Faye

Miquella is a manifestation of the childish question: "why can't we all just get along?"

His power to "charm" others is an answer to that question, and what makes it so frightening is that everyone IS happier when under the charm's effects; they arguably become much kinder versions of themselves, but that forced compassion is its own form of tyranny. You can't make people get along without removing their autonomy.

Miquella likely recognized this once, as with one notable exception there's no record of him ever forcing his will upon others within the Lands Between. It was only after trying and failing to save Malenia, Godwyn, and the Lands Between itself that his desperation to have ANY impact on things made him forsake his morals and take control of Mohg's mind.

Miquella came to believe his curse of eternal nascence was responsible for his impotence. He told himself if he could just break free of his youth, he'd finally be able to help everyone like he always wanted. What he didn't realize was that adulthood comes at the price of childhood innocence, and by forcing himself to grow up, he was leaving behind everything that once defined him. The curse was a part of who he was, and to hate it was to hate himself.

We never truly meet Miquella in-game, because Miquella lies in pieces scattered across the Realm of Shadow. Instead we find something that claims to be him, even as it stands in opposition to everything he believed in.

This DLC was what finally got me into Elden Ring. Can't even fathom to describe the artistic impact this game had on me, one of my biggest inspirations so far. Here are some selected artworks on the occasion!

prints ✦ more art on patreon

What if Pokemon & Animal crossing had a crossover game?!