Summary
Before the release ofElden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, the story of Miquella the Kind was an enigmatic one. While the demigod was abundantly mentioned during the events of the base game, his plans and even his fate were unknown. It was common knowledge that Mohg had kidnapped Miquella and taken him to Mohgwyn Palace, under the dream that Miquella would be able to ascend to godhood and that he would be able to serve the Empyrean as a lord and consort. InMohgwyn Palace, Miquella’s bloody arm can be seen hanging from a cocoon he created for himself.
[Warning: Spoilers for Elden Ring & Shadow of the Erdtree.]
However, the arrival ofShadow of the Erdtreeprovided players with more development on Miquella’s story, as it is centered around the demigod, his followers, and his journey to the Realm of Shadow. While exploringElden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree’s map, players encounter many of the elements that are pertinent to the son of Marika that offer insight into his intentions, as well as plans he set in motion long ago. Surprising as it may seem, this even includes his kidnapping. There were mentions of Miquella being able to manipulate hearts, and that is confirmed in the DLC.
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Miquella’s Ultimate Plan In Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree, Explained
The Demigod, Like Many Other Characters, Desired To Usher In A New Age & Order
To understand each of his steps, it is essential first to be aware of Miquella’s plan. As is the case with many characters from the base game,the demigod’s intention is to commence a new age. To accomplish this, Miquella planned on ascending to godhood, claiming a lord and consort on the way. Miquella’s goal is to usurp the current order of the world and use his divine powers to ensure a new era of peace, where conflict is nonexistent due to his ability to charm people. With everyone under Miquella’s spell, peace would finally be achieved inElden Ring.
Miquella Plotted His Own Kidnapping In Elden Ring
In-Game Evidence Shows The Kind Demigod Put A Spell On Mohg
While the most active part of Miquella’s plan is seen occurring within the story ofShadow of the Erdtree, this scheme has been in motion for a long time. In fact, Miquella’s own kidnapping was staged. As hinted by a document found in the Shadow Keep, later described byAnsbach,Miquella put a charm on Lord Mohg. This is the reason why Mohg kidnapped him in the first place. The Lord of Blood inElden Ringthought that this was the action that would allow him to serve Miquella as a lord and consort.
Knowing Mohg was charmed, this is also whyAnsbach, a servant of Mohgwyn Palace, challenged Miquella. He, however, was also charmed by the demigod. Sir Ansbach also mentions that Mohg’s body mysteriously vanished after his demise in Moghwyn Palace. This is a hint toward what Miquella was planning all along.The demigod wanted the ever-loyal Mohg to die where he did, to ensure that his body would be dragged into the Realm of ShadowinElden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. With Mohg’s body conveniently stored, Miquella’s plan could proceed. This was the first part of the plan.
Miquella Needed Radahn As His Lord & Consort In Elden Ring
Malenia’s Fight With Radahn Was An Attempt To Force The Starscourge’s Soul Into The Realm Of Shadow
The next stage, like the first one, was also initiated long ago. In fact,during Miquella’s childhood, he envisioned Radahn as a lord, stating that the Starscourge’s strength and kindness stood out among other lords. This is mentioned in the Remembrance of a God and a Lord, obtained after defeating thefinal boss inElden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. This is what led to both of them establishing a pact. Sir Ansbach andFreyjaboth speak of this vow throughout the campaign in the DLC. Radahn was to serve Miquella as his lord and consort.
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It is uncertain ifStarscourge Radahnwas charmed by Miquella for this very purpose, but their vow was established long before the events ofShadow of the Erdtree. In fact, it is now confirmed thatMalenia’s fight against the renowned general was not actually an attempt to free the stars from his grasp but, instead, to force his deathand send his soul to the Realm of Shadow to serve Miquella. However, Radahn’s body would be forsaken, and that is where Mohg’s body inElden Ringcomes into play.
Miquella’s plan in theShadow of the ErdtreeDLC was to infuse Radahn’s soul into Mohg’s body and have the general fulfill his end of the vow, serving the ascended god as a consort, even if using another body altogether. This is hinted at when Mohg’s body first goes missing and later confirmed when players reach the final boss. It is uncertain if it would be possible to use Radahn’s original body, buttheSecret Rite Scrolldescribing Miquella’s ascension to godhood does say that the lord’s soul would need a vessel.
Malenia Was Hiding In Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree All Along
While she was never showcased in promotional material, Malenia has been hiding in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC for Elden Ring all this time.
Miquella Abandoned Everything To Ascend To Godhood In Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree
Throughout The DLC, The Demigod Leaves Parts Of His Body & Character Behind
Of course, having a powerful king consort to rule was only a part of the plan, as the other was Miquella’s own ascension from an Empyrean to godhood. To do this, Miquella needs his lord to usher in his return as a god, while also taking on his journey in the Realm of Shadow. Throughout his journey inElden Ring’s DLC,Miquella abandons everything so he can be reborn as a god, including his flesh and very feelings.
This was a way of disconnecting himself from the sin of the Erdtree, as mentioned byHornsent, for instance. Only then could Miquella be reborn as a god at the Gate of Divinity. While Miquella is seen retaining his ability to charm anyone – the Empyrean steals the hearts of any he embraces twice – his newly obtained godhood would allow him to use his enchantment more effectively against all people and creatures in the Lands Between. Ultimately,Miquella’s new age would end all conflicts and strip away the grasp of other gods and deities on people.
This would also, allegedly, allow Miquella to pacify the aggressive undead nature of the Realm of Shadow.
Nevertheless, Miquella’s well-devised and rather cruel plan does not come to full fruition when the player’s Tarnished defeats Radahn, Consort of Miquella.By eliminating the king consort, the player ends Miquella’s potential to reign in the Lands Between, as a god needs a consort to do so. Even though Miquella’s plan was one with the best of intentions to back it up, he would essentially take away everyone’s free will. Additionally, this allows the DLC’s conclusion to proceed into the sameendings inElden Ring. It’s left ambiguous whether Miquella survives the final battle inShadow of the Erdtree; it’s possible he’s simply left bereft of power in the Land of Shadow, but he also could have perished alongside the reanimated Radahn.
Overall, the story of theShadow of the ErdtreeDLC puts players in control of a warrior who fights against what would become an oppressive regime, even if marked by peace. This peace would be artificially gained by stripping away people’s own individuality and freedom of choice. The DLC’s story is but another tale of prepotent figures imagining new solutions to the accursed Lands Between, but the way it has been woven into the base game’s story all along just comes to show how genius Miquella really is inElden Ring.
Elden Ring
Elden Ring is a popular game released by From Software, creators of games such as Armored Core, Dark Souls, and Bloodborne. Players assume the role of a Tarnished, a being once exiled to the Lands Between and has returned to repair the Elden Ring after the events of “The Shattering.” “The Shattering” occurred when the offspring of Queen Marika battled to claim the shards of the Elden Ring, known as Great Runes. Their war has brought lawlessness, destruction, and chaos to the land, and the player will challenge them with the assistance of a Maiden known as Melina as they travel towards the great Erd Tree to face their destiny and to become the one true Elden Lord. Players can tackle the game how they choose and can adventure across realms as they build their character how they want - be it a powerful magic caster or a brutal swordsman - they will have complete control over their build.
