The upcoming Elden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, has finally revealed more details, most intriguingly regarding a new character named Messmer the Impaler. Bandai Namco's official gameplay trailer and some interviews from Hidetaka Miyazaki indicate Messmer likely shares a close connection with demigod Miquella and is potentially the forgotten child of Queen Marika the Eternal and Radagon. So who is the mysterious Messmer in Elden Ring? Here is everything we know so far!
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Who is Messmer the Impaler in Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree?
In the trailer, Messmer refers to "Mother" sanctioning lordship for "one so bereft of light," almost certainly meaning the player's Tarnished. It's likely that his mother is Queen Marika the Eternal, who took away Grace from the Tarnished to allow them to become Elden Lord. Another character mentions that Messmer's flame can harm those without Grace.
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Messmer is Part of the Family Tree
If Marika is indeed Messmer's mother, it makes him at least a half-sibling to Miquella and Malenia. However, as Marika and Radagon are likely one entity, he may be their full brother too.
Besides resembling siblings in name, Messmer sports bright red hair akin to Radagon and his Carian children Rykard, Radahn, and Ranni. The prominent theory connecting Miquella to butterflies could also associate Messmer with the Smoldering Butterfly.
Interestingly, Miyazaki has explained that Messmer sits upon Morgott's throne, representing equal standing among demigods. This suggests he may be another identity for Miquella himself. This is what he said about Messmer:
“There was this piece of key art where it shows Mesmer sat in this throne-like chair, and people who’ve played the game may recognize this throne to be one of those from the boss room where you battle Morgott. And this represents the thrones at the base of the Erdtree. And it’s supposed to symbolize that Mesmer stands on equal footing to these other demigods and children of Marika who sat around in these thrones and held the rooms of the Erdtree.”
Throughout the base game, Miquella rests in a cocoon-like egg, potentially undergoing a metamorphosis reflected in his alter ego emerging. The Lord of Blood was unable to fully coerce him, after all. Further supporting this, his Erdtree burial watchdog is named Lansseax, notably close to "lance" like an impaler would use.
Everything About Messmer Is Still a Mystery
Whatever his origins, Messmer opposes the Tarnished's rise in the Lands Between, aiming for lordship himself. His namesake, Vlad the Impaler, suggests he is exceptionally ruthless.
The Land of Shadow region in Shadow of the Erdtree DLC may reveal information about characters like Miquella, Melina, Godwyn, Destined Death, and the Gloam-Eyed Queen. For now, all the mystery just makes fans even more excited to confront Messmer when the upcoming DLC is officially released!
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