Eileen the Crow's Questline

Eileen the Crow's Questline: A Hunter of Hunters' Path

Eileen the Crow is a stoic and enigmatic Hunter of Hunters, dedicated to culling those who have succumbed to the beastly scourge. Her questline is one of Bloodborne's most memorable side stories, offering unique insights into the world of Yharnam and rewarding diligent players with powerful tools and a distinctive rune. Following her path requires careful timing and attention to detail, as certain actions or missed opportunities can prematurely end her tragic tale.

Successfully completing Eileen's questline not only deepens your understanding of the game's lore but also grants access to her exclusive gear, essential for any Hunter looking to specialize in skill-based combat or embrace the Hunter of Hunters' creed.

Rewards for Completion

• Crow Hunter Badge: Unlocks the Blade of Mercy and Evelyn for purchase from the Messengers.
• Hunter of Hunters Rune (Oath Memory): A Caryll Rune that grants a significant boost to stamina recovery and changes your allegiance to the Hunter of Hunters covenant.
• Blood Dregs: Upon defeating the Bloody Crow of Cainhurst, you will receive a Blood Dreg.

Eileen's Questline: Step-by-Step Walkthrough

Follow these steps precisely to ensure you complete Eileen's quest and reap all its rewards. Be mindful of the timing, as progressing too far in the main story without interacting with Eileen at certain points can lock you out of her quest.

Step 1: Initial Encounter in Central Yharnam

• Location: Central Yharnam, on a hidden ledge above the sewers.
• Prerequisites: None. Available from the start of the game.
• How to Find Her:
  1. From the Central Yharnam lamp, head through the gate and down the stairs.
  2. Go left, past the two large brick trolls, and enter the house on the right (where the wheelchair enemy is).
  3. Go through the house, out the back, and onto the bridge.
  4. Instead of crossing the bridge, turn right and drop down onto the ledge below.
  5. Follow this ledge to the left, past a few enemies, until you reach a small, dark alleyway.
  6. Eileen will be standing at the end of this alley, behind some breakable barrels.
• Action: Speak to Eileen. Exhaust all her dialogue options. She will give you the "Shake Off Beastly Scourge" gesture and four Bold Hunter's Marks.
• Missable Warning: If you defeat the Cleric Beast or Father Gascoigne before speaking to her here, she will move to her next location without giving you the gesture or Bold Hunter's Marks. However, her questline can still be continued.

Step 2: Oedon Chapel Encounter

• Location: Cathedral Ward, outside Oedon Chapel.
• Prerequisites:
  • Opened the main gate to the Grand Cathedral (the gate leading to Vicar Amelia's boss arena). This typically involves defeating the Blood-starved Beast in Old Yharnam to gain access to the Healing Church Workshop, then taking the path down to the Cathedral Ward and opening the main gate.
  • Spoken to Eileen in Central Yharnam (Step 1).
• How to Find Her: After opening the main gate, exit Oedon Chapel. Eileen will be standing just outside the chapel's main entrance, to the left.
• Action: Speak to Eileen. Exhaust all her dialogue options. She will warn you about the dangers of the hunt and the Hunters who have gone mad.
• Missable Warning: If you defeat Vicar Amelia before speaking to Eileen here, she will move directly to the Tomb of Oedon for her next encounter, potentially skipping this dialogue. Her questline can still be continued.

Step 3: Confronting Henryk at the Tomb of Oedon

• Location: Tomb of Oedon, where you fought Father Gascoigne.
• Prerequisites:
  • Spoken to Eileen at Oedon Chapel (Step 2).
  • Defeated Vicar Amelia.
• How to Trigger: After defeating Vicar Amelia, return to the Oedon Chapel lamp. As you exit the chapel, you will hear Eileen's distinctive caw. Proceed to the Tomb of Oedon.
• Action: You will find Eileen engaged in a fierce battle with Henryk, the Hunter.
  • Strategy: Immediately assist Eileen. Henryk is a formidable Hunter NPC, wielding a Kirkhammer and Hunter Blunderbuss. He has high HP and deals significant damage. Focus your attacks on Henryk. Be careful not to hit Eileen, as friendly fire can turn her hostile and end the questline. Use the environment to your advantage, baiting Henryk into attacks and then punishing him. Parrying is highly effective against him.
  • After the Fight: Once Henryk is defeated, speak to Eileen. She will be grateful for your assistance and reward you with the "Approval" gesture and the Heir Rune.
• Common Pitfalls:
  • Hitting Eileen: Even a single hit can make her hostile. Use weapons with narrow hitboxes or be extremely precise.
  • Letting Eileen Die: If Eileen dies during this fight, her questline ends prematurely. You will still get the Crow Hunter Badge from Henryk, but miss out on the Hunter of Hunters Rune and the final encounter.
  • Ignoring the Fight: If you leave the area without assisting Eileen, she may die, or the encounter might despawn, leading to a failed quest.
  • Progressing too far: If you defeat the Shadow of Yharnam (in the Forbidden Woods) before completing this step, Eileen will move to her final location, and Henryk will be gone, effectively failing this part of the quest.

Step 4: The Bloody Crow of Cainhurst at the Grand Cathedral

• Location: Grand Cathedral, where you fought Vicar Amelia.
• Prerequisites:
  • Successfully completed Step 3 (assisted Eileen against Henryk).
  • Defeated Rom, the Vacuous Spider (in Byrgenwerth). This triggers the Blood Moon and advances the game's narrative significantly.
• How to Trigger: After defeating Rom, return to the Grand Cathedral lamp.
• Action: As you approach the Grand Cathedral, you will find Eileen gravely wounded on the steps, near the entrance. She will warn you about a "bloody crow" inside.
  1. Enter the Grand Cathedral: Inside, you will face the Bloody Crow of Cainhurst, one of the toughest NPC Hunters in the game.
  2. Strategy: This fight is notoriously difficult. The Bloody Crow is extremely aggressive, wields a Chikage (which deals rapid blood damage) and an Evelyn (capable of one-shotting players with a visceral attack).
     • Parrying: Learn his attack patterns and practice parrying. A successful parry and visceral attack are your best chance.
     • Poison Knives: Using Poison Knives can chip away at his health while you maintain distance.
     • Environment: Use the pillars in the cathedral for cover, but be aware that his Chikage can hit through them.
     • Stamina Management: He has infinite stamina and will relentlessly pursue you. Manage your own stamina carefully for dodging and attacking.
     • Recommended Loadout: High physical defense armor, weapons with good reach, and plenty of Blood Vials and Quicksilver Bullets.
  3. After the Fight: Once the Bloody Crow is defeated, return to Eileen outside the Grand Cathedral. Speak to her. She will commend your strength and pass on her mantle, granting you the Crow Hunter Badge and the Hunter of Hunters Rune.
• Missable Warning: If you defeat Mergo's Wet Nurse (the final boss of the Nightmare of Mensis) before completing this step, Eileen will disappear, and the quest will be incomplete.

Eileen's Unique Weapons

Upon receiving the Crow Hunter Badge, you can purchase these items from the Messengers in the Hunter's Dream.

Common Pitfalls and Missables (Summary)

• Missing Initial Dialogue: Defeating Cleric Beast or Father Gascoigne before speaking to Eileen in Central Yharnam will skip her initial dialogue and the "Shake Off Beastly Scourge" gesture.
• Ignoring Oedon Chapel: Defeating Vicar Amelia before speaking to Eileen outside Oedon Chapel will skip that dialogue.
• Failing Henryk Fight:
  • Hitting Eileen during the Henryk fight will make her hostile.
  • Allowing Eileen to die during the Henryk fight will end the quest prematurely.
  • Defeating the Shadow of Yharnam before assisting Eileen against Henryk will cause her to move to the Grand Cathedral, failing this step.
• Skipping Grand Cathedral: Defeating Mergo's Wet Nurse before completing the Bloody Crow of Cainhurst fight will cause Eileen to disappear, ending the quest.

By following this comprehensive guide, you will successfully navigate Eileen the Crow's questline, uncover more of Bloodborne's rich narrative, and earn some of the game's most iconic rewards.