What is the Lore Behind Tarnished?
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The Tarnished are individuals who lost the Grace of the Erdtree and were consequently banished from the Lands Between by Queen Marika the Eternal, marking a pivotal moment in the lore of Elden Ring. This banishment occurred due to the inhabitants of the Lands Between straying too far from the Erdtree’s guidance, leading to a brutal and bloody war that ravaged the land and set the stage for the Tarnished’s story.
Understanding the Tarnished Backstory
To delve deeper into the lore behind the Tarnished, it’s essential to explore their backstory and the events that led to their banishment. The Tarnished were once inhabitants of the Lands Between, living under the rule of Queen Marika and the Greater Will. However, as the war intensified and the people lost their way, they were punished by the Erdtree, losing their Grace and being exiled.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Tarnished Backstory?
The Tarnished backstory revolves around the Lands Between’s inhabitants losing their way during a brutal and bloody war, resulting in their punishment by the Erdtree and subsequent banishment.
2. What is the Elden Ring Tarnished Theory?
The Elden Ring Tarnished theory suggests that the Tarnished are guided by Grace and aided by Finger Maidens, but many of these maidens have vanished, leaving the Tarnished to follow the Greater Will largely alone.
3. Are the Tarnished Good or Bad?
Every Elden Ring Ending still portrays the Tarnished as a villain, whether they choose to restore the old order or help Ranni succeed Marika as ruler in the Age of Stars ending.
4. Why Did Marika Create the Tarnished?
Marika created the Tarnished because she knew some individuals would betray the Greater Will, as seen with Godfrey, who became the first Tarnished after being punished for his actions.
5. What is the History of the Tarnished?
The history of the Tarnished is deeply intertwined with the lore of Elden Ring, involving their banishment, the role of the Erdtree, and the pursuit of reclaiming their lost Grace.
6. Is the Tarnished Immortal?
The Tarnished are cursed to immortality, bound by a singular goal and driven to make a choice that will determine the fate of the Lands Between.
7. How Did the Tarnished Lose Their Grace?
The Tarnished lost their Grace as punishment from the Erdtree for straying too far from its guidance during the war, leading to their banishment from the Lands Between.
8. Who Does the Tarnished Marry?
In one of the endings, the Tarnished is taken by Ranni as her consort, marking a significant deviation from the typical path of becoming the Elden Lord.
9. Who is the True Villain of Elden Ring?
Queen Marika the Eternal is considered the main antagonist of Elden Ring, ruling over the Lands Between under the Greater Will and playing a crucial role in the Tarnished’s story.
10. What is the Purpose of Tarnished?
The Tarnished serve as protagonists in the Elden Ring lore, driven by their goal to reclaim their lost Grace and decide the fate of the Lands Between.
11. Who Revived the Tarnished?
The golden light of Grace revives the Tarnished upon their first deaths, reconstructing their body at the nearest Site of Lost Grace checkpoint or Stake of Marika.
12. Does Tarnished Marry Ranni?
Yes, in the Age of Stars ending, the Tarnished is taken by Ranni as her consort, altering the typical narrative of the Tarnished becoming the Elden Lord.
13. Who Was the First Tarnished?
Godfrey and his kinfolk became the first Tarnished, leaving the Lands Between on a pilgrimage known as the Long March after being banished by Queen Marika.
14. Why Did Marika Banish the Tarnished?
Marika banished the Tarnished either because they used their powers in ways that didn’t serve the people of the Lands Between or because they no longer benefitted her reign, as seen with Godfrey.
15. Is Roderika Tarnished?
Yes, Roderika is a Tarnished noblewoman who becomes the player’s Spirit Tuner, sticking with the player from the beginning to the end of the game, along with Hewg, a Misbegotten prisoner and blacksmith.