Since it was released back in 2022, Elden Ring has captivated millions with its vast open world, layered storytelling, and cryptic lore. Yet with every boss defeated and questline completed, countless questions linger in the shadows of the Lands Between. The game thrives on mystery, weaving together fragments from across the map and inviting a near-endless amount of interpretation and speculation.
Players may uncover powerful runes or slay demigods, but the deeper meanings of the world often remain just out of reach. Even now, long after launch, fans debate unanswered questions about gods, civilizations, and forgotten figures. These enduring enigmas keep Elden Ring alive, fueling investigations and the endless pursuit of answers.
The Gloam-Eyed Queen
Ruling For An Unknown Cause
The Gloam-Eyed Queen stands as one of the most enigmatic figures in Elden Ring’s lore. Known as the master of the Godskin Apostles, she wielded the power of Destined Death to challenge the gods themselves. Yet her rise was brief, and her disappearance left a void in history.
What became of her remains unanswered. Was she defeated, sealed away, or erased by design? With only fragments of description and implications scattered in item lore, the Queen remains a shadow that players cannot fully grasp, embodying the many unanswered mysteries that give the Lands Between its allure.
Godwyn's Corpse Husks
Grotqesue Yet Intriguing
Godwyn the Golden’s death was not a simple one. His body mutated into vast, grotesque roots that burrowed beneath the Lands Between, sprouting corpse husks across the realm. These remnants mark the spread of “Those Who Live in Death,” reshaping the very concept of mortality in the world and leaving behind a mark in the living land.
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The ring may be ancient, but its world is still teeming with life, albeit in horrific forms.
Yet the purpose of these husks remains uncertain. They may be evidence of Godwyn’s corruption, or vessels preparing for something greater, but their silent presence throughout the world suggests a creeping inevitability. With no clear explanation, the husks leave players questioning what horrors might still be growing beneath their feet.
Beyond The Lands Between
There Has To Be More To This World
The map in Elden Ring is pretty expansive as far as video game worlds go, but through descriptions and dialogue snippets, it is clear that there are more environments out there beyond the seas. Nightreign confirms this at least in part. The game takes place in an alternative realm to the Lands Between, yet it shares a world as was seen in the final cutscene.
It's pretty apparent that other locations exist, whether as figments or in alternative dimensions. It is just a case of whether these places will be seen in the future, or if the mysteries beyond the shores will remain shrouded in shadows.
Nokstella Giants
Titans Below The Surface
Buried deep beneath the surface, Nokstella shines with eerie grandeur. Its architecture, statues, and silent ruins speak of a civilization that once defied the Greater Will. Among its strangest inhabitants are the Nokstella Giants, massive figures left standing as silent watchers atop thrones that make them appear as rulers.
Their origins, however, remain completely unexplained. Perhaps they were once protectors of the Eternal Cities, but died or were killed by some unseen force. Their presence suggests a deeper layer of history tied to the shadowy fall of Nokstella. Like the city itself, the Giants embody a forgotten past still waiting to be unearthed.
Scadutree Avatar And Miquella's Great Rune
A Strange Place For Something So Important
The Shadow of the Erdtree expansion introduced a whole new set of unanswered questions, and among them lies the Scadutree Avatars. Twisted echoes of the Erdtree Avatars, these beings suggest that shadow has its own order, one not entirely aligned with the Golden Order. However, what makes the creatures more interesting is their connection to the wider lore.
New Elden Ring Mods To Enjoy In 2025
If players want to dive back into the Lands Between, then they may want to consider the following mods for their next Elden Ring playthrough.
Tied to their mystery is Miquella’s Great Rune, alluded to as uniquely potent but never directly explained. It is unclear whether the Avatars had some purpose with the rune, or whether they played some other role. Whatever the case, the answers remain deliberately obscured, deepening Miquella’s and the boss's mystique.
The God-Devouring Serpent
The Consumer Of Deities
Deep within Mt. Gelmir lies the God-Devouring Serpent, a grotesque creature intertwined with Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy. This fusion raises chilling questions regarding whether Rykard willingly sacrificed himself to gain its power, or if the Serpent holds much greater power to consume even more Gods.
The monster’s ability to devour gods suggests origins that predate the Erdtree itself, but its history is never revealed. It remains a terrifying symbol of hunger without limit, a rebellion against divine order taken to its most grotesque extreme.
The Soulless King
More Than Just A Background NPC
Ensha of the Royal Remains begins as a silent attendant beside Gideon Ofnir before turning against the Tarnished. His armor reveals another character, known as "the soulless king." Yet the game never explains who he ruled or why he lost his soul, or whether Ensha himself was a king.
The minimal clues about Ensha’s past have left players debating whether his role ties into undeath, cut content, or a forgotten order. His sudden betrayal adds weight to his obscurity, transforming him from a minor character into an enduring mystery that has kept players scratching their heads ever since the game released.
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
