Scorpioness Najka

Lore

Najka was born of the misdeeds of an ancient being. She and Manscorpion Tark once had a master who created them both long, long ago, so long ago that nobody now remembers when they were born or where their master has gone. Both Najka and Tark were human once and betrothed to each other. They would always be found at each other’s side, but as time went on, things went awry. Najka was a frail soul, and she soon succumbed to madness. She became violent, raging uncontrollably. Eventually, she came after Tark, and they have been locked in combat ever since. Tark asks that you help him kill his betrothed. The wounds they exchange are never lethal and they are at a standstill, waiting for someone to tip the scales.

Najka herself is adept at sorcery and capable of casting both Soul Spear and Homing Soul Mass (Big Hat Logan’s spells). She attacks with a hooked spear/staff that cannot be obtained in game. She wears around her neck a necklace and a pendant shaped like a silver skull.

It is possible that Najka and Tark’s master was Seath the Scaleless himself. Their master was born with a fatal flaw. He resented those who had what he lacked, and became fully mired in hatred because of it. He was a tragically lonely soul, and this solitude eroded his very reason. Eventually, his desire and hatred drove him mad. It was at the peak of this madness that he created Najka and Tark. But, in the end, he never understood what it was that he truly lacked.

While their master may have been Seath, it is interesting to note that Seath’s creations often related to crystallisation or rebirth. Seath sought the scales of his everlasting brethren for himself so that he might gain immortality. He was born with a fatal flaw, and resented those who had what he lacked, eventually driving himself mad. In many ways the story of Najka and Tark’s master connects with that of Seath. However, the existence and attributes of Najka and Tark themselves seems to indicate that they were created by a different hand. Neither of them are related to crystals, and while Najka may somehow be construed as having a relation to the Piasca or rebirth because she is a woman, her fate seems very different. What is very interesting about Tark’s dialogue is that he speaks of his master as a tragically lonely figure. We know that Seath (apart from his Channelers) likely was a tragically lonely figure, but this hardly seems to be something that defines him. The loneliness and solitude of their master is clearly linked to the erosion of his reason, so it seems that what their master lacked, was companionship. This observation becomes more striking when we realize that Tark and Najka were betrothed. They were most certainly a couple who were romantically involved, and their master was tragically lonely, mired in solitude. With these connections, it seems possible if not likely, that their master was simply another form of Seath’s soul, who was obsessed with companionship. Whatever the case, Tark will tell us that we have defeated their master after killing the Duke’s Dear Freja, but end on the ominous note that their master never dies, only changes form, so that he may seethe for all eternity.

Theories

Tark is Black Iron Tarkus and Najka was his companion.

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Tark’s past is a thing obscure, and he only remembers his name… Tark. He and his companion Najka were born of ancient misdeeds. Tark favors physical combat, while Najka is adept at sorcery, displaying prowess with two spells known to originate in the time of Dark Souls 1 and by a contemporary of Black Iron Tarkus. It is likely that Black Iron Tarkus made it to Anor Londo, as he is the only one to offer the Chosen Undead assistance in overcoming the Iron Golem. His armor is then found on a body in the great cathedral housing the Painted World of Ariamis. It is possible that Tarkus set out with his betrothed Najka, a team that could utilize great physical strength and powerful sorceries to overcome any obstacle. Upon reaching Anor Londo, Tarkus could have been captured by Seath himself and both he and Najka taken to the Duke’s Archives, then experimented on and transformed into the beings we encounter. Tark mentions a being with powers similar to theirs who took the form of a spider, but doesn’t know where it disappeared to, speculating it was seduced by madness. This description both fits Chaos Witch Quelaag and possibly the Duke’s Dear Freja. If referencing Quelaag, then it may be a strong hint of Tark’s origins and therefore Najka’s as well. It is interesting to think of their dynamic; Najka a frail soul, and Black Iron Tarkus, gallant and capable. Tarkus would likely have defended Najka in their search for a cure to the curse (which Najka most probably had, considering she succumbed to madness) only to be captured and have that role somewhat reversed, when he is forced to admit that he must kill his betrothed if she is to be at peace.

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