Why Does Yuria of Londor Want You to Marry Anri in Dark Souls 3?
Yuria of Londor, the enigmatic figure guiding you towards the “Usurpation of Fire” ending in Dark Souls 3, orchestrates a peculiar and, let’s face it, disturbing marriage ceremony between you and Anri of Astora. The question, however, isn’t if the ceremony is strange, but rather, why does Yuria push for this union? The core reason lies in the very nature of the ending she seeks to achieve. Yuria believes that to become the Lord of Hollows, the player character needs a spouse. This is not a marriage of love or partnership in any traditional sense. Instead, it’s a twisted ritual, a perversion of the concept of bonding, designed to strengthen the player’s claim to the Lord of Hollows title.
The Usurpation of Fire ending isn’t about linking the First Flame or allowing it to fade, but about claiming it for yourself, for the Hollows, as their rightful ruler. This radical idea is based on the Londor belief system, which Yuria staunchly adheres to. She views the current age of fire as a cycle of suffering and decay and sees the Hollows – the undead – as the true inheritors of the world. Marrying Anri, or rather, performing the marriage ritual, is a significant step in the process of becoming the Lord of Hollows.
The Significance of the Ritual
The ritual isn’t a celebration of love. It’s a violent act of domination and power. When the player plunges the sword into Anri’s face, they are not pledging love, but rather claiming their power and their destiny as the Lord of Hollows. It’s a dark mockery of a traditional marriage, symbolizing the dark and corrupted path towards the Usurpation. In essence, Yuria’s motivation is entirely pragmatic, rooted in her desire to see her belief system realized, and the age of fire overturned.
Anri is essentially a tool in Yuria’s grand plan. Their presence in the story is initially that of a fellow traveler with their own personal struggles and mission, but when the Londor questline comes to fruition, they are relegated to a pawn in the grander scheme. Their individual agency is reduced to becoming the “spouse” required for the ritual. Yuria is not concerned with Anri’s well-being, and treats them with the same cold, clinical detachment she applies to everything else.
The Londor Philosophy
To better understand why Yuria would do this, it’s necessary to examine the philosophy of Londor. The people of Londor, including Yuria, are essentially Hollows, undead beings who have embraced their hollowing. They believe that the current order, the linking of the First Flame, perpetuates suffering and is a futile cycle. They strive to usher in an age of Hollows, where the undead rule, and the flame is usurped and controlled by a new leader – the Lord of Hollows. The marriage to Anri is a ritual designed to solidify the player’s position as that leader, making them fit for the role.
In this context, the act of “marrying” Anri by stabbing them in the face is viewed not as cruel, but as necessary. It’s a key component of a process designed to dismantle the established order and create a new one. It’s a testament to how deeply ingrained their beliefs are, overriding any considerations of morality or empathy. This makes Yuria, and by extension, Londor, a chillingly pragmatic force, willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of their ideology.
Yuria’s Role and the Questline
Yuria acts as the guide for the player throughout this process. She provides cryptic advice, encourages specific actions, and ultimately leads the player to Anri’s “wedding” within the Temple of the Darkmoon. She never expresses genuine remorse or sadness at Anri’s fate, and is solely focused on achieving her grand plan. This chilling detachment underscores her role as a ruthless visionary, willing to sacrifice individual lives for the supposed greater good of her people.
The marriage itself is the culmination of the player fulfilling her requests, and ensuring that Anri’s questline aligns with the requirements for the Usurpation of Fire. Failing to follow Yuria’s path can result in a different game ending, highlighting how important her influence is in achieving the Lord of Hollows ending.
Yuria’s primary motivation is not about the player character or Anri as individuals. They are tools in her grand strategy to reshape the world based on the principles of Londor. The marriage, with all its gruesome implications, is a necessary step in this plan, illustrating the radical and uncompromising nature of Yuria and the Londor ideology. Therefore, she wants you to marry Anri to secure your claim as the Lord of Hollows, ensuring that the age of fire is usurped, and a new age of Hollows begins, where you rule as its leader.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Yuria, Anri, and the Usurpation of Fire ending in Dark Souls 3:
What exactly is the “Usurpation of Fire” ending?
The “Usurpation of Fire” ending is one of four possible endings in Dark Souls 3. Instead of linking the First Flame or letting it fade, the player character takes control of the flame, becoming the Lord of Hollows, and ushering in a new age. It’s a more radical departure from the established cycle.
Do you have to marry Anri to get this ending?
Yes, to achieve the Usurpation of Fire ending, you must go through with the marriage ritual with Anri. This is a crucial step dictated by Yuria of Londor.
Is Anri’s death unavoidable?
Yes, Anri ultimately dies no matter which path you take in their questline. Whether they die at Horace’s hand, hollow, or as the sacrifice in the marriage ritual, their demise is a key part of the narrative.
Why is Anri’s gender always opposite to the player’s?
Anri’s gender is deliberately set to be the opposite of the player’s to emphasize the “marriage” dynamic in the context of the Londor questline. It also has to do with the fact that in the original Japanese language, Anri is a gender-neutral name.
Can you save Anri from hollowing?
You cannot prevent Anri from hollowing completely, however, you can alter where they hollow by speaking with them about Horace. This determines where you will encounter them as a hollowed enemy, but not the fact that they hollow.
What if you tell Anri about Horace’s location?
Telling Anri about Horace will cause Anri to appear at the Smouldering Lake after you’ve killed Horace. If you don’t tell them, they’ll be found in the Cathedral of the Deep, and then they’ll still hollow after the wedding.
Is it true that the marriage is a face stabbing?
Yes, the marriage ritual involves stabbing Anri in the face with a sword. This is the established rite of marriage in Londor, a dark and twisted version of a traditional wedding ceremony.
Does Anri have a good ending?
No, Anri’s endings are universally tragic. They either die, become a hollow, or are used as a sacrifice in the marriage ritual. There is no truly happy outcome for Anri.
Why is Yuria not always at Firelink Shrine?
Yuria only appears after you’ve drawn out your true strength (leveled up) with Yoel of Londor and acquired five Dark Sigils before reaching the Catacombs of Carthus.
What happens if you kill Yuria?
If you kill Yuria, she will drop her ashes and her unique weapon, the Darkdrift. She does not provide any benefits for being alive past her quest requirements.
Can you get Yuria’s set without killing her?
Yes, if you complete the final boss and return to Firelink Shrine without linking the fire, you can find Yuria’s Darkdrift and Black Set where she was previously standing in Firelink Shrine, even if she wasn’t killed.
Is it possible to marry another NPC?
No, Anri is the only character in Dark Souls 3 who can be “married” through this specific ritual, and it’s solely tied to the Usurpation of Fire ending. No other traditional or non-traditional marriage options are available.
Where is the wedding ceremony with Anri?
The wedding ceremony takes place in the Temple of the Darkmoon after you have progressed through the questline with both Anri and Yuria.
What happens if I skip the Catacombs and miss Anri’s first encounter?
If you use a shortcut to skip the skeleton ball staircase in the Catacombs, Anri won’t appear at the Church of Yorshka. You will have to return to the first location where a prism stone is placed, to trigger them moving to their next location in Catacombs.
Does Yuria survive the ending if you follow her questline?
Yes, Yuria will survive the ending if you complete the Usurpation of Fire ending. She is found at Firelink Shrine, pleased with your ascension as the Lord of Hollows.