About this Video

• Video Title: Why the Fingers Chose The Empyreans | Elden Ring Lore and Theory
• Channel: LoreMeToDeath
• Speakers: LurMeToDeath
• Duration: 21:35

Introduction

This video explores the connection between the Empyreans in Elden Ring and the cycle of life and death. The speaker theorizes about why specific Empyreans were chosen, focusing on their unique relationship to divine essences and their roles in the game's narrative.

Key Takeaways

• Empyreans as Powerful Vessels: The speaker posits that Empyreans are exceptionally potent vessels capable of containing the divine essences of life, death, and rebirth. This ability makes them potential candidates for becoming theonic deities governing the cycle of souls.
• Empyrean Connections to Divine Essences: Each Empyrean (Malenia, Miquella, and Ranni) is linked to a specific divine essence: Malenia to rot (transformation and rebirth), Miquella to sleep (slumbering soul before birth/rebirth), and Ranni to the wintry moon (death and the passage of the soul). Their connection to these essences is explained through their lineage and the effects of their powers within the game world.
• The Cycle of a Soul: The video argues that the Empyreans' roles are intrinsically tied to the cycle of a soul's journey, encompassing birth, life, death, and rebirth. Their unique powers reflect different stages or aspects of this eternal cycle.
• Influence of Mythology: The speaker draws parallels between the Empyreans and figures from various mythologies (Greek, Norse), suggesting that these influences inform their roles and characteristics in Elden Ring. For instance, Ranni’s connection to Hecate, the triple goddess.
• The Elden Beast's Influence: The Elden Beast is presented as a force attempting to control the natural cycle, choosing Empyreans as potential vessels to maintain order within the cycle of life and death.

The speaker in the video proposes a metaphysical framework within the Elden Ring universe where the Empyreans act as conduits or vessels for fundamental forces governing the cycle of life and death (or, as the speaker sometimes terms it, the "cycle of a soul"). Here's a breakdown of the core metaphysical concepts:

1. Divine Essences as Fundamental Forces: The video posits the existence of "Divine Essences" representing fundamental aspects of existence: Life, Death, and Rebirth. These aren't simply abstract concepts; they are presented as potent forces shaping the world and its inhabitants. Marika, the god of the world, embodies the essence of life (though even her rule is shown to have complexities and unintended consequences), while the Gloam-Eyed Queen is explicitly linked to death.

2. Empyreans as Vessels/Conductors: The Empyreans (Malenia, Miquella, and Ranni) are not merely demigods; they are described as exceptionally powerful vessels capable of containing and channeling these Divine Essences. Their bodies are uniquely suited to house these forces, exhibiting manifestations of these essences in their abilities and physical forms. This isn't simply a matter of possessing power; it's a deep, almost symbiotic relationship.

3. The Cycle of a Soul: The speaker emphasizes the cyclical nature of existence, specifically focusing on the journey of a soul. This cycle involves a progression (or regression) through different states, encompassing:

   • Sleep/Slumber (Miquella): Represents the pristine, naive state of a soul before it's "born" into the waking world. It's a state of potential, purity, and innocence.
   • Life (Marika): The active, experiential phase of a soul's existence. However, in the context of Elden Ring, this life is often shown to be unending and painful due to Marika's rule.
   • Transformation/Rebirth (Malenia): A process of change and renewal, represented by the rot. This is seen as a potential path to escape the cycle of unending pain, a kind of self-remaking.
   • Death/Passage (Ranni): The transition to the next stage of the cycle. This isn't necessarily an ending but a continuation—a journey into the unknown.

4. The Elden Beast's Intervention: The Elden Beast, representing the order of the established system, attempts to control and regulate this natural cycle. By selecting and influencing Empyreans, it seeks to maintain a balance, even if that means suppressing or manipulating the natural forces of life, death, and rebirth.

5. The Crucible's Role (Theorized): The speaker suggests the Crucible, the very essence of life and nature, might be the source of the Empyreans' unique connection to the Divine Essences. It's presented as a force reacting against the imposed order and attempting to restore a natural equilibrium, possibly by creating Empyreans who are powerful enough to challenge or reshape the cycle.

In essence, the speaker outlines a cosmology where life, death, and rebirth are not simply opposing forces but interconnected aspects of a grand, cosmic cycle. The Empyreans stand as key figures within this cycle, acting as both participants and potential agents of change. The Elden Beast's role is to regulate and, if needed, suppress that change. This metaphysical framework provides a lens through which to understand the events and characters within Elden Ring's narrative.