Elden Ring Players Uncover Hidden Element Tied to Shadow of the Erdtree DLC

Elden Ring players have stumbled upon a secret element that is linked to the upcoming Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.

After the release of the latest trailer for Shadow of the Erdtree, which revealed the DLC’s launch date, FromSoftware CEO and creative director Hidetaka Miyazaki mentioned that despite Elden Ring being available for two years, there was still “a small element that I feel has not yet been discovered.”

Naturally, this information sparked the interest of hardcore Soulsborne fans, prompting them to scour The Lands Between in search of this elusive element. And it seems like it may have already been found.

User Cudakid210 shared their discovery on the game’s Reddit page, showcasing the Candletree Wooden Shield, a light blue shield adorned with a white tree symbol, hidden behind an illusory wall in the Sage’s Cave located in Altus Plateau.

According to the item description, the shield is described as “A tall, medium-sized wooden shield. Light for its size, and easy to handle. Thought to represent a surreptitious prophecy of cardinal sin, the lit candle-tree design was forbidden.”

What sets this seemingly ordinary shield apart is the realization by fans that the “candle-tree design” on the shield matches the one featured in the Shadow of the Erdtree trailer. This symbol is associated with Messmer, the main antagonist and ruler of the Lands of Shadow in the upcoming DLC.

The comparison made by the Redditor, using screenshots from the trailer, highlights this connection that has been present in Elden Ring since its launch, possibly influenced by the lore crafted by Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin.

The mention of “a surreptitious prophecy of cardinal sin” on the shield may hint at the plot of the forthcoming DLC, but fans will have to wait for more details.

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is scheduled for release on June 21 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC. This DLC is touted as the “largest expansion to date, where players must unravel the hidden mystery of the world from the acclaimed fantasy action RPG.”

If you’re interested in games similar to Elden Ring, make sure to explore our guides to the best Soulslike games and our list of the best RPGs.