Summary
A trailer forElden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC has finally dropped, and fans are already busy analyzing it. With the expansion launching on June 22, 2025, they will have plenty of time to do so, and the trailer is thankfully packed with details to uncover. Shadow of the Erdtree will add a sizable new region toElden Ring’s open world, as well as plenty of new characters, enemies, gear, and more, all of which were shown off in the trailer. It’s an exciting occasion, andElden Ring’s massive player base can’t wait to see more.
Much speculation is already occurring about the identity of Messmer the Impaler, a prominent new character featured in Shadow of the Erdtree’s marketing. He appears to be the latest addition toElden Ring’s demigod family tree, though fans aren’t sure where to place him yet. Miquella also appeared in the trailer, apparently journeying to a location known as the Land of Shadow without his body. Light will be shed on these mysteries in time, but one other character may imply lore revelations for someone in need of them.
Shadow of the Erdtree’s Lions Line Up With One Major Elden Ring Figure
Plenty of new elements were shown throughout Shadow of the Erdtree’s reveal trailer, but one was given a suspicious spotlight. A boss fight, preceded by a cutscene, is fought against a lion-headed being walking on multiple sets of human legs, with Omen horns and skin coloration on its human parts. It appears based on a Chinese lion dance costume where two people dress as the halves of a lion, complete with a large frontal mask. However, the lion imagery, parallel shots in their cutscenes, and several other aspects subtly suggesta connection to the first Elden Lord, Godfrey.
Godfrey’s Relationship With Elden Ring’s Lions Explained
ProminentElden Ringartwork depicting Godfrey places equal focus on the lion-like Beast Regent Serosh. Little is known about Serosh himself, but his importance to Godfrey can be gleaned from the Beastclaw Greathammer’s description:
The black nails protruding from golden fur are said to represent Serosh, Lord of Beasts, who went to become King Godfrey’s Regent.
In-game, Godfrey only uses Serosh as a restraint before killing him to assume his old identity as Hoarah Loux, and only a couple other items mention the beast. Regardless, theonly other prominent lions inElden Ringare the lore-deprived Lion Guardians, so the lion boss in Shadow of the Erdtree doesn’t have much else to pull on.
Who Or What Shadow of the Erdtree’s Lions Could Be
Going off of the theory that Shadow of the Erdree’s new boss is based on a lion dance costume, it may use the guise of a Lion Guardian to hide multiple Omens.Messmer’s role inElden Ringmay be up in the air, but a powerful Omen duo reflects Godfrey’s children, Morgott and Mohg, who were born as Omens and cast aside. These newcomers probably revere the Golden Order like Morgott, as they use a lightning spear Incantation and are hiding their cursed bodies while proudly displaying the symbol of their father and serving his former kingdom.
There Might Be A Lot More Demigod Children Hiding In Shadow of the Erdtree
Early marketing describes the Land of Shadow as the first step in Queen Marika’s ancient conquest. It’s possible that the Land of Shadow was conquered andoccupied by Marika’s forces long beforeElden Ring, so players may be looking at her demigod offspring that were left to guard it. Godfrey could have had more children with Marika, and, aside from Godwyn the Golden, the rest were also Omens that got shipped to the wartorn Land of Shadow and scrubbed from history. All of this is currently speculation, butElden Ringshould provide some answers once Shadow of the Erdtree is out.
