The Prattling Pates are face-shaped sculptures in Elden Ring that players can use to communicate. When the items are used, players blow into them and create a sound that is akin to human speech. The base game includes eight Pates, each of which emits its own canned phrases, such as Prattling Pate “Hello” or Prattling Pate “Thank you” . Mechanically, the Pates serve the simple function of allowing players online to convey simple messages, but their lore in the game is less obvious.

Yet a new item in the Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC may help to clear things up. The Land of Shadow includes a new version of this item called “Lamentation.” It is a visually distinct Pate, frozen over and twisted, that emits a horrible sobbing, screaming noise when used. The context of where this Pate is found, the item’s description, and even some things within previous FromSoftware games can explain the presence of the Pates.

To use the Great Runes found on main bosses in Elden Ring, players will need to climb Divine Towers and consume Rune Arcs to gain their effects.

The Prattling Pates Resemble A Similar Item In The Dark Souls Trilogy

Being Able To Leave Voice Messages Was A Missed Feature

Dark Souls1, 2, and 3 all contain items that serve the same purpose as the Pates. Those are the Carvings, wooden figurines resembling twisted faces that emit voices when dropped on the ground. These voices are incredibly similar to those in Elden Ring, and the item descriptions of the carvings share commonalities with the Pates.

Each Pate is described as ” twisted clay sculpt in the shape of a human head. ”

The carvings are crafted by characters like Hawkeye Gough, who can actually be found whittling them into shape and presumably filling them with his voice. Each Pate is described as “twisted clay sculpt in the shape of a human head,” implying that they, too, are made by craftspeople and artificially imbued with their voices.

The Pates May Each Hold The Voices Of Their Creators

You Can Even Help A Character To Hear His Mother’s Voice Again

The Lamentation Pate sticks out as the only one that contains noises instead of voices, and its location in the Lamenter’s Gaol suggests it once belonged to a resident of that awful place. Perhaps even a Lamenter creature, one of whom is imprisoned at the bottom, may have even been the one to make this specific Pate. This theory would coincide with another one, surrounding a Pate in the base game with a unique purpose.

Prattling Pate “You’re Beautiful” is distinct for its importance Boc the Seamster’s plot line. Using it near Boc prompts him to remember the words of his mother and builds up his self-esteem. Many speculate that, since it is found in the Hermit Village, which is populated by demi-humans like Boc, and because it is the only Pate with teeth that just so happen to resemble demi-humans, Boc’s mother made and provided this Pate with a voice. In this way, the disturbing new Pate in the Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdree may support a wholesome fan theory in the base game.

Elden Ring

RPG
Action

Platform(s)PS5 , Xbox One , PS4 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , PC
ReleasedFebruary 25, 2022
Developer(s)From Software
Publisher(s)Bandai Namco Entertainment , From Software