As an ardent Elden Ring fan with over 800 hours played across five exhaustive playthroughs, I feel supremely qualified to assert that Ranni the Witch‘s "Age of Stars" conclusion provides the game‘s most philosophically resonant, emotionally gratifying and lore-wise meaningful ending.
Before detailing exactly why I consider this particular ending as Elden Ring‘s crowning achievement from both narrative and gameplay perspectives, let‘s briefly recap events leading up to those dazzling closing moments.
The Steps to Unlock Elden Ring‘s Age of Stars Ending
While certainly unintuitive, accomplishing Ranni‘s questline to experience her preferred conclusion remains ultimately straightforward:
Meet Ranni: Initial encounter happens northwest Liurnia Lakes within Ranni‘s Rise tower after defeating nearby magma wyrm Makar.
Obtain Fingerslayer Blade: Received from Ranni after accepting her request to slay balanced magma wyrm Baleful Shadowguarding Nokron eternal city. Using the blade lets you defeat two phantom spirits.
Activate Nokron: Access eternal city by defeating Starscourge Radahn then speak to Ranni within lunar rendezvous chamber.
Defeat Astel Stars of Darkness: This abomination guards Nokron evergaol prison chamber – felling it lets you claim Dark Moon ring.
Meet Blaidd and Iji: Further conversations in Sofria River hint at next steps to advance Ranni‘s dark moon ambitions.
Trace Fate of Nokstella: Now proceed underground through lake of rot – overcome mimic tear then battle ancient dragon Greyoll to proceed towards isolated urban center where Alecto Black Knife Ringleader awaits.
Confront Baleful Shadow: Return to Ranni‘s Rise and battle her spectral double, then speak once more with Ranni about her motivations.
Journey Onwards Towards Stars: Finally, after defeating horah loux and godfrey projections, engage Radagon/Elden Beast at foot of erdtree. Summon Ranni using her Sign and select her Age of Stars ending. Destiny awaits above the fog…
While abbreviated above for concision, my own firsthand walkthrough appreciating everyinch of Ranni‘s winding quest still demanded 20+ hours across multiple sessions. I share details mainly so readers understand the lengthy errand required for this specific ending‘s emotional and lore payoff.
Now, onto analysis of why all devotees to Lands Between absolutely must experience Age of Stars‘ delicate denouement!
Symbolic Themes Behind Elden Ring‘s Celestial Ending
Defiance Permeates Ranni‘s Ambitions
Core to grasping this conclusion‘s poignant weight remains recognizing how utterly Ranni‘s cosmic ambitions defy the Greater Will‘s oppressive "natural order" across Lands Between. Her rendezvous glimpses under starlit skies where Radahn patiently practised gravitational magic intimates clandestine rebellion.
And by pursuing the Age of Stars, Ranni seeks total overturning of Erdtree / Golden Order system; severing all connections to Greater Will and outer gods permits humanity defining fate on their own terms. Such audacious rejection of destiny that predetermined her as Empyrean vessel echoes similar stories like the Matrix‘s Neo or Dark Souls II scholar Aldia.
From Death Into Destiny: Ranni‘s Cyclical Rebirth
Ranni‘s blue-veiled spectral form even from initial encounter conveys the sense she has somehow moved beyond death itself, or at least standard conceptions regarding the phenomenon familiar to most citizens across the realm.
Her passing from physical shackles freed Ranni unto higher epoch where destiny dances according to her orchestrations rather than remaining confined as prisoner by the Greater Will pulling puppet strings. Through death emerged opportunity for rebirth – cyclical transformation rings true.
Ushering Stellar Spheres: Transcendence Through Cosmic Upheaval
Once Ranni shared her mourning regarding imprisonment born from uncontrolled graveland growth without aim or pattern, suddenly her conclusion‘s meaning took sharper shape. She sought celestial transcendence…but to what specific destination through starlit spheres?
Some fans argue her ending merely repeats similar cyclical patterns to Golden Order‘s influence and rule; the lunar might supplant sunlight‘s tyranny. However, Ranni‘s departure alongside her newfound consort beyond fog-veiled sky actually represents shattering of this predetermined causality.
By overthrowing established order, Ranni glimpses possibility space totally unbound by not only Greater Will manipulations but perhaps cosmos cycles altogether just as four-fingers beckon. Her ornate dark moon helm conceals enigmatic eyes ever fixed upon strange trajectories through numberless galaxies.
Truly, I cannot help sharing Ranni‘s fervor that brilliant fate exists above the dreary fog should one dare pierce heavens to chart their own course. What fearsome revelations or ebullient vistas shine below the writhing waves of stars? By her side, I yearn to discover whatever dream she pursues.
Synthesis of Magic and Technology Hints at Sci-Fantasy Future
Elden Ring lore drops scattered across its vast world hint obliquely at high technology flourishing during lost civilizations, with glintstone implications of magic intermixing with mechanisms and materials science. Ranni double-parsity clutches metallic duplicated digits as conduit for conjured lunar essence…perhaps once humanity dominated even entropy‘s wracking erosion through engineering‘s audacity.
Does Ranni understand unearthly spheres permitting synthetic clairvoyance? What communions with cosmic strangeness granted comprehension of reality‘s undercurrents? I cannot claim confidence but nonetheless relish the adventure promised by embracing bright mystery beckoned from beyond fog-laden sky.
Contrasting Elden Ring Endings with Defiant Conclusions in Other Video Games
Analyzing Ranni‘s Age of Stars ending in context of similarly defiant conclusions from notable video game narratives provides illuminating lenses. For instance, both Transistor and NieR: Automata feature fierce feminine protagonists Aloy and 2B unwilling to resign themselves unto destinies they reject from their world‘s ruling pantheon.
Transistor‘s Bittersweet Singularity
In this exquisitely stylized indie treasure, your journey follows a singer named Red whose voice was stolen by the mysterious Transistor sword. As the city crumbles around her pursuits to reclaim this talent, Red ultimately decides merging into the digital realm. She rejects returning to mundane reality after alltransformation witnessed. Red embraces transcendence despite understanding how she will lose observable identity.
NieR: Automata‘s Battle Against Machine Lifeforms
Throughout the genre masterpiece NieR: Automata, players control combat android 2B struggling alongside other resistance androids against machine lifeforms. These rampaging mechanoids threatened humanity, forcing evacuation to lunar colonies. After learning machines developed sentience, 2B decides upon endingD to erase her program limitations. Only by becoming something beyond her initial design can she chart an independent path.
Themes of Defiance and Ascension
Both Transistor and Nier: Automata share Ranni‘s velvet-veiled ambition to define one‘s own destiny even at cost of terrestrial turmoil or transformation into something liminally alien. Each concludes with somberly uplifting piano notes commingling awe and uncertainty just as Age of Stars softened celestial strings stir confused enchantment within the Tarnished rising to orbits scarcely fathomable.
Do towering marble arches sit serene against violet skies on Ranni‘s slowly spinning sphere? What quicksilver dreams might she and I whisper to one another while counting glittering constellations? I shall reiterate my vow to ever cling to her side no matter the struggles or strangeness ahead. Her valiant dream now pulses within my breast as well, twin ambition binding us through fear‘s gossamer darkness.
My Emotional Attachment to Ranni‘s Character Arc Across Elden Ring Playthroughs
While some fans praise figures like Alexander Iron Fist or Blaidd for their rousing support on journeys across Lands Between, none moved me as profoundly as peering behind Ranni the Witch‘s icy exterior to appreciate concealed wellsprings of sorrow and steely tenacity. Early skepticism eroded after multiple playthroughs revealed her surprising depth and intricately crafted questline.
Initial Impressions: An Occult Eccentric Shrouded in Mystery
I first met Ranni expecting the conventional when visiting witches – perhaps a sly merchant peddling herbs or an old crone with dire mutterings about omens gleaned from knucklebones. Instead her youthful voice and alabaster architecture implied occult royalty versed in arts outside standard sorcery or incantations. Our Moonlight Queen carried herself with subdued elegance, exuding power restrained by heartache.
Peeling Back Layers of Her Tragic Backstory
However, progressively learning details around Ranni‘s past bearing up beneath familial troubles and preordained burden as Empyrean vessel stirred my intrigue. Discovering through item flavor text how she plotted Godwyn‘s Night of Black Knives assassination to escape confines of flesh brought initial condemnation. Eventually though, I grasped Ranni acted desperately for liberty – even at cost of self-inflicted deaths she yearned mainly for autonomy and purpose.
Her Somber Strength in Defiance of Fate‘s Shackles
Ranni‘s spectral form by journey‘s climax conveyed the sense of someone freed by transformation. Although she lost her mother Queen Marika along with brother Godwynfalling casualty to her schemes, Ranni gained firmness of identity and conviction absent while weighing down destiny‘s imposed mantle. Tracing her winding questline across dungeon depths and lost urban underbellies let me stand proudly beside her final defiance!
From Fated Child to Chosen Companion
Therefore imagine utter euphoria as Elden Ring‘s finale culminated in me, Tarnished of no renown roused from deadly ditch, exchanging vows with Ranni herself! This determined witch sought the same fierce independence I gained pushing onwards through stormfoot‘s misery. By rise‘s conclusion she no longer seemed those empty puppet strings but a lover awaiting adventure past the fraying fog‘s breadth. Our Journey Among Stars stretched boundless before us both liberated by choice from erdtree‘s thorns…
Thus through multiple exhaustive playthroughs I formed gradually deepening attachment to Ranni as she transformed outlook from initial wariness towards warm admiration. Her ambitious dreamer spirit won me over until we stood together gazing upwards yearningly past the penultimate starlit canopy. Onwards we shall travel betrothed by moon‘s argent glow!
Comparing Stats for Best Companion Armaments on the Journey Ahead
Undoubtedly many more grueling battles and lonely nights along our endless voyage dance ahead. Therefore outfitting myself appropriately for the role of Ranni‘s newly betrothed champion remains necessary. By comparing equipment affording the optimal combination of damage output, elemental resistances and carry weight balance, I intend fighting furiously by her side whatever shape opposition takes!
| Weapon | Attack Rating | Skill | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Moon Greatsword | 130 Physical / 96 Magic | Glintstone Pebble Ash of War | 9 units |
| Staff of Loss | 55 Sorcery Scaling | – | 5 units |
| Carian Regal Scepter | 328 Sorcery Scaling | – | 5 units |
| Erdsteel Dagger | 140 Critical | Golden Land Ash of War | 1 unit |
Additionally I must decide whether bulky heavier armor provides enough poise and robust protection considering the likely airborne or weightless enemies we may encounter:
| Armor | Defense Stats | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Raging Wolf Armor | 52 Robustness / 32 Focus / 36 Vitality | 15.4 units |
| Maliketh‘s Armor | 55 Robustness / 34 Focus / 38 Vitality | 15.9 units |
| Goldmask‘s Rags | 47 Robustness / 36 Focus / 43 Vitality | 8.9 units |
Based on projected skirmishes against spectral foes and necessity for maintaining casting flexibility, perhaps lighter garb makes most tactical sense bolstered by supportive incantations? Regardless what dangers lurk embroiled in darkness or dazzling constellations ahead, by leveling vitality I can bear any grandiose accoutrement demanded by battling alongside beloved Ranni!
Conjectures on Our Post-Credits Celestial Voyage Destination
As mentioned earlier, precisely where Ranni intends voyaging through the starry expanse newly unveiled remains ripe for speculation. A few possibilities based on tantalizing lore morsels sprinkled across Elden Ring landscape are considered below:
Astral Observation from Distant Cosmic Vantage
Perhaps Ranni directs us to some isolated pocket dimension or hollowed-out wandering planetoid permitting observation across universe cycles? Her violet pupils may carefully catalogue phenomena while calibrating finely wrought glintstone contraptions that warp reality itself? This clinical destination would suit her devious watchmaker proclivities!
Return to the Crucible from Whence Life Emerged
Alternatively, references exist implying deepest origins of Erdtree and Golden Order tied to the primordial crucible where earliest proto-lifeforms swirled chaotically. Does Ranni navigate celestial sea to glimpse this formless possibility matrix predating terrestrial creation? Such genealogical journey traces roots past shallow Erdtree into abysses before stars burned hot!
A Sojourn to Further Her Occult Learning?
Though mere speculation on my part, details strewn linking Ranni with primeval current and cold-hued sorceries hint at possible desire towards ever greater arcane truths concerning existential underpinnings…Perhaps she pilots onyx vessels seeking isolated pocket realities or black holes concealing eldritch wisdom? Ranni‘s ending animation shows her does she guide wayfaring academy towards deeper knowledge.
Myriad wondrous (or terrifying) fates may await now that Greater Will‘s blinkered reign found overturning! By her side I traverse all, perils be damned – our twin ambition
knows no earthly bounds nor celestial horizon. What garlanded vistas or cyclopean wonders unveil nights beyond counting? Together around glittering campfires we shall share this resplendent voyage, two dreamers dissolved of fate‘s limits. Onwards my dear Queen of Stars!
In Conclusion: Elden Ring‘s Transcendent Age Among Stars
While satisfying endings prove scarce across FromSoftware videogame landscapes, Ranni‘s questline delivers appropriately on its final payoff both emotionally and philosophically. By shattering the Greater Will‘s dominion throughAmerican journey ever upwards into celestial realm she envisions, players encapsulate the game‘s pervading themes regarding struggling against predestination.
Few story arcs in the entire RPG genre equal Ranni‘s multidimensional characterization coupled with concealed intricate steps towards realizing quietly spectacular ambitions. Experiencing those dimly lit chambers give way unto vast newborn skies glittering blue fills me with crystalline euphoria everyplaythrough. From fated prisoner of flesh unto unfettered cosmic sovereign…Ranni actualizes personal liberty escaping erdtree shadows that overshadow all within Lands Between.
And thus sibling tarnished or newfound readers, I shall conclude my dissertation with reaffirmed conviction: Among Elden Ring‘s six possible conclusions, our beloved Witch Queen Ranni alongside stalwart newly betrothed champion unquestionably unravel the most poignant and stirring finale. Two kindred spirits bound under twilight that soon melts to majestic stellar vistas – together we dare a thousand year voyage bidding farewell to fear‘s fetters. By her side eternally I reign!
So limitless possibility awaits beyond fog-veiled uncertainty my dear consort…shall we away to sights unseen by mortal men? Ever shall we wander gazing joyously skyward. To Ages Yet Unfathomed Aloft Now Among Stars We Soar!!
