Saving Solaire: A Comprehensive Guide to Preventing Hollowing in Dark Souls

So, you want to keep the sunbro shining bright? Excellent choice! Solaire of Astora is arguably the most beloved character in Dark Souls, and watching him succumb to hollowing is a truly tragic experience. Preventing this fate requires a bit of preparation and specific actions in Lost Izalith, but the reward – having Solaire at your side for the final boss – is well worth the effort.

The short answer: To prevent Solaire from going hollow, you must kill the Chaos Bug carrying the Sunlight Maggot before he encounters it. This bug is located behind a locked shortcut in Lost Izalith, accessible after offering 30 humanity to the Fair Lady (Quelaan). By eliminating this threat, you ensure Solaire remains sane and continues his “jolly cooperation.”

A Step-by-Step Guide to Saving Solaire

Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to save your favorite sun-praising warrior:

1. Defeat Quelaag and Ring the Second Bell: This is the starting point. You need to progress far enough to gain access to Quelaag’s Domain and beyond.
2. Join the Chaos Servant Covenant: After defeating Quelaag, head down the stairs behind the bell. You’ll find Eingyi, a diseased pyromancer. Answer “Yes” to his question to gain access to Quelaag’s Sister, the Fair Lady. Join the Chaos Servant covenant.
3. Offer 30 Humanity to the Fair Lady: This is the crucial step. By offering 30 humanity to the Fair Lady, you increase your rank in the covenant to +2. This unlocks the shortcut door in the Demon Ruins, leading directly to the Chaos Bugs. This shortcut is located near the Demon Firesage boss.
4. Navigate the Demon Ruins Shortcut: From the Demon Firesage boss area, look for a large, circular room with several Capra Demons. The locked shortcut is located along one of the walls of this room, past the Capra Demons. If you’ve offered enough humanity, the door will be open.
5. Kill the Chaos Bugs: Once through the shortcut, you’ll encounter several Chaos Bugs. The key is to identify and eliminate the one with the red eyes – this is the bug carrying the Sunlight Maggot. It won’t respawn, so once it’s dead, you’ve cleared the path for Solaire.
6. Proceed Through Lost Izalith (Optional): You can now proceed through Lost Izalith as normal. If you have not killed the chaos bug with the sunlight maggot, Solaire will be in this area. You will encounter him, and he will be wearing the sunlight maggot helmet, having gone hollow. Once this happens it is too late and he must be killed.
7. Finding Solaire Before and After: To guarantee Solaire’s survival, it is essential to find him in the lava area before killing the Chaos Bug. If he is there, ignore him, kill the bugs, then return to him. After killing the bug, return to Solaire. He will have moved to where the Chaos Bugs were. Talking to him here ensures he is saved.
8. Continue Solaire’s Questline: After speaking with Solaire, continue progressing through the game. You’ll be able to summon him for the final boss fight against Gwyn, Lord of Cinder.

Why This Works

The Sunlight Maggot controls Solaire, driving him insane and causing him to attack you. By killing the bug carrying the maggot before Solaire reaches that area, you prevent the maggot from attaching to him, allowing him to maintain his sanity and continue his quest.

FAQs: All Your Solaire Questions Answered

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the process and address common concerns:

Can I save Solaire without joining the Chaos Servant covenant?

No, you must join the Chaos Servant covenant and offer 30 humanity to unlock the shortcut. There is no other way to access the Chaos Bugs before Solaire encounters them.

How can I quickly acquire 30 humanity?

• Rat farming in the Depths: Rats have a decent drop rate for humanity. Equip items that boost item discovery, like the Covetous Gold Serpent Ring.
• Co-op play: Successfully assisting other players as a phantom grants you a humanity.
• Consuming Twin Humanities: If you have Twin Humanities in your inventory, use them.
• Giving 10 to the Kindling Fire Keeper in Firelink: Each time the fire keeper is kindled, you will receive a humanity. This can only be done 3 times in a play through.

What if I already entered Lost Izalith?

If you’ve already progressed far into Lost Izalith and haven’t killed the Chaos Bug, Solaire will likely have already gone hollow. In this case, you cannot save him. He will attack you on sight and must be put down.

Is it possible to save Solaire in New Game Plus (NG+)?

Yes, the process is the same in NG+ and subsequent playthroughs. You need to join the Chaos Servant covenant, offer 30 humanity, and kill the Chaos Bug before Solaire encounters it.

Does killing the Red-Eyed Chaos Bug guarantee Solaire’s survival?

Yes, killing the Red-Eyed Chaos Bug (the one carrying the Sunlight Maggot) is the only way to guarantee Solaire’s survival.

Can I save Solaire after killing the Centipede Demon?

Yes, you can save Solaire after killing the Centipede Demon as long as you haven’t spoken to him at the Lost Izalith bonfire, or entered the area where the Chaos Bugs are located. If you have spoken to him at the bonfire, he will already have moved to the area where he gets infected.

What if I accidentally attack Solaire?

If you accidentally attack Solaire, he will become hostile. You can absolve your sins by visiting Oswald of Carim in the Undead Parish and paying a fee. This will reset Solaire’s disposition and allow you to continue his questline.

Does summoning Solaire for other boss fights affect his questline?

No, summoning Solaire for other boss fights does not affect his questline as long as you fulfill the requirements for saving him in Lost Izalith. He will remain friendly and available for summoning.

What are the benefits of saving Solaire?

The primary benefit of saving Solaire is that you can summon him for the final boss fight against Gwyn, Lord of Cinder. Having him as an ally makes the fight significantly easier. Moreover, you get to see his “jolly cooperation” all the way to the end.

Is there a “bad” ending for Solaire?

Yes, the “bad” ending is when Solaire goes hollow and you are forced to kill him. This is arguably the most depressing outcome in the entire game.

Is it worth the effort to save Solaire?

Absolutely! Solaire is a beloved character, and his presence during the final boss fight is invaluable. Plus, the satisfaction of saving him from a tragic fate is a reward in itself.

What happens if Solaire dies during the final boss fight?

If Solaire dies during the final boss fight, it does not affect the game’s ending. You will still be able to complete the game as normal. However, you will miss out on the satisfaction of completing his questline and having him survive until the end.

Does saving Solaire affect the ending of the game?

Saving Solaire does not change the available endings of the game, but it does add a layer of emotional depth to the ending, especially if you choose to link the fire.

What is the Sunlight Maggot, exactly?

The Sunlight Maggot is a parasitic creature that latches onto its host and drives them insane. In Solaire’s case, it’s the reason he goes hollow and becomes hostile.

Where can I learn more about Dark Souls lore and character analysis?

There are many resources available online, including wikis, forums, and YouTube channels dedicated to Dark Souls lore. You can also find valuable insights and discussions at academic conferences and publications, such as those supported by the Games Learning Society, as documented on their website, GamesLearningSociety.org. This organization is dedicated to researching and understanding the educational and social impact of games.