What Happens When You Hit the Fire Keeper in Dark Souls 3?
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In the unforgiving world of Dark Souls 3, every action has a consequence. A seemingly innocuous swing of your weapon can have dramatic repercussions, especially when directed at the game’s essential non-player characters (NPCs). So, what happens if you accidentally (or intentionally) strike the Fire Keeper, the guiding light and soul of Firelink Shrine? The answer is both simple and complex.
The Fire Keeper can be killed, but she will always respawn upon reloading the area. This means teleporting away and then back to Firelink Shrine, resting at a bonfire, or simply exiting and reloading the game. However, this doesn’t mean there are no consequences. Understanding the mechanics of NPC aggression and the Fire Keeper’s role is crucial for any aspiring Ashen One.
The Immediate Aftermath of Attacking the Fire Keeper
The immediate consequence of hitting the Fire Keeper is that she will become hostile, attacking you on sight. However, this is a temporary state. As mentioned above, simply leaving and returning to the shrine will cause her to respawn in her usual, non-hostile state. She will continue to perform her duties as normal.
Why Attacking the Fire Keeper Might Be a Mistake (Even Though She Respawns)
While the Fire Keeper respawns, repeatedly attacking NPCs in Dark Souls 3 can lead to problems. Primarily, it introduces the concept of sin. While the Fire Keeper herself doesn’t hold a grudge long enough for sin to truly matter, repeatedly attacking other NPCs can lead to them staying hostile even after reloading the area. To remedy this, you need to seek absolution.
Absolving Your Sins:
To absolve your sins and reset NPC aggression, you must visit Oswald of Carim at the top of the bell tower in the Undead Settlement. He offers the service of absolution in exchange for souls. The cost depends on your level and the severity of your “crimes.” Absolving your sins essentially resets the aggro of most NPCs (excluding some key story-related characters), making them friendly again.
The Fire Keeper’s Importance and Her Many Roles
The Fire Keeper plays a vital role throughout your journey in Dark Souls 3.
- Leveling Up: She is the primary means of leveling up your character, using souls acquired from defeating enemies and bosses.
- Healing: She is intrinsically tied to the bonfires, the points of safety and healing in the game.
- Endings: Depending on your choices throughout the game, the Fire Keeper plays a significant role in achieving different endings, particularly “The End of Fire” ending.
- The Eyes: Giving her the Eyes of a Fire Keeper, found in the Untended Graves, unlocks new dialogue and the option for a different ending.
Fire Keeper’s Survival vs. Other NPCs
Unlike some NPCs who, when killed, are permanently gone for that playthrough, the Fire Keeper’s ability to respawn makes her unique and essential for continued gameplay. Many other NPCs in Dark Souls 3, like the Shrine Handmaiden or the Blacksmith Andre, are critical for upgrading equipment and purchasing items. Their permanent death can significantly impact your progress. This highlights why considering the consequences of attacking any NPC is critical.
The Ethical Question: Should You Attack the Fire Keeper?
Ultimately, attacking the Fire Keeper is a choice. There are no significant strategic benefits to doing so, and it serves little purpose other than curiosity. The real challenge and reward in Dark Souls 3 come from mastering combat, exploring the world, and unraveling the lore, not from pointlessly attacking helpful characters. Plus, there’s the moral element, the Fire Keeper’s existence is dedicated to aiding you on your arduous journey.
The Games Learning Society understands the importance of decision making in gaming, and the impact it has on character development and storytelling. GamesLearningSociety.org promotes thoughtful interaction within video games.
FAQs About the Fire Keeper in Dark Souls 3
1. Does the Fire Keeper stay dead if I kill her multiple times?
No, the Fire Keeper always respawns after reloading the area, regardless of how many times you kill her.
2. Can I complete the game if I accidentally kill the Fire Keeper early on?
Yes, because she respawns, you can continue the game as normal.
3. What happens if I give the Fire Keeper the Eyes of a Fire Keeper?
Giving her the Eyes unlocks new dialogue options and allows you to trigger the “The End of Fire” ending. She will also have a slightly different personality and music will change in Firelink Shrine.
4. Can I take the Eyes back after giving them to her?
Yes, you can kill the Fire Keeper to retrieve the Eyes. She will respawn without them.
5. Is there any benefit to killing the Fire Keeper?
No, there is no tangible benefit to killing her. It can disrupt your game temporarily but there is no reward for doing so.
6. What are the different Fire Keeper endings?
There are two main endings involving the Fire Keeper: the regular “Link the Fire” ending and the “The End of Fire” ending, triggered by giving her the Eyes. There is a variation on “The End of Fire” where you kill her at the last moment.
7. How do I get the “The End of Fire” ending?
First, obtain the Eyes of a Fire Keeper from the Untended Graves. Then, give the Eyes to the Fire Keeper. After defeating the Soul of Cinder, summon her to initiate the ending.
8. Who is the person in the bell tower that absolves sins?
The NPC is Oswald of Carim.
9. What is the cost of absolving sins?
The cost depends on your level and the severity of your “crimes.”
10. Are there any NPCs I should absolutely avoid killing?
Yes. Key NPCs like Andre the Blacksmith, the Shrine Handmaiden, and certain quest-related characters are essential for progression. Killing them can severely impact your ability to upgrade equipment and complete quests.
11. What happens if I don’t give the Fire Keeper the Eyes?
If you don’t give her the Eyes, you will only be able to achieve the regular “Link the Fire” ending or the “Usurp the Flame” ending, depending on other choices you’ve made throughout the game.
12. Where can I find the Eyes of a Fire Keeper?
The Eyes are located in the Untended Graves, a secret area accessible after defeating Oceiros, the Consumed King.
13. Does the Fire Keeper’s dialogue change if I attack her but don’t kill her?
No, her dialogue remains the same. She shows no lasting effects of the attack once she respawns.
14. Is the Fire Keeper human?
In-game descriptions suggest that Fire Keepers are corporeal manifestations of their bonfire, drawing humanity to themselves. Their souls are burdened by infinite humanity.
15. Why is the Fire Keeper blind?
Her blindness symbolizes her devotion to the flame and her reliance on guidance from others (like the player) to fulfill her duty. Giving her the Eyes allows her to see the truth of the world, leading to different choices.