Summary
Miquella is one of the most mysterious characters inElden Ring’s base game. For much of the game, we hear a lot about him, but he doesn’t appear in person. Then, once he finally shows up, it seems as though he’s already been killed by… whatever it is Mohg was doing to his body.
But many fans suspected there was more to his story, and the announcement of theShadow of the Erdtree DLC(in which he features heavily) confirmed as much. Let’s dig through the base game for the most compelling details we can find about this enigmatic Empyrean.
Location
Locked behind an Imp Statue seal in Caelid’s Forsaken Ruins
The Sleep-focused St. Trina might be as enigmatic a character as Miquella, which might be because they are actually the same person. The description for theSword of St. Trinadoesn’t provide any concrete evidence that Miquella and his even more mysterious aspect are one and the same, but there are some hints.
First is that people don’t know if St. Trina is a boy or a girl, which fits with Miquella’s permanent youth. Perhaps just as importantly, St. Trina has apparently disappeared mysteriously, just like Miquella did when Mohg kidnapped him.
Drops from certain enemies in the Haligtree
These armor sets both belong to warriors sworn to Miquella’s Haligtree, and their chest pieces reveal that Miquella was watering the Haligtree with his own blood in an attempt to grow it. That’s presumably why he was interred within the tree itself when Mohg arrived.
However, these armor pieces also confirm that the demigod’s efforts were unsuccessful. Whether that is because Mohg stole him from the Haligtree before the process could be completed, or if the plan was already doomed before then, we don’t yet know.
Obtained after finishing Millicent’s questline
Miquella’s Needlewas created by the demigod from unalloyed gold in order to stave off the influence of the Outer Gods. You can use it to reject the flame of frenzy after meeting the Three Fingers, but Miquella was presumably trying to free his sister from the Outer God of rot.
Unfortunately, it didn’t quite work, which is why Malenia remains afflicted. It’s also why you need to travel to Farum Azula to use it properly, although the reason behind why that makes a difference isn’t totally clear.
8Golden Epitaph
Locked behind an Imp Statue Seal in the Azuria Hero’s Grave
The item description forGolden Epitaphsays it was created to commemorate Godwyn’s death, and that its inscription is the prayer of a young boy who wants his brother to die a true death. The most obvious candidate to be that boy is Godwyn’s brother and the subject of this list, the ever-youthful Miquella.
If the description alone isn’t enough proof, the fact that using Golden Eiptaph’s weapon skill shows the symbol of the Haligtree should do it. Combined with the lore of Castle Sol, where it seems they are attempting to resurrect Godwyn on Miquella’s behalf, and it becomes clear that Malenia wasn’t the only sibling Miquella was trying to save.
Lord of Blood’s Exultation Location
Drops from Esgar, Priest of Blood in the Leyndell Catacombs
Both of these items are linked more directly to Miquella’s cousin Mohg than to the young Empyrean himself. However, their descriptions go some way towards telling us what exactly Mohg was doing with Miquella’s body.
It seems Mohg’s goal was to raise Miquella to full godhood and become his equivalent of the Elden Lord, in the same way you may be for Marika (or Ranni), by using offerings of blood from his followers. Unfortunately for both Mohg and the Formless Mother he worships, he hasn’t found any success, perhaps because Miquella’s soul had already departed for the Land of Shadow.
Purchased from Brother Corhyn after he finds Goldmask
Radagon’s Rings of Light Location
Purchasable after giving the Golden Order Principia to an Incantation merchant
Triple Rings of Light Location
Near the Prayer Room Site of Grace in Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree
These three Incantations tell an interesting story. Discus of Light and Miquella’s Rings of Light were created by Miquella for his father, Radagon, suggesting both a love for the Elden Lord and a strong interestin Golden Order fundamentalism.
The third, Radagon’s Rings of Light, was given by Radagon to his son in gratitude, presumably for the previous two Incantations. However, the Incantation’s description also details Miquella’s eventual disillusion with Golden Order fundamentalism and why it happened: the ideology was unable to cure Malenia of her rotten curse.
5Sacred Crown Helm
Dropped by certain Haligtree Foot Soldiers in Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree
The description of theSacred Crown Helmprovides great evidence for Miquella’s benevolence. It contains a telling quote: “Who is it that Miquella shall bless if not the low and the meek?”
That explains why beings like the Misbegotten and Haima sorcerers are at the Haligtree, and why theAlbinaurics are so desperate to get there; the Golden Order has rejected them all for one reason or another. Miquella seems to favor those others in his family deem unworthy, providing them a home in his Haligtree.
4Miquella’s Lily And Trina’s Lily
Miquella’s Lily Location
Found in the overworld, and drops from certain enemies in the Haligtree
Trina’s Lily Location
Found in the overworld and drops from certain enemies, notably the Spirit Jellyfish near Apostate Derelict
Earlier on this list, we brought up the fact that there was nothing explicitly tying Miquella and St. Trina together. However, these two lilies are the best evidence we have; one of them, obviously, is associated with Miquella by name; apparently, he was fond of them in his youth.
Trina’s Lily, meanwhile, makes no direct reference to Miquella but is almost identical in appearance, and their descriptions are also extremely similar. It’s also interesting to note that they both drop from some Cleanrot Knights, the sworn warriors of Miquella’s twin sister, Malenia.
Can be crafted once you find Fevor’s Cookbook [3]
For the most part, Miquella seems like a pretty great guy. He cares for his siblings and provides a home for those discarded by the Golden Order, but there are reasons to suspect that he may not be entirely benevolent.
The Bewitching Branch item possesses the ability to turn certain enemies to your side. Its description states that Miquella is well-loved, which we already knew, but also suggests that “he has learned very well how to compel such affection,” leading some to speculate that his true intentions are darker, and more manipulative than they might initially seem.
2Malenia’s Armor
Can be bought from Enia at the Roundtable Hold after defeating Malenia
Malenia’s Armordescription contains a quote from the demigod that tells us some interesting things about her brother: “My brother will keep his promise. He possesses the wisdom, the allure, of a god - he is the most fearsome Empyrean of all.”
This statement suggests several things; first, Malenia believes in her brother unconditionally, that he will keep whatever promise he made to her (perhaps that he will cure her affliction). Second, Malenia, whose strength should be well-known to most players, considered Miquella to be the most powerful Empyrean, though that may have more to do with his mental capacities than any combat prowess.
