The Heart-Wrenching Journey of Blaidd in Elden Ring: A Tale of Tragedy and Redemption
Discover the haunting tale of Blaidd in Elden Ring, an unforgettable NPC caught in the grips of Ranni's questline Witness the tragic consequences of The Greater Will's influence in this heart-wrenching narrative
WARNING: Major spoilers for Elden Ring's Age of Stars ending ahead.
Highlights
Blaidd, the faithful half-wolf companion of Ranni, supports the player throughout the questline but ultimately meets a tragic end by being trapped in an eternal prison. Despite his unwavering loyalty, Blaidd falls under the control of the Greater Will, compelling him to turn against Ranni. Consequently, if Ranni desires to achieve her objectives, she must accept that Blaidd is destined to perish.
Ranni and Blaidd's relationship is intricate, as Ranni ultimately hires assassins to eliminate him, implying that her appreciation of his loyalty may not be as strong as his devotion to her.
True to FromSoftware's signature style, Elden Ring is replete with tragic heroes and narratives of sorrow designed to elicit deep sympathy, serving as a poignant juxtaposition to the world's brutality. The journey of the Tarnished towards the conclusion of Elden Ring is a violent one, likely involving the defeat of numerous adversaries and NPCs at the hands of the player. However, it is one character in particular whose fate may be the most heartrending.
Blaidd's Story in Ranni's Questline
Ranni the Witch, a prominent character in the Elden Ring narrative, has undoubtedly garnered the assistance of numerous players throughout the game. As an individual chosen by The Greater Will to become the deity of a new era, known as an Empyrean, Ranni courageously defied her predetermined destiny. Cunningly orchestrating the Night of Black Knives, she orchestrated the events that led to the fracture of the Elden Ring. Accompanying her in her journey is her loyal half-wolf companion, Blaidd. Together, they strive to overthrow The Greater Will and bring forth the desired "Age of Stars" conclusion. However, in a heartrending twist, the player ultimately finds themselves standing alongside Ranni alone in their final moments.
Encountered early on in Limgrave, Blaidd is a commanding presence who surprises with his friendly and noble demeanor as he searches for a traitor. Later, he appears as a ghostly figure in the Three Sisters area beyond Caria Manor, alongside Iji and Seluvis in Liurnia. His unwavering loyalty to Ranni is evident through his active involvement in her schemes. Leading the player to the Siofra River and guiding them towards uncovering the truth about Starscourge Radahn, Blaidd demonstrates his unwavering dedication to assisting his master, regardless of the distance or obstacles.
The Tragedy of Blaidd and The Greater Will's Influence
He has the potential to be a valuable asset during the Radahn Festival battle, earning him a cherished spot in the memories of those who fight alongside him. However, despite his initial intentions, Blaidd's plans to join the journey to Nokron are thwarted when the defeat of Radahn triggers a celestial event that blocks his path with descending meteors. Iji encounters Blaidd in an unexpected situation - trapped in an evergaol - leaving her perplexed about the potential threat he might pose to his comrades. Eventually, Blaidd resurfaces in a hostile state at Three Sisters, compelling the player to confront and ultimately take his life.
Created specifically to serve an Empyrean, Blaidd, a Shadowbound Beast, ultimately couldn't escape this truth. Ranni's objective in Nokron is to obtain the Fingerslayer Blade, which she plans to use to eliminate her own Two Fingers and further her scheme against The Greater Will. However, Shadows like Blaidd have an inherent programming to kill their masters in case of betrayal. It is a remarkable anomaly that he managed to maintain his sanity for such a long time after the Night of Black Knives. His loyalty towards Ranni was strong enough to resist the commands of his creator. He continues to resist until the very end, reluctantly succumbing to becoming yet another Baleful Shadow of The Greater Will.
Although Blaidd's unwavering loyalty to Ranni is commendable, the complexity of her own involvement in his life is evident. It is clear that she possessed prior knowledge of the impending doom that awaited him, as she dispatched her notorious group of assassins, known as the Black Knife Assassins, to ultimately eliminate him. The toll that Ranni pays, in terms of lives lost, is substantial, considering that all of her followers perish in their pursuit towards the Age of Stars conclusion in Elden Ring. Blaidd sacrificed everything to fulfill his duty to his master, even going against his own intended purpose, but it is highly improbable that Ranni would have reciprocated such devotion towards him.
Elden Ring is now available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
