Damn You, Miyazaki: Secret Gurranq Detail Makes the Elden Ring Boss the Saddest Fight in the Game

by

The intricacy of Elden Ring‘s presentation is impressive, spanning from its richly detailed world history to each unique boss it hosts. This contributes significantly to an engaging open-world adventure, and indeed, it earns every bit of acclaim it receives.

In this virtual realm, there’s an abundance of hidden gems and delightful surprises scattered everywhere, including some fascinating Easter eggs. A freshly unearthed mystery concerning Gurranq, the Clergyman of Beasts, will deepen your affection for these details, regardless of their potential consequences.

Gurranq woefully howls at night in Elden Ring

As I delve deeper into this game world, there’s a detail about Gurranq the Bestial Clergyman that some players might easily overlook. But if you keep your gaze sharp, you’ll catch him occasionally letting out a howl, and more intriguingly, it seems to be directed towards the Erdtree – where Marika is said to reside.

The NPC from Elden Ring seems deeply saddened by Marika’s absence and expresses this sorrow through mournful howls. Given his role as a guardian of the Death Rune, he was unable to fulfill this duty successfully, leading to the tragic outcome of Godwyn, Marika’s firstborn, being slain in the process.

Regardless of the encounter, the creature is usually in a sad and weakened state when you come across him, pleading for Deathroots. Gurranq yearns intensely for these Deathroots, seeking a brief moment of peace before his end. However, no matter how much he desires it, his longing for this item remains unfulfilled.

After receiving four Deathroots from the players, he transforms into a formidable enemy, showing clear signs of aggression as if realizing that he has been given too much. A battle ensues, similar to many encounters in Elden Ring, and if one is not well-equipped, it can be a challenging and brutal experience.

Two paths with differing outcomes

Based on your actions during the battle, Gurranq’s outcome may vary. If you manage to subdue him (bring him down to 30% of his health), he will return to his original resting spot, allowing you to offer him five more Deathroots. In return, he will reward you with an Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone. Once his quest is complete, he will turn into dust and disappear.

Instead, players have the option to swiftly eliminate him once he ceases attacking, which will result in the acquisition of a Smithing Stone. However, making this choice prevents them from moving forward with his quest.

To catch a glimpse of him barking, it’s necessary to advance the game time to night first, possibly requiring you to log out and back in again. Once he appears, he might be found howling at the Site of Grace; occasionally, he seems to talk in his dreams there.

In Elden Ring, after sparing Gurranq, you’ll encounter some engaging conversations that lead up to the memorable Maliketh boss battle. If you’re up for a genuine test of skill, don’t forget this intense encounter!

From my gaming perspective, battling a crippled Beast Clergyman doesn’t exactly feel heroic nor does it bring much satisfaction. In fact, choosing to end his life while he’s at his most vulnerable just doesn’t sit right with me.

In Elden Ring, Gurranq appears as a very sorrowful character, much like a dog longing for its master. Yet, despite his yearning to be restored, a sense of duty keeps him from venturing any farther.

The intricacies in the game are even more impressive because they underscore the extraordinary creativity shared by Miyazaki and George R.R. Martin, making it shine brilliantly in these fine details.

Read More

2025-02-20 12:54