An Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree player recently uncovered an intriguing, overlooked detail within the game’s Scadutree—a discovery they didn’t make until their second playthrough. Known for its complex lore crafted by the minds of Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R.R. Martin, Elden Ring is a masterpiece that intertwines the challenging Soulslike combat with a captivating dark fantasy setting.
First hitting the shelves in 2022, Elden Ring quickly enamored players, inviting them to explore the Lands Between on a quest for their Tarnished characters to ascend as the new Elden Lord. Fast forward to June 2024, the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC launched with equal fanfare. At the same time, The Game Awards announced Elden Ring Nightreign, a new multiplayer addition to the universe. Die-hard Soulslike fans have found creative ways to keep themselves entertained as they await the next big release, like the one player who’s taken on the challenge of defeating Messmer without taking damage every single day until Nightreign is released.
In the Elden Ring subreddit, user Immaterial21 posted screenshots showcasing the Tarnished in front of the Scadutree and in Queen Marika’s bedroom. Guided through the Elden Ring’s Leyndell Royal Capital, players make their way to the Elden Throne. It was in Marika’s bedroom that one player noticed an interesting connection: the so-called “rays of light” that seem to emanate from the Scadutree mimic the fall of Marika’s bedroom curtains—a subtle detail easily dismissed at first glance but hard to ignore once seen.
Queen Marika, infamous for her treacherous deeds in Elden Ring, has left some players amused by this newly discovered detail. The Soulslike community enjoyed the humor in this revelation, with one Redditor joking about Marika’s tendency to hide her troubles away. Meanwhile, others admitted they had overlooked the drapes entirely. The original poster noted that despite having spent countless hours admiring the Scadutree’s beauty, it required a visit to Marika’s bedroom to grasp what they were actually seeing.
The Scadutree represents the literal shadow of Elden Ring’s Erdtree, casting its presence over the Land of Shadow. In contrast to the luminous Erdtree, the Scadutree is shrouded in shadow and thorns, yet it retains a sense of sacredness. Players can harness the power of Scadutree Fragments found in the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, unlocking the Scadutree Blessing, which significantly enhances their strength within the Shadow Realm.
