Who was the Tarnished before Elden Ring?
The Tarnished were individuals who lost the grace of the Erdtree and were consequently banished from the Lands Between by Queen Marika the Eternal, making them exiles who were once inhabitants of the Lands Between prior to gaining their current title. Before their banishment, the Tarnished were part of a kingdom ruled by the Greater Will through its Elden Ring vessel Queen Marika the Eternal, who watched over the Erdtree.
Introduction to the Tarnished
Understanding the Tarnished
To gain a deeper understanding of who the Tarnished were before Elden Ring, it is essential to explore the lore and history surrounding these characters. The Tarnished are “Dead who have yet to live”, which is why they can never truly die and why they are looked down on by the living. This unique condition sets them apart from other characters in the game and raises questions about their existence and purpose.
FAQs about the Tarnished
The following FAQs provide additional information about the Tarnished and their role in the Elden Ring universe:
- Who was the first Tarnished?: Godfrey, the first Elden Lord, became the first Tarnished after being banished from the Lands Between by Queen Marika.
- What happened to the Tarnished before Elden Ring?: The Tarnished were banished from the Lands Between and lost the grace of the Erdtree, making them exiles.
- Why were the Tarnished banished?: The Tarnished were banished because they lost their way and were punished by the Erdtree, or because Queen Marika wanted them gone.
- Who revived the Tarnished?: The Erdtree’s grace revived the slain Tarnished when the Elden Ring was shattered.
- What does being maidenless mean?: Being maidenless means having no maidens, which is significant for the Tarnished as they are informed by Melina that they are maidenless.
- Why are the Tarnished looked down upon?: The Tarnished are looked down upon because they are “Dead who have yet to live”, making them unworthy in the eyes of the living.
- Who is the canon Tarnished?: The Tarnished is the playable character of Elden Ring, whose goal is to become the Elden Lord by mending the Elden Ring.
- Is the Tarnished immortal?: The Tarnished are canonically immortal, as they can never truly die due to their unique condition.
- Who does the Tarnished marry?: The Tarnished is taken by Ranni as her consort, ruling together without an Elden Lord.
- How did the Tarnished lose grace?: The Tarnished lost their grace because they strayed too far from the Erdtree and were punished, or because Queen Marika wanted them gone.
- Why did Marika make the Tarnished?: Queen Marika made the Tarnished because she wanted to punish those who strayed too far or because she wanted Godfrey gone.
- What were the Tarnished before?: The Tarnished were once inhabitants of the Lands Between, living in a kingdom ruled by the Greater Will through Queen Marika.
- Is Marika still alive in Elden Ring?: Queen Marika‘s head peacefully dissipates or breaks apart and crumbles into ash, depending on the ending.
- Is the Tarnished the good guy?: The Tarnished can choose to defile the world or burn it all down, making them a villain in every ending.
- Why does Gideon try to stop the Tarnished?: Gideon tries to stop the Tarnished because he learns something about Queen Marika that causes him to doubt the journey and seek to stop any Tarnished from becoming Elden Lord.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Tarnished were individuals who lost the grace of the Erdtree and were banished from the Lands Between by Queen Marika the Eternal. Their unique condition as “Dead who have yet to live” sets them apart, and their role in the Elden Ring universe is complex and multifaceted. By exploring the lore and history surrounding the Tarnished, players can gain a deeper understanding of the game’s world and characters. The FAQs provided offer additional insights into the Tarnished and their significance in the Elden Ring universe.