Elden Ring Lore | Rykard Lord of Blasphemy

[@SmoughTown]

What do you think of Rykard and his Recusants? Comment below!

[@silentlore2458]

I believe it was all set by Marika. The Greater Will essentially enslaved her so she may have communicated with the moon god to help Ranni steal the Rune of Death. Similar to how Marika split her being, i believe Ranni split her being into Melina in order to Assist Rykard in her Empyrean flesh and use Melina to find a worthy Tarnished. Rykard was probably convinced by Ranni to become part of the GD Serpent so that he would gain immense power

[@SmoughTown]

@@silentlore2458 defo more to the Ranni and Rykard link I need to explore here

[@silentlore2458]

@@SmoughTown I think I may have found confirmation. In one of the dialogue scenes with Melina (at churches around the Lands between, I believe this is how to summon melina) at the church of pilgrimage (the either second or third church I visited in journey two) an echo of Marika states something like "Go forth my children and wage war in the Lands Between"

[@logarius2178]

Elden ring is like in the office where your supervisor is plotting against the manager, the manager is plotting against the CEO and the CEO is asking for you (an intern) for help

[@silentlore2458]

@@logarius2178 and the Owner of the business is on a holiday communicating through the Secretary

[@ChefRyoshu]

One detail I love is how during Morgott's intro cutscene when he's addressing all the thrones and he says "Praetor Rykard" with such distaste and disdain compared to the other demi-gods.

[@SmoughTown]

Yep, a great detail

[@ivorymantis1026]

Almost as much as when he says _Tarnished_ mid fight.

[@user-op2bh7rc9z]

And puts the utmost respect on General Radahns name

[@thelaststeakbender3150]

@@user-op2bh7rc9z cause Radhan is the goat

[@loftwingheropon2743]

Surprised he said Godricks name in the tone he did, Godrick invaded Morgott and was a coward.

[@aburkitt11]

To be noted: Bernahl's maiden didn't just randomly "kill herself," she threw herself into the fire. The same thing our "maiden" does in order for us to advance to the farum azula, an otherwise inaccessible zone. This is the area Bernahl invades us in, suggesting he reached as far as this point himself, in addition to carrying the item designed to slay Maliketh, it seems Bernahl reached farum azula, and was about to challenge Maliketh as we do, but was so overcome with grief at the loss of his maiden to the giants' forge, he chose the path of Blasphemy over that of grace, joining the Volcano Manor and vowing to slay the gods. A task he seems to be on the path to complete, as he challenges us - the most powerful of the tarnished - to attempt to claim our strength in order to allow him to overcome Maliketh, and proceed down the path to slaying Marika. I find it extremely interesting that the two Tarnished we encounter closest to becoming elden lord seem to falter and fail at this hurdle presented by the Giants' flame. Vyke gave himself to the flame of frenzy to protect his maiden from having to kindle the forge, and Bernahl forsook the path of grace upon losing his maiden to the flame and reaching farum azula. Perhaps being maidenless is what is required of one to become Elden Lord after all, and we aren't so unfortunate as the game would have us believe?

[@crowland1015]

I came to the comments to say this, but here you are lol

[@gallowz1980]

Not if you take a space adventure with a little cutie with an extra pair of arms

[@rumorcontrol7873]

Also these two characters are symbolically both paths that you yourself Could go down but given that you are Supposed to be becoming Elden Lord you deny these life paths.

[@darkodev6961]

Amazing

[@Nerevar5me]

Mind blown

[@samfivedot]

When Gideon said that Praetor Rykard was "reviled for his serpentine demeanor", I didn't think he was being literal

[@KMn048]

When you’re the smartest man alive so no one understands your own injokes

[@jamesloucks2562]

I did.

[@arcanefire7511]

He wasn't, it's just a hint

[@Fumaar]

Yeah exactly when he says demeanor I’m thinking like, “Oh he’s like sneaky or maybe hisses or something.” But he is actually just a big snake.

[@HexagonThatReallyLikesVinegar]

"gideon wtf man i thought he was just sneaky why didnt you just tell me he was a snake"

[@AsleepAura]

"He gets so lost a addicted to the process of gaining power, to the point that it matters more than the end result" Me looking up from farming levels on the Albinaurics Na can't be me

[@jnev5572]

Honestly. There's some general statements like that, that make me realise rune farming is an act of blasphemy I guess lmao

[@faintduch6630]

I guess the real Elden-Ring was the blasphemy we committed along the way

[@joshuakim5240]

@@jnev5572 If you think about it, Rune Farming really isn't that much different than what Rykard is doing: trying to spam powerups until being able to brute-force mow down the gods. Rather than rely on skill, wits, creativity, teamwork, or stubbornness, Rykard is trying to take the easiest path to victory that completely forgoes all of the above. Rykard is effectively a player whose just sitting in one spot farming levels until eventually reaching max level before he even attempts any content, which is hilariously not uncommon behavior.

[@Coyotebriggs]

@@joshuakim5240 Lol, Rykard is the kinda guy to grind his pokemon to lvl 100 in the beginning town.

[@reidsimpson4213]

TOGETHAAAAA

[@GehrmansWheelchair]

Bernahl: “You will fall to my blade.” *carries a hammer*

[@SorowFame]

Doesn’t he carry a sword in your first encounter?

[@travisoliver6741]

It would have been amazing if he had a Kirkhammer to kill you with.

[@victoriousf.i.g.3311]

He has a copy of "Blade: Trinity" inside his hammer.

[@oukahershel2931]

People making 40 minutes long lore videos always have my respect because we be getting this for free

[@catiminiclergus537]

For reaaaaal

[@threemeters1425]

Fun fact: Miyazaki said in an interview that Rykard was his favorite character

[@5114ares]

Can see why Definitely a well thought out character and relatable in alot of ways to the human condition

[@laserbeastman7447]

Miyazaki really seems to love the weird ones.

[@user-rm1jp6hf5h]

@Charles Hastings Yeah, seems to be a huge missed opportunity in my opinion.

[@ordinarytree4678]

@@user-rm1jp6hf5h fr. Im all for Ranni's goal of shaking off the influence of the 2 and 3 fingers, but I wish we could do it ourselves. Maybe we kill Ranni at the end if her fight and take her power for our own.

[@noamias4897]

After this video I can see why

[@ivorymantis1026]

A lot of this coincides with what I believe is the true definition of Blasphemy in this game. As a tree grows from a single source and branches into the infinite, the opposite action would be blasphemy. Ergo, blasphemy is *consumption* and *compression* of the multitudes into a single outcome.

[@Midnightv]

Ala the flame of frenzy?

[@joonapukarinen1153]

@@Midnightv Yes

[@punishedbrak4255]

Maybe it's that the others viewed it as similar to Rykard making himself into an ever greater idol or god-head, like the Erdtree; that would be certainly Blasphemous in their eyes. That the Praetor thinks of himself so highly as to be paid tribute in the form of flesh to nurture his growing power and existence as this twisted thing, consolidating the existences of many within One being; I definitely think you're onto the real meaning of "Blasphemy" in the lores/backstories Context.

[@kobragaming9420]

@@punishedbrak4255 I always got the impression Rykards blasphemy stemmed from his ego and pure desperation to become omnipotent. His desire to become a God lead him so far as to be consumed by the God devouring serpent in order to rival the Erdtree, in which case his blasphemy is his total disregard for the erdtree and its golden order. Not to mention his lust for further power through consumption of the strongest tarnished, the Volcano manor quest line seems to indicate that they are recruiting the strongest tarnished by having them kill one another and then allowing Rykard to devour this tarnished to increase his own power. His blasphemy stems from his constant consumption due to his desire to upturn the Golden order and become stronger than the Erdtree

[@ivorymantis1026]

The Flame of Frenzy is just the Crucible.

[@BrokeNSings]

You meet Bernahl very early on, on the Warmaster Shack. I find it really interesting how he poses as this Grace warrior and teaches new techniques to tarnished that follow the Erdtree, but is secretly a Recusant.

[@Lupercal210]

Honestly on second playing I feel like it sounds like he has a mocking tone when you say you do have faith in Grace, like he is calling you a "dime a dozen tarnished" and he doesn't get very mad when you say you don't have faith in Grace, seeming more surprised you will admit it at all, and warning you against being so blatant in future. I think it's actually very well done as with the context of him being a recusant the entire conversation shifted for me.

[@seano6859]

Weird I felt like he had a very conflicted feeling towards us the whole time- he literally tells you not to follow his path

[@MultiWolfstorm]

@@Lupercal210 He just doesn't care that much about your character and why should he, to be fair? He's probably seen plenty of our kind come and go. We're just another chance to recruit for the manor and trade his ashes of war for runes, at best, and a passing traveller he'll likely never see again at worst. I think that comes across in his actions, words and the tone he speaks to you with for sure. Maybe by openly questioning the guidance of grace, you just take him off of guard a little, as he probably is used to or expects most tarnished to blindly follow the grace. In a sense, he's pleasantly surprised you're more like minded than a sheep, but that's about it. At least he's kind enough to warn you against saying that in the company of everyone you meet, and it's good advice.

[@faber2161]

i killed him :|

[@kaleighalbright1641]

He's also selling you Ashes of War and it made me think, later, that he must've pocketed them from all of the people he's killed as a Recusant.

[@golDroger88]

The way I read Bernhal's armor description is that he didn't know you have to sacrifice your maiden to become elden lord and when she did he refused to follow that path any further. His maiden burned herself in the kiln of the Giants. Afterall think of where Bernhal invades you. He wouldn't have had access to Farum Azula if his maiden simply killed herself.

[@lucatiel2859]

One thing I noticed is, if we look back to the era where we had no info about the game we were told that this is all inspired from Norse mythology, and well there are resemblances for sure! The serpent here symbolizes Jormungandr, the Shattering is basically Ragnarok, the only flame that can burn the Erdtree (Yggdrasil) is found atop the highest peak in the Lands Between, in the mountaintop of giants (Jotunheim); the Giants in Elden Ring are eternal enemies of the Erdtree (aka the gods) and in Norse mythology Ragnarok is a war between the gods and the giants

[@thesmartdrooges92]

Gré

[@Erick-tv8oq]

Godwyn The Golden is literally Baldur.

[@Ullmina]

In this case, you could rather say that the God-Devouring Serpent is actually more of a reference to Nidhogg, the giant serpent underneath the roots of Yggdrasil in Norse Mythology, than Jormungandr.

[@savary5050]

@@Ullmina Godwyn feels more like Nidhogg (in an abstract way) to me. Think about it, his corpse sits at the roots of the erdtree slowly corrupting it, he even has a dragon guarding him.

[@fishspoons]

I think that the Recusants actually know that they'll be eaten in the end. That's the basis of their whole ideology: darwinistic brutality. Bernhal puts emphasis on the Recusants path leading only to death, and when you kill Rykard, everyone accepts it and explicitly bare you no ill will. You were just the bigger snake in the end.

[@mmaas117]

Also when claiming that together you will devour the gods, references the fact that there seems to be bits and pieces of warriors on both Ryakrd and his sword. So technically they are joining him to devour the gods. Assuming this are the other people who have completed their journey and face the serpent are the bits and pieces on the sword who he has devoured.

[@noiwontsignyourarmpit5263]

@@mmaas117 Given that Rykard pulls the sword from his/the serpent's stomach, which is where the devoured champions rest, it's safe to assume that the writhing corpses on the blasphemous blade are the champions he's consumed over the years.

[@HiddenWen]

@@noiwontsignyourarmpit5263 They look more like snake tongues to me.

[@noiwontsignyourarmpit5263]

@@HiddenWen they do kinda look like snake tongues ironically, but they are writhing corpses.

[@dumbsterdives]

@@noiwontsignyourarmpit5263 Not even full corpses, theyre basically just arms reaching out from the melted lumps of flesh

[@Big-Papa-Smurf]

"The end justifies the means." -"The end justifies- the means." - Rykard

[@justyouraverageblackstar3672]

I love this

[@coyboy8489]

This is good lmao

[@freshhands9461]

Consider this a double thumps-up hindered by technical limitations :)

[@golemofwill4728]

Join the Serpent King as family..... TOGETHER WE WILL DEVOUR THE VERY GODS

[@SmoughTown]

TOGETHAAAA

[@AtomicOwl]

Hmm naw DraGons

[@WheatDos]

Youhhhrrr, Jszoynr zhre shherhpent khing ash famylihh..... toghethaarrrh we'll dehvahwurrrr the verygohrdsh!!!!

[@silentlore2458]

His voice is so great. It gives me this disgusting feeling in my chest

[@metrod2030]

*Stares at you menacingly* "Hmm hehehe...Join the Serpent King as family...TOGETHAAA WE WILL DEVOURRR THE VERRY GODDSSSSS!"

[@omnom5853]

Finally someone did a video on Rykard. For sure an underrated character as far as lore goes. Thank you!

[@SmoughTown]

Absolutely. Such a stellar story is told on Mt Gelmir!

[@Pontif11]

I had been neglecting volcano manor for a while and the previous video made me go do it at light speed. Might be my favorite level in the game so far after being mildly disappointed in Raya Lucaria and Liurnia.

[@overlordwarlordtheomnilord9473]

Do you know the name of the theme that plays when the inquisitor weapons are being talked about

[@simpleguy86]

I love now having seen gameplay of this. It makes me wish I were better at Souls type games. Can't wait to see the other videos. They will help me brace myself for when I finally challenge it lol

[@felixpomerleau8220]

An interesting detail is that Tanith truely wants to be devoured by the serpent, as she says when you find her after felling it, but she isn't. I personally think it's the small reasonable part of Rykard that still desperately wants to prevent her from all that suffering

[@tear4442]

I think Rykard, while absolutely terrible, still cares for some people. Particularly Tanith, Ranni, Rennala, and Radahn. Specifically because you can find Abductor Virgins and Fingercreepers in areas surrounding Ranni, Rennala, and Radahn, probably to protect them. Plus he had worked with Ranni with the Night of the Black Knives.

[@ordinarytree4678]

@@tear4442 theres one INSIDE Redmane castle.

[@grunglethebungle]

@@tear4442 theres a radahn painting in volcano manor! Its in the semi big room with the greathammer dude

[@tear4442]

@@ordinarytree4678 Oh, I must have missed it then. I did not see it. Thanks for letting me know!

[@tear4442]

@@grunglethebungle Oh yeah! I forgot about that painting.

[@Dupes1721]

my favorite part is how Rykard also functions as a foil for the player character, to a degree. We also 'consume' and absorb the power of everything we slay in the form of runes.

[@TechNinjaSigma]

I can't believe I didn't see this before, but Rykard borrows heavily from Ganishka from Berserk, he defies the God's and - as it relates to Birth of the Man-Serpents - he creates demon soldiers for his armies via a union between Man and the Demonic, The *ARTIFICIAL* Behelet

[@chillax319]

Not to mention that visually he is the closest to how Apostles in the Berserk looked like.

[@fireant353]

I literally started yelling "he looks like ganishka and grunbeld fused together" when i first got into the second phase, incredible boss design tbh

[@Acesahn]

I didn't think of that but you're totally right.

[@kbrs9620]

To add to that, Rykard’s special attack in the second phase clouds around his head similar to how Ganishka looked later on

[@jordan9503]

or the snake barren who is also a snake

[@alexgroot2508]

I find it quite chilling that, upon 'killing' Rykard, his voice rings out telling us that 'a serpent never dies' and considering the way the hands, tendrils, what have you, in his decapitated head *are still writhing* when you return to his boss chamber, that there is a good to fair chance that he's not dead at all. Kinda reminds me of Orochimaru, from Naurto, who carried many serpentine qualities too- and was nigh unkillable. Out of all the demigods, the one that needed death the most turns out to be the hardest to kill. Amazing video, looking forward to more!

[@BRISKOLOKS]

You can see the lady in the volcano manor snackin on him later

[@chillax319]

Visit his head again. He can be reborn within another "vessel".

[@ivorymantis1026]

The serpent in various myth has always been assumed to be an immortal creature due to the nature of shedding it's skin. If you've ever owned snakes, you can attest that when they're shedding in the late stages it looks like they're on death's door. Eyes are fogged and gray... skin is dull and tarnished... they're lethargic... they almost look sick at times... Then they shed and everything's k.

[@jacsonevans1455]

I’m so glad you pointed out how fucking similar this dude is to Orochimaru bro, that’s what I’ve been calling him all game😂

[@999GutZ]

@@BRISKOLOKS yea I believe she’s trying to consume him so rykard can live on within her, such as he lived on within the snake, well considering how devoted she is to him

[@realhumanbeing3599]

i heard a theory that rykard is actually rebuilding himself after u kill him, piece by piece. this idea suggests that inevitably, he will manage to grow strong enough to complete his mission as there may be no true way to kill him.

[@DonPetexX]

Well there would be 1 thing that would put him down permanently, is with the restoration of the rune of death (fia's ending) then killing him for good.

[@CNNBlackmailSupport]

No, his girl is eating him to continue the cycle. She says "I'm trying my best but there is so much of him to consume, so give me some time."

[@strongsong117]

@@CNNBlackmailSupport Rykard's gonna wake up inside the sewers :0 jk

[@CNNBlackmailSupport]

@@strongsong117 ROFL!

[@LastSecBloomer]

It is said that Serpent is immortal, after all, and Rykard himself says he cannot be trully killed...

[@izzy4bitney]

And yet, despite this entire process Rykard has devised to gain power, he could be seen as the easiest shardbearer in the game to take down. He's chained himself to this massive form and his movest is limited for it - most other bosses can kill you simply through versatile movement and pressure. He compensates for this with his magma aoe that should, in theory, hamper adversaries' ability to get close. But he was so hated for his actions that his once-loyal follower found a blade specifically for killing him and left it in his audience chamber so someone can come along and stab him.

[@SorowFame]

Pure irony, his pursuit of power left him all but helpless to stop a lowly Tarnished.

[@Hergotzer]

It is implied that in Elden Ring the idea of "alternative timelines" is a thing like in the past soulsborne games. One of the things that seem to happen in all/most of them, likely because of Marika's meddling, that the Erdtree stays shut and needs to be burned. It's possible Bernahl's armor's description's more accurate interpretation is that he and his maiden got to the Giant's Flame, but when his maiden sacrificed herself to open the path for Bernahl, he began to hate the Golden Order and the Greater Will for requiring such death.

[@ZugzugZugzugson]

you are correct sir, there is indeed something finicky going on with the concept of time in the lands between. irrefutable proof of this being the case is the zone Farum Azula, where we will eventually, literally, turn back time in order to engage the dragon within the raging storm in the center.

[@combativeThinker]

@@ZugzugZugzugson Then there’s the rickety with Fortissax. And don’t get me started on Hyetta and Irina.

[@SorowFame]

@@combativeThinker considering Shabriri exists Hyetta might be a similar deal, some kind of spirit created by the Frenzied Flame inhabiting the body of Irina in order to lead you to become Lord of Frenzied Flame.

[@manquail2361]

Rykard is so cool. Both his design and lore are great. Definitely among the scariest and most intimidating enemies I've seen in a from soft game.

[@StairFacts]

In regards to the iconography of the Abductor Virgins, I think it's interesting that they look similar in appearance to Tanith, particularly in regards to the mask she wears. Given how Tanith actively worked with Rykard to see his ambitions fulfilled after his transformation, it stands to reason that they may have been crafted in her image, particularly in recognition of her contributions. Given that it is not known if Tanith ever produced any offspring with Rykard, that could also be where the name "Abductor Virgin" stems from. Also given her motherly demeanor towards Rya, she is likely symbolically viewed as the mother of the man-serpents produced by Rykard's heretical rituals, again mirroring the design of the Abductor Virgins cradling a child. I also believe it could be possible that their design could be representative of Daedicar as she was in life, the literal birth mother of the man-serpents, though I doubt Tanith would have commissioned these contraptions in her image. In fact, I believe it could be possible that Tanith had orchestrated Daedicar's death, possibly at the hands of the Godskin Noble, out of sheer jealousy. I have no idea if Daedicar was another one of Rykard's consorts, but I have reason enough to believe that Daedicar had somehow incited Tanith's ire, given that from what little we know of Daedicar, she would have reveled in the grotesque nature of birthing the abominable man-serpents. She would not be opposed to Rykard or his methods, and does not seem to have attempted to flee him in his new form. Unless the killing of Daedicar was committed by deserters from Rykard's army, Tanith seems to be the most likely culprit, as Rykard himself would have no reason to give the order to brutally flay her skin and shrink her head as some grotesque ornament.

[@AverageAwesomeDude]

I love the abductor virgins they’re a Freudian Oedipus Nightmare in design which is really like. As for their names I think it’s more to do with how they function, they take the living and stuff them back up their wombs to kidnaps them in this sort of reverse unbirth, their name comes for their being an antithesis to mothers and normal births as, religious figures aside, motherhood and pregnancy and virginity can’t coexist in the same person

[@iosonoio8799]

For some reason I believe Tanith and Dedicar could also be the same person... We never see Tanith's face without the mask, and it may be because of her face being skinned (also I could see the possibility of her giving birth to a progeny of men-serpents, considered her loyalty to Rykard) Or maybe I still hope Tanith to be Rya's mother

[@StairFacts]

@@iosonoio8799 I don't believe they could be the same person, as Tanith's face underneath her mask has a unique appearance, and no signs of scarring or otherwise disfigurement. It's also worth noting she tells us that Rya is not her child by birth, which is further backed up by the evidence of Daedicar being Rya's birth mother.

[@ZugzugZugzugson]

another fun fact about the abductor virgins is that the 'arms' that come out of their 'cargo hold' are actually snakes. i believe SmoughTown pointed this out in a different video as well (or maybe it was actually in this very video, lol i forgot).

[@combativeThinker]

That, or they simply killed her because she outlived her usefulness and they both despised her for the abominations she committed.

[@brednbudr2406]

I'm blown away how rich the Lore is for just ONE AREA of the map. Good god. So good. And well done.

[@Ezekiel_Allium]

Not just one region of the map, but one of the smallest distinct areas in the map as well

[@GlibberyGlibberyGock]

On the big hands, I’ve heard some people say they’re the severed and enchanted hands of giants which may have some merit as you can find them in the mountaintop of the giants as well. On Rykard’s hands I noticed that he, or the serpent really, has seven fingers as opposed to Godrick’s six (on one of his many hands) and I’ve been wondering if the other demigods have similar numerical associations.

[@bimpliscuit4731]

I noticed when completing ranni’s quest line, her dead body is sitting upon a hand with 2 fingers left, and looks like some amount of fingers was ripped the “hand”. Have you seen any vids/theory’s about this?

[@ajohnson7860]

@@bimpliscuit4731 it was the Two Fingers sent by the Greater Will to guide her to replace Marika

[@skinless5136]

Godricks hand isn’t his own (atleast I think), it’s probably a great warriors arm his actual arm is one of many on his back

[@The4ernilll]

@@skinless5136 or he could've just grafted a finger to himself

[@JMW566]

@@bimpliscuit4731 Super late to respond to this because I just found this video, but I recently just finished Ranni's quest and the mangled "2 fingers" that Ranni has is because she's used the Finger-slayer blade on it. The marks on the dead fingers are in the shape of the scar that Godwyn has/the blades of the black knives (who was killed by destined death in a similar manner)

[@rickylozada7994]

This has become my go to comfort video whenever I'm doing chores around the house. Just to give you an idea how many times I've rewatched it from start to end. I've easily watched this Rykard video of yours more than 10 times and learned something new every time man. No joke. To an extent, I agreed with Praetor Rykard's philosophy before he fed himself to Eglay, even more so Bernahl. You really can't blame Bernahl for the path he chose. Imagine all the time and energy it took for him to get as close as (if not further than even) Vyke did, only for the 2 fingers and the greater will to turn their back on him. I totally understand his frustration. Rykard is one of my favorite villains in the souls series. Lofty ambitions that generated into gluttonous depravity. A man so consumed with the power of taking that he never ends up doing anything with it. It's a bit ironic but idk why.. I admire his character. Maybe I'm getting older and starting to understand and appreciate villains a bit more rather than just shunning him. But the recusant's quote of "might makes right" is so fascinating to me. Because the Gods are no different themselves, are they?

[@SmoughTown]

Hey Ricky, that's so nice to hear. I'm glad my video gives you comfort! 100% agree re Bernahl, I absolutely love that he is raising his sword against a system that basically chewed him out

[@tavastian3288]

You forgot to mention one very important fact about Rykard. He did indeed do the most blasbhemous thing; He burned down the erdtree of Mt.Gelmir You can find the smoking stump of what is left of the erdtree Another thing; the tail of godskin noble is very similiar to the Leonine Misbegottens and one of them for some reason carries the holy sword Rennala gifted to Radagon

[@abigcupofwater]

EDIT never mind, found it Hold on, what? Where in Gelmir is there a giant tree stump? I wanna go look right now but I'm at work The stump of the great tree you find in Deeproot Depths is the most interesting thing in the game to me right now, specifically its connection to the Greater Will/erdtree. I need to know. I think the erdtree might be the true Elden Lord

[@SuperHeroNexus]

This is such a great video. I found Volcano Manor and Mt Gelmir so enthralling as I wanted to know why the forces were fighting still. It's mad that such a lore filled stunning area and boss was optional.

[@SorowFame]

So was Castle Cainhurst and Archdragon Peak and Dark Firelink. I think FromSoft is just fond of doing that

[@richardbibaud2326]

Please don’t apologize for the length of this video, I could have happily listened to another 40 minutes. Very well done!

[@Zeonis]

In a way Rykard was doing the same exact thing erdtrees do. It is a common practice to give tribute to erdtrees in the form of living pots who harbor the innards of lifeforms inside of them to use as fertilizer in order to grow the Tree. Is this the blasphemous line that marks you a enemy of the very gods? To simply copy the practices The Greater Will demands on their land!

[@punishedbrak4255]

Maybe it's that they viewed it as similar to Rykard making himself into an idol or god-head, like the Erdtree; that would be certainly Blasphemous in their eyes. That the Praetor thinks of himself so highly as to be paid tribute in the form of flesh to nurture his growing power and existence as this twisted thing, consolidating the existence of many within One.

[@Zeonis]

@@punishedbrak4255 Seems like a running theme, Crucible knights are highly regarded while Godskins are reviled despite having the same ability of assimilation.

[@ZugzugZugzugson]

Yes, Zeonis, that is quite literally the definition of blasphemy, which is what Rykard's story revolves around. he is playing god, which in most cases is a big no no, even for a demi god, which Rykard just so happens to be. in fact, i think most people would say that's much worse than an ordinary average joe nobleman from Limgrave having such ambitions, since we all know he won't be able to remotely achieve such a feat, whereas Rykard has all the tools needed to ascend to actual godhood.

[@retrospect]

These Lore videos are so well done mate. 🤝

[@SmoughTown]

Really appreciate that! Thank you

[@jacobelliott0017]

Gonna give Vaati a run for his money

[@josephsylvester1619]

Man, I feel that I don’t appreciate the work you do enough. You’re a great lore master and story teller. Thank you.

[@SmoughTown]

I appreciate you saying that, thanks so much. I just love sharing my take on the lore

[@monkeyking4756]

Another interesting piece, is that Bernahl wears the altered form of his armour. The unaltered forms has a blue gem-adorned cape, nothing unlike what can be expected from a knight of the Carian Royal family. He may have shed the cape as he entered under the leadership of Rykard. Just a little more speculation. Great video by the way.

[@Whowhaaa]

Ive been gaming 24 out of the 27 years of my short life so far and this game’s lore is the most captivating and interesting lore I’ve ever had the joy to experience

[@datiger39]

I agree I’ve played all the fromsoft souls games but ER was the one that had me fascinated from start to finish, usually in souls I’ll beat it then reread the lore later but this one had me wanting to know more as I went on

[@abigcupofwater]

The only other games that had the same effect as Elden Ring for me were Dark Souls and Bloodborne lol

[@uncensoredmaverick4455]

Dude you are so underrated, the way you put everything together just fits, great video!

[@SmoughTown]

😍such kind words thank you!

[@ryanrochon8891]

i watched your godskin video a couple days ago as it was recommended to me. it was the first of your videos ive seen and when i saw that the video was over 20 minutes my expectations were through the roof. you shattered them. 20+ minutes of incredibly entertaining lore which only heightened my appreciation for the godskin in general. a few days later and i see a 40+ minute video from you about my favorite boss in the game. this is content is the peak of lore explanations. keep up your incredible work sir.

[@SmoughTown]

What an amazing compliment - means so much to me and makes me want to continue to do it

[@Shadowdragon_TV]

Seeing the soldiers eating the corpses of fallen soldiers for the first time kinda blew me away. It was pretty unexpected when I realized it and gave the mountain a sense of dread even before I reached the hanging corpses and the manor itself. Do you think it's possible that those soldiers followed Rykard and the serpent deity's vision of devouring fallen foes to take their strength?

[@novemberguy7087]

It is really unfortunate that so few people will know Rykard's full story; I really felt sadness when you read the Daedicar's Woe item description. Beautiful video, thank you so much for making it.

[@Dragens2]

The Fingercreeper thing is a little mystery because it seems that the origins of those creepers are in the mountain tops of the giant. there are the two biggest examples of finger creepers and no creeper there has any ring on it. those are "natural" ones. Don't know if that changes something in your theory

[@ZugzugZugzugson]

i believe the ringed finger creepers are under the control of whoever is the leader of the region they reside in, whereas the unringed ones are feral. that's why you almost never find unringed finger creepers in groups, and tend to find them alone in a sewer or in a dungeon somewhere, whereas all the ringed ones seems to have some organization to their methods and guard specific areas.

[@edujokin7308]

On my second playthrough, I realized that Rykard was featured in the intro cinematic. It depicts him being eaten by the serpent too, but the serpent is actually pretty average sized for an immortal borderline godlike entity. If this is truly Eiglay before he ate Rykard, then that means the ancient snake worshipping cult on Mt. Gelmir worshipped a tiny immortal snake as a god. It could be that Eiglay is simply offspring of the original serpent, but I really hope this is true just for how funny it would be!

[@mondooowada3537]

I have auditory sensory issues, and your audio mixing is damn good. Great video, and I hope to see more Elden Ring content from you!

[@SmoughTown]

I appreciate that feedback and glad to hear you enjoyed the video. I'll try to keep it at this quality moving forward. Thank you!

[@Squidaniel]

I just recent reread the first 3 volumes of Berserk and Rykard’s story definitely feels deeply inspired by the Count from The Black swordsman arc. Also great video!!!

[@heathkish6901]

It’s amazing how many parallels you can draw between the two! Maybe I’m looking too much into it, but I know Miyazaki is huge Berserk fanboy too.

[@Squidaniel]

@@heathkish6901 like Even the fight seems ripped out of the Manga. Everything crumbles, the unnaturally GIANT extension of the blade of the serpent-killer weapon. It’s so good

[@eggplant4078]

Definitely getting apostle vibes from him

[@HerMi.T]

I actually feel that rykard atleast after becoming the lord of blasphemy and devoured by elder serpent is much more similar to ganishka. You will going to read about him in later arc but he is just like rykard fight against very gods and his ambition of great power to rule everything make him to literally devour the very gods (astral world itself) and become a chaotic destructive force who only want destruction and nothing else. He also create demon soldiers with fusion of man and demonic beings by very hideous way just like rykard.

[@sk8legendz]

where did you find the volumes?

[@pious83]

20:43 This is one of the aspects of Elden Ring I really enjoy. The Demi-Gods possess incredible power. Beyond Gwyn with his lightning bolts. They can fuse other beings onto their bodies and become empowered by it. Affect the gravity of the planet, even when mindless. Impose their will on other beings, even when dead. Continue to exist and influence the world, from a doll etc, etc In contrast to typical From soft titles, some aren't entirely dead when you defeat them either.

[@lozerisdead999]

one other little detail about the hands; They have just as many fingers as he does in his serpent form. I think this paired with the multitude of rings all but confirms they come from him. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s as dark as the hands are quite literally cut off from hi/ body, seeing how the wrist segments look like they were gored and just sent off to fight. Not really far fetched given the regenerative nature of the serpent.

[@aldrichdevourerofgods7630]

Im unsure, is Rykard really dead? He says a serpent never dies, owing to the Great Serpent’s immortality, and the limbs still writhe out from his body. Perhaps this is not the last time we will encounter the great blasphemer…

[@colorgreen8728]

I think that yes rykard was powerful enough to impose his own image upon the serpent, but because their goals are nearly identical, the serpent let’s rykard have his own being as they share goals

[@jamespateluniversity]

Who do you think Bernahl is referring to when he says "inheritor of my brothers will?" . Might just be that the recusants are family/brotherhood and Bernahl is referring to the will of rykard/ all the blaspheme. Also it states that his maiden threw herself into 'the' fire, not just 'a' fire. I wonder if they're implying that maybe Bernahl, a lord-worthy champion, made it all the way to the flame of ruin and his maiden tried unlocking the way, but she wasn't a kindling maiden like Melina ( With a vision of fire) and thus ol Bernie was shit out of luck. The main reason I'm considering this is because Bernahl invades us at Farum Azula , a place we only access when our maiden burns.

[@golDroger88]

Where do you get this "kindling maiden" specification from? I do agree that's where his maiden burned and that's why he has access to Farum Azula. I think he didn't know or didn't realize the life of his maiden would have been the price for the title of Elden Lord, though, and that's why he rejected that path.

[@jamespateluniversity]

​@@golDroger88 Blade of Calling Item Description : "Dagger given to one who set out on a journey to fulfill her duty long ago. The power of its former owner, the kindling maiden, is still apparent. The one who walks alongside flame, Shall one day meet the road of Destined Death." It's the weapon that Melina uses when you summon her for the morgott fight. (interesting note is that she fights like a black knife assassin, and the blade itself is somewhat similar to the black knife. Not sure what the connection here ; if melina is numen-born, or if she has some eternal city connections ) , but the blade belongs to here regardless, making her the "Kindling Maiden". Description says "THE" too, which maybe means she's the only one of her kind? From finger reader Enia: "But special kindling is required to reignite the flame. The flame to burn the Erdtree, a sacrifice is needed. Of one who envisions the flame. And can lead you to the Rune of Death."

[@golDroger88]

@@jamespateluniversity But isn't that the purpose of all finger maidens? If you read Vyke's and Bernhal's items both reject the path of the greater will because they don't want or didn't like that their maiden had to be sacrificed. I'm not denying that Melina is special, she obviously is, but all maidens are sacrificed one the champion reaches the kiln, that's their purpose.

[@jamespateluniversity]

​@@golDroger88 I think you have it right. Vyke and Bernahl are top tier tarnished, and almost seem like they represent the alternative paths we can go down if we feel some way about losing our maidens ? Frenzied flame/ Recusant ? ( I found some cut content from , I believe Rykard , saying " Eveligne ,show him the way...to devour the gods" , which may have been another ending like the frenzied flame ending at some point) . But that aside, could also explain why we're the first tarnished to actually make it. Maybe it's not the finger maiden part, but the fact that melina has some connection with destined death and that's what we need to make the flame we cause actually burn the thorns. There's a ghost in the game that says " Behold. The Erdtree yet stands.Tall and unwavering, mindless of the scorch of the flame of ruin. Hahah, Hahah... Then, we are yet Golden Ones. " , indicating that just stoking the flame of ruin to create a scorch is insufficient to really damage the erdtree. Or perhaps vyke/bernahl just couldn't /didn't defeat maliketh, I'm a little unsure at this point. Bernahl had the blasphemous claw all this time ( assumedly ), why wait until we were at farum azula to make his move. Also as a side note, according to game data the maiden we find dead at the Church of Inhibition is called "Vyke's Finger Maiden", the one who we can use to stain the cloth for Varre's questline. So poor dude went down the path of frenzy and didn't even have a maiden to show for it, though it doesn't seem like she died in a struggle or w/e, maybe she couldn't live with what she had seen? Given maidens are generally loyal to the fingers/greater will and frenzy/three fingers are the opposite. That's also where we fight vyke so I guess he never really got over it.

[@ZugzugZugzugson]

@@jamespateluniversity Bernahl might have been planning to play the long game. he wants the player to believe they are friends, when really, Bernahl is just waiting for the player tarnished to become powerful enough, so that he can kill him/her, take their power a la Rykard and then head off to face up against Malekith. by the time we first meet him in the game, in that poor shack in limgrave, he is more than capable of killing us right then and there, but he wants us to become more powerful for his end goal. his plan backfires in that the player-tarnished becomes much stronger than he anticipated, and only decided to try and stop us after it was already too late. we literally face up against him right next to the beast claw which presumably is the farthest Bernahl came in his quest, this was basically his last ditch effort to stop us before we outpaced him and brandished the title of elden lord. Bernahl is clearly not a good guy, he is indeed a very bad guy. he just knows how to hide it. a true testament to the manipulative schemes of the volcano manor.

[@АлександрГреб-ш7у]

Honestly, this makes me so interested in relationships between the demigods before the shattering

[@ashhuang8920]

That was a LOT of details and stories explained. Thank you a lot for the interpretations =) Very well done video. Expecting your next one!

[@SmoughTown]

Much appreciated! Hopefully won’t need to wait too long

[@INBCPC1994]

You're one of the few creators that discussed his relation with Ranni during the night of the black knives, that at least for me profs that Ranni isn't as benevolent or good as the vast majority of the Elden Ring community has come to accept (the idea she's the good waifu and her ending is the best one lol), just for that tidbit alone I subscribe to you, keep it up dude excellent content!!!. Also you should do a video about Radahn he is a favorite character by the community and some people thing he was the only good demigod, but Morgott calls him a traitor and Rykard has a painting of him inside the volcano Manor, I think that he was also involved with the theft of the rune of death or at least knew about it, we barely know why he was in caelid ...

[@SmoughTown]

Yeh absolutely - Ranni very much walks a dark path. Thanks so much and I will 100% get to big man Radahn at some point because he very much is of interest to me

[@yordo9593]

I don't think she's "good" or "bad", she clearly does not care for what's right or wrong. She wants to get rid of the greater will's influence, that's all. I think that'd be a positive change for the lands between, but I doubt that is her reason. She is doing it for herself.

[@punishedbrak4255]

@@yordo9593 She's trying to get it on with Formless Oedon and birth a world similar to Bloodborne, bringing other wills ("outer gods") that birthed things like Astel and the Falling Star Beasts to ours. It's not better than the Erd Tree/Elden Beast/Elden Ring: it's just different, and seems just as horrifyingly oppressive or prone to grave mistake.

[@lucyadam9128]

@@punishedbrak4255 actually her plan is to keep the night away, she herself is the only one who will walk it , the items discretion of her ring tells a warning to put the ring away and that the night is her path alone when we become her consort we share her fate and walk the night with her There was a mistranslation from Japanese to English in the age of the star ending, ranni Japanese texts says that the age of the stars where she keeps the shill night far away, probably meaning to keep the influence of the outer gods away from the world So she probably wasn't evil

[@kobragaming9420]

@@yordo9593 she does it for herself but she genuinely does love her followers and think she’s doing a good for the people of the lands between

[@samwisecannedcheese1892]

Been waiting for vaatvidya to upload lore videos but wow you’re on par with his level of detail. Great video man!

[@billquinton5565]

The level of detail here is much greater. Vaati is a good entry point, but if you want thorough discussions that cut deeper than surface level, channels like this is where it's at.

[@dabiggestratintown]

Finally, I was not able to find a Rykard lore video forever and then this popped up. Thanks man

[@SmoughTown]

Most welcome! I hope you enjoy

[@bastrdojenkins4478]

a 40 minute elden ring lore video ? sign me up

[@SmoughTown]

Hell yeh. Now imma go lie down

[@Etticos.]

The detail/depth at which you have been covering these topics (Godskin + Rykard) is right up there with Vaati. This is just what I have been needing. Great work dude. Subbed.

[@Thegamblerino]

Thanks for the citation man. Another great piece very well researched. I would have liked a more in depth analysis on the placements of the maidens since they seem to be placed at very key locations (also the abandoned cave in caelid where a bunch of destroyed maidens are stored. Seemed very strange seeing them there on my fist visit.) but you already pieced a lot together. Also the mask that Tarnith wears is very reminiscent of that of the maidens (and to add another layer of complexity. looking closely, her dress bears the same pattern of the robe under the coat of the ruler's set, the Marai's set and the official set, wich is wore by inquisitor Ghiza). I always got the impression that Tanith was in fact Daedica, that's why she wears a mask to conceal her flayed face. On a side note. The pattern of the chestpiece of the deparved perfumer's set bears the symbol of serpents ensanring the erdtree, they are found all over the shaded castle and almost certainly ties volcano manor and the Marai family together in some way. I'm looking forward on your take on the whole topic of the "crucible of life" and its links to the omen curse/misbegotten (this has almost certainly something to do with Godfrey as 2 of his children are born cused with omen horns and then he is exiled by marika. Also his most faithful knights are the crucible knights that use crucible spells). Also there is many sides of the story that i cannot currently explain very well, like the whole matter of the beasts and intelligence (gurrank spells) a full chronology/timeline of magic disciplines(from onyx lords and astrologers to present day) and the fact that seems like that multiple people arrived at the flame of the gigants before us but somehow failed or refused to become elden lords (Bernhal and Vyke) and, of coure, Marika's true motives for basically everyhing she does in the lore(I dont buy it that she shatters the ring only because she is grieving over Godwyn), as we know that Gideon has discovered her true intentions and decides to stop us by the end. Last funny thing. I would love to know if someone has found a painting of Ranni around. I think it would be useful to know her true appearence because the Ranni we meet has the body of the doll that resemle her frost witch master. That should tell us a little bit more on her lineage, because the whole empyrean matter is very cloudy at the moment. I personally think it has something to do with the amber egg that radagon left to rennala.

[@wilburforce8046]

I just love the way he talks. It’s so creepy and unsettling, and it all comes from the way he paces his sentences.

[@abrahamkresnik9726]

Thank you for making this whole Rykard lore with depth and proper explanation. I was fascinated by Volcano Manor and what it comes to be. A Ruler so twisted between the lines of being a great leader and depravity, completely shunned away by followers and demigods alike when he let himself be eaten. Rykard and The Great Serpent may have briefly shared the same philosophy of devouring the world, but it's merely an insatiable animalistic hunger of a snake. The two minds have become one being of blasphemy and the former Rykard forever lost in hunger for power. Even if they had grown stronger and build their serpent army, they would never leave Mt. Gelmir because its the Great Serpent's natural habitat where a sacrificial offering will always be brought to and eaten by the Serpent. In the end, Rykard initiated his own downfall

[@zacheryeckard3051]

@Bingo No, it really isn't. Craving power for its own sake is a sign of true weakness. Weakness of character, weakness of mind. Insecurity.

[@zacheryeckard3051]

@Bingo No, u. Uno reverse card and all. Strength that you don't know how to use responsibly is just dangerous. For all I know, though, you think Stalin was a cool dude.

[@zacheryeckard3051]

@Bingo Oh God. You're dangerously smoothbrain. "Dangerous" does not mean what you think it does. No wonder you had to make a new account.

[@yordo9593]

Seeing how deep you are getting into the game's lore, and that you're so good at unraveling it's story, I'd like to know your stance on the ongoing discussion regarding Ranni and Melina being the same person. (Much like Marika and Radagon) I am undecided on the matter, because while there are some good arguments in favour of the theory (Their link to Torrent or their closed eyes), there are some gaps that make it feel lacking.

[@SmoughTown]

I dont believe they are the same person, currently. I may change my mind when I look into it more.

[@Watermelon_Warlord]

More than likely Marika is Melina than anything. But I think it's just that Melina is one of Marika's daughters.

[@mr.joesterr5359]

I think melina is a daughter or servant of ranni.

[@MyUniqueHandle.]

Heres the connections ive made in regards to those two. Feel free to pick at my theory. 'M'elina and 'R'anni are mirror images of 'M'arika and 'R'adagon which means they also mirror each other. Progressing game Melina tells you she was born at the foot of the erdtree and that her mother gave her a purpose (which is to replace marika as vessel of the elden ring) but she later tells you she denies it and acts of her own volition. She also doesn't have a physical body hinting she has a connection to the tree. This information makes me believe that Melina was born by the elden beast from marikia. If you listen to the music when she sacrifices herself, it is identical to the elden beast reveal. Coincidentally if you go down the frenzied flame route and destroy the erdtree along with the beast, the mark over her left eye is gone and she appears to have a physical empyrean form. Why do i think they mirror each other? - Ranni sheds her empyrean physical form becoming her spirit and melina is a spirit of the erdtree/beast that gains her physical empyrean form after you destory the tree and the beast. - Ranni embraces the purpose given to her by her *adoptive* mother rennala to bring about the night and Melina refuses the purpose given by hers, choosing her own path. - Ranni has the mark of the night sky under her right eye and Melina has a bestial mark over her left eye. They are both clearly empyrean vessels for the outer gods in the game but It is interesting that we dont get much visual information from the other empyrean children and i think that has to be on purpose. Malenia has her eyes rotted out and we never see Miquella. Only A description that people thought he looked like a girl when in fact he was a boy. Conveniently Marika and radagon dont show much visual information neither since half their face is shattered. Are the marks an indicator of one being an empyrean? Or were they caused by the shattering? Still a lot of questions.

[@climax050]

@@MyUniqueHandle. I just wanted to point out that the Empyrean's are born of one god, and are the only ones able to inherit the power of being the one true god of the world at the time. Them being born of one god seems to give them birth defects as at the end of the day they are literally as inbred as its possible to be. This is why Miquella is stuck in that cocoon thing in Mohg's palace, he never ages, a defect from his birth, the same as Malenia's rot. I believe Ranni either missed the defects being born of Radagon whereas the twins were born of Radagon and Marika after they became one officially. Either that or we just don't know what Ranni got seeing as she seems normal as far as we can tell. As far as the Ranni/Melina thing goes i'm not sure, Melina seems sort of underdeveloped and is never really mentioned or spends a lot of time with you, she almost seems more like a tool and a exposition dumper than anything. It wouldn't surprise me if we find out a lot more in DLCs considering we really don't know a whole lot about her for certain, its hard to make a conclusion in my opinion because a lot of the lore in this game is pretty spelled out and straightforward, as in you don't have to assume or guess at much the game usually tells you in one way or another. I think they could be connected but again it doesn't make a whole lot of sense that either Ranni or Melina wouldn't tell you. I believe Melina is a child of Marika, seeing as the first letter in this game denotes the parent, but other than that the evidence is little more that speculation. Funnily enough, i want to know more about Torrent, specifically who his former master was seeing as Ranni references him/her directly and he seems to accompany Melina on her travels. Much like some of the other more vague things in the game whose lore is pretty straightforward for a souls game, i think this is going to be a "waiting for more evidence/DLC" situation. I do like the connection you made between Ranni/Radagon and Melina/Marika tho thts easily the best piece of evidence we have for the two of them being mirrors of each other.

[@LoreHunter]

Great work man! I love Rykard (though not enough to be consumed by him) and you did an excellent job telling his story.

[@Grab_N001]

I would love a scenario where you play DURING the big war. You play Elden Ring in a state after everything is basically done. The soldiers are either mentally broken husks of their former glory or dead. The land is in ruins. Shit is fucked. But imagine we played during the middle of everything. Volcano Manor beseiged, armies of Noble Soldiers fighting to the bitter end. Radahn not a mindless warrior. Morgott still as Margit the Fell. Mohg not quite yet considering Incest as a valid option to ascend to a position of a Monarch. Malenia marching across the land to face Radahn. Rykard, still a respected (but still homicidal) Demigod and not a ravenous lunatic. And you're in the middle of it all. You, as the abnormally stubborn mute weirdo, decide who to side with. You would be the one to break the line between the Manor defenses or the Capital forces. You would decide whether the Noble Radhan walks away with a clear mind or if the land is covered in Rot. I realized partway through what this would be. Dynasty Warriors. Elden Warriors.

[@meganboye1394]

I’m so sorry that I have to come out of absolutely nowhere and tell you how fucking amazing this sounds.

[@alexandersong5753]

13:32 this Tanith/Rykard dynamic is simialr to the dynamic between the Dancer/Pontiff Sulyvahn in Dark Souls 3, where the Dancer was also a dancer from a distant land that eventually began serving the big bad guy, Sulyvahn... main difference seems to be that in Elden Ring, Tanith voluntarily serves Rykard, while the Dancer was forced to serve Sulyvahn in Dark Souls 3.

[@traumateaminternational4732]

You have no idea how happy I was when I saw this video go up just a day after watching your previous one.

[@SmoughTown]

😍I better get working on the next one!

[@dani.phantm]

it's possible that Rykard just kept cutting off and regenerating his hand to create an army of hands.

[@DonPetexX]

considering you can hear him talk after you beat him and he says "the serpent never dies" and Tanith telling us he's immortal you're probably right.

[@Sayocakes]

Youre blowing up smough I'm so happy for you!!

[@SmoughTown]

Thank you so much! Much appreciated

[@hanlork7171]

Now we can devour lore togethaa

[@SmoughTown]

Pahahahah

[@Infinitewumbo]

I've been waiting for the Vaatividya lore videos, but this guy is just as good.

[@arthursboypusshe3613]

Do you think it’s possible the Finger Creepers were an attempt by Ryckard to create his own version of the Fingers (like the 2 fingers and 3 fingers)?

[@CNNBlackmailSupport]

I think they are a bunch of stolen 2 fingers melded with one of his own. There are multiple 2 fingers that get sent, but each hand monster has one ringed finger.

[@benruniko]

I think this as well. Or he was like “i can make fingers too, and mine have more, so they must be better!”

[@ZugzugZugzugson]

the finger creepers are supposedly connected to the genocide of the giants. people are speculating that the hands of the dead giants were cut off and turned into servants, which is why we have finger creepers (and why they are so enormous) this puzzle piece fits perfectly with what we see in Volcano Manor and the surrounding Mt. Gelmir areas - Rykard's secret experiments on the albenaurics. my personal guess would be that they've started to run out of "fresh" giant's hands from which to produce more finger creepers, and thus perform experiments on the albenaurics which can be created artificially and used like a clay mold to produce more finger creepers or a different creature entirely - possibly creatures Rykard can use to grow his power without having to hunt for his food.

[@TrumpCardMAGA]

I feel really dumb not coming to that conclusion... It's like poetry, it rhymes lol

[@Pelagion98]

Amazing video! Rykard was definitely the most intriguing demi-god, and the Volcano Manor was a treat to explore. I really enjoyed all the observations made by you. And that last line about path of the champion at the end was a treat.

[@benlowry6327]

Audio is absolutely fine

[@jamesmclaren4]

I genuinely think we got here too early haha. It cleared when I refreshed.

[@Lacucarachadefuego]

The Serpent being based on Jörmungandr matches up to the Erdtree being based on Yggdrasil

[@jonasfadi8213]

Even the fire Giant being akin to the jotun and radagon's wolf resembling fenrir.

[@jonasfadi8213]

Elden ring is literally a love letter to Norse mythology lovers, including the ever powerful references to berserk mythos

[@jackbelmont4389]

Either that or the black dragon niddhog that eats the roots of the world tree

[@ivorymantis1026]

Observations: Rykard's Face on the Serpent is on it's scutes, or tummy. This would mean that even as the God-Devouring Serpent, his face would be forced prostrate for the rest of his life. Forever pushed face down into the earth, as if it's a punishment of some sort. The Serpent looks like it was overfed the way the hands and tendrils burst from gaping gashes in the Serpent's body. Some of these hands appear to have turned into bifurcated tongues, like a snake's tongue. This brings up a peculiar conceptual image; Fortissax's Lightning Spear is also bifurcated in the same manner, like a serpent's tongue. (Even if it does look like the Lance of Longinus). I wonder if this is just symoblism that Fortissax had "fallen" to that of a level of a Serpent, instead of the grace of being a dragon?

[@dvsh7168]

I've been waiting for this one and a lore video on Radahn my two favorite bosses in the game.

[@SmoughTown]

His story absolutely captivated me when I first entered this area!

[@dvsh7168]

@@SmoughTown I 100% agree from the location to his design I knew he was gonna have crazy good lore, I couldn't wait for someone to make an in depth video on him. I was searching but couldn't find anything it looks like most are infatuated with Ranni right now there's like 10 videos on her alone thank you for this.

[@tylerr3740]

amazing job, can’t wait to watch every video you make about this game.

[@SmoughTown]

I appreciate the support. More to come soon

[@RENDAN_iel]

Dude I’ve been watching for years. You have some of the best lore content there is. What’s more important is you put in the time to get it right. I agree with everything and you even surprised me with some new details!

[@yakdeculture9761]

Hey Smough! Been subscribed to you for quite a long time, and I'm really happy to see how much you've grown both in subscribership and presentation with your videos. This was a treat to watch. If possible please do a video on the infamous Dung Eater next!

[@SmoughTown]

Appreciate the long term support, means so much. He is on the list for sure

[@vinomsnake]

This is one of the best videos I've ever seen about the lore. I can't believe I haven't paid attention to the epic story telling of the environment.

[@argonaut_jay]

Wow!! This video and information was incredibly informative and interesting. You earned a sub! Definitely interested to see what other analysis/lore videos you put together. Well done!

[@SmoughTown]

Thank you Jason! That means the world

[@nasernaeem9977]

love how you said he was consumed with gaining power rather than using it to complete his orginal ideal, game play wise he is probably the strongest character and was able to defeat the gods, but rather than defeating them and achive his goals, he stayed in his castle and consumed more and more power.

[@Neuffey]

This was an amazing, in-depth lore video on one of my favorite bosses in the whole game. Good job mate! Please please do Mohg Lord of Blood now. I think you'd get that right too lol!

[@SmoughTown]

He's actually on my list! Defo soon

[@Neuffey]

@@SmoughTown I love you lol. Thank you again man. Also, one more I'd love to see you do since you mentioned it in the video...Malekith the Black Blade.

[@ImYourOnlyItGirl]

HE NEEDS TO DO EVERYONE I FREAKING LOVE THIS MASTERPIECE

[@Neuffey]

@@ImYourOnlyItGirl I'll concur this! Lol. But I'm biased and want him to do Mohg and Malekith next lol

[@dawnfawn6312]

I loved how comprehensive this look into Rykard and especially Mt. Gelmir was, even looking into the minute details of level design to piece together the story, lots of stuff I missed during my playthrough there

[@carneus]

I thought the fingercreepers were created from fire giant carcasses as the other place we find them is mountaintop of the giants though there isn't anything there to my knowledge that would tie it in with them. I feel like the fact they drop somber smithing stones is important in some way. The description for somber smithing stones is literally the same all the way until ancient dragon somber smithing stone, unlike smithing stones which have varying description depending on tier.

[@jessenelson4154]

An interesting thing I just saw that may have some connection to Rykard is that after you beat the lord of blood, there is a hand coming out of the cocoon of the empyrean, and on this hand is a ring. It’s difficult for me to get a really close look at this ring as every time I get too close it starts becoming transparent, but the ring on Miquella’s hand looks exactly like the serpents that come out of the abductor virgins when they go to grab you. This could just be to symbolize his abduction from the Haligtree, but I find it a little difficult to believe that he would be given a ring that would be so prominently on display with such a resemblance to the serpents to simply symbolize his abduction. I believe that there is a deeper connection between Rykard and Miquella then meets the eye.

[@brandonjensen586]

Rykard’s voice actor and facial animations alone won me over alone I had no idea how deep this snakehole went though

[@angelmartinez9744]

Love your analysis on the lore. Never even caught on to the serpents on the Iron Maiden’s. I usually just avoid them. It’s interesting too that patches tells you about a certain abductor virgin that still retains the power to teleport one to the erdtree, turn out it teleports you to the torture chamber instead. He said they all used to have the power to teleport one there. Interesting piece of lore anyways. Long videos are great man the longer the better I say as long as the quality is as good as this entire vid. Looking forward to seeing your future vids.

[@harryhazza626]

Are you going to have these beautifully informative videos for all the main bosses of the game ? Cos if so then I'm so fucking excited

[@SmoughTown]

I'll try my best hahaha - thanks so much

[@harryhazza626]

@@SmoughTown sick ! Wish you the best 🍻

[@livingfailure7264]

Rykard was my second shardbearer, something about his description just drew me, I reached Altus through the magma wyrm’s cave and headed straight there, fought the beloved (by me) Godskin Noble severely under levelled, before finally reaching Rykard And I wasn’t disappointed, an individual so ambitious he fed himself to a god snake in the hopes he’d finally be powerful enough to realise his goals. What a fascinating character

[@robokid1333]

I think it's fair to assume the Hand Creepers are born from the shed skin of Rykard's serpentine form. Snakes shed their skin, who's to say that Rykard's shed hands weren't repurposed? The Hand monstrosities' ability to immobilize with magic, also reflects the idea of imprisonment and torture, seen within the Manor and in the design of the Abductor Virgins

[@8roomsofelixir]

On environmental storytelling: It is worth noting that the only military fort on the Mt. Gelmir, Fort Laiedd, was being taken by the Fire Monks, littered with the bodies of Leyndell soldiers, with the ghost of a noble loyal to the Volcano Manor. We can even see Fire Monks fighting remaining Leyndell soldiers outside the fort. It seems that the fort was once belonged to the Volcano Manor forces, being taken by Leyndell forces during the Shattering, and then being taken again by the Fire Monks. And I wondered what happened there, why would the Fire Monks lay siege to this small fort.

[@NiraSader]

I just love the norse inspiration of this game, before reaching Volcano manor I was definitely expecting to see one big serpent boss as the equivalent of Jormungandr within this universe, can’t be mad at how they did it tbh.

[@lizardlady7499]

Fantastic video, you have an eye for detail in the environmental storytelling and enemy design that I don't see often from anyone but Vaati. Keep up the good work, can't wait to see more from you!

[@akakyakakievich1477]

great video! this is probably my third watch-through of it and i found myself taken aback by the merika statue around the 9 minute mark. maybe it's because this the exact moment i saw the most detail and it held in long enough but anyway here's some lore conjecture vomit for anyone who cares: it's a statue of merika but what is behind her? it's some fashion of fish/serpent twirly bob. but if you pause it at 9:02 in this video and zoom in, there's some intriguing patterns. starting around her right (our left) knee, a motif shapes and it almost looks like butterflies? or vertibrae? that butterfly/vertibrae motif seems to overtake another kind of scale-or even eye-ball looking motif, which i believe should pass for the top side of the serpent/fish. the butterfly-esque motif seems to be the bottom side. as you travel up this motif's body, it's obvious that you're facing into its ribs, not its spine. so merika is in front of it, and its belly is at her back, so to speak. the butterflies motif matches with 'belly' and the 'eyeball' might match with the the back of the serpent. i may have explained it poorly, but if you look at the serpant right around merika's armpits you'll see you're looking into flaying ribs, not a spine. so yea, that butterfly motif is the bottom, and the (for lack of a better term) eyeball motif speaks to the creature's back. great, fantastic, glad i still got your attention to bore you more. the serpant has no head, does it? it has an eel-like tail near the left knee (our right) of merika. wherefore the fish? what in merika's lore lends a fish?? if you want to be weird and astrological about it, the zodiac sign pisces speaks to the end of a karmic cycle, and aries speaks to a new karmic cycle. so yea, this image has some pisces reflections in it, with the symmetry and all that. does that reading feed into elden ring? is merika a fucking pisces? fuck if i know, but there you have it. well tldr- the butterfly motif seems to reflect melenia, the serpent motif could speak to rykard? the circular-upon-circular shape could speak to some moon-eclipsey fuckery so there's that with ranni, the empty hole to her hip could speak to miquella the undeveloped (just needs to find the right protein powder) and her holding her ass in jail shape without anything to hold her up there could (just very well) speak to radhan and his gravity badassery. i might have forgotten some of her children, but the one i wont forget to mention is godwyn, our golden boy of death. he's represented in the stone because he's a goddamn homie no narc. well what does it all mean? idk ask merika, she seems to have all the answers in her form here. oh yea, to edit: i guess to sum up the tableau, she's holding all her kids back cause she's a narcissist mother who won't let anyone thrive under her watch now, won't she? or like cause she's a god and got shit to do. i'm a broken person i can't come to sane conclusions.

[@DoktorBeta]

godwyn's corpse has a big mermaid fish tail thing going on

[@joeprado3614]

So damn good. Wasn’t expecting this awesome level of quality. Blown away.

[@alec6583]

Imagine this all started because Marika and Radagon had the demigods over for dinner and Rykard broke the ice with, "... has anybody else ever wondered, like... what's with the fingers?" Radagon stands up, pointing at the door. "OUT." Then Rykard's all like, "okay fuck me then. I'll just feed myself to a snake. Is that what you want? DAD?" Godrick, Malenia and Miquella are at the kids' table. Ranni didn't come because she's going through a post-parents'-divorce emo phase that'll certainly be over soon. Godwyn volunteers to clear the table so he doesn't have to get involved. Radagon asks Marika of Rykard, "should I do something?" Marika goes, "he's just doing this for attention." Then he does it and Radagon's like, "pretty sure that, right there, solidifies me as the worst dad in history." Meanwhile, Godfrey's smoking crack in another country and he's still right. Morgott busts in like, "who's ready for cake? God I love you guys." Marika sips wine as she swiftly exits the room. Radagon smiles awkwardly at Morgott, with whom he has exactly jack shit in common.

[@orthonas6417]

Good video I love all the different footage used and the attention to detail with enemy placement! Comparing the Godskin to the Black-Knives is a really apt analogy. Here are my thoughts Godskin Apostles represent the Black-Knife assassins of their age but just like how Ranni still exists at the end of the Age of the Erdtree, I think the Gloam-Eyed Queen survived to the end of her age and that she was actually Marika herself. Marika existed during the Prehistoric time before the Erdtree and would eventually fight for its creation and preservation. But according to Nepheli Loux's religion (which relates to Godfrey's name Horah Loux and sorta confirms their ways as the Prehistoric old ways) they worshipped the Stormlord Placidusax who as the previous Elden Lord would've existed with his own pantheon of gods. I believe Marika was given the power of Destined Death to begin the Godhunt like you imply in the video until she was defeated by Maliketh who then sealed the power within his Blackblade, but he would go on to serve Marika as her shadow just like how Blaidd betrayed the world for Ranni and together they would challenge the gods. As a rough summation like Horah Loux would be huge in that and probably was the one who decapitated a head from Placidusax. Further evidence for Marika's link to the Godskin are with Gideon Ofnir, a known follower to Marika, who possesses some of the only ancient rituals of the Godskin that have been lost to time. Also I believe the Godskin to be serpent like because they represent the original blasphemy of imitation of the Ancient Dragons cuz they snakes and the God-Devouring Serpent was the original blasphemer which is why that echoes again in the current age with Rykard himself. Rykard personally was most likely a Carian Prince, then a royal knight of the capital, then the royal inquisitor, and finally a rebel who became too disgusted with the acts of inquisition he was forced to perform so he committed ultimate blasphemy in burning his minor erdtree and feeding himself to the God-Devouring Serpent. Based off of the Blasphemous Claw you get from Bernahl's quest it was probably Ranni who was the root of Rykard's treason. It references her personal plan to begin the Age of Stars but if she were ever to fail it gives Rykard a better chance of challenging Maliketh. Ranni fails because her fate is locked behind the movement of the stars and Rykard falls to inner greed. Part of me likes to think that Rykard's last conscious act as his serpent-god union was to try and harness the power of Mt Gelmir which caused its eruption, destroying the castle town and sealing him within that giant cavern. Miquella and Marika were both involved with the Night of Black Knives to equal measure as Ranni, I believe that is evidenced by the Black Knife ladies' positions in Ordina as well as Marika's relationship to them as Numenites. Ranni has a falling out with them which is why her servant Iji is later murdered by the Black Knives. I think that connection between all of them extends to the Godskin safeguarding the conspiracy by defending Ranni's body or recruiting new members like Rykard. I believe the Godskin Apostle in Dominula represents that the people there have discarded their worship of the gods and that they support godhunters instead. In Rykard's castle it's attracted by the godhunt. In Farum Azula would make sense as Marika still wanting Destined Death to be sealed off. That segueways into Marika's plan which is most likely to have Godwyn be revived as Prince of Undeath imo Anyway great video!

[@JK-ok1fu]

I think the giant hand enemies are the severed hand of rykard, but because rykard is immortal it always just regenerated.

[@lucidstatedept1267]

So at 15:20 you make the comparison of this battle in the game to ww1 and I have to tell you, I got chills. Very good writing from y’all. Instant sub!

[@cptndunsel3364]

Oof. I know that Ranni's ending is the most popular, but honestly the more I learn about her the more red flags I see.

[@seraphjohanson3402]

Oh lord. Those last couple of lines are so tragic and haunting! Well done