Nearly every single boss encounter inElden Ringis epic and memorable. If FromSoftware has proven anything through its catalog, it’s that it knows how to craft engaging and difficult boss fights. Oftentimes, though, the deep lore and engrossing stories behind these bosses can be overlooked. The optional battle against Lichdragon Fortissax inElden Ringis a prime example. While the fight is applauded for its visual design and tricky mechanics, it’s entirely possible for players to miss the backstory tied to Fortissax.
Like the majority of both friendly and enemy characters, Lichdragon Fortissax’s role shifted throughoutthe timeline ofElden Ring. Despite appearing only as an optional boss late into the game, Lichdragon Fortissax is a relatively important figure inElden Ring’s lore, and its history explains much of the fight that players encounter.
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Lichdragon Fortissax Before the Night of Black Knives
The Night of Black Knives is the most pivotal moment inElden Ring’s lore. On that night, Godwyn the Golden—son of Marika and Godfrey—was killed byBlack Knife Assassinsusing blades forged from the Rune of Death. Directly following the events of that night, the Elden Ring was shattered after no other demigod could be chosen to take up the mantle of Elden Lord. As a result, the Tarnished, including the player, were summoned to the Lands Between and thus the events of the game begin.
However, Fortissax’s role in the story begins long before the Night of Black Knives. When Ancient Dragon Gransax—the massive, petrified dragon that players see in-game—assaulted the capital city of Leyndell, Fortissax and the other Ancient Dragons accompanied him. During the assault, Fortissax fought against Godwyn the Golden but was defeated. Godwyn spared Fortissax and the two bonded, with Godwyn learning the Death Lightning incantation from Fortissax. It is implied through incantation descriptions and lore that this exchange was the first example of the Ancient Dragon incantations in the Lands Between.
SinceGodwyn the Goldenwas assassinated with blades forged by a piece of the Rune of Death, he was corrupted and became the Prince of Death. As Fortissax struggled to contain the evil within his friend, he was defeated and himself corrupted in the process, turning from Ancient Dragon Fortissax into the character seen in-game, Lichdragon Fortissax.
Lichdragon Fortissax’s Role During the Events of Elden Ring
Players encounter Fortissax at the end of a quest chain given by adeathbed companion named Fia. It is revealed through the events of this quest that Fia’s ultimate plan is to free Those Who Live in Death—zombie-like creatures that were created during the Night of the Black Knives. By laying with Godwyn, who is now the Prince of Death, Fia births the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince. The player can take this rune and, upon ascending to Elden Lord, free Those Who Live in Death from their curse.
There is, however, one figure standing in the way of players achieving thisending inElden Ring: Lichdragon Fortissax. After giving Fia the Cursemark of Death, players begin a battle against Lichdragon Fortissax that takes place in a deathbed dream. It can be reasoned that Lichdragon Fortissax is attempting to defend his longtime friend, Godwyn, even after they have both fallen to corruption. Once the player defeats Lichdragon Fortissax, there is nothing standing in the way of Fia on her quest to lie with Godwyn.
Since Lichdragon Fortissax is defeated during a dream encounter, it’s unclear whether this is truly the end of Fortissax. But since Lichdragon Fortissax shares the same corruption as Godwyn, he is likely freed by the player during the Age of the Duskborn ending as well.
Elden Ringis out now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
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