**INCLUDES CUT CONTENT** >[!quote]+ *Everyone's...been [[grafting|grafted]]. Everyone who came with me. They crossed the sea for me. They fought, for me. Heh... Only to have their arms taken. Their legs taken. Even their heads...taken. Taken and stuck to [[Video - Godrick the Golden's Heroic Concept (Ratatoskr)|the spider]]. Did you know? If you're grafted by the spider, you become a chrysalid. It's quite the lark, when you think about it.* >[!quote]+ *You're all on your own, are you? And heading to [[Stormveil Castle]]? Enticed by the one in the white mask, I suppose. Oh, you've come to be one with the spider? Well, that makes us two peas in a pod. But I don't have your courage. It's scary, you know. Having your arms cut off. Or legs. Or your head. I want to be like everyone else, but I'm just too scared. I'm nothing but a craven.* >[!quote]+ *Oh, I know. Can you take [[this little one]] along with you? Can you take these little ones along with you? The poor thing deserves someone braver than myself… And the spirits look rather fondly upon you. It'll be glad of your company, I think, the little'un. They'd be glad of your company, I think, the little'uns. The poor things deserve someone braver than myself…* >[!quote]+ *It was a pleasure to see you. Oh, can you pass on a message for me, if you see the little chrysalids in [[Stormveil Castle]]? Tell them I love them. And that despite my craven heart, I'm sure I'll be joining their club soon enough. I'm finally getting the hang of this whole "pain" thing, you know. Heh heh...* >[!quote]+ *What's this? A keepsake? From my men? Oh, goodness me… I can't… ...* >[!quote]+ *A pleasure to see you. Did you give the little chrysalids the message? That I love them. And that despite my craven heart, I'm sure I'll be joining their club soon enough.* >[!quote]+ *They all...believed in me. They all thought I'd make something of myself. Me! Who can't do anything... I think I'll head to the [[Roundtable Hold]]. Perhaps I'll find my purpose there.* >[!quote]+ *I think I'll head to the [[Roundtable Hold]]. Perhaps I'll find my purpose there.* >[!quote]+ *Greetings. Nice to see you again. My name is [[Roderika]]. I should have told you sooner. Isn't this place impressive, though? The [[Roundtable Hold]], covert quarters of the [[Two Fingers]], and gathering place of [[champions]] who vie to become [[Elden Lord]]. I never knew the [[grace|guidance bestowed upon us]] [[Tarnished]] had such fantastic roots. Although, it's all a bit much for me, in truth. I'm still looking for my own purpose.* >[!quote]+ *You're telling me I possess some kind of gift? I don't believe you. But... If I do have this talent, and goodness knows it would be my first... I suppose I should try to hone it. Shouldn't I? I'll ask [[Hewg|Master Hewg]] to teach me. Certainly, he does appear intimidating, and holds no love for us [[Tarnished]]... But I know he's trapped here, at the [[Roundtable Hold]]... So... I can tell. He's a gentle soul, underneath it all.* >[!quote]+ *Oh, and… Please, allow to me to express my thanks. For giving me [[that keepsake]] from my men. It was as if I was frozen with self-pity. I failed them at every turn. You have my gratitude. Please, take [[this]].* >[!quote]+ *A pleasure to meet you. My name is [[Roderika]]. I'm a recent arrival. Isn't this place impressive? The [[Roundtable Hold]], covert quarters of the [[Two Fingers]], and gathering place of [[champions]] who vie to become [[Elden Lord]]. I never knew the [[grace|guidance bestowed upon us]] [[Tarnished]] had such fantastic roots. Although, it's all a bit much for me, in truth. I'm still looking for my own purpose.* >[!quote]+ *It's all a bit much for me, in truth. I'm still looking for my own purpose.* >[!quote]+ *A pleasure to see you. Thank goodness you're safe. I'm still looking for my own purpose. It's not easy, by any means, but it's what I must do.* >[!quote]+ *If I do have a talent for [[spirit tuning]], and goodness knows that would be a surprise… I suppose I should try to hone it. Shouldn't I? I'll ask [[Hewg|Master Hewg]] to teach me.* >[!quote]+ *Good to see you again. Thank you very much! I have you to thank, don't I? For persuading [[Hewg|Master Hewg]]? I can happily announce that he has taught me the noble toil of [[spirit tuning]]. I'm as yet unsure of what I might be able to accomplish, but if I might be any help to you all, I'd certainly like to try. And if there's any chance to ease the suffering of my dear men who were [[grafting|grafted]]... Well, I certainly must try. [[Roderika]] the spirit tuner prentice. Pleased to make your acquaintance.* >[!quote]+ *Greetings. Are you here for [[spirit tuning]]? I feel like I'm really coming to grips with spirit tuning of late.* >[!quote]+ *I feel like I'm really coming to grips with [[spirit tuning]] of late. I can see how and why immortal essence exists as [[spirit]] under the [[Golden Order]]. I can understand their yearnings, what they become drawn to... [[Hewg|Master Hewg]] said it himself, actually, that I'm no mere prentice any longer. Once again, I'm pleased to make your acquaintance. [[Roderika]] the certified spirit tuner.* >[!quote]+ *I'd like to ask you a small favour. Can you take [[this little one]] along with you? Can you take these little ones along with you? They can't be summoned here. But the [[spirits]] look rather fondly upon you. It'll be glad of your company, I think, the little'un. They'd be glad of your company, I think, the little'uns.* >[!quote]+ *I need to warn you about something. A little while ago [[Loathsome Dung Eater|someone]] started lurking in the wing on the opposite side of the [[Roundtable Hold|roundtable]]. And I can hear, from all the way over there... The howling and wailing of [[spirits]] in fear of a [[curse]]. I can even hear the repulsive, twisted malison itself... A plethora of spirits in an unceasing cacophony... I can't even imagine. How much suffering, inflicted to who knows how many souls... Not even the [[grafting]] caused anything like this to happen... You should keep your distance. I know you're strong, but please...* >[!quote]+ *I can hear it from across the wing, past the [[Roundtable Hold|roundtable]]... The howling and wailing of [[spirits]] in fear of [[curse|the curse]]. I can even hear the repulsive, twisted malison itself... You should keep your distance. I know you're strong, but please...* >[!quote]+ *I can't hear them any more; the voices of the [[spirits]] cowering from [[curse|the curse]]... I suppose the [[Loathsome Dung Eater|Dung Eater]] must have left the [[Roundtable Hold|Roundtable]]. I just pray nothing ill comes of this.* >[!quote]+ *Be on your guard, I beg you. He's back. [[Loathsome Dung Eater|The Dung Eater]]. Again. I can hear them; the [[spirits]] as they howl and lament in fear of [[curse|the curse]]. And worse than ever, the reverberations of the twisted malison itself. But after all this time, I've started to grasp it now. I can hear, in the malison, another fearsome [[Order]].* >[!quote]+ *The voices of the tormented [[spirits]] are silent again.. But it isn't like last time. I'm almost certain...the spirits have escaped their confinement. Did you...have anything to do with it, I wonder?* >[!quote]+ *Take a look around. [[Roundtable Hold|The Roundtable Hold]] is burned. Razed to the ground. The [[Two Fingers]] went mad, and the [[Tarnished]] have all left. Myself and [[Hewg|Master Hewg]] are the only ones who remain. Don't worry, I don't blame you. I'll continue [[spirit tuning]] just the same as before. Which is why I need your help persuading Master Hewg to leave. His roots are so knotted in this place. He won't last much longer if he stays here... His shackles are broken. He's a free man, now. It's high time he put the Roundtable behind him.* >[!quote]+ *I see. You're here for some [[spirit tuning]]? Oh, is that right... So [[Hewg|Master Hewg]] won't listen to you, either.* >[!quote]+ *Oh, is that right... So [[Hewg|Master Hewg]] won't listen to you, either. You have my thanks, regardless. I'll try and talk him round next time. I know he was given this great entreaty; To craft a weapon which could slay a [[god]]. Though I can't help but think of it as a [[curse]]. A fearsome curse, put on him by [[Queen Marika the Eternal|Queen Marika]]. And if that's the case, I'm not sure there's anything we can do...* >[!quote]+ *Ah. So it wasn't just me this happened to... To think he'd forget who you were, as well. I knew he'd burn himself out, old [[Hewg]]. I think we could talk him into leaving the [[Roundtable Hold]], now. But maybe it's better that we don't. It's only proper that we respect his choice to stay.* >[!quote]+ *I'll remain with [[Hewg]]. He made me who I am today. I'd like to return the kindness, in whatever small way I can.* >[!quote]+ *Please, become [[Elden Lord]]. [[Hewg]] was always saying that you were a [[Lord]], to him. So slay her, with the weapons he smithed. Slay the [[god]], [[Queen Marika the Eternal|Marika]], who cursed us all.* >[!quote]+ *You're...giving it to me? I've never had alcohol before... I'm no longer a child. It's about time I took this step.* >[!quote]+ *You're willing to make me a chrysalid?* >[!quote]+ *Ah, but I'm still a milksop craven... I can't even govern myself to step beyond the bounds of this ward...* >[!quote]+ *Please. You're only wasting your strength.* >[!quote]+ *I know how you must feel. But please, I'm not ready.* >[!quote]+ *Or are you like me? You're so far out of your mind with fear... You've divested yourself of all reason?* >[!quote]+ *Please, stop. Even if you persist, your fear will not abate.* #source #dialogue #roderika