Was Godwyn the Golden the First Born?
Yes, according to the established lore of Elden Ring, Godwyn the Golden was the firstborn son of Queen Marika the Eternal and her consort, Godfrey, the First Elden Lord. This makes him a pivotal figure in the history of the Lands Between, as his death served as a major catalyst for the events that unfold in the game. Being the firstborn, Godwyn held a place of significant importance within the Golden Lineage, a lineage that would eventually crumble into chaos. His life and tragic end provide a complex and fascinating point of study for any Elden Ring lore enthusiast.
The Significance of Godwyn’s Birth
The Golden Lineage
As the firstborn, Godwyn was the foundational pillar of the “Golden Line,” the lineage of demigods descended from Marika and Godfrey. This lineage, which also included figures like Morgott and Mohg, established the ruling class of the Lands Between. It is crucial to note that Godrick the Grafted is considered the final descendant of this line, highlighting the impact and far-reaching consequences of Godwyn’s fate. The very structure of power in the Lands Between was deeply rooted in Godwyn’s position as the heir apparent.
Before the Erdtree’s Dominance
Godwyn’s birth predates the absolute dominance of the Erdtree. During his early life, the Lands Between were not exclusively ruled by the Golden Order, as the world had belonged to dragons previously. Godwyn actually played a significant role in the dragon war, even befriending a powerful dragon named Fortissax. This relationship illustrates a different facet of Godwyn’s character, suggesting that he wasn’t merely a noble and powerful demigod but was also capable of diplomacy and connection with those seen as adversaries.
The Fall of Godwyn
The Night of the Black Knives
The most significant event associated with Godwyn is his murder on the Night of the Black Knives. Ranni, another key player in the game’s narrative, orchestrated this event to shed her Empyrean body. Godwyn was not simply killed; his soul was destroyed by the ritual, leaving behind only his cursed, soulless body. This act was the first recorded death of a demigod and served as the catalyst for the shattering of the Elden Ring and the subsequent war known as The Shattering.
The Prince of Death
Godwyn’s body did not simply decompose but rather became a source of corruption, transforming into something described as the Prince of Death. This transformation is often associated with the alchemical symbol of mercury, representing transcendence over death. His body was buried at the roots of the Erdtree, becoming the root cause of the undead enemies found in the Lands Between. This cursed existence highlights the horrific consequences of Ranni’s actions.
Fia and the Second Life
Later in the game’s timeline, the deathbed companion Fia seeks out Godwyn’s corpse, hoping to grant him a second life. Having acquired the other half of the cursemark from Ranni’s discarded body with the aid of a Tarnished, Fia’s actions were not designed to resurrect Godwyn as he was, but to usher in an era where “Those Who Live In Death” could truly find rest.
Godwyn’s Transformation and Interpretation
The Fish-like Form
Godwyn’s transformation into a fish-like entity is not arbitrary. It’s heavily linked to the alchemic symbolism of mercury, which is associated with transcendence over death, as well as the element of water, connected to birth and rebirth. In another perspective, his cursed death is also associated with the Japanese mythological creature called the Ningyo, which is a fish-like mermaid with a tail, webbed fingers, and fishy features, which very accurately describes Godwyn’s transformed appearance.
The Cursed Existence
The lore makes it clear that Godwyn’s “existence” after his death is far from true life. He is essentially a body without a soul, cursed with undeath and becoming a source of corruption within the Erdtree. The undead enemies that plague the Lands Between are directly tied to his corpse’s influence. This explains why those affected by the Death Blight are also heavily implied to be linked to the soulless body of Godwyn.
The Catalyst for Chaos
Ultimately, Godwyn’s death is the pivotal moment that sends the Lands Between into chaos. His demise triggers the shattering of the Elden Ring and the brutal conflict between the demigods. The game’s narrative heavily revolves around the consequences of this single event and the attempts of various factions to seize power in the shattered world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Was Godwyn the first to die among the demigods?
While Godwyn was believed to be the first to die, he and Ranni both died at the same time during the Night of the Black Knives. However, Godwyn’s death is the one that resulted in the most impactful consequences, leading to the Shattering.
2. Are Godwyn and Marika the same person?
No, Godwyn and Marika are not the same person. Godwyn is the son of Marika and Godfrey. Marika’s story is intertwined with Radagon, which further cements the fact that they are different entities.
3. Who are Marika’s other children?
Marika’s other children include the twins Morgott and Mohg, both of whom were born as cursed Omen and hidden away in the depths below the capital. She is also believed to be the mother of Melina, and potentially even Ranni.
4. Why did Godwyn befriend Fortissax?
Godwyn befriended Fortissax after initially defeating him in battle. This alliance led to an ancient dragon cult being housed in the capital and displays his complex character and ability to make peace with his former enemies.
5. Was Godwyn the strongest demigod?
While Radahn is generally considered the strongest demigod, Godwyn was known for his skill in combat and was a key figure in the dragon war. However, his strength did not prevent his tragic demise at the hands of the assassins.
6. What race is Marika?
Marika is believed to be of the Numen race, a long-lived race that is seldom born, further implying that she isn’t originally from the Lands Between.
7. How did Godwyn lose his soul?
Godwyn’s soul was destroyed by the ritual orchestrated by Ranni during the Night of the Black Knives. This act left his body alive but soulless.
8. How is Godwyn still ‘alive’?
Godwyn’s body was cursed, not killed. As such his body remains, but without a soul. He is technically kept ‘alive’ through the influence of the Rune of Death. Fia attempts to give him a second life by joining with him and his other half of the cursemark.
9. Who is the second Elden Lord?
After Godfrey was banished, Radagon, who is implied to be Marika’s other half, became the second Elden Lord.
10. How is Godfrey related to Godrick?
Godrick is not a direct child of Godfrey, but a distant descendant with diluted blood. He refers to Godfrey and his lineage as his forefathers, cementing this relationship.
11. Why was Godfrey exiled?
Godfrey was exiled by Marika because, after conquering all neighboring lands, he was no longer of use to the Greater Will.
12. Why did Marika destroy the Elden Ring?
Marika shattered the Elden Ring in an attempt to safeguard its Great Runes from assassins and their unknown benefactor. She likely hoped that by doing so, she would at least delay her own demise or ensure that the Great Runes were not used for nefarious purposes.
13. Is Melina related to Ranni?
Yes, according to the lore, both Melina and Ranni are related through their shared mother, Queen Marika. This makes them demi-god sisters.
14. What is the significance of Melina’s closed eye?
Melina’s closed eye, marked with a claw, is theorized to represent the stripping of her Great Rune which then results in the loss of a part of their soul. It’s tied to the Frenzied Flame.
15. Why does Fia want to be with Godwyn?
Fia seeks to be with Godwyn to reintroduce mortality to the Lands Between and to allow those “Who Live In Death” to find true rest. It’s her intention to end the cycle of undeath plaguing the realm.