Gurranq & Maliketh (spoilers)

[Witcher]

So more characters untold stories.

1. Why was Maliketh hiding inside Gurranq's watch?

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2826169582

2. Why does Gurranq still lives after Maliketh is defeated?

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2826169869

[Toad]

I don't know whether you meant to write 'what' rather than 'why', but I'll try to answer both. The 'watch' on Maliketh's hand is a container for the Rune of Death, so him breaking it imbues his weapon with the rune, restoring his Black Blade. If the question is 'why', Gurranq isn't hiding inside the 'watch', he's merely adopted an alias and costume to hide his identity.

To answer the second question, it's implied that Farum Azula is in a bit of a time fluctuation. This could be specifically the area you fight Dragonlord Placidusax, or it could be Farum Azula in its entirety. If it's indeed all of Farum Azula, then it could be theorised that the two Maliketh's exist in a slightly warped and convoluted timeline. Though it's clear that Maliketh remembers you if you interact with his Gurranq persona below, so the most likely answer is it's an oversight by the developer. A lot of things were cut and rearranged during development.

[Witcher]

Originally posted by Toad:

I don't know whether you meant to write 'what' rather than 'why', but I'll try to answer both. The 'watch' on Maliketh's hand is a container for the Rune of Death, so him breaking it imbues his weapon with the rune, restoring his Black Blade. If the question is 'why', Gurranq isn't hiding inside the 'watch', he's merely adopted an alias and costume to hide his identity.

So Gurranq and Maliketh are the same person? If so, why does he take on a different identity - he didn't kill Marika's son but Ranni did?

To answer the second question, it's implied that Farum Azula is in a bit of a time fluctuation. This could be specifically the area you fight Dragonlord Placidusax, or it could be Farum Azula in its entirety. If it's indeed all of Farum Azula, then it could be theorised that the two Maliketh's exist in a slightly warped and convoluted timeline. Though it's clear that Maliketh remembers you if you interact with his Gurranq persona below, so the most likely answer is it's an oversight by the developer. A lot of things were cut and rearranged during development.

So Farum Azula is in a different time parallel to Lands Between - not an earlier time period?

Edit: Except how does killing Maliketh causes Lyndell to turn into an Ashen Capital?

[Yian Yan]

Originally posted by Toad:

... Though it's clear that Maliketh remembers you if you interact with his Gurranq persona below, so the most likely answer is it's an oversight by the developer. A lot of things were cut and rearranged during development.

Or an intentional thing left in as a sort of kindness (despite the potential big lore hole) to not lock players out of a questline with many rewards.

[Northstrider]

Gurranq and Maliketh are one and the same entity. He just sealed his sword into his flesh and this talisman seems to be the seal for that. Basically a failsafe talisman if he would ever have to undo that.

Why he's still alive at the sancturary after his defeat could be explained in many ways. Look at how he just vanishes after giving him all death roots. I'd be so bold to say that this was not the original Maliketh but a projection, similar to what the Omen twins did.

Or if it really was him... that guy was wielding the power of death itself so god knows what he's capable of with that.

[Orion Invictus]

Originally posted by Witcher:

Edit: Except how does killing Maliketh causes Lyndell to turn into an Ashen Capital?

Because you unbound Destined Death, which is said to be able to slay the world.

[Witcher]

Originally posted by Orion Invictus:

Originally posted by Witcher:

Edit: Except how does killing Maliketh causes Lyndell to turn into an Ashen Capital?

Because you unbound Destined Death, which is said to be able to slay the world.

Huh, if killing Maliketh unbound death upon Lands Between, then why is the Lyndell Capital destroyed?

Also found Coryhn's body instead of the Goldmask in Ashen Capital because I didn't progress his quest. The Goldmask ending thingy is not found where it's supposed to be in Ashen Capital - so where did he go and left Coryhn behind to die?

[Orion Invictus]

Originally posted by Witcher:

Originally posted by Orion Invictus:

Because you unbound Destined Death, which is said to be able to slay the world.

Huh, if killing Maliketh unbound death upon Lands Between, then why is the Lyndell Capital destroyed?

I imagine it's because unbinding Destined Death and setting the Erdtree on fire has a bit of a kick.

[Dollmaker]

Originally posted by Witcher:

Originally posted by Toad:

I don't know whether you meant to write 'what' rather than 'why', but I'll try to answer both. The 'watch' on Maliketh's hand is a container for the Rune of Death, so him breaking it imbues his weapon with the rune, restoring his Black Blade. If the question is 'why', Gurranq isn't hiding inside the 'watch', he's merely adopted an alias and costume to hide his identity.

So Gurranq and Maliketh are the same person? If so, why does he take on a different identity - he didn't kill Marika's son but Ranni did?

To answer the second question, it's implied that Farum Azula is in a bit of a time fluctuation. This could be specifically the area you fight Dragonlord Placidusax, or it could be Farum Azula in its entirety. If it's indeed all of Farum Azula, then it could be theorised that the two Maliketh's exist in a slightly warped and convoluted timeline. Though it's clear that Maliketh remembers you if you interact with his Gurranq persona below, so the most likely answer is it's an oversight by the developer. A lot of things were cut and rearranged during development.

So Farum Azula is in a different time parallel to Lands Between - not an earlier time period?

Edit: Except how does killing Maliketh causes Lyndell to turn into an Ashen Capital?

He exiled himself out of shame basically, hiding his real identity.

He blames himself for the death of Godwyn, the fall of the Golden Order, Marika's disappearance and the Shattering, for failing to protect the Rune of Death.

[Kim]

This one is tricky as hell , si i will say this is only theory :

If Gurranq leaves after Maliketh's death , the two would be different entities.

There is also the shape of Farum Azula itself , the area is full grey , no sun , all are "ancients" enemies , witch would mean that we enter in some sort of time displacement before , after , parallel ?

Does a demigod or god experience time like we do as simple tarnished ?

Are we the one who stole the destined death the first time ?

From Maliketh own words :

Normal opening : "hou, who approacheth Destined Death. I will not have it stolen from me again."

BUT if all deathroots are given before encountering Maliketh , here's the opening :

"Tarnished, why wouldst thou... Why... Tis no matter. I hereby vow, that Destined Death shall not be stolen again."

[Witcher]

Yes, I remember Maliketh says something like "How or why do you want to kill a god" after he's defeated.

Does the Destined Death thing control death or something?

[Kim]

When held by Maliketh , the rune of death , aka Destined death , does not allow people to die.

I cannot tell for sure Destined death is a thing or just a part of Maliketh released on his death.

[Toad]

Originally posted by Witcher:

Yes, I remember Maliketh says something like "How or why do you want to kill a god" after he's defeated.

Does the Destined Death thing control death or something?

The Rune of Death/Destined Death is a fragment of the Elden Ring. Marika had Maliketh imbue that rune into a weapon so that she could use Maliketh as the sole deliverer of death. By taking the rune from Maliketh, it grants the player the ability to kill a God; Marika/Elden Beast.

EDIT:

This is why the fight with Radagon/Marika/Elden Beast is not accessible until you take the rune. Otherwise you would not be able to kill them with your regular weapons, which I assume would be confusing for players so they locked you out until then.

In my opinion it would have made sense if you'd needed to take this rune back to Master Hewg to allow him to create 'a weapon to kill a god' that he mentions. It makes more sense than taking a weapon to +25/+10, but maybe they thought that was an unnecessary detour.

[Witcher]

So Maliketh is like an angel who delivers death for Marika, and was he ashamed because Ranni stole his blade or the Rune of Death to kill Godwyn?

Now it sounds like Maliketh (aka Gurranq) is the more innocent party here? Hence, Melina wanted Tarnished to take the Rune of Death to kill Marika and the Elden Beast to reset the Lands Between?

[Toad]

Originally posted by Witcher:

So Maliketh is like an angel who delivers death for Marika, and was he ashamed because Ranni stole his blade or the Rune of Death to kill Godwyn?

Now it sounds like Maliketh (aka Gurranq) is the more innocent party here? Hence, Melina wanted Tarnished to take the Rune of Death to kill Marika and the Elden Beast to reset the Lands Between?

Basically, yes. Marika entrusted Maliketh with protecting the Rune of Death, but he failed when a fragment of it was stolen and used to kill Godwyn. He has extreme guilt regarding that moment, and is why we find him hunting down Deathroot (the Death Curse that blossomed after Godwyn's death). He's desperately trying to clean up the aftermath of his perceived failure of duty.

EDIT:

It's also why he's surprised to see you if you give him all the Deathroot. He thought you were also helping him, but you arrive to also take the rune from him just like Ranni did. He feels betrayed once again, just like with Marika (when she betrayed the Greater Will, who were the ones who gave Marika Maliketh).