This Shadow of the Erdtree feature may have been the first in any FromSoftware game!
Lore Revelations in the Shadow of the Erdtree
Even veteran FromSoftware players would have been surprised by the first few bosses in Shadow of the Erdtree. The Elden Rings DLC was stated to be for players who have reached the late game, but even that may have underestimated the difficulty.
Of all the new bosses in the expansion, the last one is considered the hardest. This is not only because of their strength but also because of some other mechanics, some of which can become annoying. Regardless, one theory says we should have help with this fight, which makes sense. Be warned, there are story spoilers ahead!
The convoluted story of Shadow of the Erdtree paints the picture of a wronged race and how many of their descendants harbor intense negative feelings towards Messmer, Marika and even the disgraced. The very first boss many will encounter, the lion-dancing divine beast, is a holdover from the war against Messmer, and finding an NPC provides more information about their hatred of Marika and her ilk.
