Elden Ring: D, Hunter of the Dead

D, Hunter of the Dead, is one of Elden Ring's more intriguing NPCs, with a backstory deeply tied to the game's complex lore surrounding death, undeath, and the Golden Order. Known formally as "Darian," D dedicates his life to hunting Those Who Live in Death—beings who have been corrupted by Deathroot and defy the natural order by resisting the Erdtree's life-death cycle. His mission makes him a staunch follower of the Golden Order, which decrees that all things should return to the Erdtree upon death.

D's Allies and Relationships

D's allies include some other notable NPCs, like Rogier, the Spellblade, who shares his zeal for rooting out dark forces, and Gurranq, the Beast Clergyman, who has an insatiable hunger for Deathroot. By feeding Deathroot to Gurranq, D believes he can eradicate those who live in death. When the player encounters D in the game, he sometimes enlists them to collect Deathroot, which can be given to Gurranq for unique cheap Elden Ring items and power-ups.

One of the most fascinating aspects of D's character is his twin brother, Devin, with whom he shares a powerful bond. This bond is symbolized by the armor he wears, the Twinned Set, which bears the likeness of two figures—one gold and one silver—entwined. This twin imagery isn't just decorative; it symbolizes D and Devin's deep connection, with hints that they might even share a soul.

The Dagger and D's Tragic End

D's fate is closely tied to Fia, another NPC, who, under mysterious circumstances, provides the player with a dagger that eventually leads to D's death. When the player returns to the Roundtable Hold after receiving the dagger, they find D dead, presumably at Fia's hand. It's implied that this was part of a broader journey Fia is on, though her motives remain partially hidden. Some theories suggest that D's death could either be a murder or a ritualistic act with some agency on his part.

Rewards and Legacy

After D's death, the player can acquire the Twinned Set armor, a symbol of his bond with Devin, as well as additional Elden Ring items from his questline if they continue to engage with his allies and pursue Deathroot. D's legacy lives on through his fight to restore the natural order, standing as a tragic reminder of the costs associated with defying the cycle of life and death established by the Erdtree.