Caelid

Caelid
Screenshot of Caelid
Created by	FromSoftware
Genre	Fantasy
In-universe information
Type	Region
Location	Lands Between

Caelid is a fictional location featured in Elden Ring, a 2022 action-adventure role-playing video game developed by FromSoftware. It is the second area available in the game; although entirely optional for the main story, it is required to access the expansion's setting, the Lands of Shadow. Caelid is set on the south-east region of the Lands Between -- Elden Rings' setting -- and can be accessed from Limgrave at anytime through foot traversal, teleportation, or a specific trap. Unlike the other areas, Caelid is inflicted with an endless elemental curse known as the "Scarlet Rot" in the aftermath of Malenia and Starscourge Radahn's battle. A big portion of the region, the Wailing Dunes, is abandonned outside of the Radahn Festival, where an insane Radhan wanders and attacks whoever appears in his sight.

Caelid is known for its unusual eerie and heavy atmosphere, with its red sky, abundance of undead creatures, and soundtrack, and difficulty curve compared to Limgrave. The events surrounding the Radahn Festival and its boss battle, Starscourge Radahn, are often cited as one of the game's best apects, and the region was praised for its effective horror elements, which contrasts the game's other regions.

Description

Caelid is located at the east of Limgrave, and the south-eastern region of the Lands Between. The region appears to lack any populated village, with some survivors of the Scarlet Rot and merchants found at some points. Some survivors can be found at the Redmane Castle, which prepares for the upcoming Radahn Festival.

Accessing Caelid can be done through numerous ways. The earliest and easiest way is through foot-traversal exploration, which the player character can cross east to arrive. Another way is a hidden teleportation device, behind the "Third Church of Marika" in Limgrave, which transports the player to the "Beastial Sanctum", the northernmost area of Caelid. Another hidden way is atop of the "Dragon-Burnt Ruins", in which a chest traps the player upon opening it, and teleports the player to the "Sellia Crystal Tunnel", one of the game's and Caelid's mini-dungeons, though this means early in the game appears prematurate and highly difficult.

Fictional history

Prior to the events of the game, Caelid was a peaceful and healthy area. Upon the "Shattering", a massive event that depicted the destruction of the Elden Ring, a massive battle ensued between the two demigods Malenia, Blade of Miquella, and Starscourge Radahn, respectively. During the stalemate in the Wailing Dunes, Malenia used her power of "blooming", unleashing Scarlet Rot in her surroundings. To be enough to defeat Radahn, Malenia unleashed Scarlet Rot through all of Caelid, and became mindless. As the game takes place, Radhan has become a mad, cannibalistic, ravgeous warrior wandering in the Wailing Dunes, and Caelid is overrun by undead monsters, including massive animals.

Reception

Upon the game's release, Caelid received massive attention for its eerie tone, which contrasts to the game's overall atmosphere, and was noted for its difficulty.