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Lore
Targray oversees the original chapter of the Blue Sentinels based in the Cathedral of Blue in Heide.
Although he sometimes comes across as condescending due to his unwavering faith in the righteousness of his actions, in reality Targray is selfless and stoic; determined to train himself to achieve a higher state of mind and help fellow Knights of Blue. Targray remained in Drangleic to continue supporting his comrades even after people began fleeing the ruined kingdom and he himself became Undead.
Theories
The origins of the Blue Sentinels.
Targray addresses the player as a Transient being. When you join his covenant he says that you are now able to set down roots in the garden of the gods. His order dedicates themselves to tireless training and selfless adherence to order and justice. But why do this? The Blue Sentinels seek to emulate Quella, the god of dream. Targray believes that he is doing the will of gods, because that is what a god did for him. The Blue Sentinels protect others, they are sentinels - soldiers that stand guard, and watch over others.
Targray believes that he has been chosen by a god. He carries the Grand Spirit Tree Shield and in its description, we can draw a correlation between Targray and his motives:
Shield of the blue spirit tree that
and is said to possess divine powers.
Appears in the allegory of Quella,
god of dream, and can deflect spells
by parrying.
Once there was a boy who was easily
frightened, until the talking tree of dreamworld
transformed itself into a shield to protect him.
We do not know who this boy is, but it may be that it was Targray. So in this description of an item carried by Targray, we have the origins of the Blue Sentinels.
In the guidebook it says that the Blue Sentinels original chapter is from Drangleic, based in the Cathedral of Blue. Targray came to this place as a child, frightened and alone. He fell asleep in the cathedral and what appeared to him was Quella, the god of dream. This god transformed itself into a shield to protect the frightened boy. When Targray awoke, he had the shield with him and was convinced of its reality.
He believed that protecting others was the will of gods and so began the Blue Sentinels. The word "blue" comes from the color of the spirit tree, the god that they based their belief and order upon. "Sentinels" because that is what they are, to all who believe in their cause of protecting others.
Targray carried his belief in Quella throughout his life, as the shield never left his side. Even when he breathes his last he cries:
"Great Sentinel…lead me home…"
Is it too far a stretch to believe that he sees Quella as the Great Sentinel? One who has watched over and protected him his whole life? When he dies, he believes he is returning to that dream land, where Quella will watch over him and he will be home.
When the player has no Token of Fidelity (i.e. when they have not helped anyone) they are considered a Transient Being by Targray. But once you have proved yourself as one willing to adhere to the Blue Sentinel's principles, you lose your transience and become one who grows in the garden of the gods. Though it is never an easy task to dedicate your life to protecting others, it is a worthy one, that is inherently "good".
Rumors about the Blue Sentinels.
When the player has a conversation with Maughlin, they are told:
"A group calling themselves, The Blue Sentinels have gained much power in Volgen. You can’t even run a shop without their blessing, they claim to be working for the greater good, but it’s absolute hogwash! *Sigh*"
This calls into question the intentions of the Blue Sentinels. However, there is a very easy explanation.
The Blue Sentinels began in Drangleic. However, when the undead curse began to spread, all of its members save Targray, forsook the land and traveled elsewhere. It appears that they ended up in Volgen. The order was previously dedicated to protecting others, to tireless training and selfless adherence to order and justice. But the order did not have their leader anymore. They began to drift from their principles. A band of powerful, but rootless warriors arriving in the otherwise peaceful and near defenseless - save for the Falconers - land would be apt to rise to power through ruthlessness under the pretension of good. At first they may have offered their services as protectors to the helpless merchants. But as time went on they realized that they could intimidate and extort merchants who do not wish to pay for their protection into paying for protection from them. And so this is how the Blue Sentinels became a force of evil outside of Drangleic.
Dialogue
First encounter (without a Token of Fidelity):
"Transient being.
This is no place for one such as you.
Be gone. You are not needed."
Talking again (without a Token of Fidelity):
"Transient being, nothing has changed.
You would never make a Knight of the Blue, and I have nothing more to say.
Be gone. You are not needed."
Talking (with a Token of Fidelity):
"Transient being.
You have obtained proof, you are worthy of joining our Order.
You may call yourself one of us, and are free to plant your roots in this garden of the gods.
Be proud. I, Targray, do proclaim, from this day, you are a Knight of the Blue.
Rejoice, and bask in your new honour."
- Yes: "You are no longer a mere vagabond. You are now a guardian, a Knight of the Blue. Proud knight, take this. Wear this ring, and shine light upon stone. Then, you will hear the voices of the blue apostles. Listen for their cries of help, and repel the malicious invaders. This is the proud work of the Knights of the Blue, the way they elevate themselves to a higher plane. I'll provide what you need. You may visit me at any time."
- No: "Do my ears deceive me? Who would refuse such magnificence? Gods, have mercy…on this halfwit. He knows not what he speaks."
Talking again (when not a member of the covenant):
"You are a wandering transient.
Do you rescind your ways, and seek honour as an apostle of blue?"
- Yes: "You are no longer a mere vagabond. You are now a guardian, a Knight of the Blue. Proud knight, take this. Wear this ring, and shine light upon stone. Then, you will hear the voices of the blue apostles. Listen for their cries of help, and repel the malicious invaders. This is the proud work of the Knights of the Blue, the way they elevate themselves to a higher plane. I'll provide what you need. You may visit me at any time."
- No: "Ohh Gods…have mercy…"
Talking (when a member of the Blue Sentinels covenant):
"Proud knight, you may come to me, Targray, for help."
Talking:
"We Knights of the Blue must rely upon one another to achieve our greater goal.
Present your Token of Fidelity.
…to test your strength against other knights."
"We Knights of the Blue must rely upon one another to achieve our greater goal.
Take your Token of Fidelity, and stand there.
…to test your strength against other knights."
"Proud knight, aim high in all things.
We knights must protect the apostles of blue.
Never forget this fact, and by your honour, never eschew your training."
"There are others in this forsaken place who have only a lust for blood.
They conspire to ambush blue apostles on the road.
Knight of the Blue, protect our apostles from these bloodthirsty brigands.
Take pride in your duty as a Blue Knight.
Work hard, and pursue a higher plane."
Talking (when a member of the Brotherhood of Blood covenant):
"Ooh…Ooooh…Unthinkable…
Be gone…And be forever transient."
"Be gone…There is no mercy for your kind."
When leaving, having used his services:
"Pursue your work, Knight of the Blue."
When leaving, without having used his services:
"Do your work, and I will lend you strength."
When walking off without notice:
"Go, and be proud."
Upon reaching Rank 1 in the Blue Sentinels covenant:
"You've achieved much, and approached a higher plane.
But our path is long and arduous.
We must always seek further challenges."
Upon reaching Rank 2 in the Blue Sentinels covenant:
"Knight of the Blue, you have accomplished much.
You are closer still to a higher plane.
You will continue to lead the weak and misguided.
May you always stand proud."
Upon reaching Rank 3 in the Blue Sentinels covenant:
"We walk along an endless path.
Along the way, we see glimpses of a higher plane.
We challenge ourselves, until we breathe our last breath."
When giving equipment to the player:
"Take these. May you achieve great things."
When attacked and made hostile:
"You are my greatest challenge."
When killing the player:
"By my knight's honour…"
When re-encountered after made hostile:
"Welcome back, my greatest challenge."
When attacked and at half health:
"This is the ultimate challenge…"
When killed:
"Great Sentinel…lead me home…"
Unknown:
"Brave knight…Be proud."
Sources
Maughlin Dialogue
"A group calling themselves the Blue Sentinels have gained much power in Volgen. You can't even run a shop without their blessing. They claim to be working for the greater good, oh…but it's absolute hogwash."
Titchy Gren Dialogue
"Have you heard of the Blue Sentinels? They're a thorn in our sides, to say the least. Their men are obsessed with hunting down blood servants. Ah, who cares? It's just another chance to spill more blood. Doesn't that excite you, hm? Heh heh…"
Targray's Helm
Helm of one who guides others. Belonged to Targray, Knight of the Blue Targray can appear obtuse, but the blue knight means no harm. He only wishes to offer guidance to those in need, for that is his purpose.
Targray's Armor
Armor of one who guides others. Belonged to Targray, Knight of the Blue The Blue Sentinels have vowed to uplift themselves through tireless training and selfless adherence to order and justice. May this armor ease their difficult journey.
Blue Knight's Halberd
Halberd of Targray, Knight of the Blue. A fitting weapon for a shepherd of lost souls. Those who put faith in an absolute good also believe in the existence of true evil. But to others, the distinction between the two can be quite unclear.
Guardian's Seal
Ring of the Blue Sentinel covenant. Join this covenant and wear this ring to be automatically summoned to the worlds of blue apostles who have been invaded by dark spirits. The ring is engraved with the crest of the Way of Blue, symbolizing the dignified oath to protect each world's master from dark spirits.
Spirit Tree Shield
A shield with a blue relief of a spirit tree. A rather well-built shield decorated by the spirit tree that appears in the allegory of Quella, god of dreams. Has a faint residue of magic, and can deflect spells by parrying.
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