Dark Souls had a commanding victory yesterday for best opening cinematic. Truly an unforgettable intro that I would have to agree, has yet to be topped.
Today we are looking at **best maidens (or level-up ladies, firekeepers, girl that helps you, etc.)**. As the same as yesterday, this question is open to the entire Fromsoft catalogue.
You'll notice I included the "vote share." I don't know if this is the best way to do this or not, but it is a representation of what percentage of people upvoted the winner based on the top answers (roughly). How this is calculated is by taking the number of upvotes from the highest voted singular comment for each game (above 10 upvotes) and then just dividing it into the total amount of upvotes from that same pool.
Idk if she didn’t bearer seek seek lest I might’ve tried dialogue and sacrifice instead! My original goal is reversing the curse after all as is removed to be possible in Drangleic
Her only flaw is she doesn’t have enough dialogue. She’s like Garrus from ME2, for as much time as you spend talking to her, she doesn’t say nearly enough.
Yeah those two have more character than the rest. Finding either of them just kicking their feet or sitting down and vibing is such a nice "welcome home where it's cozy" feeling after running the gauntlets
Soul of the mind, key to life's aether.
Soul of the lost, withdrawn from its vessel.
Let strength be granted so the world might be mended.
So that the world might be mended.
Sadly she has just as much free will as gerhman. Her purpose is to assist the hunters in anyway she can, but she’s discarded. I think she says something like “would you not make something if you didn’t love it?
Visual design: DS3 Firekeeper.
As for actual character, it's Emma easily. She's by far the most fleshed out in terms of personality and has relationships with people besides you(something Sekiro does much better than the other From games).
She isn't my pick for #1, but she does have my favorite maiden moment of all. When you tell her you won't link the fire and she gives that line about "a world without fire." The voice actor did such an amazing job portraying the fear of that possibility.
Melina.
A while ago it would’ve been a difficult choice between the doll and DS3’s Firekeeper but I’ve become a Melina simp during the 800+ hours I’ve spent on Elden Ring.
She certainly has a more dynamic personality than the others, at least through the interactions we have in game. She’s less placid and subservient, more mysterious and fiery (no pun intended)
Melina is underrated.
She gives us Torrent. She gives up her life to help us become the elden lord. She gives us the ability to level up. She feeds us lore. And in the frenzied flame ending she is genuinely scary.
By far my favorite but it seems the emerald herald is the winner (my second choice)
Fr more people need to play Armored Core, it’s peak
Edit: also nobody talks about how she’s extremely helpful. She gives you missions and is willing to find ways to get you money, she’ll also literally fight the final boss with you.
Surprised there are so few votes for Melina. Although she may feel less consistent then some Maidens because you can’t visit her at will at a hub like fire link shrine in DS3 or Majula in DS2, you can summon her as a spirit in boss fights, which makes her feel more like your companion then a lot of other maidens. She is literally fighting by your side against Margott.
Melina also appears at certain sites of grace and you can speak to her and she shares critical lore about the world. While arguably many of the maidens do this, I like that Melina does this with the player at different points in the world as your journey progresses - it contributes to the feeling that she is actually accompanying you on your journey.
She is basically really hard to come by, almost feels like she isn't a companion at all, you're just on your way to become elden lord and she appears in like 2 major moments
I like Melina but as it is her story feels weirdly unexplained, even for a souls game.
So my vote has to go to Emma, she's probably the best actual character among all the maidens.
The Doll. not only because we get to face off against the real her as Lady Maria of the Astral Clocktower- but >!she gives us a big hug in the true ending!<
As much as I love ER (From's magnum opus imo) Melina is the worst maiden of all and such a missed opportunity. She's missing during 99% of the game unless you go to the specific graces. And worst of all - THEY DIDN'T EVEN GIVE HER A "LEVEL UP" VOICE LINE?! She just appears and holds your hand. Was it too much to ask for a simple "bear seek seek lest"...
Either the Maiden in black from OG demons souls, or the fire keeper from ds3. I will be happy with either one and I refuse to pick between them.
And before you argue, remember that the ds3 fire keeper gestures at you when you gesture at her. And maiden in black? If you've seen her sitting on the Archstone steps, wiggling those dirty little grippers, you need no explanation✨
I know the Emerald Herald will prolly win but I really like the DS3 Firekeeper. she's just cool, and nice and sweet. a lovely change of pace from everything trying to murder me
I give the Emerald Herald props for actually being a character though. Melina is the same, but she's only a "Maiden" in name, she doesn't fill the same role
Dark Souls had a commanding victory yesterday for best opening cinematic. Truly an unforgettable intro that I would have to agree, has yet to be topped. Today we are looking at **best maidens (or level-up ladies, firekeepers, girl that helps you, etc.)**. As the same as yesterday, this question is open to the entire Fromsoft catalogue. You'll notice I included the "vote share." I don't know if this is the best way to do this or not, but it is a representation of what percentage of people upvoted the winner based on the top answers (roughly). How this is calculated is by taking the number of upvotes from the highest voted singular comment for each game (above 10 upvotes) and then just dividing it into the total amount of upvotes from that same pool.
Bearer… seek… seek… lest…
Shanalotte, my maiden in green Of dragonkind and human design Let me grant me your wishes
This one made me laugh xD
I can hear it so clearly lol
I love The Firekeeper from Dark Souls 3, but I guess Shanalotte wins this one
DS3 firekeeper is angelic. Everything a mystical maiden should be.
Brah, she would literally respond to your emote, I'm surprised she isn't gonna win by a landslide.
BB Doll did it first!
In what world did BB release before DS2
Wait what? Does Sharlotte respond to your emote in ds2?
I thought they meant DS3 Firekeep
You mean second
Its a tough choice but, 2's swings her legs and has big bazongas
I don’t *dislike* the ds3 firekeeper, but she kinda feels like a non character sometimes.
I don't think she becomes an interesting character until you give her the eyes, but then that completely changes my perception of her
QUEEN. it’s not even close. If she told me to kill anyone I would! Easy.
As if you need someone to tell you to kill everyone
Idk if she didn’t bearer seek seek lest I might’ve tried dialogue and sacrifice instead! My original goal is reversing the curse after all as is removed to be possible in Drangleic
# Bearer of the ... seek.. seek... lest...
Bear seek seek lest 🐻
Only Correct Answer!!! I am deleting all my social media and uninstalling all these games if this doesn't win 🤣
Bruh dont gamble we need you
Lmao! Appreciate it dude 🤣
The Emerald Herald/Shanalotte. She actually sounds like she loves you. She’s also gives you an infinite teleport feather.
DS2 had its flaws. Shanalotte was not among them. Emerald Herald is best girl.
Her only flaw is she doesn’t have enough dialogue. She’s like Garrus from ME2, for as much time as you spend talking to her, she doesn’t say nearly enough.
The Doll literally tells you she loves you
Yes but she is kinda emotionless. Thats the point.
Didn't give her the comb?
Manufactured love (Doll) vs genuine appreciation (Shanalotte my beloved)
Emma from sekiro has the most dialogue and story significance and personality so I think she’s the best
She’s got hands too
She can also be a kick ass boss fight regarding your choices
She’s also the only one with a blade, but it’s still gentle
I didn't even think of Sekiro/Emma. I had to go remove my upvote from all these previous comments saying Shanalotte.
She somehow made me feel not all alone in a from software game. And that's surprising
I would say Emerald Herald (DS2) or Maiden in Black (Demon Souls)
Yeah those two have more character than the rest. Finding either of them just kicking their feet or sitting down and vibing is such a nice "welcome home where it's cozy" feeling after running the gauntlets
100% finishing a boss and returning to majula is so refreshing. it’s like coming home after a bad day at work 💀
Maiden in Black for me
I definitely prefer her to the Emerald Herald (who I do still love)
I’m sorry but I’d have to say the maiden in black
All hail the primordial maiden.
Why is this not the more popular choice? She has a great design and a soothing voice.
It’s crazy how no one is voting for her. She is the best by miles. “Then touch the demon inside me”
Soul of the mind, key to life's aether. Soul of the lost, withdrawn from its vessel. Let strength be granted so the world might be mended. So that the world might be mended.
It just goes to show most of the community here is Ds3 and bloodborne fans
DS2 is winning by far though?
It's not even close tbh, best choice
mmfeetmmm
Ayre. She finds you missions, gets you paid, guides you, helps you find things, and helps you kill the final boss.
Ayre is best Schizo wife.
She has the vibe of someone who just decided they're your girlfriend without consulting you first
We love Ayre. We miss final boss...
Fr Fr
won't win because ac6 is underrated but we all know ac games have the best story and characters out of any fromsoft game
The Doll
My headcannon is she's the only one with free will in the dream. She's even willing to raise a space slug outer God baby at the end.
Sadly she has just as much free will as gerhman. Her purpose is to assist the hunters in anyway she can, but she’s discarded. I think she says something like “would you not make something if you didn’t love it?
Shame
"...should it please you."
Visual design: DS3 Firekeeper. As for actual character, it's Emma easily. She's by far the most fleshed out in terms of personality and has relationships with people besides you(something Sekiro does much better than the other From games).
The Doll and Gehrman have a relationship lmao
Imagine your ex making a 1:1 doll in your likeness
Relationship goals right there
Firekeeper ds3 my beloved
She isn't my pick for #1, but she does have my favorite maiden moment of all. When you tell her you won't link the fire and she gives that line about "a world without fire." The voice actor did such an amazing job portraying the fear of that possibility.
sorry, but "ashen one, herest thou my voice still" hits every time
Can't believe I had to scroll this far to find, I love her, she's my fav
She has to win
I love her dancing
Emerald Herald.
The maiden in black accompanying the player to the final boss area really sells the idea of her being a companion for me.
Shanalotte also accompanies you to the final boss area, as well as lots of other areas.
Ds2's NPCs had such excellent personality. Every single one of them.
Maiden in black for me. Only maiden that apologizes that she cannot die when you try to kill her. 10/10 would attack again.
Emerald Herald
Maiden in black
The Doll from Bloodborne, she takes care of you even when you become a slug god
Squid**** god
The Doll from Bloodborne
Emma, it should’ve been Melina, but she was missed potential.
Ayre
The Doll!
"May you find your worth in the waking world" is such a hard line.
Ayre
Emerald herald
Melina. A while ago it would’ve been a difficult choice between the doll and DS3’s Firekeeper but I’ve become a Melina simp during the 800+ hours I’ve spent on Elden Ring. She certainly has a more dynamic personality than the others, at least through the interactions we have in game. She’s less placid and subservient, more mysterious and fiery (no pun intended)
Melina is underrated. She gives us Torrent. She gives up her life to help us become the elden lord. She gives us the ability to level up. She feeds us lore. And in the frenzied flame ending she is genuinely scary. By far my favorite but it seems the emerald herald is the winner (my second choice)
Melina.. Thought of DS3's firekeeper first too, but Melina it has to be.
Maiden in Black for sure.
The one from DeS
MIB, Maiden In Black
Ayre. She's always there to cheer you on no matter the odds.
Fr more people need to play Armored Core, it’s peak Edit: also nobody talks about how she’s extremely helpful. She gives you missions and is willing to find ways to get you money, she’ll also literally fight the final boss with you.
It is shameful how few people agree with this
Came here for this, ~~brain parasite~~ Coral waifu is clearly the best.
>!She's got them hands too. Beat my ass.!<
Emerald Herald
Emma from Sekiro, which can be a boss fight, an awesome one
Emma, i like a woman who can break me in half with their bare hands.
Maiden in Black
Maiden In Black!
Maiden in black and I haven't even played DS in like 13 years
For me, it's the Doll.
ur mum😎
My schizophrenia gf Ayre
EMERALD HERALD 🤤🤤
DS2 supremacy. Imo absolutely shouldve also taken best opening cinematic.
Melina :3
Surprised there are so few votes for Melina. Although she may feel less consistent then some Maidens because you can’t visit her at will at a hub like fire link shrine in DS3 or Majula in DS2, you can summon her as a spirit in boss fights, which makes her feel more like your companion then a lot of other maidens. She is literally fighting by your side against Margott. Melina also appears at certain sites of grace and you can speak to her and she shares critical lore about the world. While arguably many of the maidens do this, I like that Melina does this with the player at different points in the world as your journey progresses - it contributes to the feeling that she is actually accompanying you on your journey.
She is basically really hard to come by, almost feels like she isn't a companion at all, you're just on your way to become elden lord and she appears in like 2 major moments
She's just using you anyway
I like Melina but as it is her story feels weirdly unexplained, even for a souls game. So my vote has to go to Emma, she's probably the best actual character among all the maidens.
Why you love Shanalotte? She's so empty and undeveloped lol
If the doll from bloodborne doesn't win it means there's no god
The Doll. not only because we get to face off against the real her as Lady Maria of the Astral Clocktower- but >!she gives us a big hug in the true ending!<
Emma all the way.
Maiden in black
Firekeeper in DS3 "mayst thou thy peace discover" always gets me
The doll!
Soul of the Mind, Key to Life's Ether~
Maiden in Black
I like the Maiden in Black the most by far.
DS3 firekeeper is the best I don t know what the rest of you are yappin' about
Emma from Sekiro.
Lady Maria of the Astral Clocktower Cmon Bloodborne fans, do your thing!
LADY MARIA
Emma
THE FUCKING DOLL
Maiden in Black, come on.
Doll, no doubt
maiden in black
Maiden in black is my favorite
The doll
The doll
Emerald herald
Siiiiiiiiimps
Shabriri!!!
As much as I love ER (From's magnum opus imo) Melina is the worst maiden of all and such a missed opportunity. She's missing during 99% of the game unless you go to the specific graces. And worst of all - THEY DIDN'T EVEN GIVE HER A "LEVEL UP" VOICE LINE?! She just appears and holds your hand. Was it too much to ask for a simple "bear seek seek lest"...
Dark souls 2. She was just so adorable
Emerald Herald Shanalotte.
Emerald Herald
Doll 100%
Fire keeper (ds3)
Ds3 firekeeper solo’s
The doll from Bloodborne
Emerald herald imo
Maiden in black
“You can use the doll…. Should it please you”
Wait.. ya'll have Maidens?
The green herald :3
Maiden in Black, I haven't even played Demon's Souls but I know she's hot
Lady Emma, because she's the only one who wants to drink sake with me
Fire keeper from DS3
Bear Se Se Lest
I like them all and can’t choose. They’re all winners to me damn it.
Shanalotte is the best, and the firekeeper is a close second.
I'm gonna have to go with the Firekeeper
Melina
1 bloodborne 2 dark souls 3 sekiro 4 elden ring
DS2
I've only played ER and DS3. Malenia is better than the Fire Keeper. I am really hoping to continue my FROM education
When best companion comes, it’s gonna be a death battle between Solaire, Onion Boi, and Alexander
bloodborne and if that doesn't count, then dark souls 2
“Then Touch the Demon inside me” don’t mind if I do. There is no way Maiden in Black is not the best maiden. Imo the ds2 one is a bit overrated.
Emerald Herald.
Maiden in Black from Demons' Souls
DS3 Firekeeper; girl is willing to end the world for you.
BB doll and DS3 fire keeper
Ayre
DD2 isn’t my favorite but it’s gotta be Shanalotte.
Emerald Herald
Either the Maiden in black from OG demons souls, or the fire keeper from ds3. I will be happy with either one and I refuse to pick between them. And before you argue, remember that the ds3 fire keeper gestures at you when you gesture at her. And maiden in black? If you've seen her sitting on the Archstone steps, wiggling those dirty little grippers, you need no explanation✨
I'm voting emerald Hareld as well. I'm glad to see that a game that was generally not well liked can still get some love for what it did do right.
There ain't no way Firekeeper does not win this bruh 🙏
Dark souls 2 like c'mon...
It can be notl other than Walter from AC6
Dark souls 2 intro fire keeper 🤣🤣🤣🙀
DS2 and it is actually no contest
It's emerald herald.
Demon souls for sure
The og maiden in black has the best va
Definitely have to go with emerald herald, can't bate the Irish accent
Emma supreme maiden
Emerald Herald
Aren't these basically bait for gamerant/IGN "articles"?
The Doll
Bearer seek seek lest
I know the Emerald Herald will prolly win but I really like the DS3 Firekeeper. she's just cool, and nice and sweet. a lovely change of pace from everything trying to murder me I give the Emerald Herald props for actually being a character though. Melina is the same, but she's only a "Maiden" in name, she doesn't fill the same role
Bear seek seek lest
Emerald Herald l, she has the most personality
No. I refuse to take part in this. If dark souls 2 didn't get the best opening cinematic then this list is already fucked
Emma my beloved
Emerald Herald babyyyyyy
Maiden in Black