Revenant Lore in Elden Ring: Nightreign and Beyond

The Revenant, a grotesque, rapidly teleporting enemy in Elden Ring, is more than just a terrifying combatant. Its existence is deeply intertwined with the lore of the Lands Between, specifically related to the Nightfolk and the mysterious Nightreign.

Revenants are described as reanimated corpses imbued with potent life force, specifically originating from spirits. This artificial animation results in their erratic movements and superhuman strength. Their connection to spirits hints at a deliberate process, likely involving forbidden arts or rituals.

The key to understanding Revenants lies in the Nightfolk. These pale-skinned, nocturnal people, once a thriving civilization within the Eternal City, are believed to be the creators of the Nox monks and swordstresses. More importantly, they are also strongly associated with the Nightreign. The Nightreign is an ominous period of eternal darkness and eternal frost, a state seemingly antithetical to the Erdtree’s golden grace. It is implied the Nightfolk were either attempting to bring about the Nightreign, or perhaps sought to survive an existing one.

Several clues point to the Nightfolk’s involvement in the Revenant’s creation. The locations where Revenants are commonly found, such as Caria Manor and the surrounding areas, hold strong connections to the Eternal Cities and thus, the Nightfolk. The presence of Nox monks within Caria Manor further solidifies this link.

The Albinaurics, artificial beings themselves, are also linked. The puppet soldiers found alongside Revenants in some locations are implied to have been crafted by the Albinaurics, suggesting a collaboration, possibly forced, between the Albinaurics and the Nightfolk or their remnants. Given the Albinaurics’ plight as persecuted outcasts, it is plausible they were coerced into assisting with these dark experiments.

The purpose of creating Revenants remains ambiguous. They could have been intended as soldiers, guardians, or perhaps even a means of achieving immortality. Their chaotic nature, however, suggests the process was imperfect, resulting in unstable, aggressive entities. They may have even been intended as fuel, batteries for a grander ritual to usher in or survive the Nightreign.

Regardless of their original intent, Revenants represent a dark chapter in the history of the Lands Between. They stand as a testament to the ambition and desperation of the Nightfolk, and the forbidden knowledge they wielded in their pursuit of survival or a world bathed in eternal night. Their existence continues to haunt the Lands Between, a terrifying reminder of the dangers lurking in the shadows and the consequences of tampering with the very essence of life and death.