Shanalotte/ The Emerald Herald

Coming back to Majula to find the Emerald Herald eagerly waiting for you

Art by: han-0v0

DS2 in underrated, IMO, and Shanalotte's one of the best Souls maidens there is. Her "I don't care about you but in reality I really care about you" attitude's really charming.

When an Undead arrives at Majula, she's usually the one they meet first. All call her the "Emerald Herald", some call her the "Muse", but none have ever learned about her true name, her true nature as a descendant of the dragons, for none have earned that right. All but one, the "Bearer of the Curse". Some had defeated one or two of the Four Old Ones, or had been foolish enough to enter Drangleic Castle, but not one of their predecessors had done what they had done: win her heart.

YOU

Who are you? You can barely remember. Where did you come from? It's lost to you. The Undead Curse has claimed much of you: memories of loved ones, childhood memories, the loving faces of your parents. It's all melted wax in your mind. Only your name, your goal, and very recent memories remain, as well as the title "Bearer of the Curse".

When you first arrived at Majula, the Emerald Herald was the first person you met. She claimed she'd be at your side, but the look in her face told you she wasn't putting much hope on you, not when so many that came before you failed at their task to bring an end to the Curse. It didn't deter you from your quest.

The first step was the Four Old Ones. It was not easy, and you perished many times, but slowly, one by one, they all fell before you. The Emerald Herald witnessed it firsthand, you coming back to her many times to strengthen your soul. Interactions with her were quick at first, though each return made her a little more talkative each time.

Then came the King's Ring. It was tortuous, but you didn't give up hope, neither did the Emerald Herald. You had come farther than any Undead before you, achieved more despite the pain and suffering, sometimes you were alone, but never truly "alone".

And the Emerald Herald? She still acts like you are unimportant and that she doesn't care about you, but it's obvious that's not true. She smiles softly when she thinks you're not looking. She never leaves your side when you're at Majula. And most importantly, she's always there to receive you, even when she pretends she's doing you a favor.

I have a question to all the Soulsborne lore experts. Shanalotte and Priscilla are both human-dragon crossbreeds, or at least it's heavily implied they are, so how come Shanalotte's only non-human trait is her heterochromia? She's supposedly related to the Ancient Dragon, which is a resurrected/artificial dragon that has a giant's soul, could that be the reason?