Tracking Arianna’s Descent: A Deep Dive into Her Bloodborne Journey
Arianna, the woman of pleasure encountered in Cathedral Ward, undergoes a tragic transformation throughout Bloodborne. Her journey is intricately tied to the hunt and the cosmic horrors that plague Yharnam. Understanding her movements and fate requires careful observation and specific actions within the game. So, where did Arianna go in Bloodborne? Her location depends on your progress and choices, but ultimately, after the death of Micolash, Host of the Nightmare, she disappears from Oedon Chapel and can be found in the Tomb of Oedon near the Cathedral Ward lamp. She will be sitting in a chair, sobbing, and in the process of giving birth to a Celestial Child.
Deciphering Arianna’s Path
Arianna’s storyline is one of the most poignant and perplexing in Bloodborne. It delves into themes of forbidden knowledge, unintended consequences, and the corruption of the Great Ones. Several factors influence her whereabouts and eventual fate:
- Early Game Choices: Before the Blood Moon appears, you have the option to direct survivors to either Oedon Chapel or Iosefka’s Clinic. Sending Arianna to the clinic will result in her transformation at the hands of the imposter Iosefka, a fate best avoided if you’re invested in her questline.
- Boss Battles: Certain boss battles trigger key events in Arianna’s quest. Defeating bosses like Father Gascoigne, Vicar Amelia, and the Blood-Starved Beast is necessary to progress her dialogue and persuade her to seek refuge.
- Arianna’s Blood: Throughout the game, Arianna offers you her blood as a restorative item. Taking her blood repeatedly, while having Adella the Nun also residing in the Oedon Chapel, will lead to tragic consequences.
- Post-Micolash Events: The pivotal moment in Arianna’s story arrives after defeating Micolash, Host of the Nightmare. This triggers her final location change and the birth of the Celestial Child.
Unraveling the Mystery of Her Disappearance
After defeating Micolash, returning to Oedon Chapel will reveal Arianna’s absence. A trail of blood will lead you to the Tomb of Oedon, a small crypt accessible from the chapel. Here, you’ll find her in immense distress, giving birth to the Celestial Child. This creature, a testament to her encounter with the Great Ones, isn’t initially hostile. Killing the Celestial Child rewards the player with one of the coveted One Third of Umbilical Cord, an item crucial for unlocking the game’s true ending. It is at this location that the quest with Arianna concludes.
The Implications of the Celestial Child
The Celestial Child is a physical manifestation of Arianna’s interaction with the Great Ones, specifically the Great One Oedon. It symbolizes the twisted and often horrific consequences of seeking forbidden knowledge and attempting to transcend human limitations. The One Third of Umbilical Cord obtained from the Celestial Child is essential for unlocking the secret ending, highlighting the player’s role in shaping the cosmic fate of Yharnam.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Arianna
1. Can I miss Arianna entirely in Bloodborne?
Yes, you can. If you don’t speak to Arianna and direct her to a safe location before the Blood Moon appears, her questline will be missed. She is one of the few survivors in Bloodborne who can be sent to either Oedon Chapel or Iosefka’s Clinic.
2. Is there any way to save Arianna in Bloodborne?
“Saving” Arianna is a relative term. You can’t prevent her from giving birth to the Celestial Child after defeating Micolash. However, you can ensure she reaches the Tomb of Oedon in a relatively peaceful state by sending her to Oedon Chapel and not overusing her blood. Furthermore, not killing the Celestial Child would allow it to live.
3. What happens if I send Arianna to Iosefka’s Clinic?
If you send Arianna to Iosefka’s Clinic, the imposter Iosefka will experiment on her, turning her into a Celestial Emissary. This outcome prevents you from obtaining the One Third of Umbilical Cord from her later and locks you out of a key part of her questline.
4. What is the significance of Arianna’s blood?
Arianna’s blood is a powerful healing item in Bloodborne. However, repeatedly taking her blood while having Adella the Nun in the Oedon Chapel will trigger Adella’s jealousy, leading her to kill Arianna.
5. Who is the Skeptical Man near Arianna?
The Skeptical Man is an NPC located across from Arianna in Cathedral Ward. You can direct him to either Oedon Chapel or Iosefka’s Clinic. He distrusts the player and will go to the opposite location you suggest. He is only used to ensure Arianna is the sole person in Oedon Chapel.
6. How do I prevent Adella from killing Arianna?
To prevent Adella from killing Arianna, avoid taking Arianna’s blood more than four times while they are both residing in Oedon Chapel. This is a direct trigger for Adella’s jealousy and subsequent aggression.
7. Do I need all four Umbilical Cords in Bloodborne?
No, you only need to consume three of the four Umbilical Cords available in the game to unlock the secret ending. The fourth one is optional.
8. Can I leave Arianna alive after she gives birth?
Technically, yes. You can choose to leave the Celestial Child alive after Arianna gives birth. However, doing so offers no specific reward or changes to the game’s ending.
9. What happens if I kill the Celestial Child?
Killing the Celestial Child rewards you with the One Third of Umbilical Cord, an essential item for unlocking the secret ending of Bloodborne.
10. Where can I find the other Umbilical Cords in Bloodborne?
The other Umbilical Cords can be found:
- By defeating Mergo’s Wet Nurse.
- In the Abandoned Old Workshop.
- By killing imposter Iosefka after the Blood Moon appears.
11. What triggers Arianna’s move to the Tomb of Oedon?
Arianna’s move to the Tomb of Oedon is triggered by defeating Micolash, Host of the Nightmare. After this boss battle, she will no longer be in Oedon Chapel.
12. What is the significance of Queen Yharnam and Mergo?
Queen Yharnam is the mother of Mergo, a Great One whose cries echo throughout the game after defeating Rom, the Vacuous Spider. Their story is central to the overarching narrative of the Great Ones and their influence on Yharnam.
13. Where does Alfred go after completing his questline?
After giving Alfred the Unopened Summons, he travels to Cainhurst Castle. Upon returning to the location where you first met him, you’ll find him having murdered Annalise, Queen of the Vilebloods, then crushing her remains. You can then kill Alfred.
14. What is the “good” ending in Bloodborne?
The “good” ending, or the secret ending, is achieved by consuming three One Third of Umbilical Cord items before defeating Gehrman, the First Hunter. This triggers an additional boss fight against the Moon Presence and allows you to transcend your human form, becoming a Great One.
15. Who is the coughing guy in Bloodborne and what is his role?
The coughing guy in Bloodborne is named Gilbert. He is one of the first NPCs that the player meets. He provides information about the Beast Scourge and the hunt in Yharnam. He eventually transforms into a beast himself, a tragic consequence of the plague.
Final Thoughts on Arianna’s Story
Arianna’s journey is a microcosm of the larger themes explored in Bloodborne: the corruption of innocence, the pursuit of forbidden knowledge, and the tragic consequences of interacting with the Great Ones. Her fate, while seemingly bleak, is also a testament to the player’s agency in shaping the world of Yharnam and deciding who lives and dies. Engaging with Arianna’s questline provides a deeper understanding of the game’s intricate lore and the moral complexities that define its narrative.
Learning about the deeper meanings behind characters like Arianna shows how games are evolving into deep experiences. The Games Learning Society explores these topics. You can find more info about the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.