Gehrman the First
The weary First Hunter who guards the door between dreams and a waking nightmare.
Gehrman is the First Hunter and the founder of the Hunters' Workshop, a secluded sanctuary in the fog-shrouded city of Yharnam dedicated to slaying beasts born from the Old Blood. Originally a hunter in the physical world prior to his pact with the Moon Presence, he only became the gatekeeper of the newly created Hunter's Dream after this binding event, tasked with guiding those who could no longer handle the horrors they had unleashed.
- Weaponry
- Saw Cleaver and Hunter Pistol (Standard issue tools utilized in the Dream; historical records do not confirm these were his personal weapons during the Workshop's founding).
Lore & Background
His existence is inextricably tied to the Moon Presence, an ancient Great One that placed him under its control. While Gehrman appears as a kindly, if melancholic, old man offering guidance and tools, he secretly desires death above all else. He does not fear waking up; rather, he explicitly begs for release from his eternal servitude, viewing death as the only escape from his endless cycle of training hunters in the dream.
In Their Own Story
The fog in the workshop was thicker than usual tonight, smelling faintly of old iron and dried blood. Gehrman sat by the fire, his skeletal hands resting on the hilt of his sword, watching the embers dance like tiny flames of hope that refused to die. He knew the Hunter had returned, drawn from the nightmare once again, but he did not look up immediately. 'Another soul seeks an end,' he whispered to the silence, his voice cracking with the weight of centuries. The firelight caught the deep sorrow in his eyes as he finally rose, knowing that this time, the dream might truly be over.
Reader's Guide
Gehrman serves as the primary NPC guide within the Hunter's Dream, offering advice on weapon upgrades and the nature of the beasts. He is initially benevolent, providing essential tools for survival against the infected populace of Yharnam. However, his true purpose becomes clear only after defeating Gehrman in the final confrontation or by awakening from the dream. It is revealed that he has been trapped by the Moon Presence to maintain the cycle of the hunt, preventing the truth from surfacing. Players must choose whether to kill him to break the cycle and face the true ending, or let him fulfill his duty to seal away the nightmare once more. His story highlights themes of eternal servitude and the desperate desire for release from a cursed existence.
Did You Know?
- Gehrman is the only NPC who can be killed in the Hunter's Dream without breaking the game, leading to one of the possible endings.
- It is Gehrman, not the Moon Presence, that summons players into the dream realm via Blood Ministration or the Lantern; he awaits their arrival as a servant bound by his oath, while the Moon Presence merely maintains the
- While Gehrman wields the Saw Cleaver and Hunter Pistol in the Dream, lore texts describe these as standard hunter tools rather than confirmed personal weapons from the earliest days of the hunt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Gehrman the First?
He was the original founder of the Hunters' Workshop before becoming the eternal gatekeeper of the Hunter's Dream. Bound by a pact with the Moon Presence, he now oversees those who fall into the nightmare realm to fight beasts.
What role does Gehrman play in the Hunter's Dream?
Gehrman serves as a weary guardian who guides hunters through their trials and offers them rest or death within the sanctuary. He manages the flow between the waking world and the dream where the hunt takes place.
Did Gehrman originally use the Saw Cleaver?
While he wields the Saw Cleaver in the Dream, historical records do not confirm these were his personal weapons during the Workshop's founding era. They are considered standard issue tools provided to hunters within this specific realm.
How does Gehrman's story end?
His fate depends on the Hunter's decision, either allowing him to fade away into death or forcing him to fight as a final boss to break his cycle of servitude. This choice determines whether he remains bound to the Dream or finds release from his pact.
Why is Gehrman important to Yharnam?
As the First Hunter, he established the organization that initially sought to cure the plague by hunting beasts born from the Old Blood. His existence bridges the gap between the early hunters and the cosmic horrors revealed later in the game's narrative.
More in Lore & History
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