The Age of Duskborn: Unveiling Fia’s Alternate Ending in Elden Ring
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The alternate ending associated with Fia in Elden Ring is known as the Age of Duskborn. This ending fundamentally alters the fate of the Lands Between, not through fiery destruction or cosmic ascension, but by reintroducing the natural cycle of life and death. Instead of becoming Elden Lord in the traditional sense, the player, guided by Fia’s questline, facilitates the rebirth of Godwyn the Golden, now known as the Prince of Death, and restores the concept of true mortality to the world. To achieve this ending, you must gather key items and complete specific tasks, culminating in the use of the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince on the shattered Elden Ring. This choice presents a significant alternative to the traditional Elden Lord endings, offering a unique perspective on the game’s themes. It’s a path that embraces the acceptance of death as a natural part of existence, a stark contrast to the immortal curse that plagues the Lands Between.
Understanding the Questline for the Age of Duskborn
The path to the Age of Duskborn isn’t straightforward, requiring dedication to Fia’s questline. Here’s a breakdown of the key steps involved:
Initial Encounters and the Deathbed Companion
Your first encounter with Fia, the Deathbed Companion, is in the Roundtable Hold. Exhausting her dialogue is crucial to initiate her quest. Initially, she seeks to comfort the player, but her true intentions revolve around finding a way to revive Godwyn the Golden.
The Hunt for the Cursemark of Death
Fia’s quest revolves around the Cursemark of Death. This is a fragmented item with two parts, one initially held by Ranni, and another embedded in Godwyn’s flesh. To begin, after progressing Fia’s quest far enough, she will ask you to retrieve the Cursemark of Death. After your first embrace with her after killing her champions, she will request this. You must accept the embrace. Then, after agreeing to be embraced, and reloading the area, she will be asleep.
Entering the Deathbed Dream
By interacting with Fia while she sleeps, you will be transported into the Deathbed Dream. Here you will have to fight Lichdragon Fortissax, a powerful optional boss guarding the key to achieving this ending.
Acquiring the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince
Upon defeating Lichdragon Fortissax and leaving the dream, you’ll find Fia’s body. From it you can collect the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince. This crucial item is what you’ll eventually use to alter the ending.
The Final Choice: The Age of Duskborn
After defeating the final boss, you won’t touch Marika directly to mend the Elden Ring in a typical ending. Instead you select the option to use the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince, thereby bringing the Age of Duskborn into being.
The Implications of the Age of Duskborn
The Age of Duskborn represents more than just a different end to the game; it’s a thematic statement about the nature of existence in Elden Ring.
Reintroducing Mortality
Unlike the other endings that usually focus on maintaining or altering the order, this ending brings death back into the natural cycle. It removes the curse of immortality, allowing life and death to exist harmoniously. This is seen in the visuals of the ending with the growth of a dark ash like substance permeating the Capital city.
Godwyn’s New Role
Godwyn, resurrected as the Prince of Death, assumes a position of power among those who live in death. This creates a new paradigm where death isn’t necessarily an end, but a different form of existence.
A Canon Ending?
Some players believe the Age of Duskborn is the intended or “canon” ending, largely based on hints from art associated with the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. This gives weight to the argument that it has the most potential to tie into the story.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does completing Fia’s quest change the ending?
Yes, completing Fia’s questline unlocks the Age of Duskborn ending, offering an alternative to the standard Elden Lord endings.
2. Is Fia’s ending good?
Whether it’s “good” is subjective, but the Age of Duskborn is seen by many as a positive ending. It reintroduces the natural order of death and creates a unique new era in the Lands Between. Fia’s ending benefits those who live in death by giving them a new leader in Godwyn as the Prince of Death.
3. What is the hardest ending to achieve in Elden Ring?
The Lord of Frenzied Flame ending is often considered the hardest to achieve due to its obtuse and hidden requirements.
4. Can I do both Fia and Ranni’s questlines?
Yes, you can complete both Fia’s and Ranni’s questlines without them interfering with each other. This means you have the option of their respective endings, or if you wish to, you can also go with the Frenzied Flame ending.
5. Do I give Fia the Cursemark of Death?
Yes, you must give Fia the Cursemark of Death after you allow her to hold you, this will further the questline.
6. Should I give Fia the deathmark?
Yes, you should give Fia the deathmark and then reload the area to enter the Deathbed Dream and fight Lichdragon Fortissax.
7. Are there 7 endings in Elden Ring?
There are six core endings in Elden Ring, and while there was a seventh ending planned for the game, it was ultimately cut.
8. What endings do you need to 100% Elden Ring?
To achieve all achievements you need to witness one of the Elden Lord endings, the Age of Stars ending, and the Lord of the Frenzied Flame ending.
9. What is the easiest alternate ending in Elden Ring?
The Age of Fracture is considered the easiest ending to achieve, sometimes even regarded as the standard ending.
10. Does Fia bring Godwyn back to life?
Yes, Fia, with the player’s help, combines the two halves of the cursemark, then lays with Godwyn to bring him back as the Prince of Death.
11. What is the canon ending of Elden Ring?
The Age of Duskborn is often theorized to be the canon ending, based on the art and lore clues provided by the developers.
12. What to do after D kills Fia?
After D’s twin kills Fia (if you progress his questline), you can collect the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince from her body.
13. What ending does Melina want?
Melina guides the player towards the standard Elden Lord ending, where you become Elden Lord and mend the Elden Ring.
14. Should I let Fia hold me after killing her champions?
Yes, you should let Fia hold you to receive Baldachin’s Blessing and continue her questline. Be aware you’ll receive a temporary health debuff until you use the Blessing.
15. What is the duskborn ending?
The Age of Duskborn involves using the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince to restore the principle of death in the Lands Between, establishing Godwyn as the Prince of Death, and allowing the world to be free from the curse of immortality.