Most Depressing Elden Ring NPC Storylines

As a huge Elden Ring fan, I’ve definitely gotten lost in some of the NPC questlines. But honestly, I’m curious – do you really listen to everything they say? And do you actually bother reading the item descriptions they give you? It’s easy to just rush through, but I’m starting to think there’s a lot more hidden in those details!

Elden Ring can seem enjoyable if you don’t focus too much on the stories of the characters you meet. But if you take the time to learn about those characters, you’ll quickly discover how bleak and sad the world really is.

Whether it’s a character unable to move on from the past, or a powerful mage meeting his end while attempting an ambitious spell, the world of the Lands Between feels particularly bleak.

10. Thops

The Useless Sorcerer

You can find Thops, a sorcerer specializing in Glintstone magic, at the Church of Irith in southern Liurnia of the Lakes. He’s a bit down on his luck, and will ask for Rune donations when you talk to him. If you help him out, he’ll explain that he wants to go back to studying at Raya Lucaria Academy.

You’ll quickly realize Thops isn’t much help. If you attempt to give him a scroll, he’ll insist he’s just a simple stone worker with no magical ability, and then apologize for being unable to use it.

If you follow this character’s story, he’ll travel to Raya Lucaria Academy, but unfortunately, he’ll die trying to create a new spell. You will receive Thops’ Barrier as a reward. The game also suggests that Thops is intelligent, but lacks confidence.

9. Smithing Master Hewg

Forever Imprisoned

You’ll meet Hewg after receiving your summons to Roundtable Hold. He’s a quiet, unusual blacksmith – a Misbegotten who’s chained up and forced to forge weapons for everyone there.

Hewg develops a close bond with Roderika after meeting her, even teaching her the art of Spirit Tuning, which aids you in your adventure. He comes to see her as a daughter. As the story unfolds, you discover Hewg’s ultimate goal is to forge a weapon powerful enough to defeat a god, and that his own freedom is secondary to achieving this.

He dedicates himself completely to helping you, going so far as to treat you with great respect. Sadly, his memory fails him by the game’s end, and he’ll forget who you are, even questioning why Roderika is sad about him.

8. Sorceress Sellen

Your Teacher

You’ll meet Sellen early in Elden Ring, and she’s the main character who teaches you sorceries, giving you powerful spells right away. You’ll soon discover she was kicked out of Raya Lucaria Academy, is being chased by Jerren who thinks she’s a witch, and is missing her physical body.

You can help her complete her goal by restoring her original appearance. Once you do, she’ll point you in the direction of Lusat and Azur, renowned instructors of Glintstone sorcery.

You discover that Sellen was banished from the academy because of her research into the primeval current. She was falsely accused of terrible crimes against her classmates, labeled as the ‘Graven Witch.’ Ultimately, she suffers the same fate as those she was accused of harming, becoming a Graven Mass herself.

7. Nepheli Loux

Disowned

You’ll encounter Nepheli fairly early in Elden Ring, and she’s one of the few characters who actually gets a positive outcome. So, you might be asking why she’s included on this list at all.

Nepheli attempts to protect the Albinauric people from being slaughtered, but this upsets her father, Gideon Ofnir, and he cuts her off. Determined to prove her worth, she embarks on a journey that could ultimately lead her to become the ruler of Limgrave.

If you don’t complete her questline, she’ll suffer a heartbreaking fate and become one of Seluvis’ puppets. It’s a truly depressing outcome, on par with the most tragic stories in the game.

6. Patches

He Found a Home

Patches appears in many FromSoftware games, and players often overlook his questline because he usually attempts to defeat you. In Elden Ring, you first encounter him as a seemingly difficult boss, but he quickly transitions into a merchant and eventually relocates to Volcano Manor.

He appears to be drawn to Tanith, the leader of the manor, and Patches comments that he’s never encountered a woman like her before. Interestingly, after you beat Rykard, Patches even shows a hint of sadness at the manor’s downfall.

Okay, so I finally tracked down this guy, and he gave me Dancer’s Castanets to hand over to Tanith. But honestly? She wasn’t interested at all. She’s way too preoccupied with… well, eating her lord. It’s a bit disturbing, actually.

5. Hyetta

Frenzied Flame

Hyetta is searching for a faraway light, hoping it will transform her into a Finger Maiden. If you agree to assist her, she’ll request you find Shabriri Grapes – unaware that these are actually eyeballs.

Eventually, you can reveal the truth about the Shabriri Grapes to her, but she’ll remain steadfast in her beliefs, enduring the unpleasant food to achieve her goal. Ultimately, she’ll guide you to the Frenzied Flame and the unsettling Three-Fingers.

Okay, so I found out something pretty messed up in the game. If you let that NPC, Hyetta, become your maiden in the Three Fingers area, and then use the Frenzied Flame on her… well, it doesn’t go well. Instead of just becoming your maiden, she actually catches fire and… dies. Seriously, it’s a really dark moment, and I totally didn’t expect it.

4. Latenna

Sole Survivor

You’ll find Latenna deep inside the Lakeside Crystal Cave in Liurnia. She’s lying on the ground beside her deceased wolf, Lobo. She won’t open up to you until you’ve obtained half of the Haligtree Medallion.

Once you gain Latenna’s trust, she’ll reveal that Gideon Ofnir, nicknamed the “all-hearing brute,” was behind the destruction of her home and people. She’ll then ask you to take her to the Haligtree, a sanctuary for those who are outcasts.

Latenna accompanies you as a spirit throughout the game, and ultimately requests you bury her with her beloved companion, Lobo. It’s a touching conclusion to a heartbreaking story that started with a terrible tragedy.

3. Boc

Wanting to be Beautiful

You can find Boc, a unique character, in Limgrave soon after starting the game. He’s able to modify your armor, which is helpful if you want to customize your look.

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Throughout the story, you’ll discover the character deeply dislikes his current form and longs to be human, believing humanity holds the key to true beauty. This desire drives him to seek out Rennala, hoping she can grant him a new life through rebirth.

If he completes the transformation, he’ll become human but will lose his ability to speak and quickly die. You can save him by finding the stone with the message “You’re beautiful,” which will help him understand his own worth.

2. Rogier

Death Blight

Rogier is a character who genuinely lifts your spirits while playing. He’s like a ray of sunshine in a gloomy world – a bit like meeting the cheerful NPC Solaire from Dark Souls. He’s a small but welcome source of positivity.

Rogier suffers from a terrible condition in the game called Death Blight, which, as the name suggests, is fatal. For Rogier, it begins with a mysterious ailment that leaves him unable to walk, and he asks for a blanket to cover his legs.

As you progress through his storyline, you’ll frequently encounter Rogier at Roundtable Hold. Sadly, he eventually succumbs to the Death Blight, which is a disheartening moment.

1. Blaidd

Betrayal

Blaidd stands out as a fascinating character in Elden Ring. He’s visually distinct from many other characters, and plays a key role in Ranni’s quest, which is a favorite among players.

Blaidd believes he and Ranni are friends, but he was actually created as a safeguard – a way to stop her if she ever rejected the guidance of the Two Fingers. When Ranni does choose her own path, Blaidd is tragically compelled to fight against her.

Blaidd believes he’s simply helping a friend, but he’s forced down a predetermined path, leading to his imprisonment. Later, you’ll be asked to kill someone you’ve come to know and care for during your adventure.

2026-05-17 18:41