Hey fellow Tarnished! 🫡 Finally finished my NG+7 journey and I've seen everything the Lands Between has to offer. With the game still going strong in 2026, I know many new players are diving in. One of the biggest mysteries? The endings. There are six in total, and choosing your path is a core part of the roleplaying experience. Three of them give you those sweet Trophies/Achievements, and one of those has four different flavors. Let me break them all down for you, from the basic to the mind-blowing. Grab your Flask of Wondrous Physick and let's go!
🌅 The Standard Path: Age of Fracture
This is your default, no-fuss ending. Most players will get this on their first blind run. You don't need to complete any special NPC quests. Just play through the story, defeat the final boss, sit on the throne, and choose 'Mend the Elden Ring'. It's the baseline Elden Lord ending. Simple, classic, and a great starting point.
💀 A World of Those Who Live in Death: Age of the Duskborn
Want a more nuanced world? This Elden Lord variation is for you. It requires completing the poignant and somber questline of Fia, the Deathbed Companion. Through her story, you'll obtain the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince. After the final boss, on the throne, select 'Use the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince'. It's a bittersweet ending that brings a form of acceptance to Those Who Live in Death.
😈 The Cursed World: Blessing of Despair
Considered by many (including me!) to be the worst possible outcome for the Lands Between. To get this, you must ally yourself with the utterly vile Dung Eater. Complete his grotesque quest, feed him Seedbed Curses, and obtain the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse. Use this rune after the final battle. This ending spreads a perpetual curse of suffering across the world. Not for the faint of heart.
⚖️ The Golden Path: Age of Order
Seeking perfect, unwavering stability? This ending requires the intellectual duo: Brother Corhyn and the enigmatic Goldmask. Follow their questline across the map, witnessing their philosophical journey. Your reward is the Mending Rune of Perfect Order. Using it creates a world of flawless, unyielding Golden Order—no room for gods or ambiguity. A true lawful ending.
🔥 The Path of Absolute Chaos: Lord of Frenzied Flame
WARNING: This is the point of no return! This is the 'evil' ending that permanently locks you out of all other endings on that playthrough. You must seek out the Three Fingers beneath Leyndell at the Frenzied Flame Proscription. Embracing their flame marks you. After the final boss, choose 'Become the Lord of Frenzied Flame' to burn the world and all its strife away in a chaotic, yellow inferno. It's a dramatic, all-or-nothing choice.
🌙 My Personal Favorite: Age of Stars
This. This is the ending I strive for on every 'canon' playthrough. 💙 It requires completing the lengthy, rewarding, and utterly magical questline for Ranni the Witch. Yes, it's long, but the rewards are incredible (Dark Moon Greatsword, anyone?). The key difference: DO NOT SIT ON THE THRONE after the final boss. Instead, look for a blue summon sign on the ground and call Ranni. This triggers a beautiful, hopeful ending for a cold, distant journey with your witch wife. It doesn't lock you out of others initially, but be careful not to sit by accident!
Quick Reference Table:
| Ending | Key NPC / Item | Throne Choice | Achievement? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age of Fracture | None | Mend the Elden Ring | ✅ |
| Age of Duskborn | Fia / Death-Prince Rune | Use Mending Rune... | ✅ |
| Blessing of Despair | Dung Eater / Fell Curse Rune | Use Mending Rune... | ✅ |
| Age of Order | Goldmask / Perfect Order Rune | Use Mending Rune... | ✅ |
| Lord of Frenzied Flame | Three Fingers | Become the Lord... | ✅ |
| Age of Stars | Ranni the Witch | Summon Ranni (Don't Sit!) | ✅ |
So, which path calls to you, Tarnished? Will you mend, order, curse, burn, or take to the stars? The choice is yours. Remember, in 2026, the journey is just as important as the destination. Now go forth, and become Elden Lord... or something greater! ✨