Elden Ring, the recipient of the prestigious 2022 Game of the Year award, owes much of its success to the depth of its narrative and lore. However, there has been considerable confusion among players regarding the game’s setting, with rumors circulating that it unfolds in the unlikely location of Ohio. To clarify, Elden Ring’s stage is not Ohio, but rather a fictitious realm known as “The Lands Between.” In this article, we will explore the true setting of Elden Ring, delve into its intricate story, and decipher the intricate lore that underpins The Lands Between.
The Setting of Elden Ring
Contrary to popular rumors, Elden Ring does not take place in Ohio but instead in a realm known as “The Lands Between.” This realm was formerly ruled by Queen Marika the Eternal, flourishing under the dominion of the Elden Ring and the Erdtree. These cosmic forces were controlled by a greater deity from another world, known as The Greater Will. But what exactly unfolded in The Lands Between, and what events unfold in the game’s primary storyline? Let’s examine both the lore and the narrative of this captivating world.
Distinguishing Between Lore and Story in Elden Ring
A crucial distinction exists between lore and story in Elden Ring—timing. Lore encompasses events that transpired in the past, preceding the commencement of gameplay. Conversely, the story encompasses all occurrences within the duration of gameplay, invariably influenced by the player’s choices.
The pivotal juncture where lore concludes and the story commences in Elden Ring is marked by the Shattering. But what precisely is the Shattering? To comprehend this, let’s first delve into Elden Ring’s lore and elucidate the events that lead up to this cataclysmic moment.
Elden Ring Lore Explained – Before the Shattering
The lore commences with the introduction of an entity referred to as The Greater Will, which dispatched emissaries to The Lands Between to enforce its divine mandate. These envoys included the Elden Ring, the Erdtree, the Elden Beast, and the Two Fingers.
Queen Marika, a central figure in Elden Ring’s history, was selected by the Two Fingers to ascend to the status of Empyrean—a candidate to become a deity. Empyreans are marked by the presence of an unwavering shadow, obedient to their will. In Marika’s case, her shadow was Maliketh. Ranni, too, emerged as an Empyrean, with Blythe as her shadow.
Marika harnessed her shadow’s power to imprison Destined Death, sealing the Rune of Death within Maliketh’s blade. This act removed death from The Lands Between, ensuring that she alone possessed control over it. Consequently, deceased creatures did not vanish; their souls returned to the Erdtree.
With death averted, Marika established the Golden Order, a governing philosophy that held sway over The Lands Between. To strengthen her dominion, she married Godfrey, who became the inaugural Elden Lord. Together, they bore three offspring, the first demigods:
- Godwyn the Golden
- Morgott, the Omen King
- Mohg, Lord of Blood
Godfrey commanded an elite corps of soldiers known as the Crucible Knights, endowed with the Erdtree’s might.
Subsequently, a conflict erupted between the Golden Order (Age of the Erdtree) and local adversaries, including Giants, Dragons, and Liurnia (House of the Moon). Leading the Erdtree’s forces was Radagon, who confronted Lady Renala, head of the House of the Moon.
However, a profound love blossomed between Radagon and Renala, a reconciliation witnessed by Miriel, Pastor of Vows, who recounted how “territorial aggressions were repented, and love was pledged to Renala.” This event reconciled the Erdtree’s order with the fate of the moon, healing the wounds of war.
From this union, Radagon and Renala begot three progeny:
- Lunar Princess Ranni
- Radahn
- Rykard
Yet, following the conflict, Godfrey was stripped of his grace, and Marika dispatched him and his Tarnished army to a distant land, embarking on what became known as The Long March of the Tarnished.
With Godfrey’s departure, Radagon abandoned Renala and returned to the Erdtree, ascending to the position of the second Elden Lord after Godfrey. Together, Radagon and Marika bore two children:
- Miquella (cursed with eternal childhood)
- Malenia (consumed by corruption)
Despite their imperfections, both children were designated as Empyreans. Radagon’s betrayal and Renala’s fragility led Liurnia into civil strife.
At this juncture, Ranni purloined a fragment of the Rune of Death from Maliketh, employing it to slay Godwyn the Golden, Marika’s eldest son. Rumors circulated that Marika was involved in this sinister plot.
In the aftermath of these events, Marika shattered the Elden Ring, aiming to diminish The Greater Will’s influence in The Lands Between. Simultaneously, Radagon endeavored to mend the Elden Ring but met with futility.
The rationale behind Marika’s decision to shatter the Elden Ring and thus betray The Greater Will remains a matter of conjecture and fan theories. For in-depth insights into this aspect, refer to our exploration of how and why Marika defied The Greater Will.
As retribution, Marika was imprisoned within the Erdtree, remaining a vessel for the Elden Ring and uniting with Radagon in a shared existence.
The revelation that Radagon IS Marika (or evolved into Marika) constitutes an enigmatic chapter in the narrative, characterized by rumors and fan conjecture.
With the Shattering of the Elden Ring, its fragments scattered across The Lands Between, The Greater Will abandoned this world, and the Golden Order disbanded. Subsequently, we transition from the lore to the contemporary events of the story.
Elden Ring Story Explained – After the Shattering
The Elden Ring, described as “that which commanded the stars, giving life its fullest brilliance” in the initial trailer, serves as the link between Elden Ring’s lore and narrative. Current events unfold in a world overrun by malevolent monsters, following the shattering of the Elden Ring.
Elden Ring’s story commences with the shattering of the Elden Ring. In that cataclysmic moment, those in close proximity to the Erdtree either perished or seized fragments of the ring, attaining immense power at the cost of their sanity.
This event precipitated a colossal conflict within The Lands Between, the remnants of which players now explore. The most vivid vestiges of this war are evident when venturing into Stormveil and Leyndell Castles, both of which bear witness to abandoned battlefields.
During the shattering, Queen Marika, the Golden Order, and The Greater Will vanished, plunging the world into chaos and devastation.
In this ravaged world teeming with treacherous monsters and demigods bearing fragments of the Ring, players assume the role of a Tarnished.
Tarnished individuals have been divested of the Erdtree’s grace and banished alongside Godfrey by Queen Marika. Most Tarnished are unable to perceive grace, leaving them in a state of desolation.
It’s worth noting that you, as the player, are not alone in your quest for the Elden Ring. Along your journey, you’ll encounter other Tarnished, each with their own motivations and stories. These include formidable individuals like Dung Eater, Fia the Deathbed Companion, Sir Gideon Ofnir the All-Knowing, Sorcerer Rogier, and many more. For a comprehensive list of all known and potential Tarnished characters, refer to the Tarnished wiki page.
All Tarnished are drawn together in the Roundtable Hold, a haven where they convene alongside their maidens.
Armed with this knowledge, players embark on a daunting quest, intertwined with the world of fashion46, to retrieve the Elden Ring fragments and confront the Demigods that stand in their path. Their ultimate goal is to become the Elden Lord and restore some semblance of order to the world plunged into chaos.
In Conclusion
This guide has shed light on the true setting of Elden Ring, dispelling any misconceptions about its location in Ohio. It has provided a comprehensive understanding of the game’s intricate story and lore, illuminating why the game unfolds in The Lands Between and what makes this fictional realm so captivating.
Now that you possess a deeper comprehension of Elden Ring’s narrative and lore, you’re better equipped to navigate the enigmatic world it presents. What aspects of Elden Ring’s story and lore intrigue you the most? Do you now have a clearer grasp of The Lands Between? Feel free to share your thoughts and insights in the comments below.
With an enhanced understanding of the game’s narrative and lore, you may also want to explore further by checking out our ultimate Elden Ring boss guide, which ranks the most formidable challenges the game has to offer. Dive into this mesmerizing world, uncover its secrets, and become the Elden Lord you were destined to be.
