Should You Slay the Consort? A Deep Dive into Killing Lady Tanith in Elden Ring

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Is it worth killing Lady Tanith in Elden Ring? The short answer is: probably not, unless you’re a completionist or particularly enjoy invading knight bodyguards. While there aren’t major consequences that drastically alter your ending, the rewards are somewhat underwhelming compared to the alternative of completing her questline and experiencing the Volcano Manor’s story to its fullest. Killing Tanith offers a few immediate rewards – her outfit, an Ash of War from her knight, and the satisfaction of defying her – it locks you out of potential future interactions and a unique perspective on Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy. So, think carefully before you draw your blade!

Weighing the Pros and Cons: To Kill or Not To Kill Tanith

Let’s break down the decision of whether or not to kill Tanith. On one hand, Elden Ring provides a sense of freedom and agency, rewarding players who experiment and deviate from the “intended” path. Slaying seemingly important NPCs can unlock hidden lore or lead to unexpected encounters. However, in Tanith’s case, the tangible benefits of killing her are relatively minor.

The Potential Upsides of Killing Tanith

• The Consort’s Set: You’ll acquire Tanith’s outfit, which is a unique and stylish garb. However, its stats are negligible, making it purely a cosmetic choice.
• Ash of War: Her knight bodyguard will invade and, upon defeat, drop an Ash of War. The usefulness of this Ash of War will depend on your build and playstyle, so do your research to decide if it is useful.
• Immediate Gratification: If you find Tanith morally questionable or simply want to challenge the Volcano Manor’s authority, killing her offers a sense of rebellious satisfaction.
• No Ending Alteration: Crucially, killing Tanith doesn’t lock you out of any of Elden Ring’s multiple endings. This is a significant factor for players worried about irrevocably altering their playthrough.

The Potential Downsides of Killing Tanith

• Missed Lore and Story Content: Volcano Manor has unique storylines and character relationships.
• Locking Out Rykard’s Questline: Killing Tanith locks you out of Rykard’s unique questline.

A Note on Morality and Roleplaying

Ultimately, the decision to kill Tanith comes down to your individual playstyle and roleplaying preferences. Elden Ring encourages exploration and experimentation, and there’s no inherently “wrong” way to play the game. If you’re driven by a strong sense of justice or simply want to see what happens when you defy expectations, killing Tanith can be a worthwhile experience. However, be aware of the potential consequences and weigh them against the limited rewards. Remember that GamesLearningSociety.org values player agency and the exploration of moral complexities within game narratives. The choices you make, even seemingly small ones, contribute to your overall experience and understanding of the game world.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Tanith and Volcano Manor

Here are some frequently asked questions to give you even greater clarity about Lady Tanith and Volcano Manor:

1. What happens if you kill Lady Tanith? As mentioned, you get her outfit (the Consort’s Set) and trigger an invasion by her knight bodyguard. Defeating the knight grants you an Ash of War. The Volcano Manor questlines are abruptly terminated.

2. Does Tanith do anything after eating Rykard? After you defeat Rykard, Tanith will remain in the boss arena, consuming his remains, presumably to allow him to be reborn in her. You can find her there later with a new Crucible Knight bodyguard. Killing her at this point will cause the knight to attack.

3. What happens if you say yes to Tanith when she offers to take you to Rykard? She’ll teleport you directly to the arena to face Rykard, the Lord of Blasphemy. This bypasses the exploration of the Volcano Manor’s hidden areas, but doesn’t prevent you from going back later.

4. Should I follow Lady Tanith’s questline? Following Tanith’s questline offers unique weapons, armor, and a deeper understanding of Rykard and the Volcano Manor’s motivations. It’s a worthwhile experience for players interested in exploring the game’s lore and acquiring unique items. However, it does involve some morally questionable actions.

5. Is there a downside to joining Volcano Manor? The “downside” is primarily narrative – you’ll be assisting in assassinations and supporting a group opposed to the Erdtree. However, there are no mechanical downsides.

6. Why is Tanith eating Rykard? Tanith is trying to preserve Rykard’s essence so that he may find a way to resurrect himself. The serpent’s essence is implied to be immortal, and absorbing it might allow Rykard to take over her body.

7. What happens if you tell Lady Tanith about Zoraya’s (Rya’s) true form? Telling Tanith about Rya’s form opens up a small side quest involving a potion of forgetfulness. You can choose to give Rya the potion or not. Neither choice drastically alters the game, but it offers further insight into the relationship between Rykard, Tanith, and Rya.

8. Will Volcano Manor ruin my ending? No, Volcano Manor does not affect the ending. You’re free to participate in their quests without fear of locking yourself out of any particular ending.

9. Does killing Rykard affect Volcano Manor? Yes! Killing Rykard will lock you out of Volcano Manor’s questlines if you haven’t already completed them. Make sure to finish all assassination contracts before facing Rykard.

10. Does Tanith love Rykard? Tanith is depicted as fiercely loyal to Rykard, demonstrating a strong obsession and devotion. Whether it’s love in a traditional sense is open to interpretation, but her dedication is undeniable.

11. Is Tanith Rykard’s wife? She’s referred to as Rykard’s “consort,” implying a similar relationship to a wife or partner. She’s also the leader of the Recusants, the Volcano Manor’s faction of Tarnished rebels.

12. Why does Rykard want to eat you (and others)? Rykard believes that by devouring others, he makes them part of his “family,” extending his life and influence. This twisted concept of family is central to the Volcano Manor’s ideology.

13. Can you get Lady Tanith’s armor/outfit? Yes, by killing her. She’s wearing the Consort’s Set. However, completing her questline also allows you to obtain unique armor sets and weapons, making it a potentially more rewarding option in terms of overall loot.

14. Why does Volcano Manor hunt Tarnished? Volcano Manor hunts Tarnished as part of their rebellion against the Golden Order and the Erdtree. They seek to usurp the established power structure and establish a new order based on Rykard’s twisted vision.

15. Should I mention Zoraya’s (Rya’s) form to Tanith? Talking to Tanith about Rya does not cancel any quests. All it does is expand what you can learn about it. The only thing that will cancel the quest line prematurely is killing the shardbearer.

Hopefully, these FAQs provide a more comprehensive overview of the complexities surrounding Tanith and the Volcano Manor in Elden Ring. Make sure to consult the Games Learning Society to learn more about gaming strategies.