Who is the Ever Brilliant Goldmask?
Goldmask, also known as Brother Corhyn’s mentor, is a pivotal and enigmatic figure in Elden Ring. He is a fundamentalist theologian and a champion of the Golden Order, committed to understanding and ultimately repairing its perceived flaws. Unlike many other characters caught in the Lands Between’s tumultuous history, Goldmask is primarily driven by pure intellectual curiosity and a dedication to truth, rather than personal ambition or power. He communicates almost entirely through gestures and body language, leaving players to interpret his profound (and occasionally cryptic) insights into the nature of the Elden Ring and the Greater Will. His questline is deeply tied to the fate of the Lands Between and the potential for a new, more perfect age, making him a central figure in shaping the game’s ending.
Unraveling the Enigma: Goldmask’s Role in Elden Ring
Goldmask is first encountered by players near the Bridge of Sacrifice in Limgrave, where his disciple, Brother Corhyn, laments his master’s unsettling silence. Goldmask, even at this early stage, is clearly a unique and powerful figure, radiating an aura of serene contemplation. His silence isn’t born of ignorance, but rather of deep thought and observation.
The player’s interaction with Goldmask is mediated entirely through Corhyn, who acts as his interpreter and guide. Throughout the game, the player and Corhyn follow Goldmask as he moves to different locations, always seeking a clearer understanding of the Golden Order and its underlying principles. These movements are crucial to unlocking Goldmask’s questline and, ultimately, one of the game’s unique endings – the Age of Order ending.
Goldmask’s unwavering belief in the Golden Order distinguishes him from many other characters who have grown disillusioned with the Greater Will and its influence. However, he isn’t blindly devoted; he is willing to acknowledge and investigate discrepancies within the Golden Order’s ideology. This willingness to question the very foundations of his belief system sets him apart and highlights his commitment to truth above all else.
The Quest for Perfect Order: Goldmask’s Motivations
Goldmask’s motivations are complex and layered. He is not driven by a desire for power, fame, or revenge, but rather by a relentless pursuit of perfect understanding. He seeks to comprehend the true nature of the Elden Ring, the Greater Will, and the fundamental laws that govern the Lands Between. His silence is a manifestation of this intense contemplation, as he meticulously analyzes every aspect of the world around him.
His quest can be interpreted as an attempt to reconcile the imperfections and inconsistencies within the Golden Order. He sees the shattering of the Elden Ring not as a complete failure, but as an opportunity to reforge it into something even better. He believes that through rigorous study and understanding, the Golden Order can be purged of its flaws and restored to its former glory, or perhaps even surpass it.
Ultimately, Goldmask’s goal is to establish a new age of perfect order, one based on unshakable principles and immutable laws. He hopes that this new order will bring lasting peace and stability to the Lands Between, free from the corruption and conflict that have plagued it for so long. He believes that this can only be achieved through a deep understanding of the fundamental truths that govern the universe.
The Age of Order: Goldmask’s Legacy
The culmination of Goldmask’s questline is the Age of Order ending. This ending is achieved by obtaining the Mending Rune of Perfect Order from Goldmask after progressing through his quest. The player can then use this rune to mend the Elden Ring, ushering in a new era of strict and unwavering order.
The exact implications of the Age of Order ending are deliberately ambiguous. While it promises stability and peace, it also suggests a potential for rigidity and inflexibility. The Golden Order, in its perfect form, may lack the capacity for growth and adaptation, potentially leading to its own form of stagnation.
Whether this ending is ultimately beneficial or detrimental to the Lands Between is left for the player to decide. However, it is undeniable that Goldmask’s influence is profound and enduring. His unwavering commitment to truth and his relentless pursuit of perfect understanding have left an indelible mark on the world of Elden Ring, shaping the fate of its inhabitants for generations to come.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Goldmask
1. Where can I find Goldmask?
Goldmask is first located on the broken section of the Bridge of Sacrifice in Limgrave, just south of the Weeping Peninsula.
2. What is Brother Corhyn’s role in Goldmask’s questline?
Brother Corhyn is Goldmask’s disciple and serves as the player’s primary point of contact. He interprets Goldmask’s gestures and provides guidance throughout the questline.
3. What are the key locations I need to visit with Goldmask?
After Limgrave, Goldmask and Corhyn move to the Altus Plateau, specifically near the Colosseum. Later, they relocate to Leyndell, Royal Capital. Finally, after Leyndell becomes the Ashen Capital, you’ll find Goldmask in the Mountaintops of the Giants, near the Stargazer’s Ruins.
4. What is the significance of Goldmask’s silence?
Goldmask’s silence represents his intense focus and contemplation as he analyzes the Golden Order and the Elden Ring. He communicates through gestures because he believes words are inadequate to express his profound understanding.
5. What is the Mending Rune of Perfect Order?
The Mending Rune of Perfect Order is a key item obtained during Goldmask’s questline. It allows the player to mend the Elden Ring and usher in the Age of Order ending.
6. How do I obtain the Mending Rune of Perfect Order?
To obtain the Mending Rune, you must complete Goldmask’s questline by progressing through his various locations, deciphering his clues with Corhyn’s help, and answering the Radagon/Marika riddle in Leyndell. After the capital turns to ash, find Goldmask’s corpse in the Mountaintops of the Giants to retrieve the rune.
7. What is the Age of Order ending?
The Age of Order ending is one of the possible endings in Elden Ring. It represents a new era of strict and unwavering order, potentially leading to stability but also rigidity.
8. Is the Age of Order ending good or bad?
The interpretation of the Age of Order ending is subjective. It offers stability and potentially eliminates conflict, but it may also lack the flexibility needed for future growth and adaptation. It’s up to the player to decide if it is a desirable outcome.
9. What happens to Brother Corhyn after Goldmask’s questline?
After obtaining the Mending Rune of Perfect Order, Brother Corhyn can be found near Goldmask’s corpse. His dialogue reveals his growing understanding of Goldmask’s wisdom, culminating in a tragic realization about the nature of order itself.
10. Can I fail Goldmask’s questline?
Yes, it is possible to fail Goldmask’s questline if you progress too far in the game without completing the necessary steps. Specifically, if you defeat the final boss before obtaining the Mending Rune, you will miss out on the Age of Order ending.
11. What is Goldmask’s relationship to Radagon and Marika?
Goldmask’s questline leads to the realization that Radagon and Marika are the same person, a fundamental truth that unlocks the path to the Mending Rune of Perfect Order. This revelation is crucial to his understanding of the Golden Order.
12. Does Goldmask ever speak?
No, Goldmask never speaks throughout the game. He communicates exclusively through gestures and body language.
13. Why is Goldmask considered “ever brilliant”?
The title “ever brilliant” likely refers to Goldmask’s exceptional intellect and his unwavering dedication to the pursuit of knowledge. He is regarded as a brilliant theologian and a master of the Golden Order’s principles.
14. Does Goldmask have any connection to the Two Fingers?
While Goldmask is a proponent of the Golden Order, there’s no explicit evidence linking him directly to the Two Fingers. His focus is on understanding the underlying principles of the Order, rather than solely adhering to the Two Fingers’ guidance.
15. What happens if I kill Goldmask early in the game?
It is generally not recommended to kill Goldmask early in the game. Doing so will prevent you from progressing through his questline and obtaining the Mending Rune of Perfect Order, locking you out of the Age of Order ending.