Why are there Dead Two Fingers on Top of Divine Towers?
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The presence of two dead Fingers atop the Divine Towers in Elden Ring is a visual motif steeped in lore and symbolic significance. In short, they represent the broken connection between the Greater Will and the Lands Between. Each Divine Tower is associated with a shard of the Elden Ring held by a demigod, and the dead Fingers symbolize the stagnation and decay resulting from Marika’s shattering of the Ring. The Two Fingers, meant to communicate the Greater Will’s will and guidance, are deceased, indicating the failure of the Golden Order and the absence of divine direction during the Shattering. Their lifelessness is a stark reminder of the world’s fractured state and the Tarnished’s desperate quest to mend it.
Understanding the Significance of the Two Fingers
The Two Fingers are enigmatic entities acting as intermediaries between the Greater Will, an outer god residing beyond the Lands Between, and the Elden Ring, the source of all order and life. They are primarily responsible for bestowing grace upon individuals, guiding them towards becoming Elden Lords and maintaining the Golden Order. The dead Fingers, therefore, aren’t just corpses; they’re symbols of a severed link, a divine communication channel that has gone silent.
The visual presence of these dead Fingers, strategically positioned on the Divine Towers, serves multiple purposes:
- Narrative Framing: They immediately communicate the dire state of the Lands Between. Players are confronted with the reality of a broken world abandoned by its guiding deity.
- Lore Integration: Their presence encourages exploration and investigation. Players are driven to understand why these divine messengers are dead, leading them down intricate paths of discovery into the lore of the Elden Ring and the Golden Order.
- Symbolic Representation: The dead Fingers aren’t just inert objects. They visually represent the paralysis of the Golden Order, the failure of its tenets, and the ambiguity surrounding the Greater Will’s intentions.
Essentially, the dead Two Fingers on the Divine Towers are a powerful visual shorthand for the central conflict and mystery at the heart of Elden Ring. They represent the spiritual void created by the Shattering and the daunting task faced by the Tarnished in restoring order, or forging a new path altogether.
Exploring Related Lore and Concepts
To fully appreciate the significance of the dead Fingers, it’s crucial to understand related concepts such as the Greater Will, the Golden Order, and the Shattering of the Elden Ring.
The Greater Will: The Silent Deity
The Greater Will is an outer god believed to be the source of the Elden Ring and the Golden Order. Its influence is felt throughout the Lands Between, but its true nature and intentions remain shrouded in mystery. The Two Fingers were its primary means of communication, interpreting its will and guiding the inhabitants of the Lands Between. With the Fingers dead, the Greater Will’s silence further contributes to the world’s sense of abandonment and uncertainty.
The Golden Order: A System of Belief
The Golden Order is a system of beliefs and governance based on the principles of the Elden Ring. It dictates the natural order of the world, defining life, death, and the role of various entities within the Lands Between. Marika, the Eternal, was the vessel of the Elden Ring and the leader of the Golden Order. However, her act of shattering the Elden Ring threw the entire system into chaos.
The Shattering: A Cataclysmic Event
The Shattering refers to the event in which Queen Marika the Eternal shattered the Elden Ring. This act plunged the Lands Between into a state of war and decay. The shards of the Elden Ring were claimed by Marika’s offspring, the demigods, each of whom became corrupted by the power of their Great Rune. The resulting conflicts and power struggles led to the current state of the Lands Between, a fractured world desperately in need of a new Elden Lord. The death of the Two Fingers can be seen as a direct consequence of this shattering, symbolizing the breaking of the connection with the divine source.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the role and significance of the dead Fingers:
1. Are all the Two Fingers dead in Elden Ring?
No, not all Two Fingers are deceased. Some remain active, such as the Two Fingers at the Roundtable Hold. However, those atop the Divine Towers are demonstrably dead.
2. What is the purpose of the Divine Towers?
Divine Towers are structures designed to empower the Great Runes held by the demigods. By reaching the top of a Divine Tower, the Tarnished can restore the power of a Great Rune, making its associated abilities accessible.
3. Why are the dead Fingers only found on top of Divine Towers?
Their presence on the towers serves as a constant reminder of the broken connection between the Greater Will and the demigods who now wield the shards of the Elden Ring. It signifies that the divine influence is absent from the very structures meant to amplify the power derived from the fractured Ring.
4. What does it mean when the Two Fingers at the Roundtable Hold refuse to communicate?
When the Two Fingers at the Roundtable Hold are unresponsive, it indicates that the Tarnished’s current path is uncertain or deviates from the expected Golden Order. It often prompts the player to seek alternative solutions or interpretations of their destiny.
5. Are the Two Fingers the only way the Greater Will communicates?
While the Two Fingers are the primary intermediaries, the Greater Will might exert its influence in other subtle ways, such as through Grace or the guidance of Empyreans. However, these are often indirect and open to interpretation.
6. Could the dead Fingers be revived?
The possibility of reviving the dead Fingers is not explicitly addressed in the game. However, given the theme of rebirth and restoration present in Elden Ring, it’s not entirely out of the realm of possibility, although no known method exists within the current lore.
7. Is there a connection between the dead Fingers and the death of Godwyn the Golden?
While not directly stated, Godwyn’s death likely contributed to the weakening and fracturing of the Golden Order, potentially leading to the demise of some Two Fingers. His death was a pivotal event that destabilized the Lands Between.
8. Does the death of the Fingers benefit any particular faction?
The absence of divine guidance creates opportunities for various factions to pursue their own agendas and interpretations of the Elden Ring’s purpose. This benefits those who seek to reshape the world according to their own ideals, such as the followers of the Frenzied Flame or those seeking to establish a new order.
9. What is the role of Finger Readers?
Finger Readers are individuals who can interpret the will of the Two Fingers. Their ability to understand the divine message makes them valuable sources of guidance, although their interpretations are not always infallible.
10. Are the dead Fingers related to the outer gods other than the Greater Will?
While the Two Fingers are directly linked to the Greater Will, the influence of other outer gods could indirectly affect their fate. The conflict between various outer gods and their interference in the Lands Between might contribute to the weakening of the Golden Order and the demise of the Fingers.
11. What are the implications of the Fingers being dead for the future of the Lands Between?
The death of the Fingers signifies a crisis of faith and a loss of divine direction. The future of the Lands Between becomes uncertain, with the Tarnished tasked with either restoring the old order or forging a new one in the absence of clear guidance.
12. How do the dead Fingers contribute to the overall atmosphere of Elden Ring?
The visual of the dead Fingers enhances the game’s atmosphere of decay, abandonment, and mystery. It contributes to the sense that the world is broken and lost, requiring the player to navigate a treacherous path with limited guidance.
13. Could the dead Fingers be a result of Marika’s actions?
Marika’s shattering of the Elden Ring is the most plausible explanation for the death of the Fingers. Her actions severed the link between the Elden Ring and the Greater Will, rendering the Two Fingers ineffective and ultimately leading to their demise.
14. Are there any in-game dialogues that directly explain the death of the Fingers?
While no single dialogue explicitly states the cause of death, various characters provide hints and insights into the events leading to the current state of the Lands Between, allowing players to piece together the puzzle. Gideon Ofnir, for example, offers valuable lore explanations.
15. Does the ending chosen by the player affect the state of the dead Fingers?
No, regardless of the ending chosen by the player, the dead Fingers on the Divine Towers remain in their state of decay. The player’s choice primarily influences the future governance of the Lands Between and the fate of the Elden Ring itself, not the physical state of the already deceased Fingers. However, the narrative implications of their lifelessness might be perceived differently depending on the chosen ending.