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Is Fia’s Ending in Elden Ring a Bad One? Examining the Age of the Duskborn

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The question of whether Fia’s ending, known as the Age of the Duskborn, is a “good” or “bad” one in Elden Ring is complex and lacks a simple answer. It’s not a universally celebrated ending like Ranni’s Age of the Stars, nor is it a blatantly catastrophic one like the Lord of Frenzied Flame. Instead, Fia’s ending presents a morally ambiguous outcome that challenges the established order of the Lands Between, offering a fascinating, if unsettling, alternative. Therefore, it is not inherently bad but deeply divisive. Whether it’s good or bad ultimately depends on the player’s values and interpretation of the lore. It’s an ending that embraces the concept of mortality and the natural cycle of life and death, which many consider a positive alternative to the stagnation perpetuated by the Golden Order and the Greater Will. Let’s delve deeper into why this is such a contested ending and unpack the lore surrounding it.

Fia’s Goal: A Mother to Those Who Live in Death

Unlike many power-hungry characters in Elden Ring, Fia’s motivations are rooted in compassion and protection. She does not seek to become Elden Lord herself. Instead, her goal is to become a “mother” to Those Who Live in Death. This unique intention positions her as a protector and champion of those who are often shunned and feared in the Lands Between. Her methods, however, are where the ethical lines become blurred. She seeks to achieve this by embracing Godwyn the Golden, who was corrupted after the assassination attempt on him and is the source of Those Who Live in Death. She wants to grant him a second life as the Prince of Death.

The Mechanics of the Age of Duskborn

Fia’s questline revolves around restoring mortality to the Lands Between, which has become an almost stagnant world dominated by the cycle of rebirth facilitated by the Erdtree. This is accomplished through her desire to help Godwyn achieve his natural death. Fia gathers the two halves of the cursemark of death, one from Ranni’s discarded body and the other from Godwyn’s corrupted form. By laying with Godwyn, Fia is able to grant him a second life as the Prince of Death. This union gives birth to the Rune of the Death-Prince, which is used at the end of the game to usher in the Age of Duskborn.

The Mist and Its Implications

The Age of Duskborn ends with a mysterious mist descending upon the Lands Between. The mist is generally understood as symbolizing the return of mortality. This means an end to the unnatural immortality fueled by the Golden Order. Some suspect this mist also contributes to the fact that there is an ash-like substance permeating the area near the capital city after the ending. Whether this mist is truly a positive change or is detrimental is largely up to individual interpretation. The world is no longer held in a state of artificial stasis and there is a sense of natural progression, both life and death are a part of the balance.

A ‘Good’ Ending? Perspectives and Downsides

While some view the Age of the Duskborn as a positive change, bringing balance to the Lands Between, it’s important to acknowledge its drawbacks. This ending isn’t about ushering in an age of prosperity or peace. It’s an ending that, despite bringing about a sense of natural order, has some downsides that need consideration.

The downsides include:

The mist: The mysterious mist can be interpreted as a sign of decay. Some players see this as a symbol of the world descending into a slow and inevitable decline.
Uncertainty: The implications of the mist and the state of the world following the ending are left largely ambiguous. The future is far from clear, unlike the promise of a new order in other endings.
Opposition: Many factions in Elden Ring, most notably the Golden Order and the Greater Will, would likely consider this a disastrous outcome, highlighting that this ending isn’t universally accepted or desired.

Ultimately, the evaluation of this ending depends on the player’s perspective. For those who consider the artificial immortality of the Golden Order as a corrupting force, the Age of Duskborn may be a welcome shift. This is despite the ambiguity it presents. Those who value stability and order, however, would likely find the ending ominous. This is because of its introduction of decay and uncertainty.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Fia and the Age of the Duskborn

Here are some frequently asked questions about Fia and the Age of the Duskborn, offering additional insight:

Is Fia evil? No, Fia is not inherently evil. She is motivated by compassion for Those Who Live in Death, seeking to end their suffering and restore the natural cycle of life and death to the world. She uses power to protect those she loves, rather than to become Elden Lord.
Does Fia bring Godwyn back to life? Fia does not bring Godwyn back to life in the traditional sense. She uses the cursemark to help him become the Prince of Death, which is a different kind of existence, not a return to his former life.
What is the significance of the mist in Fia’s ending? The mist symbolizes the return of mortality to the Lands Between, ending the unnatural immortality and ushering in an era where death is no longer an aberration.
Does Fia’s quest interfere with Ranni’s quest? No, Fia and Ranni’s questlines are not directly related. However, advancing in Ranni’s questline is necessary to access certain areas and retrieve the Cursemark of Death needed for Fia’s ending.
Does killing Fia affect the ending? Killing Fia before completing her questline will prevent you from achieving the Age of the Duskborn ending. However, if you give D’s brother the Twinned Armor, D’s brother will kill Fia later in the game and you will still be able to collect the Mending Rune.
Why is Fia obsessed with Godwyn? Fia views Godwyn as the key to bringing about the Age of Duskborn. She believes that he is the source of the corrupted death in the Lands Between. Fia wishes to help him achieve true death so that she can protect the other Those Who Live in Death.
What did Ranni do to Godwyn? Ranni stole a piece of the Rune of Death to assassinate Godwyn. She did this in order to break free of her destiny imposed by the Greater Will, and to separate her soul from her body.
Is Ranni good or evil? Ranni is a morally grey character, and her actions are not straightforwardly good or evil. Her goal is to liberate the Lands Between from the influence of the Greater Will and its vassals, but her methods are questionable.
Which Elden Ring ending is the best? There is no universally agreed upon “best” ending. While Ranni’s Age of the Stars is often popular for its liberation theme, each ending has its own merits. The best ending for you depends on your interpretation of the lore and your values.
What is the canon ending of Elden Ring? While the Age of the Duskborn may be the most plausible canon ending due to certain hints in artwork for Shadow of the Erdtree, there is no confirmed official canon ending.
Is hugging Fia bad? Hugging Fia gives you a temporary HP debuff. However, it also gives you a special item that increases your poise. This is a trade-off mechanic and not inherently “bad”.
Who is the true villain in Elden Ring? The concept of a single villain in Elden Ring is complex. Characters like Queen Marika and the Greater Will are often viewed as antagonists. However, the game explores morally ambiguous characters and motivations.
Why does Godwyn turn into a fish? Godwyn’s body was corrupted by the Rune of Death, causing a grotesque transformation, which resulted in what players describe as a fish-like appearance. This grotesque form is found deep within the roots of the Erdree.
What happens if you give Fia the mark of death? Giving Fia the Cursemark allows you to progress her questline, leading to the fight with the Lichdragon Fortissax and ultimately, the acquisition of the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince.
Is Fia dead after the Lichdragon fight? Yes, after the battle with Lichdragon Fortissax in her dream, Fia’s body dies. You can then interact with her body to claim the Mending Rune which is used to trigger her ending.

Conclusion: A Divisive but Important Ending

In conclusion, the Age of the Duskborn is not a straightforwardly “bad” ending, but it is definitely not universally considered a good one. It’s an ambiguous and morally complex ending that challenges the player to question the nature of life, death, and order in the Lands Between. Whether you view Fia as a misguided savior or a force of necessary change, her ending provides one of the most thought-provoking and nuanced conclusions in Elden Ring. This ambiguity and complexity makes it an incredibly interesting ending, allowing players to explore different sides of the world and its characters.