Solaire of Astora

"You really are fond of chatting with me, aren't you? If I didn't know better, I'd think you had feelings for me! Oh, no, dear me. Pretend you didn't hear that! Hah hah hah!"

— Solaire of Astora

Solaire of Astora is a character in Dark Souls. He is voiced by Daniel Flynn, who also voiced Vamos and the Giant Blacksmith as well as Blue Sentinel Targray in Dark Souls II.

Plot

Solaire is first found just in front of the bridge that leads to Undead Parish, gazing at the sun. Speaking to him here will give the player the White Sign Soapstone and allow Solaire to be summoned to fight the Bell Gargoyles as a Gold Phantom.

Solaire may be summoned for the fight with the Gaping Dragon in the Depths.

Solaire can be met by a bonfire in Anor Londo and can be summoned for the encounter with Ornstein and Smough. Afterwards, Solaire will move from Anor Londo to the Sunlight Altar in Undead Parish, offering the player a chance to join the Warrior of Sunlight Covenant.

Solaire can be summoned for the Centipede Demon fight.

After defeating the Centipede Demon and continuing towards Lost Izalith from the boss arena, the player will encounter him again. If the player speaks to Solaire immediately after or enters Lost Izalith from this location, Solaire will later become hostile, attacking the player on their next meeting and will be unavailable as a phantom in the Kiln of the First Flame.

If the player instead takes the shortcut to Lost Izalith (which can only be accessed through being a +2 Chaos Servant), and destroys the glowing red-eyed Chaos Bug found there and kills the Centipede Demon, Solaire can be found sitting in the Chaos Bug room saddened that he could not find his own sun. In his lucid state, Solaire can later be summoned for the fight against Gwyn.

Solaire goes on to defeat Gwyn and link the Flame in his own world, if he survives Lost Izalith with the player's help.

Lore

Solaire is a Warrior of Sunlight who is determined to find "his very own sun". His faith is upstanding and unwavering, and all holy symbols on Solaire's belongings were painted by himself. Solaire claims to be an adherent of the Lord of Sunlight. His incredible prowess is attributed to training and high-quality equipment, and despite the holy symbols on his equipment, neither Solaire nor his possessions are blessed or enchanted.

His attempts to find his sun led him through Anor Londo, Blighttown, the Tomb of the Giants and Lost Izalith. When he goes to Lost Izalith, Solaire may become parasitised by a Sunlight Maggot, a creature known to emit a blinding light when worn on the head. When he finds the maggot, Solaire goes insane, claiming the maggot was the sun he was searching for and attacks the Chosen Undead on sight.

The nature of Solaire's "very own sun" remains unclear. During normal gameplay, Solaire will most likely find the Sunlight Maggot and lose his mind due to his desparation. However, if the Chosen Undead prevents him from finding the maggot, Solaire can be summoned for the fight against Gwyn. Having reached the Kiln of the First Flame, it is possible that Solaire "finds his sun" by linking the fire.

Solaire's legacy is remembered in both Drangleic and Lothric. In Drangleic, the image of a "hero of yore" was painted onto the Sunlight Parma, an item given to the Bearer of the Curse for offering Sunlight Medals to the Heirs of the Sun. Solaire's sword is also given to the bearer as a reward from the same covenant. At this point, it still exhibits no special properties beyond its high quality. In Lothric, Solaire is remembered as the Knight of Sunlight, and all of his belongings can be found by the Ashen One. Though most of them still lack special powers, his sword has been imbued with the power of the sun, and is said to be a relic of a "one-sided adoration." His talisman also "fills the user with similar steadfastness" to Solaire's own, providing a stronger Unfaltering Prayer than other talismans.

Strategy

Attacking and killing Solaire will make him unavailable for future boss fights. Should the player wish to attack him, Solaire will fight with a sword and shield, and use the Lightning Spear miracle.

Notes

• If the player kills Siegmeyer of Catarina before fighting Ornstein and Smough, Solaire's summon sign will no longer appear. If Siegmeyer dies from indirect damage, however, Solaire's sign will still appear.
• 8 liquid Humanity can be stolen from Solaire using the Dark Hand.
• Solaire can be met without killing the Taurus Demon by utilizing the Master Key and going through the Watchtower Basement, where Havel the Rock is held, to Darkroot Basin to Undead Parish. Alternately it is possible to travel from Firelink Shrine to the New Londo Ruins shortcut to Valley of Drakes to Darkroot Basin to Undead Parish, provided that the Master Key or the Key to New Londo Ruins are in possession. If Solaire is reached through either shortcut and he is not present, quitting and reloading the game can make him appear.
• Should the player not belong to the Chaos Servant covenant, they may alternatively anger Solaire at the Sunlight Altar after Anor Londo, destroy the Chaos Bug in Lost Izalith without the shortcut, then request absolution after defeating the Bed of Chaos. Solaire will then proceed as normal, still able to be summoned against Gwyn after speaking to him.
• Players can also save Solaire from insanity without needing to be a +2 Chaos Servant by attacking the Sunlight Maggot through the wall. This can be accomplished by using attacks that are not impeded by the environment, such as Poison Mist and Toxic Mist, or the special attack of some of the dragon weapons.
• It is possible to summon Solaire for the Dark Sun Gwyndolin boss battle, if Ornstein and Smough haven't been defeated yet. Although he will not enter the arena to help, the player will still be awarded a Sunlight Medal following Gwyndolin's defeat.

Character information

Health and souls

Location	Health		Souls
	NG	NG+	NG	NG+
Undead Parish	689	???	1,000	???
Anor Londo	908	1,589	1,000	3,000
Lost Izalith	938	???	1,000	???

Defenses

Locations	Physical Defenses				Elemental Defenses			Resistances
Undead Burg	181	181	181	179	139	141	133	C	C	C
Anor Londo	335	335	335	331	247	253	239	C	C	B
Lost Izalith	294	291	308	292	260	250	240	B	B	A

These stats are sourced from FuturePress's Official Dark Souls Strategy Guide.

Equipment

• Undead Burg / Parish
• Depths
• Anor Londo / Sunlight Altar
• Demon Ruins / Lost Izalith / Kiln
• Insane

• Weapons
• Armor
• Rings
• Spells

Right Hand		Left Hand
Sunlight Straight Sword +3	Sunlight Talisman	Sunlight Shield +3

Head	Chest	Hands	Legs
Iron Helm +2	Armor of the Sun +2	Iron Bracelet +2	Iron Leggings +2

Rings

Orange Charred Ring

Spells
Lightning Spear	Great Heal

• Weapons
• Armor
• Rings
• Spells

Right Hand		Left Hand
Sunlight Straight Sword +6	Sunlight Talisman	Sunlight Shield +6

Head	Chest	Hands	Legs
Iron Helm +4	Armor of the Sun +4	Iron Bracelet +4	Iron Leggings +4

Rings

Orange Charred Ring

Spells
Lightning Spear	Great Heal

• Weapons
• Armor
• Rings
• Spells

Right Hand		Left Hand
Sunlight Straight Sword +12	Sunlight Talisman	Sunlight Shield +12

Head	Chest	Hands	Legs
Iron Helm +10	Armor of the Sun +10	Iron Bracelet +10	Iron Leggings +10

Rings

Orange Charred Ring

Spells
Lightning Spear	Great Heal

• Weapons
• Armor
• Rings
• Spells

Right Hand		Left Hand
Sunlight Straight Sword +15	Sunlight Talisman	Sunlight Shield +15

Head	Chest	Hands	Legs
Iron Helm +10	Armor of the Sun +10	Iron Bracelet +10	Iron Leggings +10

Rings

Orange Charred Ring

Spells
Lightning Spear	Great Heal

• Weapons
• Armor
• Rings
• Spells

Right Hand		Left Hand
Sunlight Straight Sword +15	Sunlight Talisman	Sunlight Shield +15

Head	Chest	Hands	Legs
Sunlight Maggot	Armor of the Sun +10	Iron Bracelet +10	Iron Leggings +10

Rings

Orange Charred Ring

Spells
Lightning Spear	Great Heal

Drops

Item	Sunlight Straight Sword	Sunlight Shield	Sunlight Talisman	Humanity ×2
Drop Rate	Guaranteed	Guaranteed	Guaranteed	Guaranteed
Item	Iron Helm	Armor of the Sun	Iron Bracelet	Iron Leggings
Drop Rate	Guaranteed	Guaranteed	Guaranteed	Guaranteed

Dialogue

Click to see dialogue (contains spoilers)

Introduction Ah, hello! You don't look Hollow, far from it! I am Solaire of Astora, an adherent of the Lord of Sunlight. Now that I am Undead, I have come to this great land, the birthplace of Lord Gwyn, to seek my very own sun! ...Do you find that strange? Well, you should! No need to hide your reaction. I get that look all the time! Hah hah hah! Speaking again Oh, ah-hah! So, I didn't scare you? I have a proposition, if you have a moment. Answering "Yes" The way I see it, our fates appear to be intertwined. In a land brimming with Hollows, could that really be mere chance? So, what do you say? Why not help one another on this lonely journey? Answering "No" Well, yes, quite understandable. Not to worry. I do not wish to impose. I was in the wrong. We'll laugh it off, shall we? Hah hah hah! Answering "Yes" to second question This pleases me greatly! Well then, take this. We are amidst strange beings, in a strange land. The flow of time itself is convoluted; with heroes centuries old phasing in and out. The very fabric wavers, and relations shift and obscure. There's no telling how much longer your world and mine will remain in contact. But, use this, to summon one another as spirits, cross the gaps between the worlds, and engage in jolly co-operation! Of course, we are not the only ones engaged in this. But I am a warrior of the sun! Spot my summon signature easily by its brilliant aura. If you miss it, you must be blind! Hah hah hah! Answering "No" to second question Well, yes, quite understandable. Not to worry. Not to worry. I do not wish to impose. I was in the wrong. We'll laugh it off, shall we? Hah hah hah! Speaking if the player answered "No" to second question Oh, hello. You're still keen on speaking to me? Then, perhaps you have reconsidered my offer? Speaking after hearing all dialogue in Undead Parish Oh, hello there. I will stay behind, to gaze at the sun. The sun is a wondrous body. Like a magnificent father! If only I could be so grossly incandescent! Speaking in Anor Londo Oh, there you are. You've been quiet these days. Smooth summoning out there? Anytime you see my brilliantly shining signature, do not hesitate to call upon me. You've left me with quite an impression. I would relish a chance to assist you. Speaking a second time in Anor Londo You really are fond of chatting with me, aren't you? If I didn't know better, I'd think you had feelings for me! Oh, no, dear me. Pretend you didn't hear that! Hah hah hah! Speaking to Solaire at Sunlight Altar Oh, hello there. I'm glad to see you alive ...You have done well, indeed you have. You've a strong arm, strong faith, and most importantly, a strong heart. I am in awe, really. Yes, yes...What do you think? Why not join me, as a warrior of the Sun? Righteous knights, guardians of all that is good, in the name of the Lord of Sunlight! ...Only if it would please you, of course. Well? Answering "Yes" Oh! Magnificent! I knew you would fancy it! Then, join the Covenant! Here, stay still for a moment... And there we are. Now, just say a prayer at the Altar of Sunlight, right there. Then you shall know the brilliance of our Sun. Answering "No" Yes, well, each has one's beliefs. But if you change your mind, the offer is open. Speaking if the player answered "No" Oh, hello there. What is it? Have you changed your mind about my offer? Speaking after praying to the Sunlight Altar Oh, hello there. Exhilarating, is it not? The power of the Sun! I am blessed to have found such a brave companion! Hah hah hah! Speaking again at the Sunlight Altar Hmm! Ah, oh... hello there. Forgive me, I was just pondering... about my poor fortune. I did not find my own sun, not in Anor Londo, nor in Twilight Blighttown. Where else might my sun be? Lost Izalith, or the Tomb of the Gravelord...? But I cannot give up. I became Undead to pursue this! But when I peer at the Sun up above, it occurs to me... What if I am seen as a laughing stock, as a blind fool without reason? Well, I suppose they wouldn't be far off! Hah hah hah! Speaking in Demon Ruins After all this searching, I still cannot find it... Speaking in shortcut to Lost Izalith Was it all a lie? Have I done this all, for nothing? Oh, my dear sun... What now, what should I do...? ...My sun, my dear, dear sun... Screams if Solaire goes insane ...Hrg, rg...Arrrgh... ...Finally, I have found it, I have!... ...My very own sun... I...am the sun!... ...I've done it...I have... ...Yes, I did it...I did!... ...Ohh, ohhh... ...Hrgrraaaooogh! Attacking him Hrg! Ooh! Whoa! What the...! What's wrong with you?! If a stubborn beast you be, I have no choice! A Warrior of the Sun will not just sit and take it! Hrgraaah! Killing him Why, you...How could this...? My... my sun... Killing insane Solaire ...Ahh, it's over... ...My Sun...it's setting... ...It's dark, so dark...

Trivia

• Solaire floats a small distance above the ground, giving the appearance that he is taller than the player. This is also true for the Crestfallen Merchant of Sen's Fortress.
• Solaire is referenced in an Easter Egg in the game Borderlands 2, where a mock bonfire can be found with an armored man named "Solitaire" sitting next to it.
• Solaire's armor and shield can be seen in Episode 17 of the Netflix Series "Turbo Fast".
• Solaire is referenced in World of Warcraft as a follower named Soulaire of Andorhal, Soulaire gives the player a bonfire toy if they perform the "/tired" emote, using the toy will create a Bonfire similar to the ones in Dark Souls and players can enkindle it for a short 1 minute buff.
• "Solaire" is a French word and translates into "solar" (relative to the sun). This is most likely the inspiration behind Solaire's name.
• Solaire's armor is very reminiscent of King Arthur's armor in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. It both sports green and white colors, mail coat and a sun symbol on the front.
• An amiibo figure of Solaire was made to promote Dark Souls: Remastered on the Nintendo Switch. This amiibo can be used to obtain the Praise the Sun gesture without needing the faith required to interact with the Sunlight Altar.

Gallery

Concept art

Solaire as he is summoned

Solaire in Anor Londo

As a phantom

Solaire without his helm

Amiibo figure of Solaire.