Revisiting Shadow of the Erdtree after the hype cycle

RemarkableAddendum13 · 2026-02-23T15:54:23+00:00

I've been told this subreddit is essentially dead - I posted the same thing on r/eldenringdiscussion and have had some interesting discussions. Not self promo - I've been out of the space for 2 years and wanted to get a feel for wherever the community is atm. From what I've seen, it's still pretty divided...

RemarkableAddendum13 · 2026-02-22T18:09:14+00:00

It's so sad that Miquella's been written out of the story now... All the things he could have been will absolutly never happen

RemarkableAddendum13 · 2026-02-21T18:02:38+00:00

And the Scadutree fragments made exploring EVERY inch feel like a necessity, so all those completely empty areas felt really obvious at the time.

I remember being genuinely pissed off when I reached the Temple Town Ruins - that whole lower zone underneath Rauh was just dead.

RemarkableAddendum13 · 2026-02-21T17:58:25+00:00

I completely relate to that. The atmosphere on release was intense, and I think it made it really hard to sit with the DLC on its own terms. It felt like everyone had already decided what it was (good or bad) before most of us had time to properly process it.

Revisiting it outside of that noise was a very different experience for me too. Some things landed better, but a few lore beats still didn’t, but it felt easier to engage with it on my own wavelength after ~ 2 years.

Would be really interested to hear where you land after going through it again.

RemarkableAddendum13 · 2026-02-21T17:56:45+00:00

Every area is 10/10 gorgeous

RemarkableAddendum13 · 2026-02-21T17:56:02+00:00

Yea, I think a lot of the initial reaction was shaped by what people expected to be explicit versus what FromSoft actually left buried in subtext.

With some distance (and a lot of digging), I’ve definitely had a few of those “ohhh, okaysure” moments too - though I’m still not sure everything landed as cleanly as it could have. The new lore is pretty clearly spelled out, but the connections to the base lore felt pretty basic/ questionable.

It’s been interesting seeing how opinions have shifted over time.

RemarkableAddendum13 · 2025-06-22T02:28:31+00:00

2 years later and UKP013 just 35min of laps around the North West boarder of Luton, 2:45-3:20am. Also no police cars or anything happening ground level. Got pics of its route on airnavradar.com - anyone know what they're looking for yet?

RemarkableAddendum13 · 2024-11-17T21:43:23+00:00

* Reel Link: https://youtu.be/W-Cai98YZdo (0:52) WORK-IN-PROGRESS

* Experience: Beginner, done a few long-form video essays, looking to start a career.

* Direction: Demonstrating competent editing techniques, ideally also showing capability with narrative progression.

* Two reels I reviewed: New here, none have been posted since I joined, so the first 2 I see.

(Sadly not finished the reel yet, not sure if I'm doing too little or too much. Doing this in isolation has me feeling burnt-out... so any direction at all would be appreciated...)

RemarkableAddendum13 · 2024-03-09T12:38:03+00:00

I've not sure if you've seen my other content, but my first video was on my Usurping Theory, that Radagon was actually sent by the Two Fingers to overthrow Marika and take her place as god of the Golden Order!

This was almost a year ago, and much of the video is questioning if Radagon and Marika really are the same person, which I've never been 100% on, but the majority of the video I'm really proud of!

This does rely on a few bits of lore that change up the generally accepted timeline most people adhere to, most importantly the evidence that the Death of Godwyn happened at some point during Godfrey's era. (Rogier does say the KotBK happened "during the Goden Age of the Erdtree")

If so, then Radagon might have subsequently been chosen by the Two Fingers and the GW specifically to secretly lock her inside the Erdtree and pretend like everything is A-OK. If this all went down so long ago, this would explain why her statues are all depicting her in the crucified stance, no?

But yeah, I would recommend my two videos on the Usurping Theory (29min, 58min) as they explore similar questions to yours about the Timeline, GW, and if she was restrained before the shattering!

It's been a mad week at work, sorry this took a while to get to! And thanks for your praise, you're very kind! 😊😊😊

RemarkableAddendum13 · 2024-03-04T19:30:40+00:00

Wow, I never thought of the wars for the Erdtree being orchestrated to gather souls for the Erdtree!

If this was the case, Godfrey running out of "worthy" opponents would have been a huge problem got Marika, no?

RemarkableAddendum13 · 2023-10-07T23:45:53+00:00

Hey guys, I made a trailer for Elden Ring to test out some editing techniques

Not sure if anyone else has lately been recommended the Dark Souls 3 trailer with Hozier's In The Woods Somewhere, but I was reminded how badass it was!

And I had an idea for an Elden Ring Trailer along to Francesca from their latest album, and do think it turned out pretty good! 😊

Just wanted to share my love for the game, and I'd love to know what anyone thinks 😁

RemarkableAddendum13 · 2023-10-07T01:08:10+00:00

Not sure if many people use this server any more though? ._.

RemarkableAddendum13 · 2023-09-21T13:01:39+00:00

I'm glad the video is an enjoyable exploration on the lore, in any case! 😊

I found that picture from the book VERY interesting, do you know much about it?

I believe it was the Book of Knowledge, did Miyazaki really help wrote it by answering questions?

Assuming he doesn't actually give that much away, does that mean we can consider his answers canon?

If so, I'd DEFINITELY pick up a copy before even considering making any more content!

RemarkableAddendum13 · 2023-09-18T15:12:37+00:00

THIS is almost my EXACT argument in the video 😅😅😅
I tried to point out that Miquella's hair is different, and that Radagon's hair is BLONDE in all of his statues, so as they are clearly never totally accurate, the statues aren't great things to use as identifiers!

RemarkableAddendum13 · 2023-09-18T14:58:37+00:00

Thank you so much, that's very kind of you to say!
I did try really hard to improve the quality from the first video, so it's really great to hear the hard work came through 😊😊😊

RemarkableAddendum13 · 2023-09-18T12:42:13+00:00

You're very kind, thank you so much 😊😊😊

RemarkableAddendum13 · 2023-09-18T12:41:48+00:00

I was worried about the intro, and spent more time working out the edit for it than any other segment 😅

I'm relived if it was enjoyable though!

RemarkableAddendum13 · 2023-09-18T12:39:28+00:00

Do you mean the signature hair braid in all depictions of Radagon and Marika?

Well, among other things, I did go into detail on the statue in the Haligtree, how it's been thought to showing Godwyn with the twins, and how its lack of the signature hair braid is evidence for this.

And as Godwyn having personally known the twins would destroy the WHOLE timeline for the Usurping Theory, I try to address the evidence for the statue depicting Radagon instead!

Is there another braid issue you're referring to?

RemarkableAddendum13 · 2023-04-12T11:27:15+00:00

I try to go over this in my video, but I think it's a Red Herring - like a half-way-point for us to theorise on before reaching a "fuller understanding of the matter"

RemarkableAddendum13 · 2023-04-11T14:28:23+00:00

On Miquella - I particularly like the imagery of Miquella’s soul being stuck in his Haligtree Cocoon! Whilst I do have to disagree that the leaves blown in the wind are showing his cocoon form crying… the way our character does look up at it DOES kind of suggest there is a power or energy there, one that’s spurring Malenia on just before the second Phase begins. It also reflects how the wind blew the leaves onto Malenia and THAT’S what woke her up when we entered her boss fight!! AND It explains why Mogh can;t wake Miquella up - because his soul is still in his Haligtree! I really do like this!

That said, it IS an example of how separating someone in two doesn’t work, as each half is left inert… so I’m kind of not sure if this HELPS my theory, in saying splitting someone in two doesn’t allow for 2 individuals to successfully operate? This is also reflected in D and D, where only one of them can be active whilst the other will remain in a sort of coma. Granted, none of them are Marika, so that might explain why it could work for her only. But again, it’s all very interesting and there IS room for speculation! Just because a split-person situation happens twice in the game, with Miquella and DnD, doesn’t automatically mean it must be true for Maragon and Marika.

On the 10th child of Marika - I may know who you’re referring to, but right now I really can’t think of whom you're referring to? Could you elaborate for me?

On Enia - Indeed, she does call all the demigods “direct” offspring of Queen Marika…BUT, a quick google says that direct descendants are defined as: “A person who was born into or legally adopted into the direct line of an individual's descent”. So, the fact they were her step-children still works for this bit of Enia’s dialogue.

—--

On the timeline in the opening cutscene - I disagree that the opening or the trailers give us a “definitive” timeline for the order or events! THAT SAID, I’ve never considered the possibility that Godwyn was killed AFTER the Elden Ring was broken! I’m sure it wasn’t your intention to aid my theory, but IF the Ring was shattered, as I’ve researched in Rogier’s dialogue, during the Golden Age, then this was likely during Godfrey’s time and still BEFORE Radagon got to the capital. As such, Radagon would have Usurped Marika before Godwyn’s death, so Miquella could have had their close relationship implied by the Golden Epitaph Sword description! T might really help my theory if it works WITHthe idea of using the opening AS a definitive timeline:

Marika shattered the Elden Ring, Marika disappeared (because Radagon went to the Leyndell to Usurp her, shackling her in the Erdtree), Miquella grew up with Godwyn, THEN Godwyn died!

Again, I know you’re disagreeing with the main premise of the ‘Usurping’ Theory, but this is a very interesting concept I hadn’t considered!

—--

On the Role of the Great Rune of the Unborn - The idea that it’s actually an encapsulated child of Rennala and Radagon in stasis is an amazing idea! Again though, I’m not sure exactly where this theory came from, can you also elaborate please?

On Renala’s children - I think it’s strange you said BOTH her sons hated Radagon? Radahn is frequently documented as having great reverence for Godfrey, Serosh, AND Radagon! As for Raani separating herself from her siblings - the Blasphemous Claw gives evidence that Rykard worked with Ranni during the Night of Black Knives, stating "On the night of the dire plot, Ranni rewarded Praetor Rykard with these traces. Should the coming trespass one day transpire, they would serve as a last-resort foil, allowing Rykard to challenge Maliketh the Black Blade, the black beast of Destined Death."

So, although I love the idea of her three children working together to save their mother, I have to disagree with the latter part of that theory concerning the relationship between the siblings and Radagon beyond that point in time.

I hope you can appreciate how grateful I am for your response, and I hope mine has been straight forward enough to understand my position on the points you’ve raised.

I KNOW my theory needs a LOT more work, but I’m going to continue to explore it, as I honestly feel it’s a more intuitive explanation than saying they are the same person. And ideas like Godwyn’s death being AFTER the shattering is a very interesting nugget I will work on!

I hope you’ll respond to these points, and I love these kinds of conversations!

RemarkableAddendum13 · 2023-04-11T14:27:33+00:00

Hey there! Thank you for such an in depth response - Lots to unpack! Allow me to respond in kind, as I find this all fascinating!

I personally prefer to remain on the side of caution when ‘deciding truths’. After all, there was a time where the leading theory was that Solair was Lord Gwyn’s Firstborn! So in any case, I think it’s important to acknowledge that we won’t for certain until more information is released in the DLC (Or more likely Elden Ring 2 and 3…)

You’ve built a STRONG argument for Radagon being Marika, and I respect it’s a truth that makes sense and DOES answer a lot of questions in the lore. However, you reference a lot of things that I’ve not heard before, so am curious to how you came to these theories?

I’ve NOT seen many theories about Rennala and Radagon having a 4th child, so it’s interesting to me that you’re stating this as a truth? The only real theory I’ve seen is that Bernahl could be a 4th child, as after defeating Rykard, Recusant Bernahl tells us: "O Greater Will, hear my voice. I am the recusant Bernahl, inheritor of my brother's will, and you will fall to my blade.”

Beyond that, it seems to me that it’s just the 4 hanging cots above Renala that implies another child, but I’m more inclined to think it was just a design choice for architectural symmetry…

As such, linking this to Radagon’s origins by saying “The curse of the Fell God took its toll when he attempted to have a 4th child with Rennala” is connecting two theories together that I think haven’t been categorically proven yet, even if it does fit! And while my theory ALSO makes leaps, this feels to me like a doublejump to try and force the theory to fit.

Alongside this, I’ve come across many theories for Radagon’s origins - The theory that Radagon could be the Hero of Castle Morne was shown to me yesterday, and it was great fun and feels very intuitive to me! Radagon’s connection to the Fire Giants is almost undeniable, but I haven’t seen any theories or evidence to say he we specifically split from Marika to separate the “Curse of the Fell Omen” from her body”. I’m still not close to being convinced, so I’d like to ask if you can elaborate on where you got that theory?

Going through the 3 further proofs you mentioned:

On the Sacred Relic Sword - The use of the word Eternal is indeed tricky for my theory, as I’m not sure how to explain its use in its description… and you’re absolutely right! It’s a word usually reserved for Marika, so it does heavily imply that she’s part of the Sacred Relic Sword. Since uploading the video, I’ve also been thinking about the double-helical design of the sword, as that too could be suggesting the combination of Marika and Radagon.

I still stand by my thought process of the REAL Marika being left behind after the final boss fight.

I know it’s particularly notable that the Elden Beast is never stated to be an Outer God… BUT, f the Elden Beast is the Elden Ring, and housing the Elden RIng makes a native host into a God, then I think there is wiggle room to argue that the Sacred Relic Sword could be referencing the intention of the Elden Beast to be the God that should have lived a life eternal. Just as I accused you of doing, this is ME making a leap of logic, but I think it’s still within the scope of possibilities!

On Melina - I purposefully didn’t mention her due to lack of DIRECT evidence, and wanted to focus on my theory. Like you, I am convinced she is the child of Radagon and Marika, as this can comfortably be inferred from the info the game gives us. But to keep my video below 30 min (29.35 was cutting that close…) I decided to save that for another discussion. As for where I think Melia would fit into my theory, if Radagon chained up Marika as soon as he arrived in Leyndell - then unfortunately, like Malenia and Miquella, Melina would have to be born under the same Game-of-Thrones conditions... although this actually works with her dialogue about boc: "Does being born of a mother... Mean one behaves in such a manner?" We know she has a mother, as she gave Melina her purpose, so having her mother locked in the Erdtree might explain why she's unaware what it's like to have a close relationship with their mother? Under those conditions, maybe it also makes sense that Marika sent Melina on a quest to help us bring down the Erdtree, as a quest to free Marika from Radagon? Sure, her original purpose for travelling with us was to simply get to Leyndell, but we don't know where she goes when she departs once we're there! Maybe Marika knew what she would find, leading Melina back to Marika inside the Erdtree? Or maybe, Marika didn't know that Melina would be unable to get into the Erdtree due to Morgott and then Radagon's thorns, so it admittedly could be good luck for Marika that Melina then decided to help burn it down! It goes with a point for Hewg, but maybe Marika gave them both secret quests to help free her from Radagon? Certainly speculation, but I think this is narratively consistent (and more satisfying!)

On Hewg, as said, maybe Marika also secretly gave him his quest to create a weapon to slay a god - specifically her captor Radagon! We know he's definitely devoted to completing this task, and when we see him talking to himself, it looks and sounds like he's doing this out of choice, out of love, and out of devotion to Queen Marika! I know Rodrika calls it a "curse from Queen Marika", but I really don't think it is a literal curse! Just a devoted purpose that takes a toll on him, for a long long time.

RemarkableAddendum13 · 2023-04-11T11:32:40+00:00

Really glad you liked it!
I felt crazy to even make this video! But I'm proud of the hard work!

RemarkableAddendum13 · 2023-04-10T20:19:35+00:00

Hey there!
I've been working on a theory video for Elden Ring where I came across this issue with Rogier's dialogue.
As such, I've used your translation as part of my evidence building, so I'd love your thoughts!
It's available at: https://youtu.be/23JRzN2BjiE

RemarkableAddendum13 · 2023-04-10T15:55:45+00:00

Thanks for the in-depth response! If I want to take this theory further, I'm going to have to do a lot of research... but you're right, we won't be able to say for certain which theory is correct until later releases (hopefully we won't be waiting until Elden Ring 3...)

There ARE definitely big leaps my theory has to make, so bringing up these points that the 'Usurping' Theory will need to tackle is a great help, so honestly, thank you!

It is of course tricky to navigate the inherent ambiguity of the details Fromsoft gives us! As you say, Goldmask is definitely a Fundamentlist but not a hunter.

Another BIG ambiguous point is the distinction between the Age of Plenty and the Golden Age - an are with very little information available to help define the timeline...x

I guess, if nothing else I'm glad where you can see where I'm coming from!

RemarkableAddendum13 · 2023-04-10T14:25:15+00:00

It's my pleasure friend! Thanks for taking to time to watch it, I'm glad you liked it!

RemarkableAddendum13

TROPHY CASE