Elden Ring is not lacking in NPCs that are strange, creepy, or mean. Friendly faces like the doorman Gostoc are a pleasant exception – apparently. Because this guy, who seems so helpful, brazenly steals from you after every death. MeinMMO reveals more.
Shortly after the tutorial dungeon, Elden Ring gives you many signals that you should stop by the Stormveil Castle. This impressive castle is pretty much the first thing you see in the open world.
If you then manage to get past the brutal boss Margit, the doorman Gostoc is your first encounter and feels like soothing balm: he is friendly, warns you about the ambush at the main gate, and helps you find a safer way deeper into the castle.
But as with Fia and her deceptive “Hugs of Death”, Gostoc’s helpful warmth hides a predatory act.
Gostoc steals 30% of your runes after each death
The NPC Gostoc is in a room to the left of the main gate of the Stormveil Castle, and he couldn’t be more inconspicuous. Pale skin, strained voice, and clothes that almost completely blend in with the wall – this doorman is the epitome of a wallflower.
Especially after the tough fight against Margit, his friendly and reserved manner is very pleasant. He wishes you luck, gives you compliments, and offers you well-meaning and honest tips that you can easily decline without any hard feelings. Perhaps after talking to him, you have a small grin on your face before losing it to the falcons with sword feet again.
But if you die in the Stormveil Castle and then gather your runes again, you might notice something. For some reason, you collect fewer runes than you lost. This doesn’t happen anywhere else in the game, and it was never part of the Souls games. Everything you lose can be just as easily collected again.
Actually. Because that is not true in the Stormveil Castle. And you may already suspect the reason: The inconspicuous Gostoc brazenly steals from you after every death.
The doorman takes a full 30% of your runes after each of your deaths – without the game ever explicitly telling you that. You might not even realize that you’re being robbed of large parts of your valuable earnings. Because the inconspicuous Gostoc secretly waits for your downfall and helps himself without any shame.
Gostoc is sneaky, but it’s worth keeping him alive
Even if Gostoc lurks in the shadows, observant players can witness his sneaky behavior. If you look closely, you can often spot Gostoc behind your character:
- On a dilapidated watchtower.
- While crossing the side path.
- Inside the watchtower.
- On the roof of the castle chapel.
This video shows all these locations:
But that’s not all: when you enter the dark room with the rusty key, someone closes the door behind you. You hear a nasty laugh while you are locked in with a difficult opponent. It’s the laugh of Gostoc.
This happens regardless of whether you accept his help or not. As long as Gostoc is alive, he will steal from you in the Stormveil Castle. But you shouldn’t act rashly:
With Patch 1.03 the story of Gostoc has been expanded. If you properly complete the quests of other NPCs, Gostoc will reopen his shop. There he sells you the rare and incredibly valuable Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone, with which you can upgrade your weapons to the highest level. This video shows you how Gostoc’s quest works:
Even if Gostoc steals from you and shamelessly betrays your trust: it might not be worth cold-bloodedly killing him. At least not anymore since the patch.
If you do leave the sneaky coward Gostoc alive to buy his Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone, you should use this valuable item for the right weapons. In our extensive tier list, you can find out which weapons are currently the best in Elden Ring:
Elden Ring Tier List – All 309 weapons ranked after Patch 1.03
This happens regardless of whether you accept his help or not. As long as Gostoc is alive, he will steal from you in the Stormveil Castle. But you shouldn’t act rashly:
With Patch 1.03 the story of Gostoc has been expanded. If you properly complete the quests of other NPCs, Gostoc will reopen his shop. There he sells you the rare and incredibly valuable Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone, with which you can upgrade your weapons to the highest level. This video shows you how Gostoc’s quest works:
Even if Gostoc steals from you and shamelessly betrays your trust: it might not be worth cold-bloodedly killing him. At least not anymore since the patch.
If you do leave the sneaky coward Gostoc alive to buy his Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone, you should use this valuable item for the right weapons. In our extensive tier list, you can find out which weapons are currently the best in Elden Ring:
Elden Ring Tier List – All 309 weapons ranked after Patch 1.03
