Ranni's Dark Moon

Lore & Background

The history of the Dark Moon begins with Ranni plotting the Night of the Black Knives, where she utilized a fragment of Destined Death—stolen from the full Rune of Death—to empower the Black Knives wielded by assassins who killed her physical body, allowing her to escape the Greater Will's influence. She bound her soul to a doll modeled after her own younger self, discarding her original demigod form which bore a curse-mark from Destined Death. After Marika shattered the Elden Ring, Ranni traveled through Nokron, the Eternal City, obtaining the Fingerslayer Blade to slay her own Two Fingers at the Cathedral of Manus Celes. This act severed the connection to the Golden Order's influence. The Dark Moon signifies this new order where life is free from external interference and the influence of outer gods, while the Elden Ring is taken away from the Lands Between but still exists, leaving humanity to be guided only by the stars. In this age, Ranni and her Tarnished consort become a new kind of god and consort, ruling from afar.

In Their Own Story

The player first encounters Ranni under the alias 'Renna' at the Church of Elleh, receiving the Spirit-Calling Bell and Lone Wolf Ashes. The quest deepens at Ranni's Rise in Caria Manor, guarded by Royal Knight Loretta, where she introduces her protector Blaidd the Half-Wolf and allies like War Counselor Iji and Preceptor Seluvis. To proceed, the player must defeat Starscourge Radahn to access Nokron and retrieve the Fingerslayer Blade. Ranni transforms into a miniature doll that can be carried by the player through the underground Ainsel River and the Lake of Rot to reach the Moonlight Altar. There, she has already slain her Two Fingers. Upon receiving the Dark Moon Ring from the player as a consort token, she bestows the Dark Moon Greatsword before disappearing until the game's conclusion.

Reader's Guide

To unlock the Age of Stars ending featuring the Dark Moon, players must complete Ranni's extensive questline without failing any steps. This involves interacting with her at specific locations: the Church of Elleh, Caria Manor, and the Moonlight Altar. Crucially, players must avoid betraying Ranni by attempting to give Preceptor Seluvis an 'Amber Draught' to transform her into a puppet; doing so results in immediate death for the player and Ranni leaving forever. Players must also navigate the complex relationship with Blaidd, who is doomed to go mad due to Ranni's defiance of the Two Fingers, requiring the player to defeat him to obtain his equipment. Finally, immediately prior to the game's ending, the player must summon Ranni to trigger the removal of the Elden Ring and start the Age of Stars.

Did You Know?

• Ranni was voiced by Aimee-Ffion Edwards and is noted for her frost-based sorcery.
• An infographic released by Bandai Namco revealed that 11.7 million players obtained the Dark Moon Greatsword.
• PC Gamer noted that more players achieved the Age of Stars ending than the game's default Elden Lord ending, despite it being harder to unlock.
• Ranni keeps her protector Blaidd at her side despite him being assigned by the Two Fingers to keep her in check and his eventual fate to go mad.
• If a player attempts to betray Ranni with Seluvis's Amber Draught, both she and the player are killed for their insolence.

Origins and the Night of the Black Knives

Ranni the Witch, born to Queen Rennala and Radagon in Liurnia, stands as a pivotal figure whose actions precipitated the game's central conflict. Following her father's abrupt departure to serve Marika the Eternal, Ranni orchestrated the infamous Night of the Black Knives. In this calculated coup, she utilized stolen fragments of Destined Death to assassinate Godwyn the Golden and simultaneously slay her own physical form. This dual act severed her connection to the Greater Will, allowing her soul to bind with a magical doll modeled after her mentor. Her true demigod form remains unseen, known only as a charred corpse marked by death, while her visible presence is a four-armed puppet of light-blue skin and snow-white attire. By rejecting the Golden Order's destiny, she set in motion the Shattering, transforming from a royal scion into an architect of chaos who seeks to dismantle the very foundation of their world.

The Quest for the Age of Stars

As the primary catalyst for one of the game's most intricate quest lines, Ranni guides the player through a perilous journey under the alias 'Renna.' Her path requires the Tarnished to defeat the demigod Radahn and retrieve the Fingerslayer Blade from Nokron. This weapon is essential for her ultimate goal: severing ties with the Two Fingers, the envoys of the Greater Will. Upon reaching the Moonlight Altar in the underground Ainsel River, where she has already slain her own fingers, Ranni offers a unique ending known as the Age of Stars. Here, she removes the Elden Ring from existence entirely, freeing life from external divine interference and ending the concept of godhood. The player becomes her royal consort, receiving the Dark Moon Greatsword in exchange for their loyalty, cementing a partnership that redefines the universe's future.

Design and Magical Capabilities

Ranni's visual design is as enigmatic as her story, featuring a spectral second face, one glowing blue eye, and a body constructed of tightly wound ropes beneath her fur cloak. She specializes in frost-based sorcery, capable of projecting powerful magical avatars that the player must confront after wounding her mother. Her cold, commanding demeanor masks a deep affection for her protector, Blaidd the Half-Wolf, whom she keeps close despite the inherent dangers they face. Critics have praised this morally complex narrative and her striking aesthetic, noting influences from manga characters like Schierke from Berserk. Whether appearing as a miniature doll carried by the player or standing tall in her Rise, Ranni embodies a fusion of vulnerability and immense power, utilizing her four arms to wield magic that defies the laws of the Golden Order.

Legacy and Critical Reception

Since Elden Ring's release in 2022, Ranni has emerged as the character leaving the strongest impression on players, often cited by critics as the game's true protagonist. Her quest line is remarkably popular; data indicates that over eleven million players obtained her signature Dark Moon Greatsword, surpassing those who achieved the default Elden Lord ending. This widespread engagement highlights her unique appeal compared to other demigods, whose names sparked rumors of inspiration from George R.R. Martin, though he later dismissed this as coincidence. Her relationship with Blaidd and her defiance against fate have resonated deeply, creating a fan-favorite dynamic that transcends typical villainous or heroic archetypes. Ultimately, Ranni's legacy is defined by her successful rebellion against destiny, offering players a conclusion where the world exists free from the shackles of the Greater Will.