My giant archer died?

[Sunohara]

So i was at the farron keep and i remembered there was a birch tree and a giant crab there. i figured i'd let him do all the work and kill the crab on his own. after the crab died he started shooting at me! that's when i realized that the one white branch that was not part of the stack was actually the peace thing for him.
so i tried going back to the guy, but then i find him dead. he just died on his own. anyone else had their giant suddenly die?

[videogames]

He dies on his own and drops the Hawk ring once you collect all white branches.

[Sunohara]

For real?? damn!
Guess there's only 3 birch tree's in the game then?

[Seba]

Why does he die though. storywise. did he died out of age

[Cloudekill]

Most story characters seem seem to die when their "purpose" has been fulfilled. My guess is that his purpose was to protect the little girl Dusk, who is symbolized by the white trees and their branches. When you pick up all the branches, she no longer needs protecting by him since you have taken up the mantle. (all this is just speculation from a long time Dark Souls fan)

[Ennkej]

Originally posted by Aurora:

Why does he die though. storywise. did he died out of age

No branches to protect because Ashen One took over. Purpose lost equals death in Dark Souls universe.