Velstadt

Velstadt, also known as the Royal Aegis, is an optional boss in Dark Souls II. A knight of Drangleic, he follows and serves Vendrick despite the atrocities the king committed.

Biography
Velstadt was originally from a far away land, presumed to be Shulva. He remembers nothing about where or why he came. He chose to serve Vendrick and became his right-hand along with Sir Raime. Velstadt would follow Vendrick through all of his downfall, including killing off the giants under Nashandra's manipulation and conducting their enslaved giants into golems. When Raime confronted the king over his wrongdoings, Velstadt condemned Raime a traitor and fought against him, ending in Velstadt's victory. Raime was exiled out of Drangleic and, under Nadalia's influences, became the Fume Knight.

After Vendrick fled Drangleic Castle and took refuge in the Undead Crypt, Velstadt followed. Despite Vendrick becoming a hollow, Velstadt would remain and protect the king as the last lime of defense, guarding the room leading straight to his corrupt king. But staying in an area contaminated with hollows too long would take its toll on Velstadt, and he himself became a hollow. For the years he resided in the Undead Crypt, Velstadt slaughtered numerous individuals who sought to reach Vendrick behind him.

Velstadt can become a boss if the player ventures to the bottom of the Undead Crypt. Before reaching Vendrick they must defeat Velstadt. He attacks by slamming his hammer at the player. His hammer can be parried, but he cannot be reposte. When he takes enough damage, Velstadt bends down and rings a bell in his hammer to temporarily increase his stats. While buffed, he can shoot dark magic orbs out of his hammer. Once Velstadt is down, he drops his boss soul and a Royal Soldier's Ring+2, which increases equip load by 20 percent.

Trivia

 * A clone of Velstadt can be summoned by Elana.
 * He is one of the few bosses who can be parried.
 * Velstadt's design may be based on Garl Vinland from Demon Souls.