Those Who Live in Death | Elden Ring Wiki
Those Who Live in Death are a faction in Elden Ring comprised mostly of the awakened undead. They can be found all across the Lands Between and can rise again after being initially slain. They exist in opposition to the Erdtree and are patiently waiting for the revival of the Prince of Death. For the related spell class, see Death Sorceries.
We, who humbly live in Death... Live in waiting, to one day welcome our Lord." - Fia
Affiliates of Those Who Live in Death
Those Who Live in Death Lore
On The Night of the Black Knives a group of shrouded killers slew Godwyn the Golden and on his body the Black Knife Assassins led by Alecto carved the half-wheel wound of the centipede. At the same time, Ranni the Witch was able to discard her flesh with the mark of the other half-wheel while Godwyn perished in soul alone. Though Godwyn was a scion of the golden lineage, he was the First of the Dead among the demigods, and could not be granted a true death. He would later become known as the Prince of Death and after his burial beneath the Erdtree the Rune of Death spread across the Lands Between through the underground roots, sprouting in the form of Deathroot. Those who come into contact with Deathroot are met with a grotesque fate. It is said that Those Who Live in Death followed after this event, and that the dead have long been left to wander; what they need is leadership.
However, the Golden Order has no mercy for those who trespass beyond life's bounds, and so the undead became hunted by the Golden Order's fundamentalists. They created effective spells and items to combat Those Who Live in Death and prevent them from reviving. Those effected also include Death Rite Birds and Skeletal Snails. In the time when there was no Erdtree, death was burned in ghostflame. Deathbirds were the keepers of that fire, andfrom those cinders arose vengeful spirits. Priests would become guardians of the birds through the rite of Death, which also serves as an oath sworn to their distant resurrection.The Deathbirds hail from the twinbird who is said to be the envoy of an outer god, and mother of the Deathbirds. In the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, Gravebirdswere crafted to be kindred to the Deathbirds and guard the spiritgraves built where all manners of Death ultimately drift. The land of spiritgraves is home to all manner of dead, and even the corpses of fallen dragons found their way there. Several of them were endowed with such vivacity that even in death, they could not fully die. Death Knights can also be found in the catacombs who were once Godwyn's personal guard, they quested to find their transfigured master's cadaver surrogate for the coming age of the Duskborn.
Those Who Live in Death Lore
Lore Items Related to Those Who Live in Death
Cursemark of Death
Cursemark carved into the discarded flesh of Ranni the Witch. Also known as the half-wheel wound of the centipede.
This cursemark was carved at the moment of Death of the first demigod, and should have taken the shape of a circle.
However, two demigods perished at the same time, breaking the cursemark into two half-wheels.
Ranni was the first of the demigods whose flesh perished, while the Prince of Death perished in soul alone.
Deathroot
A source that gives rise to Those Who Live in Death.
The beast clergyman, found at Bestial Sanctum in the distant east, collects and devours these roots.
On the night of the dire plot the stolen Rune of Death enabled the first Death of a demigod. Later, the Rune of Death spread across the Lands Between through the underground roots of the Greattree, sprouting in the form of Deathroot.
Prince of Death's Cyst
A fetid, overgrown cyst taken from facial flesh. 'Greatly raises vitality.
(Vitality governs resistance to the effects of Death.)
It is said that this cyst came from the corrupted visage of one unable to die a true Death. Indeed, it comes from the Prince of Death, scion of the golden bough and First of the Dead among the demigods.
Skeletal Militiamen Ashes
Ashen remains in which spirits yet dwell. Use to summon the spirits of two skeletal militiamen.
These are the spirits of militiamen who live in Death, and will' continue to rise again until properly finished off. This is the grotesque fate of those who come into contact with' Deathroot.
Tibia's Summons
Sorcery of the servants of Death.
Summons a group of Those Lost in Death. Three skeletons will appear some distance from the caster and attack foes before disappearing.
The dead have long been left to wander; what they need is leadership.
Sacred Order Pot
Craftable item prepared using a ritual pot. Enchanted by incantations of the Golden Order.
Consumes FP. Throw at enemies to inflict heavy holy damage.
Highly effective against Those Who Live in Death, even preventing them from rising again. The Golden Order has no mercy for those who trespass beyond life's bounds.
Explosive Ghostflame
Sorcery of the servants of Death.
Strike the ground with the staff, triggering an explosion of ghostflame that burns the surrounding area.
In the time when there was no Erdtree, death was burned in ghostflame. Deathbirds were the keepers of that fire.
Death Ritual Spear
Ritual spear used by priests of old who were permitted to come among the Deathbirds.
The priests became guardians of the birds through the rite of Death, which also serves as an oath sworn to their distant resurrection.
Rancor Pot
Craftable item prepared using a cracked pot.Enchanted by the ancient death hex.
Consumes FP. Throw at enemies to spawn vengeful spirits that chase down foes.
In times of old, the dead were burned with ghostflame, and from those cinders arose vengeful spirits.
Twinbird Kite Shield
Shield featuring a vividly painted twinbird. The twinbird is said to be the envoy of an outer god, and mother of the Deathbirds.
At dwindling levels of HP, this shield slightly boosts both attack and defense.
Baldachin's Blessing
Favor bestowed by a deathbed companion. Protection of a hidden temple in the guise of a bedchamber.
Uses FP to temporarily boost poise.
The favor allows one to forget any aches and pains. In Death, there is only peace, for in Death, there can be no sensation.
Mending Rune of the Death Prince
Rune gestated by Fia, the Deathbed Companion. 'Used to restore the fractured Elden Ring when brandished by the Elden Lord.
Formed of the two hallowbrand half-wheels combined, it will embed the principle of life within Death into Order.
The Golden Order was created by confining Destined Death. Thus, this new Order will be one of Death restored.
Gravebird's Blackquill Armor
Stone armor with a tinge of green. One of a set of armor pieces cast in the image of the Gravebird. Featuring a cape of black Deathbird feathers, it enhances jumping attacks.
Gravebirds are ancient golems, created to guard the spiritgraves built where all manners of Death ultimately drift.
Death Knight Helm
Golden helm of the Death Knights, whose own death masks served as the visards of their armor. Enhances skills and incantations of the capital's ancient dragon cult.
The decayed golden wheel that adorns it represents their unbroken loyalty to Godwyn, he who became Prince of Death.
Death Knight Armor
Golden armor of the Death Knights, adorned with an antiquated depiction of the Erdtree. Enhances skills and incantations of the capital's ancient dragon cult.
These knights, once Godwyn's personal guard, quested to find their transfigured master's cadaver surrogate—for the coming age of the Duskborn.
Dialogues Related to Those Who Live in Death
Fia, Deathbed Companion
Finally, it is returned to its rightful place. The stolen hallowbrand, of the exalted noble. And now, I must bid you goodbye as well. Though I ask you deliver this message to the Roundtable Hold. I am Fia, Deathbed Companion. Hark, Roundtable. Disturb not the Death of Godwyn, the exalted. We, who humbly live in Death... Live in waiting, to one day welcome our Lord. What right does anyone have to object? Our Lord will rise. The Lord of the many, and the meek.
I see. Then you must kill me. For I am the companion of Godwyn, Prince of Death. I wished to be a mother to Those Who Live in Death. So it is, that any loathing, any hatred that overshadows them... I must bear, as a matter of duty, with my own flesh.
I will soon lay with Godwyn. And it will surely stir within me. the new life of the golden prince, and first Dead of the demigods, as the rune of Those Who Live in Death. Please, do one thing for me. Brandish this child, my rune, and take for yourself the throne. Stay the persecution of Those Who Live in Death. By becoming our Elden Lord.
Sorcerer Rogier
The misshapen corpse under Stormveil? That is a sacred relic. Of the black knives plot. As that famed night of assassination is known. 'It happened during the Golden Age of the Erdtree, long before the shattering of the Elden Ring. Someone stole a fragment of the Rune of Death from Maliketh, the Black Blade. And on a bitter night, murdered Godwyn the Golden. 'That was the first recorded Death of a demigod in all history. And it became the catalyst. Soon, the Elden Ring was smashed, and thus sprang forth the war known as the Shattering.
I'm afraid there's something I must tell you. 'Do you know of Those Who Live in Death? 'The very notion of life in death defies the Golden Order. 'By D's account, these defiled fiends must be expunged. 'But truth be told, I seek the cursemark to save them. 'You may find this peculiar, 'but I discovered something in my examination of the Night of the Black Knives. 'These souls have committed no offence. They have every right to life, only, they happened to touch upon a flaw in the Order.
D, Hunter of the Dead
I'm sorry, I cannot give you your proper rites... But at least you did not join Those Who Live in Death. Your soul will return to the Erdtree, in time. Honeyed rays of gold, deliver this spirit.
Ah, a Tarnished, are you? I'm known as D. I hunt down Those Who Live in Death, and weed their Deathroot. Heed my warning. The village here has been touched by Death. And worse yet, it is home to a mariner. If you value your life, then go no further.
I have a matter of my own to attend to. I spotted the mark of the centipede here in the village. An ill-omened symbol that should not be. Someone, or something, threatens the sanctity of the Golden Order. And must be eradicated.
I serve the Golden Order. That I might put this crooked land to rights. Following only the guidance of the great Elden Ring. Those Who Live in Death fall outside the principles of the Golden Order. Their mere existence sullies the guidance of gold. Tainting its truth. And so it is the vermin must be exterminated... Down to the very last.
