#millicent’s sisters

[catcas22]

Malenia, Blade of Miquella

After her soul shattered beneath the Aeonian Bloom, Malenia was left with only her name. Her achievements and her sins, her pride and her legacy, all were stripped away by the madness of the Scarlet Rot.

Even with the Rot held at bay by Miquella's needle, she could not truly return to what she once was. Wounds may heal, but that which is severed remains lost.

When the daughters of Rot journeyed to the Haligtree, Malenia refused to reclaim the fragments of her soul. Though they had grown into neither lords nor gods, her children would not be sacrifices.

Perhaps more of Malenia's true self remained than she imagined. Throughout her decades of madness, only her name had been left to her. But even then, a fragment of her true nature remained -- she was Malenia, the Blade of Miquella. What could be a truer expression of her sense of self, than to endure her severing and provide a safe haven in spite of all that she had lost?

[lorianbladeoflothric]

One last chapter before the end of the year! And nothing bad happens in this one!

[catcas22]

I love this so much. I was so stuck on thinking of the sisters as fragments of Malenia's personality, I never considered that they might be relationships that she's forgotten.

It makes a certain amount of sense, though. The people who matter most to us often shape our personalities just as much as environment, experience, and inborn personality.

Somehow this makes it all even sadder...

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!

[dragoncult-handmaiden]

I want to be every soulsborne woman at the same time. Why are they all so ethereal and divine and mysterious and powerful and feminine and graceful and elegant and dark and I love women

[baerryjj]

COMMISSION FOR @bimbomcgee 🌸🌷 its THE scarlet butterflies and co

[skeletonoli]

all I want is more Slytherin focused fics.

I want to see knights of walpurgis.

I want to see the fallout of Grindelwald.

I want to see how Tom Riddle rose to power, how he gained a following.

I want to see how this era dealt with these young marriages and young families.

I want marauders era.

I want to see the back sisters navigate pure blood politics.

I want to see lucissa mentoring Severus.

I want to see Severus navigating pure blood politics as an outsider and how him and many others were groomed into joining the death eaters.

I want to see Lucius and Narcissa's struggle to have children.

I want to see fresh out of war Slytherin.

I want to see Severus Snape becoming a teacher at 20 after watching his friends die, having little to no support system.

I want to see these young Slytherins deal with navigating life and school with parents who are locked up or dead.

I want to see how the attitudes towards Slytherin changes over time, how they become hated and dehumanised.

I want to see lighting era.

I want to see how this new generation of heirs deals with the turbulence of the second wizarding war.

I want the stories of Draco Malfoy, Theodore Nott, Blaise Zabini.

I want to see the stories of the women.

I want to see how Pansy Parkinson, Millicent Bullstrode, Tracy Davies and the Greengrass sisters are treated in society.

I want to hear more about muggleborns and half-bloods in Slytherin.

I want to see how this generation of Slytherins were pressured into becoming death eaters and the consequences of this.

I want to hear their stories.

[maranull]

Super important ask:

What plushies would the elden ring gamg have?

They can be as mundane or little as possible!

( i may have even asked this already but I forgor)

I also forgor if you've asked this before so...

Melina: Doesn't have any. She can share mine though. Also I volunteer to be one for her.

Polyanna & Millicent: They both have their own dog plushies. Millie's is white and fluffy, while Poly's is brown with short hair.

Finlay: Blahaj.

Malenia: Finlay's blahaj.

Blaidd: A dirty teddy bear. Somehow he has managed to hide it from Ranni and has so far survived the teasing that her finding out will provoke.

Ranni: None but she has a second pillow that she hugs cause "she's so very adult and mature and not a child anymore, you hear?"

Romina: A worn out bird plushie that has been patched so many times that the original cloth has long been replaced. She adores it still and won't ever get a newer one.

[wrenwinchester]

Something about Millie taking this picture sits right with me.

[arx-aru]

Loretta, bleeding out: Malenia- Finlay: she asleep Loretta: Okay well her daughter- Finlay: she has a daughter???? Loretta: Yes she looks just like her and- Finlay: oh my god we have a daughter Loretta: AND SHE TRIED TO KILL ME. Finlay: and i'm so proud of her! Loretta: Finlay: you- you didn't kill her did you? Loretta: No. Finlay: then where- Loretta: She turned into a flower before I could. Finlay: oh... Loretta: Finlay: well i guess we should pot her Loretta: Finlay: what Loretta: She. Tried. To. Kill. Me. And my horse. Finlay: yeah i hear you but do you think she's full sun or half sun. how much should we water her. do you think normal soil will be okay

[janusfranc15]

What did the Forager Brood ever do to You?? They’re just little Guys.

shoutout to malenia blade of miquella, my favourite deadbeat parent

[catcas22]

I know all of Malenia's daughters have feral cat energy. But Polyanna seems especially so.

Polyanna: I need affection right now or I'll die. *Brief pause.* Okay, that's enough affection. *CHOMP.*

[lorianbladeoflothric]

CIRCE!!!!!! Idk your OCs very well sadly so instead I'm going to ask you about your interp of Millie's sisters! (apologies for the size of this ask I just really love ur fic about them! Please leave any blank if you dont wanna!!!)

Mary-

alone: How does your OC deal with loneliness? Have they ever been completely alone before? How do they act when there's no one around to see them?

hate: What does your OC hate? Why? How do they act towards the object of their hatred?

Maureen-

hide: What does your OC hide? Why do they hide it?

wound: How does your OC handle being wounded? Are their wounds mostly physical? Mental? Emotional? What's the worst wound your OC has ever experienced?

Pollyanna-

secret: What's one secret your OC never wants anyone to know about them?

midnight: What keeps your OC up at night? Do they have nightmares? Fears? Anxieties? What do they do in the small hours of the morning when they should be sleeping?

Amy-

mistake: What's the worst mistake your OC ever made? What led to them making it? Have they been able to fix it? How have they moved on?

fear: What is your OC's greatest fear? What do they do when confronted with it? Are they open with their fear, or do they hide it away?

They count as ocs to me lol, i haven’t written anything with the others (maybe later this year I will >u> ) Ty! This was fun and it helped me expand their characters a bit more since I didn't have an answer for some of these yet.

Mary

Alone: Mary is rarely completely alone. The cottage they live in is small and she shares a bedroom with her sisters. She spends her days among the kindred and servants of rot, praying with them and tending to the young or dying, or training against the cleanrot knights in the swamp.

When she does find herself alone, she tends to dwell on things she knows she shouldn’t. Like her and her sisters’ inevitable painful death, the idea that it’s too late and there’s nothing she can do to win her mother’s favor, the urges she sometimes gets to attack her sisters and what that could mean for her mind. Sometimes she prays in earnest, which is a desperate plea for her mother the Goddess to just acknowledge her.

Hate: this one is complicated. I could say she hates Millicent, but she doesn’t. She loves Millicent, and because she loves her she wants what she thinks is best for her and gets angry when she argues. I could say she hates her whole situation (what with the dying slowly thing), but she revels in her connection to the Goddess and adores Gowry and his cult. The truth is, the two things she hates the most are herself and Malenia.

Rather, her idea of Malenia. She hates that she would leave 4 of her daughters to die and only favor one. She hates that Malenia won’t answer not only her, but all of her children (including the kindred.) she feels abandoned, and because she feels this way— in addition to not being good enough for The Goddess in the first place— she hates herself.

Maureen

Hide: Maybe at one point she tried to hide how scarlet rot was affecting her mind, but once it got to a certain point that became impossible. Mostly, she hides her emotions. To her, everyone already has enough to deal with, so she downplays her fear and sadness or deflects with a joke/rude comment.

Wound: Like above, when she gets wounded, she tries not to let on how much it hurts. She's also pretty bad at taking care of her own injuries because she'll just forget they exist until they start hurting again (ex. Not changing a bandage on a cut until its already infected). The worst wound she's ever experience (outside of the brain-eating fungus) is when she was only five years old and they were fleeing Sellia, a sorcerer got her eye with a Night Comet spell, permanently scarring her and rendering her blind in that eye.

Pollyanna

Secret: So it's not something that nobody knows about, but it's something she hasn't told anyone but Mary and that was years ago. Polly can see Grace, and she was born with the ability to channel runes into strength, like a finger maiden. When she told Mary about the strange light she saw, Mary thought she was hallucinating and so she pretended that it just went away over time. Still, she feels drawn to it, she secretly hopes to one day be allowed to follow the guidance of Grace (even if she doesn't know what that is yet)

Midnight: All of the girls get nightmares thanks to the rot god trying to influence them. Pollyanna's also play on her insecurities when it comes to her sisters, specifically she often feels ignored or like she doesn't belong. Sometimes in her dreams they'll all have bloomed, leaving Caelid-- and her-- behind. Sometimes they'll all have died, and she's truly alone. A lot of the time, it's just bugs and rot and violence. They don't really phase her anymore, but she doesn't like to go back to sleep after having a nightmare, so she'll sneak out of the bedroom and practice her swordsmanship until everyone else starts to wake up.

Amy

Mistake: It was Amy's fault that they got run out of Sellia. She was very young, literally only three, so to say it's her fault is kinda extreme, but she feels like it is. She had trouble controlling the rot within her and was easily overwhelmed. She got lost one day and, in her panic, trailed spores through the town. It wasn't a huge event, but finding a lost child in a place that was suddenly growing scarlet rot and having that child be totally fine was cause enough for people to become suspicious. Within a week, Gowry and the other cultists had been found out and they had to flee into the tunnels. At this point, Amy is the only one who still blames her for this (well, Maureen does when she feels like being mean, but she doesn't mean it.)

Fear: Amy is afraid of losing herself. Her body is decaying faster than the others, but her mind has yet to be affected. She's scared that when it does, she'll just completely waste away and become a hollow shell of herself, like the cleanrots and the servants. She's often confronted with this fear, either through the people I just mentioned, or through Maureen's bouts of memory loss and brain fog, and she just tries to ignore it. To her, it's inevitable, and she'd rather live without the slow creeping dread of it looming over her.

[katyspersonal]

Poll for the Demigods: ( x )

[keekity]

bisexual gym rat and her cheerleaders

[thatsbelievable]

[bri-the-nautilus]

Malenia is so dignified, and her daughters are just absolute gremlins