#but he is godfrey returned. his is the red hair of radagon

[eldintower]

Miquella for the character ask 🤓

OH BOY!!!!!

favorite thing about them - a whole lot LOL before the dlc came out i was way into the interpretation that miquella and malenia are basically marika and radagon 2 (so melina was maliketh by default) and i was jumping for joy when i saw they were leaning into that... he could not escape his bloodline & he bound himself to it at the same time and all that. i didn't really care about him before that's my bad but i really do like him now. he tore that damn heart out of himself!! my honest to god favorite thing about him aside from all that is his weird un-connection with the frenzied flame, like how his needle can quell it (which recalls the hornsent inquisition, which is frankly super interesting) but there's really nothing in his haligtree or similar realms of miquella-related interest which suggests frenzy or the study of it, an intent against it, whatever. i'm not all that eager to say that miquella was entirely & totally ignorant of frenzy, but i think it befits his character that he might grieve without truly grasping the depths of despair. it's super interesting to me idk i love frenzy lol. and like what with the themes of nascency and all, miquella's needle does hold the crowning of the lord of frenzy at bay. ultimately following the path of divinity and not seeking further into the force which takes root in utter suffering works for me as a reflection of his tragedy

ooh i also like how there's a cross left in the specimen storehouse, one of the most vile locations, but not the hinterlands. that is sort of the path marika took lol leaving her past behind and whatnot.

least favorite thing about them - Okay the reason I really didn't care for miquella was cause everyone was like OMG He's literally the better ranni she's just a spoiled brat but he's doing the real work. But obviously and due to obvious reasons that's all in the past now.

favorite line - i've got two from the same cutscene. first is "lord brother, i'm going to be a god." miquella's voice acting is so good i love the waver in his voice here like he sounds... frightened doesn't feel like the right word for it but it's the best i've got right now lol. to me miquella and malenia were born within an entirely claustrophobic awful incestuous situation and radahn was just. nice to them. and miquella clung onto that. i believe radahn to be the oldest of the carian sibs so that sort of adds to how he treated them i think. it's just incredibly sad like it's just so distressing and then of course "i'll make the world a gentler place." again with the voice acting. i love that this is the last thing you hear. ooh miquella in this shadow of the erdtree you have become my friend.

fave relationships (just smushing this together) - alright hang on a minute

miquella and malenia OBVIOUSLYYYYYY love the twins! the way i see them, they're on entirely equal ground, entirely mirrored paths. miquella whittled down is malenia whittled down. there's something i think to how if miquella shed his love he would love malenia no longer but he would still be part of her, as she is of him. to me that's the crux of the relationship. malenia would take miquella loveless over his love discarded. one of my favorite bits about the base game was how in the end it was malenia who would be god and she still is, and also in the fire -> rot causality emphasized with messmer's crusade and romina's sainthood... the erdtree was doomed to burn, so the haligtree was doomed to rot... not a problem of course for me, rotguy123... ooh also i just love how in the remembrance of a god & a lord it's THEIR childhood THEIR afflicted selves like yes yes one person... also i sincerely believe miquella was always going to return to malenia. i'd say it even drove him further and further down the path. he must return to her a god. they're staying at each others side love be damned cause as long as miquella has malenia and malenia has miquella that's enough. UGH. there's something to how the last thing miquella abandons is all his fears. i wonder if he was thinking of malenia in that moment and all her steadfastness. i think he was thinking of her the entire time. just because a guy tosses his love into davy jones locker 🙄 his doubts and vacillations.. Oh i love the twins so much. (it's also sort of something i just realized like something fun to contemplate is how soon after the twins are split and irrevocably at that although they may not know it they just start to shed parts of themselves, as if they were holding each other together, whatttt. also and i keep saying also but i don't think millicent is necessarily 1:1 to st. trina and this is very much due in part to how i see the swamp of aeonia in part as a massive receptacle. LOVE THE ROT)

miquella and trina ahh... there's two initial perceptions i had of them that i like haven't retained but i still think of often. the first is that st. trina sort of represents that all-encompassing love you have as a child, thus cast away in miquella's efforts. to me it fits with the fairytale vibe she has going on, what with the slumbering animals and all. the second was that miquella's love was so strong it literally formed a consciousness. but ugh. i like how she is the maliketh to his marika, shadow and gold, all that. miquella-malenia-trina forms marika-radagon-maliketh except that miquella and malenia are already also marika maliketh except they're also marika radagon. this is a nightmare

miquella and melina i just like how they contrast lol. again with the frenzy but like miquella's needle in miquella's absence and then melina deep in the frenzied flame proscription pleading on behalf of life, not of compassion or love. if miquella grieves without despair, what can we infer from that about melina? regardless though melina and malenia are one of my favorite pairs to pick at LOL

miquella and radahn... I don't know. Not quite. i'm much more fascinated with miquella's perception of radahn and the kindness of their youth "which stood in such contrast" (maybe he treated them as children, not as divine prodigies? idk) cause I like how we get such varying views of radahn all around that we can't get a clear picture of the man and the people who have known him the longest - ranni rykard rennala and maybe iji if he opened up- don't say a single world (aside from the notable volcano manor portrait). jerren is trying to put his old friend down, freyja speaks for a radahn of the distant past, miquella is tragic doom guy number one. almost all of what we know about him is what he represents and means to entirely different people and he's forever warped through their recollections along with the legend he made of himself and the radahn who once was is long lost and i really like that, and also that he dual wields swords like his aunt. i think he trained with her but his first weapon was a bow which rennala taught him how to use. back to miquella

hc - the minor erdtree sapling yet to burgeon never to burgeon the endless summer of shaman village the kindness of gold without order all resonates sooooooooooooo well with miquella 2 me... like that's him... that's miquella.... this isn't really a hc lol just something i like.

unpopular opinion - the radahn reveal did not catch me off guard cause i am one of perhaps 3 people who wondered more than once about the miquella's lilies you can find at redmane castle and also it recontextualizes the battle of aeonia to be ultimately for naught like yes exactly all that and for what and the red rot spreads beyond the burning walls into limgrave..... hmmmmmmmm..... you know i think the fact that i ended up liking miquella a whole lot more after the dlc is probably unpopular lol... he's literally the kindness of gold what can i say

oh right yeah. that is not torrent he's riding that is a DIFFERENT HORSE!! there are hundreds but there were thousands once and more!!!!! imagine the wonderful herds of spectral steeds that once raced across the sky!!!! imagine all that has been lost!!!!!!!!!

song i associate with them - shiny happy people by rem & find the river also by rem lol

favorite picture of them -

also not sure if you knew this but messmer's one cut line is him saying like "oh tarnished miquella spoke of thee" or some shit

[fairymousse]

Omg, been fighting DLC Final Boss for ages, and I think while the lore is kinda shaky, the themes are perfect.

Spoilers below

So, everyone has been talking about how little base game connection Radahn really has to Miquella, which is true. But thematically, it's excellent.

Radahn styles himself after the two Elden Lord's Godfrey and Radagon. We can see evidence of Godfrey being kind, like his tender moment with Morgott, but general consensus is that he is a warmonger and complicit in Marika's order. Radagon as well is idolised, with his red hair being a symbol of pride. Similarly, the Consort Radahn boss fight emulates both of the Elden Lord boss fights. Radahn is silent, like Radagon, and Miquella on his back greatly resembles Serosh on Godfrey's back. Radahn promising lordship to Miquella makes perfect sense, he's emulated Lords his entire life. The refusal to honour the vow probably came from his loyalty to the Golden Order, which is why Miquella planned to have him killed, then revived.

And like, Miquella calls us "lord of the old order", which is true, but as you think about, Miquella's order is drenched in relics of history. For all his promises, his age of compassion mirrors the Minor Erdtree incantation: the kindness of gold without order. He returns to the site of Original Sin, in the Land of The Erdtree's birth, with a lord at his side who emulates previous lords who enforced a previous order. He is recreating an old order, in the hope it will be different this time. Yes, it's built on blood, but it'll all be worth it this time.

Omg even Marika herself harboured doubts about her order, leading her to shatter it to make room for a better one. Miquella removes his own doubts, meaning his flawed order so similar to the previous one, would be eternal.

Miquella's dream of a gentle world is well intentioned. But his plan to get there feels uninterrogated. As does his choice of Lord. To me, I think Radahn promised Miquella when he was still a Fundamentalist, and Miquella clung to it long after his order changed. And how could Miquella change his mind? He cast aside his doubts. (See my post on St Trina for my thoughts about that).

Miquella is a tragic figure, both self-sacrificing and manipulative, in search of an ideal that he cannot meet. The ends couldn't justify the means, and his order could never come to pass, but the dream was pure and kind. It's brilliant.

I wish this was more explicit though. The gut reaction still is to be quite confused.

[mecania]

i don't like a lot of discussions i've seen regarding whether radahn said yes or not to the vow for a couple reasons. 1) it's never tied into the greater theme of bodily autonomy/the loss of it in elden ring and is instead only ever brought up to make miquella seem worse and 2) i think it's not supposed to be the MAJOR focus regarding radahn becoming miquella's consort (yes you can still discuss it and i will).

I really do believe the reason why there's no solid proof in the story (aside from freyja, who is an important member of radahn's army, blatantly stating radahn would've wanted this. not saying to take everything at face value but her character does seem reliable enough when talking about radahn) is because that's not the point regarding miquella and radahn's vow. there is emphasis on mohg's body being used against his wishes but not radahn. if the game wanted to let you know it was not what radahn wanted they would've said it clearly because ansbach does so for mohg. radahn and miquella's unity (or rather failure to unite) is supposed to be representative of miquella's failures due to his misunderstanding of the world and the golden order. at the end of the day radahn and miquella do share similar enough motivations

the reason why radahn most likely sought to become miquella's consort is because miquella does not intend to usurp the golden order. miquella infact is representative of regression. his unalloyed needle returns things to its former state, his nascent state prior kept him in an ever looping cycle of nearing the crest of ascension and then going back to the beginning... he is literally the son of radagon, whose major contribution to golden order fundamentalism is the concept of return and regression being a way to achieve unity and completion. miquella is trying to restore the golden order to what he believes it once was, hence why he follows his mother's path. he seeks the land of shadow and abandons his flesh there because that is the root of marika's journey, by allowing himself to be rebirthed anew in this banished place of marika's psyche he brings the shadow to light in an attempt to integrate it into his new self. he completes this ascension at the same site marika ascended: the gates of divinity. the only example we have of a demigod who ascends successfully (i personally don't think marika is supposed to be viewed as a successful ascension) after shedding their flesh is ranni, who purposefully does not pick the same path as marika and rather seeks a defiance of the golden order's laws. regression and its failures is the whole point of the dlc. it is why we fell characters like messmer who are not carving a solution to a problem but rather are allowing a reignition of it, continuing the cycle of karmic accumulation and retribution after reincarnation.

importantly the basis of radahn's loyalty to the golden order is that he idolises what it was before, not what it is now. his appraisal for godfrey and also his friendly relation with messmer is meant to show you that he is a follower of the ideal that the golden order has fallen victim to some sort of degredation of its 'true values' over time. godfrey ushered in the new age through battle, and his consortship to marika marked the start of the golden order's reign. as for messmer, messmer is upholding the crucial foundation for the golden order's existence; marika's spite for the hornsent, but as i mentioned prior... his crusades against the hornsent only serve to repeat the cycle of violence, and by extension this makes radahn related to the ideas of stagnation and repetition. godfrey and messmer can be considered the building blocks of the current era, but both were banished and had their image ruined in the favour of some sort of progression/shroud over the origins of the golden order. like miquella, radahn is the son of radagon, and he boasts his red hair in honour of his father; yet again, the most important establisher of regression in golden order fundamentalism. in truth the impacts of the golden order we see now have always been the true values it has upheld, but like miquella, radahn doesn't see that. all of this aligns radahn well enough with miquella, both characters have always served to 'fix' the golden order rather than destroy it and establish their own orders.

it is also why miquella and radahn are an incestuous involvance. why they make a point of having miquella refer to radahn as his lord brother. they are both regressing so fucking hard they fall back on the 'true' heirs to the golden lineage; themselves, which is yet again another idea of purity and perfection as put out by the conservative ideation of the golden order. (the circle, the symbol of unity, which is also an everlasting loop closing in on itself. hence why miquella's choice is radahn. whereas ranni picks you, a tarnished who was exiled from the lands between and has no prior relation to her family. yet another way she breaks the concept of regression and recirculation)

it can matter on a larger scale when we are discerning the meta narrative and what this means for us, the viewers, and what we can retrieve from this. but in this case, both radahn AND miquella demonstrate how systems like the golden order strip one of their self autonomy in the name of a greater, holier force that must be worshipped (the concept of a percect leader and empire). miquella rescinds what makes him himself (his love) because of his attempt to participate in this system, even if he means to 'reform' it (which is clearly impossible if you know literally any amount of political theory at all). radahn lacks his own identity and defines himself via others. because he strives to be the perfect servant and defender of the system. hence why this also applies to malenia, she gives herself up fully to miquella in hopes of ushering in his era. but i literally have not seen any discussion about this when it comes to saying radahn might've said no... it's not discussed in an interesting way and instead seems like an excuse to place miquella as a sort of black and white villain.

[willowthewiisp]

More random thoughts about the lore in the dlc and how I'm trying to murder board it

Messmer and Marika mirror Mary and Jesus but in a fucked up way. Messmer quite literally sacrifices himself for his mother's sins so she could be a saint to the golden order. There's literally a Madonna esque statue of her and messmer as a baby. The name Marika is literally just another version of Mary. I don't even think messmer has a father like there was no player two Marika must have made a deal with either the serpent god or the fell god (and I'm more inclined to say the latter) and in return gifted her a child she could raise to slaughter her hated enemy. It's pretty clear the shaman village and the humans in general were more than likely all women. They were long lived but seldom born. Hard to have babies without men unfortunately. This ties back into erdtree births too and why Melina seemed so confused about how boc actually came from his mother. Now idk about Melina. She's still a big mystery. But it's implied people were literally reborn through the erdtree and through it's sap. The amber egg should be clue enough considering it holds the rune of rebirth and amber is fossilized tree sap so... Messmer was definitely a miraculous conception sort of deal, but I think because he was born of a single god like miquella and malenia, he was born cursed and afflicted too, just by the serpent god. It's why the snake is so reviled and hated. Marika hated what the snake did to him but as she stripped away her humanity she couldn't care less so long as he bathed the belurat settlement in blood. I also think this is why the fell god and the giants cursed "radagon" with red hair because Marika betrayed them and killed their god whom she had made a deal with to have a child.

Messmer was the sacrificial lamb she raised just for the slaughtering, and Melina has the same unfortunate fate as well, reduced to being kindling to burn the great tree. Who her "father" is and when she was born is a mystery considering she was clearly messmers sister, but she doesn't seem to have the same origins, or maybe she does and is also afflicted like miquella and malenia. Another cycle.

The only child she seemed to genuinely love was godwyn. He was perfect, golden, and the scion of her empire. His death drove her insane. Sucks she didn't go mad over messmer who literally took a huge bullet for her and welp we kill him too. She cared for miquella in some way shape or form considering there's an item (I forget the name) that basically says Marika blessed miquellas journey to the lands of shadow and his journey to godhood. Which is odd in retrospect. Also calls into question if godwyn was actually first born or not, but honestly I'm starting to think he still was, mostly because it seems like messmer was apart of the family for some time if he was like an older brother to radahn (I guess that explains why rellana loves him?) so the massacre must not have occured until after godwyn was born because I firmly believe her sins against the hornsent cursed her children with Godfrey and resulted in the omen twins. Godwyn must have been born at the very least because then messmer at least had some sort of chance at meeting radahn and interacting with him since radagon was married to rennala at this point. But that also must mean the war with the giants wasn't the final battle because radagons red hair came from that and kinda need radagon to have radahn so he can be a brother to messmer. I think this may be even confirms radahn is the oldest? Considering the crusades were hidden away from history, it would make sense history would call the fire giant war the last one to solidify marikas rule. Also would make sense why the fucking giants are ALL impaled like c'mon now.... But Marika after seeing how powerful her precious little boy was gave him the singular task of avenging her and slaughtering those monsters. And boy howdy did he. But then she locked him away. Threw him away, threw Godfrey away...she throws the rest of her children away after godwyn is killed. But messmers crusade made the hornsent curse Marika and that's when I think the twins were born. They had to of been while radagon had radahn and after messmer because remember godwyn fought the dragons during the time when the erdtree and golden order was still new. Either way she throws her cursed omen children in the trash, and I'm fully convinced if it hadn't been for Godfrey they would of been killed. Why wouldn't she want them dead after all. Would also make sense after the twins were born she began to have doubts and started to deep dive into how the fuck her perfect order allowed the crucible to come through and how omens still exist. It all culminates in godwyn being murdered and she loses her ever loving mind. But these are just thoughts because I've been up all night suffering side effects of a antidepressant and I'm going nuts

[childhoodmeetsfromsoft]

No One Mourns the Omen

To the tune of "No One Mourns the Wicked" from "Wicked" (We open in the Mohgwyn Dynasty ruins, where the dead corpse of MOHG is streaming blood. In voiceover, we hear the voice of the SHANEHAIGHT NOBLE and MORGOTT) SHANEHAIGHT NOBLE (spoken) Lord Morgott, exactly how dead is he? MORGOTT (spoken) Fellow residents of Leyndell, according to the great Erdtree clock, the chosen of the Formless Mother perished just after midnight. The result of a Rivers of Blood katana wielded by a Tarnished warrior. The Lord of Blood is dead. (The hand protruding from MIQUELLA's cocoon reaches out and grabs MOHG's body, pulling him into the cocoon as the music begins. We follow it through a wave of blood until we arrive in the streets of LEYNDELL where the CITIZENS are celebrating) LEYNDELL Good news! He's dead! The dread lord of blood is dead The wickedest lord there's ever been The enemy of all in the Lands Between Is dead Good news! Good news (A CHILD points toward the Erdtree, at whose feet MORGOTT is standing, veiled so as to hide his Omen nature) CHILD (spoken) Look! It's Morgott!  SHANEHAIGHT NOBLE (spoken) Lord Morgott, Lord Morgott, is it true? MORGOTT (spoken) Citizens of Leyndell, let me set the record straight. Yes, Mohg, the Lord of Blood is dead. (sung) Let us be glad Let us be grateful Let us be glad the golden order could undo The bloody business of you-know-who Isn't it nice to know That gold will conquer incest We couldn't let him win, lest We all die Now heave a sigh For you and... SHANEHAIGHT NOBLE (sung) No one mourns the omen! SOLOIST 1 From the tree he can't return CITIZENS For his reign of killing was depraved SHANEHAIGHT NOBLE The golden scorn the omen! SOLOIST 2 From their horns we can discern CITIZENS From their knots, they cannot be saved (MORGOTT turns toward the Erdtree and sings reflectively) MORGOTT 'Cause gold still glows While omens are forsaken Gold still glows While omens have no worth It just shows When you're omen, you're mistaken From your birth CITIZENS Yes, gold still glows While omens are forsaken Gold still glows While they rot in the earth Nothing grows for the omen! MORGOTT (to himself) They're mistaken In their mirth. CHILD (spoken) Lord Morgott, why do Omens happen? MORGOTT (spoken) That's a very good question, one many people cannot answer. After all, Lord Mohg had a childhood. (We flash back to the Erdtree, where GODFREY is suiting up for battle as MARIKA looks on) MORGOTT (spoken) He had a father, who by the way, was about to finish off his war against the giants. And he had a mother, as so many do. GODFREY How I hate to go and leave you lonely MARIKA That's alright, it's only One more fight. GODFREY But know that you're here in my heart While I'm out of your sight (GODFREY walks out of the gate and strides away) MORGOTT (spoken) And like any family, they had their secrets. (MARIKA's hair turns red, her breasts retract, and suddenly RADAGON is standing in her place) RADAGON Godfrey doesn't think But does his duty Trying to protect another's crown But Godfrey doesn't think That's why he's failed Against our seduction and betrayal Since your victories are hollow, little Godfrey You'll follow and drown MORGOTT (spoken) And one thing led to another, as it so often does. (MARIKA is now SCREAMING on her birthing bed -- understandable as she's birthing two kids covered in horns -- while being attended by GODFREY and GOLDMASK) MORGOTT (spoken) But of course, from the moment he was born, he was...well...different. GOLDMASK They're coming! GODFREY Now? GOLDMASK The babes are coming! GODFREY And how! GOLDMASK I feel his toes

GODFREY I feel such joy BOTH It's a healthy, perfect, handsome little... (They scream at once. MARIKA looks up in alarm.) MARIKA (spoken) What is it? What's wrong? GOLDMASK How can it be? GODFREY How was it born? GOLDMASK It's uncanny! GODFREY We must mourn! BOTH Like the bowels of the Erdtree, the babies have been covered up in... MARIKA (coldly) Horns. (She glares at the two babies -- MORGOTT and MOHG -- her eyes filling with freshly remembered pain.) MARIKA (spoken) Take them away. (In a brief flashback, we see a younger MARIKA being lashed by a Hornsent wielding a tooth whip before we're back on the birthing bed) MARIKA TAKE THEM AWAY! (With the CLANG of a dungeon door, we watch as the two babies are sealed in a cell, where one -- MOHG -- stares up at the ERDTREE, his eyes narrowing with infantile hurt) MORGOTT (spoken) So you see, it couldn't have been easy. (We're back in Leyndell, and MORGOTT is watching as the CITIZENS wheel out a crude effigy of MOHG, clutching a second, screaming effigy of Miquella to his crotch) CITIZENS No one mourns the Omen! Now at last he's dead and gone Now at last the Blood Lord does not stand And Gold still glows MORGOTT Gold still glows CITIZENS And gold can never break Gold still glows While omen have no worth MORGOTT  We had no worth... CITIZENS Woe to those Who golden laws forsake They are shunned No one mourns the Omen! (MORGOTT reaches behind his back, pulls out his GOLDEN HAMMER, and throws it at the effigy of MOHG, shattering its hold on the MIQUELLA figure) MORGOTT Good news! CITIZENS No one mourns the Omen! MORGOTT Good news! ALL No one mourns the Omen! Omen! Omen!

[prismatic-starstuff]

More Mohg Mullings -- like my heart still belongs to Morgott. But god has the DLC given me a LOT of Mohg feelings.

So in regards to Mohg being brought back and restored. Everything is the same, only... He has Radahn's flowing red hair. And the tips of his feathers are now, like, fiery red.

Though the Lord of Blood found return in both body and soul, he found, much to his dismay, that traces yet remain of the Starscourge's occupancy. It was said that Radagon despised his red locks. An irony, then, that Radahn would take great pride in that heritage. But for Mohg, who was of the Golden Lineage, it served only as a bitter reminder of his own worth in the eyes of Kindly Miquella, as no more than a vessel for his chosen consort.

And, like... God does it bother him.

Mohg seeing a reflection of himself. With red flowing hair from the back of his head.

And just absolutely hating it.

It bothers him. It bothers him more than the horn that grew into his eye.

It reminds him of the LITERAL out-of-body experience he had - it reminds him how his body was used by Miquella to house Radahn's soul -- it's no fault of Radahn's, but he just…

He HATES IT. He HATES that the only worth Miquella saw in him in the end was as nothing more than a vessel.

Was there EVER a time where the love was real?

Did Mohg WANT there to be a time when the love WAS genuine? It would only make the betrayal all the harder…

He's not having a good time. The red hair only adds more salt onto the wound.

What's frightening is that the loathing starts to become self destructive...

You take notice of him during one of these episodes. He's especially dangerous to approach during such moments as what he's going through at present.

But you call out to him. Loud for him to hear, but your voice was nevertheless gentle.

He looks at you... He looks at you like he, himself, is a wild animal. But you make your approach. Reaching out to him.

He's down on his knee, bowing his head in an effort to hide the tears. You don't speak a word. Just gently reach out to him, cupping his cheeks and gently lifting his head so you can kiss his brow. And hold him until he settles.

After a moment, you ask if he would like to have his newly grown hair brushed and braided. That way it wouldn't get in the way. Which... He agrees. Wordlessly.

It helps. The way you handle his hair is oddly calming. Twisting and looping the handfuls of hair.

"There... Just like Godfrey now."

And the mention of Godfrey, of all people, triggers the waterworks flowing from Mohg all over again. That in spite of bearing Radahn's red locks, you'd braided his hair in a way that mirrored Mohg's own father.

Hoooooooough... physically felt my heart breaking there tbh. This is such a beautiful concept and I love it a lot.

Mohg deserves genuine love and care, the kind he's never really had in his whole life; so the thought of giving him that love while he's at his lowest, while he's feeling used and replaceable and fundamentally unloved... gah. Who put all these tears in my eyes...?

[whatdoyoumeanitsnotcanon]

It's only natural that our horse whisperer starlord cinnamon roll has some headcanon all his own so here goes (note: this is pre-rot!Radahn):

Radahn has always been bigger than what was expected for his age. As a child, his parents assumed he'd be a bit taller than Rennala. Emphasis on a bit. When he got taller than that, it became something of an inside joke between him and Radagon. Radahn would playfully pat his head in greeting and Radagon would sigh in exasperation before both would knowingly chuckle.

He was fascinated with Rennala's hair when he was younger. It reminded him of the night. He hated when she would put her crown on and cover it.

Radahn was absolutely overjoyed when he became a big brother. He would tote boss baby Rykard everywhere, show him off, and just be his protective little self. Rennala thought it was so cute and Radagon would smile and shake his head.

Leonard was his birthday present. Best. birthday. ever.

Radahn's favorite subject to study as a youth was history.

His pet name for Ranni was "Pip" because she had such a high-pitched cry as a baby. In return, Ranni would call him "Dahny" (Donny). Please don't call him Dahny. They both called Rykard "Ry". But Kardi V will remain supreme.

He taught Ranni and Rykard how to ride horses.

Ranni and he may have been partners-in-crime, but Radahn always made Rykard go out and socialize with him.

This leads me to my next bullet: this is how he found out that Rykard could drink him under the table. The first time, he thought it was a fluke. The next time he challenged his brother to a drinking contest and, uh... the hangover was real the next day. Rykard was just fine, though. What the hell?

Drunk Radahn is very affectionate and emotional. He and Jerren had the most heartfelt conversation about how much they meant to each other. Then hugged and fell asleep in each other's arms. Yep.

Drunk Radahn also has a tendency to disappear into thin air. You turn your back to him for ONE second and he's gone with the wind. How the hell does he do that? You will most likely find him asleep in some of the most random-ass places. Or cuddling Leonard.

He and Tanith bonded over embarrassing stories about Rykard.

Both of his siblings were test subjects for his gravity magic. For example, if Ranni talked shit, he'd suspend her things in midair out of her reach (like the stars lmaoooo). Rykard could be doing work in his study and the next thing he knows, he and the desk are in midair. Dammit, Radahn!

Radahn collects weapons as a hobby; as a result, he has an impressive personal armory.

He employs dad humor. Especially with his men. They groan in response.

He has an infectious laugh. It's deep and boisterous.

Whereas Radagon hates his red hair, Radahn absolutely loves his, okay? His hair care routine is impressive.

He was incredibly devastated when Radagon left and though he hides it behind his grin, it's left him jaded and closed off when it comes to romantic relationships.

Radahn actually would love to have a family of his own but he's fearful his consort would leave him just like his father left Rennala. He's extra paternal to his men as a result.

He wants a big family, too. Wooo, boy.

Mulled ale is a travesty, Godfrey.

Radahn respects Marika as queen and his father's wife and... that's all she ever will be to him.

Radahn's biggest regret is not seeing Rennala as often as he'd like to. And not putting his whole foot up Radagon's ass.

Radahn sleeps in the nude. Likes to let his skin breathe. He also loves pillows. He has a lot of fucking pillows. And a horse ragdoll. It's cute. If he isn't sleeping on his stomach with a pillow over his head, he's asleep and hugging one.

The bedhead is STRONG with this one.

For Radarnished/Reader, he's a bit of a black hole in bed. Something will always be sucked into the vicinity of his being. His significant other could be peacefully asleep on the 15% of the bed that's available and the next morning, they're waking up in a mass of arms and legs.

Kiss him while he's asleep and he'll smile.

[velvet-apricots]

Lil bit of Marika/My Tarnished but mostly Marika character exploration

Marika was not surprised that her new Elden Lord had a family already. Her other half in their time apart had one himself, after all.

 but what did was her refusal to leave them for her. She was not angry at that. In fact she felt a smug satisfaction as Radagon seethed, declaring blasphemy at the woman’s refusal to abandon the elder tarnished, Gideon Ofnir, and their infant daughter, Lyra.

It gave her time as well. As Radagon rejected his duty as her male half out of his stupid pride, it let Marika come to terms of her continued existence as the vessel of the greater will. She felt bitter, angry at the girl, Fyra. But she could not be angry, for she saw a deep hurt in the girl.

They were kindred spirits. The greater will destroyed their lives, and left wounds. While Marika’s wounds were quite visible, cracks now filled with gold and an arm of shadow, Fyra’s were not, but she knew it was deep, as the girl rarely smiled, and never spoke.

The only thing that made her smile was the baby girl.

Marika watched as Fyra fed the babe from her breast, smiling at them. The infant girl looked like her father, silver hair with red and gold eyes, which looked around curiously as she nursed. The man had been by, touching the child’s head fondly before offering Fyra his ear so she could whisper something into it.

He only gave Marika a curt nod. 

She did not like him, and Radagon out right loathed him. Gideon offered her respect, though not much, while he offered radagon none, making snide comments about how Fyra took her vows seriously. It was like watching a dog getting its nose rubbed in a mess it made.

It was satisfying and Marika enjoyed it, even if she did not like the man. She felt nothing but spite for her other half. Radagon had tried to prolong their suffering. Tried to stop Fyra from freeing them because they had not suffered enough. 

She had not suffered enough. 

She had lost her first born son, had seen her only daughter rot from the inside out, and watched her youngest son remain forever a boy because the other gods hated her, and they hated her because she had done what the greater will wanted. She had given everything to the greater will and it’s golden order, even if it meant the geocide of others.

She had even abandoned two of her children because the order demanded her too.

How could she not hate the greater will after all of that? How could she not be bitter and try to rebel? It had given her nothing but pain. Both of them nothing but pain because she knew Radagon suffered too. She saw his despair on seeing Malenia rot, she knew he still loved Rennala, and yet still Radagon swore himself to the Golden Order.

She had suffered the deepest pains a mother could ever face, but she was just a heretic and deserved to have her body slowly broken down until it was crumbling around her. He didn't care if he suffered too, because he had failed to stop her, so he also deserved to suffer.

She hated it. She hated him. She wished she had never called him back to her side to be her husband, never let him return to her body. She wished she had kept Godfrey by her side. He had not been a dog of the order. He would have understood her actions.

He had empathized with her like Fyra did.

Marika pulled herself from her spiraling thoughts, focussing back on the woman who was now her consort. She eyed the baby longingly, wishing to hold it. It was her baby too, as far as she was concerned, even if Radagon decreed otherwise. She reached up and set her hand on the child’s head, and Fyra looked at her.

“I wish to hold her. May I?”

Fyra beamed at her, and nodded, handing the baby off. Lyra protested, the beginnings of sobs leaving its mouth, but Marika was a mother many times, and settled her quickly, setting the babe in the crook of her flesh and blood arm.

“Wee little babe, cry not, for ye have the love of two mothers.” Marika soothed gently, lifting arm to rest her cheek on the top of tiny Lyra’s head, smiling and taking in that baby smell that she had not smelled in so long. It hurt the wounds on her heart, but at the same time, it gave her a little hope..

[whatdoyoumeanitsnotcanon]

Imagine all of the hugs from the shardbearers/demigods/whatevers

When Godrick hugs you, all of his hands pull you in for a tight hug, they don't grip hard, but enough to let you know that he doesn't want you to get out of this hug easily.

Rennala who would probably lay your head down on her lap, gently brushing your hair with her fingers, or I guess just petting your head if you don't have any hair. Also probably quietly humming or singing little lullabies to lull you into sleep.

Radahn, who's hugs are all-consuming, quite literally, he'd pick you up and squeeze you tight to his chest, though stopping if he doesn't feel you breathing and get's instantly concerned. (Godrick tries to do this and fails)

You'd probably have to instigate the hug from Morgott, and he just stands there, wondering why you're hugging him until you joke about him not hugging you back, then you him wrap his arms around you. If you don't let go for minutes you may eventually feel his tail creeping around you as well.

Rykard, who buries you in his uh body(?) snake-body, and wraps it around you tenderly. Maybe also giving you headpats with the red hands of his long-consumed victims family.

Mohg who would probably lift you a little off the ground while caressing you to his chest, his wings wrapping around you in yet another way to express his affection as he hums to you as well.

While she's sleeping, Malenia who holds your hand and gently links arms with you, to make sure you're still there, it's not like she can see you after all, so she'd have to be a little dependent on touch.

Millicent! She counts right, offshoot of Malenia and all. Gently caressing you with her non afflicted hand around your waist, and her prosthetic's touch is cold, though only temperature wise, against your back. Her head lightly resting against your chest, as if she wishes to get closer, but wants nothing more than you to be safe from the rot.

Miquella, who would request you cuddle him as he sleeps, your arm gently resting behind his head as he clutches onto your forearm. Alternatively, older Miquella who now dwarfs you and wishes to return the favor of a comforting embrace.

Ranni, who'd hug you with all of her arms, gently placing her chin on your shoulder as one arm comes up to caress the back of your head, another gently drawing shapes into your back, and the other two linking around your waist.

As if trying to hoist you as well, Blaidd would lie down with you on top of him while he gently scratches your back. Expects scritches in return of course, he scratches your back, you scratch his.

Maliketh as Gurranq, who'd lay down with you, his head taking up the majority of your chest and/or waist, enjoying the scritches you give to his head, behind his ears, and your caress.

Godfrey, who would pick you up and hold you close to his chest, Serosh nuzzling your head from his back. There also might be some quips from either to space management and trying to fit your head between theirs.

Knowing he could not go a night without you, Godwyn would clutch you against his chest, one arm under you, and another caressing your chin. As you drift, his hair is tickling your arm, and you start to hear him snore.

Marika, who'd wrap her arms around your form, one hand on your upper back, while another of your lower. Her face gently resting against the crook of your neck, and you can feel her breath against your skin. It wouldn't last long, but Marika's tits that was an experience.

Radagon, who unlike his other half, plans to stay with you for minutes or longer if the day deems it. He'd wrap his arms around you, one hand gently resting on the back of your head to push your face further into his chest, and his chin resting against the top of your head. Maybe cuddling with him and his many dogs too

The Elden Beast, who rather than simply hugging you, would drag you into it's body, though unconventional this would probably provide the most comfort. It feels as though you are resting at a sight of grace, the warmth that surrounds you as well as the gentle stirring of the Beast as it curls up with you inside. Weird? Yes. Comforting? In a weird way. Adorable? Just look past the possible vore of it all.

Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.