What Does Solaire Give You in Dark Souls?
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Solaire of Astora, the jolly, sun-obsessed warrior, is arguably the most beloved character in the original Dark Souls. More than just a friendly face in a bleak world, Solaire provides several key things to the player, ranging from tangible items to intangible, but equally valuable, assistance and companionship. Most immediately, Solaire offers the White Sign Soapstone after your first conversation with him, enabling you to engage in cooperative multiplayer. Furthermore, fulfilling certain Faith requirements opens up the opportunity to join the Warrior of Sunlight covenant. Most importantly, by carefully navigating his questline and preventing his descent into madness, he grants you his invaluable aid in the final battle against Gwyn, Lord of Cinder.
Beyond the physical items and direct assistance, Solaire also gives the player something arguably more important: a sense of hope and camaraderie in a relentlessly unforgiving world. His unwavering optimism and genuine desire to help others serve as a beacon, reminding the player that even in the darkest of times, there is still light to be found.
Solaire’s Tangible Gifts and Benefits
While the emotional support and sense of camaraderie Solaire provides are significant, he also bestows practical benefits:
- The White Sign Soapstone: This allows you to be summoned into another player’s world to help them defeat bosses. Successfully assisting them grants you a Sunlight Medal, used for ranking up in the Warrior of Sunlight covenant.
- Warrior of Sunlight Covenant: With 25 Faith, Solaire will invite you to join his covenant near the Sunlight Altar. Joining allows you to use special miracles and grants access to the Great Lightning Spear miracle at Rank +1.
- Assistance with Boss Battles: If his questline is successfully navigated, Solaire can be summoned to help with several boss fights, including the final showdown with Gwyn.
- Sunlight Medals: Each time Solaire helps you defeat a boss, you earn a Sunlight Medal, which you can use to rank up in the Warrior of Sunlight Covenant.
The Intangible Value of Solaire
It’s important to recognize that Solaire provides more than just items or direct assistance. He is a source of motivation and optimism.
- Companionship: Dark Souls is, by design, a lonely game. Solaire provides a rare sense of companionship, reminding the player they aren’t entirely alone in their struggle.
- Hope: Solaire’s unwavering optimism and joyful disposition provide a much-needed beacon of hope in the bleak and despairing world of Lordran.
- Motivation: His genuine desire to find his own “sun” can be a motivating force for the player, encouraging them to persevere through difficult challenges.
- Moral Compass: Solaire’s unwavering commitment to helping others provides a subtle moral compass for the player, encouraging them to act with honor and compassion, even in the face of overwhelming darkness. The ethos of the Games Learning Society, promoting collaboration and positive interactions in game-based learning, mirrors the spirit of Solaire’s assistance.
Saving Solaire: The True Reward
The most significant “gift” Solaire provides is arguably unlocked by saving him from going insane. By defeating the Chaos Bug infected with the Sunlight Maggot before he encounters it in Lost Izalith, you ensure he remains sane and continues his quest.
- The Ultimate Ally: A sane Solaire will be available for summoning for the final boss fight against Gwyn, Lord of Cinder. Having him by your side during this climactic battle is invaluable.
The Cost of Failure
Failing to save Solaire results in a tragic encounter where you must kill him after he’s been driven mad by the Sunlight Maggot. This is not only a heartbreaking experience but also robs you of his invaluable assistance in the final battle.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What exactly is the White Sign Soapstone, and how do I use it?
The White Sign Soapstone is an item given to you by Solaire that allows you to place your summon sign on the ground. Other players in human form can then summon you to their world to help them. To use it, simply select the item in your inventory. You’ll need to be in an area where summoning is allowed (usually before a boss fight or in an area where you haven’t defeated the boss yet). Successfully assisting the host player earns you a Sunlight Medal.
How do I join the Warrior of Sunlight covenant?
To join the Warrior of Sunlight covenant, you need a Faith stat of 25 or higher. Once you meet this requirement, speak to Solaire near the Sunlight Altar, located behind the Hellkite Dragon on the bridge in the Undead Parish. He will then invite you to join. If your Faith is lower, you can reduce the requirement by assisting other players in defeating bosses via the White Sign Soapstone. Each successful boss fight reduces the Faith requirement by 5.
What are the benefits of being in the Warrior of Sunlight covenant?
Being in the Warrior of Sunlight covenant allows you to use special miracles, including Lightning Spear and Great Lightning Spear. Also, assisting other players as a member of the covenant gives you a Sunlight Medal each time you defeat a boss. Offering Sunlight Medals to the Sunlight Altar increases your covenant rank, unlocking further rewards and strengthening your miracles.
How do I save Solaire from going insane?
To save Solaire, you must kill all the Chaos Bugs in the shortcut passage between the Demon Ruins and Lost Izalith before Solaire enters the area. These bugs are behind a door that requires Humanity to open. One of these Chaos Bugs is infected with a Sunlight Maggot. Killing the bug with the Sunlight Maggot before Solaire reaches the area prevents him from being infected and going insane.
Where are the Chaos Bugs located?
The Chaos Bugs are located in the shortcut passage between the Demon Ruins and Lost Izalith. This passage is opened by offering 30 Humanity to the Fair Lady (the Daughter of Chaos) in the Chaos Servant covenant. Once the shortcut is open, explore carefully, as the bugs are somewhat hidden. The bug carrying the Sunlight Maggot will have glowing red eyes.
What happens if I don’t save Solaire?
If you don’t save Solaire, he will be infected by the Sunlight Maggot in Lost Izalith. This will drive him insane, and he will become hostile. You will eventually encounter him in the Lost Izalith and be forced to kill him to proceed.
Can Solaire help me with all boss fights?
No, Solaire can’t assist with all boss fights. His summon sign only appears before certain bosses, and only if his questline has progressed correctly. The most notable boss he can help with is Gwyn, Lord of Cinder.
What bosses can Solaire help me with?
Solaire can help you with a few boss fights throughout the game. The primary ones are the Gargoyles and Gwyn, Lord of Cinder. The availability depends on the game’s progression and Solaire’s state.
Does Solaire drop anything if I have to kill him?
Yes, if you are forced to kill Solaire after he goes insane, he will drop his armor set, including the Sunlight Helm, Armor, Gauntlets, and Leggings, as well as his Sunlight Straight Sword and Sunlight Shield. This is, however, a bittersweet victory, as it comes at the cost of his life.
Is Solaire the only NPC I can summon for the final boss?
No, Solaire is not the only NPC you can summon for the final boss. However, he is often considered the most valuable and emotionally resonant ally to have by your side during this climactic battle.
Does Solaire ever find his “sun”?
Whether Solaire truly finds his “sun” is open to interpretation. He is searching for a purpose to follow and by helping you as the player, he might accomplish this.
Is Solaire related to Gwyn in any way?
While there were early theories suggesting Solaire might be Gwyn’s firstborn son, this has been debunked in later Dark Souls lore. Solaire’s admiration for the sun is related to Lord Gwyn, but there is no familial connection.
What are Sunlight Medals used for?
Sunlight Medals are primarily used to increase your rank within the Warrior of Sunlight covenant. Offering them to the Sunlight Altar in the Undead Parish will increase your rank, unlocking rewards and strengthening your Lightning Spear and Great Lightning Spear miracles.
Can I summon Solaire if I’m not a member of the Warrior of Sunlight covenant?
Yes, you can summon Solaire even if you’re not a member of the Warrior of Sunlight covenant. His summon sign will appear before certain boss fights if you have progressed his questline correctly, regardless of your covenant affiliation.
What if I accidentally attack Solaire?
If you accidentally attack Solaire, he will become hostile. To reverse this, you can seek absolution from Oswald of Carim in the Undead Parish. However, this requires souls, so be sure to have enough before seeking absolution. Once you are absolved, Solaire will no longer be hostile towards you.
In conclusion, Solaire offers a multitude of benefits to the player in Dark Souls. His most valuable “gift” is his companionship and assistance, particularly during the final boss fight, provided you can save him from succumbing to madness. But arguably his greatest gift is the inspiration and hope that his optimism provides, in the darkest of worlds. For more insights into the role of games in education and learning, visit GamesLearningSociety.org.