Dark Souls Lore | Forossa: A Comprehensive Look

[@Kid_Naps]

We need more 'complete' lore videos which take in consideration ALL the games, so I appreciate this video, thanks!

[@mitchl6896]

You're welcome!

[@jojolafrite90]

So, Dark Souls 1 and that's it. That's complete and canonical. The rest was unwanted (by the devs, at least and it kind of shows). DS1 was the only one truly inspired, demon's souls too, but DS1 was the pinacle of From soft games.

[@theprancingrat]

@@jojolafrite90 not exactly true. It's clear the devs had passion for their games. Saying that ds1 is the only one to be considered Canon is nonsensical because the lore was worked on heavily in the second and third games. Yes, they were inspired as well. Dark souls 2 was different from ds1, people whined. Ds 3 was very similar to ds 1. People. Whined. The three games have their place in the lore, and we have to consider all three to understand the trilogy. The game play is another matter altogether, however, the lore and Canon and debates are just as valid as the first game.

[@halogamersud21]

Is it just me or does the DS2 version of the Farram set look better than the DS3 version?

[@OrthodoxGod]

yeah some of the sets that dark souls 3 has look a bit (or a lot hehe) bad compared to the old sets. Its weird.

[@biterness2323]

The armor sets in DS3 look so glossy and shiny which i dislike alot.

[@BlackIronGamer]

ZOMBIE I think they look beat to shit and worn

[@darthnihilus7951]

Yes! Finally someone who feels the same way

[@ironstrong3431]

Late af haha but i think it may be because of how ds3 handles armor adjusting soze according to body size... armors look best if u leave the character on the default body size.... ds2 didnt have this problem as bad

[@aromardu]

Since the black firebombs are in DS1 as well, it seems Forossa is an exceedingly old kingdom, dating back to the time of Lord Gwyn. Been finding a lot of tidbits like that, going through item descriptions and comparing the same tools in each game. Loved the video! It's nice to see lore videos that go in-depth on locations not seen directly in the games.

[@lukealtman5273]

Thank you! some Dark Souls KZbinrs choose to ignore DS2 as if it didn't happen just because they didn't like it. I have my own problems with it, but it's a valid part of the Souls lore.

[@guyman9655]

I did not entirely enjoy ds2, the gameplay didn't land for me and the distance traveled is wonky as fuck, but I discredit the lore of the game because in the end it's still from softs writing of the story.

[@gryphon8023]

Except DS2 isn’t relevant to anything story or lore wise. It went a completely opposite direction and was pure garbage. Sure the lore is cool but I’d definitely not consider it cannon.

[@s2korpionic]

@@gryphon8023 I think you're just willfully blind to the connection of Dark Souls 2 to the rest of the series.

[@jojolafrite90]

It was better than DS3. BUT, I don't think any of the sequels should have been DS sequels at all... Plus, it had really awful things in it.

[@rockstar-made]

@@jojolafrite90 Keep coping.

[@DarkBloodSouls]

The tagline for DS2 was "Go Beyond Death" so the description could be a callback to that

[@dezopenguin9649]

Ahh, fresh content, and from DS2 as well, which offers fertile ground for new discussion rather than the more-treaded soil of DS1 and DS3. One thing I gleaned from the descriptions you cited throughout the video is that Forossa appears to be what my undergraduate military history professor would refer to as a culture of warriors rather than a culture of soldiers. That is to say, there appears to be an emphasis on the individual fighter's personal prowess rather than their effectiveness as fighting tactically in a group. You cite how both the Lion Knights and the Northwarders would undergo trials of personal valor as a "proving ground"; there's the emphasis on the two-handed fighting style of the knights and revered in Lothian, and the Lion Knights were described as "rabid." Gordin's status as a wanderer and the Ivory King going off to found his own kingdom for the sake of being generally paladin-like remind me a bit of knight-errantry in the Arthurian sense, of warriors going out and fighting on their own for the sake of adventure (and hopefully good causes or at least causes that didn't disrupt the populace). When you add to that the veneration of multiple war gods and what Vengarl says about their history, it seems that Forossan culture saw war and battle as an end in and of itself, rather than a means to gain territory or wealth. That they would end up in near-perpetual conflict with their neighbors seems almost inevitable, not only due to their inherent conflict-seeking but because any monarch of Forossa would surely seek to turn the battle-hunger of the armies outward rather than being wracked by civil war and inner strife.

[@mitchl6896]

DezoPenguin Great thoughts! Love the breakdown. Whatever happened, it seems that they either overextended themselves or the Sages misled the forces of Forossa into something they couldn't win, somewhat similar to the Mandalorians from Star Wars, I suppose.

[@a15godzilla]

DezoPenguin I honestly really like the distinction you gave between a warrior, and a soldier. I've honestly pondered the differences between the two, myself.

[@marvelouschester3018]

On the beta test of Dark Souls 2 you were able to choose separate characters with different builds. One of these builds was a Forossa Lion Knight who had the golden crest shield that Albert also uses in Dark Souls 3. Forossans have also been seen using shields, like Vengarl and sometimes the Bearer of the Curse. Plus Albert uses the title Lion Knight so therefore Albert isn't just some mercenary who just so happened to find a dead body and took the armor off.

[@xXLunatikxXlul]

So we do visit Forossa, just the frozen over hell it is now know as - The Frigid Outskirts.

[@zxb995511]

As something of note you did not mention when speaking on Lothian is that the Ogre you slay at Things Betwixed that drops the Stone Ring is probably Lothian himself turned into an Ogre by Aldia when he went through Aldia's keep in search of dragons.

[@mitchl6896]

zxb995511 I hadn't considered that, good point!

[@Kriskazam]

zxb995511 i would figure a soul as large as Lothian’s would inhabit something more than an ogre haha

[@josephpersaud9]

I finally got around to watching this video and I'm really glad that you've covered Forossa as It's one of my favourite places in DS2

[@mitchl6896]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed.

[@bagofrandom]

I've been getting back into Scholar. This was a very interesting listen. I'd be down for more DS2 vids!! respect buddy

[@mitchl6896]

Thanks!

[@giacomorinaldi8803]

Isn't it... Two-handed= one weapon, two hands Two weapons, one in each hand= dual wielding ? Though I don't understand how it could be nimble in the first case. Also Drang's mercenaries do fight dual wielding, and they are close to ds2's knights of forossa But still, Lion Knight Albert in Grand Archives fights with a two-handed greataxe Also the golden wing crest shield is simply a reference to ds2 trailers, where the character is a forossan knight with that shield, as well as the slogan "Go Beyond Death" The sellsword set is clearly, CLEARLY, Guts' armor in the golden age arc

[@andryuu_2000]

The ivory king is from Forossa and he's 2 handing a quality/dex scaling ultra greatsword, his knights are 2 handing dex scaling long/greatsword, with thrust attacks that go well with lei ring

[@zun-viik]

@@andryuu_2000 So it's a translation error

[@thebigo3752]

keep up the good work!

[@insertopinion5967]

Love the music from the ODST trailer, really fits the video!

[@thelouster5815]

@3:41 I would be willing to bet with 100% certainty that they used “two handed” as in two hands on one weapon, since dual wielding on a battlefield irl is an absolutely idiotic idea.

[@conde6077]

I forgot what the music at the start is called but they used it in the ODST trailer right? Nice choice

[@mitchl6896]

Light of Aidan :)

[@conde6077]

That's the one. Interesting video BTW I've only played DS3 so I dont often watch vids about previous games

[@JoeKerr420]

Can you link the song? Or tell me the name?

[@pathogen1889]

The Laughing Man it's called Lament by light of Aidan, but you'll get the original version which is very different from the one used here. Try light of Aidan lament ODST

[@Nik37346]

This is probably better then Vaati and other competing lore video creators. Thank you, this i think is a video motif/style they should take notes from

[@TheOrangex88]

I’m not sure if anyone else pointed this out, but the background music is from the ODST live action trailer...really odd yet fitting choice in music

[@mrr2806]

Amaizing as always.

[@gregoriancharles]

What do you think about the connection between Vengarl and the works of Italo Calvino? I feel like he might be a reference to "the nonexistent knight" aswell as "the cloven viscount", in the way that Calvino uses surrealism and nonsensical things (a head witohut a body looking at the sky, thinking of the finer things) to explain both inner and societal conflict. They are good reads none the less!

[@andryuu_2000]

True intellectual

[@tovea.3704]

Awesome work like always! This was great to listen to, and it's clear - as always - that a lot of effort was put into the research. I bet Miyazaki would be delighted to see that fleshed out stories and interpretations such as this are being crafted from all his hidden lore. I'm wondering if you have had any interest/thoughts about doing a Comprehensive Look on the Magic-based societies of Dark Souls: that is to say Oolacile, Vinheim (and possibly New Londo? At least the Four Kings seem to be sorcerers). I have been thinking about the part magic plays in the games. Is it coincidence that the two, possibly three known factions Kaathe wanted to draw to the Dark appear to be comprised of sorcerers? New Londo's Four Kings, the Oolacile residents, and (the arguable third faction) even Lothric is a caster (I heard talk of leaked content from a QA tester that a winged Kaathe was supposed to appear during the Twin Princes fight. This could imply that Kaathe was originally meant to be the tutor that beckoned Lothric to the Dark, but of course there is nothing to confirm that theory's credibility). Also Pontiff Sulyvahn, a vital character seemingly connected to the Dark (Deep), is explicitly stated to be a sorcerer. Oceiros and the Scholars' obsession with Seath's magic, the Xanthous scholars obsession with Oolacile's magic; the Crystal Sages, implied to be connected to both the Grand Archives and Farron for some reason; Half-Light, who guards Filianore, who herself seems to be sitting on a light-based spell that manipulates time (which is also stated to be a well-guarded secret).... there seems to be a lot of interesting stuff to discuss! The more I listen to the lore and the more I play the Souls trilogy, the more I feel like the importance of the role magic has in Dark Souls grows. Sadly, I have found very little on the locations with magic-based cultures, and on Souls magic in general, at least on KZbin. Apologize for the ramble - I'm definitely looking forward to seeing more videos like this, magic-based or not;-) Again, awesome work!!

[@davishill3305]

Faraam set is one of my favorites is DS3. Great viddy Mitch 👌👌

[@cottagecheese2481]

I think Farram is the nameless king or Gwynn first born

[@kimjongwin]

you are the best souls series lore master

[@cyprussphil2299]

hi, dark souls 2 sotfs is my fav ds game, I play them all a lot, but I have spent most time roaming around dragleic. I wanted 1 of the dlcs to b in forrossa :-D as all of the info n characters were awsome n badass mofos! so I'm happy as shit that u made this vid :-D my vengral cosplay was my fav playthrough and pvp character to :-D this vid has wetted my appetite to throw ds2 back in the ps4 n set off all over again :-D so thanks man, top work ;-)

[@Wicked061]

I really enjoy your content. keep it up!

[@darkgamersouls5296]

The reason i like dark souls because faraam knight ! the armor set look so badass !!

[@yuo8432]

I love your videos, keep it up.

[@jpegPHD]

This is a small detail, but I've always wondered what creature the pelt draping over the shoulders of the faraam set came from. I like to think it was taken from the same lion-hybrid creature as the Sanctuary Guardian. But then again the "lion" in the name is probably meant to make us think of Ornstein. Just the white coloration of the pelt and the lion-like qualities of the creature that make me speculate about this. Or, then again, maybe it's just something insignificant like a mountain goat or something lol. Edit: also the winged shield being commonly shown combined with set (in promotions and with Lion Knight Albert) and the description of the Sanctuary Guardian as the "The white winged lion." I genuinely can't tell how intentional the rampant symbolism in Dark Souls is meant to be sometimes.

[@sidadams7123]

i think when they say two handed sword play they mean having the ability to use larger swords wielded in two hands such as claymores, greatswords, zweihanders very quickly and gracefully since dual wielding wasn't a very common think in history

[@ghostwarrior3878]

nice work Mitch., this is a good video

[@TheCyberAssassin]

I took "two-handed" as to mean two hands on one sword. As opposed to "dual" to mean a weapon in each.

[@jwalton1915]

sellsword, sellsword, sellsword, sellsword, sells word....good video Mitch...enjoying the variety lately.

[@mitchl6896]

Jack Walton I get sellsword sellsword salsa salsa salsa thanks for giving the new stuff a try!

[@OmlyUltra]

We sure that forossa isn't just mongolia? They made gunpowder and also almost conquered all of Asia. As well as using a unique set of swords

[@andryuu_2000]

And then falling to pieces

[@Matthew-du1ro]

everyone eventually fall

[@slingingdave]

Faraam Lion Knights were the reason why I got into Dark Souls.

[@alexwilde349]

the best thing about them is if you use the drakeblood set but use the faraam helmet fashion souls 100

[@kofismith6869]

Thank you for doing this.

[@ayyyyylmao]

I find this rather intetessting. Can't wait untill the video on the Ivory King!

[@NicolasMayr-xe9cd]

+Mitch L Could you maybe do a comprehensive look on the Dragon School of Vinheim. It seems cool.

[@spadeofpain24]

Also Remember that the Nameless King and his followers had armor that resembed lions.

[@danielantony1882]

Yeah, he's just gonna ignore that. Cuz it's clearly an accident(no).

[@Manfromthenorth0551]

Forrosa sound like Mandalorians from Star Wars.

[@mitchl6896]

They are definitely very close.

[@andryuu_2000]

The helmet is similar too

[@Snoopy813]

There needs to be a vid about the ivory king

[@thekinghmimidou7001]

i think the forrossa warriors are a reference to spartans

[@gabrielreichert5362]

That helmet would be good for a hound cosplay in the game

[@sonicbralaunik9671]

Just starting vid, still one minute in, whats this song?

[@fatcatinatuxedo7274]

What is the background song called?

[@1Kelvar]

Im surprised you didnt touch upon the fact Creighton used the same fighting style as lothian and using his axe no less. Also They are both wanderers and lastly he wears "Mirrah armor" obviously its not his but it could be a mockery of mirrah worn as a trophy if mirrah was indeed forossa's enemy. Seeing as the kingdom fell and they became sell swords maybe Creighton got caught as they talked about him being a murderer and was on the choping block before luck kicked in and everyone was in a state of panic and used that opportunity to escape. I think there is alot more to him then meets the eye...

[@Alva_Lombax]

Forgive me Sun brothers for I have forgotten the name of the Sage Maig bro in Demon's, can anyone reminds me ? jokes aside I wasnt expecting a DS2 Lore related video, how ever the quality is as good as ever, a very good paced narration

[@mitchl6896]

DRACK thanks Drack! I appreciate the feedback.

[@pareidolia_phan]

It's a shame Vengarl's set isn't in Dark Souls 3

[@thehilariousoriginalname4624]

I’d wager that ‘Nimble Two Handed Swordplay’ would mean they would fight like the Mirrah And Drakeblood Knights with their swords, seeing as they are a lot more agile and well…nimble than regular Greatsword users

[@vallgron]

I think they used longswords not duel blades even in concept art the have a long sword on their side

[@7fadi77]

So... who's the man that wears faraam set at DS2 trailer ? what's his lore ?

[@jacobgilbreath6704]

Love the Faraam set, cat wait to get it in DS 3

[@arisniro3167]

Great video, thanks!

[@mitchl6896]

Thank you!

[@angrymoses]

Playing Vivaldi's Winter from The Four Seasons while showing Irithyll, I see what you did there :P

[@xm1774]

Much I have question but this question is speculation and I am most likely wrong but could the katana that you get at fir link shire be from forossa because they say the sword was made with great craftsmanship from the west this questions is most likely wrong but I was hair wondering

[@xm1774]

Mich

[@mitchl6896]

Which Katana? The Chaos Blade or the Uchigatana?

[@xm1774]

Mitch L the ug one sorry I was just to lazy to spell it

[@xm1774]

Mitch L I mean uc

[@FranzbroetchenGaming]

The last line of the Farram Set in Ds3 is most likely a reference to this video "kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWrSepxulpVqd8U" So it clearly speaks of the cursed undead we play in Ds2.

[@kelvinsantiago7061]

Darn i love ds2

[@CardsNSleevesTCG]

I dont see any similarities between the sellsword armour and the faraam armour

[@silvertemplar8061]

What is the opening music?

[@Marquinhos1901]

you should list the books in the description please .

[@bradleyallen6883]

I really gotta finish DSII. I started with Bloodborne and loved it so much, I pre-ordered DSIII. I really enjoyed it, but admittedly, was a little let down by the DLCs. The optional content in vanilla DSIII was some of my favorite. AoA had it's charm, and TRC was definitely better, but they both felt slighly short. Bloodborne was a masterpiece though. Without a doubt, now in my top 5 games of all time. The Old Hunters was what I consider a top tier expansion, along the likes of Blood and Wine, Bloodmoon, Lord of Destruction, The Shivering Isles, Dragonborn, and the cumulative DLCs of Fallout 3 and New Vegas. I would love to see a sequel to Bloodborne, if and only if, From truly wanted to and had the same level of passion and dedication as the first. Still going through DSII when I get the time. I'm still playing Nioh, DSIII, and The Witcher for the time being. Might run through Salt & Sanctuary once more beforehand. I can't wait for Death's Gambit, EITR, and Bloodstained. I have a feeling E3 is going to be sick once again this year.

[@LSB44446]

Mitch what armor did you yse during the Gordin section with the Forlorn set?

[@LSB44446]

And THANK GOD you're not somebody who believes Creighton doesn't have the Dragonslayer Axe because it's not lightning damage

[@mitchl6896]

I'll have to check but yes, the set is the Forlorn set.

[@benjaminbeltran7004]

What details are you seeing in both Faraam's and Sellsword's armor?... the fact that both use a cuirass?... The sellsword's cuirass has no decoration whatsoever. If both cuirasses had the same kind of embossing decoration it would be a valid comparison... But saying "they might be from the same culture because they both use a cuirass" is extremely far fetched... It's like saying "The drang armor has white fur trimming, it must be Forossan!" Your content is interesting but... I felt compelled to point that out.

[@mitchl6896]

I think you're right and maybe I was going a bit far with that. I'd love to see some relics of Forossa in the Ringed City, though

[@benjaminbeltran7004]

Yea... me too. Fingers crossed for some more Forossan culture in the ringed city.

[@Kardel_VA]

ODST Lights of Aidan Good lad

[@Blockvard]

Why don't you put Artorias sword on the left hand and show it of for real in the video?

[@BloodyCrow__]

Two-handed as in Two hands on one sword. It would say dual wielding if it was dual wielding.

[@rickedyrektd1895]

which body type is your character, I wanna look as good as I can in dat faraam stuff.

[@mitchl6896]

THICC

[@rickedyrektd1895]

Good to know.

[@NapoleChan]

I thought you visited Forossa when you play the PlayStation Dark Souls spin off racing game

[@zycrony3572]

Forrosa Lion Knights? Ornstein Is Also a Lion Knight And Hes One Of The People Who Worship Faraam?

[@silvertemplar8061]

Zycrony That sounds like an interesting spinoff point that could reveal more of Ornstein's origin. Also did Gwyn have any other lost children cause I know the nameless king was one, but we don't know what happened to Faraam, did be rule his own kingdom of Forossa when Anor Londo fell, or was he banished by Gwyn?

[@LSB44446]

I loved the last 2 DS2 DLC

[@ImASillyName]

The second DLC for 2 was the best IMO.

[@LSB44446]

ImASillyName Yeah, I loved Fume Knight enough to kill him on NG+7 without damage

[@Kabodanki]

Sunken King was the Best, made by DS1 team, and there's was no outrageous reuse of assets

[@arsenii_yavorskyi]

why did you pitch down Vengarl's voice?

[@mitchl6896]

I just turned down the volume a bit because the original recording was too loud.

[@arsenii_yavorskyi]

then I must be hearing things, because his voice sounds a tad lower than I remember.

[@RENDAN_iel]

Two handed vs dual handed

[@MrSam2497]

What really annoys me that there isn't too much about Faraam or Forossa on souls series Even when Faraam armor was literally used in case art of DS2. Leaving most important information in shadows, *deepest lore*

[@cromabu5090]

It isn’t a surcoat do you even know what they look like

[@Khotgor]

Am I the only one that thinks the Falconer enemies look fucking stupid when they walk?

[@slightlytwistedagain]

Argh you've not pitch corrected the audio samples, sounds like the audio is playing a semitone below it's original recording. Please correct that it's jarring as hell especially to those like myself who have done a lot of music production.

[@lirose5912]

slightlytwistedagain it helps avoid getting your video flagged.

[@mitchl6896]

Sorry, I didn't realise. Could you explain what you mean in more detail? All I've done for the music tracks is lower the volume at which that play in comparison to my voice.

[@slightlytwistedagain]

Mitch L A semitone is 1/8 of an octave on a piano roll in a digital audio workstation. Moving the audio samples up a semitone will increase the pitch and tempo. By the sound of things you haven't had much experience with audio tools so you will be best to use something less complicated than an audio station. IIRC Audacity has pitch/tempo manipulation, it's free and very simple to use. Just load the samples into it, increase them a semitone or two until it sounds right and then export. There should be plenty of videos on KZbin on how to use Audacity so you should have no problem working out how to use it.

[@mitchl6896]

slightlytwistedagain OK, I will investigate. Thanks.

[@jojolafrite90]

With time I became to think that DS was actually better than DS3... BUT, I think DS1 shouldn't have had a sequel if the devs didn't intend one.

[@robertfullchim923]

DS2 had some great lore, but the level design and gameplay really dropped the ball. The infusion system was the best in the series in terms of elemental weapons being viable, and power stance was fun to learn.

[@TheCHAOXUS]

I like you! :)

[@mitchl6896]

I like YOU!

[@TheCHAOXUS]

Aww :)

[@LionbugLP]

ghey

[@Annuhlynne]

FoRROSITY

[@kasch3288]

If Lothian did leave to kill the legendary dragon before the collapse of Forossa then he was sorely missed in the war against Mirrah which they lost.

[@coureurdesbois6754]

two handed doesn't mean two weapons. it means one weapon used with both hands.