Bloodborne NPC Questlines Guide

1st Floor Sickroom

Iosefka

After entering the Hunter's Dream, or dying for the first time, Iosefka will lock the door to the room where the Hunter woke up. She will speak to the Hunter if the door is approached. She will give the player Iosefka’s Blood Vials if the player doesn't have any. Iosefka's Clinic can be accessed through a back entrance later in the game.

Hunter's Dream

The Doll

This isn't technically a questline, but I had trouble deciding where to place it, so I'll outline everything that can happen here.

The Doll (Becoming Alive)

The Doll becomes interactable after the player gains 1 Insight. This can be done by: Entering the Cleric Beast or Father Gascoigne boss arenas. Consuming a Madman's Knowledge to increase Insight. If Insight drops back to zero, the Doll will return to her inanimate state. However, the player can still level up but will not be able to interact with her.

The Doll (Behavior)

The Doll is typically found near the stairs leading to the house, but if the player has a large amount of Blood Echoes, she will move to a tombstone near the backdoor. She occasionally falls asleep, and if you perform certain gestures near her, she will respond accordingly.

The Doll (Items and Gifts)

Small Hair Ornament: Giving this to the Doll causes her to shed a Tear Stone, which can be used to obtain a gem droplet for gem slots.

The Doll (Alternate Locations)

Hunter's Nightmare: In New Game Plus (NG+) and beyond, the Doll can sometimes be found near a gravestone in Hunter's Nightmare. While near the gravestone, she may bless the Hunter by reciting prose and praying.

Grave in NG+: The Doll may also be found near a grave behind the starting area. This grave is said to be the player's grave from a previous New Game cycle. The Doll will mention that a hunter she once knew lies there, with the gender of the hunter corresponding to the player’s character.

Gehrman

This isn't technically a questline, but I had trouble deciding where to place it, so I'll outline everything that can happen here.

Gehrman (Location)

Gehrman can typically be found roaming the Hunter's Dream, with his primary location being the Workshop. However, if he's not there, you might find him in the Garden behind the house. To reach the Garden, exit through the second door of the house and turn right. After speaking with him in the Garden, Gehrman will disappear, but his dialogues can still be triggered inside the house, even if he's not physically present.

Gehrman (Interactions)

Gehrman leaves important notes around Hunter's Dream after major milestones. These notes provide further guidance, whether after defeating a significant boss or completing key objectives.

Gehrman (Becoming Hostile)

At some point in the game, Gehrman can turn hostile. This transition, which shifts him from mentor to antagonist, is pivotal to the story and unfolds later in the game. For more information check out (spoilers):

https://bloodborne.wiki.fextralife.com/Gehrman,+The+First+Hunter

Central Yharnam

Gilbert

To begin Gilbert's questline, start at the Central Yharnam Lamp, head towards the nearby window, and talk to him.

Viola's Daughter

You can find her behind a window in Central Yharnam. To reach her, traverse the sewers, climb the ladder near a Troll, and approach the gate that leads back to the first Brick Troll you encountered. During your initial encounter, she asks you to find her mother, Viola, who is searching for Father Gascoigne. As a reward, she gives you the Tiny Music Box, which can be used during the fight against Father Gascoigne to temporarily stun him.

Lonely Old Woman

The Lonely Old Woman can be found in Central Yharnam, near the sewer entrance, beyond an area with Infected Hounds. After depleting her dialogue, move on, as there's nothing else to do for now.

Eileen the Crow

She will be located on the rafters near the Central Yharnam sewer entrance. To reach her, break the barrels and boxes near the staircase by Lonely Old Woman NPC. Once you locate her, speak to her twice to receive 4 Bold Hunter’s Marks and the "Shake Off Cape" gesture.

Viola's Daughter Progress

After defeating Father Gascoigne, you can obtain the Red Jeweled Brooch. It's located on a rooftop near Gascoigne's arena simply climb the stairs nearby and drop onto the roof to find it. You will now have to choose between three options of the questline.

Viola's Daughter - A

If you give her the Red Jeweled Brooch, she will stop talking to you and eventually leave her home. Later, you’ll find her remains by defeating the large pig in the sewers, which drops the Red Messenger Ribbon.

Viola's Daughter - B

If you choose to withhold the Red Jeweled Brooch, you can either use it to restore HP, store it, or leave it uncollected. If you've visited Oedon Chapel and learned about it as a safe haven, you also have the option to send her there. Regardless of your choice, the Red Messenger Ribbon will still appear on the pig in the sewers.

Viola's Daughter - C (First you must learn about Iosefka’s Clinic)

After learning about Iosefka’s Clinic as a safe haven, send the girl there. As a result, you’ll receive a Lead Elixir on your next visit to the clinic, and the Red Messenger Ribbon will not appear on the pig. If you later access the clinic’s backdoor from the Forbidden Woods, you’ll find the girl transformed into a celestial being. Defeating her will drop the Formless Oedon Rune.

Cathedral Ward

Impostor Iosefka

After reaching Cathedral Ward, the real Iosefka has been replaced by the imposter speak to her to learn about Iosefka's clinic safe place.

Oedon Chapel Dweller

Upon speaking to him, he tells the Hunter that the incense in the Chapel Ward keeps the beasts away, and he compels the Hunter to advise anybody looking for a safe place to stay the night to come to the Oedon Chapel. Gives Pebble if you hit him once and talk to him afterward.

Gilbert Progress

After visiting the Cathedral Ward but before defeating Vicar Amelia, speak to Gilbert to receive the Flamesprayer. If you miss this opportunity, you can purchase it later from the shop after acquiring the Radiant Sword Hunter Badge.

Lonely Old Woman

You now have to choose where between two options.

Lonely Old Woman (Oedon Chapel)

She will be located in a chair just down the steps in the chapel interior. She is initially ungrateful, continuing to blame the Hunter for the bad things that have been happening. During the grey sky/night/overcast, she seems to be in a state of despair or madness, eventually only responding with panicked sobs/hysteria.

After beating seven bosses[unconfirmed], she is very kind. If you answer "I have my woes" at this point, she will give the Hunter an increasing amount of Sedatives. 1 the first time, 2 the second, 3 the third. Upon using the "I have my woes" option 3 times, she will go out and look for more Sedatives, leaving a note to the player on her chair.

When she comes back if the same option is used again she will give the player another Sedative and venture off again to find more. Upon returning again to the chapel, the Oedon Chapel Dweller will remark how she was murdered outside. You can venture through the door to the left of the lamp to find her body with remarkable bloodstains around her and one more Sedative on her corpse.

Lonely Old Woman (Iosefka's Clinic)

If you send her to Iosefka's Clinic Iosefka will reward you with 2 Numbing Mist and 1 Insight.

Oedon Chapel Dweller Progress

Will give you the "Triumph" Gesture if you speak to him after sending one other NPC to Oedon Chapel

Arianna, Woman of the Night

You can speak with her as soon as you reach the area, but she won't seek sanctuary until you’ve defeated at least one boss from Cathedral Ward, Old Yharnam, Hemwick Charnel Lane, or Yahar'Gul the Unseen Village.

Skeptical Man

The Skeptical Man can be found in Cathedral Ward, directly across from Arianna’s window .Upon first interaction, he is distrustful of the Hunter, accusing them of trying to deceive him. He’ll dismiss the Hunter, telling them to go away.

Arianna, Woman of the Night Progress

After defeating at least three bosses, she will ask the player for a safe haven. You can refer her to one of the following

Arianna, Woman of the Night (Oedon Chapel)

rianna will teach the Curtsy gesture and offer her Blood of Arianna. However, be cautious—if Adella the Nun is present, she may become jealous if you accept Arianna’s blood instead of hers. After accepting three vials of Arianna's blood, Adella might kill her in a fit of jealousy. To prevent this, you can either avoid accepting Arianna’s blood or defeat Adella to keep her safe.

Arianna, Woman of the Night (Iosefka’s Clinic)

If Arianna is sent to the clinic, Iosefka will reward the player with 2 Numbing Mist and 1 Insight. Meanwhile, Arianna can be found in the clinic's main hallway, gazing through a window. If Arianna is killed, she will drop Arianna's Shoes. Additionally, if the Young Yharnam Girl (Violet's daughter) is also sent to the clinic, she will become hostile if Arianna is killed.

Skeptical Man Progress

After the Hunter interacts with Arianna and helps her find a safe location, the Skeptical Man will ask the Hunter for advice on where to send him for safety. The player is prompted to either tell him the location of a shelter (Iosefka’s Clinic or Oedon Chapel) or withhold the information. He will always end up in the opposite location of where the player directs him. If you tell him to go to Oedon Chapel, he will end up at Iosefka’s Clinic. If you tell him to go to Iosefka's Clinic, he will end up at Oedon Chapel.

Skeptical Man (Oedon Chapel)

Once in Oedon Chapel, the Skeptical Man becomes passive and offers advice. However, his insights are always the opposite of the truth. For example, he may speak about other NPCs like Arianna and Adella the Nun, offering incorrect insight into their motivations.

Skeptical Man (Iosefka’s Clinic)

If the Skeptical Man is sent to Iosefka’s Clinic, he will transform into a passive Celestial Emissary. If killed in this form, he will drop 3 Pungent Blood Cocktails.

Arianna, Woman of the Night (Oedon Chapel) Progress

After defeating Micolash, Host of the Nightmare, Arianna will relocate to the aqueduct between the Tomb of Oedon and Cathedral Ward lamps. At this point, the player must either kill Arianna and her newborn in order to obtain One Third of Umbilical Cord and Arianna’s Shoes. (If you prevent Adella from killing her, and don’t kill her yourself after she gives birth to the baby. She will live with the baby in the clinic)

Alfred

You’ll first meet Alfred in Cathedral Ward, near the entrance to Old Yharnam. Agree to cooperate with him to start his questline. As a reward, he will give you three Fire Papers and the Pray Gesture. (If you don’t meet him near Old Yharnam and instead wait until after defeating Vicar Amelia, you’ll miss out on the Pray Gesture.)

Eileen the Crow Progress

To make her appear, open three gates in Cathedral Ward, including the shortcut to the Grand Cathedral. Once the gates are open, go to the spot left of the Cathedral Ward lantern, near the railing, and speak with her to receive the "Shhh!" gesture

Eileen the Crow Progress

Head to the Tomb of Oedon from either Central Yharnam or Cathedral Ward, since the lamp will be inaccessible. Once there, assist Eileen in defeating Henryk to earn the "Approval" gesture and the Heir Caryll Rune from his corpse. Make sure to avoid hitting Eileen during the fight, as it will make her hostile.

Old Yharnam

Djura

To avoid Djura becoming hostile, you need to make your way to the Blood-Starved Beast boss fight without attacking any enemies. After defeating the Blood-Starved Beast, Snatchers will begin to spawn around the world. To progress, head to Cathedral Ward and run forward; you should find a Snatcher waiting around the corner. If you're killed by the Snatcher, you’ll be teleported to Hypogean Gaol.

Adella the Nun

Adella can be found in a small nook to the right in Hypogean Gaol. To calm Adella, the Hunter must be wearing a chest piece from the Healing Church. The following sets will work: White Church Set, Black Church Set, Gascoigne's Set, Choir Set, Tomb Prospector Set, Executioner Garb. Once calmed, Adella will share some lore about her capture and ask the Hunter to send her to a safe place. You will now have to choose out of two options.

Adella the Nun (Oedon Chapel)

When sent to Oedon Chapel, Adella will teach you the Church Bow (Female) gesture. She will also offer her own blood, known as Adella’s Blood, which heals more than regular blood vials and continues to heal over time. This blood can be used for additional healing, and it replenishes slowly.

Conflict with Arianna: If you choose Arianna’s tainted blood over Adella’s, Adella will become jealous and eventually kill Arianna. This occurs after the Blood-Starved Beast boss fight, once you’ve accepted Arianna’s blood more than three times. When the Blood Moon rises, you’ll find Adella outside the church in an insane state, and she will turn hostile, attacking the Hunter.

Adella the Nun (Iosefka's Clinic)

If sent to Iosefka's Clinic, Adella will undergo a transformation into a Celestial Mob, becoming a hostile entity. After her transformation, Iosefka will reward the player with 1 Insight and 2 Numbing Mist

Djura Progress

After being taken to Hypogean Gaol, defeat Darkbeast Paarl and open the large gate to Old Yharnam. From there, sneak around to the back of the area to avoid Djura’s gatling gun. Once in Old Yharnam, climb the ladder to reach Djura’s location and speak with him. Choose the "Spare the beasts of Old Yharnam" option to receive the Powder Keg Hunter Badge, the Brush Off Dust gesture, and maintain Djura’s friendly status.

Forbidden Woods

Patches the Spider

You can first encounter Patches after defeating Vicar Amelia and visiting the Forbidden Woods at least once. He will replace the regular occupant of any red-lantern window in the Frontier or Yharnam. The fastest way to find him is by using the Central Yharnam lamp and checking the window nearby. If you want to meet him for the first time after defeating Rom, look for the window where the Young Yharnam Girl used to be, or in the area below the Healing Church Workshop in Cathedral Ward. Patches will give you the Tonsil Stone, which lets you access the Lecture Building, 1F if you let a Lesser Amygdala grab you at the Yahar'gul, the Unseen Village door. Talking to him again will prompt him to suggest you explore to the right of the Grand Cathedral for something grand. Note that once you leave the area where you spoke to Patches, he will disappear and the original occupant will return.

Impostor Iosefka Progress

Imposter Iosefka can be accessed through the rear entrance of the clinic, located in the Forbidden Woods. To reach her, the player must climb a ladder within the woods, leading them to the back of the clinic.

Suspicious Beggar

The Suspicious Beggar is found breathless and surrounded by several mauled bodies. He will be eating one of them and will ask the Hunter if they were responsible for killing the Snake Parasite. If you answer yes, he will thank you and ask if you know of any safe places. In return, he will give you two Pungent Blood Cocktails.

Suspicious Beggar

You now have two options: you can either send the Suspicious Beggar to Oedon Chapel or Iosefka's Clinic. It’s recommended to send him to Iosefka's Clinic, as sending him to Oedon Chapel will result in him killing the friendly NPC there.

Suspicious Beggar (Oedon Chapel)

If sent to Oedon Chapel, the Suspicious Beggar will start murdering the NPCs in the area. For each NPC he kills, you will be rewarded with Beast Blood Pellets. The NPCs he kills will drop the items they would have dropped if killed by the player. Once all NPCs have been killed, the beggar will disappear when the area is reloaded. His absence is permanent after this point.

Suspicious Beggar (Iosefka's Clinic)

If sent to Iosefka's Clinic, the Suspicious Beggar will transform into a Celestial Mob. This transformation is passive, and the mob can be killed to receive the Beast Rune, which drops upon its death.

COVENANT: The League

You can find Valtr inside a shortcut hut to the right of the first Lamp in the Forbidden Woods. He is the leader of The League, a group dedicated to hunting beasts and fiends.

Iosefka's Clinic

Impostor Iosefka Progress

Once inside, the Imposter Iosefka will greet the player and ask them to leave. If the player ignores her request and proceeds up the stairs, she may become hostile. If the player chooses to confront her and reaches the top of the stairs, she will attack. Killing her will reward the player with the Oedon Writhe rune but will also end the questline, preventing further interactions with her. Alternatively, if the player chooses to leave without engaging her, the Imposter Iosefka will close the door, and the encounter ends peacefully. If the player later returns to the clinic, she will thank them for sparing her life and ask them to send more survivors her way, continuing her twisted quest.

Byrgenwerth

Master Willem

This character can be found at Byrgenwerth College, in a rocking chair at the Lunarium. "Talk" to him to gain 2 Insight.

Moonside Lake

Impostor Iosefka

After killing Rom the Vacuous Spider, the imposter will appear in her "safe room" where she can be killed for the One Third of Umbilical Cord.

Gilbert Progress

After defeating Rom the Vacuous Spider, Gilbert transforms into an Old Yharnam Beast. You can find him near his window; defeat him to obtain the Clawmark Rune.

Eileen the Crow Progress

After defeating Rom, the Vacuous Spider, you'll find Eileen at the top of the Grand Cathedral staircase, where you must assist her in a challenging solo battle against the Bloody Crow of Cainhurst. If you missed earlier steps in her questline, Eileen will turn hostile and begin hunting you instead. Successfully assisting her unlocks the Crow Hunter Badge, the "Wait." gesture, and unlock the Crowfeather Set and Blade of Mercy for purchase. You'll also gaint the ability to join the Hunter of Hunters Covenant.

Viola's Daughter Progress

Once you've defeated Rom the Vacuous Spider, her older sister will appear in the window. She will ask you to find her younger sister, who has a White Ribbon. When you do, return the Red Messenger Ribbon to her.

Walking away from her window and past the gate will trigger a dialog of the sister talking to herself.

Viola's Daughter Progress

Reload the area and go down the ladder from the window to find the White Messenger Ribbon.

Hemwick Charnel Lane

COVENANT: Cainhurst Vilebloods

Queen Annalise is found in the throne room of Castle Cainhurst, after you defeat Martyr Logarius. To reach her, equip the Crown of Illusions (found near the entrance) after defeating Logarius. This crown unlocks the hidden path leading to her.

To join the Cainhurst Vilebloods Covenant, kneel in front of Annalise within the circle of candles. After swearing an oath, you'll receive the Cainhurst Badge, which grants you access to the Cainhurst Set and the Chikage weapon at the Insight Bath Messenger shop in Hunter's Dream.

Once you’ve joined the Vilebloods Covenant, you can offer 1 Blood Dreg to Annalise in exchange for the Deep Respect gesture. However, if you approach her without kneeling, she will dismiss you, regardless of your Vileblood status.

Alfred Progress

To progress in Alfred's questline, look for the unopened summons letter on a table in the throne room next to Queen Annalise. Once you have it, deliver the summons to Alfred, who can be found near the Forbidden Woods entrance in Cathedral Ward. Doing so will reward you with the Church Bow (Male) gesture and the Wheel Hunter Badge.

Alfred Progress

Upon receiving the summons, you’ll find Alfred in the Vileblood throne room, standing over the queen’s mutilated body. Speak with him here to receive the Roar Gesture. As you inspect the queen's throne, you’ll find Queenly Flesh.

Alfred Progress

After the throne room encounter, return to the spot where you first met Alfred, near the entrance to Old Yharnam in Cathedral Ward, to complete his quest. Here, you’ll find Alfred’s body along with the Radiance Rune.

Lecture Building

Patches Progress

Patches can be found at Lecture Hall (1st floor) where you can talk to him through the door immediately outside the room with the lamp.

Nightmare Frontier

Patches Progress

In the Nightmare Frontier, Patches sets a trap by dropping coins and a glowing treasure above a poison pit. When you approach the item, a cutscene triggers where Patches, from a hidden POV behind some grass, watches you closely. He will then scurry out and push you into the pit, laughing as you fall. (You can spot him on the rock wall above the item, and if you throw an object like a pebble at him he will fall, but there is no safe way to reach the item without triggering the animation and being pushed.)Patches can also drop the Great One's Wisdom in the swamp, but only if you shoot him down from the cliff in the Nightmare Frontier. However, if you kill him later in the Lecture Building, he won’t drop any items. (Killing him after killing Amygdala caused him to drop the item in my game)

Patches Progress

Finally, you may have a face-to-face encounter with him via Lecture Building 2nd floor. To find him, you must access from a ladder on the second floor, kill the giant with flaming hands, and go down the ladder, he will be blocking the door of this room. When confronted, gives the Beg for Life Gesture. Selecting either dialogue option, and then talking to Patches again gives the Anti-Clockwise Metamorphosis Rune. (If you kill Amygdala after meeting him in person, he will disappear, leaving the Great One's Wisdom behind on the desk where he once stood. ) After this conversation, Patches will appear randomly in the Chalice Dungeons of your creation and offer you the Consumables sold at the Bath Messenger, but at much higher prices.

-----------------------------------------Hunter's Nightmare DLC------------------------------------------

Hunters Nightmare

Simon the Harrowed

Initial Encounter near the first shortcut in the Hunter’s Nightmare, close to the Nightmare Church Lamp. Amino Apps, Speak to Simon, he will warn you about the dangers of the Nightmare. Respond with interest in the Nightmare to progress his questline.

Underground Corpse Pile

Simon the Harrowed Progress

After defeating Ludwig, the Holy Blade, Simon will appear near Ludwig’s severed head. He will discuss Ludwig's tragic fate and the secrets of the Healing Church. If you choose not to kill Ludwig's head, Simon will do so and reward you with the Holy Moonlight Sword.

Old Hunter Yamamura

After defeating Ludwig, proceed past the Underground Corpse Pile Lamp. Yamamura is in the first cell on the left. You will hear him repeatedly reciting a mantra. He cannot be interacted with at this point. You will need to acquire the Underground Cell Key to unlock Yamamura's cell. The key is found in the Research Hall area.

Old Hunter Yamamura Progress

Use the Underground Cell Key to open Yamamura's cell. Inside, Yamamura is hostile and must be defeated. Rewards: Yamamura Set (includes Yamamura Hunter Hat, Khaki Haori, Old Hunter Arm Bands, Wine Hakama). Blood Dreg (if the Corruption rune is equipped)

Research Hall

Saint Adeline

After unlocking the shortcut elevator connecting the ground floor to the upper levels, find Adeline in the first room on the right. She mistakes you for Lady Maria and requests Brain Fluid to help her focus on a "sound" she hears.

Saint Adeline Progress

Locate a headless, talking Clocktower Patient in the Research Hall. These patients can be: On a landing between floors 3 and 4, near a Church Doctor enemy. In the upper rafters of the Research Hall. Attack the patient to obtain Brain Fluid. Reward: She offers you the Blood of Adeline, a special blood vial. Note: You cannot receive the Blood of Adeline if you are already carrying special blood vials from other NPCs (e.g., Arianna, Adella, or Iosefka). Consume or discard them to obtain Adeline's blood. Return to Adeline and give her the Brain Fluid.

Saint Adeline Progress

Find another headless Clocktower Patient in the Research Hall and obtain a second Brain Fluid. Return to Adeline and give her the Brain Fluid. Reward: She gives you the Balcony Key, granting access to a new area. If Adeline doesn't respond after giving her the second Brain Fluid, try leaving and reloading the area multiple times to progress the quest

Simon the Harrowed Progress

Activate the lever at the top of the Research Hall to lower the staircases. Simon appears near the Research Hall Lamp. He comments on the Church’s horrific experiments and hints at deeper secrets beyond Lady Maria.

Saint Adeline Progress

After some time, Adeline transforms into a large head-like form and relocates behind a door near her original location. Speak to her, then attack her once to obtain the third Brain Fluid. Note: After receiving the Milkweed Rune, Adeline fades away peacefully. She will revive shortly after. Give her the third Brain Fluid. Reward: She grants you the Milkweed Rune, which allows you to transform into a Lumenwood Kin.

Astral Clocktower

Simon the Harrowed Progress

After defeating Lady Maria in the Astral Clocktower, Simon appears just before the entrance to the Fishing Hamlet (Lighthouse Hut). He talks about Brador and the Church's crimes.

Lighthouse Hut

Simon the Harrowed Progress

After defeating Lady Maria, Simon is found wounded on the floor, having been attacked by Brador. He entrusts you with the task of ending the Nightmare. Rewards: Simon's Bowblade – a unique weapon that transforms between a sword and a bow. Underground Cell Inner Chamber Key – used to unlock Brador’s cell.

Brador, Church Assassin

Travel to the Underground Cells (via Research Hall elevator). Use the key to open Brador’s cell. Brador will speak cryptically but remain non-hostile for now. After this, Brador will begin invading you in phantom form throughout the Fishing Hamlet. Brador will invade four times in different locations after entering the Fishing Hamlet. Each invasion drops a unique armor piece. Note: These phantom invasions only happen while Brador is alive in his cell. Killing him early will prevent them and lock you out of the armor set.