Crossbreed Priscilla

Crossbreed Priscilla (Japanese: 半竜プリシラ, Hepburn: Hanryū Purishira, lit. 'Half-dragon Priscilla') is an optional boss found in the Painted World of Ariamis and a character in Dark Souls. She is initially non-hostile and will ask the player to leave the world without fighting.

Her soul can be used to ascend a +10 Halberd or Whip into the Lifehunt Scythe. As with other dragon bosses, the player can also obtain a special weapon by cutting her tail off during combat, Priscilla's Dagger.

Description[]

Priscilla is a humanoid half-dragon roughly five meters tall. Her skin is extremely pale, her hair is stark white and she has a patch of fur beneath her hairline resembling an exaggerated widow's peak. This fur is framed by a row of small white spikes just above her brows.

She has a fluffy white articulate tail with draconic proportions that emerges between two layers of her gown, which is of the same furry texture. She is capable of turning invisible and walks barefoot despite the snowy terrain.

She speaks very softly, and attempts diplomacy with those who invade her world but prominently carries a large scythe capable of absorbing the life of her opponents for self-defense.

Lore[]

Dark Souls[]

Priscilla is a crossbreed of the dragon Seath and a human woman,^[1][2][3] likely a result of Seath's many experiments in his search for immortality^[4][5][6][7].

She was feared by the gods of Anor Londo and treated as an abomination^[8] due to the fact that her own body was naturally infused with the occult power capable of killing them.^[9][10]. She possessed also life-hunting powers and her lineage identified her as completely antithetical to the order and life of the gods^[11].

Eventually Priscilla was sealed away from the world because she was considered "taboo"^[12] into the cold and lonely Painted World of Ariamis, created by Ariamis with the purpose of leaving her alone^[13]. The Painted World came to be protected by a specific order of Painting Guardians, such was the perceived threat she posed to the reigning Gods.^[14] The Gods continued to use the Painted World as a prison, a place to seal away dangerous artifacts, abominations, sinners and Hollows. Eventually, Velka spread her influence inside the painted world, as she was the Goddess of Sin. Dozens of her cultist followers found refuge there, and potentially endeavored to protect Priscilla from the other Gods.^[15][16][17]

When the Chosen Undead encounters Priscilla, she has come to see herself as a guardian of the Painted World, which she characterizes as "peaceful," and its "kind" inhabitants. She pities those trapped within the painting, as the outside world has treated them with hate and locked them away, like herself.^[18] She is not hostile to visitors from the outside world, unless provoked, and will only ask them to leave in peace because they don't belong in there, and she will also deny anyone interested in her^[19].

Dark Souls III[]

At some point Priscilla would become the "Lady" of the Painted World^[20] and its inhabitants by extension, continuing to welcome the forlorns led into the cold world by the tales of the heretical, corvian storytellers^[21] and gifting them great scythes^[22]. At some point her Lifehunt Scythe becoming the symbol of a distant nostalgia^[23]. The humanoid corvians who continued to find refuge in the painting would then form a small village, complete with a library^[24] and knights, developing a high understanding of the First Flame and the Dark Soul^[25], using the Flame to "restore" the Painted World when it was corrupted from time, to avoid the fate of the stagnating outside world^[26][27]. For this purpose, a "Father" was chosen among the corvians who would have to tend to the Flame present in the Painted World to burn it when the time was right^[28] and prepare the next one by restoring the painting^[29].

Priscilla would also have a daughter^[30] who would inherit her draconic traits^[31], along with her high levels of knowledge about the First Flame and the Dark Soul^[32], becoming a "painter" with the abilities to harness the two forces^[33] and paint Painted Worlds^[34].

Theories[]

• It is possible to theorize that Gwyn had a relationship with Priscilla and from their union Gwyndolin was born, the last son of the king of the gods, for several reasons:
  • Gwyndolin is the last child of Gwyn^[35] but Yorshka, an half-dragon, is his younger sister^[36], confirming that they share a mother. Since the two siblings both possess draconic traits their common mother should have possessed draconic traits herself for them to inherit them partially^[37][38][39].
  • Gwyndolin inherited the unique magic of the moonlight of Seath^[40], as his grandfather, and would have become a strong moon sorcerer^[41], something peculiar for the lineage of Gwyn connected to the power of the Sun.
  • Gwyndolin's final thoughts of a "white girl", as he was devoured by Aldritch, allow the creation of a miracle that replicates the Lifehunt Scythe of Priscilla^[42], and, as miracles are tales of the gods, it would mean that Gwyndolin had a special relationship with Priscilla and remembered her before his death.
  • Gwyndolin's legitimacy as a deity came only from the fact that he was the son of King Gwyn^[43], thus implying that his mother alone would not have granted him the right to be part of the deities, as she was not one.
  • The fact that Gwyndolin was Priscilla's son, as she was hated and feared by the gods^[44], would explain why Gwyn would dress, educate and raise him to be a female^[45], as the king of the gods would never have wanted him to be able to ascend the throne with his dangerous lineage.

• Although it is considered a popular theory, Priscilla cannot be the daughter of Seath and Velka for several reasons:
  • Priscilla's body is biologically infused with occult power^[46] capable of killing gods^[47]. Velka, although capable of manipulating this power to infuse the weapons of her priests^[48], cannot possess it naturally, as it is impossible for a member of the race of gods to be infused with a power capable of killing them.
  • Priscilla possesses the power of lifehunt^[49], similar to that of the lifedrain power of the Dark Hand of ancient humans^[50], a power that was not in possession of the gods and that they feared.
  • Priscilla was considered an abomination, a taboo and "antithesis of every lifeform"^[51]. This indicates that his mother cannot be a deity, the embodiment of the order of life of the world governed by Gwyn's clan, making the crossbreed the antithesis of "life" as she is descended from dragons and humans and therefore completely opposed to the race of the gods.
  • Priscilla is considered an abomination and feared by the gods^[52], but Shira, legitimate daughter of the Duke and a deity^[53] had been normally legitimized and had become knight of Gwyn's last daughter, confirming that if the crossbreed had been the daughter of a deity, even if out of Seath's marriage, the reaction of the gods would have been more moderate.
  • Seath's obsession was to become Immortal by finding an alternative to his lack of Dragon Scales^[54], as demonstrated by his experiments on humans like the Man Serpents and the Pisacas. Consequently, having a daughter outside of marriage with a goddess, who although strong remains mortal unlike "humans", would have no advantage in achieving his goal.

Artifacts[]

• Soul of Priscilla
• Peculiar Doll
• Lifehunt Scythe
• Priscilla's Dagger

Strategies[]

• It is wise to move into position prior to starting, since she is initially neutral. If Priscilla's Dagger is desired, it is recommended to go for her tail first, as there will be an opportunity to get a few free hits in before she attacks.
• She will become invisible as soon as she is attacked. When she is invisible, the most reliable way to determine her location is to watch for the large footprints that she leaves behind in the snow. Care should be taken, since approximately half of the staging area is not covered in snow.
• She will turn visible again when her Poise is broken. If Priscilla is hit with any Pyromancies or fire dealing weapons, she will re-appear more quickly. Also, if the player successfully hits her with an arrow or a Throwing Knife, they will stick to her body for a while, revealing her position.
• Priscilla's attacks can inflict Bleed at an alarming rate. It is advisable to equip items that reduce bleeding status and have plenty of Bloodred Moss Clumps ready.
  • The Bloodbite Ring is especially effective for reducing any Bleed buildup inflicted upon damage.
• Players should re-position themselves when Crossbreed Priscilla strafes the player in an attempt to flank them. Players or summons that have aggroed Crossbreed Priscilla and turn their back on her while trying to gain some distance can get easily stun-locked by her combo attacks and will certainly die if the Bleed meter is filled.
• Once you initiate the fight, if you lock on while she's turning invisible, your targeting reticle will briefly follow her when she jumps away from the spot she turns invisible. This can grant you an opportunity to turn her visible quickly, provided you can stagger her in one shot (such as with a powerful Great Combustion).
• A common problem players have while looking to cut off Priscilla's tail is that they may already be too strong, her before they can break her poise.
  • A simple workaround consists in attacking her with arrows. After about three or four successful hits, Priscilla will turn visible again. Additionally, those arrows that have connected will stick to her body, giving away her position and making it easier to connect more hits.
  • An alternate method consists in using the Dragonslayer Greatbow, which guarantees staggering Priscilla and turn her visible with just one hit, even if the player doesn't have the required stats to wield the weapon properly.

Boss information[]

Attacks[]

Single Slash[]

				Attack Type	Status	Parryable	Tracking	Speed
360	0	0	0	Slash	Bleed: 80%	No	Both	Medium

This is a single attack that has good forward range and tracks quite well to both sides. While it is fairly damaging, it can be blocked but not parried. This attack also causes Bleed upon hitting or being blocked.

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Double Slash[]

^{[note 1]}

				Attack Type	Status	Parryable	Tracking	Speed
490	0	0	0	Slash	Bleed: 80%	No	Neither	Medium

Virtually the same as the Single Slash, but with two slashes instead, once from right to left and then left to right. There is a large gap between attacks, and can also track the player.

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Fairy Dust[]

				Attack Type	Status	Parryable	Tracking	Speed
0	432	0	0	Normal	None	No	Both	Medium

After a short delay, Priscilla blows a concentrated cloud of blue particles directly in front of her or in a sweeping motion. The resulting cloud lingers for a few seconds afterward. This attack deals a large amount of damage and is difficult to block.

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Invisibility[]

Priscilla turns invisible, whilst still being able to attack the player. Leaves large footprints in the snow.

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Defenses[]

Physical Defenses				Elemental Defenses			Resistances
324	324	324	324	225	195	195	A	A	C

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

Drops[]

Item	Soul of Priscilla	Priscilla's Dagger
Drop Rate	Guaranteed	Sever Tail

Dialogue[]

Click to see dialogue (contains spoilers)

Greeting Who art thou? One of us, thou art not. If thou hast misstepped into this world, plunge down from the plank, and hurry home. If thou seekest I, thine desires shall be requited not. あなたは、誰？ 私たちの仲間では、ないのでしょう？ もしあやまって、迷い込んだのなら その先を飛び降りて、戻ってください そしてもし、私を求めてきたのなら それは許されることでは、ないのです… あなたは、あなたの世界に戻ってください Who are you? You're not one of us, are you? If you got lost here by mistake... Jump down past that point and go back. If it's me you want... I can't let you. Talk Thou must returneth whence thou came. This land is peaceful, its inhabitants kind, but thou dost not belong. I beg of thee, plunge down from the plank, and hurry home. あなたは、あなたの世界に戻ってください ここは静かで、皆優しげですが あなたの世界ではないでしょう？ どうか、その先を飛び降りて、戻ってください Please go back to your world. I know it's quiet here and everyone's kind, but it's not your world, is it? Please jump down past that point and go back. Attacking her I expected as much from thee. Why dost thee hurry toward thine death? あなたも、やはりそうなのですか どうして皆、死に急ぐのでしょうか… You are like that too... I expected it. Why is everyone in such a hurry to die...? Killing the player Why could thou not let us be? Didst thou not see why Ariamis created this world? なぜ、そっとしておいてくれないのです… そのための、このエレーミアス世界なのでしょう？ Why didn't you leave me alone...? This was the purpose of Eremias' world, wasn't it? Killing her Ahh... But, why... What seeketh thee? ああ… あなたは、なぜ…何を望むのですか… Aah... Why do you... What is it you want...?

Notes[]

• If she is hostile to the player, attempting to leave by jumping off the ledge will result in death instead of exiting the Painted World. The only two ways to leave the world if she is hostile is to kill her, as it is impossible to warp out of the Painted World with the Lordvessel or to not have used the bonfire in the Painted World, so that the player can warp out with the use of the Homeward Miracle or a Homeward Bone. However, Homeward and Homeward Bones can only be used to exit the Painted World if it was entered by warping with the Lordvessel, as using either after entering through the painting sends the player to the bridge at the start of the area.
• Priscilla cannot be attacked while in her vanishing animation. This should be taken in consideration by players looking to cut off her tail.
• Having sins absolved by Oswald of Carim will return her to neutral, enabling the player to cut her tail, but keeping the Painted World as a place for invasions if desired.
• The visual effect of Poison or Toxic can be used to track Priscilla when she's invisible. Striking her with Lightning weapons will also produce a visual effect indicating her location.
• A Dark Souls III character named Yorshka resembles Priscilla in her general appearance, her draconic features, and her voice. She also shares Priscilla's associations with snow, incarceration, Anor Londo, and the Darkmoon covenant. Yorshka is friendly to the player and incapable of combat.

Trivia[]

• Priscilla's name (プリシラ) shares the same kanji with Shira's name (シラ).
• Priscilla's mentioned title in Dark Souls III uses the kanji "絵画の主" that can be literally, gender neutrally, translated as "Lord of the Painting".
• According to a developer interview, Crossbreed Priscilla was initially meant to become the main heroine, similar to the Maiden in Black and Emerald Herald, and she was originally meant to be present in Firelink Shrine. However, this role was scrapped and replaced by the characters known as Firekeepers.^[55]
  • Priscilla has unique and unused sitting and standing animations,^[56] probably left over from her previous iteration as a friendly character.
• She is voiced by Clare Corbett, who also voiced the Undead Female Merchant and Gwynevere, Princess of Sunlight.

Gallery[]

Music[]

Achievements/Trophies[]

References[]

Footnotes[]

Bosses

Asylum Demon • Bed of Chaos • Bell Gargoyles • Black Dragon Kalameet • Capra Demon • Ceaseless Discharge • Centipede Demon • Chaos Witch Quelaag • Crossbreed Priscilla • Dark Sun Gwyndolin • Demon Firesage • Dragon Slayer Ornstein and Executioner Smough • Four Kings • Gaping Dragon • Gravelord Nito • Great Grey Wolf Sif • Gwyn, Lord of Cinder • Iron Golem • Knight Artorias • Manus, Father of the Abyss • Moonlight Butterfly • Pinwheel • Sanctuary Guardian • Seath the Scaleless • Stray Demon • Taurus Demon