Elden Ring Lore - House Marais & Their Dominion

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The noble houses of the Lands Between have dwindled. Who is left that once held a place of prominence and where are they now? Learn the history of House Marais in this week's Elden Lore.
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[@aroukar47]

My thought was that Finlay carrying Malenia back to the Haligtree took a short break at the Shaded Castle. The prosthesis we find here could be the one Malenia lost in the battle against Radahn.

[@Mistercodmobilefan8378]

Probably I mean that explains why there's so much parts there in the castle

[@MorningGloryDancer]

Oh, I really like that theory!

[@kawapwi6231]

Doesnt make sense. She has the prosthesis when you fight her in the boss room

[@c4rmilla]

⁠@@kawapwi6231She must have plenty of prosthesis but not one obviously, the one found in Shaded Castle might be damaged too much that she couldn’t use anymore.

[@square-table-gaming]

We present this prosthesis to Millicent in order for her to wield a blade so it is definitely undamaged. I tend to believe Finlay did not stop at the shaded castle because it would be out of the way on her trek back to the Haligtree

[@lukebarroso449]

Finding patches here was the cherry on top. The lore of this boss and location was amazing considering it can be easily ignored.

[@zenebean]

I love his story in ER

[@Umbra_Ursus]

I pretty sure Maleigh is in that rubble yard, as a mockery from Elemer: Man cheated death, took the very sword meant for his neck, then took Marais's house for good measure. Thus, as one final insult to various injuries, since there's no chance a sickly little man is stopping him, Elemer just kicked Maleigh across the street, to really rub his failure in.

[@goldenbough6563]

The boss room of the shaded castle contains a picture of Malenia and four female statues repeated on both sides of the room. One of these statues - the figure holding the spear - is Marika. Of the five women depicted in the room, we know two (Malenia and Marika) are empyreans. There's a good possibility, I think, that the other three are also empyreans.

[@dingohunter4114]

the marais mask looks surprisingly like a young demigod who could never escape childhood.....

[@tuckddd9]

…and their famed sword looks an awful lot like it could be a tool used for removing heads. I wonder if there’s any headless beings in the lands between… it’d be really crazy if they happened to bear the sign of the eclipse…

[@CDio-vr3bx]

​@@tuckddd9 perhaps there is a connection between the old man who tries to tear his head off in the trailer and the Marais family. Maybe he was sent to the land of shadow as an executioner. Carrying out exections with a small fraction of Mesmer's power

[@tuckddd9]

@@CDio-vr3bx interesting I hadn’t really considered implications for the dlc yet. I’m working a theory that Miquella was using the mausoleum’s for something, largely due to the presence of the mausoleum knights and their symbolism but also because of the presence of bells (drawing parallels to the spirit calling bell and the wraith callers). Something to note, the only mausoleums that don’t have a bell are the ones at the “compound” in the uhld ruins in Liurnia, and you’re unable to replicate the remembrances of demigods only others like Astel, Fire Giant, etc. I haven’t came to the conclusion why this is the case, and I’ll probably wait to compile my whole theory after the dlc drops, but I think there was something Miquella was trying to accomplish or understand at the mausoleums.

[@dingohunter4114]

@@tuckddd9 Miquella was the first in line of the house marais imo and thats why years later the house became obsessed with his sister imo.

[@CadenceWren]

This is a neat theory! I cant wait to see how things break down with the DLC..

[@alexandermorgan5958]

There is a strange detail with the poison attack the castellan uses: it is not an incantation. The green symbol and sound effect typically paired with Poison Mist is not present when he uses it, meaning it might technically be something else entirely.

[@shwubbleishere640]

Elemer of the briar is a goated boss ngl definitely underrated

[@afk2402]

His caelid variant is wilder

[@Nemo12417]

Here's a video idea: the Eye of Yelough. The item description draws some parallels between it and real world drug use by people suffering from mental illness or in need of temporary escape from an unpleasant life. It is grown in lands afflicted by Frenzy (whether supernaturally spawned or cultivated naturally, I cannot say, since it can be found in Jarburg). And the people of the Afflicted Village and Frenzied Flame village are nearly all lethargic, to the point that you have to really invade their personal space before they'll even register your existence.

[@KyuubiWindscar4]

Feel like it was the opposite for House Marais and the Cleanrots: I think the House Marais had such a fanatical dedication to Malenia at the end that they attempted to recreate Miquella’s craftsmanship. And it was presented either to Malenia during her march or to the Cleanrots fleeing after the battle who were trailing Finlay. Since they continued to remain garrisoned in the castle even when Elemar has conquered the castle

[@jamesnorman9160]

One thing that makes me chuckle about Maleigh Marais is that he has been forcefully evicted from his own home and is now camping out in the back yard, so to speak, waiting for something to change. But of course, like most other residents of TLB, he just attacks us on sight for self-preservation. Regardless of his family obsession with Malenia though, it's enough of a connection for Cleanrot Knights and other poisonous and rotted guests to camp out at the castle.

[@NickCombs]

Maleigh might have been named after Malenia. If so, he would have been raised to honor her rather than choosing the obsession later in life. The architecture matches the Roundtable Hold and other Godfrey (and crucible) era keeps. So I guess they actually revered poison and rot back then more widely as a strong contender, explaining why anyone would choose to put he Shaded Castle in a mire to begin with. This might even tie back to the scorpion god vessel. The notion of a cycle of rebirth ties really well into the Regal Ancestor Spirit concept as well. This would be a connection to the ancient dynasty. Kinda makes sense given that Godfrey was only around for the end of the crucible era.

[@Nemo12417]

We don't know much about the Ancient Dynasty, but I am fairly certain that Scarlet Rot made its first appearance in the Lands Between either at the tail end of or after the Ancient Dynasty fell. Other than the Grand Cloister, Scarlet Rot is not found in Ancient Dynasty ruins, and the Claymen are also conspicuously absent from that area. I wouldn't be shocked if the appearance of Scarlet Rot is what dealt the deathblow to the Ancient Dynasty before it was sealed, but we have no way of knowing, of course. I say all of this because the Scarlet Rot appears to have encroached upon the Grand Cloister rather than it having been built in the Lake of Rot.

[@ElimGarakSpoonHead]

Gotdang it! One of the cooler lookin’ masks and the neato swords. And the arcane boost for blood ho’s.

[@VoidTower_]

And now Bandai Namco is selling replicas of Melania’s arm 😂

[@zenebean]

Marias: *heavy breathing*

[@twodumbgamers9285]

Im surprised you did not mention anything about the land that elemer came from and where the sword he uses came from. Something I noticed while reading the description and looking at not only elemers sword but the smaller variant found in a cave I cant remember the name of, is that they look very Roman in their design. Even elemers armor looks Roman! Obviously you must look past the barb wire. But what i realized is that we dont have many roman weapons or armor besides elemer's and the gladiator armor. Yet we have architecture all over the lands that looks like its straight from Rome. Now if we take a look at the dlc trailer again, what do we see? More Roman architecture and a specific Roman looking character that is standing and resting his hand on his sword as its pointed in the ground. That character is also wearing some type of fur or feather cape. The same cape i think is later on being worn by the player as they ride into what looks like... drum roll please!! A swamp! And just to add a bit more speculation on my part, i wonder if this new swamp could be the Land of Eochaid. Where the red telekinesis energy is from used to control elemers sword and the Regalia of Eochaid(the smaller variant of elemers sword) as well as the life suck ash of war. Also as i was reading the Briar Greatshield description its says "originates from Eochaid, a land of proudly solitary ascetis." Someone who is practicing asceticism denies their pleasures to pursue personal or spiritual growth. The npc in the trailer i think is a pretty good depiction of that. Obviously just from one shot of him haha but id almost even argue the guy in the painting and who is pulling his head off in the trailer could also be tied to Eochaid. Apologies for the lengthy response but i wanted to get all my thoughts out. Cheers brother! Great video as well! Looking forward to the next ones!

[@square-table-gaming]

So I actually did mention Elemer's current sword which is the Marais executioner sword. That sword does not hail from Eochaid, he simply attached the ability of his homeland to it. The regalia of the Eochaid does hail from his homeland. I didn't go into too much detail about what that means because we have a video on the Bell bearing Hunter.

[@twodumbgamers9285]

@@square-table-gaming ah! I see! I missed the "from his home of eochaid" part hahaha that's my bad! I'll check out the bell bearer video! The Roman design of his armor and the dlc Roman npc was my main point I wanted to get out. Something in me is just telling me they are somehow related.

[@baphomet398]

Any theories regarding those statues found all over the Shaded castle?

[@danisafilthycasual]

Why not just hit up Lyendell for some funds and move the castle somewhere, like, not poisonous?

[@spencerpollock5688]

This was a wonderful video next can you please do the giant ghost skeletons and how they may have been in life 👍

[@NickCombs]

You made me ask a question I never thought of before. Why isn't Kenneth Haight withered like the other wandering nobles?

[@Weegeethegod69]

it's because Kenneth Haight is an Tarnished like all of us

[@NickCombs]

@@Weegeethegod69 What makes you think that?

[@Weegeethegod69]

@@NickCombs I mean when we encountered him he's an normal human tarnish like us with the grace of the Greater will that resurrected us as it did to him

[@NickCombs]

@@Weegeethegod69 Well, judging by his dialgue I don't think he considers himself one. But you never know.

[@Weegeethegod69]

@@NickCombs maybe he was a rich noble before he became a Tarnished after the great shattering

[@Coast2CoastFlyin]

There’s another Marais that you didn’t mention: Rileigh, a confessor in service to the 2 fingers. Firstly, his name shares the same spelling convention as Maleigh, and it’s been pretty well established that GRRM used similar names to denote familial connections. Secondly, and most interestingly, are his weapons of choice: the scorpion stinger dagger (I forget the actual name) and the crepus crossbow, which he uses to fire black key bolts, which are infused with scarlet rot. Based on the item description of the dagger and where we find our own in game, it’s safe to assume that it, along with the antspur rapier, are the true family heirlooms of house marais. The mushroom crown mentions that there used to be lords of rot, in service to the rot god, before it’s defeat. The evidence we find surrounding The shaded castle all but confirms that the Marais family are in all likelihood descended from these ancient rot worshippers, and have essentially lived two lives: that as loyal castellans (basically stewards, not actual lords, interestingly) and executioners in service to the golden order, and a secret life maintaining the old reverence of rot. Hence the fascination with Melania. She is the rot god returned, yet she does not embrace her destiny. Despite that, it would seem her character and her goals were still enough to get Maleigh on her side (“Leigh” is a welsh spelling of “Lee,” and is pronounced as such, making the names “Riley” and “Malley,” which admittedly aren’t as fun to say). This is important though, as it opens the door to another possibility. there’s always the chance that Gowry may also be a Marais. After all, despite the different spelling, their names all follow the same pattern, 2 syllables ending with an “ee” sound. They’re all also deeply connected to rot, with all 3 embracing it as opposed to fearing it as pretty much everyone else does

[@square-table-gaming]

I wouldnt say we forgot Rileigh as much as there is no solid confirmation. Your theories make sense and they'd be great discussion points, but at the same time nothing in-game directly correlates Rileigh with the family. After reading your thoughts though im definitely inclined to entertain that possibility.

[@Korrath]

Elmer is one of my favorite non-boss enemies. Had to tag team him with my girl Lhutel the first time I took him down. An absolute beast.

[@cgzepp]

The story of House Marais as told by the STG narrator has amazing gravitas

[@GoldenMike0809]

The guy looks like Baldwin IV of Jerusalem tbh

[@stefanjackson1127]

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

[@MorningGloryDancer]

Great video! I love wearing the Marais mask. I was always so curious as to why there were so many freaking statues everywhere… I wish we had some info on that, because it has to mean something.

[@Bojangles_supreme]

11:51 jumpscare

[@AegisKHAOS]

Is this the first time I see a vid being sponsored here? 👍 And I do like exploring the Shaded Castle. Love the lore behind House Marais and the relation with Malenia.

[@square-table-gaming]

It's been a long time since we've had a sponsor

[@Manyfacedgodd113]

Incredible video. I'm officially a subscriber

[@St._Matthew]

New Game plus 7 … level 410 .. Still … i can only beat Elemer with the black knife dagger

[@frankiefromky]

I wonder what the many smells of the Lands Between are like..? I bet it's not good, probably why everyone is wearing some sort of mask... so they don't have to smell the lands between. Just an intrusive thought shared...

[@ElimGarakSpoonHead]

Caelid stinks. Probs the only places not stinked up is that windy spot.

[@frankiefromky]

@@ElimGarakSpoonHead tru

[@MorningGloryDancer]

Best. Theory. Ever. 😂

[@frankiefromky]

@@MorningGloryDancer the crazy thing is a couple hours after my comment, I saw a post on Reddit about the smells of the lands between, and I'd bet dollars to donuts the person who posted that saw my comment and got inspired. Truly a community I'm happy to be a part of, we're constantly inspiring each other. 🧡💛

[@teddyshinobi]

King Baldwin IV is what the mask looks like

[@VAL420]

Baldwin IV vibes.

[@error-zq8yo]

elden ring sandwich lore when

[@aaronrevill6662]

cool 😎 To be honest I like watching your lore about ELDEN RING ❤❤❤❤❤ U should definitely do a cosplay invade other people who think they are strong lol

[@thishithardtocreatebruh]

cool

[@toastie8173]

yeah

[@davidmaysee9613]

I. Love. Your. Videos.

[@square-table-gaming]

Thank you!

[@WeyounSix]

What IS a Bell Bearing even??? Like the dingy thing in a bell?? WHY??

[@WeyounSix]

Apparently the dingy thing in a bell is actually called the clapper, so now I'm even more confused lmfao

[@darkmage4648]

Is Maleigh the father of millicent?

[@square-table-gaming]

Milicent was most likely born on Malenia alone. She and her sisters are called "buds" and most likely came into being after Malenia bloomed in Caelid

[@darkmage4648]

@square-table-gaming oh wow, I did not know that.... yep, makes sense. Will watch the millicent lore material. Thank you :)

[@Okkusen]

The only "helmet" I wear all the time cause all the rest loosks like..... Amazing what you put all togehter from the pieces of Lore!!

[@toastie8173]

Ok

[@Vidy4.]

You know, i don't like that much the lore of the important people in Elden ring, like Marika, the demigos, etc, but i love the lore of the secondary characters like the perfumers, albinaurics and misbegotten

[@Hornsent_Orhyn]

You don’t like the demigods? That’s like the best part!😅

[@7heart476]

Malania Simp! : (

[@alexcc293]

I beat Elemer 1st time!!!... On THIS play through 🫤

[@mlgesus8362]

Elden Ring score behind the Ad felt very dystopic

[@square-table-gaming]

How so?

[@mlgesus8362]

@@square-table-gaming makes me feel like Melina is telling me about Factor before I can enter the Roundtable Hold

[@square-table-gaming]

@@mlgesus8362 to be fair the lands between could use better meal options