Should I Free Dung Eater? A Tarnished’s Dilemma in Elden Ring
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In the treacherous world of Elden Ring, players constantly face difficult choices with far-reaching consequences. One of the most morally challenging decisions is whether or not to free the Loathsome Dung Eater. A straight answer? Yes, you should free him if you are aiming to complete his questline and unlock the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse, which leads to a unique, albeit bleak, ending. However, be prepared for the ramifications of your actions, as freeing him has dire consequences for other characters and the world at large. The decision hinges on your desired gameplay experience and your willingness to embrace the darkness. Let’s dive into the gritty details of why, how, and what happens when you unleash this truly vile character upon the Lands Between.
The Weight of Choice: Unlocking the Dung Eater’s Quest
The Dung Eater’s questline is not for the faint of heart. It’s a descent into depravity, filled with murder, defilement, and a potential ending that curses the entire Lands Between. So why even consider it? The answer lies in the rewards and the morbid curiosity of exploring every facet of Elden Ring‘s complex lore.
Why Free the Dung Eater?
- Unlocking a Unique Ending: The Dung Eater’s quest culminates in obtaining the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse. This rune allows you to mend the Elden Ring in a way that inflicts a terrible curse upon all future generations. While morally questionable, it’s a distinct ending with its own cutscene and implications, adding to the game’s replayability.
- Acquiring Powerful Items: Completing the quest rewards you with the Dung Eater’s armor set, a visually striking and thematically appropriate outfit. You also receive the Omen Cleaver, a formidable weapon scaling with Strength and Arcane.
- Exploring a Dark Narrative: The Dung Eater’s story is one of the most disturbing in Elden Ring. His quest provides insight into the darker aspects of the world, the motivations of its twisted inhabitants, and the potential for utter despair.
The Consequences of Freedom
Before you rush to unlock his cell, understand the consequences of your actions:
- The Death of Boggart: One of the most immediate and tragic consequences is the death of Blackguard Big Boggart. After freeing the Dung Eater, he will invade Boggart’s location and brutally murder him. Boggart, a relatively friendly NPC who offers valuable services, is a casualty of your decision.
- Embracing the “Blessing of Despair” Ending: This ending is often considered the “bad” ending for good reason. It essentially condemns the world to an eternity of suffering.
Navigating the Dung Eater’s Questline
If you’ve decided to free the Dung Eater, here’s a step-by-step guide to navigating his quest:
- Obtain a Seedbed Curse: These items are found on the corpses of the Dung Eater’s victims. You need to find at least one to trigger his initial dialogue at the Roundtable Hold.
- Speak to the Dung Eater at Roundtable Hold: After obtaining a Seedbed Curse, the Dung Eater will appear in a locked room at the Roundtable Hold. He’ll give you the Sewer-Gaol Key and task you with finding his physical body beneath Leyndell, Royal Capital.
- Descend into the Subterranean Shunning-Grounds: Head to Leyndell, Royal Capital, and find the entrance to the Subterranean Shunning-Grounds. This area is a sprawling labyrinth filled with difficult enemies and hidden paths.
- Locate the Dung Eater’s Body: Navigate the sewers until you find the Dung Eater’s physical body imprisoned.
- Feed him Seedbed Curses: Return to his body and feed him the Seedbed Curses. You need to feed him a total of five to progress the quest.
- Receive the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse: After feeding him the fifth curse, you’ll receive the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse.
- (Optional) Kill the Dung Eater: Once you have the rune, you can choose to kill the Dung Eater to obtain his armor set.
- Use the Mending Rune at the End of the Game: After defeating the final boss, you’ll have the option to use the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse to mend the Elden Ring, triggering the Blessing of Despair ending.
The Moral Quandary: Good, Evil, and Ambiguity in Elden Ring
The Dung Eater embodies the moral ambiguity that permeates Elden Ring. He is undeniably evil, yet his questline offers tangible rewards and a unique perspective on the world. The decision to free him forces players to confront their own values and consider the consequences of their choices. There is no “right” answer, only a reflection of your own tarnished soul.
The Impact of Player Choice
Elden Ring excels at making player choices matter. The decision to free the Dung Eater is a prime example. It not only affects the ending you receive but also impacts the lives of other characters and your overall perception of the game’s narrative. The game invites you to consider if the ends justify the means. Is a unique ending worth the destruction and suffering caused by the Dung Eater? This is a question that each player must answer for themselves. It’s this kind of storytelling and choice-making that allows the Games Learning Society to study and understand how video games affect learning and behavior. For more information on the GamesLearningSociety.org, visit their website.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Dung Eater
1. What happens if I kill the Dung Eater at Roundtable Hold?
If you kill the Dung Eater at the Roundtable Hold, you will prevent his questline from progressing, and you won’t obtain the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse. You’ll miss out on his ending, armor, and weapon.
2. Where can I find Seedbed Curses?
Seedbed Curses are located in specific areas, primarily in Leyndell, Royal Capital, and the Volcano Manor. They are found on the corpses of the Dung Eater’s victims, often hidden in obscure locations.
3. Is the Dung Eater ending the “best” ending?
The Dung Eater ending, known as the Blessing of Despair, is widely considered the “worst” ending. It curses the world and its inhabitants, perpetuating suffering and despair. It’s only “best” if you’re aiming for a completionist run or enjoy morally dark choices.
4. Does the Dung Eater have any unique dialogue?
Yes, the Dung Eater has a considerable amount of unique dialogue, particularly during his questline. His words are often crude, violent, and revealing of his twisted worldview.
5. Can I reverse my decision after freeing the Dung Eater?
No, you cannot reverse your decision. Once you free the Dung Eater and he kills Boggart, those actions are permanent within that playthrough.
6. What are the stat requirements for the Omen Cleaver?
The Omen Cleaver requires 20 Strength, 14 Dexterity, and 18 Arcane.
7. Does the Dung Eater drop anything if killed in the Subterranean Shunning-Grounds?
Yes, if killed in the Subterranean Shunning-Grounds, he drops the Omen Helm.
8. How does the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse affect the Elden Ring?
The Mending Rune of the Fell Curse curses the Elden Ring, ensuring that all future generations are born with a “defiled” bloodline, essentially turning them into Omens.
9. Is the Dung Eater considered the most evil character in Elden Ring?
Many players consider the Dung Eater to be one of the most evil characters in Elden Ring, due to the horrific nature of his actions and his desire to inflict suffering on others.
10. Does freeing the Dung Eater affect any other questlines?
Besides the tragic end of Blackguard Big Boggart, the Dung Eater‘s questline doesn’t directly affect other major questlines.
11. What is the significance of the Seedbed Curse?
The Seedbed Curse represents the physical manifestation of the Dung Eater’s curse, a mark of defilement left on his victims.
12. What is an Omen in Elden Ring lore?
Omens are individuals born with physical deformities and horns, often considered cursed and reviled in the Lands Between.
13. Can you get the Frenzied Flame ending after completing the Dung Eater quest?
Yes, you can still pursue the Frenzied Flame ending even after completing the Dung Eater quest. The endings are independent of each other until the final choice at the end of the game.
14. Is there any way to save Boggart from the Dung Eater?
Unfortunately, there is no known way to save Boggart once you free the Dung Eater. His death is a fixed event in the questline.
15. Does the Dung Eater have any connection to the Omens in the sewers?
Yes, the Dung Eater’s armor description mentions he has the heart of the omen. The seedbed curse “defiles” people’s bloodline so it likely turning them into Omens.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to free the Dung Eater rests with you, the Tarnished. Weigh the rewards against the consequences, embrace the moral ambiguity, and forge your own path in the Lands Between.