What Do You Get For Killing Sage Gowry?
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Killing Sage Gowry in Elden Ring yields the Gowry’s Bell Bearing and his mask, Gowry’s Mask. Giving the Bell Bearing to the Twin Maiden Husks at the Roundtable Hold allows you to purchase his spells, specifically the Flame of the Fell God, Greyoll’s Roar, and Rotten Breath.
The Consequences and Rewards of Gowry’s Demise
While the immediate material rewards for killing Sage Gowry may seem modest, they unlock access to his unique spells much earlier than waiting for his questline to naturally conclude. However, this decision comes with a significant trade-off: you will permanently lock yourself out of the remainder of his questline and potentially miss out on certain lore implications surrounding Millicent and the Scarlet Rot.
Understanding Gowry’s Role
Sage Gowry is a pivotal NPC in the Caelid region, deeply intertwined with the story of Millicent, a young woman afflicted by the Scarlet Rot. He resides in Gowry’s Shack, a small hut located just east of Sellia, Town of Sorcery. Gowry serves as a guide, providing players with crucial information about the nature of the Rot and tasks related to Millicent’s recovery. He appears to be more than he seems, hinting at a hidden nature connected to the Unalloyed Gold Needle and its impact on containing the Rot.
The Immediate Gratification: Bell Bearing and Mask
The primary reason to kill Gowry is to immediately acquire his Bell Bearing. Bell Bearings are valuable items that, when presented to the Twin Maiden Husks at the Roundtable Hold, expand their shop inventory. Gowry’s Bell Bearing adds his specific selection of spells to their available wares. His Mask, Gowry’s Mask, is a light weight head piece with the description “A mask modeled after Gowry’s face, worn by those devoted to the wisdom of rot. Slightly raises intelligence.”
Acquiring Gowry’s Spells Early
The most compelling reason to eliminate Gowry early is to gain immediate access to his spells. These spells are:
- Flame of the Fell God: A powerful fire spell that summons a massive ball of flame that explodes after a short delay. This spell is highly effective against large groups of enemies and deals significant damage.
- Greyoll’s Roar: This incantation unleashes a deafening roar, weakening the attack power of nearby enemies. It is particularly useful in challenging boss encounters.
- Rotten Breath: This incantation inflicts Scarlet Rot, a debilitating status ailment that deals significant damage over time. It is incredibly effective against bosses and enemies vulnerable to rot.
Normally, players would need to progress through Gowry and Millicent’s questline to eventually unlock these spells. Killing him allows you to circumvent this lengthy process.
The Cost: A Lost Questline and Missed Lore
While the immediate rewards might be tempting, the consequences of killing Gowry are significant. You will completely sever the questline associated with both Gowry and Millicent. This means:
- Missing Lore: You’ll miss out on crucial information about the Scarlet Rot, its origins, and the motivations of both Gowry and Millicent. The questline provides valuable context for understanding the lore of the Lands Between.
- Missed Items: The questline rewards several unique items, including Millicent’s Prosthesis, a powerful talisman that greatly increases dexterity with successive attacks.
- Potential Endings: Certain endings in Elden Ring are loosely tied to the Scarlet Rot and characters associated with it. Eliminating Gowry might inadvertently limit your options for achieving specific endings.
Is Killing Gowry Worth It?
The decision of whether or not to kill Gowry depends entirely on your playstyle and priorities.
- Pros: Early access to powerful spells, bypassing a lengthy questline.
- Cons: Permanent loss of the Gowry/Millicent questline, missed lore, missed items, potentially limited ending options.
If you are primarily focused on combat and want to acquire powerful spells quickly, killing Gowry might be a viable option. However, if you value experiencing the full narrative of Elden Ring and collecting all available items, it’s highly recommended to complete his questline before considering his demise.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I revive Gowry after killing him?
No, once Sage Gowry is killed, he cannot be revived in any way. There are no spells, items, or game mechanics that allow you to bring him back.
2. Does killing Gowry affect other NPCs?
Killing Gowry primarily impacts Millicent’s questline. Because he is a pivotal part of her quest, it is not possible to continue her quest without interacting with Gowry.
3. What happens to Millicent if I kill Gowry?
If you kill Gowry before finishing Millicent’s quest, she will eventually leave her location and her quest will effectively end, preventing you from obtaining certain items and lore.
4. What is Gowry’s true identity?
Gowry’s true identity is shrouded in mystery. He seems to be a vessel or manifestation of something related to Malenia, the Blade of Miquella, and the Scarlet Rot. His dialogue and actions suggest a deeper connection to the Rot than he reveals.
5. Can I still get the Unalloyed Gold Needle if I kill Gowry?
No. Gowry gives you the Unalloyed Gold Needle to help with Millicent’s quest. Therefore killing Gowry before completing the quest will prevent you from getting this item.
6. What is the best time to kill Gowry if I want his Bell Bearing?
The most strategic time to kill Gowry, if you choose to do so, is after you have completed his and Millicent’s questlines as far as possible. This way, you receive the full benefit of their narrative and rewards before eliminating him.
7. Does Gowry respawn after killing him?
No, Gowry does not respawn after being killed. His death is permanent for that playthrough.
8. How do I start Gowry’s questline?
To start Gowry’s questline, you must first reach Gowry’s Shack in Caelid. He will task you with curing Millicent’s scarlet rot, beginning a chain of events that leads to discoveries about the Rot’s nature and origins.
9. What is the significance of the Gowry’s Mask?
Gowry’s Mask is a cosmetic item that offers a slight increase to your Intelligence stat. While not a significant boost, it can be useful for mage builds early in the game or for specific stat optimizations. The Mask’s description also alludes to the wearer being devoted to the wisdom of the Rot, suggesting its connection to Gowry’s true nature.
10. Is it possible to complete Millicent’s questline without Gowry?
No. Millicent’s questline is directly tied to Gowry’s guidance and assistance. Without him, the quest cannot be completed.
11. What kind of damage does Flame of the Fell God deal?
Flame of the Fell God deals fire damage. It’s a powerful spell that’s effective against enemies vulnerable to fire.
12. What are the requirements for casting Rotten Breath?
To cast Rotten Breath, you need 15 Faith and 12 Arcane.
13. What are the best builds to utilize Gowry’s spells?
Gowry’s spells are best suited for builds focused on Faith and/or Arcane. The Flame of the Fell God benefits from high Faith, while Rotten Breath is very effective for builds focusing on inflicting status ailments like the Scarlet Rot with high Arcane.
14. What’s the difference between Greyoll’s Roar and other similar incantations?
Greyoll’s Roar is unique for its ability to significantly reduce the attack power of enemies, making it a valuable defensive tool in challenging encounters. It is more effective against groups of enemies than single targets.
15. Are there any alternative ways to get the spells Gowry sells?
No, there is no other way to obtain Flame of the Fell God, Greyoll’s Roar, and Rotten Breath apart from purchasing them from Gowry or the Twin Maiden Husks after giving them Gowry’s Bell Bearing.