Summary
The legacy of FromSoftware’sElden Ringis far from over, as the title is still set to receive its highly anticipated Shadow of the Erdtree DLC expansion. Taking the Soulsborne genre to new heights and becoming the studio’s highest-selling title ever,Elden Ringwas built upon the legacy of games like the Dark Souls trilogy and Bloodborne that came before it. While the title’s relevancy has remained, however, Shadow of the Erdtree has still taken longer to release than any other FromSoftware expansion that came before it.
Shadow of the Erdtreewas announced with a teaser image around a year afterElden Ring’s initial release, leaving fans to speculate on it without any new information since. With hopes that it could be the largest DLC a Soulsborne title has ever received, there are many loose threads concerning key figures throughout The Lands Between that the expansion could serve to tie up.
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Miquella
Due to their golden hair and childlike appearance, the mysterious figure riding Torrent in the teaser image is alreadythought to beElden Ring’s Miquellaby many players. Areas like Castle Sol and Miquella’s Haligtree only set him up in the base game, but there have been rumors of an entire questline and ending that was cut fromElden Ring. Last seen in a decrepit state following his corruption by Mohg, there are theories that the eternally youthful demigod could appear healthy inside a dream or even in the realm of the dead.
Godwyn
The withered tree seen in Shadow of the Erdtree’s teaser image could mean the presence of Deathroot, connectingthe mysterious Godwynto the corrupted landscape. Only seen as an eldritch monstrosity in the base game, many players have theorized Godwyn could return as a boss.
Melina/The Gloam-Eyed Queen
While she sacrificed herself in all routes but the Frenzied Flame ending,the vague origin of Melinahas yet to be properly explored. Her similarities to and possible identity as the unseen Gloam-Eyed Queen could be explored in a world focused on Deathblight, not to mention the implications of her status as a daughter of Marika.
Malenia
Appearing to bloom once more into the flower found in her boss arena that mirrors the one found at the end ofMillicent’s sad questline, Malenia seems to have survived her defeat at the hands of the Tarnished. Given that items can be traded with the scarlet flower she leaves behind and the noble but misguided intentions she bears as the blade of Miquella, perhaps Malenia won’t even be an enemy the next time she’s encountered.
Marika
Most fans are almost certain that the teaser images depict Miquella, but others have theorized that this actually be a young Marika instead. Considering FromSoftware’s history of delving into time-traveling tales of the past in the DLC expansions of past Soulsborne titles, this unexpected scenario is still easily within the realm of possibility.
The Outer Gods
Never taking actual physical forms,Elden Ring’s Outer Gods are eldritch beings likely somehow responsible for every event in The Lands Between. The God of Rot cursed Malenia and brought about its Scarlet Rot namesake, while the Formless Mother motivated Mohg in his kidnapping of Miquella. Eventhe Greater Will, while not explicitly stated to be an Outer God by definition, is still revealed to be another extraterrestrial exerting influence over the world by the end of the base game. Following battles with entities such as the Elden Beast and Astel, Naturalborn of the Void, encounters with any level of threat are on the table when Shadow of the Erdtree eventually launches.
