Why did Miquella Choose SPOILER as Consort in the Elden Ring DLC?

It's not as random as you might think. Massive spoilers for Shadow of the Erdtree.
When I finished up the Elden Ring DLC, I had so many questions: Why is Radahn the final boss in the Elden Ring DLC? Why is Radahn Miquella's consort? Did Radahn agree to make that vow with Miquella? Or is there something much more sinister going on?
After scouring both the DLC and the base game with a fresh pair of eyes, I found my answers.
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Edited with Gling AI: bit.ly/46bGeYv
00:00 Intro
02:07 Was SPOILER charmed by Miquella?
04:48 What about Godwyn?
10:44 Ranni and Miquella Have Clear Parallels
12:45 Why the Goldmask Ending is Still the Best
#eldenring #eldenringlore #shadowoftheerdtree

[@sniperfity2327]

"Radahn wants to ride leonard, not miquella"😂

[@OnlySinusodial]

Nah bro that line was crazy 💀

[@joeukraine2068]

Would prob be the other way around 😭

[@armandaneshjoo]

Of course Radahn loves Miquella. Ask Mohg.

[@jawelNeezeker]

Is miquella gay or is he genderless. This I dont understand very well.

[@Charolette21]

Rahdan is a horse girl, he chooses Leonard obviously.

[@MrCrownedClown]

You know how this vow sound. When a 6 year old tells you he is gone marry you when he is older. And you say yes yes to shut him up while you play a game.

[@guighee7310]

Ignorant and thoughtless comment. Miquella looks young but he's as old as Malenia and not to mention he's was genius at incantations even before abandoning the Golden Order

[@generalsheep4169]

​@@guighee7310miquella may be smart but he's emotionally and mentally immature he Abandoned his sense of love, compassion, doubts, fear, regret, and in an effort to make everything humane, lost his own humanity in the process

[@realnito6422]

⁠@@guighee7310 it’s an observation made about a fictional character. You don’t have to take it that seriously. Learn to maneuver that Margit sized stick out of your ass

[@guighee7310]

@@generalsheep4169 ''he Abandoned his sense of love, compassion, doubts, fear, regret, and in an effort to make everything humane, lost his own humanity in the process'' Miquella was someone willing to sacrifice his corporeal being in order to unbind himself from the Greater Will and start a new order that would create a better world, unlike Ranni that selfishly sacrificed poor Godwyn instead. Godwyn is the soulless monstrosity that lives in death now because of Ranni. No demigod is an upstanding citizen, but Miquella is by far the best one

[@generalsheep4169]

@@guighee7310 and in the process he stripped himself essentially into the same as the frenzied flame Wanting all to be equal and treated equally And the frenzied flame isn't really a very big force of good His intentions were well meaning, but just as an immature child, his methods of going about it were not

[@richardjamesIII]

Radahn: What happened? Miquella: I revived you! Radahn: Where's Leonard? Miquella: ...

[@Borderlines]

You're MY Leonard now!

[@Laoruperteen18]

@@Borderlines Miquella wanted an epic mount

[@Giacomo_112]

Imagine your half sister, before nuking you whispered "Yo Miquella wants you." But then gets nuked wandering for years. We finally kill him thinking we freed him and bro gets revived

[@kos2919]

Miquella: "Tarnished killed Leonard! Yes, funnel your anger at Tarnished!"

[@jo_smough]

"It seems in your anger, you killed him."

[@deathsyth8888]

Maybe the real villain of Elden Ring were the incestuous relationships we made along the way.

[@marcoonroad7]

Yet tarnished still remains maidenless, but nowadays and hopefully for the greater good of between lands 😅

[@fearslayersoro1589]

Nah elden ring is just some random mf tryna clean up a royal family fuck up of the ages, literally

[@tristanneal9552]

​@@marcoonroad7Idk about you but this tarnished is honeymooning on the moon with his 4 armed maiden

[@apolloisnotashirt]

@@tristanneal9552dolls dont count.

[@bobbywalker2980]

Under rated comment.

[@kowaikokoro]

miquella: ''promise you'll be my consort'' radahn: ''look leonard i crushed that star'' miquella: ''malenia end him''

[@courygaffney4408]

This may sound like a joke, but I genuinely think the “vow” is Radahn saying: “Over my dead body” Miquella took that literally

[@garrulousgoldmask]

Honestly, I could totally see that!

[@wispfire2545]

Absolutely horrifying. It works perfectly and shows petulance a divine child could display.

[@real_surreal_sir]

That would be the most FromSoftware hidden lore to ever lore ever

[@scribble8447]

Love the idea that Radahn is more or less just trying to get away from a crazy stalker. Clearly this game was set before the invention of the restraining order

[@LordKnightBane]

Now cometh the Age of the Restraining Order?

[@ninjarld]

MAY COPS TAKE THE WEAPON!!

[@Deflamed_Sphere]

@@LordKnightBane It appears The Tarnished need to obtain that ending

[@zm9498]

@@LordKnightBaneGOLD COMMENT😂

[@kos2919]

The question is who wants to enforce restraining order on demigods?

[@TheScrootch]

Miquella couldn't have chosen someone who fits his ideals less. Radahn loves the thrill of battle and waging war, he loves the Golden Order and his heritage and he loves Godfrey and his legacy. Pretty much everything Miquella is going against

[@lancestewart9013]

Then wouldn’t it also make sense to take control of the personification of your opposition and make them fallow you in the attempt to bring everyone under their banner to your control

[@TheScrootch]

@@lancestewart9013 I guess that's pretty much what Miquella did to Radahn, I doubt Radahn really liked being in kahoots with Miquella

[@tashkashka]

Im headcanoning that miquella just has a crush on radahn and everything else is a shoddy justification. Plus radahn is like radahn level strong

[@sondikku2318]

​@TheScrootch I mean we have evidence that he did resist, when malenia led her siege to caelid and fought radahn, he fought back, not wanting to go along with miquellas plan

[@mesmedor]

He has a weak spot for bad boys it seems. He can change him, for sure!

[@errantvice7335]

I like how Miquella’s three braids and the use of three in his symbolism (the interlocking rings of light, the three discuses he taught to radagon, the three stats raised by his crown) invoke the three fingers. Miquella’s order would be like the flame of frenzy, instead of all things being melted into a indescribable slurry, everything would be made one by Miquella enslaving everyone, making perfect, and total order, where everything would be in endless stasis, forever nascent, much like Miquella himself

[@garrulousgoldmask]

Oh I never made those connections-that’s great! I especially like the idea that Miquella’s age of compassion is just a blended together hive mind where All is One. It's also interesting that Miquella's circlet doesn't raise Mind, which governs resistance to Sleep and Madness...

[@kann4915]

I had thought about this too, miquella's order would be an absolute order, and as such it horseshoes around and becomes no better than chaos

[@alchemicalalek7535]

@@kann4915 Knowing that Radahn was reborn without his horse, it horseshoeing around somehow becomes more ironic

[@Lazarus_Cardinalis]

Oh if only we had access to that ending

[@CirBam24]

Which means Ranni is still best ending four armed blue mommy for the win

[@whatsnewbois9814]

Radahn: "I am not gay! i refuse to be Consort to a twink, YOU CANT MAKE ME!" Malenia: "A little brainrot should fix that"

[@thebigdoginthisbitch4733]

And she still lost the fight

[@bowenjudd1028]

Lol, I don't think it was about Radahn's sexuality. He just didn't want to be with Miquella

[@stefanpestritu2308]

bro needed brain dmg in order to be with miquella

[@jalpat2272]

Well if Miquella like his mother has opposite sex other self... Its kinda ooo(and I remember forever youth curse which mean St Trina is Lo..) never mind.

[@thedukeofchutney468]

@@bowenjudd1028The two are not mutually exclusive.

[@danieldirocco8282]

Speaking of Metyr, she could be the root of the corruption at the heart of so many things. It has been speculated that the greater will doesn’t care about what form order takes as indicated by putting forth Malenia as empyrean despite being under influence of an outer god, but I don’t think that’s the case. The Greater Will seems to have abandoned Metyr and thus the fingers that chose empyreans. Metyr constantly trying to contact the Greater Will may have been what attracted outer gods in the first place, or she may even be trying to invite a new god to rule over the order, as Kowtower’s Resentment implies she has become hateful towards the Greater Will that abandoned her. The theme of intergenerational trauma and parents abandoning their children runs deep in the DLC.

[@garrulousgoldmask]

That's a great point about the intergenerational trauma! My next video is all about Metyr and how she lost contact with her mother.

[@Cman04092]

​@@garrulousgoldmaskit's. Crazy to think that the greater will might not be the POS we all thought, and metyr is the real issue here.

[@Ytinasniiable]

​@@Cman04092well only really being an issue because the greater will abandoned her, in a desperate attempt to get the greater will back, she brought, well, all of the problems, but they still stem from the greater Will's actions

[@Cman04092]

@Ytinasniiable that's not fair, merry and the fingers chose how to react to the greater will missing, and who's to say the greater will abandoned then on purpose, and even so, it doesn't excuse these dirty dirty fingers, who cause immense pain and suffering on innocent people who have nothing to do with the greater will.

[@Ytinasniiable]

@@Cman04092 what one does in response to trauma they cannot always be held accountable for The greater will is one of those uncaring cosmic horror gods that likes to start shit and then ADHD onto something else and ignore the chaos it created when it left

[@TGZ-vx1it]

It might have been Miquella's curse that caused all of this. The situation with young Radahn sounds awfully close to a child asking their parents to marry them when they grow up and the parent humoring them with "of course, honey." I think Radahn agreed to the vow while assuming that the child would never actually accomplish his goal. The statue at the Haligtree (with the older brother holding the twins) shows Malenia clearly older than a child (appears to be a preteen), so Miquella might have asked Radahn for this vow while being a preteen and knowing the implications, but Radahn still saw him as a child due to his stunted growth. In some sense, Radahn may have been correct in his assumption that Miquella was still too naive, because Miquella, being cursed with eternal youth, seemed to have never outgrew his childish mindset and ambitions. Thus, he forced his will on Radahn, who thought he was making a promise that would never come to pass. Radahn never realized how fearsome and twisted an eternal child with godlike powers could become.

[@TheSexyqueendiva]

You seem to forget that in the ancient royalty, marriages between family was an everyday matter. It dosen't sound to crazy of them both making that vow, to extinguish the flames of war between Caria and the Golden Order reignited when Radagon leave Renala

[@halletelen9825]

There's a vid of showcasing Miquella's 3d model and he has a ring on his right ring finger iirc. So I don't know if Radahn was serious, joking, or pressured to be his consort but the ring is proof I guess that he did proposed and not some off hand promise (Doubt its godwyn's proposal ring since the dlc items described radahn as miquella's wish consort). Then the whole engagement was called off and now the present.

[@TGZ-vx1it]

@halletelen9825 The vow sounds to me like it was worded as "When I become a god, will you be my consort?" Whether Radahn was serious or not, I think he accepted thinking that Miquella was too weak and naive to accomplish his goals (again, seeing him as a child). Radahn never actively helped Miquella achieve godhood. Miquella had to prove that he could become a god before Radahn had to make any changes to his plans/lifestyle. So he just kept warring and living out his own ambitions till his duel with Malenia. However, once Miquella resurrected him and became a god, Radahn decided he might as well honor his vow. It's also possible that Radahn didn't know the full implications of godhood when he promised himself to Miquella. After learning that godhood would be an eternal prison for Miquella, he actively opposed it because he couldn't put that fate on the one he loved.

[@Kn1ghtborne]

It's like you're all ignoring the fact Radahn's soul is in Mohg's body....who was ALREADY BEWITCHED. This wasn't Radahn's call. You don't waste an entire army for a duel.

[@halletelen9825]

@@Kn1ghtborne ye i do agree he was already controlled at the gates, also the army thing also makes sense

[@Existentialist649]

“Radahn wants to ride Leonard, not Miquella.” This is art. Pure, unadulterated art.

[@nathanwaibel454]

Save a horse, ride your brother..

[@eldenfindley186]

Twinks commanding the hearts of gigachads? Tale as old as time.

[@SmoughTown]

Great video bud - really like the idea about Godwyn, and how the three siblings worked against Miquella.

[@garrulousgoldmask]

Thank you so much mate! This DLC was absolutely stacked with lore revelations! Though I don't think any of them can ever top the majesty of the Albinauric Bloodclot.

[@alchemicalalek7535]

Grand to see you here you magnificent madlad! I have written an analytical essay once or twice for English class, and your work just leaves me astonished every time

[@iruga7379]

Me: OMFG RYKARD WAS A GOOD GUY?! Rykard: Always has been...TOGETHAAA!!!

[@liamatte]

One thing to note is we know rykard was essentially trying to usurp the gods himself. How exactly we know now. The cave he lives in is lined to the brim with the same corpse-like structures as the gate of divinity. I believe rykard was trying to become a god by building his own version of that gate.

[@obamabiden]

this is an interesting insight although i still think rykard's plan for usurping the gods was probably just the very simple one he tells the player: he's just gonna eat them

[@Nemo12417]

In Sekiro, the women of the Sunken Valley would often ritually "marry" the serpent god by feeding themselves to it. And now that Elden Ring has officially confirmed Tarnished Archaeologist's theory that being a god in Elden Ring is defined, at least in part, by taking a consort as Lord, we can see why Rykkard is one of the two demigods who the game calls "Lord": he became a Lord by "marrying" a god.

[@dharmdevil]

@@Nemo12417 That should have been obvious. Being a god is being a vessel of an "outer god".

[@YamiRiku]

when Radahn pulled up without Leonard I just knew it he wasn't himself. :(

[@chrisnatale5901]

That's such a good point re: the dichotomy of "endless war" for Radahn and the concept of an age of compassion.

[@edwartvonfectonia4362]

In my view, I thought when Miquela says "I am going to be a god", he sounds as if he does not want to and believe it, but must to to "save" the world.

[@GoldD.Machinu]

I think this is accurate, especially considering that his other half St. Trina desperately wishes for Miquella not to become a god. In order to do so he had to abandon his doubts and St. Trina alike

[@TheAuspiciousGoldmask]

Thats why i choose goldmask ending as the best, if the gods are no better than men, let men rule its own world, making ansbach wish reality, ruling the world for men not for the gods. Great vid goldmask, im eager for more dlc lore. Take care

[@tegar.wicaksonoo]

Good choice. I chose ranni's ending, as i am inclined to put ratio before faith. Ranni's godhood is removing herself from lands between, letting natural courses to go as it goes. It was neither good nor bad, love how rational that is

[@Khann_2102]

​@@tegar.wicaksonooGlad to see a fellow based Indonesian here

[@Basthor_1]

I think Ranni's ending is better in that sense, it is practically the same ending but this time there are no lords or gods directing anything, when Ranni and the Tarnished become god and lord they leave, leaving each one in the lands between have their own will and choose their own destiny.

[@TheAuspiciousGoldmask]

@@Basthor_1 My problem with Ranni’s ending is: 1-Ranni herself, bc of her godwyn and fortisax are in eternal suffering (No the ends don’t justify the means, we saw that with miquella) 2- The age of stars take care of the gods problem, but what about the ppl ? Men can be as evil and twisted as any god, just with less destructive power. When we take the order from the lands between we leave it in a anarchic state (the absence of order is chaos or mayhem), a lawless land where there is no major power to enforce the law to protect the weak against the worst human kind can offer or against demi-humans or misbegotten, there is also a power vaccum as well, so a tyrant could take over and make life there more miserable than before. Men can slave its own kind and make the most atrocious things of it, the gods are like 60% of the problem, the other 40% is ppl, thats why the elden lord ending is the best for me, not only we stop the gods from meddling with the Elden Ring, but we are the law, the major power that that can be a beacon of hope to the weak and defenseless.

[@amaimon1494]

"Righteous Tarnished, become a lord, not for gods, but for all men." - Sir Ansbach. Best character in the game and someone we can’t let down.

[@chrisdiokno5600]

Here's on theory I stand by. Miquella didn't want Radahn as a consort romantically. Rather he wanted Radahn as an eternal bodyguard of sorts

[@nathanwaibel454]

Platonic consort...sure, I see..

[@df0rdeath58]

Yeah I feel the same. Probably the same way Marika saw Godfrey as a means to an end through his strength.

[@war.neverchanges]

I agree with this. It’s better to think about mohgs body + rahdan soul would make a better host to conjoin with like what marika and radagon did. With the other half that has abilities to control everything with speech, that would make everything op in all stats. No weakness and even if there was “talk no jutsu”

[@nathanwaibel454]

@@chrisdiokno5600 they actually don't mince words in this game. You shouldn't stretch too far to find the meaning..

[@chrisdiokno5600]

@@nathanwaibel454 Fair, but some do suggest his feelings for Radahn may not be purely out of love. Rather half love, half pragmatism.

[@badandslo]

I don't think Miquella used Mohg for the formless mother, I think it was because Mohg is an omen who are touched by the crucible. The Omen cannot return to the Erdtree where all spirits of the lands between go after death as seen with Erdtree burial and spirit summons. Those devoid of grace, who cannot return to the Erdtree are sent to the Land of Shadow to be killed by Messmer. Omens relate to the hornsent too who are more close to the crucible and even have the gate of divinity. The blood ritual Mohg conducted under Miquella's influence is probably the thing that allowed him to enter the Land of Shadow.

[@thanh5703]

Miquella at the Divine Gate: "I am stuck My Lord Step Bro"

[@Psychx_]

It's been my own headcanon too that Godwyn was Miquella's first choice. Miquella had to give up on that due to the eclipse failing though. The boy is every bit as deranged as his mother and just doesn't know when to give up. I also think that his relationship to Malenia isn't as sincere as she believes it to be - much akin to the one with his followers. As for Mohg, I think he was necessary to enter the land of shadows because he was a demigod AND shows extensive traits of the crucible. That naturally creates a much stronger connection to this realm than his siblings (Morgot sealed his "accursed blood" and thus wasn't viable).

[@WispFigment]

I kinda think the post final fight memory was Miquella talking to Godwyn tbqh. His hands were clasped in prayer, and he was by himself, if he was talking to Radahn I think they would've shown another demigod throne

[@kevinvolchok14]

Also Morgot was really loyal to Marika whereas Mogh wasn't. His ambition probably made him more likely to be charmed, or at least easier

[@gravegaming2023]

I disagree, Miquella specifically saw radhan as a hero lord like Godfrey and his father

[@guighee7310]

This doesn't make sense at all. The Eclipse Miquella tried to use on Godwyn was to give Godwyn a true death from the soulless monstrosity he had become, which only occurred when Ranni assassinated Godwyn in the Night of the Black Knives, event that cause Marika to shatter the Elden Ring and cause The Shattering period. Miquella chose Radahn because he was strong and yet kind. You can see that on the item description for Remembrance of a God and a Lord. It reads, and I quote, ''In their childhood, Miquella saw in Radahn a lord. His strength, and his kindness'' Marika is responsible for the biggest atrocities in the story and you're comparing Miquella to her because he charmed Mohg in order to get access to the Land of Shadow? That's a crazy way of thinking to me. Multiple genocides = making some people like you? See how silly that sounds? ''I also think that his relationship to Malenia isn't as sincere as she believes it to be'' This makes zero sense. ''As for Mohg, I think he was necessary to enter the land of shadows because he was a demigod AND shows extensive traits of the crucible. That naturally creates a much stronger connection to this realm than his siblings (Morgot sealed his "accursed blood" and thus wasn't viable).'' I like this part. This is also how I believe how Mohg gained access to the Land of Shadows when it was sealed away by Marika, by being an Omen and by being a child of Marika. Good thought.

[@WispFigment]

@guighee7310 I think it's possible that Miquella could've looked up to Radahn and chose him as his consort, it's just strange that there was absolutely 0 connected between the 2 even hinted at at all in the story. The biggest issue I have canonically with this was what was the reason Radahn took part in the shattering war on his own side and not just join Miquella then to be his consort

[@mourad505]

"Lord brother... promise me you'll be my consort." I'm beginning to worry for GRRM's sisters

[@DonPetexX]

If only Marika invented restraining orders!!

[@cynreiusacari3163]

@@DonPetexX Her children needed a protective order against her. 😂

[@guighee7310]

@@cynreiusacari3163 Facts. Marika might be the shittiest mom in all of videogames' history 😂

[@KKKuma]

​​@@cynreiusacari3163She is the worst mother ever. Let her children live with their dad. The demigod raised by Radagon and Renala turned out good (except rykard but it was way later after he left). And the childen raised with Godfrey were good too (except mogh but that due to how Marika treated him in the first place. The one that were involced with Marika were manipulated, setup, abandoned. She should not have the kids

[@Cman04092]

​@@KKKumabruh, mogh was charmed by miquellas, so everything he did was miquellas fault.

[@abdelrahman788]

Ofc radahn doesn't want to ride his brother, but his horse, and he doesn't want him on his shoulder, but his cat.

[@garrulousgoldmask]

That cat could have been his Serosh!

[@abdelrahman788]

@@garrulousgoldmask yap + The video was great as usual, keep going 💜.

[@akechijubeimitsuhide]

@@garrulousgoldmask They should have restored Radahn's Cat (a very fearsome warrior obviously) and also Kalé's questline while we're at it.

[@wakamoon1910]

you forgot to mention ansbarch's dialogue when he dies during the radahn boss fight, asking for the player to usher in an age for men rather than gods.

[@goosemama5223]

I totally agree that Radahn stopped the stars with Ranni's knowledge. I like to think that he did it to buy her time to figure out how to get rid of Miquella. Radahn knows his strengths and the strengths of his siblings, wholeheartedly. What if Godwyn also had to go because he was too much of a variable for them?

[@thedukeofchutney468]

So Radahn is even MORE badass than we previously thought! What a gigachad!

[@goosemama5223]

​@@thedukeofchutney468The ultimate gigachad, "I'M GONNA TANK TIME ITSELF"

[@doncolbus134]

I personally think that radahn stopped the stars so he could halt his own fate with miquella, and ranni being affected was just a side benefit. Outside of ranni just trying to establish her own order, we don’t really see her explicitly trying to stop miquella. Also, we don’t really have evidence that radahn wanted there to be a change in the order, especially given he practically worshipped radagon and Godfrey, the 2 mascots of the golden order. However, godwyns death could have occurred so miquella didn’t get his first choice in a consort (presumably), but I don’t see any affirmative evidence for either godwyn being miquellas first choice, or that this was why godwyn was killed by ranni.

[@chief9907]

​@@doncolbus134 It's never explicitely stated that Radahn was a big fan of the Golden Order, just that he admired Radagon and Godfrey which makes me think he admired them for their prowess on the battlefield on not on ideological grounds. Also Ranni trying to ascent to godhood is in itself already her working against Miquella. As the item description of Miquella's boss incantation says, one god and lord consort are already all the world needs

[@Iowan3-0]

Radahn did something stupid when he was young and deeply regretted it. Very relatable lmao

[@abstractnonsense3253]

Ah, a Goldmask ending appreciator. Rightly so.

[@ProbablyLying]

How come no one’s talking about Miquella’s 4 arms on Radahns back. Just like Ranni

[@FirstnameLastname-tl1bq]

It’s what happens when you’re an empyrean

[@drazzytime9353]

⁠@@FirstnameLastname-tl1bqMalenia is empyrean and only has 2 arms. Technically 1 arm 🤷‍♂️

[@nickytheanimal2413]

And he even says let’s go on a thousand year voyage

[@jungtothehuimang]

​​@@FirstnameLastname-tl1bq that doesn't really make sense because she is a doll, and her doll is fashioned after her witch mentor who was not Empyrean to my knowledge. None of her siblings except Miquella has four arms. Also Ranni's true body has only 2.

[@FirstnameLastname-tl1bq]

@@drazzytime9353 they may also be empyrean but are they really acting on it? Does the game really treat them the same? Miquella’s age of compassion and the diametrically opposed Ranni with her age of isolation are the only demigods with a real shot at winning

[@kurenian]

Also Miquella’s order is opposed to Ranni in a more thematic/character driven sense. Miquella basically wants to be Marika 2 electric boogaloo, but has given no indication for him being any different. And to Ranni, him “stealing” Radahn might be the same to her as Marika stealing Radagon from Rennala, a potential source of her trauma/motivations. She would not want her family to be stolen again. Ranni clearly values genuine attachment to people given her questline and ending, not forcing us to serve/wed her. In addition, Ranni’s order of stars would exist but she would be unknown to the lands between. Miquella specifically wants to be known, he cannot mind-control people through affections, if he is unknown. They even use different domains of sorceries vs incantations.

[@marcus22greene]

As an old Scholar once said "Young Hollow, there are but two paths. Inherit the order of this world, or destroy it. These are the roots of our world. But only a true monarch can make such a choice. Peace grants men the illusion of life. Shackled by falsehoods, they yearn for love, unaware of its grand illusion. These are the roots of our world. Men are props on the stage of life, and no matter how tender, how exquisite...A lie will remain a lie." -Never thought quotes from Dark souls 2 would fit so well in Elden Ring-

[@garrulousgoldmask]

Aldia is the absolute GOAT! Once I've had my fill of Shadow of the Erdtree, there's another Aldia video I can't wait to make. And ofc an Aldia speech would fit perfectly for Dark Souls 2 2!

[@pearljaime2]

Why wouldn't he? He's tall, well mannered according to lore, comes from a rich family, is strong and is also a man with a huge academic accomplishments, very inteligent. He's a catch❤

[@CalemCooper7]

"Rahdan wants to ride Leonard, not Miquella." I need a shirt that says this. I cackled so hard.

[@SuperUniverse]

So the true villain of Elden Ring was Miquella. What a twist!

[@Androtesh]

And Marika

[@Androtesh]

And Ranni

[@generalsheep4169]

​@@Androtesh 85% of the cast

[@TheTinMan2077]

​@Androtesh Ranni is innocent, maybe you like living under someone's thumb and be controlled by otherworldly beings

[@Androtesh]

@@TheTinMan2077 tell that to Godwyn.

[@Randelo2013]

Miquella isn’t a child. He was cursed with eternal youth but mentally he’s an adult. He’s fully aware of what he’s doing.

[@briggy4359]

This is the Genshin Impact take

[@alperalyanak9627]

Not entirely. It's implied in the DLC, that even though miquella is older than his appearance suggests, that he still has the maturity (or rather 'immaturity') of a child. He's innocently insensitive to the extreme. He sees no problems with the horrible acts he commits, in the same way a child still learns morality and develops empathy.

[@amaimon1494]

Something else interesting to point out too aside Goldmask and Ranni’s ending be valid is the Hornsent further expands on the implications of Dung Eater’s Fell Curse ending. The DLC added more room on what ending you choose to pick from and results thereafter in greater context.

[@garrulousgoldmask]

Definitely! The connections between the Hornsent, the Omen, and the LOATHSOME DUNG EATER are really fascinating and something I'm planning to explore!

[@amaimon1494]

@@garrulousgoldmask I always assume that because the Elden Stars is an Erdtree incantation, then the crucible is derived of the Elden Beast therefore the Omen are a natural part of the Order of things. What Dung Eater was implanting was simply a deviant interpretation that he has no real connection too. Now however the Hornset appear as a precursor to Dung Eaters torture methods as a godly saint act.

[@Lamren]

I picked the death mending rune because I wanted to fix a land where nobody could die with all those decrepit zombie like aristocrats and whatnot, and also to correct Godwyn's fate that got destroyed by Ranni and the growing influence in the land from his living body festering and corrupting everything. But the ending didn't give any clue to what would change (aside from the concept of death being back, even for the undead), nor what it did for Godwyn. And the Shadow of the Erdtree is supposed to be an entire realm entirely, yet there were two differents area with Godwyn's cloned face in it and it was full of "Those who live in death" which is quite surprising, but no mention of Godwyn at all in the DLC I'm so sad that this whole thing is left open ended and as a mystery :(

[@amaimon1494]

@@Lamren that’s disappointing I wished they did expand on aspects of Those who Live in Death

[@akechijubeimitsuhide]

I feel like Dung Eater is really bad at advertising his ending. If he wants to make everyone Omens because he knows it was once considered the blessing of the Crucible / hates the Golden Order's anti-Omen bullshit, he sure does a bad job at explaining it and just look like a batshit crazy serial killer who does it all for the evulz.

[@oldensad5541]

I like how everyone overlook one simple aspect of Miquela "monstrosity". He is a threat only to gods and great heroes. 99% of population is ALREADY subjugated to a greater beings and have zero will, choice, and say. More on that if they have rebellious streak they would be brutally forced in line with pain and suffering... And Miquela will just say them "hey, don't do that" and that's it. So, from the perspective of those zombie like creatures ( we kill in droves all the time, btw) we are the bad guy, refusing to grant them peaceful subjugation, instead of brutal one, for the selfish reasons. It's so fascinating,

[@user-it7rw7vt8j]

what are you talking about, people in the lands between do have free will

[@oldensad5541]

@@user-it7rw7vt8j no they don't. You can't have free will with literal Gods exist alongside you, and dictate their will with force. You can have any internal disagreements with them, sure, but any moment you decide to voice your choice or even thoughts about making this choice potentially, you will be overpowered and punished. This is not an existence with free will, coz you unable to act according to your will.

[@user-it7rw7vt8j]

@@oldensad5541 there are literally tons of characters running around doing whatever

[@oldensad5541]

@@user-it7rw7vt8j which is either great heroes, challenging God's, or servants of the Gods. As I mentioned before you either have power to act on your will, or you are one of those pathetic creatures roaming around from Marika Shire to Marika shrine. Shocking revelation - regular people of Land Between is not those who challenge the gods. Not even those who serve them as a heroes. This zombies IS a people of Land Between.

[@user-it7rw7vt8j]

@@oldensad5541 but the zombies roaming around do have free will

[@kriegsmaschine4050]

I do believe your interpretation of Radahn's actions is correct. The description for the Light of Miquella incantation says that Miquella found one who refused to be embraced. Honestly Radahn has now transcended his idol Godfrey in my eyes as the true Chad, because it seems he was bewitched, and yet somehow broke free of Miquella's mind control, the first and probably only person to have done so

[@cynreiusacari3163]

@kreigsmachine4050 Radahn has a good head on his shoulders like his father.

[@obamabiden]

"the one who refused to be embraced" could also refer to our hero, John Eldenring

[@finalomnislash79]

"the one who refused to be embraced is refer to the tarnished

[@hericbss]

2:15 “That traitor V.IV… the dolts in Command, and worst of all, you! The pest of Rubicon that stirred the cinders! You sicken me, ALL OF YOU! I will crush you underfoot…I AM ARQUEBUS!”

[@chakwainahuyana3354]

~Radahn wants to ride Leonard, not Miquella~ Best sentence of the video

[@Ron322]

I'm glad this video said what I started to believe -- Radahn halted the stars not in opposition to his sister Ranni...but to halt Miquella's ambitions. Ranni likely was reluctant but understood what had to be done.

[@lorddervish212quinterosara6]

I find it funny how now we know the GW was never behind anything and everything bad thing the GO did was Marikas/Radagon and the Fingers' fault.

[@horacevonbergamot5093]

You forgot to point out that Malenia beeing Fujoshi was forshadowed by her beeing a literal rotten woman.

[@Soulute367]

Damn you right.

[@svenornitier]

​@@Soulute367HA

[@Ravi9A]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@hugoguzman4985]

🐝🐝🐝🐝

[@dusti9353]

don't do my fujosisters like that

[@prisonerofthehighway1059]

Rykard makes sense as well. He was the nuclear option. Able to devour the very gods! All three carian children were trying to prevent their half brother’s reign of terror.

[@kylesmith5633]

I love that after the dlc, “star wars” is an accurate title for elden ring.

[@garrulousgoldmask]

Funnily enough, the showrunner for The Acolyte just revealed she was inspired by Elden Ring no-hit challenge runners!

[@vilek_7235]

They even added Yoda as a mini boss lol the Demi-human Swordmaster Onze

[@mistahanansi2264]

Gotta say dude, I think you nailed it with your interpretation of all the jumbled lore from this DLC. And yeah, I’m convinced that Goldmask’s ending is the superior one, even if our waifu is essentially a lifeless broken mannequin that was once Marika.

[@cynreiusacari3163]

@mistahanansi2264 we deserved the chance to establish Radagon as the new god! The man has interests in academia, smithing/building, and being a good dad that also understands the importance of order. 😂

[@thedukeofchutney468]

Melena > Ranni

[@crow3958]

​@@cynreiusacari3163I'm not sure about "Being a good dad" dude, last time I check dude bred 3 child with a foreign woman then left them for selfcest, ultimately made her chronologically insane and his 3 children has daddy issues

[@thesnatcher3616]

​@@cynreiusacari3163Isn't it implied that its sort of his fault that the Golden Order was so oppressive?

[@cynreiusacari3163]

@@crow3958 until we hear his side of the story he gets the benefit of the doubt for ditching Rennala. All three were accepted and I would even argue sane despite being disgusted with the order in the case of Ranni & Rykard. It would be great if we were given more information about Rykard pre-shattering, he appeared to fulfill all his duties and responsibilities regardless. Ranni only cares about Ranni and is happy to murder anyone to get her way. I lean towards her being an experiment with the amber egg to account for her empyrean status. She seems emotionally detached from everyone else and doesn’t even have a picture of any family member in her tower. Yes, there’s the item about Rennala and her looking at the moon but it’s likely the affection is mostly one sided. Radahn is interesting and the most similar to Radagon. While he was infatuated with the tales of heroes and war to the point he would excel he is also interested in academia. Any battles he participates in likely have clear objectives and few civilian casualties unless a purge is ordered. Even then he’s likely to pass the buck onto someone else or whoever is giving the order wouldn’t ask. Out of all of the demigod children only Godwyn and Rahdahn seemed not to mind being stepchildren and willing to interact with any of them.

[@XHUERO3]

8:28 if you think about it, it's true horror all your family and friends, people you love, turn on you, cause they love miquella more ( a stranger)

[@DonutSwordsman]

I think miquella sounds scared

[@ironmonkey349]

Jarren was his best friend, they made a vow to die in glorious battle. Freya betrayed him. Also, the dlc makes me believe that Ranni's ending is the Good ending because of Yemir's line: We are all children of the stars, isn't that divine. An age of the stars would be an age bereft of gods, where the free will of the people rules.

[@OrdoMallius]

Miazaki writing the lore for DLC: take everything the community has thought up and turn it upside down

[@Cosmoskind]

When you read that one little item description on that set of equipment and see that one little quote and suddenly it feels like one big plot twist that puts a puzzle piece in place that makes the whole image look different.

[@gustavomartins7614]

What freija failed to understand is that her being accursed with scarlet rot was miquaelas fault in the first place.

[@rabbidguarddog]

"Only in a Fromsoft game is the most fearsome enemy is a child wanting to make the world a gentler place!" 😂 I am quoting that!

[@Women_Respecter]

I like to imagine Miquella’s motivations are similar to CC from Code Geass. She too has an ability that causes anyone to love him/her. Maybe Radahn was so strong in heart and mind that he was able to resist Miquella. From Miquella’s perspective that would be a very interesting and captivating person

[@SuperUniverse]

I just realize something. Ranni had Godwyn killed. If Miquella refers to Godwyn as "Lord brother" Perhaps Ranni is sparing Godwyn from becoming a slave to Miquella

[@lol-xu4fp]

is the true and ranni is miquella and the part male of miquella is godwin and malenia say same things after you kill her

[@RandomPerson28337]

I don't think so ranni only killed him as part of her plan.

[@Tensh1n]

These words haunt me, could it be that Mikella did not say this with good intentions?

[@guighee7310]

Miquella is referring to Radahn, not Godwyn

[@Tensh1n]

@@guighee7310 he also addresses Godwyn this way if you read the description of Golden Epitaph

[@Cas-ed9ob]

"Woahhhhh, what are you trying to do to me, step-bro?" -rahdan, probably

[@chibieris8659]

woah, the lack of falling leaves in goldmasks ending is an AMAZING detail to notice. that definitely sells me on goldmasks ending.

[@Gvjrapiro]

This seems like the kind of thing that works in a lot of ways in hindsight, but should really have had a bit more setup. Fromsoft excels at giving you most of the puzzle pieces and still shocking you with the final shape of it, and I think this was a case where we were missing too many pieces to feel that sense of “wow, how could I not have guessed?!”

[@garrulousgoldmask]

Oh for sure!

[@Chessheromusic]

Miquella is very clear of his intentions Not I'll help the world not I'll teach them I'll make them "I'll make the world a more gentle place" "There is nothing more terrifying " It's really incredible that redahn held back the stars but was powerless to a eternal child And he is absolutely still very immature in his mind Making Miquella , with a child's mind , a literal god He is truly the most fearsome empyrean😮

[@Aquatyxz]

Goldmask’s Age of Order being the “best” ending was my interpretation after the DLC as well!

[@bavarian995]

What if Miquella is just Griffith, bewitching with love you as long as you oblige, just sacrificing you for his goals if you try to run. People often mistake him as this radiant entity of pure good will, promising a safe and bright future, while being an absolute narcissist monster. What if he only tried to safe his sister for his own good and all the lore we got from the basegame is just people (in game) misinterpreting, hence praising him as kind and loving

[@Cal2Or9ies]

"Radahn wants to ride Leonard not ride Miquella." lol

[@owlbatross9187]

Fantastic video! Love the point about the circlet on the statue being possible evidence that Radahn was charmed. Keep up the great work!

[@zinzolin14]

To me, Miquella in his flashback didn't sound excited, in fact he sounded terrified. His tone was like that of a scared child who was just reprimanded after doing something bad. That was possibly charming Radahn, which he would've taken offense to. He could've been pleading Radahn for forgiveness at the end.

[@HittingBandy]

Ngl when you think about it, this is even more tragic. If Radahn did know Ranni needed the stars to open up Nokron, he literally could not or Miquella may have resurrected Godwyn to be his consort instead. the Carian house's final goal is literally gatekept by the sole threat of Miquella possibly acquiring a more powerful and possibly more brutal demigod if Miquella called Radahn of all people kind. Godwyn fought Fortissax during the war against the dragons, he was there fighting with Godfrey, while Radahn could hold up the stars, Godwyn was always the favorite child of Marika, and that meant he had something in him. Additionally, his curse, just like Morgott and Mogh are omens, Messmer has a cursed serpent inside him, Malenia had scarlet rot, and Miquella had eternal youth, probably was indeed the death blight. Imagine Miquella getting hold of the one person that could kill someone even with the rune of death sealed away.

[@maxkotkov9453]

The fate of the Carian royal family is guided by the stars. - Radan just wanted to escape being Mic consort

[@facundovera3227]

Well, we know Radahn earned considerable renown as the Starscourge in his youth, and Miquella used to be a Golden Order fundamentalist like his father at first but later abandoned fundamentalism, for it could do nothing to treat Malenia's accursed blood. Radahn being older than Miquella could hint to the Starscourge Conflict happening before he made the vow. When Miquella and Radahn made the vow Miquella sounds terrified, like he's desperate to solve the world's problems so he devised a convoluted plan to become a god and replace the Golden Order. If anything Miquella is against the influence of every single god except himself, and Ranni is against the influence of everything except the stars. I find it plausible that Miquella needed Radahn _because_ he's capable of holding the stars back. I'd argue Radahn was honoring the vow they made because he had Jerren, an expert swordsman duty-bound to get him killed, who is seemingly his second in command as well, which means he might have wanted to secure an honorable death for himself.

[@Idea_of_Lustre]

1:40 I always find it funny how people can look at Starscourge Radahn, a selfish and power-hungry warmonger idolizing a similarly warmongering past, and conclude that he is a noble and generous hero despite all evidence to the contrary. Even the care for Leonard has a self-centered foundation. If it was actually motivated by a selfless desire to take care of him, he would've gotten the horse a retirement plan and grabbed a magical chariot or something. Learning gravity magic to continue to ride Leonard is a manifestation of the same character flaw that led to him holding back the stars. That being his inability to let go of a past and status quo that he was sentimentally attached to and held an undue reverence for.

[@sebastianboyce678]

I don’t know about that, he’s described as kind and being much more than a warrior - which is why Miquella wanted him and thusly why he rejected Miquella

[@AB-fl5xu]

Yeah I am very surprised at this reputation people keep attributing to Radahn. He is a warmonger, corrupted by the Great Rune. You can see how rotten he had become in the story trailer of the base game. He looks demonic.

[@shobooknight]

What is this "all evidence" you speak of? I doubt he would be loved so much if he was just power hungry and violent.

[@DepressedMicaiahASMR]

He's cool and a baddass.

[@RandomPerson28337]

Probably but comparing him to everyone else he is a saint.

[@ivorywee1855]

So basically Miquella is Griffith, Radahn is Guts and Malenia is Casca with power

[@AshesOfTheKing]

Explains why so many hands in the Carian manor spying on Ranni or trying to capture her for Metri

[@theagingmillennialvarietyh7751]

“We CHOOSE to simp after Rani” Now why did you have to call me out like that, dude? I mean, it’s true, but I wasn’t expecting it 😂😂😂 Great video btw!

[@garrulousgoldmask]

I was calling out myself, anyone else was just collateral damage 😅 And thanks mate!

[@Mgauge]

Seen like an obvious choice to me. Radahn and Malenia were the absolute strongest of the demigods. Malenia is loyal to him, but her Scarlet Rot infection would make her unsuitable to be a consort as she's basically a ticking time bomb. So Radahn is the obvious next choice.

[@stephenlucas8836]

7:18 don’t forget Rykard and his blasphemy would also be stopped with the stars stasis. Would also also say if Rahdan wanted execet the vow after becoming the star scourge, his stagnant fate probably wouldn’t allow him to, or Sussecfuly become a lord. He may not even callable release his hold of the stars without outside intervention as he lacks a fate to unclench. Thamaticly, The only major thing that changed about Radeon after getting the rot was losing sentience.

[@yao5921]

If you have to call someone with the kind in front every chance you get, that someone is probably the opposite of 'kind'.

[@HenhousetheRed]

If I had a nickel for every time an infirm prince piggybacked off his brother in a FromSoft game, I'd have two nickels. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice, right?

[@garrulousgoldmask]

You'd also have two nickels for every time we fought a femboy master manipulator who was the child of a powerful god who doomed our reality!

[@crestfallenhussar895]

I also thought it was the snail Balteus.

[@JeffMonsoon]

Your theories just made things click in my mind. Great video, need more!

[@Silly_Illidan]

I wasn't convinced radahn wasn't a degenerate too considering the track record of all the demigods. But your 'primal instinct' explanation feels right

[@gianlucaherrera5472]

11:49 ranni could also be referring to Miquella, he’s seen by those who don’t align with the golden order as a monster that takes away people’s free will. Knowing how royal families have no problem with incest they could’ve intended to marry Miquella to ranni to keep their blood “pure”

[@eastward98]

I thought when Miquella said "I'm going to be a God..." he sounded afraid more than excited 🥲

[@xcutioner5537]

I personally didn’t like radahn being the last boss. I should’ve been just miquella

[@foureyes840]

Miquella's first choose was Godwyn as his consort for his age of compassion, but I believe Ranni tried to stopped or at least delayed his plan so her age of the stars could be realized. Severing the greater will's influence of her, she use the opportunity to kill 2 birds with one stone.

[@NovacainJayR]

1:18 Radahn wants to do wHat?!

[@LordKnightBane]

I think Mogh was neededed because afflicted with the Hornsent of Omens. Though they have similarities the Omen have uncontrollable growing horns but I think this also gave them a connection to the Lands of Shadows. Morgott would have likely also been suitable but I think Mogh was an easier target.

[@garrulousgoldmask]

Yeah, the connections between the Hornsent and the Omenare really fascinating. And now that you mention it, since Morgott was the Veiled Monarch I don't think Miquella or the other demigods knew that Morgott was an Omen (or only found after Mohg was enchanted anyway).

[@nemesisundead83]

Wait the hornsent were gods, hmmm so in the end there were plenty of bodies for the godskins not just Marika's children, well thats good to know i didn't think the Divine wall thing was made by the hornsent

[@garrulousgoldmask]

I never thought about it that way but that would make a lot of sense!

[@_Smile_Today]

No the hornsent aren’t gods they worship the Crucible (they are pagans) trying to make a god by using Merika’s people the Shaman, thats what you find in the Gaol in Bonny village

[@obamabiden]

they are described as having "tutelary deities" who it appears once lived among them in some form, and (lore from the ascetic outfit) it was apparently possible to become one from being an ordinary hornsent there's also the unspecified*divinity " the grandma calls on to inhabit the lion that may or may not exist finally she's also apparently an Empyrean, so hornsent have at least the potential to become Marika style capital-G Gods so they've got a lot going on religiously speaking

[@EldenRingBuildsArchive]

Not quite all of them, but someone had the potential, think of it as the concept of apotheosis, with some Roman Emperors becoming Gods after death

[@mr.e3123]

Miquella's Age of Compassion is the embodiment of the phrase "All will know of our peaceful ways, by force."

[@joesaiditstrue]

Miquella is like the shocking hybridation of Geoffrey and Griffith

[@UltravioletNomad]

The cutscene at the end and the figure in the statues HAS to be referencing Godwyn. Radahn loves his heritage and looks up to Radagon, but I have NO IDEA where people get this idea that he 100% loves the golden order or the greater will. The idea that he would pull freaking stars from the sky just to fight godlike aliens, does not sound like something in the best interest of the fingers. That statue is in no way depicting anything related to the choosing of a consort, it is clearly depicting the two afflicted empyreans seeking refuge in the hands of someone. While it could be cool to recontextualize that moment as the person giving refuge not doing so of their own accord, it seems to me that it would sooner represent the young demigods being assisted. And if they first tried Golden Order Fundamentalism to cure them, then it would more clearly be related to Godwyn the Golden, someone who actually practices it. After all, we need a reason to for Miquella to even try to revive Godwyn, they had to have been close, and that scene has to have been near or before the shattering. Getting Mogh and Radahn had to have been a plan B. But then there lies the problem, not every item description makes this sound like a plan B. Maybe it sounds different in Japanese, maybe its a retcon, maybe its just Fromsoft lore being intentionally inaccurate and vague. But IF they're serious about this one true consort thing, and IF they thought they were cooking by giving us a reason for Malenia and Radahns fight... well that's just stupid... we already had a reason for their fight. I mean the Shattering War and the Haligtree's altruism being opposed to the Redmane's opportunism is already enough, but Castle Sol gives us this great little mystery, and it might point to Radahn arresting the stars. And prioritizing this recontextualization of the lore, if that IS what this is, is kind of disappointing. We get no further context on Godwyn's relation to the Haligtree and the afflicted duo. And Radahn's a certified badass, and while I normally want characters to have a deep background, him avoiding Miquella takes away SO MUCH autonomy from him. Not to mention it makes Malenia and Miquella seem like idiots. Miquella has the power to charm people, and Radahn is just fundamentally opposed to Miquellas values. Not only could Miquella charm literally ANY demigod or would be Tarnished Lord, but he could just charm Radahn. If that cutscene is between him and Radahn, how the hell would Radahn not already be under that spell? Unless Radahn is resistant and Miquella... liked that? But Miquella divested his love, so why would we assume this is about Radahn being a perfect choice anyways. And if Malenia was trying to deliver Radahn as a consort, why reduce him to a mindless mess? Did they need too because hes resistant... why jump through so many hoops to choose someone whos resistant when literally WE, the Tarnished, are prospective lords but CAN be charmed. His plan ALSO hinges on a Tarnished finishing Malenia's job for them, and Malenia just thinks Miquella is going to return, but if she was in on this plan, surely she'd put together that Radahn needs to be dead now. I mean what the hell is Malenia even doing now? Ultimately me trying to justify this all is cope, because they make Malenia say that line. She wasn't there after learning that its Radahns fault the eclipse didn't come, shes there to deliver an unwilling mail order husband. And Mogh steals Miquella way when shes gone, and maybe possibly, she's in on that too... like if Radahn was of sound body and mind before their fight why would Miquella need Moghs body tho, he only needs Moghs body if Radahn is damaged beyond repair... so using Moghs body had to be an after thought after Malenia failed and he just wanted to enter the Realm of Shadow and Mogh lets him do that somehow, but now Radahn needs a new body... I want to believe there's a great story here but... it might just be bad... So like, Miquella tries rizz... someone, doesn't work (if its Radahn hes not giving up on him for... some reason) Tries to make his own Erdtree, doesn't work Tries to revive Godwyn, who may or may not have been the choice of consort, doesn't work Sends Malenia to get Radahn, maybe first, or maybe second, choice of consort Gets Mogh to steal him under pretense that HE could be consort, so he can access the Gate of Divinity and REALLY make a new Erdtree Malenia can't beat Radahn and instead leaves him a mindless beast, she may or may not know the full extent of this plan but who knows Miquella pivots AGAIN and hopes that some Tarnished kills BOTH Mogh and Radahn at the same time so he can Frankenstein them together And then gets his team of charmed tarnished to clear the way to the tower... why none of these charmed tarnished weren't sent to kill Mogh or Radahn is beyond me. Why we, the PROSPECTIVE LORD, aren't charmed during any of this, is beyond me. I suppose what I'm really getting at is that while it could be super cool entwine all these character's actions, and have them all be tied to Miquella's actions... this kinda takes the wind outta my sails with all the other implications it raises and the jumps of logic I need to take. But maybe Vaati will have some super secret and conclusive evidence that convinces me otherwise.

[@mistahanansi2264]

3:48 Half-Brother* since both are fathered by Radagon

[@kaden1991]

I think Miquella needed Mogh's blood. His Hornsent heritage. I think it was Gideon who commented that no matter how much Mogh shared his bloody bedchamber with Miquella it made him no closer to creating the Moghwyn dynasty he desired. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the lord of blood would attempt to share his own sanguine essence with his God, and was ultimately infusing Miquella with enough Hornsent blood that allowed him to access the Realm of Shadow.

[@TheRisky9]

I had suggested before that the statues at the Haligtree were almost manipulative in nature. It's almost like they're there to try and convince you that Miquella is kind, but anyone who is truly kind wouldn't need such a thing. Why immortalize that of all things?

[@brandinicole1372]

How interesting that ranni’s plot had a secondary unmentioned purpose. Now it makes sense why she specifically chose godywn for the ritual knowing that can possibly stop miquella from being a god and with what we know about radhan holding the stars makes perfect sense.

[@MikeL-eo9lp]

I still want to fight Godwyn

[@Xontor23]

Something I just noticed, but Miquella has 4 arms just like Ranni when they are on Radan

[@ericjensen7580]

Hey Goldmask, I think the vow has been sitting in front of us since the base game. There is a church dedicated to it and a turtle pope who will tell you all about it. Miquella and Radhan did not make the vow, they are simply trying to honor it: "Radagon once cleansed himself with celestial dew, repented his territorial aggressions, and swore his love to Rennala. The Order of the Erdtree and the fate of the moon were conjoined, and all the wounds of war forgiven." This is the original vow. It is to repent of past sins (Miquella is trying to do this in the wrong way for the wrong reasons), unite Erdtree and Moon, and end the shattering war.

[@CreativeUsernameEh]

That statue in the Haligtree Promenade is of Godwyn, not Radahn. The hairstyle on that figure does not look like Radahn’s. It looks like Godwyn. Remember how Godwyn defeated the dragons and then befriended and made peace with the dragons? That shows the strength and kindess Miquella was after. Radahn is a warmonger, and not at all compatible for an Age of Compassion or a gentle world. As you mentioned, Miquella calls Godwyn “Lord brother” in the Golden Epitaph and Castle Sol is to restore Godwyn’s soul. But it fails. But it’s clear Miquella wished to restore Godwyn… not Radahn. In the memory of Miquella, he doesn’t seem “happy” to be an empyrean. Rather, his voice sounds emotional and on the verge of tears. And although some assume he is speaking to Radahn, we don’t see Radahn there at all. Instead we see Miquella kneeling, hands clasped together, speaking to an empty room. He is praying to someone not there: Godwyn. Radahn was never the promised consort… he was the retcon consort. Even when working backwards with DLC lore, it still doesn’t fit together. It’s a retcon that ruins Elden Ring lore for the sake of Radahn return fanservice and an obligatory hard final bossfight. Poor Miquella, retroactively ruined. His other motivations ignored (Malenia?!) all for the sake of the Radahn retcon. The DLC ruined his character.

[@variant6478]

the fact Godwyn's soul was what died means he couldnt be brought back to life in the most conventional sense (the cursemark of death says the prince of death perished in soul alone, so Fia didn't bring it back), and his body was so distorted and absorbed into the roots it would be incredibly hard for Miquella to bring it to the land of shadow and implant another soul into it. so in what manner could they have used Godwyn. imo its far more fan service to force Godwyn back into the story when his death was such a catalyst for important events.

[@FelonOW]

Then explain why malenia said what she said to rhadan in the battle of aoenia

[@fakechloe207]

​@@FelonOW The battle of Aeonia still makes no sense with the current dlc revelations anyway. The dlc ending is dogshit

[@FelonOW]

@@fakechloe207 yeah i agree i think theres a lot of unanswered questions for sure but i also believe thats intended becausse if you give all the answers it loses some of the magic behind the unknown. I wish the lore was a tad bit more fleshed out and i thought the ending was light weight for what the games are

[@BasicallyBaconSandvichIV]

I still think Ranni has the better ending over Goldmask. Goldmask just brings an Golden Order 2.0, slightly refined, with more freedom for men. But still with all other issues of before. Ranni upends it all, separating all emotions and desires of everyone from influence the laws of the universe (kinda like in our universe). Don't misunderstand, there will still be emotions and desires. There will still be free will. And people can still effect the world. However they won't be able to change the laws of the universe on a whim. But honestly, I don't think it matters that much. Both are nearly tied for best ending in the game, and it's personal preference which pushes the scale to one or the other. Fia's is also up there, but like the other two, it has it's flaws. And that's exactly the thing: there is no perfect ending. There are a couple of better ones, and a couple worse, but no single perfect ending. Each has it's strong points, things it excels at fixing. Yet each also has it's weak points, things it doesn't, or debatably, addresses. So I'm not judging if you prefer the one ending over the other, at least if you don't judge me preferring Ranni over Goldmask. And no it's not because Ranni is hot, have you seen Goldmask's arse?

[@onehalfofunimportance4954]

Agree with most of this, but to me, Miquella sounds terrified about becoming a god in the memory cutscene. He sounds like he's scared he'll fail somehow without big strong kind Radahn

[@petrasei3731]

I loved the idea of the three siblings trying to fight Miquella, and our act of "simp" that determine the ending 😂