Elden Ring would not be what it is without the colorful NPCs and their engaging questlines that tell the untold stories of the Lands Between and its people. The side quests are one of the best things about Elden Ring and can serve as a break from the main game when you need it.
However, with the abundant amount of content present in the game, it can be hard to keep track of all of the NPCs and their quests. If you are a player who was excited about the rewards but instead found Seluvis dead in his tower for no reason, don’t worry because you are not alone. Today, we will be answering the hot question: Why is Seluvis dead in Elden Ring?
There is no lore-definite answer that exists regarding the question. However, with the available evidence and subtle lore clues, it is safe to assume that Ranni kills Seluvis. Seluvis will automatically die after you have progressed far enough in Ranni’s quest line. Most likely, she kills him after learning of his nefarious intentions of hurting her.
Confused? We bet! Elden Ring’s lore can get quite confusing. Despair not, fellow Tarnished, for we will be discussing the topic in detail Without further ado, let us answer the question on everyone’s mind: Why is Seluvis dead in Elden Ring
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Why Is Seluvis Dead?
Elden Ring’s lore is chaotically systematic. However, FromSoftware has a habit of trusting the players, almost to a fault at times. The non-linear story can sometimes be hard to put together, especially with minute clues scattered over hours of gameplay. However, we have some plausible explanations for Seluvis’s untimely death. Let us have a look.
Preceptor Seluvis
Preceptor Seluvis is an NPC in Elden Ring who is initially talked to at Ranni’s Rise as a phantom and can then be found in physical form at Seluvis’s Rise.
Seluvis is a grumpy and twisted old man, no two ways about it. Even on our first encounter, he shares some sweet words to make us love him:
I don’t know what it is the mistress sees in a provincial Tarnished like you, but since we have the misfortune of serving the same Lady, I ask that you kindly try not to drag us all down with you.
From the get-go, we can tell that he is going to be problematic. Functionally, Seluvis can be given Sorcery scrolls to purchase spells from him. He does not move, and the spells can be bought using his bell bearing as well.
Reason For Death
Once you have made substantial progress into Ranni’s quest line, Selvius will automatically die. To be exact, it is when you give Ranni the Fingerslayer Blade that Selvius dies. Even if players decide never to interact with Selvius, he can be found dead in his tower at Selvius’s Rise.The internet has searched long and hard for a definite lore-related answer.
The community does not agree on one universal reason for Selvius dying after Ranni is given the blade. However, there are some popular theories. These are discussed below:
Ranni Kills Seluvis
The most popular and plausible theory regarding Selvius dying after the progression into Ranni’s quest is that Ranni herself murders Selvius.
Charming, right? But why would she do such a thing? Well, the straightforward answer is that Ranni grew wise to Seluvis’s twisted and nefarious intentions. She figures out that Seluvis intends to betray her sooner or later so she gets the drop on him and kills him before he can do anything.
That is a tall claim, but where is the proof to back it up, you ask? The answer lies in Seluvis’s quest line. If you have not given the Fingerslayer Blade to Ranni and instead progressed Seluvis’s questline, he will eventually reveal his evil plot.
He does so upon your purchase of all available sorceries and a second puppet from him. He will reveal that he will craft a potion that was capable of turning a demi-god into a puppet as well. Basically, he wanted to drug and destroy Ranni. His initial dialogue also hints towards this.
Choosing this path means betraying Ranni who will then also kill you and Seluvis. Alternatively, if you hand over the Fingerslayer Blade to Ranni and do not assist Seluvis, he will turn up dead, insinuating that Ranni learned of Seluvis’s betrayal and murdered him as punishment.
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Other Theories
Another popular theory states that Blaidd or the Black Knife Assassins killed Seluvis. Blaidd slowly descends into madness and we all know of his loyalty to Ranni. He is found at the base of the tower, speaking of a traitor. This theory is also plausible, but Ranni killing Seluvis holds more substance, considering Ranni’s determination to introduce new order into the Lands Between.
As for the Black Knife Assassin theory, that holds little value when it comes to Seluvis. It may be considered for Iji, but there are no knives when we find Seluvis dead in Seluvis’s Rise. This is the same point when Pidia is torn to shreds by his own puppets.
Things To Note
It should be noted that Seluvis dying locks his quest line for that run. If you wish to progress his quest line but also want to finish Ranni the Witch’s quest line, you should go ahead and betray Ranni. Doing so will lead to you administering the Amber Draught to her, which is essentially you slipping her a cursed roofie developed by a maniacal sorcerer.
You will receive the rewards for Seluvis’s quest. Ranni will then kill both you and Seluvis once you give her the potion. Seluvis’s corpse will be located at the tower. Ranni and Iji will take their leave from the area.
However, you can absolve your sins using a Celestial Dew at the Church of Vows. This will allow you to continue Ranni’s quest line and you can do both in a single run.
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Conclusion
That brings today’s guide to an end. We answered your oft-asked question: Why is Seluvis dead in Elden Ring? Sometimes, you need the stars to align in your favor to finish certain quest lines in Elden Ring.
We hope our guide helped you learn more about why Seluvis dies in Elden Ring. If it did, be sure to leave a comment down below and let us know. Your feedback is much appreciated. Good luck, Tarnished!