Elden Ring’s story is a deep, cryptic web of gods, demigods, betrayal, and cosmic forces. It doesn’t hand you the plot — you have to uncover it through item descriptions, boss encounters, and vague NPC lines. That’s why we’re here to help. In this post, we’ll break down the entire Elden Ring story in plain English, from the Age of the Erdtree to the moment you become Elden Lord.
Let’s unravel the mystery of the Lands Between.
Table of Contents
- The Elden Ring and the Greater Will
- Queen Marika: The Central Figure
- What Are the Demigods and Great Runes?
- The Shattering and the War
- The Role of the Tarnished
- Ranni the Witch and Her Rebellion
- Destined Death and Maliketh
- The Outer Gods (Frenzied Flame, Rot, Blood)
- The Erdtree and Why You Can’t Enter It
- Final Bosses and Endings Explained
- Full Timeline of Major Events
- Final Thoughts
1. The Elden Ring and the Greater Will
The Elden Ring isn’t a literal ring — it’s a metaphysical concept, a set of laws and forces that govern life and reality in the Lands Between.
The Greater Will, a cosmic entity, sent the Elden Ring to the Lands Between and used it to impose order through the Erdtree — the massive glowing tree that defines the skyline.
2. Queen Marika: The Central Figure
Queen Marika the Eternal is the chosen vessel of the Greater Will.
- She becomes Elden Lord by housing the Elden Ring within herself.
- She removes the Rune of Death, making the gods immortal.
- She has two forms: herself and her male half, Radagon.
- She births multiple demigods who later fight over the Ring.
3. What Are the Demigods and Great Runes?
Each of Marika’s children is a demigod who received a Great Rune, a fragment of the shattered Elden Ring.
Some include:
- Godrick the Grafted – obsessed with power, grafts limbs
- Malenia – twin of Miquella, goddess of rot
- Morgott – king of Leyndell, hated as an omen
- Mohg – serves the Lord of Blood
- Rykard – merged with a serpent for power
- Radahn – master of gravity magic
Each tries to claim dominance after the Ring is shattered.
4. The Shattering and the War
When Marika shatters the Elden Ring (in defiance of the Greater Will), chaos breaks loose:
- The demigods wage war for the Great Runes
- Entire regions fall to ruin
- The Erdtree seals itself, rejecting all rulers
This period is known as The Shattering.
5. The Role of the Tarnished
You are a Tarnished, a descendant of warriors exiled long ago.
You are called back by grace to:
- Reunite the Great Runes
- Prove your worth
- Become Elden Lord
- Or break the cycle entirely
Your journey is a quest to determine the fate of the world.
6. Ranni the Witch and Her Rebellion
Ranni, daughter of Radagon and Rennala, is central to one of the game’s most important endings.
- She steals the Rune of Death
- Has her original body killed, becoming a spirit
- Aims to end the Greater Will’s control over the world
- Leads you to defy the Erdtree and bring about the Age of Stars
She’s a revolutionary figure in the lore — rejecting the gods to embrace the cosmos.
7. Destined Death and Maliketh
Originally, death didn’t exist in the Lands Between because Marika sealed it away in the Rune of Death.
She entrusted Maliketh, her loyal shadow, to guard it.
- But Ranni uses part of the Rune to kill a god
- This sparks the Shattering
- Later, you must defeat Maliketh to reclaim Destined Death and burn the Erdtree
8. The Outer Gods (Frenzied Flame, Rot, Blood)
The Greater Will is not alone — many Outer Gods seek influence:
- Frenzied Flame – wants madness and destruction
- Scarlet Rot – corrupts Malenia and others
- Formless Mother (Blood) – empowers Mohg
- God of Death – seeks to restore mortal death
These gods manipulate characters and entire areas, twisting the land and its people.
9. The Erdtree and Why You Can’t Enter It
Once you defeat Morgott and approach the Erdtree, it rejects you.
Why?
- The Greater Will has closed it off, waiting for a new ruler
- You must burn the Erdtree using the Flame of Ruin or Frenzied Flame
- This decision determines your ending path
It’s a turning point in the game — and the lore.
10. Final Bosses and Endings Explained
You face:
- Radagon of the Golden Order – Marika’s male half
- Elden Beast – a divine entity sent by the Greater Will
Depending on your choices, you’ll get one of several endings:
- Age of Fracture – standard ending, restore the Elden Ring
- Age of Stars – help Ranni, leave the world behind
- Lord of Frenzied Flame – burn everything to the ground
- Blessing of Despair – Dung Eater’s evil ending
- Age of Order – repair the world properly
11. Full Timeline of Major Events
Ancient Era
- Dragons rule the world
- Greater Will sends Elden Ring via a meteor
- Marika is chosen as vessel
Golden Order Era
- Marika becomes Elden Lord
- Removes Rune of Death
- Gives birth to demigods
Night of Black Knives
- Ranni steals Death
- A god is killed
- The Ring is shattered
The Shattering
- Demigods fight for power
- Erdtree locks itself
Return of the Tarnished
- You arrive to reunite the Great Runes
- Fight Radagon & Elden Beast
- Choose your ending
12. Final Thoughts
Elden Ring’s story doesn’t hold your hand — but it’s worth diving into. Once you connect the dots, it reveals a rich, tragic, and cosmic tale of rebellion, godhood, and fate.
Whether you became Elden Lord, chose chaos, or walked the stars with Ranni — your role in the story matters.
This is why Elden Ring is more than just a game. It’s a legend in the making.
🔗 Related Posts on Dozario
🔗 External Resources
VaatiVidya Lore Series on YouTube
Elden Ring Full Lore Guide – Fextralife
What is the Elden Ring in the story?
The Elden Ring isn’t a physical ring but a metaphysical set of laws that shape reality in the Lands Between. It was sent by the Greater Will, a cosmic entity, to impose order through the Erdtree.
Who is Queen Marika in Elden Ring?
Queen Marika the Eternal is the chosen vessel of the Greater Will. She housed the Elden Ring within herself, removed the Rune of Death, and gave birth to the demigods who later fought over the Great Runes.
What caused the Shattering in Elden Ring?
The Shattering began when Marika shattered the Elden Ring in defiance of the Greater Will. This act triggered chaos as the demigods fought over the fragments, known as Great Runes.
Who are the demigods in Elden Ring?
Marika’s children, each holding a Great Rune, include Godrick the Grafted, Malenia, Morgott, Mohg, Rykard, Radahn, and others. Each fought for power during the Shattering.
What is the role of the Tarnished?
The Tarnished are exiled warriors called back by grace to reunite the Great Runes, challenge the demigods, and decide the fate of the Lands Between by becoming Elden Lord—or breaking the cycle entirely.
Why is Ranni the Witch important?
Ranni steals the Rune of Death, kills her original body, and seeks to overthrow the Greater Will’s influence. Her quest leads to the “Age of Stars” ending, where she creates a new cosmic order.
What is Destined Death in Elden Ring?
Destined Death represents true mortality. Marika sealed it away, but Ranni used part of it to kill a god. Later, you must reclaim it from Maliketh to burn the Erdtree and advance the story.
Who are the Outer Gods?
Beyond the Greater Will, other Outer Gods influence the world, including the Frenzied Flame (madness), Scarlet Rot, Formless Mother (blood), and the God of Death. They manipulate both characters and regions.
Why can’t you enter the Erdtree at first?
After defeating Morgott, the Erdtree rejects you because the Greater Will has sealed it. To continue, you must burn the tree using the Flame of Ruin or Frenzied Flame.
How many endings does Elden Ring have?
Elden Ring has multiple endings, including:
Age of Fracture (restore the Ring)
Age of Stars (Ranni’s path)
Lord of Frenzied Flame (madness and destruction)
Blessing of Despair (Dung Eater)
Age of Order (repair the world)
