Summary
The Outer GodsofElden Ringare mysterious and powerful entities.Their influencecan be seen throughout the game, from the dangerous Deathbirds, to those inflicted with madness, to the Golden Order that rules over the Lands Between. However, little is truly known about these enigmatic beings.
While some are known and have names, this isn’t always the case. The forces at work in the setting are in constant flux, with each Outer God vying for influence through their many vassals and envoys. They offer power to those who bend the knee,gifting spells that utilize the Outer God’s essence. It is doubtful that the secrets of these Outer Gods will ever be revealed in-game, and they will remain unknowable, potent entities,pulling on the strings of those living in the Lands Between as they enforce their influence.
7The Fell God
The Forgotten Power Of The Fire Giants
Worshiped by the almost extinct Fire Giants, this forgotten deity may very well be another Outer God, due to its lack of a physical form, but the truth of this may never be known. It is said that Queen Marika battled and killed theFell God.However, its last embers of influence can still be felt in the Lands Between, primarily through the Fire Monk Incantations.
These powerful fire spells are passed down through the Fell God’s followers, the Fire Monks, who can be found throughout the game. The Fell God’s last true influence on the world is from within the last Fire Giant. Afterplayers have taken away around halfof this colossal boss’s health, he will open a great fiery eye on his stomach, revealing the power of the Fell God.
6The Formless Mother
Keeper Of The Bloodflame
The Formless Mother’sinfluence is less common than some of the other major Outer Gods, but isno less powerful. Also known as the Mother of Truth, this Outer God is a dark power with a deep connection with blood and the body. Working more from the shadows, this Outer God’s influence is growing through the actions of Mogh, the demigod omen son of Godfrey and Marika.
Omens are shunned creatures in the Lands Between. However, Mohg embraces this affliction, even allowing one of his horns to grow directly into his eye. As The Formless Mother is known to crave wounds from its followers, this would make sense. The Formless Mother offers Mohg great power, turning his accursed blood into flame. The incantations derived from this Outer God directly use The Formless Mother’s body. The in-game description of the Bloodboon incantation tells users -“Thrust arm into the body of the Formless Mother, then scatter the bloodflame to set the area ablaze.”
5The Full/Dark Moon
The Power Of The Night Sky
This celestial entity is said to hold wisdom and wields great influence across the Lands Between. While it is unconfirmed whether theFull/Dark Moonis an Outer God, its power is at least equal to one. Rennala and Ranni follow the two sides of this power,forming it into devastating sorceries.
Rennala took control of the Academy of Raya Lucaria through the power of the Full Moon, which would spread its influence across the Liurnia of the Lakes region. Alternatively, in choosing the Age of Stars ending through Ranni’s questline, the power of the Dark Moon replaces the Greater Will, elevating Ranni to godhood. The influence of this entity is most clearly seen in the Moonlight Alter area of Liurnia. Here, starlight streams down from the night sky, lighting up everything around it. Players will conclude Ranni’s questline in this area as well by becoming her consort.
4Outer God Of The Twinbirds
The Deity Of Those That Live Within Death
The influence of this unnamed Outer God is seen throughout the Lands Between. Closely associated with death, all death sorceries are connected to this deity. In addition, theHelphen’s Steeple Greatsword, which is also connected to this Outer God, tells of a lampwood whose lamplight is similar to the grace of the Greater Will, but can only be seen by those killed in battle. This alludes to the connection between the Outer God and fallen warriors in particular.
This Outer God may be the power that ushers these souls to the next life. The Deathbirds, which can be found in every region of the game, are the children of theTwinbird, who is known to be this Outer God’s vassal. If players look closely into the wings of some Deathbirds, they will see the ghostly specters of dead warriors. This Outer God’s influence is not as obvious as others, but simmers below the surface of every region, wherever the dead begin to rise.
3Outer God Of Rot
The Embodiment Of Rot And Decay
Very little is known about this destructive Outer God. However, its influence can beseen clearly in certain areasofElden Ring. From a few item descriptions, it is known theGod of Rotwas sealed away by a blind swordsman, who wielded a flowing sword. Now trapped in the Lake of Rot, deep underground, this Outer God’s influence is mainly seen around Caelid and in the spread of Scarlet Rot. Here, players can meet the character Gowry, a dedicated follower of the entity of decay.
One of the central figures in the lore ofElden Ringis Malenia, Blade of Miquella. This demigod was born with the affliction of Scarlet Rot, which would cause her to lose limbs and slowly decay. She would go on to meet the same mysterious blind swordsman who would become her teacher, showing her how to keep the decaying effects of Rot at bay. However, during her battle with Radahn, she temporarily embraces the power of the Outer God and unleashes Scarlet Rot across Caelid. She once again embraces her full power when battling the Tarnished in-game. After defeating her first phase, she is elevated by the Outer God to become the Goddess of Rot.
2Frenzied Flame
The All-Consuming Flames Of Madness And Chaos
The Frenzied Flameis an Outer God whose influence can be seen spreading throughout the game. Where the Greater Will represents order,The Frenzied Flame is chaos. Followers of this entity can be recognized by their eyes, which have been burnt out and replaced by bright yellow flames.
ThroughoutElden Ring, players will come across various NPCs who follow the Frenzied Flame and urge the player to embrace this madness as well. Choosing this path in the game will eventually lead players to a mysterious hidden door deep underground. Opening this will reveal the Outer God’s envoy in the Lands Between, the Three Fingers, which will embrace the Tarnished and imbue them with the Frenzied Flame. Followers of this path can also choose the Frenzied Flame ending, which is the most destructive ending in the game.
1The Greater Will
The Embodiment Of Light And Order
The Greater Willis a celestial entity that wields great power throughout the Lands Between. It represents light and order in the setting and was the force that elevated Queen Marika to godhood. Long ago, The Greater Will sent theElden Beastto the Land’s Between on a golden star. The Beast was the embodiment of order, and would go on to become the Elden Ring, the symbol of Marika’s Golden Order.
The Greater Will has other envoys that can be seen in the game, who appear as giant hands with only two fingers. The Two Fingers were sent to the Lands Between to guide the Empyreans, candidates, who would replace Marika and usher in a new age. Many of the Two Fingers are little more than drying husks, with the most active residing in the Roundtable Hold. While the Greater Will maintains its power in the game,Elden Ringdepicts the potential ending of its age, as the player can choose a different path, raising the influence of other Outer Gods in its place.
