Unraveling Nepheli Loux’s Quest: A Deep Dive After the Stormhawk King in Elden Ring
So, you’ve entrusted the Stormhawk King to Nepheli Loux in Elden Ring. Congratulations! You’ve taken a significant step in a complex and rewarding questline. But what comes next? Directly after you give Nepheli the Stormhawk King at the Roundtable Hold, she expresses gratitude and begins to grapple with the implications of her lineage and purpose. You will need to exhaust her dialogue at Roundtable Hold, as well as speak to Gideon Ofnir before you can move on to the next step of her questline. Then, the story unfolds in Stormveil Castle, culminating in a potential claim to the throne of Limgrave. Let’s delve into the intricate details and potential outcomes of this pivotal moment.
The Immediate Aftermath: Dialogue and Doubt
Exhausting Dialogue at Roundtable Hold
Immediately after presenting Nepheli with the Stormhawk King, speak to her multiple times. She’ll express a mix of gratitude and conflicted emotions. This is crucial. Make sure to fully exhaust her dialogue, listening to everything she has to say about her past and future.
Gideon Ofnir’s Perspective
Next, speak with Gideon Ofnir, Nepheli’s adoptive father, who is usually found in his study within Roundtable Hold. His dialogue will provide context to Nepheli’s character and purpose. Exhaust all of Gideon’s dialogue options. This step is essential for progressing the questline.
Stormveil Castle: The Coronation (or Lack Thereof)
Journey to the Throne Room
Once you’ve exhausted the dialogue with both Nepheli and Gideon at Roundtable Hold, your next destination is the throne room at Stormveil Castle. You’ll find Nepheli Loux and Kenneth Haight standing before the throne. If Gostoc is alive, he will be present as well.
Kenneth Haight’s Proclamation
Kenneth Haight declares that Nepheli is the rightful heir to Limgrave, citing her strength and compassion. This is the culmination of his search for a suitable ruler.
A Choice of Endings
The ending of the quest depends on whether you gave Nepheli Seluvis’s potion or not.
- If you did NOT give her the potion: This is the intended path. After the coronation event, Nepheli, Kenneth, and Gostoc (if he’s alive) will remain in the throne room. You will be rewarded with an Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone. This outcome gives you an important upgrade material and completes Nepheli’s story arc in a positive way.
- If you DID give her the potion: Nepheli will become a puppet, ending her questline prematurely. This is generally considered a negative outcome. You can then purchase Nepheli Loux Puppet Ashes from Seluvis.
The Importance of Choice
Giving Nepheli Seluvis’s potion significantly alters her questline, preventing the intended ending. It’s generally recommended to avoid giving her the potion to experience the full story and receive the greater rewards. The impact of your choices on the narrative and the characters is a core element of Elden Ring, and Nepheli’s quest is a prime example.
FAQs: Navigating the Nuances of Nepheli’s Quest
1. Where is Nepheli after giving her the Stormhawk King?
Immediately after, she remains at the Roundtable Hold. After exhausting her dialogue there, along with Gideon’s, she moves to the throne room in Stormveil Castle.
2. When should I give Nepheli the Stormhawk King?
Give her the Stormhawk King at Roundtable Hold after completing Stormveil Castle, defeating Godrick the Grafted, and exhausting her initial dialogue and that of Gideon Ofnir.
3. Why is Nepheli sad?
Nepheli is burdened by her past, particularly the brutality she witnessed as a child. This trauma fuels her desire to fight injustice, but also causes her emotional turmoil.
4. What to do after giving Nepheli the potion?
Giving Nepheli the potion locks you out of her questline. Seluvis will then sell her Puppet Ashes. It’s generally not recommended, as you miss out on the intended quest outcome and a valuable reward.
5. What happens with Gostoc?
If Gostoc is alive and present in the throne room, he will assist Kenneth Haight and Nepheli in ruling Limgrave. He may also sell you an Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone.
6. Is it better to give Nepheli the potion or not?
It’s generally considered better not to give Nepheli the potion. This allows you to complete her intended questline and obtain the Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone. Giving her the potion ends her quest prematurely and gives you a less desirable outcome.
7. Who killed Seluvis?
Ranni (offscreen) kills Seluvis for trying to turn her into a puppet. This occurs after you give her the Fingerslayer Blade.
8. Is it worth killing Nepheli?
Killing Nepheli yields her Stormhawk Axes. However, this is generally not recommended, as you lose out on completing her questline and receiving the Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone. There’s also the moral aspect of depriving a potentially good character of her destiny.
9. Does Gostoc need to be alive for Nepheli’s quest?
Gostoc does not need to be alive for Nepheli to become the ruler of Limgrave, but if you want to buy the Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone you want to keep him alive. His presence adds flavor to the ending and provides an additional merchant. Killing him doesn’t break the quest, but it denies you a potential resource.
10. How do you get the Stormhawk Axe from Nepheli?
You can obtain the Stormhawk Axe by killing Nepheli. However, this is not the recommended path, as it forfeits the intended ending of her questline.
11. Should I summon Nepheli for Godrick?
Summoning Nepheli for the Godrick fight is optional but recommended. It progresses her questline and allows you to interact with her further. Even if you don’t summon her, speaking to her before the fight is crucial.
12. Is Godfrey Nepheli’s dad?
Nepheli Loux’s adoptive father is Gideon Ofnir. Her real father is speculated to be Godfrey, First Elden Lord, or perhaps Hoarah Loux. This is more of a fan theory than confirmed lore, but there are clues that suggest this connection.
13. What are the benefits of completing Nepheli’s quest?
Completing Nepheli’s quest rewards you with the satisfaction of seeing a positive resolution for a troubled character, and the Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone. This upgrade material is invaluable for strengthening your equipment.
14. What happens if I lie to Seluvis about the potion?
If you lie to Seluvis and tell him you gave Nepheli the potion, his quest will still progress regardless. However, this still affects Nepheli’s storyline.
15. What are some resources for learning more about Elden Ring’s lore and quests?
Numerous online resources, including wikis, forums, and video guides, offer in-depth information about Elden Ring’s lore and questlines. Engaging with the community can also provide valuable insights and alternative perspectives. Also, research from the Games Learning Society or GamesLearningSociety.org might provide context on how players engage with complex narratives in games like Elden Ring.
Conclusion: A Quest Worth Pursuing
Nepheli Loux’s quest is one of the most rewarding in Elden Ring, offering a compelling narrative, meaningful choices, and valuable rewards. By carefully navigating her dialogue, making informed decisions, and understanding the consequences of your actions, you can help her find her place in the fractured world of the Lands Between. Embrace the challenge, explore the nuances, and discover the power of choice in this epic adventure.