Elden Ring loves its mysteries. Forbidden unions between deities, a mysterious oath sworn by brothers, and its unforeseen consequences reshaping the fate of humanity. At the heart of the Elden Ring narrative and the sports world’s most pivotal figure lies Marika, a protagonist whose complexity and intrigue propel the entire story forward. Despite her historical importance, she remains an enigmatic figure whom you never truly encounter or hear speak in her own voice. In a peculiar turn of events, the enigmatic goddess-queen’s influence compelled an entire world to submit to her dominance, ultimately giving rise to a novel faith centered around her divine persona.
Upon initially assuming the Marika thriller was a deliberate narrative thread left unfinished by FromSoftware, I soon discovered that assumption to be incorrect once completing Shadow of the Erdtree. The erasure of Marika in Elden Ring’s narrative is a deliberate choice that significantly impacts the game’s overall story.
Once upon a time, Marika was a formidable being, a fierce warrior, and a highly accomplished sorceress. As she entered The Lands Between, she asserted her dominance by taking charge of its affairs, initiating a crusade against the ferocious dragons, ancient titans, and ultimately, the ruthless factions that had brutalized her own family into grotesque imprisonment. She emerged as a prominent figure at the forefront of a revolutionary social hierarchy. The crucial aspect to consider is whether they actually carried out this action. Godfrey, Marika’s first lord, accompanied her on this odyssey, indulging in brutal conquests, while Marika herself wielded unparalleled influence, forging connections with divine forces and instigating epochal upheavals through the introduction of sacred ordinances designed for destruction.
It wasn’t sufficient. Given her circumstances, she understandably required additional support. While seemingly cruel to her children, Marika is actually a complex individual, capable of being both bold and stressed as she navigates life’s challenges. You didn’t assume she considered the audacity with which Radagon acted to be courageous.
The Elden Ring’s The Shadow of the Erdtree story trailer hints at a narrative rich in intrigue, revealing threads of seduction, deception, and a pivotal “affair” that gave rise to the enigmatic force known as Gold. Given the tumultuous history between Marika, Radagon, and Godfrey, it is highly likely that a passionate and perhaps illicit relationship existed at some point before Marika’s exile of Godfrey. Notwithstanding my reservations, it seems a third factor is at play here, considering these events unfold as Marika likely extracts golden threads from what’s possibly her own corpse before offering herself up to the gates.
The alluring promise of limitless power and divinity enticed Marika, transforming their passionate encounter into something far more profound than just a physical union between bodies.
It’s unclear what prevented Marika from maintaining a romantic relationship with Radagon while remaining married to Godfrey, at least until Radagon agreed to something that Godfrey was unwilling or unable to do: ascending.
Considered one of Elden Ring’s most enigmatic and complex narrative elements is the character of Marika, whose true nature and motivations continue to puzzle players and theorists alike. What in the world is going on between her and Radagon exactly? The Corrup aspect quest heavily emphasizes the mystery surrounding Radagon and Melina’s shared identity, fueling speculation about their interconnectedness throughout the narrative. As the truth suddenly unfolds before him – and by extension, for our benefit as well – the narrative takes an unexpected turn in “Shadow of the Erdtree”, which rather dramatically exposes the thriller’s true nature when Miquella merges with Radahn. To ascend to godhood in Elden Ring, one must merge with a consort and the soul of an Empyrean to form a single, divine entity.
The notion of essentially replaying the same events, as seen in Ranni’s conclusion, may strike some as overly ambitious or peculiarly tied to the world of Shadow. As she disintegrates her mortal form, transforming into an ethereal being, she assumes dominion over the realm, appointing you as her divine companion, and inaugurates a new era in the mystical world of The Lands Between, with the lunar cycles dictating her divine decrees.
The drawback, however, as some may argue Trina explains that for the Empyrean, life becomes a prison with the sole escape route being mortality itself.
Marika’s story echoes Emily Brontë’s timeless classic, Wuthering Heights, where the tumultuous bond between Catherine and Heathcliff serves as a poignant backdrop for exploring the complexities of human relationships and the enduring power of love. Bear with me. In Emily Brontë’s iconic Wuthering Heights, the enigmatic Catherine Earnshaw is torn between her all-consuming passion for the brooding and mysterious Heathcliff and her aspirations to social prominence, marked by her desire for the refined and cultured Edgar Linton. As she chooses to marry the esteemed local landowner and aristocrat, she exorcises the lingering presence of Heathcliff from her very being, only for the carefully curated existence she’s constructed to slowly constrict her until nothing remains but a desiccated shell.
While Elden Ring does not directly or indirectly clarify the reasons behind Marika’s unexpected resolve to oust Godfrey, a limited number of plausible rationales do emerge. After listening to St. Trina’s words about Miquella are so evocative of Godfrey – should he harbour any affection for Marika whatsoever – that it’s hard to imagine him condemning her to the same fate as Miquella, only for Marika to dispatch him to the sun to find a suitor willing to join her in this peculiar ceremony.
One popular theory among fans posits that Marika’s apparent divinity was actually a ploy to undermine Godfrey’s influence and the Higher Will, but I remain unconvinced by this interpretation. As a result of her unwavering dedication, Marika plunges headfirst into the intricate order she designed, effectively ousting Godfrey from his position and ascending to a state of divine omnipotence. It’s possible that this mechanism had been programmed to intervene should tensions between Radagon escalate irreparably; although, the notion appears somewhat far-fetched at present. The devoted followers of Marika’s creed continue to recite her iconic phrase at sacred sites across the realm, hoping against hope that it will facilitate a grand resurgence of the departed, resurrected with radiant vigor and empowered to “wield the Elden Ring” once more – yet, in reality, there is no miraculous reappearance of the deceased, no great confluence of the lifeless returning to The Lands Between. Fleeting moments of beauty only reappear sporadically, succumbing to mortality before dissipating into the realm of nostalgic memory.
It seems to me that she has an underlying emotional need driving her words. Marika abruptly stripped the respected commander of her former naval forces of his authority, dissolved their union, and banished him from her presence. It’s not the kind of adversary one would want on their new regime; instead, it’s best to appease them and relocate them to a distant location where they won’t pose a disturbance – exactly what Marika accomplishes.
Given that Godfrey’s reaction seemed disproportionate to the situation, it’s possible he was actually fed up with Marika hiding their offspring in the sewer system again and his outburst was a desperate attempt to stop her from putting them at risk once more. That’s a risk, nonetheless, there’s substantially less to work with when pursuing that line of thinking. Elden Ring revels in mirrored narratives, with Godfrey and Marika serving as a striking analogue to St. Trina and Miquella.
Despite the reason for Godfrey’s exile, Marika is destined to marry once more, with a fresh set of circumstances bringing new challenges to her life.
As she journeys with Radagon through the ravaged landscape of the Land of Shadow, Marika ultimately reaches the sacred realm of Enir-Elim, whereupon she discards her mortal form – a feat that would later be replicated by Miquella – and unfurls the Gates of Divinity. While their son may falter, Marika and Radagon actually bring the ritual to a close. As Miquella’s machinations unfold with Radahn, it is then that Marika and Radagon merge into a singular entity – although I do not allude to this transformation as an intimate union between the two.
As their union reached its zenith, the consort and the Empyrean’s spirit coalesced into a singular entity that persisted throughout the entirety of the Golden Order.
The anomaly lies in Marika’s instruction to summon conflict upon the sorcerers of Raya Lucaria from Leyndell, whereas Radagon was responsible for the expense. Until Marika’s ascension to divinity, they had led distinct lives.
As Marika’s conflict reaches its climax on the Hornsent, it appears to be her final struggle; however, upon returning to The Lands Between, she undergoes a transformative change, whether voluntary or coerced. Not anymore is Marika, the fearless warrior, legendary dragon slayer, and righteous avenger of her people. Throughout much of history, she has faded into the background, a role that women have been pressured into playing. She turns into a spouse.
As Radagon’s complex union with her comes to a close, the sole option remaining for her is one of quiet surrender. As the revered goddess-queen Marika embodies the essence of elegance and exemplifies the principles of the esteemed Order, setting a standard for all members to adhere to in their perceptions and daily routines. As the revered spouse of Radagon, devoted mother to their children, and an icon of reverence across the realm. To the Huns’ leader, she’s a “loathsome courtesan” – for understandable reasons at her level. In the lore of Elden Ring, Marika’s multifaceted persona is reduced to mere labels: mother, saint, and prostitute – yet none of these descriptions humanize her or acknowledge her agency in the narrative.
As a butterfly. As the guardian of propriety in her role, she has inadvertently succumbed to the rigidity of Victorian norms. As a beacon of unwavering compassion, she embodies the essence of motherhood, fostering harmony among those who inhabit her carefully crafted community, while offering a steadfast sanctuary from life’s turbulent currents. As a cultural commentator, she also critiques the medieval European inclination to treat women as venerated and protected commodities, rather than independent individuals with their own agency and life trajectories to navigate. The opening cinematic of even Elden Ring gets in on the act. The queen is lacking! Go save her, valiant knight!
As Marika transforms into the individual that you and others perceive her to be. She’s reduced to a mere means of personal realization, devoid of any understanding of her own desires, needs, or assumptions. As she ascends to godhood, she’s lost her sense of self. As Radagon remains in his precise physical form, still bound to the mortal realm, he indulges in the luxuries of life as both a living being and a deity, taking great care to preserve this unique status quo.
The Elden Ring’s narrative is deliberately obtuse regarding the timing and motivations behind the cataclysmic event known as the Shattering. The opening cinematic implies that Marika’s disappearance preceded the conflict, potentially suggesting Marika shattered the Elden Ring before Godwyn’s murder? Rogier asserts that she carried out her deed following the fateful Evening of Black Knives, a momentous occasion marked by the demise of Godwyn. In the world of Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree, Leda hypothesizes that the enigmatic “His Eminence” Miquella might have orchestrated the cataclysmic event known as the Shattering as a means to identify a worthy lord for his mysterious consort. He may have bewitched Marika into shattering the Elden Ring, or alternatively, instigated discord among his family members after the deed was done. Marika’s bold display of resistance seemed entirely driven by her own unyielding determination, without any apparent influence from her magical offspring.
As a reflex to any stimulus – whether heart-wrenching sorrow or exasperating anger – Marika impulsively discarded the carefully crafted facets of her existence, leaving them scattered on the unyielding ground of reality. She’d had enough; nothing else mattered to her now. And who can blame her? As time passed, her life shrunk into an unyielding routine, 12 months blending indistinguishably into the next, a sense of futility settling in like a shroud. It wasn’t until much later that she grasped the true extent of her achievements, the price she paid, and the mistakes she’d made, all reduced to naught but a fleeting whisper of regret.
Despite The Finger Readers’ claim that Marika’s imprisonment was a direct consequence of shattering the Ring, Elden Ring’s narrative subverts this notion through subtle yet deliberate omissions. It was Radagon. The thorns obstructing access to the Erdtree, as well as any potential egress, are fashioned in a manner reminiscent of Maliketh’s Rune.
Despite Enia’s finger reader skills, her obscure rationalization raises more questions than answers regarding the Higher Will’s supposed punishment of Marika. Despite this, she never explicitly states that she did it. Radagon’s fate hangs precariously in the balance should Marika manage to break free. What was the explanation he went missing?
As the prospect of freedom dwindles, Marika languishes in her prison-like room, her physical form trapped as effectively as her spirit is confined, slowly disappearing into nothingness as you unlock Radagon’s seal and enter her chambers – the culmination of a life marked by valor, motherhood, and divinity. Despite Radagon’s lingering presence, he has devolved into a woeful, decrepit shell of his former strength, an abysmal spectacle that is almost pitiful – were it not for the fact that he still seeks to brutalize you with reckless abandon. Marika’s complete immobility leads me to fear the worst: that she may be on the brink of death, with all her efforts reduced to tatters. Despite Radagon’s victory over you, Tarnished, there appears to be no viable route for the two of you to reconcile and revert to a state where things were as they once were.
As whispers of a prophecy’s fulfillment spread, Godrey seemingly anticipates the influx of Tarnished souls into Leyndell, with his own timely return serving as a testament to his prescience. There’s no definitive answer to what Elden Ring is about, intentionally left unclear, and that’s the point. As he grapples with the lingering presence of Marika in his mind, Godfrey finds himself inexorably drawn back to reclaim what was rightfully his, unwittingly unleashing a maelstrom on the fragile remnants of her life’s endeavors, ultimately sowing the seeds for a world anew that will flourish in the wake of his actions.
Properly, till you homicide him. What kind of monsters do we look in the eyes of the past and call ourselves civilised?
