Sup. Welcome to the Extras Chapter. I'm laying things out in an organized manner, so pick what you'd like to check out or dip out and read something more interesting. Won't judge ya, I promise. Cross my heart and stick a Black Knife in my chest. They'll be segmented with the little lines I always like to use… you know…
These.
So, look for them if you wanna jump around to whatever interests you. I also sprinkled some tidbits here and there, teasing what's coming next in the story, just for fun. Sheesh, this all sounds very pretentious, but hey, writing all the stuff out in this chapter helps organize my mind. Plus, there's no entertaining story here, and I'm half sure nobody's gonna give this chapter the time of day, so hey! My very own echochamber! I can be as pretentious as I want!
...Anyways...
Elden Ring's lore is crazy complex and confusing; There's about 12 different types of fire alone in the game (Fire, Giant's Flame, Black Flame, Destined Death, Ghostflame, Prince of Death's Flames, Frenzy Flame, Messmer's Flame, Dragon Communion flames, the Elden Beast's golden flames, dragon glintstone flames, and the blue fire from the dlc goop stuff) that I can remember off the top of my head, and I'm sure I'm missing a few more. I've delved deep into the lore as I wrote this story, and I've seen conflicting theories left and right, yet that seems to be Elden Ring's design from the beginning. It leaves much to interpretation, filled with so many tidbits and random references in item descriptions alone that it really makes the average player feel like they're just some Tarnished warrior making their way through the Lands Between; a land of history and clashing Outer Gods that throws reality into mythology. So, I follow the lore, but I take my own creative liberties with theories of mine own based on what I've learned, looking for what fits and how it all works together.
Just as a disclaimer: My words, and the explanations given in my story are NOT 100% lore accurate. In fact, I might be way off the mark. 10% accurate at best. But I aim to explain the peculiarities experienced in-game, while infusing it with plot elements and embellishment that work to enhance the narrative. Besides, I have my own theories too, and whether they're true or not, they at least make things connect, and that alone helps me not go insane when listening to lore dumps.
(Random theory of mine: The lone gravestone just outside Leyndell's inner wall on the western side next to the minor Erdtree church is Melina's grave. Specifically before we meet her, when she was burned. You pick up smoldering butterflies there, and I believe the different types of butterflies relate to the different children of Marika and Radagon, with the smoldering ones being Melina's. I even left a "Visions of lover..." message there, to commemorate it.)
So, with that out of the way, I hope my disclaimer is laid out well enough. See ya
-Corroded Vortex
TABLE OF CONTENTS: There's not much and I can't number these, so think of this as a menu: Shows what I got.
in-depth Analysis of Death in the Lands Between
Poem of Irina of Castle Morne
Versions of the Story
to Make a Lance
Profiles
What...
An In-depth Analysis of Death in the Lands Between
Dictated by Melina, scribed by Lance Thompson
To whom it may concern, I'm still getting the hang of writing in this language. It's coming naturally to me, but my handwriting could use some work. I'm writing this down because Melina's getting tired of explaining to me how death works in this world, so she wants me to record everything she says. I feel like I'm in school again. If you're reading this, and you're not me, then I ask that you return it to me. If I'm dead, then I guess you get some free knowledge that you probably already knew. Actually, if I am dead, then just burn this. I don't want to be remembered because I have abysmal penmanship.
The Mind and the Soul
The residents of the Lands Between come in all shapes and sizes, but they all have one thing in common, they have souls. So to speak, they have runes. Another word for runes is grace, but the words are never interchanged. Grace is merely the rivers of runes that flow through the Erdtree's roots, while runes themselves are the divested Souls in every living thing. To put it bluntly, runes are the lifeblood of all living things, just as how fire is the lifeblood of the planet. Without runes, the body will be without what makes it distinguished from others.
The body comes in two halves: The Mind, and the Soul. Runes are the Soul; they are you, so to speak, your spiritual matter that can rarely be damaged, and that rule breaks only in certain circumstances. Eg. Rune of Death, and its descendant flames, Black Flames and Death Flare (Prince of Death's Flames, I wonder who he is?). Death Blight and to an extent, Scarlet Rot, can enact a similar effect, but instead of burning away the runes, it will corrupt and destroy both Soul and Mind.
The Mind is you as well, but it is your material matter: your brain and by extension, your body. The experiences you've accumulated, and the emotions you feel.
Without both halves, the body will refuse to function, but there are ways to bypass this rule. A Soul can subsist with an artificial Mind, and a Mind can subsist with an artificial Soul. As for these rare circumstances, they all have a similar attribute about them that anyone can distinguish. The right side of the body is the Soul, closely compared with Faith and spirituality. They say that the Soul resides in the heart. One that is a Soul alone will have their right eye open, but the left eye will be sealed. (Sounds familiar.) (Yeah, I asked Melina and she said she counts as one of them) The Mind is the left side of the body, closely compared with Intelligence. They say that the Mind resides in the head. One that is Mind alone will have their left eye open, but the right eye will be sealed. (Sounds like Ranni. Is that why she's a doll?) It is not that the eye is not there; it is merely inoperable, unable to adequately fill the void a true Mind or Soul fills.
If both eyes have sealed, and the body is still, then it is considered "Destined Death", or a true end of both Mind and Soul. There is no coming back from it.
Those Who Live in Death and Spirits
Those Who Live in Death, and spirits, are two halves of the same coin, even capable or crossing boundaries in rare circumstances. When death occurs, the Soul is unable to return to the Erdtree as long as the Rune of Death itself is sealed, denying passage for the souls and forcing them to return to their bodies. The noble rite of grafting can circumvent this, grafting one's body to the roots of the Erdtree to gratify a direct passage for both Mind and Soul to return. But this rite is rare, and only few are deemed "worthy" of it. For most, the Soul returns to the body and the waiting Mind, reviving the body. But, due to the journey, small parts of the Soul can be lost, runes forgotten on the roadside, so to speak. Like a drop put into an ocean, those lost runes can never be easily re-obtained, as they merge with the unending runes that constantly flow through the Erdtree's roots.
Loss of Luster
It is only a small amount at a time, so the first few deaths rarely cause a ruckus. But it will compound overtime, leaving the body with less and less runes after every revival. This loss of grace, easily observed by the dimming of gold in the eyes, is considered a sickness, known to some as becoming "tarnished" or being afflicted by the Loss of Luster, aptly described as: "losing one's luster." This sickness is separate from the people known as "Tarnished", but I will explain that to you later. The Loss of Luster is chronic in nature, and it cannot be cured. Aging over thousands of years will slowly worsen the symptoms of the Loss of Luster, but death expedites the condition tenfold. Symptoms include graying of skin, loss of hair and teeth, and overall deconstruction of the body, such as wrinkles forming around joints and on the face, alongside minor degradation to mental stability. These are considered minor symptoms, commonly onset after ~2,000 years of aging, or ~500 deaths. Most residents of the Lands Between fall into this category. Worse symptoms include loss of cognitive function, mass sloughing off of muscular tissue, shutdown and even disintegration of organs and skin. These unfortunate souls, ranging from victims of war, to even wildlife such as dogs and sealife, have undergone 1,000 deaths or more, as only ~4,650 years have elapsed since the sealing of the Rune of Death; that amount of time is incapable of reducing one, even mere mortals, to this state. Since the beginning of The Shattering, around 1,947 years ago, the Lands Between saw a drastic increase of souls with heavily onset Loss of Luster, and the number still grows to this day. Residents with heavily onset Loss of Luster can easily be described, with their ribcages and even skulls being easily observed, as they are left exposed to the air. They are commonly mindless, with little thought in their decaying brains aside from the most basic of functions: Moving, eating, and attacking. They are commonly ordered to be locked away in catacombs or burned to ash en masse, less they become a scourge on the living.
Those Who Live in Death
It is possible to completely lose one's luster -a complete loss of grace-; they are known as Those Who Live in Death. Those Who Live in Death are residents whose Souls have weakened from an insurmountable loss of runes, to the point the Mind overpowers the Soul, killing it. The remaining runes remain, though small in number, but the Soul becomes a Vengeful Spirit, a mindless soul that refuses to return to the Erdtree any longer, which in turn allows Those Who Live in Death to revive almost instantaneously. (Sounds annoying to kill) Those Who Live in Death retain their Mind, as they still have their body. They are capable of thinking, and capable of emotions, but because they are plagued by a vengeful spirit, they lose all sense of "humanity", actively choosing to kill the living.
Ghostflame?
Ghostflame was used in the past to burn away bodies, in the hope it wouldn't cause vengeful spirits to form. Deathbirds were the ones that took up the mantle of this task, burning away Minds to finally release the Soul. It yielded sufficient results, but soon the vengeful spirits grew accustomed to Ghostflame, becoming rancor, and they began to wield Ghostflame for their own uses. Those Who Live in Death are considered an enemy to all, and due to their refusal to return to the Erdtree; undermining the Law of Causality; the Golden Order deems them heretic.
Runes and Spirits
Spirits and Runes are the opposite. If the Mind dies before the Soul, most commonly through burning of the body, then the Soul will wander for a spell. They can become a Rune: When the Soul tries to create a Mind itself, commonly creating a small membrane to hold the Soul's runes together. These can be easily broken, releasing the runes back out into the world. Melina was such a case, though she retained a shard of her Mind when she was burned, retaining those same burn scars even to this day. (Sounds weird to hear her talk in first person) A Rune will eventually return to the Erdtree, if Ghost Gloveworts do not absorb them first, but sometime the Soul can reject the Erdtree's call.
Spirits
Whether because the Soul retains a shard a now dead Mind, or if the Soul had a strong conviction when they were alive, they can become spirits. When the Mind dies, the spirit rarely thinks, nor do they display emotion. They can speak, but their voices can only be heard on the spiritual level, to which very few people can hear. They merely are able to recall the roles they played while alive, such as warriors in battles past, or animals devoted to survival. Spirit Summoners can summon these spirits for only limited durations, using specifically designed bells that can be heard on the spiritual level. By this extent, the Tarnished Lance Thompson is an anomaly. (That's me! :) )
Ancient Spirits
Ancient spirits are spirits that have created a Mind for themselves after thousands of years, being capable of complex thought and easily retaining memories. Many races worship ancient spirits that have existed in the past, regarding them as gods themselves. Torrent is an example of an ancient spirit, capable of forming and dissipating a body as he pleases. ( I drew a picture of Torrent but Melina made me scrap the page) Some factions, such as the Mausoleum Knights of the Eclipse, (Don't know if this is important but my head felt fuzzy after she said this) have found a way to become similar to ancestor spirits, circumventing the need to wait several millennia to do so. It is not known how this process occurs, though it is considered that they have mastered the technique.
The Rune of Death
The Elden Ring, at its core, is a set of commands for the world. It controls the Erdtree; the Erdtree controls everything. As long as someone brandishes the Elden Ring (It's not even a real ring? Lame), then there is order. A piece of the Elden Ring, the Rune of Death, was sealed away ~4,650 years ago, in order to remove death from the Lands Between, establishing the Golden Order. There was a second reason why it was removed, but… ( She looks uncomfortable, so I'm not gonna ask) Queen Marika's shadow, Maliketh, maintains possession of the Rune of Death now, in a place that is beyond time. (What does that mean? Melina says she doesn't know where it is.) It is said that followers of Maliketh wield vestiges of the Rune of Death, with weapons set ablaze with crimson black flames. Those flames kill both Mind and Soul, so they have been aptly named: "Destined Death"
Black Flames
(She skipped over it as soon as she said its name, so I'll give what I know. The fire is black; I'm not sure how that works, but I also saw it eat away at whoever got burned by it. It crawled all across Agheel and left burnt indents wherever it travelled, like it was eating the dragon. It's also incredibly explosive; it made things blow up both times I've seen it. Is it because it's really, REALLY hot? Hot enough that anything liquid, like blood, simply evaporates too quickly? Makes it pop? If so, that's both cool and really gross. I can't remember if the color black even exists in normal fire, but maybe it just means super hot. I'll have to ask Melina sometime, if she doesn't just shut me down first.)
Death Blight and Death Flare
They are closely related to Those Who Live in Death, in that they kill the Soul. The Mind, or one's body, can be damaged as well, but Death Flare specifically attacks the Soul, and Death Blight corrupts it. If the Soul becomes completely corrupted, then one's runes will become deathroot, sprouting out of the now soulless body (apparently in a really gruesome way) and growing into thorny black vines. This will kill them outright, and they will become Those Who Live in Death shortly afterward, fast tracking the Loss of Luster sickness. Their corrupted Soul will be a seedling, which will become deathroot. It is said deathroot was first seeded by the Prince of Death, and has since spread across the Lands Between. Wherever deathroot takes hold, Those Who Live in Death congregate.
Deathroot
Deathroot, in simple terms, is a Soul. It becomes life anew after being corrupted and sprouting, behaving like how a plant would, but it can be considered parasitic in nature, spreading like a blight in the Lands Between as a pustule. Many roots in a pustule can form, but if the original deathroot is weeded out, then the pustule of deathroot will wilt away. Many zealots of the Golden Order are tasked with weeding out deathroot. If this undertaking was not performed, the Lands Between would have been overrun by the Prince of Death's influence long ago.
Frenzy Flame
(I spaced out during this, had to replace my pen because I broke the last one. This is a touchy subject for me) The Frenzy Flame ties into death in the Lands Between, by originating from an entity far outside of it. Instead of burning the Mind to ash and leaving the Soul to wander or killing the Soul and leaving the Mind to become Those Who Live in Death, the Frenzy Flame is a hivemind Outer God. It burns both Mind and Soul, but unlike Destined Death, it devours the two halves. The Minds fuel the Frenzy Flame's fire, and the Souls fuel the Frenzy Flame's power. It is said that if you are afflicted with the Flame of Frenzy, you can hear the billions of voices (most not of this world, apparently) of all the Souls it has consumed, capable of driving you to madness by spending just a few moments in its presence. Those that worship it desire the hivemind to burn the world to ash, to let it devour everything so that all can be one. (It sounds like something out of sci-fi, a giant space parasite going from one planet to the next, devouring the whole thing before going to another one. I guess that means Irina is apart of that hivemind then? I broke another pen.)
(I asked how I, and my Rune of Death, fit into all of this, but Melina said she's not sure what it is in me. I hope it's not a dormant deathroot or something. Then again, maybe it is. Would that explain the strange second voice I can sometimes hear in my head?)
are...
The Poem of Irina of Castle Morne
A singular poem of Irina's collection, which was left unfinished at the time of her demise. The poem was finished by Lance Thompson, in hopes of capturing her spirit in the piece.
Eternal Flowers
The flowers of the south bloom in later summer,
when the sun shines high and the stars glitter.
They spring forth colorful petals,
In rows upon riverbanks where the speeding current settles.
In the morning dew, they shine like fresh gold.
In the approaching dusk, their true beauty unfolds.
Flowers of the night, glowing in the moonlight.
Beauty too supreme for this world, an existence too pleasing to the eye.
And, as fall arrives, the petals will wilt and die.
Wither away underneath the autumn sky.
Yet, time carries on, and a new year arrives.
Another chance for the flowers to remove their budding disguise.
They return in the late summer, blooming underneath the shining sky.
Flowers are eternal; they can never truly die.
They can wilt and wither, become trampled underfoot and burned.
But, like life itself, the flowers' sense of integrity will always be spurned.
Bloom, flowers of the south, and let your beauty shine.
Your aroma is sweet, and your colors are divine.
So, bloom, little flower of the south, your death will not be in vain.
Be free of those that wish you harm; you will never again bear that chain.
Bloom, little flower of the south.
you...
Earlier Versions of the Story
Self-explanatory, though there are a few I don't include because they were more of a passing thought than anything else. For an honorable mention, God would be apart of the story, (Seeing how outer gods are a thing), working through Lance to bring Christianity to the Lands Between. Scrapped the idea, though it might've made a good comedy.
Mark 1
My initial idea, wondering how a person who lived a life of school and work and civilization would fare in the Lands Between. Initially designed the character to go into the catacombs near the start of the game with the watchdog boss. He would've kept all of his memories of the game Elden Ring. He'd get jumped by imps and die, having a mental breakdown at the Site of Grace as he realized how terrible his time in the game will be. Unable to leave, unable to do much of anything, he would've withered away in the Stranded Graveyard, crying and convulsing until he loses the will to live. Melina wasn't considered a character yet, and I began the first chapter with this narrative in mind. A short story, ending on a sour note.
Mark 2
Melina becomes a character, and Lance's friend Daniel would've been a character as well, working back on Earth to try and find out what happened to Lance. In this version, Lance's body was never found in his neighbor's yard, and instead disappeared without a trace. Daniel would've booted up Lance's save file, finding Lance and Melina in the game. He'd act like a stocky character that doesn't talk, but Lance would've somehow been able to communicate with him. This idea lasted in my head for about a single afternoon.
Mark 3
Lance is Vagram the Raging Wolf. I thought about this for a while, as I wrote the first 5 chapters. It would explain why Melina didn't have Torrent in my story, and would somewhat give a reason to Ranni's line "Torrent's former master." Lance would've been a spirit summoner, with knowledge of what Elden Ring is. He would've helped organizing the Roundtable Hold, bringing Errant Sorcerer Wilhelm, Gideon Ofnir, Vyke, Hewg, and D into the fray. The Tarnished characters would've been the main focus, and it would give the explanation of why Melina knows of the Roundtable Hold in-game, and brings you there. Ranni and Blaidd would be major characters as well, among others. Lance hoped to bring Ranni into the fold of the Erdtree, vying to become a shadow of an empyrean. Essentially, Lance would eventually die before obtaining even one Great Rune, and with Melina tearing up over his dying body, he'd give her Torrent's ring, telling her that in time, a Tarnished will come to the Lands Between from the Stranded Graveyard in Limgrave. Lance promises Melina that Tarnished will help fulfill her purpose, and he would ask her to seek the Tarnished. A sad ending, but Lance would've been integrated in the game instead of being the main character.
Mark 4
Lance is the Rune of Death. His entrance into the Lands Between comes as a surprise to everyone, including Maliketh, who finds Death is no longer in his possession. This was my idea all the way up to just before Lance takes on Roard. In a moment of desperation, Destined Death would be unleashed from Lance, and he'd wield the crimson black flames of Maliketh. The story would revolve around Melina hoping to use Lance's power to get her to the Erdtree, and when they arrive, to help set the Erdtree aflame. All the while, Lance would be on the run from Maliketh himself, hunted by Vulgar militiamen and Black Blade Kindred gargoyles. Corpse Wax would be a large plot point, and black flames would've played a large part as well in Melina's case.
Mark 5
Warning: Minor spoilers ahead. Nothing is truly given away, but it might get some gears turning. Just a heads up
This is the current version, and I've gone through extensive lengths to cement it in place cuz I like the sound of it. I implemented it in at chapter 23: Death's Deliverer. I can't exactly change my mind now unless I want to retcon a bunch of things, so this is the "final draft" so to speak. Since I'm stupid, I'll make everything in this plan sound REALLY vague. (maybe not that vague) If anyone guesses it right, I guess I'll give them a free cookie or something.
Two halves to a half, that makes a whole…
Sealed eye and original vs. fraud…
Slit golden eyes…
Drakes and dragons…
The origin of man…
Destined Death and Black Flame)-o
o-(Ghostflame and Death Flare
Heroes of nations…
Deathbed…
Artificial life…
The artificial soul…
Dream...
What is reality?...
…
Who ever said this story was an Isekai?
…
looking...
How to make a Lance
(This is gonna take forever. Why am I doing this to myself?) Thought it would be fun to add this in here, seeing how people can make some vaguely familiar faces in the character creator in Elden Ring. It's not a 1:1 lookalike (cuz I'm bad at it, and because the characters always have that uncanny valley feeling to them, no matter how hard you try), so let it be said here, this is what Lance's character looked like in the game. He took a long look at himself in the mirror while he made it, and while it looks a little too mature for his young face, it was as close as he could get it.
Big things: He's got dark blue eyes and brown hair. His muscle mass will change throughout the story, but he starts as standard, with below average sizes for the body. Think of a pencil. Some say he's had golden eyes with slit pupils from time-to-time, but these are all just baseless rumors.
Don't listen to them.
Base template: Bro's pale, so Aristocrat. (Neil Haight thought he looked like one, relating him to some family from Caelid.)
Age: Young, any voice besides aged works, I guess
Hair: #11, Been working to him having this hair type in the story. It's the end goal
Eyebrows: #16
No facial hair: he couldn't grow a beard to save his life
Face template:
Bone structure: 2
Form emphasis: 0
Apparent age: 215
Facial Aesthetic: 60
Facial Balance: I'm feeling lazy, so I'll number the different sliders by descending order in each section. My bad.
1: 114
2: 131
3: 151
4: 19
5: 113
6: 172
Forehead/ Glabella
1: 0
2: 135
3: 144
4: 54
5: 111
6: 113
Brow Ridge:
1: 136
2: 100
3: 102
Eyes:
1: 169
2: 134
3: 115
4: 133
Nose Ridge:
1: 224
2: 161
3: 153
4: 116
5: 2 (idk lol)
6: 99
7: 229
Nostrils:
1: 131
2: 91
3: 114
Cheeks:
1: 99
2: 160
3: 126
4: 91
5: 58
Lips:
1: 166
2: 140
3: 59
4: 142
5: 105
6: 141
Mouth:
1: 153
2: 111
3: 144
4: 203
5: 134
6: 162
Chin:
1: 146
2: 166
3: 124
4: 140
5: 100
6: 161
7: 115
Jaw:
1: 132
2: 65
3: 0
4: 50
If you were insane enough to actually go through with this instead of skipping through this whole part entirely, then you and I are looking at a snobby kid with a big ol' forehead… He's perfect. Sheesh, that was really tedious, and this is definitely the only time I'm doing this. If anyone askes me what Roard or Dalia look like, I'd rather fight a Royal Revenant barehanded. And if I ruined your image of what the kid looks like… oops.
at?
Character Profiles 300 thousands words are a lot, and I had to go and sprinkle character backgrounds all over the place. Sorry. Important points were shoved in between a lot of other things in the chapters, and even I'm having a difficulty keeping track of them. Fun fact, I guess: This entire story is entirely in my head; the day I write things down is the day pigs fly. But, I guess pigs are flying, because here I am: Condensed information about each character, with what's been unveiled so far. Just to make it easier, and it'll be a future reference for me to make sure I'm not forgetting anything important.
Lance Thompson: Protagonist of the story. A 19-year-old kid from just outside Springfield, Missouri, with blue eyes and brown hair. Tarnished, an only child, and has lived an overall secluded life back on Earth. He has a living remnant of the Rune of Death in his heart, which allows him to "reap" the lives of any who dies in his vicinity that he deems an enemy. A natural with the blade, preferring lighter swords but able to work with heavier weaponry if the situation calls for it. Carries the Light of the Erdtree within him as well. The only benefit as of now it entails is Melina can survive outside a Site of Grace if she is near him. It also seems tied to how spirits can exist within him outside of ash. Capable of summoning and communicating with spirits. Can call on the spectral steed Torrent. He can also call upon Melina's power in incantation to imbue his weapons, along with Golden Vow that he received from Ranni. Has a strange spell in his head, that after partly breaking open, corrupts his thoughts occasionally, especially when he gets mad…
Melina: The One-Eyed Kindling Maiden. Golden colored eye with perfect luster, and strawberry blonde hair. Prefers a dark cloak. Her left eye is sealed behind a spindly black tattoo, though it has been known to glow, and the lid leaks red tears during moments of stress; the tears burn as hot as fire. She has lived for thousands of years, but after an event long ago that burned her to ash, she's been left to wander the Lands Between, unable to leave the Light of the Erdtree Sites of Grace produce less she sputters out like a dying ember. Her memories of the time before she was burned are fuzzy, though some say she is the Queen of Black Flames, or a Vestige of the Gloam-Eyed Queen. To begin with, she was devoid of emotion, unable to empathize with others, nor could she feel anything besides a small sting whenever she phases through solid objects. Recently, she has begun to feel emotions, and with it, her body has begun to reform into reality once again. Has a handful of incantations of an unknown god, namely an ignition spell, a healing spell, and an attribute raiser spell. Though, she also has a black flame spell…
Torrent: Spectral steed, an ancient spirit. Incredibly fast. Seems to have known Lance before they even met…
Tree Sentinel: Giant armored knight that rides atop a Graceborn: A massive breed of horse that's scarcely tamed. Sent by Morgott weeks before Lance ever arrived in the Lands Between, tasked with dealing with the "Tarnished with a golden light following him around." He was slain by Agheel, after Lance accidentally led him into the shallow lake, injuring the dragon.
Agheel: Fire-breathing dragon, as large as a civilian airliner and nearly as fast in the air. After besting the Tree Sentinel in combat, the dragon was unseen until he turned back up in Bellard, being ridden by Rick. An implement was planted into his neck behind the frills, that robbed him of his free will. Was capable of talking to Lance through a form of telepathy, asking him to kill the wounded and dying dragon.
Morgott: The "Silent King" of Leyndell, sent the Tree Sentinel to Limgrave before Lance ever arrived, on command of a voice he hears from the Erdtree. After news of the Sentinel's death, and a later report of Lance saying the name "Melina", he set off to Castle Stormveil, to deal with the Tarnished and Melina himself.
Roard: Leader of the garrison in Limgrave; a spear knight once in service to Godrick. Has a wife and child he's never met in Leyndell he's wanted to return to, though he's never gotten the chance. Slain by Lance, but became a spirit that now resides in Lance's light. He has sworn allegiance to Lance and is now occasionally called upon to aid him in battles. A rambunctious fellow, who's easygoing and lives to brag to others. He's also begun to pick up strange phrases that don't exist in the Lands Between, though it's not certain where he's getting them from…
Kalé: Nomadic Merchant, wandering trader of goods. He's supposedly from Bellard, though he clings to his Songs of St. Trina like his life depended on it. Friends with Blaidd through the many times they've run into each other on the road. A normally quick-witted and jolly fellow, who holds most he meets with a welcoming attitude. Never above trying to find a business opportunity or a possibility to live an easier lifestyle. Under his cloth face covering, he bears scars of sharp wire that was sewn over his lips; his only evidence of the horrid torture that was performed on him; he's yet to die since. He has knowledge on the man with silver skin and the yellow and orange fire, though Lance was never able to ask him about it…
Dals: Blacksmith of Town. A heavy build with a bald head and discerning eyes. Has extensive knowledge about the nature of weaponry in the Lands Between, along with the elusive art of armor and armament ascendency…
Boc: Demihuman capable of human speech. A timid and kind creature, though he and Lance's first impressions didn't go over so well. Current location unknown…
Patches: Sleezy bald Tarnished. Thinks of himself as a walking genius amongst fools. His background is unknown, though he led a small band of highwaymen, ambushing travelers on the road. Spineless, but talkative by nature; nobody is 100% certain what will come out of his mouth yet. After following Lance, hoping to acquire the ascended partisan he carries, Patches was captured, tied up and left to hang in Bellard's sewers. He's rescued by Dalia, though it's not certain to say if he's thankful or not.
Blaidd: Wolfman warrior, Shadow of Ranni the Empyrean. Nearing 9 feet in height and wielding a massive sword that's heavier than he is; he is a sight to behold. Lance has noted that he holds an intimidating form of mania in his eyes, though he never acts on the impulses. Capable and lethal, not many in the Lands Between could survive an altercation with him, much less best him in combat. Though, he is slightly naïve, much to the enjoyment of Kalé. Considers himself friends with Lance, and has knowledge on Melina…
Ranni: The Snow Witch. The Fallen Empyrean. Living within the body of a doll, she shed her mortal frame as Godwyn the Golden's Soul was slain. Her right eye is sealed. She has interest in Lance, and the living Rune of Death he has. She hopes to bring him into her fold, though she is cautious with her approach thus far. She tells nobody of her intentions, though there is a question that occasionally plagues her mind: She sought to slay her Mind, while Godwyn's Soul was to be slain, completing the mark of the centipede. Yet, she retains half of her Mind, and half of her Soul. She is certain Godwyn's Soul was slain entirely… A malfunction perhaps?
Irina: Blind daughter of Edgar of Castle Morne. Blonde hair, and a timid personality. She learned to write despite her impairment, and took on writing poetry in her free time. Slain by Shabriri through a strange knife, she was reduced to dust; both her Mind and her Soul have been joined with the Hive-Mind Flame of Frenzy…
Edgar: Warden of Castle Morne. A capable warrior, with strange armor not of the Weeping Peninsula. His background is unknown, but he wields storm winds like weapons, and is practiced with his halberd. A passionate man, stoic by nature but has a soft spot for his daughter. After her death, a yellow and orange flame took root in his eyes, and he now vows to avenge his deceased daughter, through any means necessary…
Dalia: Knight of Castle Morne, familiar with a greatsword only. She is straight forward, refraining from overthinking things and unable to easily feel sympathy. She inadvertently caused Irina's death and still blames herself for that. She defeated Trey with the assistance of spirit Roard, but Morne has effectively disowned her, and her current status is unknown…
Drew: A Morne soldier high up in the chain of command, and a stalwart supporter of Lance.
Weller, Faxin, Kal: Morne Soldiers.
Trey: Traitorous knight of Castle Morne. Uses a greatsword and shield. He never removes his helmet unless he's forced to, and he rarely suffers anything that ticks him off. He has a deep-rooted hatred of Tarnished, and would've taken the first chance to kill Lance, provoked or not. He betrayed Morne, poisoning the horses and the warden, destroying the device to raise the front gate, and stealing the Grafted Blade Greatsword, as a peace offering to switch sides. He was defeated and now awaits execution by burning at the stake…
Darriwil: Bloodhound Knight. Silent and almost dogmatic in his efforts to achieve his tasks. Capable of obscuring even his runes in a deceptive art, wielding claws and a blade that causes a victim's body to hemorrhage blood after a sufficient amount of cuts. Once serving under Ranni, he abandoned his service, leading Ranni to stick Blaidd on Darriwil's trail. Locked up in an Evergaol after angering a local lord, Rick broke Darriwil free of his prison, and the Bloodhouns Knight swore fealty to Rick. Sent after Lance in Bellard, he was chased off by Blaidd, and after a short duel with the wolfman the next day, Darriwil was slain; his head and sword taken as a tribute to Ranni. The rest of his body was burned to ash. With his head frozen, it is unknown where his runes wandered off to, or if he ever found a master he can truly be content in serving...
Leonine Misbegotten: Red-maned large misbegotten that wields an iron greatsword, his origins are unknown. He arrived in Bellard days before Lance and Melina and Kalé did, inciting rebellion amongst his fellows to rise up against their oppressors. He quickly fell under the rule of Rick after being bested by the large soldier, joining his rebellion with the Limgrave Horde, Darriwl, and Agheel Rick brought. Slain by Edgar in Bellard's Church of Marika, his body was later recovered before it revived, and he will be burned to ash alongside Trey in broad daylight, above the jeers and shouts of a watching crowd…
Rick: A man whose origins are unknown; none of the Limgrave Soldiers are certain where he came from. The stories conflict one with another, and nobody is able to pinpoint it. He was considered the leader of the enemy during the Misbegotten Rebellion, bringing powerful figures and a small army to the conflict. During his duel with Lance and Melina atop Agheel, he brandished Radagon's scarseal, using it in part with the "Oath of Vengeance" ash of war on the Grafted Blade Greatsword, to boost his power and speed exceptionally. The Oath of Vengeance rendered Lance bewildered for a few moments upon activation as well, allowing Rick to take Lance's left arm, splitting the Tarnished's sword in two and throwing him off Agheel. During their second duel, Rick had his arm cut off, and received multiple cuts, but did not bleed a single drop. He seemed to worship Lance as well. Melina destroyed him, casting both the scarseal and his body parts into the ocean, never to be seen again.
?.?.?: …Who are you? What are you looking at? How the hell did you get here? What? Do you think it's funny to watch me? Trapped here for so long in this darkness? Don't make me laugh. Lance Thompson is weak. He cannot survive for long. He will die soon, and it'll all be his fault... And? When he tetters on the edge? When he falls off? I'll be waiting. Mother knows it, I will be. I will seize control. I will rid myself of this parasite that has the audacity to think he can control me. And I'll finish my work; I will achieve my goals. I swear it, upon my name as… Heh. I guess I don't have a name, right? In time…