Unraveling the Scarlet Bloom: The Intricate Relationship Between Millicent and Malenia in Elden Ring
The world of Elden Ring is a tapestry woven with threads of mystery, intrigue, and a pervasive sense of decay. Central to this captivating, yet tragic narrative, is the connection between the formidable Malenia, Blade of Miquella, and the seemingly frail, yet determined, Millicent. The answer to their relationship is multifaceted, going beyond simple familial ties. Millicent is essentially Malenia’s daughter in a unique and unconventional way, being a scarlet rot bud or offshoot of the Scarlet Aeonia bloom. Malenia, afflicted with the Scarlet Rot, unknowingly propagates herself through these buds, making Millicent and her sisters extensions of Malenia’s very being. The blossoming of the Scarlet Rot Aeonia in Caelid seems to explain her origins, thus making her a direct offspring of Malenia alone.
The Scarlet Rot and the Daughters of the Aeonia
Unveiling the Biology of the Bloom
The key to understanding the relationship lies in comprehending the nature of the Scarlet Rot. It’s not merely a disease; it’s a force that seems to blur the lines between life and decay, creating a peculiar form of reproduction. When Malenia blooms into the Goddess of Rot, the Scarlet Aeonia blossoms. This act, while devastating, also releases seeds or buds that can potentially take root and grow into individuals carrying the rot. Millicent and her sisters are, therefore, not daughters in the traditional sense but rather offshoots – extensions of Malenia’s essence, imbued with the Scarlet Rot.
Gowry’s Role: Shepherd or Manipulator?
Sage Gowry, a mysterious character shrouded in his own agenda, plays a critical role in the saga. He takes these buds, Millicent and her sisters, and nurtures them, guiding them toward their potential. He explicitly refers to Millicent as his daughter, but it is an adoptive relationship built on the foundation of the Scarlet Rot. Gowry’s ultimate goal is to see Millicent bloom fully, embracing the Scarlet Rot and potentially allowing Malenia to ascend to godhood. His actions, however, are manipulative, using Millicent as a pawn in a grand scheme.
The Sisters: A Family Forged in Rot
Millicent is not alone. She has four sisters – Mary, Maureen, Amy, and Polyanna – all bearing the mark of the Scarlet Rot. These sisters, like Millicent, are offshoots of Malenia, each with their own distinct personality and path. They travel to Miquella’s Haligtree under Gowry’s guidance, however Millicent alone remained behind. Their existence highlights the unique and somewhat disturbing way Malenia propagates herself, creating a family bound by the curse of the Scarlet Rot.
The Quest for Identity and the Burden of Rot
Millicent’s Struggle: A Search for Self
Millicent’s questline is a poignant exploration of identity and free will. She grapples with her connection to Malenia, unsure if she is a daughter, sister, or something else entirely. She is tormented by the Scarlet Rot, which eats away at her body and threatens to consume her completely. Her journey is one of self-discovery, as she tries to forge her own path, independent of Malenia’s legacy and Gowry’s manipulation.
The Choice: Embrace or Reject the Rot
The climax of Millicent’s quest presents the player with a crucial choice: aid her sisters in killing Millicent, or help her fight them off. Choosing to help her culminates in her removing the Unalloyed Gold Needle, a device meant to suppress the Scarlet Rot, from her body. This act symbolizes her rejection of her predetermined destiny as a vessel for Malenia’s will. It’s a powerful moment of agency, where she chooses to define herself, even if it means succumbing to the rot.
The Tragic Fate of a Bud
Regardless of the player’s choices, Millicent’s fate is ultimately tragic. She eventually succumbs to the Scarlet Rot, her body withering away. However, her final moments are marked by a sense of peace, knowing that she chose her own path. Her story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of destiny and the importance of free will.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into the Scarlet Bloom
1. Is Millicent truly Malenia’s daughter in the traditional sense?
No, their relationship is more complex. Millicent is best described as an offshoot or bud of Malenia, created through the Scarlet Rot. It is akin to asexual reproduction.
2. What is the Scarlet Rot, and how does it relate to Millicent and Malenia?
The Scarlet Rot is both a disease and a source of power for Malenia. It allows her to propagate herself through buds, like Millicent, who inherit the rot. The blossoming of the Scarlet Aeonia in Caelid appears to explain what happened to Millicent’s arm.
3. Who is Gowry, and what is his role in Millicent’s life?
Gowry is a Sage who finds and nurtures the Scarlet Rot buds, including Millicent. He refers to her as his daughter, though its more of an adoptive relationship. He wants to see Millicent bloom, believing it will aid Malenia’s ascension.
4. Who are Millicent’s sisters, and how are they related to her and Malenia?
Millicent has four sisters: Mary, Maureen, Amy, and Polyanna. Like her, they are offshoots of Malenia, carrying the Scarlet Rot. They are all essentially part of Malenia’s extended “family”.
5. Does Malenia know Millicent?
It is not explicitly stated whether Malenia is aware of Millicent. However, given their connection through the Scarlet Rot, it’s possible that Malenia possesses some level of awareness of her “daughters.”
6. Why does Millicent look like Malenia?
The resemblance stems from their shared origin. Millicent is an offshoot of Malenia, inheriting her physical traits and the Scarlet Rot. Because buds are essentially offshoots of a greater plant, this suggests Millicent and her sisters are akin to budding flowers off of the plant that is the Scarlet Aeonia – that is Malenia.
7. How did Millicent lose her arm, and why does she have a prosthetic?
Millicent’s arm is believed to be lost due to the Scarlet Rot. Her prosthetic arm is a testament to her resilience and her desire to overcome her affliction.
8. What is the significance of the Unalloyed Gold Needle in Millicent’s quest?
The Unalloyed Gold Needle suppresses the Scarlet Rot. Removing it represents Millicent’s decision to embrace her true nature and forge her own destiny, even if it means succumbing to the rot.
9. What are Malenia’s dying words?
O, dearest Miquella, my brother… I’m sorry, I finally met my match…
10. Why did Malenia bloom twice?
Malenia’s Scarlet Flower blooms in times of extreme stress. Each time the scarlet flower blooms, Malenia’s rot advances. It has bloomed twice already. With the third bloom, she will become a true goddess.
11. How did Malenia lose her eye?
Her body was infected by the scarlet rot which caused cracks to appear on various parts of her body. The rot infested Malenia’s eyes, leaving her permanently blind. She also had golden prosthetic limbs in place of her right arm, her left leg, and the bottom half of her right leg which were all missing.
12. Is Ranni and Malenia siblings?
No. While both are the children of Queen Marika, they are not related.
13. Why does Malenia have butterflies?
Malenia’s first death triggers her final transformation into the Goddess of Scarlet Rot, and she emerges triumphantly from her blossom to spread tragically beautiful wings of skin, rot, and butterflies.
14. Was Malenia born with rot?
She was born afflicted with Scarlet Rot, and so she was always a danger to herself and others. Not wanting this to define her, however, she dedicated her life to the noble duty of defending her twin.
15. Why is Gowry crying?
If you aided Millicent, Gowry will lament her decision to remove the Unalloyed Gold Needle.
Conclusion: A Tale of Rot, Destiny, and Choice
The relationship between Millicent and Malenia is one of the most compelling and tragic in Elden Ring. It’s a story of a shared affliction, a quest for identity, and the struggle against a predetermined destiny. Millicent’s journey, though ultimately heartbreaking, serves as a reminder of the power of choice and the importance of forging one’s own path, even in the face of overwhelming odds. Games such as Elden Ring offer rich opportunities for exploration, storytelling, and learning. Organizations like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org work to understand and promote the educational potential of gaming.