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The Potion Predicament: Nepheli or Gideon in Elden Ring?

The decision of who to give Seluvis’s Potion to in Elden Ring is a moral and strategic crossroads with significant consequences for multiple character questlines. Ultimately, it is almost always better to give the potion to Gideon Ofnir. This choice allows you to progress both Nepheli Loux’s and Dung Eater’s quests, unlocking valuable rewards and avoiding negative outcomes. Giving the potion to Nepheli prematurely ends her questline and turns her into a puppet, an outcome best avoided.

Understanding the Seluvis Potion Questline

Preceptor Seluvis, the eccentric sorcerer in Seluvis’s Rise, tasks you with delivering a potion to either Nepheli Loux or Gideon Ofnir. The choice you make has a ripple effect, impacting their respective storylines and potentially unlocking specific rewards, or, more accurately, hindering your progress. The deceptive nature of Seluvis and the potential cruelty of his intentions are central to this dilemma. It is important to note how the decision you make will affect your ending as well. The quests of the different characters are related and can affect the game ending that you get.

The Downside of Giving the Potion to Nepheli Loux

Giving Seluvis’s Potion to Nepheli results in her transformation into a docile puppet, destined to be an eternal slave. This action not only abruptly ends her questline, preventing you from accessing its later stages and rewards (notably, an Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone), but also confirms Seluvis’s sinister nature. While you can purchase Nepheli Loux’s Spirit Ashes from Seluvis after turning her into a puppet, these ashes are generally considered underwhelming compared to other options available in Elden Ring. Therefore, from a gameplay perspective, this choice offers little benefit.

The Benefit of Giving the Potion to Gideon Ofnir

Entrusting Seluvis’s Potion to Gideon Ofnir allows you to deceive Seluvis while preserving the integrity of other character arcs. Gideon will dispose of the potion and advise you to lie to Seluvis, enabling you to continue both Nepheli Loux’s and Dung Eater’s questlines. This approach not only provides access to the full range of rewards associated with these quests but also allows you to maintain a morally sound position, preventing the subjugation of Nepheli. More rewards is always better in Souls-like games such as Elden Ring.

The Alternative: Giving the Stormhawk King to Nepheli

A key part of completing Nepheli Loux’s questline involves giving her the Stormhawk King key item, found in a room near the Chapel of Anticipation (where you first started the game). This item serves as a reminder of her past and revitalizes her spirit. This sets her on the path to becoming a significant character later in the game. This is far better than simply giving her the potion and making her a puppet.

The Ranni Wildcard: NEVER Give Ranni the Potion

Attempting to administer the potion to Ranni results in immediate hostility and death. Ranni, understandably enraged by the attempt to control her, will not hesitate to eliminate you. Furthermore, this action will cause her to disappear from her tower, effectively locking you out of her questline and its associated ending. DO NOT GIVE RANNI THE POTION.

FAQs: Navigating the Potion Conundrum in Elden Ring

Can you get Dung Eater without the potion? Yes, you can access the Dung Eater questline even if you don’t give him the potion. In fact, to get his Mending Rune and unlock his ending, you need to give him Seedbed Curses instead of the potion. Giving him the potion will lock you out of his ending.
What happens if you reject Ranni? Rejecting Ranni’s initial offer to serve her has no negative consequences. You can still progress through the game and find the Erdtree. However, you’ll miss out on her questline, its unique rewards, and potentially the best ending in the game.
Can you do Nepheli’s quest after beating Godrick? Yes, you can still begin Nepheli’s questline after defeating Godrick. She will appear in Roundtable Hold after you exhaust Gideon Ofnir’s dialogue.
Is Nepheli related to Godfrey? Nepheli’s last name, Loux, strongly suggests that she is of the bloodline of Hoarah Loux, also known as Godfrey, the First Elden Lord. Her appearance also aligns with the Badlands Warriors, indicating that she’s a Tarnished from outside the Lands Between.
Is the Dung Eater ending worth it? The Dung Eater ending, achieved by using the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse, is widely considered one of the worst endings in Elden Ring. It curses the world and its inhabitants, perpetuating suffering.
Is Seluvis a bad guy? Preceptor Seluvis is undoubtedly a villainous character. His questline is fraught with manipulation and potential cruelty, as evidenced by his desire to turn others into puppets.
Can you turn Ranni into a puppet? No, it is impossible to turn Ranni into a puppet. Attempting to give her the potion results in her immediate attack and death for the player, and will remove her from her tower.
Should I give Seedbed Curse to Dung Eater? Yes, you need to give at least five Seedbed Curses to the Dung Eater in the Subterranean Shunning-Grounds to unlock his ending.
Can you get Dung Eater armor if you give him the potion? Yes, if you decide to give the Dung Eater the potion, you must immediately kill him afterwards to obtain his armor. This has to be done immediately. If you leave the area, his armor will be gone.
Who is Gideon’s daughter in Elden Ring? Nepheli Loux is the adopted daughter of Gideon Ofnir.
What is the reward for Nepheli’s questline? Completing Nepheli Loux’s questline rewards you with an Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone, an invaluable resource for upgrading weapons to their maximum level.
Should I side with Ranni? Siding with Ranni is highly recommended. Her questline is one of the most comprehensive and rewarding in the game.
Who is the true villain in Elden Ring? The question of who the true villain is in Elden Ring is a complex and subjective matter. The game has so many different options for endings, that the true villain is really up to the player.
Does Ranni kill Godwyn? Yes, Ranni orchestrated the Night of Black Knives, where assassins killed Godwyn the Golden. This event triggered a series of events that led to the shattering of the Elden Ring.
What happens if you tell Melina no? You should not tell Melina no! The game will not proceed if you refuse Melina.

Conclusion: Choose Wisely, Tarnished

The decision regarding Seluvis’s Potion is a critical one in Elden Ring. While the allure of immediate rewards or curiosity about the consequences might tempt you towards giving the potion to Nepheli Loux, the long-term benefits of entrusting it to Gideon Ofnir far outweigh the alternatives. Preserving Nepheli’s questline, gaining access to valuable rewards, and maintaining a degree of moral integrity make this the optimal choice.

Remember, Elden Ring is a game filled with difficult choices and ambiguous outcomes. Your decisions have weight and can significantly impact the world around you. Choose wisely, Tarnished, and may your journey be filled with triumph. For more information about research related to games, consider visiting the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Is it better to give the potion to Nepheli or gideon?