#Elden Ring does this better than anyone else

[caelichythcat]

get this man a fromsoft voice acting job

[katyspersonal]

Guess who isn't fucking done yet or I've been concluding...

So yeah, after having pondering about this in recent posts, I really think it makes the most sense Marika herself called Radagon to become her consort instead 🤔

Greater Will simply created life in general, starting with Metyr whose Fingers helped with the landscape, ending with Elden Beast/Ring who ensured the power to (re)shape laws of nature by those who Two Fingers "bless" to do so. Neither of these forces care about specifics of who the current God marries; Greater Will is 1/2 of the One Great and too external, Two Fingers wouldn't give a shit even if some Tarnished spread Omen Curse onto every living thing as long as 'person I gave mod rights to Does A Thing'. Marika, though? She IS a person with coherent preferences and principles in this group!

Marika's priority as a God has been to create a better era "glistening with life", and prooooobably the world in which what happened with Shaman village could not happen (wow that aged like milk, but still). But past some point the "honeymoon" phase with her divinity passed, and she started to wonder what else she could do besides growing plants and healing wounds! And why would she, or anyone, do anything else with it! Where exactly that power draws from, what are the roots, what are the limitations, what are the risks. All that! "Those blissful early days of blind belief are long past".

She decided to comprehend the thing! Maybe because something started to show through the cracks, maybe after Erdtree stopped spilling blessed dew, maybe after the initial priority of 'wanting the better world' was satisfied and peace came! She is a very scholarly type, that would not be satisfied to "simply exist" even should all goals be accomplished; her bedchamber is full of scrolls and stone plate scriptures!

It would make the most sense to have Radagon, basically a Tumblr sexyman version of the Golden Order, close to her that she wished to study it! Golden Order Fundamentalism is a lot like Radagon comprehending himself and setting clearer principles than unconscious primal sentiments of 'light and life good fire and dead bad' fsdhfhds

Perhaps doing so was cold towards Rennala, but being a God is kind of a huge deal. It entails many plans, priorities and duties for the sake of the world in general which require some sacrifices and some people have to get hurt on the way. Comprehending the laws of nature would absolutely benefit the world in perspective, whether there was a serious incentive or it simply "was about time"! It is not that she could basically live with Carians every day too xD Her place, as a God, is in the Erdtree! Again, divorce selfie jokes are peak comedy and I am dead serious, but in the end I believe Radagon likewise prioritised the duties that come with "caged divinity". They are with Marika in this together.

[servin-up-surveys]

survey #256

[TW: SUICIDE] Do you know anyone who has committed suicide? Yes. One was a childhood online friend (YES, I am aware she could've been lying, but I wholeheartedly believe her), and I didn't realize until I was older JUST how deeply it affected me. Her name was Journee. I fell in love with her name and have used it for characters since, I think it's a magical, story-filled name.

Do you think Jersey people are annoying? Cool, stereotypes. No, I don't think people from NJ are doomed to be fucking annoying.

Does your mom think you’re a virgin? I don't know.

What do you think about people who party a lot? I think that's not my business.

What are you listening to? I'm watching Woolie VS play the Elden Ring DLC.

Are you the one that normally makes the first move? No.

Do you currently work? Even without having disability officially yet, I've only recently grown comfortable with admitting I'm disabled by my depression. No.

Do you take any prescribed medication? I have a shitload of prescribed meds.

Have you ever watched a needle go into your own skin? Yes.

Have you ever seen someone get a piercing/tattoo? Yes to both.

[TW: ABUSE] Do you know someone that is/was abused by their parents? A few people.

Do you like strawberry and banana smoothies? Yes, as long as it's not too banana-y.

Have you ever spent more than two weeks in a wheelchair? No.

Does weed smell good? Or no? I don't think it does.

Have you ever played golf? No, other than mini-golf. I never will; I'm morally opposed to golf courses. They destroy a shitload of land and require a lot of water to maintain that could be used for better purposes.

Do you like beer? If so, what’s your favorite brand? Beer was my alcoholic dad's drink of choice. I will not touch it. Even the smell makes me feel sick.

Have you ever been pulled over for speeding? No, but I think it's only fair to consider how short my driving career was.

Do you feel bad when you throw food out? I'm not going to lie, I don't think about it.

What was the last wedding you attended? A friend's I photographed.

Are you religious? What do you believe in? I am not.

What is your favorite video game? Silent Hill 2 and Shadow of the Colossus. For each, I prefer their remakes, but the OGs are also fantastic and were still my favorites before the remakes came out.

Have you ever made your own pizza or pasta dough? No.

Are you lactose intolerant? No.

Does it take a lot for you to cry, or does it happen easily? Oh I'm a crybaby.

Do you tan easy? No, I burn.

Do you have two of the same pair of pants? No.

Do you know anyone with Type 1 Diabetes? Uh, I'm not sure. I know/have known many people with diabetes, but I don't know which type.

Do you have a lot of pictures of you and your friends? No. All my closest friends don't live here.

What did you have for dinner last night? Buffalo chicken bites and fries.

Have you ever been rock climbing? No, besides those fake walls you could find at some events as a kid.

Do you own a bean bag chair? No. I actually want one, but Mom pointed out Roman (my cat) would probably pop it, so not a good idea.

Are you allergic to anything? What? I am literally allergic to most things outside.

Do you own any vinyl records? No. My mom used to have some, but she sold them yeeeeaaaars ago.

Have you ever touched a caterpillar? Yes, I picked them up all the time as a kid.

Have you ever met someone famous? Who? Do tell! No.

Who else is in the room with you? Nobody.

Do you think age matters in relationships? If you're 21+, I don't really care what you do in relationships. *I* couldn't do an extreme age gap, I'd find it weird and like we're not at similar phases in our lives, but I'm not *morally* against it and won't judge others for doing it.

What was the last thing you watched on the TV? The second-to-last episode in the second season of Squid Game. I'm ready to watch the finale.

Where was the last place you went out to eat? Buffalo Wild Wings with Girt for Valentine's.

Are your nails currently long? No.

Where’s the closest church to you? Do you attend it? Like literally a minute away, and no.

Dr. Pepper or Root Beer? I hate root beer, Dr. Pepper is fine.

Favorite flavor of cream cheese? Just... normal...?

What US state would you like to visit? If I'm ever in the condition to herp and not basically die, I REALLY want to visit Arizona. I'd love to visit Colorado and Michigan, and Wyoming is a big one for Yellowstone.

If you live in a house, how many floors does it have? If you live in an apartment building, how many units does it have? Just one.

Have you ever put on or lost a significant amount of weight? Both.

On a scale of 1-5, how often do you curse? 5.

Tell me something you like about yourself. I think I have a very strong moral compass and care a lot about the wellfare of people in general.

Do you prefer salty or sweet treats? I THINK I like sweet more often.

Do you have a favorite actor or actress? Not really these days. Betty White was my favorite.

Are you or have you ever been a smoker? No.

What are your favorite summer activities? Swimming. Summer is generally too hot for me, so being in the water is good.

Have you ever taken an Uber or Lyft? Yes, a few times now.

Would you pay someone to kill the person who hurt you a lot? No.

Have a best friend? I consider my boyfriend my best friend. I have three very close friends.

Does it bother you when your best friend does stuff without you? No, he's allowed to have his own life.

Do you usually tell people when you’re mad at them? I think most of the time, no. Hm... maybe half and half. It depends on the situation and who I'm mad at.

What's your favourite way to eat potatoes? Fries.

Do you prefer The Lord of the Rings or the Hobbit movies, if you like any of them? I haven't seen either.

Which Harry Potter film was your favourite? What about your least favourite? I didn't watch these movies and I certainly won't now because terfs can die.

Have you or have you ever considered messing around with the same sex? What is your opinion on same sex marriage? I have messed around with the same sex. If you are against adults in love being allowed to get married, don't even fucking breathe near me.

Do you enjoy piercings & tattoos? I absolutely do.

Do you prefer to shower at night or in the morning? Neither; I prefer the afternoon. I'm too drowsy to shower in the morning, and it's a nightmare for me to sleep with wet hair, you don't wanna see me in the morning. My hair is too thick to reasonably blowdry, it takes eons.

Have you ever said you'd never love again? I sure did! I genuinely didn't think it'd be possible, I wasn't JUST being dramatic. Turns out I was wrong.

Did you like middle school? No. My memory of middle school is frighteningly blurry, and I say frightening because my childhood memory is generally VERY good. But middle school is just... a fog. This is when my mental illnesses manifested, and I think that has a big hand in that.

Have you ever hugged a complete stranger? Not a COMPLETE stranger, at least that I remember.

Where would you rather live, England or Australia? England. Some of the wildlife in Australia scares me too much lol, plus I'm assuming it'd be hotter than England.

Did you go to your senior prom? Yes.

What was your first job? GameStop sales associate.

Did your parents live in a different country before you were born? No.

Are you happy with your weight? Absolutely not.

Does your job allow piercings or tattoos? Maybe this is petty, but I literally wouldn't work in an environment like this. I can't wait until the generation that enforces this shit are no longer the people hiring.

Would you ever enlist in the army? I would never sell my body to fight rich men's wars and kill people.

How many kids would you want? Absolutely none.

Do you use Tumblr? What do you normally post? My main blog is Rammstein-based.

Have you ever been accused of cheating? No.

How about having an eating disorder? No.

Would you ever go on a birth control pill? I've been on birth control for years because it makes my periods manageable.

Have you ever taken a train? No, but I would like to.

[unusualindigo]

Rewriting my Elden Ring fic was the best idea I've had in a while, I'm so excited to get to the DLC so I can fully flesh out my ideas.

Speaking of ideas...

Does anyone else hope Miquella, rather than being a boss, is just effortlessly charming and able to renew the hope we players have for a better tomorrow?

I'm really tired of all the Griffith comparisons, especially since Annatar of LoTR fits Miquella's actions a helluva lot better.

More importantly, I enjoy thinking that Miquella is just patiently awaiting our aid in the Lands of Shadow, ready to send us off in the right direction the moment we arrive like the good leader he's been built up to be.

Camden (my tarnished): Now then, where to begin...

Miquella, cheerfully appearing behind him: Oh, first you'll want to fight the omen lion, then...

Camden: Ah! L-Lord Miquella?

Miquella: Hm? Oh, right. We haven't met. Yes, I'm Miquella. Please, hold the lord for now. As I was saying, next you'll need to find my brother Messmer and-

Camden: Another brother? Does this family tree know no end?

Miquella: *squinting* Your hair's red...

Camden: ...I'm the bastard of Rykard's bastard.

Miquella: Then don't judge. Now, where was I?

[luminary-vazre]

Herein lies the critical difference between a protagonist and a hero.

We, the tarnished, are the protagonist. The story revolves around us, and it focuses on the bloody path we carve. Whether or not we're a hero is very much up for debate- especially with some of the paths we can walk. Who is to say the next great golden age, an age of peace and prosperity, wasn't to be under the reign of Eleonora, violet bloody finger? Severed from her connection to mohg, her bloodlust may have waned. What difference is there between us and her? What difference is there between us and Vyke? And Gideon? Are we truly that much better than the man who had his spies scout out the other demigods and likely planned to ambush whatever tarnished came closest to the elden ring and steal it for himself? Does being the one doing the killing personally give us any more of a moral highground than him?

it's why the fight backed by the song Those United In Common Cause is probably my favorite from the DLC, both story-wise and thematically. This is a fight that was always going to happen. It wasn't preordained by fate, it wasn't decreed by Marika, or Miquella, or anyone else that this fight occurs. Leda's ideal world and ours are simply incompatible.

Who is to say Elden Lord Leda (or w/e her title would have become) wouldn't have lead the lands between to peace and prosperity, under her god Miquella and his consort? Or the potential of Elden Lord Thiollier, and his goddess St Trina?

The only thing separating us from everyone we put down on our warpath is that we won.

Just saw that post about how the DLC makes us contend with how the Tarnished became Elden Lord in the first place and tbh Yeah. Yes an age where everything is so much better is ideal but like Miquella you are brought up by this world and have war in your veins. And so you pull out your sword and kill and kill because if you don't, then another order will come around. If you don't, then someone else might take your rightful place as Elden Lord - or at least, that's what we think. 'We are the main character, so it is our right. It is our destiny.'

Maybe there really was a chance for a better world, had someone else gotten there in the end. Oh well. We are the Elden Lord, now. The rest must contend with it.

Yeah, I think it’s a VERY interesting angle that a lot of people somehow haven’t even considered— there’s sooo much discussion as to the morality and decisions of all the demigods and other NPCs, justifying their actions or not. But what about your own?

You slaughter almost everything in your way, and a lot WILL get in your way, and refuse to allow you any other choice. To achieve your own goals, you have to make those decisions, and you have to kill. You will burn the erdtree itself, you will return destined death. You will kill one of the last remaining giants, if not THE last one. Did every other demigod not believe they, too, were also justified in their measures? What carries YOU through to the end, regardless of your own intentions? Are YOU any better or worse than they?

You really are just another cog in the machine, another contender who brings about so much death and destruction. The only thing different is that YOU are able to win, and actually bring about the age you seek. Are you even justified in that? And how could you possibly achieve these ends in any other way, when war is the only thing this world is built on?

And it’s wonderful, an incredible touch on top of the game’s carefully-crafted themes and story already. You’re so woven into it you may not even realize until it’s too late— or even not at all!

[katyspersonal]

Idk if I've asked you this before

but what are your thoughts on Millicent's sisters in Elden Ring?

Hey Bim! No, you haven't asked this before, and sorry for the delay :pensive:

I've been thinking about the sisters for some time, but moreso conceptually than developing the characters on their own (this one is for later I guess)! But, I agree with the interpretation that Malenia's spawn are fractions of her self. Millicent is the one we can judge by, she is the dignity and pride Malenia had forgotten when she gave into Scarlet Rot, the courage to live and perish as herself rather than persist to see herself become something else.. The side of her that would rather amputate her own limbs that are afflicted by the Rot the most, after all. I personally ended up focusing on this "loss" aspect in my interpretation of the girls, and with them I've found their weapons of choice can tell us something?

(Images by Zlofsky ( x ), careful though, this is a large compilation of references)

So, Malenia's spawn having two "types": one are the stronger kind, which is also the one capable of blooming (Millicent and the sixth sister but about her later), and another are more "underwhelming" in comparison (Mary, Maureen, Amy and Polyanna themselves). And whereas the former result from cracks in Malenia's strongest, most fundamental qualities, the latter are loss of memories and influence from the important people for her! Scarlet Rot eats away memories; Malenia has to repeat to herself that she fights for Miquella like a mantra to not forget, and he is the most important person for her, so it would only be expected she barely can hold others in mind, if at all..

Amy was the one who made me think this way, since she is using Flowing Curved Swords! They were once wielded by the blind swordsman that taught Malenia to battle the way she does, and I thought Amy reflects Malenia forgetting her mentor, or having the impact he had on her as a person slowly vanish. Following this idea, Mary reflects Malenia's memories about her connection with Finlay fading. She is using Halo Scythe, a weapon wielded by commanders of Malenia's army of Cleanrot Knights.

Heck, now that I think of it, maybe Malenia didn't recognize Finlay upon waking up at all.. At the very least, I think Scarlet Rot definitely attacked their connection.

The Treespear Maureen uses is even less personalized and belongs to the guardians of Leyendell, but I think if we are to choose a Golden Order person that influenced Malenia the most, that'd be her losing memories of Godwyn. The statue depicts both Miquella and Malenia being hugged by him, and Golden Order was still a large part of her life apparently, even if Miquella (and herself) had to abandon it as it'd avail them no help with her condition..

Polyanna actually had me puzzled for a bit, because the Blade of Calling she uses is very much associated with Melina within the story.. but in fact, this is a very possible answer too - Malenia should have known Melina, if Melina knew the "previous owner of Torrent" who so far seems to have been Miquella! And they could have been close too, like if she was a third sibling standing in the shadows. (All three are also associated with types of a butterfly <:3) It could even be a reason why the sisters instinctively gravitate towards dressing up this way x)

Melina cherishes life in all its forms, no matter how broken or struggling. I'd imagine she would be another person to help Malenia to love herself. Sure, these people all loved Malenia, but Melina could offer a sort of unique support, de-focused on Malenia's recovery, and it would be so helpful should Malenia doubt her life could ever get better... Who else would reassure Malenia (or anyone) that life was worth living, even if so painful and dangerous, even if it was to be shortened and full of wrestling with inner horrors for every next day of it?

....soo, yeah, I think this is a working interpretation for now! Malenia's rune offers recovering if attacking right after taking damage and it is explained by her spirit of resistance, so sides of self that she'd lose persisting for some longer even if in other form feels appropriate for me! (I also have this theory that when something bad effects the body of an Empyrean they will spawn an "alter ego" to defend their integrity as one, so Radagon was a defense against a curse from Giants and Trina was a defense against FF, so being permanently afflicted would mean frequient alters lol) Personalities of the four sisters would be taking the effects associated people had on Malenia and how she remembered them. Polyanna is the only one helping us to fight that guy for the golden needle, determined and autonomous like Melina, Mary the only one who survives the battle with Millicent, being the last one standing like Finlay tended to be. Always restless Amy and diplomatic Maureen (source: dude trust me xd). I will get back to this properly but this is roughly the direction I want to work in!

And I am not sure whether this one is going to count in this context, but...

This is a big flower not far before Malenia's arena, and next to it you pick the same traveller set the sisters are wearing! I think this could be a sixth (known) sister, but of a similar kind as Millicent; coming from Malenia's core traits rather than memories and connections. But if Millicent is her pride and dignity willing to return to her after giving a crack during battle with Radahn, which one would this sister be?

I am thinking, maybe her faith in Miquella being able to find the solution wavered some time? It would be a crack in her hope and faith. And this sixth girl had a similar pursuit to return Malenia what she had lost, only, she succeeded. We get Miquella's Needle from Malenia after defeating her, and I don't think this is what Unalloyed Gold Needle "turns" into; the designs are too different for that implication IMO:

So maybe Malenia had HUMANITY RESTORED when this sister brought Miquella's Needle to her? I concluded this needle is "useless" for her condition, but simply holding one of the tokens of Miquella's talent and effort helped to recollect that sense of knowing he will always figure something out?

_________________________

I might find a different interpretation later, for the last one especially, you just never know for sure with Soulsborne games! But these are my thoughts at the moment! This post.. turned out unexpectedly sad for me, not gonna lie hhhytfhggfg It still was helpful to actually organize my thoughts on the topic, thank you for the ask!

[katyspersonal]

Honestly, thank you for calling Messmer a fascist I feel like so much of the fandom just ignore the way he is written for the sake of a more simplified and commodified character they can lust over. Not only is it weird to completely deny such an important part of his character that affects the wider narrative (not even getting into real world implications) it just makes him more boring! This is a Fromsoft game where very few characters are ever even close to morally pure. And yes, Messmer isn’t as pure evil as he was presented in the trailers, that doesn’t mean he’s a good person. A lot of people take away the main twist of the storyline as “the Hornsent were the bad guys the whole time and Messmer was completely in the right” when that’s just not the case. Sorry for ranting in your ask box I just thought you might like to hear out my case lol x)

First not going to lie, frien, I start to have some personal concern because of the messages like this. 😔 I am getting the type of messages like "thank you for doing this Elden Ring thing when everyone else does that Elden Ring thing" + followed by jab at the fandom for not paying enough attention or variants! There was "thank you for actually having positive reading of Nanaya when people portray her as agent of chaos", then "thank you for writing Rellana with her own ideology when people portray her as just Golden Order simp", then "thank you for writing Messmer and Marika as fucked up when people make them wholesome mother-son bond"... now this too

I want to say that I do not blame you, or anyone who sent previous messages I mentioned! And I am glad that you find enjoyment and understanding in how I analyse and write Elden Ring things! Like, yes, I am happy that it resonated with you when by your own admission, it is not something you see often! ...that being said, I really do not fit to be the "face of opposition" if you can even call it that! xD I am very meticulous in my analysis (against my will, autism is just like this) and try to not have any bias but instead fixate on what the writer really wants to say, but I should be more critical with compliments that I accept! Don't want to get my ego bloated with comparisons fshhddhsf I accept the compliments for my posts! Just not the '...unlike the rest of the fandom' part if this can be helped!

^^^ On the subject, Messmer said this phrase even in the first, gameplay trailer, and it already made me raise my eyebrow! Saying that "impure" creatures do not deserve to live is really wild, however, it didn't look to be Miyazaki's average jab at religious crusades... yet xD

^^^ Then THIS stuff in the second trailer. Basically, I was already labelling him fascist before the DLC dropped 🙄

I was actually really... delighted to find out that Fromsoft touched such a huge topic? Even though it is called 'Crusade', Miyazaki's jab at religion leaned more towards Inquisitors of Hornsent! Messmer lived up to my expectations from his character and MORE! He is not even wiser than burning all traces of history and culture, had it not been for his Knights beings better than this! Honestly, Fromsoft raising the topics of fashism and genocide is one of their biggest Ws so far, and something I will always love SOTE for!

Above all I agree that even if you ditch everything about 'subtext', 'media literacy' and 'obvious implications', the story about "justified genocide" doesn't really offer anything interesting narratively! Making a whole nation/race/whatever 'inherently evil' and their genocide as heroic act....? It doesn't offer anything: no meaning, no fuel for self-reflection as society, no awareness of real world parallels, no philosophical debate about horrors of revenge cycle...

Doesn't offer anything interesting, except for.... yeah, making Messmer more approachable to simp for. Well, everyone knows what I think of such characters:

Debate about media literacy and subtexts in Elden Ring is very tricky, and I've learned the hard way when Mohg beaten the allegations! (my confidence was shattered that day fhddhsf) It is hard to draw the line where 'obvious implication' ends and 'but they did not DIRECTLY say it...' starts! So yeah, when logic and reading deep ends, I think feelings can help. Messmer is a horrible, horrible person, and genocide is the worst thing humanity can fall into. Is making one character (maybe two, as Marika is connected) more "likeable" worth larger story with meaning, rising such significant topics? I don't think so!

As for Hornsent........ sighhhh...