When Shadow of the Erdtree released on June 21, 2024, it expanded Elden Ring’s already vast world and unveiled a deep, tragic history connected to Queen Marika and her divine lineage. Whether you're diving into the Lands Between for the first time or returning to uncover new secrets, understanding the lore of this DLC is essential for fully appreciating its haunting narrative.
What Is Shadow of the Erdtree?
Shadow of the Erdtree is the first major story expansion for Elden Ring. It transports players to the Realm of Shadow, a parallel world shrouded in mystery, darkness, and death. This corrupted mirror of the Lands Between is dominated by a decayed version of the Erdtree, offering a grim reflection of the golden splendor found in the base game.
This realm is not just a new map—it’s a revelation. Here lies the forgotten past of Queen Marika, her earliest history, and the foundation upon which the Golden Order was built.
The Realm of Shadow – Origins & Environment
The Realm of Shadow is revealed to be the homeland of Marika before her divine ascension. Long before she became a god and founded the Golden Order, Marika lived among a people who would eventually be erased from history. These people were known as the Hornsent—a horned, outcast race with a deep connection to the mysterious, natural order that predates the Golden Order.
Once Marika achieved divinity through the Greater Will, she returned to the Realm of Shadow not to protect it, but to bury it. She sent her son, Messmer the Impaler, to purge the Hornsent and hide her past. This revelation paints Marika in a new light—not just as a divine protector, but as a ruthless eradicator of her origins.
Who Are the Hornsent?
The Hornsent are horned beings exiled from the new order Marika created. Much like the Omen, they are symbols of an old world no longer welcomed under the rule of the Golden Order. Messmer’s brutal campaign against them is not only a genocide but a metaphorical cleansing of Marika’s shameful past.
As you traverse the Realm of Shadow, remnants of the Hornsent and their culture appear in twisted forms. Their defeat, exile, and eventual annihilation are woven into the dark tapestry of the DLC’s world-building.
Messmer the Impaler
Messmer is one of the most important new characters introduced in Shadow of the Erdtree. He is a son of Marika, often regarded as a counterpart to her other divine children—Malenia and Miquella. However, Messmer was different. He was chosen not for grace or beauty, but for his cruelty and power.
Bound with an Abyssal Serpent to suppress his divine chaos, Messmer becomes a cursed warrior tasked with executing Marika’s most shameful orders. After completing his purge of the Hornsent, he is sealed away and forgotten. Players eventually confront him deep in the Realm of Shadow, where his rage and despair have only grown.
Miquella’s Role in the Realm of Shadow
Miquella, Malenia’s twin, plays a central role in Shadow of the Erdtree. After being kidnapped by Mohg in the base game, Miquella's body becomes a gateway to the Realm of Shadow. But it’s more than just a transport method—Miquella has left behind his physical form in pursuit of something higher.
In the DLC, Miquella seeks to become a new god and establish a new order—one free from the constraints of the Golden Order. His journey is both noble and horrifying. While he claims to seek compassion, his actions often mirror the same oppressive control he wishes to overthrow.
He sheds his former self throughout the DLC, literally leaving behind pieces of his body, memory, and identity. This is not just a transformation—it is a rebirth into something else, something that may not be as pure-hearted as he claims.
Radahn: The Promised Lord
One of the most surprising twists in the DLC is the return of Radahn, the mighty general known for holding back the stars in the base game. In Shadow of the Erdtree, Miquella uses Mohg’s corpse to perform a dark ritual, resurrecting Radahn as the so-called “Promised Lord.”
This grotesque rebirth merges Radahn’s power with divine influence, creating a godlike being intended to lead Miquella’s new age. However, this twisted transformation reveals the dangers of unchecked ambition. The Radahn players once knew is gone—replaced by something holy, terrifying, and broken.
St. Trina and Miquella’s Dual Identity
One of the deepest lore reveals in the DLC is the connection between St. Trina and Miquella. While previously thought to be separate entities, the DLC strongly implies they are one and the same. St. Trina represents Miquella’s feminine alter-ego, reflecting the dual nature of other major figures like Marika and Radagon.
This duality isn’t just symbolic—it’s literal. Miquella’s actions as St. Trina influence various characters and events throughout the Realm of Shadow. This reinforces the idea that identity in Elden Ring’s world is fluid, fractured, and often manipulated for divine purpose.
Your Journey Through the Lore
To access the DLC, players must first defeat Mohg and interact with Miquella’s cocoon. Once inside the Realm of Shadow, the player follows the trail left by Miquella, uncovering relics of his transformation and confronting those who oppose his new divine age.
The journey involves defeating Messmer, entering the Gate of Divinity, and eventually confronting the merged Radahn–Miquella form in a climactic battle. Through this progression, players uncover not just new bosses and areas, but also layers of hidden history and meaning.
Themes of Sacrifice, Corruption, and Divinity
The lore of Shadow of the Erdtree explores powerful themes. Miquella’s quest for compassion is slowly corrupted by control. Marika’s efforts to erase her past reveal the cruel roots of her divinity. And Messmer’s loyalty becomes his curse.
Identity, duality, and the cost of godhood lie at the heart of the DLC’s story. Characters are often trapped between forms—divine and mortal, selfless and selfish, pure and impure. The lines blur, leaving players to interpret whether these gods are saviors, tyrants, or both.
Why It Matters for New and Returning Players
For newcomers, Shadow of the Erdtree offers a powerful introduction to the world’s deeper lore. You don’t need to know every bit of base-game trivia to appreciate its story. The emotional arcs are clear, the stakes are high, and the themes are universal.
For returning players, the DLC recontextualizes major characters and events from the base game. Marika’s origins, Miquella’s motivations, and the Golden Order’s legitimacy are all called into question. It’s not just more Elden Ring—it’s a retelling of everything you thought you knew.
Final Thoughts
Shadow of the Erdtree is more than a DLC. It’s a bold, emotional extension of Elden Ring’s mythos—one that challenges, enriches, and deepens the entire experience. Through haunting revelations and unforgettable battles, it asks what it truly means to ascend… and what we must lose along the way.
Stay tuned with Cubold Gaming for more lore breakdowns, boss strategies, and hidden discoveries across the Lands Between.
