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Do You Have to Summon Solaire to Continue His Story? A Deep Dive into Dark Souls’ Most Beloved NPC

No, you absolutely do not have to summon Solaire of Astora to progress or complete his questline in Dark Souls. In fact, your summoning habits have no bearing whatsoever on whether he lives or dies. The key to saving Solaire lies in manipulating the environment around him, not in how often he joins you for jolly cooperation. It’s all about the Sunlight Maggot and preventing it from turning him hollow. So, rest easy, phantom. Your summon sign is safe.

Understanding Solaire’s Questline: More Than Just Jolly Cooperation

Solaire’s questline is one of the most poignant and beloved aspects of Dark Souls. It’s a narrative driven by his unwavering optimism and his desperate search for his own “sun.” Understanding how to navigate this quest requires understanding key triggers, locations, and, most importantly, how to manipulate the environment to save him.

Key Locations and Triggers

Undead Burg: This is where you first meet Solaire. Make sure you exhaust his dialogue here. This initial encounter sets the stage for everything that follows. If he is not there gazing at the sun, just quit the game through the menu, reload and he will be there.
Undead Parish (Taurus Demon): Solaire can be summoned to help you with the Taurus Demon. Summoning him is not mandatory for quest progression.
Undead Parish (Bell Gargoyles): Another optional summon point. Again, whether you summon him or not doesn’t impact his storyline’s progression.
Anor Londo (Ornstein and Smough): This is a crucial summoning point if you want to experience all possible interactions. However, it’s still not mandatory for saving him.
Lost Izalith: This is where Solaire’s fate is decided. You must open the shortcut leading to the Bed of Chaos boss arena before fighting the Centipede Demon. This shortcut houses the Chaos Bug with the Sunlight Maggot.
Altar of Sunlight: He might be at the Altar of Sunlight.

The Centipede Demon and the Chaos Covenant Shortcut: A Crucial Detour

The most important aspect of saving Solaire revolves around the Centipede Demon boss fight and the Chaos Covenant shortcut. Do NOT kill the Centipede Demon before opening this shortcut.

Opening the shortcut requires joining the Chaos Servant Covenant (Rank +2). Once you’re a member and have reached rank +2, you’ll gain access to the shortcut. In this shortcut, you’ll find several Chaos Bugs, one of which will have a Sunlight Maggot attached to it. Killing this specific bug before encountering Solaire in Lost Izalith is the key to his survival.

Why is killing the Sunlight Maggot vital?

If you progress through Lost Izalith without killing the Sunlight Maggot, Solaire will encounter it. The maggot will drive him insane, turning him hollow and hostile. You will then be forced to kill him, ending his questline on a tragic note. By eliminating the maggot beforehand, you prevent this fate.

FAQs: Unraveling the Mysteries of Solaire’s Quest

Here are some frequently asked questions that address common concerns and misconceptions regarding Solaire’s questline:

Can you miss Solaire? Yes, it is possible to miss Solaire in the Undead Burg if you don’t explore thoroughly. However, you can reload the game through the menu to make him appear.
Does Solaire have to survive boss fights? No, if you summon him, you’re just summoning his Phantom so if he dies, it’s only his phantom that dies, not him. His actual survival in your world is what matters for his questline.
Does killing Solaire break covenants? Killing Solaire will not remove you from a covenant. But, doing so will prevent you from finishing his quest line.
What happens if you don’t summon Solaire? You do not have to summon Solaire to finish his quest. Not summoning him will not interfere with it.
Is Solaire the Nameless King? While a popular fan theory, this has been debunked in Dark Souls III. The Nameless King is Gwyn’s firstborn son, who sided with the dragons.
What is the canon ending for Solaire? It seems that the canonical ending for Solaire is that he linked the fire in his realm. His impact can be felt throughout the two sequels with small nods to his famous emote and unique personality. The Sunlight Spear in Dark Souls 2 mentions Solaire, indirectly using his iconic phrases.
Can I save Solaire after he goes insane? Sadly, no. Once he’s turned hollow by the Sunlight Maggot, there’s no turning back. You’ll have to put him out of his misery. This is why preventing it in the first place is essential.
Why is Solaire so strong? He overcomes obstacles that only the Chosen Undead can (making one think that Solaire is the Chosen Undead of a different “world”). He never goes Hollow because only undead who lose hope lose their humanity, which is why the Chosen Undead are able to die so many times, they have much stronger wills than most.
How many times can I summon Solaire? Solaire can be summoned at multiple points throughout the game, including the Taurus Demon, Bell Gargoyles, and Ornstein and Smough (if he is alive).
Is Solaire the son of Gwyn? His armor and shield are decorated with a hand-painted sun, reflecting his worship of the Sun, and by association, Lord Gwyn. While he was theorized by some fans to be Gwyn’s firstborn son in disguise, this was later proven not to be the case in Dark Souls III.
Can you summon Solaire offline? Yes, as long as you’re human.
Can I summon both Solaire and Lautrec? My friend showed me today how it’s done. If you talk to Lautrec at Firelink Shrine AFTER saving him but BEFORE fighting the Gargoyles, his summon sign will appear near Solaire’s. It’s on a platform behind the ladders you climb up to get to Solaire’s sign.
Why is Solaire loved? Because he’s the first person you meet that’s happy to meet you and wishes you well. He also has interesting dialogue, lots of speculation surrounding his life and who he is. When you’re forced to kill him it’s kind of sad. Maybe even heart wrenching for some.
Is Solaire the big worm? Solaire was canonically corrupted by the sunlight maggot but not killed and over thousands of years transformed into the giant worm we encounter in the Smoldering Lake. The sunlight maggot being a pupal stage that becomes a giant worm when fused with a powerful enough host.
Did Solaire beat Gwyn? Solaire can kill Gwyn all by himself if you distract Gwyn with projectiles from a distance. Having Solaire around was really helpful for the fact that he just kept the heat off of me when one needed to heal or what have you.

A Happy Ending: Beyond the Sunlight Maggot

Saving Solaire isn’t just about avoiding a tragic death; it’s about giving him the chance to fulfill his quest for his own sun. If you succeed in killing the Sunlight Maggot before he encounters it, you’ll find him later in Lost Izalith, despondent but alive.

Talking to him at this point is crucial. Exhaust his dialogue, and he’ll express his confusion and disappointment. However, he remains optimistic and dedicated to his goal. This leads to the final, and most rewarding, step: summoning him for the final boss fight against Gwyn, Lord of Cinder.

Having Solaire by your side for this climactic battle is a truly special moment. It’s a testament to your efforts and a sign that even in the bleak world of Dark Souls, hope and friendship can prevail. He remains a steadfast and powerful ally, and his presence adds an extra layer of emotional weight to the final confrontation.

Beyond the Game: Solaire’s Enduring Legacy

Solaire’s impact extends far beyond the boundaries of Dark Souls. His “Praise the Sun” gesture has become iconic, a symbol of hope and camaraderie in the gaming community. His character has inspired countless players, artists, and writers. His story underscores the power of perseverance and the importance of finding light even in the darkest of places. The study of games and their impact is constantly evolving, and organizations such as the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org delve into the educational and social impacts of games like Dark Souls. It’s through these efforts that we continue to understand the complex and compelling nature of the medium.

So, while you don’t need to summon Solaire to save him, taking the time to understand his story, make the necessary detours, and ultimately, fight alongside him, is an experience that truly embodies the spirit of Dark Souls. Now, go forth, Chosen Undead, and praise the sun!

Do you have to summon Solaire to continue his story?