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 After analyzing Dark Souls for so long, I can’t deny that a conflict between dragons and gods feels familiar. But like so much of FromSoftware‘s lean on callbacks, the similarities end with the outline. The nature of both parties in this war and the worlds they exist in makes Elden Ring‘s crack at the […]
Although now a necromancer, Garris was once just any other sorcerer living in Sellia. Perhaps the man of reason had unconventional sympathies to his Erdtree’s overlords, given his known arts require faith. Maybe he even came from a faith background — his name is more accurately Gareth, (ガレス) a knight of Arthurian legend, and he […]
Whenever coming up on the Caelid Colosseum, it is inevitably the giant pot which first catches our eye. The jar practically blocks the whole arena from in front of the entrance, making it impossible to miss. Even accounting for artistic license, it is obvious that this vessel is intended to be far larger than any […]
Gaius took an unconventional path for an Albinauric of his ilk. His missing legs affirm that he is a first-generation silver creation. At the same time, the old man received the opportunity to learn sorcery at Sellia alongside the much younger Radahn. This was in all likelihood because the elder had accompanied the young prince […]
Preface Although perhaps the most simplistic larger setting since Demon’s Souls, the wider world in Elden Ring is nonetheless coherent. In some respects, its generic quality helps contrast with the more fantastical experience of the Lands Between. And what sets it apart from our familiar earth is the seminal Long March led by Godfrey. Director […]
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 incessent 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 […]
Preface One of the benefits to Director Hidetaka Miyazaki expanding his formula for Demon’s and Dark Souls to an open world is the exponential potential for environmental storytelling. While many of the new details offer only vague insights into the general area, the wars impressed me with just how much we can pinpoint over a […]
Preface Up until this point, my analysis of Marika and Godfrey has been rather bullish. Even when fate wasn’t necessarily on their side, the pair still came out on top in the end, with relatively meager impediments. Whatever their personal drama, history had looked kindly on their efforts to build and maintain a kingdom. Not […]
Lokey Lore 