive". Facepalm. God I hate that shit. He hunts tarnished to assassinate them. They *die*.

[@nbmoleminer5051]

Don't blame him blame KZbin

[@montgomeryfitzpatrick473]

Always see people posting their drip but I always go with function over fashion, been wearing black feathers for last 4 playthroughs

[@MadLuigi]

Honestly the black feathers were my drip for a big part of my playthrough

[@HDZoerg]

Thank you for explaining me what the subscribe button does. Bye.

[@drkmgic]

Today I learned miquella is a dude. Lol

[@gtfokthxbyecya]

This video makes me want a remastered Luigi's Mansion on switch :(

[@MadLuigi]

Ive just recently been playing the 3rd one! I would like to go back and farm money in the original tho