Is Sister Friede Good or Bad? Unraveling the Morality of the Dark Souls III Antagonist
Sister Friede, the formidable final boss of the Ashes of Ariandel DLC for Dark Souls III, is a character shrouded in moral ambiguity, making a simple “good” or “bad” classification impossible. She is not inherently evil in the traditional sense, but her actions and motivations certainly place her firmly within the antagonist role. Friede’s perceived “badness” stems from her fiercely protective stance over the Painted World of Ariandel, a world she seeks to let rot rather than see it renewed with fire. This desire, born from a weariness of cycles and a deep-seated desire for stagnation, conflicts directly with the player’s role as an Ashen One, tasked with rekindling the First Flame. Therefore, while not a mustache-twirling villain, Friede’s actions are fundamentally detrimental to the established order of the Dark Souls universe, and in that sense, she becomes an obstacle to the player’s quest and a significant antagonist. Ultimately, whether one views her actions as justifiable or unforgivable depends on an individual’s understanding of the narrative and their own interpretation of the complex moral landscape within Dark Souls.
The Motivations Behind Friede’s Actions
To fully grasp Friede’s position, it’s essential to look at her history and her motivations. Friede, also known as Elfriede, is one of the three sisters of Londor who founded the Sable Church. She abandoned this path, however, taking the name Friede and entering the Painted World of Ariandel. There, she found a world and a people she sought to protect, seeing in them an opportunity for stagnation, which was, in her mind, better than the endless cycle of fire and ash. This is vital: Friede is tired of fire, and views the painting’s decay as a form of rest, an escape from the unending cycles that define the world of Dark Souls.
Why She Protects the Rotting World
Friede’s actions aren’t born of malice but of a weariness and a rejection of the natural order as it exists in the Dark Souls world. She has become attached to the inhabitants of the Painted World, a fragile community she feels responsible for. She believes that reigniting the flame that would burn away the rot would ultimately be destructive to them. She manipulates Father Ariandel to keep him from the flame, further solidifying her position as a protector of a stagnating and decaying realm.
The Player’s Conflicting Role
The player’s actions as the Ashen One directly contradict Friede’s goals. We are, by the very nature of our quest, agents of change and renewal, tasked with rekindling the First Flame and breaking the cycle of fire and dark. This fundamental conflict makes Friede a necessary obstacle. To allow the Painted World to rot goes against the very nature of our journey. This conflict, rather than labeling her evil, puts Friede in a position of a reluctant antagonist. She is not evil, but she is standing in the way.
Friede: A Tragic Figure
Ultimately, Friede is a tragic figure. She is a powerful Ashen One, and despite her abilities, she is burdened by her past and her self-imposed responsibility. She is caught between her desire to protect the Painted World and the inevitable need for renewal. She manipulates Father Ariandel, which is also the act of a character that isn’t “good” but can hardly be called “evil.”
A More Nuanced Understanding
Friede’s complex motivations showcase the thematic ambiguity that is a cornerstone of Dark Souls. Her actions might be detrimental to the world’s stability, but they come from a place of perceived necessity and a weariness of the established order. This nuanced approach to her character makes it difficult to label her definitively as good or bad. Her story isn’t a simple conflict between light and darkness, but a deeper exploration of cycles, stagnation, and the nature of protection.
Conclusion: A Grey Area of Morality
Friede exists in a grey area. She isn’t purely evil, but her actions are an obstacle to the player. She’s a complex character motivated by her own understanding of what’s best for the Painted World. Her story highlights that in the world of Dark Souls, there is often no easy classification of good and evil, only varying motivations and perspectives, making the characters far more compelling than simple villains.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Sister Friede
1. What do you get for killing Sister Friede?
After defeating Blackflame Friede, you can speak with the Corvian Settler near the Corvian Settlement bonfire to receive a Titanite Slab. This is also the only way to access The Ringed City DLC before reaching the Kiln of the First Flame.
2. Is Sister Friede unkindled?
Yes, she is an Unkindled. While she is not hollow, her appearance is normal, much like Yuria of Londor. As one of the three sisters of Londor, it’s likely she was once hollow.
3. What is Sister Friede’s ultimate goal?
Sister Friede wants to let the Painted World of Ariandel rot, believing it to be the only way to break the cycle of fire and ash. She opposes the idea of using flame to create a new painted world.
4. What are Sister Friede’s weaknesses in combat?
Sister Friede is primarily weak to strike damage, making weapons like hammers and great hammers effective. She also has weaknesses to bleed, dark, and lightning damage.
5. At what level should I fight Sister Friede?
It’s generally recommended that you fight Sister Friede at endgame level (the level you would be at after Lothric Castle), with weapons upgraded to +9 or +10.
6. What did Sister Friede do to Father Ariandel?
Friede manipulated Father Ariandel into suppressing the flame, preventing the Painted World from being renewed and instead leaving it in a state of rot and decay.
7. Can you get Sister Friede’s scythe?
Yes, you can obtain Sister Friede’s Great Scythe by transposing her soul using the Transposing Kiln. You acquire the Kiln by defeating the Curse-Rotted Greatwood in the Undead Settlement.
8. Is Sister Friede considered a bad guy?
While she is the main antagonist and final boss of the Ashes of Ariandel DLC, she isn’t inherently evil. Her actions are driven by her desire to protect the Painted World and her weariness of the cycle of fire.
9. Are Ariamis and Ariandel connected?
Yes. Based on their names and their relationship to the Painted World, it is heavily implied that Ariandel is a brother, or possibly the son, of the original creator of the Painted World, Ariamis.
10. How does Ariandel revive Friede?
When Friede collapses for the first time, Father Ariandel, in a desperate attempt to revive her, sparks the very flame he was working to suppress. This rekindles her, bringing her back to fight at his side.
11. Is Sister Friede the hardest Dark Souls III boss?
Many players consider Sister Friede to be the hardest boss in Dark Souls III, due to her three-stage fight and relentless attacks. However, the Nameless King is also commonly cited as one of the most challenging.
12. What does Sister Friede wear?
Sister Friede wears a light blue dress known as the “Garb of Friede”, sewn with thick fabric, and she also wears trousers of a swordsman underneath. The garb represents her attempt to assume the form that her people yearned for.
13. Is Friede an optional boss?
Yes, Sister Friede is an optional boss located in the Ashes of Ariandel DLC, not part of the base game experience.
14. Is Friede Yuria’s sister?
Yes, Elfriede (Friede) is the oldest of the three sisters of Londor, alongside Yuria, and another sister that is never named.
15. Can you summon help for the Friede fight?
Yes, you can summon Slave Knight Gael to assist in the second phase of the fight. He appears in the corner just to the left of the sliding altar before the boss area.