Laurence, the First Vicar
The Beginning
Laurence is a prevalent figure within the lore of Bloodborne, and I am sure to come back to him once more at a later time. But for now, a simple explanation of his role in the series of events conspired to create the Yharnam we see today will do - as he could be traced back to be the exact point of divergence in what fate awaited the city, and the people within.
'We are born of the blood, made men by the blood, undone by the blood. Our eyes are yet to open.'
- Master Willem
Laurence began his pilgrimage to providence in Byrgenwerth, a place uncoincidentally linked to the birth of many factions and figures that decided the fate of Yharnam in its last days. Byrgenwerth is a bygone institute of learning, initially started as a college for the betterment of mankind - possibly founded upon the discovery of the chalice dungeons beneath Yharnam; it is more likely that Byrgenwerth existed before this however as it is stated that the dungeons were initially discovered by the college itself.
This discovery propelled the college from a small institute of students to a revered operation that delved into ancient knowledge and lands. Laurence may or may not have been a member before the chalice dungeons were revealed, but that doesn't make a real difference. What has defined his plight was an additional discovery, something found in their effort of exploring these uncovered dungeons: the Holy Medium.
Finally referencing the previous quote, the Holy Medium was a huge discovery for Byrgenwerth as it showed them absolute evidence of a higher plane, or of creatures unexplainable by common science. The progenitor of this 'Holy Medium' (later known as the healing blood) is unknown, but most likely either Ebrietas or the Bloodletting Beast; probably the Bloodletting Beast as if Ebrietas was discovered this early on things like the Choir would have been created sooner and perhaps the goal of ascension would have been more in line with Willem's ideal, and less of Laurence's. Nevertheless the blood remained a foundation of Byrgenwerth and the creation the their adage: 'fear the old blood' (see previous quote for the rest of the adage).
'The Healing Church has its roots in Byrgenwerth, and naturally borrows heavily from its uniform design.' - Student set
Laurence went on to betray that adage and obsessed over the esoteric powers of this unknown beast blood; while Willem could see the failings of a purely brute forced connection with the gods using stolen power from the blood - Laurence could not. So he took this blood and bid farewell to the college, setting out to found what would one day become the Healing Church. While Laurence abstained from Willem's teachings and the purpose of enlightenment, he did not forget his time spent at Byrgenwerth, and he never would.
The First Church
Now here comes the strange part. We have always assumed Laurence to be 'the first vicar', or the first leader and known founder of the Healing Church, right? But what if Laurence headed a separate institution, before it would become the Church we know today? What if he spent his life and all his knowledge of the blood before the Healing Church was even a thing? The Moon Presence, beckoned not by the mighty Church but a scrabbled institute of scholars and hunters? The first hunts, not white-garbed and holy but doctor's affairs with hired muscle? I believe that within the time line of the game, all these things happened before the Healing Church was properly founded, and that the Church only became a thing after Laurence's death.
'Skull of Laurence, first vicar of the Healing Church. In reality he became the first cleric beast, and his human skull only exists within the Nightmare.' - Laurence's skull description
To address the quote directly, you can observe the interesting wording of 'in reality'. This description tells of how Laurence 'the first vicar' became the very first cleric beast and his human remains were trapped in a dreamworld. I believe that this quote is telling us that perhaps Laurence was named 'the first vicar' posthumously, and that 'in reality' he turned into the beast we know before any sort of religious structure was properly implemented. I would even go as far to say that the hyper-religious and controlling nature of the Healing Church was created after the beast scourge became a problem, and used it to cull the citizen's distrust and fear during the hunt. It also gave them legitimacy, and although there is evidence of the healing blood being used as a religious artifact to force a measure with the great ones before Laurence died, the full-scale 'communion' and 'saint' nature only became proper tenants after his death.
'After repeated experiments in controlling the scourge of beasts, the gentle 'Embrace' rune was discovered. When its implementation failed, the 'Embrace' became a forbidden rune, but its knowledge became a foundation of the Healing Church.' - Embrace rune description
We receive the 'Embrace' rune after defeating the beast form of Laurence in the Nightmare Cathedral, alluding to it being a creation of his own - in collaboration with Rune smith Caryll (who I will no doubt talk about in a later page). This makes sense as the early beast scourge would have been less of an unstoppable wave rather a medical emergency. Laurence couldn't understand the beasts, and while his hunters dealt with the problem he would have toiled away for a solution, no doubt repeating the same words Master Willem had instilled in him long ago. 'Fear the Old Blood', Laurence understands, but in reaction to Laurence's summoning of MP and the Blood Mood he had created the scourge, and he was going to be the one to stop it.
But no amount of the healing blood, or the runes or communion with the gods could stop it, and so before he turned and died at the hands of his own friend Brador he made sure not only were respects paid to Byrgenwerth through his work but also the tenants, so that the church later on may not make the same mistakes.
'Fear the Old Blood.'
Laurence turned and was burnt to a crisp in the flames of Old Yharnam, his tenants forever entombed in the newly organised 'Healing Church' - his last efforts: the 'Beast Embrace', its knowledge also becoming a foundation for the Healing Church and their understanding of the beast scourge.
'Fear the Old Blood'
Thanks for reading!
Laurence is a prevalent figure within the lore of Bloodborne, and I am sure to come back to him once more at a later time. But for now, a simple explanation of his role in the series of events conspired to create the Yharnam we see today will do - as he could be traced back to be the exact point of divergence in what fate awaited the city, and the people within.
'We are born of the blood, made men by the blood, undone by the blood. Our eyes are yet to open.'
- Master Willem
Laurence began his pilgrimage to providence in Byrgenwerth, a place uncoincidentally linked to the birth of many factions and figures that decided the fate of Yharnam in its last days. Byrgenwerth is a bygone institute of learning, initially started as a college for the betterment of mankind - possibly founded upon the discovery of the chalice dungeons beneath Yharnam; it is more likely that Byrgenwerth existed before this however as it is stated that the dungeons were initially discovered by the college itself.
This discovery propelled the college from a small institute of students to a revered operation that delved into ancient knowledge and lands. Laurence may or may not have been a member before the chalice dungeons were revealed, but that doesn't make a real difference. What has defined his plight was an additional discovery, something found in their effort of exploring these uncovered dungeons: the Holy Medium.
Finally referencing the previous quote, the Holy Medium was a huge discovery for Byrgenwerth as it showed them absolute evidence of a higher plane, or of creatures unexplainable by common science. The progenitor of this 'Holy Medium' (later known as the healing blood) is unknown, but most likely either Ebrietas or the Bloodletting Beast; probably the Bloodletting Beast as if Ebrietas was discovered this early on things like the Choir would have been created sooner and perhaps the goal of ascension would have been more in line with Willem's ideal, and less of Laurence's. Nevertheless the blood remained a foundation of Byrgenwerth and the creation the their adage: 'fear the old blood' (see previous quote for the rest of the adage).
'The Healing Church has its roots in Byrgenwerth, and naturally borrows heavily from its uniform design.' - Student set
Laurence went on to betray that adage and obsessed over the esoteric powers of this unknown beast blood; while Willem could see the failings of a purely brute forced connection with the gods using stolen power from the blood - Laurence could not. So he took this blood and bid farewell to the college, setting out to found what would one day become the Healing Church. While Laurence abstained from Willem's teachings and the purpose of enlightenment, he did not forget his time spent at Byrgenwerth, and he never would.
The First Church
Now here comes the strange part. We have always assumed Laurence to be 'the first vicar', or the first leader and known founder of the Healing Church, right? But what if Laurence headed a separate institution, before it would become the Church we know today? What if he spent his life and all his knowledge of the blood before the Healing Church was even a thing? The Moon Presence, beckoned not by the mighty Church but a scrabbled institute of scholars and hunters? The first hunts, not white-garbed and holy but doctor's affairs with hired muscle? I believe that within the time line of the game, all these things happened before the Healing Church was properly founded, and that the Church only became a thing after Laurence's death.
'Skull of Laurence, first vicar of the Healing Church. In reality he became the first cleric beast, and his human skull only exists within the Nightmare.' - Laurence's skull description
To address the quote directly, you can observe the interesting wording of 'in reality'. This description tells of how Laurence 'the first vicar' became the very first cleric beast and his human remains were trapped in a dreamworld. I believe that this quote is telling us that perhaps Laurence was named 'the first vicar' posthumously, and that 'in reality' he turned into the beast we know before any sort of religious structure was properly implemented. I would even go as far to say that the hyper-religious and controlling nature of the Healing Church was created after the beast scourge became a problem, and used it to cull the citizen's distrust and fear during the hunt. It also gave them legitimacy, and although there is evidence of the healing blood being used as a religious artifact to force a measure with the great ones before Laurence died, the full-scale 'communion' and 'saint' nature only became proper tenants after his death.
'After repeated experiments in controlling the scourge of beasts, the gentle 'Embrace' rune was discovered. When its implementation failed, the 'Embrace' became a forbidden rune, but its knowledge became a foundation of the Healing Church.' - Embrace rune description
We receive the 'Embrace' rune after defeating the beast form of Laurence in the Nightmare Cathedral, alluding to it being a creation of his own - in collaboration with Rune smith Caryll (who I will no doubt talk about in a later page). This makes sense as the early beast scourge would have been less of an unstoppable wave rather a medical emergency. Laurence couldn't understand the beasts, and while his hunters dealt with the problem he would have toiled away for a solution, no doubt repeating the same words Master Willem had instilled in him long ago. 'Fear the Old Blood', Laurence understands, but in reaction to Laurence's summoning of MP and the Blood Mood he had created the scourge, and he was going to be the one to stop it.
But no amount of the healing blood, or the runes or communion with the gods could stop it, and so before he turned and died at the hands of his own friend Brador he made sure not only were respects paid to Byrgenwerth through his work but also the tenants, so that the church later on may not make the same mistakes.
'Fear the Old Blood.'
Laurence turned and was burnt to a crisp in the flames of Old Yharnam, his tenants forever entombed in the newly organised 'Healing Church' - his last efforts: the 'Beast Embrace', its knowledge also becoming a foundation for the Healing Church and their understanding of the beast scourge.
'Fear the Old Blood'
Thanks for reading!
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