Warning: Spoilers Ahead
As you play throughout Bloodborne, you will come across various side quests and NPCs that add layers of depth to the game’s mysterious storyline. One of these optional digressions from the mainline is making a visit to the Forsaken Castle Cainhurst. If you haven’t been able to reach this portion of the game yet, you might want to check out our guide on How to Gain Entry to Cainhurst.
Once a player gains access to Cainhurst, there is much to explore. Bloodborne’s map is often celebrated for its deep level of interconnection between areas through extensive shortcuts and portals. However, Forsaken Castle Cainhurst seems to be an entity unto itself, separated from the rest of the map by an eerie stagecoach ride from Hemwick Crossing. As such, it has its own unique and interesting history.
At first glance, it is apparent that Castle Cainhurst was once the residence of royal and wealthy noble families. This is confirmed by the Knight’s Garb description which reads, “Attire of the knights of Cainhurst. A regal piece graced by intricate goldwork. The Cainhurst way is a mix of nostalgia and bombast. They take great pride even in the blood-stained corpses of beasts that they leave behind. confident that they will stand as examples of decadent art.”
The mystery is in how Castle Cainhurst became Forsaken Castle Cainhurst. We receive our first clue from the NPC Alfred who mentions that:
“”Once, a scholar betrayed his fellows at Byrgenwerth and brought forbidden blood back with him to Cainhurst Castle. It was there that the first of the inhuman Vilebloods was born. The Vilebloods are fiendish creatures who threaten the purity of the Church’s blood healing. The Ruler of the Vilebloods is still alive today. And so, to honor my master’s wishes, I search. For the path to Cainhurst Castle.”
When Alfred tells the player about Cainhurst, he mentions that the root of the Vilebloods is “forbidden” blood. But why was the blood “forbidden?” From the creation of the Healing Church and the beastly scourge that followed, we know that most blood ministration did not turn people into Vilebloods. Perhaps what was different about the “forbidden” blood was that it was not the blood of the Great Ones, but rather the blood of Queen Yharnam herself.
After exploring Cainhurst, the player will find Martyr Logarius, who has decided it is his sworn mission to slay anyone who attempts to cross his path. Alfred wasn’t kidding. Logarius is still there as an anchor but for what purpose exactly? Only one way to find out. Not to be daunted, the hunter engages, Logarius in combat.
After being slain, Logarius drops the Crown of Illusions, the description of which reads, “”One of the precious secrets of Cainhurst. The old king’s crown is said to reveal illusions, and expose a mirage that hides a secret. And so Logarius donned the crown of his own volition, determined to prevent a single soul from stumbling upon the vile secret. What visions did he see, sitting serenely upon his new throne?”
If the player is brave enough to don the crown, the illusion disperses and the Vileblood Queen’s Chamber becomes apparent. Walking in to the chamber, the player finds that Queen Annalise sits upon her throne alive and well; this is the threat for which Logarius martyred himself to protect the world.
