Why Does Eygon Protect Irina? Unraveling the Enigmatic Guardian of Carim
Eygon of Carim’s unwavering dedication to Irina in Dark Souls 3 is one of the game’s most poignant and debated relationships. At its core, Eygon protects Irina because he believes she is vulnerable to the corrupting influence of the dark. His actions, often appearing harsh and controlling, stem from a deeply rooted desire to shield her from the suffering he believes she will inevitably face if she embraces forbidden powers. He views dark miracles as a path to ruin and aims to keep her pure, adhering to the faith he believes is righteous. While his methods are questionable and ultimately tragic, his intentions, however misguided, are based on genuine concern for her spiritual well-being.
The Burden of Faith and the Fear of Darkness
Eygon’s behavior is not simply a matter of blind devotion. He has witnessed the destructive power of the dark firsthand, likely experiencing its corrupting effects either personally or through others he has encountered. This has instilled in him a fierce conviction that dark miracles are not to be trifled with. When he locks Irina away, it’s not merely a measure to protect her from external dangers; it’s also a drastic step to prevent her from falling prey to the inner darkness that tempts many within the world of Dark Souls. His primary aim is not physical preservation alone, but the preservation of her soul from corruption.
The Conflict Between Protection and Control
Eygon’s protective instinct is coupled with a strong sense of control, driven by his unwavering belief in the righteousness of his faith. He views Irina as someone who needs to be guided and protected from her own choices, especially the ones that could lead her down a darker path. This aspect of his personality is evident in how he will immediately turn hostile if Irina is tempted by or uses dark miracles, and ultimately kidnaps her to “save” her. He does not trust her judgement when it comes to the dark side of faith. His actions illustrate a paternalistic attitude, where he sees himself as the sole arbiter of what is right for her.
The Tragic Consequences of Good Intentions
Despite his noble intentions, Eygon’s actions are deeply flawed, and his quest is ultimately tragic. His approach to protecting Irina is restrictive and does not allow her to grow or make her own choices. He imprisons her, fearing her potential for corruption, but this very action can be seen as one of the contributing factors to her eventual demise. His fear and control stifle her development and lead to her suffering. This emphasizes the central theme of Dark Souls– that even the noblest intentions can have disastrous results when coupled with fear and control.
Eygon’s character is a study in contrasts – a protector, yet a jailer; a devout follower, yet a man driven by fear. His actions are a stark reminder that even those motivated by love and faith can cause immense pain and suffering when blinded by fear and rigid beliefs. His story stands as a cautionary tale about the dangers of control and the importance of respecting an individual’s agency, even if one believes it is to their detriment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Eygon and Irina
1. Where is Eygon after killing Irina?
If the player kills Irina, Eygon will be waiting for them outside of Firelink Shrine and will immediately become hostile. He seeks vengeance for her death.
2. What causes Eygon to become hostile?
Eygon becomes hostile if the player buys any dark miracles from Irina after giving her a forbidden tome. He believes she has been corrupted. He also attacks the player if they kill Irina.
3. Can Irina become a Fire Keeper?
Yes, Irina can become a Fire Keeper if the player purchases ALL holy miracles from her without buying any dark miracles. This is one of the possible outcomes of her questline.
4. How do you make Irina a Fire Keeper?
To make Irina a Fire Keeper, purchase all of the “light” miracles from her (Med Heal, Tears of Denial, Force, Bountiful Light, Blessed Weapon, and Magic Barrier), and avoid purchasing any dark miracles (Deep Protection, Gnaw, Vow of Silence, Dark Blade, and Dead Again) after giving her any of the dark tomes.
5. What happens if you give Irina a dark tome?
You can give Irina a dark tome, and nothing will happen if you don’t purchase any dark miracles from her. However, if you purchase any dark miracle from her after giving her a dark tome, she will disappear and can only be retrieved later in a new location, but the remaining dark miracles can still be bought. You will also have a hostile encounter with Eygon in the shrine.
6. Can you keep Irina alive?
No, there is no way to prevent Irina’s death beyond not advancing her questline. Once you deliver the letter to her, she will die, and there is no avoiding this outcome.
7. What miracles should I buy from Irina to achieve the best outcome?
To unlock the ‘good ending’ for Irina, you should purchase all the “light” miracles: Med Heal, Tears of Denial, Force, Bountiful Light, Blessed Weapon, and Magic Barrier. Avoid purchasing any dark miracles to keep her safe and eventually turn her into a Fire Keeper.
8. Is Deep Protection a dark miracle?
Yes, the Deep Protection Miracle is considered one of the dark miracles available in Dark Souls 3.
9. Should I give the Fire Keeper Soul to the Fire Keeper?
Giving a Fire Keeper Soul to any Fire Keeper will reinforce your Estus Flasks and increase its healing power. It is recommended to always give it to the Fire Keeper at Firelink Shrine.
10. How to prevent Irina’s death?
You cannot prevent Irina’s death once you progress her questline past a certain point, specifically after delivering the letter. This part is fixed in the game’s storyline.
11. How does the Fire Keeper see?
Fire Keepers possess a unique pair of dark eyes which are said to be the eyes of the first Fire Keeper. These eyes allow them to see things that should be hidden.
12. Is Morne’s armor good?
Morne’s Set, worn by Eygon, has high elemental resistance, but has a weakness to dark and poison damage. Its strength lies in its ability to tank various elemental attacks.
13. How does the Irina quest end?
Irina’s quest ends with her death. Edgar will be found kneeling over her corpse, vowing revenge on whoever is responsible for her death, which is ultimately tied to the player’s choices during the questline.
14. What do dark miracles scale with?
Dark miracles typically scale with Faith (FTH), though they may require minimum Intelligence (INT) stats.
15. What happens to Eygon of Carim after Irina dies?
Eygon of Carim is found dead in the area where you free Irina after defeating the Dragonslayer Armor. He leaves his armor and weapons, marking the end of his questline. He dies after his charge dies, likely a combination of grief and the dark energies he fought to keep away from her.