Aldia, Scholar of the First Sin

Lore & Background

Aldia is the brother of King Vendrick, ruler of Drangleic. Unlike his brother, Aldia devoted himself to scholarly pursuits, seeking to understand the nature of the curse and the cycle of fire and dark. His research led him to become the Scholar of the First Sin, a title that reflects his investigation into the fundamental truths of the world. Aldia appears throughout the game in versions that include the Scholar of the First Sin update, offering cryptic commentary on the player's journey and the nature of the curse. He questions the cycle of light and dark, suggesting that the choice between linking the fire and allowing it to fade may be a false dichotomy. If the player has defeated Vendrick and encountered Aldia throughout the game, Aldia appears after Nashandra as an additional final boss. After defeating him, the player may either take the Throne of Want or leave it, rejecting the choice between light and dark.

In Their Own Story

Aldia's story is told through his appearances throughout the game in versions that include the Scholar of the First Sin update. He appears at various points, offering cryptic commentary on the player's journey and the nature of the curse. He questions the cycle of light and dark, suggesting that the choice between linking the fire and allowing it to fade may be a false dichotomy. If the player has defeated Vendrick and encountered Aldia throughout the game, Aldia appears after Nashandra as an additional final boss. After defeating him, the player may either take the Throne of Want or leave it, rejecting the choice between light and dark. This ending offers a third option beyond the traditional choice, allowing the player to walk away from the cycle entirely.

Reader's Guide

Aldia appears as an additional final boss in versions that include the Scholar of the First Sin update. To encounter him, the player must have defeated Vendrick and encountered Aldia throughout the game. After defeating Nashandra, Aldia appears as an additional boss. After defeating him, the player may either take the Throne of Want or leave it, rejecting the choice between light and dark. This ending offers a third option beyond the traditional choice, allowing the player to walk away from the cycle entirely. The player can also obtain the three crowns from The Lost Crowns expansions and enter Vendrick's memory with them and Vendrick's own crown. Vendrick then blesses the crowns, allowing them to prevent hollowing while worn; this does not permanently cure the undead curse.

Did You Know?

• Aldia was added to Dark Souls II through the version 1.10 update, released on February 5, 2015.
• Aldia is the brother of King Vendrick, ruler of Drangleic.
• If the player has defeated Vendrick and encountered Aldia throughout the game, Aldia appears after Nashandra as an additional final boss.
• After defeating Aldia, the player may either take the Throne of Want or leave it, rejecting the choice between light and dark.
• The Scholar of the First Sin edition was announced on November 25, 2014, and released in April 2015.