Long March

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 […]

Fringefolk Rebellion

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 […]

Crucible’s End

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 […]

Godrick

Preface Of all the demigods, Godrick is easily my favorite. Although I hold no particular love for incompetent villains, the Grafted oozes so much personality worthy of his most memorable design. It is a certain awfulness that I don’t think I will ever tire of. You almost want to cheer for this underdog, single-mindedly fighting […]

Adan

The Fire Monks are supposed to keep watch from their mountaintop, and yet we find them in Liurnia. With camps to both the east and west, the warrior monks lead the thorn sorcerers in patrols around their area, the red tents and Prelate-head braziers confirming that these encampments weren’t taken over from local Cuckoos. They […]

Kaiden

Kaiden is home to the mercenaries we see mostly roaming the frontier. And while we don’t find even ruins of a settlement by that name, we shouldn’t expect to. The Kaiden are a hardy warrior culture, roaring before battle like barbarians down on the neighboring highlands; their helmet even bears similarity to those savages’ Leather […]