The Loathsome Dung Eater: Unmasking the Red Phantom of Elden Ring
The “red guy” in Roundtable Hold, more formally known as the Loathsome Dung Eater, is one of the most disturbing and morally reprehensible characters in Elden Ring. He’s a key player in a questline that leads to one of the game’s most bleak and controversial endings. The Dung Eater’s appearance in Roundtable Hold is initially as a red phantom or apparition, a projection of his true self that appears after you’ve progressed the game far enough to reach Leyndell, Royal Capital.
This spectral form serves as a harbinger of the horrors to come. Interacting with him is the starting point for a questline that delves into themes of curse, defilement, and the rejection of the Erdtree’s order. Prepare yourself, Tarnished, because getting involved with the Dung Eater means confronting some of the darkest corners of the Lands Between.
Understanding the Dung Eater’s Role
The Loathsome Dung Eater isn’t just a random NPC. He’s a Tarnished like you, albeit one with a profoundly twisted purpose. He seeks to defile corpses, preventing their souls from returning to the Erdtree and cursing them eternally. He does this by creating Seedbed Curses on their bodies. His ultimate goal is to curse the entire world, imposing his warped will upon the Lands Between.
His questline is intertwined with the fate of other characters, most notably Blackguard Big Boggart. Making choices that lead to the Dung Eater’s ending requires a level of commitment to his depraved vision that many players find challenging to stomach. This is what makes him such a memorable and divisive figure in Elden Ring.
The Dung Eater’s Questline: A Descent into Depravity
To trigger the Dung Eater’s questline, you must find him in Roundtable Hold after reaching Leyndell. You also need to possess a Seedbed Curse. Show him the Seedbed Curse, and he will give you the Sewer-Gaol Key. This key unlocks his real body, imprisoned beneath Leyndell in the Subterranean Shunning-Grounds. Freeing him from his cell is a pivotal moment, but be warned: his actions have dire consequences.
After freeing him, he will inevitably target and kill Boggart. The next step involves finding him in the Outer Moat of Leyndell. Defeating him there allows you to continue gathering Seedbed Curses and ultimately use the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse to achieve his ending.
Is the Dung Eater’s Ending “Good”?
Absolutely not. The Dung Eater’s ending is universally considered the “bad” ending. It’s an ending that actively curses the world and its inhabitants, denying them the solace of the Erdtree and condemning them to eternal suffering. Choosing this ending is a conscious decision to embrace a bleak and nihilistic worldview.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into the Dung Eater’s Lore
1. What are Seedbed Curses?
Seedbed Curses are key items found on defiled corpses, marked by omen horns growing from them. The Dung Eater cultivates these curses to prevent souls from returning to the Erdtree. Finding and collecting these Seedbed Curses is vital to progressing his questline.
2. Where can I find Seedbed Curses?
Seedbed Curses can be found in various locations, including:
- Volcano Manor (one in a room accessed after defeating the Godskin Noble).
- Leyndell, Royal Capital (two in the city itself).
- Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree (one in the Prayer Room).
3. What happens if I kill the Dung Eater in the Subterranean Shunning-Grounds?
If you kill the Dung Eater in the Subterranean Shunning-Grounds, he drops the Omen Helm. This helmet is a piece of his armor set, but killing him prematurely will halt his questline and prevent you from obtaining his ending.
4. Is the Dung Eater summonable for boss fights?
Yes, under certain conditions. After progressing his questline, the Dung Eater can be summoned as a Spirit Ash for some boss fights. However, summoning him often comes at a moral cost, given his nature.
5. What is the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse?
The Mending Rune of the Fell Curse is a key item you obtain after completing the Dung Eater’s questline. Using this rune at the end of the game allows you to usher in the Age of the Fell Curse, his twisted version of order for the Lands Between.
6. How do I get the Dung Eater Puppet Spirit Ash?
To obtain the Dung Eater Puppet Spirit Ash, you must give Seluvis’s Potion to the Dung Eater after freeing him and progressing his questline, but before giving him all the Seedbed Curses. This requires following Seluvis’s questline to a certain point.
7. Why is the Dung Eater so obsessed with cursing corpses?
The Dung Eater’s motivations are rooted in a deep-seated desire to reject the Erdtree’s influence and impose his own twisted will upon the world. He believes that by cursing souls, he can create a new order based on eternal suffering. In essence, he chooses evil for evil’s sake.
8. What is the significance of the Dung Eater’s name?
The Dung Eater’s name is derived from a past punishment. He was executed publicly. It is from this punishment that the Dung-Eater earned his title, since being covered – literally – in dung is definitely likely to leave a lasting impression on any and all who see it.
9. Does freeing the Dung Eater have any positive consequences?
No. Freeing the Dung Eater only leads to negative consequences. He will kill Boggart and continue his quest to curse the Lands Between. There is no positive outcome associated with his actions.
10. Is the Dung Eater the same as Mad Tongue Alberich?
No, Mad Tongue Alberich is a separate character who invades players in Roundtable Hold. While both characters are associated with negative actions, they are distinct individuals with different backstories and motivations.
11. What happens if the Dung Eater kills me?
If the Dung Eater kills you, nothing special happens beyond the standard death mechanics. However, defeating him after he invades you during his questline is crucial for progressing towards his ending. You can get his armor by completing the quest.
12. Is Solaire from Dark Souls the Dung Eater?
No, Solaire of Astora from Dark Souls is not the Dung Eater. This is a common fan theory, but there’s no evidence to support it. Solaire has a tragic story of his own, unrelated to the Dung Eater’s depravity.
13. Can the Dung Eater be parried?
Yes, the Dung Eater can be parried, but it is not advisable.
14. What are Omens in Elden Ring?
Omens are creatures born with horns and other deformities, often seen as cursed and unwanted by the Erdtree and society. Morgott and Mohg are prominent examples of Omens in Elden Ring.
15. Does Games Learning Society cover Elden Ring content?
The Games Learning Society is dedicated to exploring the intersection of gaming and learning, and while their primary focus is on educational applications, they also recognize the rich narrative depth and complex player choices present in games like Elden Ring, which can offer valuable insights into human behavior and decision-making. You can visit their website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ to learn more.
In conclusion, the Loathsome Dung Eater is a character that embodies the darkest aspects of Elden Ring. He serves as a reminder that not all Tarnished seek to restore order or achieve a noble goal. Some, like the Dung Eater, are driven by a desire to inflict suffering and defile the very essence of life. His presence adds a layer of moral complexity to the game, forcing players to confront their own values and make choices that have far-reaching consequences.