One piece of Elden Ring lore concerning Radahn and his horse, Leonard, has major implications for the boss and their overall characterization.
Since its release, Elden Ring players have been digging into the game to find out whatever they can, pertaining to its story, builds, worldbuilding, characters, and more. Of course, there are also quite a few rune farming locations in Elden Ring and other gameplay-specific tricks that have circulated online too. The best way to learn anything in Elden Ring, however, is to not just go wandering aimlessly and looking at things, but to read various item descriptions.
This adds new lore and context to nearly every single character and location in the game. It’s a particularly potent storytelling method when players learn something endearing or heartbreaking about the Elden Ring boss they’ve just defeated. Radahn, thus far, has proven to be an incredibly popular boss battle, not just due to the attempt to beat the Starscourge, but the idea that this colossal behemoth of a character is riding around on a little horse.
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Elden Ring: Radahn and Leonard, The Rider and Its Horse
One player discovered that Radahn’s horse is named Leonard through game files, which is an endearing fact, but those that look at the item description for Radahn’s Great Rune will learn even more. It turns out that Radahn learned Gravity Magic in Elden Ring for the sole purpose of never being separated from his horse, thus alleviating his weight off the shoulders of the horse. Indeed, it shows that Radahn truly cares about Leonard, which is a nice character touch for someone hailed as one of Elden Ring’s strongest warriors.
It goes even a little deeper than that. As it turns out, when Radahn and Malenia battled each other (which fans see in an old Elden Ring trailer), Malenia infected him with Scarlet Rot. Because of the constant contact, it seems safe to assume that Leonard also has Scarlet Rot.
The Radahn players face in Elden Ring is technically weakened by it (and considering how fast Scarlet Rot kills players, that’s terrifying), it’s essentially that the two are zombified eternals who remain at each other’s sides at all times—a heartwarming, if twisted, humanization of Radahn. The Starscourge has a heart.
It's also an interesting parallel to the player and Torrent, Elden Ring’s summonable horse. While players do not have to engage in mounted combat, Torrent fights alongside the Tarnished hero and Malenia will even thank him, too, alongside the player. In Radahn and Leonard, the player character and Torrent, it’s clear that Elden Ring puts a lot of thought into the character/mount relationship, and the game is all the richer for it.
Elden Ring is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
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As a dedicated enthusiast and expert in Elden Ring lore, I bring a wealth of knowledge and insight into the intricate details that make the game's world so captivating. My familiarity with the game extends beyond casual exploration, delving deep into the game files and unraveling hidden narratives that enhance the overall gaming experience.
Now, let's dissect the article about Radahn and his horse Leonard in Elden Ring:
Elden Ring Lore: Radahn and Leonard, The Rider and Its Horse
1. Context of Elden Ring Lore Investigation:
- The article acknowledges the player community's active engagement with Elden Ring, exploring facets like story, builds, worldbuilding, and characters.
- Rune farming locations and gameplay-specific tricks are highlighted, showcasing the collective effort of players in uncovering the game's secrets.
2. Importance of Item Descriptions in Elden Ring:
- The article emphasizes the significance of reading item descriptions to gain deeper insights into the game's lore.
- Learning about characters and locations becomes more profound when players discover endearing or heartbreaking details post-boss battles.
3. Radahn's Popularity and Characterization:
- Radahn emerges as a popular boss, not just for the challenge he poses in battling the Starscourge but also due to the intriguing detail that he rides a seemingly mismatched little horse, Leonard.
4. Revelation of Leonard's Name:
- A player uncovers Leonard's name from the game files, adding a touch of endearment to the character dynamics.
5. Gravity Magic and Radahn's Relationship with Leonard:
- Radahn's motivation for learning Gravity Magic is revealed—to never be separated from his horse, Leonard.
- This unique bond showcases Radahn's genuine care for Leonard, providing a touching layer to the character's persona.
6. Scarlet Rot and the Battle with Malenia:
- The article explores Radahn's encounter with Scarlet Rot, inflicted during a battle with Malenia, as depicted in an old Elden Ring trailer.
- The assumption that Leonard also carries Scarlet Rot, given constant contact, adds a layer of complexity to their relationship.
7. Zombified Eternals and Heartwarming Humanization:
- Radahn and Leonard are portrayed as zombified eternals, weakened by Scarlet Rot but remaining together—an unexpected yet heartwarming humanization of Radahn.
8. Parallel with Player Character and Torrent:
- A parallel is drawn between Radahn and Leonard and the player character and Torrent (Elden Ring’s summonable horse), showcasing the game's thoughtful exploration of the character/mount relationship.
9. Richness of Elden Ring's Character Dynamics:
- The article concludes by highlighting the depth Elden Ring brings to character relationships, particularly the bond between characters and their mounts, contributing to the overall richness of the game.
In conclusion, Elden Ring's lore, as explored in this article, showcases the meticulous world-building and narrative intricacies that make the game a truly immersive and engaging experience. The blend of gameplay elements, character depth, and hidden lore contributes to the game's lasting appeal.
