Why Are Two Fingers on Divine Towers in Elden Ring?
The presence of the deceased Two Fingers at the summits of Elden Ring’s Divine Towers is a critical piece of the game’s lore, serving a pivotal function within the narrative and gameplay mechanics. These inert, skeletal figures aren’t merely decorative; they represent the remnants of powerful envoys of the Greater Will, an Outer God, and their presence at these specific locations has profound implications. Their primary purpose, in the context of the game, is to act as conduits for the power of the Great Runes. Essentially, the Two Fingers are the physical anchors to enable the Tarnished to restore the power of defeated Shardbearers’ Great Runes. The towers themselves act as amplifying structures. The fact the Two Fingers are deceased suggests their original purpose, to guide the Lands Between, has been lost or corrupted and that their power is now only usable by the Tarnished.
The Role of the Two Fingers
The Two Fingers were not originally designed to be lifeless husks at the peak of towers. They were active agents of the Greater Will, tasked with crucial responsibilities. Here’s a breakdown of their key functions:
Envoys of the Greater Will
As vassals of the Greater Will, they served as its direct representatives in the Lands Between. Their existence was intrinsically tied to the Greater Will’s influence and agenda. They were the visible manifestation of its authority within the realm.
Selecting Empyreans
One of their most critical roles was the selection of Empyrean candidates. These individuals were considered worthy to potentially inherit the Elden Ring and become the next vessel of the Elden Lord. The selection process is shrouded in mystery, but it is implied the Two Fingers use their connection with the Greater Will to decide who is worthy.
Furnishing Shadowbound Beasts
The Two Fingers also provided Empyreans with shadowbound beasts, loyal guardians meant to assist and protect these chosen individuals. These beasts are powerful and closely tied to their Empyrean counterpart, showing the depth of the relationship between the Two Fingers and the chosen few.
Offering Guidance to the Tarnished
Finally, they offered guidance and sometimes wisdom to the Tarnished, though their pronouncements were often cryptic and steeped in the dogma of the Greater Will. This aspect is largely seen in the game through interactions with Finger Readers, who interpret the messages of the Two Fingers.
Divine Towers and Great Runes
The connection between the Two Fingers and the Divine Towers is fundamentally about power. The towers are constructed in such a way that they act as conduits, amplifying the dormant power of the Great Runes held by the fallen Shardbearers. The deceased Two Fingers at the top are the focal point for this process.
When a Shardbearer is defeated, their Great Rune is obtained, but it remains inert. By taking the Great Rune to the corresponding Divine Tower and activating it at the site of the dead Two Fingers, the player can restore the rune to its full potential and gain its significant powers. The Two Fingers are the missing component in this power transfer, acting like a key to unlock the latent abilities of each Great Rune.
The fact the Two Fingers are dead in each of these locations suggests a deeper narrative point about the broken state of the Lands Between. It indicates a fall from grace and perhaps the Greater Will’s influence waning or becoming corrupt in some way.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many Divine Towers are there in Elden Ring?
There are six Divine Towers in the game, each associated with a specific Great Rune and Shardbearer. Each one has a dead Two Fingers at the top, and most require a specific Great Rune to be entered.
2. What is the purpose of the Isolated Divine Tower?
The Isolated Divine Tower is unique as it is used to activate Malenia’s Great Rune. It is notably locked and requires the Great Rune from Malenia to gain access. It is also the only tower that can be reached from the Weeping Peninsula, however it cannot be entered until Malenia has been defeated.
3. Which Divine Tower is easiest to get to?
The West Altus Divine Tower is often considered one of the easiest to access. It can be reached via a mini-dungeon located in the moat around the capital of Leyndell, specifically through the Sealed Tunnel entrance at its southernmost point.
4. Whose body is found on top of the Liurnia Divine Tower?
Instead of a deceased Two Fingers, players find the corpse of Ranni the Witch atop the Divine Tower of Liurnia. This is evidence of her involvement in the Night of Black Knives.
5. How do you access the Divine Tower of Liurnia?
The Divine Tower of Liurnia can only be accessed by inverting the Carian Study Hall using the Carian Inverted Statue, which is acquired during Ranni’s questline.
6. What is the best Great Rune in Elden Ring?
While opinions vary, Godrick’s Great Rune is often considered the best due to its significant stat boost. However, all Great Runes have unique powers that cater to different builds.
7. What does Mohg’s Great Rune do?
Mohg’s Great Rune grants a blessing of blood to summoned phantoms and imparts a phantom Great Rune upon a successful invasion. It is designed for players who prefer aggressive, invasion-focused gameplay.
8. How do you activate all Great Runes?
To activate a Great Rune’s power, you must first restore it at a corresponding Divine Tower. Then, you need to use a consumable item called Rune Arcs, which are often found in dangerous areas or as rare drops.
9. How do you open the door to the Divine Tower?
Generally, the doors of most Divine Towers can be opened after defeating the associated Shardbearer and obtaining their Great Rune. Some towers, like the Isolated Divine Tower, have additional requirements.
10. Is the Elden Tree a parasite?
According to some interpretations, the Erdtree is indeed a parasite, feeding off the life of the Lands Between. This fits the game’s themes about the Greater Will being more controlling than benevolent.
11. Is the Elden Beast evil?
The Elden Beast is not necessarily “evil”, but rather it serves as the final guardian of the Elden Ring. It seeks to maintain the current order and ensure that Queen Marika remains imprisoned and is the final boss of the game.
12. Why is it difficult to enter the Isolated Divine Tower?
The Isolated Divine Tower requires the Great Rune of Malenia to be obtained and is designed to be a late-game challenge, ensuring that players only access its power after overcoming a significant obstacle.
13. Which Divine Tower is for Godrick’s Great Rune?
The Divine Tower of Limgrave is where Godrick’s Great Rune can be activated. This tower can be reached by travelling through Castle Stormveil, starting at the Liftside Chamber Site of Grace.
14. Do Great Runes carry over to New Game Plus?
No, Great Runes do not carry over to a New Game Plus playthrough. They must be obtained again in each new cycle.
15. Which is the hardest Divine Beast to free in Breath of the Wild?
While this is not an Elden Ring question, the question does involve Divine Beasts, so, of the Divine Beasts in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Vah Naboris is generally considered the most difficult to free, requiring careful strategy and navigation through a hostile environment.