The Elden Ring Family Tree Explained

Elden Ring, the hit action RPG from FromSoftware, features an intricate family tree that’s as twisted as the game’s dark fantasy setting. At the heart of its lore are power struggles, divine ambitions, and tragic fates shaped by the influence of powerful families and deities. This guide unpacks the relationships and conflicts within the major families, their histories, and how they shape the Lands Between.

In Elden Ring, the Greater Will, an unseen Outer God, rules over the Lands Between through the Elden Ring, a powerful artifact that dictates the laws of the world. The Greater Will appointed Marika the Eternal to enforce these laws, setting her at the head of the Lands Between’s hierarchy. After the Elden Ring was broken (known as the Shattering), Marika’s descendants fought for control, splintering their family into factions. This tragic family feud is central to Elden Ring’s lore and sets the stage for the player’s journey.

Queen Marika the Eternal is a central figure whose choices shape the history of the Lands Between. Originally chosen by the Greater Will to wield the Elden Ring and maintain order, Marika ascended to a god-like status. She first took Godfrey as her consort, and they ruled together, establishing a powerful lineage with their children: Morgott, Mohg, and Godwyn. Eventually, Marika dismissed Godfrey, rendering him the first of the Tarnished and signaling the end of their union.

Marika later united with Radagon, a warrior who had been married to Queen Rennala of the Carian family and had three children with her—Ranni, Radahn, and Rykard. Marika and Radagon’s union produced twins, Malenia and Miquella, both designated as potential heirs. However, the complex nature of Marika and Radagon’s shared identity led to afflictions in their offspring, with Malenia cursed with the Scarlet Rot and Miquella eternally a child. Their family, marked by both ambition and tragedy, set the stage for the conflicts and alliances that would ultimately define the world of Elden Ring.

Radagon was initially the husband of Queen Rennala, with whom he had three children: Ranni, Radahn, and Rykard. Later, he left Rennala to become the consort of Queen Marika, with whom he had twins, Malenia and Miquella. Radagon and Marika’s relationship is unique, as they share a single body and identity.

Maliketh, the Black Blade, is Queen Marika’s loyal half-brother and the fierce guardian of Destined Death. Tasked with protecting the Rune of Death to prevent it from being used against the gods, Maliketh plays a crucial role in maintaining the power of the Golden Order. At Marika’s command, he seals away Destined Death after using it to vanquish threats, ensuring that no being in the Lands Between can truly die. Maliketh’s devotion to his duty makes him one of the realm’s most formidable protectors.

Godfrey, the first Elden Lord, was Queen Marika’s first consort and a formidable warrior. With Marika, he fathered three children: Morgott, Mohg, and Godwyn. As Marika’s champion, he helped establish the Golden Order by conquering enemies and solidifying her rule. After fulfilling his purpose, Marika stripped Godfrey of grace and banished him from the Lands Between, making him the first Tarnished. Determined to reclaim his honor and former title, Godfrey wanders as a Tarnished, seeking a way back to the Lands Between and his place in history.

Morgott, known as the Omen King, is the son of Queen Marika and Godfrey. Born with the Omen curse, which marks him as an outcast, he hides his heritage and remains loyal to the Golden Order despite society’s rejection. Morgott rises to power in Leyndell, the Royal Capital, where he fiercely protects the Erdtree and fights off any who threaten it. Though shunned for his curse, Morgott dedicates himself to defending the legacy of his family and the stability of the Golden Order.

Mohg, the Lord of Blood, is the twin brother of Morgott and another son of Queen Marika and Godfrey. Like his brother, Mohg was born with the Omen curse, leading to his exile and confinement. Unlike Morgott, however, Mohg rejects the Golden Order, seeking power in the underground palace of the Mohgwyn Dynasty. There, he establishes a cult centered on blood magic and aspires to elevate his half-brother Miquella to godhood, hoping to build a new order in defiance of his family’s legacy.

Godwyn the Golden is the son of Queen Marika and Godfrey and is celebrated as a hero of the Golden Order. He is one of the few in his family without the Omen curse and is beloved by his people. However, he meets a tragic fate during the Night of Black Knives, when assassins slay him using the stolen Rune of Death. His death has lasting consequences, as it corrupts his body in the catacombs beneath the Lands Between, becoming a dark and twisted presence.

Godrick the Grafted is a distant descendant of Queen Marika, known for his desperation to prove himself within the Golden Lineage. Lacking the strength and skill of his ancestors, Godrick resorts to grotesque methods, grafting the limbs of fallen warriors onto his body to increase his power. He rules as a tyrant over Stormveil Castle, instilling fear among his subjects and visitors. Driven by ambition but lacking honor, Godrick’s gruesome methods and cruelty set him apart as one of the most reviled figures in the Lands Between.

Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, is the powerful leader of the Carian Royal Family and head of the Academy of Raya Lucaria. Known for her mastery of lunar sorcery, Rennala was once married to Radagon, uniting her lineage with the Golden Order. Together, they had three children: Ranni, Radahn, and Rykard. After Radagon left her to become Marika’s consort, Rennala fell into despair, retreating to the academy. There, she immersed herself in sorcery and the memories of her past, shaping her as a tragic and powerful figure.

General Radahn, son of Queen Rennala and Radagon, is one of the mightiest demigods in the Lands Between. Known for his colossal stature and unmatched combat skill, he wields gravitational magic to enhance his power and hold back the stars themselves. Radahn played a pivotal role in the Shattering War, defending his family’s territory and legacy. However, he eventually succumbs to the Scarlet Rot, which drives him into madness, leaving him a shadow of his former self, yet still feared across the realm.

Ranni the Witch, daughter of Queen Rennala and Radagon, is a powerful figure who seeks to escape the control of the Greater Will. Disillusioned with her role within the Golden Order, she orchestrates her own death by discarding her mortal body to pursue a new path. Ranni’s journey centers on independence and freedom from divine rule, and she recruits allies to aid her in reshaping fate itself. Her defiance and quest for autonomy make her a key player in the unfolding events of the Lands Between.

Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy, is the son of Queen Rennala and Radagon who rejects the Golden Order, pursuing power through unorthodox and forbidden means. He allies himself with the monstrous serpent that consumes him, transforming into a terrifying fusion of man and beast. Driven by his ambition to overthrow the gods, Rykard establishes himself in Mt. Gelmir and forms a cult dedicated to rebellion and heretical practices. His thirst for defiance and power makes him one of the most dangerous demigods in the Lands Between.

Malenia, Blade of Miquella, is a renowned and deadly warrior, known for her unmatched skill in combat and her fierce loyalty to her twin brother, Miquella. Cursed with the affliction of Scarlet Rot, Malenia fights to maintain control over her illness, which threatens both her body and mind. She serves as her brother’s protector and is dedicated to helping him establish a new order. Despite her suffering, Malenia’s strength and unwavering resolve have earned her legendary status among the demigods of the Lands Between.

Miquella of the Haligtree, twin brother to Malenia, is a demigod renowned for his kindness and determination to help others. Cursed with eternal youth, he seeks to cure both his sister’s Scarlet Rot and his own inability to grow. To this end, Miquella creates the Haligtree, a sanctuary where those shunned by society can find refuge. Devoted to building a new, compassionate order, Miquella’s legacy endures despite his tragic fate, making him a symbol of hope for the oppressed in the Lands Between.

Melina is a mysterious character in Elden Ring who offers guidance to the Tarnished and serves as a key ally. Though her origins and nature are unclear, some fans speculate a connection to Queen Marika due to Melina’s spiritual qualities and her unique knowledge of the Lands Between. Melina also has an unknown purpose that drives her actions, which hints at a possible tie to the Golden Order and its legacy. However, the game leaves her exact relationship to Marika open to interpretation.

Make a family tree of your own with ease, just like how we’ve made this legendary family tree from Elden Ring, by creating an account and going to your profile to start a new tree.