Should You Give the Fire Keeper Her Eyes in Dark Souls III?
The decision to give the Fire Keeper her eyes in Dark Souls III is a pivotal one, directly impacting the game’s ending and your understanding of its intricate lore. The short answer? Absolutely, you should give her the eyes, at least on one playthrough. It unlocks a unique ending, deepens your comprehension of the game’s themes, and offers a truly unforgettable experience. However, it’s crucial to understand the implications before making this choice, as it locks you into a specific ending path.
Understanding the Eyes of a Fire Keeper
The Eyes of a Fire Keeper are more than just an item; they’re a lens through which the Fire Keeper, normally blind, can perceive the true nature of the world. This world, perpetually caught in the cycle of rekindling the First Flame, is revealed to be unsustainable, cruel, and ultimately, a betrayal. This revelation fundamentally alters the Fire Keeper’s perspective, and consequently, the ending you can achieve.
The “End of Fire” Ending
Giving the Fire Keeper the eyes opens the path to the “End of Fire” ending. In this scenario, after defeating the Soul of Cinder, you summon the Fire Keeper to extinguish the flame. This ushers in an age of dark, but potentially, also an age of humanity free from the burden of the flame.
The emotional weight of this ending is significant. The Fire Keeper, now seeing what she was never meant to see, guides the world into darkness. This ending is often interpreted as a more hopeful one, despite its somber tone, suggesting a possibility of breaking the cycle.
Consequences and Considerations
While giving the Fire Keeper the eyes is highly recommended for experiencing all the game has to offer, there are a few things to consider:
- Ending Lock-in: Once you’ve given her the eyes, you are essentially locked into the “End of Fire” ending, unless you betray her.
- Betrayal: At the very end, you have the option to betray the Fire Keeper, seizing the flame for yourself. This leads to a darker variation of the ending, where you cruelly steal the final ember. Doing so will get you the “Usurpation of Fire” ending instead.
- Reversibility (Kind Of): If you regret your decision or simply want to experience other endings, you can kill the Fire Keeper after giving her the eyes. She will respawn, allowing you to proceed with other ending paths on subsequent playthroughs, but the original choice has already changed the world.
Why Giving the Fire Keeper Eyes is Worth It
Beyond unlocking a unique ending, giving the Fire Keeper her eyes is a valuable experience for several reasons:
- Lore Expansion: It significantly expands your understanding of the Dark Souls III lore, revealing the true nature of the cycle of fire and the Fire Keeper’s role in it.
- Emotional Impact: The ending is incredibly poignant, leaving a lasting impression and prompting reflection on the game’s themes.
- Completionist Value: To truly experience everything Dark Souls III has to offer, experiencing the “End of Fire” ending is essential.
- Music Changes: As the article extract mentions, the music change is a very real and impactful change to the environment of Firelink Shrine after giving the eyes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Where do I find the Eyes of a Fire Keeper?
The Eyes of a Fire Keeper are located in the Untended Graves, a hidden area accessible through the Consumed King’s Garden. You’ll find a false wall leading to a darkened version of Firelink Shrine, where the eyes are located on the corpse of another Fire Keeper.
2. What happens if I don’t give the Fire Keeper the eyes?
If you don’t give the Fire Keeper the eyes, you will be limited to the default “Link the Fire” ending or the “Usurpation of Fire” ending depending on your quest progress with Yoel and Yuria.
3. Can I give the Fire Keeper the eyes after defeating the final boss?
No, you must give the Fire Keeper the eyes before defeating the Soul of Cinder to trigger the “End of Fire” ending.
4. Does giving the Fire Keeper the eyes affect gameplay outside of the ending?
No, giving the Fire Keeper the eyes does not affect gameplay mechanics, enemy encounters, or item drops. The primary impact is on the available ending.
5. What is the “Usurpation of Fire” ending?
The “Usurpation of Fire” ending is achieved by completing Yoel and Yuria’s questline, becoming the Lord of Hollows, and linking the fire. It involves a specific series of actions, including leveling up with Yoel five times, marrying Anri, and defeating the Soul of Cinder as the Lord of Hollows.
6. How do I get the “Link the Fire” ending?
The “Link the Fire” ending is the default ending and is achieved by defeating the Soul of Cinder and choosing to rekindle the flame without completing any specific questlines.
7. What are Fire Keeper Souls used for?
Fire Keeper Souls are used to reinforce your Estus Flasks, increasing their healing potency. They can be given to any Fire Keeper to upgrade your flask. Be aware of the potential ramifications of killing a Fire Keeper, however.
8. What does healing the Dark Sigil do?
Healing the Dark Sigil removes your Hollowing and prevents you from naturally obtaining the “Usurpation of Fire” ending through Yoel’s questline. This also has implications with certain characters’ questlines as well.
9. Who is Yoel of Londor?
Yoel of Londor is an NPC you find at the Foot of the High Wall bonfire. He offers to level you up, granting you Dark Sigils and progressing you towards the “Usurpation of Fire” ending.
10. What happens if I kill the Fire Keeper?
Killing the Fire Keeper causes her to drop a Fire Keeper Soul. The Firelink Shrine bonfire will be temporarily disabled until she respawns after reloading the area or fast traveling away and back. She can also be killed to reverse the effect of giving her the Eyes.
11. Who is Lautrec of Carim?
Lautrec of Carim is an NPC knight who, in Dark Souls 1, is infamous for killing the Fire Keeper Anastacia of Astora. This makes the Firelink Shrine bonfire unusable until she is revived.
12. How many endings are there in Dark Souls III?
There are four main endings in Dark Souls III: “Link the Fire”, “The End of Fire”, “The Usurpation of Fire”, and “The End of Fire (Betrayal)”.
13. What is the significance of the First Flame?
The First Flame is the source of power and life in the world of Dark Souls. Linking the flame prolongs the Age of Fire, while allowing it to fade ushers in the Age of Dark.
14. Can I experience all endings in a single playthrough?
No, to experience all endings, you must play through the game multiple times or back up your save file before making the final choice.
15. Where can I learn more about game design and the impact of choices like this on players?
Organizations like the Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) explore the intersection of games, learning, and design, providing valuable insights into the mechanics that make games engaging and meaningful. Visiting https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ will give you a chance to review all of the research and articles on these topics.
Ultimately, the decision to give the Fire Keeper her eyes is a deeply personal one. It reflects your own interpretation of the game’s themes and your desired ending. However, for a truly comprehensive and emotionally resonant experience, it’s an option you should definitely explore.
Dark Souls III is a great example of how games are used to express social concepts. The game mechanics are a great learning tool.