The Mind-Blowing Multiverse of Elden Ring: Unveiling Marika's Epic Canon Events!

FromSoftware's Souls games have always had an intriguing relationship with parallel worlds. In Demon's Souls, players could catch glimpses of and even interact with other players when playing online. Dark Souls expanded on this concept by introducing a complex time structure, as seen in Dark Souls 1 where players could influence another world by completing Solaire's quest to link the First Flame. Even in Elden Ring, the presence of mechanics hinting at multiple worlds can still be observed, albeit in a secondary manner. Despite the differences in their roles within the game's setting, the iconic Souls Invasions and summons continue to persist in Elden Ring.

By the time of its release, the idea of multiverses had become a popular trend, with one of the standout examples being the self-proclaimed Spider-Verse in the world of Spider-Man. The recent film Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse cleverly played with the meta structure of multiverses by highlighting "canon events" that are common to almost every iteration of Spider-Man, events that define a Spider-Man's identity. If we were to apply this concept to a significant character in Elden Ring, such as Queen Marika, it could still hold true. Through this lens, even the most mysterious figures in Elden Ring's lore can be stripped down to their core essence.

Becoming An Empyrean

Something any variant of Marika would need to experience is the event that initiated her journey. Similar to Spider-Man's radioactive spider bite, this defining moment transformed Marika into an Empyrean. Although the specifics remain unclear, this pivotal event led her to become the vessel of the Elden Ring and ascend to the status of both a god and the ruler of her growing empire. Additionally, during this time, the Two Fingers bestowed upon her the presence of her half-brother, Maliketh, who later played a significant role in Marika's plans. While being an Empyrean can result in various outcomes, such as Malenia's transformation into the Goddess of Rot, it is challenging to envision Marika's story unfolding in any other way.

Having A Family Of Demigods

Speaking of Marika, it is impossible to disregard her consorts and their demigod offspring. Although some of them joined Marika's second consort, Radagon, in forming a family, they all play a crucial role in the setting of Elden Ring. Any potential parallel story or sequel to Elden Ring would require an equally significant ensemble. Above all else, Godfrey and Radagon, the first two Elden Lords of the empire and Marika's husbands, are pivotal figures in Marika's life. The implications of Radagon's body-sharing abilities may vary greatly across different universes, but their relationships were central to some of the most significant events in Elden Ring.

Causing The Shattering

Greatest among those by far is the Shattering, the event in which Marika wielded her hammer against the Elden Ring itself. The power to carry out such a feat seemed to stem from her profound sorrow over the loss of her eldest son, Godwin the Golden, during the Night of Black Knives—despite the possibility that she may have authorized this tragic event. The motives behind her actions and the complexity of the Shattering are still being unraveled by fans, yet this act of rebellion undeniably stands as the most significant moment in Marika's life since ascending to the throne.

Creating The Tarnished

Despite Marika's questionable tactics, it appears that her actions were motivated by selflessness. Godfrey, Marika's initial partner and the Elden Lord, was the first to be banished as a Tarnished when he lost the favor of the gold. However, if players search for hidden remnants of Marika's speeches, they will uncover evidence that this decision was made to prepare the Tarnished for a future where they would rise again and seize control of the Lands Between. Another Marika would not be complete without her cunning and deceptive nature, which paradoxically conceals her underlying benevolence. Undoubtedly, this duality would greatly influence her world, just as much as Elden Ring itself.

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