While Elden Ring is widely celebrated for its epic combat, hauntingly beautiful world, and mysterious lore, the NPCs you meet along the way often deliver some of the most memorable (and occasionally hilarious) moments. From cryptic monks to flamboyant warriors, the characters in the Lands Between are brought to life not just by their tragic stories—but also by their reactions to your actions, especially when you hand over certain items.

As someone who's spent countless hours exploring the world, experimenting with item interactions, and helping players through Elden Ring Nightreign Boosting, I’ve had my fair share of laugh-out-loud encounters. And yes, even in a game this dark, there’s humor—if you know where to look.

Here are six of the funniest NPC reactions when you give them items in Elden Ring, based on both personal experience and community chatter.

1. Giving Dung to the Dung Eater

Giving the Seedbed Curse to the Dung Eater is bizarre in itself, but the reaction is hilariously disturbing. He thanks you in his own twisted way, promising to defile more corpses and continue his grotesque mission. His tone is so serious, it wraps around to absurdity.

My Experience: During one of my Elden Ring Nightreign Boosting runs, I had a new player with me when this dialogue popped up. The guy was horrified and laughing at the same time—he didn’t expect the “reward” to be so grossly on-brand.

2. Pidia’s Reaction to Puppet Ashes

When you give Pidia puppet Spirit Ashes, his reaction is awkwardly delighted—almost like he’s been given a pet he doesn’t quite know how to take care of. His jittery voice and strange obsession with puppets make the entire interaction feel like an awkward office Secret Santa gone wrong.

3. Boc the Seamster and the Larval Tear

Boc is one of the most endearing characters in the game. When you offer him a Larval Tear to become human, he is stunned—and incredibly touched. His nervous reaction, full of self-doubt, is both sweet and unintentionally funny. The emotional whiplash is real.

Side Note: Some players told me they gave him the Tear expecting a dramatic transformation. What they got instead was a heartfelt refusal and the funniest “I’ll just keep sewing” moment in the game.

4. Giving Hyetta Shabriri Grapes

Hyetta wants to become a Finger Maiden, but every time you hand her a Shabriri Grape (which, let’s not forget, is an actual eyeball), her serene reaction is so out of place it’s comedic. She speaks about how “delicious” the “grape” is with such sincerity, you can’t help but laugh.

My Take: I’ve helped players through the Hyetta questline during cheap Elden Ring Items farming sessions, and many are completely thrown off by her tone. It’s the dark humor that only Elden Ring can pull off so well.

5. Thops and the Academy Glintstone Key

Poor Thops. When you finally give him the second Academy Glintstone Key, he’s elated, hopeful, and then promptly meets a grim fate shortly after returning to Raya Lucaria. His giddy thank-you feels almost too sweet, knowing what’s coming.

Why It’s Funny: It’s tragic, yes—but also the kind of painfully ironic moment FromSoftware is known for. His cheerful thank-you sounds like something out of a children’s cartoon, which only amplifies the absurdity of his fate.

6. Giving Roderika the Spirit-Tuning Role

Roderika starts out hesitant, uncertain of her ability to help with Spirit Tuning. When you give her the item and the go-ahead to start her role, she’s overwhelmed with nervous gratitude. The real humor comes from how dramatically her tone shifts over time—from anxious apprentice to seasoned pro—like someone who just got promoted way too fast.

In My Game: I used her constantly after giving her the role. The first few times she tuned my ashes, she sounded like she was still googling how to do it. A few hours later? She's the confident spirit doctor of Roundtable Hold.

Whether you’re deep into PvP or enjoying the slower pace of item exploration, the interactions you have with NPCs can bring unexpected levity to the otherwise grim tone of Elden Ring. These small moments of personality, awkwardness, and irony are part of what makes the world feel alive.

And if you're ever looking to experiment with these quests yourself, you might want to grab some cheap Elden Ring Items first to ensure you're not missing key tools or consumables needed to trigger certain events. Or, if you're pressed for time, Elden Ring Nightreign Boosting can help you get where you need to be quickly.

Staff Pick: Elden Ring Rune-Inspired Mods for Other Games: 5 Cool Ideas