Preface For all their simplicity, giants capture the imagination in ways even dragons cannot. Something so much like us yet still so alien in all their forms, they inspire both awe and dread, and invite us to ask questions about how we are perceived by creatures just as trifling and minuscule. And although Elden Ring […]
Common across the Lands Between is one statue depicting a cloaked man with a sword, the figure decorating bridges especially. The name of Saintsbridge in particular clarifies that this character is a saint — seijin (聖人) more literally referring to a “holy man” — and therefore carries the sword as some sort of warrior hero […]
When we come across an evergaol, there are always particular enemies flocking to it, day or night. From the name lookout stones, it is obvious that they are there for surveillance, hence most stand at attention with “searchlights” fixated on the jail. This makes the enemy a sort of prison warden, monitoring the magic seal’s […]
Preface The march of time is kind to no one, but do I enjoy learning about the rise and fall of nations long past. We often treat the history of our day as set in stone, yet every year proves such accounts to be more narrative than fact. And as our understanding of the generations […]
Seeking the origin of the world’s current plights, Rogier studies the Night of the Black Knives. The event which ended the peace and prosperity of Radagon’s reign occurred under a cold fog, a Bandai Namco Entertainment article claiming that it was actually the middle of winter. Rather amusing, since the mastermind behind this grand conspiracy […]
To this day, the Hornsent Grandam beseeches her precious divine beast to unleash its wrath upon Marika’s “children” — the entire tribe she rules — for betraying her people, cursing them even with her dying breath. What she doesn’t realize is that her prayers were already answered long ago. Among those bearing vestiges of the […]
Preface One of the three pillars to my methodology is psychoanalysis, because a story is, ultimately, defined by its characters as much as its world or plot. It is not just about knowing what the characters do or when, but why that merits any discussion. In this respect, Elden Ring has the most effort put […]
Preface When first compiling my, very lengthy, analysis for Godfrey, I was amazed to discover just how much I kept coming back to characters and events largely unrelated to him. Despite him and Marika defining the world order, the Elden Lord’s rise and subsequent reign were very much informed by what came before. If not […]
Preface FromSoftware is no stranger to magic kingdoms, or queendoms for that matter. However, these countries tend to have a simple, relatively bloodless history. “Simple” might still describe the Carian regime, with its one queen. Yet the tale of an organized Liurnian state is fraught with intrigue and power politics, the sorcery aspect almost superfluous. […]
Preface I make no secret that I am a huge fan of the Banished Knights. Since the moment I first explored Stormveil, their shining armor battered by incessant winds and dark retinue wrapped in faded reds fascinated me. As I delved deeper into their story, their past absolutely enchanted me. They are the underdogs of […]
Lokey Lore 