This video presents a comprehensive interpretation of Elden Ring's lore, connecting seemingly disparate elements to create a "Grand Unified Theory." The speaker aims to build a deeper understanding of the game's narrative, using existing lore and moderate speculation. The video begins by exploring the nature of runes and their significance within the game's world.
Runes as fragments of a world-making language: The speaker proposes that runes are not just currency, but fragments of a primordial language of creation, instructions for life itself. This language is primarily conveyed through shape and motion, rather than spoken words.
Great Runes and Demigods: Great Runes are interpreted as sets of rules governing multiple beings, with the ability to wield them connected to demigod status. Only beings capable of holding contradictory aspects within themselves—like the dual nature of Marika and Radagon—can fully wield the power of a Great Rune or the Elden Ring.
Marika as an alchemical Rebis: The speaker draws parallels between Marika and the alchemical concept of the Rebis, a union of opposites. Marika's dual nature (Radagon) is essential to her godhood, representing a fusion of opposing forces.
The Elden Ring and the Great Tree: The video suggests that before the Golden Order, the Elden Ring resided within a great golden tree, representing the primordial life energy of the crucible. The tree serves as a natural vessel for the Elden Ring’s power due to its dual (male and female) nature.
The Hornsent's failed ascension: The Hornsent, an ancient civilization, attempted ascension to godhood by creating a rebis through alchemical means. Their creation, Marika, betrayed them and established the Golden Order, based on the suffering of the Hornsent.
The speaker in the video posits several interconnected metaphysical concepts and processes to explain the lore of Elden Ring. These can be summarized as follows:
The Language of Creation: The core metaphysical idea is that the universe of Elden Ring is fundamentally constructed from a language of creation. This isn't a spoken language, but a language of shape and motion. Runes, the in-game currency, are considered fragments of this language—literal words or instructions for life. Collecting runes, therefore, translates to acquiring and integrating these fundamental building blocks of existence, allowing the player character to alter their own being. This concept extends to the game's magic system; spells are visually represented by symbols and gestures, further emphasizing the importance of shape and motion in the creative process.
The Rebis and the Unification of Opposites: The speaker draws heavily on Hermetic alchemy, particularly the concept of the Rebis. The Rebis is the culmination of the alchemical magnum opus, a complete being encompassing seemingly contradictory elements (male and female, spirit and matter). Marika, the supposed "god" of Elden Ring, is interpreted as a literal Rebis, existing as both Marika and Radagon. This unification of opposites allows her to bear the Elden Ring and wield its power. The concept of the Rebis also extends to other elements within the game, such as the dual nature of certain trees and the merging of individuals in the Hornsent's alchemical experiments.
The Elden Ring as a Philosopher's Stone: The Elden Ring is likened to the Philosopher's Stone, a legendary substance in alchemy capable of granting immortality and transforming base metals into gold. This analogy reinforces the idea that the Elden Ring represents the culmination of a creative process—the complete unification of the world’s fundamental principles. Its fragmented state mirrors the incomplete nature of the world before its re-forging.
Ascension and the Hornsent's Experiment: The Hornsent civilization attempted to achieve godhood (ascension) through two approaches: asceticism (ritualistic dance) and alchemy. Asceticism failed, leading them to attempt to artificially create a Rebis through horrific alchemical experimentation—merging individuals within jars to create a being capable of containing the Elden Ring's power. Marika, initially intended to be the vessel for this new order, ultimately usurped the power for herself. Their attempt highlights the central theme of the video: the pursuit of understanding and mastering the creative forces of the universe.
The Crucible and Primordial Energy: The Crucible is presented as a source of primordial energy, from which all life emerged. The Great Tree which housed the Elden Ring, before the Golden Order, grew from this crucible. The Crucible acts as a starting point for both the natural and artificial creation of life, representing the origin of the fundamental building blocks used by the Hornsent and the natural world.
In essence, the speaker presents a layered metaphysical model where language, alchemy, and cosmology intertwine. The game's mechanics and narrative elements aren't simply fictional; they represent tangible manifestations of fundamental metaphysical principles governing the existence and creation of the world within Elden Ring. The player's journey mirrors a quest to understand and potentially control these forces.
The speaker proposes that the world of Elden Ring is built upon a fundamental "Language of Creation," a metaphysical concept that underpins the game's lore and mechanics. This isn't a spoken or written language in the conventional sense, but rather a language expressed through shape and motion. Several aspects of this concept are detailed:
1. Runes as Fundamental Units: The most explicit manifestation of this Language of Creation are runes. Instead of simply being a currency, runes are posited as fragments of this fundamental language—individual words or instructions for life. Each rune embodies a specific aspect of existence or a rule governing how a living being functions. Collecting and using runes in the game isn't just about gaining power; it's about acquiring and integrating these foundational elements of creation, literally rewriting the rules of the player character's own being.
2. Non-Verbal Expression: Crucially, this language is not primarily conveyed through spoken words. The speaker emphasizes its expression through shape and motion. This is evident in several ways:
Visual Representation of Spells: All spells in the game have distinct visual representations – symbols and gestures. The casting of spells isn't just about uttering incantations; it's about performing the shapes and motions that correspond to the specific magical effect. This directly translates the idea of the Language of Creation as a language of shape and motion.
The Two Fingers: The Two Fingers, enigmatic advisors representing the Greater Will, are voiceless. They communicate through gestures and subtle movements, reinforcing the idea that the deepest truths of the world are expressed non-verbally. The player's interaction with these fingers, essential to accessing the full power of Great Runes, highlights the importance of this nonverbal mode of communication.
The Golden Mask: The Noble Goldmask, a character seemingly deeply connected to the Golden Order, is likewise a non-speaker. He communicates through subtle body language and gestures, further solidifying the idea that shape and motion are central to the Language of Creation.
Architectural Significance: The game’s monumental architecture isn't just symbolic; it carries metaphysical significance. The structures themselves are understood as embodying and conveying aspects of this Language of Creation, acting as tangible representations of the underlying cosmic order.
3. Connection to the Real World: The speaker suggests that this concept is not entirely divorced from reality. Human DNA, the blueprint for life, serves as an example of a real-world "language" written in the language of shape (the structure of the DNA molecule) and the motion of molecules and processes governing the body.
4. Meta-Narrative Application: The speaker even extends this concept to the game's creation itself. Elden Ring's world was quite literally created through the motion of countless fingers on keyboards and mice. The in-game emphasis on the motion of fingers to convey meaning becomes a meta-narrative reflection of how the game itself was brought into existence. The uncanny similarity between this and the game's internal logic (where the movements of fingers hold such significance) becomes a central point of the theory.
In summary, "The Language of Creation" is a metaphysical framework presented as a cornerstone of the Elden Ring world. It suggests a universe not merely described by words, but defined by shape, motion, and the fundamental rules embodied in runes. This concept integrates several aspects of the game—magic, architecture, character interactions, and even the game's meta-narrative—into a cohesive explanation of its underlying reality. The speaker's presentation positions the Language of Creation as the essence of existence within the game, a fundamental principle that governs all aspects of its world.
The speaker's "Language of Creation" isn't described as functioning through conventional mechanical processes, but rather through a system of metaphysical interactions and relationships within the Elden Ring universe. Understanding its "mechanics" requires interpreting how its components interact to shape reality:
1. Runes as Fundamental Building Blocks: Runes aren't simply abstract symbols; they're the foundational units of existence, akin to fundamental particles or the very code of reality. Each rune embodies a specific rule or instruction governing a living being's nature and capabilities. These aren't fixed, static components; their arrangement and interaction shape the properties of living beings.
2. Shaping Reality through Shape and Motion: The Language of Creation is not passively observed but actively shapes the world. Its mechanisms are expressed through shape and motion:
Gestural Magic: Magic isn't merely a release of energy; it's a precise manipulation of shapes and motions in this fundamental language. The specific gestures used in casting spells directly interact with the underlying structure of reality, producing the desired effect. A spell isn't caused by spoken words; the words are simply a guide or reflection of the underlying shaping process done through the gestures.
Architectural Influence: Significant architecture acts as a conduit or amplifier for the Language of Creation. The forms and structures of buildings and landmarks aren't arbitrary; they channel and manifest specific aspects of the fundamental language. These shapes are not passive; they actively maintain or influence the underlying order of that location and its environment.
Great Runes and Demigods: The Great Runes are not simply powerful artifacts; they represent significant 'words' or sets of rules governing large-scale aspects of the universe. Only beings of sufficient metaphysical complexity (like the Rebis), able to embody and manipulate such powerful and contradictory components of the fundamental language, can wield them. The effects of Great Runes aren't merely magical; they directly alter the rules of reality itself.
3. The Role of Gold: Gold is presented as a medium through which the Language of Creation can be materialized and interacted with. Golden runes represent a tangible manifestation of these fundamental instructions, allowing for the restoration of life or the enhancement of a being. This implies that gold is directly connected to the creative process itself—it isn't a mere resource, but a tool for engaging with the fundamental language and shaping reality.
4. Interconnectedness and Duality: The mechanics of the Language of Creation aren't isolated processes. Everything is interconnected: the runes, the Great Runes, the Elden Ring, gold, and the very forms of living beings and architecture. The Rebis, as the ultimate unification of opposites, exemplifies this interconnectedness; it represents a being that can harmoniously integrate apparently conflicting aspects of this fundamental language. The actions of even seemingly minor characters or entities can have far-reaching consequences because they all operate within this shared and interconnected system.
5. Dynamic Equilibrium: It's implied that there's a dynamic equilibrium within the system. The shattering of the Elden Ring creates imbalance, while the process of restoring it suggests a restoration of harmony and a return to the intended order. This balance isn't static; it's a constant interplay of forces, reflecting the continuous shaping of reality through the Language of Creation.
In essence, the "mechanics" of the Language of Creation are less like physical processes and more like a fundamental system of relationships and interactions. Shape, motion, and materialization (through gold) are the means through which this underlying language shapes and influences the world of Elden Ring, influencing everything from the properties of individual beings to the structure of reality itself.
Let me explain runes to you, as if you lived in the Lands Between. Forget what you may think you know from simple use in gameplay, runes are much, much more profound.
Imagine the world wasn't just built, but written. Not with ink and parchment, but with something far more fundamental, something woven into the very fabric of existence. This is the Language of Creation, and runes are its individual words, its basic building blocks.
Each rune is a snippet of this primal language, a specific instruction, a fundamental rule that governs how a part of the world operates. It dictates the nature and capabilities of a being – the very essence of its existence. Think of it this way: a single rune might describe the strength of a beast, the speed of a bird, or the intelligence of a scholar.
But these aren't static descriptions. A creature doesn't simply have runes; the runes are the creature, in a sense. They are the core instructions governing its being, its very form and function. That's why you see a visual representation of the runes within the body of a fallen creature. It's a visual language, remember, as much as it's a language of intrinsic forces. It's the blueprint written into their very existence.
You might collect many runes from defeating enemies. When you do, you are not simply acquiring currency, but literally absorbing the essence of their being. It’s through this process, this assimilation of these fundamental building blocks, that you are able to refine, alter, and enhance your own being. You aren't merely improving stats, but rewriting aspects of your own fundamental code.
Now, ordinary runes are important, but consider the Great Runes. These aren't just pieces of a broken ring; they're entire chapters in this cosmic book, powerful, sweeping directives that govern far greater aspects of reality. Each Great Rune embodies a significant principle or law affecting multitudes of creatures, not just a single individual. Think of gravity itself, or the forces of nature, or the very principles of birth and death.
Holding such a power is not something easily done. You need to be more than just an ordinary being. The ability to fully comprehend, and embody, these Great Runes requires a being of extraordinary complexity – something like the union of Marika and Radagon, the Rebis, which unites seemingly contradictory aspects of the Language of Creation within a single being. They become living vessels containing such powerful and conflicting instructions.
The Golden Order, for instance, represents the attempt to impose a specific set of rules, codified in the Elden Ring, across the entire Lands Between. This attempt at perfect order, however, comes at a cost, and the struggle for power and influence that followed is an ongoing battle to reshape the fabric of existence itself—to rewrite the very 'words' of this world.
So, to fully understand runes, imagine them as more than mere game currency. They are the foundational building blocks of this world, the individual words of a grand universal text written in the language of shape, motion and the underlying forces of life and death. To understand them is to understand the very nature of existence in the Lands Between.
