In Elden Ring, Tarnished are exiled warriors called back to the Lands Between. They seek to restore the shattered Elden Ring and become Elden Lord. The Tarnished lost their connection to the Erdtree’s grace and were banished long ago.
These characters play a key role in the game’s story. Players control a Tarnished character on a quest for power and redemption. The journey involves battling fearsome foes and uncovering secrets of a mystical realm.
Tarnished warriors face many challenges. They must regain the Guidance of Grace to fulfill their destiny. This divine light leads them through perilous lands toward their ultimate goal.
Understanding the Tarnished in Elden Ring
In Elden Ring, you play as a Tarnished, a descendant of exiles who lost the Erdtree’s grace and were banished from the Lands Between. Now, with the Elden Ring shattered and the Lands Between in chaos, the Greater Will has beckoned the Tarnished back to become the Elden Lord and restore order.
What Makes a Tarnished Unique?
- Lost Grace: Tarnished are individuals who once held the Erdtree’s grace but lost it. This grace is a blessing that grants power and guidance.
- Exiled Lineage: They are descendants of those banished from the Lands Between, marked by their lack of grace.
- Guided by Grace: Despite their exile, the Tarnished are guided by a faint ember of grace, leading them towards the Elden Ring.
- Potential for Greatness: The Tarnished possess the potential to become the Elden Lord, wielding immense power and shaping the fate of the Lands Between.
The Tarnished’s Journey
The Tarnished embark on a perilous journey to gather Great Runes, shards of the Elden Ring held by demigods. They must overcome formidable foes, navigate treacherous landscapes, and ultimately confront the source of the Shattering.
The Significance of Being Tarnished
The Tarnished represent hope in a world consumed by despair. They are outsiders, unburdened by the Lands Between’s fractured politics and power struggles. Their unique perspective and resilience make them ideal candidates to restore balance to the world.
The Tarnished’s Role in the Lore
The Tarnished are central to Elden Ring’s lore. Their return signifies a turning point in the Lands Between’s history. Their actions will determine the fate of the world and shape the future of the Golden Order.
The Greater Will and Its Influence
The Greater Will is an enigmatic outer god that exerts significant influence over the Lands Between. It is believed to be the source of the Erdtree and the Golden Order, the guiding force that shapes the world’s laws and inhabitants.
The Golden Order
The Golden Order is a set of rules and beliefs that govern the Lands Between. It emphasizes order, stability, and adherence to the Greater Will’s will. The Golden Order is enforced by the Erdtree and its agents, including the demigods and their followers.
The Greater Will’s Motives
The Greater Will’s motives remain shrouded in mystery. Some believe it seeks to maintain balance and order in the Lands Between, while others suspect it has more self-serving goals. The true nature of the Greater Will and its influence on the world is a subject of much debate and speculation among Elden Ring players.
Key Takeaways
- Tarnished are exiled warriors seeking to restore the Elden Ring
- Players control a Tarnished character on a quest for power
- The Guidance of Grace leads Tarnished through their journey
The Tarnished and their Purpose
The Tarnished play a key role in Elden Ring’s story. They are exiles called back to the Lands Between with a grand mission.
Identity and Origins
The Tarnished are people who lost the grace of the Erdtree. Queen Marika banished them from the Lands Between long ago. They lived in exile for many years. After the Elden Ring broke, lost grace called them back home.
The first Tarnished was Godfrey, also known as Hoarah Loux. He was the first Elden Lord and Queen Marika’s husband. Godfrey fought in Marika’s wars against powerful foes. Once he ran out of worthy enemies, he lost his grace.
Other notable Tarnished include Fia, the Dung Eater, and Gideon Ofnir. Each has their own goals in returning to the Lands Between.
Quest for the Elden Lordship
The main goal of the Tarnished is to become the new Elden Lord. This means repairing the shattered Elden Ring. To do this, they must gather Great Runes from demigods.
The path to Elden Lord is hard. Tarnished face many foes:
- Powerful demigods
- Other ambitious Tarnished
- Strange monsters and creatures
They must grow stronger by gathering runes. These let them level up their skills and gear. The more runes they collect, the more power they gain.
Allies and Enemies
Tarnished can find both friends and foes on their journey. Some helpful allies include:
- Melina: A mysterious woman who aids the player
- Roderika: A spirit-tuner who upgrades spirit ashes
- Other Tarnished at the Roundtable Hold
But many enemies also stand in their way:
- Hostile Tarnished like Bloody Fingers and invaders
- The demigod bosses who hold Great Runes
- Various monsters and soldiers throughout the land
The player must decide who to trust. Some allies may turn out to be foes in disguise.
Role of Grace and Guidance
Grace plays a big part in guiding Tarnished. It shows up as golden light pointing the way forward. Sites of Grace let Tarnished rest and level up.
The Guidance of Grace leads Tarnished to key places and battles. It helps them find the path to becoming Elden Lord. But not all Tarnished can see grace. Some have lost this gift.
Finger Maidens once guided Tarnished. Now most are gone. The player starts with no maiden. Finding a new guide becomes part of their quest.
Lore and Significance
The Tarnished play a key role in Elden Ring’s story. They are exiles called back to the Lands Between. Their quest is to become Elden Lord and restore order.
History and Mythology
The Tarnished were once people of the Lands Between. They lost the grace of the Erdtree. Queen Marika banished them long ago. When the Elden Ring broke, grace called them back.
The Erdtree is a giant golden tree. It’s the source of grace and life. The Greater Will controls it. This god-like being shaped the world.
The Golden Order ruled before the Shattering. It was based on the Elden Ring’s power. When the Ring broke, chaos spread.
Influence of FromSoftware
Elden Ring builds on FromSoftware’s past games. It shares themes with Dark Souls. Both have a world in decline. Players must piece together the story.
Hidetaka Miyazaki directed Elden Ring. He’s known for cryptic storytelling. Players must explore to learn more. Item descriptions and NPC dialogues hold clues.
The game’s lore is deep but not always clear. This style encourages fan theories. It adds to the game’s mystery.
Major Characters and Events
Queen Marika is central to the story. She ruled the Lands Between. Her actions led to the Shattering.
The demigods are Marika’s children. They fought over the Great Runes after the Shattering. This war reshaped the land.
Key figures include:
- General Radahn, the Starscourge
- Malenia the Severed, the Blade of Miquella
- Godrick the Grafted
The Tarnished’s goal is to gather the Great Runes. They must defeat the demigods to do so. This quest drives the game’s main story.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Tarnished are a key group in Elden Ring’s lore. They face many challenges on their journey to become Elden Lord. Let’s look at some common questions about the Tarnished.
Why were the Tarnished banished from the Lands Between?
The Tarnished were banished by Queen Marika. They lost the grace of the Erdtree. This caused them to leave the Lands Between. The exact reason for their loss of grace is not clear.
Are the Tarnished granted immortality, and what does that entail?
The Tarnished can die but they come back to life. This is due to the grace they regained. They respawn at Sites of Grace after death. This lets them keep trying to overcome challenges.
What compels the Tarnished to seek the title of Elden Lord?
The Tarnished want to become Elden Lord for many reasons. Some seek power or glory. Others want to restore order to the Lands Between. The call of lost grace also draws them back to pursue this goal.
How does the height of a Tarnished compare to other beings in Elden Ring?
Tarnished are about the same height as normal humans. They can look small next to giant bosses or monsters. Players can adjust their character’s height during creation.
In Elden Ring’s lore, what role does the Tarnished play in Marika’s plan?
The Tarnished seem to be part of a larger plan. Queen Marika may have banished them on purpose. Their return could be meant to shake up the current order. The full scope of their role is open to player interpretation.
Why is the allegiance of the Tarnished to their maidens important?
Maidens guide the Tarnished on their quest. They help channel runes to increase the Tarnished’s power. A strong bond with a maiden can be key to a Tarnished’s success in becoming Elden Lord.
