Walk through the golden fields of Limgrave long enough, and you’ll start to think the wind is talking to you. It's creepy. You’re just south of Agheel Lake North, maybe heading toward that telescope, and suddenly this high-pitched, desperate voice cuts through the ambient music.
"Oi! You there! Could you help us out, cully? You, yeah, you there! Stop pretending you can't see me!"
It’s jarring. Most things in Elden Ring want to eat your face or flatten you with a hammer the size of a minivan. Finding a voice that sounds genuinely annoyed that you're "ignoring" it feels like a prank. But elden ring hey you there stop pretending isn't a glitch, and it’s not a ghost. You’re standing right next to a very insecure demi-human who’s having a very bad day.
Where is the Voice Coming From?
If you're spinning in circles looking for a hidden door or an invisible man, stop. Look for a small, slightly out-of-place reddish-brown shrub. It looks like every other bush, but it’s definitely the one talking.
Basically, someone played a cruel joke on a guy named Boc. He’s been magically transformed into a tree. To break the spell, you don't need a special item or a high Intelligence stat. Just hit the tree. Or roll into it.
Poof. The illusion vanishes in a cloud of smoke, and you're left looking at a tiny, shivering creature. This is Boc the Seamster. He’s a demi-human, the kind of guy you usually see screaming and swinging a club in dark caves, but Boc is different. He’s polite. He’s sweet. And honestly, he’s one of the few NPCs who won't try to betray you for a shiny nickel.
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Why Boc Actually Matters
Most players think Boc is just a bit of flavor text. They get the ten mushrooms he gives you as a "thank you" and then forget he exists. Huge mistake.
Boc is your personal tailor. In a game where "Fashion Souls" (or Elden Bling) is the true endgame, having a guy who can alter your clothes for free is a godsend. Once you progress his quest, he can remove capes from armor to make it lighter or change the silhouette of your favorite chest piece.
The Coastal Cave Incident
After you free him from his shrubbery prison, he heads to the Coastal Cave on the western beach of Limgrave. You’ll find him slumped over by the Site of Grace, looking like he’s about to give up on life. He tried to go back to his cave to get his sewing kit, but his own people kicked him out. Hard.
You have to go in there and kill the Demi-Human Chiefs. They aren't the toughest bosses, but they’re aggressive. Once they're dead, you get the Sewing Needle and Tailoring Tools.
Give them back to Boc. He’ll cry. He’ll thank you. He’ll become your loyal servant for the rest of the game.
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Don't Kill Him With Kindness (Literally)
This is where most people mess up. Boc’s quest has a hidden trap that is genuinely heartbreaking.
As you move into the late game—specifically when you reach the East Capital Rampart in Leyndell—Boc starts getting really depressed about his looks. He thinks he’s ugly. He hears that Queen Rennala can "rebirth" people and make them beautiful.
He’ll ask you for a Larval Tear.
DO NOT GIVE IT TO HIM.
If you give Boc a Larval Tear, he goes to the Raya Lucaria Grand Library. You’ll find him there in a new, human form. He looks "normal," but he can’t speak. If you rest at the Grace and come back? He’s dead. Rennala’s rebirth process is flawed for anyone who doesn't have the Great Rune of the Unborn. You basically assist in his suicide by trying to help him change.
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How to Save the Seamster
To get the "good" ending, you need an item called the Prattling Pate "You're Beautiful." 1. Go to the Hermit Village in Mt. Gelmir.
2. Find the item on a corpse near one of the houses.
3. Go back to Boc in Leyndell.
4. Stand right in front of him and "use" the item.
The item will literally say the words "You're beautiful" in a weird, gravelly voice. Boc will be shocked. He’ll ask if you really think that. Tell him yes. He stays alive, he stays your friend, and he stops wanting to change who he is.
Actionable Steps for Your Playthrough
If you've just heard the voice and are wondering what to do next, follow this checklist to ensure you don't miss out on the best tailor in the Lands Between:
- Hit the bush: Find the telescope south of Agheel Lake North. Look for the talking shrub and roll into it to reveal Boc.
- Clear the Coastal Cave: Go to the beach, find the cave, and beat the two Demi-Human Chiefs. Give Boc his needle back immediately.
- Find him at Graces: Boc moves as you move. Look for him at the Lake-Facing Cliffs in Liurnia and the East Capital Rampart in Leyndell.
- The Gold Needle: Grab the Gold Sewing Needle from the Church of Vows (the place with the giant turtle pope). This lets Boc alter "legendary" boss armor, which is the coolest stuff in the game.
- Compliment him: Secure that "You're Beautiful" Prattling Pate before you talk to him in the capital. It’s the only way to keep him around.
Boc isn't a demigod. He’s not a legendary warrior. He’s just a guy who wants to feel like he belongs. In a world as bleak as Elden Ring, that’s worth more than any Rune Arc. If you've been "pretending you can't see him," go back to Limgrave and give the little guy a chance.
Keep an eye out for the reddish bush near the Birdseye Telescope. Break the spell, get your free tailoring, and for the love of Marika, tell him he’s beautiful before it’s too late.