7 Dung Eater: Solaire?
First up, let’s take a look at one of the most beloved characters in the franchise in comparison to one of the most abhorrent. Solaire of Astora is, by far, one of the most recognizable characters of the FromSoftware games thanks to his obtuse pursuit of his very own sun, his self-made clothes, and his jolly attitude. So, in what way is he similar to the Dung Eater in Elden Ring, one of the most depraved characters in the Lands Between who loves nothing more than to defile corpses?
Well, Dung Eater is sort of built to be the anti-Solaire. He’s a solitary character who is on a journey for something no one else can seemingly comprehend, and once again is wearing his own self-made suit of armor. But, while Solaire’s character can be described as someone enjoying adventure under the sun, Dung Eater is a vile creature purposely crawling around in the sewers. Honestly, it sort of feels like a test by FromSoftware to see how obviously unlikable they can make a character and see if the fanbase still latches onto him (which they have). And, who can ignore the fact that Dung Eater’s Omen Set has the exact same sun on it that Solaire painted on his armor? There’s obviously something intentional there.
6 D, Hunter Of The Dead: Knight Lautrec Of Carim
Next up is D, Hunter of the Dead in comparison to Lautrec, a fan favorite who first showed up in the original Dark Souls. Now, even before comparing their personalities, it’s clear as day that D is an homage to Lautrec due to the armor sets they both wear. Lautrec wears the Favor Set, in which his Goddess Fina is literally embracing him in the chest piece.
Meanwhile, D wears the Twinned Armor, another armor that seems to show a twin “embracing” their other twin on the chest piece. And, like Lautrec, D is steadfast in his quest, not caring who he hurts or how he looks along the way. Additionally, though not to give too many spoilers, both Lautrec and D are responsible for another NPCs death if left alone long enough.
5 Alexander, Warrior Jar: Siegmeyer Of Catarina
This has to be the most obvious reference in the entire game, right? In every Souls game, there’s a Catarina Knight, and in Elden Ring, the Catarina Knight is a Warrior Jar instead. Alexander and Siegmeyer (or any of the Sieg’s) are so incredibly similar. Both of them are accomplished warriors looking for more prestige and challenge, both of them are constantly assisted by the player, and both end up feeling pretty despondent as a result of that help.
While obviously, the two characters look pretty different visually, one being a literal personified Jar of warrior flesh and the other being a man in a ridiculous set of armor, they fill the same role of “jovial aspiring warrior”.
4 Roderika: Crestfallen Warrior & Hawkwood
The Crestfallen Warriors are another staple of the Souls games specifically. There are similar characters in Bloodborne and Sekiro, but the title of “Crestfallen” is usually exclusively used in the DS games. Roderika, up until she really starts to get into Spirit Tuning, basically fulfills that role. Up until that point she’s filled with survivor’s guilt about her men dying and becoming “chrysalids” (AKA bodybags) while she remains alive. All of her dialog during this phase is hopeless and passionless, and she genuinely wishes for death, just like the Crestfallen Warriors.
But, in a rare example of a FromSoftware NPC having a happier “ending”, Roderika does find her purpose as Spirit Tuner thanks to Blacksmith Hewg. So, while she’s this game’s version of a Crestfallen Warrior, she’s one of the only examples that manage to pull themselves out of this Crestfallen state.
3 Godskin Duo, Noble & Apostle: Ornstein & Smough
Out of all the bosses that have shown up across all the Soulsborne games, Ornstein and Smough from Dark Souls 1 are still likely the most recognizable. There’s just something about the lean vs stout contrast of the two that makes them so memorable. In fact, the memorability is likely why Ornstein knockoffs appeared in both DS2 and DS3. Well, in Elden Ring, it’s very obvious that the Godskin Noble and Godskin Apostle are this game’s attempt at a similar concept.
Outside of that design concept, the two duos have nothing in common other than being faithful servants after their leader is gone. But, it should be noted that, while the Godskin Duo have a more “unique” appearance and difficult Boss fight, they aren’t going to be nearly as beloved or iconic as Ornstein and Smough still are.
2 Sorceress Sellen: Big Hat Logan & Many Others
This next referential character is much less a new take on an old character and more of a recurring archetype that FromSoftware just can’t seem to stay away from. In particular, this Archetype is the mage or scholar in pursuit of taboo/forbidden knowledge who loses themselves in their studies. It happened with Big Hat Logan with Crystal Magic in Dark Souls 1, and now it’s happening with Sellen in Elden Ring with the Primeval Current.
There’s always some sort of Wizard, Priest, or Pyromancer in these games that is encountered multiple times, pursuing their interests more fervently each time until they lose themselves.
1 Irina Of Castle Morne: Irina Of Carim
This last entry is much less about the characters themselves, and more about their naming and design similarities. There are two characters named Irina in the FromSoftware games, Irina of Carim in Dark Souls 3, guarded by Eygon of Carim (their pairing likely a reference to Astrea and Knight Vinland in Demon’s Souls), and Irina of Castle Morne in Elden Ring.
Now, while both of these Irina’s are blindfolded, that’s about where their similarities end. But, they both obviously share the same name, blond hair, and meek nature as well. Additionally, not only are their names the same, but if the player kills DS3 Irina’s knight, Eygon, he drops his Greathammer, known as “Morne’s Greathammer”. And, the castle where Elden Ring’s Irina is from? Castle Morne. So there’s obviously meant to be a reference between these two characters in some capacity.
Elden Ring is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
