WHAT IF: Godfrey was Japanese?

TLDR: Godfrey is the Elden Ring equivalent of the highest ranked sumo wrestler, which is why he carried a kami around and "retired" when it looked like he might lose.

Background

Japan's main religion is Shinto.

Shinto believes that certain objects are "Yorishiro" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yorishiro ) that is, objects that, by their very nature, are capable of attracting and housing kami (generally translated as "spirit" or "god").

You can identify Yorishiro in Japan (often impressive trees or bolders, but also smaller and larger objects) because the Japanese tie ropes around them.

From the wikipedia page.

Just because something is capable of attracting a housing a kami/spirit/god doesn't mean that every Yorishiro houses a kami: the kami isn't tied to the physical realm can visit and goes as it pleases.

However, kami tend to be polite and appreciate being respected so they are likely to inhabit a Yorishiro when they are invited to visit.

A Yorishiro that currently contains a kami is called a "Shintai" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shintai ), literally: "body of the kami". Once again, the kami can come and goes as it pleases, but some Yorishiro are viewed as so great that the kami is generally always considered to be home. Mount Fuji is a Shintai.

Kami can also be temporarily contained in a person, but we will not focus on "Miko" (shrine maidens), "Kannushi" (divine master/lord (of ritual)) or "Itako" (blind spirit-women and, incidentally, what the Japanese version of Elden Ring calls the Shaman).

One special instance of a person that ALMOST ALWAYS contains a kami is the "Yokozuna" the most highly-ranked sumo wrestler whose fighting prowess and upright behaviour is so great that they are viewed as "living Shintai".

A Yokozuna. Note the special rope, indicating that the kami is in residence.

Sumo wrestling holds heavy religious significance in Japan, with many strict rules of conduct and rituals that must be followed. The sumo wrestling ring itself becomes a sacred space where the physical and the divine realms overlap.

The rules that apply to a Yokozuna, not just a mortal man but a mortal man housing a kami of combat prowess, are particularly strict.

A Yokozuna must NEVER cheat or fight dirty, as doing so disgraces the kami.

In an ideal world Yokozuna must NEVER be defeated. To preserve their winning streak, the most honorable course of action that a Yokozuna to avoid defeat is to permanently retire when it looks like they are about to lose.

Poses with ritual significance are very common in sumo wrestling.

Sumo wrestlers also adopt "Shikona" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shikona ), which are their wrestling names. As a wrestler rises in the ranks, he's expected to adopt a new wrestling name. Unsuccessful sumo sometimes change their Shikona in an effort to change their fortunes and improve their luck.

Shintoism would view Godfrey as a living shintai

Godfrey has housed/hosted/carried Serosh (arguably a kami) ever since he has proven his battle prowess by defeating him in combat.

According to Shinto belief, by hosting Serosh, Godfrey is a living shintai.

Hoarah Loux gained Serosh by combat prowess

Just like a sumo wrestler becomes a Yokozuna (thereby hosting a kami) , Hoarah Loux gained Serosh by his combat prowess.

Hoarah Loux changed his name when he achieved his rank
Just like a sumo wrestler changing his Shikona, Hoarah Loux adopted the name "Godfrey" when he advanced in rank to Elden Lord.

(The name 'Godfrey' can be translated as "God's Peace" or 'god-peace', although I can easily imagine a muddled-up Japanese/Shinto lens interpreting as 'kami-tamer' or 'kami-subduer'.)

On gaining Serosh, Godfrey became lordly

Once Godfrey hosted Serosh on his back, his behaviour became more "civilised" and upstanding.

In contrast, once Godfrey releases Serosh, Hoarah Loux is a more savage, brutal warrior, capable of fighting dirty.

From a Japanese perspective this makes perfect sense because "Godfrey" is a Yokozuna housing a kami and must fight properly. Hoarah Loux is nobody and can fight however he wishes.

Godfrey "retires" rather than loses

When Godfrey loses half his health, he releases Serosh and becomes Hoarah Loux again.

From a Japanese perspective, this is EXACTLY what Yokozuna should do. A Yokozuna must retire before he is defeated, as a Yokozuna must never know defeat.

No-name Hoarah Loux can be defeated as many times as he likes: no one cares.

Parting thoughts: If Godfrey is the highest ranked sumo wrestler, where are the other wrestlers? What makes Godrey and his colleagues special enough to host kami?