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Unraveling the Mystery: Who Killed the Maiden in Elden Ring?

The question of who killed the maiden in Elden Ring is a multifaceted one, shrouded in lore and conflicting accounts. Directly, White Mask Varré, a prominent NPC encountered early in the game, orchestrated the murder of the maiden found in the Chapel of Anticipation. This act serves his allegiance to Mohg, Lord of Blood, and his ambition to establish the Mohgwyn Dynasty. The Tarnished character begins their journey with this maiden already deceased.

The Finger Maiden’s Fate: A Deep Dive

Varré’s Role and Motivation

Varré isn’t simply a random killer. He is a key figure in Mohg’s plan. The slain maiden’s blood is crucial for soaking the Lord of Blood’s Favor, an item needed to access Mohgwyn Palace. By eliminating potential guides for Tarnished, Varré aims to weaken the Golden Order’s influence and pave the way for Mohg’s dominion. His line, “IIRC vaatividya said it’s Varre who killed our maiden because it’s prophesied that a tarnished will become Elden Ring but if no tarnished is succeeded, then Mohgwyn dynasty will prevail. So he kind of sabotage tarnished by killing their maiden,” explains his strategic approach.

The Wider Context of Maiden Deaths

The death of the starting maiden isn’t an isolated incident. Many Tarnished arrive in the Lands Between without their Finger Maidens. This raises a troubling question: is Varré solely responsible, or are other forces at play? The implication is that the Two Fingers, the emissaries of the Greater Will, may be failing to adequately support the Tarnished, leading to the demise or disappearance of their guides. Further complicating matters, some theories suggest that Tarnished might simply lose the ability to perceive their maidens.

The Significance of Blood and Mohg’s Ambitions

Mohg is obsessed with blood. He needs it to awaken Miquella, his slumbering brother, from within his cocoon. Miquella lost too much of his own blood attempting to cure his sister, Malenia’s, Scarlet Rot. By sacrificing Finger Maidens, Mohg seeks to strengthen his hold on power and fulfill his twisted vision. This act of violence sets the stage for the Tarnished’s journey, highlighting the desperate and often brutal nature of the conflict in the Lands Between.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 FAQs to help better understand the complexities surrounding the maidens of Elden Ring:

What happens to maidens in Elden Ring? Finger Maidens are supposed to guide Tarnished on their quest to become Elden Lord. However, many are found dead, missing, or unable to connect with their chosen Tarnished.
Why are Finger Maidens important? They possess the ability to turn runes into strength. Without a maiden, a Tarnished cannot efficiently level up and progress through the game. Melina fills a similar, albeit unique, role for the player character.
Is Melina a Finger Maiden? No, but she is very similar and fulfills many of the same duties. She introduces the Tarnished to the Round Table Hold, allows for rune leveling, and guides them towards the Erdtree.
Did Varré kill all the Finger Maidens? It is unlikely that he killed them all. While he is responsible for the death of the starting maiden, the absence of other maidens suggests that other factors contribute to their fate.
Why does Mohg need blood? He needs blood to try to awaken Miquella from his slumber. Miquella is trapped within a cocoon, and Mohg believes that bathing him in blood will revive him and allow them to establish the Mohgwyn Dynasty.
What is the Mohgwyn Dynasty? It is Mohg’s ambition to create a new order, ruling from Mohgwyn Palace with Miquella as his figurehead. This dynasty represents a direct challenge to the Golden Order.
What happened to the Tarnished’s original maiden? She was murdered in the Chapel of Anticipation and her body is found by the Tarnished upon returning to the area. Her blood is needed by Varré.
What is the Lord of Blood’s Favor? It is an item soaked in a Finger Maiden’s blood. It is required to progress Varré’s questline and gain access to Mohgwyn Palace.
Is Therolina a Finger Maiden? Yes, Therolina is a Finger Maiden puppet acquired from Seluvis. Her description specifies that she never met the Tarnished she was meant to guide.
Who is Ranni the Witch? Ranni is a powerful Empyrean who played a crucial role in the Night of Black Knives. She sought to break free from the influence of the Greater Will and forge her own destiny.
Does Ranni love the Tarnished? In the Age of Stars ending, Ranni acknowledges the Tarnished as her “lord” and “dear consort,” indicating a deep and intimate bond.
What is the Night of Black Knives? It was a night of assassinations when Black Knife Assassins, wielding rune-infused daggers, murdered Godwyn the Golden, while Ranni killed her own body. This event shattered the Elden Ring and plunged the Lands Between into chaos.
What is the connection between Millicent and Malenia? Millicent is believed to be a daughter or offshoot of Malenia, the Blade of Miquella. Both are afflicted with Scarlet Rot.
Are Melina and Ranni sisters? While not directly confirmed, many theories suggest that Melina and Ranni are related, potentially through Queen Marika.
What is the significance of the Two Fingers? The Two Fingers are emissaries of the Greater Will, tasked with guiding Empyreans toward becoming gods and maintaining the Golden Order. Ranni defied them by slaying her own Two Fingers, effectively choosing her own path.

The Enduring Mystery and the Lure of Elden Ring

The death of the maiden in Elden Ring is more than just a plot point; it’s a thematic representation of the broken world the Tarnished enters. This tragic event serves as a catalyst for the Tarnished’s quest, forcing them to confront the powerful forces vying for control of the Lands Between. The mysteries surrounding the Finger Maidens, the motivations of characters like Varré and Mohg, and the intricate lore woven throughout the game continue to captivate players and fuel endless discussions and theories. Learning more about the lore, or perhaps even designing your own game, requires a deeper understanding of the game itself. Resources such as the Games Learning Society, or GamesLearningSociety.org, can provide further knowledge. Exploring these themes allows for a deeper, more meaningful experience within the world of Elden Ring.

Who killed the maiden in Elden Ring?