As I wander these fractured Lands Between in 2026, the weight of my blade is a constant companion. Yet, in a world that screams 'kill or be killed', I've learned that the truest strength often lies in restraint, in knowing which souls are better left unbroken. FromSoftware's masterpiece, Elden Ring, is not merely a crucible of steel and sorcery; it is a test of conscience. The weak, the pacifists, the well-meaning—they are scattered like fragile leaves in a storm, and it falls upon us, the Tarnished, to offer shelter, not the sword. For in their survival, we often find our greatest rewards, our most profound connections to this shattered world.

Patches: The Unkillable Trickster

For most, the sight of that bald, grinning rogue is an invitation to vent every ounce of frustration. Oh, I get it. Patches has a history, a legacy of sadistic tricks spanning across every Soulsborne realm. When I cornered him in that murky cave, his boss health bar appearing, the temptation for sweet, sweet revenge was palpable. But then, true to form, the coward surrendered at half health. Finishing him would have felt good, a real 'gotcha' moment. But I spared him. Why? Because Patches, for all his faults, holds the key to greater treasures. If you let him live, he becomes a merchant and, crucially, assigns you to hunt down Great Horned Tragoth. This kind-hearted Tarnished might help you slay a dragon, but his demise yields the mighty Bull-Goat Set, the most effective physical armor in the game. Killing Patches for petty revenge? That’s a rookie move. He’s the only one who can send you on that lucrative hunt. You gotta keep him alive, if only to see what mischief he’ll cause in the next game.

Elder Dragon Greyoll: Let Sleeping Dragons Lie

In the early days, she was infamous—a defenseless pile of runes lying in the scarlet rot of Caelid. A prime target for farming. But to slay Greyoll is to commit an act of profound historical vandalism. She is the mother of all dragons, the last remnant of the first race to inhabit these lands. With the dragon population near extinction, killing her isn't a victory; it's participating in a genocide. The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC deepened this tragic lore, introducing Bayle the Dread, an ancient traitor whose war likely scarred Greyoll's legacy. She is a monument, a sleeping testament to a world before the Erdtree. To raise a blade against her is to erase history itself. Some rune farms just ain't worth the cosmic guilt, you know?

Latenna the Albinauric: A Guide's Promise

If there is one soul in all the Lands Between who least deserves a violent end, it is Latenna. Her people, the Albinaurics, are synthetic beings hunted and hated by nearly everyone. The Golden Order calls them heretics; Rykard experiments on them freely. Many lose the use of their legs with age, leaving them utterly defenseless. Latenna herself is paralyzed, yet her spirit is one of the most determined I've ever encountered. When she asked me to guide her to the Consecrated Snowfield, the only right answer was 'yes'. Killing her offers nothing but wanton cruelty. In return for your mercy and aid, she grants you the ability to summon her spirit—the Latenna the Albinauric Ashes. To murder her is a cardinal sin far greater than burning the Erdtree. It is the extinguishing of a pure, defiant hope.

Bloody Finger Hunter Yura: The Selfless Hero

The allure of his sleek Ronin's Set is strong. I won't lie. But killing Yura early is the ultimate facepalm move. This man is one of the few truly selfless allies in this land, dedicating his life to hunting down invaders who prey on other Tarnished. He is a defender of the defenseless. If you let his quest play out naturally, he will pass his Nagakiba katana to you on the Altus Plateau. Later, his body becomes inhabited by Shabriri. That is when you strike, claiming both your revenge on the madman and Yura's iconic armor set. Murdering the hero early nets you nothing and costs you everything. Patience, Tarnished. The best gear comes to those who wait.

Miriel, Pastor of Vows: The Turtle Pope

In a realm torn by dogma and demigod wars, Miriel is a beacon of peaceful unity. The so-called Turtle Pope seeks to bridge the gap between Faith and Intelligence, offering a sanctuary for learning all spells. Yes, collecting Bell Bearings from merchants can be convenient, but killing Miriel? That's just plain evil. He doesn't fight back. He just sits there, radiating gentle wisdom. His high defense makes it a chore, and all you get is his Bell Bearing and some Turtle Neck Meat. You lose a unique, kind-hearted teacher and gain... a snack. There is absolutely no benefit. He is too pure, and too useful, to ever harm. Save the turtles, people.

Loretta, Knight of the Haligtree: The Honorable Guardian

Her spectral form bars the path to Malenia, and her death is mechanically necessary. Yet, it always feels like a profound betrayal. Loretta is perhaps the most well-meaning character you are forced to cross blades with. A former leader of the Carian Knights, she abandoned that post to become a protector of the oppressed—the Albinaurics and the Misbegotten. She found her purpose as a knight of the Haligtree, Miquella's haven for the weak. Killing her to then slaughter the very people she died defending is pointlessly cruel cycle of violence. Even if your end goal is to save Melina and avert the Frenzied Flame, it does not justify ending Loretta's honorable vigil. Some duties are noble, even when they stand in your way.

Boc the Seamster: A Spark of Kindness

To kill Boc is to commit an act of senseless, petty evil. He is one of the saddest and most innocent figures in the Lands Between—a seamster spurned by his own kind, crippled by insecurity. We have the choice to help him find self-acceptance or, cruelly, to 'help' him become human in a process that kills him. Why would you? Beyond the basic decency of offering kindness, Boc provides the only service in the game that alters armor aesthetics, removing capes or shortening brims. He has a useful cosmetic role, and his quest is one of the few genuine chances to do good. Don't be that guy.

White Mask Varré: Patience for Payback

Oh, Varré. That first meeting is a masterclass in insult. 'Maidenless' indeed. The urge to smite his smirking face right there at the First Step is almost overwhelming, especially for new players. But hold your horses. Killing him immediately locks you out of his entire questline, which, while unpleasant, offers an early path into PvP invasions as a Bloody Finger. More importantly, if you play along, the quest gives you a legitimate opportunity for revenge later, when his red summon sign appears. Waiting for the perfect moment to strike is far more satisfying than a rash, game-altering murder.

DLC Souls: Thiollier & The Hornsent

The Shadow of the Erdtree expansion brought new characters who test our mercy. Thiollier is... creepy. His obsession with poison and his mysterious black concoction are major red flags. But killing him cuts short one of the DLC's most fascinating subplots, his connection to St. Trina—who is deeply tied to Miquella's story. Similarly, the Hornsent you meet is a masked follower trying to atone for his people's violently bigoted history. While you get a chance to invade him later, it's better to keep him alive to complete his questline and interact with characters like Ansbach. In the Land of Shadow, first impressions can be deceiving.

A Final Reflection

My journey has taught me that not every glowing health bar is an enemy, and not every quiet soul is a threat. The Roundtable Hold stands as proof. In a world so full of challenges, keeping those who can be trusted—or who hold the keys to power—alive is not just mercy; it's the smartest strategy a Tarnished can employ. The Lands Between are a tapestry of tragedy, and we are not obliged to add more threads of blood. Sometimes, the most powerful act is to simply walk away, leaving a fragile soul to see another dawn. That, in its own way, is a kind of lordship.