The Exile of the Tarnished: Unraveling Elden Ring’s Lore
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The question of why the Tarnished were banished from the Lands Between is central to understanding the narrative core of Elden Ring. Essentially, the Tarnished are individuals who, in the eyes of the Greater Will and the Erdtree, have lost their Grace. This loss of Grace stems from a perceived failure, whether it be a moral transgression, a dereliction of duty, or simply becoming obsolete to the prevailing order. Queen Marika the Eternal, the vessel of the Elden Ring, played a significant role in this banishment, particularly concerning figures like Godfrey. The Tarnished represent those deemed unworthy, exiled to the outside world, only to be called back when the Elden Ring is shattered and the Lands Between are thrown into chaos. They are the dead who yet live, resurrected with the hope, or perhaps the manipulation, to restore the Golden Order.
The Fall From Grace: What Does It Truly Mean?
The concept of Grace is crucial to understanding the exile of the Tarnished. Grace represents the influence and favor of the Greater Will, manifested through the Erdtree. To lose Grace signifies a severing of this connection, a state of being deemed undesirable by the cosmic forces governing the Lands Between.
Godfrey’s Example: A Case Study in Tarnishing
Godfrey’s story is particularly illuminating. Initially a powerful warrior and consort to Queen Marika, Godfrey led the conquest of the Lands Between, vanquishing foes and expanding Marika’s domain. However, once the wars subsided, and Godfrey’s usefulness to Marika and the Greater Will diminished, he was stripped of his Grace and banished. This suggests that being Tarnished isn’t solely about moral failings but also about serving a purpose. When that purpose ends, the individual is discarded. The brutal nature of this act is further highlighted by the fact that Godfrey was forced to leave behind his lineage and kingdom, marking the beginning of the Long March for him and his kin.
Beyond Godfrey: Other Reasons for Exile
While Godfrey’s story offers a clear example, other Tarnished may have been exiled for different reasons. Some might have challenged the Golden Order directly, while others may have engaged in practices deemed heretical or detrimental to the Erdtree’s influence. It’s also possible that some were banished simply because they posed a threat to the established power structure. Whatever the specific reason, the common thread is a perceived deviation from the will of the Greater Will, leading to the ultimate punishment: exile.
The Return of the Tarnished: A Call to Action or a Desperate Gambit?
The shattering of the Elden Ring and the subsequent scattering of its shards, the Great Runes, triggered a summons, drawing the Tarnished back to the Lands Between. This return is presented as an opportunity: to claim the Great Runes, restore the Elden Ring, and become the Elden Lord.
Manipulated Hope: The Tarnished as Pawns
However, the narrative of Elden Ring is far from straightforward. It becomes clear that the Tarnished are, in many ways, being manipulated. Different factions and individuals vie for their allegiance, each offering a different path and a different interpretation of what it means to restore the Golden Order. The Two Fingers, representatives of the Greater Will, guide the Tarnished initially, but their guidance is not necessarily benevolent. Other figures, like Melina, offer alternative paths, suggesting that the Greater Will’s intentions may not be the only ones worth pursuing.
The Many Endings: A Testament to Agency
The fact that Elden Ring offers multiple endings underscores the ambiguity of the Tarnished’s role. They are not simply heroes fulfilling a preordained destiny. They have the agency to choose their own path, even if that path leads to destruction or the perpetuation of a flawed system. Whether they become benevolent rulers, agents of chaos, or something in between, the Tarnished’s choices ultimately determine the fate of the Lands Between.
The GamesLearningSociety.org explores complex narratives in games and educational impact. Learning about the story of Elden Ring can be a way to understand the concept of moral decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Tarnished
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the mystery surrounding the Tarnished and their banishment:
1. Why do Tarnished need maidens?
Tarnished need the help of a Finger Maiden, who serves the Greater Will, to help guide them and turn rune fragments into strength. The maiden acts as a conduit for the Greater Will’s power, allowing the Tarnished to grow stronger and progress in their quest. Without a maiden, a Tarnished is considered “maidenless,” significantly hindering their progress.
2. What are the Tarnished trying to do?
Upon returning to the Lands Between, the Tarnished are tasked by the Two Fingers to seek the Great Runes possessed by the Demigods, restore the Elden Ring, and become Elden Lord. This is the primary objective, although many Tarnished may pursue their own agendas along the way.
3. Are the Tarnished good or bad?
The Tarnished’s alignment is ultimately determined by their choices. Every ending in Elden Ring can be interpreted as having morally ambiguous consequences, suggesting that the Tarnished’s actions are neither inherently good nor bad. They can choose to defile the world, burn it down, break the curse of immortality, or simply restore the old order.
4. Why are Tarnished looked down on?
The Tarnished are often referred to as “Dead who have yet to live,” which implies they exist in a state between life and death. This unusual state, coupled with their history of exile, leads to them being looked down upon by those who are fully alive.
5. Why did Queen Marika banish the Tarnished?
Queen Marika banished the Tarnished, particularly Godfrey, once they were no longer deemed useful to her reign and the Greater Will. In Godfrey’s case, once he had conquered all neighboring lands, his purpose was fulfilled, leading to his exile.
6. Is a Tarnished undead?
The opening cinematic implies that all the Tarnished are undead, being revived by the Erdtree’s grace. However, some Tarnished dedicate themselves to hunting “Those Who Live in Death” (undead skeletons), creating a complex dynamic.
7. Why did Godfrey get banished?
Godfrey was exiled because he was no longer of use to the Greater Will. Once he had conquered all neighboring lands, his purpose was fulfilled, leading Marika to banish him from the Lands Between.
8. What does being maidenless mean?
In the context of Elden Ring, being “maidenless” means lacking a Finger Maiden, who serves as a guide and source of power for the Tarnished. In internet slang, it has evolved to mean single, lacking a girlfriend, or even generally rude, obnoxious, or pathetic.
9. Why does no one die in Elden Ring?
The Elden Ring is composed of runes that dictate the natural order of life. Someone stole the rune of death, preventing true death from occurring, leading to the existence of undead and the need for the Tarnished to address this imbalance.
10. Who revived the Tarnished?
The Tarnished are revived by the Erdtree’s grace, as shown in the opening cinematic. This revival is what allows them to return to the Lands Between and pursue their quest to become Elden Lord.
11. What happens if you refuse Melina?
You must accept Melina’s accord to level up and acquire your horse. Refusing her will cut you off from crucial tools and make progression extremely difficult, if not impossible.
12. What is the backstory of the Tarnished?
The Tarnished are those who lost their Grace and were banished from the Lands Between. They are called back when the Elden Ring is shattered, tasked with restoring the Golden Order or forging a new path.
13. What does maidenless Tarnished mean?
A maidenless Tarnished is a warrior left to die, lacking the guidance and power provided by a Finger Maiden. This significantly hinders their ability to progress and fulfill their destiny.
14. Who says no maidens in Elden Ring?
White Mask Varré is the first character to call the player “maidenless.” The term has since become a popular joke among players, referring to being single.
15. Who was the first Tarnished?
Godfrey and his kinfolk were the first Tarnished, marking the beginning of the Long March and the exile of those who lost their Grace.
In conclusion, the exile of the Tarnished is a complex and multifaceted issue, deeply intertwined with the lore of Elden Ring. It represents a severing of ties with the Greater Will, a punishment for perceived failures, and a desperate gamble to restore order to a broken world. The Tarnished are not simply heroes or villains, but rather agents of change, their choices shaping the destiny of the Lands Between in profound and unpredictable ways.