I've always been captivated by the hauntingly beautiful world of Elden Ring, and after months of meticulous work, I've finally completed my most ambitious project yet: a handcrafted diorama of the Church of Vows, complete with our beloved Miriel, Pastor of Vows. Like a sculptor trying to capture lightning in a bottle, I've attempted to transform the digital majesty of the Lands Between into a tangible piece of art that sits on my desk.

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The Creation Process

Creating this diorama was like trying to rebuild a cathedral with tweezers and dental floss—painstaking but ultimately rewarding. Each stone of the church was individually crafted, weathered, and placed to match the game's architecture. The surrounding landscape required multiple techniques to capture the ethereal glow of Elden Ring's environment.

The centerpiece, of course, is Miriel. Our gentle turtle friend was sculpted with extreme attention to detail, from his silvery shell to his wise, ancient face. I wanted to capture that moment when players first encounter him—that surprising revelation that this seemingly ordinary turtle is actually a profound theological figure.

The Community Response

Since sharing my creation on Reddit under my username DarkSoulsModels, the response has been overwhelming. Fellow Tarnished have showered the post with praise, with some even suggesting I could sell similar pieces to turtle enthusiasts for "massive profits" (though that's not my goal!).

One commenter joked, "Your diorama is more stable than my first playthrough of the game," which gave me a good laugh. The Elden Ring community continues to be one of the most supportive gaming communities I've been part of, even now in 2025, three years after the base game's release.

My History with FromSoftware Dioramas

This isn't my first rodeo with FromSoftware dioramas. Like a musician who's mastered multiple instruments, I've been crafting these miniature worlds since the Dark Souls days. A few years back, I created what many considered my magnum opus: a detailed Radahn Festival diorama capturing the epic battlefield where players face the Starscourge.

Each project teaches me new techniques. For the Church of Vows, I experimented with new lighting methods to capture the serene atmosphere of the location. The water effects around the base took several attempts to perfect—like trying to freeze a moment of tranquility in time.

The Evolving Elden Ring Universe in 2025

It's an exciting time to be an Elden Ring fan. With the recent release of Elden Ring Nightreign, the co-op focused spin-off that launched last month, the community has been reinvigorated with fresh content. The game's three-player cooperative structure offers a different experience from the traditional Soulslike formula, with each short three-day cycle presenting different bosses to overcome.

People Also Ask

How long does it take to create an Elden Ring diorama of this quality?

While I didn't track the exact hours, a project of this complexity typically takes between 80-100 hours spread over several months. The most time-consuming aspects were the intricate stonework of the church and getting Miriel's expression just right.

What materials are typically used for gaming dioramas?

For this project, I used a combination of:

  • 🏗️ XPS foam for the base structure

  • 🧱 Polymer clay for detailed elements

  • 🎨 Acrylic paints for coloring

  • 🌿 Specialized miniature foliage for vegetation

  • ✨ Resin for water effects

  • 💡 Micro LED lights for subtle illumination

Has FromSoftware ever acknowledged fan dioramas?

Yes! In early 2024, FromSoftware featured several fan creations, including dioramas, in their official anniversary showcase. While mine wasn't included (it wasn't completed yet), it's wonderful to see the developers appreciating fan art.

The Future of Fan Creations

As Elden Ring's universe continues to expand, so too does the inspiration for artists and creators. The recent announcement of a potential second major expansion for late 2025 has many of us already planning our next projects. I've been sketching concepts for a diorama of one of Nightreign's new areas, though I'm keeping the specific location a surprise for now.

The dedication of FromSoftware fans reminds me of ancient craftsmen who spent lifetimes building cathedrals—each contributing their small part to something greater that will outlast them. Our digital cathedrals may be more ephemeral, but the community that forms around them is just as meaningful.

What location from the Elden Ring universe would you like to see transformed into a physical diorama next? And if you could have any character or scene captured in miniature form, which would you choose?