Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree Expansion Sparks Fierce Debate on Messmer The Impaler's Origins

In the countdown to Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, a divisive debate has erupted within the gaming community. The spotlight is on Messmer The Impaler, the mysterious antagonist featured in the expansion's trailer. Is Messmer a carefully crafted character teased from the beginning, or is he an utterly fresh addition exclusive to the DLC? The iconic image of the boss, draped in red robes with serpents emerging, has fueled speculation about his origins, with some drawing parallels to a Satan-like figure. Director Hidetaka Miyazaki's revelation that the expansion draws from George R.R. Martin's lore adds another layer to the mystery, leaving players torn between two camps.

Impaler's Catacombs and Familial Ties

Elden Ring enthusiasts have delved into the existing game, uncovering potential clues to Messmer's backstory. The Impaler's Catacombs in the base game have become a focal point, with theories suggesting it might have been Messmer's lair or resting place. Theorists on Reddit have gone further, proposing a familial connection between Messmer and existing characters like Malenia and Miquella based on in-game imagery. As the expansion's release looms, players are piecing together fragments of information to speculate on Messmer's past, creating a web of intricate connections.

Land of Shadows: Messmer's Exile or Abandonment

The central stage for Shadow of the Erdtree, the Land of Shadows, has become a battleground for theories about Messmer. Some players hypothesize that Messmer, characterized by his distinctive red hair, might have been abandoned by his mother, Marika, who hailed from the Land of Shadows. Others speculate that Messmer's presence in the expansion area results from exile following transgressions against the Erdtree. With the expansion promising to be FromSoftware's most extensive offering to date, players eagerly await the release on June 21, anticipating answers to the Messmer mystery while bracing for the likelihood that new questions will emerge in the wake of the expansive DLC.