Queen Marika the Eternal: Unraveling the Mysteries of Elden Ring’s Goddess

Marika’s Reign and the Dawn of the Golden Order

The Lands Between are a tapestry woven with threads of ambition, betrayal, and cosmic power. At the heart of this fractured realm lies Queen Marika the Eternal, a figure shrouded in mystery, her actions shaping the events of Elden Ring. Was she a benevolent ruler, a desperate rebel, or a force of calculated destruction? Unraveling the truth behind Marika’s motives is key to understanding the tragic saga of the Shattering and the fate of the Elden Ring. This article delves into her rise to power, her role in establishing the Golden Order, the events that led to the shattering, and her enduring legacy upon the Lands Between.

Before the age of ruin, Queen Marika ushered in an era of unprecedented order and prosperity with the dawn of the Golden Order. Ascending to power as the vessel of the Elden Ring, a source of immense power and the manifestation of cosmic law, she established a new dominion rooted in faith and righteous purpose. The Elden Ring itself became the symbol of this order, dictating the very laws of physics and existence within the Lands Between. Towering above all, the Erdtree served as a radiant beacon of Marika’s grace, a testament to the Golden Order’s reach and influence.

To solidify her reign, Marika surrounded herself with figures of great power and influence. First among them was Godfrey, the First Elden Lord, a fierce warrior whose strength and loyalty earned him the role of consort and champion. Together, Marika and Godfrey forged a powerful alliance, their combined might ensuring the stability and expansion of the Golden Order. While Godfrey battled, Marika cemented her rule and made sure that the Golden Order would last.

The offspring of Marika and Godfrey, the demigods Godwyn the Golden, Morgott the Omen King, Mohg, Lord of Blood, and Godrick the Grafted, inherited their parents’ power and privilege. These children became pillars of the Golden Order, their lineage ensuring the continuation of Marika’s rule. Each demigod would inherit grace and power, shaping the future of the Lands Between.

However, the establishment of the Golden Order was not without its shadows. The crucible of life, the primordial form of the Erdtree, was actively suppressed with all mentions of it completely wiped from history. Anything that existed before the Erdtree was considered a sin in the Golden Order.

The First Cracks: Seeds of Discontent in the Golden Order

Despite its outward appearance of stability, the Golden Order concealed underlying tensions that would ultimately lead to its downfall. One such source of conflict was the war against the Giants. Godfrey led the armies of the Golden Order to wage a brutal campaign against the Fire Giants, the last remnants of a civilization that predated Marika’s reign. These Giants worshiped the Fell God, a powerful entity that challenged the authority of the Greater Will and the Golden Order.

Although the war resulted in the Giants’ near extinction, it came at a great cost. The conflict strained the resources of the Golden Order and sowed seeds of doubt among its followers. Godfrey, the embodiment of martial strength, would soon lose his grace, becoming the first of the Tarnished.

Godfrey’s Tarnishment marked a turning point in the Golden Order’s history. Marika, in a move that remains subject to intense speculation, stripped Godfrey of his grace, effectively exiling him from the Lands Between. Why she did so remains a central mystery. Did she foresee the coming conflict and intend for Godfrey to return stronger? Or was she simply discarding a tool that had outlived its usefulness?

Whatever the reason, Godfrey’s exile led to the creation of the Tarnished, warriors exiled from the Lands Between who lost their grace. In the future, these Tarnished would come back to fight for the shattered Elden Ring.

Further complicating matters was the sudden departure of Radagon, a figure shrouded in enigma, from Marika’s side. His marriage to Rennala, the Carian Queen, forged a powerful alliance between the Golden Order and the Carian Royal Family, but also introduced new tensions and rivalries into the political landscape. The two would make a child, who would inherit their parent’s immense strength and magic.

Night of the Black Knives and the Fall of the Elden Order

The breaking point arrived with the Night of the Black Knives, a coordinated attack that shattered the illusion of stability and plunged the Lands Between into chaos. Godwyn the Golden, Marika’s firstborn and a beloved figure, was assassinated, his soul effectively killed by the stolen Rune of Death. This act of treachery sparked outrage and plunged the Lands Between into despair.

The true orchestrators of the Night of the Black Knives remain a subject of intense debate. Some believe that Ranni the Witch was responsible while others suspect that Marika herself orchestrated the event to set in motion the Shattering. Whoever was behind it, the death of Godwyn served as the catalyst for the Elden Ring’s fragmentation.

Enraged by the loss of her son, or perhaps following a predetermined plan, Queen Marika shattered the Elden Ring, the source of her power and the foundation of the Golden Order. This act of defiance against the Greater Will, the cosmic entity that guided the Golden Order, plunged the Lands Between into an era of unending war and decay. She was then locked within the Erdtree, a silent prisoner for eternity.

With the Elden Ring shattered, its fragments, known as Great Runes, were claimed by Marika’s demigod children. Driven by ambition and fueled by resentment, these demigods waged war against each other, each vying for control of the Elden Ring and the title of Elden Lord. The Lands Between became a battleground, ravaged by conflict and plagued by monstrous creatures.

Unraveling the Truth: Marika Is Radagon

One of the most talked about theories in Elden Ring is that Queen Marika and Radagon of the Golden Order are the same person. When Tarnished finally enter the Erdtree and engage with Marika, they will find Radagon standing in front of Marika. It is explained that Radagon sought to fix the Elden Ring, while Marika sought to destroy it. This shows the different motivations that Radagon and Marika have.

However, one of the biggest clues that Marika and Radagon are the same person is when the Remembrance of the Elden Ring is used, the item description reads “what was once one is now many.” There is even a moment in the game where Radagon transforms into Marika.

However, the question still stands, why did Marika shatter the Elden Ring?

Marika’s Legacy and Influence Upon the Lands Between

Despite her imprisonment, Queen Marika continues to exert a powerful influence on the Lands Between. The Tarnished, guided by the guidance of grace, were drawn back to the Lands Between, tasked with collecting the Great Runes and becoming the Elden Lord. Whether this was Marika’s intention or a consequence of her actions remains unknown.

Numerous characters throughout the game have a vested interest in Marika’s fate. Melina, a mysterious maiden who aids the Tarnished, speaks of a purpose imparted to her by her mother, implying a connection to Marika. Other figures, such as Sir Gideon Ofnir, seek to understand Marika’s motives and exploit her power for their own ends.

The ending of Elden Ring depends on the player’s choices throughout the game. Some endings involve repairing the Elden Ring and restoring the Golden Order, while others embrace the chaos and usher in a new era. The player’s choices ultimately determine Marika’s legacy and the fate of the Lands Between.

Conclusion: A Goddess Shrouded in Mystery

Queen Marika the Eternal remains one of the most enigmatic and compelling figures in Elden Ring. Her actions set in motion the events of the game, shaping the destinies of countless characters and determining the fate of the Lands Between. Was she a benevolent goddess, a rebellious iconoclast, or a pawn of cosmic forces? The truth may never be fully revealed, but her impact on the world is undeniable. As players continue to explore the Lands Between and unravel the mysteries of Elden Ring, Queen Marika’s legacy will endure, a testament to the power and complexity of a shattered goddess. What do you think Marika’s true intentions were?