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What Happens If You Give Boc the Larval Tear in Elden Ring?

If you give Boc the Seamster a Larval Tear in Elden Ring, he will be reborn as a human, but his inherent insecurities and self-doubt will quickly resurface. He will ultimately ask you to make him “beautiful,” leading you to the Queen Rennala of the Full Moon at the Academy of Raya Lucaria for rebirth. If you choose to rebirth Boc, he will transform back into his original form, a Demi-Human. Ultimately, if you leave him there at the Academy of Raya Lucaria, he will die. This makes it a tragic decision with no truly happy ending, highlighting the complex moral choices present in Elden Ring.

Boc’s Questline and the Larval Tear

Boc the Seamster is a friendly Demi-Human NPC you encounter relatively early in Elden Ring. He’s characterized by his humble nature and his desire to help the Tarnished. He becomes a valuable ally, offering altered clothing for free once you free him. His questline revolves around his longing to become more human and overcome his deep-seated feelings of inadequacy.

Finding Boc

You can find Boc trapped as a tree. You’ll need to attack the tree, and he’ll reveal himself. He will then be freed.

Boc’s Services

After freeing him, he provides the player with tailoring services. He’s capable of altering clothing, so the player can make it “tailored” or remove capes and other parts.

The Larval Tear Dilemma

At a certain point in his questline, Boc expresses a deep desire to be reborn. He overhears players talking about the power of Larval Tears to alter appearances, and he believes it could solve his problems. This presents the player with a difficult choice: give him a Larval Tear or not.

The Tragic Outcome of Transformation

Giving Boc a Larval Tear seems like a kind gesture on the surface, but it ultimately leads to a sad conclusion.

Initial Transformation

Upon receiving the Larval Tear, Boc transforms into a human. He’s initially overjoyed, but his joy is short-lived.

The Persistence of Insecurity

Despite his new appearance, Boc’s internal struggles remain. His insecurities quickly return, and he begins to doubt his worthiness. He still feels ugly and inadequate, even in his human form.

The Plea for “Beauty”

Overwhelmed by his lingering insecurities, Boc asks the player to take him to Rennala at the Academy of Raya Lucaria. He hopes that her power of rebirth can make him truly “beautiful.”

Rennala’s Rebirth and its Consequences

If you take Boc to Rennala and use her rebirth ability on him, he transforms back into his original Demi-Human form. He’s initially happy, believing he’s finally embraced his true self. However, if you leave him at the Academy of Raya Lucaria after this, you will discover him dead later on.

Analyzing the Narrative

Boc’s questline is a poignant commentary on body image, self-acceptance, and the limitations of external changes. It highlights that inner peace and self-worth cannot be achieved simply through physical alterations. The game suggests that true beauty lies in embracing oneself, flaws and all.

The Futility of External Change

Boc’s story underscores the futility of seeking validation through external changes. Even after transforming into a human, his underlying insecurities persisted. This reinforces the idea that true self-acceptance must come from within.

The Importance of Self-Acceptance

The questline emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance. Boc’s inability to accept himself, even in his human form, ultimately led to his tragic fate.

A Cruel Choice

The game forces the player to make a difficult choice with no obvious “right” answer. Whether you give Boc the Larval Tear or not, the outcome is far from ideal, reflecting the morally ambiguous nature of Elden Ring.

FAQs: Understanding Boc’s Questline

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the details of Boc’s questline and the consequences of giving him a Larval Tear:

Where can I find a Larval Tear in Elden Ring? Larval Tears can be found in various locations throughout the game. Some notable locations include Nokron, Eternal City, where they are dropped by Mimic Tears disguised as other enemies, and the Village of the Albinaurics in Liurnia of the Lakes, where one is located near the Perfumer’s Grotto entrance. You can also obtain them by completing certain quests.
What happens if I refuse to give Boc the Larval Tear? If you refuse to give Boc the Larval Tear, his questline will effectively end. He will remain a Demi-Human and continue to offer his tailoring services, but he will not progress further in his personal journey.
Is there a way to save Boc and give him a happy ending? Unfortunately, there is no way to give Boc a completely happy ending. His questline is inherently tragic. Regardless of your choices, he will either remain unhappy with his appearance or ultimately meet a grim end.
What happens if I give Boc the “You’re Beautiful” prattling pate? If you give Boc the “You’re Beautiful” prattling pate before giving him the Larval Tear, he gains a sense of self-worth and is less likely to ask to be reborn. However, this also ends his questline early, preventing you from receiving some of the later rewards.
What rewards do I miss out on if I don’t complete Boc’s questline? If you don’t complete Boc’s questline, you miss out on the opportunity to have him alter your clothing for free. He also provides unique dialogue and insights into the world of Elden Ring.
Can I reverse my decision if I give Boc the Larval Tear? Once you give Boc the Larval Tear, there is no way to reverse the decision or undo his transformation. The consequences are permanent.
Does Boc’s death affect the game’s ending? No, Boc’s death does not affect the game’s ending. His questline is self-contained and does not influence the overall narrative of Elden Ring.
Is Boc a required NPC for any trophies or achievements? No, Boc is not a required NPC for any trophies or achievements. His questline is optional and does not impact your ability to complete the game.
Can Boc be summoned as a spirit ash for battles? No, Boc cannot be summoned as a spirit ash. He is a friendly NPC who primarily provides tailoring services.
What is the significance of Boc being a Demi-Human? Boc’s Demi-Human nature highlights the themes of prejudice and discrimination present in the Lands Between. His desire to become human reflects his longing to escape the societal biases against his kind.
Does the Larval Tear have any other uses besides giving it to Boc? Yes, the Larval Tear is primarily used for rebirth at Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon. Rebirth allows you to respec your character’s attributes, which can be very valuable throughout the game.
Where exactly do I find Boc after giving him the Larval Tear and having Rennala rebirth him? After having Rennala rebirth him, you will find Boc back at the cave he inhabited near the Lake-Facing Cliffs Site of Grace. However, if you progress through the game, he will eventually die when found near Rennala in the Academy of Raya Lucaria.
Is there any lore that hints at the tragic nature of Boc’s questline? Yes, the lore surrounding Demi-Humans and the societal prejudices they face hints at the challenges Boc will encounter, regardless of his physical form.
Can I prevent Boc from asking to be reborn if I avoid certain dialogue options? While you can delay Boc’s request to be reborn by avoiding certain dialogue triggers, his desire for transformation will eventually surface if you progress far enough in the game.
What is the overall message or theme of Boc’s questline within the context of Elden Ring? Boc’s questline ultimately serves as a commentary on self-acceptance, the futility of seeking happiness through external validation, and the tragic consequences of societal prejudices. It also highlights the complex moral choices that players must confront in the world of Elden Ring.

What happens if you give boc the larval tear?