The Sinister Legacy of King Vendrick: What He Did to the Giants
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King Vendrick’s legacy in Dark Souls 2 is one of ambition, paranoia, and ultimately, tragedy. His actions towards the Giants are central to the game’s lore and understanding his motivations and their consequences is crucial for a full grasp of the story. So, what exactly did Vendrick do to the Giants? In short, Vendrick, driven by Nashandra’s warnings, initiated a brutal invasion of the Giant’s homeland, plundering their lands and enslaving many to conduct horrific experiments within Drangleic. He didn’t simply conquer; he desecrated and exploited the Giants, leaving an indelible scar on the world.
The Invasion and Its Justification
Vendrick’s invasion was not a random act of aggression. It was carefully orchestrated based on Nashandra’s manipulation. She, a shard of Manus, Father of the Abyss, used her alluring charm and fear-mongering to push Vendrick into a preemptive strike against the Giants. She warned him of a looming threat from across the sea, convincing the king that the Giants posed an existential risk to Drangleic. This fear, coupled with Vendrick’s own ambition, drove him to launch a full-scale invasion, crossing the ocean and attacking the Giants on their home turf.
Pillage and Capture
The invasion was characterized by ruthless pillaging and capture. Vendrick’s forces swept through the Giant’s territory, not merely engaging in battles, but also systematically looting. He stole an unspecified “prize” from the Giants, which lore strongly suggests was a dragon or a dragon egg, and captured a significant number of giants. These captured giants were not treated as prisoners of war; instead, they became subjects for cruel and unethical experiments back in Drangleic.
The Dark Experiments
The Giants captured were brought back to Drangleic, where they faced a grim fate under the supervision of Vendrick’s brother, Aldia. It’s speculated that these experiments revolved around attempting to understand and exploit the power of the giants, especially regarding their unique connection to dragons. The bones of these giants were potentially used in creating golems, showing a clear exploitation of their biology. The nature of these experiments highlight Vendrick’s descent from a conqueror into something far more insidious; someone who would use sentient beings as mere tools for his own gains.
The Stolen Dragon and Golem Creation
The stolen prize, believed to be a dragon or dragon egg, is theorized to be the primary reason for the Giant’s capture. Vendrick and Aldia sought to harness the power of dragons, and using the dragon bones, as well as the Giants as experimental subjects, they are believed to have created the golems that are found throughout Drangleic. This act of blatant theft and subsequent experimentation solidifies Vendrick’s actions as not just an act of war, but also a crime against nature itself.
The Consequences of Vendrick’s Actions
The consequences of Vendrick’s actions against the giants are far-reaching and devastating. The pillage and experiments traumatized the giant survivors and fueled their thirst for revenge. The giant lord you fight in the memories of the giants is a prime example of the lasting fury created by Vendrick’s cruelty. Furthermore, the experiments and exploitation of the giants are implied to have had unforeseen effects on the land of Drangleic itself, contributing to its overall decay and eventual downfall.
Vendrick’s Self-Imprisonment
Eventually, Vendrick realized the true nature of Nashandra and her intentions. Horrified by her true nature as a Child of Dark, he chose to sequester himself away in the Undead Crypt. He no longer saw himself as a glorious conqueror but as a man who had been manipulated and betrayed. The Giants, once a supposed threat, became another piece of evidence in Vendrick’s personal tragedy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why did Nashandra convince Vendrick to invade the Giants?
Nashandra, a shard of Manus, manipulated Vendrick into invading the Giants to weaken Drangleic and facilitate her own goals of claiming the Throne of Want.
2. What was the “prize” Vendrick stole from the Giants?
The prevailing theory suggests Vendrick stole a dragon or a dragon egg from the giants, which was then used in his experiments alongside the Giants.
3. Were the Giants a real threat to Drangleic?
The game doesn’t definitively state that the Giants were an imminent threat before Vendrick’s invasion. They may have been a threat in the future, but Nashandra likely exaggerated it to fulfill her ambitions.
4. What kind of experiments did Vendrick conduct on the Giants?
The exact nature of the experiments is unknown, but they involved torturing and exploiting the Giants, possibly to understand their connection to dragons, and used them in the creation of golems.
5. How many Giant Souls are needed to fight Vendrick effectively?
While you can fight Vendrick with fewer, 5 Giant Souls are needed to do normal damage to him. He has a resistance that is reduced by half for each soul you possess.
6. Where can I find Giant Souls?
You can find 3 Giant Souls by delving into the memories of the Giants using the Ashen Mist Heart. 1 is obtained from killing Giants in the Black Gulch and 1 from killing the Ancient Dragon.
7. Can I beat Vendrick with 4 Giant Souls?
Yes, it is possible. Using bleed effects and a good weapon can overcome his resistance, although it’s significantly more challenging.
8. Does killing Vendrick end the game?
No, killing Vendrick is not required to finish the game. He is an optional boss. You can continue playing after defeating him, and even after finishing the game and the credits roll you can continue with the same character.
9. Why doesn’t Vendrick attack me initially?
Vendrick won’t engage if you do not deal a certain amount of damage, due to his high resistance. This is why Giant Souls are necessary to make him react to your attacks.
10. Why did Vendrick retreat to the Undead Crypt?
Vendrick realized Nashandra’s true nature as a Child of Dark and placed safeguards to keep her from reaching the Throne of Want. The Undead Crypt was his refuge.
11. What happens after killing Vendrick?
After defeating Vendrick, a door behind vines in Shrine of Amana that is only openable while human, is accessible. Inside, you will find the Soul of the King and Vendrick’s armor.
12. Does having the DLC crowns affect my fight with Vendrick?
The DLC crowns will have no effect on the fight itself. However, after collecting them and talking with Vendrick, you’ll get “Vendrick’s Blessing” which prevents you from hollowing if you wear a crown.
13. Can I summon help to fight Vendrick?
No, you cannot summon help for the King Vendrick boss fight. It’s intended to be a solitary battle.
14. Is Vendrick resistant to poison or bleed?
Vendrick has high resistance to poison but is susceptible to bleed. Applying bleed effects can occasionally inflict bonus damage.
15. What is the best weapon to fight Vendrick?
Katanas, with their higher counter damage and wide swings, are effective against Vendrick when used strategically.
In conclusion, King Vendrick’s actions towards the Giants were not only an act of war, but also a display of cruelty driven by fear and manipulation. His legacy is a grim reminder of how even the noblest intentions can lead to tragic consequences. Understanding his motives and actions towards the giants is pivotal in deciphering the narrative core of Dark Souls 2.