Dark Souls Lore: Paladin Leeroy and the Way of White

This Dark Souls Lore video primarily covers the Way of White and the first undead pilgrimage by Paladin Leeroy. Some of the lore chosen is speculation, most is not. The Legends of Lordran Dark Souls Lore videos series also tend to attempt to enter the psyche of the character the video is focusing on; imagining the Lore of Lordran from their perspective. So if some of the lore seems inaccurate it may be due to the fact that it IS false because the subject of the video (Leeroy in this case) is misinformed or does not know the whole truth.
Leeroy wonders if anyone will ever tell his tale. If it ever was told, the paladin would call it Wrath of the Gods.
I hope you enjoy the video, please hit the like button if you liked the video.
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menaslg.deviant...
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Thanks.
Video Editing:
Sony Vegas Pro
Audio/Editing:
Audio Technica AT2020 Mic
Adobe Audition
Image Editing/Text:
GIMP and PS CS5
Free Greenscreen Effects & Backgrounds:
/ @footageisland

[@zeonmx]

Paladin Leeroy of House Jenkins

[@reverenddick8562]

🍗

[@BaccyScran]

Leeroy's corpse is trying to crawl away under a little hole in Nito's boss room which I always found really sad:c

[@Gladvillainy-709]

LEEEEEEERRRROOOOOYYYYYY

[@aaaaaa-il3yw]

Dear Leeroy, Farm some rats at undead burg, it's way safer Sincerely Yours

[@CyberMonkey03]

LOL

[@joshuamartin7382]

Or the baby skeletons that were literally a few dozen meters away...

[@giannih6484]

Bro should’ve just farmed those little skeletons before Nitos boss room. Like he had an unlimited supply.

[@sandeboe]

Wow... this was purely amazing. Never thought that Leeroy's story could be somewhat so deep and interesting. One thing slipped from me though. He helped the Chosen Unded to defeat Pinwheel in his world, but doesn't that mean he should have obtained the right of kindling after defeating him, as Pinwheel stole it from Nito? Or was his desperate seek for humanity and kindling corrupted his mind enough to make him forget that he already obtained it?

[@TerraMantis]

Thanks! =) To answer your question, Leeroy was the FIRST undead of the Way of White to make pilgrimage to Lordran. Meaning this was hundreds (if not longer) years prior to the Chosen Undead era. One thing to consider is that when you jump in and out of another's world (to aid or to invade) you're spanning time. So in the case of Leeroy, when he aids the Chosen Undead with Pinwheel he is leaping to the future. Upon returning to his time, Leeroy would not have encountered Pinwheel to receive the rite because it's doubtful that Pinwheel had betrayed and stolen it from Nito yet.

[@BroskieManDudeBro]

Think of it this way. If you joined someone else's world (their game) and helped them defeat Pinwheel you wouldn't get the right of kindling. It's the same case here. Leeroy didn't defeat Pinwheel in his world so he didn't get the right of kindling. Another popular theory is that Leeroy invades the player's world to try and steal the right of kindling from you, but I like the idea from this video better.

[@unclefiend2138]

Rite of kindling* I didn't want to be a grammar nazi but everyone i come across makes this god damned error.

[@Zephyr_Weiss]

+Gothmog, King of The Balrogs that's write

[@skycleave4387]

This is going to be quite the bump and not sure I'll get an answer, but... We can't really confirm Pinwheel wasn't there in Leeroy's timeline, unfortunately. The Father is trying to resurrect his family, which implies the Mother and the Child died true deaths. That event (them dying) had to have been around or earlier than the Curse's emergence. Although we can't know at what point and under what circumstances did the Father start his shenanigans in order to be able to start messing as the necromancer, and whether he was already Undead then or not. Assuming they were human to begin with. So many question marks... To further complicate by countering that, I don't fully understand this part. If Leeroy's physical 'still Hollow' (not corpse, people, Undead like Leeroy can't fully die during the Curse period) can be found in our world in Nito's chamber, doesn't that mean if he beat Pinwheel in his own world we wouldn't be able to encounter it in ours? So that in a way could confirm that Pinwheel happened later than Leeroy's expedition.

[@FRANKIEonWCin240p]

Guess Leeroy never discovered the rats in the depths :-D

[@PanzerIVAE]

I see what you did there

[@zerosaber257]

FRANKIEonWCin240p why do zombie rats possess humanity in the first place? Don't get me wrong it's a good alternative for solo players but farming humanities from rats to give to fair lady breaks immersion

[@felipecosta-kv2fx]

@@zerosaber257 They ate the corpses in lodran

[@SpellboundSpectre]

@@felipecosta-kv2fxi thought they were transfigured by seath

[@Angelarius82]

Didn't he know the little baby skeletons drop humanity, shit, you could farm that out in a few minutes.

[@garrettfrancis8457]

... I-I killed Leeroy. Darksouls, why must you turn a simple invasion into a lose-lose situation.

[@themasquerader101]

Lemon sent me. This is my first video and I gotta say I'm thoroughly impressed 🙏🏽

[@NychusX]

...Paladin?...Leeroy?.....LEEROOOOOOOOY JENKINS!!!!!

[@camaraf1340]

Times up! Lets do this!

[@brog4037]

He has hallowed... But at least he still has his chicken...

[@Pitsu_the_frog]

Ok, let's do this, LEEROY JENKINS!!!

[@GuyIncognit]

NO! Leroy was a brave paladin in the lands of Azeroth. He ran into a cave swamping with monsters withouth anybody else. And he did survive. He is now a legend not only in Azeroth but in other dimensions too. He is now known as LEEEEEEEEEEEEROY JENKINS. The End.

[@Darkness19Z]

Even after death,he still had chicken.

[@ZanderZander]

He was a warrior, Also, he died.

[@aDeadTeammate]

I always struggle with the amount of "e" that put when imitating the legends battle cry.

[@PatheticApathetic]

Edward... You're dissecting a frog.

[@MrGregggleziii]

GentGeryon You know most people are just copying what others write. The actual vid should make it sound more like Leeroooy Jeeeennkins!

[@insaitYT]

I just wanna bring this up, because I feel like it wasn't really mentioned in this comment section: This is absolutely fantastic. The composition of visuals, ambient/background music and voice acting is superb. I have never listened to something more deep and fitting and well composed as this. Not even the biggest story/creepypasta channels can compare IMO. Thanks, Mantis, for this excellent contribution.

[@sebk3640]

here cuz backlogs. hey all.

[@Calvagh-07]

same

[@OldShaman]

Terra you are truly brilliant you help bring the dark souls community together really well can't wait for dark souls 2 Lore videos :)

[@DaveControlLive]

Perhaps my Nito Lore video? (Which Vaati also enjoyed). Anyways, Fantastic job as-per-usual, Steven! I love the way you put everything together, your editing and narration is always well done. I gotta say, I really think that Leeroy is actually protecting Nito, as he only invades you IF* the golden fog gate is lifted, however, leaves you alone otherwise (I talk about it in my Nito Lore video). Regardless, as others have mentioned, the great thing about this game is how much you can interpret.

[@LordofBallyhoo]

The power of the mythology within this story is incredible. It is an essential testament to the bleakness of Dark Souls' narrative: a man driven to be a hero, at one moment a friend to a stranger, the next desperate to rob him of his innate humanity. It is a genuine and complex type of betrayal that not only spans time, but is unique within the context of the Darksign affliction. What a video, Terramantis! Exceptional

[@inkredeblemmo5046]

Wait leeroy could just have farmed the small skeletons XD

[@c-longjohns6183]

Has anyone noticed how strikingly similar Leroy's helm is to the hollow royal guards you come across at the start of DS2? They're practically identical! Leroy even has the spade shaped spike on his head and the same ridiculously small view port in the helm

[@kaialvin9397]

Yeah Fromsoft has been getting lazy with the story and the designs

[@c-longjohns6183]

I agree, but at the same time I love the design even if it is physically impossible to see out of the helm it's still a badass design and honestly if this is some kind of reference to Leroy, I'm glad, I never knew much about Leroy so I'm glad I could recognize this, not to mention I kind of want to go make a Leroy build in DS1 now

[@kaialvin9397]

I dont know the ds2 design kinda wore me out a little but the ds1 design was bad ass

[@c-longjohns6183]

You do gotta remember though, these were dudes who have long since gone hollow, not to mention they were knights not clerics so of course it wasn't going to have all the gold and epic designs, it was cheap and easy to produce, Leroy had specially crafted, one of a kind gear, however I agree Leroy was a badass that looked good doing what he did

[@1128nesecret]

amazing I love the lore videos of dark souls because each person tells a different perception of the same story truly like sitting around a bonfire and sharing stories passed through decades always changing

[@jax2433]

You introduced me to Acoustic Labs so many years ago with his music being in the background of this video and I couldn't thank you more.

[@draageel]

I wasn't sure about the acting/narration at first, but it's grown on me. You're doing a great job! Keep it up!!

[@unKnownBioWarfare]

poor leeroy if only a look a bit further he would of found baby skeletons that drop humanity o well

[@aqueelkadri8371]

Interesting take on leeroy's story cuz i always thought that the way of the white wants to return the rite of kindling from pinwheel to the gods i.e; Nito. So he helps us retrieve the rite from pinwheel but becomes a guardian of sorts to stop anyone who tries to enter the Lord's Tomb.

[@ir0nsquire]

Gosh I love your take on the lore of Dark Souls

[@TerraMantis]

Thanks! =)

[@chrismattheis1993]

I like the theory that Nito was actually valuable to the way of white, and therefore leeroy killed pinwheel to stop him from stealing Nitos power. But then you start moving to kill Nito and therefore Leeroy tried to stop you from killing him.

[@rmsmith122198]

Deep man, deep

[@Xzile40]

Good job on the vid. was just browsing youtube because i was bored and clicked on this. I was expecting to just tab back to the front page of youtube but the video hooked me and I watched it to the end. :-) I mainly enjoyed how you acted scenes out, makes it all that more immerse. Subbed ^^

[@trenbolone007]

Man... I've been watching your Lore on Dark Souls since the beginning. It's been 4 years later and am still coming back to watch your stuff. Especially the vid on Artorias. Keep up the good work and just wondering are you ever gonna some Lore on Bloodborne? And sure you're up-to-date with Dark Souls III, and so am looking forward to that as well.

[@natepratt964]

This is my first time stumbling on your channel, but this is easily one of the best made DS lore videos I’ve ever seen! Well done! I can’t wait to watch more of your work!

[@SunGhostify]

God, this is really gorgeous! It's almost like reading a book or something....

[@leninlover6457]

I dont like dis. I believe that paladin Leroy was a undead and all that good stuff, but why would he try to kill Neto? He is a God of death after all, and the Way of White could hate undead due to there ability to never meet the god of death. True you can call upon paladin Leroy for help you, but only when you are trying to get the rite of kindling. When you go and try to get Neto's Lord Soul, paladin Leroy and invades and tries to kill you. He wouldnt just invade for humanity, because after you kill Leroy he gives you Grant and Sanctus with 2 humanity. I think he was trying to stop us from killing Neto.

[@tomasjanicek7566]

Way of white is covenant of Lord Gwyn and his followers and this was first try to claim four lord souls. And if this is after Gwyn sacrifice himself to flame it could be easily Frampt or Gwyndolin who gave him orders. They would sacrifice everything to prolog the age of fire even if that means killing Nito.

[@chainclaw07]

Nito actually had the rite of kindling until it was stolen by pinwheel and I think Leeroy never met pinwheel other than as a summon so he never knew. so he was going to Nito to either ask for the rite or take it by force. The pilgrimage was to get the rite after all.

[@Kevin0479]

i dont think Leeroy was trying to keep us from Nito, it seems more like he was testing us since he himself failed to kill Nito so in order to get to Nito, we must first pass Leeroys test which is a duel to the death.

[@matthewreagan4937]

I'm personally not a fan of the voice but it definitely helps in setting the dark and defeated tone of the story. Well done!

[@JustSomeDamnGinger]

Except that you get the Rite of Kindling from killing Pinwheel, not Nito. So when he kills Pinwheel, which he would have to to progress through the catacombs, he would have already completed the goal of his pilgrimage.

[@matrixkittens8225]

Paladin Leeroy's era was in the past. Before Pinwheel betrayed Nito and took the Rite of Kindling. Therefore, Nito had it.

[@thewaterguy17]

Man I listen to this over and over and over... So well done, especially the process of falling hollow

[@sylviastanell2043]

I am just thinking, why are there no happy stories in Lordran?

[@yugiohguy]

At least there's a happy story on Drangleic...

[@jonahwilson6385]

But drangleic is Lordran, but in the future. wat

[@yugiohguy]

Green Paint No

[@MrSimonmshannon]

@Roman Stanell what about Solaire if you save him from Izalith.

[@WokeandProud]

What's even more tragically ironic is Gwyn is the reason poor Leyroy is suffering from his curse since he created the darksign with his brand upon humanity in order to stifle the power of thier dark soul.

[@LyseanEmpire]

I always had this question and your video just made me think of it more. Since an undead is basically immortal, dying and going back to a bonfire over and over, how is it that you find corpses of undead with armor on them? Just like with Leeroy, shouldn't he go back to the bonfire after dying and just be eternally damned and stuck with trying to deal with Nito? At the end he would go hollow, yes, but he would not, could not, actually die.

[@skycleave4387]

It's probably as I read, can't quite confirm it right now but in theory Souls 2 states somewhere that there is a late stage of Hollowing when you essentially go still. Some corpses could also be from the time before the Curse appears, but obviously the former would stand true for Leeroy. Sorry, I'm 4 years late but it so happens it occurred to me only now. :D

[@putinstea]

well that was depressing

[@KillerBerserk007]

These Dark Souls Lore videos are amazing! I can't wait till DS2 is out and you're doing lore videos for that :D each one makes me want to play some more!

[@1983Corolla]

Anyone else see the resemblance between the Royal Drangelic Soldiers helmet and Leeroys? Maybe there's something too that.

[@ReCrEaTiOnS26]

I was actually thinking the exact same thing as you

[@MrGregggleziii]

I thought that. Until it's revealed that the King Vendrick of Drangleic is suspected to be the player character from dark souls 1. So it doesn't fit too well. Maybe it was just the most used design of that area in the world.

[@scalesthecobra9685]

The gods watching Leeroy invade the play: “Oh my god he just ran in- SOMEONE STOP HIM!”

[@CrusadiaIX]

1:50: I never noticed those bones... I always thought they were just sticks... (Shudders)

[@darkSouls412]

wow. really great job on this, iv heard this story from other lore videos but you made it really personal. just incredible

[@RandomPal-]

Love the subtitles, they make the videos fully understandable even for non-english speakers!

[@SirEliteGrunt]

Silly Leroy. Should’ve just farmed the tiny skeletons in the next chamber. They drop lots of humanity

[@xxx_jim_the_reaper_xxx]

I'm pretty sure that he does farm them. That's the reason why he can invade you whenever you're human.

[@ryanperson6307]

At least he has chicken...

[@AbrokennoseOUCH]

These vids are still awesome after all these years.

[@Hellstorm1190]

This was simply amazing! My only wish was that your voice could be even more deeper :D But even as is, you did great job in getting the atmosphere and the tone of the video right. You sir, just got a new subscriber!

[@Davidow1]

Awesome video! It's a shame that not more of it was portrayed in the game - I had no idea who I was fighting and why I was fighting when he invades ingame. I actually thought it was only a display of the game's PvP feature!

[@FC-eh5jw]

your creativity is astonishing. I draw my hat

[@loganross1861]

I see why people criticize the voice, but it doesn't matter much. Hadn't considered there could really be such a story behind Leeroy. At all. Wow. This video is a great example of what DS is about...the hidden stories and the way story-tellers like this ferret them out and deliver them to the player-community. It's like yall are part of the development team. Good stuff man.

[@lautrek77]

Wow..... you sir, are an awe-inspiring story-teller, and an artist. Incredible work.

[@DC0118]

Very well done. This interpretation is different from others I've come across regarding leeroy. But the great thing about dark souls is we are left to interpret the lore in so many different ways. Bravo

[@tkong6465]

That shield actually won a award in fantasy weapon awards

[@walterekurtz2630]

2021 and I still come check on Leroy sanity

[@mreboric2215]

Why would he attack you for humanity just to keep going with his quest when you have the very thing he was questing for? He doesn't attack you for humanity. He attacks you for the Rite because he was there when you took it for yourself after killing Pinwheel. I feel a much better story would be two warriors with different motivations fighting together to defeat a common foe only to later come to blows when the Chosen Undead takes the Rite for himself and it being the very purpose of Leeroy's pilgrimage he is forced to attack the Chosen Undead. Don't get me wrong, you have a creative take on the lore but in the end you made it so Leeroy's motivation makes no sense with his actions. He simply would not attack the Chosen for humanity at that point as it would serve no purpose. If he kills you his pilgrimage is over and he can return to the White with the ability to Kindal. Humanity would be a secondary issue at that point.

[@ant7396]

this makes more sense

[@EyelessMasks]

i fucking want the paladin set to return in some of the dark souls 3 dlc's. i fukin LUV him and the his set and it makes me so mad that its just forgotten by From Software

[@shutupjade0420]

I love these lore videos. Your voice sounds like somebody who is cynical of the world due to the evils he has witnessed, which I would imagine be most people in the Dark Souls setting.

[@leeham6230]

Pinwheel was not originally intended to have the rite of kindling, which is why Leeroy's story makes no sense.

[@lieselbernfield381]

I guess leeroy didn't know there were baby skeletons that constantly drop humanity right in front of him.

[@ThisIsPampkin]

Incredible! This totally differs from Vaati's View on Leeroy, and despite being a Speculation like the description said, it's actually makes more sense than Vaati's (Sorry Vaati). I gotta Sub to this Channel!

[@mapleleaf786]

your fucking amazing man, and this brought me to tears.

[@matthewmartinez3907]

When one is desperate one may find themselves doing things they never thought they’d do.

[@meLg0rd0n]

This game is unlike anything i have ever played or seen! 210 hours in-game, almost close to a NG+++ and then i find your "Lore" videos! Figuring out, this "silent" tale, i simply can not avoid the spectacular sadness that crawls throughout the game... It is so sad and tragic that i wonder, why do i continue to tread in this realm of sadness, over and over again! There's nothing quite like this. NOTHING! To be honest, you're "Dark Souls Lore" videos are definitely the best thing i've seen on KZbin for a looooong time! The manner in which you narrate, is like in a symbiotic connection with the game's story! And those soundtracks... I have no more words bro...

[@knightsolaireofastora5739]

I let Leeroy kill me a few times after watching this

[@AnticitizenOneC17]

Very cool. I love how you connected the facts that Leeroy helps you as a white phantom in one place and then invades you as a red phantom in another. Very good writing and storytelling. Digging it +10.

[@CherryScent]

+10? Please! Use a Very Large Ember and go +15!

[@1128nesecret]

***** or lightning

[@1128nesecret]

***** or go even further and make the cursed greatsword of artorias best weapon in game

[@RaulDuenas23]

there are other theories that support the fact that leory and the way of white are actually working together with nito to recover the right of kindling which could explain why he helps you to recover it but once you head out to kill Nito he invades you and attack you but this makes much sense too.... man..... sometimes i wish there was a full story (lore) like in most games

[@VELVET_WARRIOR]

that intro sequence was epic

[@DetectiveHootjustcallmeNathan]

was i the only shoutin LEROYYYYYY JEINKINS!!!! when it showed leeroy fighting?

[@NestorTheMindSculptor]

This was done extremely well!

[@weonix]

In those chests down the elevator shaft is what I believe is Leeroy's, there are 2 clerical weapon(Mace and Morning star), Talisman, Lloyd's Talisman and most importantly, cracked red eye orbs. Not to mention that the exit of the place is to the grave/catacomb area.

[@TheBlackSpiral]

The only sound I always find myself missing when listening to one of your lore videos, is the drag of a cigarette XD No, but seriously, really love your work.

[@TheDanktator]

seriously the best lore videos ive seen

[@stoagymahalo5268]

Hey dude, you're doing great as a story teller. These videos are so much a plus. Push on, you got one more Subscriber from this.

[@giannih6484]

1 reason I come back to DS a lot is to play with Leeroys armor. It’s truly my favorite armor in all Dark Souls games. Wish it could’ve came back like other armors, ex: onion armor.

[@TheBeardyGamer]

this is pretty harrowing man good work

[@KMurderful]

really liked this video a lot as well as many of your others

[@brentramsten249]

I noticed that a bunch of people were complaining about Leroy using a cracked red eye orb in the comments. I was replying dark souls and noticed something strange. In the hidden area in fire link shrine there were five items. a mace and talisman. a talisman of llyod. homeward bone (replicates the effect of a miracle and is used from the bones of the undead {which the way of white uses to make bonfires}). and among these many clearly cleric related items, there was too an assortment of cracked red eye orbs. in the whole game there are only two places a player may find cracked red eye orbs. the second being in the heart of dark wraith territory. so my question to you is why? what use would cracked eye orbs be to the way of white? for the same use which they would put the rite of kindling... to extend the age of fire.

[@logankelly6861]

You deserve more credit then your given! You deserve more subscribers, more likes, more views for all the hard work you put in your videos.

[@HyMyNameIsMatt]

The cracked red eye orb image was creepy as fuck.

[@mrpeanutbutter3956]

An interesting take on the story on Leeroy and one which I prefer and think makes more sense, than the theory of how he was somehow trying to protect Nito.

[@slightlytwistedagain]

+Robert House (Mr New Vegas) Not really considering Leroy's armour set is found in Nito's lair which you yourself can join the Gravelord covenant, plus The Way of White are servants of the Gods and makes no sense for The Way of White to do this. This video is more of a spin on Kirk with the search for humanity which I find more grounded considering you find him in The Depths around the rats as I think he's farming humanity for The Fair Lady.

[@marcoadasmecruz795]

simply extraordinary!!! a hug from Chile and Thanks a Lot!!!!

[@FractionOfThUniverse]

Great work man, this gave me goosebumps.

[@BrandonHeilBHB]

I think its worth pointing out that Royal soldiers from dark souls 2 have the same helmet as leroy

[@TantonJS]

Ahh i was just about to comment this but you beat me to it :(

[@wassassin2318]

If I let him kill me, will he be saved? I have lots of humanity to spare.

[@Killaz2000]

Medicate his sickness? that Paladin needs some Marijuana!

[@KingLycan531]

Nice video dude. Great way at telling the story of Leroy.

[@MegaDonker]

His armour design are great

[@mullent169]

Great storytelling! Loved the atmosphere you invoked with your dark voice. Though it was a bit nasally, I enjoyed it all the same.

[@user-cc9gz8bg7o]

Leeroy's got the same helmet as the hollow soldiers in DS2.

[@TheReasonableLiberal-hn2rs]

This is pretty sad. He didn't com quite as prepared as he thought he was. His faith wasn't enough and it failed him in the end.

[@just.another.guy.2343]

Forever shall the paladin shine bright in my heart, forever shall this tune echo through the catacomb

[@GiYoEnt]

LEEROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOY JENKINS !!

[@CherryScent]

The White Flame is much like the divine ember, and can make holy weapons. Leeroy also does not have the required strength to one hand it. Despite his inhuman strength, he still needs two hands.

[@MeHesHovMe]

I just thought of something. Is leeroy named after leeroy jenkins? He was also a palladin :D

[@zerosaber257]

Gotta love the pardoner's laugh

[@megus4372]

Poor paladin didint know that the skeleton babies somtime drop humanity

[@kokudilandau1]

To get Armor, you defeat Nito, log out then log back in. You'll see a Corpse somewhere within the Nito's grave area

[@youssef11223344]

Wow I really like your style of videos it's so awesome

[@AceFromGorillaz]

I don't think leroy invaded for humanity but to protect nito, leroy was a supporter of gwyn maybe he was a part of the way of white, nito was a friend of gwyn,leroy helps the chosen undead to defeat pinwheel cuz he was an enemy of nito but he went against the chosen undead to protect nito

[@arseniozebedeusiii8078]

Leroy's body remains in the Nito's Arena, dead from long time. That means, without doubt, he fought Nito... this is prouf of He's intents. The idea of him, searching for humanity, is obvious.

[@AceFromGorillaz]

leroy's body was in nito's arena?where exactly?

[@arseniozebedeusiii8078]

Defeat him, defeat Nito and reload area. Search him. He's hiding somwhere on the right of the bonfire just behind some rocks on the left.