Almost immediately following its release, Elden Ring managed to amass a glowing reputation amongst gamers and critics alike. Gameplay values aside, this latest FromSoftware title is also filled to the brim with beautiful environments and unique structures. As tends to be the case with the developer's projects, most of these locations keep their lore hidden under the surface.
The famed Erdtree has already joined the ranks of the most recognizable landmarks in gaming history. It can be seen from every corner of the map, towering over the Lands Between, reminding the inhabitants of the Golden Order's primacy. Majestic as it may be, the Erdtree's history is quite tumultuous and full of dark secrets.
5 Erdtree Roots Feed Off the Dead
Just like in any other FromSoftware game, death plays a major role in Elden Ring's story and the lore of the game's world. The Golden Order's primacy is based on the lack of Destined Death. In the world envisioned by George R.R. Martin, Destined Death is the indiscriminate, real death that can't be controlled. By sealing away Destined Death and establishing the Golden Order, Marika had not only gained control over who lives or dies, but she also led to the rise of the undead.
Under the Golden Order, certain groups, such as the Merchants or the Tarnished, may never die and are forever cursed to roam the Lands Between in a vicious cycle of death and rebirth. Those still led by the guidance of Grace return to the Erdtree upon death to strengthen its parasitic roots. This process is evidenced by the piles of the nobles' corpses laid out at the roots of the Erdtree in the boss rooms of the game's many catacombs.
4 It's a Physical Manifestation of The Greater Will
There is much more to the Greater Will than just the Erdtree, but that doesn't change the fact that there is a deep connection between Elden Ring's iconic monument and the mystical force that calls the shots in the Lands Between.
After all, the Erdtree is home to the Elden Ring itself, as well as the place of Marika's imprisonment. The Greater Will draws its power from the tree and communicates with the outside world via the Two Fingers and the Finger Reader Crones. Moreover, the Erdtree carries out the Greater Will's orders by actively affecting the world, whether it's via the guidance of Grace, or controlling death itself.
3 The Erdtree Lost Much Of Its Power After the Shattering
The Shattering of the Elden Ring marked the beginning of the downfall of the Golden Order. After Queen Marika destroyed the titular ring, scattering its pieces across the Lands Between in the form of runes, it greatly affected the Erdtree, limiting its ability to carry out the Greater Will's wishes.
The Erdtree derived its power directly from the Elden Ring, and so after it was shattered, it was rendered unable to cover the Lands Between in the golden aura of Grace, plunging the region into chaos. Upon closer observation, players can notice cracks all over the trunk of the Erdtree – these marks represent the weakening of the tree, suggesting that it began to disintegrate after the Shattering took place.
2 The Great Tree Came Before The Erdtree
As mentioned earlier, the Erdtree is a parasitic organism. It remains alive by drawing upon the life force of the inhabitants of the Lands Between, having their souls and bodies support its massive root network upon death. However, this is not the only instance of the Erdtree exhibiting parasitic behavior.
The Erdtree actually replaced the Great Tree, which was a powerful force in the Lands Between before the establishment of the Golden Order. Item descriptions of the Crucible Tree Helm, Root Resin, and the Knot Talisman reveal that the Great Tree was an ancient force that housed the primordial Crucible, with the Crucible Knights being its last defenders and the only remaining servants of this long-forgotten tree.
1 The Erdtree & Golden Order "Conquered" The Lands Between
The Erdtree was not always worshipped by the inhabitants of the Lands Between. The early days of Marika the Eternal's Golden Order and the Erdtree's primacy were plagued with wars of conquest and intense sieging of the Capital City of Leyndell. Multiple factions were involved, including the Carian royalty, the Stormlord (residing in the Stormveil Castle), as well as the Giants.
Neither of these factions was particularly pleased with the Lands Between's new rulers. Years of warfare ensued. This is when Marika has chosen Hoarah Loux as her consort. The infamous, battle-hungry barbarian was forced to take on the name of Godfrey, the First Elden Lord, and over the course of multiple campaigns, managed to bend all the warring factions to the Erdtree's will.
Elden Ring was released on February 25, 2022, and is available on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.