Where does Elden Ring take place?

Elden Ring is one of the most lauded releases of the past decade, taking critics and fans by storm upon its release in early 2022. The franchise's new fans and veterans get to experience a new world in the Soulsborne franchise, rich with its mythos and lore for those interested enough to explore it. Where does Elden Ring occur, though, and what caused its world to fall apart?

Elden Ring takes place in a fantasy world known as the Lands Between. This world, created by Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R. R. Martin, is ravaged by war. The Lands Between is the domain of Queen Marika the Eternal and her many demigod offspring. The Elden Ring, the source of the Erdtree's power, was the foundation of all creation, until it shattered.

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Once it broke apart, Queen Marika and her children vied for ownership of the Elden Ring's shards, the Great Runes. This family, driven mad by the power of the Elden Ring's fragments, started a great war known as The Shattering that ravaged the Lands Between. The Shattering undid the barrier between life and death, and now, no one can die.

It's up to the Tarnished to reunite the shards of the Elden Ring, become an Elden Lord, and restore balance to the Lands Between.

For more on Elden Ring, be sure to visit some of our other articles here on Pro Game Guides, like How to upgrade Spirit Ashes in Elden Ring.