Most Tragic Figures In Elden Ring

Summary

• Characters in Elden Ring are tragic figures shaped by the events in the Lands Between, showing loyalty and rebellion.
• The storylines of Blaidd, Radahn, Kale, Rennala, Godrick, the Omen Twins, Messmer, and Millicent showcase the depths of tragedy.
• Each character’s narrative unfolds in a unique and heart-wrenching way, revealing the consequences of rejection, loyalty, and loss.

FromSoftware’s Elden Ring is a masterpiece of environmental storytelling, weaving a rich tapestry of lore, mythology, and tragedy within its vast open world. At the heart of this epic dark fantasy are the various characters that are often complex and flawed.

These figures are shaped by the events that have unfolded in the Lands Between, with many of them suffering for the part that they never played in the grand scheme of the Golden Order. The following examples are the most tragic figures in Elden Ring that continue to tell a tale of struggle, loyalty, and rebellion in a world that’s beyond saving.

1

Blaidd, The Half-Wolf

A Loyal Blade Bound By Fate

• Ranni’s Shadow & Sword: Blaidd is more than just Ranni’s protector—his very existence depends on her. Yet, he remains by Ranni’s side as she defies the Two Fingers.
• Defiant: Blaidd’s loyalty to Ranni drives him to turn against the Two Fingers, knowing full well that he must face the madness of rage when Ranni kills them.

Blaidd is a prominent figure in Elden Ring, created by the Two Fingers to serve as Ranni the Witch’s protector. He was meant to both safeguard Ranni and turn against her if she ever defied the Greater Will. However, fate had different plans for both Blaidd and Ranni, forging them into loyal companions instead.

As players pursue Ranni’s quest, they learn of her deep trust in Blaidd, referring to him as her “sword” and “shadow.” Despite knowing that Ranni seeks to defy the Greater Will and kill the Two Fingers, Blaidd remains steadfast and loyal to Ranni. However, after Ranni slays her Two Fingers, the conflicting forces within Blaidd drive him to madness. The next time the player meets Blaidd, they find him lamenting his inability to protect Ranni, before being consumed by rage and madness. In the end, the player must reluctantly fight and kill Blaidd to free him from his sorrow.

2

Starscourge Radahn

A Mighty & Compassionate War General

• Unwavering Commitment: Despite being consumed by the Scarlet Rot, Radahn somehow manages to use gravity magic to ride his trusty steed and control the stars.
• Battle Without Glory: The warring general, respected by both friends and enemies, must fight his final battle not for conquest, but for mercy.

The Elden Ring community holds immense respect for Starscourge Radahn, not only for his sheer strength but also for his ability to hold back the very stars despite his affliction from the Scarlet Rot. Radahn was seen as an honorable general, admired by his soldiers and enemies alike.

As Radahn grew in size, he decided to master Gravity Magic to continue riding his trusty horse, Leonard. This act of care humanized one of the most fearsome demigods in the game, making him relatable to players. After being afflicted by the Scarlet Rot, Radahn’s soldiers wished to see their beloved general fall honorably in battle rather than waste away from the disease. Despite losing nearly everything to the rot, Radahn somehow manages to ride his horse and maintain his grasp on the stars.

3

Kale, The Nomadic Merchant

The Silent Suffering Of The Nomadic Merchant

• Cast Out from the Golden Order: Kale’s nomadic tribe was cast out of the Golden Order due to their alleged connection to the Frenzied Flame. The humiliation and sorrow of the nomads now fuel the very flame of chaos.
• Search for Belonging: Like many others, Kale’s tribe only wished to practice their trade and live in peace but instead found themselves under the tyrannical rule of Queen Marika.

Kale is most likely the first nomadic merchant that players will encounter in Elden Ring. At first, players see Kale and the other nomadic merchants as simple NPCs who assist with trade. However, their tragic story is unveiled when players descend into the Subterranean Shunning-Grounds and discover countless bodies of nomadic merchants.

These merchants were shunned by the Golden Order for alleged heresy and their supposed connection to the Frenzied Flame, leading to their banishment from Grace. Their suffering and sorrow, in turn, further fuel the Frenzied Flame. Cut voice lines from Kale also reveal his furious reaction upon learning the fate of his tribe and the pain of an outcast. While not a central figure in Elden Ring’s main plot, Kale’s story is no less tragic than most prominent figures.

4

Rennala, Queen Of The Full Moon

The Sorrow Of The Carian Queen

• Victim of Grief & Loss: Abandoned by Radagon, Rennala was overcome by sorrow, clutching the Amber Egg and engaging in never-ending ritualistic rebirths.
• A Hollow Husk of Pain: Once a powerful queen of Caria, loss has reduced Rennala to a mere husk, one who no longer cares for her once-esteemed kingdom.

Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, is the ruler of the Carian Royal Family, and when players first meet her, she is in a state of despair. Rennala was married to Radagon, who inexplicably abandoned her for Marika the Eternal. Overcome by grief, Rennala cradled her runic Amber Egg and sought respite in her endless ritual of rebirthing cycle.

Rennala is so heartbroken that she barely retaliates against the player’s attacks in the first phase of her boss fight. However, her former power is revealed in the illusory battle conjured by Ranni, Rennala’s daughter. Rennala’s story is one of heartbreak, grief, and loss—showcasing how even the most powerful individuals can be emotionally incapacitated by sorrow.

5

Godrick, The Grafted

The Desperation Of The Grafted Lord

• Self-Proclaimed King Without Honor: Desperate to prove himself as the rightful heir to the Golden Order, Godrick resorted to the grotesque grafting of body parts, turning himself into a monstrous imitation of strength.
• The Cost of Desperation: Even in death, no one sympathizes with Godrick, his legacy is reduced to shame and scorn.

Godrick, the Grafted is the first rune boss in the game, and from sight alone, players can tell that he has gone too far to redeem himself. Despite being a descendant of the Golden Lineage, Godrick lacked the strength and authority to be considered a potential successor to the Golden Order.

Humiliated and rejected by his kin, Godrick took to the grotesque art of body grafting to appear strong and mighty. After his pitiful death, players can find Gatekeeper Gostoc stomping on Godrick’s corpse and shaming his feeble rule. Godrick’s story is a reference to how rejection and humiliation can push people to extreme lengths in trying to prove their worth.

6

Morgott And Mohg – The Omen Twins

The Sad Fate Of The Omen Twins

• Rebellion Against Rejection: Mohg embraced his exile from the Golden Order and sought to establish his own Dynasty of Blood in defiance of the Golden Order.
• Blind Loyalty: Morgott, on the other hand, remained unwavering in his devotion to the Golden Order, refusing to accept his exile despite its cruelty.

Morgott and Mohg are the cursed twin brothers, born to Godfrey and Marika. Due to their omen curse, both brothers were shunned from the Golden Order and Erdtree’s grace. While Mohg chose to establish his empire as the Lord of Blood in opposition to the Golden Order, Morgott continued to devote himself to the Erdtree despite being an outcast.

Like Godrick the Grafted, the Omen Twins’ story reflects how individuals respond to rejection. While Mohg defied the Erdtree in pursuit of his own path, Morgott sought acceptance through unwavering devotion.

7

Messmer The Impaler

The Forgotten Son Of Marika, The Eternal

• Cursed From Birth: Messmer’s fate was sealed the moment he was born with an abyssal serpent writhing inside him, leading to his erasure from the history of the Golden Order.
• Loyalty Without Recognition: Despite his unwavering loyalty to Marika, Messmer’s existence was obscured from the world, resulting in bitterness and hatred toward his mother during his final moments.

Messmer the Impaler is one of the main bosses in the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion. He is one of Queen Marika’s children, yet his existence was mysteriously erased from history. Messmer was born with an evil and cursed abyssal serpent inside, which threatened to consume him. This potential threat looming over Messmer was impeded by Marika’s seal of grace, but she also hid her son from the Golden Lineage and commanded him to wage war in the Land of Shadow.

Even after following his mother’s commands, Messmer was ultimately unacknowledged and hidden from the world. Marika lingers in Messmer’s final thoughts, yet he curses her before perishing at the hands of the Tarnished.

8

Millicent

A Story Of Unyielding Will

• A Journey Against Fate: Despite being ravaged by the unforgiving Scarlet Rot, Millicent clings to every bit of hope as she charts her path to the Haligtree to meet her mother.
• Mysterious Ways of Fate: Even with the Unalloyed Gold Needle slowing her affliction, Millicent dies only a few steps away from Malenia, never meeting her mother. Her quest is a grim reminder of life’s uncertainties.

Players meet Millicent in Caelid, and her quest is a story of determination in the face of death. Afflicted with the Scarlet Rot, Millicent is determined to journey to the Haligtree in search of her purpose. Despite her resilience and unbreakable will, she ultimately succumbs to the Scarlet Rot just a few steps away from meeting Malenia.

Millicent’s story is one of resilience and the will to move forward despite life’s worst challenges. Even though players obtain the Unalloyed Gold Needle with hopes of slowing down the Scarlet Rot from spreading, it isn’t enough to save Millicent from succumbing to her affliction. Millicent’s tragic story is a grim reminder of how life works in odd ways despite one’s best efforts.