Who is the NPC at the start of Elden Ring?

When players first start their legendary journey in Elden Ring, they encounter a mysterious masked man just outside the starting zone. Who is he and what does he want?

Who is the first NPC you speak to in Elden Ring?

White-Faced Varre is the first NPC that players will encounter in Elden Ring. His is a long and worthwhile quest chain that has players flirting with PvP, going into secret areas, and earning Great Runes.

Related: Elden Ring Update 1.04.1 Patch Notes (April 27, 2022)

Varre's lore is interesting in that he likely has deep ties to Mohg and is the very reason the player starts off "maidenless." He wears the War Surgeon Set whose description implies that Mohg originally had the surgeons abducted against their will to "tame the accursed blood." It would appear that Varre was the only one successful in this endeavor.

Some have theorized that he is involved with the death of the maiden at the Chapel of Anticipation and that this could have been the player's maiden. The reasoning is that he is waiting right outside where you start, knows that you are "maidenless," and has a quest involving the murder of maidens.

Like any Soulsborne game, there is a lot to pick apart with the lore for those willing to put together the puzzle pieces. And once you put together Varre's puzzle, one realizes that it's just another piece in the larger Elden Ring puzzle.

For more Elden Ring goodies, check out All Legendary Armaments in Elden Ring & Where to find them on Pro Game Guides.