Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC: Discover the Most Heart-Wrenching Questline Yet!

Elden Ring has faithfully carried on FromSoftware's renowned tradition of intense boss battles, which have played a major role in the success and acclaim of this action RPG. The Soulslike genre, originally established by the developer, has gained fame not only for its punishing difficulty but also for the profound lore that lies beneath the formidable challenges, contributing to the enduring relevance of these games. As the development of Elden Ring's DLC expansion has been underway for some time, the game's reputation for captivating storylines within its dark fantasy world is sure to continue to flourish. Among the various narrative threads woven throughout The Lands Between, one in particular—that of Millicent—stands as an exceptionally enthralling experience.

Since the unveiling of a teaser image accompanying the announcement, speculation has run rampant regarding the contents of the forthcoming expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree. Observing the youthful depiction of a blonde character and a corrupt tree in the image, many players have surmised that the expansion will likely delve into the stories of Miquella and Godwyn, with some even speculating that the figure might represent a young Marika. While the teaser image is undoubtedly significant in terms of the expansion's content, it is also within the realm of possibility that FromSoftware, known for their propensity to explore unexpected facets of their games in DLC, has more surprises in store. Regardless of the specific narrative directions pursued, attempting to replicate the emotional impact of Millicent's questline will prove to be a formidable challenge.

Millicent's Questline is a Fan Favorite Despite its Darkness

Malenia, Blade of Miquella, is one of Elden Ring's most well-known bosses, capturing the attention of not only the Soulslike community but also gaining viral fame beyond its traditional fan base. While players are drawn to Malenia's mystique, her broader storyline is often overlooked. In fact, throughout the game, there are subtle hints that delve deep into her backstory. Although her encounter is brief, taking place only once on the Tarnished's journey, there exists a lesser-known optional questline that significantly contributes to the overarching narrative.

Within the realm of Caelid, players come across Millicent, an initially hostile NPC who later seeks the player's assistance in combating the Scarlet Rot. It becomes apparent that Millicent, a vessel controlled by an outer god, shares a mysterious connection with Malenia, resembling the rot goddess in various ways. While many players sympathize with Millicent and are hopeful for her success in reaching Malenia, her quest concludes with a heart-wrenching scene as she loses the will to live, abandoning her goal. Alternatively, players can choose to betray Millicent and brutally end her life, making this questline one of immense emotional impact.

FromSoftware has a Challenge with Shadow of the Erdtree's Tone

With the defeat of Mogh, Miquella's story in Shadow of the Erdtree is set to continue. This DLC has the potential to be the defining moment of the game, as it introduces new lore and adds to the already tragic tone. Miquella has been left empty and lifeless after being disturbed from his slumber by the twisted and predatory Mohg. The DLC expansion will likely address this horrifying reality by exploring Miquella's connection to the enigmatic Empyrean. Additionally, the presence of Death Root in the teaser image suggests a link to the dark tale of Godwyn, further deepening the darkness of Miquella's journey.

The lore presented in the DLC of Elden Ring may seem to focus mainly on Miquella's story so far, but that does not necessarily mean it will be the sole focus of the narrative. Malenia's story reaches its conclusion when the player restores the evolved Unalloyed Gold Needle to her Aeonian flower form, which is left behind after her defeat. In return, Malenia graciously provides the player with Miquella's Needle. Given Miquella's significant influence in the later stages of Elden Ring and Malenia's apparent survival through the sacrifice of Millicent, it is possible that one of the game's most emotionally captivating stories will play a major role in the upcoming release of Shadow of the Erdtree. However, if this is not the case, it is difficult to imagine any other storyline having a comparable emotional impact.

Elden Ring is currently available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.