Who is the Guy with the Cage on his Head in Bloodborne?
The “guy with the cage on his head” in Bloodborne is Micolash, Host of the Nightmare. He’s a significant antagonist and boss found within the Nightmare of Mensis, a particularly twisted and challenging area of the game. Micolash is a former scholar of Byrgenwerth and the leader of the School of Mensis, a splinter group within the Healing Church. His defining characteristic, beyond his erratic behavior and peculiar dialogue, is, of course, the distinctive Mensis Cage he wears on his head.
Micolash isn’t just some random madman thrown into the nightmare; he’s central to the lore and the events that unfold in Bloodborne. His actions and the goals of the School of Mensis directly contribute to the nightmarish landscape the player must navigate. He seeks contact with the Great Ones, cosmic beings of immense power and inscrutable motives, and his obsession with achieving this connection leads to dire consequences for Yharnam and its inhabitants.
Micolash, More Than Just a Boss Fight
Micolash’s role transcends simply being a challenging boss encounter. His dialogue and actions provide crucial insights into the game’s overarching narrative, specifically regarding the nature of the Great Ones and the dangers of seeking forbidden knowledge. His design, from his attire to his attacks, reflects the themes of madness, intellectual hubris, and the corruption of science in pursuit of the unattainable.
He is a complex figure, driven by a desire to understand the universe and ascend to a higher plane of existence, but ultimately consumed by his ambition and the horrors he unleashes. The Mensis Cage isn’t just a quirky hat; it’s a tool, a conduit, and a symbol of his desperate attempt to bridge the gap between humanity and the cosmic entities that lurk beyond human comprehension.
Understanding the School of Mensis
To truly understand Micolash, it’s essential to understand the School of Mensis. This organization represented a radical departure from the more traditional methods of the Healing Church. They believed that true enlightenment could be achieved through arcane rituals and direct contact with the Great Ones, rather than solely relying on blood ministration.
Their experiments, conducted in the Invisible Village of Yahar’gul, involved the use of the Mensis Cage and other unconventional techniques, often with disastrous results. The village itself is a testament to the School’s failed attempts to commune with the Great Ones, becoming a breeding ground for twisted creatures and unholy abominations. Their quest for knowledge transformed them and those around them into something grotesque and terrifying.
The Purpose of the Mensis Cage
The description of the Mensis Cage provides valuable clues about its function: “The cage traps the thoughts of its bearer, and upon their death, are immersed into the dream as themselves or other freakish incarnations. It acts as an antenna for contacting the Great Ones.”
This indicates that the Mensis Cage is intended to focus and amplify the wearer’s consciousness, making them more receptive to the influence of the Great Ones. It’s a tool for both communication and, potentially, transformation. By wearing the cage, Micolash seeks to elevate his understanding and transcend his human limitations, but the consequences are clearly devastating.
Fighting Micolash: A Battle of Wits and Will
The fight against Micolash is unique in Bloodborne, as it involves a chase sequence through the winding corridors of the Nightmare of Mensis. Players must pursue him through a series of rooms, often encountering skeletons and other enemies along the way.
Micolash himself isn’t a particularly strong physical combatant. However, he possesses powerful arcane abilities, most notably the Augur of Ebrietas, a tentacle attack that can deal significant damage. He also uses the A Call Beyond spell in his second phase, a devastating attack that requires precise dodging. The fight is less about brute force and more about patience and strategic positioning. Players need to anticipate his movements, exploit his weaknesses, and be prepared for his powerful arcane attacks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Micolash and the School of Mensis
1. Is Micolash the main villain in Bloodborne?
While Micolash is a significant antagonist, he’s not the main villain. He’s more of a mid-game boss that embodies the themes of intellectual hubris and the dangers of forbidden knowledge. The “true” antagonist is a more complex question debated by players. Some consider Laurence, the First Vicar, to be the overarching antagonist, while others point to the Moon Presence.
2. What is the significance of the Nightmare of Mensis?
The Nightmare of Mensis is a manifestation of the School of Mensis’s failed attempt to contact the Great Ones. It’s a twisted reflection of their ambitions and the horrific consequences of their actions. It’s a realm where the boundaries between reality and dream are blurred, and the player must navigate its dangers to progress in the story.
3. Why is Micolash so obsessed with the Great Ones?
Micolash believes that the Great Ones hold the key to unlocking the secrets of existence and achieving a higher state of being. He views them as benevolent entities that can grant humanity enlightenment. However, his pursuit of this knowledge ultimately leads him down a path of madness and corruption.
4. Does the Mensis Cage protect Micolash from anything?
While the Mensis Cage is intended to facilitate communication with the Great Ones, there’s no evidence that it actively protects Micolash from physical harm. Its primary function is to serve as a conduit for arcane energy and a focal point for his consciousness.
5. Is Micolash insane?
Yes, Micolash is undoubtedly insane. His rambling dialogue, erratic behavior, and obsession with the Great Ones are all clear indicators of his mental instability. The failed experiments of the School of Mensis and his exposure to the cosmic horrors of the nightmare have clearly taken a toll on his sanity.
6. What happens to Micolash after he’s defeated?
After being defeated, Micolash’s physical body dies, but his consciousness becomes trapped within the Nightmare. This is suggested by the item description of the Mensis Cage, which states that the thoughts of the wearer are immersed in the dream upon their death.
7. What is the Brain of Mensis?
The Brain of Mensis is a Great One left by the scholars. It is the source of the nightmare itself. It is in the Nightmare of Mensis and it emits a powerful frenzy aura that can drive players mad if they linger too long.
8. How is the School of Mensis related to the Healing Church?
The School of Mensis was initially closely associated with the Healing Church, but it eventually diverged due to its radical approach to seeking enlightenment. Their methods were considered unorthodox and dangerous, leading to a separation between the two organizations.
9. What are some of Micolash’s notable quotes?
Micolash has many memorable quotes such as: “Tonight, Gehrman joins the hunt.” “Ah, Kos, or some say Kosm… Do you hear our prayers?” and “Grant us eyes, grant us eyes. Plant eyes on our brains, to cleanse our beastly idiocy.”
10. What is Paleblood in Bloodborne?
Paleblood is a term used throughout the game to refer to a specific type of blood that hunters seek. The player character travels to Yharnam in search of it. Its precise nature and purpose are ambiguous, but it is associated with the Great Ones and potentially offers a cure for the beastly scourge.
11. Where does Micolash appear in the game?
Micolash is exclusively found in the Nightmare of Mensis. The player must progress through the area to encounter him as a boss.
12. Is the Micolash boss fight difficult?
The Micolash boss fight can be challenging, particularly due to his powerful arcane attacks and the confusing layout of the Nightmare of Mensis. However, with careful planning and execution, he can be defeated.
13. Can the player wear the Mensis Cage?
Yes, the player can acquire and wear the Mensis Cage after defeating Micolash. It offers some resistance to arcane damage and can be useful for certain builds.
14. What is the lore behind the Great Ones?
The Great Ones are cosmic beings of immense power and inscrutable motives that exist beyond human comprehension. They are central to the lore of Bloodborne, and their influence is felt throughout the game’s narrative. Their origins and true nature are shrouded in mystery.
15. What inspiration did the design of Micolash draw from?
The article originally said he could be a nod to Nicolas Cage’s iconic scene in The Wicker Man.
Bloodborne: More Than Just a Game
Bloodborne’s intricate lore, challenging gameplay, and haunting atmosphere have cemented its place as a masterpiece of the action RPG genre. Micolash, Host of the Nightmare, stands as a testament to the game’s ability to create compelling and memorable characters who embody the themes of ambition, madness, and the dangers of seeking forbidden knowledge. Games like Bloodborne have a lot to teach us about learning and problem-solving. To learn more about how games impact learning check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.