The Lore of Elden Ring's Bosses (feat. Death's Kindred)

[@VaatiVidya]

I wanted to bring this up in the video, but some of these bosses have absolutely beautiful soundtracks. I'd highly recommend you go and listen to the Godskins and Ancestral Spirit tracks. I'd also like to note that there is currently misleading information going around that the Godskin soundtrack contains Latin lyrics that are relevant to the lore. I strongly believe that this has been proven false (the music is constructed from pieces of Latin in music software). Currently, the only translatable Latin appears to be the song sung by the Bat creatures!

[@VaatiVidya]

@@Eldbug I'm not immune to making mistakes either! It's good to diversify your content consumption, or even better, look into the item descriptions themselves if you are interested.

[@TheShadowofDragons]

What about the Latin in Mohg's music? The translations I've seen seem way too spot on to be accidental.

[@foodiefiend3838]

You are spot on Vaati, the Ancestral Spirit track is so wistful and somber. It makes me feel like I’m remembering something beautiful and long since lost.

[@MrGhostTheBigRoast]

oh man the godskin tracks are absolute fucking 10/10 bangers

[@VaatiVidya]

@@TheShadowofDragons Some of the "translators" are literally just making up the lyrics they want to hear. As I understand it, most OST songs are composed with pieces of latin from music software. The exception is the Bat song, which is actually sung word for word by someone.

[@grfrjiglstan]

What I love about Those Who Live In Death is that D took a look at all of them, saw the funny boat guy, and went, "oh yeah. That guy has to be the worst of them all."

[@davidhong1934]

(drives boat on land, tooting horn with malicious intent)

[@lorenzo8208]

He totally didn't see those fuckers with greataxes. Infinite poise and quick attacks with high damage. Atleast boat man doesn't summon them

[@jazibhussain5735]

I mean he imbues boss fight energy

[@finnish_hunter]

Yeah he was like Leroy against Pinwheel

[@fernandofaria2872]

To be fair, D's nuts.

[@LexioLTG]

It makes sense that there's a red grace, since everything golden has a red counterpart in the game. Marika and Radagon, Malenia and Miquella, Radahn and Godrick's sigils, the red wolf and the guardian lions, even the omen twins, Morgott and Mohg, are gold and red coded... I wonder if this "other erdtree" would have red leaves, like the weirdwoods from Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire

[@СтепанЯшин-и9ъ]

wow, that's really interesting!

[@GNatanel]

While it might be true, I think this is one of those scenarios where we're starting to see patterns that aren't actually there. I'm sure you can find plenty of examples where there is no red counterpart to gold.

[@reluctantsocialist2670]

That's a bit of a stretch calling guardian lions golden also I get Marika and Radagon, I get Malenia and Miquella, but what links Radahn and Godrick apart from being 2 random bosses chosen because of one being golden and one being red? There is no reason to pair them together other than to suit your point, same with red wolf and lion, that's a cat and a dog! Malenia and Miquella being gold and red is linked to the other pair, because they're their parents, the rest is either non related things or in the case of the lions and wolf, not even red and gold!

[@TheMoogleKing93]

Don't forget the red and gold lightning

[@DanielGarcia-rx3kt]

@@reluctantsocialist2670 the link Radahn and Godrick share is that they got whooped by Malenia 😂

[@eiriksundby]

Fun Fact: the minor erdtree directly above deeproot depths has subtle signs of deathroot growing up along its trunk. Several living dead can be found near it too

[@Forbiddensirenz]

Makes sense that’s where Godwyn’s corpse has been dumped and he’s the root cause, pun not intended lol. Of the death root and weird spread.

[@justpazzingby13]

@@Forbiddensirenz He wasn't dumped.. he was buried there in hopes that it'll allow his body to pass on. It didn't.

[@zaleost]

I believe in quite a lot of areas around the map with the Mariners around you can see signs of deathroot in the area or really any other area with living dead enemies. Which seems to be originating from the body of Godwyn at the lower roots of the Erdtree. Its even somehow reaching parts of the Forum Azula.

[@eiriksundby]

@@zaleost yes but as far as i know there aren't many cases of minor erdtrees with deathroot vines snaking up its trunk so it's rather unique

[@FranzbroetchenGaming]

All minor erdtrees have these roots growing around its trunk. But the one you mention is infact the only minor erdtree missing almost all its leaves.

[@quelaag]

Adding a little bit to this conversation: The Grave Violet flowers also references purple ghostflame! And it seems its used commonly in necromancy. A neat little detail is that some Tibia Mariners (like the one on Altus) tend to reside around purple flowers.

[@monsieurdorgat6864]

I really love how they distinguish all the "death" enemies so uniquely! Those Who Live in Death (TWLiD) are actually the complete opposite of the Deathrite practices! TWLiD are bodies that have learned to live without souls, while the Deathrites are the ancient practice of destroying the body to live forever as a soul! And the Erdtree just... eats people lol.

[@Molotov_Milkshake]

I'm pretty sure Those Who Live in Death do have souls. The issue is that the soul won't leave the body after the body has died. It's interesting how different outer gods have different concepts of what death is, means and how it works.

[@rwberger6]

@@Molotov_Milkshake Nah, the soul is gone, the body has just created something sort of new to fill the gap. The prince of death is its own entity seperate from godwyn.

[@darkhobo]

@@rwberger6 godwyn is the prince of death. He consumes the soul to maintain his body. Godwyn is not a good guy. I mean come on Sansa Stark, you sweet summer child... The queens son, the blonde handsome guy... Joffrey I mean, Godwyn might not be a good guy.

[@azazelsiad3601]

@@rwberger6 no no, Godwyn is the prince of death. He is essentially the god of “TWLiD”. He’s the lord they are waiting to be resurrected.

[@azazelsiad3601]

@@darkhobo actually given his peaceful resolution with the Ancient Dragons and founding the Dragon Cult, id say he had quite the problem solving skill. Not to mention he was beloved by almost everyone, and when he was killed that’s when everything fell apart. His mother betrayed her purpose and banished his father from his home and the shattering commenced. And it seemed peace hinges on his existence. As for now however I don’t think anyone can say, see it’s almost like there is no rhyme or reason to the spreading of blight. I don’t think he controls it he’s certainly the catalyst of it but it seems more like it’s acting on instinct. I think what happened was that Godwyn discovered a fundamental flaw in the Golden Order and through that realization he became blighted himself and when he was killed he became the first to live in death as he was the first demigod to die which itself defies the Golden Order. His existence as what he is defies the Golden order and since he didn’t ask to be what he is now we can’t really blame him for what he’s doing.

[@randallwillnauer9779]

"Where do you go after death?" Damn Vaati it's Monday, I was not ready to start my week with the big questions like that lmao

[@GrahamChapman]

The correct answer to that question being, of course, "Mu"... Not in the sense of it being where you go after death, but rather in the sense of the complex Buddhist concept indicating that a question makes no sense/is based upon a false premise: There is no "you" after death. "You" have died. Hence there is no "where" for "you" to go, either.

[@nathanlloyd5727]

If you're not asking yourself questions like that everyday, then you are wasting your mind.

[@ProfessorShnacktime]

@@GrahamChapman And then you reincarnate.

[@GrahamChapman]

@@ProfessorShnacktime Unless you've managed to accumulate enough Insight and can break free from the cycle of Hunters being sent to The Hunter's Nightmare. Though I suppose it's also possible that you'll get reaped and have your Echoes ferried into The Hunter's Dream, but I'm not sure that's any better.

[@funnygrunt_o7]

instant nope, on to the next episode in the playlist lol

[@vincenzo4314]

We need a 10 hour lore special on the Soldier of Godrick, how did he get into the Cave of Knowledge? Why is he so overbearingly powerful? Why does he let the player character “defeat” him so easily so they can move into the world of Elden Ring? So many questions….

[@BOGOworms4sale]

Haha get it? Weak man strong! It’s been funny for so long!

[@vincenzo4314]

@@ScholarlyDeathmark that’s very true, though he may also be more powerful than the greater will! I believe the greater will must serve him and he told the greater will to tell you to become Elden Lord!

[@davidhong1934]

Every ring shall be made Elden _--Soldier of God, Rick_

[@collinb.8542]

@@davidhong1934 lmao

[@scottbecker4367]

Why does he let the player character "defeat" him? Simple. We simply weren't worth his time, so he left.

[@gvd72]

It’s kind of interesting how the undead Beastmen wield more advanced weaponry (shields, spears, etc.) compared to the living Beastmen (jar shields and warped swords). The Beastmen of the past were (probably) more advanced due to the influence of the dragons as opposed to the current day where Ancient Dragons are more rare.

[@senor_caves5362]

Isn't it also implied that they are better than current human weapons, same for the glaives from the rotten kindred

[@aregeninotenshi6484]

They used to have intelligence until Placidusax had three heads severed and lost his title as Elden Lord. The Cinquedea description says this “The design celebrates a beast's five fingers, symbolic of the intelligence once granted upon their kind.”

[@quynhphannhu7175]

Well i kinda like this theory but saying that beast man wield more primitive weaponry is kinda wrong. The beastman curves sword and great sword is describe as being perfectly balance and deals devastating damages for such a light weight. The great sword even said that the design is more complex for a mere human weapons and the beastman possess intelligent beyond human kin. The jar shield is just beastman way of making shield and is describe as being strange by both design and ideas. But the most interesting thing that the great beast man curve sword have an interesting design pattern on it blade. It have a swirling wave like pattern and interestingly this design is the completely the same as the one on Godfrey axe. It possible that Godfrey axe are crafted by the beastman and Godfrey do have some connection to the beastman as Serosh is the lord of beast.

[@allozaur2]

@@aregeninotenshi6484 They still have intelligence, Maliketh was born a beastman. The descriptions of his gurranq items and spells suggest he wasn't made by the fingers like a golem, but was a naturalborn beast and was merely moulded to be Marika's shadow.

[@Sianoelyayo]

Another weird thing is that the skeletons that you find in Farum Azula have skulls that resemble herbivores, while the living beastmen have carnivore features.

[@mimikryyy7176]

It just occurred to me how absolutely parasitic the Erdtree seems, given that was kind of the feeling some people had at the very beginning of the game's release. Given that those who live heroic lives have a more valuable death throughout much of the beliefs of the people of the Lands Between, the fact that only heroes' bodies get absorbed into the Erdtree seems really like the Erdtree is just a parasite for the Greater Will. While the visuals of the Golden Order and the Lands Between under the rule of the Golden Order is very bright, holy, and natural, it definitely is extremely lovecraftian in like, almost a druidic sense. Like, yeah, it LOOKS like a tree, but it's basically a giant leech. The thought of it makes me shudder almost.

[@cenciende9401]

Exactly like real life, all the visual white and gold to mask the absolute darkness behind it.

[@cucciolino94]

@@cenciende9401 Woo

[@Esaifu]

If the blessing of the Erdtree actually does boost rune acquisition, you could also consider it speeding up the process for strong individuals to accumulate even more of all the runes out there, grow stronger, and repeat as they’re drawn inevitably to the Erdtree

[@hassansyed4135]

But that’s what trees do in real life, they absorb matter from the earth, which is mostly composed of dead things (including animals like us). When we die, our matter returns to the environment and is absorbed by plants like grass and trees in order to grow, and so the cycle continue. However the greater will cherrypicking heroes and warriors to be asborbed into the erdtree can seem parasitic. Yet a parasite takes what it wants from it’s host while giving nothing back. But the erdtree does seem to give something back which is eternal life when one’s spirit is sent to the erdtree and reincarnate back to life (I think).

[@Supercohboy]

5:44 In reference to the Deathbirds, I believe that their reduced presence is also indicative of the fact that they are NOT worshipped far and wide any more. They are partially damaged skeletons of birds, only out at night, because the Lands Between don't worship them any more and thus don't provide their dead, and therefore more spirits, to the Outer God which is behind the Ghostflame. I think that this means 2 things: 1. When the Ghostflame god had more power in the Lands Between, the Death Birds could've been full colorful and muscle-bound glorious bird-gods, not just damaged skeletons. This also could NOT be the case specifically because they are envoys of a god related directly to death, and thus should physically personify this, but I don't think that's necessarily true given that the Twinbird clearly was a big beautiful bird-god with feathers. 2. If we take a look at all of the gods, they seem to be powered by the spirits that they obtain from their followers. The Erdtree sucks up the dead, the Ghostflame has its rites and burning of the dead, the Frenzyflame takes its followers in life and parasitizes the body through their spirit, those who Live in Death are bound to their bodies and the spirit doesn't leave, Scarlet Rot encapsulates everything dead or alive including the spirit, etc. This isn't clear-cut though, look at the Blood Star for example, but spirits seem to be a fuel for gods and can be reincarnated into something new as that God so wishes. I want to know what others think, but these are my thoughts and I'm especially curious if there's further evidence either for or against them. 17:56 The daggers embued with the power of the Rune of Deathh have these cracks, the same ones that form on Godwyn. Are these the same cracks that form on the Death Birds? I don't think so, but someone may be able to take proper screenshots and compare them. Edit: 7:00 proves my point I think lmao, "Thus does new life grow from death, and from death, one obtains power." Power through the spirit of the life that now lives on in death or is reincarnated in the image of whichever Outer God had received the spirit. In the instance of the Frenzyflame, I believe that your spirit returns to it in death or is just a slave to it until you die, or both. For those who Live in Death, that Outer God said "fuck no, I'm not gonna make you my slave, get back up and go live your life". I'm kidding, that would be great though. Those who Live in Death are a glitch in the Erdtree's system caused by Godwyn's death, is my understanding. They get back up because they didn't get a proper Erdtree burial, and it has to do with Godwyn.

[@ryn2024]

With Godwyn's corpse spreading its influence on its own despite there being no soul to control it, I wonder if its similar to those who live in death as well where the moment a death root touches you, your corpse reanimates on its own. And since your soul is linked to your physical body, it essentially bars your soul entry into the Erdtree even if you are at the catacomb roots.

[@Molotov_Milkshake]

They aren't even birds, really. Birds don't have arms lol.

[@davidhong1934]

@@Molotov_Milkshake Yeah, but imagine it with BIG MUSCLES

[@Molotov_Milkshake]

@@davidhong1934 hahaha

[@Cassius609]

The music for the ancestor spirits is so otherworldly and out-of-place in the series, very beautiful

[@GuidingOlive]

It's one of my top five Souls tracks. It's so wonderfully alien compared to the general tone of Souls.

[@nvrndingsmmr]

I'd say it sounds unique, but not exactly out of place, which has a negative connotation!

[@aquasomnus]

Always reminds me of the Divine Dragon OST.

[@Cassius609]

@@nvrndingsmmr good point!

[@utisti4976]

It's out of place in the best way though

[@_Lion]

Vaati you should consider subtittling your vids, you've got the absolute BEST content in storytelling and I wish I could show it to my wife, who doesn't understands English. Have you considered allowing other people to submit subtitles? I bet a lot of your fans would gladly help with just a shoutout, I WOULD submit a subtitle if enabled!

[@riahisama]

This is a great idea, I second this

[@leoblaidd]

True!

[@godloser4938]

I don't know English either, I watch his videos using the automatic translation of the subtitles, some things are confusing due to the automatic translation, but in general you can understand what he is trying to convey.

[@trice286]

@@godloser4938 "I don't know English either" My guy your comment is more coherent than 90% of english speakers.

[@godloser4938]

@@trice286 I know how to read and write a little due to the large number of games that don't have translation into my language so I have to make do with English, but I don't know how to speak or understand spoken English.

[@blitzgirl6522]

19:57 My interpretation of Fia's Elden Lord ending is that using her mending rune could also mean that people are allowed to DIE for the first time since Marika entrusted the Rune of Death to Maliketh. Currently, Tarnished and others keep coming back to life whenever they die - they never find actual rest, and the catacombs are remnants of an era that doesn't exist anymore except in memory (the ghosts you can speak to). So not only would folks like Fia and the Tibia Mariners no longer be persecuted in the Age of the Duskborn, but then everyone, even gods, will be allowed to die as it SHOULD be. Godwyn and Ranni only "died" because the Rune of Death was used on them...otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to be killed or have their souls severed at all.

[@rwberger6]

The problem is that you unseal the rune of death after defeating maleketh regardless of the ending you pick. This is presented as a huge deal in game and allows things to die naturally again. Also I always found it odd that Fia wants everyone to stop persecuting the undead when every single undead in game tries to murder you on sight.

[@blitzgirl6522]

@@rwberger6 That last paragraph is problematic. It's like saying that anyone who is different is bad because they do desperate things *because* of living in a state of persecution. Everyone, even undead, are deserving of a chance for understanding and respect, and maybe they wouldn't be attacking us if they didn't feel so unsafe under Marika's rule. But I digress. As for the first paragraph, I see Fia's ending as being an extension of happens as part of playing the game's story. It expands upon what we already set in motion.

[@darkhobo]

@@rwberger6 yeah Fia is evil. She resurrected Godwyn and started Those Who Live In Death in the first place. Marika broke off Death and started the Golden Order specifically to STOP Godwyn. Who started siphoning off souls from the Erdtree. She had to cut off his access to new souls.

[@deschain1910]

@@blitzgirl6522 I don't think that paragraph is like saying that at all. Many of the other enemy types in the game either have single (sometimes multiple) examples of ones who aren't combatants even if they're widely persecuted or have lore reasons for being sentient but against you. Those who live in death are just always enemies and they don't seem to have a society. They don't even always seem to be sentient. I believe they will always attack the living on sight, because they just want everyone to be dead and nobody to be alive because they're just that 'racist' against living things, or most of them aren't sentient at all other than the summoners and higher level examples...

[@MMMM-vq1yr]

Highly disagree, although to be fair this was my first interpretation. Elden Ring is more like a series commandments with some holy force behind it rather than the laws of the universe (law of gravity, law of magnetics, etc.). Fia is concerned with The Ones That Live in Death being persecuted by the Golden Order, she seems not to really care about them dying a 'full' and wholesome death. In fact she seems to use Rogier's soul to fight us. In order to 'fix' this she wants us to include a mending rune that essentially says that undead are considered 'holy' or just as valid life as any other being. I think this is the EXACT opposite of what you're saying. IMO, the Tarnished seem to be the only type of 'holy' 'dead that yet live' (straight from the intro) that is pragmatically allowed within the golden order. The Mending Rune would extend this favor to ALL UNDEAD. Everything seems to suggest Fia doesn't care about the cycle of life and death, she cares about giving comfort to the undead lords so they can do their business -- being undead seems kinda nasty imo, rotting body and all that stuff with vengeful, violent spirits found in things like ghost flame, so it makes sense that a class of priestess would be there to ease the burden of certain undead. It's hard to say why the Tarnished doesn't end up like them, I'd have to think on that more.

[@rieJW]

It’s interesting how often Death in Elden Ring is connected to aquatic themes like the tibia mariner and Godwyn And how players thought there is a swim mechanic but fell and died

[@Molotov_Milkshake]

Godwyn always had the lower body of a fish. He was a child of Godfrey, the lord of the Crucible Knights and the Crucible itself. Probably the same reason he had twin Omen kids as well. Both horns and scaled tails are aspects of the Crucible and this is very explicitly stated in the 'Aspects of the Crucible' 'horns' and 'tail' incantations. Godfrey produces omen offspring as well as ones with scaled bodies/tails etc. Pretty sure that's why Godwyn's corpse is revealed to be scaly.

[@mynamebejonas]

@@mintkit1064 from what I’ve gathered the theory was thought up because in the opening cinematic which shows godwyns death they don’t show his legs or feet. Personally I don’t believe he’s always been a mermaid.

[@rieJW]

@@mynamebejonas Yea and he was more human looking compared to the amalgamation he is now with more aquatic features. Plus I’m sure if he had those aquatic traits he’d be locked away like Morgott and Mohg for characteristics that oppose the erdtree

[@azazelsiad3601]

@@Molotov_Milkshake see the problem with this theory is that Rogier developed a lower half very similar to Godwyns lower half AFTER being afflicted with blight. It’s why he was unable to move. And while I would tend to agree given the Crucible Knights ability to tap into the Erdtrees power, these powers were only ever manifestations of the Erdtrees power never full blown transmogrification. The only ones able to achieve a true transfiguration were the Godskins and this was done via a different method. So to assume that Godwyn always had a fish tail wouldn’t really work out to well. Not to mention that Godwyn defeated Fortisaxx and befriended him, tell me, how do you beat an Ancient Dragon while having no legs? I’ve slain many a dragon but I’ve never done so without my legs lol.

[@azazelsiad3601]

@@Molotov_Milkshake also in his very first reveal at E3 In 2019 he was explicitly shown to be able to stand. Before it was later changed to his kneeling position and then the final scene with him laying dead. We also know that Godwyns change was almost instant after he died which could mean he might have already been contaminated with blight before he was ever killed.

[@isaacboxtart]

The black knife assassins are the coolest enemies in the entire game for me, the Black Knife will always be my favorite weapon after it carried me throughout my first playthrough

[@MrJabbothehut]

It's so good right. And Tachi

[@glacier4332]

@@MrJabbothehut you mean tiche?

[@MrJabbothehut]

@@glacier4332 thats the one. Soz got name mixed up.

[@sonofsparda3767]

I just wish it was an arcane weapon and had more than 110 crit

[@archaicsnipez4654]

Where do you get the black knife

[@thekinginyellow7777]

Ancestral Spirit is easily my favorite boss in the game, I stumbled across it in the early game and the atmosphere of the arena as the spirit walks into view was just electric.

[@dallas1303]

Loved that boss but the Regal Ancestral Spirit was straight ass. Hated the healing mechanic

[@riahisama]

The music was art, most beautiful boss experience in any souls game

[@skinless5136]

Shitty boss, maliketh + Godfrey + dragonlord are better 🤓

[@Molotov_Milkshake]

Shame it was such an easy boss though. I hoped it would put up more of a fight. In 4 playthroughs I've never died once to either Ancestral Spirit boss. Also Maliketh is so much cooler.

[@thekinginyellow7777]

@@Molotov_Milkshake Maliketh isn't cyan, though

[@VaatiVidya]

Which bosses would you like to see next?

[@christiansolorzano6019]

Hm

[@miloszcisek6449]

me

[@Enshin1006]

And it begins

[@nategd313]

Radahn

[@halmarutanyder4920]

The uh Astel Naturalborn of the Void, and the fallen star beasts!!!!

[@tolandkister5437]

Hey, after seeing this video, my friend and I were discussing all this amazing stuff you brought up and may have stumbled into some interesting symbolism regarding death and Ranni. The marine nature/representation of death in this game (crabs, mariners, Godwyns body) pairs really well with Ranni's influence over death in the world, with Ranni being one of the primary catalysts to the death of Godwyn, an incredibly significant death in this universe. Ranni's association with the moon is an incredible metaphor at the very least, for in our world little has more influence over the movement of an ocean than the moon. I'd love to hear other thoughts on this

[@herb9838]

You're 100% onto something big there.

[@Phalar123]

This is by far the coolest thing I've heard on the topic

[@BlemmiganGallivanter]

I never thought much about the "death grace" part of Helphen's Steeple. I always thought the sword was supposed to be another connection between water and death like you see everywhere in Elden Ring. I feel like "Helphen," if you never saw it's written name, could be interpreted as "Hel Fen." "Hel" being related to the afterlife, and more specifically the underworld and land of the dead in Norse myth (with Hel also being a name for the Norse goddess of death, so there might be something there as well). A "Fen" is simply a marsh or wetland, which makes sense as a naming convention considering we get the Steeple from a Tibia Mariner in what could be called a small fen.

[@herb9838]

You are a genius.

[@rob-9918]

This might be a bit of a stretch but it’s worth noting that Fen is also the first part of the name of the wolf Fenrir (who’s name literally meant fen dweller) who had a lot of connections with death and fate in norse myth due to his role in ragnarok. Plus Fenrir was Hels brother- being a child of Loki.

[@PierceArner]

I find it most interesting that the Ancestral views on Death bringing about life through horns bearing new buds is exactly what Mohg is performing a twisted version of in a Mausoleum that shares the architecture of their other structures. As Mohg's life is defined by Omen Horns shunned like the other primal features that the Ancestral worship treat with reverence, it seems obvious how he became obsessed with them, even to the point of forcibly tearing Miquella from the Haligtree.

[@FartsHaveATaste]

And the Oracle Envoys also use "horns", with similar appearance to the horns/roots growing out of the backs of the giants up on Mountaintops of The Giants. I probably just made some BS connections.. still fun though 😁

[@tumblytim]

Furthermore, this explains why Mohgwyn is so close to the Ancestral woods, and why it seems like a pathway used to lead between them. They very well may have been the same faction that split off of each other. Just theorizing though.

[@gvd72]

In the ancient past, it is said that horns, feathers, etc. growing on people was seen as a divine due to its connection to the Primordial Crucible until later on, when society progressed, they were shunned. I assume that these ancestral followers have been around for a while too but maybe never gave up their reverence of these Primordial signs. So they probably are chill with the Omen, Misbegotten, etc. Interesting also that they’re called “ancestral”

[@PierceArner]

@@tumblytim Mohg was shackled and permanently bound below ground in the Subterranean Shunning-Grounds, and his generic boss fight is what blocks access to where the Three Fingers are sealed as a part of a tomb of an ancient god (as described on the Fingerprint Shield). From there, you can access a hidden passageway that leads to Deeproot Depths and The Nameless Eternal City, which connects to the other areas of the underground. Mohg likely encountered the practices of Ancestral Worship as a part of escaping the capital. Spending his life below ground is likely also how he was able to reach and steal Miquella from the Haligtree by approaching it from below at the roots. Also, we know from the Haligtree armor that it had been watered with Miquella's own blood since it was a sapling, and blood sacrifice is what Mohg feels he understands more than anyone, so he'd naturally be drawn there, especially as Miquella's Unalloyed Gold was also an attempt to replace the Golden Order like Mohg's plan for the Mohgwyn Dynasty would do. It's not clear if the Haligtree failed to grow into an Erdtree because Miquella's blood never allows him to age, or if it was because Mohg removed him before it could mature, but the Nascent Butterfly description hints that it was impossible for it either way. With Miquella's central goal being to resist the call of Outer Gods and Mohg requiring the power of the Formless Mother to allow Miquella to be reborn, it's also trapped by the same fate to never be born. What's especially interesting is that the Uhl Palace, Hallowhorn Grounds, & Grand Cloister are all stone architecture that is from the Ancestrals, but the Eternal Cities have a completely different appearance and they're very closely intertwined. It's also visible above ground where the Ruined Labyrinth is full of their ruins, while the Walking Mausoleums share the architecture of the Eternal City, so they weren't always trapped underground. Like the Ancestors, Silver Tears are a life that is continually reborn, but as an imitation rather than as new life. We also see that the Fallen Hawks acquiring the Cold Ghostflame for themselves sealed their fate as underground dwellers for all eternity. All of the themes are about recreating something that was lost from ancient times, with Nox desiring to have a fate governed by the Stars rather than the Greater Will, hence their mirror helms, and alliance with Ranni to bring about the Age of Stars. The Swordstress & Night Maiden equipment details that long ago, Nox invoked the ire of the Greater Will and were banished underground. This is likely at the core of why attempts to control or circumvent Death became treated as omens of punishment by the Greater Will. Thus, leading to the practices that would much later be the reason that Mohg and the other Omen children would be banished and sealed under the capital city itself for being born with horns. The Oracle Horns are an interesting connection, as the Claymen Bubble sorceries are how they're searching for their lost Oracles. They're elemental lifeforms much like the Silver Tears, and the Oracle's instruments can't be sounded by mere humans, and their Spirit Ashes indicate that they appear to herald in a new god or a new Age. That's why the Age of Stars ending is probably my favourite, as the reestablishment of what seems like coldly indifferent, untouchable, and unknowable gods may seem lonely, but it's the only way to return to a state where outer gods' influence over those in The Land's Between is wholly removed as much as is possible. Their lives are their own, for better or worse but so are the lives of the non-organic beings who were banished long before the current conflict even began.

[@tumblytim]

@@PierceArner this guy does lore Jokes aside yeah most of what you say makes sense, that Mohg moreso ran into the ancestral woods after they were established, rather than them starting as the same faction. It's interesting the different endings are all the factions creating their own form of "freedom" for the lands between, even the Age of Fracture, since we know very well Marika herself has doubts of the outer gods. This may be a stretch, but Elden Ring's stories, it's morals, the messages it's pushing are very much the product of the times it was made in. Miyazaki, a Japanese man has seen the Japanese economy and government fall into lunacy, the same with GRRM, an American who was been subject to similar lunacies on the other side of the world. And now, we are given a game that over all things, wants the player to contemplate the meaning of freedom and choice, not only in the game world, but in our very own. Perhaps, or I'm way off base. Who knows lmao.

[@jaxerman5965]

One piece of lore that you didn't mention is Rogier's dialogue, he says "Godwyn's death is the first ever recorded death of a demigod". They specify "recorded" so maybe it's just that Ranni secretly disembodied herself, but it could be important for the Godskin. Have they ever killed a god? Have they killed a god after Godwyn's death? Or that part is another conspiracy?

[@Weaver-rg5ek]

Well there are other lands besides the one beyond the fog....

[@TheLangster]

I think the “gods” that the apostles and nobles hunted were those of the golden lineage, the descendants of Godwyn. And considering they clearly had pale skin, I think Godrick might be the last of them (hence why he considers himself a true lord/heir)

[@gvd72]

I feel like the Godskins are the ones responsible for the dead demigods within the Walking Mausoleums

[@LeSoing]

well they arent called the "Demigodskin Nobles"

[@godlywalrus2694]

@@TheLangster incorrect, as the gloam eyed queen and the apostles were defeated by maliketh before godwyns death

[@TheSoldierOfGodrick]

The bosses have such interesting stories and hidden pasts, and what boss holds more mystery than I, The Soldier of Godrick. I can't blame you for not attempting to unravel my secrets.

[@aokyoutsuki7744]

Some stories are best left untold

[@GrahamChapman]

As if Vaati could make the lore of Rick, Soldier of God, justice.

[@izaakaz6863]

11:55 the river of the dead exists in Japan as well. Its called the Sanzu River, and has slightly different myths associated with it.

[@steampunklemon1508]

I really appreciate some of these more minor bosses getting some lore discussion; they’re honestly some of the most fascinating things in the game. The Death Rite Birds in particular are one of my favourite designs, they simultaneously invoke the appearance of a young bird and a decaying corpse. A cool detail I haven’t seen anyone else point out is that while Deathbirds/Death Rite Birds usually only appear at night, the one in the Mountaintops graveyard appears at any time, like there’s so much Death to burn there it’s having to work overtime.

[@ShroomRPG]

I love how important the field bosses and dungeons are to the lore, given that they are just optional content

[@pointless_normalcy3621]

A lot of things are optional, you just have to go look for it if you want in the games🤷🏻‍♂️

[@YakubTheFather]

This should teach you to never back down from any fight a crazy hobo picks with you, he may be a nobody to you but he’s secretly a rotting demi-god from old.

[@SonicHaXD]

Now I really want a Godskin/Gloam-Eyed Queen DLC with how much we still don't know about them XD

[@lorenzo8208]

So we may get the long awaited bossfight, "the godskin trio"!

[@khalilrahme5227]

I'm convinced Melina is the Gloam-eyed queen. So yes please !

[@dyppityjoop5912]

I think there is way too much dlc potential with elden ring, theres the Gloam-Eyed Queen and her most likely Outer God sponser the Outer God of Death and the Deathbirds, the Outer God of Rot and Malenias Valkyries and Malenia herself need more exploration, Miquella Mohg and the Formless Mother still need exploring, the god-devouring serpant and the recusants still need an ending, a ending where the 3 and 2 fingers merge and the Greater Will and the Frenzied Flame rejoin together to their previous form. By the way has anyone else noticed that pretty much every empyrean has a Outer God by their side, whether they like it or not, Marika has the Greater Will, Malenia has the Scarlet Rot (currently sealed under Liurnia by Malenias old tutor the Blue Dancer in a now abandoned and ruined Noxian temple turned lake of rot, Malenias old tutor was most likely a Noxian as well, seeing as how he used a curved sword like many Noxians and fought in a flowing manner like a flowing river or flying bird, which is also the way many Noxians fight, and the Scarlet Rot is literally entombed in a Noxian Temple, also Malenias masters sword is called the Flowing Curved Sword and the noxian sword is called the Nox Flowing Sword. I know this theory sounds like insane ramblings, but I just have this theory tingle that the Blue Dancer that was Malenias master used to be a Noxian and somehow got out of the Eternal Cities, or just somehow escaped the imprisonment of his people by the Outer Gods, maybe his sealing of the Scarlet Rot outer god contributed to the Greater Wills caution and subsequent imprisoning of the Nox people in the underground. I think the Greater Will saw one of its own kind getting their shit kicked in by a mere mortal and getting sealed away underground, so it decided to just copy the Blue Dancer and just shoved his people and their cities underground. Which made the Nox mad and made them created the silver and mimic tears, then the Fingerslayer Blade which ultimately lead to Ranni severing the Greater Wills connection to the Land Between, so the Greater Will sort of made their own enemy and created a self-fulfilling prophecy.) (Btw imagining the Scarlet Rots reaction when it saw the Blue Dancer again through Malenia and then when he became Malenias tutor and taught her how to keep out the scarlet rot and not bloom through the waterfowl dance and fighting is hilarious, like Scarlet Rot must hate the Blue Dancer.) Alright tangent over. Uhhh, Miquella has the Formless Mother (although this is more through his association with Mohg and is likely not his original Outer God, as Miquella is associated with Sleep, Dreams and the subconscious and he is currently dreaming in his little cocoon. I theorise that this association with the subconscious is most likely the way he manipulates people into worshiping and loving him, and fun fact Miquella was/is in fact St.Trina, reaveled from cut content), Ranni has the Outer God of the Moon (not confirmed outer god, but it probably is an outer god, in fact there are two moons and plenty of enemies associated with the moons and stars, and both Ranni and Renalla literally met their moons, so yeah the two moons are either two outer gods or one outer god with two faces), and the Gloam-Eyed Queen (cough, cough, Melina) probably was associated with the Outer God of the Deathbirds and Death, (the ghostflames and black flames do look alot alike). So yeah each empyrean has a outer god patron, but not every outer god has a empyrean, unless the Frenzied Flames empyrean is the player or Vyke or Shabriri or Hyetta.

[@Molotov_Milkshake]

We actually have a lot of information on them and it's pretty obvious Melina was the GEQ when she had a body. She then reverts back into that form after the Frenzied Flame ending. How she has returned, now that is a real mystery. She lost both her body and spirit.

[@Shazoo1997]

Spare me another godskin boss 🙄

[@BraindeadArchives]

every single time i ran into a boss in elden ring, the thought of vaati eventually releasing a video on their lore was always something i looked forward to, and now its finally here.

[@buggy5079]

You can also try to make your own theories, thats the point after all

[@varden506]

@@buggy5079 how did their comment suggest they hadn’t come up with their own? They never said he needed Vaati to explain the lore to them to understand it, just that they were looking forward to hearing Vaati’s takes. Just like everyone else who’s watching the video for the most part lol next time, maybe think before you jump straight to being a petty little bitch 🤣

[@jake.klusewitz]

Man, you do such a good job detailing each of these boss’ stories, but also tying them all together to paint a cohesive picture 👍

[@kyleschneider1718]

The lore is freaking deep, and the way Fromsoft gives it to you, where you kinda have to discover it for yourself, it's SO satisfying man. Love these vids too, you delivering the lore is also very satisfying lol

[@russelltownsend9551]

The Lamplight discussion made me think of those candelabra-esque trees (the ones that conjure ghosts that guide you to hidden catacombs). I wonder if there's a connection there. I also noticed that these appear as inert objects in at least one location: the "Brace of the Haligtree" grace. Wonder what that's about.

[@hellolol237]

Oh thats what they do

[@MMMM-vq1yr]

Miquella seems to bring all sorts of 'degenerates' and outsiders into his community. I theorize that he promises them a place to life safely and somewhere they can be reborn, which explains all the strange cocoons around Elpheal. These are actually just various Those that Live in Death, Rot victims and people that decided to be reborn. This also explains why Enia teams up with Gideon and desperately wants our part of the key. Although this can also be taken into a much darker 'the ends justify' turn, with Miquella instead using them as fuel for his own Erdtree and god like form.

[@monsieurdorgat6864]

The candelabra-like objects of Miquella worship are probably meant to look like the Haligtree. Now, the really spicy part is why the Haligtree is associated with flames and candlelight? Fire is typically feared by tree-worshipping societies, but not this one! My theory is that the Haligtree, and the concept of Unalloyed Gold, is meant to bring things back to the crucible. The crucible's gold was reddish, and fun fact, that reddish gold is the color of truly pure gold. Yellower gold is less pure, and this is the gold of the Golden Order. This reverence for the crucible is why Miquella brings Misbegotten and other creatures shunned by the Golden Order to his Haligtree - for their marks of the crucible betray the purest gold.

[@monsieurdorgat6864]

@@MMMM-vq1yr Actually, I think Miquella is doing something far more socially ambitious. Did you know that the purest color of gold is actually reddish gold? Unalloyed Gold, Miquella's philosophy unique to the Golden Order, is the same reddish gold that was said to be evocative of the Primordial Crucible. Miquella recognizes that Misbegotten, with crucible features, actually represent the purest form of life. All kinds of creatures are drawn to the Haligtree that are spurned by the Golden Order, because the Golden Order is actually what's tainted.

[@Molotov_Milkshake]

I suspect those are meant to represent the Lamplight.

[@CrunchyVideos]

Glad someone else is talking about the Helphen! Such a crazy amount of implications contained in one item. Great video 👍

[@Taveren]

you are a chad and your vids are awesome, so was your thoughts on the podcast

[@mariusastrupclausen7888]

The Ancestor Spirit is probably my favourite boss in the game because of the music and atmosphere alone. Its concept is so interesting but the lore for me at least has been an absolute enigma. Thank you for giving your take on it. Your videos are always such a joy to watch!

[@VladTheBreaker]

This is the start of the deep lore we’ve been waiting for! Right on! You’ve done amazing work for many years!

[@rowanwatt9300]

Helphen’s Steeple is one of my favorite weapons in the game and it carried me through the end of my first play through, it’s an absolute joy seeing it get so much attention when it comes to lore!

[@gregorytreacy7085]

Great weapon before I took my break from playing because of work I used it non stop on my main alongside the greatsword you get from that prick outside the beastial sanctum

[@IsaiahX7-13]

This was an amazing video! Lots of interesting lore that I didn't know much about beforehand. As for the Gloam/Dusk-Eyed Queen segment, I'm pretty sure its Melina. The Frenzied Flame ending isn't exactly subtle about it being her and the game has lots of clues that points towards this: - All known Empyreans in Elden Ring are related to Marika, Melina herself is confirmed to be her daughter in the game's files and says her mother is in the Erdtree and the Queen was an Empyrean. - Melina is also known as the Kindling Maiden, and uses fire as her main element, and the main element of the GEQ was the black flames that contained the power of Destined Death. - Melina has the same movset as the Black Knife Assassins, who were all Numen women with close ties to Marika and used Destined Death in their blades. Melina fighting like them is thematically appropriate being Marika's daughter and the Queen. - Melina is burned and bodiless, meaning she is a spirit, and says she was given a new purpose by her mother's designs which we learn is to be used as kindling to burn down the Erdtree. This would once again fit with the Queen's relation to fire. It would also make sense with Maliketh having defeated and most likely killed the Queen in the past. - The Lord of Frenzied Flame ending literally shows Melina's closed eye activate only after Destined Death is released into the world, which the Queen drew power from, that literally has a dark blue coloration which is the same as the gloam or the dusk sky: whilst promising to deliver Destined Death to the player. If that isn't the game's closest way of telling you that Melina is the GEQ without directly telling you she is I don't know what is.

[@Tchula-lol]

If you summon Melina for Morgott's boss fight, she uses golden order power, casting golden circles from her dagger. She doesn't use fire in the battle at all, unless I didn't see it. I think she was following Marika's plan to overthrow the Greater Will, and did her duty to find us, a new Champion like Godfrey, who is strong enough to do it. But Melina also wants us to tell her about "our principles" and the vision we might have for a new Order. I'm not sure I believe she is the Gloam-eyed Queen, despite her damaged eye. If she were, why would she not attempt to rule herself, once we burn the Erdtree? She doesn't even make us an offer to become her consort, like Ranni. Instead, she backs us in our bid to become the new Elden Lord.

[@Molotov_Milkshake]

Correct. The evidence is pretty overwhelming. Melina's actions even fit perfectly with the motivations of an Empyrean and the Godslaying Black Flame. I find it bizarre that anyone chooses to believe otherwise when the evidence is far clearer than many other well-accepted things in this game (and Souls too). The fact that Melina sends us to get the Rune of Death back (which was taken from her), the fact that she's lost her body (and GEQ was 'defeated' by Maliketh), the fact that Melina is clearly Marika's daughter, Melina's clear intention to slay Marika (which is probably why the Rune of Death/Black Flame was taken from her in the first place, right?). In terms of soulsborne lore and narrative, the evidence is undisputable. Then of course that ending...the Gloam Eyed Queen returns and states her intention to bring about Destined Death. Who else could that possibly be?

[@cornholio7586]

The most damning evidence against this is that Melina uses a small dagger and GEQ used an ultra greatsword.

[@Molotov_Milkshake]

@@cornholio7586 A colossal greatsword which scales primarily with dex and faith, both of which Melina uses. Not conclusive at at all. The sword was kept safe and secure by the Godskins, so it stands to reason she no longer has it after her body was burned up. The description states that "The black flames wielded by the apostles are channeled from this sword.". They need it more than she does and the Black Flame is kinda useless since Maliketh sealed Death away.

[@IsaiahX7-13]

@@cornholio7586 A greatsword that is kept by her apostles after her death and besides it's not like characters can't wield more than one weapon like the player can.

[@Oops-All-Ghosts]

I will say fwiw that it's possible the reason most spirits that come out of ghostflame are vengeful is that ghostflame might be a painful or unpleasant way of disposing of the dead. Deathbirds do not look kindly or benevolent, they viciously attack the Tarnished, they demand human sacrifices in exchange for the possibility of far-off resurrection (which we have no sign they ever granted, unlike the Erdtree), and they are described as raking out the ashes of the dead with pokers; in addition to being a slightly vile visual, it implies that the dead were burned en masse. And, like, yeah, they weaponize the spirits of the unhappy dead. Appearances are often deceiving in Fromsoft games, but, like... As much as I love necromancy in fiction, the only necromancer we have in Elden Ring is an insane man who turned his family into a sword. In general I think Erdtree burial is meant to be a safer, kinder death for the vast majority of people. The regime of the gods is cruel, callous, and unjust, but that doesn't mean what came before was better. Moreover, hark, Roundtable. Disturb not the Death of Godwyn, the exalted. We, who humbly live in Death... Live in waiting, to one day welcome our Lord. What right does anyone have to object? Our Lord will rise. The Lord of the many, and the meek.

[@33link333]

On the Sacrificial Axe, it also says "Hatchet used in ancient sacrificial rite. A Deathbird is depicted as a malevolent deity. The power of the rite yet lingers. A small amount of FP is restored upon slaying a foe." I imagine there is a reason why they are sometimes depicted as malevolent.

[@averagecoolepicyoutubers1929]

Biggest win of the day, been waiting so long for this! Glad you took your time and made the video perfect

[@solarpraetor]

Might be a weird request, but I absolutely love the character models when you are talking about the godskins. I know you generally have other people capture the in game cinematic footage now, but would there be anyway to get the sliders that were used in making characters for the future? Marika and the Gloam-Eyed Queen are just gorgeous with those sliders.

[@TiananmenSquareMassacre1989]

Shadow of the Erdtree speculation: the "Dark Erdtree" on the promo poster could be Helphen

[@UndercoverKriegsman]

I wanted to come and say something like this. I wonder if there is any connection at all.

[@SmoughTown]

Great video dude, enjoyed the outside perspective and the presentation. Can't wait for more

[@Drawnartist]

Love your channel buddy

[@SmoughTown]

@@Drawnartist Thanks bud, means alot!

[@eldenringpvpenthusiast1710]

The guys in the deathrite bird remind me of a death version of the flame guardians or eardtree guardians, who died and were reborn as such seemingly because of their devotion. Amazing video btw, very insightful.

[@voodooozo3755]

"which brings us to the ancestral spirit" *ancestral spirit theme starts* I love those little details in your vids vaati. Also this theme is just gorgeous.

[@EFFLUVIUMWRITING]

“the black tree of helphen is almost like this dark mirror of the erdtree but in the spirit world” damn

[@twotimesj6478]

I reached that point and a vine boom sounded in my head fr

[@KABLAMMATS]

the deathbird reminds me of armored core, because of those aerial missile attack, im just glad is not heat seeking missile

[@Kazrel]

Warning Energy at 30% Warning Right Arm Weapon at 30%

[@AMbradfordfilms]

Also randomly, reminds me of the boss on the tank level of starfox 64

[@HellaBeed]

So many interesting themes and motifs in this game, would love to see the whole "twin" thing explored, as well as more of how so many characters appear hollowed out, like an empty vessel.

[@dwirtz0116]

Also, in the Lands Between, isn't it like time stood still? As in, death is not in effect? Hence the "wandering dead". Just like Redahn had halted the "stars", somebody has halted "death".

[@thefatherinthecave943]

Yeah. Marika/radagon removed the rune of death from the elden ring, creating the golden order and preventing death, and all the natural progressions death brings. Old cannot die and feed the new, and the new cannot grow old

[@cyansy]

@@thefatherinthecave943 also why younger beings like Melina are born with inate purposes, the erdtree handles birth (and does it so rarely) and so Melina knew she had to have a specific purpose.

[@ProfessorShnacktime]

@@thefatherinthecave943 This why Miquella is forever a child? And maybe why Rennala is obsessed with artificial births?

[@thefatherinthecave943]

@@ProfessorShnacktime considering that she holds the rune of rebirth in the egg I’d assume that marika/radagon gave it to her in some attempt to keep some form of renewal available after they shattered the ring. She took death, AND rebirth from the ring

[@goose1415]

Man Vaati is to soulsborne what MyNameIsByf is to Destiny, just incredibly cinematic and a voice like an angel. Best lore creator

[@ispeakfortrees]

The lamplight and the black tree obviously now much more interesting with the imminent DLC setting and imagery we've seen. Wondering if this is a major clue to what's going on with the black tree that is climbing the Shadowed Erdtree in the DLC. Lamplight reminds me of the Miquella lamps that look like grace sites we've seen

[@craigauclair4026]

I actually like the Burial Watchdogs, and their unnatural movement. One of my favorite bosses.

[@F0X0K0]

The black tree could be the new Scadutree in the dlc. So many new bits of lore to be found, I am excited to see what you find

[@shadowzzima6008]

Legit what I was thinking

[@peterlynn8225]

Just incredible how much depth this adds to the experience of these games. Thanks!!

[@zadenburia6075]

YOU ARE THE ABSOLUTE BEST! No one does Lore videos about Elden Ring like you. A full video on each individual such as Mogh Lord of Blood Would be so fascinating.

[@rafe1835]

It’s a good day when VaatiVidya posts

[@Gwynbleidd1724]

Love these videos so much. Make an incredible game series even more incredible

[@ProjectMathesar]

I really hope that the DLC expands the known lore rather than just adding totally new stuff. Let's fill in the blanks rather than adding more pages to the end!

[@toledochristianmatthew9919]

They might save that for a sequel. Elden ring sold tons of copies and From will probably want to make this into a trilogy like dark souls.

[@subject_of_ymir]

Fromsoftware never fill the blanks. Look up Dark Souls. Sometimes some are better left incomplete. I mean we still don't know who the hell is the Queen of Lothric? Is it Gwynevere, Rosaria Or whole new diety?

[@nathanielthomas4071]

​@@subject_of_ymir I think this is why FROM feels okay with have a crap halfassed story. Because fans just accept it. Frankly if they get better at story telling the people against Elden Ring ( including me. Literally the only thing I complain about is narration of the story)wouldn't have much to hate on. I mean it's okay to put story into the environment. But that should just add to the story not how it's told.

[@brkfstfd]

@@nathanielthomas4071hard disagree there. Hidetaka should 100% keep doing his thing. He needn’t abandon his signature. Fans don’t just accept it - it’s actually wonderful. It’s the way people are taught to write genuinely artistic fiction.

[@trisbane4086]

@@brkfstfd I agree that this type of storytelling is quintessential to Souls games, and it's captivating. But I also think that's not a reason it should stop evolving. The sprawling world of Elden Ring demonstrated the foibles of how Hidetaka tells his story - if you fail to enter a specific location at a specific time, you forfeit a quest, which, with an open world, is easier than ever. And most of the time, all a quest really is is a few lines of dialogue. You can still tell an ambiguous enchanting story but with some modern implementations like in-game cutscenes, more story-driven quests, etc.

[@james240878]

What if the gloam-eyed queen was another numen chosen by the greater will asa contender for godhood, but then Marika was chosen over her. That would then give her a vindictive motivation to want to kill the gods?

[@GrahamChapman]

What if the Gloam-Eyed Queen was one of Marika's children? Divine offspring coming in threes seems to be a recurring thing in Elden Ring, with Marika and Godfrey having Godwyn, Morgott and Mohg while Radagon and Rennala had Ranni, Radahn and Rykard... If you summon Melina to fight alongside you during the fight against Morgott, then she fights very much like a Black Knife Assassin. The dagger she uses, the Blade of Calling, even looks a lot like the Black Knives and has a unique skill that's identical to the skill of the Black Knives, albeit Golden rather than Death-imbued... Furthermore: If you reach the Chaos Flame ending, then Melina is shown to have a very peculiar, almost gloam-y left eye while swearing to subject us to Destined Death... This would all make sense in regards to Ranni as well: She is described as having modelled her doll body after her mentor. What's especially notable about Ranni's body? One closed eye covered with a claw-like tatoo. Same as Melina... And if Melina is the Gloam-Eyed Queen, then she would've been intimately involved with both the plan to assassinate Godwyn as well as Ranni's plan... So, who are Melina's parents? We don't know for sure, but according to herself she was born at the roots of the Erdtree. Me, I think her parents were Radagon and Marika and that Melina is the sister of Malenia and Miquella. Support of this theory: You find Melina's clothes, the Traveler's Set, at the Haligtree's roots, very close to where you fight Malenia. Furthermore, the three kinds of butterflies you can find in the game seem to be tied to these three characters: Malenia's wings in her goddess form are literally made up of Aeonian Butterflies. The Nascent Butterfly is, in its item description, said to "appear as if it's just emerged from its cocoon for its entire life", mirroring Miquella's connection to cocoons and stuff like that. And as for the Smoldering Butterfly: Melina's entire character arc culminates with her finding her purpose as kindling for the flame that is to burn the Erdtree.

[@Molotov_Milkshake]

Nah, it seems like the Gloam-Eyed Queen was one of Marika's kids. All evidence points to her being Melina. She literally has a gloam eye that is hidden deliberately throughout the game.

[@james240878]

@@Molotov_Milkshake I agree, but why does melina not seem to remember being the gloam eyed queen? And also what was her motive for wanting to kill the gods? How did she come to be the one to control the rune of death and the black flame? Where has she been all this time?

[@Molotov_Milkshake]

@@james240878 Melina is just manipulating us. She knows what's going on and she wants us to kill the gods. Especially since Marika screwed her over previously (sent Maliketh after her and had him guard the Rune of Death, then later sealing it which disempowered the Black Flame which she was likely planning to use in rebellion. Melina reveals herself to be a rebel later too as she discusses her 'purpose', which fits perfectly with this). That whole thing was instrumental to Marika staying in power, so it makes sense that Melina is instrumental in undoing it. She burns her spirit in the Giantsflame which sets the Erdtree ablaze, and at the same time transports us to unseal the Rune of Death with specific instructions to do so. Melina fits the role perfectly and the ending confirms it. That's why it's such a cool ending. It actually answers a mystery. Very tidily and in a way that confirms what many of us had already suspected before we saw her purple eye.

[@james240878]

@@Molotov_Milkshake if we could somehow connect her specifically to the godskin then it would be totally confirmed, but it’s unlikely we’ll get that. I’m only just starting my second playthrough but I’m really looking forward to hearing all her dialogue again, and at the same time consider whether or not she is being manipulative. She is manipulating us to journey to the erdtree, and then the giants forge, but to me on my first playthrough it seemed that she was also trying to figure out what her purpose was for herself. That could all just be a deception, but it didn’t seem like it to me.

[@Gavlon]

It's so cool seeing how much thought was put into every enemy's design and how they connect not only to the description, but also how they reference other enemies.

[@ThestralGlow]

The way music is incorporated into this episode is so touching and comes across as very thoughtfully chosen! Amazing job as usual. 😊

[@zaneriva5903]

Oh boy oh boy I've never hit that notification so fast. Time to sit back and enjoy some quality lore.

[@lucasfonzaghi]

The Regal Ancestor Spirit was my favorite boss battle. The atmosphere, music, the design. I was under level so it was hard, I think I was like level 40 or something. When I met it, I thought it was the same ancestral spirit as before, but this one was different. It killed me. Over and over again. However, something kept me going. I felt like it was the first real test of my ability, since I found almost all bosses easy before this one. Every try I understood it a little bit more, and this also made me empathize with it. I didn’t want the fight to end. I wanted this to be an eternal spar, I wanted to battle it for the rest of the ages. I got to half of his health, and then, like it felt what I wanted, it just rose up and healed. Over and over again he healed, and every try I inched closer to defeating it. When I finally defeated it after two dozen or so tries, I felt… sad. This felt like I killed the last member of an ancient species. I felt empty and undeserving. But life sprouts from death, as it does from birth. Such is the way of the living.

[@drowsypaladin5754]

I cant wait for an updated version of this.

[@zacharron]

I love watching these videos for the lore dump, but also so that I can see and appreciate (in slow motion) the incredible details and animations in the creature and NPC design.

[@ongabonga4378]

There's so much content for the dlc to explore more. Excited to see how it might expand on the lore and confirm theories.

[@JadeBlades098]

It's worth noting in regards to the red light, helphen, and the rold medallion, Helphen is described as being a black tree, yea? Maybe it has some connection to the dead erdtrees burned by the giant's flame. Perhaps that's exactly what helphen is, the soul of a dead erdtree.

[@Molotov_Milkshake]

Helphen only exists in some spirit world that we never see or visit. I don't think it physically exists.

[@jacklynwashburn4146]

Yall think the helphens steeple's tree is the scadutree?

[@utubeaccount3666]

Yup, and crazy how this red grace indeed led to the DLC

[@gamerjones_8440]

man your videos just keep getting better and better, this was really visually pleasing

[@pkpseudo5166]

I think the reason why Ghost-Flame spirits are "vengeful" are because of the suppression of death by the Golden Order. Instead of being able to pass on, they're instead forced into the limbo that Marika created when she plucked the Rune of Death from the Elden Ring. Being stuck in this limbo, then, has caused the souls to be unable to pass on properly, making them lash out at the living with blinding fury. Marika plucking the Rune of Death truly just ruined so many elements of death, causing much more harm than good in the end. I think Death Blight itself exists because of that stagnation. We see it being used by not only creatures related to Godwyn in some way, but also by the Deathbirds themselves. Perhaps when the Rune of Death was removed, the Deathbirds were lost of purpose, and/or power, much like the godskins. And what we see of them now are husks no different than the ones these avian envoys used to burn. In a way, Deathblight is perhaps the Rune of Death, and/or the Outer God of Death's way of forcing itself back into things, as a volatile force that has to essentially "live in death" to get around the rules set in place by Marika's altered Elden Ring. Much like how the Deep in DS3 is the stagnation of Humanity and the Abyss, Deathblight is the stagnation/suppression of Destined Death.

[@brandanimations3790]

3:32 The Twinbird also looks like a Peacock, a bird used to symbolize the transcendent.

[@sly1338]

Possible Shadow of Erdtree reference at 09:30

[@McThiccvms]

I THOUGHT THE SAME EXACT THING BC THAT TREE IS BLACK OMG I’M SO EXCITED

[@Robenbuilds]

I've been looking forward to more Elden Ring lore videos and it's finally here!

[@Midknightduck]

Just a fun animal fact, not all horns grow for life. Buck or moose for example may lose their horns in the winter and regrow them in the summer, which also goes with the renewal motif. Other animals like rhino do not ever loose their horn unless it is broken.

[@conductivepaste3447]

Amazing video. Despite the sheer volume of Elden Ring lore videos available right now, this is a truly unique and well researched topic. It is the first analysis I have seen of some of these enemies (namely the Deathbirds and the Ancestral Spirits), and the first time I had heard mention of the Ghostflame. Keep up the awesome work! I hope you're enjoying Elden Ring :)

[@Vman773]

Wait ok hear me out at 9:30 the black tree is like a dark mirror of the Erdtree or is it like a SHADOW of the Erdtree

[@TheSixStringGuy]

The perfect thing to listen too while cooking chicken in the smoker on the porch....absolutely love these

[@lastigefliege3366]

Sounds nice, hope it was good

[@giuliomancin4525]

Actually another lore connection for the Tibia Mariner is the fact that Death seems also related with the sea due to the way Godwyn's corpse grew up.

[@sir_agito7705]

death stranding

[@Molotov_Milkshake]

Godwyn was Godfrey's son. He was deformed with aspects of the crucible (had a scaled tail), much in the same way Mohg and Morgott (also his sons) were born with the aspect of the Crucible (horns) all over their bodies. Godfrey of course was the lord of the Crucible Knights and was closely tied with that primordial energy. Godwyn's legs are never shown in the cinematics, so it was clearly hidden so we got the big reveal when we saw his corpse and it becomes clear he had a scaly tail for a lower body. Considering he was draped with that shroud he wore in life, I wonder if Godwyn was ashamed of his deformity and hid it. After all, it's not dissimilar from the Omen horns which are considered a curse and hidden away. I doubt that him being half fish/serpent would have been viewed fondly by those who persecuted the Omen. The knot/feather talismans also explain that the crucible deformities were once seen as a blessing of the Crucible/Erdtree but were later spurned by society as a sign of imperfection. The omen, the misbegotten, Godskin nobles (voluntarily from what we know) and Godwyn are all connected to the Crucible which explains their bizarre physiology.

[@giuliomancin4525]

@@Molotov_Milkshake That's an interesting theory but unfortunately we don't have any information about Godwyn's form before being killed, so we can't prove it or disprove it. For as much as we know Godwyn was not a secret son (unlike Mohg and Morgott) and was also a hero for putting an end to the war with the dragons.

[@francescofrancescato1251]

@@Molotov_Milkshake Godwyn mutated completely after the curse of the half centipede mark. His body and his face too. for me, it doesn't have too much sense that this curse has the effect to extent the crucible's traits to the whole body. it is more likely that the whole fish-like tranformation happened after Godwyn's assasination.

[@Molotov_Milkshake]

@@francescofrancescato1251 fun fact to ponder: Fish scales are well known for being an environmental hazard because they don't biodegrade normally. They have to be processed by special means by the fishing industry. Funny how it's the only part of his body not decaying when you consider this. His father Godfrey was the Lord of the Crucible and his two brothers Mohg and Morgott were born covered in horns (another aspect of the Crucible), so why not? It makes far less sense that this would happen to him later. Death is signified by decay, and fish scales are highly resistant to decay (IRL and clearly in Elden Ring too). Scales would indicate and signify the total opposite of death: the Crucible of life. So you basically agree the Crucible is the reason for him looking this way (it is). The only disagreement is over whether he always had a scaled body. But here's a challenge for you: Try to find any image (from the pre-release cinematics or in-game) that shows 1) Godwyn standing up or 2) Godwyn's legs. You'll find that neither has ever been shown. Now ask yourself why they deliberately hid this. That is the nature of mystery. It gives us something to think about.

[@Deadgye]

Theory that I started to entertain after watching TA's vids and before watching this vid: What if the Lands Between are the metaphysical representation of the spirit world, and the Helphen was a tree that predated the Erdtree's reign?

[@JIA666]

My little theory. Empereons are born separate and combine to become one god. Milenia and miqila were unable to because miqila got snatched. However ranni and melina(glome eyed queen) are born separate but would combine. Which explains why melina is so set on being burned alive as ranni also no longer has a body. Ranni is born of radagon and melena is born of marika, both have markings under their respective eyes and melina gives you torrent while ranni says it used to be hers. Ranni would have stolen the rune of death from her other half which would explain why it would be her to have done it over anyone else. Marika helping ranni would also make sense as maliketh took the rune of death from melena after beating her. I believe it’s obvious the two have a connection that hasn’t been touched upon yet, maybe in future dlc?

[@zombiehippo9477]

Tbh I'd like to see some DLC or at least an announcement or even a whisper of some future content. But Vaati I love all you do.

[@33link333]

If DLC is coming, I would expect it to take longer then for previous games. Based on the size of the game and it's areas, and the development time for the base game itself. Bloodborne's DLC was annouced around half a year after release, so I would expect a potential Elden Ring DLC to be annouced whithin a year. This is all my speculations of course, who knows what the future will hold for the game.

[@Yutagos]

10:18 It has oddly a lot in commun with the trailer of the dlc : a dark erdree , spirit world ect

[@GurbansDeol]

"The bosses defined by their relationship to death" could technically describe every boss...since they all chose to inflict death upon me countless times.

[@TK-7193]

those who deal in death, are dealt death

[@realmweavergaming7129]

In the upcoming expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, could the huge tree in the expansion be called the Helphen? When you read the Helphen’s Steeple Greatsword description, it seemed there was a connection. Also in your Demigod lore videos, you mention that Numens have a Shadow like Maliketh. Ranni has a shadow. Where is the other demigods shadows?

[@jimthebottle6647]

Maybe the "twinbird" is the 2 fingers. The form in which it is painted does resemble a stylised version of the position they are in

[@Bubba1025]

I love this game so much. This really rekindled my love for gaming. Thank you Vaati, you’re dedication to uncovering these stories and explanation of things that players would miss further immerse me into this world. Thanks FromSoft, for creating such a amazing universe,

[@Egalia_1]

I’ve got a disease, and it can only be cured… by more *Elden Ring lore*

[@LucasDimoveo]

I wondered how you'd cover Elden Ring lore. I kinda got worried when a bunch of channels started covering lore and theory before you did. Good to see that there is still interesting Elden Ring material to cover

[@pascalsimioli6777]

It's sad we worry about that. Shouldn't other people do the that just because vaati exists?

[@LucasDimoveo]

@@pascalsimioli6777 No! They should! But there is only so many people to watch on KZbin, and there is only so much time that is healthy to spend here.

[@Cross-DNA]

While this is true, none of them compare to the quality of a Vaati lore video

[@Spaedterrak]

9:28 A lot of this lore makes even more sense with the anouncement of the dlc

[@Spaedterrak]

Which is really cool

[@kentarochew9507]

9:29 hol up now, is the Helphen tree the "Shadow of the Erdtree" ? LORE NOW, I demand it.

[@bander960]

I’d actually say it’s possible. The “Shadow of the Erdtree” is either a new Haligtree, or the Helphen tree, or both. That’s my take anyway

[@kentarochew9507]

​@@bander960 Tbh either one is very interesting, tho I think it might lean more towards Haligtree because I think they would expand more on Miquella's lore. But Helphen would be sick.

[@Catnapjwiffiejwkdkflsk]

Every upload this man does gets me more hyped than a new marvel movie, your vids are just that good quality!

[@AdrenalStorm]

I'm curious about what caused the state of Farum Azula, what happened to it and why it is a floating, wrecked city embedded near a tornado. Would love to see a video on the lore of Farum Azula!

[@gking748]

Absolutely! I've also always been super curious about farum azula

[@alexsharp3481]

I may be able to answer some of this but not all. Someone please be willing to hop in and correct whatever you may see though! Long before the Erdtree, the Ancient Dragons lorded over the world. These dragons were incredibly powerful, and one of them could be considered the Elden Lord before the Elden Ring had been sent to the world. These dragons served an unnamed dragon god, and this god created Farum Azula, his strength upholding the city. A true city in the sky away from the rest of the world. A haven for the dragons, if you will. One day, their god left them for an unspecified reason. In his place, Dragonlord Placidusax used his strength to keep the city afloat. Reading the Remembrance of the Dragonlord tells us some important things, but one I want to highlight is, “The Dragonlord whose seat lies at the heart of the storm beyond time…” If my interpretation of the lore is correct, this tells us two things: 1. Farum Azula was created by the dragon god outside of time as we understand it. 2. Two dragons (their god and Placidusax) had control over some aspects of time. Now, Placidusax was incredibly strong, but not as strong as his god. If we look at Placidusax’s character model, we can see he has lost at least one whole head. He’s been weakened through centuries of conflict and likely never truly had the strength to uphold Farum Azula in the first place. This is why it is crumbling the way it is now. You may notice that when the Tarnished fight Placidusax, the looks as though it were freshly built for our battle, but the world around us is still crumbling. This is because Placidusax used his power to rewind time in our small area to do battle, likely a feat that was incredibly taxing on him. If it wasn’t something incredibly difficult, he likely would have already rewound time in Farum Azula to restore it to its former glory. Anyways, that’s it. Hope you enjoyed and hope I covered your questions with accuracy. If you have any other questions, I’d be happy to try and help answer!

[@AdrenalStorm]

@@alexsharp3481 Oh my goodness thank you so much!!! That was amazing!!!

[@AndrewEvenstar]

@@alexsharp3481 awesome reply. Thanks!

[@alexsharp3481]

@@AndrewEvenstar of course! And thanks to you as well! I’m a hobbyist lore diver so I try to answer questions when I can!

[@MetalCaffeine56]

Speaking of death related lore, I'm wondering whats going on with the Soulless Demigods that are in the Wandering Mausoleums. There's very little lore about them but they seem to be pretty important to parts of the lore dealing with the Eclipse.

[@Molotov_Milkshake]

Something to do with a pact between Godwyn and Miquella. It'd be nice to get some further lore about it as it's very interesting.

[@itschewsday5252]

Now with Melina being confirmed to be a first born of Marika, it makes sense for her to be the gloom eyed queen. She bore visions of fire, which explains why she has a deep connection with the ghostflame. She also was most likely abandoned by Marika due to being a bastard child, so it makes sense why she would try and target Marika. It also makes sense why she was spared

[@Brandisandre]

The aesthetic of the black knife assassins remind me of the dancer of boreal valley in DS3.

[@dwirtz0116]

Great Video! 😁😁👏👏 So if "glowing" air streams are "grace" them why not the blue streams in magical areas being some sort of "grace"?

[@beansnrice321]

Is it just me or do the Death birds, especially the death rite birds, kind of remind me of some of the mecha from Armored Core. The various ravens and such.

[@sheikae]

When I saw my first Tibia Mariner I instantly thought of the Headless bosses in Sekiro, I think it mainly had to do with the purple light eminating from the body. Maybe there is a game design /asset reuse connection between both?

[@chipnizzle7956]

These are some of the best videos on this platform. Your knowledge is superb, your voice is superb and beyond all else Elden Ring is a phenomenal masterpiece of writing. Further enhanced by your expert understanding. Thankyou for the content!

[@dr.demontale3250]

16:33 These creatures are GOLLUMS. My lurking half afk-ing ass looking up like... excuse me?

[@thaearthquake]

I see a lot of theories implying Marika collaborated with Ranni for the night of black knives but I don’t know. From what I’ve gathered she really loved Godwyn and started the Shattering after his death.

[@Molotov_Milkshake]

There's no way there was any collaboration. Marika was clearly devastated by Godwyn's death.

[@scottbecker4367]

Yeah. I see the Shattering as her becoming disillusioned with the Golden Order after they sent her husband away, imprisoned two of her sons, and allowed the other to be killed. She took out the rune of death specifically so that her children wouldn't die, so I don't see any reason for her to kill Godwyn.

[@darkhobo]

@@Molotov_Milkshake no. Thats literally just what Rogier tells us, after he starts sleeping with Fia. Who is the one keeping Godwyn from True Death. Its propaganda. The Shattering happened BEFORE the Night of Black Knives. Watch the intro video again. It tells us the Shattering was first and Godwyn was just the first to die during the Shattering War. So the idea that Marika Shattered the Elden Ring in mourning is just a lie. Rogier is probably the first friendly NPC we meet and so we believe what he says... But Fia is LITERALLY killing him the whole time we are helping her. Draining his strength to give to Godwyn. Same thing she does when she Embraces us. Steals our life for Godwyn. (Note, Greyroll has Deathbed Companions too. If you kill the dragons attending her, she dies automatically) The Golden Order was specifically created to fight against Those Who Live In Death. Erdtree incantations dont do any more damage to the undead, but Golden Order incantations do. The Rune of the Death-Prince mentions the Golden Order was formed WHEN Marika removed the Rune of Death. So Marika breaks death away and restructures her Order into The Golden Order. That prevents Godwyn from siphoning away any more souls, and empowers her followers to easily kill Godwyns followers. Never, in any Fromsoft game, has rejecting the course of Nature been a good thing. Its definitely not a good thing Godwyn is doing it.

[@thaearthquake]

@@darkhobo there’s a lot of misinformation you wrote. You should check some sources before just putting anything out on the internet. The intro doesn’t detail the order of events. Godwyn died, as a result of his death, Marika shatters the Elden Ring. Golden Order wasn’t CREATED to combat those who live in death, it was made as the basis of law and order for the land that the Erdtree ruled over. It was only after Godwyn’s body started spreading deathroot around did the fundamentalists view them as the enemy. Even Goldmask(a true fundamentalist) was able to see past the whole black/white morality of gold= good, death = bad. Like he says, THAT is just propaganda.

[@darkhobo]

@@thaearthquake its just information. Vatti didnt write the story. Neither did you. Play the game and maybe you'll learn something. Seriously thougn. Why say something when its not true. Just go verify it yourself. Watch the intro again. The intro literally tells us that Marika shattered the Elden Ring FIRST. Then Godwyn was the first demigod to perish during the shattering war. Like, you cant even watch it and see? You're so certain you know you wont even look. And youre wrong so there that Also. Goldmask doesn't say anything.... Sooo what are you smoking?

[@andrew_morev]

I want a video speculating about word play in names. for example, Godfrey = God Free, Godwin = God Win, God Skin duo = God’s Kin etc. It’s pretty obvious and all over the place and nobody really explores this.