Most From Software games don't spell out their narratives as clearly as other video games. They hide their lore in the most obscure places, from cryptic character dialogue to item descriptions. Bloodborne is no different. As a new hunter brought into the Hunter's Dream, players have to kill countless beasts and put an end to the terrible nightmare that has fallen over Yharnam.
One of the first guides players meet on their journey is Gehrman - an unassuming old man in a wheelchair. Gehrman's appearance deceives his nature as the first person to take notice and action against the beast befalling Yharnam. His contributions before and during the events of Bloodborne are so numerous that should From Software decide to delve into what happened before the game, there is no doubt that Gehrman should play an important role.
Gehrman Was Integral In The Fight Against Bloodborne's Beastly Scourge
Gehrman's title as the first hunter isn't unwarranted. Aside from discovering the beastly scourge in Yharnam, he also played an important part in the creation of various tools and equipment used to fight the beasts. He avoided the use of heavy armor and shields, instead opting to modify everyday attire so that hunters could be sturdy yet flexible. With this custom garb, he and his fellow hunters were able to fight toe-to-toe with the quick beasts. The Trick Weapons Gehrman created also served as the basis for almost all the armaments used to fight the beasts. They could morph and adapt to various situations, thus allowing multiple offensive options with a single weapon.
Aside from sharing his inventions with his fellow Yharnamites, Gehrman also taught the citizens how to use them effectively. He even took on a few apprentices, with one of the most well-known being Lady Maria - a high-ranking citizen of Cainhurst Castle. Along with Lady Maria and his fellow trained hunters, Gehrman fought against the beasts of Yharnam during the scourge's early days.
Gehrman's Usefulness Was Eventually Outlived
Sadly, as the beastly scourge became more prevalent and well-known, the Healing Church began implementing methods similar to Gehrman's and even established their own workshop - leaving Gehrman and his companions out of the job. While Gehrman still continued his duties as a hunter of beasts, it was the mysterious disappearance of Lady Maria that tipped him over the edge and robbed him of his fighting spirit. To stave off his loneliness, Gehrman entered into a pact with a Great One to bring life to a doll he made in exchange for creating the Hunter's Dream. The Doll did very little to alleviate Gehrman's sadness and he currently resides in the Hunter's Dream, patiently welcoming new hunters into the nightmare he helped create.
Gehrman Had A Hand In Almost Everything Before The Events Of Bloodborne
While his current predicament is unfortunate, it would be nice to see Gehrman's rise and fall firsthand. He graduated from becoming a common Yharnamite to an instigator and leader against the beastly scourge. Discovering how he found out about the beasts and the best methods to deal with them would be a treat for anyone who is into Bloodborne's lore, particularly when it comes to how Gehrman came across the beasts' aversion to fire and the superstition that the beastly scourge that inflicted Yharnamites started by crawling up the right leg.
It would also be interesting to see his fall from glory when the Healing Church proved some of his theories wrong and started implementing methods that were better than his. Gehrman was once a commoner, after all, and most of his experience comes from his firsthand encounters with beasts and not careful study. As the leader of the hunters, Gehrman could once again serve as a guide to players. This time, however, instead of being a new hunter in the Hunter's Dream, players could take on the role of one of the first hunters Gehrman ever trains. It would make sense from a narrative standpoint and give the developers an excuse for players to tag along with this famed hunter of beasts.
Bloodborne is available now for PS4.
