The wait forElden Ring’s Shadow of the ErdtreeDLC is nearly over, and excitement within the game’s fanbase is palpable. There’s plenty of hype about the new areas, bosses, and gear that the expansion will deliver, but fans are also looking forward to continuing the excavation ofElden Ring’s complex, dizzying lore.
It’s been confirmed that majorElden Ringcharacters like Miquellawill be playing a significant role in Shadow of the Erdtree, and it’s probable that Messmer, a new character introduced in the expansion, is closely connected to the game’s central family. FromSoftware’s official description of the DLC also describes its setting as the land where “the goddess Marika first set foot.” All of this information suggests that the expansion will shed some more light on the base game’s biggest mysteries and most enigmatic characters, possibly providing firm answers to certain questions—something that FromSoftware stories aren’t exactly known for. While fans shouldn’t expect clear-cut explanations for everyElden Ringmystery, there’s one lore element that could use some clarification.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Needs to Clear Up the Radagon-Marika Connection
Marika and Radagon’s Shared Persona Is Obfuscated
In one ofElden Ring’s biggest twist moments, it’s revealed thatMarika and Radagon are the same person. This is one of the most important pieces of lore that the game has to offer and a massive bombshell, but it raises more questions than it answers. Chief among these unanswered questions is the matter of how they melded into one being in the first place, and what the logistics of their bond entail.
Marika and Radagon could have merged around the time of their nuptials, or they could have been one and the same for much longer, possibly for their entire lives. The notion that the two were linked long before they were wed is supported by the fact that, whileElden Ringloosely explains Marika’s origins, defining her as hailing from the lands of the Numen, Radagon’s past is left completely vague, even by FromSoftware standards. The base game leaves this matter up to player interpretation, but the nature of Marika and Radagon merging has important implications for the narrative, so this needs to be explained, if only a bit.
Why the Nature of Marika and Radagon’s Relationship Is Important
Whileambiguity sits at the heart ofElden Ring’s loreand is a big part of what makes it so intriguing, certain narrative aspects should be expounded in favor of making the lore more comprehensible. When it comes to the timeline and extent of Radagon and Marika’s shared identity, specific details matter. The nature of their connection affects a number of key plot points, including:
If Radagon and Marika merged with the goal of creating a ‘perfect’ being, or rebis, as one popularElden Ringtheory posits, then more light needs to be shed on why exactly this was done, whose idea it was, and why they ostensibly grew to oppose one another after the Shattering. Additionally, the DLC should explore Radagon’s past a bit more, as this would clarify the timeline of events in the game’s lore. If the couple were one entity before they got married, then this would most definitely require further explanation, as it recontextualizes virtually every part ofElden Ring’s central conflict. There should still be some room for interpretation, but firm details on this matter would go a long way.
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ELDEN RING, developed by FromSoftware, Inc. and BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc., is a fantasy action-RPG adventure set within a world created by Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R.R. Martin. Danger and discovery lurk around every corner in FromSoftware’s largest game to date. Hidetaka Miyazaki - President and Game Director of FromSoftware Inc. Known for directing critically-acclaimed games in beloved franchises including Armored Core and Dark Souls.George R.R. Martin is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of many novels, including the acclaimed series A Song of Ice and Fire - A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast For Crows, and A Dance with Dragons. As a writer-producer, he has worked on The Twilight Zone, Beauty and the Beast, and various feature films and pilots that were never made. He lives with the lovely Parris in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
