Land of Reeds
The Land of Reeds (葦の地, Ashi no Chi) is a mentioned location in Elden Ring.
It is located outside the borders of the Lands Between and is said to be a place locked in a long and miserable civil war, which, over time, has caused its alienation from neighboring nations and left the entire land succumbed to a blood-soaked madness.[1]
Overview
The Land of Reeds is home to a caste of warriors known as Samurai, who wield katanas designed to inflict blood loss.[2] Cone-shaped hats woven from straw are also worn in the Land of Reeds.[3]
The warrior, Okina, was a swordsman from the Land of Reeds. It is said that through repeated combat, his mind was sharpened. From his perspective, he began to see the absurdities of the world in stark relief. As a result, he chose to renounce everything, ascending to a plane where it only himself, his katana, and his mastery. Before long, Okina had become a demon of a swordsman.[4] For unknown reasons; perhaps seeking stronger opponents, Okina travelled to the Lands Between. There, he met Mohg, Lord of Blood, in battle. Upon feeling OkIna's blade strike his flesh, Mohg realised the extent of the Reedlander's maddness, and was captivated. In that moment, he made the swordsman an offer: a life in which his thirst for blood would never be sated. Okina agreed, joining the ranks of Mohg's Bloody Fingers. In return, Mohg coated his katana in cursed blood, so that Okina could better pursue his bloodlust.[5]
During Okina's time in the Land of Reeds, his talents had earned a loyal following of fellow warriors known as the Inaba, who became his disciples. The Inaba, and potentially Okina himself, practiced Seppuku, a forbidden combat technique developed in the Land of Reeds. It involves the user impaling themselves with their own weapon, briefly enchanting it to improve damage output and its abilty to inflict blood loss on others. Having been abandoned by Okina when he left for the Lands Between, the Inaba soon pursued their former master, seeking revenge and death in battle, as was their ultimate goal.[6]
People
Male Reedlander
Female Reedlander
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- Short description from the base template selection menu on the character creator.
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The peoples hailing from this land are referred to as "Reedlanders" and are select-able as a base template for the player character's appearance.
Known Reedlanders
Relevant Items
| Items related to or referencing the Land of Reeds |
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Notes
- Its history, weapons and mentioned customs are extremely reminiscent of the Sengoku (warring states) period of Japan, during the the 15th and 16th centuries.
- One of the legendary names of ancient Japan was 葦原の中つ国 (Ashihara-no-Nakatsu-Kuni), which translates literally to "The Land Amongst the Reeds." (More idiomatically, it might be read "the land of abundant rice.")
- Although never directly stated, many details suggest the Land of Reeds is under the influence of the Formless Mother. These include descriptions of Reedlanders as having "succumbed to a blood-soaked madness" and their clear favoritism for weapons that cause Blood Loss. The Outer God delights in the inflicting of wounds and the spilling of blood in all forms. The magical enhancement granded by Seppuku may very well be a blessing from the Outer God, with the technique acting as a form of offering. If the Formless Mother does preside over the Land of Reeds, it remains unclear if Reedlanders are willing to serve it, or if they are even aware of it.