Who is the Lord of the Tarnished?
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The Lord of the Tarnished is a significant figure in the Elden Ring lore, with Godfrey, the first Elden Lord, being the most prominent example of a Tarnished. As the first Elden Lord and husband to Queen Marika, Godfrey‘s journey from a powerful leader to a Tarnished sets the stage for understanding the complex nature of the Tarnished and their role in the Lands Between.
Understanding the Tarnished
To delve deeper into the world of the Elden Ring and the Tarnished, it’s essential to explore various aspects of this lore-rich environment. Below are key questions and answers that provide insight into the Tarnished, their origins, and their significance in the Lands Between.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does the Tarnished become God? The Tarnished themselves do not become God in the traditional sense, as they are taken by Ranni as her consort, leading to a rule without an Elden Lord under her reign.
- Is the Tarnished immortal? Yes, the Tarnished are considered “Dead who have yet to live,” making them unable to truly die, which is why they are looked down upon by the living.
- Who was the first Elden Lord Tarnished? Godfrey is known as the first Elden Lord and the first Tarnished, who, after fulfilling his purpose for Queen Marika, was banished from the Lands Between.
- Why did Godfrey become Tarnished? Godfrey became Tarnished after defeating the enemies of Queen Marika and no longer being of use to her reign, leading to his banishment.
- Is the Tarnished the good guy? Every ending of Elden Ring still portrays the Tarnished as a villain, whether they restore the old order or help Ranni succeed Marika.
- Why did Queen Marika banish the Tarnished? Queen Marika banished Godfrey, the first Tarnished, either because he used his powers against the people of the Lands Between or because he no longer benefited her reign.
- How did the Tarnished lose grace? The Tarnished lost their Grace and were banished as punishment for straying too far from the Erdtree’s will, leading to their exile.
- Why did Marika abandon Godfrey? Marika abandoned Godfrey because he was no longer useful after conquering the neighboring lands, leading to her marriage with Radagon.
- Why does Morgott want to stop the Tarnished? Morgott seeks to stop any Tarnished from becoming the Elden Lord to protect his place in the Capital and his self-proclaimed title as the Last of All Kings.
- Why does no one die in Elden Ring? The Elden Ring dictates the natural order of life, but with the rune of death stolen, no one can truly die, leading to the Tarnished‘s unique state of being “Dead who have yet to live.”
- Who does the Tarnished marry? The Tarnished is taken by Ranni as her consort, ruling together without an Elden Lord in her Age of Stars ending.
- What happens when the Tarnished dies? Given life by Grace, the Tarnished have a form of immortality, allowing them to return from death in their quest to become the Elden Lord.
- Who killed the gods in Elden Ring? The Godskins and the power of Destined Death, embodied in black flames, can kill any god, as seen in the lore of Maliketh.
- Can you become a god in the Elden Ring? Only a demigod whose consort is the Elden Lord can become a god or goddess by becoming a vassal of the Elden Ring.
- What happens to Marika after the ending? Marika‘s fate varies depending on the ending; if Ranni is summoned, her body peacefully dissipates, while if the Tarnished is the Lord of Frenzied Flame, her head breaks apart into ash.
Conclusion
The Lord of the Tarnished and the lore surrounding the Tarnished are complex and multifaceted, offering a rich tapestry of stories and characters within the Elden Ring universe. Through Godfrey‘s story and the various endings, the Tarnished play a pivotal role in shaping the Lands Between, their immortality and quest for power driving the narrative forward. Understanding the Tarnished and their significance is key to unraveling the mysteries of the Elden Ring.