Melina - Blog Posts
Several characters from Elden Ring
I'd post all of them at once but Tumblr only allows me to add 10 images maximum
Possible Black Widow spoilers
Natasha: *sad about having to go back to the Red Room*
Melina and Alexei: *freaking out and trying to get out of the U.S. before shield gets them*
Yelena in the back seat:
black widow was so good i’m in awe. i was consistently surprised by how little they sexualized her and how throughout the whole thing what she was wearing made sense. i loved the relationship between her and yelena, it felt very real and solid, which made me more interested in yelena’s character. the female relationships in this hit so hard and the theme was clearly about natasha forming bonds. (i also appreciated the fact that no cameos were made by other avengers, which might be an unpopular opinion).
recently i beat the game Elden Ring
Now that I've finally chewed into the dlc, I can finally ask you about Messmer! What's your favorite Messmer lore or headcanon? What do you think about the Messmer Godwyn twin theory/headcanon? (and where do you think Messmer is on the age list if not Godwyn's twin?)
The long lore answer is in here - but probably one of my favourite headcanons is that he’s blind, or at least can’t see shit with the eye given to him by Marika, and so mostly sees the world through the eyes of his serpents.
As for this twin theory, it’s honestly the first I hear of it?? Tbh I don’t find it super compelling - especially since Melina is canonically established as his sister. Personally I imagine them as fraternal twins and Marika’s first children pre-godhood (during the age of the Crucible/Hornsent), since both of them go practically unmentioned in the rest of the game’s broader world, as if they’ve been written out of existence. I love the idea that they did not make it, for multiple reasons, to the age of the Erdtree - Melina’s disappearance in connection to being the GEQ, and Messmer constrained to stay behind in the Shadow Realm because of his curse and his duty to wage this eternal crusade.
I really think the canonical, in-game mention of Messmer knowing Radahn is messy for the timeline and more crucially a missed opportunity to play up a kind of damnatio memoriae situation for Marika’s children pre-Erdtree. I imagine Godwyn to be born to her at the height of her power as the Greater Will’s vassal, after passing into godhood, and believing he is her firstborn and heir only because Messmer and Melina have been written out of history and the Shadow Realm veiled from the world. This is also a way for me to keep continuity in my fics because I’m obstinate about that lol. Thanks for the ask!
We used to meet at dusk Sitting on the old bridge While fog surrounds the hills It covers the road past our sight
No one knows where we are Only the sky and the autumn leafs When you said "I love you" The miserable clouds disappeared
-Al Rahbani Brothers
I tell my neighbor: Come and spend the night with me, I have figs, and almonds, and sugar. We sing, because you are lonely, And singing will ease your longing. I have a home, and a small area of land, So I am safe now. The land of my country is land from heaven, And on it sleeps the painful time. I tell our house: If I am alone, And snow and cold blows, My house is as fire to me, And the winter passes, friendly as a field of roses.
-Al Rahbani Brothers
Self-taught
The failed echo will help me And the tyrannical secrets inspire me! Times of resounding anxiety And a storm hugs me tightly Here the cities of contradiction contain me The countryside of art precedes it I am drawn to the current by self-taught people My heart is steadfast in the war alone
And despite the hatred I prepare for the feverish blindness!
Sakina Al-Sharif
kaçak kız
Telaffuzunu elemeye ve geliştirmeye başladı.. Ve bir takımyıldız gibi kendi yörüngesinde süzülüyor! Ona suikast düzenlemeye çalışan bir dünya var. Kalıntıları arasında dolaşıp, savrulup dönüyorum Yıkıcı bir retorik savaşı yaklaşıyor Kanıyla ve toprağıyla çarmıha gerilecek! Çöken dünyada makalem özgür kaldı. Evren bilgisayarlı! Beni nasıl kendi inlerine sürüklemeye çalıştılar Özgünlüğün baltalandığı bir bağımlılık Kimliklerini inkar ediyorlar... Benzerlik kalıplarıyla şekillenmeyeceğim! Sanatım doğanın sesini dinlemek Ve uzuvlarım düşenlerden gizli Ruhum karanlıkta tek başına savaşır
-Sakina Al-Sharif
Runaway
She started sifting and refining her pronunciation.. And she floats around her orbit as a constellation, There's a world that tries to assassinate her! Wandering among its ruins, tossing and turning A devastating rhetorical war is brewing She will be crucified with her blood and soil! My article remained free in a collapsing world. The universe is computerized! How they tried to drag me into their den An addiction where originality is undermined They deny their identity... I will not be molded by similar patterns! My art is listening to the voice of nature And my limbs are hidden from those who fall My soul fights alone in the dark
-Sakina Al-Sharif
Does the world escape me like a void?
Have I given up on illusions? Heavy nights train me And the rain of melodies were epics I became aware of war after war The sound of the sword inspired and inspired me! I search my halls and call out To me, to me, O formulated dream
-Sakaina Al-sharif
Kabil
Kabil şimdi şistten yapılmış bir kuşla atıyor Yeryüzüne iner ve onu muazzam ateş yağmurlarıyla yağdırır. Onun ıssızlığından önce kuleler ve evler çöküyor Ölüler toprağın kucağından yukarılara kaçar Cain şimdi tankında dolaşıyor Koyunlar dehşete kapıldı Kabil ahırının duvarını yıkıyor Köyde gece sabaha döndüğü için ahırı uyumaya uygun değil Aşağıya inen ışığın yaydığı Bir ejderhanın dili gibi Kasırga dünyanın yüzünü harap etti
Cain
Cain now beats with a bird made of shale He descends to the earth and showers it- with tremendous rains of fire. Towers and houses collapse before its desolation The dead escape from the embrace of the earth upwards Cain is now floating around in his tank The sheep were terrified Cain is tearing down the wall of his barn Since night turns to morning in the village, the barn is not suitable for sleeping. Emitted by the light coming down Like a dragon's tongue Hurricane ravaged the face of the earth
by: Mohammad Al-Buraiki
The Rain
By sea...towards another space, shaking off my dust. Forgetting my name, the names of plants, and the history of trees.. Escaping from this sun that flogs me with its boredom... Fleeing from cities that slept for centuries under the feet of the moon.. Leaving behind me eyes made of glass and a sky made of stone. I will not go back to the sun... for I now belong to the rainstorms.
by: Nizar Qabbani
Nizar Qabbani (1923–1998)
Nizar Qabbani was one of the most renowned and influential Arab poets of the 20th century. He was born in Damascus, Syria, into a well-off, artistic family. His father, Tawfiq Qabbani, was a businessman and a political activist, and his mother, Faiza Akbik, hailed from a family with strong intellectual roots. His childhood in Damascus, surrounded by traditional Arab culture and the cosmopolitan currents of the time, had a lasting influence on his poetry.
Early Life and Education
Nizar Qabbani’s fascination with poetry began at a young age, and his education at the National Scientific College School in Damascus further nurtured his literary talents. He later pursued law at Damascus University, from which he graduated in 1945. While studying, Qabbani was already writing poetry, and he published his first collection, The Brunette Told Me, at the age of 21. This collection focused on themes of love and femininity, topics that would define much of his career.
Diplomatic Career
After graduating, Qabbani embarked on a long diplomatic career. He served as a cultural attaché and diplomat for Syria in various countries, including Egypt, Turkey, Lebanon, and the United Kingdom. His diplomatic work exposed him to diverse cultures and political environments, shaping his global outlook and influencing his poetry. While he continued to work as a diplomat, Qabbani never stopped writing and publishing poetry.
Poetry and Themes
Nizar Qabbani’s poetry is marked by its simplicity, emotional depth, and bold exploration of taboo subjects. His works often dealt with themes of love, sensuality, and the role of women in society. He was one of the few Arab poets who openly wrote about romantic and erotic love, which caused controversy in conservative circles. His poetry also questioned traditional gender roles and advocated for women’s rights, earning him admiration among progressive audiences. However, his themes were not limited to love. As he matured, Qabbani’s poetry became more political, particularly after the devastating loss of his second wife, Balqis al-Rawi, in a bombing during the Lebanese Civil War in 1981. He began to write about Arab nationalism, the oppression of the Arab people, and the failures of Arab governments. His poetry took on a tone of rebellion and anger, reflecting his frustration with the state of the Arab world.
Personal Life and Tragedy
Nizar Qabbani’s personal life was marked by both great love and profound tragedy. He was married twice. His first wife, Zahra, with whom he had two children, died young, leaving him devastated. His second marriage was to Balqis al-Rawi, an Iraqi woman who became a significant figure in his life and works. Balqis’s death in the 1981 bombing deeply affected Qabbani, and he wrote several moving poems dedicated to her memory. One of his most famous pieces, “Balqis,” reflects his grief and sense of loss. Qabbani’s poetry also carried the scars of personal tragedy from his early years. His older sister’s suicide, after being forced to marry someone she did not love, deeply influenced his views on women’s rights and societal restrictions, fueling his lifelong advocacy for love and personal freedom.
Memoirs
Qabbani also wrote prose, including memoirs that provide insights into his personal life, creative process, and the political landscape of the Arab world during his lifetime. His memoir, My Story with Poetry (Qissati Ma’a Al-She’r), offers a detailed account of his journey as a poet, his inspiration, and the events that shaped his works. In it, Qabbani reflects on how love, politics, and personal experiences intertwined in his poetry. In his memoirs and other prose writings, Qabbani often spoke candidly about his frustrations with Arab politics, the impact of his personal losses, and his complex relationship with his homeland, Syria. His writings reveal a poet deeply affected by both the joys and sorrows of life, committed to using poetry as a means of emotional and political expression.
Legacy
Nizar Qabbani’s poetry remains widely read and celebrated across the Arab world. He is often referred to as the “poet of love” because of his numerous poems on romance and women, but his later political works have also earned him the title of a revolutionary poet. His simple yet powerful style, combined with his boldness in addressing both personal and political issues, has made his poetry timeless. Qabbani’s works have been translated into several languages, and his influence extends beyond the literary world. Many of his poems have been set to music by prominent Arab singers, further cementing his place in Arab cultural history. Qabbani passed away in London in 1998, but his poetry continues to inspire and resonate with readers across generations, reflecting the personal, emotional, and political complexities of the Arab experience.
Why is Kafka so important when it comes to European loneliness?
How are his writings still so relevant today? And does his literature really reflect the loneliness we see in European societies?
Who is Franz Kafka?
First, let’s start by getting to know Franz Kafka. Kafka was a Czech Jewish writer who lived in the early 20th century. His writings were marked by strangeness and ambiguity, often tackling themes like isolation, alienation, and the dehumanizing effects of bureaucracy. His most famous works, such as *The Metamorphosis* and *The Trial*, convey a deep sense of psychological oppression and the feeling of being trapped in a cold and incomprehensible world.
European Loneliness – How Did It Become a Reality?
Now, let’s move to the key question: Why is Kafka considered important in the context of European loneliness? To understand this, we need to first look at life in modern European societies. Despite the economic and technological advancements in Europe, loneliness has become a significant part of many people's lives. These societies tend to emphasize individualism and self-reliance, which can often lead to feelings of isolation and existential emptiness. A large portion of people in Europe live alone, and due to highly structured social and political systems, individuals often feel like they are just small cogs in a vast machine. This is where Kafka comes in. His writings reflect this very feeling – the sense that one has no control over their life and is trapped in a cold, impersonal system.
How Does Kafka’s Literature Reflect Loneliness?
Kafka’s works deeply capture feelings of loneliness and alienation. In *The Metamorphosis*, the protagonist transforms into an insect and feels rejected by both his family and society. Here, we see a clear picture of loneliness, the feeling of being unaccepted and misunderstood. Kafka was expressing a profound fear of being disconnected from others and not being able to communicate. In *The Trial*, the protagonist is subjected to a senseless trial by a mysterious and oppressive system. This mirrors the experience of individuals in modern Europe who feel like mere numbers in a vast, soulless bureaucratic machine. Loneliness is not just about the absence of personal connections; it’s also about feeling powerless and disconnected from one’s own life. That’s what makes Kafka’s work so relevant to understanding modern European loneliness.
The Existential Dimension in Kafka’s Works
Kafka isn’t just a writer who critiques systems and bureaucracy. He is also a deeply existential writer. Many people in Europe today feel lost in a world that seems to lack meaning, and Kafka’s writings reflect this reality. The existential themes in his works raise questions about the purpose of life and the meaning behind everything that happens, questions that continue to resonate with individuals navigating a chaotic and alienating world.
- Feda'a Yahya
Even with the recent developments with Messmer, I personally still believe that the smouldering butterfly is supposed to represent Melina. The main reason is because of the butterfly's main use as kindling.
Messmer might have a lot of fire stuff going on, but Melina embodies the butterfly much more. Not only was she seemingly born burned and bodiless, much like the smouldering butterfly is born eternally burning, but she also acts as kindling to burn the erdtree in a similar way the butterfly does for crafting items.
The butterfly's represent the main curses of all 3 of the youngest siblings. Malenia's being rotted, Miquella's appearing eternally young and Melina's being burned and inevitably used as kindling.
I personally don't see the connection to Messmer other than the fact that they both share fire motifs. And even then, he's presumably not a part of Malenia and Miquella's sibling group as he's likely one of the oldest demigods, so it wouldn't make too much sense for him to be the third butterfly in the trinity.
Y’know, something peculiar I’ve noticed while looking through item descriptions is how absent Marika seems to be in all of her children's lives. Rennala, Radagon and Godfrey are all either outright mentioned in things revolving some of their children, or are heavily hinted at within other parts of the game
i.e Abductor virgin’s protecting Rya Lucaria academy, something Rykard likely chose to do to protect his mother.
Rykard and Radahn both once having high standing positions in the golden order, likely due to Radagon.
Despite Radahn directly looking up to Godfrey he still wore his fathers red hair with incredible pride, even though it was something Radagon hated about himself.
Rennala was the one to introduce Ranni to the dark moon and other celestial entities.
Radagon and Miquella have both gifted each other incantations that they had developed for one another.
While brief, Godfrey holds Morgott in his arms as he fades into grace, being there for him in a way he was unable to when he was younger.
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But Marika… doesn’t seem to have anything. No comment of her doing anything or developing anything with any of her children, no small interactions that made it into item description flavour text. Even when it comes to her golden child Godwyn, there’s practically nothing.
For a while now I’ve wondered why this was. Why did Marika seem to be so absent in all of her children's lives? She has 9 direct descendants and not one seems to have a notable experience with her. But then after watching the new cinematic trailer, something dawned on me.
What if it was Messmer?
What if the things Messmer did in the name of Marika and her order during the shadow land war were so monstrous and unforgivable, to the point where the land of shadow was hidden away and he himself was erased from history that she just couldn’t bring herself to attempt a connection with the rest of her children?
Afterall, Marika seems to hate fire with a passion. Anything and everything in the lands between that has any connection to it is something she tries to snuff out. The giants and their forge, the crucible and their fire breathing abilities, the dragons, even the omens have bloodflame magic if Morgott and Mohg are anything to go off of. Even the phrase “flame of ambition” seeming to be a very negative term is something that’s throwing shade at the idea of fire.
And what is it that Messmer is so well known for?
His flame. Messmer's flame. The very same flame he used to purge the land of shadows.
Out of curiosity, what are the major rebuttals to the "Melina = GEQ" theory?
Because honestly, the more I think about it the more it just makes perfect sense for her to be the GEQ, and I can't really think of any counter arguments that are all too convincing for me.
I'm not sure what the general concensus on the "Melina is the Gloam-Eyed Queen" theory is here, but I think it would be pretty cool considering that Melina helped our tarnished to grow and become the death of the gods, much like the GEQ did for her apostles.
Even while stripped of her power, her memories and her very body she was still unwavering in her own convictions. Even if she didn't fully remember what they were for a lot of her journey with us.
Queen Marika the eternal and the power of bewitching
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Y'know, it's interesting that Marika also seemed to have a similar "mind control" power that Miquella is often sited as having.
"The Empyrean Miquella is loved by many people. Indeed, he has learned very well how to compel such affection."
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While it's something that isn't heavily explored in game (to the point where I don't see anyone discussing it) Roderika theorizes that Marika cursed Hewg to eternally craft weapons for the remainder of his life. And it's straight up stated that this "cursing power" was used on the fire giant to force it into protecting the giants forge in the name of the erdtree.
"The Fire Giant is a survivor of the War against the Giants. Upon realizing the flames of their forge would never die, Queen Marika marked him with a curse. "O trifling giant, mayest thou tend thy flame for eternity.""
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So Marika definitely seems to have a similar power, possibly even being the person Miquella inherited his off of in the first place.
But could this go even further than just Hewg and the fire giant? How many others could she have cursed over the years? What are the chances that Radagon suddenly up and leaving his family to become second elden lord wasn't actually his decision at all? Miriel himself states that it's a ongoing mystery as to why Radagon would do it.(alongside why he was chosen to become elden lord at all)
"The mystery endures, to this day... As to why Lord Radagon would cast Lady Rennala aside... and moreover...why a mere champion would be chosen for the seat of Elden Lord"."
The thing I find really important is that the question isn't just about why he'd be chosen as elden lord, but also why he'd cast Rennala aside at all. To me, this implies that Radagon did indeed care for Rennala, to the point where even with the temptation of becoming the second lord of the order he loved so much, it still seemed strangely out of character for him to take that opportunity over his family. As if he would never do that.
That is unless, he didn't take that opportunity by choice.
Afterall, even after leaving Rennala, he still clings to the only thing he has left of her, the golden order greatsword. And on top of that, he left his red wolf to protect her from harm, and even gifted her the amber egg before his departure. (Though I'd argue that that did far more bad than good for her mental state.)
"Telltale signs betray that this was once the greatsword bequeathed to him by his first wife, Rennala."
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Ok so Radagon could have been cursed by Marika, and much like Hewg with his smithing and the fire giant with the forge, Radagon might have been cursed to protect the golden order as its elden lord, which would eventually backfire horrendously when Marika decided to turn against that very same order.
Admittedly I am kind of stretching here but everyone she cursed seems to be "cursed" with a specific goal in mind. Forge a god slaying weapon, Protect the giants forge. So it's not totally out of the question that she also cursed Radagon with the goal of "be the elden lord."
It would certainly explain why even after years trapped in the tree and barely even being alive anymore, he still fought tooth and nail to protect his order. He cannot give up because he's no longer physically capable of giving up. Much like Hewg and the giant. That is unless they die of course.
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But it could go even further than that. What about Maliketh? It appears he's just loyally following the orders of Marika but that's what it always looks like! It looks like that with Hewg. It looks like that with the fire giant and it looks like that with Maliketh aswell. Despite seeming utterly miserable both as Maliketh and Gurranq, he carries on following her orders for years.
We have no idea how long he spent in the Farum Azula. Time doesn't work properly there. For all we know, he could be the oldest being in the game by the time we get to him. And yet after all that time his resolve never wavers. Even after being "betrayed" by Marika.
"Maliketh was a shadowbound beast given to his Empyrean. Marika's sole need of her shadow was a vessel to lock away Destined Death. Even then, she betrayed him."
And much Like Hewg, Fire Giant and Radagon, Maliketh is also ordered to carry out a specific goal. Which is protecting destined death.
Forge the god slaying weapon.
Protect the Giants Forge.
Be elden lord.
Guard Destined death.
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Many people, including myself have sited Miquella's connection to the bewitching branch and power to "compel affection" as evidence that he might not be as benevolent as he seemed. But what if we've got it all wrong? What if we shouldn't be being suspicious of Miquella for having this power, but instead the person he inherited it off of?
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Now there is someone else that Marika may have cursed. Well, a group of someone's actually. I saved this till the end because it's the most "out there" part of this theory but...
Spoken echoes of Queen Marika linger here as well.
Shall I share them with you?
In Marika's own words.
Hear me, Demigods. My children beloved. Make of thyselves that which ye desire. Be it a Lord. Be it a God. But should ye fail to become aught at all, ye will be forsaken. Amounting only to sacrifices...
...What if it wasn't the power from shards of the elden ring that corrupted the Demi-gods and led to the shattering wars?
What if it was the power of suggestion? The power of bewitchment?
What if it was Marika?
btw I'm calling it now that those eye markings that Melina and Ranni have are actually marks of empyreans. (which would also make Melina herself one aswell.)
I just think it's slightly too suspect that we never see the full face of a living empyrean in the game.
Marika has her eyes covered in the intro and is missing one half of her face in the ending (the perfect place for an eye marking to have been without leaving any evidence)
Malenia's upper face has been affected by the rot and thus no eye marking would be visible.
Miquella's face is also never properly shown in game. Even in the shadow of the erdtree teaser it is kept out of shot of the camera.
And while Ranni does have an eye marking on her puppet body, we have no idea what her original one might have had, as it's been burnt beyond recognition and no depictions of living Ranni exist in game.
Even if it isn't the eye marking, there's been a very deliberate choice to keep empyrean's faces hidden throughout the game and I feel like it means something.
It's not really implied very heavily in lore but I've always subscribed to the theory that the greatrunes negatively affect their demi-gods, since most greatrune holders have been trapped into never ending cycles of trying to amass power/accomplish a specific goal.
Rykard, Mohg and Godrick are all similarly running in circles trying to gain power without actually doing anything with it and Rennala is endlessly trying to birth something before we take her greatrune off of her.
The only real exceptions to this are Radahn, because he's lost his mind, Malenia, because she's only just woken up for the first time since the shattering wars and Morgott because... IDK, I've got nothing for Morgott, he's just built different I guess. (Though you could argue that him hunting tarnished and perpetuating the status quo is his endless cycle)
All active people who own a greatrune shard, demi-god or not, have fallen into some sort of self destructive, never ending cycle.
fuck, if you really wanna push this theory Maliketh is holding a greatrune in the form of the rune of death and he's litterelly been stuck in a timeless structure for the entire shattering.
I feel like this is also implied because Ranni decided to cast aside her greatrune, this being significant because she’s the only demi-god who can actually accomplish their end goal by the finale of the game and isn't just running in circles.
Screw Marika's motivations. I want to know what the fuck is up with Melina and Ranni. Why do they seem like 2 halves of the same whole?
Why are they so similar design wise? Why are they both "burned and bodiless"? Why are they the only characters that know torrent on a first name basis? Why do they both share the same closed eye aesthetic? Why do their faces complete eachother if you overlap them? Why do these two, seemingly completely unrelated characters have so much in common? What the fuck is going on?!
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Semi side rant incoming but what if those eye markings that Melina and Ranni have are markings of an Empyrean? I mean, other than Ranni have we ever actually seen the full, undamaged face of an Empyrean before? By the time we see Malenia, Marika and even to a certain extent Ranni’s own face they’re all damaged to the point where any marking would be long gone (and we just straight up never see Miquella’s face) and we conveniently also never see a proper painting or depiction of any of the Empyreans faces ever throughout the game. Sure there’s a couple statues here and there but I’d believe that tattoo/mark details would be left out of that sort of stuff.
It’s such a shame honestly. She’s travelling with us for the entirety of the game, across this massive world with so much to discover and talk about (barring farum azula and onward) and I’m pretty sure she has less unique dialogue (not counting Marika’s spoken echos as actual interactions with her as a character) than Ranni, who only really interacts with us within her specific questline.
Hell, Even Latenna has some pretty good travelling dialogue when we’re doing the Haligtree quest.
I felt more connected to both of these characters as travelling companions than I ever did with Melina, which is really sad because I also really like Melina but I just tend to forget she’s there most of the time. It feels like the biggest contribution she makes to the story is being a talking piece for other characters, explaining Torrent's motivations to us and being a scribe for Marika but like… I want to know about you Meli!
I am glad we’re of one mind that Melina is a character whose potential was sorely wasted in Elden Ring. I mean, it’s probably why I can’t get too invested in her.
Soooo that DLC announcement huh? Pretty cool. Very excited but oh my god that promotional image has so many implications.
Mainly, if that person riding torrent is in fact Miquella, which seems to be the running theory at the moment then it suggests that Miquella himself was very likely torrent's former master, which in turn implies a lot about certain character relations we didn’t know about until now.
The big one being that on top of Malenia, he was possibly also working closely with Melina and Ranni as well considering the two of them both have ties to torrents former master. Melina travelling with his old steed and Ranni being tasked with finding the steed’s new master and giving them the spirit calling bell.
It makes sense for Melina since she’s very very likely the secret, missing third child of Marika and Radagon, which could be a post all on its own, so her working with her two siblings isn’t that strange. (though I still wonder to what extent they’re related and possibly working together).
But the craziest thing to me is that this also implies that not only could Miquella and Ranni have been on good terms at some point in the past but also that they are still currently on good terms (even after what she did in the night of the black knives). At least good enough terms to trust her with the spirit calling bell.
Melina's possible connections to the black knives also makes this theory even stronger. If she was a part of the assassin squad then that means that Ranni stole the rune and Melina would have been one of the assassins that used it to kill Godwyn (and possibly other Demigods since he was only said to be the first to fall during that night).
Hell if you wanna get real crazy we could say that Miquella helped to forge the black knife weapons, since he’d already done a lot of research into “anti god tools” with stuff like the golden needles. Who’s to say he couldn’t figure out a way to do it? But why would he do that? He’s about the only demigod who wouldn’t be ok with killing Godwyn but it’d explain why he was still on good terms with Ranni after the assassination. Could have been St. Trina for all I know.