Elden Ring, like many Souls games prior to Elden Ring Runes it, is somewhat elusive when it is providing crucial information. For instance the game, you've probably seen an odd icon beneath your health stamina, magic, and health bars that shows an orange square that has a downward arrow. "Where do I get that originate?" you may be thinking, and to which I reply, "Have you hugged any stranger women recently?"
When you reach a certain level in the game's beginning--which is 100% after you defeat the first big boss Margit The Fell Omen however some players have reported it happening before too--you'll be invited to The Roundtable Hold. The hub area has many amenities, including blacksmiths, merchants, and even a blacksmith who can improve your equipment than you could on your own. However, the most intriguing NPC is an individual named Fia who is introduced in the game's tense introduction in the form of "the Deathbed Companion."
It may at first appear that Fia is doing much. She is willing to hold youfor a brief moment of love within the Souls genre. She also provides the Baldachin's Blessing which is a special item that boosts your poise at the expense of some of your magic energy before sending you on your journey. The entire scene, though touching, ends without any thought. However, as it is revealed there's a price you must pay to prove to Varre once and for all that you're as innocent as he believes.
Remember that first moment when Fia wants to hold you. Do you remember the part where she asked you to share the fruits of your "lifely vitality" as well as "stout-hardedness" to get her hug? It wasn't just a cute exchange of words on her part. Her embrace actually reduces your HP by 5percent, which is that is indicated by the red square icon that I talked about earlier. It might not seem to be a lot however, I guarantee you that you'll wish you had the 5% back at the end of a difficult boss battle, no matter what the reward she offers you is.
It is good news that regaining lost HP is as easy as applying the Baldachin's Blessing to your inventory.
Are Fia's health-threatening, pseudo-sexually transmitted disease a hint to the Deathbed Companion revealing something more dangerous in Elden Ring's campaign? I'm not able to say for the moment however, a decade of Souls experiences have taught me to not be sure of the people you encounter during these simulations. I wouldn't think it's beyond FromSoftware to make use of cheap Elden Ring Runes something as sweet as giving free hugs at the end of the road to help facilitate a horrendous plot twist.