The God-Devouring Serpent is the first phase of the fight against Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy. Defeating this boss triggers a cutscene that initiates the battle with Rykard. It can be found at the Volcano Manor on Mt. Gelmir, near the Audience Pathwaysite of grace. It must be defeated to advance Tanith's questline.
The great serpent is an immortal terror, hated for its tremendous gluttony.[4] It seeks to one day consume the world.[5] It has an affinity for lava sorceries and poison. This boss is weak to the Serpent-Hunter's Great-Serpent Hunt, the true power of which activates during this encounter.
Background[]
The elder serpent of Mt. Gelmir has been repelled by the light of the Serpent-Hunter since ancient times.[1][2][6][7] Long before Queen Marika took power, a cult on Mt. Gelmir practiced hexes and performed human sacrifices in reverence to a heretical serpent god.[8] Over time, these practices ceased, and their Gelmir Sorcery was lost to time.
Then, during the reign of Queen Marika, it was rediscovered by the DemigodRykard.[9] During the Shattering, Praetor Rykard willingly allowed the great serpent to devour him.[5] Although his Gelmir Knights obtained the legendary Serpent-Hunter weapon, they failed to defeat their former lord.[10] Now, the great serpent and Rykard share a single body as the Lord of Blasphemy,[11] engaging in an appalling birthing ritual that spawned the Man-Serpents.[12][1] They devour countless champions with the ultimate goal of consuming the gods and the world itself.[3][13][14]
Notes[]
The Blasphemous Blade was stored within the mouth of the God-Devouring Serpent.
The emblem of the Volcano Manor and the sigil for Gelmir Sorceries depict the great serpent consuming Rykard
Serpents were viewed as traitors to the Erdtree long before the great serpent devoured Rykard.[15]
Trivia[]
Concept art shows the snake devouring Rykard shortly after hatching. Two other eggs remain unhatched on a silver platter.
↑Gelmir Knight: "Kill the great serpent. The one that devoured Praetor Rykard. I left the serpent-slaying spear in the Lord's Chamber."
↑Gelmir Knight: "Praetor Rykard's ambitions, though blasphemous, marked him a worthy sovereign. But they were reduced to gluttonous depravity, once he gave himself to the serpent. Whatever that thing is, it is no longer Praetor Rykard. Someone must kill him. To spare him, and his ambitions, from further dishonour."
Audience Pathway site of grace. It must be defeated to advance Tanith's questline.
Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy called the God-Devouring Serpent "Eveligne" in an unused version of the boss transition cutscene.[16]
