Who Killed Fia in Elden Ring? Unraveling the Deathbed Companion’s Fate
Fia, the Deathbed Companion, is ultimately killed by the player character, the Tarnished, in Elden Ring. However, this isn’t a simple act of aggression. It’s the culmination of a questline with profound implications for the Lands Between and the cycle of life and death itself. Understanding Fia’s death requires delving into her motivations, her connection to the Prince of Death, and the broader themes explored in Elden Ring.
Understanding Fia’s Role and Motivations
Fia, found in the Roundtable Hold, offers comfort to the Tarnished through the act of “embracing.” This seemingly simple act, however, imparts a slight debuff to the player’s maximum HP, while also transferring strength to the Tarnished. Initially, this might seem like a benign, even helpful, service. However, Fia’s true intentions are far more complex and intertwined with the forbidden practices of the Death-Prince’s followers.
Fia is driven by a desire to birth a new order, one where the intertwined concepts of life and death are no longer separated by the Golden Order’s rigid laws. She seeks to achieve this by lying with a demigod and bearing a child, specifically with the Rune of the Death-Prince, effectively creating a “mending rune” that would rewrite the rules of the Lands Between. Her embraces are a way for her to strengthen herself through the energy of the Tarnished, bolstering her resolve to defy the Golden Order and forge a new path.
Fia’s Connection to Godwyn the Golden and the Rune of Death
Fia’s quest is inextricably linked to Godwyn the Golden’s murder, also known as the Night of the Black Knives. Godwyn was the first demigod to die, and his death was unique: his soul was slain, but his body remained alive, becoming a corrupted, grotesque form. This incomplete death created the source of Those Who Live in Death, undead beings whose existence defied the Golden Order’s rules.
The Rune of Death, a fragment of the Elden Ring used in Godwyn’s assassination, is central to Fia’s plans. By obtaining the Cursemark of Death, she can nurture and restore Godwyn’s corrupted remains, ultimately leading to the creation of her desired mending rune. This involves finding the Two Fingerslayer Blade and presenting it to her, demonstrating the Tarnished’s willingness to defy the Greater Will and the Golden Order.
The Path to the Deeproot Depths and the Dream
Following Fia’s quest leads the Tarnished to the Deeproot Depths, a hidden underground region teeming with life and death intertwined. It is here, deep within the roots of the Erdtree, that Godwyn’s corrupted body resides. Fia eventually lies down beside him, entering a dream-like state.
The Tarnished must then enter Fia’s dream, where they face off against Fortissax, Lichdragon, one of Godwyn’s former allies who has become corrupted by the Rune of Death. Defeating Fortissax allows Fia to complete her task: birthing the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince.
The Tarnished’s Role in Fia’s Death
After defeating Fortissax and obtaining the Mending Rune, the Tarnished returns to the real world and finds Fia peacefully deceased. She has achieved her goal, and her purpose has been fulfilled. The Tarnished can then collect the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince from her body.
Therefore, the Tarnished is the one who ultimately ends Fia’s life by fulfilling her quest. By helping her achieve her goals, facing the challenges she sets forth, and obtaining the Mending Rune, the Tarnished indirectly causes her death. She dies content, knowing that her vision of a new order has been realized, even if only potentially, through the Tarnished’s choices at the game’s ending.
The Implications of Fia’s Death and the Mending Rune
The Mending Rune of the Death-Prince offers one of the six possible endings to Elden Ring. Using it to mend the Elden Ring results in the Age of Dusk ending. This ending acknowledges the existence of Those Who Live in Death, giving them a place in the new order. It signifies a rejection of the Golden Order’s rigid structure and an acceptance of the natural cycle of life and death, no longer separated by the influence of the Greater Will.
Fia’s death, therefore, is not a tragic end, but a necessary sacrifice. It’s a pivotal moment in the Tarnished’s journey, forcing them to confront the complexities of mortality and the consequences of defying established power structures. It highlights the core themes of Elden Ring: choice, free will, and the potential for shaping the world according to one’s own vision, even in the face of overwhelming opposition.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Fia
Here are some frequently asked questions about Fia and her questline:
1. Why does Fia embrace the Tarnished? Fia embraces the Tarnished to transfer strength and bolster her resolve, subtly utilizing their energy to achieve her goals related to the Rune of Death and the creation of a new order.
2. What is the debuff Fia gives the Tarnished? Fia gives the Tarnished a temporary reduction to their maximum HP (Hit Points) upon embracing them. This debuff can be removed by using the Baldachin’s Blessing, an item she provides.
3. What is the Two Fingerslayer Blade? The Two Fingerslayer Blade is a key item in Fia’s questline. It’s a weapon capable of killing the Two Fingers, the emissaries of the Greater Will. Its presence demonstrates the Tarnished’s willingness to defy the Golden Order.
4. Where can I find the Two Fingerslayer Blade? The Two Fingerslayer Blade is found within the Nokron, Eternal City area, specifically within a large treasure chest inside the Night’s Sacred Ground.
5. Who is Godwyn the Golden? Godwyn the Golden was the first demigod to die, murdered on the Night of the Black Knives. His death, however, was incomplete, resulting in a corrupted body and the creation of Those Who Live in Death.
6. What is the Rune of Death? The Rune of Death is a fragment of the Elden Ring used in Godwyn’s assassination. It’s the source of Those Who Live in Death and is central to Fia’s plan to create a new order.
7. What are Those Who Live in Death? Those Who Live in Death are undead beings whose existence defies the Golden Order’s laws. They are a consequence of Godwyn’s incomplete death and the power of the Rune of Death.
8. What is the Deeproot Depths? The Deeproot Depths is a hidden underground region beneath the Lands Between, accessible through various routes, including after defeating the Valiant Gargoyle boss fight in Nokron, Eternal City. It’s where Godwyn’s corrupted body resides.
9. Who is Fortissax, Lichdragon? Fortissax, Lichdragon, is one of Godwyn’s former allies, who has been corrupted by the Rune of Death and protects him within Fia’s dream. The Tarnished must defeat him to obtain the Mending Rune.
10. What is the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince? The Mending Rune of the Death-Prince is a key item obtained after defeating Fortissax in Fia’s dream. It’s a “mending rune” that can be used to repair the Elden Ring and create a new order, acknowledging the existence of Those Who Live in Death.
11. How do I enter Fia’s dream? After reaching the area where Godwyn’s body is in the Deeproot Depths, keep speaking to Fia. Eventually, she will ask the Tarnished to protect her sleep, leading to the Fortissax, Lichdragon boss fight within the dream.
12. What is the Age of Dusk ending? The Age of Dusk ending is one of the six possible endings of Elden Ring. It’s achieved by using the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince to mend the Elden Ring. It signifies an acceptance of Those Who Live in Death and a departure from the Golden Order’s rigid rules.
13. Is Fia evil? Whether Fia is “evil” is a matter of perspective. She defies the Golden Order and seeks to create a new order that embraces death, which could be seen as morally ambiguous. Her motivations are not purely malicious, but rather driven by a desire to change the established order.
14. Does Fia know she is going to die? It is implied that Fia understands the potential consequences of her actions and the likelihood of her death upon achieving her goal. She accepts this fate as a necessary sacrifice for the realization of her vision.
15. What happens to Rogier if you follow Fia’s questline? Following Fia’s questline often leads to Rogier’s death. He is afflicted by the mark of death, similar to Godwyn, and eventually succumbs to it. This tragic event highlights the destructive consequences of interfering with the Rune of Death.