What Does Death Mean in Elden Ring?
Death in Elden Ring is a multifaceted concept, deeply interwoven with both gameplay mechanics and the game’s rich lore. On a purely practical level, death for the player character is not permanent. You will not lose character levels, skills, or drastically set back your progress. Instead, death in Elden Ring serves as a reset mechanism, sending you back to the last Site of Grace or Stake of Marika you rested at while also dropping your Runes at the location of your demise. These Runes are the in-game currency used for leveling up and purchasing items, making their loss a temporary setback, not a permanent hindrance. This encourages players to learn from their mistakes and try again. However, beyond the gameplay implications, death in Elden Ring is tied to larger themes of immortality, the Golden Order, and the nature of existence within the Lands Between. The removal of Destined Death from the Elden Ring by Queen Marika changed the very nature of death, resulting in the existence of the Tarnished and other beings who cannot truly die, only be reborn. Understanding the many layers of death is key to grasping the game’s compelling story and overall design.
The Mechanics of Player Death
Loss of Runes
When the Tarnished falls in battle, you don’t lose experience points or permanently diminish your character. Instead, all the Runes currently in your possession are left at the site of your death. These Runes, vital for character progression and item purchases, can be reclaimed by returning to the location of your death. However, dying again before retrieving your lost Runes will result in their permanent loss.
Respawning
Upon death, the player character is revived at the last Site of Grace or Stake of Marika they interacted with. These locations also serve as safe havens, allowing players to level up, replenish their resources, and strategize before venturing back into the dangerous world. This means that death is not the end, but rather a temporary setback that encourages experimentation and persistence.
Stakes of Marika
Stakes of Marika act as alternative respawn points, often located near difficult areas or bosses. This provides players with more strategic options for continuing their progress, effectively shortening the run-back time after death.
Lore and the Nature of Death in the Lands Between
Destined Death and the Golden Order
The Rune of Death, also referred to as Destined Death, is a fundamental part of the Elden Ring. Its presence dictates that all things, even gods and demigods, are bound to eventually die. Queen Marika, desiring a world free from the inevitability of death, removed the Rune of Death from the Elden Ring, and entrusted its power to her shadow, Maliketh. This act marked the beginning of the Golden Order, a new era where death for some is no longer permanent.
The Impact of Removing Destined Death
The sealing of the Rune of Death had profound implications. Demigods became essentially immortal, with their souls capable of being reborn, as seen by the Tarnished themselves being resurrected. However, this new reality also gave rise to beings like Those Who Live in Death, undead creatures that resurrect indefinitely unless destroyed with specific holy damage or by attacking their bones. These creatures represent a corruption of the natural order, an unsettling result of tampering with death itself.
“Those Who Live in Death”
These beings, often encountered in catacombs and other dark places, are characterized by their ability to resurrect after being defeated. They represent the chaotic consequence of the removal of Destined Death, demonstrating that the natural order, once disrupted, cannot be easily controlled. They serve as a constant reminder of the changes brought by the Golden Order and its implications on the cycle of life and death.
The Tarnished and Immortality
Cursed to Return
The Tarnished are individuals exiled from the Lands Between, yet are cursed with a form of immortality. After dying, they are resurrected, driven by the guidance of Grace to become the new Elden Lord. This unique form of immortality is different from that of the demigods. It is tied to their mission and purpose, making them both powerful and fundamentally linked to the fate of the Lands Between.
A Cycle of Rebirth and Conflict
The Tarnished’s unique existence, a result of the shattered Elden Ring and the removal of Destined Death, places them in the cycle of unending rebirth and conflict. Death is not a punishment but a learning experience. Each resurrection is a new opportunity to fulfill their destiny and change the course of the Lands Between.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are Runes, and why are they important?
Runes are the primary currency in Elden Ring, obtained by defeating enemies and bosses. They are used for leveling up your character, buying items, and upgrading equipment. Losing Runes upon death makes them an important resource to protect.
2. Can you permanently lose progress due to death?
No, you will not permanently lose character levels, skills, or equipment upon death. You only lose the Runes you were carrying, which can be retrieved if you return to your place of death.
3. What are Sites of Grace and Stakes of Marika?
Sites of Grace are checkpoints where players can rest, level up, and replenish resources. Stakes of Marika serve as alternative respawn points, often located closer to challenging areas or bosses.
4. What is Destined Death, and how does it affect the world?
Destined Death is the concept of inescapable mortality linked to the Rune of Death within the Elden Ring. Its removal by Marika led to the immortality of demigods and the rise of undead creatures.
5. Who are “Those Who Live in Death”?
Those Who Live in Death are undead creatures that resurrect indefinitely unless destroyed by holy damage or attacking their bones directly. They are the consequence of the broken natural order of life and death.
6. What is the Golden Order, and how is it related to death?
The Golden Order is the established system of governance in the Lands Between, created by Marika after sealing away the Rune of Death, which led to the altered state of death for many beings.
7. Is the player character, the Tarnished, immortal?
The Tarnished are cursed to immortality, meaning they are reborn at a Site of Grace or Stake of Marika upon dying, motivated by a singular objective.
8. How can I prevent losing Runes upon death?
While there are no direct ways to prevent the loss of Runes on death in normal circumstances, items such as the Sacrificial Twig can be used to prevent Rune loss at the cost of the item itself. Also, any Golden Runes or similar that are stored within items and are not in the current Rune pool will remain when the player character dies.
9. What happens if I die while trying to retrieve lost Runes?
If you die before retrieving your lost Runes, those Runes will be permanently lost.
10. Does death affect the game’s story or ending?
Death does not directly impact the game’s story progression, however, your choices along your journey and the various endings do tie into how the cycle of death and rebirth of the world will go on.
11. How many times does the average player die in Elden Ring?
It has been reported that players died, on average, over 450 times during the first year of the game’s release, showcasing the high difficulty and learning curve of Elden Ring.
12. Why does the game resurrect the Tarnished?
The Tarnished are resurrected by the Golden Light of Grace. This mechanism is connected to the Tarnished’s story purpose to become the Elden Lord.
13. Can you remove the Death Blight effect?
Yes, the Death Blight effect can be removed using incantations like Order Healing and Law of Regression, as well as consumable items like Rejuvenating Boluses.
14. What are some tips for staying alive in Elden Ring?
Some tips to stay alive include upgrading your weapons, summoning spirits, and exploring thoroughly to collect helpful items and resources, upgrading your sacred flasks and carefully choosing how to customize your flask of wondrous physick.
15. Is dying in Elden Ring a bad thing?
While dying in Elden Ring can be frustrating, it is an integral part of the game experience. It teaches players to be more careful, observe enemy patterns, and learn from mistakes, so ultimately death is not bad but a tool to improve the player’s experience.