I analyse the ENTIRE Elden Ring DLC Trailer | Shadow of the Erdtree Lore 

"very bog-like; I hate it, I love it." This is a succinct summary of the traditional Miyazaki swamp.

"Mother, wouldst thou truly lordship sanction in one so bereft of light?" His voice gave me the chills.

I have a theory that Messmer is the one who originally burned the Erdtree, and he is specifically why the Golden Order despises all serpent iconography

6:50 That’s Miquella’s rune. If you preorder the DLC, you can get a gesture that makes you pose as the shape of that rune and it’s titled after Miquella.

You are an absolute beast to make this video and release it within a couple hours. To record audio, edited a full 25 min breakdown and collect all your thought is absolutely insane!

I think the omen-lion like boss is actually a reference to or inspired by Chinese lion dance! It’s usually operated by two performers, one controls the lion head and front legs and the other controls the rear legs. The boss in the trailer seems like a grotesque interpretation of that.

Things I noticed: Ranni's moon is present. Messmer seems to have one closed eye, both in cutscene and in battle. There are pine trees everywhere, and the only place we saw pine trees in the base game was on the Mountaintops of the Giants / Consecrated Snowfield (spirit trees) and in Altus plateau. There is a lot of new weird stuff, can't wait.

Serpent God's Curved sword: "Curved sword fashioned in the image of an ancient serpent deity and tool of a forgotten religion practiced on Mt. Gelmir."

I'm praying for the eclipse mentioned at Castle Sol to have some importance here, I'm guessing it'll be Miquella's main goal for us to help him with.

hey look! it's the number 1 person i wanted to see talk about this!

Messmer being a new character makes sense. The huge ball of very red flames coming from his hands might hint that he’s the one that burned the Erdtree originally, considering when we burn the Erdtree with Melina, the flames she conjures are of similar red tone

I think the big tree we're seeing isn't a tree... I think it's the root system of the Erdtree/Crucible. I think this whole place is the reflection of the Land's Between as seen from below, like reflected in a pool of water. A place Marika put all the things she didn't want in the Golden Order... but it started leaking through and corrupting the Golden Order. Edit: Also... gotta say that I love your excitement and passion for all of this. It makes me happy!

I think that giant hippo at 19:33 bursts into a literal tree Crucible.

The lion looking boss is probably a reference to Chinese lion dance, basically the lion part is just a puppet/costume that multiple performers control/dance beneath it. Definitely one of the most unique concept I’ve seen so far in From’s work!

the Erdtree’s canopy looks like the cover (Baldachin) of Marika’s Bedchamber

Not only did Miss Chalice release a well made video on the trailer launch day, she pointed out details that I haven't seen anyone else mention- she is truly in a class of her own. Well done and thank you for the incredible upload.

9:35 "After I recieved the warmth and lifely vigor from a number of champions I lay with the remains of an exalted noble, to grant them another chance at life." Possibly another deathbed companion standing next to someone of high renoun (thus the painting of them) in their later years?

“There is nothing more terrifying.” I think that might be the most important line in the trailer. It sounds as if Miquella will be the one guiding the Tarnished through the Shadow realm. Maybe he is compelling them without their knowledge, and he is revealed to be the antagonist at the end of the story. I don’t know if they’ll do multiple endings, but it would be amazing if the story revolves around resisting or giving into his compulsions.

Another theory: The way the snakes wrap around Mesmer (14:32) resembles the shape of the rune from 6:50, which is likely Miquella's rune, so the two characters are probably closely related. Additionally, if Mesmer were to heal using hypnosis, maybe Miquella wants him to help him heal Malenia or Godwyn. Caduceus, which is a staff with two snakes wrapped around it, may also refer to it, as it is mistakenly considered a symbol of medicine.

I have a theory and would like some thoughts. Based off the trailer, I think we'll be dealing with the Omen curse. It is said that the Omens are afflicted with nightmares of a place bathed in rays of gold (which seems to be the case here). Plus with all the horns and omen imagery from the enemies. I believe that Mogh putting his blood into Miquella could have perhaps inflicted the Omen curse upon him. Which is why were going into the dream. To free him of his suffering (whether that would be killing or cleansing him somehow). Now I haven't kept up with dlc rumors or its potential additions to the lore but this is what I got from the trailer and previous knowledge. Feel free to pick apart☺️

What we now know for sure, based on some interviews: The journey in the Land of Shadow - as it's called - is effectively one of us following in the footsteps of Miquella, meaning that instead of Lost Grace pointing us forward we'll be seeing Miquella's "footsteps", as it were. And we know Miquella did the Ranni thing, shedding nearly everything (including his blessing of Gold), in order to follow in the footsteps of Marika. Marika either went into the Land of Shadow deliberately or is from there, as it is where she attained godhood. In the process of doing so, there was apparently some kind of war between her and those that call this land their home. That giant wicker man-esque apparatus is/was a weapon used in said conflict. I imagine the ruff-wearing NPC to be someone native to the lands there. It is definitely confirmed that the "dancing lion" boss is somehow related to these people's culture. I find the Marika connections to be pretty interesting considering that the veil-like atmospheric event covering the Shadow Tree looks _identical_ to that seen in Marika's bedchamber.

I'm of the opinion that messmer is a corrupted miquella and it's that corrupted form that is hanging out of the cocoon. At end is St.Trina-miquella. Given that miquella came from a single being split into two, Marika and Radagon, it makes sense that he could then split into two beings justike this parent.

Your videos have skyrocketed to my favorite Elden ring lore videos, and lore format overall tbh. I can’t begin to express how much I respect and love your attention to detail!! Not just from your script, cosplay and delivery of narration, but little elements like in the Albinauric video, putting a filter for when you did the spirit in castle sol and so many other things that while not necessary per se you always go out of your way to incorporate into your video. Your hard work shines and is truly appreciated Also, how do you manage to structure your script in such a way that remains so cohesive and easy to follow and enjoy? Even in a DLC breakdown analysis your thoughts and impressions are so clear, smart and easy to follow. Can't wait for more!

That lion is giving me angry horse man flashbacks from bloodborne

the old man in the painting definitely has to be Morgott, or maybe even Mohg in a more humanoid form. He looks almost exactly like Morgott's corpse that's laid down behind the throne after you beat him in Leyndell.

The opening shot of the tree with the veil like lighting looks like a face in a death shroud and the lion headed boss, looks and moves like a Chinese dragon costume.

I think that light impaled in the ground could be a helphen. They are stated to be similar to grace in appearance, and guide the spirits of the heroic dead. Seeing as the DLC will be outside of the Lands Between, something other than grace might have to guide the Tarnished's way/ act as a bonfire for the player.

14:09 This looks like the Elden Ring version of those Dragon puppets performers dance with during Chinese New Years. It’s like the operators under the costume are mimicking a dragon fight for you, even lightning attacks.

Finally some new content to speculate on! I honestly have been kind of checked out of Elden Ring lately. Looking forward to getting back into it. I hope that is St. Trina, in my first playthrough I went into Caelid to help a friend escape there after the chest took them and accidentally found the Sword of St Trina. I ended up using it as situation offhand for most of the game and wanted to know more about her.

I'm so glad you noticed so many little yet important details. Particularly about the lion puppet boss monster thing. I saw the humanoid hands and feet lifting the thing up as well, & immediately connected it to Chinese New Year celebrations/ the dragon dancers we recently saw during Lunar New Year parades. I was honestly flabbergasted that so few people seemed to notice that or got the reference. I've been binge watching countless reaction vids from other youtubers for the New trailer ('cos I'm so hyped 😂). I'm glad so many people are watching it so soon after release, but only a small number of creators noticed even half the things you did. Thank you for validating the connections I noticed with the St Trina lore and the connection with Snakes and charming/ hypnotising, etc. Glad to know I'm not the only one who noticed those things. Keep up the great work, you're an invaluable part of the Souls community 😊

Fire Cage Giant's "Sun Face" looks exactly like a Dungeater' medallion "Sun face" 11:00 the war they are mentioning is Crucible losing against Golden order

The curtain/veil covering the "Erdtree"(Haligtree) is a baldachin (Baldachin's Blessing) and they seem to be a consistent visual theme throughout, there're Baldachins all over. This could be hinting at maybe exploring a location close to where Fia came from or it could be hinting more towards the power/purpose of a Deathbed companion symbolicaly. Food for thought - Marika also has a baldachin over her bedchamber in Leyndell

The drapery from the tree is very reminiscent of the queen’s bedchamber in leyndell which could signify this being a dream world especially with miquella being St Trina, a goddess of sleep

How can you be so quick to not only see all the hidden meanings, but then narrate and edit an entire video about them with personal speculation and off-the-cuff references to item descriptions to source, within what? A few hours? Who are you?!?!? Honestly very impressive.

8:03 they're unfocused in the background but those have GOT to be Trina's Lillis sprouting near the walls of the area. Also, long shot in the dark but the voice speaking to the ambiguous "Mother" turning out to be Godwyn's soul, cleaved from his body and cast through the veil to the realm of Shadows contemplating the twisted world in incorporeal form would be a really sick way to explain *why* Miquella would be going there to begin with.

"dreadful, i hate it, I LOVE IT" 8:55 perfectly explained everyone's reaction with this trailer right there

There are some hints that the Runes were already associated with the different Demigods even before they claimed them, namely the fact that Morgott and Mohg's Runes are said to be similar because they're twins, implying an innate connection between the Demigods and the Runes. So my speculation is that rune we saw at 6:30 is actually Miquella's rune.

That kick combo is the exact same combo you learn in Sekiro that does massive stamina damage.

I didnt wanna watch a single breakdown until miss chalice made theirs!! Lore content for elden ring is next level!!

Messmer the impaler, his epithet "the Impaler" implies he's actually related to the Impaler's Catacombs in Weeping Peninsula. His eyes and casting imply he's a Dragon Communion seeker - he has draconic eyes and he uses the Dragon Seal if you look closely. The snake has little dragon wings sprouting from it. That's what it looks like atleast.

The Depraved Perfumer set says explicitely that 2 red snakes wrapping around something means it is cursed. Messmer has 2 red snakes wrapping around him. He is cursed. Each cursed child of Marika x Radagon has a butterfly representing it, Messmer is the smoldering butterfly, cursed with "eternally burning" and "serves as kindling"

It was so entertaining to hear you be so excited about this haha

Didn't think you'd tackle it _this_ soon! lol I give you a 👍🏻 for being so admirably quick.

During the shot when the lion boss uses its breath weapon, you can see it's a person standing on the back of another person. I cbf to read every comment and see if someone else noticed (I'll add more stuff as I catch it) ETA: Whatever is impaling the old guy at about 20:59 in your video shares the shape of the candles carried by enemies earlier on in the trailer. Note: The bear incantation (you can see a talisman in the user's left hand) could still be a dragon skill. As we know from cut content the runebears used to drop dragon hearts. Not to mention the stone scales growing from under their fur. The bear head we see in this skill seems to be further along in a transformation, sporting horns as well.

The snake like creature looks like a variant of the wormface enemy

The Land of Shadow. A place obscured by the Erdtree. Where the goddess Marika first set foot. A land purged in an unsung battle. Set ablaze by Messmer’s flame. It was to this land that Miquella departed. Divesting himself of his flesh, his strength, his lineage. Of all things Golden. And now Miquella awaits the return of his promised Lord.

Great commentary, Chalice! I must say the lion's eyes are green. I hypothesis Mesmer is the offspring of Rykard and Tanith. I also think Mesmer took inspiration from Vlad Dracul.

I just noticed while watching this video; the bone-blades-thingy that the man from the painting is trying to pull out of himself looks almost identical to the chandeliers that the candle enemy from earlier in the trailer uses. Absolutely awesome video!!!!

Not only are you very soft spoken, I love how nerdy you are. I mean that of the highest compliments. Thank you for enriching my life.

I think the man in the painting is morgot. The broach being significant may be the reason his cloak is now held together with rope rather than this broach. My theory is that it was one of the shackles that restrain him. Maybe its too disguise his omen curse since it was a shame to the family. Him fighting in his true form after marika is sealed may represent his freedom to take the thrown rather than being shunned for his sickness and appearance

The giant fire enemy also has what looks like red hair around it's waist. Reminds me of Fire Giant. Also along it's arms and chest area are what appears to be arms and even some legs just sticking out. Very gross, but very cool!

With Miquella in the trailer, it’s the perfect time to make a video about Mohg, in full Mohg cosplay, and with a Jerma985 collab.

The enemy at 19:50 reminds me of some of the entries in Vaatividya's Elden Ring fake boss art competition a few years back. Specifically, it might be the Irish/Scandinavian folk creature called the Nuckelavee. I was so hyped to see this trailer and your breakdown of it only added to the hype! Much love to you, Miss Chalice!! ❤

The face of the lion omen enemy looks like a scaly misbegotten.

The "I presume you too are keen to know what Kind Miquella is doing here" line sounds like Gideon.

Wow! Amazing amount of details, and so quickly! Well done, Chalice!

The drapes coming down from the sky look exactly like the ones in the Queen's Bedchamber

the long tube monster reminded me a bit of the Wormfaces.

The idea that the "shadow" of the Erdtree is a reference to Marika's forgotten Demigod children seems to fit so perfectly with what we're seeing.

the guy pulling out his spine is pretty likely the old man from the painting, they have the same clasp on their cloak :)

5:50 I think it's actually 2 trees, you have our standered erdtree but it looks like it's being pushed up out of the ground and now tilted to one side with the blacker tree wrapping around it suffocating it and growing out to the left. The erdtree also looks like it's "bleeding" near the top middle you see some golden liquid oozing out. Edit: 11:30 the wickerman is filled with corpses, it's not clear until you look near it's hands and you see dozens of pairs of arms and body sticking out.

Just stumbled onto this channel for the first time and ive been listening all day long! The wonderful lore, the cosplay, the calming voice. Fantastic content!

I LOVE how they use these archaic english words. It shows they’ve done their homework and really adds to the ambience of the world.

Wow, you got this video out quick! Absolutely awesome break down!

After I watched the trailer this morning, I was hoping you would make a video on it. Thanks Chalice 👍

WOOHOO CHALICE DLC VIDEO!!! I'm so so excited for the DLC theres so much cool stuff going on Edit: 9:30 - I also saw someone point out that the design on the broach (am I spelling that right) is similarish to the St Trina torch and St Trina's symbol! Just thought that was something to mention too

if you look closely at the shot of the lion enemy twisting you can see that its multiple people in a costume standing on top of each other, there is multiple sets of legs in what is supposed to be the "torso"

I agree that this is some kind of shadow world... that makes sense! I also thought the final voice was Ranni! Could be wrong though.

The character speaking is Shabriri. I'd recognize that guys voice anywhere because of how unsettlingly calm it is for me for someone preaching Chaos.

with all these new characters and areas, Hawkshaw's color theory really helps to pin things together

i got home from school and saw that trailer and immediately started playing the game😂😂i got it recently so i’m still at raya lucaria fighting rennala

"I just cant wait to see him pull it out" -Miss Chalice

All the armor looks so amazing. Especially the black paladin.

My expectations for the DLC: -The Hippo/Rhino thing that attacks you with spikes on its back holds a Crucible Incantation. It's probably gonna be called Aspect of The Crucible: Back or something similar. -We might -That skinny guy ripping the sword out of his head? That's Milos. And the rest of his spine is his sword. -Mesmer is gonna be the boss akin to Malenia. I hope Let Me Solo Her decides to solo him if that's true. -He might also be the anti-Melina: He wields fire (Melina wanted us to burn the Erdtree by gaining the Giant's Flame at the Mountaintop of The Giants) has one eye closed like her, had red hair like her, but gets in our way. -The Chinese Dragon lion thing might be a result of Godefroy's attempt at grafting. He came before Godrick and he can be fought in the Golden Lineage Evergaol. -The lion having Omen horns is another sign that we'll be going back in time- warts were seen as a good thing before the Golden Order came in. We'll just have to wait four more months to find out.

6:12 reminds me of the drapes in the Queen's bedchamber in Leyndell

Coming in HOT with the Ouroboros insight in the first minute! Very perceptive!

Looks like ER is leaning more into the symbology of the Christian mythos. With the thing about the great tree, blasphemous serpents, and Marika literally being crucified, I can't believe I never made the connection before. I appreciate your work and insight so much, Miss Chalice! Based on Messmer talking about his mother choosing a Tarnished to become Elden Lord, he has to either be the possible third child of Marika and Radagon (and what the smoldering butterfly references) or he might be the adult version of Miquella corrupted by the Formless Mother because of the bloodflame it looks like he's wielding.

13:50 alfalfa and spanky boss fight will be legendary for generations to come

Your voice is so soothing. I like listening to elden ring lore to fall asleep to. Its a toss up now between you and Vaatividya

It's almost like he compels people with his power. Where they may feel absolved but he can also make you do what he wants under that love.

The weird light effect that hangs over the erdtree kinda looks like a veil being supported over the tree possibly to hide this new land

The lion monster looks like an omen but also I have a feeling it might have something to do with the grafted.

I knew you'd be on top of this, and delivered so quickly! Amazing commentary and breakdown of the trailer, as always. It's wonderful knowing I don't need to go anywhere else really to gather information on what was in the trailer, despite it being primarily speculative you killed the analysis. ^_^

It might be that because Miquella is so charming that it’s dangerous, that he is a direct representation of Griffith from Berserk. Griffith leads and inspires, also takes advantage at will. It might just be so that Miquella’s downfall was exactly like Griffith’s. They held themselves to such high regards that they were blind to love and friendship and had no knowledge at how to deal with loss and then turned into pure evil.

Wow, you're so fast at getting this video out, lol. Well done! I have a sneaking suspicion that Miquella is Mesmer, in the same way that Marika is Radagon. Just look at how tall and elegant he is, very much like his twin sister. Or perhaps we're being asked to help cure or destroy Miquella because of the corrupting influence of the blood god? Hhmm... regardless, I'm really looking forward to playing the DLC!

That Messmer boss is definitely going to destroy my will to live worse than Malenia did, he looks evil as hell

Your descriptions are sooo on point. You have a way with words m'lady

The collectors edition has a statue of the man at 15:00, and its labeled as messmer the impaler

I can’t wait to see more lore videos once the DLC drops! Thank you for your theories and speculations. Really looking forward :)

The scene with the pink magic has caught my eye, not only for the girlypop nature of the sparkles. But the tree depicted there almost looks like the two fingers. Maybe Miquella's two fingers that he turned into a tree? He seems to have lots of flora based iconography.

bro this made me just sit there in awe long after it was over. i needed a minute to fully comprehend the awesomeness i just witnessed.

This was such a wonderful analysis and it gets me so excited for the DLC! I really appreciate all the hard work you put into these videos it makes my day. 😁

incredible lore breakdown. You picked up on a lot of details that other youtubers i watched today had missed.

Those "curtain" around the shadow tree reminds of Marika's Bedchamber, the same curtains are hanging like this. I think it mainly refers to the idea of a bed, the place where we sleep. So this might implies that this shadow world is a dream world, and we know that Miquella and/or Saint Trinia are linked to the concept of sleep and dream. We can note Mesmer's left eye seems closed, just like Melina. Maybe he is Melina's brother in a way (and the Mother he's speaking to could be Marika, like : "Marika my mother, why would you grant lordship to a Tarnished ?", which is what happens when you finish the game). And yes, the red hair implies that he might be Radagon's child. The Lion Boss and this Fire Golem have horns in their character designs, just like Omens. And the Omen curse is likely linked to the Crucible (which is also the case for those giant Hippos), so we might discover more about this past era, before the Erdtree. Maybe the Erdtree is the result of those 2 big trees merging together. I hope that we can also see more things related to Godwyn, maybe before his soul was killed by Ranni. Anyway, that's what all I can imagine from this trailer. Really Hyped !

Old man in the painting: draw me like one of your Darkest Dungeon toons

yes tysm!! my fav lore channel!! you stepped up so fast this is great, i was waiting for this video as soon as the trailer came out

I think Messmer is definitely another Merica Radagon baby. He'd also be fit for the child that represents the smoldering butterfly. Like how the Aeonian butterfly is for Melania, and the Nascent is for Miquella

14:43 that guy is actually miquella for those who didn't know, radagon is Marika and Messmer is Miquella the body Mohg was protecting/hiding and also Malenias brother, and when he says Mother he means Marika

You can actually see at least two people stacked on top of each other on the lion boss

Wonderful video, thank you! I am far from a lore expert, but with the new "Erdtree" in the DLC I am reminded of the tree mentioned in the description of the Helphen's Steeple Greatsword. "Greatsword patterned after the black steeple of the Helphen, the lampwood which guides the dead of the spirit world. The lamplight is similar to grace in appearance, only it is said that it can only be seen by those who met their death in battle." A black tree with the lampwood behind it, this shadow realm's form of grace. In the ending shot of Miquella stretching out an arm, the silver tops also look similarly colored as Ghostflame, which would fit the thematics of the spirit graves strewn about the fields seen in the DLC. Ghostflame also harkens back to a time before the Erdtree and there are a lot of Crucible-themed moments within the trailer. With the little lore I know of the Crucible tree remains found in the Deeproot Depths, perhaps the Helphen is a spirit/afterlife counterpart of the Crucible tree before the modern day Erdtree of the Greater Will was dominant? That could be the earlier war that is referred to as well. The losing side was the Crucible tree of the Deeproot Depths, the Erdtree almost sprouting out of it like a flag planted into the corpse of a slain enemy, symbolizing its victory over it. Aside from that, I expect more involvement from the Formless Mother as well. We'll likely enter the DLC through Miquella's egg in Mohg's domain, which was possibly a ploy by Miquella himself. Given that he commands the power to have others be enamored with him, Miquella could have used Mohg to kidnap him for this purpose. Given Miquella's speech hinting he'll follow us on our journey as a new kind of Melina, it's possible he even tricked Mohg with a form of decoy vessel within that egg, or divested himself of his body in a way similar to Melina and Ranni to have the events with the Formless Mother and this egg unfold. Mesmer's flame also reminds me a lot of the bloodflame wielded through the Formless Mother, although it could also be similar to Rykard's Rancor, given the snake thematics and the other Rancor spells relating to death and the Ghostflame as well. The lava environment around 10:15 also reminds of Mt. Gelmir. As far as I'm aware, the Formless Mother is also the only outer god mentioned within the story that didn't have an ending tied to it like The Age of Stars of Frenzied Flame. One other possible earlier war that could be referred to is the war with the dragons, given that the area around 10:25 very much reminds me of Farum Azula, perhaps before it was broken apart? The top parts farther back seem like they're already starting to float like all the broken bits in the original game were. However, aside from that and Mesmer's eyes and armor looking similar to the Drake Knight set, I haven't seen much dragon or dragon cultist related things in the trailer myself. As an aside, I'm also very much hoping for more lore on Melina and possibly a role she'll play in the DLC. Her second eye's color in the Frenzied Flame ending reminds me of St. Trina and possibly a connection to Miquella because of that. Alongside that, if our connection with the Frenzied Flame allows us to burn the Erdtree without dying, I imagine Melina's possible connection with a different Outer God of sorts would allow her to survive such an ordeal as well. Then again, it is also possible that Melina is more related to the Gloam-Eyed Queen and the Eternal Cities, the Nox, the Albinaurics, etc. If that's the case, that would require its own entire DLC I imagine. Just some ramblings and observations. I've only dabbled in the lore here and there and it's been some time since I've played Elden Ring.