MoviesNewsTalk
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree brought new lore to the base game and some big questions with it, including why Messmer the Impaler was left in the Land of Shadow. Messmer, the son of Queen Marika the Eternal, was sent to the Land of Shadow to help in her fight against the Hornsent, the former rulers of the region.
However, why Messmer was unable to leave isn't so clear. While Shadow of the Erdtree doesn’t provide a definitive answer, it hints at a few possible explanations. One theory suggests that Marika may have left Messmer behind due to some tension between them. Another theory is that Messmer, being a loyal son, stayed in the Land of Shadow out of devotion to his mother.
One possibility is that Marika viewed Messmer as a potential threat to the Erdtree. Here’s why:
Perhaps there’s a simpler explanation for Messmer’s isolation. He was assisting Marika in eliminating the Hornsent, and since some Hornsent remnants remained in the Land of Shadow, Messmer could have been left behind to ensure their complete annihilation. After all, the Hornsent were responsible for torturing people from Marika’s Shaman Village. This would also explain why Messmer remained loyal to his mother despite being abandoned.
Like much of FromSoftware’s game lore, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree doesn't offer a clear answer. Players are encouraged to explore the game's lore through cutscenes, item descriptions, and their own interpretations. This sense of mystery makes characters like Messmer stick with players long after they’ve finished the game, leaving them with unanswered questions about their past.