Darkdiver Grandahl

Lore

Darkdiver Grandahl is the leader of the Pilgrims of Dark covenant.

He is an elderly man with a long white beard. He appears to be a paraplegic as he sits in a wheelchair, and if you aggro him he will follow you in it (instead of getting up).

He does not give any clear information about himself or his origins, and no other character in the game makes a reference to him.

He can be found in the following locations:

1. Shaded Woods - reached by falling through a hole into the area with the corrosive liquid and the basilisks.
2. Drangleic Castle - also reached by falling through a hole, this time in the cell containing a Ruin Sentinel on the far left corner of the Ruin Sentinel room.
3. Black Gulch - Also reached by falling, this time onto a barely visible landing on the side of the sheer drop into the darkness below. He is behind an ancient door that will open when the player uses the Forgotten Key.

He will speak with you in each of these locations, but only allow you to join the Pilgrims of the Dark if you have spoken to him in all 3 locations.

When aggroed Grandahl will attack the player with miracles, using his Dragon Chime. He often uses a Wrath of the Gods type spell (it has the same animation but it looks like the casting speed is slower) and a Sunlight Spear spell (which can fire multiple times).

Theories

Darkdiver Grandahl's origins.

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Profound Still – (only sold by Grandahl)

A hex created by an ostracized cleric.
Blocks the spells of nearby casters.

This hex, born of jealousy and humiliation,
is a locus of dark thoughts. The very things
that reflect the true essence of life itself.

Grandahl was a cleric once. It may have been a long time ago or it may have been in Drangleic. During his service he was crippled. But his unerring faith made him continue his services. The other clerics mocked and criticized him for his disability. Because of this he began to turn away from their faith and sought out the Dark, discovering hexes. The other clerics found out and he was ostracized. His jealousy and humiliation focused and he channeled the spell Profound Still. The other clerics were left silenced. The Dark had given him strength and he sought out places where its fragments remained. These places he called "sacred sites" as they allowed access to the Dark Chasm of Old. He considered those who had found them pilgrims.

"You have seen Dark that has existed from times long past.
What once was a great void of darkness became but fragments.
But slowly, the scattered fragments grew, absorbing all things.
It is we who will be pilgrims to these sacred sites" - Grandahl

Grandahl is the Xanthous King

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He is the new Xanthous King, he has possession of the robes and crown. Assuming the robes function like they do in Demon's Souls, the robes/crown are Demonic and steal the life force of those who's wear them. Somehow Grandahl has survived a very long time with them, maybe the reason he looks so old is because of them?

Grandahl is Ingward

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Their clothing is similar, but Grandahl's robes are faded and worn. The natures of the two characters are also similar, both watching over the darkness of the Abyss. It is also probably more than coincidence that both Ingward and Grandahl are voiced by the same actor.

Dialogue

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First encounter:
"Ahh, look how far this Undead has wandered.
And a very fit Undead you are.
A bit too alive, but with a darkish shadow. Yet still unprepared. For a deeper Dark.
And like every Undead, you have no future.
Ooh, my, don't mind me. I'm just talking amongst myself.
But if you find a need for a truer Dark, then meet again, we shall."

When encountered a second time:
"Young Undead, don't let this curse weigh upon you.
We meet a second time. Perhaps you will yet traverse the Dark.
Young Undead, if you truly seek the Dark, then we will surely meet again."

Talking again (during the first or second encounter):
"The Dark is still nascent within you. May the Dark shine your way…"

"May we meet again, somewhere, some time…"

When encountered a third time:
"We meet again, young Undead.
You have the look of a true seeker.
I am Darkdiver Grandahl, seeker of Dark, giver of Dark.
If you seek true Dark, I will grant it to you. As much as you desire.
Well, then… Is Dark what you wish for?"

• Yes: "There you are, you are now a Pilgrim of Dark. The Dark Chasm beckons you. Those drawn to the Dark are destined to seek it."
• No: "Hmm…Perhaps I was wrong. No, no, just ignore me. Young Undead, may the Dark shine your way."

Second request to join covenant:
"We meet again, young Undead.
Do you wish to be guided by Dark?"

• Yes: "There you are, you are now a Pilgrim of Dark. The Dark Chasm beckons you. Those drawn to the Dark are destined to seek it."
• No: "Then choose your own path."

Greeting (after opening entrance to Dark Chasm of Old):
"Finally, you are here, young Undead.
Now, open the depths of darkness.
Young Undead, the Dark awaits you."

"Young Undead, what do you desire?"

When leaving:
"May the Dark shine your way."

When walking off without notice:
"As you wish, yes, as you wish."

When offering human effigy:
"The mouth to the Dark Chasm is not normally open.
If you seek the Dark, young Undead, you must offer a human effigy."

• Yes: "Young Undead, may the Dark shine your way."
• No: "Yes, very well, as you wish."

Talking:
"The embrace of the Dark is gentle. Let it absorb your sorrows, forever."

Talking (after reaching Rank 1 in the Pilgrims of the Dark covenant):
"Young Undead, the Dark beset upon you runs deeper than I had imagined.
Let us see just how much Dark you can endure.
You have seen Dark that has existed from times long past.
What once was a great void of darkness became but fragments.
But slowly, the scattered fragments grew, absorbing all things.
It is we who will be pilgrims to these sacred sites."

Talking (after reaching Rank 2 in the Pilgrims of the Dark covenant):
"I knew that you were special.
You are a true Pilgrim of Dark.
There is more Dark within you than even you know.
Dark is the mother of all. All things were born from it."

Talking (after reaching Rank 3 in the Pilgrims of the Dark covenant):
"Young Undead, you've discovered the truest Dark within you.
A deep, deep Dark it is.
The Dark that we must all face.
We need the Abyss, more now than ever."

When giving equipment to the player:
"Young Undead, my work is done…
I bequeath these to you. Take them on your pilgrimage…"

When attacked and made hostile:
"Young Undead, do you expect me to just keel over?"

When killing the player:
"The Dark within you is faded and pale…"

When killed:
"The Dark… How could you…"

Sources

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Abyss Seal
Ring of the Pilgrims of Dark covenant. Increases the attack strength of hexes, but casting them reduces HP. What is dark? Perhaps we already know. We fear dark, yet find solace in it. Those who join this covenant can see the hidden Dark Chasm.

Dragon Chime
A sacred chime shaped as a dragon. A catalyst for miracles and hexes. This chime sat long in the Dark Chasm, but still one senses a sublime purity. Only those with the deepest faith can wield this chime, but they will be rewarded with greatly amplified spells.

Xanthous Crown
This blindingly-bright yellow costume was said to be worn by the Xanthous King. Perhaps the heinously towering head cloth crown served some purpose, or perhaps it was some strange display of power.

Xanthous Overcoat
This blindingly-bright yellow costume was said to be worn by the Xanthous King. Despite the costume's being in near tatters, its yellow hues remain mysteriously unfaded.

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PREV: Cromwell, the Pardoner

NEXT: Duke Tseldora

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