What Does the Dung Eater Do in Elden Ring?
The Dung Eater in Elden Ring is a deeply disturbing and unsettling character whose actions revolve around defiling corpses and spreading his curse throughout the Lands Between. He seeks to taint the Erdtree and usher in an age of the “Frenzied Flame,” a chaotic and destructive force. Primarily, he focuses on cursing the Tarnished who dare to oppose him, aiming to create a lineage of eternally tormented souls bound to his will. He accomplishes this by consuming the corpses of the dead and using their remains to craft Seedbed Curses, which he then inflicts upon others. The ultimate goal is to corrupt the Golden Order and replace it with his own twisted vision.
The Essence of the Dung Eater’s Purpose
The Dung Eater is not simply a madman; he represents a nihilistic philosophy and a rejection of the established order. He believes the Golden Order is inherently flawed and that only through complete destruction and rebirth can true “peace” be achieved – a peace born from utter depravity. His questline offers players a glimpse into a truly horrifying alternative ending, one where the Lands Between are perpetually scarred by his actions. He operates in the Royal Capital, Leyndell, after the player defeats Morgott, the Omen King.
Interacting with the Dung Eater
Beginning the Questline
The first step in encountering the Dung Eater involves finding him in a room within the Roundtable Hold. He appears as a spectral projection, initially blocking access to a side room. After progressing through the story far enough to reach Leyndell, Royal Capital, he will leave a message prompting you to find him in the Outer Moat. This sets the stage for a harrowing journey into his dark world.
Gathering Seedbed Curses
A critical part of the Dung Eater’s questline involves collecting Seedbed Curses. These items are found on corpses throughout the Lands Between, specifically those who have been defiled by the Dung Eater. Each Seedbed Curse represents a victim of his depravity, and these are necessary to progress his storyline.
Releasing and Confronting the Dung Eater
Once you have obtained the required Seedbed Curses (typically five), you can return to the Roundtable Hold and interact with the Dung Eater. This allows you to eventually release him from his cell in the Subterranean Shunning-Grounds beneath Leyndell. After this, you will face him in combat.
Rewards and Consequences
The Mending Rune of the Fell Curse
Completing the Dung Eater’s questline rewards you with the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse. This rune can be used to alter the Elden Ring when repairing it after defeating the final boss, offering a unique ending to the game. This ending plunges the Lands Between into a state of perpetual torment, forever tainted by the Dung Eater’s influence.
Armor and Weapons
Alongside the Mending Rune, players can also acquire the Dung Eater Armor Set and, if they choose to kill him in his cell, the Sword of Milos. These items offer both aesthetic and combat benefits but come with the heavy moral implications of siding with such a vile character.
Morality and Choice
The Dung Eater’s questline presents a stark moral dilemma. Choosing to follow his path means embracing a vision of utter depravity and condemning the Lands Between to a horrifying fate. This forces players to confront their own values and consider the consequences of their actions within the game’s world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Dung Eater
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the Dung Eater, providing further details and clarifications:
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What is the “Frenzied Flame” the Dung Eater is associated with? The Frenzied Flame is an outer god-like entity representing chaos and destruction. Some believe the Dung Eater’s ultimate goal aligns with spreading its influence throughout the Lands Between.
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Where can I find Seedbed Curses? Seedbed Curses are found on specific corpses scattered across the Lands Between, particularly in areas like Volcano Manor and Leyndell. You need to carefully examine the corpses; they are not always in plain sight.
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Is the Dung Eater a required boss to beat the game? No, the Dung Eater is not a mandatory boss. His questline is entirely optional, although it offers a unique ending.
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What happens if I kill the Dung Eater early? If you kill the Dung Eater in his initial spectral form at the Roundtable Hold or in his cell before giving him Seedbed Curses, you will prevent his questline from progressing. You will, however, get his sword.
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Does the Dung Eater’s ending affect any other endings? No, choosing the Dung Eater’s ending simply locks you into that specific ending for that playthrough. It does not prevent you from getting other endings in subsequent playthroughs.
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What are the moral implications of following the Dung Eater’s questline? Following his questline means actively participating in his horrifying vision, effectively condemning the Lands Between to a fate of eternal suffering. It is considered the “worst” ending by many players.
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Can I reverse the Dung Eater’s ending after choosing it? No, once you choose to use the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse, you are locked into that ending for that playthrough.
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Does the Dung Eater drop anything important besides the Mending Rune? He drops the Dung Eater Armor Set and, if you kill him in his cell, the Sword of Milos.
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Is the Dung Eater’s questline difficult? The difficulty depends on your build and skill. The Dung Eater himself can be a challenging fight, and finding all the Seedbed Curses requires thorough exploration.
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What stats does the Sword of Milos scale with? The Sword of Milos primarily scales with Strength and Dexterity.
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Does the Dung Eater’s armor set offer any special resistances? The Dung Eater’s armor set offers a balanced mix of physical and elemental resistances, with a focus on resisting poison and other status effects.
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What is the significance of the Dung Eater’s mask? His mask symbolizes his corrupted nature and his rejection of humanity. It represents his transformation into a harbinger of suffering.
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How does the Dung Eater fit into the overall lore of Elden Ring? The Dung Eater represents one of the many factions vying for control of the Elden Ring and its power. He embodies the darkest aspects of ambition and the destructive potential of nihilism.
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Is there any way to save the Dung Eater? No, there is no way to redeem the Dung Eater or offer him an alternative path. His fate is sealed by his own depravity.
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What makes the Dung Eater such a memorable villain? The Dung Eater’s disturbing actions, unwavering commitment to his twisted ideology, and the profound moral implications of his questline make him a truly unforgettable villain in the world of Elden Ring. His presence lingers long after the game is finished.