About this Video

• Video Title: Runes are Stars: The Missing Puzzle Piece | Elden Ring Lore
• Channel: Nameless Singer
• Speakers: Nameless Singer
• Duration: 00:33:57

Introduction

This video explores the lore of Elden Ring, proposing a theory that connects the in-game "Runes" to real-world astrophysics. The speaker argues that Runes, representing the player's soul, memory, and brain, function similarly to stars, possessing mass and gravity, ultimately collapsing into singularities (black holes). The video uses in-game imagery and mechanics, along with astrophysical concepts and philosophical ideas, to support this theory.

Key Takeaways

• Runes as Stars: The video posits that Runes in Elden Ring function like stars, with mass and gravity. Collecting more Runes increases gravitational pull, potentially leading to a black hole-like collapse.
• Gravitational Collapse and Star Formation: The accumulation of Runes (mass) mirrors the process of star formation through gravitational collapse in space. This is supported by visual similarities between Rune progression and stellar evolution in the game.
• The "Pull" of Meaning: The video proposes a parallel between the "pull" of gravity in the cosmos and the "pull" of meaning in the human brain. This connection is explored through the in-game concepts of causality and regression.
• Neural Networks and Consciousness: The speaker connects the in-game concepts of causality and regression to the structure and function of neural networks in the human brain, arguing that consciousness is a product of this regressive convergence of meanings.
• The Erdtree and the Sun: The video suggests that the Erdtree may have been imbued with the soul of the sun, itself viewed as a massive Golden Rune.

The speaker in the video proposes a metaphysical framework within the Elden Ring world where the concepts of causality, regression, and the nature of Runes (souls) intertwine to govern both the cosmos and consciousness. This isn't a direct translation to our reality, but rather a system of interconnected principles operating within the game's fictional universe. Let's break down the key components:

1. Runes as Celestial Bodies: The core concept is that Runes, representing individual souls within the Elden Ring universe, are not just abstract energy but possess physical properties akin to stars. They have "mass" and "gravity." The accumulation of Runes increases this mass and gravitational pull. This isn't literal gravity as we understand it, but a metaphorical force representing the influence and power accumulated by an individual. The accumulation culminates in a "gravitational collapse," forming a singularity, a point of immense concentrated power—analogous to a black hole in astrophysics. The different Rune levels (e.g., Golden Rune [1] to Hero's Rune [4]) visually represent this process of accumulation and transformation.

2. Causality as Interconnectedness: Causality, as depicted in the game, is not merely cause and effect but the connective tissue between all "meanings" within the Elden Ring universe. It's represented as a ring, suggesting a cyclical and interconnected nature. The "pull" of causality is a force linking things together—a kind of energetic or informational connection. The emptiness at the center of the causality ring symbolizes a void, a point of potential or origin before the interconnected "meanings" emerge.

3. Regression as Convergence: Regression, unlike causality's interconnectedness, represents the drive towards unification and convergence. It's the principle that all things inherently yearn to return to a singular state. In the game's cosmology, this might be understood as a return to the primordial singularity from which the universe originated (akin to the Big Bang). Regression isn't necessarily a destructive force, but a fundamental drive toward wholeness. Within the context of consciousness, it represents the merging of various sensory inputs and memories into a unified conscious experience.

4. The Interplay of Causality and Regression: Causality and Regression aren't opposing forces but complementary aspects of the universe's fundamental order. Causality establishes connections between individual "meanings" or events. Regression represents the tendency for these meanings to draw together, ultimately converging into a unified whole. The speaker uses the example of neural networks in the brain to illustrate this; individual neurons (meanings) connect via causality, while regression represents the integration of those connections into a unified conscious experience.

5. The Role of the Golden Order: The Golden Order, a governing principle in Elden Ring's metaphysics, is intimately linked to these processes. The Laws of Causality and Regression, described within the Golden Order's scriptures (Golden Order Principia), form the underlying structure of reality in the Lands Between. They define how both the cosmos and consciousness function within the game's universe.

6. The Mechanics of Rune Accumulation and Transformation: The player's actions (gathering Runes, leveling up) represent the physical manifestation of these metaphysical principles. Accumulating Runes increases the player character's mass (metaphorical), intensifying their gravitational pull and ultimately leading to an increase in strength and power. Melina's role is to facilitate the transformation of raw experience (lower-case "r" runes) into this concentrated power (greater Runes).

In summary, the speaker's theory positions the Elden Ring universe as one where the physical and the metaphysical are deeply intertwined. Runes—as souls, memories, and expressions of consciousness—are governed by principles mirroring those of the cosmos. Causality dictates the connections between these elements, while regression represents the inherent tendency towards unification, leading to the creation of powerful beings and the universe itself. The Golden Order serves as the framework under which these forces interact to govern the fabric of reality. It's a sophisticated cosmology presented through the lens of the game's lore and mechanics.