After the Tarnished slays Maliketh and Destined Death is unbound, a comet-like star of black flame falls upon the Erdtree and sets it alight. Leyndell, beneath the canopy, is buried in ash. When the Tarnished returns to the Royal Capital they find it transformed: the streets are knee-deep in cinder, the gold of the marble has gone grey, and the body of the burning Erdtree spreads downward into the city like a black root, replacing the streets and the spires it once gilded.

The Ashen Capital is haunted by the demigod-form of Sir Gideon Ofnir, who in the original timeline never reached this place; by Hoarah Loux, who waits at the foot of the burnt Erdtree for one final wrestling match; and by the ghosts of every Leyndell knight who fell defending Morgott. To pass through the ash and climb the smouldering Erdtree's roots is to step beyond the Lands Between and into the body of the Elden Ring itself, where the Elden Beast and the figure of Radagon-Marika wait for the Tarnished's choice.

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Boss LoreRemembrance of Hoarah Loux

Remembrance of the warrior Hoarah Loux, hewn into the Erdtree. When Godfrey, first Elden Lord was robbed of his grace, becoming Tarnished, he took with him his kinfolk and left the Lands Between. After the Long March of the Tarnished came to an end, Godfrey divested himself of kingship, becoming Hoarah Loux once more.

WeaponCrucible Axe Helm

Helm of the Crucible Knights who served Godfrey, the first Elden Lord. The axe ornamentation is the knight Ordovis's mark, displayed also by his men. Holds the power of the crucible of life, the primordial form of the Erdtree. Strengthens Aspects of the Crucible incantations.