Messmer the Impaler | Elden Ring

Hey everyone! I've been absolutely obsessed with the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC lore, especially Messmer the Impaler. His whole 'kindling' thing has me totally stumped but also super intrigued. Is he like, the original burner of the Erdtree, or is 'Messmer's Kindling' something else entirely? I've been thinking about how it might tie into the Frenzied Flame and our own journey as the Tarnished. Could he represent a different path to burning the world, or perhaps a failed attempt from the past? It feels like his flames are ancient, perhaps even predating Marika's order in some way. What if his kindling isn't just about fire, but about igniting a change, a 'purge' of the current order? The idea of a 'purge' definitely resonates with his title as an 'Impaler.' It sounds like he was meant to cleanse or eradicate something fundamental. And then there's Melina! Oh my gosh, her story is just as mystifying. People talk about 'naked Melina,' and I think it goes beyond just her appearance. It's about her exposed truth, her stripped-down essence. What is her true form? Is she a demigod, a spirit, or something else entirely born from the Erdtree's will, or perhaps Marika's grief? My theory is that her 'nakedness' refers to her being unveiled, revealing her ultimate purpose or origin, especially after we choose different endings. Could she be a vessel, or perhaps the spirit of a forgotten goddess, intrinsically linked to the fate of the Lands Between? Her connection to the burning of the Erdtree, and potentially even Messmer's own fiery past, feels undeniable. Is she trying to 'purge' the old order, similar to Messmer's potential role, but through a different, less destructive means? It makes me wonder if Messmer and Melina, despite their seemingly opposing roles, are both part of some grand, cyclical 'purge' in the Lands Between. Messmer with his brutal impalement and kindling, perhaps a failed or ancient attempt at cleansing. Melina, with her more subtle guidance towards the Flame, perhaps a newer, more desperate 'purge' initiated by the Greater Will or Marika herself. The idea of 'the purge' as a recurring theme, whether it's through fire, impalement, or philosophical change, seems central to Elden Ring's narrative. What do you guys think? Are these two characters unknowingly working towards the same ultimate goal, just using drastically different methods? I'd love to hear your wildest theories on this!