Preface
We all love our heroes, but there is something inherently macabre about that dynamic. In a certain sense, heroism leeches off others’ suffering, profiting from their need to be saved. What does that mean then for those who aspire to become heroes, to seek fame for showing strength and valor? Elden Ring‘s director Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R.R. Martin seem interested in dissecting this question, and with incredible nuance. Radahn is a hero, for both his virtues and his vices. He is more than just a paragon for the imagination, though he would probably prefer that image. Such humanity allows for a more interesting commentary on the nature of a hero than your typical deconstruction, Miyazaki and Martin managing to strike the balance of highlighting the bad without wholly negating the good. Great men may not be the only ones to shape history, but it is they who inspire the unsung rest to help fill the mold.
To Reach For the Stars
Radahn was perhaps the demigod most shaped by the timing of his birth. When discussing Ranni as sibling to both Radahn and Rykard, Rogier specifically uses the kanji for older brothers and younger sisters, (兄妹) suggesting that both men are her elders. This begs the question of who is the eldest among the two, which isn’t obvious when comparing their portraits. However, Radahn is still liable to be the youngest son of the Full Moon Queen, the latest born during her marriage to Radagon. This is because, in contrast to his siblings, Radahn’s earliest years are characterized by a strange fascination with Godfrey. Like with his mother, descriptions of his armor use the term osanaki (幼き) strictly associated with childhood, different from the more generic wagaki (若き) seen when detailing other major points in his youth. We can thus be certain that, as early as his preadolescence, his obsession began. It is true that Liurnia was caught in the crossfire between Altus and Stormveil’s war during those latter years of Rennala’s marriage, giving the juvenile Radahn the perfect opportunity to see the Elden Lord in person.
Chest armor modeled on a golden lion. Equipment of General Radahn.
It is said that the golden lion derives from the first King Godfrey and Serosh, his chancellor beast. For Radahn was enthralled with the Warlord in his very younger days.
So, while his big siblings were already fully actualized individuals and his little sister was likely too fledgling to remember much about the period, the impressionable young Radahn was at the perfect age to latch onto a role model. Whether witnessing the battles firsthand or simply seeing Godfrey’s triumphant return from the battlefield, this experience was a defining moment in the boy’s life. Like any child, he became obsessed with emulating his hero. Fortunately for him, he was already the child of a hero. The description of Radahn’s helm highlights his pride in inheriting his father’s blazing red hair, proof that he descended from that great champion of the Liurnian Wars he doubtless heard repeatedly growing up. With it, he could boast that he possessed the same potential for greatness. This explains why he chose his otherwise unimpressive horse, sporting a red mane like his owner. But this same horse is still internally named Leonard, meaning “lion’s strength” in German.
Golden lion helmet fluttering red hair. Equipment of General Radahn.
Radahn takes pride in the burning red hair he inherited from his father Radagon as the symbol of a hero.
I am doubtless child of a hero. And the Warlord’s lion.
In the end, Radahn was lumping in his father’s past heroism to justify the match with another Erdtree royal. And as the description to the helm featuring two massive fangs elucidates, he need only fashion himself golden armor modeled after a lion to become the new Serosh, Godfrey’s symbol and ever-present lurker in the Warlord’s shadow — what more could his biggest fan wish for? It is no accident that his different weaponry are all decorated with a golden lion’s head or at least mane. Neither is it coincidental that his cloak bears a stylistic depiction of a red-haired golden lion raising a sword. Radahn’s dream was to become the next Godfrey. To that end, the boy trained to be big and strong, and we can see the results.
Radahn is by far the largest demigod we face in human form. This physical immensity cannot simply be attributed to artistic license either, since his remembrance makes a point of learning gravity magic to keep riding his scrawny horse in its description. True enough, we can see the power of gravity keeping his oversized legs hovering above the ground as he straddles the comparatively minuscule steed. The two are still well-proportioned to each other in their depiction on the Starscourge Heirloom, after he mastered gravity magic, so no doubt Radahn foresaw Leonard failing to keep pace with his growth spurt. In that case, his size is no exaggeration. Not only does his body and muscles dwarf his peers, he also deftly wields two colossal swords surpassing most in their class in terms of strength required. There is simply no denying that the little boy beefed himself up into a titan of a man.
Recollection of Radahn the Starcrusher engraved in the Golden Tree.
Can acquire the owner’s power via the Finger Reader. Also, can use to acquire vast runes.
The red lion general was a gravity user. Radahn mastered it at Sallia in his younger days. In order to ever be with his shabby, scrawny horse.
If nothing else, Radahn’s physical excellence demonstrates his dedication to his childhood dream. While he presumably received the same education expected of a Carian royal, the prince only inherited a predilection for sorcery, the preceptors failing to instill any apparent interest in the stars specifically; even his mother’s moon. The young Radahn’s focus was all but exclusively preoccupied with developing his swordplay and archery, standing apart from his brother and sisters. On this front, he had spent so much time and effort making gains that he grew concerned that he wouldn’t be able to continue mounting his favorite horse. With Godfrey and war top of mind, one can imagine the boy daydream about the day he was old enough to join his hero on the battlefield, riding Leonard through swathes of enemies on the frontier as the next great hero of yore. But the conflicts ended far too soon for the growing lad.
By the time Radahn matured into a young man, Godfrey’s southern campaigns had finished and the Warlord had departed the Lands Between on the Long March. The continent was entering a new era of peace and prosperity under the father, and the son was left behind in this sudden shift in worlds. Never would he follow his idol into battle, but still the youth persisted in his training to reach and perhaps one day surpass him. If he had any misgivings about how his other idol had treated his mother during this time, it didn’t distract him from his goal. He still possessed the blood of heroes, as red as his hair, and with it strived to become a “red lion” embodying both of his new stepmother’s husbands. Considering that Radahn shows no reverence for his sorcerer mother despite her own past heroics, Radagon’s remarriage may have even been seen as a boon. With Marika as his stepmother, the outside relative was now counted among the demigods, bringing him one step closer to Godfrey. In that regard, the young warrior might have been grateful for his father abandoning Rennala to become Elden Lord.
Certainly, one of the perks to the new king’s reign was dividing the spoils from the prior war among his original children. Radahn’s later youth brought him to the newly “liberated” Sellia and Redmane Castle. The name “Red Lion Castle” (赤獅子城) already associates the place with Radahn, and his residence there likely predates the Shattering. At the back of the castle is a giant hemicyclium for ceremony much like the ones seen in Liurnia. This is odd for a former rebel construct, but it isn’t out of place for the home of a sorcerer like Radahn, especially before the event in which he would seal the stars’ movements. In short, Radahn was the one living in the castle after it had been taken by Godfrey during his last campaign. The first Elden Lord’s departure left a void which the red lion apparently filled. Radagon was tasked with reorganizing the provinces, and the demigods — his children especially — were the first he would trust to manage the royal properties. Radahn, for his part, was evidently willing to watch over Sellia from Redmane Castle.
However, it is hard to believe that this assignment was pure coincidence. The young man who idolized Godfrey just so happened to move to the site of his hero’s very last battles? The odds are astronomical. More likely, father and son arrived at this outcome after some sort of dialogue, perhaps at Radahn’s insistence. His motive might have initially been to visit the area on a sort of pilgrimage, like how fans of a celebrity might wish to experience the key locations in that celeb’s life in person. Maybe the young warrior hoped that setting foot on the ground where Godfrey once stood would inspire him to further heights in his training. But even if it was purely for personal satisfaction, Radahn found himself leave his old and new homes in Liurnia and Altus for the frontier. There the red lion continued pursuing his dream while gaining a fresh perspective from mingling with the locals.
In the end, the prince met an Alabaster Lord at Sellia. This stone-skinned alien possessed abilities the demigod had never seen back in Liurnia, and Radahn immediately realized the potential for his future with Leonard. The young demigod subsequently convinced the king of gravity to take him on as his apprentice. As to why the Lord accepted this student, the youth’s background probably played no small part. The fact that an Alabaster Lord was in Sellia at the time betrays his interest in the humans studying his origins, perhaps in understanding those origins himself. With that in mind, training a Carian prince is an excellent way to earn an invitation to Raya Lucaria as a special guest. And we do encounter an Alabaster Lord in the academy, his defeat rewarding Gravity Well. Although any Alabaster Lord could theoretically own the text to this sorcery, its description highlights Radahn’s tutelage under one specifically. In other words, this is the teacher in question, enjoying the discoveries of this elite institution further north.
One of the brightstone sorceries that manipulate gravity.
Fires gravity as bullet and pulls those hit to you. Enhanced with charging.
Gravity art the young Radahn is said to have studied. His teacher was a White King possessing stone skin.
By leveraging his connections, Radahn began studying under an equally eager teacher. This is where his Carian education finally paid dividends, taking to learning the different applications of gravity from his new master. Besides learning how to lessen the burden on his poor horse’s back, the young pupil also studied arts like Rock Sling and Gravity Well, whose principles he later incorporated into his existing fighting style. His two swords he learned to enwreathe in gravity and, additionally, rock from the ground on occasion — add in a single gravity wave to pull foes in, and the courageous red lion can crush them with ease. His greatbow he learned to empower so as to rain down an entire flurry of arrows like gravity bullets with a single shot to the sky. All of this is performed without the use of a sorcery staff; the greatswords are merely carved with the gravity crest, which spark purple when grinded together before performing a gravity art in the story trailer.
Such a simple catalyst demonstrates just how attuned the youth became with his mentor’s arts. This culminated with his most consequential art. The most difficult obtainable sorcery he learned is Collapsing Stars. It is also the only one to claim in its description that he “mastered” it rather than just “studied” it. Others like ourselves might be able to learn this enhanced version of Gravity Well, but Radahn alone had so complete an understanding of the sorcery to apply the full extent of its power. By the end of his training, the demigod had accustomed himself so well that his very body was steeped in gravitational forces, spears stabbed into him becoming tinged with that same power. Collapsing Stars was the spell to embody that mastery. Indeed, it was unlocking the full potential of this one sorcery that prompted him to thank his teacher, now confident that he could challenge the very stars.
One of the brightstone sorceries that manipulate gravity.
Fires gravity bullets in large amounts and pulls those hit to you. Enhanced with charging.
Gravity art that the young Radahn is said to have mastered. Teacher, thank you. Now is the time to challenge our stars.
A Hero Made
Even if this journey to mastery began initially for his horse riding, Radahn clearly continued it for an entirely different motive. Collapsing Stars’ name is more accurately “Starcrusher” (星砕き) the same as his title of “Starscourge” earned in the eponymous conflict. This Starscourge Conflict occurred on the cliffs right in front of Castle Redmane as marked by the sword monument dedicated to the battle. Based on the Starscourge Heirloom, he rode up on Leonard, by himself with no one for support. He alone stood in Sellia’s defense against the falling stars that threatened it from the eastern sky. But why were they? With item descriptions repeatedly claiming that he “challenged” them, everything suggests that he was the instigator to this conflict. The stars certainly couldn’t have already been falling before he got there, as we can witness how a single meteor can annihilate a town like Sellia with ease. How is he still training with his teacher, mastering the art to crush the stars, engraving gravity crests on his swords, and riding up to cliffside closer to his castle at that time?
In the Battle of the Starcrusher, Radahn serves as Sallia’s protector, stands alone against the stars, and crushes them.
Black iron greatswords that General Radahn wields. Two paired choice weapons decorated with lion manes.
They are famous for the young Radahn’s starcrusher legend. It is said that the gravity crest was engraved at that time.
Put simply, Radahn protected Sellia from a danger he created. The youth didn’t just happen to be on that cliff, ready to fight, right at the moment that Sellia was under threat. He anticipated this, executing a plan straight from his castle. Kept at the back of this dwelling, near the chapel, is a large hemicyclium. The stargazer device faces eastward, and its size plus the surrounding chairs indicate that it was used for a massive ceremony. Except, Radahn’s gravity arts don’t involve stars directly, so why would he be performing any largescale studies or summonings of the constellations? To incite a massive star, or number of stars, to come crashing upon the area. After prepping his arsenal and setting up the ritual, he rode out a little ways beyond his castle, past the Impassible Greatbridge, in anticipation of the first strike in retaliation — and from the depiction on the heirloom talisman, at least one colossal star did respond.
With regards to why Radahn started such a conflict, the answer is obvious: a hero requires a villain. Today, the red lion is repeatedly touted as the greatest and strongest demigod of the Shattering, but this reputation seems to be rooted in events before Marika’s children clash. The Starscourge’s talisman boosts strength while making mention of his strongest status in its description, insinuating that his legend plays a key role in that reputation. As a young man, he proved his strength, valor, and mastery of gravity shooting the meteors down with his bow or bashing them apart with his swords. Everything he had trained for his entire life was on display in that battle. Protecting Sellia was the perfect opportunity to become a hero. How else would he be able to gauge his power against the likes of Radagon or Godfrey? If there were no men to fight left on the Lands Between in this golden age, then he would look to the stars above.
Some might point out his recklessness to risk the destruction of Sellia for his childish fantasies. But while certainly showing a disregard for the possibility of error at the time, hindsight reveals Radahn was rightly assured in his abilities. For him, there was no actual threat to the sorcery town; he would prevail. The moment he mastered Collapsing Stars, he knew he gained the power to crush them. It might have still been a trying task, but he performed perfectly. There is not a single sign of a meteor scarring the face of Caelid, no evidence that a single star got through his defenses. Any arrogance on his part was justified.
As the decisive blow to end the battle, Radahn used his powers of gravity to seal the stars’ movements. This doesn’t mean that he arrested their movements in the sky itself, per se; we can still see them move relative to our position on the ground in a passing day. Rather, he repulsed their influence on earth, preventing them from falling and advancing their fates for others moving between the two realms. This is best demonstrated by Jerren. Although the localization has him evoke the phrase “stars align”, he actually refuses to let swathes of brave warriors attempt to slay Radahn together until these constellations have “filled” (満ちた) presumably the sky. In other words, the Radahn Festival date coincides with when the most stars actively make their presence known, attempting to influence fate on earth. This would naturally put a greater strain on the seal, thereby putting Radahn at his weakest for a ragtag army of warriors to slay. And when he is slain, the stars immediately restart their flow, one shooting down into Limgrave. Never could they hope to threaten Sellia again, imprisoned in the cosmos.
Braves, welcome! The constellations have filled, it’s time for the festival! The greatest demigod of the Shattering War, General Radahn, now awaits you all.
With this comes the fact that Radahn maintained that seal on the stars from that point onward. Awake or asleep, his will never relent in the magic he cast. Only death can break the spell. This in itself appears to be a kind of message. The stars govern the fates of nature and men, so to crush them means to always preempt their operation. More than just showcase his power beating back the astral plane, this blanket seal upon essentially the entire cosmos is a constant reminder that Radahn has conquered fate — what more heroic quality is there? Indeed, he is the “Starscourge hero” as Iji recounts. This final freeze upon the celestial flow is essential to the demigod’s reputation. So long as he maintains the seal, no matter the circumstance, his legend lives on. It was a burden Radahn was willing to shoulder in order to stand amongst the likes of his father and clan forefather, stars in their own sense. And now, he too could become a shining guide for others looking above their station.
General Inspiration
It is presumably following this Starscourge Conflict that Radahn is made a general. There is no rationale for granting a youth who has spent his whole life training this consequential position beyond nepotism. Only with his triumph over the stars does the hero present a concrete justification for the rank to his father and stepmother. Regardless of whether or not they knew that the demigod was responsible for the conflict, there was no denying that he achieved something remarkable. As far as the public is concerned, he exhibited strength as a warrior and initiative as a leader. There was merit in having him lead the Erdtree’s armies into battle as their commander. And so, the young man was instantly promoted to general. Whether this meant he would be spending more time in Leyndell as part of the military apparatus isn’t immediately obvious. But by this point, the prince must have organized and trained his own military unit, complete with its own banner.
Dubbed the Redmane — or “Red Lion” (赤獅子) — army like his castle, the soldiers all wear the eponymous crest on their surcoats, an image they also lift on their banners. Although perhaps indicative of a degree of narcissism, it is certainly appropriate for a unit fighting under the general’s banner. At the same time, it goes beyond just the mark of affiliation. The soldiers’ helms possession unique additions modeled on lion fangs, as do the reigns to the knights’ steeds — the riders themselves emblazon the red lion crest on a fang-shaped greatshield. Moreover, the knights’ helmets don a golden lion decoration simultaneously symbolizing the red hair of Radagon’s children, their own red mane. Even the knights’ armor is made from the same undulling black iron as the general’s swords and bow. Radahn made these soldiers in his own image, each and every one a red lion. This idea to spread his likeness was present from the Redmanes’ very inception.
Chest armor of soldiers who warred alongside General Radahn.
A red-haired lion raising a sword, which is Radahan’s likeness, is depicted on the surcoat. Thus, they are the Red Lion army, and all of them are deft.
As the oldest knight to Radahn, Ogha was the first to sign up to the general’s army. The description for his spirit ashes state that he studied gravity arts with the prince. This is not to be conflated with Radahn’s own studies under the Alabaster Lord. Shugyou (修行) specifically denotes drilling and training in a discipline, so much like how a veteran captain might duel his troops to improve their swordplay, General Radahn is implied to have helped Ogha practice his magical skills in joint exercises or sparring. He was the teacher in this case, passing on his knowledge just as his master before instructed him. This explains why the knight is named Ogha, derived from old Irish to mean “grandchild” — Radahn and the Alabaster Lord being the father and grandfather, respectively. The lineage of gravity arts perfected by Radahn under his tutor have been carried on by his own pupils.
One of the “legendary ashen remains”. Summons spirit of Ogha, Red Lion Knight.
Spirit of a knight of herculean strength commanding a greatbow. Intrepid and thus begins fighting immediately after summoning.
Ogha of the Greatbow is the oldest member of the red lions and has practiced gravity arts with Radahn. He will respond to roars and send a rain of gravity arrows just once.
Indeed, Ogha was the first of several knights who learned his commander’s gravity arts. A number we witness performing his same feats with a greatbow. We likewise acquire Collapsing Stars from a chest in the War-Dead Catacombs, which manifests the spirits of his gravity-wielding troops evidently buried there. It wasn’t just his bowmen either. Among the weapons scattered about the battlefields in Caelid from the Shattering, many resemble his distinctive swords down their lion mane embellishments; certainly, the gravity skill featuring the same sword in its menu graphic, Cragblade, is rolled up by a scarab west of the Impassible Greatbridge, specifically in front of the Starscourge Conflict sword monument. Altogether, many of Radahn’s knights from Leyndell trained with the prince to become proficient with those same skills which made him the Starscourge. All of it was in service of making each of them more of a red lion, hence Lion’s Claw features one such knight in the skill’s menu graphic.
Again, this does speak to the demigod’s ego. But even if the general wanted his men to mimic him just like how he mimicked his heroes, the fact remains that those men enlisted knowing what their choice entailed. Moreover, his soldiers look to have embraced the likeness. The “Legend of the Starcrusher” (星砕きの伝承) talisman is stored in a chest at Fort Gael, currently manned by the Redmane forces. In other words, they were inspired by his story and wanted to learn from a living legend, sharing his dream to become the strongest. He was their hero. Ogha’s particular enthusiasm to study under the Starscourge is plain from the knight immediately volunteering and their resulting synergy during training — his are one of the legendary spirit ashes, and he responds to roars like Radahn’s Starcaller Cry skill with a complementary Rain of Arrows. Even among those not as dedicated as Ogha, all of the general’s troops are intrepid warriors who don’t hesitate to charge straight into battle on account of their assured skill. An apparently popular saying is that a red lion has no weakness. They are the elite of any army.
Ashen remains harboring spirits. Summons two spirits of Radahn soldiers.
Two spirits who excel in battle arts and wield flame weapons. Intrepid and thus begin fighting immediately after summoning.
It is said that all of the soldiers who warred alongside General Radahn were skilled warriors. What they call it? No weakness in a red lion.
In essence, Radahn’s faction was a cult of personality. He was a hero of the modern day who had the respect and veneration of his soldiers, driven by his image as the strongest. This carried over into his bid to become Elden Lord. Radahn’s reasons for claiming a shard of the Elden Ring and laying claim to the Elden Throne are obvious. Both of his idols were King, so naturally he should follow in their footsteps. Those who supported his bid exhibit no other ideology except for the red lion himself; he was the strongest, thus most worthy of inheriting the crown. Ironically, this simplistic perspective is the closest to the thinking of Godfrey. But this seems to just be an outgrowth of his idolation of the first Elden Lord, since the general was rather restrained throughout the initial process. He agreed to debate the issue from a seat on Morgott’s alliance and made no moves when the union first fractured with the First Defense of Leyndell. He was confident that he could be recognized peaceably. Then things changed.
Second Shot Missed
Although Godrick was the principal actor in the Second Defense of Leyndell, he wasn’t the lone architect in the assault. During narration of the Shattering, the introductory cutscene displays Morgott leaping down to impale Radahn on the battlefield, the golden-armored, red-maned lion barely holding off the Omen’s weapon with his bare hands. Recall that the Fell Omen’s only known battle in the Shattering is the Second Defense, meaning that the strongest demigod must have participated in that battle in opposition to Leyndell. Put simply, Godrick and Radahn’s armies formed a coalition with the general taking to the field to lead at least his troops. Indeed, the idea that Godrick succeeded where Godefroy failed without additional help is simply unlikely. Radahn’s elite red lions provided the perfect bolster needed to break through the first rampart — it would take the strongest demigod to perform that feat for the second time in the Erdtree capital’s history. Still, this begs the question of why Radahn had a sudden change of heart and join Godrick in restarting a civil war.
One factor to consider is his Great Rune. Like other demigods, the Starscourge was no doubt warped by the promise to become Lord. Some of this might have manifested physically. In both our boss fight and the story trailer, Radahn is portrayed with unusually dark grey skin. Although it is possible for this trait to have been inherited from Radagon, the general’s one known portrait depicts him with a more natural complexion. Therefore, it seems that something happened between his life before Marika broke the Elden Ring and his final battle during the Shattering, acquiring the Great Rune being the obvious event. Because his shard is capable of burning, it is possible for the change in skin tone to be an effect of that scorching power. However, we don’t see any such physical aberrations with other bearers. Even if we assume it was a component, the twisting of Radahn was still probably more psychological in nature.
His ego has been illustrated throughout his life, but never had he been so close to absolute power. With a rune whose blessing fittingly boosts health, stamina, and focus, Radahn might have seen his potential to finally surpass his childhood heroes. How then would he feel as time dragged on and the alliance remained caught in a deadlock? At some point, his patience was sure to be running thin. A coup against Morgott was the quickest way to reduce his competitors. And if he had to pick partners, it is not surprising that he would choose Godrick. The Golden was the only member of Godfrey’s clan on the alliance and shared in Radahn’s dream to live up to the founding king’s legacy. The general undoubtedly had a certain respect for the man because of that. In that case, the odd pair could hash it out amongst themselves after the others, less invested in that outcome, were removed from the picture — the Starscourge had no reason to believe that that would take long.
But while that explains their mutual desire to take control of the capital and the Erdtree, Radahn may have found himself a pawn in the wider conspiracy. His portrait hangs in the dining room to one of the guest halls at the Volcano Manor, suggesting that the general regularly visited Rykard even after circumstances separated them following their father’s remarriage. This continued close relationship with his brother stands out given their radically opposing perspectives on the future for the kingdom. Of course, Rykard kept his blasphemy close to the chest, so Radahn may never have known the snake’s deceit. But as a member of the conspiracy, the praetor could leverage his relationship with his brother to push him toward violence, playing on his want for heroism in battle to at least nudge him in that direction. He could be the one to liberate Leyndell from the clutches of the Omen King and crown himself the rightful Lord of the Lands Between! The snake’s whisperings would serve as a sweet temptation.
Thus, the conspiracy may have brought Godrick and Radahn together to sow chaos in the capital. Whether or not Rykard played a part in Radahn’s descent, it is true that their desire for power warped both to do something as mad as drag their countrymen into a war amongst their own. With far more success than Godefroy, the coalition breached the first ramparts, and their combined strength forcing a desperate Morgott to take to the field as “Margit”. Considering that the introductory cutscene shows the general knocked off his horse and disarmed from a seemingly unexpected attack from above, this may well be showcasing Margit’s entrance. If so, it explains why the tide of battle turned so sharply. In a single surprise attack leaping from the ramparts, Morgott had put the mightiest warrior on the backfoot. From the cutscene art, Morgott’s blade at least partially pierced through. Depending on the severity of his condition, Radahn might have been unable to continue a protracted battle. That alone would have been a huge blow to the coalition’s momentum.
Margit ultimately failed to finish the job, Radahn’s strength and perhaps support from rallying troops like Ogha forcing the Omen to relent. But the damage was done. With the demon proceeding to stack up bodies of the coalition’s best soldiers a mile high, Godrick fled the capital followed by his army, abandoning Radahn and the Redmanes to contend with the enemy alone. Betrayed by his ally, bombarded by biological weapons, already in difficult position to assault, facing a surprise counterattack by the defenders, and potentially seriously injured, Radahn must have realized that this offensive was untenable. Perhaps in a one-on-one duel, the Starscourge would have been still capable of defeating Morgott. But battles aren’t won on single matchups alone. And so, by every indication, Radahn made the likely difficult decision to order the retreat, the Redmane army vacating the plateau.
Some have argued against this scenario since it would mean that the supposed strongest had lost both of his consequential battles during the Shattering. However, it must be stressed that he is regarded as the greatest demigod. He doesn’t have the reputation as the Undefeated like Malenia, and “Margit” is a mere Omen. From the public’s perspective, the general was barely defeated by one demigod and had previously achieved more than any living child of Marika before him. In the Shattering alone, he reignited the conflict by nearly capturing the royal capital, largely to his credit. All this while still holding back the stars. Had he dispelled the seal and fought at his full strength, perhaps he would have reigned victorious. But Radahn’s ego would never allow it. His entire identity has become built around his legend. To silently admit that he cannot be the hero who triumphs over the resisting constellations at every moment is something he reveals an unwillingness to do right up until death. The strongest would rather lose to meager men due to an overwhelming disadvantage.
Return to Basics
The fact that Radahn managed to escape the wrath of Margit without his army’s retreat turning into a rout is a testament to their skill and discipline. Unlike Godrick’s forces, there are no signs of any stragglers left behind, and the army as a whole appears to have returned to Caelid largely intact. Given that the good general didn’t have the good fortune of a good ally to give him cover for his flight, this pullout was amazingly successful. Now the matter was their next course of action. With outing himself as a traitor to Morgott, Radahn apparently decided to make the long march home. Indeed, he must have returned with his army to Castle Redmane in order to be present for the final battle between the demigods. There is also no evidence that he became involved with the current events in Liurnia. Therefore, once his probably exhausted men were ready, with the injured treated, they made the trek back to Caelid.
Along the way, the Redmanes naturally passed Stormveil Castle where Godrick had fled. Some fans have posited that the general launched an assault on his treacherous compatriot since Kenneth bemoans the Golden shutting himself in his castle in fear of Radahn. Certainly, Godrick had every reason to fear retaliation for his little stunt, likely not expecting the Redmanes to have survived the Fell Omen. But never does Kenneth claim that the Starscourge actually threatened the pathetic lord of Stormveil. There are no monuments or other signs of the red lions besieging the castle. From all appearances, Radahn simply passed through while Godrick hid like a coward for all of Limgrave to see. As to why the general seems to have had no interest in payback, it was most likely because he was actually grateful.
Why leave Altus entirely? Surely, the Redmanes could have simply fallen back to a more defensible position, like remnants of Godrick’s army. Instead, Radahn chose to return to the castle where he spent the most consequential part of his youth training. Why when he couldn’t be farther from the Elden Throne he coveted? Because, like before, he planned to return to basics and further heighten his strength. Morgott proved that being the single greatest demigod meant nothing. Godrick showed that he couldn’t rely on anyone else to help. The hero needed to be strong enough to outmatch entire armies single-handedly. And so, Radahn doesn’t care that Godrick abandoned him, simply passing him over. His focus was on reclaiming his inspiration so that he and his army could next time take the capital alone.
Of course, after this point, Godrick resorted to grafting, which ended up becoming a boon for Radahn. Commander O’Neil is identical to Commander Niall save for the old man lacking his Sol counterpart’s battle scars — humorously, his name means “descendant of Niall” in old Irish. In short, the commander is a Banished Knight and grizzled old war veteran with a prosthetic right leg. Was he forced to sacrifice his original one like Niall, or was it amputated for some other reason? From his current presence in Caelid, the veteran commander originated from Stormveil, the briars covering the exile soldiers he summons reinforcing that impression. In that case, his leg was probably among those taken by Godrick to graft onto himself. But the description to his battle standard claims that he “continues” the fight on the rotten battlefield his master has left, and Godrick was never present for that battle which made Caelid rot. In other words, O’Neil must have defected to Radahn, and he wasn’t alone based on the numerous Banished Knight and exile soldier weapons strewn about the region.
Choice weapon attaching a tattered red battle standard to an old-fashioned halberd.
On the decayed scars of the battlefield where his master is no longer, but still the veteran commander O’Neil continues to raise the standard. The old man alone was proud of that battle.
With such liberal abuse of his own men, it is no shocker if Godrick’s commander deserted. Like Gostoc, O’Neil was doubtless more than a little bitter over his perfectly good leg being taken just so Godrick could obtain some of his storm powers. The old veteran already had to witness such horrors under Godefroy, and both lords now provided a stark contrast from the last king he erstwhile served, Godfrey. If that cursed art was the future of the Golden Lineage, then O’Neil wanted no part in it. Perhaps he was sent to attack Radahn, or maybe he just led his troops on a personal exodus. In either case, Godrick wasn’t in a condition to be present when the commander decided to simply switch sides to a general who would treat him far better. Radahn, for his part, wouldn’t spurn a veteran who witnessed his idol battle, and the Redmanes could always use more experienced soldiers in their ranks. From the ghosts he summons, O’Neil even kept command over his old army. And so, the halberd he waves fluttering a red flag with a golden lion no longer represents his heritage or Godfrey’s clan, but the Starscourge.
Another ally appearing around this time was Jerren. After his longtime stay as a guest of Caria, the eccentric warrior took up wandering again, finding his way to Redmane Castle. There, Radahn too accepted him as a guest, going so far as to make him a commander. But unlike O’Neil, Jerren seems to have been given direct command over the Redmane army proper. Even accounting for his ties to the Caria Royal Family, this is an odd level of trust for a stranger, especially in the middle of a civil war. But the reason is because Jerren bound Radahn to a promise to give each other an honorable death. In all likelihood, the man without roots agreed to nonetheless remain by the general’s side until his battles were over, at which point they would duel to the death in honorable combat. And if that is what Jerren was so desperate for, then Radahn had no reason to expect betrayal. The hero was willing to accept a rival in his command, a comrade needed for the trials ahead.
Decay to Defeat
When Malenia and her Cleanrot Knights marched into Caelid, they apparently didn’t encounter any Redmane resistance. There are no signs of battle between the two armies prior to their confrontation within vicinity of the red lion’s castle; this despite the presence of his “cubs” at Forts Gael and Faroth. If they were garrisoned there, surely they would have warned the general and try to slow Malenia’s advance until he arrived. But in all likelihood, the Redmanes didn’t take over these forts until after the Battle of Aeonia. After all, these were owned by existing lords, and Radahn was simply returning “home” for training. So long as they didn’t support an enemy faction in this newfound civil war, the three strongholds could continue coexisting as allied territories. And yet, we never meet a member of Houses Gael or Faroth. Therefore, they were possibly wiped out resisting Malenia’s incursion, the demigod feeling no obligation to ride out for their sakes — assuming he even knew. This left a vacancy for the red lion army to fill in, but before that, they had to contend with the invader themselves.
Finally came Radahn’s last battle with Malenia. The Redmanes could have maintained their defensive position from their castle, but instead, the two demigods’ armies clashed in the fields of Aeonia. More than likely, Malenia had forced Radahn’s hand. Rather than continue down the highway, the Blade of Miquella bypassed both Redmane Castle and the Sellia Gate by cutting through the wilds. This may have slowed her army’s march, but it put Sellia at more imminent risk. And even ignoring the general’s possible attachment to the town, his legend was just as much premised on his protection of Sellia as conquering the stars. If the Starscourge allowed Sellia to be captured or pillaged, just to main a stronger defensive position, then he wouldn’t be much of a hero at all, would he? And so, Radahn’s army needed to be deployed to intercept Malenia and her Cleanrot Knights in Aeonia.
The resulting battle was chaotic, the story trailer and introductory cutscene showing a mess of bodies and weapons from both sides surrounding the commanders. Radahn himself was skewered by enemy spears and arrows, particularly on his back. There was clearly no time to come up with a battle plan or build proper defenses; the encounter simply devolved into a free-for-all in the rush to halt the approach on Sellia. The Blade of Miquella succeeded in drawing the general out, but her knights failed to fell him no matter the blows they landed. In the end, the story trailer shows no one alive in his immediate vicinity, Radahn standing in wait until Malenia reattached her prosthetic arm — let no one say he stained their battle with dishonor. Once she was ready, he took up his swords again and their duel began in earnest. While he succeeded in destroying her prosthetic, the fragmentary princess still took the remaining blade and plunged it into his back using his own swung arm as a jumping off point. This too failed to land decisively. With both in a disadvantageous position, they were trapped in a deadlock.
Once again, Radahn’s pride refused to relinquish his legend as the Starscourge to edge out his opponent, even at this stalemate. But Malenia was not so proud. Unleashing the full power of her Scarlet Rot, a massive flower blossomed in Aeonia upon Radahn’s back. This scarlet flower released the rot all across the surrounding area. Based on the bodies, those who weren’t instantly killed in the blast were drowned with the fields in the resulting swamp had they failed to get away in time. Despite this, Radahn survived at ground zero, though his situation was no less dire. A noble’s spirit at the swamp suggests that Malenia continued her sword “dance” amongst the Rot, and its fungi is growing up Radahn’s legs. We can thus infer that their duel continued. After taking a direct blast from the outer god’s power, the general was forced to face his greatest foe at her full strength while standing in a deadly swamp. She may be responsible for the scars around his right eye, which aren’t obvious in the story trailer. If not for Malenia ultimately falling unconscious, he may well have died then and there.
In the Battle of Aeonia, Radahn is locked in a draw with Malenia. The flower of Scarlet Decay then blossoms.
… Please, show me just one more time. Your beautiful sword, dancing in the Scarlet Decay.
Still, the Starscourge’s subsequent departure from the battlefield without finishing her off speaks to the severity of his condition. The Scarlet Rot was festering inside him, so thoroughly that there was no means to cure it. Such a serious affliction was sure to be clawing away at his mind the entire time, requiring his immediate return to Redmane Castle — where we see his feet would end up rotted off or amputated. He couldn’t devote a single moment of attention more to the Shattering. And with that, the Battle of Aeonia was effectively over. Ranni’s narration in the story trailer claims that neither of the two demigods were victorious, but their armies are a different story. With a significant number of their ranks wiped out, their general forced to take refuge back at the castle, and the Scarlet Rot spreading to Sellia and beyond, Jerren and what remain of Radahn’s army accept it as their defeat. And now, they had a new foe to contend with in the Scarlet Rot.
Carry the Torch
Radahn’s affliction doomed him to slow but inevitable madness even if he did resist the decay, yet he refused to succumb and embrace death. This can’t be purely credited to a hero’s willpower. As seen in the announcement trailer, his Great Rune burns to resist the corrosion consuming it and its bearer. Given its blessing, Radahn was in a better position than most to hold on. And that shard of the Elden Ring gave the general the answer to their dilemma. The red lions stay in Caelid fending off the Scarlet Rot as it continues to spread, using fire to great effect. Aside from developing their own flame skills and enhancements, their “arms craftsmen” (武具職人) improvised tools to help counteract the threat, from the typical fire greases and drawstrings to firebone arrows and bolts to improved fire pots. Those armorers didn’t neglect defense either. Dried livers to protect soldiers from their own flames, boluses to safeguard against the Rot and its poison-conjuring cultists, cured meats to immunize against the afflictions, exalted flesh to better beat back before they are beaten; everything was accounted for.
It wasn’t just the red lions proper. One of the coffin carriages in Caelid keeps the standard greatsword, whose description acknowledges that its heavy weight more or less surpasses human limits. This is presumably because it was designed by a giant, the same model among those we see Iji forge at his anvil — too small for the troll, overwhelmingly large for shorter wielders. Indeed, Jerren explains that weaponry forged by Iji is dull in edge but surprisingly resistant to the Rot. Not only does this imply that Radahn’s forces were struggling to beat back the decay without losing their weapons in the process, but it also indicates that he had Iji’s armaments to test for comparison. It is true that the greatsword’s design relies more on its mass than edge to cut, but this is apparently what makes it capable of slaughtering “outside” man, using the same kanji as the outer gods. Although an obvious reference to Berserk, it nonetheless explains why the weapon was being used against products of the Goddess of Rot.
Giant and rugged iron mass of a sword. Awfully heavy and cuts down enemies with its weight.
It is a weapon that about surpasses the limits that man can handle, and thus this can slaughter outside man.
Therefore, Jerren had probably commissioned weapons like this to be added to the Redmanes’ ever-draining arsenal. Perhaps this stock up predated the Battle of Aeonia, but their utility proved fortuitous all the same. The eccentric knight pulled his own weight in this endless battle against the Scarlet Rot. In fact, Commander Jerren stepped up to lead these purification efforts. He is the one managing the Radahn Festival from the back of the castle, clearing the troops when it is time for the festivities to begin. Factor in him calling in help from an old friend, and there is no doubt that he was the one most trusted during this time. He does in the end depart for his original mission once his promise to Radahn is fulfilled. But with Jerren taking command with his flamberge, the castle had their new symbol to rally around.
Commander O’Neil also contributed heavily to the fight. The armaments scattered across the entirety of Caelid insinuates that wherever the Scarlet Rot spread, the army under the old veteran’s command followed; weapon racks in the castle’s siege towers and at the Rotview Balcony reaffirm their dedication to the cause. Even now, we see that the commander has returned to the heart of the Rot beneath the offending blossom, still proudly raising his banner to continue the fight. However, as the description to his halberd points out, he is alone in that fight. The fact that we can only find weapons and ghosts of O’Neil’s army reveals that they have all perished. The only possible exceptions are the two knights we see patrolling the Cathedral of Dragon Communion ruins, potential deserters. But considering that the soldiers’ spirits are roused by the hoisting of the banner with a cry for glory, they were on the whole happy to follow their commander into death. This fight was a noble one worthy of their bravery.
Speaking of nobility, the aristocrats backing Radahn have also joined the fight, a few students of sorcery helping a war party cleanse the wilds while some others scrounge the coffin cemetery by the Cathedral of Dragon Communion for more power. Even complete outsiders have pitched in. With the takeover of Fort Gael also came laying claim to Gael Tunnel, with all its resources therein. The miners continue to operate under the Redmane army’s close supervision, delivering smithing stone to nearby settlements or encampments for the soldiers’ use. For a less coercive example, the marionettes in and around Sellia utilize fire pots, proof that the Sellians also pulled their own weight — the scarlet flower was at their doorstep, after all. In turn, a troll helps defend the town gateway by throwing magic pots from atop the nearby cliff. Before even conscripting civilians to bolster their ranks, the Redmanes had plenty invested in cooperating, if only for their own survival.
But even with all their resources and experience, the battle against the Rot has never been easy. The decay and the new life it spawns have continued to spread despite their best efforts. After being taken over, Forts Gael and Farroth each set up a short stone wall stretching all the way to the narrow valley between them, clearly infused with the power of flame. This smoldering “great wall” cuts a dividing line through half of Caelid. But as we witness, such a wall has, at most, slowed the spread of Scarlet across the land. Fort Gael has constructed similar walls as a roadblock to attacks coming up the main path up the hill, to similar results. Another was established as part of the Redmanes’ camp blocking way to the Impassible Greatbridge. In the end, one last smoldering wall appears to have been established by the aptly named Smoldering Church in a desperate attempt to keep the decay contained to Caelid, which has so far shown success. But on the whole, there is no denying that the Redmanes have “lost ground” at every stage of the battle.
Not helping matters is the native wildlife. With the destruction of the ecosystem, the monstrous dogs and crows have become a problem. Although adept scavengers, these particularly large species have been given little for pickings, much like on the Mountaintops of the Giants. The only herbivores left are the sheep being shepherded on the northern slope. Some of the carnivores have thus resorted to simply devouring the Rot, which may be contributing to their rabid preying on the locals. Soldiers attack a grazing dog while escorting miners back to Gael Tunnel. Yet more of the beasts burn in a pyre at the fort itself, having failed to breach the smoldering walls. The same Rot-infested dog piles litter Redmane camps at both ends of Caelid. Normal canines are just as bad, strays raiding carts near both the castle and the Limgrave border when not chowing on Rot — most rotted themselves. Even a consortium of octopuses in the mines have given the Redmanes trouble. All in all, the land has become incredibly hostile, and the results have been devastating upon their number.
When we arrive at the first army camp along the highway, it is already overrun, the giant beasts feeding on the dead while a few exhausted survivors escaping the carnage look on in horror from the outskirts. The broken-down coffin carriage shows that the camp had been suffering losses for a while before their defenses finally collapsed. The other checkpoint by the castle looks to have suffered a similar fate, the dogs feasting on their long-lost brethren as the scattered soldiers reorganize to launch a counterattack. Those perishing far out in the field receive a local burial, as evidenced by the mad pumpkin head whose ashes reside in the Minor Erdtree Catacombs up north. Nobles were predictably the hardest hit, with Radahn’s faction possessing the fewest alive by far; a page in the castle likely left masterless. We also see only one group of citizen conscripts, exhausted from no doubt burying their comrades at the castle — outside their rest area, a scarab in the castle graveyard rolls up Flaming Strike.
Local support has similarly dwindled. Sellia is basically a ghost town, overgrown with the Scarlet Flower’s roots. Other settlements in immediate vicinity to the Swamp of Aeonia have seen similar ruin thanks to the Scarlet Rot in one form or another. And while this loss to its grotesque spawn has so far been contained to that southern lowland, the northern ridge hasn’t fared much better. Caelem has become completely consumed by the decay, even the residents buried at the coffin cemetery becoming horribly rotted. The same is witnessed at the Forsaken Ruins, a few rotted survivors hovering around the Rotview Balcony while the rest from the town below come up the highway in a great caravan. Why did they abandon their homes? Because of the giant crows still perched on the now ruins. While the odd human skull or animal skeleton isn’t an uncommon sight in the Lands Between, there is a reason bones litter the ground all across Caelid. The place is a deathtrap for everyone.
By every indication, Radahn’s army is losing to the Scarlet Rot. Because of that, they have resorted to extreme measures. At the base of the hill beneath Fort Gael is Gaol Cave. As the name implies, the place has been converted into a prison, the labyrinthine, rat-infested caverns and crevices used to lock away the rotted. Most likely, this confinement was intended as a type of quarantine, the yet living prisoners’ burning flesh and constant moans proof of attempts to cleanse them of their affliction. To call this “experimentation” upon the populace ethically dubious is an understatement, especially in light of the secretive nature of the jail — even ignoring the out-of-the-way location, access is gated by an imp statue seal. The proximity to Gael guarantees that these clandestine jailings and trials were done under the Redmanes’ supervision. They are so desperate as to use innocents as guinea pigs.
But the “plague” of Rot has become endemic, which is probably why nearby Caelem is being burned to the ground — its rotting residents still inside. There is no denying that this is an organized effort, most of the bodies in piles for pyres, the few leftover curling up in despair or throwing up their hands begging for mercy. Only a handful have escaped the massacre, the small group seeming to have initially fled down the road for the Forsaken Ruins. But after seeing the reason for their namesake, the unseared rotted have been left adrift and despondent between a nest and a burning place. That two fire-wielding pumpkin heads have taken shelter in the basement affirms this to be the Redmanes’ handiwork. They are torching an entire village to cleanse the Scarlet Rot, low-hanging fruit for an army starved of successes.
If they are resorting to burning the people, it is easy to question why the Redmanes are still bothering to “save” the land. Surely, they can see the writing on the wall. Most rational people would cut their losses and run, maybe fight another day. But still, they stand their ground. Whatever crest was emblazoned on the knights’ breastplate — probably a lion’s fang, given their known symbols — it was scorched black to signify their resolve to stay and exterminate the Rot in this land. The Redmanes knew that they would likely never be returning home to Leyndell because of this mission, their armor to be dirtied and rusted in endless war against a force of nature. Yet even their basic foot soldiers are willing to see their tabbards stained scarlet with Rot if that is what it takes to end it. That sort of bravery is telling. After all, they only come together as a faction because of Radahn. Their aspirations for their general’s future might be over, but their duty to Caelid remains strong. In other words, they stand by him and his decision to resist fate regardless of the outcome.
Chest armor of the knights who warred alongside General Radahn.
When they lost to Malenia’s Scarlet Decay and became a defeated army, the knights burned the crest on their left breast with determination. Our faraway homeland, we won’t be returning anymore. We will continually control the Decay in this land.
Their continued allegiance isn’t surprising. Troops to other shardbearers may have served their respective demigod, but only Radahn is acknowledged for fighting alongside his army in their every battle. His strength has earned him respect far and wide, and his charisma extends to any who meet him. O’Neil, Jerren, the nobles all continue their support even after he has been taken out of the running for Elden Lord. The Starscourge clearly possesses a certain magnetism to him, a genial character which considers even his steed a dear friend. That kind of love and respect for those under him isn’t seen with other demigods and reveals an amiability to Radahn that inspires such loyalty in others. If nothing else, he had the aura to be King. If the hero the Redmanes look to emulate has decided to stay and fight the Scarlet Rot, it is only fitting that they follow his example. For that is what it means to be a hero.
Not all would be so dedicated to the cause, as we can see a number of infantry in Castle Redmane strung up for insubordination — a practice also seen at Forth Faroth. The castle has likewise condemned deserters to the stake and created crawling carrion throwing a plethora more to the lions — a practice, again, also seen at Fort Gael. These renegades aren’t just the civilian conscripts either, for defeating the Gael lion guardian rewards us the Lion’s Claw of a knight’s ashes. It wasn’t even just those who were strictly fighters. Although two of the armorer’s cookbooks are kept at the castle’s various small libraries, we find several more picked up by nomadic merchants in Limgrave, with a local Kaiden encampment harboring another; yet another is carried by a corpse camping at the Siofra River closest to the Limgrave well. Taken together, many of Radahn’s arms craftsmen fled the Rot with their recipes, only to end up dead and looted in Godrick’s territory anyway. There has been no shortage of the army who would ultimately abscond duty for safety through these trying times.
Overwhelmingly, however, we see Radahn’s forces maintain solidarity with their general, putting his life and life story before theirs. The Wailing Dunes behind Redmane Castle are littered with weapons and corpses from both Cleanrot and Redmane forces. The dead from this valiant clash appear to have been buried nearby at the War-Dead Catacombs, where the eponymous “heroic spirits” (英霊たち) continue to battle it out. The Redmane Painting reinforces this impression, the landscape overlooking the dunes from above these graves; our reward for finding it, the Rain of Arrows ash of war of the red lion’s knights. It is clear that Radahn is taking refuge on the site of a battlefield. However, this wasn’t part of the Battle of Aeonia. The spirits of Cleanrot Knights are already exhibiting symptoms of the Scarlet Rot, with the opposing soldiers using fire and their chivalric compatriots bearing the burned crest on their breastplate. In short, this was a separate battle taking place significantly after Radahn’s first and last clash with Malenia.
With this in mind, it is clear that some of Malenia’s surviving if corrupted army reorganized to launch an attack on the dunes. The obvious reason is because that is where Radahn has secluded himself as he struggled against the encroaching Scarlet Rot. The teaser trailer does show his rune burn whilst he kneels over the aftermath of such a battle — though with the consistency of the terrain in trailers, it is possible that the dunes were initially imagined as the place of Radahn’s last battle. Considering that Aeonia is supposed to have been his last proper show of combat, he may not have contributed much if any to this additional skirmish. In that case, it explains why loyal knights like Oleg ended up laying down their lives as heroes. While their lord and general combatted his decaying sanity, they protected him from those who would strike when he was most vulnerable. But such tenacity to attack in these circumstance prove their own valor, hence both sides are honored with an Erdtree Burial as heroes. How unfortunate that the dunes had to be vacated before cleanup of the dead was completed.
Dance With the Departed
Just as Gideon expects, Radahn has long succumbed to insanity, devouring the bodies he drags out of the corpse piles. He will attack anyone on sight, friend or foe, and the Rot consuming his legs has done little to hinder his fighting ability; when met with the real prospect of death, the Starscourge shifts into high gear, starting off by acting like a crashing meteor. That said, he is strained for resources, as we see him rely on the Cleanrot Knights’ spears stabbed into him for greatarrows. The same “arrows” are employed when Redmane Knights perform their gravity skills, but this is presumably an oversight by the developers reusing assets from the boss — why would his knights be in possession of spears imbued with the gravity from his own body? The fact that the general has been eating rotten corpses to survive betrays how he isn’t receiving any sort of supplies in his current state. What semblance of humanity still remains appears to be mostly instinct. The man himself is no less a rabid dog to be put down.
For that reason, Jerren has spread word far and wide of the Radahn Festival, allowing countless warriors to come and participate in a winner-takes-all against the famed Starscourge for his Great Rune. The eccentric has gone to great lengths to prepare for the event. Armaments hang around the castle like party bunting whenever we first arrive, even prior to the revelry. The Impassible Greatbridge earns its name with the fiery artillery barrages upon countless invaders attempting to cross it, this vanguard and the rest of the Redmanes clear out once the festivities begin — perhaps they are the chorus solemnly singing in the background throughout its duration. This is evidently done at Jerren’s behest. The spirit of a conscripted citizen at Fort Gael expresses his trust in Jerren handling the festival while seated facing Castle Redmane. Clearly, the castle’s acting commander has spared no effort in arranging this, for others as much as for Radahn.
The invitation is extended to the general’s own troops, as shown by the waygate to the Impassible Greatbridge set up in Fort Gael. Said bridge has its own waygates to the back of the castle where the festivities are held, though it only becomes operable once they formally begin. The news has attracted a number of exceptionally strong and colorful characters, including a Crucible Knight and a leonine misbegotten possessing the Ruins Greatsword. Since our boss fight with these two occurs in the plaza for waiting participants both before and after the actual event, we can assume that they arrive either too early or too late. In both scenarios, they apparently decide to kill time helping the Redmanes slay intruders. Ignoring the irony of the situation, these two visitors demonstrate the disparate variety confident in testing their skills against the likes of the Starscourge.
Nothing could be a grander celebration of the hero than requiring a great many lesser braves join together to take him down, especially on an evening when the stars are pushing hardest under his heel. As the Fort Gael spirit attests, it is an honorable send-off worthy of Jerren’s promise, with the eccentric fully intending for Radahn to fulfill his end — once he sees our party survive the initial onslaught, he also joins the battle as represented by his summon sign like the others. Everything is against the Starscourge in this festival, but still he puts up a glorious fight. Even after losing in disgrace, his followers have given the demigod one last hurrah worthy of a hero. His life may expire on those Wailing Dunes, but his legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of countless others.
Lokey Lore 