Elden Ring: Unraveling the Age of Duskborn – Is Fia’s Ending Good or Bad?
The question of whether Fia’s ending, the Age of Duskborn, is a “good” or “bad” one in Elden Ring is not straightforward. It’s a nuanced outcome that defies simple categorization and is deeply intertwined with the game’s lore and the philosophical questions it poses about life, death, and the nature of order. Rather than being inherently good or bad, Fia’s ending represents a significant shift in the established world of the Lands Between, one that caters to specific perspectives and might be interpreted differently by various players. At its core, the Age of Duskborn is about restoring the concept of natural death and ushering in a new era where mortality isn’t suppressed. So, instead of framing it as a purely positive or negative outcome, it’s more accurate to say that Fia’s ending is a transformative one. It’s a reordering of the cosmic balance, and whether you view that as good or bad ultimately depends on your own perspective and understanding of the game’s lore.
The Mechanics and Meaning of Fia’s Ending
Fia’s questline is a complex and often overlooked path leading to the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince. To achieve this ending, the Tarnished must assist Fia in gathering the two halves of the Cursemark of Death. One half is found within Ranni’s discarded body, while the other is associated with the demigod Godwyn the Golden. Fia, seeking to be a “mother to those who live in death,” ultimately uses these to create the rune, intertwining life and death into the very fabric of the Elden Ring. This rune, when used to mend the Elden Ring, ushers in the Age of Duskborn, introducing a visible mist across the Lands Between.
What Does the Mist Symbolize?
The mist is widely interpreted as the restoration of natural mortality. The Lands Between, in the game’s established order, has a distorted relationship with death, with those who “live in death” existing outside of the natural cycle. Fia’s ending aims to correct this imbalance, potentially freeing those afflicted by undeath and allowing souls to properly cycle back into the Erdtree. It signifies the end of a world where immortality was the norm, bringing with it the acceptance that life and death are not mutually exclusive, but are integral parts of a natural process.
The Ambiguity of the Outcome
Whether this outcome is “good” or “bad” is intentionally ambiguous. On one hand, it offers a potential resolution to the unnatural state of undeath that plagues the world. On the other, it challenges the established order and may unsettle those who thrive under the current system. Fia herself views this as a compassionate act, an attempt to grant peace to the restless spirits caught in the cycle of undeath. Players who resonate with this perspective may see her ending as positive and beneficial. Conversely, those who favor the existing order or fear the unknown may interpret it as a chaotic or even destructive outcome.
The Contrast with Other Endings
The Age of Duskborn stands in sharp contrast to other endings in Elden Ring. For example, the standard Elden Lord ending sees the Tarnished restore the Elden Ring as it was, maintaining the existing order. This is generally what Melina is encouraging the Tarnished to pursue. The Age of Stars ending, led by Ranni, introduces a completely new order, with the Elden Ring absent from the world. In contrast, the Frenzied Flame ending is seen as the most destructive, with Melina abandoning you along the way. Fia’s ending occupies a middle ground, not as radical as Ranni’s but not as stagnant as the standard Elden Lord path. It’s a calculated change aimed at addressing a specific imbalance within the world’s core system.
Perspective Matters
Ultimately, the “goodness” or “badness” of Fia’s ending comes down to individual interpretation. There isn’t a definitive right or wrong answer. What one player sees as a path towards natural harmony, another might see as a destructive disruption. This ambiguity is one of the elements that makes Elden Ring such a rich and thought-provoking game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince?
The Mending Rune of the Death-Prince is a key item created by Fia by combining the two halves of the Cursemark of Death. This rune is used to mend the Elden Ring, bringing the concept of natural death back to the Lands Between.
2. How do I get Fia’s ending in Elden Ring?
To get Fia’s ending, you must complete her questline by:
- Following her dialogue and allowing her to hug you (initially).
- Obtaining the Cursemark of Death from Ranni’s body.
- Progressing her questline in Deeproot Depths.
- Interacting with Fia after defeating the Lichdragon Fortissax to receive the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince.
3. Does Fia’s quest interfere with Ranni’s quest?
While not directly related, you need to advance in Ranni’s questline far enough to acquire the Cursemark of Death from her. You will also need to explore Nokron, the Eternal City.
4. What is Godwyn’s role in Fia’s ending?
Godwyn the Golden is the Prince of Death, and Fia’s intentions are to act as his mother. Fia wants to bring Godwyn back to life as the Prince of Death, and her actions are primarily dedicated to this. She merges the death cursemarks from Godwyn’s and Ranni’s to create the Mending Rune, which reshapes the Elden Ring to allow for the concept of natural death.
5. Is Fia evil?
Fia is not inherently evil. Her motives stem from compassion for those who “live in death” and an aim to restore a natural cycle of life and death. She doesn’t seek power for herself but rather to protect those she deems to be worthy of it.
6. Why is Fia killed by D’s brother?
D, Beholder of Death’s twin brother, kills Fia seeking revenge for the death of his brother. This occurs after Fia creates the Mending Rune, and it does not affect your ability to choose her ending.
7. Is Melina against Fia’s ending?
Melina doesn’t express direct opposition to Fia’s ending in the way she does to the Frenzied Flame ending. Her focus is more on restoring the Elden Ring in its current state, but she doesn’t explicitly condemn Fia’s actions.
8. Is there a “true” ending in Elden Ring?
There isn’t a universally agreed-upon “true” ending. Each ending is a valid outcome, and the “true” ending depends on your perspective and what you value as the player.
9. How many endings are there in Elden Ring?
There are six primary endings in Elden Ring: four variations of the Elden Lord ending, plus the Age of Stars and Lord of Frenzied Flame endings. Fia’s Age of Duskborn is one of the variations of the Elden Lord ending, achieved by using the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince.
10. What happens after the fight with Lichdragon Fortissax?
After defeating Lichdragon Fortissax, Fia dies, and you can obtain the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince from her body. This rune is required to achieve her specific ending.
11. Why is the Frenzied Flame ending considered the hardest?
The Frenzied Flame ending requires a complex series of steps, including the exploration of a secret area, and is considered the “hardest” as it is the most difficult to trigger and has the most severe consequences. Melina will leave the Tarnished if this path is pursued, making it a path of destruction and complete alteration.
12. What is the standard Elden Lord ending?
The standard Elden Lord ending is achieved by mending the Elden Ring as it is, without using any specific mending runes. This sees the Tarnished become the new Elden Lord.
13. What does the mist in the Age of Duskborn represent?
The mist symbolizes the restoration of natural death and mortality to the Lands Between. It could be seen as a return to a more balanced cycle of life and death.
14. Does Ranni love the Tarnished?
In the Age of Stars ending, Ranni refers to the Tarnished as her “lord” and “dear consort,” implying a deep connection and acknowledgement of their relationship.
15. What is the significance of Melina’s eye?
Melina’s eye opening is significant only in the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending where it is interpreted as her being taken over by the Gloam-Eyed Queen and ready to deliver destined death upon the player. In other endings, her eye remains closed.
In conclusion, Fia’s ending in Elden Ring, the Age of Duskborn, is not a straightforward “good” or “bad” outcome. It’s a nuanced and complex ending that challenges the player to think about the nature of life, death, and the consequences of change. Its value lies in its ambiguity and its contribution to the rich tapestry of lore that Elden Ring presents, leaving each player to determine what it ultimately means for the world and their own journey.