The Enigmatic Gaze: Unlocking the Secrets of Melina’s Eyes in Elden Ring
Melina, the enigmatic guide in Elden Ring, shrouds herself in mystery, and one of the most intriguing aspects of her character is her eyes. Throughout the vast majority of the game, Melina keeps one eye tightly shut. However, under specific circumstances during the Lord of Frenzied Flame Ending, she opens this eye to reveal a dusky and murky dark blue color. This revelation has sparked countless theories and debates within the Elden Ring community, connecting her to figures like the Gloam-Eyed Queen and deepening the lore surrounding her true nature.
Deciphering the Dusky Blue: What Melina’s Eye Color Tells Us
The color itself, a murky dark blue, isn’t just an aesthetic choice. It’s a deliberate clue woven into the game’s intricate narrative tapestry. The fact that it only appears during the Frenzied Flame Ending – an ending associated with chaos and destruction – suggests a connection to forces that oppose the Golden Order. This has led many to believe Melina is linked to the Gloam-Eyed Queen, a powerful Empyrean who once commanded the Godskin Apostles and wielded the power of the Dusky-Eyed Queen, a very powerful entity. The dusky blue color echoes the themes of twilight and transition, hinting at Melina’s role as a figure operating between worlds, between orders, and perhaps even between life and death.
The mystery surrounding Melina’s eye is further compounded by the fact that Ranni the Witch, another significant character, also keeps one eye closed, but hers remains closed even in her ending. This contrast between the two figures fuels speculation about their relationships, motivations, and ultimate destinies within the Lands Between. The design choice of these two characters, with their singular eye obscuring the view, allows the game developers to express a sense of secrecy and knowledge withholding, and also shows two different paths for the Tarnished.
Unveiling the Connections: Theories and Interpretations
The link between Melina and the Gloam-Eyed Queen is arguably the most prevalent theory. The Gloam-Eyed Queen was defeated and her power sealed away, but the potential for its return through Melina creates a compelling narrative tension. Furthermore, the Frenzied Flame itself represents an antithesis to the established order, and Melina’s eye only opening under its influence suggests a hidden alignment with opposing forces.
Another interpretation focuses on Melina’s role as a Kindling Maiden, a figure destined to sacrifice herself to burn the Erdtree. The dark blue eye could symbolize a connection to the Night of the Black Knives, an event where demigods were assassinated and whose power was stolen. All of these interpretations create a very dense and lore heavy ending, thus making the players think more in depth about the Elden Ring story.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into Melina and Elden Ring Lore
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Melina, her eyes, and related Elden Ring lore:
1. What are the different eye alterations available to the Tarnished in Elden Ring?
Currently, there are three known eye alterations players can acquire: Dragon Eyes, Frenzied Flame Eyes, and Blood Eyes. Each reflects the influence of a specific power or faction within the game.
2. What color are Malenia’s eyes?
Due to the Scarlet Rot infesting her body, Malenia is permanently blind. The Rot has ravaged her eyes, leaving them obscured.
3. Are Melina and Ranni sisters?
The game heavily implies a familial connection between Melina and Ranni. Melina’s dialogue suggests that her mother is Queen Marika, making her a demigod and potentially Ranni’s sister, but this is never explicitly confirmed.
4. What race is Melina in Elden Ring?
Melina’s exact origins and “race” are deliberately ambiguous. She is described as a mysterious, spectral girl, suggesting she is not purely human.
5. Is Melina a Finger Maiden?
While Melina fulfills many of the duties of a Finger Maiden, such as guiding the Tarnished and offering assistance, she explicitly states that she is not one.
6. What is the tattoo on Melina’s eye?
Melina has a tattoo resembling the frenzied flame symbol. This adds to the theory that she has a hidden connection to the Three Fingers and the chaotic energy of the Frenzied Flame.
7. Is Ranni good or evil?
Ranni’s morality is complex and open to interpretation. While she opposes the Golden Order and orchestrates the Night of the Black Knives, her goal is to usher in an Age of Stars, free from the influence of the Greater Will. Some argue this is the best possible outcome for the Lands Between.
8. Is Ranni the Tarnished’s wife?
In the Age of Stars ending, Ranni refers to the Tarnished as her “lord” and “dear consort,” implying a deep bond and partnership.
9. Why did my eyes turn yellow in Elden Ring?
Consuming Dragon Hearts at the Church or Cathedral of Dragon Communion will gradually transform your eyes into yellow, draconic eyes, reflecting your growing connection to dragon power.
10. Who is the one-eyed girl in Elden Ring?
Melina is the one-eyed girl, constantly covering one of her eyes.
11. What is the rarest eye color in real life?
In reality, green eyes are the rarest eye color, found in only about 2% of the world’s population.
12. Is Miquella a girl?
Miquella is the elder twin brother of Malenia. Both are the children of Queen Marika the Eternal and King Consort Radagon.
13. Who was killed by Ranni?
Ranni orchestrated the Night of the Black Knives, during which assassins murdered Godwyn the Golden, killing him in spirit. Ranni herself killed her physical body, transferring her spirit into a doll.
14. Does Ranni love the Tarnished?
In the Age of Stars ending, Ranni refers to the Tarnished as her “lord” and “dear consort”, showing that she has not just acknowledged them as being Elden Lord, but also fully acknowledged them as her partner. This heavily suggests a deep and complex affection.
15. Why do Tarnished need maidens?
Grace guides the Tarnished, and Finger Maidens interpret and channel this guidance. They help the Tarnished turn rune fragments into strength, facilitating their journey to become Elden Lord.
The Enduring Mystery of Elden Ring’s Eyes
The eyes of the characters in Elden Ring, particularly Melina’s, serve as powerful symbols, reflecting their inner nature, hidden allegiances, and connection to the game’s complex lore. The dusky blue of Melina’s opened eye during the Frenzied Flame ending is a key piece of this puzzle, prompting players to delve deeper into the mysteries of the Lands Between and the roles of its enigmatic inhabitants.
Understanding how these narratives impact the player’s perspective, and how game mechanics and story elements interplay, is vital for comprehending the deeper meaning within the game. Learning from games is now a recognized field of study. For more information about how we learn from playing, visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. It is here that one can see the intersection between gaming and education.