Why Did Ranni Steal the Rune of Death? Unraveling the Night of Black Knives in Elden Ring
Ranni, the enigmatic and powerful Lunar Princess, is a central figure in the events of Elden Ring. Her motivations are complex, and her actions have far-reaching consequences for the Lands Between. At the heart of her ambition lies a pivotal act: the theft of the Rune of Death, also known as Destined Death. Ranni didn’t steal the Rune of Death out of malice or a simple lust for power. Instead, her theft was a calculated and desperate act of defiance against the Greater Will and the established order of the world, driven by a desire to forge her own destiny and liberate the Lands Between from external influence.
Ranni believed the Golden Order, heavily influenced by the Greater Will, was stifling the potential of the Lands Between and its inhabitants. This order, established after Marika sealed away the Rune of Death, had granted the demigods immortality but had also locked the world into a cycle dictated by the Greater Will. Ranni, possessing a profound understanding of the implications, sought to disrupt this oppressive regime. She envisioned a future where individuals were free to choose their own paths, untethered from the predetermined fate imposed by the Greater Will.
Therefore, Ranni’s theft was a means to an end: to break the cycle and allow for a new cosmic order. She did this by orchestrating the infamous Night of the Black Knives, using the stolen Rune of Death to create blades capable of killing immortals. By killing Godwyn the Golden, a key figure in the Golden Order, and her own physical body, Ranni sought to fundamentally alter the structure of power within the Lands Between. Her ultimate goal was to usher in an Age of Stars, a world where the influence of the Greater Will was diminished and individuals were empowered to chart their own course.
The Night of the Black Knives: A Calculated Rebellion
The theft of the Rune of Death was not merely a symbolic act. It was the catalyst for the Night of the Black Knives, a carefully planned assassination spree that irrevocably altered the course of history in Elden Ring. Ranni knew that by killing Godwyn, the most powerful of the demigods, she would disrupt the Golden Order and incite the Shattering of the Elden Ring, further weakening the grip of the Greater Will.
This was not a solitary act. Ranni enlisted the help of the Black Knife Assassins, powerful killers who were imbued with the stolen Rune of Death. With their blades, they were capable of achieving the impossible, piercing the veil of immortality that protected the demigods. This demonstrates that Ranni is not an innocent bystander; she’s an active agent of change who understood the consequences of her actions. She willingly used the power of death as a tool to dismantle the existing power structure.
A Personal Sacrifice
It is crucial to remember that Ranni also killed her physical body, using the ritual to create the Cursemark of Death. Her action was not just about disrupting the world order; it was also deeply personal. By slaying her own flesh, Ranni effectively removed herself from the control of the Two Fingers, representatives of the Greater Will. This allowed her to transfer her spirit into the doll we see her inhabiting, giving her the independence she craved. This act solidified her determination to be the architect of her destiny.
The Cosmic Significance of Ranni’s Actions
Ranni’s actions extend far beyond a simple rebellion. They speak to a deep-seated desire to redefine the very fabric of reality. Her goal of an Age of Stars implies a radical shift in the celestial order, moving beyond the influence of a single, overbearing outer god (the Greater Will). Ranni’s ambition positions her as a cosmic disruptor, someone who seeks not just to rule but to fundamentally restructure the universe.
By orchestrating the events of the Night of the Black Knives and ultimately becoming an Elden Lord consort in the Age of Stars ending, Ranni presents an alternative vision of order. This vision involves a universe not dictated by a single controlling entity but instead one where agency and free will can thrive. She challenges the established dogma of the Golden Order, presenting an alternative that emphasizes personal liberty over preordained fate.
Ranni’s actions, while controversial, are motivated by a belief in the need for change, a vision of a world where individuals have the power to forge their destinies, a world without the shackles of an overbearing cosmic entity. Her theft of the Rune of Death is not a mere act of villainy but the cornerstone of a grand scheme to liberate the Lands Between and create a future free from the dictates of the Greater Will.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What exactly is the Rune of Death?
The Rune of Death, also called Destined Death, is a fundamental power within the Elden Ring that governs mortality. When it was removed by Marika and sealed by Maliketh, it granted the demigods immortality. Its theft by Ranni was key to bringing death back into the equation.
2. How did Ranni steal the Rune of Death?
Ranni stole a fragment of the Rune of Death directly from Maliketh, the Black Blade. Maliketh was entrusted with keeping this power, making this a brazen act that required significant skill and planning.
3. Who are the Black Knife Assassins?
The Black Knife Assassins are a group of powerful killers who were imbued with a fragment of the Rune of Death by Ranni, making their blades capable of killing even immortal demigods.
4. What was the Night of the Black Knives?
The Night of the Black Knives was the night that Godwyn the Golden was assassinated. This event was orchestrated by Ranni and marked a pivotal moment in the history of the Lands Between and was the initial trigger for the Shattering.
5. Why did Ranni kill Godwyn the Golden?
Ranni did not kill Godwyn alone, it was a joint effort. Her goal was to disrupt the Golden Order by assassinating its most powerful member, and she also took her own life in the process. The result was the Cursemark of Death, which affected Godwyn’s soul and her body.
6. Is Ranni the villain in Elden Ring?
Whether Ranni is a “villain” is a matter of perspective. While her actions led to chaos and death, she did so with the intention of liberating the world from the Greater Will’s control. She is more of a complex character than a straight-up villain.
7. What is the Age of Stars ending?
The Age of Stars ending, achieved through Ranni’s questline, represents a new cosmic order where the influence of the Greater Will is diminished, and individuals are free to make their own choices. It’s generally considered a “good” ending by many players.
8. What is the Golden Order?
The Golden Order is the ruling religious and political power structure in the Lands Between. It was established after Marika removed the Rune of Death and is heavily influenced by the Greater Will.
9. Who is Maliketh, the Black Blade?
Maliketh, the Black Blade, is Marika’s bodyguard and keeper of the Rune of Death. He was entrusted with sealing the Rune of Death, and Ranni’s theft was a significant betrayal.
10. What is the Shattering?
The Shattering refers to the destruction of the Elden Ring. This event was triggered by the death of Godwyn, and it plunged the Lands Between into chaos. Marika was responsible for the Shattering as a way to protect the Great Runes, and further defy the Two Fingers and the Greater Will.
11. Is Melina related to Ranni?
There is a theory that Melina and Ranni are sisters, both being the offspring of Queen Marika, though it is never explicitly stated in the game. Their differing ideologies and goals, and their closed eyes, suggest a shared connection.
12. Why is Ranni’s body a doll?
After stealing the Rune of Death, Ranni killed her own body and transferred her spirit into a doll, a vessel created in the image of her mentor, a Snow Witch, allowing her to operate independently from the Golden Order.
13. How did Maliketh obtain the Rune of Death?
Maliketh obtained the Rune of Death after defeating the Gloam Eyed Queen, a powerful figure who once wielded its power.
14. What is the Greater Will?
The Greater Will is an outer god that holds influence over the Lands Between. It’s the primary force behind the Golden Order and a major point of contention for characters like Ranni.
15. Did the theft of the Rune of Death make the demigods mortal?
Yes, the theft of the Rune of Death allowed for the mortality of the demigods, making them killable. Before its theft, they were effectively immortal. The Tarnished were called back to the Lands Between to restore order, as the Demigods were unable to complete this task.