Why are there Samurai in Elden Ring?: Land of Reeds Lore Breakdown Theory Analysis & DLC Speculation

Welcome to my breakdown of Elden Ring's Land of Reeds, a mysterious and dark locale outside the lands between with a bloody history waiting to be uncovered. In this video, we will delve deep into the lore of this intriguing area, exploring its hidden secrets and uncovering the dark tales that lie within.
Join us as we uncover the secrets and mysteries of Elden Ring's Land of Reeds and learn about the history that has shaped this haunting landscape. We'll also consider what further insights we might learn in the upcoming Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.
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[@shallotliltian7617]

When playing as a Samurai, I like to think my tarnished's backstory involves seeking revenge against Okina and the Inaba for slaughtering you and your clan in the Land of Reeds, and eventually tracking down Mohg to sever the connection to the formless mother, the source of the blood-crazed madness that has consumed your homeland. Taking up Moonveil, you ally with Lady Ranni to end the meddling of outer gods once and for all.

[@ZayftheScholar]

I like it! The justification for using the moonveil is *chefs kiss*

[@nocturnaljoe9543]

Ngl that sounds dope af.

[@robertpayne6781]

That sounds really cool, just replace moonveil with nagakiba.

[@shallotliltian7617]

@@robertpayne6781 Storywise, Moonveil is more symbolic of an alliance with Ranni and the House of Caria which draw power from the moon.

[@NickCombs]

I find it more likely that Yura managed to cut off Eleonora's bloody finger (option 2). What he didn't know is that she was using the purifying crystal tear to ward off the cessblood. So she did not need saving or stopping by his blade. Likely it was Shabriri who twisted the truth to drive Yura to this mad quest.

[@ZayftheScholar]

It wasn't until I was in the middle of editing video that I noticed the purifying tear! Glad you brought that up! So maybe by the time he finally found Eleonora, Yura's brain was already toast. :(

[@mralabbad7]

It would be a really interesting twist, but her poleblade does state that "her legacy is stained by accursed blood." Not to mention, she does dragon communion, so she's getting cursed from two fronts😂 And from varre's quest, we see OUR "bloody finger" actually sliced off immediately after joining mohg. So maybe he's talking about his own finger?

[@skellymen2395]

Lovers tricked into killing eachother, it's like Inuyasha and Kikyo

[@skellymen2395]

@@mralabbad7 Varre doesnt slice your finger off, read the description and look at the item image

[@mralabbad7]

@skellymen2395 "Glistening blood has been siphoned into the nail of this finger. Its sickly pale skin feels nothing now, but the nail still aches with sweetest pain." Watch the quest again. from the looks and sound of it, we can infer he cuts our finger off. And the item we get after? A fresh, plump, cut-off finger that "Feels nothing now" compared to the old shriveled up ones we used before.

[@HeinzBeanz2002]

Another curious detail about Eleonora is that every other Bloody finger’s player model has the Mogh Tattoo on their forehead to show their devotion to him. However, if you remove Eleonora’s helmet, she is curiously lacking it, adding to the theory that she was never fully into being a proud bloody finger like the rest… also adds to the fact she has the purifying crystal tear, maybe as a way to fight back against Mogh, or maybe saving it for if Mogh decides to double cross her at any point. She is definitely unlike the others in that aspect which makes her very interesting.

[@ZayftheScholar]

Really interesting! Thanks for sharing that, I had no idea about the tattoos.

[@cjson]

The voice acting of Yura is so good

[@ZayftheScholar]

I knowwww. I get chills listening to him. Everyone in this game is so talented, to be fair.

[@cjson]

@@ZayftheScholar True say, they really embodied their roles so well while capturing that lightning in a bottle Welsh/midlands/north England fantasy vibe

[@pabloqp7929]

I'd guess Yura and Eleonora were partners of some kind... either in crime or in love. Funnily enough she drops the blood tear to tank Mohgs nihil, seems like both her and Yura led to his defeat, either hunting Mohgs bloody fingers or holding a key against his combat abilities

[@ZayftheScholar]

Totallly! Definitely wish I had talked about her tear a bit more. I had already finished recording when I noticed it!

[@pabloqp7929]

@@ZayftheScholar fair enough haha 👍

[@PupWishh]

I always thought he was her sensei for a time until she entered her edgy killer phase

[@ZayftheScholar]

My longest video yet and I Tried out a lot of new things to make it a bit more cinematic. Happy to hear what you guys think!

[@Fartylipjuice]

ITS AWESOME

[@BankkeyAoshi]

Much appreciated.💪🏾💙

[@echofiend3722]

Well done! Good job Zayf

[@ZayftheScholar]

@@echofiend3722 thank you echofiend3722!

[@WulfRanger]

You have a good eye and.feel for the story telling

[@Manyfacedgodd113]

Dude, your editing is top notch. I'm watching you fight Okina like it's ninja scroll 😂😂😂

[@kellysmith1144]

An Odachi would be the Nagakiba with a third of the length being handle.

[@youngrootv]

Imagine they connect Sekiro and Elden Ring and finally release the Tomoe DLC as an ER DLC to connect the two 🤔

[@170skeith]

I don't see that happening unfortunately

[@ezekiellordzeke6492]

Unfortunately there will not be a 2nd dlc according to Miyazaki, which fucking sucks because I wanted a land of reeds DLC.

[@havanaradio]

Possibly yura fought or killed shabriri and shabriri infected him with the flame of frenzy - that's the fire behind his eyes infecting his brain. Habriri planted a (grape)seed

[@TheOneThatOnceWas]

Your channel is an absolute inspiration. Cant believe you only started this year. Your videos shall be my easy listening for bedtime for the foreseeable future

[@ZayftheScholar]

You're too kind @TheOneThatOnceWas! Thanks for taking the time to watch and leave such a nice comment 🙂

[@ironstark917]

I watched this and your Stormveil video. Really great stuff, Zayf. You've earned a new sub, man.

[@ZayftheScholar]

Aw thanks so much man! I'm new so it means a lot to me @ironstark917

[@ironstark917]

​@@ZayftheScholarMan, for being new at this, your editing and production value is outstanding.

[@r4zzzzaaaa]

A very well made video that only makes me hype for dlc or even a Land of Reeds dlc in the next 10 years.

[@ZayftheScholar]

Thanks so much for taking the time to watch and comment r4zzzzaaaa!

[@murderycatdoll1380]

Super interesting and beautiful done Vid!!! Good call with the cinematic editing without overdoing it. Love it! 😃😃😃😃

[@ZayftheScholar]

appreciate you taking the time to watch and say so @murdercatdoll11380! Means a lot

[@juliansalazar2655]

It's so sad they cut some of Yura's dialogue. The voice actor is simply a master. When you get invaded by the bloody finger and then Yura helps you, those lines he delivers still ring in my brain and give chills.

[@colemix1852]

The music and editing is incredible. Big ups my guy

[@mimikyootxo]

the intro was so cool! and i love your videos, keep up the good work ☺️

[@ZayftheScholar]

Thank you so much @mimikyootxo!

[@cjson]

Bruh, this video is so well done, thanks for the cool research and effort you put into editing :)

[@ZayftheScholar]

Thanks so much for taking the time to watch and leave nice comments @cjson!

[@theprofanedblackknight6096]

Well put together and interesting. Video. I made a self lore series centered around my tarnished being from the land of reeds. Side note: I feel like the followers of okina did Reach the lands between, and met there deaths possibly to okina himself. In the spirit callers cave, we find the set on a corpse, and also when the snails become the spirits, they are actual NAMED samurai’s from the land of reeds. Like spirit ashes are deceased, I feel like the spirits that are beckoned, are deceased as well. So they could’ve been killed by okina or even the godskines that are beckoned as bosses. Could have killed each other..

[@ZayftheScholar]

Thanks for the great comment @theprofanedblackknight6096! I play without any HUD most of the time for recording videos so I didn't know the Samurai in the cave are named! I don't suppose you would remember the names do you?

[@theprofanedblackknight6096]

@@ZayftheScholar my apologies, after going back, I thought they had different names, but they are all just named “inaba, disciple of okina”.

[@ZayftheScholar]

ah no worries at all; actually I really appreciate you taking the time to check!

[@ok.caastro7673]

beautiful video.. keep up the great work

[@ZayftheScholar]

Thank you so much!

[@Mainlymundane]

Love this video, subscribed

[@ival]

This is really well made

[@cma4145]

Subbed, keep up the interesting work

[@ZayftheScholar]

Much appreciated!

[@user-vn5sz9fv3c]

Is jerren working for mohg as well since he is a bloody finger

[@no-zo3ps]

Love the content and the voice, keep it up!

[@ZayftheScholar]

Thanks man! Very encouraging 🙏

[@NordicVigilante]

I cant wait for more of the mogh stuff with even more blood in the dlc i know its coming

[@ZayftheScholar]

For sure! Maybe some more info on the formless mother?

[@NordicVigilante]

@@ZayftheScholar oh yeah im assuming mother has a form that we get to see now, and also moghs little emblem thing. what if and hear me out, they add a covenent type event where we have to defend the area and invade people trying to get to the cocoon

[@echofiend3722]

​@@NordicVigilante That idea for defending the cocoon against invaders is SO GOOD! They'll never do it, but it's probably cooler than anything they actually end up doing in terms of multiplayer.

[@JohnDiPietro-up6lr]

I have to wonder - given the multiple connections between blood, Mohg, and the Land of Reeds, is it possible that Mohg actually traveled there at some point prior to returning to the Mausoleum and attempting to found his Dynasty? It would explain why Okina left without talking to his followers, why Yura was having trouble keeping up with Eleonora (she left ahead of him and he was having to follow breadcrumbs to find her), and why Okina fought Mohg in the first place. It also makes sense given Mohg's abilities with teleportation magic - given his abilities to travel through puddles of blood (which he shares with his nobles), a land soaked in bloody conflict seems like a likely place to travel.

[@GiganticPawUnit]

12:28 - Radahn's Spear: "These are in fact the many spears with which he was stabbed by the Cleanrot Knights." So Radahn has been harmed, at least to the extent that blades pierced his skin, by non-demigods.

[@ZayftheScholar]

Great catch and totally correct. Thanks man

[@AlienRegalia]

First time viewer, what a great video ❤

[@pabloqp7929]

great vid

[@ZayftheScholar]

Thanks @pabloqp7929! Just getting started so it means a lot.

[@nvb4388]

Sick video!

[@burritojack893]

half a video in, yeah he got me. i'm subbing. lol

[@TheBl00D1u5t]

"Blood is a familiar sight in the Land of Reeds." Rivers of Blood in fact.

[@TheSpectralForce]

Love the intro

[@ZayftheScholar]

Appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment @TheSpectralForce! Looking at the comments it seems like it's a love it or hate it situation 😅

[@grimgrimxv9380]

This video makes me plays samurai in my new playthrough! On another topic, what is the music that you use at 10:47?

[@daphnedherbert]

Just found you, but your stories are super well done! And super interesting! Your Japanese pronunciation is phenomenal. Makes me wonder if you speak Japanese

[@deutschesinferno3078]

Watching your channel's progress with great interest. I'm liking what I see a lot. I never knew there was so much depth to Yura, but I respected him from the first time I saw him. One thing, if you don't mind criticism: I think we could do without the minute-long intro. Also the rapidly flashing light cuts were not pleasant to look at, at least for me. Other than that, your videos are really high quality, even better than some big mainstream channels. Keep it up :)

[@ZayftheScholar]

I appreciate the feedback @deutschesinferno3078! Tried out some new stuff with this one so its great to hear your thoughts.

[@Rich_P_Anya]

🙄🙄

[@d.robinson6262]

Lol super creative editing

[@ZayftheScholar]

Thanks @d.robinson6262! Lol

[@slenderman_proxy8741]

The worst part about the blood stuff is Varré ripping of your nail so you can work for El Mohg

[@hystericbunny76]

Loved the vid man, yup I think we would not get any deeper for the land of reeds, but it's ok, I love the mystery around it, and prefer it to be mysterious, but I wanted new japanese weapons and armors for the dlc, hehe, I even wanted a kimono for my character. I also wish for a kusarigama, I mean, even a vulgar militia has one.

[@ZayftheScholar]

Thanks so much @hystericbunny76! Appreciate you taking the time to watch and leave a nice comment. I know what you mean; the mystery is totally an appeal point... but at the same time I can't help but wish for a little more 😭

[@MistahPaul]

I liked what I saw, tho I could only catch the bits related to samurai. I'm working on something related to this, hope to get it done before dlc launch, but there's so much more...

[@ryanartward]

Im hoping we get some new Japanese armor types in the upcoming expansion to go with the Oadachi. Maybe also a Yumi bow.

[@grimreaper1551]

An you make one for the Hero class, they’re my favorite.

[@jevs8188]

i think okina is seeking stronger enemies. the path of the warrior. i assumed alexander has the remains of someone from the lands of reeds inside, since he seems to follow okina.

[@nunchuksteev9811]

That intro was awesome. I coomed.

[@ZayftheScholar]

I think you enjoyed it a little too much 😂but thanks!

[@jeradsoppa]

I do have to say this Okina fights better then most players I run into online. And he's only running on an ai.

[@THAT_GUY119]

I kind of have a feeling that the blind swordsman who tutored malaneia was from the land of reeds since his blade of flowing water kind of lies within a lot of eastern, especially Japanese, symbolisms to do with change and natural order. Also malaneia probably created her blade off of her master’s blade and her blade is a katana

[@themadgamer1217]

It always rubbed me the wrong way when Shabriri gives his dialogue in the Mountaintops - like flesh is something to be borrowed, or taken. “I hope you can make peace with that.” No, no I actually can’t and won’t.

[@ZayftheScholar]

I actually missed Yura's questline most of my playthroughs so I didn't even get what he was talking about but once I did it I felt the same as you. Poor Yura 😭

[@lechatthibault4486]

What if Yura and Eleonora were two of Okina's followers and came together to the lands between to seek for their master and proper death. Eleonora fell for the Dragon communion wich gave her a power thirst that Yura saw grow more and more ovre the time. When they learned that their master fought Mogh they went to see him and Mogh offered them the same deal that he offered Okina. Driven by power lust, Eleonora took the offer while Yura, willing to keep his humanity, declined. The bloodlust erased the will of finding her master from Eleonora, only to be replaced by the will to hunt for tarnished. This could be why he knows so much about the dangers that Dragon communion comes with. He hunts for bloody finders, sawing what it did to her. And he would have to look for his companion to give her the only other thing she came to seek in the land between, a proper death.

[@kellysmith1144]

Where does the music come from in the vid. It's great!

[@ZayftheScholar]

Thanks KellySmith1144! I curate all the tracks from a site called uppbeat. They have a cool free plan. I'll drop a referral link if you want to check it out: uppbeat.io/?referral=zayf-x8dvc

[@krow1292]

What about the white reed armor set and the Phantom samurai in the cave with the armer ?

[@Joe-ve9xz]

God an Odachi sounds fire, goddammit I already started my run I’m gonna do the dlc with and I’m a knight not a samurai oh well guess I’m doing a last samurai style storyline

[@balancedbeast7952]

you're probably not going to see the land of reeds; the best bet is probably of seeing it is sekiro.

[@ZayftheScholar]

Yeah, you're probably right...I really hope we get a Sekiro sequel at some point!

[@Darkmerge]

BEAUTIFUL CONTENT Your episode on Godwyn's flesh and Stormveil's unique rot/disease/mutation/sickness aye grafting sickness, but something more sinister lol the lore of this game's wasted on the layman like me, but the way you piece it together is mesmerizing. s

[@snoopyninja4952]

W video

[@ZayftheScholar]

Thanks Snoop!

[@NotSpoiledMilk]

Anyone else notice how the statue at the center of the church of vows is a nox? Weird...

[@ZayftheScholar]

Yeah I have been thinking about that lately actually...

[@aayushdasgupta9754]

I mean Celestial Dew, the item to be used there is explicitly linked to the Eternal City. Like out of 15 tears only 3 are found overground. 1 in Caria Manor (also closely tied to Nokstella), 1 in Raya Lucaria (maybe a Carian Sorcerer or Albinauric left it there), 1 in Leyndell (brought back by Radagon? he has used it himself)

[@andretheseal9837]

Sekiro 2 should have a crossover with Elden Ring. Something to do with the dragon rot and the land of reeds.

[@austonbeals9693]

WHAT IS THAT ARMOR SET YOU WERE WEARING AT 13:23

[@zokisan9554]

i wasn't ready for that badassery unfolding per 10:46 but you short-circuited a want with a need in ways i neither knew was possible nor necessary. you did that, Zayf 🚬🍄💜

[@ZayftheScholar]

Glad you enjoyed it LSP!

[@Okina-Kev]

I want more done with Okina

[@ZayftheScholar]

I feel like I could have guessed you would say that @okina-kev 😂

[@Okina-Kev]

@@ZayftheScholar 👋🏾😄

[@C-Master109]

The editing in the video had no right going so hard... especially during that duel with Okina.

[@ZayftheScholar]

Aw appreciate the kind words @c-master109!

[@daf3625]

Nice intro

[@ZayftheScholar]

Thank you daf3625!

[@TheRealChacorta]

wtf is the music playing at the start? I want it on my playlist lol

[@scarvello]

Imagine if Sekiro spawned and you had to kill him 3 times against the mortal blade 😂

[@ZayftheScholar]

I think it's over for our tarnished if Sekiro shows up 😭

[@willischwartz4632]

Need the track from min.11

[@arbiterofwar9564]

Can I get the song I need it for when I’m playing from now on

[@oblivion6983]

dude that Okina montage was way too funny

[@ezekiellordzeke6492]

This dlc better add more samurai gear, not katanas, we have enough. Just gear.

[@nbmoleminer5051]

👍

[@mickthick6170]

what's the music in this video tho

[@brentontariocanada7935]

Is it the finger touched by mohg the blood god?

[@qHugz]

real ones saw the thumbnail change

[@ZayftheScholar]

😇

[@Rich_P_Anya]

No

[@NIKOMANE666]

banger vid

[@faceinthewall3636]

Does anyone else think they should make elden ring 2, but it’s just the land of reeds

[@geninji6117]

The land of reeds is connecting sekiro with elden ring and the souls series in general

[@thomasbriscoe2357]

Moon veil and rivers of blood, the two weapons that have carried players with little skill through the game more than their sl 500 buddy casting Terra magica.

[@ZayftheScholar]

sorry if I'm perpetuating unhealthy PvP trends; I don't touch PvP at all because I suck!

[@mrwinemaker]

Ive heard Harakiri pronouced as "Hairy Carry" before

[@stanronn]

Great fight scene editing. Very Tarantino and Spaghetti Western

[@ZayftheScholar]

Thank you @stanronn!

[@andriy1958]

So the theory about Elden ring is fromsoft prequel soul game, maight be true.

[@knightforlorn6731]

Its sekiro... I dont get why folks say We have never seen the Souls version of japan, we clearly have.

[@shinsoatimaku]

Sekiro isn't considered a souls game it is considered similar in difficulties and that is about it 💀

[@shinsoatimaku]

The combat isn't very similar to darks souls so it doesn't get respected

[@NonisLuck]

[@adampeabody963]

Ninja stuff? And I mean actual ninja gear and weapons. No more making the ninja look with varied sets

[@DZB666]

When you're doing all yhe Japanese stuff all I can think is killamansham

[@auranah_was_taken]

Algorithm boost 🥳

[@ZayftheScholar]

Appreciate you @auranah_was_taken!

[@buckyhurdle4776]

Calling it now, Sir Alonne 2 will be in the DLC. Some samurai boss with a huge nagamaki that's gonna become everyone's favorite boss, and his boss weapon will be the "great katana/odachi" Miyazaki was talking about

[@johnreed4786]

For Sekiro fans.

[@wood8711]

[@MrQuantumHeals]

kind of slow rate of speech and feels a little drawn out, not bad tho 👍 Edit: the history is kinda cool tho nhl

[@ZayftheScholar]

I never thought Pooh bear would be telling me I talk slow but here we are. Oh bother...😅

[@MrQuantumHeals]

@@ZayftheScholar Your response is worth a sub in my book, keep on keeping on brother. I'lll see you on the next vid :)

[@boyblue5320]

Can it be a bit quieter? I like lore to sleep even tho it excites me..and I rarely do anymore…please disregard this comment..I’m an lore addict

[@PupWishh]

It was for the weebsss

[@onatgz]

land of reeds? more like land of weebs amirite guise

[@ZayftheScholar]

Crunchyroll?

[@fuego786]

Im sorry, it does no matter how much you hype moonveil and rivers of blood spamming in a duel, it will always look dirty in my eyes, but again nobody asked 💀💀💀💀

[@ZayftheScholar]

I suck too much for PvP tbh ;-;

[@michaelellis2086]

Fully upgraded character 713, with dual serpentbone blades and dual staves

[@Luaeria]

Brilliant work. I love that you’re highlighting niche little aspects of the game that are clearly so prevalent and lore rich. Spectacular and wholly necessary amidst the tide of other lore subjects and channels. Thank you! You enrich my lore nerd experience. 😄🫶

[@ZayftheScholar]

Thank you so much for the kind words @Luaeria!

[@matthewnelson1606]

And them suicide doors hari kari

[@ZayftheScholar]

If only that was the worst of his offenses 😭