Xia Tong

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Xia Tong (夏桐)
Alias(es)	Lord Xia Tong
Species/Race	Tarnished; began as a Wretch
Gender	Male
Occupation/Role	Tarnished adventurer; commander of Spirit Ashes
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Gatefront 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Level 1 — Wretch	1	Awakens at Gatefront with unusually high Intelligence and Mind, but only 2 Faith; gains Runes after his first kill.
Level 3	4	Uses accumulated Runes with Melina to raise Vigor to 12, prioritizing survival over damage.
Level 9	6	Clears Godrick Soldiers around Gatefront and sells their equipment; reaches Strength 15, allowing him to wield a greatsword one-handed.
Level 10	7	Defeats the Beastman of Farum Azula and invests in Dexterity after nearly being strangled; Dexterity reaches 11.
Level 13 → 17	8	Systematically eliminates isolated Gatefront soldiers, sells their gear, and improves Strength, Vigor, and Mind.
Level 18	12	Reaches Level 18 after the Gatefront campaign; invests in Mind, reaching 23, to support Spirit Ash use.
Level 19 → 20	16	Raises Dexterity from 12 to 13; consumes a Golden Rune and sells the Lordsworn’s Flail to afford the final level.
Mind increased — level unspecified	20	Uses proceeds from selling salvaged equipment to merchant Moen to further strengthen his Mind.
Level 22	30	Uses a Golden Rune [3] to raise Vigor to 17; Mind is 24 and Dexterity is 13.
Level 23	41	Raises Mind to 25. His Strength and Dexterity unexpectedly rise to 18 and 14 through combat-driven bodily adaptation.
Level 24	47	Raises Vigor to 18 and invests another point in Mind, increasing maximum Focus Points to 146.

Background

Xia Tong was a modern-era Elden Ring player before awakening in the Lands Between as a nearly naked Wretch in Gatefront’s ruins. His status panel identifies his unusually high Intelligence and Mind as products of his former education, while his Faith of 2 reflects his atheism. He initially survives with only a wooden club, a rough Fanged Imp Spirit Ash crystal, and knowledge of the game world. 1 7

A mysterious one-eyed woman later reveals that the body Xia Tong inhabits had already died after being attacked by Godrick Soldiers and wolves, yet somehow revived that afternoon. Torrent’s apparent choice of Xia Tong leads the woman—later identified as Melina—to watch and eventually aid him. 1 2

His prior knowledge gives him a major strategic advantage, but he repeatedly learns that the Lands Between does not obey game logic perfectly: enemies revive gradually rather than instantly, Gatefront’s defenses differ from his memories, injuries are real, and Spirit Ashes need prolonged recovery after being wounded. 7 11 16

Appearance

Xia Tong possesses the muscular, dark-skinned physique of a Tarnished. He first awakens covered in mud and wearing only a rag around his waist, but quickly outfits himself with salvaged Godrick Soldier armor. 1 2

• Sharply defined musculature despite beginning as a Wretch. 1
• Initially carries a large wooden club; later favors scavenged swords, shields, and armor.
• Commonly wears a Godrick Soldier Set: chainmail and an ochre surcoat bearing a lion crest. 2
• Often travels heavily burdened with salvaged arms and armor, to Torrent’s visible annoyance. 17 18

Personality

Xia Tong is practical, resourceful, and intensely survival-oriented. He treats armor and weapons as currency, develops ambush routes around enemy patrols, scavenges nearly everything of value, and frequently avoids unwinnable fights rather than risking a heroic death. 2 8 12

His confidence is tempered by genuine fear. Encounters with the Tree Sentinel, the Godrick Knight, the Beastman of Farum Azula, and poison-bearing Crimson Jellyfish force him to acknowledge that dying in reality is fundamentally different from losing in a game. He usually turns that fear into preparation, changing weapons, raising Dexterity, scouting terrain, or retreating until he has a plan. 3 7 9 15

Despite his pragmatism, Xia Tong is compassionate toward vulnerable people and loyal to his companions. He repairs Roderika’s shelter, leaves her food, protects Irina after initially refusing her request, offers Melina Runes to restore her spirit form, and treats injured Spirit Ashes as companions requiring care rather than disposable tools. 14 18 25 37

His worldview remains strongly atheistic. He rejects the authority of gods, Marika, and the Golden Order, and his extremely low Faith prevents him from comfortably wielding faith-based equipment. 25

Abilities & Skills

Spirit Ash Command

Xia Tong’s defining ability is his abnormal command over Spirit Ashes. Unlike ordinary Tarnished, he can summon multiple Spirit Ash sets simultaneously and does not require a Rebirth Monument.

• Can summon Spirit Ashes nearly anywhere through the Spirit Calling Bell. 5
• Has simultaneously summoned Fanged Imps and Stray Wolves, creating a five-spirit force early in his journey. 5
• Later commands larger formations including Godrick Soldiers, a Spirit Jellyfish, Stray Wolves, and Fanged Imps. 19
• Commands his summons through a mental link, assigning them roles such as scouting, carrying loot, drawing enemy attention, using ranged attacks, and defending vulnerable allies. 8 17 19
• Summoning consumes Focus Points heavily at the moment of formation rather than continuously; Cerulean Tear Flasks restore the resulting mental exhaustion. 5
• Spirit Ashes can be injured, killed, or forced to dissipate, and require spiritual nurturing and time near Sites of Grace to recover. 7 11 25

Weapon Arts and Ashes of War

Xia Tong learns weapon techniques as physical instincts that affect his posture, balance, strength, and handling.

• Barbaric Roar — Enhances his body and enables a powerful club combination; used to break a Godrick Soldier’s poise during his first battle. 1
• Square Off — A straight-sword stance that empowers thrusts and upward slashes; repeatedly used to break guards and stagger armored enemies. 2 10 11
• Stamp: Upward Cut — A greatsword technique that lets him withstand pressure before launching enemies upward; becomes one of his principal offensive skills. 17 32
• Barricade Shield — Acquired from a Night’s Cavalry Ash of War. It teaches him to brace a shield against heavy blows and redirect force without being displaced. 24
• Improvised Lion’s Claw — A powerful but crude spinning attack modeled after the Lion Guardians’ techniques; Melina notes that it relies too heavily on raw strength and can be evaded. 25

Stealth, Tactics, and Mounted Combat

Xia Tong combines game knowledge with rapidly developing real combat instincts.

• Specializes in assassinating isolated enemies before they can raise alarms or form groups. 3 8 17
• Uses Spirit Ashes to divide enemy formations, create ambushes, exploit Bleed, and overwhelm stronger opponents. 6 10 17
• Fights effectively from Torrent, using speed, charges, aerial attacks, and the steed’s double jump to evade dangerous foes. 9 13 34
• Adjusts weapon choices to the opponent and terrain, using a straight sword and shield against agile enemies or in narrow catacombs instead of relying on his greatsword. 19 41
• Uses thrown knives, Kukris, Magic Pots, Sleep Pots, Fire Grease, crossbow bolts, and terrain to compensate for limited direct strength. 9 10 30 34

Grace and Bodily Enhancement

Melina can convert Xia Tong’s Runes into direct physical growth at Sites of Grace.

• Rune refinement improves his attributes, stamina, strength, agility, and Focus capacity. 4 6 47
• Repeated dodging, rolling, and heavy weapon use gradually improve his Dexterity and Strength even without Rune leveling. 41
• His near-death battle with the Demi-Human Queen triggers accelerated adaptive enhancement, increasing Strength and Dexterity beyond his chosen level-up allocation. 41
• Possesses a personal storage space connected to Grace, allowing him to store weapons, armor, and supplies mentally. 3

Sorcery and Crafting

Xia Tong has begun pursuing sorcery while supplementing combat with practical crafting.

• Acquires the Demi-Human Queen’s Staff, which he considers a strong upgradeable staff for his Intelligence level. 35
• Obtains a sealed scroll linked to Raya Lucaria Academy and the Carian Royal Family. 35
• Learns Crystal Barrage, though his available Focus Points cannot sustain more than a few casts. 38
• Crafts consumables including Fire Grease, which ignites his Lordsworn’s Greatsword. 30
• Uses Cracked Pots for reusable thrown-item crafting and obtains the recipe for Rancor Pots in Tombsward Catacombs. 6 42

Equipment

• Lordsworn’s Greatsword — His principal heavy weapon after clearing Gatefront Camp; capable of using Stamp: Upward Cut. 11 17
• Lordsworn’s Straight Sword — His preferred weapon for tighter spaces and faster opponents; carries Square Off. 2 41
• Brass Shield — Engraved with Barricade Shield using the Whetstone Knife. 24 26
• Shield of the Guilty — Thorn-covered shield that improves Focus, offers resistance to sleep and madness, causes Bleed, and carries Shield Bash. 35
• Demi-Human Queen’s Staff — Upgradeable glintstone staff acquired after defeating the Demi-Human Queen. 35
• Spirit Calling Bell — Given by Ranni under the alias Renna; used to summon Spirit Ashes. 4
• Spirit Ashes — Fanged Imps, Stray Wolves, Spirit Jellyfish, and Godrick Soldiers. 5 13 15
• Spectral Steed Whistle — Melina’s ring for summoning Torrent. 2
• Flasks of Crimson and Cerulean Tears — Used for physical healing and Focus restoration; their capacity and potency improve through Golden Seeds and Sacred Tears. 2 14 29
• Whetstone Knife — Allows him to transfer Ashes of War onto compatible weapons and shields. 12 24
• Light Crossbow and bolts — Purchased from Moen to establish a dependable ranged option. 26
• Kukris and throwing knives — Used for ranged harassment, slowing targets, and Bleed-inflicting strikes. 13 34
• Flamedrake Talisman — Obtained from Mistwood Cave; cannot be activated because Xia Tong lacks a Talisman Pouch. 7

Relationships

• Melina — His Finger Maiden by accord, guide in Rune leveling, and closest spiritual companion. Xia Tong repeatedly relies on her healing, tactical knowledge, and honesty, while giving her Runes to restore the power she spends protecting him. 2 3 30 37 47
• Torrent — Xia Tong’s spectral steed and trusted partner. Torrent chose him before their first meeting, repeatedly saves him through speed and double jumps, and is treated with food and concern after battle. 1 2 9 34
• Ranni / “Renna” — A Moon Princess who gives him the Spirit Calling Bell and Lone Wolf Ashes. Xia Tong signals his opposition to controlling “guidances,” earning an invitation to seek her at Caria Manor. 4
• Kale — Merchant, information source, and early supporter. Kale buys Xia Tong’s loot, provides crafting supplies and Sleep Pots, teaches him how to call Blaidd, and encourages him during the Gatefront campaign. 4 9 11 16
• Roderika — A traumatized survivor whom Xia Tong shelters and supports. She entrusts him with her Spirit Jellyfish Ashes, later demonstrates spiritual affinity with the Godrick Soldier Ashes, and is recognized by Xia Tong as a potential spirit tuner. 13 15
• Irina — Blind daughter of Castle Morne’s lord, Edgar. Xia Tong becomes her escort and protector, feeds her, reassures her of her value, and attempts to alter the tragic future he remembers from the game. 18 19 47
• Moen — A wandering merchant near Castle Morne. Their relationship is transactional and wary: Moen buys Xia Tong’s salvaged gear and sometimes assists with Irina, while Xia Tong considers him too selfish to fully trust. 20 24 26
• Spirit Ashes — Xia Tong’s summoned combat unit. He values their specialized roles and actively nurtures them after injury, even when their losses leave him distressed. 11 25 35

Story Role / Major Arcs

Gatefront Survival

Xia Tong awakens in Gatefront, kills his first Godrick Soldier, scavenges armor and food, and learns that Runes, weapons, injuries, and death are all tangible realities. After forming an accord with Melina and gaining Torrent, he develops from a frightened survivor into a stealth hunter who farms soldiers and sells their equipment for growth. 1 2 6

His first major campaign is the systematic elimination of Gatefront Camp. Through attrition, mounted tactics, Spirit Ashes, Magic Pots, and Kale’s Sleep Pots, Xia Tong defeats the Godrick Knight and secures the Lordsworn’s Greatsword. 8 10 11

Stormhill and the Weeping Peninsula

After bypassing Stormgate with captured Kaiden horses as decoys, Xia Tong reaches Stormhill and meets Roderika. He protects her from wolves, repairs her shack, leaves her food, and accepts responsibility for her Spirit Jellyfish Ashes. 12 13 14

He later crosses the Bridge of Sacrifice by destroying its ballista and defeating its defenders. There, he meets Irina, initially refuses to enter Castle Morne for her letter, then chooses to escort her after seeing her hunger and vulnerability. 17 18

Demi-Human Queen and Tombsward

Xia Tong fights through Winged Misbegotten and travels with Irina toward Castle Morne. After preparing his forces, he confronts the Demi-Human Queen and her large following, ultimately killing the Queen through mounted assaults, Fire Grease, Kukris, and a desperate strike at her neck. 19 32 33 34

The victory leaves most of his Spirit Ashes injured or destroyed, but grants him the Demi-Human Queen’s Staff, the Shield of the Guilty, an Arteria Leaf, and a Raya Lucaria-linked scroll. 35

He later explores Tombsward Catacombs, gathers Spirit Ash upgrade materials and crafting resources, survives the Cemetery Shade, and defeats a Frenzied Flame Envoy before finally departing toward Castle Morne with Irina. 42 46 47

Notable Quotes

“From now on, we're partners, Torrent.” 2

“As long as you never lie to me, I will forever stand against the Frenzied Flame.” 30

Trivia

• Xia Tong’s Level 10 total attributes equal 110, compared with approximately 90 for an ordinary Level 10 Wretch. 7
• He jokingly claims to be a “Descendant of Yan and Huang” when Melina wonders whether he is a Numen. 5
• His low Faith makes the Misbegotten Greatsword physically uncomfortable to wield, despite his sufficient Strength. 25
• He considers the Demi-Human Queen’s Staff a safer alternative to risking the Scarlet Rot of Caelid for the Meteorite Staff. 35