The Emotional Rollercoaster of Maliketh's Dual Identity in Elden Ring

Content: The main focus of Elden Ring is The Tarnished's quest to reach the Erdtree. In order to achieve this objective, players must traverse the Lands Between, discover its various locations, and confront countless hordes of its inhabitants. However, while this serves as the primary narrative, it is by no means the sole story within the game.

Elden Ring intricately weaves multiple storylines into its core tale. Nearly all of the game's characters possess their own personal narratives, some of which even precede the events depicted in the game. One such poignant story is that of Maliketh, whose double life only intensifies its inherent sorrow.

Maliketh Is A Sworn Servant Of Queen Marika

Life As Gurranq Isn't Kind To Maliketh Either

As Queen Marika the Eternal's half-brother, Maliketh, also known as The Black Blade, fulfills the role of the queen's loyal and shadow-bound beast. In a similar manner to how Blaidd serves and protects Ranni the Witch throughout the game, Maliketh is obligated to carry out Marika's commands without question. Among his various duties, Marika entrusted Maliketh with the crucial task of safeguarding the Rune of Death, an essential component of the Elden Ring that holds dominion over the power of true death. Unfortunately, Ranni managed to pilfer a portion of the rune from Maliketh's Black Blade, using it to establish the deadly Black Knife Assassins who assassinated Godwyn the Golden and set in motion the chain of events that led to The Shattering. Overwhelmed by his failure to protect the Rune of Death and fulfill Marika's desires, Maliketh branded what little remained of the rune onto his own flesh and adopted the title of Gurranq, the Beast Clergyman.

Gurranq, known as Maliketh, resides in the Bestial Sanctum located in Caelid. This is the place where players usually encounter him for the first time, as they seek out Deathroot. Maliketh's intense desire for Deathroot can be attributed to the fact that he carries the Rune of Death, leading him to frequently request this item from visitors in order to satisfy his hunger. Throughout Maliketh's questline, players can gradually progress by continuously providing him with Deathroot, and in doing so, they will overhear him muttering about his past life. Maliketh engages in introspective conversations with himself, discussing his failure to protect the Rune of Death, and seeking answers from Marika regarding the concept of sin. As a final reward, Maliketh offers the Tarnished various items, such as beastly seals, incantations, an ash of war, a warhammer, and an Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone. It is evident that Maliketh is still haunted by his past mistakes, even as he attempts to distance himself from Marika's office, Leyndell.

Maliketh's True Feelings Are Shown Outside of Time

Even if players never encounter Gurranq in the Bestial Sanctum, they will inevitably face him as a boss in the crumbling fortress of Farum Azula. Existing beyond the constraints of time, Maliketh has the freedom to express himself as both Gurranq and as his true form. As Gurranq, he fiercely clings to the Rune of Death and vehemently attacks anyone who dares to take it from him. When Maliketh assumes his genuine identity, he pledges unwavering loyalty to his queen, referring to himself as "Marika's Black Blade" upon triumphing over adversaries. In his final moments of defeat, Maliketh beseeches Marika for forgiveness, as he once again fails to safeguard the Rune of Death.

The unfortunate plight of Maliketh is marked by profound sadness, as Marika seems indifferent towards her shadow-bound creature. She never speaks of him (perhaps to conceal his existence), and there is no mention of her presence after the theft of the fragment of the Rune of Death from Maliketh. To worsen matters, it was Marika herself who shattered the Elden Ring following the murder of Godwyn the Golden, intensifying Maliketh's sense of failure. Marika's unjust treatment, even if indirectly, of someone as loyal as Maliketh is truly disheartening. Unlike Ranni and Blaidd, Maliketh never develops a deeper bond with his charge and is regarded more as a mere beast than anything else.

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