What Happened to Aldia in Dark Souls? The Scholar’s Twisted Fate
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The question of what happened to Aldia in Dark Souls 2 is one that has captivated and perplexed players since the release of Scholar of the First Sin. Aldia, initially an enigmatic figure encountered throughout the game, eventually reveals himself as a powerful, albeit warped, entity. He represents a profound rejection of the cyclical nature of the world, choosing a path outside the traditional binary of Light and Dark. His fate is not one of conventional death but rather a transformation into something beyond comprehension – a being that transcends the very essence of the world’s established rules. Aldia ultimately became a blob-like creature, composed of fire, witchtree branches, and a glaring red eye, existing outside the cycle of life and death, a tragic consequence of his pursuit of knowledge. He is not defeated in the traditional sense; he simply dissipates into smoke after the final encounter, leaving no souls or tangible rewards, only the freedom to abandon the Throne. His goal was not to become a god, but to comprehend the very fabric of existence and in doing so, he ultimately abandoned the traditional cycle.
Aldia: A Scholar’s Descent
Aldia’s journey began as a scholar, driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge. He, along with his brother King Vendrick, sought to understand the nature of souls, the First Flame, and the cyclical nature of the world. He was particularly interested in the origins of life and death and believed that a deeper understanding could offer a path beyond the endless cycle of Light and Dark. Unlike Vendrick, who focused on controlling the power of souls, Aldia aimed to unravel the mysteries of their very existence. His experiments, conducted within the confines of Aldia’s Keep, delved into forbidden territory, leading to grotesque and unnatural creations. He explored the secrets of the dragons and the very nature of humanity itself. He believed that by understanding the origins of the world, he could break free from the constraints of the established order.
The Scholar’s Transformation
Aldia’s relentless pursuit of knowledge ultimately led to his physical transformation. He didn’t become the Ancient Dragon as some theorized. He became something far stranger, a testament to the dangers of unchecked ambition and the hubris of mortals seeking to comprehend the divine. His form was a horrifying manifestation of his research—a burning, pulsating mass of fire and twisted organic matter. This transformation is not a form of traditional undeath or hollowing but a complete shift in his state of being. He became something beyond life and death, light and dark, a being unbound by the constraints of the world. His new form reflects a complete abandonment of the conventional order and his acceptance of a path beyond the cycle. He stands as an existential horror of a scholar who dared to push the boundaries of existence and paid the ultimate price.
The Encounter with Aldia
Aldia appears as a final boss in the Scholar of the First Sin version of Dark Souls 2, after the fight with Nashandra in the Throne of Want. He will also appear after you defeat Vendrick and have spoken to him multiple times. He confronts the player not as a mindless enemy but as an entity burdened by the knowledge he has gained. He speaks of the futility of the cycle, questioning the motivations behind the endless struggle for the Throne of Want. He doesn’t drop souls upon his “defeat” because he exists beyond that realm. The player’s ultimate reward is the ability to leave the Throne of Want, to break free from the traditional endings of the game and pursue a different path entirely. Aldia’s existence is a constant reminder that the cycle itself is a construct, one that can be rejected.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Aldia in the base version of Dark Souls 2?
Yes, Aldia is in the base version of Dark Souls 2, not just Scholar of the First Sin. He was added through a patch alongside the Scholar update for the original game.
Where do you encounter Aldia in Dark Souls 2?
You initially encounter Aldia at the Dragon Shrine. After interacting with him there, he will appear in the Throne of Want at Drangleic Castle, immediately after you kill Nashandra, as another boss encounter.
Does Aldia drop souls or items when defeated?
No, Aldia does not drop any souls or items when defeated. He vanishes in a puff of smoke, reflecting his existence beyond the traditional parameters of the game’s mechanics.
What is the significance of Aldia’s speech before the fight?
Aldia’s dialogue questions the very nature of the cycle and the player’s actions. He doesn’t present himself as an antagonist driven by traditional motivations like power. Instead, he offers a critique of the endless cycle of Light and Dark, making him one of the more morally ambiguous figures in the series.
Can you still fight Aldia after killing Nashandra?
Yes, you can still fight Aldia after killing Nashandra, but if you have already defeated her once, you need to burn a Bonfire Ascetic at the King’s Gate bonfire to make him respawn. This will respawn Nashandra and the Throne Watcher & Defender as well.
Can you do the DLC content before or after fighting Aldia?
You can do the DLC content both before and after fighting Aldia. The DLC and the fight with Aldia are not mutually exclusive.
What is the deal with Navlaan in Aldia’s Keep?
Navlaan, the Royal Sorcerer, is located behind a fog door in Aldia’s Keep. He has a split personality due to a magical spirit within him and requests to be left alone in his human form.
What happens if you say “Yes” to Aldia?
Saying “yes” to Aldia when you first encounter him at the Dragon Shrine will trigger his questline. This leads to the final encounter in the Throne of Want.
Who is the true final boss of Dark Souls 2?
The final boss of Dark Souls 2 is Nashandra, but the true final encounter (and the one that leads to an alternative ending) in Scholar of the First Sin is Aldia.
Is Aldia the true lord of light?
No, Aldia is not the true Lord of Light. He questions the very nature of light and dark and exists outside of those confines. The Lord of Light is traditionally known as Gwyn.
What is the “first sin” Aldia refers to?
The “first sin,” as Aldia explains it, is Gwyn taking the First Flame, an action that began the cycle of light and dark that plagues the world.
Why is Aldia a blob-like creature?
Aldia’s blob-like form is the result of his relentless experimentation and his attempt to transcend the cycle. His physical transformation represents his departure from the natural order of things.
What are the torches for in Aldia’s Keep?
Lighting all four torches in Aldia’s Keep spawns red phantoms and wakes up a skeletal dragon. Defeating the dragon drops a key that opens a locked room.
Was Aldia’s fate predetermined or a result of his actions?
Aldia’s fate is a direct result of his relentless pursuit of forbidden knowledge and his willingness to delve into the deepest secrets of the world. It’s a combination of his choices and the dangerous path he walked.
Is Aldia’s ending the true ending of Dark Souls 2?
There is no true ending, but Aldia’s ending is a unique one. It allows the player to walk away from the cycle and the Throne of Want, representing a complete rejection of the norm. It leaves the future ambiguous, which is very common for Dark Souls, and allows players to interpret their own true ending.