Elden Ring Theory Returns to the Shadow of the Erdtree Trailer to Understand Marika and What She Took (and From Whom)

A recent Reddit theory about Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree trailer suggests a surprising link between Queen Marika and Serosh.

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SUMMARY

  • A Reddit user believes Marika may have pulled golden threads from Serosh, connecting them in the lore of the game.
  • The theory draws on visual clues and in-game lore, but some fans challenge the idea, suggesting a lack of definite answers.
  • FromSoftware's storytelling style keeps players guessing, leaving room open for many interpretations.
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Elden Ring is a game filled with mystery, hidden lore, and complex stories that keep players guessing even years after they’ve finished the game. One intriguing discussion comes from a recent theory posted on Reddit, where a user talks about the Shadow of the Erdtree trailer to explore a possible connection between Queen Marika and Serosh, the Lord of Beasts. 

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The user suggests that the “God” Marika pulled the golden threads from could be the beast, pointing to visual clues and in-game lore as evidence. The theory has created quite a bit of debate, with arguments both supporting and challenging the idea. 

Evaluating the Elden Ring Theory

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The Tarnished and Torrent fighting a dragon in Elden Ring.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree character from the trailer.

The theory, posted on the game’s subreddit, depends on the idea that the image in the Shadow of the Erdtree trailer shows her pulling threads from the eye of a “God,” which the OP believes to be Serosh.

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Who is the “God” Marika pulled the golden threads from?
byu/Puzzleheaded_Poem_58 inEldenring

They argue that the picture looks like an eye and note that his right eye appears damaged. The user also points out that lions, which are associated with the character, are heavily featured in the game’s world, particularly in Enir-Ilim, where statues and carvings of lions can be found. 

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byu/Puzzleheaded_Poem_58 from discussion
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They suggest that she befriended the beast before betraying him, unable to kill him outright and instead binding him to Godfrey, the first Elden Lord. The user also points to the Divine Beast Dancing Lion boss fight as further evidence.

This boss, which resembles a lion, could be seen as a nod to the beast. The idea that she could have ripped out the essence of Godhood from Serosh and then hid that knowledge from others is a pretty compelling one. 

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However, not everyone agrees with this interpretation. Some users on the thread of the theory argue that he is only ever described as a “Lord,” not a “God.

The Mystery Behind Marika’s Actions

Queen Marika Golden Thread Elden Ring
Everything ties back to her. Image via FromSoftware

As interesting as the theory is, there’s a strong case to be made that the truth is much more ambiguous. FromSoftware is known for leaving many aspects of their stories open-ended, allowing players to piece together the lore for themselves. 

In the case of this game, there’s a lot of information that’s intentionally left vague, and Marika’s actions are no exception. The threads she pulls could be symbolic of runes, the essence that every living being in the game contains. It’s possible that the image in the trailer is less about who she took the threads from and more about what those threads represent.

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However, what exactly happened before she reached the gates of divinity remains a mystery. Other players believe that we simply don’t have enough information to make a definitive guess about the identity of the “God” or the true meaning behind her actions.

In the end, the theory may be just one of many that will never have a clear answer. Elden Ring, like many of FromSoftware’s games, thrives on the mystery and speculation that is created by its open-ended storytelling.

While some story elements are more concrete, many others, like this particular theory, are left up to the interpretation of the players, and there’s likely not going to be a definite answer.

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Are you leaning toward or against this theory? Let us know in the comments below.

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Written by Suhaib Adeel

Articles Published: 236

Suhaib is a Gaming Content Writer at FandomWire. He's extremely passionate about video games and movies, and loves working in the pop culture space. Some of his favorite games include Fallout: New Vegas, Disco Elysium, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Persona 5, Final Fantasy XII, Dishonored, and Bloodborne.