Why is SPOILER Miquella's Consort in the Elden Ring DLC? 

"Radahn wants to ride leonard, not miquella"😂

You know how this vow sound. When a 6 year old tells you he is gone marry you when he is older. And you say yes yes to shut him up while you play a game.

Radahn: What happened? Miquella: I revived you! Radahn: Where's Leonard? Miquella: ...

miquella: ''promise you'll be my consort'' radahn: ''look leonard i crushed that star'' miquella: ''malenia end him''

Love the idea that Radahn is more or less just trying to get away from a crazy stalker. Clearly this game was set before the invention of the restraining order

Maybe the real villain of Elden Ring were the incestuous relationships we made along the way.

It might have been Miquella's curse that caused all of this. The situation with young Radahn sounds awfully close to a child asking their parents to marry them when they grow up and the parent humoring them with "of course, honey." I think Radahn agreed to the vow while assuming that the child would never actually accomplish his goal. The statue at the Haligtree (with the older brother holding the twins) shows Malenia clearly older than a child (appears to be a preteen), so Miquella might have asked Radahn for this vow while being a preteen and knowing the implications, but Radahn still saw him as a child due to his stunted growth. In some sense, Radahn may have been correct in his assumption that Miquella was still too naive, because Miquella, being cursed with eternal youth, seemed to have never outgrew his childish mindset and ambitions. Thus, he forced his will on Radahn, who thought he was making a promise that would never come to pass. Radahn never realized how fearsome and twisted an eternal child with godlike powers could become.

Speaking of Metyr, she could be the root of the corruption at the heart of so many things. It has been speculated that the greater will doesn’t care about what form order takes as indicated by putting forth Malenia as empyrean despite being under influence of an outer god, but I don’t think that’s the case. The Greater Will seems to have abandoned Metyr and thus the fingers that chose empyreans. Metyr constantly trying to contact the Greater Will may have been what attracted outer gods in the first place, or she may even be trying to invite a new god to rule over the order, as Kowtower’s Resentment implies she has become hateful towards the Greater Will that abandoned her. The theme of intergenerational trauma and parents abandoning their children runs deep in the DLC.

I like how Miquella’s three braids and the use of three in his symbolism (the interlocking rings of light, the three discuses he taught to radagon, the three stats raised by his crown) invoke the three fingers. Miquella’s order would be like the flame of frenzy, instead of all things being melted into a indescribable slurry, everything would be made one by Miquella enslaving everyone, making perfect, and total order, where everything would be in endless stasis, forever nascent, much like Miquella himself

Miquella couldn't have chosen someone who fits his ideals less. Radahn loves the thrill of battle and waging war, he loves the Golden Order and his heritage and he loves Godfrey and his legacy. Pretty much everything Miquella is going against

Great video bud - really like the idea about Godwyn, and how the three siblings worked against Miquella.

Radahn: "I am not gay! i refuse to be Consort to a twink, YOU CANT MAKE ME!" Malenia: "A little brainrot should fix that"

It's been my own headcanon too that Godwyn was Miquella's first choice. Miquella had to give up on that due to the eclipse failing though. The boy is every bit as deranged as his mother and just doesn't know when to give up. I also think that his relationship to Malenia isn't as sincere as she believes it to be - much akin to the one with his followers. As for Mohg, I think he was necessary to enter the land of shadows because he was a demigod AND shows extensive traits of the crucible. That naturally creates a much stronger connection to this realm than his siblings (Morgot sealed his "accursed blood" and thus wasn't viable).

"Lord brother... promise me you'll be my consort." I'm beginning to worry for GRRM's sisters

That's such a good point re: the dichotomy of "endless war" for Radahn and the concept of an age of compassion.

Also Miquella’s order is opposed to Ranni in a more thematic/character driven sense. Miquella basically wants to be Marika 2 electric boogaloo, but has given no indication for him being any different. And to Ranni, him “stealing” Radahn might be the same to her as Marika stealing Radagon from Rennala, a potential source of her trauma/motivations. She would not want her family to be stolen again. Ranni clearly values genuine attachment to people given her questline and ending, not forcing us to serve/wed her. In addition, Ranni’s order of stars would exist but she would be unknown to the lands between. Miquella specifically wants to be known, he cannot mind-control people through affections, if he is unknown. They even use different domains of sorceries vs incantations.

Ofc radahn doesn't want to ride his brother, but his horse, and he doesn't want him on his shoulder, but his cat.

I don't think Miquella used Mohg for the formless mother, I think it was because Mohg is an omen who are touched by the crucible. The Omen cannot return to the Erdtree where all spirits of the lands between go after death as seen with Erdtree burial and spirit summons. Those devoid of grace, who cannot return to the Erdtree are sent to the Land of Shadow to be killed by Messmer. Omens relate to the hornsent too who are more close to the crucible and even have the gate of divinity. The blood ritual Mohg conducted under Miquella's influence is probably the thing that allowed him to enter the Land of Shadow.

“Radahn wants to ride Leonard, not Miquella.” This is art. Pure, unadulterated art.

Radahn did something stupid when he was young and deeply regretted it. Very relatable lmao

Twinks commanding the hearts of gigachads? Tale as old as time.

In my view, I thought when Miquela says "I am going to be a god", he sounds as if he does not want to and believe it, but must to to "save" the world.

Thats why i choose goldmask ending as the best, if the gods are no better than men, let men rule its own world, making ansbach wish reality, ruling the world for men not for the gods. Great vid goldmask, im eager for more dlc lore. Take care

How come no one’s talking about Miquella’s 4 arms on Radahns back. Just like Ranni

One thing to note is we know rykard was essentially trying to usurp the gods himself. How exactly we know now. The cave he lives in is lined to the brim with the same corpse-like structures as the gate of divinity. I believe rykard was trying to become a god by building his own version of that gate.

Miquella at the Divine Gate: "I am stuck My Lord Step Bro"

I totally agree that Radahn stopped the stars with Ranni's knowledge. I like to think that he did it to buy her time to figure out how to get rid of Miquella. Radahn knows his strengths and the strengths of his siblings, wholeheartedly. What if Godwyn also had to go because he was too much of a variable for them?

Gotta say dude, I think you nailed it with your interpretation of all the jumbled lore from this DLC. And yeah, I’m convinced that Goldmask’s ending is the superior one, even if our waifu is essentially a lifeless broken mannequin that was once Marika.

As an old Scholar once said "Young Hollow, there are but two paths. Inherit the order of this world, or destroy it. These are the roots of our world. But only a true monarch can make such a choice. Peace grants men the illusion of life. Shackled by falsehoods, they yearn for love, unaware of its grand illusion. These are the roots of our world. Men are props on the stage of life, and no matter how tender, how exquisite...A lie will remain a lie." -Never thought quotes from Dark souls 2 would fit so well in Elden Ring-

You forgot to point out that Malenia beeing Fujoshi was forshadowed by her beeing a literal rotten woman.

This may sound like a joke, but I genuinely think the “vow” is Radahn saying: “Over my dead body” Miquella took that literally

"Rahdan wants to ride Leonard, not Miquella." I need a shirt that says this. I cackled so hard.

you forgot to mention ansbarch's dialogue when he dies during the radahn boss fight, asking for the player to usher in an age for men rather than gods.

So the true villain of Elden Ring was Miquella. What a twist!

What freija failed to understand is that her being accursed with scarlet rot was miquaelas fault in the first place.

8:28 if you think about it, it's true horror all your family and friends, people you love, turn on you, cause they love miquella more ( a stranger)

Something else interesting to point out too aside Goldmask and Ranni’s ending be valid is the Hornsent further expands on the implications of Dung Eater’s Fell Curse ending. The DLC added more room on what ending you choose to pick from and results thereafter in greater context.

1:40 I always find it funny how people can look at Starscourge Radahn, a selfish and power-hungry warmonger idolizing a similarly warmongering past, and conclude that he is a noble and generous hero despite all evidence to the contrary. Even the care for Leonard has a self-centered foundation. If it was actually motivated by a selfless desire to take care of him, he would've gotten the horse a retirement plan and grabbed a magical chariot or something. Learning gravity magic to continue to ride Leonard is a manifestation of the same character flaw that led to him holding back the stars. That being his inability to let go of a past and status quo that he was sentimentally attached to and held an undue reverence for.

Here's on theory I stand by. Miquella didn't want Radahn as a consort romantically. Rather he wanted Radahn as an eternal bodyguard of sorts

When you read that one little item description on that set of equipment and see that one little quote and suddenly it feels like one big plot twist that puts a puzzle piece in place that makes the whole image look different.

I do believe your interpretation of Radahn's actions is correct. The description for the Light of Miquella incantation says that Miquella found one who refused to be embraced. Honestly Radahn has now transcended his idol Godfrey in my eyes as the true Chad, because it seems he was bewitched, and yet somehow broke free of Miquella's mind control, the first and probably only person to have done so

Rykard makes sense as well. He was the nuclear option. Able to devour the very gods! All three carian children were trying to prevent their half brother’s reign of terror.

Why wouldn't he? He's tall, well mannered according to lore, comes from a rich family, is strong and is also a man with a huge academic accomplishments, very inteligent. He's a catch❤

If you have to call someone with the kind in front every chance you get, that someone is probably the opposite of 'kind'.

"Woahhhhh, what are you trying to do to me, step-bro?" -rahdan, probably

Miquella is very clear of his intentions Not I'll help the world not I'll teach them I'll make them "I'll make the world a more gentle place" "There is nothing more terrifying " It's really incredible that redahn held back the stars but was powerless to a eternal child And he is absolutely still very immature in his mind Making Miquella , with a child's mind , a literal god He is truly the most fearsome empyrean😮

I find it funny how now we know the GW was never behind anything and everything bad thing the GO did was Marikas/Radagon and the Fingers' fault.

I think miquella sounds scared

I like how everyone overlook one simple aspect of Miquela "monstrosity". He is a threat only to gods and great heroes. 99% of population is ALREADY subjugated to a greater beings and have zero will, choice, and say. More on that if they have rebellious streak they would be brutally forced in line with pain and suffering... And Miquela will just say them "hey, don't do that" and that's it. So, from the perspective of those zombie like creatures ( we kill in droves all the time, btw) we are the bad guy, refusing to grant them peaceful subjugation, instead of brutal one, for the selfish reasons. It's so fascinating,

Miazaki writing the lore for DLC: take everything the community has thought up and turn it upside down

I like to imagine Miquella’s motivations are similar to CC from Code Geass. She too has an ability that causes anyone to love him/her. Maybe Radahn was so strong in heart and mind that he was able to resist Miquella. From Miquella’s perspective that would be a very interesting and captivating person

11:49 ranni could also be referring to Miquella, he’s seen by those who don’t align with the golden order as a monster that takes away people’s free will. Knowing how royal families have no problem with incest they could’ve intended to marry Miquella to ranni to keep their blood “pure”

I loved the idea of the three siblings trying to fight Miquella, and our act of "simp" that determine the ending 😂

I just realize something. Ranni had Godwyn killed. If Miquella refers to Godwyn as "Lord brother" Perhaps Ranni is sparing Godwyn from becoming a slave to Miquella

Miquella doesn't sound excited to me in that scene. He sounds scared. Terrified yet, accepting. Prepared.

Goldmask’s Age of Order being the “best” ending was my interpretation after the DLC as well!

~Radahn wants to ride Leonard, not Miquella~ Best sentence of the video

Cut dialogue of Miquella, has him say that he wants all things (benign and MALIGN) to flourish, that, to me already sounded the alarm bells. But ultimately, I look at it through the lenses of Miquella being a thousand+ years old genius, yes, but still a child with underdeveloped brain, his age of compassion goes against your entire will to power quest, culminating with burning Leyndell and all its inhabitants just to complete your quest. We’d all want an age like the one Miquella proposes, but life is more complex than that, and sometimes, you have to make hard choices, and that’s the burden Saint Trina was speaking of. That said, I disagree that Radahn and Ranni were working together, Radahn wanted the throne for himself, before he was stopped by Morgott, and Ranni didn’t have much to say, after her brother’s demise, you’d think she’d be sad, that her brother and ally was out of his misery, unless they were working for different goals.

7:18 don’t forget Rykard and his blasphemy would also be stopped with the stars stasis. Would also also say if Rahdan wanted execet the vow after becoming the star scourge, his stagnant fate probably wouldn’t allow him to, or Sussecfuly become a lord. He may not even callable release his hold of the stars without outside intervention as he lacks a fate to unclench. Thamaticly, The only major thing that changed about Radeon after getting the rot was losing sentience.

8:59 exactly you’re absolutely right. I don’t know why people still obsess over Griffith comparison. Miquella terrifying in his own right but he’s far from his Berzerk comparison. People forget that Miquella is still mainly a George RR Martin character with a slight Miyazaki alteration.

First, we got Gwyndolin, and now we have Miquella. Just the best bois

I think Miquella needed Mogh's blood. His Hornsent heritage. I think it was Gideon who commented that no matter how much Mogh shared his bloody bedchamber with Miquella it made him no closer to creating the Moghwyn dynasty he desired. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the lord of blood would attempt to share his own sanguine essence with his God, and was ultimately infusing Miquella with enough Hornsent blood that allowed him to access the Realm of Shadow.

The fate of the Carian royal family is guided by the stars. - Radan just wanted to escape being Mic consort

Nah whats fucked up was Malenia whispering that shit to radahn and messed up with his mind by nuking him, wandering for years until we freed him but bro instead got revived by miquella

How interesting that ranni’s plot had a secondary unmentioned purpose. Now it makes sense why she specifically chose godywn for the ritual knowing that can possibly stop miquella from being a god and with what we know about radhan holding the stars makes perfect sense.

I always thought Radahn went to Caelid because in Selia, they studied any magic, not only glintstone like in Rayalucaria

You're proposing that Radahn was raised as a member of the Carian royal family and then went on to do extensive additional study of gravity magic, and yet he never at any point managed to understand the interactions between the stars and the fates of the Carian royals? That just portrays Radahn as incompetent. I don't think FromSoftware is intending to portray him as incompetent.

I don't think Miquella sounds excited when he says "I'm going to be a god", nor do I think it was due to the two fingers. He sounded sad, and I think this scene was after he determined that it was what he had to do.

when Radahn pulled up without Leonard I just knew it he wasn't himself. :(

I have a theory about a REAL SECRET ENDING, DO THE FOLLOWING 1. Make it here. 2. Get Radhan to his 2nd phase. 3. Get your heart stolen by Miquella to receive the the gesture (Get grabbed by Miquella twice). 4. Once you die and respawn get Radhan to his 2nd phase again. 5. Get grabbed by Miquella once more and there will be a sigil above your head and then do the emote.

Your theories just made things click in my mind. Great video, need more!

"Radahn wants to ride Leonard, not Miquella." 😂

Considering how much Radahn idolized Godrey, I could see him willingly agreeing to become Miquella's consort. After all, that's kinda what he strove to be. That said, note that all we hear Miquella say amounts to: "Hey, when I become a god, will you be my consort?" A younger, possibly kinda naive Radahn might have been like: "Hell yeah, bro, I'm in." That doesn't mean he agreed to being killed and having his soul Frankensteined into the corpse of his half-brother. Plus, he might have realized what a manipulative control freak Miquella was and changed his mind. By the way, I just realized, Miquella calls Radahn "lord brother", which means that not only did he know about the Radagon/Marika thing (which makes sense, I guess) but apparently so did Radahn. Kinda makes me wonder how many in the family were in on that. On that note, it's been bothering me for a while now: The first time we talk to Enia, Two Fingers straight up tells us that all demigods are the offspring of Marika. So, like, how did nobody put this together? Did nobody wonder why Radagon and Rennala's kids were demigods? Or why Ranni was an empyrean, for that matter? That's kind of a huge clue.

Fantastic video! Love the point about the circlet on the statue being possible evidence that Radahn was charmed. Keep up the great work!

Miquella sounding excited he was going to be a god in the memory? Really? I feel like he rather clearly sounded terrified, and this is backed up by his crosses which show the feelings he had to leave behind to become a god, such as his doubt, vascillation and love. The final cross at Enir-Ilim's Spiral Rise emphasizes it even more so, stating "I abandon here all my fear." I think Miquella wanted Radahn to be with him because of his fear, and what he would lose by becoming a deity (as we see from Saint Trina's questline and her desire for him to be slain), drawing from his childlike disposition. Miquella was afraid, but foolishly pushed forward anyway, compelling those around him and losing his humanity in the process. Edit: In general, while your interpretations are pretty interesting and valid, I do think it leans a bit too much into everything being a conspiracy of Miquella's or everyone being against him, which these lore figures are usually a bit more grey than that, both in Souls games generally and with GRRM's characterization style. We're not even really sure Radahn was controlled or whether he just wanted a pact of being beaten by Malenia in battle to occur before agreeing, it's purposefully left unclear. Miquella obviously errs in becoming a god, but he's not this evil mastermind either, I feel.

I think Miquella explains how one ascends to godhood and explain the dual gender identity thing. Throughout the journey we trace Miquella abandon his flesh, identity, mortality, love, etc. What’s left is he turns to an embodiment of concept/entity. In this case he’s a loving concept. Using the power of love to govern godhood.

At this point i dont even see the story as the immediate characters or world. Instead insee it all as a representation of something we all have within us. A very Jungian story indeed

I think that the way Miquella and other characters talk about a “vow” taken between him and Radahn, makes me believe that Radahn actually agreed at first about being his consort. It would make senses for him to agreed bc at first Miquella was also a big follower of the Golden Order, and why wouldn’t Radahn want to become a Lord like his idols? So the vow would be if Miquella becomes a god, Radahn would be his consort: “Now, the vow will be honoured, and my Lord brother's soul will return. So that he may be my consort.” But after that Miquella lost faith and left the Golden Order, trying to start his own faith and Radahn was not willing to be his consort and going against the Golden Order. The final memory of the dlc, Miquella has a pleading tone to his voice, looks like he is trying to convince Radahn that the new world and new faith he wants to create will be a good thing, more kind than the current “I'll make the world a gentler place”. It would make more sense why Miquella send Malenia to forcefully kill him, and even called Radahn “promised consort”, instead of going for another willing candidate: Miquella was attached to the promised Radahn had made, hoping Radahn would change his mind ou be force to go through his promised. If he was straight up denied from the beginning this fixation wouldn’t make a lot of sense (and we see that Miquella can become fixated in promises, like giving Godwyn a true death or healing his sister, going to great lengths to try fulfill them)

This seems like the kind of thing that works in a lot of ways in hindsight, but should really have had a bit more setup. Fromsoft excels at giving you most of the puzzle pieces and still shocking you with the final shape of it, and I think this was a case where we were missing too many pieces to feel that sense of “wow, how could I not have guessed?!”

That statue in the Haligtree Promenade is of Godwyn, not Radahn. The hairstyle on that figure does not look like Radahn’s. It looks like Godwyn. Remember how Godwyn defeated the dragons and then befriended and made peace with the dragons? That shows the strength and kindess Miquella was after. Radahn is a warmonger, and not at all compatible for an Age of Compassion or a gentle world. As you mentioned, Miquella calls Godwyn “Lord brother” in the Golden Epitaph and Castle Sol is to restore Godwyn’s soul. But it fails. But it’s clear Miquella wished to restore Godwyn… not Radahn. In the memory of Miquella, he doesn’t seem “happy” to be an empyrean. Rather, his voice sounds emotional and on the verge of tears. And although some assume he is speaking to Radahn, we don’t see Radahn there at all. Instead we see Miquella kneeling, hands clasped together, speaking to an empty room. He is praying to someone not there: Godwyn. Radahn was never the promised consort… he was the retcon consort. Even when working backwards with DLC lore, it still doesn’t fit together. It’s a retcon that ruins Elden Ring lore for the sake of Radahn return fanservice and an obligatory hard final bossfight. Poor Miquella, retroactively ruined. His other motivations ignored (Malenia?!) all for the sake of the Radahn retcon. The DLC ruined his character.

Interesting that I interpreted Miquella's "I'm going to become a god" very differently. To me he sounds extremely scared rather than excited, for he likely knows what becoming a God entails, which is why all of his actions have a very strong sense of desperation to not follow exactly Marika's footsteps. Posting my little twitter rant I had about this: Miquella literally takes us on assuming we're Marika's champion here to preserve her Godhood over his. Man's aware he's being hunted by us and is likely rushing things. Literally first time we get to see another agent in the world progress it's state without our direct involvement when the rune shatters, that's how hot on his trail we are, and we're canonically fiending to murder him since we're trying to become Lord. We're prime Godfrey hunting the Fell-God because the pretty woman of our choice told us we need to to be king. While he's not perfectly rational, I think people are overselling the "dumbness" of his actions. Namely that, he's following Marika's footsteps as much as possible, because as far as we and anyone else can tell, these are unnegotiable steps to transmogrifying one's "mortal" self into a God. He's operating under the principle that HAS to perform these steps to get to his goal. The failed Haligtree probably cemented this fact for him, that there were no shortcuts. It's clear to me at least that he's doing everything in his power to cause a different outcome while under these very strict restraints. Namely his consort choice is a very significant factor, but also the interactions with his followers paint a more interesting tale. One description that stuck out to me was the emphasis on Miquella uncompromisingly choosing Radahn for his kindness rather than the usual criteria which is "strongest homeless man available" that Marika used for vengeance. Radahn's kindness & non-physical strength was so particularly unique in the world to Miquella that he refused to even consider any other option even after all the years, instead making this very extreme plan to make sure Radahn was the consort because it was the only chance for the kind world he hoped for to come to pass after he would be forced to abandon all of his own humanity. Radahn's gravity magic I believe plays a huge role in this. Miq didn't want Ranni's ending, because the destiny of the stars is still a destiny. By combing Miq's severing from Marika's order & the greater will, Miq's use of unalloyed gold to resist influence of other outer gods, & Radahn's ability to halt the fate of the Stars, Miq truly could create his ideal world as free from these external actors as much as possible while also potentially being able to revive Godwyn now that the Eclipse can be pretty much toggled with control of the celestial bodies. I know it may seem like Miquella is just another God for the greater will, but he very clearly views you as a holdover/champion of the older order & since all the vessels for the Greater Will have to arrive via starfall, Radahn's gravity abilities allow for him to cut off any subsequent Elden Beast/Fingers from landing.

The vow is not between Miqella an Radahn. It is between Malenia, Miqella and Radahn.

Considering Radahn is a true warrior, the most likely explanation is that he would only willingly become Miquella’s consort if he defeated him in combat, thus proving himself worthy of Radhan (thus honouring their vow, which likely has conditions like most agreements). Thus, Miquella sends Malenia, his blade (blades are weapons/“extensions” of their lords and thus serves as his proxy) and his twin to defeat him.

Wait the hornsent were gods, hmmm so in the end there were plenty of bodies for the godskins not just Marika's children, well thats good to know i didn't think the Divine wall thing was made by the hornsent

*Obviously Spoilers* Great video as always! I think my favorite part of the DLC's ending is how it dismisses the concern people had about Goldmask as someone who wanted to take away free will. We clearly see that it is in fact Miquella who is dominating peoples minds and stripping them of their free will. Goldmask just wants the Gods to quit messing with the configuration of the elden ring. My preferred ending 😊

Ansbach was right, Miquella is a monster

“We CHOOSE to simp after Rani” Now why did you have to call me out like that, dude? I mean, it’s true, but I wasn’t expecting it 😂😂😂 Great video btw!

Miquella isn’t a child. He was cursed with eternal youth but mentally he’s an adult. He’s fully aware of what he’s doing.

Making the world a gentler place through religious subjugation usually involves endless war But I don't think miquella truly understands this, it's why st Trina refers to godhood for miquella as a cage; the road to hell is paved with good intentions Just my own two cents

I much prefer the idea that radahn is holding back the stars to stop miquella becoming a god. However, does radahn know miquella is bringing godwyn back for this purpose? And why bring godwyn back when radahn was the vowed consort?

I think Mogh was neededed because afflicted with the Hornsent of Omens. Though they have similarities the Omen have uncontrollable growing horns but I think this also gave them a connection to the Lands of Shadows. Morgott would have likely also been suitable but I think Mogh was an easier target.

I personally didn’t like radahn being the last boss. I should’ve been just miquella

I also thought it was the snail Balteus.

3:48 Half-Brother* since both are fathered by Radagon

This makes very much sense, and also makes me think that Godwin must have been just as strong, if not stronger than Radan

I still of think the gold mask ending removes free will as well- but it's totally an interpretation thing

I couldn't resist writing a fix-it where the Tarnished manages to break Miquella's hold over Radahn so the poor man can finally have some agency and make his own choices.

As an Omen Mohg and Morgott are able to access the land of shadow. We know this through some of the Hornsent stuff.

Brilliant job. Excellent analysis.

I'm going to change my name to Leonard and dress up as a horse now.