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Description
I’m actually pretty pleased with how this one came out so I thought it was worth posting it and use it to introduce the character of Rosus, who is probably the most mysterious figure in the entirety of Elden Ring’s lore as the only knowledge we have of him is through a description of a ceremonial axe depicting him, which tells us that the statues that guide us to the catacombs represent him.

The lore that I’m about to present is mostly speculations and self written storytelling for this hypothetical DLC.
If you want more context to what I’m saying here’s the link to a general description of the full “project”(?):

www.deviantart.com/logbot03/ar…

Rosus seems to be strictly connected to the dead, and his absence in the lands between seems to prove that he is either dead or has escaped the lands between because of an opposition to the golden order.
His anatomy also resembles the death birds in some way, but what I find interesting is the crown of thorns that grows on his head, which reminds me a lot of the death blight vines, perhaps he’s the one who taught Ranni and Rykard the horrendous ritual to separate from the greater will, which means he might be the true mastermind behind the death root spreading from Godwyn’s body, and if he’s so knowledgeable about curses perhaps he’s the one who cursed the Omen twins and even the Omen in general, as they all seem to be born from descendants of Godfrey’s lineage.

But enough speculation, here my hypothetical lore: Rosus was a frail being with an exceptional knowledge for the arcane, who worked as a caretaker for those souls incapable of reaching the afterlife. Rosus however wasn’t like any other beings in the lands between, in fact he was born an Empirean, one destined to become a god.
After discovering this he decided to infiltrate the golden order as a councilor to Marika and Godfrey.
While gaining their trust however, he was planning a putsch to overthrow Marika by crafting a powerful great rune, that would grant its possessor enough power to control the Elden Ring, as his current form was too weak for such a task. But Marika discovered his plans and he was forced to flee the lands between, but not without preparing a proper revenge. With his knowledge of the dark arts Rosus cursed Marika splitting her into three separate entities, While Godfrey was deprived of his grace while facing him head on. Not satisfied, Rosus cursed Godfrey’s lineage even further, creating the Omens. Such a resounding defeat to the golden order mustn’t been known, and thus all traces of Rosus and his curses where hidden away, including the Omens and the Tarnished.
Since then Rosus has hidden in the island of Mortis, silently pulling some strings in his favor.

Mortis is the third island the player visits in order to craft a new Elden Ring and once they enter the catacombs, a voice starts echoing through the many hallways:

“Ah, it appears I have guest, it’s been a very long time since someone entered my domain”

“Mmmm, Tarnished are we? Oh oh oh, even better, always loved your kind, stubborn, reckless…. bloodthirsty”

“So go on Tarnished, make yourself at home, AhAhAhAh”

Rosus will talk many times to the player, even mocking them when they die:

“ Back to the start, once again”
“I do wonder you know, how does it feel to fail over and over again?”
“Is anger what keeps you going, or perhaps it is a small glimmer of hope that things will get better?”

In the crypt there is also a secret boss: The living Torment, an horrific beast that has been enslaved by Rosus and experimented on, many times.

If defeated, an NPC that I previously introducedominus Height, Crestfallen Lord will appear in the Catacombs:

“Well, well, well the lonely Tarnished managed to gain another crushing victory, I got to admit, you are pretty strong, and definitely more civilized than your predecessors”

“Since you have proved your valor, I believe it’s time I treat you as an equal.
No no, no need to thank me, even though I deserve it, considering the honor I’m giving you”

“Now listen closely, the demigod that control this island, Rosus the usher of death, is far from being a coward, he’s a master of deception and curses, and most importantly, he’s the one responsible for your… condition”

“Indeed, Rosus was able to outsmart Godfrey….. succeeding where I failed…. and now that he wields the great rune of Godhood, well, he’ll be a formidable force to be reckoned with, thus I offer you my help”

“If you desire my aid, you’ll find me near the access to the island plateau, where Rosus is currently residing, make sure you don’t die too quickly, it’ll be a shame to end our collaboration so…. abruptly”

After entering the arena where Rosus is, there will be a short cutscene:

“Ah, my guest is finally here, forgive the wait, but I was terribly busy, now…. give me a fight that I won’t forget”

In his first fase Rosus attacks from afar using spell that cause death blight or by summoning various types of minions,nothing too out of the ordinary until he summons a royal revenant which will certainly be a problem.

After this phase, Rosus imbeds the great rune into his Torso becoming something much more divine:

“Ah Ah *Cough* Ah, oh you Tarnished never disappoint, but alas, this fight ends here!”

“Now witness Tarnished, THE POWER OF A TRUE GOD!

During this fase Rosus engage in close quarter combat, occasionally shooting black lightning projectiles.
He also pounds the ground with his axe and send debris flying towards the player or he takes great leaps to land on the ground causing a shockwave.

Design wise I tried keeping his phase 1 proportions, hence why he still looks quite elongated.

Upon death:

“Thank you….Tarnished…. for giving me the honor….. of such an honorable duel…. you are truly worthy of my greatrune”

Description
I’m actually pretty pleased with how this one came out so I thought it was worth posting it and use it to introduce the character of Rosus, who is probably the most mysterious figure in the entirety of Elden Ring’s lore as the only knowledge we have of him is through a description of a ceremonial axe depicting him, which tells us that the statues that guide us to the catacombs represent him.

The lore that I’m about to present is mostly speculations and self written storytelling for this hypothetical DLC.
If you want more context to what I’m saying here’s the link to a general description of the full “project”(?):

www.deviantart.com/logbot03/ar…

Rosus seems to be strictly connected to the dead, and his absence in the lands between seems to prove that he is either dead or has escaped the lands between because of an opposition to the golden order.
His anatomy also resembles the death birds in some way, but what I find interesting is the crown of thorns that grows on his head, which reminds me a lot of the death blight vines, perhaps he’s the one who taught Ranni and Rykard the horrendous ritual to separate from the greater will, which means he might be the true mastermind behind the death root spreading from Godwyn’s body, and if he’s so knowledgeable about curses perhaps he’s the one who cursed the Omen twins and even the Omen in general, as they all seem to be born from descendants of Godfrey’s lineage.

But enough speculation, here my hypothetical lore: Rosus was a frail being with an exceptional knowledge for the arcane, who worked as a caretaker for those souls incapable of reaching the afterlife. Rosus however wasn’t like any other beings in the lands between, in fact he was born an Empirean, one destined to become a god.
After discovering this he decided to infiltrate the golden order as a councilor to Marika and Godfrey.
While gaining their trust however, he was planning a putsch to overthrow Marika by crafting a powerful great rune, that would grant its possessor enough power to control the Elden Ring, as his current form was too weak for such a task. But Marika discovered his plans and he was forced to flee the lands between, but not without preparing a proper revenge. With his knowledge of the dark arts Rosus cursed Marika splitting her into three separate entities, While Godfrey was deprived of his grace while facing him head on. Not satisfied, Rosus cursed Godfrey’s lineage even further, creating the Omens. Such a resounding defeat to the golden order mustn’t been known, and thus all traces of Rosus and his curses where hidden away, including the Omens and the Tarnished.
Since then Rosus has hidden in the island of Mortis, silently pulling some strings in his favor.

Mortis is the third island the player visits in order to craft a new Elden Ring and once they enter the catacombs, a voice starts echoing through the many hallways:

“Ah, it appears I have guest, it’s been a very long time since someone entered my domain”

“Mmmm, Tarnished are we? Oh oh oh, even better, always loved your kind, stubborn, reckless…. bloodthirsty”

“So go on Tarnished, make yourself at home, AhAhAhAh”

Rosus will talk many times to the player, even mocking them when they die:

“ Back to the start, once again”
“I do wonder you know, how does it feel to fail over and over again?”
“Is anger what keeps you going, or perhaps it is a small glimmer of hope that things will get better?”

In the crypt there is also a secret boss: The living Torment, an horrific beast that has been enslaved by Rosus and experimented on, many times.

If defeated, an NPC that I previously introducedominus Height, Crestfallen Lord will appear in the Catacombs:

“Well, well, well the lonely Tarnished managed to gain another crushing victory, I got to admit, you are pretty strong, and definitely more civilized than your predecessors”

“Since you have proved your valor, I believe it’s time I treat you as an equal.
No no, no need to thank me, even though I deserve it, considering the honor I’m giving you”

“Now listen closely, the demigod that control this island, Rosus the usher of death, is far from being a coward, he’s a master of deception and curses, and most importantly, he’s the one responsible for your… condition”

“Indeed, Rosus was able to outsmart Godfrey….. succeeding where I failed…. and now that he wields the great rune of Godhood, well, he’ll be a formidable force to be reckoned with, thus I offer you my help”

“If you desire my aid, you’ll find me near the access to the island plateau, where Rosus is currently residing, make sure you don’t die too quickly, it’ll be a shame to end our collaboration so…. abruptly”

After entering the arena where Rosus is, there will be a short cutscene:

“Ah, my guest is finally here, forgive the wait, but I was terribly busy, now…. give me a fight that I won’t forget”

In his first fase Rosus attacks from afar using spell that cause death blight or by summoning various types of minions,nothing too out of the ordinary until he summons a royal revenant which will certainly be a problem.

After this phase, Rosus imbeds the great rune into his Torso becoming something much more divine:

“Ah Ah *Cough* Ah, oh you Tarnished never disappoint, but alas, this fight ends here!”

“Now witness Tarnished, THE POWER OF A TRUE GOD!

During this fase Rosus engage in close quarter combat, occasionally shooting black lightning projectiles.
He also pounds the ground with his axe and send debris flying towards the player or he takes great leaps to land on the ground causing a shockwave.

Design wise I tried keeping his phase 1 proportions, hence why he still looks quite elongated.

Upon death:

“Thank you….Tarnished…. for giving me the honor….. of such an honorable duel…. you are truly worthy of my greatrune”