During the Microsoft E3 2019 conference, FromSoftware officially announced Elden Ring, a new videogame work whose realization could count on the support of the writer George RR Martin.
In a substantial interview, Hidetaka Miyazaki later provided more details on the game, confirming that Elden Ring will be an open world and will include GDR elements telling the first background. The author, however, has been rather greedy for information regarding the meaning of the title. When asked about it, he stated: “Elden Ring is the name given to a mysterious concept that defines the world itself. As the trailer of the conference has hinted, the ‘Elden Ring’ has been destroyed. The meaning of this will be one of the important themes of the game. It’s all I can say right now (laughs) “.
However, the rather cryptic nature of the first trailer has already pushed the videogame community into the ever intriguing realm of speculation, some of which would like the game inspired by Finnish mythology. In particular, references to “The Kalevala” are suggested, an epic poem was written in the nineteenth century by Elias Lönnrot. In this sense, the “Elden Ring” is associated with the “Sampo”, a mysterious magical artifact, while the three characters glimpsed in the trailer are related to three protagonists of the myth: in particular Ilmarinen (a sort of semi-divine figure, would embody a blacksmith responsible for the forging of Sampo himself), Lemminkainen and Vainamoinen.
Unfortunately, to know what really lies behind this intriguing title, we just have to wait for From Software to decide to offer us official details about it! Meanwhile: what are your hypotheses?
It seems like Elden Ring is heavily inspired by The Kalevala.
The Kalevala is a 19th-century work of epic poetry compiled from Karelian and Finnish oral folklore and mythology. pic.twitter.com/C4oBFTXWBT
— MenasLG (@MenasLG) June 10, 2019
The Kalevala begins with the traditional Finnish creation myth, leading into stories of the creation of the earth, plants, creatures and the sky. Creation, combat and internal story telling are often accomplished by the characters involved singing of their exploits or desires. pic.twitter.com/wdXAEWjVvI
— MenasLG (@MenasLG) June 10, 2019
The Sampo is a pivotal element of the whole work. Many actions and their consequences are caused by the Sampo itself or a character's interaction with the Sampo. It is described as a magical talisman or device that brings its possessor great fortune and prosperity. pic.twitter.com/UFIwrjmSUR
— MenasLG (@MenasLG) June 10, 2019
Ilmarinen, the Eternal Hammerer, blacksmith and inventor in the Kalevala, is a god and archetypal artificer from Finnish mythology. He is immortal and capable of creating practically anything, but is portrayed as being unlucky in love. pic.twitter.com/HfxlAa2EeZ
— MenasLG (@MenasLG) June 10, 2019
Lemminkäinen is one of the Heroes of the Kalevala, where his character is a composite of several separate heroes of oral poetry. He is usually depicted as young and good-looking, with wavy red hair. pic.twitter.com/5PPOcaBb5o
— MenasLG (@MenasLG) June 10, 2019
Väinämöinen is a demigod, hero and the main character in the Kalevala. His name comes from the Finnish word väinä, meaning stream pool. Väinämöinen was described as an old and wise man, and he possessed a potent, magical voice. pic.twitter.com/M93nqEuvyf
— MenasLG (@MenasLG) June 10, 2019