Malenia, Blade of Miquella

LOG · Elden Ring · Tome I · Malenia, Blade of Miquella

◈ CHARACTER

Goddess of Rot · The Undefeated

"I dreamt for so long. My flesh was dull gold... and my blood, rotted. Corpse after corpse, left in my wake... As I awaited... his return. Heed my words. I am Malenia. Blade of Miquella. And I have never known defeat."
Battle introduction

"Wait. The scarlet bloom flowers once more. You will witness true horror. Now, rot!"
Phase 2, Goddess of Rot

"Sweet Tarnished... Dearest companion... Did you not heed my warning? Your greed knows no end. You would steal the last drop of warmth from his empty frame? After all you have taken, you still want more? Then you will have to kill me. I am Malenia, Sword of Miquella. And I have never known defeat."
Defending Miquella

Malenia is one of two Empyrean twins born from the union of Marika and Radagon, an absolute singularity, as her parents form a single being. Designated by the Two Fingers as a candidate to succeed Marika as goddess, she was struck from birth by an irreversible affliction: Scarlet Rot flows through her veins. Her left arm was severed at some point and replaced by a golden prosthetic, both armament and symbol. The Remembrance of the Rot Goddess states the cursed symmetry: she and Miquella, twin Empyreans, both suffer from birth-curses, one of eternal childhood, the other of inner rot.

Her army, the Cleanrot Knights, wore pure gold robes in her honor. During the Shattering, she faced Starscourge Radahn at Caelid in the most devastating duel of the war. Cornered into a stalemate, she unleashed the full power of her rot, triggering the Scarlet Aeonia explosion that permanently transformed Caelid into a wasteland of rot. Her aide-de-camp Finlay then carried her unconscious body from the battlefield all the way to the roots of the Haligtree in an epic retreat. She fell into a long sleep there. Her unique combat gift: every strike she lands restores her life via soul-siphoning, even on a shield, even without inflicting damage, even through death animations. In her semi-conscious sleep, she dreamed at length, "her golden flesh and rotted blood." "I am Malenia, Blade of Miquella, and I have never known defeat", her words upon entering combat. Dying: "O, Miquella, my brother most beloved... I have finally found my equal." The Malenia's Great Rune Talisman amplifies rune attacks at the cost of reduced resistance, her philosophy of total war without defense, translated into game mechanic.

◆ Sources

Boss Lore

Remembrance of the Rot Goddess

Remembrance of Malenia, Goddess of Rot, hewn into the Erdtree. The power of its namesake can be unlocked by the Finger Reader. Alternatively, it can be used to gain a great bounty of runes. Miquella and Malenia are both the children of a single god. As such they are both Empyreans, but suffered afflictions from birth. One was cursed with eternal childhood, and the other harbored rot within.

NPC Dialogue

Finger Reader Enia (Dialogue)

I was once an Empyrean. Of the demigods, only I, Miquella, and Malenia could claim that title. Each of us was chosen by our own Two Fingers, as a candidate to succeed Queen Marika, to become the new god of the coming age. But I would not acquiesce to the Two Fingers. Which is when I received Blaidd.

NPC DialogueThe Noble Goldmask (Dialogue)

Why...shatter... I am Malenia. Blade of Miquella. Let your flesh be consumed.

NPC Dialogue

Gatekeeper Gostoc (Dialogue)

Godrick must know. That of all the grudges born of the Shattering, Malenia the Rotted is the object of the most profound. Ahh, my head is throbbing, everything is bright red... Master Radahn, is this how it feels to ferment with vengeance?

NPC Dialogue

Shabriri (Dialogue)

First he hid himself amongst the womenfolk to flee the capital, then hid from Radahn in that castle... Then he insulted Malenia, lost to her in battle, only to lick her boots rather than die like a man. Has he no shame, the big girl's blouse? And to think, he's the blood of Godfrey!

NPC Dialogue

Dung Eater (Dialogue)

Godrick the Grafted, Lord of Stormveil. General Radahn, who fought Malenia and her rot to a standstill in the Caelid Wilds. Praetor Rykard, Lord of the Volcano Manor of Mt. Gelmir. General Radahn, the famed Red Lion and scourge of the stars, is a ferocious warrior. He fought Malenia and her rot to a standstill in the Caelid Wilds to Limgrave's east. And now Caelid has been engulfed by the scarlet rot, even approaching the region is no mean feat. I've heard survivors of Radahn's army are still in the wilds, staving off the rot with fire. Miquella of the Haligtree, the Unalloyed. His twin, Malenia, the undefeated swordswoman. Lunar Princess Ranni, daughter to Rennala. And the one only known as the Lord of Blood. And by my reckoning Radahn remains there, even now. Though I doubt he much resembles his former self anymore... Ahh, so the secret medallions led you to the land of the Haligtree? I'd expect to find Malenia there. She who fought Radahn to a standstill. Well, if the scarlet rot hasn't eaten her away completely.

NPC DialogueReeling Rico (Dialogue)

Though rather vexingly, I realise that if I still had my sword arm, I could have aided you in battle. Now, I'm tracing the path Malenia took, after unleashing the power of the scarlet rot, during her battle with General Radahn, in the Caelid Wilds. I should like to meet her, this vanished woman. I think she's in the north. Perhaps, then, I can aid you in battle. Now, I'm tracing the path Malenia took. She's passed into to the lands that lie beyond the Erdtree. Ah, we meet yet again.

NPC Dialogue

Millicent (Dialogue)

I heard the master of the fort was given a medallion that allowed him to visit the Haligtree. Indeed, I believe that is where Malenia will be found. The Haligtree is hidden somewhere in these Northern lands. I'm searching for a fort to the west of the ruins. In which case, allow me to explain myself. I am of Malenia's blood. But in what capacity I know not. I could be sister, daughter, or an offshoot… Whatever the case though, I am certain of a kinship between us. There is something I must return to Malenia. The will that was once her own. The dignity, the sense of self, that allowed her to resist the call of the scarlet rot. The pride she abandoned, to meet Radahn's measure. Do you have an interest in rot incantations? Then you might like to learn something of the history... of Malenia, goddess of scarlet rot. Queen Marika and her King Consort Radagon were blessed with twin demigods, and Malenia was one of them. She was born an Empyrean, carrying the scarlet rot. An Empyrean...is no mere demigod. A new god to forge a new Order. Since Malenia fought Radahn, and the great scarlet flower blossomed in Aeonia, I have dedicated myself to her. And to the resplendence of the Order of Rot. The cycle of decay and rebirth. Nurtured by betrayal, her bud will flower most vividly. When Malenia ascends to godhood, Millicent too shall be reborn. As a scarlet valkyrie. Thus, I have a request of the utmost import. Which will flower most vividly, should she be plucked by you. Malenia will be a goddess. And once she is, Millicent will flower anew, as a scarlet valkyrie. You can't tell me you don't wish to see it.

NPC Dialogue

Sage Gowry (Dialogue)

Millicent ❞... Malenia... Do you detest us, so utterly? Have you taken the lesson, now?

NPC DialogueScribe Corhyn (Dialogue)

The very first flower of Aeonia bloomed on this very spot. Malenia, may you blossom into a goddess. ... Convene the festival of war. Honor General Radahn, with a warrior's glory.

Key Item

Malenia's Great Rune

The Great Rune of the shardbearer Malenia, devoid of any benediction. Seek the Isolated Divine Tower, which stands beyond the lost great bridge.

Talisman

Winged Sword Insignia

A talisman depicting a raised prosthetic blade. An honor bestowed upon the knights who fought alongside Malenia the Severed. Raises attack power with successive attacks. The wings symbolize Malenia and her undefeated prowess. Though she never knew relief from the accursed rot she was born into, her blade was forever beautiful—and relentless.

Malenia, Blade of Miquella

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