The Full Story of Midra & The Lord of Frenzied Flame | Elden Ring Lore

Discovering and fighting Midra in the Shadow of the Erdtree was a highlight for the entirety of Elden Ring, and his lore is just as fascinating. In this episode, we dive into Midra's history, his place in Hornsent society, Nanaya, the Frenzy Flame and its Lord, and much more. A sad but still beautiful story. We hope you enjoy!

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Editing: UMBEK
Commission Thumbnail art by Heinz Laban

Soundtrack:
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree - "The Lord of Frenzied Flame"
Alice: Madness Returns - "Vale Of Tears"
Dark Souls II - "Queen Of Drangleic"
Resident Evil Remake - "Deception"
Resident Evil Remake - "Disappearance"
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords - "Ebon Hawk Adrift"
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic - "The Leviathan"
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic - "Ancient Ruins"
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic - "Korriban Sith Academy"
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree - "The Lord of Frenzied Flame"
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos - "Lordaeron Fall"
The Iron Oath - "Tales By Cinder"
The Iron Oath - "The Heart Of Caelum"
Dark Souls II - "Queen Of Drangleic"
Dark Souls II - "Nashandra"
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree - "The Lord of Frenzied Flame"
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic - "The Unknown World"
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree - "The Lord of Frenzied Flame"

Special thanks to Hawk Emperor tier Supporters: Daniel, Via Et Veritas Et Vita, Lurifax & Jess Simpson
and additional thanks to Hawk Lord tier Supporters: Lars Dale, Ethan L, Matt A, NZERO, Josh, Domnhall13, Spencer H, Stuck In Time, Gubby, Not a Snek, Dylan, JZ, tgod, Tetsaiga, Alex A, Alex G, Fungeon, Zom6ieSlayer, Domhnall13, Widogast, Murat, Phillip, Corey, Connor, roblabla, Merlee, Muppet, Patrick, & Agosto

#eldenringlore #eldenring #gaming

Hawkshaw.

[Hawkshaw]

What would you like us to look at next?
Thank you for watching! Let us know how you think Midra's story went. Did it change how you see the Frenzy ending?

[IamTheGoblinLord]

I just realised the frenzied flame being able to permanently kill torrent was already shown in the main game. If you acquired the flame before burning Melina and thereby sparing her she’s seen in the flame ending cutscene picking up torrents burnt whistle which implies he died

[PausalZ]

My reading of Nanaya's "endure" a bit different. I think its worthwhile to note that Melina, in attempting to convince you to not interact with the three fingers, states "However ruined this world has become, however mired in torment and despair, life endures." Drawing the connection between these statements (which I think Fromsoft intends since there are any other word choices one could use), it seems Nanaya's endure is meant to push Midra to not give into the frenzied flame and endure the hornsent punishment so life can continue. To me, it seems to better explain why Midra apologizes before giving into the frenzied flame.

[matheussantos]

If Nanaya was a shaman, it would make sense indeed that she took the eggs from the ruins neighbor to her village. Maybe trying to follow the footsteps of another shaman believed to have dwelled in the same ruins and conversing with the Fingers.
The initial purpose wasn't to summon the Frenzied Flame, maybe she just wanted to escape the persecution suffered by her people. But the persecution she fled, along with the loss of her child, drove her to accept the Frenzied Flame in their realm.

Either this, or she already came in with the intention of burning everything to the ground, due to the Hornsent putting the Shaman in pots deal.

[sisyphus_strives]

I’m still sad that they didn’t include the nomadic merchant quest-line in the game

[Zythryl]

The revelation of the fingers and eggs hidden under those blankets was absolutely astounding. I haven’t seen anyone notice that yet.
Well done! I really like your reading of why Midra was damned.

[RyuKaguya]

my favorite part of midras fight is the pure ECTASY he feels you see it in his body language the flame of frenzy rewards its lord with pure bliss as well as relief and THAT is as equally terrifying as miquellas own mind control power because it justifies the lord of chaos in his actions as if to say "if only all could experience this and burn away in pure bliss in joy knowing all pain will end." even the tarnished moves like this as the lord of chaos

[vanDaalstad]

The Frenzy of Elden Ring is one of my favorite aspects of the world. The loss of hope ignites a flame that can threaten the whole of creation, but kindness can still quell it, as long as there is enough strength behind it. Strength that does not need to lie within just one soul.

[oyayemayafaro]

I have a deep appreciation for lore deep dives covering Midra. My favourite boss from the game.

[luna]

I am fairly certain Nanaya's torch isn't her child, but rather exactly what it says on the tin- a spine used to keep an ember from a previous, failed Lord of Frenzied Flame. It's this item which leads me to believe Nanaya came to Midra's Manse explicitly to lead him down that path. It's possible that every moment of Midra's life since he met Nanaya was carefully orchestrated to give him something to lose, such that when he lost everything, it would drive him deep enough to disavow all creation.

[themissionary]

I think those bodies in front of the Manse are other Hornsent victims of the Inquisitors. During the Midra cutscene, he bends over in a way that makes him look exactly like the bodies in front. Out of their heads, you see other "swords of damnation"

[Redeemednorabbi]

36:00 BRO ABSOLUTELY NO FUCKING WAY THIS IS ACCURATE WHAT THE FUCK

[boredmagala]

The 10 bodies are likely victims of the purge that the inquisitors carried out on the manor, leaving midra with the sword of damnation in him

[telerobotic]

I’m so happy you’ve made the point to associate the fingerprint-laden stone finger ruins with frenzy, and the ones visible from the hinterlands no less. I hope there’s enough connective tissue here for another video exploring exactly what horror (and madness) these ruins represent and their influence on the story of the Lands Between.

[pedrocarnelos]

Listen, im no musician, but i have two cents i wanna give on Midra's theme:
Iirc somewhere in the lore we are told that the song the merchants play in the catacombs is a lullaby taught by st trina to help them resist the call of the frenzied flame (citation needed) so i like the idea that the motiff of the song in Midra's theme might be showing that, even in his lord of frenzy state, hes still in there, resisting as best he can

[postal]

The Mesopotamian goddess Nanaya is depicted as a goddess of love (especially the sensuality around it) and protector of lovers, with an emphasis on the rejected and betrayed. A relationship with her was also seen as an aspect of true kingship. I think this lines up pretty well with the idea that she's an agent of chaos, considering it's emphasis on the downtrodden, as well as the consistent manipulation from Chaos around young women and love.

[sir.morris]

seeing midra pulling the stake out of his body and it's piercers wrapping around forming a golden needle was an immense oh shit moment in my first run of the dlc. both possibilities that either miquella developed his needle independently or based upon the hornsent knowledge are really interesting considering that three fingers are basically an ancient cancer that sprung from already diseased finger mother... anyway midra's manse was an immensely cool and spooky silent hill-esque location and i am extremely hyped about your video on this topic!

[ianperry]

it’s interesting that the flame of frenzy usually seeks out the good, kindly, innocent and just as well as those suffering loss to take advantage of and turn to their cause.

Edgar & irina

Vyke & his maiden

Midra & nanaya

The tarnished & Melina

It uses our love of another to claw its way into us. Its penchant for corrupting the things we love is evil in itself.

[Marco-fsbs]

The most tragic thing of Midra story is that his spirit will never be able to rest in peace, since the flame burned it away most likely...

[TheScrootch]

Madness seems to have a lot of correlation with despair in Elden Ring