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Alas, I am returned. To be granted audience once more. Upon my name as Godfrey, The first Elden Lord! - Godfrey, First Elden Lord
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Godfrey, First Elden Lord, or Hoarah Loux, Warrior, is a mandatory boss in Elden Ring. The first encounter is in Leyndell, Royal Capital and the second is in Leyndell, Ashen Capital. Godfrey is regarded as the first Elden Lord of the Golden Order,[1] and the former consort of Queen Marika the Eternal.[2]
Background[]
Godfrey was once the simple warrior Hoarah Loux,[3][4][5] a ferocious champion with a ceaseless lust for battle.[6] Later, he became Godfrey when he took the spirit of Serosh upon his back. The Lord of Beasts suppressed his rage,[7] allowing him to conduct himself as Marika's first Elden Lord.
Age of the Erdtree[]
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Godfrey led Marika's golden armies
Before it came to be an embodiment of Order, everything was in opposition to the Erdtree.[8] Godfrey led Marika's golden armies in the War Against the Giants,[9] a decisive conflict thay ended with the Giants' defeat and the confinement of the Fell God's Flame of Ruin.[10] This war heralded the birth of the Erdtree,[11] and the beginning of an age of Order ruled over by Marika and her Elden Lord.
The age of the Erdtree began amidst conflict, and Godfrey was regarded as the "Lord of the Battlefield."[12][9] He fought the Storm Lord alone and emerged the new lord of Stormveil. Later, during the siege of Castle Morne, Godfrey bested a lone hero who wielded a grafted blade and fought for vengeance.[13][14] Godfrey was commander of the Crucible Knights, and Ordovis and his men wore the crest of the axe.[15]
Godfrey and his offspring with Queen Marika were the first Demigods, known as the Golden Lineage.[16] His bond with Serosh became an emblem of this lineage,[17] guiding them as they conquered the Lands Between.[18] Godfrey's double-headed axe symbolized his warrior's vow of conduct and would later become a symbol of the Golden Lineage.[19]
The Long March[]
At the end of his campaign, Lord Godfrey's golden armies remained unvanquished and unbowed.[9] When his last enemy fell, it was said that the golden hue of Godfrey's eyes faded. He found his Grace lost, tattered, and faded.
Godfrey and his warriors were then informed by Queen Marika that she had divested them of their Grace.[20] She drove them from the Lands Between to wage war in a distant land, where they would live and die. Marika promised Godfrey and his men that after their deaths,[21] they would regain what she had taken from them. They would return to the Lands Between with the strength required to brandish the Elden Ring.
Thus, Godfrey and his kinfolk became the Tarnished.[22] They left the Lands Between together on a pilgrimage known as the Long March, at the end of which Godfrey divested himself of kingship and became a simple warrior once more.[3]
Godfrey became a chieftain of the Badlands under the name of Hoarah Loux.[5] The head of his axe had been broken in a battle fought during the Long March.[19] His loyal warriors honored him by wielding axes of their own, and they became the weapon of choice for Badlands chieftains.[23]
Return to the Lands Between[]
Hoarah Loux's Grace is returned
At some point, Hoarah Loux died. However, when the Elden Ring was shattered following the death of his son Godwyn the Golden,[24] the Tarnished who had died outside the Lands Between were returned to life by the call of their long-lost Grace.[25] The Tarnished, who had grown strong in the face of death, crossed the fog and returned to the Lands Between, to stand before the Elden Ring and become Elden Lord.[26] Godfrey was among those who made their way back to the Lands Between.
The Ashen Capital[]
After a Tarnished champion has claimed the Great Runes, burned the Erdtree, and unbound the Rune of Death,[27] they return to the city of Leyndell and approach the Erdtree. At the Elden Throne, they find Godfrey, Serosh on his back, mourning the death of Morgott, whom the Tarnished had previously slain.[28]
Godfrey rises to his feet and addresses the Tarnished. He acknowledges their effort, however he declares his intention to once again be granted audience.[29] The two Tarnished do battle, and Godfrey finds himself overpowered. The former Elden Lord grabs the head of Serosh, thanks him for his service, and then tears him from his back.[30] Drenched in the blood of his loyal regent, Godfrey resumes the fight, now as Hoarah Loux.[4]
Nevertheless, the Tarnished defeats Godfrey, who declares that their strength befits a crown.[31] With Godfrey dead, the Tarnished finally gains entry to the Erdtree, to seek audience with Queen Marika.
Boss fights[]
Moveset[]
| Moveset List | |
| Ground Smash | Phase 1 |
|---|---|
| Slams his axe into the ground, leaving half of it buried for a moment, before pulling it back out, causing a small earthquake. | |
| Axe Swings | Phase 1 |
| Swings his axe several times. | |
| Stomp | Phase 1 |
| Stomps, causing spikes of rock to rise out of the ground in front of him. | |
| Jumping Smash | Phase 1 |
| Leaps into the air and falls back down, axe-first. | |
| Jumping Axe Throw | Phase 1 |
| Leaps into the air and throws his axe at the player, before launching himself towards the axe to retrieve it. | |
This is a boss fight against a golden, spectral version of Godfrey. He is fought within the Erdtree Sanctuary, accessed by climbing up a large root south of the West Capital Rampart Site of Grace. This battle is not optional as he must be defeated to progress Leyndell further and continue the story. Compared to the later encounter, this version of Godfrey has a greatly reduced moveset, mainly consisting of close-range axe swings. He can create areas of effect by stomping or smashing his axe into the ground, and he may also throw his axe at the player from a distance.
Environment[]
Godfrey is fought in a long, fairly spacious room. There is a narrower, lower section to the left of the entrance, as well as various pillars which may restrict movement or allow one to gain distance from the boss.
Nepheli Loux, Warrior and Shabriri are both available as summons for this fight, provided their questlines have been completed. Like the first battle, this fight is not optional and must be defeated to reach the final bosses of the game.
Moveset[]
| Moveset List | |
| Ground Smash | Phase 1 |
|---|---|
| Slams his axe into the ground, leaving half of it buried for a moment, before pulling it back out, causing a small earthquake. | |
| Axe Swings | Phase 1 |
| Swings his axe several times. | |
| Stomp | Phase 1 |
| Stomps, causing spikes of rock to rise out of the ground in front of him. | |
| Jumping Smash | Phase 1 |
| Leaps into the air and falls back down, axe-first. | |
| Jumping Axe Throw | Phase 1 |
| Leaps into the air and throws his axe at the player, before launching himself towards the axe to retrieve it. | |
| Uppercut | Phase 1 |
| Drags his axe along the ground and swings upwards. Follows with a stomp. | |
| Axe Scrape | Phase 1 |
| Scrapes his axe along the ground in an arc. May follow up with a downward swing, momentarily burying his axe in the ground. | |
| Axe Thrust | Phase 1 |
| Thrusts his axe forwards. May follow up with an additional swing. | |
| Fissure | Phase 1 |
| Raises his axe above his head and then smashes it into the ground. A long fissure spanning the length of the arena opens in the ground. Energy will erupt from the fissure, dealing heavy damage. | |
| Regal Roar | Phase 1 |
| Raises his axe above his head and lifts his leg off the ground. After a brief delay, he stomps down, creating a large shockwave. The roar will buff him, causing his stomp attacks to create shockwaves. | |
| Bash | Phase 1 |
| Performs a close-range bash with the head of his axe. | |
| Kick | Phase 2 |
| An upwards kick which knocks down the player. | |
| Claw Swipes | Phase 2 |
| Performs several rapid swipes with his hands, ending with an uppercut. | |
| Jump-Slam | Phase 2 |
| Leaps into the air and slams down on the ground with his open hand, causing a shockwave. | |
| Double Stomp | Phase 2 |
| Performs a stomp similar to phase 1, causing spikes to erupt from the ground. Follows up with a second stomp. | |
| Claw Rush | Phase 2 |
| Crosses his hands in front of himself and charges at the player, before slashing at them with both claws. If he hits the player, they will be thrown into the air, and Godfrey will jump up and smash them into the ground. | |
| Shockwave | Phase 2 |
| Roars, knocking the player back if they are in range. Leaps into the air and slams down with his hand, creating an earthquake similar to his jump-slam attack. Slams both hands into the ground and pulls them back up, creating a huge earthquake around him and causing energy to erupt from the ground. | |
| Grab | Phase 2 |
| Winds his arm back and grabs the player by the neck. If the grab is successful, he lifts the player up and slams them into the ground. | |
| Stomp-Claw Combo | Phase 2 |
| Roars, and then unleashes a series of stomps and claw swipes. | |
| Hoarah Loux's Earthshaker | Phase 2 |
| Raises his hands above his head and raises one leg. Stomps down and simultaneously smashes both fists into the ground, creating a shockwave. Follows up with a second shockwave. This attack applies a buff to Godfrey which increases the damage of his stomp attacks. | |
Phase 1 - Godfrey, First Elden Lord[]
Godfrey will usually initiate the fight by throwing his axe at the player and then dashing after it.
Godfrey has a stomp attack similar to that of the Crucible Knights, causing spikes to come out of the ground that are easier to dodge by jumping than to i-frame with a roll. He will generally follow up on the spike stomp with a series of axe swings, but can do a second stomp at any time, even repeatedly.
Godfrey's primary offense will be axe swing combos. They can be dodge rolled safely and involve enough delays for the player to sneak in a hit before having to dodge again.
He retains his moves from the earlier fight, with the addition of more close-range axe attacks and some abilities that generate earthquakes.
Phase 2 - Hoarah Loux, Warrior[]
After his health drops below 50%, a cutscene plays and phase 2 begins. Godfrey no longer has Serosh or his axe, and has an almost entirely new, grappling-based fighting style.
Phase 2 always starts with him rushing towards the player with a delayed command grab. He will always briefly go into slow-motion mid-jump, which can roll-catch. He will attempt to grab the player like this multiple times over the course of phase 2. Properly rolling out of the way of it gives you one of the largest time windows to attack him out of his entire phase 2.
He will do many other grab attacks, ground-slams, leap attacks, delayed kicks and delayed stomp attacks. Panic-rolling and blocking is not recommended.
When he begins to crack the ground after a leap attack by smashing his hands into the ground, the player must run away from him as far as they can, otherwise they will get blown up by an explosion that is very difficult to roll through. He often announces this attack by knocking the player away from him with a roar.
Environment[]
The arena is a wide, circular platform with no obstacles. It is the same arena where Morgott, the Omen King was fought previously.Notes[]
- Serosh bites on Godfrey's shoulder during the fight at the Elden Throne.
- The character Nepheli Loux shares her last name with Godfrey/Hoarah Loux, implying some sort of kinship. The nature of their relationship is unknown, but Kenneth Haight deems Nepheli to be of the "proper lineage", implying that she is an heir as either a daughter or descendant of Hoarah Loux. Godfrey/Hoarah Loux became the rightful ruler of Stormveil Castle after his one-on-one duel with the Storm Lord, which is why Nephili Loux is a valid candidate.
- The axe that the golden phantom version of Godfrey wields is unbroken, featuring two blades, implying that it is modelled on Godfrey's appearance before the Long March.
Trivia[]
- Much of Godfrey's character shares ties with the mythical Greek hero, Heracles. Godfrey possesses earthshattering strength, endured harsh trials to earn his godhood, slew the mightiest of the Giants, has a connection with lions through Serosh, and he even enters a berserker state.
- There are also parallels between Godfrey and Arthur, legendary King of Britain, with both being great warriors once presiding over a lost golden age, and with Arthur himself being away - but prophesized to one day return, reclaim his rule and save his people. Other parallels include the round table seen at the Roundtable Hold, and his chief Crucible Knights, Ordovis and Siluria, being named for ancient Celtic tribes in Pre-Roman Britain.
Dialogue[]
| English Dialogue |
| Intro cutscene |
|---|
| It's been a long while, Morgott. |
| Long and hard didst thou fight. |
| Tarnished Warrior. |
| Spurned by the grace of gold. |
| Be assured, the Elden Ring |
| resteth close at hand. |
| Alas, I am returned. |
| To be granted audience once more. |
| Upon my name as Godfrey, |
| The first Elden Lord! |
| Phase 2 cutscene |
| Nngh! |
| That will be all. |
| Thou didst me good service, Serosh. |
| I've given thee courtesy enough. |
| Rrraaargh! |
| Now I fight as Hoarah Loux! |
| Warrior! |
| If the player is killed (phase 1) |
| Tarnished Warrior. 'Twas nobly fought. |
| If the player is killed (phase 2) |
| A crown is warranted with strength! |
| Death |
| Brave Tarnished... |
| Thy strength befits a crown. |
| Japanese Dialogue |
| Intro cutscene |
|---|
| …久しかったな、モーゴットよ |
| …よくぞ、戦い抜いた |
| 褪せ人よ |
| 黄金に祝されぬ戦士よ |
| 偉大なるエルデンリングは |
| 確かに、ここにある |
| だが、私は帰ってきた |
| 再び、それに見えるために |
| 我が名はゴッドフレイ |
| 最初のエルデの王として |
| Phase 2 cutscene |
| もう、よい |
| ずっと、世話をかけたな、セローシュよ |
| 行儀のよい振りは、もうやめだ |
| 今より、俺はホーラ・ルー！ |
| 戦士よ！ |
| If the player is killed (phase 1) |
| 褪せ人よ。よい、戦いであった |
| If the player is killed (phase 2) |
| 力こそ、王の故よ！ |
| Death |
| 褪せ人よ… |
| その力こそ、王の故よ |
Gallery[]
References[]
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