Age Of Fracture Elden Ring And How To Unlock This Ending
The Age of Fracture stands as the standard ending in Elden Ring, representing the baseline conclusion for players who complete the main story without aligning with specific optional factions. Reaching this narrative resolution requires traversing the Lands Between, defeating key demigods, and mending the shattered Ring. While it is the most straightforward ending to achieve, it offers profound narrative implications for the future of the realm.
Understanding the Significance of the Age of Fracture
Choosing the Age of Fracture means becoming the Elden Lord under the traditional order established by the Greater Will. Instead of introducing a new mending rune or altering the laws of the world, your character simply repairs the Elden Ring using its original structure. This action restores the status quo, placing you on the throne as the ruler of a damaged world.
From a lore perspective, this conclusion represents continuity rather than drastic change. The golden light returns to the Lands Between, but the underlying flaws of the Golden Order remain uncorrected. Players who prefer a classic hero's journey often find this ending fitting, as it fulfills the original task given to the Tarnished.
Key Steps Required to Achieve the Standard Ending
To unlock the Age of Fracture, players must progress through the main story campaign until reaching the Erdtree's interior. This path requires defeating mandatory bosses including Margit, Godrick, Rennala, Radahn, Morgott, and the Fire Giant. After burning the impenetrable thorns at the Mountaintops of the Giants, you must navigate the Crumbling Farum Azula to release the Unleashed Death.
Upon returning to Leyndell, Capital of Ash, you must defeat Sir Gideon Ofnir and Godfrey, the First Elden Lord. Entering the Erdtree triggers the final boss battles against Radagon of the Golden Order and the Elden Beast. Victory in these consecutive fights grants you access to the Fractured Marika statue inside the tree chamber.
Interacting with Fractured Marika to Finalize the Ending
Once the Elden Beast is defeated, walk up to the remains of Fractured Marika in the center of the arena. Selecting the option to mend the Elden Ring initiates the Age of Fracture cutscene. It is important to avoid using specialized mending runes gathered from questlines, as those will trigger alternate variations of the Elden Lord ending.
If you have unlocked other endings through NPC quests, such as Ranni or the Flame of Frenzy, ensure you do not activate their respective summon signs or triggers. As long as you interact directly with the statue and choose the default repair option, the Age of Fracture sequence will play. Following this path completes your primary objective as a Tarnished warrior without incurring additional outer influence.
Why Many Players Choose the Default Conclusion First
The Age of Fracture serves as an ideal baseline for players completing their initial playthrough of the game. It requires no complex side quests or easily missable NPC interactions, making it accessible to anyone who reaches the final arena. Securing this ending unlocks the primary achievement while leaving alternate narrative paths open for New Game Plus runs.
Furthermore, achieving this conclusion offers a clear perspective on how optional questlines alter the fate of the Lands Between. By experiencing the default restoration of the Golden Order first, players can better appreciate the drastic transformations brought by rival factions in subsequent playthroughs.