The Exile of the Tarnished: Unraveling the Mystery of Their Banished Past in Elden Ring
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The core question that underpins much of the lore of Elden Ring is: Why were the Tarnished exiled from the Lands Between? The direct answer is that the Tarnished are individuals who, at some point in the past, lost the grace of the Erdtree and were subsequently banished by Queen Marika the Eternal. This loss of grace effectively branded them as outcasts, stripping them of their connection to the divine power that permeates the Lands Between. It is important to understand, however, that being Tarnished isn’t a singular event that happened to everyone at once. The first instance of this is with Godfrey, Marika’s first Elden Lord, who, when his role was no longer deemed beneficial, was stripped of his grace and exiled.
The reasons for this loss of grace are varied and tied to the very complex history and politics within the game’s world. However, the core aspect remains that the Tarnished were deemed unfit to remain in the Lands Between and were cast out as a consequence. But the story doesn’t end with their exile. The shattering of the Elden Ring later beckons the Tarnished back, driven by fragments of grace. This journey of return and potential redemption is at the heart of the game’s narrative.
The Loss of Grace and the Rise of the Tarnished
The Erdtree and the Divine Order
The Erdtree, the gigantic golden tree that dominates the skyline, is the source of divine power and grace in the Lands Between. This grace is what bestows blessings and, seemingly, is the criteria for citizenship. The system is managed by the Greater Will and the Golden Order, which dictates the established social hierarchy. Losing grace means falling out of favor with this order, effectively making someone an outcast.
Why is Grace Lost?
The reasons for losing grace vary, but the lore implies that it was the result of straying too far from the path of the Erdtree’s will. It could be that individuals began using their power in ways that didn’t serve the people of the Lands Between or, in the case of Godfrey, that they were no longer deemed valuable to Marika’s reign. The loss of grace is a sign of their perceived failure or irrelevance within the established order. The game alludes to the idea that the Erdtree, and by extension, the Greater Will and Golden Order, are not necessarily benevolent, and that they have their own, opaque motives. It’s also implied that Marika engineered or at least used this system as a way of controlling individuals in the Lands Between.
Godfrey, the First Tarnished
Godfrey is a pivotal figure in understanding the lore of the Tarnished. As the first Elden Lord, he was once favored by Marika, but after his conquests concluded and he was no longer needed, he was stripped of his grace and exiled. This highlights a crucial point – being a Tarnished is not necessarily a mark of personal failure, but can result from political maneuvering or a change of the divine favor. When Godfrey, who had already earned the reputation of being a great warrior, lost his grace, his people were also exiled and given the name Tarnished. This established a precedent for future exiles. This demonstrates that the expulsion wasn’t always due to an individual’s failings, but could be a method of control and power.
The Shattering and the Beckoning of Lost Grace
The initial expulsion of the Tarnished might have been permanent if not for a pivotal event: the shattering of the Elden Ring. This cataclysmic occurrence fragmented the world, plunged it into civil war, and resulted in the beckoning of lost grace. The very same divine energy that was once denied to the Tarnished now called them back.
The broken state of the Lands Between, coupled with the absence of a unifying power, created the opportunity for the Tarnished to return and potentially claim the role of Elden Lord. The divine light is not a blessing in that it allows the Tarnished to return and seek power but also a curse that binds them to their goal.
The return of the Tarnished can be interpreted as a way for the Greater Will and the Erdtree to reassert their control. Or it might also be a chance for change. The shattered state of the Lands Between becomes the perfect setting for these exiles to be brought back and potentially become the new rulers of the world, either by force or choice. This event forms the core conflict and motivation of the game.
The Tarnished: Villains, Heroes, or Pawns?
The Tarnished are portrayed as vilified outcasts who were once deemed unworthy of the Lands Between. They are labeled as “dead who have yet to live” indicating their strange existence of being both alive and dead at the same time, which is why they can never truly die in the game. Their return to the Lands Between is not received with open arms, and many see them as a threat. Despite this, they’re driven by the beckoning grace and bound by the curse of immortality, working towards a goal that was set by the gods who exiled them.
The player, as a Tarnished, is presented with a moral quandary. The Tarnished can choose to defile or save the world. The game’s ending choices reveal that their actions might not always lead to a good outcome. This adds layers to their identity and reveals that there’s far more to the Tarnished than simply being exiled.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to provide a broader understanding of the Tarnished, their origins, and their motivations.
1. What is the significance of the Erdtree’s grace?
The Erdtree’s grace represents the divine connection to the Greater Will, and its presence signifies belonging and favor within the established order of the Lands Between. Losing it marks one as an outcast.
2. Is the player character a descendant of Godfrey?
While not explicitly stated, some dialogue hints that the player Tarnished might be a descendant of Godfrey or his warriors, sharing the same “warrior blood.”
3. Did all the Tarnished lose grace at the same time?
No, the loss of grace happened over time and for different reasons. Godfrey was the first Tarnished, setting a precedent for future exiles.
4. Are there any maidens left for the Tarnished?
There are very few Finger Maidens left, and many of those encountered are deceased. The Tarnished player begins the game as maidenless.
5. Can the Tarnished truly die?
The Tarnished are cursed to immortality, which is why they can be resurrected at Sites of Lost Grace or Stakes of Marika.
6. Is Ranni a friend or foe to the Tarnished?
Ranni is a morally gray character who sees the Tarnished as a consort and an ally in her own goals which is to usher in a new age under the stars. Her ending is generally regarded as the best one.
7. What is the nature of the Greater Will?
The Greater Will is the outer god that controls the Erdtree and the Golden Order. Its motives are often seen as questionable, making its true nature a mystery.
8. Why did Marika betray the Golden Order?
Marika, after realizing the Golden Order was not what it seemed, decided to plan against it. This may have stemmed from personal experiences or her own desire to reshape the world.
9. What caused the Shattering of the Elden Ring?
The Shattering was a massive civil war brought about by demigods vying for control of the Elden Ring after its destruction.
10. Why did Marika create the Tarnished?
Marika created the Tarnished because they knew she had a plan to betray the Greater Will and to break the Golden Order.
11. What is the hardest region in the Lands Between?
Caelid is widely regarded as the hardest and most challenging region in the game.
12. Are the Tarnished inherently good or evil?
The Tarnished are neither good nor evil, and their actions are shaped by the player’s choices. Their story highlights themes of redemption, ambition, and the complexities of morality.
13. Who is considered the main villain of Elden Ring?
Queen Marika the Eternal is often viewed as the main antagonist due to her manipulations and actions that led to the downfall of the Lands Between.
14. Are there other lands beyond the Lands Between?
Yes, the Numen race are stated to come from beyond the Lands Between.
15. What is the purpose of the Tarnished’s return?
The Tarnished return to the Lands Between because the fragments of grace call to them. The beckoning is meant to usher in a new age and potentially claim the Elden Throne.
In conclusion, the exile of the Tarnished is not a simple tale of banishment, but a complex narrative of political intrigue, divine manipulation, and the struggle for power. It’s a story that underscores that even those deemed outcasts can shape the destiny of the world. Their return marks a pivotal moment in the Lands Between, and the choices they make determine not only their fate but the fate of the entire realm.