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FromSoftware’s magnum opus,Elden Ring, has left us all praising the Erdtree and questioning our sanity in equal measure. But while most of us were busy getting our behinds handed to us by Malenia for the umpteenth time, some intrepid souls dared to look beyond the veil of endless deaths and actually question the narrative.
And boy, did they find some doozies. From identity crises of cosmic proportions to entire realms seemingly forgotten by the game’s own lore keepers,Elden Ring’s plot holes are as numerous as the “YOU DIED” screens we’ve all come to know and love.
So grab your Mimic Tear (nerf be damned) and join us as we explore three head-scratchers that even the most dedicated lore hunters are still puzzling over. Miyazaki, we demand answers!
[#1] The enigma of Melina’s true identity
Melina, our faithful companion and impromptu Finger Maiden, remains one ofElden Ring‘s most intriguing mysteries. From the moment she offers us an accord, players have been theorizing about her true nature and origins with fervor.
Is she the Gloam-Eyed Queen? Marika’s long-lost daughter? Ranni’s alter ego? Or perhaps she’s just an elaborate prank by Miyazaki to keep us guessing for eternity. The theories are as wild and varied as the creatures inhabiting Caelid.
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What we do know is painfully little. She claims to be born at the foot of the Erdtree, yet has no physical form. She’s got a suspiciously closed eye that, when opened, reveals a rather ominous purple hue. And let’s not forget her penchant for self-immolation at the Forge of the Giants.
Even after the release ofShadow of the Erdtree, Melina’s true nature remains as elusive as ever. The DLC teased us with more cryptic dialogue and vague allusions, but in true FromSoftware fashion, it raised more questions than it answered. At this point, it might be easier to decipher the meaning of life than to unravel the enigma that is Melina.
[#2] The curious case of the missing Finger Maidens
In a world where every Tarnished is supposed to have a Finger Maiden, their absence ismore conspicuous than Godrick’s grafted limbs. Our own lack of a Maiden is presented as noteworthy, yet as we journey through the Lands Between, we quickly realize we’re not alone in our Maiden-less state.
Throughout the entire game, we encounter a grand total of four Finger Maidens: two dead ones (including our own), one who became a puppet (poor Dolores), and one who decided to switch teams and work for the Three Fingers instead. It’s as if the Finger Maidens decided to go on strike just as the Tarnished were called back to the Lands Between.
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This scarcity raises some perplexing questions. Where are the Maidens for all the other Tarnished we meet? Did Vyke and Bernahl hoard them all for themselves? Or didMiyazakisimply forget to include them, like we often forget to level Vigor?
The absence of Finger Maidens not only creates a narrative inconsistency but also leaves us wondering about their true role in the grand scheme of things. Are they truly essential guides for the Tarnished, or just an elaborate excuse for why we can level up at Sites of Grace?
[#3] The Land of Shadow: The parallel world nobody talks about
Shadow of the Erdtreeintroduced us to the Land of Shadow, a vast parallel world that somehow went unmentioned throughout the entire base game. This omission is about as subtle as Radahn’s meteor landing.
What’s truly baffling is how characters like Gideon Ofnir, the self-proclaimed “All-Knowing,” seem to have missed the memo about an entire realm existing alongside the Lands Between. You’d think someone who prides himself on knowing everything would have at least a footnote about a parallel world in his extensive libraries.
Even more perplexing is Melina’s silence on the matter. We literally slay her brother in the DLC, and upon our return, she greets us with all the concern of someone asking about the weather. It’s as if the Land of Shadow exists in a narrative bubble, completely disconnected from the main game’s lore.
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This disconnect raises some serious questions about the nature of reality in the world ofElden Ring. Is the Land of Shadow truly a separate realm, or is it a manifestation of some deeper, metaphysical aspect of the Lands Between? And if it’s the former, how did an entire world manage to slip under the radar of even the most knowledgeable characters in the game?
In the end, perhaps these plot holes are intentional—a meta-commentary on the futility of seeking absolute truth in a world as complex as the Lands Between. Or maybe Miyazaki is just sitting in his office,cackling at our desperate attemptsto make sense of it all.
What do you think, fellow Tarnished? Are these plot holes driving you to seek the Frenzied Flame, or do you revel in the ambiguity? Share your theories and headcanons in the comments below!
Soumyajit Mukherjee
Gaming Writer
Articles Published :966
Soumyajit Mukherjee is a Gaming Writer at FandomWire, known for his deep dives into tactical shooters and co-op games. Since joining in June 2024, he’s focused on breakout multiplayer titles like Helldivers 2 and Marvel Rivals, bringing sharp analysis and veteran instincts to every story. His gaming journey began at a local café with the OG Modern Warfare 2, and from that very first frag, he’s been chasing the rush ever since.A former competitive Rainbow Six Siege team captain, Soumyajit has played and written about everything from CS:GO, Valorant, Overwatch, and Apex Legends to Rocket League, Call of Duty, and Battlefield. He’s proudly PC-first and has been since said LAN days… but with GTA 6 looming on the horizon, a long-overdue PS5 might finally sneak onto his setup.
