What's the deal with the intro?

[Thomas Devlin]

So when I first picked the game up I was watching the intro and didn't really understand what was going on, the narrator started rattling off different names and I just figured they were the story bosses or something, but now that I've been playing the game for a bit I'm actually even more confused. Looking back on the intro they name off a bunch of random NPCs that seemingly have nothing to do with each other, is there some kind of importance to interacting with all of these guys in the right order, like I unlock a secret ending or something?

[vamirez]

No, it's a staple of FS games to show you a number of characters in the intro that are either boss-enemies or just important characters, and you have to figure out yourself where they are and what role they play. The same applies to the events that are shown - did they just happen? Was that a long time ago? What does it mean? What is not being told?

[Almaz]

that's called bad writing which causes player's confusion and involvment in the new world

[CourtesyFlush09]

The good news is that the intro was confusing and mysterious even for Souls vets, since ER is a completely new franchise. So I was right there with you.

FromSoft games often have lore that sounds confusing at first, but the more you play and read item descriptions, the more it starts to make sense and then you realize how awesome it is. Elden Ring is no different.

You're not expected to interact with NPCs in a certain order. The great thing about this game is that it made it a lot harder to fail quests (compared to previous Souls games). Reading an online guide like the ER Wiki is a great resource and your best bet.

[The Sylvan Learning Center]

The intro movie is a reference to yeats' poem "The End Times." It's actually quite clever, although many not familiar with the poem will just be confused

[Clail]

Just play the game, you'll come across the characters and lore.

[Scuzz]

Originally posted by vamirez:

No, it's a staple of FS games to show you a number of characters in the intro that are either boss-enemies or just important characters, and you have to figure out yourself where they are and what role they play. The same applies to the events that are shown - did they just happen? Was that a long time ago? What does it mean? What is not being told?

This for me.

[Gob]

I'm guessing there might actually be some story to the game but, if so, I haven't found it.

i just got on with the game and mostly ignored the occasional nonsense from the NPCs, concentrating on getting gud instead.

[Norm Macdonald's Ghost]

Originally posted by csand:

They are fellow surviving tarnished

It says right in the video before it lists off the names:

Arise now, ye tarnished, ye dead who yet live.

And the last person mentioned:
"and one other whom grace would bless" = the player

Edit: also...

Originally posted by Thomas Devlin:

...is there some kind of importance to interacting with all of these guys in the right order, like I unlock a secret ending or something?

Uhhh, ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ maybe. Just keep playing.

[Bricky strong]

Its foreshadowing and being obscure.

[Fineous🔥]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnVDTCq_M6w

Make sure you enable to subtitles just in case, also reduce the playback speed to 0,25 . Honestly OP i dont think this will help you at all but i did my best, there you have all the intro perfectly explained.

Bless you and happy new year.

[Kissa Ninja]

Here's the objective: Blah Blah 3 rings, blah blah counting you, blah blah utmost importance; Win, good luck.

[Name]

Dunno I skipped that and murdered everything.

[cgunforfree]

Originally posted by Thomas Devlin:

So when I first picked the game up I was watching the intro and didn't really understand what was going on, the narrator started rattling off different names and I just figured they were the story bosses or something, but now that I've been playing the game for a bit I'm actually even more confused. Looking back on the intro they name off a bunch of random NPCs that seemingly have nothing to do with each other, is there some kind of importance to interacting with all of these guys in the right order, like I unlock a secret ending or something?

the intro is for noobs who played AAA games ( and NO Souls Games ) and now they get GOTY by reflex ( ... and they did not realize this is not an AAA game )

[CazadorDeLobo]

To answer your question, they are Tarnished. Not some other thing. They represent the base Lands Between, and there is contextual importance to this in the overall "scheme" taking place in-universe.

[Ponyeater]

Originally posted by The Sylvan Learning Center:

The intro movie is a reference to yeats' poem "The End Times." It's actually quite clever, although many not familiar with the poem will just be confused

If you reference obscure things, you have to be prepared for people not to get it.
Not that From Soft minds. They have always been like this even pre-Demon Souls. *shrug*
Their most commonly used trope in all of their games?

Mysterious Fog - Present in: King's Field 4, Eternal Ring, Demon's Souls
Poison Swamp - Present in: King's Field, Eternal Ring, Demon's Souls, DS I, DS II, DS III, BB, Elden Ring

Anyway, I wonder if this is a hidden message by them. I mean referencing a biblical work about the End Times in the current year, now that things are coming to ruin IRL, too.
From Soft must know something we don't.