What Makes the Protagonists of Elden Ring Unique?

There was a lot of hype in the gaming community this week, thanks to an announcement about Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, one of 2024’s most-anticipated forthcoming video games.

It’s another day, another day of making new discoveries in From Software’s latest cosmic horror movie, except this one is going to take six months to fully appreciate, and it’s going to leave you wrinkling with time because the lore is as deep as the timeline makes you question your own choices. With this expansion come new characters, new levels of mystery, so let’s delve into the minds (and hearts) of some of the pivotal protagonists.

Messmer the Impaler – The “New Guy” on the Block

Enter Messmer with a title that is as intimidating as his alleged backstory. So who is this one-eyed, fire-wielding enigma? It turns out he’s potentially an ill-begotten son of Marika and Radagon. Ouch. Can you be so problematic that even the family that birthed the Golden Order was like, No hand, please?

Fans speculate Messmer may have some ties to the lore teased in the base game. Do you remember the Smoldering Butterfly? That fiery bug may be Messmer’s trademark. And if so, then he may reflect the sibling archetype who refuses to behave—the cousin who comes to holiday dinners only to debate the definition of taxes.

One thing’s for certain: Messmer is not here to be nice. With a name like “The Impaler,” he’s got some business to get even with, and it’s likely not over cookies and tea.

Miquella – The Eternal Enigma

Ah, Miquella. The prodigious golden child of the Lands Between. Technically a demigod, this is a character with some heavy baggage. First, he’s trapped in a cocoon (and who is not metaphorically?). Second, his dream of building a utopia is complex, to put it mildly.

In Shadow of the Erdtree we don’t know Miquella’s exact motivations, but his needle (yeah, a needle, as in, a sewing needle) seems to indicate that he’s not so keen on the outer gods interfering with his plans. And while his intentions might appear noble (assisting his sister Melania and fighting oppression), players are wondering whether there’s a more sinister side to him.

Evil thought: You’re so powerful you’re capable of changing the world, but instead you’re the guy at the center of an egg. An egg, albeit a really dramatic egg.

The “Realm of Shadow” Crew – The Oddballs

This new, mysterious place is where heretics and outcasts come, as well as that one guy you never got back to after a date. It’s as if FromSoftware saw the “weird kid table” in high school and decided to build it a whole expansion. Here, we encounter a peculiar Carian sorcerer who seems too close to this for comfort — as if he’s laying a trap to get you to join his pyramid scheme.

The thorn-covered old man is also another standout, who may be the most terrifying figure yet. He is literally just a guy, blithely putting his sword through his own eye (they should call him eye-stab, but they don’t) while feeling real good about himself (he clearly doesn’t believe in therapy — that’s for losers) and ending up as “final boss material.”

Why We’re Hyped

With numbers like Messmer and Miquella taking charge, it’s understandable that Shadow of the Erdtree looks poised to be among the best video games of the year. It’s this combination of tragic backstories, mysterious motives, and creepy vibes that makes this DLC a must-play. And hey, if nothing else, we’ll get to die a lot — which is practically the hallmark of all FromSoftware titles.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re in it for the lore or in it for the combat or simply in it to make sense of why everyone’s turning into a walking tree, Shadow of the Erdtree is sure to deliver. As far as new video games go, this one’s set to blow our tarnished socks off.

In the meantime, stay tuned to video game news and updates, and perhaps start practicing those dodge rolls. Trust us, you’ll need them.