Despite appearing to be an optional encounter, Lichdragon Fortissax boasts probably the most in-depth and interesting lore in most of Elden Ring.

Nearly each and every boss encounter in Elden Ring is epic and memorable. If FromSoftware has proven anything through its catalog, it's it knows how to craft engaging and difficult boss fights. Oftentimes, though, the deep lore and engrossing stories behind these bosses could be overlooked. The optional battle against Lichdragon Fortissax in Elden Ring is really a prime example. While your dream is applauded because of its visual design and tricky mechanics, it's possible for players to miss the backstory associated with Fortissax.

Like nearly all both friendly and enemy characters, Lichdragon Fortissax's role shifted through the timeline of Elden Ring. Despite appearing only being an optional boss late into the game, Lichdragon Fortissax is really a relatively important estimate of Elden Ring's lore, and it is history explains a lot of the fights that players encounter.

Lichdragon Fortissax Before the Night of Black Knives

The Night of Black Knives is easily the most pivotal moment in Elden Ring's lore. On that night, Godwyn the Golden—son of Marika and Godfrey—was killed by Black Knife Assassins using blades forged in the Rune of Death. Directly following the events of this night, the Elden Ring was shattered after not one other demigod might be chosen to consider the mantle of Elden Lord. As a result, the Tarnished, such as the player, was summoned towards the Lands Between and therefore the events from the game begin.

However, Fortissax's role in the story begins well before the Night of Black Knives. When Ancient Dragon Gransax—the massive, petrified dragon that players see in-game—assaulted the main city of Leyndell, Fortissax and also the other Ancient Dragons accompanied him. During the assault, Fortissax struggled with Godwyn the Golden but was defeated. Godwyn spared Fortissax and also the two bonded, with Godwyn learning the Death Lightning incantation from Fortissax. It is implied through incantation descriptions and lore this exchange was the very first example from the Ancient Dragon incantations within the Lands Between.

Since Godwyn the Golden was assassinated with blades forged with a piece from the Rune of Death, he was corrupted and had become the Prince of Death. As Fortissax struggled to retain 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 after a quest chain given by a deathbed companion named Fia. It is revealed with the events of the quest that Fia's ultimate plan is to free Those Who Live in Death—zombie-like creatures which were created throughout the Night from the Black Knives. By laying with Godwyn, who's now the Prince of Death, Fia births the Mending Rune from the Death-Prince. The player may take this rune and, upon ascending to Elden Lord, free Those Who Live in Death using their curse.

There is, however, one figure standing within the way of players accomplishing this ending in Elden Ring: Lichdragon Fortissax. After giving Fia the Cursemark of Death, players start a battle against Lichdragon Fortissax that can take place in a deathbed dream. It could be reasoned that Lichdragon Fortissax is attempting to defend his longtime friend, Godwyn, despite they have both fallen to corruption. Once the player defeats Lichdragon Fortissax, there's nothing standing in the way of Fia on her behalf quest to lie with Godwyn.

Since Lichdragon Fortissax is defeated throughout a dream encounter, it's unclear whether this really is truly the end of Fortissax. But since Lichdragon Fortissax shares exactly the same corruption as Godwyn, he's likely freed through the player throughout the Age from the Duskborn ending too.

Elden Ring has gone out now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.