The Enigmatic Millicent: Unraveling the Mystery of the Girl in the Church of Plague
The girl you find collapsed and suffering in the Church of Plague in Elden Ring is Millicent, a crucial character in one of the game’s most compelling questlines. She is a red-haired woman afflicted by Scarlet Rot, a debilitating disease central to the lore of the Lands Between. Millicent isn’t just a random victim of the plague; her origins and fate are deeply intertwined with the demigod Malenia, Blade of Miquella, and the enigmatic sage, Gowry. Understanding Millicent requires delving into her complex relationship with her “sisters,” her ailment, and the choices you, as the Tarnished, must make along her journey.
Millicent’s Origins and Affliction
Millicent’s story begins in the Swamp of Aeonia in Caelid, where she and her sisters were discovered by Sage Gowry. Gowry, for reasons still shrouded in mystery, raised them as his daughters. He has a vested interest in the Scarlet Rot and its manifestations. The crucial detail here is that Millicent and her sisters are essentially offshoots or “buds” of the Scarlet Aeonia, the massive flower that blooms when Malenia uses her full power. This makes them, in a way, extensions of Malenia, sharing her Scarlet Rot affliction and even a portion of her being.
Millicent, unlike her sisters, did not travel to Miquella’s Haligtree. Instead, she remained in the Caelid region, succumbing to the ravages of the Scarlet Rot. When you first encounter her, she is incapacitated within the Church of Plague, wracked with pain and close to death. This is where the player’s intervention begins.
The Unalloyed Gold Needle and Millicent’s Quest
Upon your first meeting, you must provide Millicent with the Unalloyed Gold Needle, a crucial artifact in her quest. This needle is the key to suppressing the Scarlet Rot and restoring her health, at least temporarily. After using the needle, Millicent will initially become unresponsive. Reloading the area will reveal her standing, albeit still weakened. From this point, her complex and emotional questline unfolds.
This quest involves traveling to various locations, helping Millicent recover her strength, and ultimately guiding her destiny. Throughout the journey, the player uncovers more details about her relationship with her sisters, the nature of her affliction, and her mounting fear of “blooming” into something akin to Malenia. She struggles with her identity, torn between her inherited fate and her desire for personal agency.
Millicent’s Connection to Malenia
The connection between Millicent and Malenia is not simply one of disease. Millicent is, in essence, a part of Malenia, a “bud” that was separated. This concept introduces several layers to her character. Millicent is both a victim of the Scarlet Rot and a potential manifestation of its power. This dual nature underscores her internal conflict and contributes to the tragic nature of her narrative.
The “blooming” that Millicent fears is likely the full manifestation of her connection to Malenia, a transformation that would rob her of her individuality. She strives to resist this fate, a struggle that defines her journey.
Key Decisions and Millicent’s Fate
The decisions you make throughout Millicent’s questline have a profound impact on her story. Your choices culminate in a pivotal moment where you must decide whether to help her against her sisters or side with her aggressor. Depending on the path you choose, Millicent’s fate varies. Ultimately, regardless of your decision, her questline ends tragically with her dying by a pool near where her summoning sign used to be, reflecting the relentless nature of her affliction. Even though she fails to fully overcome her destiny, the impact of your journey with her leaves a lasting impression.
Millicent’s story is a testament to the deep themes of free will, destiny, and the tragic consequences of wielding unimaginable power explored within Elden Ring. She is more than just a girl in a church; she is a complex and compelling character whose journey resonates with many players.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Millicent
1. Who exactly is Millicent related to?
Millicent is not directly related by blood to anyone in the game in the traditional sense, but she is considered a “bud” or an extension of Malenia. Gowry acts as her adoptive father figure.
2. What is the Scarlet Rot that affects Millicent?
The Scarlet Rot is a powerful and destructive disease caused by an Outer God and embodied by Malenia. It slowly degrades its victims, causing excruciating pain and eventually leading to physical decay.
3. Why does Millicent need the Unalloyed Gold Needle?
The Unalloyed Gold Needle is specifically designed to suppress the Scarlet Rot. It doesn’t cure it entirely, but it can temporarily alleviate the symptoms, allowing Millicent to move and act.
4. Where can I find Gowry?
Gowry is located in Gowry’s Shack, a small building situated just outside the town of Sellia, in Caelid. He plays a crucial role in guiding Millicent’s quest.
5. How many sisters does Millicent have?
Millicent is stated to have four sisters who traveled to Miquella’s Haligtree under Gowry’s guidance. They are also manifestations of the Scarlet Aeonia.
6. What happens if I don’t give Millicent the needle?
If you do not give Millicent the Unalloyed Gold Needle, you cannot progress her questline. She will remain in the Church of Plague, incapacitated by the Scarlet Rot.
7. Where does Millicent go after the Church of Plague?
After you give her the needle and reload the area, she initially moves to Gowry’s Shack. She will then travel to several different locations through her questline, culminating near a pool to the north of the Haligtree.
8. Does Gowry help Millicent during her questline?
Gowry guides Millicent early in the quest, but eventually distances himself from her, telling the player that she needs to forge her own path. He will, however, appear at the end of her quest, grieving.
9. Can Millicent survive her condition?
No, Millicent’s fate is ultimately tragic. Regardless of your choices, she succumbs to the Scarlet Rot by the end of her quest, succumbing to the “blooming” that she so fears.
10. What is “blooming” in relation to Millicent?
Millicent fears “blooming” as she believes it means the full manifestation of her connection to Malenia. She fears she will lose herself and become another iteration of her.
11. Does Millicent get a prosthetic arm?
Yes, the player gives Millicent a prosthetic arm during her questline, which empowers her to become stronger. This further aids her in achieving her goals.
12. Why does Millicent’s questline end tragically?
Millicent’s tragic end underscores the unforgiving nature of the Scarlet Rot and highlights her struggle to break free from her inherited destiny as an extension of Malenia.
13. What reward do I get from Millicent’s questline?
Completing Millicent’s questline grants you various items, including the Prosthesis-Wearer Heirloom which boosts Dexterity, and Millicent’s Prosthesis, which increases damage when attacking consecutively.
14. What is the significance of the Church of Plague in Elden Ring?
The Church of Plague serves as the starting point for Millicent’s quest and is a testament to the widespread influence and devastation of the Scarlet Rot in Caelid. It is the first area players find her suffering from the disease.
15. Why is Millicent’s story considered compelling by fans of Elden Ring?
Millicent’s story is captivating due to its complexity, emotional depth, and tragic undertones. Her quest explores themes of free will, destiny, and the struggle against overwhelming odds, making her a memorable character in the game’s rich tapestry. Her connection with Malenia adds a further layer of mystery to her quest.