Elden Ring‘s long-awaited upcoming DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, is generating unprecedented levels of hype among fans as it adds an abundance of content; touted as FromSoftware’s largest expansion to date.
Among everything else, it throws a new character named Messmer the Impaler into the mix. Pegged as the main antagonist of the DLC, theories have been swirling around his connection to the slumbering Empyrean, Miquella, with a new one proposing that they might just be the same.
Elden Ring‘s Lore Supports The Theory
This doesn’t stray too far from Elden Ring lore, as Queen Marika and Radagon were also one and the same. Every powerful Empyrean has a shadowy counterpart, with Miquella himself possibly even having another identity, St. Trina, both linked to sleep.
This theory explores the idea of Messmer as an extension of Miquella, much like Marika’s own duality. Marika ruled under the Erdtree, a golden symbol of order, fueled by the powerful Elden Ring.
Similarly, Miquella attempted to grow his own holy tree, the Haligtree. Just as Marika, who was sealed within the Erdtree as Radagon, tried to escape, Miquella sought refuge in the Haligtree before Mohg’s abduction.
Shadow Of The Erdtree‘s Setting May Be A Huge Hint
What lends further credence to the theory is that Marika’s blonde form contrasts with her redheaded alter ego, Radagon. The blonde Miquella could also be in a similar predicament, with his alter ego being the redheaded Messmer.
Concrete evidence for this theory may be a little light, but the Land of Shadows mirroring The Lands Between strengthens the idea of Shadow of the Erdtree continuing Elden Ring‘s theme of duality.
The Lands Between and the Land of Shadows can be seen as two sides of the same coin, with their own central trees reflecting each other. This mirror image may hint at the Land of Shadows representing a twisted version of the familiar Lands Between, and Messmer embodies a broken or corrupted aspect of Miquella.
The truth about Messmer’s true identity is something we will only discover upon the DLC’s release. However, fan theories and discussions are the headstrong pillar that props up FromSoftware lore. Messmer stands alongside Miquella as a key figure in the upcoming DLC, and his demigod lineage certainly adds weight to the theory of them being enantiomers of each other.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is set to release on 21 June 2024 for $39.99 across PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
