Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Story and Ending Explained

The highly anticipated DLC for Elden Ring has finally arrived. Shadow of the Erdtree expands on the rich lore of the Lands Between introducing new characters and twists to the story. This article breaks down the main plot points and explains the ending of this epic expansion.

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Story Explained

Shadow of the Erdtree takes players beyond the familiar Lands Between to a mysterious new area called the Realm of Shadow. This shift in setting isn't just for show – it plays a crucial role in the story that unfolds.

The focus of the DLC is Miquella, a powerful god-like being mentioned in the base game. Miquella is the son/daughter of Queen Marika and brother/sister to Malenia, the Goddess of Rot. Players discover that Miquella has journeyed to the Realm of Shadow in search of someone he calls the "Promised Lord."

As players progress through the DLC, the reasons behind Miquella's journey start to come to light. It's revealed that the "Promised Lord" is none other than Radahn, a formidable boss from the main game. Radahn is both Miquella's half-brother and his consort.

Miquella's goal becomes clear – he aims to resurrect Radahn's spirit and use his power to create what he believes will be a perfect kingdom. This sets the stage for the climactic final battle of the expansion.

The Epic Final Confrontation

The DLC's ending centers around an intense boss fight against both Radahn and Miquella. The battle unfolds in two challenging phases:

1. Players first face off against Radahn alone resurrected by Miquella's power.
2. Halfway through the fight, Miquella joins the fray attaching himself to Radahn and granting him even greater strength.

This combined form of Radahn and Miquella presents a truly epic challenge for players to overcome.

Shadow of the Erdtree Ending Explained

After defeating the powerful duo, players gain access to a memory that sheds light on Miquella's past. This scene shows a younger Miquella sitting beside an empty throne expressing his desire for a "gentler" world.

It becomes clear that Miquella's actions, while extreme, weren't born of pure evil. He sought to free himself and his family from the curses that plagued them. However, his methods of achieving this goal – by forcefully reshaping the world – proved misguided and destructive. Just like Thanos, if you think about it.

The ending of Shadow of the Erdtree leaves players with mixed emotions. While there's a sense of accomplishment in overcoming bosses in the DLC, there's also a touch of sadness. Miquella's tragic story shows how even well-intentioned actions can lead to dire consequences.

The DLC's conclusion raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of power and the lengths one might go to protect their loved ones. It adds layers of complexity to the already rich world of Elden Ring.

Summary

To summarize, the main points of the Shadow of the Erdtree story and ending:

• Miquella travels to the Land of Shadow seeking the "Promised Lord"
• The Promised Lord is revealed to be Radahn, Miquella's half-brother and consort
• Players face a two-phase boss fight against Radahn and Miquella combined
• Miquella's motivations stemmed from a desire to create a "gentler" world
• The ending provides a bittersweet victory leaving players with conflicting emotions

Shadow of the Erdtree expertly expands on the lore of Elden Ring, delivering a satisfying and thought-provoking conclusion. It leaves fans with plenty to discuss and analyze as they eagerly await what might come next in this rich fantasy world.