Nepheli Loux is one of the most intriguing characters in Elden Ring, the latest action RPG from FromSoftware. She is a warrior and a fellow tarnished who was ordered by decree from her adoptive father, Gideon Ofnir, to kill and dethrone Godrick the Grafted, one of the six demigods who hold a fragment of the Elden Ring. She wears clothing similar to the starting Hero class, and she can help you in the battle against Godrick if summoned. Her summoning sign is golden and is just outside the boss fog. Other NPC summon opportunities include boss fights against Godfrey, First Elden Lord and Omenkiller (in Village of the Albinaurics). Progress in her questline to have her summon sign available for these encounters. The puppet of Nepheli Loux can be summoned for aid in battle by using the Nepheli Loux Puppet Ashe.
But who is Nepheli really? Where does she come from? And what is her connection to Godfrey, the first and most powerful of the demigods? These are some of the questions that many players have been wondering about as they explore the vast open world of Elden Ring. In this article, we will try to answer these questions based on the evidence and clues found in the game.
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Nepheli’s Adoptive Father: Gideon Ofnir
The first clue to Nepheli’s origins is her adoptive father, Gideon Ofnir, the leader of Roundtable Hold and one of the most influential figures in Limgrave. Gideon is a former knight of Godfrey who betrayed him and joined forces with his rival, Godrick. He then led a coup against Godrick and took over his castle, Stormveil Castle, and renamed it Roundtable Hold. He also claimed Godrick’s fragment of the Elden Ring for himself, becoming one of the six demigods.
Gideon adopted Nepheli as his daughter when she was a young girl. He raised her as a warrior and taught her everything he knew about combat and strategy. He also gave her a decree to kill Godrick and take his throne, as he believed that she was the only one who could do it. He also gave her a pair of Stormhawk Axes, which are said to be forged from Godrick’s own weapons.
However, Gideon’s motives for adopting Nepheli are not entirely clear. Some speculate that he did it out of genuine affection and paternal love, while others suspect that he did it out of selfishness and ambition, hoping to use her as a pawn in his schemes. Either way, it is evident that Gideon has a strong influence on Nepheli’s life and personality.
Nepheli’s Real Father: Godfrey, First Elden Lord
The second clue to Nepheli’s origins is her real father, Godfrey, the First Elden Lord and the original holder of the Elden Ring. Godfrey is the oldest and most powerful of the demigods, who ruled over Limgrave with an iron fist. He was also the founder of the Order of Knights, a group of elite warriors who swore loyalty to him and his cause.
Godfrey had a son named Albus, who was his heir and successor. However, Albus rebelled against his father and joined forces with Latenna, another demigod who opposed Godfrey’s tyranny. Together, they formed a resistance movement called The Albinaurics, which aimed to overthrow Godfrey and restore balance to Limgrave.
Godfrey also had a daughter named Nepheli, who was born from an unknown mother. However, Godfrey never acknowledged or cared for Nepheli, as he considered her a bastard and an embarrassment. He abandoned her at birth and left her to fend for herself in the harsh lands of Limgrave.
Nepheli never knew her real father or his identity until much later in her life. She only learned about him when she met Seluvis, a mysterious alchemist who claimed to be an old friend of Godfrey. Seluvis told Nepheli that she was Godfrey’s daughter and that she had inherited some of his traits and abilities. He also gave her a potion that he said would awaken her true potential.
However, Seluvis was not telling the whole truth. The potion he gave Nepheli was actually a poison that would turn her into a puppet under his control. Seluvis was actually an enemy of Godfrey who wanted to use Nepheli as a weapon against him. He planned to manipulate Nepheli into killing Godfrey and taking his fragment of the Elden Ring for himself.
Nepheli’s Choice: Loyalty or Betrayal
The third clue to Nepheli’s origins is her choice, which determines her fate and the outcome of her questline. Nepheli has to decide whether to follow her adoptive father’s decree and kill Godrick, or to follow her real father’s legacy and kill Godfrey. She also has to decide whether to trust Seluvis and drink his potion, or to reject him and keep her free will.
Depending on the player’s actions and decisions, Nepheli can have different endings to her questline. Here are some of the possible endings:
- If the player gives the potion to Gideon, Nepheli will remain loyal to her adoptive father and continue to serve him as his daughter and warrior. She will also help the player in the final battle against Godfrey, as she believes that he is her enemy and the source of all evil in Limgrave. She will survive the battle and become one of the new rulers of Limgrave alongside Gideon.
- If the player gives the potion to Nepheli, she will become a puppet under Seluvis’ control and betray her adoptive father. She will also turn against the player and try to kill them in the final battle against Godfrey, as she is programmed to do so by Seluvis. She will die in the battle and become a tragic victim of Seluvis’ schemes.
- If the player gives the potion to Dung Eater, a hidden NPC who can be found in Leyndell, Nepheli will remain free from Seluvis’ influence and make her own choice. She will either follow her adoptive father’s decree and kill Godrick, or follow her real father’s legacy and kill Godfrey. She will also help the player in the final battle against whichever demigod she did not kill, as she considers them her ally and friend. She will survive the battle and become one of the new rulers of Limgrave alongside whichever demigod she sided with.
Nepheli’s Destiny: The Stormhawk Queen
The fourth clue to Nepheli’s origins is her destiny, which is revealed by Roderika, a spirit tuner who can be found in Leyndell. Roderika can perform a ritual called spirit tuning, which allows her to see into a person’s past, present, and future. She can also reveal a person’s true name, which reflects their essence and identity.
If the player brings Nepheli to Roderika and asks her to perform spirit tuning on her, Roderika will reveal that Nepheli’s true name is Nepheli Stormhawk, the Stormhawk Queen. She will also reveal that Nepheli is destined to become one of the most powerful and respected rulers in Limgrave, who will bring peace and prosperity to the land.
Roderika will also tell Nepheli that she has a soulmate who is waiting for her in the Chapel of Anticipation, a hidden location that can be accessed by using the topmost of the Four Belfries. The soulmate is none other than Kenneth Haight, a nobleman who is obsessed with flying and has built a flying machine called The Stormhawk King.
If the player brings Nepheli to Kenneth Haight and gives him The Stormhawk King, a bond will form between them and they will fall in love. They will also fly away together on The Stormhawk King and explore the skies of Limgrave.
This is the best possible ending for Nepheli’s questline, as it fulfills her destiny and makes her happy. It also creates a new alliance between Roundtable Hold and Haight Fort, two of the most powerful factions in Limgrave.
Conclusion
Nepheli Loux is a complex and fascinating character who has a rich and mysterious backstory. She is related to Godfrey, the First Elden Lord, as his daughter, but she was raised by Gideon Ofnir, one of his enemies, as his adoptive daughter. She has to choose between loyalty or betrayal, freedom or slavery, peace or war. She also has a destiny that leads her to become The Stormhawk Queen, who rules over Limgrave with wisdom and grace.
Nepheli Loux is one of the many reasons why Elden Ring is such an amazing game that offers endless possibilities and surprises for players. She is a character that you should not miss out on if you want to experience the full story and lore of Elden Ring.
