The charming Empyrean journey is yet to be explored.
SUMMARY
- So far, Miquella’s story has left many unanswered questions.
- Miquella has a secret ability to gain the affection of others.
- Mohg was trying to protect Miquella for certain reasons we’re still not clear about.
As fans eagerly wait for the arrival of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, there remains the question of one character who nonchalantly holds the potential for the DLC’s major narrative components. However, despite his importance, there’s little we truly know about him.
Before the DLC makes its way to consoles and PCs on 21 June, here’s what we know about Miquella and why his lore needs to be explored by FromSoftware’s next big title.
Note: Minor spoilers for Elden Ring.
Miquella’s Empyrean Nature
Elden Ring barely scratched the surface of this character’s story and origins.
When players (Tarnished) are brought to life for the first time in their playthrough, The Lands Between becomes a place that feels new, despite being so historically rich in nature. This is because the Tarnished are tasked with becoming the next Elden Lord (if they wish to), as the world in its current state hasn’t been ruled by one being in particular, leaving it purposeless and open to interpretation.
However, years ago, demigods were the ones who were supposed to keep the peace and prevail over these lands. Unfortunately, when the Elden Ring was shattered, peace became a farfetched dream and the demigods started going against each other’s ideologies. This is where Miquella’s importance came into the picture.
As an Empyrean, Miquella holds the ability to live as a god and rule over the world. However, his curse won’t let him age and cause hindrance to his otherwise meaningful life. His sister, Malenia was cursed too, but with the Scarlet Rot that would eventually deform her.
Much of the game’s lore talks about these instances, rather than Miquella’s true purpose, and how the Tarnished can help fulfill it. This brings us to what leads to him being a “threat” to many.
Miquella’s Ability to Charm Others in Elden Ring
Malenia would gladly sell her soul for her brother.
Despite his physical limitations, Miquella has the ability to garner affection from those around him. In the expansion, this will likely be seen as players explore the Land of Shadow and those who wish to search for Miquella’s existence and true nature.
In the base game, the Haligree (created by Miquella) is often considered a shelter from agony and a home for those who need it. Hence, his “charm” can often be seen as a positive thing rather than something that is used for manipulation or wrongdoing. This becomes another reason to explore his lore better.
However, as things with FromSoftware go, it’d be gentler to expect a twist of events if or when we find out about his true intentions. After all, there’s a reason why Queen Marika (his mother) shattered the Elden Ring. Some believe it was out of the grief of her son’s death, while others refuse to hold onto such beliefs.
If this had something to do with the Empyrean’s true nature, it’s high time that the DLC let us into the lore without beating around the bush.
The Aftermath of Mohg, Lord of Blood
Was Mohg, Lord of Blood truly a bad guy?
When players come across Mohg, Lord of Blood, in the game, they’re faced with a daunting foe who happens to be protecting the Empyrean. This is the first time they see him in his physical form, even though it’s just an arm hanging out of what appears to be an egg.
Initially, Mogh kidnapped him in hopes of being his consort as he rose to godhood. However, Mohg could only partially succeed, as the Empyrean had close to no response to Mohg’s attempts since his physical form was pretty much done with. This was another hint that the Empyrean had transcended into a form further away from the physical realm.
Once Mohg is defeated (which is a requirement to enter the DLC), players can approach this egg and take a closer look. Not much is revealed about the character, but it’s safe to say that Mohg put a lot of effort into protecting Miquella (or whatever is left of him), and we can only wonder why.
Was it because he had something more to do with the Mohgwyn Dynasty? Does Miquella have an ulterior motive that no one knows about? There’s a lot that’s yet to be explored, and Shadow of the Erdtree will likely answer these questions.
What are your thoughts on the character’s lore in the base game? Do you think the DLC will answer all of the questions fans have had throughout the years? Let us know in the comments below.