Elden Ring’s upcoming DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, seems to be full of promises and hope, despite the community having little to no official word from the devs regarding what it entails. After all, FromSoftware is a studio known for building cryptic worlds that encourage players to explore in a way that ties the community together.
Building on the narrative, it’s optimistic to keep in mind how George R.R. Martin’s work on the game could build for potential hype around what exactly the expansion will be about. From family dramas to stories that bathe in blood and betrayal; Shadow of the Erdtree could bring about stories from the Lands Between that portray Elden Ring in a new light.
Elden Ring was built by the efforts of FromSoftware and George R.R. Martin
Initially, the project was conceptualized as a successor of all the wonderful art in place by FromSoftware. The success of Dark Souls, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Bloodborne set the tone for a new world that would combine all of the things that made these games great.
Eventually, we received Elden Ring, a spiritual successor that is nothing short of a masterpiece. However, it’s the tales of broken Demigods, troubled characters, and mystifying themes that breathe life into this game.
George R.R. Martin, popularly known for his work on A Song of Ice and Fire books, has been a key contributor to Elden Ring’s world-building. He has spoken at length about how much he enjoyed shedding light on many aspects of the game’s universe, and it’s something that comes naturally to him.
Essentially, Martin wrote all that happened 5000 years before the game’s events (as perceived by players), and the passing of the Golden Age in Elden Ring‘s broken world.
This set the idea for a universe that has seen Gods and mortals fall to nature’s shifting tides, and that’s a theme can hope to see repeated in Shadow of the Erdtree. While we don’t know what exactly the DLC with do with the world’s narratives, there have been a few theories in place that might predict a story worth pondering over.
Shadow of the Erdtree will likely explore old and new characters and the consequences that follow
As fans of Elden Ring already know, characters like Melina and Miquella have contributed to many arcs in the game’s world-building. The DLC shows the potential for exploring Erdtree’s connection with Melina, and how it shapes her purpose throughout the game.
If the expansion explores the world’s history, we may be looking at a story that encompasses Melina’s origins, particularly how it ties to important families in the game.
However, if we’re looking to continue from where things were left off, there are other characters who might just play into the game’s arc a bit more. Take for example the story of Ranni the Witch; a crucial character who possesses the body of a doll.
The more players learn about her, they find out about her connections to the Demigod status, and how certain events shaped her purpose and references to the spirit world. Can this hint at an afterlife in the game we don’t know about?
Throughout his career, George R.R. Martin has showcased deft skills for building stories that go beyond the realm of fantasies. We’re thinking dragons who had overpowered siblings and families who would wine and dine on each other’s blood rather than actually form an alliance.
With Shadow of the Erdtree, fans expect nothing else. After all, Elden Ring by itself is a game that explores a lot of bloodlust, darker themes, and relationships that are beyond messed up. What do you think about Martin’s involvement in the game’s rich narrative? Do you think it will contribute to the DLC? Let us know in the comments below.
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