In the sprawling, melancholic tapestry of the Lands Between, the Tarnished often fixate on the grand demigods and cosmic horrors. Yet, lurking in the shadowy corners and forgotten ruins are a host of minor characters whose stories, as of 2026, feel like books snapped shut before the final chapter. While the main saga of Elden Ring may have concluded, the whispers from FromSoftware suggest that the upcoming DLC, 'Shadow of the Erdtree,' could be the perfect stage for these supporting actors to take a final, dramatic bow. Their unresolved fates aren't just loose ends; they're narrative threads dangling like ripe grapes, begging to be plucked and fermented into new, intoxicating adventures. Giving these characters a proper payoff wouldn't just be fan service; it would elevate Elden Ring's role-playing soul, transforming side quests from mere item hunts into epic, player-shaped legends.

The Jars of Destiny: Carrying a Legacy Forward

Of all the peculiar denizens one might encounter, the Living Jars hold a special place in the community's heart—a place roughly the size and shape of a very enthusiastic, self-improving ceramic pot. Jar Bairn, in particular, represents a poignant thread left dangling. This plucky little jar, the nephew of the legendary Iron Fist Alexander, stands as a testament to inherited dreams. After witnessing (or perhaps participating in) Alexander's heroic end, Jar Bairn vows to continue his uncle's legacy, aspiring to become a great warrior jar. His questline ends not with a bang, but with a hopeful promise, leaving him practicing his punches in Jarburg. Seeing this character return in the DLC, perhaps having embarked on his own clumsy, earnest pilgrimage, would be like watching a sapling you nurtured grow into a mighty, if slightly lopsided, tree. It would inject a dose of heartwarming levity into the DLC's likely grim atmosphere. Imagine encountering a seasoned Jar Bairn, his clay slightly scarred but his spirit unbroken, offering aid in a boss fight or providing unique insights into the jar-kind's mysterious culture. His return would be a love letter to fans of Alexander, completing a circle of mentorship and growth that feels authentically rewarding.

A Serpent's Second Course: The Tanith & Patches Conundrum

Then there's the duo wrapped in mystery and malice, whose stories intertwine like two venomous snakes in a deadly dance. Lady Tanith's conclusion in the base game is the stuff of nightmare fuel. After the Tarnished defeats the blasphemous Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy, they can return to find Tanith... dining. Not on a fine meal, but on the remains of her fallen lord, seeking to become one with the serpent and its immortal master. Rykard's chilling final laugh—"A serpent never dies"—hangs over this scene like a poisonous fog. The player is given a binary choice: end her grotesque ritual or walk away. Sparing her is an act that opens a Pandora's box of potential for the DLC. Could the DLC feature a reborn Rykard, with Tanith as a horrifying new vessel? A boss fight against "Tanith, Serpent-Queen" would be a spectacular and terrifying payoff, making a previous narrative choice matter in a profound way.

And where there's mystery in a FromSoftware game, the irrepressible Patches is never far behind. This perennial trickster has a curious, unresolved link to Tanith. He gives the Tarnished Dancer's Castanets, an item meant for her that ultimately goes nowhere—a narrative hiccup as puzzling as a square wheel. Given Patches' storied history of popping up in DLC (most notably in Dark Souls 3: The Ringed City), his return is almost a certainty. But will it be connected to Tanith's fate? Perhaps he knew of her plans all along, or maybe he seeks to profit from the new serpent-god she might become. His role could range from a classic betrayal to an unlikely, self-serving alliance. Including Patches would not only provide comic relief but also tie up one of the game's most glaring unresolved item threads.

Beyond the Usual Suspects: Other Stories Waiting in the Wings

While Jar Bairn and the Tanith/Patches saga are prime candidates, the Lands Between is littered with other souls whose journeys feel incomplete. Consider:

• Nepheli Loux & Kenneth Haight: The quest to restore a rightful ruler to Limgrave concludes with them in Stormveil Castle, but their reign is just beginning. How are they governing? Are they facing new threats? Their new kingdom could be a hub in the DLC.

• Boc the Seamster: The demi-human who only wants to be beautiful found his purpose with the Tarnished's encouragement. Seeing him as a confident, master tailor in a new land would be a small but beautiful character conclusion.

• The Dung Eater: His ending is one of the most definitively horrific, but what does a world cursed by his seed actually look like? The DLC could explore a region ravaged by his so-called "blessing."

Why Their Return Matters: The Soul of an RPG

Bringing these characters back isn't just about nostalgia. It's about validating the player's actions and the time invested in these hidden stories. It transforms Elden Ring from a world you pass through into a world you affect. When a choice made dozens of hours ago reverberates in new content, it creates a sense of continuity and consequence that is the hallmark of great role-playing. It tells the player that every interaction, every quest completed, and every character aided or doomed has weight. In 2026, as the gaming landscape evolves, this level of narrative depth is what separates timeless classics from fleeting distractions. The DLC has the chance to weave these minor threads back into the main tapestry, showing that in the shadow of the Erdtree, no story is truly too small to be finished.

In the end, the potential return of these characters is like finding a series of elegant, half-solved riddles tucked into the back of a favorite book. The DLC offers the chance to finally ink in the answers, not with a simple stroke, but with the full, rich calligraphy of expanded lore and meaningful gameplay. For the Tarnished who took the time to listen, the reward could be a reunion more satisfying than any legendary armament.