Where Did Alfred Go in Bloodborne? A Hunter’s Guide
Alfred, the Church Servant and dedicated follower of the Healing Church’s executioner branch, the Executioners, follows a distinct path throughout the events of Bloodborne. However, his final whereabouts are shrouded in tragedy, making him a particularly memorable and poignant character.
Alfred’s journey ends at the location of the vileblood queen, Annalise, in Cainhurst Castle, after he locates and brutally murders her. This act fulfills his vow to eradicate the vilebloods, driven by his zealous beliefs and perhaps a touch of madness. Let’s break down the events leading up to this tragic conclusion and address some common questions surrounding Alfred’s fate.
Tracking Alfred’s Progression: A Step-by-Step Guide
Alfred’s questline is easily missable but offers unique rewards and insights into the lore. Here’s how to track his movements throughout the game:
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First Encounter: You’ll initially meet Alfred in the Cathedral Ward, near the entrance to the Old Yharnam lamp. He introduces himself as a Church Servant and is eager to collaborate with a fellow hunter. He will provide you with Fire Paper as a gesture of goodwill.
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Killing the Blood-Starved Beast: After defeating the Blood-Starved Beast in Old Yharnam, returning to the Cathedral Ward and speaking to Alfred again will trigger the next stage. He expresses his satisfaction with your prowess as a hunter.
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Forbidden Woods and Byrgenwerth: Once you’ve obtained the password to the Forbidden Woods from the corpse in Byrgenwerth, return to Alfred. If you exhaust his dialogue, he will reward you with the Wheel Hunter Badge, allowing you to purchase the Hunter’s Bone and Logarius’ Wheel from the Messengers in the Hunter’s Dream. This badge is crucial for those interested in Executioner builds.
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Cainhurst Summons: After acquiring the Cainhurst Summons from Iosefka’s Clinic (accessed from the Forbidden Woods), you can travel to Hemwick Charnel Lane and use the summons near the obelisk at the end of the area to be transported to Cainhurst Castle.
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Post-Cainhurst Events: After defeating Martyr Logarius at Cainhurst Castle, you can access the queen’s chamber. Inside resides Annalise, Queen of the Vilebloods. You can choose to offer her Vileblood dregs or take the Unopened Summons that lies beside her to Alfred at the Cathedral Ward.
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Reporting to Alfred: Give Alfred the Unopened Summons. He will express his delight at finally having a way to destroy the vilebloods. He heads to Cainhurst Castle to enact his plan.
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Alfred’s Final Location: Return to Cainhurst Castle and find Alfred in Queen Annalise’s chamber. He will be standing over her mangled corpse, covered in blood. He has fulfilled his oath in a disturbingly brutal manner. After you interact with him, he will crush the Vileblood Oath Rune and leave, laughing maniacally.
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Alfred’s Demise: Finally, go back to the location where you first met Alfred, near the entrance to the Old Yharnam lamp. You’ll find him dead on the ground, apparently having succumbed to the weight of his actions, and the Executioner Set can be picked up here.
Understanding Alfred’s Actions
Alfred’s obsession with eradicating the vilebloods stems from the historical conflict between the Executioners and the Cainhurst Vilebloods. This rivalry is rooted in the vilebloods’ corruption and their practice of consuming blood dregs, which are considered heretical by the Healing Church. Alfred views this as a sacred duty, almost a divine calling, to cleanse the world of their “impurity.” His actions, though extreme, are driven by a deep-seated belief in the righteousness of his cause.
The Madness of Zealous Devotion
Alfred’s descent into madness is a subtle but significant aspect of his character arc. The act of killing Annalise, coupled with the release of long-held hatred and religious zealotry, seems to push him over the edge. His maniacal laughter and eventual suicide suggest that the weight of his actions and the realization of the true nature of his devotion become too much to bear.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Alfred
Here are 15 frequently asked questions regarding Alfred and his role in Bloodborne:
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Can Alfred be saved? Unfortunately, no. Alfred’s questline always ends with his death after killing Annalise. There are no alternate endings or choices that can prevent this outcome.
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What are the rewards for completing Alfred’s questline? Completing Alfred’s questline grants you the Wheel Hunter Badge, the Executioner Set, and insights into the lore surrounding the Executioners and the Vilebloods.
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What happens if I attack Alfred? Attacking Alfred will make him hostile. He’s a fairly strong opponent, and killing him will grant you his badge early, but you will miss out on the progression of his questline and lore.
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Is the Logarius’ Wheel a good weapon? The Logarius’ Wheel is a unique weapon that scales primarily with Strength and Arcane. It’s a powerful weapon, especially when transformed and spun, dealing significant damage. However, it requires a specific build to be truly effective.
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What are Vileblood Dregs? Vileblood Dregs are an item you obtain by killing other players as a Vileblood (after joining the Cainhurst Vilebloods covenant) or as loot in specific areas of the game. They are offered to Queen Annalise as a sign of loyalty and to increase your rank within the covenant.
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Can I join the Executioners covenant? There is no explicit “Executioners covenant” that you can formally join. However, acquiring the Wheel Hunter Badge signifies your affiliation with their ideals and allows you to use their weaponry.
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What is the significance of Cainhurst Castle? Cainhurst Castle is the ancestral home of the Vilebloods, a lineage that practices blood drinking and seeks to propagate their tainted bloodline. It’s a hidden location accessible through a special summons and is home to the boss, Martyr Logarius.
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What is the lore behind the Executioners and the Vilebloods conflict? The Executioners, led by Martyr Logarius, were tasked with eradicating the Vilebloods due to their heretical practices and the threat they posed to the Healing Church’s dominance. The conflict is deeply rooted in religious and ideological differences.
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Is Alfred related to Martyr Logarius? There is no explicit confirmation that Alfred is related to Logarius by blood. However, his fervent devotion to the Executioner cause strongly suggests a close association, perhaps as a disciple or follower.
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What happens if I offer Queen Annalise Vileblood Dregs instead of giving Alfred the Unopened Summons? Offering Vileblood Dregs to Annalise allows you to join the Vileblood covenant and gain access to their unique items and online functionalities. It does not affect Alfred’s questline, as you can still give him the Unopened Summons later.
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What is the Unopened Summons? The Unopened Summons is an item found near Queen Annalise in Cainhurst Castle. It’s a formal invitation to the Healing Church, but Alfred interprets it as a means to locate and destroy the Vilebloods.
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Why does Alfred kill Annalise in such a brutal manner? Alfred’s brutal killing of Annalise is a reflection of his zealous hatred for the Vilebloods and the intensity of his devotion to the Executioner cause. It also showcases the corrupting influence of religious fanaticism.
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Does Alfred’s death affect anything else in the game? Alfred’s death primarily affects the availability of his set of armor, the Executioner Set, which can be found where you first met him. It doesn’t significantly alter any other questlines or events in the game.
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Can I kill Queen Annalise myself before Alfred does? Yes, you can kill Queen Annalise before encountering Alfred in Cainhurst. However, doing so effectively ends the Vileblood covenant for that playthrough. She can be resurrected later by bringing her flesh to the altar in the Upper Cathedral Ward.
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Is Alfred’s questline important for understanding Bloodborne’s lore? Yes, Alfred’s questline provides valuable insights into the history of the Healing Church, the conflict between the Executioners and the Vilebloods, and the themes of religious zealotry and the corrupting influence of power that are central to Bloodborne’s narrative.
Alfred’s story is a tragic tale of faith, duty, and the devastating consequences of fanaticism. His journey, though brief, leaves a lasting impact on the player, reminding us of the darkness that can lurk within even the most well-intentioned individuals.