What did Queen Marika want?

What did Queen Marika want?

Queen Marika the Eternal, the main antagonist of the 2022 action-RPG video game Elden Ring, played a crucial role in the game’s storyline. According to the game’s narrative, Queen Marika, who was once the empress of the Lands Between, had a significant event in her life that turned her against the Golden Order. But what exactly did she want?

A Short History of Queen Marika

Before diving into the main topic, let us briefly explore Queen Marika’s background. Queen Marika was the empress of the Lands Between during the time of the Golden Order, a regime established in part due to her meddling with the Elden Ring. She was initially revered as a god-empress, but her disappointment with the Golden Order soon led her to plan against it.

Queen Marika’s Motivations

So, what were Queen Marika’s motives? According to the game’s lore, there were two major factors that drove her to betray the Golden Order. Firstly, it is said that she had grown disillusioned with the Golden Order, which she thought was not as kind and good as she had originally believed. Secondly, it is revealed that she took a new husband, Radagon, after Godfrey, her first husband and the first Elden Lord, became Tarnished and was exiled.

Replacing and/or Reforms the Golden Order

Marika’s primary aim was to replace or reform the Golden Order, which she saw as failing to uphold her vision. This desire for change explains her actions throughout the game, including her attempts to undermine the Golden Order from within and her eventual coup. By doing so, she hoped to establish a new order that would respect her authority and vision for the Lands Between.

Helping Tarnished Heroes

Another key element in Queen Marika’s plans was her willingness to help Tarnished heroes. In exchange for their loyalty and commitment to her cause, Marika offered them the keys to the Elden Ring. This alliance allowed her to spread her influence throughout the Lands Between, weakening the Golden Order and paving the way for her eventual usurpation.

Reactions to Queen Marika’s Actions

Queen Marika’s actions did not go unnoticed. Godfrey, her first husband and the first Elden Lord, was outraged by her betrayal and attempted to return to the Lands Between, but was thwarted. Her son, Radaban, also opposed her new regime, leading to her imprisonment. Additionally, Queen Rennala, whom Marika had married following Godfrey’s exile, eventually turned against her.

Queen Marika’s Power

As shown in the game, Queen Marika possessed a tremendous amount of power, capable of shattering the Elden Ring itself, rendering the laws of the Lands Between meaningless. It is clear that she recognized her own strength and capitalized on it to achieve her goals.

Relationship to Other Characters

Queen Marika’s relationships with other characters in the game highlight her motivations and goals.

• Godfrey, her first husband and the first Elden Lord: Godfrey’s failure as a husband and leader convinced Marika to take radical action against the Golden Order.
• Radagan, her second husband and Radaban’s father: Radagan’s presence complicated Marika’s plans for succession and led to disagreements within the royal family.
• Radaban, her son: Radagan’s opposition to his mother’s regime led to him being imprisoned.
• Rennala, his mother: Rennala’s eventual betrayal of Queen Marika highlights the deep-seated conflicts within the royal family.

The Legacy of Queen Marika

Queen Marika’s legacy is complex and nuanced, reflecting the tumultuous nature of the Lands Between during her reign. By analyzing her motivations, alliances, and actions, it becomes clear that her central goal was to create a new order through any means necessary, despite the devastating consequences this wreaked on the world she once ruled.

In the end, Queen Marika’s story serves as a reminder of the power that ambition and disillusionment can hold, as well as the far-reaching consequences that arise from the actions taken by those who wield this power.