Highlights
- FromSoftware games are known for their masochistic appeal and captivating characters, like Sister Friede, who inspire intrigue with their backstories and deadly fighting styles.
- Sister Friede, from Dark Souls 3 , serves as the inspiration for Emma the Gentle Blade in Sekiro, showcasing the interconnectedness and influence of characters across different Soulsborne series.
- Both characters are driven by their devotion, but maintain simple aesthetics that contrast their fighting prowess.
Soulsborne games have a certain masochistic appeal that keeps players glued to their screens, and with each new FromSoftware release, the developer advances its reputation in the gaming industry through expansive lore and characteristically menacing gameplay. From the heyday of Dark Souls 3 to the modern-day trailblazer Elden Ring, the Soulsborne genre has featured charismatic characters that intrigue players with their backstories and stylish but deadly fighting styles. Sister Friede is one such person, appearing in the Dark Souls 3 Ashes of Ariandel DLC as one of the more difficult bosses. The character seems to be the inspiration behind Emma the Gentle Blade in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, setting the stage for her Ashina counterpart.
A game is only as deep as its cast, and this is a dynamic FromSoftware appears to understand perfectly, crafting several high-quality characters over the years in its various Soulsborne releases. The developer has received praise for its character development, particularly in Elden Ring, from the fully-fleshed out backstories of the Tarnished to the mysteries of Caelid's Great Jar. Since the Soulsborne games have similar themes, it is no surprise that a few characters from a different mainline series inspired another in a separate universe; and in the case of Emma the Gentle Blade from Sekiro, Sister Friede laid quite a bit of the groundwork.
Sister Friede's Revolution and Figurehead Role are Reminiscent of Sekiro's Emma
A founder of the Sable Church of Londor, Sister Friede (also known as Elfriede) and her sisters fought to usurp the First Flame but failed in their mission, causing Elfriede to distance herself from the Church and abandon Londor. Disillusioned by her loss and devoid of purpose, she finds herself drawn to the Painted World of Ariandel, hunting an opportunity to regain her lost status. Elfriede became the first Ash to enter the painting, and upon sensing a yearning from the Painted World's populace for a powerful form, she presented herself as the people's hope, wielding a great scythe that is the symbol of a long-lost home to the people of the painting.
Elfriede's gamble pays off as she becomes widely adored by the public, and her status rises to the position of a hidden ruler at Ariandel's side. Even all these years after the Ashes of Ariandel DLC release, the exact yearning of the Painted World's populace is unknown to gamers, but Sister Friede successfully filled their void and rose to a position of authority. She takes on the appearance of a nun in Dark Souls 3, using her scythe to attack players with deadly aggression in the three-phase boss fight that also features Father Ariandel.
Emma is primarily a doctor in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and her Gentle Blade side shines through to protect the prince if players decide to betray Kuro at Ashina Castle, which is the beginning of the Isshin Ashina boss fight. She states she has no intent to harm any human, but will not hesitate to eliminate a demon at the slightest opportunity. Her katana is sheathed in shirasaya, a scabbard reflecting Emma's gentle nature through its unassuming design. The simplicity of Emma the Gentle Blade's aesthetic is similar to that of Sister Friede, who dons a simple nun uniform in Dark Souls 3.
Beyond the characters' appearances, Sister Friede exhibits a sense of responsibility before she abandons her post at the Sable Church with her valiant effort to overthrow the First Flame. She puts her life on the line for what she believes in, and even in defeat, is spurred on with renewed purpose in the Painted World of Ariandel, as she fills the void of a yearning people. Her avid defense of her people and the remarkable aggression she uses to battle against the player form the roots of Emma the Gentle Blade's dogged protection of Kuro.
Dark Souls 3 is available now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
