This video explores the Erdtree in Elden Ring, proposing that it functions as a metaphysical "Tree of Memories." The speaker connects this concept to Norse mythology, the stories of Marika, Odin, and Jesus, and the Three-Eyed Raven from Game of Thrones, arguing that these figures share a common motif of self-sacrifice to become part of a world tree or equivalent, gaining immense power. The video further investigates the connection between memory, grace, runes, and the nature of life and death within the Elden Ring universe.
The speaker posits a complex interconnected system of metaphysical concepts in Elden Ring, functioning as follows:
1. The Erdtree as the Axis Mundi and Tree of Memories: The Erdtree isn't merely a massive tree; it's the central axis of the world (axis mundi), connecting the heavens, earth, and underworld. More importantly, it acts as a repository of collective memory. This memory isn't stored abstractly but is constitutive of the Erdtree itself. The golden substance of the Erdtree is, according to the speaker, comprised of runes – which are essentially memories solidified into a physical form. Significant events and individuals (demigods, champions) are "hewn" (carved) into its structure upon their deaths, becoming part of the Erdtree's essence.
2. Grace as Memory and Life Force: Grace, the golden light that animates the Tarnished, is directly equated with memory. Possessing grace means possessing memory; losing grace signifies losing memory, which equates to death (or a state akin to death). The Sites of Grace, made from Erdtree bark, are literally conduits to accessing fragments of this collective memory. They are presented as places where memory is particularly concentrated or accessible.
3. Runes as Memories and Life Essence: Runes, the game's experience points, are explicitly linked to memory and life. The video connects them to the concept of "souls" from previous Dark Souls games, emphasizing their role as the fundamental source of life. Gathering runes is described as "recollecting" memories, further solidifying this link. The Golden Runes are seen as the concentrated essence of an individual's memories (akin to a soul), representing the totality of their life experience.
4. The Anima Mundi (World Soul) within the Axis Mundi: The speaker merges the concepts of the "anima mundi" (world soul) and the "axis mundi." The collective grace, representing the memories and life force of the world, is imbued within the Erdtree's sap. The Erdtree, as the axis mundi, isn't merely a container for the world's soul but is actively infused with it, making the two concepts inseparable.
5. The Interconnectedness of Memory: The video suggests that memories exist within a shared metaphysical dimension, enabling interaction with them. The Roundtable Hold, a memory hewn into the Erdtree, is accessed via Sites of Grace. This implies that even physically separated pieces of the Erdtree (like the bark used in Sites of Grace) remain connected in this metaphysical realm, allowing access to the collective memory.
6. The Role of Sacrifice and Suffering: The parallel drawn between Marika, Odin, and Jesus highlights the significance of self-sacrifice and suffering. These figures undergo trials (crucifixion, hanging from the World Tree) that bestow upon them immense power and a connection to the world's collective memory. This concept is expanded to include other characters within the Elden Ring universe and suggests that the process of attaining a heightened state of consciousness and connection to the Erdtree's collective memory might involve significant hardship.
7. The Tarnished as Memories: The video speculates on whether the Tarnished themselves are also memories, components of the Erdtree. The fact that they return to life after death, dissolving into dust, lends credence to the idea that they're not physical beings in the traditional sense but rather beings constructed of, or existing within, the Erdtree's collective memory.
In essence, the speaker's metaphysical framework depicts Elden Ring's world as a living entity whose physical structure and life force are inextricably bound to a shared, accessible collective memory. This memory is not merely information stored passively, but an active, dynamic force that shapes reality and the experiences of its inhabitants. The processes described function through symbolic connections, sacrifice, and the interplay between physical and metaphysical realms.
The speaker presents runes in Elden Ring not simply as experience points, but as a tangible manifestation of memory and the life force itself. The metaphysical mechanics proposed are intricate and interwoven with other concepts:
1. Runes as Solidified Memories: The core idea is that runes are memories made physical. They aren't abstract data but a substance directly representing experiences, knowledge, and the essence of lived life. This aligns with the interpretation of the Erdtree as a Tree of Memories; its golden substance is essentially a vast accumulation of these rune-memories.
2. The Process of Rune Creation and Accumulation: As the Tarnished (player character) experiences events, defeats enemies, and gains knowledge, they accumulate runes. This isn't simply a numerical increase; it's a physical accretion of memories. Each rune represents a single experience, a moment of knowledge gained, or a piece of information absorbed. This physical acquisition mirrors how memories integrate into the self.
3. Golden Runes as Concentrated Memory Essences: Golden Runes are presented as a more concentrated form of rune-memories. They're not just a larger quantity but represent the totality of an individual's lived experience, akin to a soul or the essence of a being's existence. The speaker proposes they are the equivalent of the "souls" from previous Dark Souls games, indicating a fundamental connection between life, memory, and this concentrated form of runes. Their description in the game supports this, stating they are "imbued with the power of life itself."
4. Runes and the Erdtree's Composition: The golden sap of the Erdtree is described as being composed of runes. This means the very substance of the Erdtree is a massive, interconnected network of accumulated memories, creating a living archive of the world's history and experience. The Erdtree is not just a passive repository; it's actively formed and sustained by the collective rune-memories.
5. The Act of "Hewing" and the Erdtree: The process of "hewing" (carving) significant individuals into the Erdtree upon their death is presented as a direct integration of their accumulated rune-memories into the tree's structure. This is not merely a symbolic representation but a literal merging; their life essence (in the form of runes) becomes an integral part of the Erdtree's being.
6. Loss of Runes as Loss of Memory: When the Tarnished dies, they lose their runes. This is not merely a gameplay mechanic; it represents a loss of memory. The act of "recollecting" runes upon resurrection parallels the effort to recover lost or fading memories. The temporary loss of access to these memories represents a state close to death or nothingness.
7. Runes as a Metaphysical Substance: The video explicitly labels runes as a metaphysical substance, highlighting the difference between the physical manifestation (the golden runes the player collects) and their essence as concentrated memory and life force. This clarifies that the runes are not just numerical values but have a real existence in the metaphysical structure of the Elden Ring world.
In summary, the speaker's interpretation presents runes as a fundamental building block of reality in Elden Ring. They're not simply a game mechanic but a tangible, metaphysical substance representing memory, experience, and life itself. This interpretation explains the game's mechanics within a broader metaphysical framework where physical and non-physical aspects are intimately connected and mutually constitutive.
