Elden Ring's Age of Stars ending is quite popular, and some fans consider it to be the best of the six different endings in the game.
Elden Ring has six endings, and getting most of them depends on the completion of certain quests. One of the most popular endings is the one called "Age of Stars." What makes it so popular is that it connects to a fan-favorite character in the game, Ranni. To get this ending, players must defeat Rennala, complete Ranni's questline, give her the Dark Moon Ring, and then summon her after defeating the games' final boss.
The Elden Ring endings are short and leave a lot unsaid as to the fate of the Lands Between. Some fans are particularly confused about the Age of Stars ending and what it really means for the Tarnished, Ranni, and the Greater Will. To understand the ending, fans must also understand Ranni's backstory and intentions.
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Ranni's Intentions
The most important aspect of Ranni's intentions players should know is that she does not want the status quo to return. She is an enemy of the Greater Will. She is the daughter of Radagon and Rennala, and appears to be very close to her mother (as proven in by her involvement in Rennala's boss fight). Fans believe Ranni may have begun to hate the Greater Will when it demanded that Radagon return to Marika and leave her mother grief-stricken.
Ranni played a huge role in the death of the demigod, Godwyn, as his death was necessary for the ritual in which Ranni killed her own Empyrean body to have her soul bound to a doll. The reason she killed her own body was to make sure she could not be controlled by the Greater Will. As an Empyrean, she was a possible replacement for Marika and thus had little say in her own destiny. As a doll, she could maintain her free will and defy the Greater Will.
Rather than destroy all ties with Outer Gods, Ranni wishes to replace the Greater Will with a different Outer God, one called the Dark Moon. Like the Greater Will, the Dark Moon has made contact with people. Unlike the Greater Will, though, the Dark Moon does not enforce its will upon others.
What The Age Of Stars Ending Entails
Gamers are pretty confused over Ranni's words in her ending. The line "And have the certainties of sight, emotion, faith, and touch… All become impossibilities," especially had some worried that she was getting rid of people's emotions. This was actually a mistranslation between the Japanese and English versions of the game. In the Japanese version, she is saying all these words in reference to her new order. She and her order will not be physically present for others to see, feel, and touch because (as proven by the Golden Order), that creates a lot of problems.
Another line that worried players is, "Let us go on our path of fear, doubt, and loneliness, into darkness." These words all have pretty negative connotations, but what Ranni is really saying is that without a Greater Will pulling the strings of everyone's fate, people will likely be more lonely, fearful, and full of doubt. To Ranni, though, all of that is worth it for the freedom allowed under her order. One important line is she calls her rule a "thousand-year voyage." This means the Age of Stars does plan to end in one thousand years. This is also very much unlike the Greater Will, which planned to rule for all eternity.
As for the Tarnished themselves, they are taken by Ranni as her consort. This means the Tarnished does not become the Elden Lord like in so many other endings. Under Ranni's rule, there is no Elden Lord. The Tarnished and Ranni rule together, much like Radagon did with Marika (but without being the same person).
Elden Ring is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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As an avid enthusiast and expert in the realm of Elden Ring lore and endings, let me dive into the intricacies of the game's captivating narrative and shed light on the Age of Stars ending, which has garnered significant popularity among fans.
The Elden Ring offers players a staggering six different endings, each tied to specific quests and actions. Among them, the "Age of Stars" ending stands out, capturing the attention of many players due to its connection to the beloved character Ranni. To achieve this ending, players must accomplish several key tasks, including defeating Rennala, completing Ranni's questline, presenting her with the Dark Moon Ring, and summoning her after vanquishing the final boss.
The allure of the Age of Stars ending lies in its connection to Ranni, a character deeply entwined with the game's overarching narrative. Understanding the ending necessitates delving into Ranni's backstory and motivations. Ranni, the daughter of Radagon and Rennala, harbors resentment towards the Greater Will, opposing the restoration of the status quo. Her animosity towards the Greater Will stems from a demand that her father return to Marika, leaving her mother in despair.
Ranni's pivotal role in the death of the demigod Godwyn is linked to a ritual in which she sacrifices her Empyrean body to bind her soul to a doll. This drastic step ensures her freedom from the control of the Greater Will, presenting a unique twist in her destiny. Rather than severing ties with Outer Gods entirely, Ranni aspires to replace the Greater Will with a different Outer God, known as the Dark Moon. Unlike the Greater Will, the Dark Moon doesn't impose its will on others, offering a distinct vision for the future.
The Age of Stars ending introduces intriguing complexities and nuances that have left some fans perplexed. Ranni's dialogue in the ending, particularly the line "And have the certainties of sight, emotion, faith, and touch… All become impossibilities," sparked concern among players about the eradication of emotions. However, this was clarified as a mistranslation between the Japanese and English versions. In reality, Ranni refers to the challenges posed by her order being imperceptible to others, similar to issues seen with the Golden Order.
Another line that raised eyebrows was, "Let us go on our path of fear, doubt, and loneliness, into darkness." Ranni clarifies that the absence of the Greater Will may lead to increased loneliness, fear, and doubt for individuals. Despite the negative connotations, Ranni views these sacrifices as worthwhile for the freedom afforded under her rule. Notably, she describes her reign as a "thousand-year voyage," signifying a planned endpoint in contrast to the Greater Will's eternal rule.
In the Age of Stars ending, the fate of the Tarnished takes a unique turn. Instead of becoming the Elden Lord as in other endings, the Tarnished becomes Ranni's consort, ruling alongside her. This dynamic mirrors Radagon's relationship with Marika, albeit without merging into a single entity.
Elden Ring continues to captivate players with its rich storytelling and diverse endings, providing a deeply immersive experience across various platforms. For those seeking a deeper understanding of the game's lore, the Age of Stars ending and Ranni's motivations add layers of complexity and intrigue to the Elden Ring narrative.
