Okay, this may be a very idiotic thought, and I'm slowly coming to the conclusion that me + thinking are not a good combination, but shouldn't Malenia and Miquella be gods? I saw someone say that Marika is a goddess and Radagon is a mortal, which is why their children are demigods—very straightforward, right? But if Radagon is a mortal, how are his children with Rennala (a mortal, as I've been told in bold text) demigods? Unless how all this offspring stuff works is different in the world of Elden Ring, I am very much confused.
And just a random thought, for Rennala being a mother of three very much grown children, she looks incredibly young for a mortal. Sorcery!? Hehe, nothing but a mere jest, of course.
Also just want to say it's funny that the developers literally named Melina's AI as MaricaOfDaughter. I'm aware of the theories about her already, and I just can't help but find Melina to be one of the most intriguing characters.
- a very confused Outdated Theorist ;-;
Thanks for the ask, nice to see you again!
So let me qualify all of this by saying that it's not just you, we're all a little unclear on how this works. But I'll give my best attempt at a coherent explanation. SPOILERS
I think all of this makes the most sense if "god" is a title/classification rather than a distinct genetic trait. I'd also like to establish a difference between gods (such as Marika) and outer gods (lovecraftian beings such as the God of Rot, the Elden Beast, the Fell God of the fire giants, the Formless Mother, etc).
I think we can safely establish that Empyrean = an individual capable of acting as a vessel/anchor point for an outer god.
Although I don't really have textual evidence for this, I think a god = an Empyrean who is attached, either by pact or possession, to an outer god.
Marika's connection to the Elden Beast is what distinguishes her and grants her the title of god, I don't think she is meant to be genetically distinct from her various children.
Jury is out on whether or not Radagon is an Empyrean, but I think we can assume that he is not a god. "Thou'rt yet to become me. Thou'rt yet to become a god." Since the phrasing seems to indicate that Radagon has the potential to become a god, perhaps he is an Empyrean?
This definition of god also seems to fit Malenia. While she is typically counted among the demigods, after fully succumbing to the God of Rot she is referred to as "Malenia, Goddess of Rot." By connecting with the God of Rot, her status changes from Empyrean demigod to a full god.
Regarding Rennala, there are two potential explanations off the top of my head. One is that death/aging works funny due to Marika removing the Rune of Death and feeding it to Maliketh. Also the Erdtree may be selectively manipulating the cycle of reincarnation, if you subscribe to the Return to the Roots Theory/Mycelian Heresy.
The second explanation is that while Rennala is not a demigod, she is also not fully human. I don't have the evidence on hand, but I recall reading somewhere that the Carian's might have giant/troll blood somewhere in the family tree. This would explain why Rennala, confirmed mortal, is so long-lived and like twelve feet tall. It would also explain Radahn -- he's not that big due to potential god genetics on his dad's side, he's a genetic throwback to the giant ancestry on his mom's side.
Remembrance of Malenia, Goddess of Rot, hewn into the Erdtree.
The power of its namesake can be unlocked by the Finger Reader. Alternatively, it can be used to gain a great bounty of runes.
Miquella and Malenia are both the children of a single god. As such they are both Empyreans, but suffered afflictions from birth. One was cursed with eternal childhood, and the other harbored rot within.
Obsidian is the first book in a space opera set in a retrofuturistic universe of technology and magic. A primordial entity of absolute destruction has returned from chaos with the help of the forces of evil to feast upon this universe again. It’s up to the Star Wizard Orrorin and his new team of Empyreans to put an end to this catastrophic threat and maintain the balance of the universe.
Obsidian is the first book in a space opera set in a retrofuturistic universe of technology and magic. A primordial entity of absolute destruction has returned from chaos with the help of the forces of evil to feast upon this universe again. It’s up to the Star Wizard Orrorin and his new team of Empyreans to put an end to this catastrophic threat and maintain the balance of the universe. Reading this will make your day better. #Obsidian #webcomic #WEBTOON
