Where is my sun Solaire? A Comprehensive Guide to Finding, Saving, and Understanding Dark Souls’ Most Beloved Character
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Solaire of Astora, the jolly sunbro, is arguably the most iconic and beloved character in the challenging world of Dark Souls. His unwavering optimism and quest to find his own “sun” resonate with players long after they’ve extinguished the final flame. Finding Solaire, understanding his quest, and even saving him from a tragic fate are crucial parts of the Dark Souls experience. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Solaire’s locations throughout the game, along with tips on how to maximize your interactions with him and ensure his survival.
Solaire’s Journey: A Location-Based Guide
1. Undead Parish – The Sunlight Altar
Your first encounter with Solaire is in the Undead Parish. After traversing the drake bridge guarded by the Hellkite Dragon, you’ll find him near the Sunlight Altar. This encounter is impossible to miss if you’re progressing through the game normally. He’s typically found gazing at the sun, offering you the opportunity to join the Warrior of Sunlight covenant. If he isn’t there on your first pass, simply quit and reload the game; he should appear.
2. Undead Burg (Optional)
Before battling the Taurus Demon, it is possible to find him, but this area will be more used for PvP later on. Many skip the Taurus Demon specifically so they can use this zone for PvP.
3. Demon Ruins
After speaking with Solaire at the Sunlight Altar, you can find him in the Demon Ruins. You need to be in human form to see his summon sign to get him to help with boss battles.
4. After the Centipede Demon
A bonfire can be found almost immediately after the Centipede Demon. Speak to Solaire by this bonfire. Then he should hopefully appear when you return to the Chaos shortcut (see below).
5. Lost Izalith – The Chaos Covenant Shortcut (Crucial for Saving Solaire)
This is arguably the most important location, as it determines Solaire’s fate. To save Solaire, you must join the Chaos Servant covenant and reach rank +2. This allows you to open a shortcut in Lost Izalith, before the Bed of Chaos boss fight. Inside this shortcut, there are nine Chaos Bugs (also known as sunlight maggots), including one with red eyes. Killing all nine bugs (especially the red-eyed one) before entering Lost Izalith via the normal route is vital. This prevents the red-eyed bug from infecting Solaire.
6. Lost Izalith (If Not Saved)
If you fail to kill the Chaos Bugs before meeting Solaire in this location, he will be consumed by a Sunlight Maggot and turn hostile. He becomes a tragic boss fight, wielding his sunlight sword, and donning the maggot as a helmet. This is a heartbreaking experience for many players.
7. Anor Londo
He can also be found near the bonfire in Anor Londo. He should reappear in the Undead Burg location after that.
8. Kiln of the First Flame (If Saved)
If you successfully saved Solaire in Lost Izalith, he can be summoned to assist you in the final battle against Gwyn, Lord of Cinder. His presence during this fight is a significant help, both practically and emotionally, making the final confrontation less lonely.
Solaire’s Fate and the Importance of His Quest
Solaire’s quest is deeply tied to the themes of hope, purpose, and the search for meaning in a decaying world. Whether he finds his “sun” through enlightenment, the Warrior of Sunlight covenant, or even through the corrupted form of a Sunlight Maggot, his story is a poignant reflection of the human condition, even in the desolate realm of Dark Souls. Whether or not you can save Solaire relies on whether or not you can kill all the bugs, and especially the bug with red eyes, before he reaches the Lost Izalith.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Solaire
1. Can I miss Solaire entirely?
It’s technically possible to miss initial encounters with Solaire, especially if you deviate significantly from the main path. However, he is typically positioned in areas you’ll naturally encounter. If he’s not there, try quitting and reloading the game.
2. What happens if I kill Solaire?
Killing Solaire ends his questline in your playthrough. You won’t be able to summon him for boss fights, nor will you see his quest through to completion (whether tragic or hopeful). However, he can still be summoned even after getting killed as a phantom.
3. How do I join the Warrior of Sunlight covenant?
Speak to Solaire at the Sunlight Altar in the Undead Parish. You’ll need 50 faith to join initially, but this requirement decreases by 5 for each successful boss fight you participate in as a summon, and you can get it down to zero.
4. Why is Solaire not showing up in the Chaos Covenant shortcut?
Solaire will only appear in the shortcut if you enter Lost Izalith via the normal route after the red-eyed Chaos Bug is killed. Otherwise, he will already be there, consumed by the maggot.
5. Is it really worth it to save Solaire?
Absolutely. Saving Solaire not only allows you to summon him for the final boss, but it also provides a much more satisfying and uplifting conclusion to his story. It’s a significant emotional reward.
6. What happens if Solaire goes hollow?
If you fail to save Solaire and he becomes infected by the Sunlight Maggot, he turns hollow and becomes a hostile enemy in Lost Izalith. You must defeat him, ending his quest tragically.
7. Can I save Solaire after he goes insane?
Unfortunately, no. Once Solaire is consumed by the Sunlight Maggot and turns hollow, his fate is sealed. The opportunity to save him is lost.
8. Is Solaire the Nameless King?
No. While initially theorized by some fans, the Nameless King is a separate character in Dark Souls III, revealed to be Gwyn’s firstborn son.
9. Does Solaire have a happy ending?
Yes, he can. If you take the necessary steps to save him in Lost Izalith, Solaire survives and is able to assist you in the final battle, presumably finding his “sun” in his own way.
10. Is there a “canon” ending for Solaire?
There’s no officially stated canon ending for Solaire. Both his tragic and hopeful outcomes are equally valid, depending on the player’s actions. It’s up to the player to decide the journey they want Solaire to have.
11. What happens if Solaire dies while I’m summoning him for a boss fight?
If Solaire dies as a phantom (while summoned), it does not affect his overall questline. As long as you’ve taken the necessary steps to save him, you can still find him later in the game. If Solaire is killed in body form then you are out of luck.
12. Is Solaire strong?
Yes. He overcomes obstacles that only the Chosen Undead can, and many believe he is a Chosen Undead of another world. He never goes Hollow unless he is overcome by the Sunlight Maggot, and even then is more powerful.
13. Why does Solaire want his own sun?
His motives are open to interpretation. Some believe he seeks a personal source of light and meaning, a purpose to guide him. He is looking for something he can call his own.
14. Does killing Solaire break any covenants?
Killing Solaire will not remove you from a covenant.
15. Why is Solaire so popular?
Solaire’s unwavering optimism, jovial personality, and the relatable nature of his quest resonate deeply with players. His “Praise the Sun” gesture has become a legendary symbol of cooperation and camaraderie within the Dark Souls community.
Solaire’s story in Dark Souls is a complex one, filled with tragedy and potential redemption. His quest to find his own “sun” is a reflection of our own desires to find meaning and purpose in life. Whether you choose to save him from his tragic fate or allow him to succumb to darkness, his journey will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression. Understanding his locations, his motivations, and the steps required to save him is an integral part of the Dark Souls experience.
To further explore the educational impact and learning opportunities within games like Dark Souls, consider visiting the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org to gain a deeper understanding of the interplay between game design and learning.