Should I Let Fia Hold Me in Deeproot Depths? A Comprehensive Elden Ring Guide
Yes, absolutely. Letting Fia hold you in Deeproot Depths is a crucial step in progressing her questline and unlocking a unique ending in Elden Ring. While her initial hugs come with a temporary health debuff, the rewards far outweigh the risks. Specifically, this interaction is essential for accessing the Lichdragon Fortissax boss fight and obtaining the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince, a key item for a specific ending. Don’t be afraid of a little cuddle – it’s worth it!
Understanding Fia and Her Quest
Fia, the Deathbed Companion, is one of the more enigmatic NPCs in Elden Ring. Her questline is intricately tied to the lore surrounding the Those Who Live in Death, including the tragic figure of Godwyn the Golden. Understanding her motivations and the steps involved in her quest is vital for making informed decisions about your interactions with her.
The Initial Hugs and Baldachin’s Blessing
Early in the game, you’ll find Fia at the Roundtable Hold. She offers a seemingly innocent hug, which grants you the Baldachin’s Blessing. However, this blessing comes with a trade-off: a temporary reduction to your maximum HP. The Baldachin’s Blessing itself is an item that grants a temporary boost to your Poise stat and physical damage, making it useful in certain combat situations. It’s a risk-reward scenario: decreased health for increased stability and damage.
Progression Through Deeproot Depths
Once you’ve progressed significantly in the game and followed the initial steps of Fia’s quest (giving the Weathered Dagger to D, and then finding Fia in a secret room after D’s demise), she eventually moves to the Deeproot Depths. This area can be accessed either through a coffin in the Siofra Aqueduct (after defeating the Valiant Gargoyles) or via the Cathedral of the Forsaken shortcut beneath Leyndell. In Deeproot Depths, hugging Fia is critical for advancing her quest.
The Significance of the Cursemark of Death
To further Fia’s quest in Deeproot Depths, you’ll need to acquire the Cursemark of Death. This item is obtained by progressing Ranni the Witch’s questline to a certain point. Ranni’s quest is unrelated to Fia’s in terms of story, but you must advance to a certain point so you can obtain the Cursemark of Death. Once you have the Cursemark of Death, giving it to Fia in Deeproot Depths is essential to unlock the Deathbed Dream.
Facing Fia’s Champions and Lichdragon Fortissax
Before you can give Fia the Cursemark of Death, you will need to defeat her Champions in Deeproot Depths. They are a mandatory boss fight needed to advance. After defeating the Champions, giving her the Cursemark of Death allows you to enter the Deathbed Dream, where you’ll face the powerful Lichdragon Fortissax. Defeating Fortissax is crucial for obtaining the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince.
The Mending Rune of the Death-Prince and Fia’s Ending
The Mending Rune of the Death-Prince is the key to unlocking Fia’s ending. By choosing to use this rune when you become Elden Lord, you’ll usher in the Age of the Duskborn, an era where Those Who Live in Death are given a rightful place in the world. This ending provides an alternative perspective on the Lands Between, one that considers those often marginalized and persecuted.
Why Hugging Fia is Essential
Refusing Fia’s hug in Deeproot Depths effectively halts her questline. You won’t be able to access the Deathbed Dream, fight Lichdragon Fortissax, or obtain the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince. While the initial health debuff might seem daunting, it’s easily negated by using the Baldachin’s Blessing, and the rewards for progressing her quest are substantial, offering a unique ending and a challenging boss fight.
Consider Fia’s actions from her perspective. She refers to herself as a mother to Those Who Live in Death. She doesn’t seek power for personal gain, but because she sees herself as a protector of her people.
Embracing Fia’s embrace, even with its initial drawbacks, unlocks a richer, more nuanced experience in Elden Ring. It allows you to explore themes of death, rebirth, and acceptance, ultimately leading to a unique conclusion to your journey as the Tarnished.
This can also be considered a lesson in game-based learning, where players learn by playing. It’s also a demonstration of how a simple mechanic can create a powerful, emotional moment that can add to the overall lore of the game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Fia and Deeproot Depths
1. What happens if I refuse Fia’s hug?
If you refuse Fia’s hug, you won’t receive the Baldachin’s Blessing or the temporary HP debuff. However, you can always return to her later and accept the hug. Refusing her hug in Deeproot Depths will lock you out of her questline.
2. Does the health debuff from Fia’s hug stack?
No, the health debuff from Fia’s hug does not stack. You will only have one health debuff, and it can only be removed by using the Baldachin’s Blessing.
3. Is the Baldachin’s Blessing worth using?
The Baldachin’s Blessing offers a temporary increase in Poise, which can be useful in certain combat situations, allowing you to withstand attacks without being staggered. Whether it’s worth using depends on your playstyle and the enemies you’re facing.
4. Can I still complete Fia’s quest if I accidentally kill her?
No, killing Fia prematurely ends her questline. If you want to experience her ending, avoid attacking her.
5. Where do I find the Cursemark of Death?
The Cursemark of Death is obtained by progressing Ranni the Witch’s questline. This involves exploring Nokron, the Eternal City, and defeating certain bosses.
6. How do I get to Deeproot Depths?
You can reach Deeproot Depths through two primary methods: via a coffin after defeating the Valiant Gargoyles in the Siofra Aqueduct or through the Cathedral of the Forsaken shortcut below Leyndell.
7. What level should I be to tackle Deeproot Depths?
Deeproot Depths is a challenging area, so it’s recommended to be at least level 80-100 before venturing there. Ensure your weapons are upgraded as well.
8. What are some of the key enemies in Deeproot Depths?
Key enemies in Deeproot Depths include the Rootlings, Giant Ants, and the Lichdragon Fortissax (if you progress Fia’s quest).
9. Does Fia’s quest interfere with other questlines?
Fia’s quest doesn’t directly interfere with other major questlines, but you need to progress Ranni’s quest to a certain point to obtain the Cursemark of Death.
10. What happens after I defeat Lichdragon Fortissax?
After defeating Lichdragon Fortissax, you can collect the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince from Fia’s body. This rune is used to trigger Fia’s ending.
11. Is Fia evil?
Whether Fia is “evil” is a matter of perspective. She seeks to provide a place for Those Who Live in Death, which some may see as disrupting the natural order. However, her motivations are not inherently malicious.
12. Can I use the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince in any ending?
No, the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince can only be used to achieve Fia’s specific ending, the Age of the Duskborn.
13. What are the rewards for completing Fia’s questline?
The main rewards for completing Fia’s questline include access to the Lichdragon Fortissax boss fight, the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince, and the unique Age of the Duskborn ending. You also gain valuable insight into the lore surrounding Those Who Live in Death.
14. Does killing D affect Fia’s quest?
Fia killing D is a mandatory part of her questline. However, finding D’s brother and giving him D’s armor leads to a confrontation with Fia later.
15. How does Fia’s quest connect to Godwyn the Golden?
Fia’s quest is deeply connected to Godwyn the Golden, as she seeks to become his consort and create a new order that accepts Those Who Live in Death, who are seen as being tied to Godwyn’s fate.
Ultimately, deciding whether or not to let Fia hold you in Deeproot Depths is a significant choice that impacts your journey through Elden Ring. By understanding the context, the risks, and the rewards, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your desired experience in the Lands Between. The game is ripe with mechanics and learning opportunities and the work being done at the Games Learning Society enhances these experiences. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org for more.