Unraveling the Loathsome: The Dung Eater’s Despicable Goal in Elden Ring
The Dung Eater, a name whispered with disgust and revulsion, is one of the most morally bankrupt characters in the grim world of Elden Ring. His goal, simply put, is to curse all beings in the Lands Between, preventing their souls from returning to the Erdtree and trapping them in a perpetual state of torment. He seeks to achieve this through a campaign of defilement and murder, spreading his Seedbed Curse far and wide, ushering in an Age of Despair. It’s a dark path, even by Elden Ring’s standards.
The Seedbed Curse: A Foundation of Filth
The Dung Eater’s malevolent plan centers around the Seedbed Curse, a blight he cultivates on the corpses of his victims. This curse effectively severs the connection between the soul and the Erdtree, the source of life and rebirth in the Lands Between. Normally, when a being dies, their soul returns to the Erdtree, becoming part of its grand tapestry and potentially being reborn. The Seedbed Curse prevents this, damning the soul to an eternity of suffering and robbing the Erdtree of its lifeblood.
Defilement as a Ritual
It’s not simply killing that achieves this horrifying result. The Dung Eater’s actions are a ritualistic defilement of the dead. He doesn’t just murder his victims; he desecrates their bodies, twisting them into grotesque parodies of life. This defilement is essential for the creation and propagation of the Seedbed Curse. He sees himself as a harbinger of a new order, where all life is tainted and the cycle of rebirth is broken.
The Mending Rune of the Fell Curse
The culmination of the Dung Eater’s quest line is the acquisition of the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse. This rune, born from his depravity, is the key to enacting his dark vision. By using it on the Fractured Marika after defeating the Elden Beast, the player can choose to usher in the Blessing of Despair Ending, condemning the Lands Between to an eternity of his curse. This ending showcases the true extent of his influence and the terrifying consequences of his actions.
The Dung Eater’s Motivations: Beyond Simple Evil
While seemingly motivated by pure evil, the Dung Eater’s actions can be interpreted through a slightly more nuanced lens. He is, like many characters vying for power in the Lands Between, seeking to impose his own order upon the world. However, instead of seeking to become Elden Lord in the traditional sense, he aims to reshape the very fabric of existence, ensuring that all life is forever bound to his curse.
A Rejection of the Golden Order
The Dung Eater’s actions can be seen as a complete and utter rejection of the Golden Order, the dominant religious and political system in the Lands Between. He sees the Golden Order as inherently flawed and believes that his curse is a necessary correction, a cleansing fire that will purify the world in its own twisted way. His obsession with defilement and despair stems from this profound disillusionment with the existing order.
The Omen Connection
The Dung Eater’s armor, the Omen set, provides some clues about his potential connection to the Omen. Omens are beings born with horns and are often considered cursed and are ostracized from society. The description of the armor mentions he has the heart of the omen. The Seedbed Curse “defiles” people bloodline so it likely turning them into Omens. This connection might explain his desire to inflict suffering on the world, perhaps stemming from his own experiences of being treated as an outcast. This connection might stem from the notion that, like the Omens, he was cast aside by society.
Consequences of His Actions
The Dung Eater’s actions have far-reaching consequences. Not only does he inflict immense suffering on his victims and their loved ones, but he also poses a direct threat to the very stability of the Lands Between. His Seedbed Curse undermines the Erdtree’s power, weakening its ability to sustain life and leading to further decay and despair. Freeing the Dung Eater has an immediate impact on other characters too. Boggart will be found dead and defiled after progressing his questline and letting the Dung Eater free.
A World of Despair
Choosing to embrace the Dung Eater’s ending leads to a bleak and horrifying future for the Lands Between. The world becomes a place of perpetual suffering, where souls are forever trapped in torment and the cycle of rebirth is broken. It’s a fate that few would willingly choose, highlighting the Dung Eater’s extreme and destructive ideology. The study of this sort of game narrative and its effects can be greatly enhanced through resources found at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Should I let the Dung Eater out of his cell?
Whether or not you let the Dung Eater out of his cell depends entirely on your desired ending and your tolerance for his repulsive nature. Freeing him is essential for completing his questline and obtaining the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse, which is required for the Blessing of Despair ending. However, if you find his actions morally reprehensible, you can choose to kill him instead.
2. Is the Dung Eater a good summon?
The Dung Eater Puppet is a summon acquired by progressing his quest line and is fairly tanky. While not the most potent damage dealer, the Dung Eater Puppet’s bleed buildup can inflict continuous damage on enemies, making him a useful, albeit morally questionable, companion.
3. What happens if you free the Dung Eater?
Once freed, the Dung Eater will initially return to the Roundtable Hold, then he will go straight for Boggart and kill him if you have progressed Boggart’s quest. This is a prime example of the consequences of the Dung Eater’s actions and the suffering he inflicts on others.
4. Is the Dung Eater ending bad?
Yes, the Dung Eater ending, also known as the Blessing of Despair Ending, is considered a “bad” ending. It involves using the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse on Fractured Marika, condemning the world and all its inhabitants to an eternity of suffering.
5. Is the Dung Eater quest good?
While repulsive in nature, the Dung Eater’s questline is worth undertaking for the rewards it offers, particularly the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse. Whether you choose to use the rune is up to you, but obtaining it requires engaging with his dark and twisted story.
6. Why is he called Dung Eater?
The Dung Eater earned his title after being punished by being covered in dung publicly, it’s a lasting and degrading mark that reflects his loathsome nature and the horror he inflicts on others.
7. Is the Dung Eater evil?
Yes, the Dung Eater is widely considered one of the most evil characters in Elden Ring. His actions are driven by a desire to spread suffering and despair, and he shows no remorse for the pain he causes.
8. What does the Dung Eater actually do?
The Dung Eater kills and defiles corpses to cultivate the Seedbed Curse. This curse prevents the dead soul from returning to the Erdtree, condemning it to eternal torment.
9. What does the Dung Eater give you?
After providing him with five Seedbed Curses, the Dung Eater will give you the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse. This rune is essential for achieving the Blessing of Despair ending.
10. Is the Dung Eater a good guy?
Absolutely not. The Dung Eater is a minor antagonist known for his depravity and obsession with defiling corpses. He is one of the most universally disliked characters in Elden Ring.
11. Can you get the Dung Eater armor?
Yes, you can obtain the Omen set by killing the Dung Eater in the Subterranean Shunning Grounds at the Leyndell Capital. Alternatively, after completing his quest line, his armor can be found on his body after reloading the area.
12. What is the Dung Eater curse?
The Dung Eater’s curse, known as the Seedbed Curse, is grown on corpses killed and defiled by him. It prevents dead souls from returning to the Erdtree, leaving them forever cursed.
13. Does the Dung Eater turn people into omen?
While not explicitly stated, his armor mimics the low-class Omens. His armor description mentions he has the heart of the Omen, and the Seedbed Curse “defiles” people’s bloodline, so it is likely turning them into Omens.
14. Is Dung Eater the most evil?
His full title is “The Loathsome Dung Eater,” and he lives up to that nickname. As one of the cruelest and most evil characters in Elden Ring, he is rightfully hated by everyone that mentions him, and he hates them all just as much, if not more.
15. How do you beat Dung Eater?
The Dung Eater is a challenging but manageable foe. Watch out for his projectiles and his shriek attack, which leaves him vulnerable. His three-swing combo can be easily baited out and punished. You need to collect and give him Seedbed Curse before you can fight him.
The Dung Eater’s presence in Elden Ring serves as a stark reminder of the depths of depravity and the potential consequences of unchecked ambition. His questline, while disturbing, offers a unique perspective on the world and its lore, forcing players to confront uncomfortable truths about the nature of good and evil. His ultimate goal is to spread his curse across the Lands Between, creating a new world order.