The Tangled Fate of Nepheli Loux: What Happens When You Give Her Seluvis’s Potion in Elden Ring?

In the sprawling world of Elden Ring, your choices ripple through the narrative, shaping the destinies of the characters you encounter. One such choice, fraught with consequence, is whether to administer Preceptor Seluvis’s Potion to Nepheli Loux. Giving Nepheli the potion transforms her into a puppet, essentially robbing her of her agency and prematurely ending her questline. She disappears from Roundtable Hold and becomes an eternal slave to Seluvis. Later, you can purchase her spirit summon, the Nepheli Loux Puppet Ashes, from Seluvis. While this grants you a powerful summon, it comes at the heavy cost of Nepheli’s freedom and any further development of her character arc. This choice confirms Seluvis’s insidious nature, turning a potentially powerful ally into a tool for his own twisted ambitions.

The Price of Power: Understanding the Consequences

The decision to give Nepheli the potion isn’t simply about acquiring a new Spirit Ash. It’s a moral crossroads. To fully grasp the gravity of your choice, consider the following:

• Questline Termination: Giving Nepheli the potion immediately halts her questline. This means missing out on potential story developments, rewards, and the satisfaction of seeing her character evolve.
• Moral Implications: Seluvis is far from a benevolent character. By complying with his request, you become complicit in his depraved experiments and contribute to the suffering of others.
• Spirit Ash Quality: While the Nepheli Loux Puppet is a capable summon, many players find other Spirit Ashes more effective, especially when upgraded. Sacrificing Nepheli’s questline for a summon that may be outclassed later in the game isn’t always the most strategic choice.
• Character Degradation: It’s a dark fate for a character with so much potential for growth. Instead of seeing her embrace her heritage and find her place in the world, you condemn her to a life of servitude.

Alternatives: Forging a Brighter Path for Nepheli

Fortunately, there’s a far more rewarding path for Nepheli’s questline:

1. Acquire the Stormhawk King: Located in the Chapel of Anticipation, the starting area of the game (accessible via a teleporter in the Four Belfries), the Stormhawk King is a key item that can dramatically alter Nepheli’s destiny.
2. Present the Stormhawk King to Nepheli: After exhausting her dialogues and Gideon Ofnir’s at the Roundtable Hold, you can offer her the Stormhawk King.
3. Witness her Transformation: Giving her the Stormhawk King triggers a revitalization, reminding her of her past and fueling her desire to become a strong warrior. This allows you to continue her questline.

This alternative path ultimately leads to a more fulfilling conclusion for Nepheli, solidifies her role as a valuable ally, and contributes to a more optimistic outcome in the overall narrative of Elden Ring. It’s an example of how player choices can truly impact the world and its inhabitants.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Nepheli Loux and Seluvis’s Potion

Here are some common questions about giving Nepheli Loux the potion in Elden Ring, along with detailed answers to guide your decisions:

1. Is the Nepheli Loux Puppet a good summon?

   The Nepheli Loux Puppet is a decent summon, dealing significant damage with her dual axes. However, many other Spirit Ashes, especially those that can be upgraded, offer greater utility and survivability in the long run. The puppet is not considered one of the best summons in the game by many players.

2. What happens if I lie to Seluvis about giving Nepheli the potion?

   Even if you lie to Seluvis and say you gave Nepheli the potion, his questline progresses. He will still allow you to purchase sorceries from him. However, this doesn’t change Nepheli’s actual fate if you haven’t administered the potion.

3. Where do I find the Stormhawk King?

   The Stormhawk King is found in the Chapel of Anticipation, the very first area you encounter in the game. You can return there via a waygate at the Four Belfries in Liurnia of the Lakes.

4. Is Nepheli Loux related to Godfrey?

   Yes, Nepheli’s last name, Loux, strongly suggests she is a descendant of Hoarah Loux (Godfrey), the First Elden Lord. Her appearance also aligns with that of a Badlands Warrior, further solidifying this connection.

5. Should I summon Nepheli for the Godrick fight?

   Yes, summoning Nepheli for the Godrick the Grafted fight can be very helpful. She acts as a valuable distraction and deals significant damage. Using another Spirit Ash in conjunction with Nepheli can further enhance your chances of victory. The article suggests the Jellyfish Spirit Ash.

6. What are the implications of Seluvis’s questline?

   Seluvis is a morally reprehensible character whose questline involves turning people into puppets for his own nefarious purposes. Participating in his questline means supporting his actions, which have dark implications for the world of Elden Ring. He is one of the most disliked characters in Elden Ring.

7. Can I still get Seluvis’s items if he dies?

   Yes, even if Seluvis dies, you can still purchase sorceries and puppet ashes from his corpse. A prompt will appear, allowing you to access his shop.

8. Is Godrick a mandatory boss?

   Yes, Godrick the Grafted is a mandatory boss in Elden Ring. He is the ruler of Stormveil Castle and a significant hurdle in your journey to become Elden Lord.

9. When should I give Nepheli the Stormhawk King?

   Give Nepheli the Stormhawk King after exhausting her dialogue and Gideon Ofnir’s at the Roundtable Hold. This ensures you’ve reached the appropriate stage in her questline.

10. What is the best summon to use before facing Godrick?

    Early in the game, Spirit Ashes like the Spirit Jellyfish Ashes or the Rotten Stray Ashes are excellent choices for the Godrick fight. They provide both damage and distraction.

11. Why does Gideon Ofnir abandon Nepheli?

    Gideon abandons Nepheli because she succumbed to her emotions after witnessing the brutality of the Omenkiller. He views this as a weakness and a failure to follow his directives. Gideon is pretty ruthless.

12. What happens if I give the potion to the Dung Eater?

    Giving the potion to the Dung Eater allows you to obtain his puppet. However, it prevents you from obtaining his Mending Rune and achieving his ending. His puppet is not considered particularly strong.

13. Is Ranni a good or evil character?

    Ranni’s morality is complex. Her actions are driven by a desire to break free from the influence of the Greater Will, but her methods are often ruthless. Whether she is ultimately good or evil is a matter of player interpretation. Some consider her ending to be the “best possible outcome” for the Lands Between.

14. What’s the best armor for resistance in Elden Ring?

    The Bull-Goat Set offers the highest overall resistance in Elden Ring, including high Poise and physical damage mitigation.

15. Where can I learn more about the mechanics of game design and player choice in RPGs like Elden Ring?

    To delve deeper into the mechanics of game design and the impact of player choices, consider exploring resources from the Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org). They offer valuable insights into the educational and cognitive aspects of gaming.

Final Thoughts: Choosing Wisely in the Lands Between

Ultimately, the decision of whether to give Nepheli the potion rests with you. However, understanding the consequences and considering the alternatives is crucial. Elden Ring rewards exploration, both of its vast landscapes and of the moral complexities embedded within its narrative. Choose wisely, Tarnished, for your choices shape the fate of the Lands Between and all who dwell within it. The game is not just about combat but also about learning from the interactions within the game environment. The Games Learning Society explores these impacts that games have.