The FULL Story of Miquella - So Far | Elden Ring Lore Before DLC

This is a Miquella full story summary, meant as a refresher before you play of Shadow of the Erdtree. In this Elden Ring lore video we go in-depth on every facet of Miquella's story including: St Trina, Radagon, Unalloyed Gold, The Haligtree and his relationship with his sister Malenia.
Intro: 0:00
Eternal Youth: 2:22
God of Purity: 16:20
The Holy One: 34:22
Miquella & Godwyn: 1:03:23
St Trina: 1:10:41
Fall of the Haligtree: 1:22:53
Editor: Creators Studio - creatorsstudio.co.uk/
Massive shout out to @eugenialysa for giving permission to use their incredible St Trina environments and art. Please check out Eugenia's original video on this project here: • [Elden Ring-Inspired] ...
Commission Thumbnail art by IvyJinna: / ivyjinna
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUPPORT THE CHANNEL
Help Fuel the Lore: www.buymeacoffee.com/smoughtown
Gamer Supps 10% off: gamersupps.gg/SmoughTown
Patreon: / smoughtown
Join the Channel: / @smoughtown
Subscribe to my second channel: @smoughburgh
Follow me on Twitter: / smoughtown
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REFERENCES
Lance's Video on Rhico Quest: • Elden Ring Cut Content...
Sekiro Dubi Video on Nomad Quest: • St. Trina Frenzy Flame...
Vaati's Lore video: • The Lore of Elden Ring...
Zullie's Albinauric Video: • Elden Ring - Suffering...
Tarnished Archaeologist's Omen Video: • The secret histories o...
Last Protagonist's channel: / @lastprotagonist
Syrobe's Channel: / @syrobe
Monster Maze's Channel: / @monstermaze
Podcast with Ratatoskr: • Elden Ring Lore Discus...
Ratatoskr's Video on the Greater Will: • The Greater Will Doesn...
Ratatoskr's 'Heroic Concept' - Godrick: • Godrick The Golden's H...
Ratatoskr's 'Heroic Concept' - Rykard: • Praetor Rykard's Heroi...
Ratatoskr's 'Heroic Concept' - Radahn: • General Radahn's Heroi...
Shout out to @TheAshenHollow for the Malenia Footage
Playstation Interview with Miyazaki: blog.playstation.com/2022/01/...
Famitsu Article re DLC: www.famitsu.com/news/202402/2...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Soundtrack is Demon's Souls, Dark Souls, Sekiro, King's Field and Elden Ring
I do not own the rights to Elden Ring, all rights to FromSoftware
#eldenring #shadowoftheerdtree #miquella

[@SmoughTown]

Thank you for watching my breakdown of Miquella - let me know your thoughts in the comments below

[@timothydevine3064]

Always enjoy your videos.

[@belial1821]

Mohg is still your best video lore. Hope you do Maliketh or Laurence

[@SmoughTown]

Glad you enjoyed the Mohg one bud@@belial1821

[@titaniumteddybear]

I think one of the differences between Miquella and Goldmask is that Goldmask has no problem entrenching a system where anyone who is different is oppressed and "shunned" and Miquella wants to create a safe haven for the lost and excluded. It remains to be seen if Miquella genuinely feels that way or just has good PR. But I am hopeful.

[@S_B-]

I'm hoping they equate miquella somewhat to the painter in ds3: an altruistic if naive child creator of a new world for an oppressed people they want to protect. They both even have a devout but corrupted family member ('uncle gael' in ds3) that would protect them and do anything to see them succeed and bring a little happiness to their respective worlds.

[@punchdindaface66bowers28]

Potential reason the Haligtree failed #4: Miquella feeding the tree his own blood caused the tree to absorb an aspect of his curse. The Haligtree is perpetually underdeveloped like him, it cannot grow beyond a sapling.

[@SmoughTown]

Great shout

[@Allen667sjja]

Oh shit I didn’t even think about that, good catch

[@CassesBeli]

I believe the lack of maturation of the tree is because Mohg removed him from the tree. The Haligtree is clearly the most successful of the saplings of the Erd Tree and it's the only one watered with Demigod blood. I think watering the erd tree saplings is why the jars exist. We find scores of broken jars around each of the other saplings, and their entire cycle of life is amassing large amounts of powerful remains, but it's unclear as to why. I think it's to water the erd tree saplings with powerful blood. But Demigod blood is orders of magnitude more powerful than mortals, so Miquella's blood alone was enough to sustain the Haligtree.

[@redglintstonescholar7605]

This could also sorta explain Mohgs goals potentially. If with the notion of erdtree burial and Jar warriors are filled with the dead and then seek erdtrees. It would sorta explain why Mohg is seemingly filling Miquella with more blood in hopes to help nourish the tree if that makes sense

[@littleeusbee]

I agree with your view on Goldmask and Miquella. I see the difference between them to be that of a reformist vs a revolutionary.

[@SmoughTown]

100%

[@IMGBrk96]

“If thou covetest the throne, impress my vision upon thine heart. In the new world of thy making, all things will flourish, whether graceful, or malign…”. That cut quote really wants me to believe that Miquella truly is meant to be the most benevolent demigod.

[@WinterLight00]

Berserk fans will tell you otherwise

[@pole8740]

@@WinterLight00 instead of a kingdom, his end is to free his sister

[@zm9498]

TOGETHAAA!!!!

[@BlueMoonsLightASMR]

😂

[@jingalls9142]

Quit it Mohg. This isn't Dan Schnider Souls dammit

[@Friendly-Automaton]

FAMILY!!!

[@eldendad5743]

Devour the very gods!

[@Thanatos9029]

WE CAN DEVOUAH TA GODS!!

[@itzamedio5427]

"Yes I need an hour and a half lunch break, new smoughtown vid just dropped!"

[@SmoughTown]

Hahah awesome timing! Enjoy your lunch break

[@itzamedio5427]

@@SmoughTown Thanks, its always important to have priorities straight when in the workplace. 😤

[@m.clewis8931]

literally told my boss im taking a long lunch just now 😅

[@AnnaBeatriz-ed5bn]

Lol me too. Be back soon, boss!

[@Mario-SunshineGalaxy64]

Can’t wait for DLC to drop new lore that reveals that Miquella truly was benevolent and altruistic and not a manipulative narcissist bent on world domination, would love to see the reaction to all these “Miquella is Griffith” mfs.

[@itscarl0zyall1]

Agreed so much. I hate these unhinged ass speculations from some of the lore ppl. I would be so disappointed if they make Miquella some monster

[@SmoughTown]

My dream! Always loved Miquella

[@TheL0ngbeard]

​@@SmoughTownoh no, you too have fallen under his spell!

[@rotinasemroteiro]

I would love it too, but sadly we're talking about souls games... We rarely see any benelovent characters. I hope this is the exception to the rule. 😅

[@banann_ducc]

I mean like, even if he has the ability to compel affection he probably wouldnt even need it for the majority of his followers, after all his main draw is that he treats those outcast by gold as people.

[@BitterSteel69]

Did Miquella and Malenia ever ask themselves why they never see their mom and dad in the same room together?? 🤔

[@crazy13alex]

Was it ever a secret to them? Or Messmer now that I think about it?

[@on_6933]

Most likely knew the truth, even Carian preceptors might of know based on their mask. Radagon spent alot of time away from the Erdtree with Renala thus so did Marika so it wouldnt be out of the question that she would randomly emerge from Radagon occasionally.

[@michaelbarnes2126]

@@on_6933not if either of the alter egos could suppress the other

[@calebgraham3334]

​@michaelbarnes2126 Radagon is known to be a hound of the GW..mentioned by Marika. Radagon may live within Marika, but he is hands down the Greater Will's little bitch, whom controls Marika. She is a prisoner to her own body.

[@on_6933]

​@@michaelbarnes2126 i assume its mostly controllable but not fully because of what Muriel said about the sculptor accidentally finding out Radagons secret.

[@hunterzx7741]

Could it be possible that Miquella and Malenia were born afflicted (at least partially) because the Great Rune of the Unborn was removed from the Elden Ring before their birth? Surely, things would go wrong for unborn demigods if the "rune of unborn demigods" was removed, right?

[@SmoughTown]

Great shout actually

[@boejiden9633]

EXACTLY!!

[@davisiotta489]

I wonder if it had actually been removed since the beginning of the golden order along with the death rune since the rebirth of this rune doesn't seem to have anything to do with the erdthree rebirth process, think with me, any form of death and rebirth that there was before the erdthree was purged through the runes of the Elden ring and now there is only death and rebirth regulated by the erdthree, if you consider that perhaps even if Marika is not in possession of the Elden ring fragments she can still use their powers by technically still serving as a vessel to the elden ring, this could explain how Marika is able to revive the tarnished through grace since the rebirth we received doesn't seem related to the rebirth through the erdthree, I mean, Rennala simply raises her minions with golden light and they come back as if nothing happened

[@Jasonmakesvideo]

I think they might be attempts at cloning

[@VultureXV]

So that implies Radagon was somewhat keen to Marikas shenanigans and set her up to fail ...

[@13mrservon]

The sculpture of Melanie and Miquella in embrace makes me very sad 😢 It's an extremely moving piece.

[@calyx_datura]

Agreed. This is the single most revealing piece of environmental story telling. It’s placed all over the Haligtree for a reason: to draw your attention to something that’s profoundly wrong. Why is this sick young woman and frail young boy left all alone to console each other all alone? Where are their parents?? I don’t think the adult figure in Loretta’s boss arena is Marika. Definitely not. Miyazaki placed multiple versions of the lonely twins statue throughout the Haligtree for a reason and the sculpture in the boss room is meant to emphasize the same point: who’s this adult and why are they having to protect these kids instead of their parents? Why is Godwin consoling them? The environmental story telling is clear. When you understand that Marika and Radagon were both absent parents unable to meet the needs of their two troubled kids, the motivation for Miquella’s and Melania’s actions become very clear. It’s not normal for a kid to be the one responsible for caring for his ill sister. It’s also not normal for a sibling to be the person responsible for keeping her little brother from physical harm. The environmental clues are very subtle, but once you realize that Miyazaki is trying to communicate something integral to these two characters’ narratives through something that’s (conspicuously) NOT there, a very tragic and, for many people, all too familiar story about neglect and trauma falls into place. I think this is one of the reasons why some people find Miquella and Melania’s story to be so very resonant and compelling.

[@_BlackenedSun]

No it doesnt

[@jacobirving8999]

@@calyx_datura *Tongue click* I think you just gave me some insight into the mind of Miquella. Imagine being the ‘literal’ son of GOD and she isn’t doing anything to help you… your sister who’s rotting from the inside out… or the world that’s falling apart around all of you.

[@calyx_datura]

@@jacobirving8999 Yes, if you’ve ever heard of “golden child syndrome,” this is Miquella’s narrative. For anyone who’s never heard of it, a google search and about 3 minutes of reading is all it takes to get it. It’s a very common dynamic that happens in families with narcissistic parents and/or substance abuse issues.

[@Mordred41407]

I have mentioned before that the 2 bodies in the statue make the omega symbol. I’ve wondered ever since I first saw it if that was intentional and has meaning or if it’s just a coincidence.

[@VioletSilhouette]

Furthermore, it almost seems like the three Empyreans were all in one way or another equally as close to heralding their new order. Ranni's order was stalled due to her lacking the power and knowledge to defeat Radahn which would have finally gotten her into Nokron, and it seems like Miquella is literally racing against the clock here as his sister's new order of Rot appears to be coming into "bloom" due to the inactivity of the world. They all held so much potential.

[@arg_9584]

Good afternoon my fellow tarnished, please rest with me at this holiest site of grace.

[@RossAshmore]

I want so very much for Miquella to be the good and pure Empyrean, but I feel like there's much more left to be discovered in the DLC! This will be a nice refresher in preparation for SotE, thank you for cooking excellence as always Geoff!

[@SmoughTown]

Thanks for being here as always Ross! I agree - more to be discovered soon! Hope you enjoy this revised take of mine

[@gudmundur-heimisson]

I don’t think either Miyazaki or Martin have a tendency to write characters that are good and pure.

[@RossAshmore]

@gudmundur-heimisson Indeed! I remember seeing something about George saying the more people debate about a characters morality, the more he feels he's written a good character. Given he'll have more time to be fleshed out over the DLC, I believe Miquella will be as divisive of a character morally as Ranni is!

[@RossAshmore]

@@SmoughTown I also love the idea that Miquella's eternal youth coming from a birth defect from being the product of a single numen god. The aging process of the demi-gods has always puzzled me, but this would explain Miquella's exception from the rest!

[@SmoughTown]

Thanks Ross! Was the only thing that makes sense to me at this stage!@@RossAshmore

[@leighsimmons2663]

“Babe are you coming to bed?” “Not anymore!”

[@SmoughTown]

😂 enjoy!

[@stercasmr7345]

What do you mean?? This is perfect "fall asleep while listening" material. Elden ring lore vids are strangely good for sleeping too

[@ImBarryScottCSS]

​@@stercasmr7345not so great for your wife to fall asleep too though, amhik.

[@lesterparker1594]

@@stercasmr7345man my son was born right as the 10+ hour videos came out. My wife slept in the babies room for a week or two and I fell asleep to those video every night. Best sleep I’ve had in years. Now she’s back in the bedroom and won’t let me watch as I fall asleep anymore.

[@evanpetelle5669]

@@lesterparker1594 look her dead in the eyes & ask “do you not love me?” Or divorce. Either should work 😂

[@Nihil847]

Great video! The quote with the word “meddling” can have another sense to it. It could mean Miquella wants to preserve free will for mortals, or it could mean that he doesn’t want outer gods meddling/interrupting HIS own influence on others. That could be the warped aspect FromSoft created for the character. Very fun to think about

[@SmoughTown]

Very true! And thank you so much, so pleased you enjoyed the video!

[@blackosprey2219]

I think it'd be more fitting that Miquella's "twist" isn't that he's actually an evil manipulator, but rather that everything about him is the tragedy of unrealized potential. He's an eternal child, endless potential that cannot grow to be realized. Every act he did really was out of genuine benevolence, but he never succeeded. He's pure because he's a child but being a child means he lacks physical strength and agency.

[@Zach-qo1on]

People want Miquella to be evil but it’ll be funny if Miyazaki did a 180 and made him a pretty chill guy who supports you throughout your journey of being a Elden Lord

[@theamazingoppo4918]

Except when he hears you killed his sister

[@rexwest4532]

That’s just boring, and it would be out of character for him to not be upset that you killed Malenia. Even if you haven’t done that yet, that would be questionable.

[@Zach-qo1on]

⁠​⁠@@rexwest4532no it wouldn’t be boring it’s something Miyazaki hasn’t done yet at all. and killing Malenia is optional and isn’t apart of the story itself, if you did kill her then he’ll be a boss. makes sense you just want something to repeat

[@specialnewb9821]

Is Bran evil? Thats how I look at it.

[@TryinaD]

Literally, in real life dysfunctional families there’s always that one kid that made it out. I hope it’s Miquella in this case, because we are tired of dealing with the others!

[@bartmongiello]

With regard to the black knife assassins being in Ordina. I think they’re trapped. Everything you find as it pertains to Michela and Godwin is Michela trying to bring him back. From the eclipse at Castle Sol to the creation of weapons meant to eliminate Those Who Live in Death begging for his brother to die a true death. I feel like he wouldn’t just offer peace and sanctuary to those that perpetrated the whole thing.

[@maxwellfujs6124]

I forget who, but one KZbinr posited that the BKAs might have actually been in league with Miquella due to his conflicted nature regarding Godwyn. It’s definitely a little sinister no matter what… his brother’s killers hanging out in his city.

[@NoConsequenc3]

He can forgive them because he can shrive their hearts clean.

[@bartmongiello]

@@NoConsequenc3 why would he want to? What motivation supersedes that of his disdain for what they did?

[@user-zy5yc9kk6o]

​@bartmongiello to be fair the BKAs were kinda thrown under the bus by Ranni, maybe Miquella being so wise understood what happened and chose to forgive rather than to make an enemy to his order.

[@bartmongiello]

@@user-zy5yc9kk6o could be. But you’ll notice that none are actually in Elphael, or at the haligtree at all.

[@redglintstonescholar7605]

Noting your opening quote. And Miquellas overall ties to the unwanted and outcast. And the candle wood imagery in Haglitree and dlc, I wonder if we will see anything about Ensha in the dlc. “It is said that the bones belong to an ancient lord - the soulless king. The lord of the lost and desperate, who was known as Ensha.”

[@UtinniTim]

Okay but that thumbnail art is GORGEOUS 🔥

[@SmoughTown]

Agreed! It's sublime

[@BaalFridge]

Miquella was too good for this world, too pure. Or is that what Miquella wants you to think!? *dun dun duuuuunnn*

[@coroarc8423]

By far my favorite ER character, well done!

[@SmoughTown]

Thanks very much! Hope you enjoy

[@maxfeinstein4253]

I still hold the theory that we were hand picked by Miquella since the start of the game to be his chosen lord, the only reason Melina becomes our maiden is because Torrent chooses us. And we know now that Torrent use to belong to Miquella, so I think Miquella gave Torrent to Melina so he could find the Tarnished strong enough to help him achieve his goals and become his Lord.

[@bbluva20]

Miquella is so well written. Is he the most good, or most evil? Even the most compelling evidence, the Haligtree Soldiers Ashes, can be interpreted in completely opposite ways: Either, Miquella cast a spell on them, or his natural abilities are such that just by looking at him or him reaching out to your mind, you are his servant. When some foot soldiers are damage enough, they sacrifice themselves in an (very effective and arguably brilliant) attack. He has no need to waste resources healing them when they are damaged enough, since they are the lowest of his army. More armored, armed and skilled Soldiers & Knights do not sacrifice themselves because they are more valuable. Miquella preprogrammed certain ranks of his army to act in certain ways to make them effective as possible, since he view them all as pawns under his will. OR Miquella's army just naturally love their leader so much, that after such a long time waiting for his return, some realize or consider that Miquella may be gone forever. Such an unbearable thought, because they know without a doubt Miquella was the best, most pure hope for the world, that his loss would make life truly pointless. So they either throw their lives away in an attack to end their suffering, or still believe so much that they'll do *anything* they can to help Miquella achieve his goals. Again, more experienced and skilled members of Miquella's army believe enough in themselves because of Miquella that they will never give up; always staying strong and unwavering, awaiting Miquella's next word eternally.

[@DingusButDead]

I really do hope that Miquella turns out to be good. It would be a really nice subversion to have a benevolent mastermind in a soulsborne game.

[@hateful8bit]

I assumed that much of the Academy scholars/mages, their works, and Loretta, were at Haligtree simply because Rennala closed the door on so many of them after transporting them out. Like the Albinauric, they were without a home... which would probably be enough reason for Miquella to take them in.

[@mortuarycookiezshane4192]

I know that a lot of people think it’s possible he kind of controls his sister or uses his ability to bewitch on her but I think that with his genuine love he shows for her by spending so much time and energy helping her and the statues of them when they were younger, he simply would not do that to his sister. He clearly loves her and I think his love would carry him to not disrespect her by trying to bewitch her.

[@punishedvenomsnake716]

I've never been more ready or excited for a DLC than I am for Shadow of Erdtree. It'll have to be one hell of an ending to compete with the Age of Stars, I can't wait to meet Miquella 🙂😁🔥

[@CalmingVisionary]

Sadly, Miyazaki confirmed that the DLC won't offer any new endings, meaning Miquella will not have an ending. I really was hoping his Age of Abundance cut ending would've made it to the DLC.

[@alsimmonshellspawn6021]

Miyazaki said there's no new ending

[@punishedvenomsnake716]

@@CalmingVisionary Oh, really, when did he confirm that, new interview? I remember that Smough at the end of his SOTE Analysis video commented on the possibility of a new ending with Miquella. Either way, I'm really, really happy about the DLC, just would have been cool to have an additional narrative option lol.

[@daYps3]

@@punishedvenomsnake716 I feel like this DLC will still at least be an ending or closure of sorts for Miquella's story arc. It will either involve Messmer, or Messmer could be another separate and new story thread entirely. So even though it wont be a new ending cinematic or way of implementing a new order, it will still feel complete in its own way ✌

[@punishedvenomsnake716]

@@daYps3 I agree with that, the theory of the Butterflies also makes me think that Messmer is a brother of Malenia and Miquella and we will see a very big narrative with Miquella where we learn more about him and his vision of an purified world (as we saw at the end of the trailer). Either way, I'm really happy because the lore of the base game is so deep and the Age of Stars is beautiful (and my preferred ending) but at the same time, I would have loved an ending for "Age of the Unalloyed" because like Smough and everyone else here, I'm a huge lore junkie lol. Anyways, I'm only excited for SOTE :)

[@Plague_Crow]

This finna be the background to my next workout, gonna go crazy

[@SmoughTown]

Hahah smash it!

[@syrobe]

Amazing video! Genuinely appreciate the shoutout from the lore legend himself. Refreshing & inspiring to hear your perspective as always. 🙏 edit: super glad to hear you and i both agree with this @ 1:28:40 I actually mentioned this in my miquella video too! The fact that malenia only ever left him unattended because she knew that he had already ascended partially and thats why she left to fight Radahn to gain control of the stars as we see being extremely crucial in controlling ones fate! Such is the reason ranni needs us to defeat radahn as well!

[@SmoughTown]

Thanks so much bud - very kind of you. Really enjoyed our chats of late ❤

[@syrobe]

​@@SmoughTownI updated my comment- I agree with 1:28:40 that Malenia KNEW miquella was either ascended or had already left his body by that point and needed to fight radahn to gain control of the stars. The stars play a massive factor in controlling ones fate which is why Ranni needs us to kill Radahn to achieve her ending, combined with the fact that Radahn is NECESSARY to kill to activate the area of the DLC! I timestamped it here if you havent seen it, but youre spot on! kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5PcqmCIerepj6s&feature=shared

[@II-qo8oi]

my god, these trina renders look GORGEOUS!!!!!! it is always so fun to see you collaborate with the artists on visualizing the game's missing pieces of lore!

[@SmallOneEyedKing]

Miquella and Malenia are the most inspirational characters in the game. And from their backstory, Motives, Struggles, and influences in the lands between makes me forgive Malenia for her suffering upon me.

[@F0rs4k3nR0gu3]

There's always a moment in your videos when i slap my hand to my forehead and say "of course!" This time it was the connection between Loretta the former carian knight, and the Miquella's Knight Sword being styled after a carian royal knight sword. another banger video, awesome stuff man. thank you, and cant wait until the dlc for more lore and elden ring!

[@iammaleniabladeofmiquella9159]

Honestly a lot of people either like to make Miquella as either a Christ-like heroic figure, or someone evil like Griffith and honestly I think the truth is much more simpler he just wants to help his sister, everything else is just a part of that, a side project. Nothing graceful or malign, just a very human love of kin

[@titaniumteddybear]

Why does it feel like all forms of life in TLB are getting diminished over the generations? Ancient dragons became modern variants who aren't just weaker: they're also less intelligent. Humans used to be strong enough to wield the Giant-Crusher and now they are feeble. The Demihuman Queens used to study at the Academy. Now, with the exception of Maggie, they're barely holding their sapience together and throw their staffs away before going completely feral. My theory is that the Erdtree is draining the divine spark from everyone and sending it back to the Greater Will, in line with the Law of Regression: if we all came from The One Great then we are destined to return to it.

[@abydosianchulac2]

I don't know the lore reasons in this universe, but that's a pretty common conceit in the fantasy genre (and elsewhere in fiction).

[@BrunoCampos0122]

👍

[@kguy152000]

Good thought. The Erdtree could be a way that the greater will is kept nourished. The establishment of order and worship of the Erdtree and the greater will is slowly draining life in the lands between until it moves on.

[@Monsterassassin3]

@@kguy152000nailed it, this is what Ive always thought

[@matiasluukkanen7718]

Greater Will gave beasts their intelligence and Order. And Demi-human Queens did not study in the Academy itself. Sorcerers taught them in the wilds. Demi-human Queen Staff is unique that it doesn't require much intelligence. And only Demi-human Queen who does not have a tantrum abd throw away her staff, is one in Volcano Village where Sorcerers tutor her even now.

[@JohnMcFallumthelordof]

wow this video is one of the best soulsborne lore vids 10/10

[@SmoughTown]

That’s so awesome to hear. Thank you so much ❤️

[@brettgreen5044]

An alloy of gold would ideally become stronger when the right balance of impurities are spread through it evenly. Miquella and Malenia are what happens when that balance is off. She grows up strong, but the impurities leave her vulnerable to rot. He is unalloyed, and remains young and weak without that added strength, but pure.

[@futurewarriorhero123]

Elphael could also be derived from the biblical name “Elpaal” which means “God’s work or creation” which given miquella’s unique nature also fits as solid interpretation. Eliphal works too sense it reads as “God’s miracle” and the haligtree is a sanctuary for many races in the lands between.

[@thatguywesmaranan]

arriving from my hospital shift to see smoughtown uploaded, and feeling stoked to start my weekend with another lore video... thank you, ST!!!

[@SmoughTown]

My pleasure my friend! Hope work went ok and hope you enjoy

[@specialnewb9821]

I want to say that Miquella's journey to the DLC may not be a plan A but a plan B. I personally believe Malenia fought Radahn to restart the stars so the Eclipse could happen. Miquella probably felt her bloom and on top of that Mohg took the opportunity to steal the cocoon. So. Cant fix Godwyn (Stars), Rot God is winning(Bloom), Blood God is winning (Mohg), his own body is being alloyed (Mohg sauce). Desperation move to abandon his body and try to start a new tree in the DLC land like his mom. Not that Miquella isn't clever and wise, in fact it was the best move he probably could have made to try and save his goal. But it may have been something he didn't plan.

[@SmoughTown]

Yeh defo a possibility, good point

[@TricksterWeazel]

Radagon's story resembles Griffith's far more than Miquella's.

[@WinterLight00]

Someone who was born nothing. a mere champion of battle, who had duties to seek out their promised prophecy of lordship. So they continued to gain knowledge, strategise, all for the betterment of their fate. Through countless betrayals, wars and the like, there came a moment where his true nature came to fruition. He became a god. A god who, unlike Marika, saw no flaws in his order. And unlike Marika, he was fulfilled with his godlike status. *Tarnished enters the scene…*

[@RecluseBootsy]

How?

[@Flora-of_The-Moon]

A small theory that I have is that St Trina is the one who started the order of war surgeons that Varre was a part of. My main piece of evidence comes from the masked figure we can see in the SoTE trailer who is sleeping amongst the St Trina lilies. This figure bears a striking resemblance to the white masked surgeons. I believe that they originally used the sleep inducing properties of the lilies as a pain killer but during the shattering things got so bad that they just started killing the patients as a form of mercy. It would also make them another thing of Miquella that Mogh corrupted.

[@SmoughTown]

That is a genuinely fascinating theory - really hope it turns out to be true

[@Flora-of_The-Moon]

@@SmoughTown It would also have allowed them to harvest a lot of dream essence discreetly. After all who would ever suspect the doctors?

[@alphonse5935]

I applaude you for uploading more than an hour's worth of content that is eye opening lore for so many Elden Ring players.

[@jamesshaver2376]

How can anyone deny Elden Ring is one of if not the greatest game ever made? Over 2 years later we are still delving into everything about it

[@santiagojara8056]

It's been 12+ years since Ds1 release and we're still delving into everything about it.

[@depalodor]

There are so many games out there that are being talked about 2 years after the fact. I wouldn't pin its greatness on that.

[@johannesschmidt6189]

This is your best video yet! Loved your writing, editing and story telling! Great job! I’m even more excited for the DLC now!

[@SmoughTown]

Really appreciate hearing that! I really enjoyed making this one, so glad it came across

[@Warsoulgaming]

I hope when the dlc is out and enough time has passed you and Vaati do a collaboration video would love to see what you both can discover. Love the videos keep up the amazing work.

[@seanysalami]

Dude I love your content. I just wanted to point out the art in your thumbnails is absolutely insane. Finally just subscribed to them from your description I saw 😊

[@atlasthebeloved]

i don’t think there’s anything naive about Miquella. Idealistic, sure, but Miquella is well aware of the world around him and it’s corruption. That’s why he’s trying to fix it in the first place. and, mostly, everything he envisions he puts into place. he’s a powerful, intelligent, and convicted idealist. and it’s still possible that he succeeds in his vision. maybe that’s why Malenia still awaits his return

[@daniell1483]

This again reminds me of George Martin's confluence on the story. The idea of a young boy who while dreaming is able to project his mind to others, just like Bran for example. The way Miquella is able to compel love vs know the secrets of humanity as saint Trinia, well that's Bloodraven.

[@Giffsen]

Love your videos man, thanks for another banger!

[@SmoughTown]

Cheers dude! Thanks for being here1

[@TheAjusmc]

Honestly, i think it's possible that Messmer is an alternate persona of Miquela, similar to Marika/Radagon. Messmer sounds a whole lot like the word "mesmerize," which could easily be used to describe the abilities of Miquela over the conscious mind, and St. Trina's abilities over the unconscious mind. Perhaps Miquela is unique among the demigods in that he/she/they is tri-natured.

[@HinataMisery]

I wonder if Rhico is going to be in the DLC. Maybe he was the one speaking in front of Miquella’s cocoon in the beginning of the DLC trailer.

[@UpInUrSheet]

I think Miquella might be Melina. 1. If you defeat the Grafted Scion at the very beginning of the game, if you follow the path to the cliff, it will be surrounded by Nascent Butterfly, which are associated with Miquella himself. After your fall, you will meet Torrent. 2. Melina is deceptive about her true identity 3. Both Miquella and Melina divested of their flesh and are bodiless so they are free to roam around 4. Melina said that she's not a maiden but she could play the part 5. Melina is suspiciously with Torrent in the beginning and we know that Miquella is torrent's former master. Very convenient for her to have Torrent by her side. 6. Empyreans often depicted with their eyes obscured and/or blinded; Melina has her other eye closed for the most part. When she opened it, the color is bluish purple, a color associated with St Trina 7. Upon closer look at St Trina's torch, she has a similar scar on her left eye like Melina 8. The arms of Miquella's statues are depicted with scars, very similar to Melina's. The DLC plot also stated that Miquella will be the one guiding us to the Realm of Shadows. I won't be surprised if he introduces us the new power up mechanics of the DLC, the same way Melina introduced us the power up mechanics in the base game. It will all come full circle. "Come, now. Touch the withered arm and travel to the realm of shadows. I will not be far behind. 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝘄𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻." - it was Miquella that uttered these lines. Miquella is the one guiding the tarnished in the realm of shadows the same way Melina guided us in the base game, and of course Miq already met us, because Miquella is Melina.

[@bbcarrioncrow]

there's also a precedent set by ranni of characters hiding their identities with pseudonyms based on the name of a close family member, with ranni going by renna, the first five letters of her mother rennala's name. and "melina" sounds an awful lot like "malenia"... we'll have to see in june 👀

[@mortaeus7274]

The only thing that I think stands against this is the fact that Melina's face perfectly matches Ranni's spirit face - her true face. Even the eye closed is the same.

[@UpInUrSheet]

@@mortaeus7274 Funnily enough, there's a single character that connects Melina and Ranni, and that is Miquella himself. Anyway, scars and or/eye defect seems to be an Empyrean thing. Besides, Melina fights with golden incantations, that's not really Ranni's thing.

[@Mc_Beefcake]

This theory is really good! The only thing that seems to oppose it, is that Melina says she will bring the player destined death when she opens her purple eye in the chaos ending, implying she is the gloam eyed queen. I don't think the gloam eyed queen is the same person as Trina or Miquella.. but maybe there is a link that can tie it all together.

[@UpInUrSheet]

@@Mc_Beefcake I've already discussed about Melina's eyes and how it connects to Miquella. And if you noticed, in the Frenzied Flame ending, Melina specifically picked up the burning ring of Torrent (that eventually turned to ashes), and look at it with extreme somber, implying that Torrent was really important to her- or to Miquella himself.

[@kiirsemaar]

Ivyjinna did a great job on the thumbnail art! So, excited for the DLC.

[@michaelbarnes2126]

So I got a theory that’s seems kinda good. So Miquella had to strip himself of his flesh and power to enter the Land of Shadow right? What if he entered as his alter ego St Trina and can’t manifest physically without an Emphyan body? So he sends the Tarnished to find Messmer and slay him in order for Miquella to possess his body for his own resurrection and claim the Crucible for his own. Also I think we will get insight into how Radagon merged with Marika, seeing as the Land of Shadow may have had the war of the Fire Giants in it or it’s being continued there. Sounds good right?

[@PRODJAXON]

Man these videos keep me going some days fr, thank you.

[@SmoughTown]

My pleasure bud - thanks so much for the support!

[@VannTango]

Just stating some unrelated facts here: 1) Miquella seeks to form a new order out of "Unalloyed Gold" i.e. free of any impurities. 2) Miquella is the offspring of a single god. 3) Miquella has three older half-siblings that we know of, from Marika's first marriage to Godfrey - Godwyn, Morgott and Mogh. 4) Miquella crafted a sword in memorial for Godwyn. A nice gesture, but it also happens to be designed for the express purpose of giving him and his kin a "true death". 5) Miquella's Haligtree is a place meant to be welcoming to the downtrodden and offer a vision of what the world would look like under Miquella's new age. 6) There are no Omen, Undead, or Tarnished in Miquella's Haligtree. Well what do you know, maybe those facts aren't unrelated after all! Could it be our boy Miquella has some kind of resentment for the descendents of Godfrey?

[@trustmeits610pm2]

No Omen... but are the Misbegotten so different? I'm still not clear on what separates Omen and Misbegotten. If anything. It could just be that no Omen managed to escape bondage AND make the long secret trip to the Haligtree. Even when they did escape, most are so mentally broken they were basically animals and unable to plan for the future. There are undead there. The multiple Royal Revenants on the lower streets of the Haligtree city. Although whether they represent a welcoming attitude or a dark influence is hard to determine. The Revenants show up in some truly bizarre places. My personal theory is the Revenants are all the lesser golden scions who were assassinated by the Black Knives. Godwyn was the Black Knives primary target, but they killed as many demi-gods (and quasi demi-gods I guess) as they could. Now the Revenants Live in Death. Doesn't explain why they have so many limbs though. Were they members of the Crucible worshipping grafting cult? Is that part of why they were killed? Did they somehow graft themselves *after* becoming undead? Their uniformity could be dev laziness OR it could imply the Crucible cult. A lot of questions with no concrete answers.

[@jamisonwilliams2403]

This is a great surprise for a Friday! Thanks!

[@user-tb7en5rq4q]

My current theory is Radagon is Marika from a different timeline and was pulled into the lands between when Marika started straying from The Golden Order. It's why Miquella and Malenia are impacted by "outer gods" if you will and are "cursed", because they're metaphysically linked to different timelines. One stuck in youth. One stuck in decay. Both occur with the passage of time and we've seen through Farum Azula that time manipulation, and thus extending it out to timeliness and alternative realities isn't out of the realm of possibility. Right around the time Marika was messing around with Godwyn, (thus creating Morgot and Mogh) The Golden Order pulled Radagon from an alternative timeline as a failsafe. What they didnt count for was when you have two beings who need to occupy the same function slot within seperate timelines, combined into the one timeline, things start to get funky. This is why Radagon is Marika. Why Marika is Radagon. A convergence needed to occur because of this mistake thus they inhabit the same physical space i.e body, however this is unstable when internal conflict occurs eg when Marika broke the ring then turned into Radagon to repair it. They were fighting over the ability to occupy the same space in time. This time effect impacted Miquella and Malenia and allowed outer influences to act upon them as they by rights, shouldn't exist within the timeline if The Golden Order didnt trigger their failsafe.

[@NerdishNature]

I can’t wait to watch later :) weekend highlight! And what a beautiful thumbnail as always! Props to the artist! ❤

[@SmoughTown]

Thanks bud - hope you enjoy! And agree, Ivy did an amazing job!

[@Trimondius]

The bigger question in this dlc will be if Mohgs blood ritual did anything to Miquella whether physical or spiritually.

[@WinterLight00]

“Miquella divested himself of his flesh, his radiance, his lineage, of all things golden” I take that as miquella transferring his soul to the astral plane once he embedded himself in the Haligtree, rendering his body useless… which is incredibly fitting for a character like mohg to drain a lifeless corpse in hopes for Miquella to still be in there. It adds to his delusion/insanity lol. So no, miquella is not tainted by the Formless mother, unless of course, Mohg was in the shadowlands with miquella. But I doubt it

[@RecluseBootsy]

It's apparently corrupted his physical form. Just seeing the arm alone, you can tell Miquella has been stretched out and his flesh looks twisted and rotten. The adorable little boy is gone and St. Trina ain't the one walking out of that cocoon. The corruption is apparent and there's no chance a "pure, innocent soul with good intentions" fucked with blood magic so naively. If he knowingly allowed Mohg to kidnap him, if he let Godwyn die willingly, if he let his sister fight to the point of crippling herself and he decided to openly oppose his mother/father, he cannot be pure or innocent. He's a willing combatant, he's consciously using the adoration of his people as a weapon, and he apparently wants a kingdom of his own. There is no innocence in that.

[@kieranstevens5535]

It seems to me that the eclipse ritual to return Godwyn’s soul failed due to Radhan halting the movement of the stars which leads me to believe that Miquella was the one who sent Malenia to defeat him so the actual eclipse could commence. Unfortunately it was during her time away Mohg managed to infiltrate the haligtree and steal Miquella.

[@SmoughTown]

Great shout actually

[@josiahgarber3761]

Love this video and love your stuff in general!

[@SmoughTown]

I appreciate that!

[@leahthegeek9677]

Yessssssss. I love your lore videos. Thank you sir for blessing us again.

[@SmoughTown]

My pleasure my friend - really hope you enjoy

[@FaeQueenCory]

I would not be surprised if Miquella's curse is a by product of Marika's intent with conceiving him: an age of deathless abundance without the influence of the Greater Will. This fact also makes me worried for Miquella as it has been said that no new ending will be given in the DLC.

[@martimsousa864]

So the DLC will not have ending?

[@martimsousa864]

That doesn't make sense

[@lector-dogmatixsicarii1537]

Just like Dark Souls 3 had no new ending. Consider this reading between the lines. And we had the glory of The Ringed City in this.

[@WinterLight00]

@@martimsousa864 tbh it only makes sense if this is what Miyazaki wants. Remember, just like how Artorias of the Abyss and the Old Hunters never introduced a new ending

[@matiasluukkanen7718]

"Deathless Abundance without Greater Will." Greater Will is literally the God of Gold. Miquella is Unalloyed (Pure) Gold.

[@VictorIV0310]

Eager to see more of this fearsome, nascent godling and what his role entails in the Land of Shadow.

[@tristank8076]

Hey smough, i saw you drop this the other day just now getting to it. Much excited. Listening now :)

[@SmoughTown]

Awesome my friend - thanks so much for watching and I hope you enjoy!

[@Etticos.]

“Babe wake up, new SmoughTown dropped” (babe can’t wake up due to being purple-roofied by St Trina)

[@victoriaphychedelic3698]

I wonder what would have happened if miquella and gold mask met

[@splatzec]

I can’t wait to know more 😝 I’ve been binging as much lore content and diving into the base game to uncover as many links as I can regarding Miquella and Messmer

[@djj949]

Enjoyed this, well done

[@abysswalker7794]

Maybe, on the dlc when Mesmer talk about the ones without light, he is referring to Miquella since In the description of the trailer it says that Miquella It was to this land that Miquella departed. Divesting himself of his flesh, his strength, his lineage. Of all things Golden. So maybe Mesmer is tracking down Miquella too They say All those who stripped from the grace of gold shall al meet death in the embrace of Mesmer's flame I this theory, Mesmer is tracking down Miquella because he divest himself of all things Golden, including the grace

[@sharongroeneveld133]

Have counting the seconds for this one❤

[@SmoughTown]

Hope you enjoy it! Thanks for being here

[@seiz209]

Idk why but I imagine miquella and malenia in their childhood years (key word “malenia” haha) and miquella giving flowers to his sister but due to rot they would always die and one day he found a lily that could withstand and draw back the rot which became his favorite lily and the idea for unalloyed gold. I could imagine this being a short animation thing haha

[@burnbird16]

I'm currently playing through Elden Ring again (beat it a few months after it came out) and watching these videos as I explore catacombs and hide from runebears is so amazing. Please keep making more Elden Ring content.

[@TheKotor2309]

What a great way to start the weekend. I hope you all have a great day 🍻

[@SmoughTown]

Hope you have a great one yourself!

[@popupssuck00]

Not too far into the video yet, but I believe that Miquella may have been cursed by an outer god, like Malenia. I believe this because of Goldmask's questline ("fickleness of the gods" could include outer gods) as well as Miquella's own choice to hibernate in an attempt to metamorphose. If he wants to be free of his curse of eternal youth, it would track that it's because the curse originated from an outer god.

[@calebgraham3334]

Or has to do with Numen ties to Marika. The Numen race lives long, seldom lives. Take away the Rune of Death from the order of the world, and now you get a meshed up version of a long living individual, Miquella. Remember, these children of Marika weren't born physically from her vagina. They're born of the Erdtree.

[@BlueMoonsLightASMR]

I love your videos ❤ such great content to put on while working paperwork. Your narration is impeccable. Thank you ❤

[@SmoughTown]

Thanks so much my friend - really pleased you enjoy the content!

[@jest_the_kid]

This is the inspiration I needed for my next character, thanks boss!

[@randomatorPHD]

Despite the fact that many people theorize that Miquella is some kind of plans-on-plans genius manipulator, so far nearly all of them have failed, or left half done. First, there's his sister's Scarlet Rot affliction. Miquella never managed to put the pieces together to fully expel the disease from Malenia, try as he might. Through the longest and most convoluted quest in the game, the player can return Miquella's needle to Malenia's bud after defeating her, but it's up in the air if that worked like it did for expelling the frenzied flame from us. Next there's the Eclipse and the Death Prince. Castle Sol was apparently aligned with Miquella to set an eclipse that would return the souls of the soulless demigods. Ever since he was still with the Golden Order, Miquella mourned the loss of his brother Godwyn and this set him on the path to save his brother and others left soulless by the night of the black knives. I suspect that the Wandering Mausoleums and their guardian knights are of Miquella's design as well. The knights shields all bear the symbol of Sol's black eclipse. These monstrous walking hulks were designed to keep the grip of deathroot away from the other soulless demigods while the eclipse was being prepared. But the eclipse never came, and Castle Sol was left to rot. Finally there's the Haligtree. This is the project that Miquella put the most considerable amount of effort into. A twinned tree to rival the Erdtree that built a city that welcomed even the most downtrodden of the Golden Order should they make the trek. Miquella buried himself in the tree to feed its growth, and from the look of Malenia's arena, grow himself to be a true god and successor to Marika herself. But that is all cut short with Mohg's absconding with his body mid-transformation. Some say this was done deliberately by Miquella himself, but I'm holding judgement until we see more evidence of that. In the press release for the DLC, it's said that Miquella has divested himself of "all things golden". Perhaps all of his previous failures have left him bitter about his lineage. The Golden Order could not solve any of the problems he faced, And the fact that he's a demigod did not stop all his plans from falling through. By losing all of the grace of gold and defiling himself, maybe Miquella wants to start from zero and work his way up in the Land of Shadow with some yet unknown power.

[@chillylagarto7728]

With the Church of the Eclipse, I believe that Miquella secretly worked with Ranni to expose the failings of the Golden Order by targeting Godwyn the golden for the second half of the Rune of Death (Death of Soul). Representing a Skeleton on the Golden Epitaph, the symbolism of the Full Moon (Ranni) eclipsing the Sun (Godwyn the Golden) the Mausoleum Knights also carry a shield bearing the Eclipse emblem, but these are warriors who are headless, and guard the Tombs of the headless demigods within the Mausoleums. Along with Loretta acting as Ambassador between both the Carians & the Haligtree, which is why we meet her in Spirit form in the Carian Manor while her real body is at the Haligtree. I don't think he's conventionally "evil" but that he wants to purify the world of the influence of the Outer Gods going to any length to get this accomplished.

[@jonathonx4929]

Thanks for the upload💯💪🏾

[@SmoughTown]

My pleasure! Enjoy

[@mrparadox6878]

Man I love your Lore videos❤

[@SmoughTown]

That means the world to me, thank you so much.

[@michaelmccartney157]

I think that Miquella and Malenia were supposed to be 1 god like their parents, but Malenia was separated from Miquella, which is why he has all the power and she just has the rot and considers him as the true heir. I also believe Rot is a mutation brought into existence by Death being removed from life. Everything is supposed to die and be reborn. Rot, in this world anyway, is supposed to be a form of rebirth without death

[@WinterLight00]

Consider the fact the Malenia was born into the rot. Now of course, there’s no concrete evidence suggesting that Malenia and Miquella were born before the removal of Destined Death, but I believe that they were - which would make your argument of [Rot = Life - Death] quite invalid. Now of course there’s a lot of ambiguity around this topic, so nobody is right or wrong. So let’s take a different angle. There is evidence of an *Ancient* Rot god that was defeated long ago. The existence of an *ancient* concept, in the context of the Lands Between, would likely put its birth no later than Marika’s attainment of Godhood - or, the very least, her attainment of the ability to Govern the Lands Between. I know I’m waffling a lot lol, but the Rotting sickness was an ancient deity that was already a part of the world long before the Removal of Destined Death - which resulted in the current age in Elden Rings timeline: Golden Order Fundamentalism

[@MossOwnsYouYT]

Somehow this video has convinced me that Miquella is related to the night of Black Knives. I think he wanted Godwyn dead for some reason, and the plot was to remove him and deal a blow to the golden order. This would have been when Miquella left fundementalism behind. He needs the eclipse, which isn't possible unless there's a demigod for it to work against. There wouldn't be an eclipse with the stars motion locked either, which is why Malenia travels so far to fight Radahn. I hope our DLC gives answers in 92 days.

[@revalone3944]

hell yeah love listening to this at work and trying to get a good grasp on the lore before dlc

[@BamiAndCheese]

No way, new lore video, can’t wait to dive in! Haven’t watched it yet. Im sure you wont disappoint ST!

[@cosmicbilly]

Melania really got the short end of the stick😅 "One was cursed with eternal childhood, while the other was cursed with ROT"😅 Feels bad man.

[@ImBarryScottCSS]

Gentlemen, let us go.

[@jacklaker5503]

Another fantastic video. The DLC hype is fever pitch!!!!

[@LosferWerds]

Super excited to see what you do with the new lore coming from the expansion!

[@errantvice7335]

I liked the part where Miquella opened up a fast food chain called Miqdonalds and employed his distant cousin from Drangleic Quella, God of The Dream to be a manager

[@baronofbaobabs]

Miquella did nothing wrong

[@theshackledgamer799]

I'm convinced that Riko's quest will be the means by which we access the DLC.

[@SmoughTown]

That would be awesome tbh

[@lilbuddy324]

Bro, brother corhyn doubting Goldmask, thinking he was being heretical, and going crazy only for goldmask to die and literally gestate the rune of perfect order is wild.

[@simonealcazar816]

Queue the “Miquella is gonna be Griffith.” from the Berserk Bros in the comments and telling me (without telling me) they don’t understand either Miquella or Griffith as characters.

[@itsyaboiguzma]

I disagree with the miquella will be Griffith theory but Miquella is one of those characters that's so incredibly written but with ambitions shrouded in mystery. Both Miquella is benevolent and miquella is an evil mastermind both have credence to their sides. I personally see miquella as a more benevolent character especially towards Malenia and Godwyn even if he failed to save them from their fates. But his ability to compell can be interpreted as evil. Especially thanks to the bewitching branch to make an enemy fight alongside you who's to say his ability to compell is purely with benevolent intentions only time will tell once the dlc releases. But damn do I want him to be purely benevolent it would be a nice change of pace for once to have a 100% benevolent character

[@superlazar01]

love me some femboy lore

[@MrPuddle30]

It’s gonna be a good day 🙌 can’t wait to dive into this, thanks as always Smough!

[@SmoughTown]

Thanks bud, hope you enjoy!

[@codipedersen2374]

This channel is the greatest lore item in the KZbin.

[@henkjanwolvega]

What always fascinated me when walking around in the Upper part of the Haligtree was the shape and interiors of the little wooden structures. the slight bending curves in the doorways and windows always reminded me of a dreamscape or how one would remember something in a dream. this little detail for me cemented for me that miquella was st. trina