I’ve always been enamored by Elden Ring‘s NPCs. There’s just something magical about the way the game approaches its characters: from Melina’s quiet rage, to Ranni’s smirking mystique, to Alexander’s triumphant courage, each of them portrays an admirable trait that begs countless questions, and always leaves me looking forward to the next encounter. Shadow of the Erdtree is no exception, and I was immediately endeared to Leda ‘s devotion, Thiollier ‘s pathos, and Moore’s obsession. NPCs are a major part of the FromSoft Soulsborne formula. Their personable, and often funny, demeanors bring a lot of humanity to the despairing worlds they inhabit.