Elden Ring's Lore ► Explained!

Watch Part 2 Here: • Elden Ring's Demigods ...
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Outer Gods and the Greater Will
00:29 The Elden Beast
00:41 The Elden Ring
01:54 The Erdtree
04:25 The Two Fingers
06:48 Marika the Eternal
07:27 Empyreans and Shadows
08:17 The Rune of Death / Destined Death
10:22 The Golden Order
11:31 The Elden Lord
12:25 The Golden Lineage
13:03 The Age of the Erdtree
14:44 The House of the Moon
16:49 The Demi-god Step-children
17:10 Queen Marika's Intent
18:20 The Long March of the Tarnished
19:53 The Second Elden Lord
20:30 Liurnia's Civil War
21:15 The Night of the Black Knives
22:45 The Great Runes
23:04 Radagon is Marika
25:50 Malenia and Miquella
26:18 The End
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THUMBNAIL ART
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MUSIC (most is royalty-free or licensed from Epidemic Sound. Sign up or browse here: (www.epidemicsound.com/referra...)
►63_Beast Clergyman
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►ES_Absinthe-Minded - Damon Greene
►47_Regal Ancestor Spirit
►ES_Crypt - Edward Karl Hanson
►ES_Outwatch - Edward Karl Hanson
►65_Godfrey, First Elden Lord
►17_Leyndell, Royal Capital
►ES_Trailed by Horror - Trailer Worx
►61_Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon
►02_Opening
►ES_Moments Of Contemplation 4 - Magnus Ringblom
►20_Volcano Manor
►ES_In Plain Sight - August Wilhelmsson
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[@DolanDarker]

Finally, I can find out what the game I played for 100+ hours is about

[@benhutchinson8020]

Fax

[@bobtheross1267]

It’s about getting maidens 🙌🏼

[@Jermcicle]

It’s about worshiping giant fingers and a poop guys curse and astrologists fighting a giant gold tree or something along those lines.

[@theblackbaron4119]

@@Jermcicle It is all just an excuse for Miyazaki to show feet, and for George RR Martin to not finish a story. If he just gives up halfway through its "open for interpretation".

[@xov87]

yeaus

[@larrytotter5790]

There was actually another fragment of Destined Death stolen, which was then given to the lobsters in Liurnia, to prepare them for the ineviteable age of the crabs.

[@DanateDMC]

Age of the Crustaceans

[@con-0-tron294]

In the end.. Everything becomes crabs.

[@Glacorite]

Crustaceous cheapskates that had the potential to rule the lands between and become Elden Lord

[@kennypowers1945]

@@con-0-tron294 ha ha, no

[@nikx]

@@con-0-tron294 Just as the Law of Regression demands.

[@simpanorsama9334]

I really like how this game tells you that these bosses are capable of leveling cities and are technically Gods. Then you kill them on your first try while you die multiple times because of a crab. I really love this game💀

[@kill3rbyysight]

🤣🤣 r u being disrespectful to de game?

[@SillyRiz]

YOU KILLED THEM ON YOUR FIRST TRY????? you're a god

[@sasha9796]

a bit late to that, but then the last reply was also today. there is this wyrm you find near the entrance to the catacombs in consecrated snowfield and along the path to the cave there are land octopi. well, i found the entrance, marked the site of grace and decided that i'll go back to this matter later, so i mounted torrent and rode back. the wyrm followed, encountering several octopi on the way. the octopi won.

[@Bazur414]

Beats literal god Elden Beast in two tries but non stop gets clapped by a RuneBear

[@simpanorsama9334]

@@SillyRiz Definitely Not all of them. Although I one tried Margit and Godrick maybe because I got over leveled due to farming so that I could get back at that spear guy near the gate Lol. Malenia had me 5 tries, and Maliketh almost 7.

[@lucas11001]

12:07 I really love that bit of lore. It's just fantastic to have him behave himself through trapping his fighting spirit inside of a giant beast on his shoulder

[@jimshotfirst4887]

Dudes will literally manifest a stand to seal away their own bloodlust instead of going to therapy

[@lucas11001]

@@jimshotfirst4887 🤣🤣

[@jackofromsouth]

JoJo reference????

[@twobandaids]

@@jimshotfirst4887😭😭

[@hydara.r.7003]

These crucible knights were also bestowed by the Erdtree the ability to input read your healing

[@lukebennett2578]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@sirkies]

yep, and immediately launch themselves intercontinental ballistic missile style to hit you for same amount you just healed

[@austinlovely-eg7ll]

Lmfaoo I didn’t get this at first but I realized now 😂

[@jullysaw6214]

right???

[@oncesponces4269]

He's gonna attack to ASAP you're using healing

[@jcace13]

I want an updated lore video after the DLC comes out and reveals that The Greater Will serves the Lobsters because of their sheer, overwhelming power.

[@RoyalMudcrab]

Godrick was a fool, he grafted a dragon's head when he should have grafted one of those fucking lobsters if he wished to kill us.

[@pa1nted]

CRAAB PEOPLE CRAAB PEOPLE WALK LIIKE CRAAB TALK LIKE PEEOPLEE

[@eduardosalinasgarza8066]

@@RoyalMudcrab you're suggesting Godrick would be capable of killing a Lobster

[@Porkishi]

If the dlc isn’t the lobster army invading the island with the god of all lobsters I’m not buying it

[@blackhat4206]

Jesus I finally stopped having the nightmares! Why did I read this comment!?

[@losmidos8756]

Damn, somehow the thought of Rennala sitting on a giant Lobster leading her army seems just so perfect and hilarious

[@mrhalloween3592]

I really want Elden Ring lore to become a book. Just a big ass book that covers ALL the information and stories from start, when the elden beast arrival, to end when your gameplay starts.

[@user-bg9fw1hh5t]

We might even get a show one day, George R Martin did write the lore after all right?

[@shreknskrubgaming7248]

@@user-bg9fw1hh5t that would be cool, I still don't quite understand a lot of lore points but the game felt so cinematic, some other media adaptation would be awesome

[@SauraXD]

i checked his channel every day, ITS FINALLY HERE!

[@redhood2733]

AHAHAHAHHA LITERALLY ME TOO!!!!!!!!

[@jarrarwinks8470]

"It is finally time" Gamer jail prisoner

[@Fernthe_plant]

Mf same. Ive been seeing lore videos posted but anxiously waiting for vati's

[@Tommo3756]

Ah

[@jweave86]

Same

[@VaatiVidya]

I know it's a lot to take in, but this video will be the foundation for all the lore videos to come. So bookmark it, come back later, take your time, and try your best to remember the main characters names... Godwyn and Godrick and Godfrey and Godefroy and Malenia and Melina and Miquella and Marika and Radahn and Ranni and Rykard and Rennala..and Radagon. See! Easy!

[@fakjuw8009]

bruh

[@DEMillerEarl]

Ok so godefroy wasn't a typo, good. This game man...

[@ervandiantodewanata4095]

Always mistook melina and melenia name.

[@sbendel4411]

YT gonna have to write a fat check with all the views this is gonna get

[@Tommo3756]

Hi

[@slewiscurious]

Just started Elden Ring two weeks ago. Totally obsessed. What a beautiful game. The world building, the nightmare fuel characters, the gameplay being unforgiving. So much fun. I try not to spoil too much because its so much fun to round a corner and say WTF. Your channel is amazing. Very smoothing voice and so well curated.

[@Shian06]

Welcome to the Souls community!

[@adamantsteel634]

Yeahhh, I started 4 days ago and I’m already level 104. This game is so much fun

[@natelaw2731]

@@adamantsteel634 me too. great game

[@Gergus98]

Did you finished it and which starting class did you end up with?

[@kaosdays2146]

Marika telling Godfrey “Grow strong in the face of death” has a whole new meaning when you think about Maliketh being in control of Destined Death

[@matheusataide3368]

Finally, now i can understand the lore Behind soldier of godrick. After 100 hours of gameplay, my current theory is that he was a soldier who fought for godrick, but i may have missed some kind of twist.

[@jarrarwinks8470]

Best boss in the game!

[@YourPhysicsSimulator]

@@jarrarwinks8470 Don't forget Patches!

[@couchpotato7909]

@@YourPhysicsSimulator Or the Spirit caller snail

[@uberboomer8670]

He's a direct descendant of pinwheel

[@Doomchild2XL]

Underrated comment.

[@cezarrogeriodemourafelippe1442]

One interesting thing to note about the fight with Godfrey in the arena where he's holding Morgott's corpse, since he was stricken from his grace when he kiled his final great opponent and became Tarnished, when we, years later, come back to that arena to find him there holding Morgott, you can see Morgott's body dissipating into golden dust just like our grace points us towards our goal, but Godfrey's grace is pointing at us, his next great enemy, finally giving him purpose again. You can see this better if you fight him at night tho.

[@amishtechwizard5540]

Damn that’s interesting

[@yukiokami8380]

I saw it was like wtf!....ooooh.

[@hitosyura]

Damn! I will pay attention to that on my NG+ run

[@isosev]

Oh my god. That is serious attention to detail in game design.

[@cezarrogeriodemourafelippe1442]

@@yukiokami8380 That's my favorite fight in the entire game after Radahn, so goddamn epic

[@evan]

Can’t believe how difficult it is to follow the story of the game I put 120 hours into

[@sunnyjim1355]

120? Is that all?

[@MTCTerminator]

Rookie numbers, gotta pump those numbers up.

[@playzaid4k]

how many you got​@@MTCTerminator

[@ssplif5415]

Cause its not really the story its the lore of the world

[@reemartell3689]

I don't play the game. I'm just here because my partner love playing it and shared the lore. Being a sucker for lores and a got fan, I loved it so much. Thank you for doing a great job of explaining everything. We have so much fun talking about this when we run out of things to talk about

[@sunnyjim1355]

"We have so much fun talking about this when we run out of things to talk about" Well, that sure sounds like a healthy relationship....

[@kangsate3459]

​@@sunnyjim1355what are you implying here ? Like you know their relationship with just a freaking comment

[@vellanz]

⁠broski ain't been in a relationship before 😆

[@MikeDep]

I found my first lobster when I was around level 20, and after about 30 minutes of trying and dying I decided he was tougher than Margit whom I had killed 5 levels earlier. When I reached level 90 I returned to the site of that lobster and had my revenge. No longer would he haunt my dreams with his BS.

[@TheNecroAlchemist]

Visit the lobsters on the freezing lake. You kill one, more lobsters take its place, there is no respite in the lands between. Lobsters are the true king of elden ring. Long live lobsters- from a lobster lore specialist

[@MikeDep]

@@TheNecroAlchemist I'll make it my goal to kill as many lobsters as I can when I get there

[@salwaahmadz6215]

I was thinking that I was the only one who struggle with big ass bear, oversized lobster, chaotic spirit tree shit, and stupid crab slam in this game more than the boss in this game.

[@sheldonjplanktonn]

@@TheNecroAlchemist - the Rune bears are the worst

[@sirreginaldfishingtonxvii6149]

@@TheNecroAlchemist awaiting vaati's lobster outer god lore video with great anticipation

[@YourPhysicsSimulator]

Now cometh the Age of the Lore, a thousand year voyage under the wisdom of Vaati

[@federicoolmo8689]

Nice one

[@ozzyb.hammer5599]

Through the guidance of Vaati, I shall become the true Elden Lore...d bu dum tish...

[@Aryan-is5yz]

@@federicoolmo8689 nice one indeed

[@filurenerik1643]

Sir Vaati Vidya, the alllllll knowing!

[@YourPhysicsSimulator]

@@filurenerik1643 He reached godhood with his infinite knowledge

[@sandman5522]

18:47 It's funny to think that Marika told Godfrey and the Tarnished to essentially go fuck off and die.

[@TheSolitaryEye]

Marika: "Fuck off and die. (But don't actually die, ima need y'all for the last part)"

[@hegara376]

A great example of how wording changes perception.^^

[@anamggss]

I imagine some Leyndellian general getting shot at way by those lobsters while taking a piss way too many times that it was enough of a reason for them to order the entire army (who wholeheartedly agreed) to retreat despite possible punishment by Marika

[@TBagsNPriceTags]

Subterranean shunned grounds so far is my least favorite place I’ve been due to the imps on the pipes and those damn lobsters

[@samf.s.7731]

Truly, Elden Ring does stimulate the players' imagination in many ways you Edit: I think the fact that Radagin had to show up in the flesh to handle the situation in Liurnia is a testament to how difficult it was. Godfrey was probably enough to take care of the giants, the storm lords, and freaking dragons... But Liurnians, they had to be fought by Radagon himself, and he still couldn't beat them so he chose to forge an alliance through marriage.

[@_ONGBAL]

Wow, I can't even imagine how many lore there are hidden in the world of the Elden Ring. Incredible Vaati !

[@makaroninini]

28:38 looking at this makes you appreciate that stuff even more

[@thelastking5072]

When the God of War visit the God of Wisdom abode :)

[@casperlife9608]

My respect to you all, Lord ONGBAL and Lord Vaati.

[@PeacefulSerb]

Compared to you it's like I'm playing these games with wet soggy noodles instead controller. Hate your videos ♥️ (not really, just jelly)

[@batmon696]

Yeah bruh, you go back to deleting and humiliating these gods with sticks

[@jedediahhopkins6051]

Tortoise being forever “dog” and being simply excepted by the community is still my favorite piece of lore from Elden Ring

[@3rr0r4o40]

What tortoise? That's a dog

[@varsoonhks3211]

Hahaha yeah try fingers but hole ahahaha fort night lol try rolling Liar ahead but praise the message!!

[@chillax319]

@@varsoonhks3211 And let's not forget about the classic of you got no right you got no right.

[@LexIconLS]

I love just how quickly it happened more than anything haha. Just like, a matter of days and we've all agreed to not kill them and to call them Dog.

[@DnVFMVs]

" is this a dog? "

[@Thelaretus]

Have you ever noticed there's a fragment of darker bark in the Erdtree? Could it be the remains of the primordial tree?

[@TheSixStringGuy]

Honestly i wouldnt be surprised. The detail in this game and people still discovering things is what blows my mind

[@muki5973]

I noticed it on my first playthrough but thought it was just symbol of a dying erdtree. It's nice to see a point of view like this.

[@TylerJMacDonald]

I think that darker part is what is actually left of the tree, the rest of it is just an illusion

[@Thelaretus]

@@TylerJMacDonald I think the Erdtree night have been grafted onto the primordial tree.

[@sfh7132]

or an updated version... each age has its own symbols. you start a new age by burning down the great erdtree, maybe the small erdtrees scattered everywhere become the new basis for the new order.

[@Ironwolf-pm7zs]

That bit about how enemies are not really dying is mind blowing.

[@sunnyjim1355]

I got that bit, but had never connected why all the catacomb boss fight areas were festooned with tree roots. Cool detail.

[@trequor]

Really? You didnt find it strange that everyone comes back everytime you rest?

[@Ironwolf-pm7zs]

@@trequor no, I am a sould veteran.

[@BiggerBossN313]

@@trequorwhat about the omen afflicted?

[@ExaltedUriel]

​@@trequorWhen you play a game there are certain things you just accept as part of the game but not the story, as if they exist separately, and infinitely respawning enemies is usually one of those things.

[@chocobo_3414]

I'm still a firm believer that everything that happened was a plan to be able to kill that one bear in Dragonbarrow Cave

[@daurham]

Alas, the beast still persists

[@jonathanwiatt3461]

You should win an Oscar for this comment

[@kfrausto]

😂

[@gameshunter6001]

I spent hours trying to kill it, in the end I stealth past it left it alive, its so dam different from the other bears, strong and have more vigor I think

[@charlotteleung2308]

I used nightmaiden's mist to kill him. I swear he had at least 13k hp

[@dustinschalk8825]

“And I suspect it was probably because of these lobsters….” That was quality humor right there 😂

[@EnricoPietrocola]

I lolled so hard there

[@dianabarnett6886]

Those fucking railgun lobsters...

[@theobvu]

imagine thinking Godfrey and the Crucible Knights lost to the lobster. I mean its possible u know 😂🤣

[@fabergreen1351]

@@theobvu I mean, a single Runebear could 100% take Godfrey, Radagon and the Elden Beast at the same time. Those things are actual abominations. So why not lobsters too

[@Jared-e]

@@fabergreen1351 What about a Runebear riding a lobster? Sounds like something they would do lol

[@nbeutler1134]

I honestly just want to read a book set in this game's universe, the lore is enticing and the aesthetic of it all is so satisfying.

[@funkfisk]

Radagon could just be a mimic of Marika (description of Mimic's Veil) at first as a way to infiltrate the academy after failing two wars. But after a while they became two separate beings. Radagon gave Redalla an egg which could explain the possibility of Radagon/Marika to have children, which failed. And shape-shifting is real in Elden Ring. The story of Rya gave many answers, as Rya was "created". A mimic that at first was one person living two lives, became two separated minds, with conflicting ideas. Why would Marika split the Ring, and then, Radagon try to repair it? Causality meets Regression.

[@dominiquewilson]

No. That’s not how mimics work. Why do people come up with these wanna be deep theories that are extreme reaches. Bro. A mimic is a spirit ash. Not a being.

[@seanb2995]

@Dominique Wilson its called imagination, chill dude

[@ChristGrip]

@Dominique Wilson he said mimic VEIL not spirit. He is talking about the item you get not the spirit ash

[@caffeinequeenie]

@@dominiquewilson it takes absolutely nothing to not be a know-it-all asshole. bro.

[@funkfisk]

@@dominiquewilson a mimic is not a spirit ash, the sprit ash of a mimic is something else. The Eternal City is the place where such are "forged", because they may "forge a Lord"... Perhaps they did. I would like to see this be expanded in some dlc.. The only far reaching in my theory was the multiple personality disorder, and not uncommon in psychology to become what you act.

[@ParityS]

My theory is that Marika and Radagon are sort of an Adam & Eve character. Where they were originally the same person, and then Radagon was created from a piece of Marika to go do his own separate work. And then eventually he was called back to her to become one again, just like the law of regression.

[@brandonbaty2291]

I like that touch!

[@memonomoto7419]

This is what I believe as well. So they're considered as one person, only because Radagon is an actual piece of Marika. Which leads me to think that Empyreans are likely beings that are able to break off pieces of themselves and those pieces are given a life of their own.

[@donmaidonmai]

The Red King and White Queen of the Rebis, but essentially this!

[@Tournesolz]

@@memonomoto7419 Just like Malenia with Millicent. Just perfect!

[@lemmonboy6459]

Random thing: But when looking at the Giant’s Fire Whip, it says the Radagon hated his red locks, implying some connection to the Giants themselves. So like, how can Radagon be both part giant and wholly Marika who killed the Giants?

[@dizzyhq5100]

It’s always fascinating to discover the difference between how you initially envisioned a games narrative before it’s release, to how it actually unfolds

[@gvoj2335]

Before: Radahn bad. Melania yas queen. After: I will f'ing murder the Blade of Miquella and avenge my best friend and his horse, Leonard.

[@AxxLAfriku]

I have fewer than 1 friend in the World. That's right. Everybody disses me for making bad videos. I think they are perfect though. Who is right? My dissers or me? Which side are you on, dear di

[@lukasruston8618]

@@AxxLAfriku The truth is that people hate others who self promote on other people's channels, maybe you should fix that before you start advertising yourself elsewhere.

[@zerohero5753]

Well the other popular lore explanations say that Marika and Radagon were like two halves of the same being and that Marika shattered the ring out of grief and disillusionment. This video says that all of these events were planned by her which makes no sense since Ranni did all of the shenanigans to become a Star God in her ending.

[@ShahbazBokhari]

@@zerohero5753 I’m wondering this as well, and Vaati did explicitly state there is evidence for this and that’s going to be another video, I’m powerfully curious.

[@mykedev4377]

The idea of Radagon being Marika all along makes sense, as explained, "why a mere champion(Radagon) would be chosen for the seat of Elden Lord", and that also explains why Radagon's children are demi gods not because of the "new family", but because they were Marika's offspring all along. Great work!!! I love your videos and dedication to explain such a complex lore.

[@young_cheeseburger]

Marika after casting Godfrey aside: "Fine, I'll do it myself."

[@grilledleeks6514]

But WHY does radagon exist. Them being the same being means nothing without context. Just a pointless twist

[@Guru_1092]

​​@@grilledleeks6514Probably so she could seduce Renala.

[@comradecameron3726]

@@Guru_1092There are less convoluted ways to write that.

[@Guru_1092]

@@comradecameron3726 There are less convoluted ways to write ALL of this.

[@bigmommadeadlock3945]

I don't know if this has been said before and I know I'm a little late but I love how Fromsoft has done Elden Ring and how much of Norse Mythology is woven into the game so beautifully. Personally I've always seen Marika and Radagon as the same entity as it hearkens back to the Myths of Loki who would often transform into different shapes, one of the most famous for those who've read the stories is one of Loki transforming into a Mare, getting pregnant from a Giant's horse, and birthing Sleipnir, Odin's Eight Legged Horse.

[@matthewbarnett3540]

loki fucked a horse?

[@IMANOOBSHOOTME]

Regarding the Marika/Radagon connection, I think that Radagon was Marika from the start. You mentioned that Marika had to go to war against many different forces that threatened the Erd Tree. Godfrey was a skilled leader and warrior, but in order to wage war more effectively, she needed another champion that was an extension of her own will to lead her forces, so she created Radagon. Later on, when it came time to take over Liurnia, Marika found herself at an impasse due to Rennalas forces matching hers in power. Instead of continuing to fight Rennala directly and risk losing more forces, she sent Radagon with the intent of having him seduce Rennala from the beginning. Their marriage would put Rennala directly under Marika's thumb without Rennala ever really knowing. But, there was a consequence to creating Radagon. I don't think that Marika was powerful enough to just will a sentient being into reality. I think that Radagon is a PART of Marika that she separated from herself. Specifically, he is the part of Marika that had blind faith in The Greater Will. He is after all supposed to embody the Golden Order. That absence of faith is what caused her to begin doubting The Greater Will. Radagon on the other hand instinctually desires to keep the Order intact, which put him in direct conflict with this new faithless Marika who wanted to test the limits of what she could get away with. When Marika banished Godfrey, Radagon went back to her so there could still be an Elden Lord. When Marika shattered the Elden Ring, Radagon tried to fix it. Marika wanted a tarnished to take the title of Elden Lord, but Radagon doesn't, which is why when you find Marika, Radagon suddenly appears to stop you. This of course is just my interpretation though. There are likely some details that I'm missing that disproves it completely.

[@maxsun13]

Makes perfect sense to me!

[@Sabrina-tl3jv]

Amazing comment !

[@nehakhanom2293]

i like this theory

[@DrDoggo-py5mo]

This theory is amazing!

[@ericbeal7284]

this is now part of my headcanon, thanks

[@ArakDBlade]

You know this is the first time it occurred to me that Radagon was specifically intended to seduce Rennala and ultimately break her heart as a twisted strategy to defeat Liurnia through an alternative means. If that's actually the case...damn that's cold.

[@kibuoon]

yeah i was wondering the same thing , if it truly was a strategy to win against the last standing enemy it is brutal

[@juliofoolio2982]

…war is brutal. Broken hearts or mass graves. Wait it’s From.. let’s have both!

[@Kelduffnim]

This has GRRM written all over it

[@petercottantail7850]

Its the only logical reason there are two entities at all in this game honestly, the whole story of everything makes perfect sense kinda until you see they are the same being and then you think why did they do that it makes so many plot points convoluted, but having the motive of seducing and the returning to marika as a coop makes perfect sense, besides the while shattering and trying to mend unless that in itself was a plan of it's own.

[@michaelchoi5247]

@@petercottantail7850 could you proof read your paragraph please. Thank you.

[@NA-nz9lv]

I think the biggest questions still remain. The Gloam-Eyed Queen lore, the Fingerslayer Blade and where does it come from and pretty much everything about the other Outer Gods, it is absurd how much stuff we still don't know which will hopefully be cleared up by a future DLC.

[@animeshdwivedi9966]

also it always icked me that the tarnished technically have no fate cause they cant use the fingerslayer blade so tgey are trapped in a cycle of constant death and rebirth forever.

[@charmingbard9502]

I really feel like that mind map of the lore would make a great poster for Patreon rewards

[@Voldemortbro]

I think the fact that Marika and Radagon’s children were cursed with Rot and eternal childhood shows that Marika and Radagon were most likely one, hence producing faulty children

[@jas6853]

Marika also came from one god but she doesn’t tween to have any issues, that we know of anyway

[@alejandrobrenes6101]

Or maybe they were cousins

[@Athai_]

Selfcest??

[@caliginousmoira8565]

they were the only twins right?

[@Voldemortbro]

@@caliginousmoira8565 I believe so but may be wrong

[@derekdunbar6352]

Fun fact! The Numen in Elden Ring are a pretty overt reference to "the men of Numenor" from Tolkien's lore. They, too, were powerful, long-lived men who came from somewhere other than Middle Earth (which is kind of another way of saying "land between" isn't it?)

[@96Jambones]

Glad I’m not the only one to have thought that when I heard “Numen” and that they were from a different land haha. Glad that seems to be the case. Love when other literature inspires concepts in games. Cheers!

[@ghost_tess3199]

So much of Elden ring appears "inspired" by LOTR, I have to wonder if George RR Martin wrote anything at all.

[@Herptroid]

The Erdtree is similar to a twisted version of the trees of Valinor.

[@ethannoon2823]

Also, numen literally just means divinity in Latin.

[@petercottantail7850]

That would give the numen who were banished to the eternal city for worshipping the moon and rising as black knives to assasinate godfrey a more solid motive, they aren't from here. They don't want to worship the elden beast, they want their old god the moon back

[@michaelp4387]

Fun fact, all these confusing names begin with either "G", "R", or "M". George R.R. Martin's influence is apparent.

[@jacobnorris8256]

He explicitly said that this wasn't intentional, though it is a pretty funny coincidence.

[@Lu-ql]

"George R.R. Martin's influence is apparent." Other than the fact he wrote all of the lore and universe of the game prior to the Shattering. If you've read any of his books, you'd see his influence all over the game.

[@ethansargent]

Sometimes I wonder if Melina was actually our Shadow. Loyal, does anything for you, kills you if you betrsy the greater will.

[@kill3rbyysight]

Marika betrayed greater will by shattering elden ring then y Maliketh didn't go for her?

[@MrFAL6112]

I love that quick switch in tone at 15:05! He'd been in completely serious lore telling mode and then broke it for a second with that!

[@BaldorfBreakdowns]

It's probably true though, those lobsters are no joke.

[@mrbearjangles8600]

lobstner

[@anakinmiller8215]

I too believe that those lobsters could and would wreck both factions

[@SRQBID]

I've beat Malenia... I run away from the lobsters.

[@SoundOfTheAviators]

Wow... I felt like I understood the story and world of Elden Ring better than the other games, likely because I've come to look at these stories through your eyes. You still manage to blow my mind, however! Thank you once again for your beautiful interpretation of the masterpiece that this game turned out to be.

[@sunbrobellemont8526]

Avi, you're an amazing artist... Now where's our elden ring song 😳

[@NakVerrion]

@@sunbrobellemont8526 You should check their channel! Hehe

[@arkalis_]

@@sunbrobellemont8526 It's out now!

[@amintron]

cringe

[@dnd402]

YOO Avi! love your music!

[@mcclanesjolund4813]

I’ve been waiting to deep dive your elden ring content till I beat the game and I finally got to playing it and I’m almost done - I’m literally so excited to have so many videos of yours to watch

[@adizergu]

i can't believe just how awesome your work is! your hard work is very appreciated!

[@lucianjaeger1708]

A lot of people seem to miss Ranni sitting on a dead two fingers when they talk about her I'm glad you caught it. In fact it looks as though it was mangled not just killed which suggest there was hatred in its killing.

[@DarrieusJohn]

Which I honestly don't get cuz the scene focuses on the mangled corpse for a little bit.

[@GrimViridian]

Crazy to me that they don't, it was the first thing I noticed

[@fuchsmichael93]

From my understanding Ranni stole a Fragment of Destined Death to kill herself and escape from her Empyrien Body that is bound to the greater Will, since she is drawn to other outer Gods. The Black Knifes who serve the two Fingers (Assassins Incantations) used this to kill Godwyn. Maybe for the same Reason the nameless King was exciled, he befriended the ancient Dragons they fought War for so long. If the Greater Will was involved in Godwyns Death it would explain why Marika shattered the Elden Ring after learning the Truth about the Death of her Firstborne. Or Ranni was just pissed at the greater Will because her Father left her Family to go and impregnant himself.

[@user-dj9iu2et3r]

LOL that last line is so strange and its truth makes it hilarious.

[@fiendishpoptart4896]

I definitely think she tortured it before ultimately killing it, maybe even watched as it bled out. Broke every Bo e in those two fingers lol

[@FedbergRoland]

Explaining the "void" creatures like Astel is going to be interesting. Can't wait for that!

[@user-dj9iu2et3r]

Yea when I fought him I was just like… “what the actual fuck? It’s an alien, right? But why does it have a human skull head?” Interesting creature for sure and I love how it seems to be made out of mini stars and planets.

[@wulfrik2987]

Theres a bunch of other ones at look similar underground

[@kayhaich]

They're aliens. You're welcome.

[@GoldenSunAlex]

Those ones are pretty easy actually. When the stars fall, they take on various forms depending on where they fall. For example, the fallingstar beasts fall in mines, or near mines, so look like rocks etc. Astel fell near where a load of bones were, so took on aspects of that, and the Onyx lords etc. seem to have taken on that form due to close proximity with humans.

[@AlecH1313]

@@GoldenSunAlex What about the fallingstar beast that fell outside the capital walls? It fell closer to a major human population but didn't take the form of an onyx lord.

[@zaheersiddiqui4678]

This is the 40 night I have listened to this to go to sleep. It's 2:54 am and I finished the game 100% platinum and getting back to this story. 100% deserved game of the year.

[@slade355]

I listen to your Elden ring lore/prepare to cry playlist every day while I’m at work and now that I’m on lunch I’m seeing the footage for the first time, I’ll have ti watch them at home sometime.

[@eses1312]

8:42 When starting Ranni's questline, she introduces herself as "the one who stole death"

[@dantemiles689]

If you watch the full video he later says Ranni stole only a fragment of death from the black blade. She stole a piece from the black blade not from the elden ring.

[@thepenismightier8120]

It could also be symbolic because she was born a demi-god and casted her ruin away and killed her physical body. "Stealing death" could also mean that she took death for herself and thus, committed suicide.

[@grilledleeks6514]

​@@thepenismightier8120no. It's referring to the shard of death she stole

[@Chadius_Thundercock]

@@thepenismightier8120that’s an English teacher level stretch

[@user-wc3ww8ls4d]

But she had a shadow and killed a great finger. Being a child from them don't make sense

[@1oace768]

My theory for the Greater Will's inability to interact with us in the lands between comes not from an actual incapability, but the idea that it's fighting this same battle on infinite worlds just like the Lands Between. That's why when you fight the Elden Beast you see an infinite forest of Erdtrees before you. It shows that you are not special in this cosmic game, and that you are just another pawn, a "bit player." As Varre would say. There are likely countless Elden Beasts, countless Lands Between, and countless envoys of the Greater Will, who's values of Order are primordial and absolute. Edit: To clarify, I'm not proposing multiverse, I'm saying there could be an infinite amount of "worlds" in this universe that are being imperialized by the greater will. Places completely different from the Lands Between.

[@mysterymaster180]

I really like this idea

[@samuraioftheeclipse4954]

So multiverse

[@garrettfricke4076]

I like this, but it doesn’t explain the significance in the outer gods interference in the specific lands between. As stated a single human was able to seal away the outer god of Rot all by himself, this to me ties into the description for the mending tune of perfect order stating that the gods are no better than men and make mistakes such as the outer god of rot so I agree your position is likely… extremely likely but the significance of the lands between seems to have some significance so idk if I’d say it’s one of many happening at the same time but again that is plausible especially whenyu consider previous* lores. Great job !

[@petercottantail7850]

I hope they dont do multiverses for the main lore, such a waste of creativity when all the answer end up as, "its just another universe🤪🤪🤪🤪

[@Ciaurrix]

@@samuraioftheeclipse4954 Not necessarily multiverse, which is just another way of saying "alternate world" with "alternate" versions of each character but even some completely different world with different actors and rules

[@antmanfersil]

Great video, great voice, well done. The lobsters part is funny.

[@devonmcg7128]

This is an incredibly well written video. I already knew most of this information but I always had it jumbled up , so for you to clear it up is amazing. Well done ❤ (Also , it isn’t overwhelming at all)

[@JadedJackalope]

I'm definitely in the "Marika and Radagon were always the same person" camp. I think it's the only way "all the demigods were descended from Marika" makes sense. It could be a situation like D where originally they had two bodies and two minds, but one soul?

[@jeagerjeager9171]

I think what happened was marika sent radagon but they had been apart for so long radagon developed a will of his own

[@blueshadowdx]

This also helps to explain why Ranni is an Empyrean while Radahn and Rykard are not. Something Vaati didn't touch on was another requirement for being an Empyrean is being born from a single god, something both Miquella and Malenia are. Radagon could've claimed Rennala was Ranni's mother when in reality he birth her himself (themself, themselves, itself? It's confusing knowing who to refer to Marika and Radagon)

[@esmedientes]

For some reason i never made the connection to D, but you bringing it up only adds more credibility to the theory that Marika and Radagon were always the same. To me, while the theory made sense, it just seemed like a kind of random and contrived idea, but with D and Darian basically being another example of this sort of thing happening in the Lands Between it feels less out of place and I'm more willing to subscribe to the idea.

[@mjsfalcon986]

Two bodies, two personalities, yet a split soul.

[@iusethisnameformygoogleacc1013]

@@blueshadowdx It's something that Vaati didn't touch on because it's obviously a localization error. It's been incredibly hard to take any lore discussion seriously when so much of it uses that one obviously badly translated, awkward sentence as the foundation of something that important, and if Vaati *did* mention it, it would be like his Ancient Dark Souls videos that take "lost the annals of history" to mean that The Nameless King lost a book.

[@Xellon92]

17:50 So I am pretty sure that I can fill in Marikas motivation here. The important Item descriptions for this are the Scarseal/Soreseals: "These seals represent the lifelong duty of those chosen by the gods." "Solemn duty weighs upon the one beholden; not unlike a gnawing curse from which there is no deliverance." In the very beginning when Marika became the chosen champion of the Greater Will and therefore became the God of the Lands Between she was completely onboard with the Situation, after all she would be the God of this world and spread the Golden Order that she fully believed in. But as time went on she realized that this Situation isnt nearly as perfect as she thought it would be. So she began to ask herself Questions: Is the golden order really perfect? Am I really a god or rather just a puppet of the Greater Will, being cursed to do its biddings for all time to come? It was these questions that made her try to find a way out of this situation, which will basically be the start of pretty much everything that we than experience in the game. She "creates" the Tarnished by taking the grace away from Godfrey and his people. Sending them to fight in wars where they will die and later be reborn to become stronger. All with the goal that someday someone strong enough would appear to be able to fight a God. Shattering the Elden Ring to create even more chaos and hardships, once again basically as training for this Warrior who would hopefully one day appear. Binding Master Hewg to the Roundtable Hold, so that once that strong Warrior arrives, they would have a Smith good enough to make them a weapon powerful enough to slay a God. Creating/Reviving Melina and giving her the purpose of being able to burn down the Thorns of the Tree so that the chosen Warrior would be able to get inside. So to come to a conclusion: Marika did all of these things so that someday someone would arrive who is able to kill her and the Elden Beast, so that she would finally be free from being the greater Will's puppet for all eternity.

[@plus-whatappme2284]

You got selected congratulation Text the number above ⬆️ ⬆️

[@stormshadow281]

All that work just to have your only reply be a bot lmao rip

[@blackhat4206]

Makes some sense, though. Could be.

[@wesleywilcox8829]

I think this is vary accurate, at least from the item descriptions that I have read.

[@BardoJoe]

Best theory I've encontered so far, gj.

[@SamA-gh3kq]

My interpretation was that Marika, unable to defeat Liurnia on the field, created Radagon by removing part of herself in order to manipulate Rennala into peace, and once it suited her, recalled Radagon to create more offspring. Because Radagon was always a fragment of her, he was also punished for the crime of the shattering and was reintegrated with her

[@hamzatanvir4491]

Thank you for such a good lore breakdown. It clears up so much.

[@StainlessPot]

I think Radagon is an alter-ego implanted in Marika by the Greater Will to control her. An unfaltering guard of the order, as opposed to doubtful and inconstant Marika. That's why he's trying to stop you from facing the Elden Beast, when Marika logically would not. It's probably also what she means by him no "being her" yet, saying that he hasn't overtaken her will at that time.

[@ricardorehlander348]

This does make perfect sense. I will keep this in mind. Thank you

[@tonyolo4591]

I think her race(numens) have certain quirks like longer lives,......and longer lives can often lead to extreme differences in the way sex/reproduction occurs. I think her race by default is like a yin/yang themed race and each single entity has 2 halves. i think its the reason malenia and miquella came out the way they did. radagon would become marika or vice versa when they come to this realization themselves.

[@antoniomanuelrosendo702]

YES, that's what I think too. Also, I think queen Marika still controls the grace and thats why you have guidance to go fight Radagon and the Elden Beast (which they obviously wouldn't like) and are guided even helping Ranni, which objective is to kill the fingers and change the rule of the Greater Will. In fact, one of my favourite moments in the game was when Ranni disappears from her tower and a new site of grace faintly appears telling you where did she go.

[@JoshBran_D_On]

There's a lot of weird yin yang stuff in this game, D is also a weird twin person, maybe he's Numan too?

[@caitfitz8029]

Radagan was a leal hound

[@aessitaha8028]

Finally, Sir Vaati-The All Knowing has come to shed light on the lore!

[@BaldorfBreakdowns]

Sir Vaati Vidya, The ALL KNOWING!!!

[@ff8masterc]

Sir Gideon will remember that

[@ninjack11]

The loathsome lore reader!

[@O-M-0]

Auughh! 😩😩 Rise up, all ye viewers!

[@montrella]

Just wanted to drop into the comments to say thank you, for an incredibly well put together piece of content. Bravo!

[@HK-mi9yg]

lobsters are op af fr fr haha I found that line to be gold at 15:00 😂

[@thewildturkey865]

BS indeed. Gotta hand it to em though. Question: How to make our most punishing skill leap, even more horrific. Answer: Simple, we place two swamp demons below our Imp ninjas for those who think they survived the fall. Nailed it.👌 Those Omens and lobsters deserve one another. Leave em' down there 😠

[@specialagentdustyponcho1065]

The use of "become" in saying that Radagon is "yet to become marika", may be in the sense of something being unbecoming. Marika may be saying that Radagon is yet to be fit to be a part of her once more, having been a separate distinct entity from her which has diverged too far from Marika, despite originating from her.

[@philiphart4146]

I think the exact Japanese used would be useful here- is it closer to 似合う or 成る?

[@loopygordo]

I just looked up divine twins and this is a block that seems to run in line with what radagon and marikas situation could be. "Divine twins in twin mythology are identical to either one or both place of a god. The Feri gods are not separated entities but are unified into one center. These divine twins can function alone in one body, either functioning as a male or as male and female as they desire. Divine twins represent a polarity in the world. This polarity may be great or small and at times can be opposition. Twins are often seen to be rivals or adversaries."

[@MonoFlax]

I'd be curious about the original japanese in this instance...

[@calmdownbruh8518]

I had always thought that was her way of pitying and mocking Radagon. She calls him a "leal hound". Basically called him a loyal dog and mocks him by saying that he'll never truly become her. As she is still the god of the Golden Order and vessel of the Elden Ring. Seemingly mocking his efforts and pitying his blind loyalty towards the Golden Order and greater will, when in the end he'll never be more than her.

[@shadearca]

@@calmdownbruh8518 Here is your answer: The mimic veil description mentions it is also known as “marika’s mischief”. Radagon is like a mimic, a being created from Marika. Mimic summon description tells us that mimics were attempts to make a “lord”. An item also mentions giants cursing Marika with red hair when she defeated the giant lord. But guess what? It was the mimic that got cursed, Radagon. This also explains why she broke the elden ring but radagon tried to repair it as mimic’s have a will of their own(mimic ashes description)

[@CezarTeodorescu]

War, pandemics… the only thing constant in this world is Vaatividya delivering 10/10 content.

[@DROOPYSNAIL4813]

yesssss 👽

[@SonKunSama]

Well, it's been constant pandemics and war as well

[@eminkilicaslan8945]

I think Radagon always had a connection with Marika. Because, he left Rennala he seems to actually love, also unlike Hoarah Loux, he became one with Marika and if Radagon hadn't have a connection with Marika beforehandedly, neither Rennala nor Radagon descents from Marika's lineage, so why would their all children would became shard bearers and Empyrians. Radahn even went toe to toe with Malenia.

[@cristiultravioleta]

video game lore like this is so interesting, I could listen for hours

[@NathanCassidy721]

I think we know the real reason why the Shattering happened: Lobsters, dogs and crows.

[@tajvir]

literally

[@slushisimcambi2521]

We need a crocodile hunter to conquer the wildlife in the lands between because shit be unacceptable.

[@cloud.wizard]

someone needs to make a crocodile dundee character build 😄

[@mickeyd8966]

I was shook whenever a literal lobster rose from the ground the murder me.

[@HenryRex7]

FInally someone said it. Something wrong in this world. The lobsters, dogs, and crows are evolving. Humans and Demi Gods about to go the way of the Dino's

[@mmp64son]

The time has finally come for everyone to understand what the hell happened in Elden Ring, thanks Vaati!

[@ekroizm]

Honestly probably the only souls game were plot was actually told. If you dont skip shit.

[@GoDLordBeerus]

Finally, now we can hear him speak about all the lore theories he saw to make this video from

[@alvarofs131]

The lore is actually much simpler than Dark Souls'

[@why8298]

@@alvarofs131 it also just started and isn’t nearly as fleshed out.

[@J-manli]

@@ekroizm It was a give and take. Yes the story and lore are told more directly compared to previous games. But the open world made things a lots more difficult to find stuff haha.

[@xxcrazy_leggzxxplays9580]

Interesting how both the Law of Causality and the Law of Regression can both be represented as rings, as well. Causality is essentially the ripple effect and Regression is everything eventually comes full circle.

[@austindixon9373]

Love all the dialogue that’s used here, makes it seem like we’re watching a documentary about the Lands Between

[@MrInuhanyou123]

nothing new for vaati souls videos lmao

[@austindixon9373]

@@MrInuhanyou123 true, but there’s so many more NPCs in Elden Ring and so much more dialogue to use from more people

[@aliteralplateofspaghetti51]

Something I thought was interesting was the fact that the greater will seems to despise the Tarnished for one reason or another, so the Tarnished even being allowed a fleeting chance of becoming Elden Lord had to be a scheme of Marika. The Erdtree refused to bless the Tarnished beforehand, you actively have to burn the Erdtree to access the Elden Ring because it will not allow you in, and the Elden Beast itself, the Elden Ring incarnate, fights against you in order to prevent you from becoming Elden Lord. To that end, I think that the Tarnished becoming Elden Lord is a separation from the greater will, as you wrest control of the governing power acting on behalf of the greater will against it's, well, will. This is further supported by the fact that in 3 of the 4 Elden Lord endings, you actively change the logic of the world previously established by greater will. Considering Marika already had doubts about the Golden Order, I'm positive stopping the influence of the greater will through the Tarnished was her ultimate goal.

[@tomatoes_tyler]

wow this theory actually makes sense and very interesting, thanks for sharing it!

[@TommyConlin]

The erdtree rejection is probably an act of retaliation from radagon. Which he presents the true golden order and it's rules and want to prevent us from changing it by becoming new elden Lord or any of the ending

[@TommyConlin]

Marika's true purpose is likely wanting living beings and life in the lands between to continue to evolve in any form without interference from greater will (which let it's up to us to decides with it with golden order other than frenzy flame total destruction of life). Tarnished is her tool to do that.

[@bigballofpaint4407]

But isn’t marika radagon? Why would she/he try to stop us then

[@aliteralplateofspaghetti51]

@@bigballofpaint4407 Perhaps it's a split personality thing, a part of Marika that fears change. Another possibility could be that Radagon was a part of Marika created by the greater will to keep her in check. After all, the two seem to be in opposition to one another, so either seems at least somewhat possible unless I'm missing something

[@rydout]

Great video and you have a really good voice for this format. Superb!

[@ynsane2000]

Such and excellent video. Thanks, been weeks into the game without understanding a significant portion of what you outlined

[@twycross3450]

I always thought that Marika's motive was less about understanding the Golden Order that she created and more about seizing full control of it and escaping the Greater Wills influence. I know that GRRM's influence has been a bit of a meme in some parts of Reddit, but I do think that Marika is Elden Ring's Cersei. She's behind the whole thing and has contingency after contingency to help bring about her freedom and true reign over the Lands Between. Unfortunately for her, that changed when the Greater Wills figured out what she was up to and forced Radagon, who was a loyal follower of the Golden Order and, by extension the Greater Wills, to become the new Elden Lord to keep Marika in check. I think that she was able to continue scheming in spite of this however, but had to resort to using and aiding others in their scheming, such as helping Ranni to steal part of the Rune of Death. I think Marika did this because she knew that Ranni also opposed the Greater Wills, so their interests were aligned. She didn't realise that, however, that in order for Ranni to see her goals to fruition, it would require the death of another demigod, namely Godwyn, Marika's firstborn. This was the point that threw her over the edge and, in her grief she did something mad and drastic. I believe that her shattering the Elden Ring was akin to hitting a fire alarm or a panic button. She knew it would cause a great deal of chaos, which would be the perfect environment for her secret army of Tarnished to thrive in and help get rid of Radagon and the Greater Wills. However the Greater Wills, I believe, also had a trick up it's sleeve and intended on making use of the Tarnished. By using the erdtree to seal of Marika's "Throne Room", it encouraged the Tarnished to gather the shards of the Elden Ring together, but stops you from entering. That way, once the Tarnished is gone, the Elden Ring can be repaired and everything can go back to the way it was before the Shattering, which the Greater Wills would love. Meanwhile, from her prison, Marika uses her power over Grace and the Guidance of Grace to usher you towards the ultimate goal of breaking through that seal (which is why the golden light continues to guide you towards the giants flame, even though that would be committing a cardinal sin, which is something the Greater Wills would never allow) Anyway, all of this is nothing more than speculation and educated guesswork on my part, so take it with a heavy handful of salt. TLDR: Marika is playing 5d chess against the Greater Wills

[@apeture_explorer4810]

Also it seems that Marika was imprisoned possibly with the aid of maliketh the black blade, her shadow. The greater will probably employed him to damage and subdue her which explains what looks like a piece of the death rune stuck into her as well as maliketh's own mention of his "sin" while masquerading as guranq.

[@drewingconclusions1839]

Marika is absolutely playing 5d chess against the Greater Will, and I would argue that it goes one step deeper. I think that Marika split herself into the Radagon personality, a loyal champion of the Golden Order, knowing that the Greater Will would eventually see him as an ally and force him to become the new Elden Lord to keep her in check. She rigged the system so that her watchdog was actually herself, that way she could have continued access to the power of the Elden Ring through Radagon even if the Greater Will cut her off from its power. But then Ranni killed Godwyn and Marika knew she was out of time. Whatever she needed that fragment of the Rune of Death for, it was too late. Marika entered the Erdtree as Radagon and smashed the Elden ring, imprisoning herself but crippling the Greater Will's influence. Then she did her best to help and guide the tarnished towards burning the Erdtree.

[@SonGokuSSj23]

I love this theory, and it makes sense that Marika who was granted godhood by the greater will has a part of her (Radagon) that interrupts her scheming to escape its control, much like some internal conflict one would have. it paints Marika in a more “human” light, she knew she had to release the rune of death, but could not handle her son dying. Ranni who in a sense desired not only to see herself but her mother free, executed the plan that would lead to the shattering and consequently potential freedom from the Greater Will.

[@sajro94]

This fight against the greater will would also help me understand why she cursed Hewg to forge a godslaying weapon.

[@shadowboy0126]

@@apeture_explorer4810 this makes sense as if an empyrean works against the two fingers and the golden order their shadow turns on them. Blaidd loses his mind when he figures out what Ranni is actually trying to do. Iji has to put him in Evergaol because of it and he invades you down in Ainsel River when youre carrying Mini Ranni. If you let him out of Evergaol you find him outside Ranni’s tower, hostile and mad.

[@QuiteSincere]

I don't think it's a coincidence that when Radagon met and fell in love with Rennala, head of an Academy of Astrologians, someone who almost certainly knows about the malformed stars being sent to destroy entire civilizations by the Greater Will, suddenly Marika realised maybe the "Golden Star" that conquered the lands isn't actually a benevolent host but a malevolent parasite.

[@bobothewonderful]

I love this interpretation! I believe that while Marika wasn't commanding him Radagon could act on his own, which is why he came to have such an opposing philosophy to her. But I love the idea that he'd have that sort of mental influence or connection with her still, maybe making her realize what you said.

[@carlfromaccounting1112]

@@bobothewonderful Personally I belive that Marika and Radagon are just like D and his brother, siblings conjoined not in body but in soul.

[@sharpfang]

I think Marika had a good inkling about that much earlier. Her plucking the rune of death was her first act of disobedience long before Radagon appears in the history.

[@JoshBran_D_On]

@@carlfromaccounting1112 they are by the end one body though seeing as Marika turns into Radagon when you fight him

[@QuiteSincere]

@@ShinGarugamesh I mean, we know a Malformed Star was sent to the Eternal City to curse them with an endless, fake night, right after they made the Fingerslayer Blade and pissed off the Greater Will. Rememberence of The Naturalborn: "A malformed star born in the flightless void far away. Once destroyed an Eternal City and took away their sky. An falling star of ill omen." Nox Swordstress Armor: "Long ago, the Nox invoked the ire of the Greater Will, and were banished deep underground. Now they live under a false night sky" Wing of Astel: "Crafted from a relic of the Naturalborn of the Void who is said to have assailed the Eternal City." Also worth noting Radahn could EXPLICITLY stop this. The moment he dies a star he was holding back falls. Weird. Sure hope the Greater Will didn't manipulate a tarnished into killing the demigods despite not intending them to become the Elden Lo-OH NOOOO WE KILLED HIM EXPLICITLY AT THE ORDERS OF THE GREATER WILL DESPITE IT NEVER INTENDING FOR US TO BECOME ELDEN LORD

[@dancingpanda2075]

i need to relearn the lore in prep for dlc!!!

[@Chanelito1488]

This video was amazing! Thank you for explaining the lore! Also, the bit with the lobsters was hilariously unexpected.

[@vowgallant4049]

For me, Melina is the biggest mystery. I really hope the DLC gives more info on her and the Gloam Eyed Queen.

[@phoenixx913]

What makes her more interesting is her transformation at the end of the game if you choose to become the lord of frenzy her hair turns dark grey/black and her good eye turns grey and her eye that's always closed opens revealing a blue eye which I'm kinda curious what her transformation is all about.

[@christopherh4891]

My theory is, what if she is also queen Merika a 3rd part of the original god when they split.

[@nimazsheik5152]

@@christopherh4891 I hope this isn't it. It just seems lazy making different parts of the original god. Elden Ring has a strong theme on 'twins' so 2 parts - Radagon and Marika are more than enough.

[@dennismarquez7354]

@@nimazsheik5152 i agree with this. My theory is that she is Ranni or a part of her. I was talking with a friend a few weeks ago about who sent the Black Knives to kill Warmaster Iji. You find his body and the body of several black knives around him. So here is my theory: When Godfrey lost the guidence of the Grace, and with it his connection to the Golden Order, The Two Fingers forced Malika to either kill him or exile him. We know that at some point Malika stopped trusting the Golden Order and the Greater Will, which this could very well be the catalyst. For the first time Malika and the greater order were at odds with each other. With Godfrey gone and the Elden Lord position open, the Two Fingers turned to Radagon, another one of the Golden Order follower. They forced him (either through Faith or mental control) to abandon Renala, the woman he loved, and to marry Malika in an effort to control her. When that even failed they then forced the two of them to merge, (this is even more valid if they actually have a way to control Radagon.) My theory is, when the Two Fingers realized that Malika was conspiring against them, they started raising the Empyrians with the goal of succeeding Malika as the new vessel of the Elden Ring. One who would actually follow the commands of the Greater Will. Now Ranni however, was raised as Carian Royalty. She studied the power of the stars (or cosmo). She wanted nothing to do with the Golden Order. So she went to Malika. But Malika couldn't openly help her, after all, to do so would directly go against the golden order. So she allowed Ranni to use the Black Knives to steal a fragment of the Rune of Death (We know that the black Knives were loyal to Malika or at the very least very close to her), which would allow Ranni to create the dagger that would allow her to rid of her Empyrian flesh through a magic ritual. When she does this, her soul is split. Which is why she needs to "slumber" as she puts it. She only has half a soul. Her other half is Melina. However, when the Two Fingers realized this (probably through Radagon), they are the ones who ordered the assasenation of Godwyn the Golden, as a message/threat to Malika "Stop resisting us. Stop meddling with our plan or we will start killing your children." However, this backfired on them. When Malika realized what had happened, she went mad with grief and shattered the Elden Ring. We know that Radagon tried to repair it (and failed), which could be further ilustrate that the 2 of them are different people merged in one body and that the Greater Will has a way to control Radagon. With the Elden Ring shattered the Two Fingers had no choice but to incarcerate Malika in the Erdtree and pin the death of Godwyn on Ranni with the goal of unifying the Empyrians against the traitor. This theory then shifts the blame of the Black Knives assassin to Malika/Radagon. This is further seen to by the fact that Seluvis tried to make Ranni his doll. If you notice, Seluvis wears the mask with the symbol of Radagon. The Two Fingers know that in order for the "Ranni Ending" to occur, the Tarnished must defeat the Elden Beast. This would destroy the Golden Order in the Lands Between. So when Seluvis attempt failed, the Two Fingers once again forced Radagon to sent the Black Knives after his daughter, using Malika's body, but by that time it was too late. Ranni was already beyond their reach. This theory of course, depends completely in the Loyalty of the Black Knives to Malika. Otherwise her shattering the Elden Ring makes no sense. But if you assume that, that is indeed the case, then it would explain everything. Malika's grief. The rage that made her destroy the Elden Ring. The fact that Radagon abandoned Renala despite being in love with her, etc.

[@samwarren6008]

@@dennismarquez7354 Great theory, but it is MARIKA, MARIKA. Not Malika.

[@CaliSama]

“Mom can we have rennala” “We have rennala at home” Rennala at home: 16:08

[@ibrahimalsalmi4759]

Lmaoo

[@gerhard.seebauer]

KEKW

[@woggleboggle]

god damn it, ya got me lol

[@kingmegaburgesss2626]

LMFAO

[@ds5375]

That is an impressive ontology graph that you made! I would love to see this as a feature in the game, where each item adds a branch to the growing ontology

[@zaanjodriver535]

6:56 vaati shows an enormous "mind map" of all the elden ring lore, is this viewable anywhere? I'd really like to see this whole mao

[@yosoybrunon]

sameee! Just scrolling down looking for more info regarding that map! A link, anyone??

[@dalfaroux]

I just realize how many people are involved in the production of one video. We really appreciate all of your work guys, this is quite a large community.

[@Gabriel-re6sw]

if we get a dlc, I really hope its almost like a 'Old Hunters" type dlc where we might get to see the the more powerful outer gods or even fight the greater will

[@bobbob-cd9yl]

I want to see the Formless mother so bad

[@soulsplayingidiot]

@@bobbob-cd9yl well she is formless.

[@DarthJex]

I believe it will expand upon Miquella’s story or The Dusked Eye Queen.

[@marcoleung7253]

@@bobbob-cd9yl turns out the formless mother is just a giant slime blob. It's made out of liquid so Mohg can easily take and pour blood from it.

[@Hannestv4607]

True love = the love of God! *God himself went to the cross for you out of love for you as a human being* Philippians 2:5-8

[@BB-pn2qv]

I literally look forward to watching these videos after I finish a souls game, almost like the true ending explaining everything.

[@mikedelgrande5296]

Damn, it’s awesome revisiting these videos in preparation for the upcoming DLC. I’ve been dying to do another playthrough but I’ve already completed ER like 10 times so I want to wait until the DLC drops and do one full playthrough.

[@carbon-1486]

15:00 that really caught me off guard. I love when Vaati temporarily becomes a comedian. Laughed way harder than I care to admit

[@spaniel5657]

Holy shit it got me good

[@DarknessReborn50]

I had to pause the video cause I was laughing too hard to pay attention xD

[@WhitneyHaverstock]

Oh my Good LORD! 😳 It's hard to picture but... yeah... I bet Vatti would be good at all KINDS of stuff! 🤯 With a voice of pure chocolate velvet fancy British like that.. Jeez. Sky's the limit. 🤔 Definitely I'd pigeonhole him into sleepytime asmr stuff where he reads ye olde books. Not that his voice is sophoristic or overly maudlin, more 'soothing.' 😌

[@taylorpeters2071]

Imao was amazing, F those lobsters. I fight them as little as possible lol

[@ziomeksterys2275]

Radagon and Rennala's children: - Ranni - has powerful lunar magic like her mother - Radahn - mastered gravitational magic like his father - Rykard - ......feeded himself to serpent

[@medi6892]

Bro said feeded 💀😭😩/J

[@killshotz6747]

😂 Fed*

[@ShiruSama1]

@@medi6892 at least they can speak a second language. You?

[@medi6892]

@@ShiruSama1 i can speak 6 languages but nice try

[@ShiruSama1]

@@medi6892 As a polyglot you should understand that even when you reach a C1 or a N1 in Japanese or whatever it's easy to have brainfarts sometimes. And you should understand as well how hard it is to be correct when you're still learning, and how important it is to try and practice from the start.

[@lewismcgregor9975]

Feels very cool when you realize that the branches of the Erdtree probably represent the law of causality with its branching effects and the trunk and roots represent the law of regression

[@iantaylor2331]

This is fantastic. I enjoyed the game play but really scratched my head at the ending! Thanks for this

[@GoodnightMoon4]

The dungeons at the end of catacombs was always so freaky to me. Dozens of bodies all merging into the strange bed of chaos looking gnarled mess of roots in the back. I knew something had to be involved there.

[@afiqnazmi98]

Whatever it is, Rump ahead. Therefore offer pickle

[@Ike_of_pyke]

I always was worried something would come out of them after killing a shade or duelist

[@vanquish5023]

As another Lord once said: "I've been looking forward to this."

[@tiberious_jefferson]

Dooku?

[@lightpoint4426]

Vaati's powers have doubled since he last posted, Count!

[@diazmarkgameplay]

Great hard work on this lore. Keep it up! Kudos! ❤❤❤

[@Wolfkyrie]

I really started playing this game thoroughly with my boyfriend about a week ago and I didn't understand much of anything really. This is my first souls game, but I always loved the dark lore behind them. Glad I found your channel because your videos really are helping with understanding the story and the characters.

[@RageGamingVideos]

FINALLY we can find out what the hell is going on. Incredible as always Vaati.

[@thotslayer9493]

you was funny on the rdc stream rage 🤣

[@Peccbear]

And yet it’s still completely convoluted and confusing.

[@GoDLordBeerus]

You could've just understood it yourself by browsing sites that talk about it like vaati does to get his theories

[@kephrinegipciaco6867]

Oh Josh, Cotton, Hollow my brother in arms! So rad to see you guys here as well keep up the banger work! Been watching since gen ultimate!

[@Ryan-es9xg]

Yes, I said entertainment twice

[@brownwindedangel]

25:41 the theory that i’ve heard that makes the most sense to me is that Radagon was made from Marika using a piece of the elden ring, specifically the criss crossing diagonal lines behind it on the cover and at his statue She made him so she could fight a war on two fronts with Radagon handling the carian family, but when Radagon fell for Rannalla and had kids that also became demigods, Marika now without a consort realized that she could use Radagon instead thus birthing Miquella and Melania. So when she shattered the Elden ring Radagon attempted to repair it by merging with Marika to hold themselves together and precent the complete collapse of order

[@landsbetweendiary1476]

Your first part sounds like how it is stated in the Bible how Eva was made from one of Adam's ribcage bones. The roles are reversed here, not sure if it has a correlation but I find it interesting since the Elden Ring seems to be the ribcage of their being.

[@kiiturii]

that's what I thought as well

[@boundary2580]

But they had the statue made before the shattering. They would have had to be the same person before the events of the shattering.

[@VashTheHumanStampede]

Marika Numen race Radagon Giant race

[@BunnyZlayer]

Also the seal preventing access to Raya Lucaria has the same criss crossing pattern that is on Radagon's Soreseal, as well as in his statues

[@angemoncommandexx]

Oh God man your voice!!!!! It's so soft and powerful at the same time. I can listen to you read a phonebook and wold not get bored and would keep my attention. I LOVE LISTENING TO YOU and this lore!

[@cartyramsay5845]

Is it weird that I will just listen to this a lot because his voice is soothing but also because I just find it so interesting.

[@Sylocat]

Radagon/Marika's design seems to draw pretty heavily from the alchemical concept of the rebis, which involves separating the male and female aspects of a unisex being through putefaction and purification, then reuniting them in the magnum opus. So I think they were once one person, then they got split apart, then reunited.

[@halcyon6098]

Yummy factoid. Radagon is Marika

[@Yomom12388]

@@halcyon6098 Factoids by definition are actually incorrect things stated as facts. Radagon is, in fact, Marika. Meaning that’s not a factoid, it’s just a fact.

[@TheHeptarch]

@@Yomom12388 While that is true, it is also true that "factoid" is a synonym for trivia or minor facts. This secondary definition is how OP is using the word.

[@cameronstone4495]

To build on that, it seems to me Radagon has some clear connection to the giants (everything about his red hair and all). One of the main stages of Alchemy's Great Work is the separation phase, where matter is burnt and its male and female parts separated. Since the giants and their god controlled the flame it can be theorized that in retaliation for her action against them they used this power to separate Marika into male and female halves (whether the were truly separate of simple a body swap situation is up in the air). Radagon seemed to be motivated by a desire to become whole again, as the symbolic Red King (representing the sun) he was instinctively attracted to Renalla, the symbolic White Queen (representing the moon). This union of opposites in alchemy is supposed to be what creates the Rebis, the perfect being, and this could been indicated by how Ranni was the only Empyrean without any sort of "curse", unlike Miquella or Melania, the product of Marika and Radagon's somewhat incestuous union.

[@CopeAndSeeth]

@@Yomom12388 ur a factoid

[@justcallmesped]

To back up the fact of Radagon and Marika as one being, I just read the "Remembrance of the Rot Goddess": "Miquella and Malenia are both the children of a single god. As such, they are both Empyreans, but suffered afflictions from birth. One was afflicted with eternal childhood, and the other harbored rot within." So they're both the offspring of a single god, either by some sort of parthenogenesis or selfcest, both of which would be highly likely to produce some form of birth defects, as we see is the case here.

[@0zb4lack]

But at the same time it could imply that Radagon is not Marika if you read "children of a single God" as in implying that Marika was the only one of the progenitors that was a god. Like Loki in the Nordic mythology, he is the son of a god and a giant. Therefore child of a single god. I don't know if I explained myself right.

[@alexyuly1]

Maybe, when "Radagon" become "Marika", "Children of Radagon and Marika" become "Children of Marika and Marika", that is, children of a single god.

[@sawyercotherman4541]

I think it is strange that both Radagon and Marika have separate back stories; she's of a race outside the lands between, and Radagon is implied to be a descendant of giants (also Radahn's size could be explained that way). I don't think they were always the same and it lends toward the plot for a big reason: there is a theme that, by denying the principle of regression, causality is also denied (causality is the greater will dictating the outcome of events, kind of different than causality as we know). This is explained in detail with Ranni's questline and ending. So conversely, I think the golden order was trying to expand its influence by merging Marika with a giant, Radagon, extending the greater will's influence to its conquered foe, and the same was done when Radagon married Rennala and begot children. It was a way of expanding the Greater Will's influence to other areas with great power: the Giants' Forge and Astrology.

[@Ribsi]

@@0zb4lack If you perform a certain spell in Leyndell, I think it was "Law of Causality", before the Radagon statue it changes into a statue of Marika and a message before it tells you "Radagon is Marika". I don't think it can get any more obvious than this. Also the fact that in the final boss cutscene Marika literally transforms into Radagon. They are the same being.

[@0zb4lack]

@@Ribsi that's a possibility, I'm not not saying my word it's the one and only truth. But it could refer to after they merged together.

[@2o2eli19]

very well formatted video man this was great helped me understand so much and it wasnt overwhelming it was very simple if your already into the game

[@hayohayo4430]

You can turn this into a movie. Great video

[@RichaadEB]

fantastic timing, literally just beat it last night and I still have NO IDEA WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE STORY

[@Yatsuzume]

For real I was thinking "let's watch some old dark souls lore videos before I go sleep in expectation of elden ring lore vids coming out soon" and then this shows up aaaaa

[@finaljoses]

Dumbf

[@josetomascamposrobledano4618]

Learn to read item descriptions

[@Waltarwhiet]

@@josetomascamposrobledano4618 maybe I'm not interested in spending half of my gameplay reading shit, when I can find it all out in a 30 minute video that is actually entertaining.

[@UnifiedEntity]

@@josetomascamposrobledano4618 That's not good story telling at all.