'Rune discovered by the noble Goldmask. Used to restore the fractured Elden Ring when brandished by the Elden Lord. A rune of transcendental ideology which will attempt to perfect the Golden Order.' Three Mending Runes are obtainable in the canon's late stages, and the Tarnished's choice between them, or refusal of all three, determines the canon's ending. The Mending Rune of Perfect Order, gestated by Goldmask, will mathematically correct the Order's ideology : it does not change what the Erdtree IS, only what it MEANS. The Mending Rune of the Death-Prince, gestated by Fia, will restore Death to the Order so that the dead can finally die again. The Mending Rune of the Fell Curse, gestated by the Dung Eater, will defile every soul born or unborn, ending the cycle by making every birth a curse.

'Loathsome rune gestated by the Dung Eater. Used to restore the fractured Elden Ring when brandished by the Elden Lord. The reviled curse will last eternally, and the world's children, grandchildren, and every generation hence, will be its pustules. If Order is defiled entirely, defilement is defilement no more.' Refusing all three brings the Age of Fracture ending : the Order continues unmended, the Tarnished simply takes the throne. Choosing Ranni's marriage skips the Mending Runes entirely : the Lord of the Frostmoon ending pulls the world out from under the Erdtree's gaze, into the cold and the distance. Choosing the Frenzied Flame ending refuses the question : the Lands Between burns. Each Mending Rune is the canon's offer of a different theology of repair. None is correct. The Tarnished must choose what to be wrong about.

◆ Sources

ItemMending Rune of Perfect Order

Rune discovered by the noble Goldmask. Used to restore the fractured Elden Ring when brandished by the Elden Lord. A rune of transcendental ideology which will attempt to perfect the Golden Order. The current imperfection of the Golden Order, or instability of ideology, can be blamed upon the fickle

ItemMending Rune of the Death-Prince

Rune gestated by Fia, the Deathbed Companion. Used to restore the fractured Elden Ring when brandished by the Elden Lord. Formed of the two hallowbrand half-wheels combined, it will embed the principle of life within Death into Order. The Golden Order was created by confining Destined Death.

ItemMending Rune of the Fell Curse

Loathsome rune gestated by the Dung Eater. Used to restore the fractured Elden Ring when brandished by the Elden Lord. The reviled curse will last eternally, and the world's children, grandchildren, and every generation hence, will be its pustules.