Radahn and Miquella's Unseen Forms: Something WEIRD exits the gate... Elden Ring DLC Breakdown

[@ZayftheScholar]

Hi Tarnished Homies! Since so many of you enjoyed my Messmer free cam cutscene breakdown I decided to make another that many of you requested! I personally find these really interesting, but do you guys want to see more? Drop me a comment and let me know!

[@sibren9874]

How did FROM do the clone attack effect for PCR?

[@pillarmenn1936]

Hey Zayf, can you share the names of the OSTs you've used? The only one I've recognized is PCR's theme.

[@prussianglory4518]

make one for melina at the frenzied flame ending pls (if that even works)

[@MEUAR]

I second pillarmenn1936's request, the songs used rock! Would you mind sharing their names? Edit: nvm found one, "Halls Of Ancients" by Ian Aisling.

[@quinlanshuman7812]

I think the reason you couldn't find any background models for midra or melania is because they're models are mostly just there models are the same just somethings removed and certain effects and weapons, like melainia is sjut her with the scarlet bloom dive attack and without her armor, midra hsi sjut a model with his head removed and a particle generated in its place. Of course I might be wrong

[@nERVEcenter117]

The ritual at the Gate of Divinity, which is completed in the Phase 2 transition, is Miquella's ascension to godhood. His soul, incorporeal because of all he abandoned, is bestowed with a new divine corporeal form. That's why he's physically "complete" again; upgraded and improved.

[@ZayftheScholar]

That makes sense! ...but he seems to be still missing his left physical arm and gained some spectral ones?

[@puppetwraith17]

@@ZayftheScholar It was mentioned that Ansbach wounded Miquella, a theory is that he cut off his arm, so since he didn’t abandon it he didn’t get it back.

[@ZayftheScholar]

@puppetwraith17 I could get behind that idea more if we didn't have the crosses that explicitly say he abandoned both arms (Belurat Settlement and Specimen Storehouse crosses, respectively). I do like the imagery of Ansbach cutting off his arm though 😂

[@puppetwraith17]

@@ZayftheScholar Yeah that's fair there isn't really much good evidence that's just the only idea I've heard.

[@pth3o]

@@ZayftheScholar when i saw it my first thought was he left his arm in the lands between so he can get back there. but i don’t really know that’s just my theory

[@doctorstrangepants6706]

"I abandon here my upper body" Miquella - probably, lol

[@on_the_inverse_5193]

Imagine finally meeting face-to-face with the God who led you here, who's sweet, dulcet voice lured you to the land of shadows. And as his majestic form walks out of a golden beam of pure light... its literally just pants. Just a pair of pants.

[@krszm]

For Miq's eyeballs, I saw them models in other channel (BonfireVN) and notice something interesting. In Miq's Consort Radahn boss, he has pale greyish whatever shade it is eyeballs, while in younger Miq model in the cutscene where he prayed, he had golden eyes

[@casketbase7750]

4:26 "Lieutenant Legs, you ain't got no Dan!"

[@nickerslarge3776]

Man you completely fucked that quote like up. Like wow wtf homie,not even close. Hahaha

[@yurinoworry]

@@nickerslarge3776there’s a pair of legs walking. they reversed the quote to be funny. you might want to delete this.

[@OZZY-mp9sc]

​@@nickerslarge3776Man you missed that entire joke. Like wow wtf homie, how do you even do that haha.

[@justreadberserkd1021]

​@@nickerslarge3776 erm.. actually 🤓☝🏻 ahh comment

[@RowanLong]

"He didn't want to be called crippled, just like I didn't want to be called stupid."

[@sunstrid3r44]

6:31 - Miquella the High

[@DONwUZI]

Faded off the erdtree

[@muhdbala9528]

I was looking for this lol

[@on_the_inverse_5193]

"Lord of old cush, join me on the age of the edibles." -Miquella the High

[@mewxtherealitygod4706]

Tarnished one, these edibles ain't sh-... Oh hello radahn.

[@NPC_maga]

Is anyone actually surprised that Miyazaki animated only Miquella's feet?

[@SaverioSavina]

Miquella's feet = FEMboy feet

[@ExtraStage300]

3:20 BALDEN RING

[@on_the_inverse_5193]

SHADOW OF THE MALE-PATTERN BALDNESS

[@mmyr8ado.360]

The way Miquella opens his eyes reminds me of Buddhist statues. That gives more credence to the Japanese texts regarding his goals.

[@TSpoon823]

I've been diving into some Buddhist stuff regarding Miquella and if you look up "Bodhisattva of Compassion", it's pretty clear that Miquella is meant to be transcending as a representation of the deity "Kannon" (named in Japan). His whole journey in the Land of Shadow is basically the journey of seeking enlightenment on the way to becoming a Buddha when you compare. I'm not a scholar by any means, but when you type in "Buddhism, compassion" or "Buddhism, god with four arms" it just jumps out at you. It even explains why he casts off St. Trina according to Buddhist teaching and how he can still be god of compassion in the end.

[@c5365]

@@TSpoon823 Thank you for this description! It makes a lot of sense, and completely contradicts with everyone who has decided on the spot that Miquella is just pure evil - end of story (because, you know, Fromsoft always writes their characters to be as one-dimensional as possible! /s). There's actual nuance here, and whilst he may be misguided, he seems to have good intentions. I wouldn't expect many people here in the US to pick up on the Buddhist influence though, since we're not really familiar with it. I wouldn't have known either if I hadn't read your comment, so thanks!

[@aguywhodoesntexist]

@@c5365huh even without the buddhist stuff, i never saw him as PURE evil, i figured that miquella wants to better the world but in his attempts to do so he makes certain mistakes and errors that would only end disastrously, let alone the collateral damage in his quest guess i’m smarter than most sometimes i wonder how japanese players who care about lore feel about what the gaijin are talking about

[@nebulous9280]

​@@c5365Oh for me it's just Miquella- 1: Abandoning St. Trina in some hole in the ground like she was nothing 2: Manipulating not just his 2 half brothers, but also his sister into killing each other just so he could body-snatch Radahn into the Land of Shadow And 3: "Charming" people into following him rather than actually guiding people to this Age of Compassion that's supposed to be so good. On the 2nd one especially, he charms Mohg into kidnapping him, convinces Malenia to bloom for the 2nd time while fighting Radahn in order to kill him and bring him into the Land of Shadow, and, y'know, kills, resurrects, and charms Radahn. Because here's the thing: If Radahn was cool with the plan to help Miquella ascend to godhood, why then, would he fight Malenia? Why even SEND Malenia to kill him in the first place? Couldn't Radahn just seppuku and end up in the Land of Shadow just like all the other dead? The only logical conclusion I can arrive at is that Radahn DIDN'T want to die for Miquella's ascension. Malenia had to kill Radahn because at some point, he refused. "Miquella awaits thee, o promised consort...", to me reads more like a THREAT than some reassurance that something is going to plan. The collateral damage done to Caelid, then, is also traced back to Miquella, as it was his desire for Radahn's death that caused Malenia to go fight Radahn in the first place. All in all, is Miquella PURE evil? No. I do assume he has good INTENTIONS. But all the good intentions in the world cannot excuse his extremely manipulative and egotistical behavior.

[@Raigosai]

​@nebulous9280 regarding Radahn fighting Melania rather than just letting himself die, that might be more of a warriors pride thing, to wish to die in battle. Not saying for sure that that is indeed what's going on, but just putting forward an alternative theory.

[@quarkanator]

Radahn and Miquella live in your walls

[@ZayftheScholar]

creepy cuddle party

[@istvanandras725]

I mean it could be the kid from the grudge so I’d rather have the gay lover brothers in my walls.

[@anonisnoone6125]

@@istvanandras725 We still calling them gay?

[@istvanandras725]

@@anonisnoone6125 are they not?

[@on_the_inverse_5193]

Im happy with that... Mmm... radahn🥴

[@peterdunlop7691]

Re: Miq’s eyes: Mircea Eliade (real world historian of religion from 100 years ago) discusses how Shaman in some pagan societies transcend. They go to the Axis Mundi (a Tower/Pillar?World Tree) at the centre of the world that connects Heaven, Earth and Underworld. They ascend to go to Heaven to commune with God, or descend to act as a psychopomp to the dead passing to the Underworld, or act as a medicine man/priest on Earth. Part of the ritual to this involves their physical body being butchered, but in spirit they are clad anew with new organs. In my mind, this seems to be happening in the trailer with Marisa (if she were a jar person who ripped herself from it before apotheosis), and again in game with Miquella with him abandoning his part only to be refreshed (in part) at the Axis Mundi.

[@shadowfiendking]

Yeah he abandons his arms, etc. but clearly gets all that back so it makes sense he gets his eyes back too.

[@ZayftheScholar]

From what I can tell, he is actually still missing his left physical arm but has gained several spectral ones...

[@michaelking9015]

@bonfireVN also has video showing the "Adult" Miquella model in more depth with comparisons to his young form.

[@hhowdy]

That prospective angle to make Radahn look taller than you was so interesting and cool to see how they play with the camera like that. Miyazaki cares, he really does (no matter on your option of the fight). As director he didn’t HAVE to do that angle, He could’ve directed it any other way. But he thought it would look good and it does. And it was cool how they did it.

[@gabagandalfoftheweed]

Regarding Miquella abandoning his eye(s), according to Sir Ansbach that part was less about blinding himself and more about ridding himself of Marika's Grace of Gold - indicated by his clear blue eyes without golden iris in his God form

[@K8theKind]

Excellent new perspectives. As a Miquella enthusiast this is truly fascinating to me and I truly do not believe his eyes being intact and not closed is common knowledge. I also think it has incredibly awesome lore implications, considering the status of nearly every other demi god or god character’s eyes.

[@ZayftheScholar]

Thank you so much, Kate! I always try to be careful claiming anything as a discovery because there are just so many people with great videos and threads these days its impossible to keep up! I'm happy to hear it was new for you as well!

[@evendevilscry1431]

7:02 bro is on some good stuff

[@Anon00074]

Miquella took the *Galaxy gas* 💀

[@slumburger1145]

Miquella: These perfume bottles ain't sh*t Miquella five seconds later:

[@alfredoalfredo5319]

1:15 Someone might have answered this one. There are two types of two phases bosses. Those who change models between phases and those who dont. The rule is, if the boss has a different model for each phase, aka PC Radahn, Messmer, Horah Loux, Gurranq and Maliketh, Gael, Orphan of Kos etc, then the second phase model will be hidden somewhere beneath the ground or behind the wall (Rykard, Midra and OnS may be exceptions). Both Malenia and Godrick, despite the visual changes, share the same model in both phases. The visual changes are supported by a system where a single Model may have multiple layers to it. Anyways, if you think this stuff is interesting go check out Zullie The Witch on youtube.

[@Bthakilla4rilla]

I know there are going to be a lot of people who are only getting into FromSoft's games through Elden Ring, so they aren't going to know, but this whole thing they do hiding phase two models and skeletons inside distant structures or hidden under floors, in walls, etc. has been doing on since at least Dark Souls 3. First instance I can think of is Gael's second phase form being locked inside some tower in the distance while you fight his phase 1. Cutscene plays, then they swap the models and skeleton. All I'm saying is it's an old practice they've been doing for a long time, Elden Ring is far from the first case, but not everyone is going to know that.

[@FyerBear]

4 Kings in DS1 are pretty well known for this too

[@giacobbosauro]

4:30 "Take away anything, but leave feet alone." Miyazaki, probably

[@hatguyfan22]

Looking at Miquella content makes me sad because of his cut ending and that scene of him at the tree doesn’t exist 😔

[@lordjeebusiii408]

What are you referring to?

[@hatguyfan22]

@@lordjeebusiii408 he had a speech similar to Ranni’s, implying that he had an ending. You can hear part of his speech when he grabs you. Google “Miquella cut ending” to see what we could’ve had 😔

[@chedattilo]

@@lordjeebusiii408 From the Trailer!

[@anonisnoone6125]

Is there actually proof that there was a Miquella ending? That wouldn't that he's still a wasted character but it would've better at least.

[@on_the_inverse_5193]

​@@anonisnoone6125wdym wasted? He got an entire DLC for himself and his character arc!

[@casketbase7750]

Re: suggestions for another cutscene breakdown, there is one shot in Morgott's intro I've always been curious about. After he says "Thy kind are all of a piece," he lifts his staff above frame and flips its position way too fast. I'd be interested in a Morgott breakdown for just that moment.

[@Blue_Visor]

The small jumpscare at the end with Miquella’s close up sleeping looking face.. Sleepella. I was thinking the same that they might have rendered his eyes for that cutscene in the trailer, or maybe they planned to show them in the ending cutscene but changed it later on. Thanks Zayf, these videos are really interesting 🤙

[@ZayftheScholar]

Sincerely happy to hear that man! Love the Wind Waker avatar as well

[@JavierPrawn]

I feel like it's certainly possible that at some point they were going to be showing his eyes and make them plot relevant; because if I remember right, the models for child Miquella and God Miquella have two very different kinds of metallic luster to their eyes. With every npc having the grace of gold in their eyes, it's probably meant to show something like Miquella having lost the grace of gold but now his eyes have "unalloyed light" like in Leda's rune.

[@Blue_Visor]

@@ZayftheScholar thanks man 🙏 love ur vidoes and am looking forward to the next one

[@Blue_Visor]

@@JavierPrawn Oh great point I didn’t even consider the fact his models have different colored eyes, and you’re definitely right about the symbolism there. Really makes me wonder what else they might have had planned that ended up getting cut or changed

[@Tasorius]

Or rather Quella, the God of Dream from DS2.

[@Mario-SunshineGalaxy64]

Even Miquella’s full body model is all legs and hair.

[@AlexGonzalez-mr8mr]

I'd love to see basically every cutscene get this treatment. It's so interesting to see what kinds of framing tricks they pull behind the scenes!

[@luciferschoice]

About Miquellas eyes which is interesting: In the cutscene after the boss fight, and even though we don't see him upfront, his eyes are still golden with grace! In his "god form" they are pale and remind me personally of Godwyns "pale" eyes.

[@Rishith198]

Radahn towering over the tarnished with the bright light and divine music in the background had to be one of the coolest cutscenes in the entire game!! I really loved it a lot :D

[@mtwall5933]

I think Miquella abandoning his eye is a way of saying he abandoned his grace, as that is where the grace of gold shows in the demigods, and now his eyes are gray because of it

[@duncanm9818]

On the point of the "left behind eye" it was my understanding that it was him leaving his PHYSICAL body behind, leaving nothing but the etheryal, goldon one, ie sheeding his mortal body to become a god. Now, it still throws into question him "relinquishing his love/st trina" in the fissure and why that was a requirement

[@josejonatan5145]

Probably because she wasn't an Empyrean? I mean look at what happened to Radagon and Marika, it is heavily implied that Radagon sought to gain control of their shared body and become the 'new' God of the Golden Order. (Source: Melina's dialogue at the Queen's Bedchambers) Some would even argue that that's the true reason as to why she shatters the Elden Ring, and why Radagon's seal is on the thorns of the Erdtree. Miquella could have feared that St. Trina would try to influence his Age of Compassion or that he could not ascend with her bound to him (we also don't know if Marika ascended with Radagon at her side, we got no Radagon lore on the DLC if I remember correctly)

[@tiernan848]

@@josejonatan5145 I think it's because Miquella only likes men and St Trina might be a whoman. Big Bulky Muscular Radahn fits Miquella much better (obviously a joke hehe)

[@tiacool7978]

I think he discarded her because she was in disagreement with his decision to become a god. She clearly takes over from time to time, since people know of her. So she was likely hindering his ability to move forward with this plan.

[@theopeneyes]

My theory for why he had to relinquish St.Trina is due her also being his self-love. She and he both knew that him becoming a god is just a prison or a "fate worse than death". After all she asks us to kill Miquella not because she disagreed with his age of compassion or revenge for discarding her but specifically to save him from godhood.

[@MRFickNuggetsvanderFlex]

I dont think that the parts of his body that miquella gave up on his journey affect the miquella we see in the final bossfight. there are crosses where he abandons his left/dextrous arm and he isnt lacking those either. Maybe, upon splitting from st trina and ascending into godhood his body got reincarnated in some form, if not reformed. it could also be that the image that we see of miquella in the final fight is a spirit summon of his soul, the same way we can summon the spirit of igon and how ranni summons prime rennala and so on.

[@hugoguzman4985]

It's cool to note that Miquella abandoned his Grace, and his eyes are BLUE, rather than gold.

[@nightscout9979]

Miquella's legs being the only part loaded is certainly a strange detail. That pose and angle you found for looking at Miquella's eyes definitely present an unflattering image of him, though that's not relevant to the discovery itself. Perhaps Miquella's eyes aren't entirely closed because they look closed enough from the intended angles, and anything else might risk clipping?

[@hannahshark8080]

I knew it! I called it that the Miquella we see walking out of the gate would just be legs and hair if the upper body wasn't displayed. From know they have to be super careful with what we can see and can't with modeling software, hacks and data mining being widely available. It keeps much of the mystery alive.

[@spokoman23]

Re Miquella's eyes. He discarded his flesh. What we see at the Gate of Divinity is his spirit form. That's my take on it.

[@nerugiganon]

I saw this posted somewhere else, can't remember where (possibly tumblr) but using freecam someone noted that Miquella does open his eyes when he's casting the holy nuke, so it's definitely meant for him to have come back with his eyes intact (and also stripped of gold! which is fascinating lorewise)

[@dustinmillar120]

Radahn and Miquella cuddling in the corner made me choke on my drink 😂

[@SchillerDD]

Miquella has both eyes there because he is only a spirit now. Like Ranni. She is only spirit as well. He left his whole body behind at the crosses. This is a huge thing in Elden Ring. Souls and bodies.

[@aLoneFox19]

SNUGGLES!!! ALL THE FREE SNUGGLES! But these are so interesting, it really shows all the different tricks/trickery that is just so unique in a way! I love how when Miquella comes through the Gate Radahn just kinda goes poof! 😂

[@ZayftheScholar]

Always happy to see you Fox! :)

[@Jai_dinn]

After months were are still finding new stuff, i just love this game

[@suronia1]

The instant death makes sense now. I remember facing Ludwig in Bloodborne, but he suddenly died when the phase change happened. Any instant death that involves a new model/a change in model and just randomly dies, makes total sense now

[@Avidire]

😢 im still hoping that theres a new dlc coming and that the gate is our path to getting there.

[@somerandomperson9670]

I can only imagine how mad some people would be if the next dlc is gatekeeped behind the first dlc.

[@DarthVella]

@@somerandomperson9670 Agreed, it's poor game design and FromSoft has avoided it in the past for that reason. It could be done for post-all-dlc content though, like King Vendrick's blessing of the crowns for example.

[@ZayftheScholar]

I am long past the denial stage but I won't begrudge anyone for still being there haha.

[@adamsirin7249]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 You poor sap.

[@benjaminotalora363]

As unlikely as it is I wouldn't mind at least a chapter 2 to shadow of the Erdtree. I know to know more about the Rauh dangit! lol

[@burghleyimeanberdly6513]

Miquella's eye colour actually has some significance. The Grace of Gold is represented by a gold colour in a character's irises with demigods' having entirely gold. Miquella's eyes being blue means he is graceless and his eyes are also the same colour as those of newborn babies to show his being newly reborn.

[@Melesniannon]

What? Babies aren't all born with blue eyes dude.

[@DooDoo-f4v]

I swear this whole fucking community is retarded or the new fucks are at least

[@Melesniannon]

@@DooDoo-f4v Well that escalated quickly.

[@LacSlyer]

The eyes could be in Miquella's model simply to have the closed eyelids wrap around them correctly. Without them it'd take adjusting to get them right by the artist, and leaving them in didn't matter.

[@TheBluemindedGod]

5:50 I never noticed Miquella has four arms. Two of them kind of look transparent though, like they're made of energy. I know Ranni's puppet does, so I assume her true form does. Wonder what the connection is? Probably something something more fingers. I guess it makes it easier for him to hold on.

[@raysandrarexxia941]

Maybe the final cutscenes? Curious about any out-of-frame tricks for those

[@blackeddeath]

He has eyes in the final battle because the body that Miquella discards in the land of shadow is distinct from the one in the cocoon. The "spectral" parts of his model (only the arms are seen) correspond to his LoS body and the normal-looking parts correspond to his "actual" one (hence the missing arm from Ansbach's attack on the cocoon)

[@insertedgynamehere___969]

1:43 that explains that bug with Malenia. Early on if you killed her with a riposte, phase 2 would have an empty health bar

[@baronofbaobabs]

6:26 This St. Trina nectar ain't shi-

[@brando3424]

Can we take a moment to appreciate the eargasm that is Radahn's phase 1 music? Wow, they did Starscourge justice

[@scm20]

When miquella ascends to godhood and "recovers" his body which he legt bebind... Isnt like he is again full msterial, he is just like a spirit, and thats wahy he needs radhan as someone who can interact whith the forld easier... So basically the model in the bossfight takes again all the parta that miquella left behind NOW 2 THING THAT ARE INTERESTING 1. Miquella returns with 2 extra spectral arms, like for example ranni has, and the theory that i heard and i like is that 2 pairs of arms are givven to those who see both worlds... The "normal" and the "spiritual" one 2. Miquellas original left arm is missing, and thats because he didnt get rid of it while completing his quest in the shadow lands... And the game suggests that was Ansbach who cut her left arm... After miquella enchanting mogh and before enchanting him too... Because ansbach says that he confronted miquella, and freyja says that he hurt miquella

[@CREDLACE]

I found funny how Miq is just a pair of legs coming out of the Gate but when Piggybacking Radahn he's just an upper body.

[@Black7apex23]

You cant read into miquellas body during the fight because by the end of his journey he abandoned his whole body. He abandons his right and left arm, his legs, parts of his body and i believe he arrives at the tower as a spirit and returns through the tower gate as a god. He never had more than 2 arms so him having 3-4, arms during the fight suggests as well that he is now a transcended being.

[@FirstLast-cg2nk]

The blue eyes could be a sign that Miquella has fully divested himself of the grace of gold, since golden eyes was always the sign of those marked by the grace of the Erdtree.

[@jorgevsalazar]

I see a new video, I click

[@ZayftheScholar]

appreciate you dude!

[@realQuestion]

You're not seeing the physical reality of Miquella there. He is disembodied, having abandoned his physical self. You are seeing a glowing illusion in the same way the Erdtree's structure has crumbled but the glowing "ghost" of the tree is still present

[@nathanielscott6159]

The best cinematography are the normal moves in a beautiful portrayed POV.

[@vili-pekkavaltonen5943]

FromSoftware : "feet they want and only feet they shall have"

[@elementoflight6834]

I always took the crosses as metaphors, since i cant believe that Miquella cut off both his arms and an eye and still was able to easily reach the divine gate, like its nothing. Since Radahn isnt mentioned one bit before we see him in the Divine Gate (except the very out of nowhere pact) i havent made my mind up when Radahn is revived by Miquella, but seeing him stand at the Divine Gate, my mind was set to there. Either Radahn was with Miquella since he arrived in the Land of Shadow (unlikely, since we go there right after killing Mohg and Mohg is the Body Radahn inhabits) or he is revived at the Divine Gate and then stands guard until we arrive, making Miquella journey alone through the Land of Shadow, without arms, eyes, emotions and whatnot.... a weird thing to picture if taken literally.

[@ryantruman6956]

Great video! Also LOL the Patron "Sax Slave Gael" LMAO

[@tobymcgroby8967]

Does anyone else find themselves reluctantly watching these fascinating videos on the monumental revelations before actually encountering the content in game?

[@ZarMationStudios18]

I am STILL salty that they removed that cutscene with Miquella gesturing towards the Scadutree!!!! Part of me (naively, now) believed that Fromsoft had all the time and assets in the world to make the story they wanted EXACTLY how they wanted it, but witnessing a piece of content get blatantly left on the cutting-room floor like that has brought me back to reality XD There were certainly time constraints, and there were probably even conflicting ideas on how they wanted the story to wrap-up. It's how it goes for any piece of media

[@HandOfVecna1188]

As I recall we don't see any actual physical pieces of Miquella lying around, so I took the inscriptions on the crosses to be a bit like a Passion reenactment. He isn't like literally ripping his own arm off or whatever. The two physical "things" we actually can find don't have a cross.

[@PixelOverload]

Has anyone else noticed Miquella's new set of ghost arms are kinda offset? Like his left ghost arm is attached below what remains of his fleshy left arm, but the right ghost is coming out of the shoulder _above_ his fleshy arm. Also interesting how his crown has the same spectral appearance as his new arms 🤔

[@Writh811]

With regards to the eyes thing. I find it interesting that they were willing to demonstrate the Sinistral (left) arm being removed but nothing else. Most of the crosses are vague "the flesh of my body" or "part of" and "last of" but we know he cut out his eyes and heart and right arm. I think instead of the companion rush against Leda we should have been introduced to a new NPC that up until that point was always with Miquella. They would be his Hodor, the person who carried this mangled child everywhere. As a separate note: It interesting to me, how Empyreans are these "Multi-people" and each time one becomes a "God" they seem to lose that "Multi-person" nature. Marika at some point separated from Radagon, we can't say for sure when. Miquella ditches Trina (Part of me thinks the Corpse at Mohgwyn might be one of his other selves). Malenia exploded out a squad of other selves in the form of Millicent and her sister. Heck she went "God" without the gate which raises so many questions for me. Like everything we seem to think is important for that world to operate is actually convenience more than structure (The Elden Ring doesn't make you a god. The gate CAN make a god but you don't need it. Since Ranni and Miquella discard their Great Runes on their path to rule it gives me the impression the Elden Ring isn't part of their agenda and the Ring isn't important, just powerful, just a specific means of control endorsed by aliens.)

[@LSB44446]

Wish we had a clue why Radahn seems to have something going on mid cutscene, glowing red with golden eyes, which stops when Michael leaves the gate.

[@driddlesd9363]

Miquella also has his arms and flesh. I don’t think him having his eyes has any significance, because we are seeing his ethereal “godhood achieved” form, not his sacrificed corporeal self.

[@parleyeon7951]

"Disembodied walking legs" Guys... hear me out...

[@Oracle1126]

I mean if you can’t see the upper half…..

[@mat3393gjh]

Awesome vid.😂

[@ArkadiBolschek]

Who'd have thought the real Fresno Nightcrawler was Miquella all along

[@l.r.7505]

Radhans swords have those golden threads from the trailer. Maybe that's what they were shows when miquella pulls out those strands of gold from that bloody goop?...maybe it's meant to depict her/him taking Radhans soul at the gates??

[@pedpisani]

It's Marika in the trailer I think

[@raven-0621]

☝️

[@shirokun002]

Miquella is no longer just an empyrean but a full god like marika was and according to ansbach eyes arent just eyes to empyreans/gods but vessels of soaring grace, which is probably why we dont ever see marikas eyes either, meanwhile we see radagons eyes in his portrait and even in his statues his eyes seem open while marikas are closed. Kinda confirms in my eyes that radagon wasnt always marika, and certainly wasnt a god like her until the very end when they became one again. Miquella probably keeps his eyes shut or mostly shut because maybe theyre just glaringly bright, as marikas rune says her rune in particular was painfully bright to behold (runes are basically irises). So it would make sense miquella wouldn't keep his eyes open if that were the case....but theres probably more symbolism to be found. Morgott mohg ranni melina and messmer all have one missing eye, with messmer actually probably being blind with both eyes gone replaced by marikas seal for an eye, and malenia had her eyes taken by rot. Its very peculiar.

[@Loutr0n]

I'm pretty sure I've read Zullie explaining that the engine CANNOT just load NPCs out of thin air, and this is the reason why there's always the phase 2 model hanging around in some wall : they are always loaded, and teleported in the arena when needed For Malenia I gueeeess it's possible that it's just the same model, just stripped from her armor and clothes But I would be surprised if Midra did not follow this rule (I'm not doubting you, it is just strange)

[@lukasbernhardt6720]

Did someone ever see a picture of Marika with opened eyes? I think that’s a theme here, gods have closed eyes, and divine offspring long hair

[@DreamerTrain]

he has eyes probably the same reason why he has arms, he (as well as Radahn via Mohg) is remade, and his new form is an adult one

[@ignisi00zan84]

The instakill is caused by two or more players having different framerates, you can easily replicate these in consoles, have someone run a PS4 at 30 frames, and a PS5 at 60, one or the other will have "their" radahn fall through the floor.

[@knightsamurai1251]

Dude thats awesome i didn't know that's how they make them

[@kellybooth9809]

The simple answer about the eyes is that Miquella was designed to have half-closed eyes and a slight grin in god formm was to parallel Buddha depictions. The Buddha is depicted eyes half open, looking within (nirvana/ascneding) but also still cohncted to what is in front of them (TLB/RoS). He ascends but still rules us in this plane vs. ascending and pissing off. It's symbolic of his decision to divest his flesh, yet still retain a corporeal (albeit Golden) form with which to interact with his subjects, even hanging around his Consort during Phase 2. I don't think it's odd he has both eyes in his model. He divested him of everything, so we shouldn't see anything by that logic. When he ascends, it's pretty common in afterlife frameworks IRL for you to be "reborn" in a whole/best version of yourself. And the Vishnu parallels with his four arms is a rabbit hole.

[@knockoutkid619]

That means there exists somewhere a model of Marika before ascending.... and im curious as ever to see what she looks like at this point!

[@jonnyf9049]

As his body is complete again as a god, his eyes reappeared too

[@surajhawk27]

A part of in depths of art on making movies !!!

[@jonharvey5342]

I don't think them unrendering Radhans hair and Miquellas' upper body has anything to do with saving resources. It's because they story boarded how they wanted the cutscenes to be framed, and the excess long hair would've fallen into the the shot and obstruct the character models.

[@dearcastiel4667]

Malenia's second phase model is hidden in a box-room deep under the boss arena.

[@ZayftheScholar]

Does a video exist about this?

[@dearcastiel4667]

@@ZayftheScholar for sure because I've seen it on youtube, probably on a video about Malenia's boss room (or boss rooms in general I can't quite remember), now what exact video...

[@LSB44446]

7:20 just screams DLC changes to me. Also Miquella's hair grows a shit ton lol

[@Movikx0990]

baldahn inst real he cant hurt you, baldahn:

[@vexn3699]

Why does Miquella have both eyes if he removes one? The one we see is not Miquella's true body. We see plenty of times how people toying with godhood leave their original bodies to get a new one, sometimes out of necessity like Ranni, and in the case of Miquella, he butchers his body and leaves it behind to ascend. What we see is his god form, more metaphysical than literal, like Melina's. That's the reason he has arms, even though he removed both.

[@thenewseorarek9625]

Damn miquella is so fine, wtf

[@GrandStyles]

Miquella gains a new body at the gate of divinity, he had to abandon all his flesh to enter Enir-Elim.

[@xinonuzumaki83]

Miquella embraces radahn as they die

[@EldenRingColosseumchannel]

This game makes me question my life choices. I'd rather be an NPC in this game

[@Antierro]

Miquella’s eyes are blue? All born of the grace of gold bear it in their eyes. The more grace they have the more gold in their eyes.

[@richizzle39]

Miquella was granted eyes by Kos. 😂

[@lemeisasecret]

Seeing that you checked the twin's eye models. Does Messmer's closed eye have an eyeball model?

[@SnowmanAgent]

Gods are often portrayed with almost closed but not fully eyes to show their elevated existance

[@Z34L_Official]

even in the base game they also hid the second phase of godfrey

[@jacquiecotillard9699]

Oooh my favorite new horror film: Boy God in the Wall!

[@8556126]

Don't read too much into him having eyes. He also discarded his two arms (from his statues) and returned with four. Mikey discarded his old self and forged himself a new godly body. He made body and mind of God of Age of Compassion while he couldn't actually feel any love or compassion...

[@nyashamrock6790]

wait this might sound crazy because I'm high, but knowing that an empyrian discards their flesh to ascend to godhood (as with marika and miquella, could the shut eyes of melina, ranni, and messmer mark that they have already discarded their eyes, perhaps as a surrogate like godwyn might have done?

[@MomoTheGhostSlayer]

Bruh i really hope radahn comes back in the next dlc along with other bosses so i can fight that red bloodlusted form he was about to go in

[@stream_gene]

"I abandon here my upper body" LMAO

[@regulareric8759]

you should contact Zullie the witch. I'm sure she can find something hidden in there still.

[@alalmalal]

What was the red coming from radahn? Mohg’s bloodflame powers emanating out with rage?

[@Darfail]

Yea some ppl say that but I thought it was his great rune burning and Miquella quenching it. Dunno I know he's dead and all eh

[@jimbo2553]

Radahn actually uses one of Mohgs attacks sparingly in the first phase. There's apparently a little of him left in there.

[@justreadberserkd1021]

Probably radahns rage, we can see this red aura in the first elden ring trailer too emanating from radahns body. he gets really pissed at us and nearly goes berserk, but miquella calms him down with his power so that he can calm down. Very similar to godfrey, who willingly suppresed his warrior side so that he will become a better lord for his consort marika and the people of the lands between. Seeing how radahns admires godfrey as an idol is it very fitting that he chose a similar path with miquella. That is most likely the kindness we can read about and miquella saw in him. We can see Miquella calming down others rage too, for example leda, ansbach and hornsent, they were all bloodthirsty in some way but miquellas ability stopped their hatred.

[@justreadberserkd1021]

​@@Darfailradahn lost his greatrune after the festival

[@MaxSTSFXN]

​@@justreadberserkd1021 Good thing he did. 😬

[@anonisnoone6125]

Bald Radahn isn't something I ever wanna see again.