ClippyNotesExtra: I always thought it was implied, as the falling star beasts were effectively found in craters suggesting they were recent arrivals, and they share the same "falling star" type naming convention. But it is nice to see the confirmation.

zylon577: Really cool. In all other cases discussing Astel, the withered stages were thought to be the intermediate ones between the larvae FSB, and the mature Astel, some sort of cocoon. But them being Astels dying also makes a lot of sense. Still, it could also mean that the one inside the cocoon did not manage to fully "ripen", and is now withering away, unable to become a full Astel. Instead of the arms withering away, they were not yet fully formed, and the iridecent hue on the wings is missing, as it too could not form yet. Regarding the color scheme, the withering ones are closer to the FSBs as they are to mature ones, mostly using white and grey

CyanBirb: To be fair about the Bastard part, Natural born is really just another way to say Bastard

Locaneo: Look at Master Lusat's head, then look at Astel's eye when you have a chance. It may be Insightful.

The Abyss/Void really does stare back at you.

jbark678: Even more interesting is the connection between the Elden Beast and the Astels. They share a few common attacks and I don't think it's a coincidence.

Idea_of_Lustre: Something that always stuck out to me about Astel compared to the other extraterrestrial entities throughout Elden Ring is that it has a human-like skull, which is a bit odd considering its stated origin. And while it has way too many of them, its hands are also similar to human ones (just ignore the extra fingers).


The Gravitational Missile spell is also rather prominently used by Commander Gaius, a student of gravity magic under an Alabaster Lord.


There is also the curious case of the Graven Schools/Masses, described as ‘the seeds of stars’.


I’m not sure what exactly the connection is, but I can’t shake the feeling that there is some sort of external force influencing the appearance of the Astels.

luckyowl6432: Astel is like a eldritch kitten that I want to pet

xterraaaryn: I'd like to point out that in Japanese, a seahorse is referred to as タツノオトシゴ（龍の落とし子）, which implies that culturally, ancient Japanese believed that seahorses were the "bastard children" of dragons (which in Eastern culture often inhabit rivers, lakes and oceans). But instead of any connection to being "illegitimate" or not, rather I think it means that seahorses are thought of as "spawns" of aquatic dragons -- the word has the nuance of being more of a "byproduct" than something purposefully made.

falgalhutkinsmarzcal3962: It is strange that they should develop human faces as they progress, as well as hands. It is similar to how Onyx and Alabastar lords were born of meteorite impacts and yet are humanoid, and the Crystallians are humanoid also. The Lands Between may have an anthropomorphizing effect on extraterrestrial beings. Even the Elden Beast is anthropomorphic. Is this because humanoids control the Elden Ring? Perhaps the Elden Beast is draconic as well because the Elden Ring used to belong to the god of Placidusax (the Twin Birds) and the Elden Beast assumes the form of the dominant species.

beanbeater: absolutely insane production quality

ACCURSEDBAYLE: The Withered Astel are probably mimics made by the Nox imo. They drop somber smithing stones, I mean come on… The Nox can mimic anything and much of their culture is centered around mirroring others.

leinadanilom7302: Astel has a Mr. DNA from Jurassic Park thing going on

elireed929: This man appreciates culture with the trapinch and flygon

BigBadWolframio: Oh, yaaay! I've always thought they were the same creatures in different life stages, but I hadn't made the lion ant connection, that's so cool! And that incipient face under the fur, wtf, very creepy, I love it! Thank you for sharing your findings :)

milosmitrovic9155: Metyr, the brilliant daughter of the Greater Will, was the first of all stars to fall upon the Lands Between.

Perhaps Metyr was the legitimate daughter of the Greater Will and Astel the bastard. Like the Godwyn and Omen twins, or the Angel - Fallen Angel relationship.

wkave: Shooting star - sounds like it has a direction/ plan (intelligence) where a falling star has no choice (beast). I think Astel is a bastard of Luscat when he peered into the void - kind of a malformed alien version of his intelligence. The beasts could be Astels own children - lacking most of the intelligence that guided the Astels

TheBubbleBot: Very interesting take. While I offer no solid points to back it up - I would lean towards the interpretation that washed out/dark Astels are in the process of transformation into full Astels like the 3 iridescent ones we see throughout ER and Nightreign. Basically an intermediary between FSB and Astel. Their placement and position brings the idea of cocoon like metamorphosis, where FSB lifts itself into the air, avoiding dangers on the ground during the metamorphosis period. Their lack of hue and poor mobility can also be result of end stages of still ongoing transformation. Note that while Astels come in both blacks and colorful tones - FSBs are all only black and washed out, which I would see as indicator that their shape is the first thing to change. I would see it as FSBs maturing on the surface, collecting nutrients, moving underground, latching themselves to ceilings with their tails, undergoing metamorphosis in stone cocoons, sheading them to reveal new form and then maturing in this position, getting the characteristic hue and full control of their new bodies. Notably also I think the progression of their gravity magic also seems to indicate: FSB

sirith9157: What really hits me about Withered Astels is the fact that they're hanging from the ceiling. Maybe the withering itself is caused less by age and more about gravity itself? They're "born of the lightless void". If to take it completely seriously, their real environment is probably devoid of any gravity to begin with, so with lanky arms like that? It's probably a constant fight for them to stand normally and they hang from the ceiling until they meet the end from exhaustion rather than age. They don't even look organic for the most part, so what's to deteriorate with time aside from them losing a fight with the force which can't be fought endlessly?

astrealbrizbee9815: I always thought the Elden Beast was the final stage of Astel and the stage you fight it in is the sky that was stolen from the Eternal City, it was most likely a historical description of when Merika fully took over the Lands Between using various tools at her disposal, namely an Astel that luckily was sent rather than accidentally landed by the Greater Will.

ppp-v4t5w: Check out the life cycle of the Dobsonfly as well.

peterfields2179: the antlion pit is also similar to a gravity well. everything around it gets drawn in

anoblecilla13: I only think you got the last two flipped where the grey adult is post transformation where it hasn’t quite fully bloomed after its metamorphosis

Halberick: your editing is on another level, amazing work my friend. keep it up!

infinityzer054: either withered astel is "after" their time, or it's "before" their full maturity, the nymphs still hardening their wings, soon requiring a sky to devour.

Dec 01 2025

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