Radagon, King Consort

LOG · Elden Ring · Tome I · Radagon, King Consort

◈ CHARACTER

Second Elden Lord · Alter Ego of Marika

"O Radagon, leal hound of the Golden Order. Thou'rt yet to become me. Thou'rt yet to become a god. Let us be shattered, both. Mine other self."
Cinematic, Marika to Radagon, before Elden Beast

Radagon is the male alter ego of Marika, an ontological truth revealed late by the inscription "Radagon is Marika" at Raya Lucaria. He was first presented as a red-haired warrior leading a golden army against the Carians in the Liurnian Wars. Having defeated Rennala, he made penance by bathing in celestial dew, pledged his love to Rennala, and married her, an accord that ended the war and united the House of the Erdtree and the House of the Moon. This union produced three children: Radahn, Rykard, and Ranni.

When Godfrey was exiled (Marika's act, by extension his own), Radagon abandoned Rennala to return to Leyndell and become Marika's second consort, marrying, in essence, his own other half. The betrayal of Rennala haunts numerous item descriptions: the Church of Vows (site of their wedding), the Amber Starlight, the Carian Filigreed Crest all carry traces of that rupture. After the Shattering, archival evidence reported by Rogier shows Radagon striking the shattered Elden Ring with a golden hammer in a desperate attempt to reforge it, trying to repair what Marika/himself had broken. The mystery of the Raya Lucaria statue: the sculptor summoned to render his likeness "saw something in his wardrobe" he should not have seen, the statue has hidden his secret ever since. Radagon's Scarseal and Soreseal embody his duality of strength and vulnerability: amplifying attributes at the cost of increased damage taken, like his divided divine nature creates both power and fragility.

◆ Sources

NPC Dialogue

Dung Eater (Dialogue)

But Rennala herself is no demigod. She is merely the recipient of an amber egg, given to her by Radagon, Her beloved, Radagon, left her to become Queen Marika's second husband, taking the title of King Consort. The Great Rune dwells within the amber egg that was Radagon's gift to her. There are four more demigods yet to be located. Miquella of the Haligtree, the Unalloyed. Lunar Princess Ranni. One of the children born to King Consort Radagon and his first wife, Renalla. Demigod and sister to General Radahn and Praetor Rykard. Her's was the name I discovered in the imprint.

NPC DialogueRecusant Bernahl (Dialogue)

It is here, at the Church of Vows, that the great houses of the Erdtree and the Moon were joined. By the matrimonial bond between red-haired Radagon and Rennala of the Full Moon. And so, our church holds in view the monuments of both houses. The Erdtree of the Capital, and the Academy of Raya Lucaria. Concerning the miracle of this Church of Vows. Radagon once cleansed himself with celestial dew, repented his territorial aggressions, and swore his love to Rennala. The Order of the Erdtree and the fate of the moon were conjoined, and all the wounds of war forgiven. This miracle blesses the church to this day. And so, you need only follow Radagon's example, to restore any bond, however strained or severed, to its rightful state of harmony. My faith does not waver. The miracle rooted in these grounds will, once again, mend the world. Never to break a bond again. You wish to know more of Lord Radagon? Lord Radagon was a great champion, possessed of flowing red locks. He came to these lands at the head of a great golden host, when he met Lady Rennala in battle. He soon repented his territorial aggressions though, and became husband to the Carian Queen. However. When Godfrey, first Elden Lord, was hounded from the Lands Between, Radagon left Rennala to return to the Erdtree Capital, becoming Queen Marika's second husband and King Consort. Taking the title...of second Elden Lord. The mystery endures, to this day... As to why Lord Radagon would cast Lady Rennala aside... And moreover...why a mere champion would be chosen for the seat of Elden Lord... You know, it's said that Lord Radagon harboured a secret... A famed sculptor of the Erdtree Capital was once summoned to render Lord Radagon's likeness in giant stature. When he glimpsed the skeleton in Radagon's closet. And as such, it's said the great statue harbours his secret too. You wish to know more of Lady Rennala? The great and beautiful Full Moon Witch. Sadly, her heart was broken when Lord Radagon left her. And then, when the academy rebelled against the royals, she was locked away in the grand library. In the end, Lady Rennala was left alone, cradling the amber egg Lord Radagon bequeathed her. Now she devotes herself to it through forbidden rite; the grim art of reincarnation. You would do well to remember...

NPC Dialogue

Millicent (Dialogue)

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.

NPC Dialogue

Sage Gowry (Dialogue)

I must be the one to record them! What matters this issue of Radagon, really? The Erdtree, heart of the Golden Order, lies before our very eyes! Why must these qualms come to you now? However... The name of Marika's second husband, King Consort Radagon, also appeared... Who exactly was Radagon? The master is stumped. His finger has remained still, ever since Radagon's name was discovered. Curse my mediocre mind. The master only has me, and here I fail him... A glimpse into the heart of the Golden Order, documented by yours truly. To think, that Radagon was Marika herself. Or at least, such is all I can interpret from the rhythm and calculus of his finger. How would such a thing even have been possible, I wonder. It is my sole and unwavering purpose. But oh, how important could it really be?

Key Item

Golden Order Principia

A dense and complex academic treatise that contains the Order's fundamental principles. Can be given to a learned cleric to gain access to the following incantations: - Radagon's Rings of Light - Law of Regression

Talisman

Radagon's Scarseal

An eye engraved with an Elden Rune. Said to be the seal of King Consort Radagon. Raises vigor, endurance, strength, and dexterity, but also increases damage taken. These seals represent the lifelong duty of those chosen by the gods.

Talisman

Radagon's Soreseal

This legendary talisman is an eye engraved with an Elden Rune, said to be the seal of King Consort Radagon. Greatly raises vigor, endurance, strength, and dexterity, but also increases damage taken by a similar measure. Solemn duty weighs upon the one beholden; not unlike a gnawing curse from which there is no deliverance.

Talisman

Ritual Sword Talisman

Raises attack power when HP is at maximum. The practice had died out by the age of King Consort Radagon, but remains of the arenas where ritual combat took place can still be found in every land.

Radagon, King Consort

◆ Read next