So. You killed Rykard? I harbour you no ill will. The strong take. Such is our code. Even he was prepared to meet a wretched end when he first took blasphemy unto his very flesh. But anyroad, the Volcano Manor is no more. Though we may yet fulfil an old promise. We hunted our own kind, and took what was theirs. And with everything in hand, the time has come to rise, against the Erdtree. O Greater Will, hear my voice. I am the recusant Bernahl, inheritor of my brother's will, and you will fall to my blade. We refuse to become your pawns. Consider this fair warning. Who are you? And what in heaven's name are you doing here? The Volcano Manor is a pit of recusants who spit at grace and hunt our own kind. I hope you understand the weight of my words. Well. As long as you understand what you're saying. You have harboured doubts from the very beginning. Perhaps this day was always lurking on the horizon. But know that the path you walk is blasphemy, and leads only to a miserable death. Before you consider hunting any of your own kind, think on that. Then you must leave immediately. Those with weak stomachs have no place here. I thought I told you to leave. Or do you claim to understand? What it means to be a recusant, renouncing grace and hunting down one's own. Well. As long as you understand what you're saying. But know that the path you walk is blasphemy, and leads only to a miserable death. Before you consider hunting any of your own kind, think on that. Oh, a brew, is it? Thanking me for the battle arts? You're one of the good ones. Thank you. Oh, a brew, is it? Fitting, I suppose. For a recusant already drunk on blasphemy. Agh! What's wrong with you? I won't say it twice. Stop this. I suppose I have no choice, then. Is this what grace would have of us? Dog eat dog, once again. A sad lot, we Tarnished. You are an enigma, to be certain. The Volcano Manor awaits you. You're Tarnished, aren't you? I welcome you, to the Church of Vows. I am Miriel, steward of this sacred chamber. My apologies, for the unseemly state of affairs. Do you know the origin of this place? How it came to be known as the Church of Vows? Well, that is a shame. But who can blame you? L'Émiettement has caused us - all of us - to lose sight of something very dear. It is here, at the Church of Vows, that the great houses of the Erdtree and the Moon were joined. By the matrimonial bond between red-haired Radagon and Rennala of the Full Moon. And so, our church holds in view the monuments of both houses. The Erdtree of the Capital, and the Academy of Raya Lucaria. Oh, was there something you needed? You are free to show yourself around. I would serve as your guide, only my legs aren't what they used to be... If you find anything of use, you are free to take it with you. Unless perhaps you are in search of instruction? In which case, I will share all that I know. Whether it be sorcery or incantations, learning should not fetter you to one side or the other. This is, after all, a church celebrating the union of two such opposed practitioners. Is there something else? Greetings. Do you need anything? Do you possess any celestial dew? Then I would like to share my knowledge with you. Concerning the miracle of this Church of Vows. Radagon once cleansed himself with celestial dew, repented his territorial aggressions, and swore his love to Rennala. The Order of the Erdtree and the fate of the moon were conjoined, and all the wounds of war forgiven. This miracle blesses the church to this day. And so, you need only follow Radagon's example, to restore any bond, however strained or severed, to its rightful state of harmony. My faith does not waver. The miracle rooted in these grounds will, once again, mend the world. And this time, its bounty will not be squandered. If you would be Elden Lord, Tarnished, I hope that you, too, will share my faith. Are you taking the sword with you? Oh, fear not, I don't wish to chide you. Clearly, you are no conniving thief. The sword is telling us something, no doubt. Rather than collect dust in the shadows underground, it yearns to be wielded by your rightful hand. Ah, now I recall. As the priest of the Church of Vows, I undo the sword's seal, and bequeath it unto you. May you hold it high and proud. Are you quite finished? Take this opportunity to learn to master your emotions. Worry not, I take no offence. But others are not always so forgiving. Some take to anger, others sorrow... Bonds are fragile things, wont to break under strain. And once they're broken, everything is lost, with naught to gain. Are you quite finished? I suppose my ample frame must have given you quite the fright. Allow me to introduce myself. Miriel, steward of this sacred chamber. My apologies, for the unseemly state of affairs. Do you know the origin of this place? How it came to be known as the Church of Vows? Are you quite finished, now? To experience the miracle, kneel in the basin at the back, and cleanse yourself with celestial dew. Absolution will be yours. Any bond, no matter how strained, or even severed, will be put to rights. Miriel, Pastor of Vows Ah, I see you have undergone absolution, the miracle that blossoms from these grounds. Good. As such, the bond you may have strained or severed... Has been restored, to its rightful state of harmony. Be mindful, not to take for granted... the serenity restored by this miracle. And take care. Never to break a bond again. You wish to know more of Lord Radagon? Lord Radagon was a great champion, possessed of flowing red locks. He came to these lands at the head of a great golden host, when he met Lady Rennala in battle. He soon repented his territorial aggressions though, and became husband to the Carian Queen. However. When Godfrey, first Elden Lord, was hounded from the Lands Between, Radagon left Rennala to return to the Erdtree Capital, becoming Queen Marika's second husband and King Consort. Taking the title...of second Elden Lord. The mystery endures, to this day... As to why Lord Radagon would cast Lady Rennala aside... And moreover...why a mere champion would be chosen for the seat of Elden Lord... You know, it's said that Lord Radagon harboured a secret... A famed sculptor of the Erdtree Capital was once summoned to render Lord Radagon's likeness in giant stature. When he glimpsed the skeleton in Radagon's closet. And as such, it's said the great statue harbours his secret too. You wish to know more of Lady Rennala? She is Queen, head of the Carian royal family, and governor of the Academy of Raya Lucaria. The great and beautiful Full Moon Witch. Sadly, her heart was broken when Lord Radagon left her. And then, when the academy rebelled against the royals, she was locked away in the grand library. In the end, Lady Rennala was left alone, cradling the amber egg Lord Radagon bequeathed her. Now she devotes herself to it through forbidden rite; the grim art of reincarnation. You would do well to remember... Severing a vow, strongest of bonds, has consequences ever more dire. Why, this is nectar, is it not? And you're giving it to me? Oh, wonderful, just wonderful. Truth be told, I'm rather fond of the stuff. I'll happily take it off your hands! Oh, what have we here? Very well, let us both learn together. Heresy is not native to the world; it is but a contrivance. All things can be conjoined. Mngh! Stop it, please. My flesh is akin to stone. I cannot be wounded. I cannot die. But nor will I cause any harm unto you. Cease your futile efforts. Well, aren't we determined. ... ... Aaa...aaargh! What are you lookin' at? You trying to start something, mate? Oh, that necklace what you're after, is it? Hmm, well… Show me what it's worth to you, and I'll consider parting ways with it. I'm not in love with it or nothing. You're a shrewd one, chief. First, you hand me the runes. And don't try nothin', neither. Hmm... Alright. Take it. Thing's no damn use to anyone, anyway. Your bloody idea, mate. Don't come crying to me later. Oh piss off, what is it now? Oh, I see. You want some of me prawn? Freshly cooked, it is. Alright then. It's yours, if you can meet me price. I could be persuaded to sell you some other bits too, if you've got the runes. What the hell is wrong with you. You trying to start something? Piss off. Before I crack you in 'alf. This bloody swine... Decided to play ball now, 'ave you? You'll be wantin' the necklace, then? Think you're bloody clever, do ya? Then how about you piss off? fore I crack you in 'alf. Marika's tits, you must be 'ungry. Alright mate. Want some more prawn, do ya? Alright mate. Still 'ungry, are ya? Never met someone with a taste for prawn I couldn't trust. We'd make good mates, I reckon. I'll be seeing ya. Oh, so you met the girl, did ya? Alright, well, sod the particulars of the matter, But it ain't my fault she's stupid enough to get duped, is it. Anyway, she ain't all right, that one. Lucky she ain't died on the bloody roadside, I reckon. You're Tarnished too, ain'tcha? Can you see it then? The guidance of grace, I mean. I can't see it at all no more. Makes no bloody sense anyway, why some no-name shithead like me should get called to the Lands Between. Cruel bloody joke, you ask me. Maybe something went tits up with it. Maybe... it's been broke for a good long time. The Erdtree, I'm sayin'. You what? Sod the particulars, mate. Ain't my fault people are so bloody stupid, is it? Don't like that it's stolen? Don't sodding buy it.. What are you lookin' at? Oh...you again, is it. Perfect bloody timing, actually. I got crab, cooked up fresh. Marika's tits, you must be 'ungry. Alright mate. Want some more crab, do ya? Alright mate. Still 'ungry, are ya? Never met someone with a taste for crab I couldn't trust. We've got a real thing here, eh, and it's only gettin' better. Mate, there's somethin' I should probably tell ya. You 'eard of the Dung Eater? E's a madman, 'as it out for everyone. Curses 'em. Goes 'round in this rank armour, an' all. You see 'im though, stay well away. I was in the same gaol as him, once, so I know first 'and. E's a god-forsaken monster. Not just some petty thug like me. E's a killer. Kills people and curses their souls... Does all sorts of shit to their corpses, to keep 'em cursed, forever. I ain't seen nothin' more disgustin' in all my years. I ain't ever been more scared, neither. Rooted to the bloody spot... While 'e did all that, to my friend... Yeah...and now I seen it 'ere, again. Never thought I would. What 'e does to those bodies. It was... It was 'im, no question. That monster. He's lurkin' round 'ere. Heh...serves me right. Fitting bloody end, for a jumped up little shit with big ideas...

So. You killed Rykard? I harbour you no ill will. The strong take. Such is our code. Even he was prepared to meet a wretched end when he first took blasphemy unto his very flesh. But anyroad, the Volcano Manor is no more. Though we may yet fulfil an old promise. We hunted our own kind, and took what was theirs. And with everything in hand, the time has come to rise, against the Erdtree. O Greater Will, hear my voice. I am the recusant Bernahl, inheritor of my brother's will, and you will fall to my blade. We refuse to become your pawns. Consider this fair warning. Who are you? And what in heaven's name are you doing here? The Volcano Manor is a pit of recusants who spit at grace and hunt our own kind. I hope you understand the weight of my words. Well. As long as you understand what you're saying. You have harboured doubts from the very beginning. Perhaps this day was always lurking on the horizon. But know that the path you walk is blasphemy, and leads only to a miserable death. Before you consider hunting any of your own kind, think on that. Then you must leave immediately. Those with weak stomachs have no place here. I thought I told you to leave. Or do you claim to understand? What it means to be a recusant, renouncing grace and hunting down one's own. Well. As long as you understand what you're saying. But know that the path you walk is blasphemy, and leads only to a miserable death. Before you consider hunting any of your own kind, think on that.