10 Most Tragic Elden Ring Characters

Currently, Elden Ring Nightreign is capturing the spotlight, but there’s never a bad moment to explore the rich lore that gives FromSoftware’s games such a captivating allure. Of course, the lore of Elden Ring, much like other FromSoftware games, is subtly woven into minor details and often presents a platter of sorrow. With an abundance of NPCs in Elden Ring, it can be challenging to choose which ones are the saddest, as almost every character leads a tragic life. Some characters are merely victims of bad luck, while others bear tragedy as a result of their own choices. This blend makes the fictional world of the Lands Between feel painfully authentic.

In the realm known as The Lands Between, one must act mercilessly to endure and thrive, while the once-untouchable Golden Order’s flawlessness is now exposed, thanks to the fragmentation of the Elden Ring. Instead of bringing joy, the fight for the title of the new Elden Lord only leads to another form of sorrow.

1. Rennala

The most tragic aspect of Rennala’s tale lies in her unwilling pursuit of power. Instead, she found herself deeply in love with Radagon. Unfortunately, he abandoned her for Marika. Subsequently, Ranni discarded her physical form, leading Rennala to believe she was deceased. Rykard sacrificed himself to a serpent, which might not be comforting news for any mother to hear. Regarding Radahn, it’s no wonder Rennala is seen clutching the amber egg; she has become someone who feels utterly bereft.

2. Millicent

A significant aspect of Millicent’s tale is its brief duration. Born as a consequence of Malenia’s Scarlet Rot bloom, Millicent is, in essence, Malenia’s daughter and carries the Scarlet Rot affliction. You can use an Unalloyed Gold Needle to manage this ailment, which aids her in pursuing her goal of meeting Malenia. Regrettably, it offers only temporary respite. Although you may assist Millicent’s sisters in eliminating her prematurely, if you save Millicent instead, she still succumbs to Scarlet Rot just short of reaching Malenia, thus ending her life without fulfilling her desire.

3. Messmer

One significant character in the game “Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree” is Messmer, who is known to be a son of Marika. However, his name has been erased from the Golden Lineage. Born with a cursed serpent within him, Marika’s Seal of Grace helped control this curse to some extent. Despite a hint of affection for Messmer shown by Marika, he was still considered an imperfection in her carefully crafted Golden Lineage. Eventually, Messmer is sealed away from the Lands Between until he meets his demise at the hands of the Tarnished. It’s only then that his hidden resentment towards Marika surfaces with his final curse.

4. Godwyn the Golden

In a turn of events orchestrated by Ranni, Godwyn transitioned from the Gold Prince to the Prince of Death. This transformation occurred due to Ranni’s plans to free herself from the control of the Two Fingers, who had elevated her to Empyrean status. To achieve this, she required another demigod to perish spiritually while still physically alive. Godwyn was chosen for this role. On the Night of Black Knives, Godwyn’s spirit was slain. Remarkably, his physical body continued to live. Upon burial, the Deathrunes seeped from Deathroot, giving rise to Those Who Live in Death. Sadly, Godwyn became a pawn in Ranni’s game, a fate he did not choose for himself.

5. Blaidd

Blaidd is a creature bound by shadows, bestowed upon Ranni by the Two Fingers when they elevated her to an Empyrean status. This bond meant he couldn’t betray her and remained unwaveringly loyal. However, the Two Fingers secretly intended to use him against Ranni if she ever turned against them. So, when Ranni decided to release her spirit from her Empyrean form, she inadvertently doomed Blaidd to a slow descent into madness and eventual betrayal.

6. Maliketh

In his role as a Shadowbound Beast, Maliketh remains steadfastly loyal to Marika, despite her exploitation and subsequent isolation with the Rune of Death in his grasp. Engaging with Gurranq’s questline deepens the sense of sorrow surrounding him, as it becomes clear that he acknowledges his diminished standing with Marika and believes solitude is the only fitting destiny for him. This self-imposed isolation follows his act of placing the Rune of Death within himself as a form of penance for his failure to prevent Ranni from acquiring a fragment of it, and as a means to ensure such an incident never repeats itself in the future.

7. Morgott

From birth, Morgott and his twin Mohg were considered ominous outcasts, not belonging to the revered Golden Lineage. Mohg abandoned belief in the sacred Golden Order, but Morgott, expelled from the Order due to circumstances beyond his control, remained unwaveringly loyal until his demise. He safeguarded something he never truly belonged to, expecting nothing in return. Post-Shattering, he even barricades the Erdtree’s entrance against his own kin. Despite his unfortunate circumstances, Morgott refused to let fate dictate his character, which seemed only to exacerbate his misery. He remained steadfast in his love for a world that despised him.

8. Godfrey/Hoarah Loux

Godfrey initially held the title as the first Elden Lord and was the father of Morgott, Mohg, and Godfrey himself. Following his conquest of all foes in the Lands Between, Marika took away his divine powers and those of his soldiers, exiling them from this land. This event led to the emergence of the first Tarnished beings. While it was said that Marika aimed to help Godfrey grow stronger outside the Lands Between, her actions appeared harsh in the interim. She went on to replace Godfrey with another Elden Lord and maintained her rule, all while Godfrey endured hardships as a consequence of adhering to her wishes. In essence, Godfrey was merely an instrument for Marika’s purposes.

9. Malenia

Born with a fatal disease called Scarlet Rot coursing through her body, Malenia had to rely on prosthetics and an enchanted Unalloyed Gold Needle gifted by Miquella to keep herself functioning. Despite the constant decay, she learned resilience and fought for the sole purpose of safeguarding her brother Miquella, who was trapped as a child for eternity. Thus, she transformed into his weapon and battled on his behalf. Unfortunately, in a clash against Radahn, she released her Scarlet Rot, which allowed Mohg to kidnap Miquella from the Haligtree. Regardless of her own woes, Malenia became one of the most powerful demigods. Just like Morgott, she demonstrated unyielding affection and loyalty.

Malenia was born with a disease called Scarlet Rot that made her body rot away. To survive, she used prosthetics and an enchanted needle given by her brother Miquella. She fought to protect Miquella because he was trapped as a child forever. This led to a fight against Radahn where she released her Scarlet Rot, allowing another character called Mohg to take Miquella away. Despite her own struggles, Malenia became one of the strongest demigods and showed great love and devotion like Morgott did.

10. Melina

Melina’s background is unclear, yet it appears she is one of Marika’s offspring. However, she’s not listed in the illustrious Golden Lineage, similar to Messmer. Strangely, Melina no longer possesses a physical body, and her ultimate mission is to ignite herself as kindling so you can gain access to the Erdtree and confront Marika. She seems overlooked and rather tragic, with her left eye mysteriously sealed without explanation. Yet, she maintains a strong sense of responsibility and desires to aid you in becoming the next Elden Lord. She recognizes that Marika is no longer fit for the position, and the Golden Order is not as flawless as it seems.

In the vein of every game developed by FromSoftware, Elden Ring challenges you to ponder your decisions. Initially, you might believe yourself a hero, but as you delve deeper into the game’s world, it becomes increasingly challenging to maintain that image amidst such widespread sorrow. Aiding one individual often results in hardship for another. Ironically, these deeply tragic worlds are what draw players irresistibly to FromSoftware games, including Elden Ring: Nightreign, the latest addition to their impressive portfolio.

2025-06-03 03:43