What Happens When You Touch Marika in Elden Ring? A Deep Dive
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
Touching the fractured form of Queen Marika the Eternal after defeating the Elden Beast is the pivotal moment that determines your ending in Elden Ring. It’s not just a simple interaction; it’s the culmination of your entire journey through the Lands Between. Depending on the choices you’ve made, the Mending Runes you possess, and the quests you’ve completed, touching Marika allows you to choose how to repair the Elden Ring, fundamentally reshaping the world and your role within it. You will be presented with the option to mend the ring, using either the base option or a specific Mending Rune acquired through completing certain NPC questlines. This choice dictates which of the several possible endings you will achieve, ultimately determining the fate of the Lands Between.
Unveiling the Endings
The act of touching Marika itself is essentially the gateway to enacting your chosen ending. Before delving into the specifics, it’s crucial to understand the options at your disposal.
-
The Standard Ending: Elden Lord (Age of Fracture): This is the most straightforward path. By simply choosing to mend the Elden Ring without using a specific Mending Rune, you become the Elden Lord, inheriting a world largely unchanged. The existing order, with all its flaws and conflicts, persists.
-
Age of Order Ending: Achieved by using the Mending Rune of Perfect Order, obtained through Goldmask’s questline. This ending focuses on bringing a new, more rigid sense of order to the Lands Between, guided by the principles of the Golden Order. The requirement to complete the Regression step before defeating Malekith is crucial here.
-
Age of Duskborn: Requires using the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince, obtained by completing Fia’s questline. This ending introduces the concept of true death into the Lands Between, breaking the cycle of immortality and bringing about a more natural order.
-
Blessing of Despair: Involves using the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse, obtained by progressing Dung Eater’s questline. This ending is arguably the bleakest, cursing the world with the Fell Curse, ensuring suffering and despair for all.
-
Lord of Frenzied Flame: This ending is unique in that you don’t choose it at the Marika interaction itself. Instead, it is locked in if you accept the Frenzied Flame from the Three Fingers beneath Leyndell. Touching Marika triggers this ending automatically if you’ve embraced the Frenzied Flame, unless you take steps to reverse it with Miquella’s Needle. This ending burns the Erdtree and plunges the world into chaos.
-
Age of Stars: While not directly initiated by touching Marika, it’s equally vital to understand. This ending requires completing Ranni the Witch’s questline. Instead of mending the Elden Ring, you summon Ranni and become her consort, ushering in an age guided by the moon and the cosmos, departing from the influence of the Greater Will.
The Significance of Mending Runes
Mending Runes are crucial items acquired by completing specific NPC questlines. They represent different philosophies and approaches to repairing the Elden Ring and shaping the future of the Lands Between. Each Rune offers a unique twist on the standard Elden Lord ending, reflecting the worldview of the character associated with it. The Mending Runes are the key to achieving the non-standard endings.
Is Marika Healed?
If the Elden Ring is mended, either through the standard ending or by using a Mending Rune, Marika’s head is restored to her frame. This signifies the reintegration of the fractured Elden Ring and the restoration, at least partially, of the world’s order. However, the specific nature of this restoration depends on which Mending Rune, if any, is used.
The Moral Ambiguity
Elden Ring excels in presenting morally ambiguous choices. None of the endings are definitively “good” or “evil.” Each represents a different perspective on how the world should be governed, with varying consequences for its inhabitants. As CBR aptly noted, Ranni’s ending could be seen as the “best possible outcome.” The player, as the Tarnished, must weigh these options and choose the path that aligns with their own understanding of justice, order, and freedom. Each Elden Ring Ending leaves the player with a sense that the Tarnished is a Villain in some way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions to further illuminate the intricacies of touching Marika and the subsequent endings:
1. What happens if I haven’t completed any NPC questlines?
If you haven’t completed any relevant NPC questlines, you’ll only have the option to choose the standard Elden Lord ending, simply mending the Elden Ring without a specific Mending Rune.
2. Can I get multiple endings in one playthrough?
No. Elden Ring allows only one ending per playthrough. To experience different endings, you’ll need to start a New Game Plus or load a save from before the final boss fight.
3. Is the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending avoidable?
Yes, the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending is avoidable. If you’ve received the Frenzied Flame from the Three Fingers, you can use Miquella’s Needle in Dragonlord Placidusax’s arena to remove it, allowing you to choose a different ending.
4. What is the significance of Radagon in this situation?
Radagon is revealed to be the other half of Marika. During the final encounter, Marika transforms into Radagon, highlighting the internal conflict within the being that shattered the Elden Ring and the being that seeks to restore it.
5. Which ending is considered the “canon” ending?
From Software, the developers of Elden Ring, have not officially declared a “canon” ending. All endings are equally valid interpretations of the game’s lore and themes.
6. Does touching Marika immediately trigger the ending?
No. Touching Marika presents you with the option to interact. You can still back out and explore the world further before committing to an ending.
7. What role does Melina play in all of this?
Melina, being the daughter of Marika, guides you on your journey and ultimately sacrifices herself to burn the Erdtree, allowing you to reach the Elden Ring. Her fate is intertwined with your choices and the ending you choose.
8. How does Ranni’s ending differ from the others?
Ranni’s Age of Stars ending departs from the influence of the Greater Will and the Erdtree, ushering in an age of freedom and cosmic exploration. It’s a rejection of the established order and a pursuit of a new, unknown future. This ending demonstrates that Rani loves the Tarnished as she refers to them as her “lord” and her “dear consort”.
9. What does the Age of Order ending entail?
The Age of Order, achieved by using the Mending Rune of Perfect Order, brings a stricter, more structured sense of order to the Lands Between, based on the principles of the Golden Order. It represents a return to a more rigid and controlled society.
10. Why is Marika considered an antagonist by some?
Queen Marika the Eternal is the main antagonist because she shattered the Elden Ring, plunging the Lands Between into chaos and initiating the events of the game. Her motives remain ambiguous, making her a complex and morally gray character.
11. Who is the most powerful demigod?
General Radahn is generally considered the strongest demigod, although the battle with Malenia was close, highlighting the immense power of both characters.
12. What is the Numen race?
Marika belonged to the Numen race, a race of long-lived individuals from another world. This race is not often seen in Elden Ring.
13. Why did Marika shatter the Elden Ring?
The exact reason is not explicitly stated, but it is speculated that Marika betrayed the Greater Will after the death of her son Godwyn, rebelling against the established order and seeking to reshape the world according to her own vision.
14. Is it possible to save Marika?
While you cannot explicitly “save” Marika in the traditional sense, mending the Elden Ring restores her form, at least partially. Whether this constitutes saving her depends on your interpretation of her motives and actions. The firstborn and Marika’s most beloved child was Godwyn, the Golden.
15. What if I accidentally chose the wrong ending?
Unfortunately, there’s no way to undo your choice once you’ve initiated an ending. You’ll need to start a New Game Plus or load a previous save to experience a different ending.
The Power of Choice
Touching Marika in Elden Ring isn’t just a button press; it’s a profound moment of reckoning. It’s the culmination of your journey, your alliances, and your understanding of the world. The choice you make at that moment defines the fate of the Lands Between and solidifies your legacy as the Tarnished. The game offers a great opportunity to explore different leadership styles and ideologies, and this concept is useful for examining different scenarios. For more information on how games impact learning, see the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.