Dark Souls 3 Lore: Aldrich, The Devourer of Gods (Pontiff Sulyvahn and the Deep)

In my first video in my Dark Souls 3 Lore series we look at Aldrich, Saint of the Deep and his allies; including Pontiff Sulyvahn and the Deacons of the Deep. While this video is mainly about Aldrich, I do take a fairly in-depth look and Pontiff and others. That isn't to say there isn't more to say....
Aldrich became a lord by Devouring Men but he has seen a different future and to ready himself he has seen fit to devour the Gods of Old. In this video we will attempt to understand Aldrich's actions and ultimately his influence over the world.
I base what I say upon evidence we find in game but there is obviously my own inferences and speculations involved - so feel free to disagree and debate!
I don't own the rights to Dark Souls 3, all rights to Fromsoftware.

[@BruTalc]

I really like your approach to the lore video. You're not trying to inject additional drama, you're just piecing together the relevant details into a clear picture. Really well written and spoken. Looking forward to more from you man.

[@SmoughTown]

I'm really glad you like it, and my style! Thanks for the support

[@minespatch]

Additional drama?

[@BruTalc]

@@minespatch a lower key approach . very thorough and careful though

[@xenonecromera]

In regards to what you were saying around 28:00, I don't think Aldrich is teleporting. If you look closely at the floor in the boss room you can see its made of sludge and bones. I think the entire boss room floor is Aldrich's body. It seems as if he's submerging and then re-surfacing somewhere else.

[@SmoughTown]

A very excellent point, certainly could be the case.

[@BigSweetC]

+Xenonecromera i was thinking the same thing. good point

[@imasiontist653]

oh i never thought of that!

[@woutv.m.808]

But then how come we killed it, if it's body spreads over the complete bossroom? It's hard to belief killing the current form he uses (gwyndolin), would be enough to kill him,no?

[@steamedpunk13]

+Wout Van Malderen (GoodDayEveryone) We know that Aldrich still had a brain, as he has dreams while he devours Gwyndolin. I believe that we fight that controlling part of Aldrich, who uses Gwyndolin's partially-devoured corpse to defend himself, seeing as there is no physical manifestation of Aldrich aside from sludge - he's not actually capable of defending himself. We know Gwyndolin was sick, and was probably weakened further from imprisonment before he was fed to Aldrich. I think this is also the case with those brought as sacrifices, as Aldrich savoured the dying moments of those he ate, not the actual pain and suffering caused to them.

[@saeyabor]

Have Aldrich and Rykard ever been seen in the same room TOGETHAAAAA?

[@dudusus1728]

😂😂

[@porcu12345]

When you learn deep miracles from the teacher she mentions creatures gnawing and nibbling at her from the darkness. She also mentions this when you first encounter her. This is a universal quote shared by firekeepers and is directly tied to humanity being drawn to them like a beacon within the abyss. Its no coincidence that she mentions this upon handing her the deep braille tome and learning miracles from her. Not to mention the 'Deep Gem' deals dark damage, something that's always been associated with the abyss. The 'Abyss Ring' itself even boosts dark damage. Plus the age of dark always follows the age of fire. Always. So when the soul mentions Aldrich having visions of an age of deep after the fading of the fire I think its fair to say its talking about the age of dark. The cycle has remained the same since the linking of the flame.

[@tehkitfox]

two more great notices when you place aldrichs skull on the throne his head has been half eaten by the creatures that nibble your flesh we can actually see they ate most of his brain so that could explain some things. I personally found answers with the gems deep gem has no scaling yet the dark does. it makes you wonder if the deep is like an "ignorant" version of the abyss thats easier manipulated because of lack of knowledge, those that fall hard into it, fall to madness like dorhys. great people fall to the abyss, and its shown the same here.

[@diablogrendel6445]

+tehkitfox Great point. I think there's a sort of mixing of natures to the concept of The Deep, to be honest with you, but highlighting that its characterised by design by depictions of something virtually eating itself is an angle I hadn't considered.

[@placeholdername3818]

Also "age of deep sea" could mean a sea of darkness. Not literal water but a darkness that drowns out the light "drowning" the world.

[@tehkitfox]

+Definitely Not Michael yeah at this point it seems pretty straight forward that from the first game we know from the dlc manus the father of the abyss and humanity are intertwined. so it seems mankind is the dark, it looks here that the age of dark even more know are supposed to pass, to let humanity progress, kaathe is still referenced but frampt is gone as far as we know, and these cycles have caused the change we heard about since the first game humanity and the flame are now one as the embers seem like the kindlong humanity makes you wonder if the fire is what brought the madness at this point?

[@reaperbread]

Hawken Valhalla

[@incap6038]

One thing to note, the Abyss makes beasts of men. Look at what it did to Artorias.

[@Jausch120]

HOLY SHIT!!! I JUST REALIZED THAT THE PILGRIM THAT TELLS ANRI ABOUT IRETHYL IS HER/HIS KILLER!!!

[@xBINARYGODx]

I wonder if this deep water stuff is just euphemism for the abyss or anything dark soul related OR if it truly is an entirely different thing. Age of fire... age of dark... screw that - bring on the age of Water!

[@xBINARYGODx]

BTW - love all these "new" tubers coming into the souls lore game. The current titans in the category are getting a little too big for their britches.

[@SmoughTown]

I have been starting to wonder the same but the terminology of dregs etc does make me think of water...either way Aldrich certainly has an interesting vision and I like the idea - as you say - something completely new and different from dark/light. Thanks for watching, it means a lot!

[@alexgroot2508]

+BINARYGOD I tend to view the deep as a 'pure' form of the dark. The sort of dark that is the undead crypt and the cool, quiet peace that Nashandra brought to Drangleic. That is the deep I think. The Abyss is the deep gone wild, similar to how the Chaos Flame is essentially the First Flame gone wild (instead of making life/souls, it makes demons). I think the age of the Deep sea refers to the true age of dark.

[@xxeman445xx]

If the Abyss really was so strong there the Abyss Watchers would have dealt with it, no? If they really could wipe out entire kingdoms at the first sign of corruption a Church shouldn't have been a whole lot tougher.

[@alexgroot2508]

Easy cop out answer: it could also very well be that the cycle of the Abyss Watchers simply predates the Cathedral of the Deep. Its hard to deal with something if youre a pile of cinders heaped on a flame. Lore technical answer: perhaps they were more about the *Abyss* than the Deep. The Deep is implied to be more subtle, less overtly malicious. It corrupts because the filth of the world ends up there, not because of its nature, so it seems quite realistic to me that if the Abyss Watchers were around it simply slipped under their radar.

[@prop1010]

The super in depth video's are amazing! Thank you for the hard work.

[@SmoughTown]

That's very kind of you, and than you very much for watching

[@DJ-pv9uz]

Pretty in-depth thesis and observations clears up quite a few things. Appreciate the information :)

[@SmoughTown]

I appreciate your support! :)

[@MrJomalley123]

if Miyazaki had this idea to make another ring that would allow the player to actually hear the people's screams inside Aldrich as he devoured them. it'd be like the old witch's ring in dark souls 1 where you could understand the tounge that the fair lady speaks in.

[@grimdeath159]

Your lore videos are great man. Keep it up

[@molochioaderre5650]

Excellent content. Far more depth than I expected.

[@SmoughTown]

Thank you - and thank you for watching, more on the way!

[@mystrosolace907]

Dude cant wait for more vids. I love people who do these types of lore vids. It was great.

[@SmoughTown]

Really glad you enjoyed it, hoping to have a new one today

[@mystrosolace907]

Sweet. Cant wait to watch it

[@BigSweetC]

great job, sir. i've watched this one and the legazy of izalith video. truly good stuff. definitely worth the sub

[@Malkoth]

very impressive video! looking forward to more

[@Nightmareblader]

+smoughtown thank you for this video, this is actually the best one yet on aldritch. You seem to be the only one so far to make the connection to the Way of White

[@SmoughTown]

That's very kind of you to say! That was certainly something that stuck out to me. Thanks for watching

[@NamesSmeg]

​@@SmoughTownI was gonna say. How would the Way of White, allow the exact opposite of them in terms of ideology, to exist without some dealing in the background.

[@anwmus]

Priscilla... I guess the Pontiff was waiting for Aldrich to completely devour Gwendoline, before tossing Priscilla to Aldrich. That explains why she remains captive at the tower. Thank you for the video it is very insightful. I've subbed!

[@larrywolf2509]

+The-PhD-gamer Aldrich gained knowledge of Priscilla through devouring Gwyndolin. No one else knew of her. Odds are he couldn't take advantage of it simply because he lacked the key, or perhaps *powerful* things who enter those pictures cannot leave, hrm? Would make sense....

[@christianstamm94]

Wait Priscilla is in Dark souls 3? Where?

[@Sparky343]

Great video man. You’ve grown a lot!

[@SmoughTown]

Thanks bud! Been a journey

[@ryan6689]

subscribed. these lore videos are awesome. keep up the good work!

[@SmoughTown]

Thank you very much! I appreciate the support

[@J.Rod_Drums]

FYI, Pontiff literally means pope.

[@zacharypurcell]

+John Rodriguez (Punkdeadpool) Technically SmoughTown is right. Pontiff really means something closer to "Bishop." In Rome, the Pontifex Maximus was the head of the college of pontiffs. In the Roman Catholic church the Supreme Pontiff & Bishop of Rome is the Pope. Given Sulyvahn's status in Irithyll (the Archdeacons seem more like Cardinals/Archbishops), I would say you're right, he's something closer to the "Pope" of the religion.

[@darksavior1187]

So will the next game be Deep Souls?

[@quinnjohnson8096]

+Joshua Barnard Dank souls 69: The second-coming of lord snoop

[@bkcoolin]

there is no next game

[@scarletripper9342]

No, sekiro

[@scarletripper9342]

Just a hunch

[@williamphillips7521]

LINK THE SINK LINK THE SINK

[@tokra1000]

Some good ideas. You deserve more recognition than you get

[@SmoughTown]

That's very kind of you to say - I just enjoy sharing my thoughts. Thanks for watching!

[@georgecataloni4720]

What physical deformities does Rosaria have? I'm pretty sure that lump of flesh is a separate creature that she is petting.

[@vandalgod1134]

+George Cataloni It is... I was going to correct him too, but found this first.

[@Lakefront_Khan]

No tongue and that's all we know about for sure.

[@glesfringor]

+George Cataloni I think that the worm wrapped around Rosaria might actually be Klimt, the third Archdeacon. The worm staff projectiles look a great deal like the head of the Saint Bident, which we know belonged to Klimt, and we know that one of the deacons worshiped Rosaria, whom he deemed a goddess.

[@georgecataloni4720]

Kevin Berry That's a very interesting theory.

[@Hobo13]

Kameron Dula and she may be blind

[@emmanuelconstantinidis2151]

An "Age of Deep Water" is referenced as something long in the past in Bloodborne, the hunters are also warriors that turn into monsters

[@NamesSmeg]

Yes, but no. Cuz hunters use guns. Canons are not even seen in Ds3.

[@henrikhumle7255]

I mean, the main argument against this is that From has never tried to link their different franchises. All connections are ultimately just fan speculation, with all references ingame being largely coincidental or circumstantial. That being said; what's your logic here? What the user is saying is that the "Age of Deep Water" is mentioned as something that happened in the distant past. I.E. that Dark Souls 3 and a potential "Age of Deep Water"-ending happened long before Bloodborne. Are you suggesting that it would be impossible for guns to evolve in the meantime? Are you saying that unless guns ALWAYS existed, they couldn't possibly have been invented by the time Bloodborne's plot plays out? Dark Souls is set in a fictional medieval setting; Bloodborne is set in the mid-to-late 1800's. Besides, what you're saying isn't even really true. Both explosives and somewhat sophisticated machinery has been seen as early as DS1, Sen's Fortress being a particular highlight. And DS2 feature serpentine "cannons" spraying acid. Are you seriously suggesting that the engineers of Anor Londo could make buildings move at the turn of a crank, but couldn't stick a ball and some black powder down a tube if they really wanted to? Of all the reasons to dismiss any fan theory that the games are connected "There are no cannons in DS3" has to be one of the worst.@@NamesSmeg

[@danielwheels9529]

Great video Keep them coming 👍👍👍

[@SmoughTown]

Thanks very much! I will do!

[@kavka3842]

I wonder if the future of Deep sea could refer to Bloodborne.

[@daniformoso8161]

I was thinking that aswell would be fucking awesome

[@Inwazzin]

probably, all souls games are connected somehow, even if developer says it isn't [funny how they can't connect the games correctly due to their own copyrights and some Sony's shenanigans]

[@varekai88]

+Shatadhi Dutta ...for great bodies of water hide unsightly secrets... maybe the bloodborne universe is a future possibility stemming from the dark souls universe, a universe where fire and dark fell apart and were then masked by the calmness of great bodies of water

[@kavka3842]

That kind of brings the question of the Old Ones into it doesn't it?

[@Inwazzin]

ay, any info on dlc's? where they will be played? I hope 2nd location will be Drangleic and 1st location will be lordran. that would be lovely

[@themonolith253]

Sulyvahn creating Iirhtyll doesn't make any sense as it is heavily implied to be Gwyndolins city. It's connected Anor Londo which is the city of the gods. The church in which you fight Sulyvahn also has giant statues of Gwyndolin at the centre, along with stained glass windows depicting his sun crown. He was definitely part of the darkmoon system, but I don't think he built the city. Irithyll also has a manor for the gods which also coincidentally happens to be guarded by Silver Knights. You can see it when journeying through the city for the first time. The architecture is very similar to rooms in Anor Londo from DS1 and it contains a number of old artefacts ranging from pictures of Gwynevere to Ornsteins Leo Ring. The Golden Ritual Spear also heavily implies that before Sulyvahn appeared, it was a darkmoon city. There are also more statues of Gwyndolin beyond the church. The distant tundra description also doesn't necessarily mean that Irithyll hadn't been built yet. Since time is convoluted in Dark Souls 3 and all of these separate lands are being pulled together, it implies that these lands have been pulled out of their own times, as each Lord of Cinder kindled the flame in separate cycles. This could simply mean that Sulyvahn did live in Irithyll before but wandered to a distant uninhabited frozen tundra in the realm of Irithyll and found the Profaned Capital, which is were he found the undying flame. The city was also said to have been populated by descendants of the old gods, so it would make sense for Gwyndolin to build a city for them to live in. The doll in which you use to enter the city is based on a Silver Knight squire standing underneath the Darkmoon symbol as well.

[@videopostrrr]

Great Video, and the best touch so far on this topic. I think your taking apart of the church of the deep and the three arch deacons was really solid. I have to say I believe Sulhvayn is much more in an uneasy alliance with Aldrich. Due to the differences in religion, the fact that their soldiers do not mix (except Dorhy who is locked away in Irithyl) and that the Pontiff has a burning ambition. People with burning ambitions are not loyal servants generally... Would love to see you cover the good pontiff in isolation.

[@SmoughTown]

Really kind of you, and I agree may more be an alliance of convenance than anything else. He will certainly get his in due course, such an interesting and ambitious character.

[@J.Rod_Drums]

Great video. I really enjoyed it.

[@SmoughTown]

Very kind of you, thank you for watching!

[@MinecraftPVA]

Great job very professional!

[@SmoughTown]

Very kind, thank you for watching!

[@reecelongden3500]

+SmoughTown With regards to the relationship between Aldritch and the Abyss, weapons that do additional damage to Abyssal creatures do also do additional damage to Aldritch, Vordt and the Dancer, but not Sulyvahn. This would suggest that Aldritch, Vordt and the Dancer do indeed at least draw power from the Abyss.

[@mikeg5039]

Good video dude. These games lore is so damn deep and hard to find

[@pandakabob8013]

Great lore, you got yourself a new sub! But I recommend you have more on time images/vids for when youre talking about stuff. its a good start with the item descriptions though.

[@SmoughTown]

Thanks for the tip!

[@ineedfiles]

Great video!

[@stephenkelly7903]

I assumed that all that talk of "deep seas" and "the deep" was a metaphor for the abyss. But, I suppose that's not confirmed.

[@GabyHannaheavenseeker]

+Stephen Kelly the fact that he dreamed this much tells u he was under the illusion of power Thats how the dark works so YOU are right and its obvious hes cannibal and kills everything if thats not enough LOL to link him to the dark...

[@Doomseer]

The deep is separate from the dark but also similar in many respects, but what must be understood is that the deep actually exists under the surface of the world and has been there since the very beginning. So essentially it is a boundless ocean which in a way acts as the bed rock of the world and by itself is harmless and akin to something that could even be considered sacred. However it has been slowly tainted by all the waste such as dregs that have sunken into its depths as a result of the many fire linking cycles that have taken place.

[@BuzzsawMF]

I love your videos. I love that it is just a good discussion. I love Vaati, but sometimes it gets a tad melodramatic. I dig your way of thorough discussion. However, one thing I noticed is that in this video, I find that the music is drowning you out a tad.

[@ryanwalker5723]

No wonder Patches despises clerics :) I enjoy the long form of the video. I love listening to lore while im playing the game!

[@pandakabob8013]

Also anyone else notice how the dancer comes out of water and always looks like its swimming when its moving. I think theyre going with the idea of Water being the Opposition to Fire. The Abyss is darkness and Fire is Light. How there is a Dark ending this time too.

[@amorianduranin8067]

it would make sense because artorias ' armour days it will always be damp and he did succumb to the abyss

[@amorianduranin8067]

it would make sense because artorias ' armour days it will always be damp and he did succumb to the abyss

[@VGamingJunkie]

The Deacons of the Deep seem similar to the Abyss Watchers, that they were initially trying to stave off something only to become tragically corrupted by that very thing themselves.

[@birdiepitchfeather63]

Indeed, though the abyss watchers didn’t stop defending from the abyss. Albeit that meant they’d eternally fight each other as they all were corrupted

[@VGamingJunkie]

@@birdiepitchfeather63 Well, they must've been driven mad to some extent by it because they fight you the second you enter. It's not like you're of the abyss.

[@birdiepitchfeather63]

@@VGamingJunkie perhaps most, but the main watcher gives you their salute, suggesting a duel challenge rather than just just madness by itself

[@VGamingJunkie]

@@birdiepitchfeather63 Well, their minds were fused when they linked the fire, costing them their free will. This would suggest that the ones that were lost to the abyss, on some level, affected the non-red eyes. The main one's final form with the flaming sword even has glowing red eyes, pointing to abysmal corruption.

[@JJORORO]

Thanks for the explanation I loved it.... and really dig the accent.

[@wyattmorelock5832]

I knew a lot less about Aldrich than I thought I did, before I watched this video at least!

[@jvillain9946]

The branch of the river which was diverted to flood New Londo was of the same river that runs through deep root garden (aka valley of the drakes), and we know Deep Root was above the abyss by way of the Artorias dlc. I believe the geography holds up that Irithyll is built on top of New Londo.

[@gwelstorm3363]

beautiful video. subbed. keep up you are great

[@SmoughTown]

Glad you think so, thanks for the support

[@gwelstorm3363]

I'll be around

[@willybingrove3168]

Your lore videos rival vaatividya videos, keep up the good work man

[@SmoughTown]

That's really kind of you say! Thank you for your support

[@TheUglySlug666]

Great video.

[@SmoughTown]

Thank you my lord

[@sergelengerelmaa2450]

In his second phase as we all know he summons a shade of sorts. If you kill it, he summons another one to help him continue fighting. Thing is, the shade is the one initiating the attacks while Sulyvahn follows. Like the shade is the one puppeteering him . What's going on there? Is this representation of the evil possessing him? Some shadow of the Profaned Flame/Abyss that took over him? You can never truly kill the shade. If you do it'll just respawn infinitely, it's become so innately a part of Sulyvahn's being. The only way to get rid of it is to kill the Pontiff himself altogether. I saw someone theorize, something that would actually put him in a somewhat sympathetic light, was that he saw how his homeland was rotting away and needed flame to burn it away, and so in an attempt to help renovate the Painted World and do away with the rot, sought outside his world after what he heard to be one of the most powerful flames existing, the profaned of course. But in his attempt to retrieve it to do good it corrupted him instead, leading to all the business that went on afterward. Does that seem plausible? I don't know, I'm no Loremaster 9000 myself, I just like hearing/reading interesting observations about things.

[@NamesSmeg]

No, its called "let your weaker version that you can just poof back into existence in seconds, attack first, and then you come up and attack while the enemy is focused on weaker you. It's a diversion tactic.

[@umukzusgelos4834]

But its a nice concept i must say, especially if you look at the bottom of the destroyed buildings of Oolacile in DS 1, there seems to be some kind of black water or dark sludge like liquid as well as the the thing that sticks on Artorias... Fire as the symbol for light and water or sludge as its opposite as a symbol for the dark... the puzzle takes slowly form...

[@algonz7781]

I can't wait to see what the dlc can expand upon for dark souls 3

[@dahliasdarkside1695]

the things Gnawing at the failed firekeeper is her soul writhing inside her chest, not the insects

[@MrStaticassassin]

+DahliasDarkside In her bosom ;3

[@FinneousPJ1]

Very good job

[@SmoughTown]

Thank you very much and thanks for watching!

[@Tijnoss]

one extra thing about the Aldrich-Abyss theory: it might not be a complete coincidence that in order to reach Irythill, you have to fight the Abyss Watchers, who guard the only known entrance to the city...

[@SmoughTown]

True but they also guard the entrance to Carthus which has a much more solid link to the abyss - I.e. Wolnir fell to the abyss

[@Tijnoss]

fair point. and purely speculative here: the "entrance" to Irythill is like 50 meters behind the cup supposedly "containing" Wolnir, so it isn't unthinkable that Pontiff Sulyvahn knew about Wolnir. for someone utilizing the Profaned Flame to gain more power, it isn't unthinkable that he (Sulyvahn) is rather interested in anything to do with the abyss... and if Aldrich can help him in that pursuit... well... there's an alliance =D. of course, if the Abyss Watchers where at all aware of this can't really be awnsered. but again. just speculating...

[@SmoughTown]

+Tijnoss there is a very good chance of that! Pontiff Sulyvahn is a man who used everything to his advantage - I'm going to be covering him in the one after next.

[@Tijnoss]

+SmoughTown awesome! I'll be sure to keep watching. and by the way, really awesome that you take the time to reply! I love Dark Souls for this exact reason and I love how you translated all the separate pieces of lore into a solid story. thanks for replying and keep up the good work =]

[@SmoughTown]

+Tijnoss course not a problem! Talking to people about lore is what makes the game so rich for me. Thank you for watching and for you support!

[@supersonictoast2822]

i hate aldrich now he stole my trap waifu

[@aristedes9449]

_Just gonna_ _Go ahead_ _And write a bashfic_ _And paint Aldrich as the worst character in Souls history_

[@crazy13alex]

+Rubastax The Tenno Aldrich is literally the most fucked up character in Dark Souls. If anything, that's what makes him more interesting.

[@aristedes9449]

Rogue Pylon _Nah_ _Gaping Dragon is a more interesting character than him_ _Seriously From Soft literally went "Yeah let's make a dude that ate so many people he turned into a slime and then he eats Gwyndolin so we get that nice tugging on the heartstrings"_

[@crazy13alex]

+Rubastax The Tenno oh please, the guy has an entire following and his vision of the deep implies something new from the whole, "age of fire/dark" that doesn't seem to change no matter what the era. Besides, Gwyndolin was all snakes from the waste down, Aldrich made him look more terrifying.

[@aristedes9449]

Rogue Pylon _Actually no, that was just his in-game model._ _In the actual lore, the snakes are Dark Sun magic that he uses to defend himself in melee. The snakes have no "rest of the body", they're just magic._ _Gwyndolin has normal legs, it's just the in-game model is weird._

[@Rujewitblood]

It's so creepy how the dead body of Gwyndolyn just sticks out of him the whole time, makes me feel bad for the guy, like what were his final moments like

[@khingzluv]

someody probably mentioned this but isn't the deepest part of the sea called the abyss

[@khingzluv]

So that's no then...? Basically I'm trying to say that there could be a connection between the abyss and the deep sea. That aldritch's vision of a deep sea could have just been the age of dark. Thanx for the distances tho.

[@jeffphisher3801]

Aldritch wakes up after his dreams of water " of mother kos grant us eyes, grant us eyes."

[@salemarde]

because of the undead curse, it is implied that everyone he ate arent actualy dead, and are still in some way aliive in him, making it a fate worse than death, hes like a sarlac pitt

[@NamesSmeg]

Probably the souls trapped after consumption. We see corpse and refuse all over. The body is dead, but the soul is trapped. Screaming in pain after it's strength is sapped again and again. More being added to the pile.

[@ChefHorus]

You hear my trap queen screams in his boss fight

[@smoage]

Just finding this and it's great! Honestly when I first got to Aldritch, I was a little disappointed there weren't more "slime attacks" and that the fight is mostly with the husk of Gwyndolin. Partially because of the representation in the opening cut scene and then the "pus of man" type characters that pop up in the game, on first playthrough I was trying to connect them and it didn't make sense to me, but I thought that whole slime attack thing was cool. Making a distinction between the abyss and the deep makes it a bit more clear there is a difference there. It could be because Aldritch didn't really ever seek the fire he is getting some of that "lost in translation" misdirection that happens to characters a lot in dark souls. His idea of an age of dark/abyss is water/deep and then a religion was built around this vision. But it's all based on his dreams and bits and pieces he gathered from eating people and he's got no context for it. Interesting spin regardless. It's also fun to think about how Aldritch is sort of an analogue for executioner smough, who also had a knack for eating his victims, or at least grinding up their bones. Great work here, all these years later it's still fun to come across this stuff!

[@bheeetts9515]

11:10 compelling gameplay 11/10

[@cjky2817]

Cool video.. you missed a few important facts though.. like that Aldrich takes increased damage from the Farron Greatsword which has a deep relationship with Artorias.. That potentially offers more evidence towards Aldrichs Dark Abyss nature.. you mentioned around 28:00 Also no mention of Nito's weapon. Curious what your opinion is on that. Is Aldrich Nito? Did he devour him too?

[@xBINARYGODx]

+Chris Jay No, Aldrich only ate Gwyndolin, and dreamed of Priscilla (and does not possess a lord soul of the original 4 - no one seems to in the 3rd game). The scythe like thing that Aldrich uses disappears upon death and reveals it's merely a magically invoked blade like Priscilla's, using Qwyndolin's magic staff for this and all other attacks.

[@SmoughTown]

Thanks for watching! That's a great point - as I mentioned there is something of the abyss about Aldrich but it is not explicitly mentioned anywhere in game. But your gameplay fact about the sword is interesting...in regards to Nito, I also see no indication that Aldrich ate him. From a continuity point of view, Nito had to die at the hands of the 'chosen' undead in ds1 in every world. The same isn't the case of Gwyndolin, who in the world of ds3 was around long enough to be devoured. I also think he didn't eat Priscilla - merely dreamed of her and can only temporarily manifest her power temporarily as magic. So long answer short, I think he only ate Gwyndolin based on the written evidence.

[@cjky2817]

Cool insights.. I can't wait for more lore to be found and look forward to more videos :)

[@SmoughTown]

+Chris Jay me neither 😃I'm rendering a new one as we speak, hope you enjoy it as well!

[@maxfrank2384]

thank you bro :D

[@SmoughTown]

No thank you for watching :) planning a profaned capital one as we speak.

[@commissarkai1791]

going far into the speculation pool I thought that pontiff sulyvahn could be a part of manus, sulyvahn's great sword of judgement says 'Its dark blue hues, deeper than the darkest moon, reflect sorcerer Sulyvahn's true nature'. I always this referred to the abyss, looking at the soul of sulyvahn it is of a flame which counteracted what I thought and in previous games characters associated with the abyss have dark looking souls. since his sword says it reflects his true nature and he practically feeds gwyndolin to aldrich( you could say that he was feeding the last of the gods 'light' to aldrich who is associated with the deep 'dark').

[@somiso2079]

Really cool speculation, especially since Pontiffs true nature was shown when he discovered the profaned capital. Which is a fire that never goes out.

[@samiamtheman7379]

+Potatoe My Tomato His true nature was also revealed again when Gwyndolin grew ill and Sulyvahn named himself Pontiff of the Way of the White. He would then imprison Yorshka in the tower and Gwyndolin in the Cathedral.

[@bentempleman1993]

Not sure if someone has already said this but at 11:55 you state that she has "similar features to Aldrich". I'm pretty sure that red grub thing isn't part of her body, she's just cradling it on her lap. If you look she has at least one VISIBLE leg. I may be wrong though.

[@onpatrolforthejuice]

It's interesting you mention how Aldritch had the spiders as a pet and might have been human. Because pontif Sullivan also had beast pets like the dancer and vordt. Maybe there is something about the magic of the borial valley and the making people into beast pets with rings.

[@FaeQueenCory]

Doesn't a Lord of Cinder demand that they have linked the first flame? Isn't that their whole thing? (Hence why they start burning halfway through.) Also: The Abyss could easily be The Deep.... It could be that simple. And Manus' death could be the reason why the Deep became disturbed and demonic. (As in before when he lie dead and dreaming, it was peaceful.)

[@jachibel3280]

+FaeQueenCory Nope, it's more or less something you are born or molded into. Lorian and Lothric are Lords of Cinder, but have not linked the flame. The whole reason all this stuff is going down with the Lords is because of that

[@FaeQueenCory]

+Jachibel that.... Makes 0 sense. The whole thing is supposed to be "aw shit. No one's linking the flame and it's about to go out for good. Better wake the former husks and hope they burn completely." After all... The first Lord of Cinder was Gwyn. (And he was only that after linking the flame.)

[@SmoughTown]

+Jachibel I agree. Gwyn was the first because he did link the fire - but at this point it seems to be a title of ceremony for some. A necessity so that there is 'enough fuel for the fire'.

[@FaeQueenCory]

+SmoughTown for whom exactly? The only one who could be thought to not link it is Aldrich... But he never really made the choice himself, as he was given to the flame by his followers. (Hence how he was made a Lord of Cinder.) And cinder is what remains when you burn something, so that (and their flames, just like Gwyn) heavily imply that all these were former linkers. Plus the fact that they're all revived dead. Plus there has never really been an Age of Dark... As it has been implied that they're cyclical, but it would seem that everyone just links the flame, as Anor Londo still is there but just ruins. At least that's what it seems to me. As other people wouldn't have lived through the "godless" "age of men". I dunno where I was going with this... Other than just that to be cinder, you HAVE to burn.

[@SmoughTown]

+FaeQueenCory haha yup basically - they have to burn, that's certainly the link between them all. For whom? It's hard to say - 'society' that existed before it all collapses. Hawkwood says 'they' made him a Lord of cinder....

[@alexmoliere570]

I think about the locus preachers from the DLC Time travel is a theme of darksouls sometimes. So I like to think this cleric came from the future, where the deep and locusts appear after reaching the bottom of the ringed city. Like the way of white tried to seal the future, the dark, the saint of the deep Not to mention, Aldrich and Gael did the same thing, they are people. I assume Aldrich did not just cause he liked it, but because it had something to do with the darksoul.

[@studid55]

This is why this game is a 10/10 in my book. I can only hope that Elden Ring is just as lore-y :D

[@SALLYLIKESBLOOD]

What confuses me is that these enemies use both sorceries and miracles. Considering Havel was a bishop of the Way of White, and his hatred for magic, it's odd that he would associate with any sort of church that was practicing that which he hated. Then again this game seems to be a long time after the events of ds1..

[@SmoughTown]

I think that's the answer, the way of white has changed much over time and certain individuals have made them 'sorcerers'

[@alexmoliere570]

Irythel and the abyss are linked in a round about manner. The moon, cold, and ice. In a sense, are the opposite of the sun, warmth, and flame. However ice and water are similar in nature. It’s more symbolic than actually practical. In the same sense that the painted world is one of ice than fire.

[@tehkitfox]

honestly I believe the deep and abyss to be the same thing. if you look up the definition for abyss its a deep or vast cavern or gulf, so thinking the deep is the abyss and if there are water references its probably about the dregs swimming around considering those I believe would be humanity as is or remnants of. and great peoples fall to it, also makes a good note that farron keep is between both places Aldrich is supposed to be, and more so what they were fighting more so. also good proof with the gems. the deep adds dark damage but the dark gem adds scaling. makes me wonder if those that worshipped the deep lacked because they didnt know the truth of it. and those that do found madness like dorhys

[@joification2]

I’m really glad you stopped playing loud boss music in the background of your vids.

[@SuperSupermanX1999]

With regards to 4:00 when you say that there's no indication that Aldrich ever linked the first flame, the fact that he is in this game at all proves that he did, since the entire premise is that previous lords of cinder, aka people who have linked the first flame, have been resurrected.

[@Xxonfire1212xX]

Artorias greatsword deals extra damage to abyss creatures which include Aldirch

[@Flavor190]

One suggestion lower the background music sound but otherwise good video

[@musicmeister5914]

Hey by the by, that bloated thing on rosario is not her but one of her twisted children and in fact she has the opposite body of Aldrich ^^

[@mamawinkelen]

There was one theory (can't find the exact video) that claimed that gwyndoline was still being eaten. It said that aldrich was nothing more than the worm-like appendige, while the body is still being consumed (like a leech). What do you think about this theory?

[@SmoughTown]

An interesting theory and one I could certainly see be viable. But even as a leech appendage it's clear that Aldrich is in control, and is using Gwyndolin's power and memories for himself.

[@samiamtheman7379]

+Sauron There really is no evidence in the game to suggest that he is still eating Gwyndolin. Everything that talks about it does it in the past tense, meaning he finished. It's clear that after devowering a god, he took his form somewhat.

[@mamawinkelen]

+samiamtheman 73 I think you are right. I got it from this video: /watch?v=u41olB5aJvE. If you watch between 8:06 - 9:56, he explains his theory. Now I look back in it, you are correct in saying that everything happened in the past. It makes sense as well. Why would gwyndolin defend it's predator/murderer?

[@Nightheven123]

Pretty good one. But i would say few things that probably should be improved. 1. When you read items descriptions - keep them on the screen till you finish reading it, do not get it off in the middle of the reading. 2. You have some hiccups and missreads here and there. You should probably make some notes before talking about some speculations/ideas/explanations etc. It could be that you just need some more practice on that matter so that you can make more solid or sort of stable... flow of information to form. Anyway, was a pretty good video, i hope that the next ones would be way better

[@misaeltoral508]

You know, with all the callbacks to Dark Souls I, I wonder if Miyazaki's plan was to have a DS trilogy and this was supposed to be the second game. It makes sense if you look at the sense of progression between each game. From Demon's Souls to Dark Souls and then Bloodborne there's an evolution in everything and Dark Souls III would have been the middle ground with a potential las game coming out after it. Dark Souls II is the game that just offers "more of the same"

[@mrpeanutbutter3956]

You're definitely on to something there bro

[@maurymoto7219]

If he wanted a trilogy of Dark Souls games, then I guess he'd be at the helm of DS2 instead of getting the (really good, if you ask me!) B-team to work on it

[@misaeltoral508]

+Quatza Rij He also wanted to work on Bloodborne, and it shows. Dark Souls II apparently was never meant to be the way it was, it lacks the direction of all the other games

[@maurymoto7219]

Saint Link And how was the game meant to be?

[@misaeltoral508]

+Quatza Rij Look at the trailers and the promotional materials. They wanted it to be its own thing with its own lore in the same universe, but somewhere during development, they realized they wanted it to be more directly connected to Dark Souls.

[@BIGCP22]

Not sure if anyone noticed, but that long fire weapon he uses looks exactly like gravelord Nito's blade, as well as the two slow back and forth swings from Nito's move-set.

[@BIGCP22]

+cooper pedati and yes I understand that its a form of sorcery stemming from the catalyst, just wondering what the connection to Nito is, considering the lack of description and soul evidence.

[@Jewbear1884]

+cooper pedati There's a theory that he managed to get at Nito as well, though personally I believe Aldrich just got a vision of Nito from Gwyndolin and thought to try and emulate Nito along with Priscilla. Either that or it's another reference seeing as Alritch is visually rather similar to Nito, being effectively a mass of body parts and all.

[@BIGCP22]

Well if you look at the lower half of the consumed gwyndolin, it appears to look nito-y

[@ColorfulSyke]

+Jewbear1884 the theory was debunked some time ago. Think, Gwyndolyn is an optional boss in DS I so canonically we can say that we never slayed him. Nito is required in order to satiate the lord vessel. How would Aldrich have gotten a hold of Nito's soul when the chosen undead did so in the first game?

[@Jewbear1884]

Fate/Dynasty That's why I said I didn't believe it, I just stated that there was a theory on it.

[@papanurgle8393]

I think Aldritch was forced to link the first flame against his will by members of the way of white once his heresy was uncovered.

[@orngcreator6115]

Maybe I'm just throwing shit out there but I kinda put my theory of what this "deep sea" is as to being Aldrich himself. It's more likely that it's just the Abyss itself but the room Aldrich is fought in is covered in water. This would make the idea of a religion following him (or at least a sect of it) make sense. I mean who wouldn't want to be a part of an creature who would eventually be the only thing existence? It would also explain the rode of sacrifices. A journey of people wanting to become more then what they were before. Whether they are doing so willingly or not is up for debate but it would explain why its an actual road and not just a small pathway made for only the cage carriers and the evangelists. Plus Aldrich even ate an actual god, possibly the only one left besides the queen. I could definitely see Aldrich by default becoming the most powerful being in Lothric and the figure head of said religion. But fuck him for killing my boy Gwyndolin.

[@orngcreator6115]

I'm the only one who gets to eat out Gwyndolin from his rear.

[@Prodigious01]

Many connections already mentioned but I think there is something to the deep = abyss deal. Remember that new londo in ds1, the I guess you could say adoptive home of the abyss was flooded. There has always been a subtle connection between dark and water. Perhaps the abyss has come to realize that fire seems to always find a way to reignite, and by eliminating for good the original gods of old and inheriting their powers they can try to usher in a flood of sorts.

[@dalepickstock]

If the Pontiff founded Irithyll and Aldrich came from there its arguable that the Pontiff was in command as Aldrich became a saint. Concept worth exploring perhaps the Pontiff wasn't happy about the situation and the way of white influencing the evangelists and deacons

[@aslandarklion1]

I wonder if the young pale girl he dreams about is Yorshka? I mean it could he Priscilla, but then again Yorshka could be an alternate version of Priscilla.

[@BremerBurschenschaft]

I never liked Gwyndolin, but I still hate Aldrich for killing him in such a cruel way. He was the last fucking divine of Anor Londo. Somehow everything went to shit since Gwyn roasted himself in the Kiln. Someone else should have done it.

[@SmoughTown]

Yeah I hear you, thing is I do actually like Gwyndolin- so it hurts even more haha

[@MrDannyWright]

This was your best take? If you edit a bit more this video would be far better. Leaving in mistakes and the part where you take a drink is madness.

[@yikes6969]

bro really got upset that someone took a drink

[@maddock34]

Little bit of hypothetical thinking here; we are currently in the age of lords, of fire, of light. And the age of humanity is the age of dark. Dark would be the opposite (or lack of) light, so what's the opposite of fire? . . . Water, so the future of water Aldrich is seeing/believes in could either refer to the age of darkness/humanity or the abyss (given that the abyss is often associated with humans/the furtive pygmy)

[@SmoughTown]

That certainly is the popular theory - that the deep sea is just a metaphor for the abyss. I see a lot of merit to this but I just don't see why from soft would even add this metaphor? It makes me think that there is maybe more literal. I swing between these two

[@bundiclionie1365]

So, if the dancer was "a distant daughter of the formal royal family" originally (and we know this means Gwyn's line) then is it referring to Gwynevere?

[@SmoughTown]

If it was Gwynevere I would guess they wouldn't use the word 'distant', she would be a 'direct' daughter.

[@bundiclionie1365]

Fair point, although I was thinking distant in respect of her having left Anor Londo with this Flame God Flann character (which I think is BS, but that's a different topic).

[@SmoughTown]

+Bundi Clionie you could still be right, it's just my interpretation of the lore. No one interpretation is better than another

[@bundiclionie1365]

That's what I love so much about this series :)

[@ProfessorVuubik]

Age of pyre and dark are in a cycle, require kindling and such etc... Age of water = Formless? unknown? no cycle?

[@joahnaut]

age of water? age of the deep? Sounds like the running theme they used in Salt and Sanctuary. Called it here first.

[@olliejbaker4324]

How I like to think of it is in every SoulsBorne it represents The Seven Sins in a way Lotheric represents Pride Aldritch represents Gluttony or Greed I don't know about Yhorm and the Abssye Watchers Open for suggestions

[@palazzo1113]

Aldrich sounds like an insult title for people who pretend to be boujie but can only afford to shop at Aldi.

[@TrumpCardMAGA]

Is Sir Gus's only job to supply coffee to the arch deacons in Aldrich's tomb? I assume so because he's called in game as "Sir Coffee Gus" I am just confused for his purpose regarding the lore because if the specially made coffee cups are to be believed that state "Decaf's Of The Deep" Sir Coffee Gus's job wouldn't hold much value since the coffee he's making for everyone there wouldn't even have any caffeine it's basically flavored dark water unless it's got some estus properties. But I doubt it since estus usually goes more with Tea. Like the special Astorian tea made from estus shards and breast milk called Astorian Estus Tit-Tea

[@BigBroKuma]

I actually wonder who forced Aldrich to become a Lord of Cinder

[@OuterRimPride]

Fear the old blood.

[@scrubbypotato]

How did Pontiff imprison gwyndolin if you kill him in dark souls 1?

[@Alex-ks9sl]

gwyndolin is optional, I'm guessing that has something to do with it

[@TheMATEMAGICIAN]

the pale girl in hiding can also be reffering to Yoshka

[@frohawk8465]

Since Aldrich was still devouring Gwyndolin during his boss fight, does that mean we weren't even fighting him at full power?

[@codafett]

More than likely. Shame, I bet he would've been pretty strong.

[@frohawk8465]

@@codafett Same here. Especially if he can get powers like Lifehunt by simply dreaming/knowing about it.

[@codafett]

@@frohawk8465 They honestly dropped the ball with him and Pontiff. They were easily some of the best parts of the lore. Their fights deserved more hype.

[@nathangeorge6575]

I'm naming my next dnd character Sulyvahn and I'm gonna make him a disgraced noble.

[@DragoonlordXXiV]

I'm probably wrong but I think the slug guys in the Cathedral followed in Aldrichs footsteps and began eating people to gain power like their idol. rosaria seems to be taking care of them like her children I'm assuming because even though she can change your appearance and stats the mutation from the eating of men is beyond her power.

[@MrStaticassassin]

+David Martin No it's because if you "reborn" your character more than 5 times, you turn into those slugs that's why you can only do it 5 times in that lifetime

[@DragoonlordXXiV]

Ohhh well that makes sense too, wonder if there's a reason for that.

[@TheLegendaryTashy]

+MrStaticassassin Where does it state this?

[@MrStaticassassin]

TheLegendaryTashy a description of the slug men, where they turned into slugs from being reborn too many times. Just like Yellow finger. I think it's a description on the slug staff

[@MrTorta361]

does anyone know what sword is he using?