Dark Souls Lore - Straid of Olaphis

[@mjuang84]

The best part about Straid is the way he casually brushes off being petrified for millennia. When he hears that multiple kingdoms have risen and fallen in the time he was a statue, he's just "Whatever." and goes right back to business trading souls for spells and weapons. He doesn't even have a coughing fit like Rosabeth.

[@SilverMont]

mjuang84 Straid is just that great

[@thegreatMSG]

Silver Mont My personal interpretation.. Rosabeth is the first NPC to receive the de-petrification treatment form us, maybe we have overdosed her.. LOL

[@unoriginalname8601]

FEEBLE CURSED ONE!

[@TheShadowAmateratsu]

Let's hope the magnificence of my spells has not detred you

[@queequegtheater6093]

FEEBLE UNDEAD. DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE YOU CAN HANDLE THE MAGNIFICENCE THAT IS MY LORE?

[@SilverMont]

Jake O'Shea Siver Mont the illiterate undead can indeed handle it.

[@queequegtheater6093]

Silver Mont YOU WEAK FOOL.

[@EnemyStandMamoru]

Straid is a pretty cool guy. He makes spells and doesn't afraid of anything

[@NexusGideon]

DOESNT AFRAID OF ANYTHING gg humanity is doomed.

[@Mehdiocrity]

+akaHighway It's an Arby n the chief reference. It's intentional

[@EnemyStandMamoru]

Mehdi Ennaji pretty close, but it actually started on 4chan. i1.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/195/405/halo.png

[@saedt]

+Savos Mok he treats me like im trash :( bastard

[@justinshepherd3098]

@@NexusGideon Haha your ego thought

[@feeblecursedone2540]

Doesn't change much, but instead of Navlaan not knowing about Straid or playing it safe, it could be he does know of him but still thinks he's petrified. After all, it doesn't seem like Straid ever mentions leaving the Bastille, and the player has no reason to mention his freedom to anyone really. So maybe Navlaan simply thinks that problem is already taken care of, even if he can sometimes hear "Feeble cursed one!" In the distance...

[@winterwolf211]

"-with possible exception of Shalquoir, who is a cat and therefore basically god." lol

[@LordZylok]

He is black. He got stoned. He got sent to jail. GG from.

[@CultivateAwareness]

In some of his cut dialogue, Straid Says : "Our king, Alvis, feared the cursed ones like the plague." Why that was cut is unclear, perhaps to add to the mysterious aura that Straid projects. All what is certain about Straid, aside rampant speculation, is that he is an extremely knowledgeable sorcerer that comes from an age when the events of dark souls 1 are viewed as legends and yet the first flame go off for cycles before being reborn and or/ re-lit is common knowledge. Other interesting facts are that he uses Soul Geyser, a spell that is regarded as a family heirloom to lord Aldia, and which is viewed as blasphemous. It could be hinting at why Straid was turned to stone and imprisoned, and possibly tie him to Drangleic's Royal heritage. Even more peculiar is that the Staff of wisdom which he wields, a staff of the lost land of Olaphis, is actually found in the dragon shrine, close to Aldia's Keep. "Already a finely-crafted staff, made even more effective by its crystal, the brilliance of which has been polished over time with powerful magic.", as far as official DS lore is concerned, the only tie between crystals and sorcery is Seath the scaleless. In his quest to attain the scales of immortality, Seath conducted countless experiments resulting in the birth of tremendous sorceries and yet he was never close to his goal. Mild speculation begins here : If somehow during their battle with the ancient dragon, Straid somehow understood the makeup of the scales of immortality, would it not be logical that his knowledge would push beyond that of seath's which is condensed into an enormous archive full of books ? Omniscience is not an overstretch. Now from mild speculation to wilder speculation : It could be possible that before Straid was "welcomed" into olaphis, in his quest for knowledge, he visited his era's version of the duke's archives and he was the one who introduced the use of crystals as a way to increase the power of magic catalysts. Being human unlike Logan he had no risk of going mad and turning hollow, but interestingly enough, logan dropped the crystal dragon breath spell, something impossible to attain otherwise in the game, suggesting that the archives housed far greater knowledge that was laid to waste due both seath and logan both going equally insane. In a particular piece of dialogue about locking the undead away he says it's "So very typical of meek minds, don't you think?", showing a distaste for doing so. That leaves room for many speculations as well, but I rather not delve into them. Although he says that people started locking everyone away because they became paranoid about the curse and thus turned him to stone, item descriptions suggest it was due to fear of his wisdom. It could be very possible that he was conducting experiments of his own. But another part of wisdom is not so much about knowledge, but understanding, it could be that they hated how he didn't loath the undead. One thing is certain, before Straid was turned to stone, another age of Dark was about to begin.

[@SilverMont]

OkamiXCeleste Straid's one of your typical power-obsessed wizards, although those as a trope are somewhat rare these days. most games go for the wise old wizard or the bumbling apprentice, or even the evil necromancer type. I do believe he's generally benevolent and "good" but primarily interested in his own goals. I do wish we knew a little more about him though, especially his cut story involving the dragon.

[@CultivateAwareness]

Combat styles apart, he's awfully reminiscent of Chester from the first Dark Souls.

[@matthewheays]

OkamiXCeleste Funny that you say that line was cut. He said it to me the first time I met him.

[@CultivateAwareness]

He says our king. He doesn't mention Alvis.

[@matthewheays]

OkamiXCeleste Oh ok.

[@littlemachette1215]

he sounds like Frampt I don't care about anything else I love him

[@dirtyharry0191]

Here. (holds up dung pile) Eat this. Well I'm not really hungr-(gets dung pile shoved down throat and starts to look like a primordial serpent) It is Frampt!

[@FireTalon24]

Nice Happy Souls reference XD

[@dirtyharry0191]

+FireTalon24 Thanks :)

[@fixnye]

I like how some of Souls' series' characters are grey, not caddishly categorized into just black or white. Like the choices we make in the stories, this is a better suited structure for NPC building in my opinion. When someone who never accepted a apprentice before (and potentially made some bad decisions back in Olaphis and had some bad outcomes as a result) offers to teach you a bunch of powerful spells, who knows what is his plan behind the friendly smug half hidden face. Good speculations and information, lore series continues to be a great time. Keep em coming :)

[@Nathrezim0]

Maybe his time as a statue made him realize that one day, his knowledge would be lost, so he had to pass it on to another person. Maybe he's just a grateful man.

[@kieranleah6392]

He can be a bit of a douche though. If you buy some spells he mocks your ability to use them,but if you don't he insults you, calling you afraid of their "magnificence".

[@slothful2039]

Unless you're a complete tosser like pontiff sulyvahn..

[@Antichupius]

Fun fact: the spell flame swathe, created by Straid, changed its name in DS3 to the Profaned Flame.

[@TheDoinkmaster]

I think you're on par with Vaati and ENB, you're lore videos and playthroughs are interesting and informative! Awesome work man!

[@ZahnwehZombie]

I think that the connection between Straid and the Ancient Dragon might just be as simple as both him and the king felled the great beast. In the memories in the boss room of Freja, you see the corpse of the dragon, the ancient dragon, and the dragon soul that exists within the memory. When you put that into context of the great everlasting Dragons of Lore, maybe what the two received was recognition? They slain something that only the original Lords had done. It is never said where the Dragon had perished, just that Lord Aldia had acquired the corpse and begun experimentation on it. :T Straid's petrification has a simple reason. It is obvious that he's only loyal to himself. He seems the sort who only does things that suit his best interest. Mind you, he helps you (the player) out by forging spells and weapons from rare souls. Then again, it still might benefit him. You're giving him the ingredients to forge, to play around and make something of use. He doesn't seem the sort who would make something, then covet it. He merely does things to see if he can, then he moves on. Knowledge is the greatest tool for someone in his position. The means to create, the ability to control, and to test the limits of an ability. Hexes are seen as the greatest taboo since they blend the arts of Sorcery and Miracles together. Despite him focusing on Sorcery in terms of his weapon (The staff of wisdom, which empowers Sorceries, but at the cost of making him limited to only them), he doesn't let that inhibit his desire to understand the basics of magic.

[@mrthereddragon7622]

From that description, Straid could have been the one who killed the Ancient Dragon found in Brightstone Cove Tseldora, the one whose memory you enter using the Ashen Mist Heart. The DLC seems to have some stuff on Dragons, so hopefully the description will be expanded on, or at least give us something more to speculate with.

[@SilverMont]

I hope so!

[@danieljohnston9723]

Isn't that seath

[@grimkxdo]

@@danieljohnston9723no ???

[@shingodzilla6750]

I comment a lot so forgive me in advance. I just revisit these lore videos so often even with Dark Souls ended. I love hearing you talk about the NPCs and characters as I play video games or something. Thank you so much, dude. I’ve been here for like 2 years now I think with other accounts and can’t wait to see more of your stuff, even if it isn’t Dark Souls related :)

[@CrypticSquid1]

Straid's name is quite likely a reference to another FromSoft game, namely Armored Core For Answer. The default name of the protagonist's mech in that game was 'Strayed', and he too was gifted and ended up being feared for his power and fought his former allies, and in the most infamous ending to that game he sides with a character named "Old King" and faces a great challenge, which is likely what the original description referred to. It's typical From self referencing.

[@SilverMont]

Really? Interesting! I've never played Armoured Core.

[@desvati4074]

Meaning behind his name. He IS a road. He is an outcome, a path already walked. Clearly powerful, but even his road reached its end, and now he's a man, far out of his own time. Sure, it might not add much to his lore but its a bit of a cool tidbit I'd say. Though it makes me think Olaphis will be one of the three DLC, given the King, perhaps we'll walk Straid's road?

[@TheDougRatman]

"Walk straids road" sounds like a innuendo.

[@desvati4074]

Doug Ratman Hey, I'd do him.

[@TheDougRatman]

Well, Everyone would to get his magic if you know what I mean.

[@lolDrHax]

... Jesus Christ, a black dude in a cloak referencing roads and streets. Fallout NV all over again. *Please, no.*

[@anatoliasmercenary.]

Olaphis falling by it’s own strong sorceries reminds me a lot of Boletaria’s downfall, sorcery always brings destruction more than prosperity. Great video btw! Ur artwork is very cute

[@KenkageJack]

A road links a town to another town. Perhaps he is the link from the present kingdom to the kingdom of Olaphis. Like a road guides a traveler, Straid is a sort of guide as well to the player. He not only grants a heap of lore bits on casual conversation, but converts some boss souls into weapons. Those weapons give more lore to the boss they are forged from.

[@ayakayuzhen700]

Straid is very probably (as a name) a kickback to Fromsoftware's Armored Core For Answer. The latter which is a continuation of Armored Core 4 has the main Character going under the callsign of "Strayed". You can also find an "Ornstein" over there in the Arena (he's rank 20 or something I think), as well as 'Patches'. This however has another interesting correlation, if we come to agree that the points are a bit jumbled around. In Armored Core For Answer, we get to meet the previous player character from Armored Core 4 as we play the story, either helping them or fighting them. So... what if Straid of Dark Souls II was nothing more than a remnant of the Age of Dark Souls I? What if Olaphis was the name of Gwyn's long-lost Kingdom? Straid surely qualifies to have been one of the people that served alongside Gwyn - he knows of the Witch of Izalith and the First Flame, and even appeared to reference directly to the Undead Purgatory when he addresses the chosen undead of Dark souls II about the Lost Bastille. More than that, the removed item description that you showed us indicates that Straid fought alongside an Ancient King, and against the Ancient Dragons - the very same ones that Gwyn fought during Dark Souls' opening cutscene? Something else of note: Straid and Ornifex are the only two characters that can make Weapons out of Boss Souls (or spells), and Ornifex's people are seen in Dark Souls I, albeit in the Painted World. Just like the Velka Bird People, Straid also was stashed away because someone feared him too much - perhaps that Straid was a powerful Mage under Gwyn's service that was eventually disposed of because his magic was found too powerful? Perhaps that Gwyndollin was getting jealous that a stranger to the Gods was being more potent than the son of the Lord of Sunlight? Well, food for thought. One can go on and speculate endlessly.

[@SilverMont]

If you attack Straid, he should just fly off and return in a mech whilst laughing at you over its loud-speaker thingy.

[@P41ma1]

You my good sir have earned yourself a subscriber. Much respect to vati but your voice and these lore videos I just love. I'll make sure to watch your videos throughout my days and enjoy your content. I only hope your channel gets the much deserved attention it deserves.

[@SilverMont]

Well thanks! I'm looking forward to making Elden Ring videos and talking about it with everyone

[@ViperJoe]

Man, I wish these videos were longer; I could just sit and listen to you talk for days on end. That ending was perfect, too. Oh, and since you mentioned Navlaan in this video, how about doing a lore video concerning him as well? I personally found him to be one of the more intriguing NPCs, alongside Straid himself.

[@SilverMont]

I'll probably cover Navlaan at some point, yeah. Got a few other characters in mind first, though!

[@zelda43870]

I'd say Freke is the most like Odin. Odin is willing to do ANYTHING for knowledge and power. And so is Sage Freke. For example, Odin, in his pursuit of the Mead of Poetry, ended up tricking nine farmhands into killing each other, among other things. As for Freke, he urges you to kill the Maiden in Black and keep the Old One around, insisting that you will gain magnificent power, and he will gain unlimited knowledge. Plus, Odin had twin wolves, named Freki and Geri. In Demon's Souls, there are references to a wizard named Geri who is friends with Freke.

[@unsubme2157]

so many damned kings in this game... and they want ME to become one?? nty ill live out my life on the bridge

[@StepMochi]

+gordon renes ooo you are my neighbor then? I live under the bridge in a cardboard box!

[@kevinsanders6268]

Id just live with Priscilla.

[@trillination]

being a king wasnt so bad. cause i was a king gwynn gave me is daughter gwynivere to marry and believe me I was never unhappy again

[@captainatlanta]

@trillination shes an illusion, hope you like snakes

[@trillination]

Matthew ahem but i have the real one thnk you not that illusion Gwendolyn made for yall

[@driftingswordsmanzer]

Straid is also my favorite sorcerer in the soul series as well. Great video feeble cursed one!....I mean silver mont.

[@TheCuddlyKnife]

lmao great ending! i also think straid is the best mage in the souls series. i really like his attitude, and his spells are definitely top teir vs other mages. it would be nice to see a side story with him involved.

[@SilverMont]

That's why I was kinda hoping he'd be involved in the DLC!

[@TheRaon75]

Straid is probably the most powerful of the mages in the souls series, but I like logan the best. His hat is just so fabulous.

[@youtubeaccount2000]

Erik Cobra I liked Logan's underpants...

[@patrickmahan5880]

I always took Straid to mean "strayed", which means to move aimlessly away from the course as a verb, or to be in the wrong place as an adjective. His petrification meant he "lived" though many kingdoms, and the only reason he "wakes up" in Drangleic is because the player uses a fragrant branch. He wasn't on a path any longer once he was petrified. It's more or less coincidence you unpetrify him during your time in Drangleic, awakening him to a land he no longer knows, with no home to ever return to.

[@SilverMont]

+Patrick Mahan I mean, it could make sense! I think Seath's name for example, is purposefully close to "Seethe" (although considering I think he comes from King's Field, it could not be the case)

[@satariands2852]

I think the Ancient Dragon Straid and the King kill is the dragon skeleton you find in "dragon memories", you pike up and ancient dragon soul there. The Ancient dragon in the dragon shrine could be several things. A reincarnation of the ancient dragon? Some speculate it as being Lord Aldia either transforming into the dragon or putting his soul in the body of the dead dragon.

[@ingonyama70]

If not for the fact that they're both alive in the Drangleic era (although one's a statue until you release him), Straid seems to me like a precursor to Aldia, the Scholar of the First Sin. He and his king chased down forbidden knowledge, but in gaining it, somehow led to their kingdom's downfall, or at least something so bad Straid was petrified in the Bastille for it. Sound a lot like what happened between Vendrick and Aldia to me. We don't know for SURE that Straid did any horrific experimentation or the like, but the personality -- ego, pride, a thirst for knowledge -- is there. Just a speculation, but I like it.

[@SilverMont]

It's always possible they cut that stuff just so they could use it for Aldia, after all

[@magnusravenriver]

Could Straid be a rebirthed daugther of chaos? They were both wizards and pyromancers. He could be quelana, as she created a new type of magick (pyromancy) which had a lot of new spells burst forth from it, in the same way as straids had?

[@SilkSutures]

I live in Straid in Northern Ireland. Cheers for the shout-out!

[@SilverMont]

+SilkSutures You got any wizards over there?

[@SilkSutures]

+Silver Mont A few, but they are all petrified sadly.

[@vladimirflores-molina779]

Navlaan is From a village near Mirrah i think because Cale also talks about him and some item descriptions

[@NatethanialG]

I want to see a Nvlaan video next. I find the idea about Navlaan originally being executed, but his soul lingering until the pour soul we know, found his crypt and got partially possessed.

[@raulinhentchel1237]

There is the possibility that the Ancient Dragon in Dragon's Keep is a construct. If you kill him, you get a Giant's Soul. The steward in Drangleic Castle mentions Vendrick's ability to create Golems (I think). Maybe the Ancient Dragon was another Aldia experiment to create a Golem that would bring back the power of dragons. Or created by Vendrick to circumvent the curse with something that looked like a dragon, in a similar way to your hypothesis for the Emerald Herald. Golems would need a power source, so maybe the "Ancient Dragon's" is the Giant's Soul. You don't get the real Ancient Dragon soul unless you go back in time with the Ashen Mist heart, the Great Soul in Brighstone Cave Tseldora.

[@TheLancer011]

What about the dead dragon in the room where you fight the Duke's Dear Freja? You can enter it's memory and receive the ANCIENT DRAGON SOUL! So maybe this was the dragon Straid killed long ago.

[@Nathrezim0]

And the destruction of the area all around the Dragon would further prove how mighty Straid really is

[@SilverMont]

I'm not even sure what to make of that whole mixup, to be honest. The Ancient Dragon = Giant Soul and Ancient Dragon Soul being from that area. Still, something to think about. I know about the AD = Aldia theory but I'm not sure if I subscribe to that, for now.

[@Akario3]

when we go back that memory we are either at the beginign or near the end of the dragon war(gwyn vs ancient drags)and that beast is one of the fallen dragons(mby not an everlasting one judging by its apereance) who knows if straid killed it,it seems more likely to me that the dragonslayers killed it(mby its one of ornsteins victims :D )

[@HunterJames-ko6my]

[@billcipher1913]

Straid is a Fraampt!

[@bigboypal]

Bill Cipher "Straid really sounds like frampt" "you think?" Straid: I don't know what you're talking about *holds shit* "Hey, eat this" Straid: well I'm not really hun- *eats shit* -ack! "IT IS FRAAAMPT!" "GOOD TO SEE YOU BUDDY!"

[@Nawreua]

I think the cut description was cut maybe because they changed the story, so Straid would have no link with the dragons. By the way, I really prefer the way they took about dragon in Dark Souls 2, only one Ancient Dragon, a fake in fact, and many Drakes who aren't powerful compare to their ancestors, because, and it's only my feelings, I would dislike having true Ancient Dragons, they are supposed to be dead. Also, could it be that the Dragon's Memory is the scene we saw in Dark Souls 1, Seath on a top of a pile of dragons, like a memory of his victory ?

[@Newtownabbeyist208]

Straid is the name of a village outside Ballynure in Northern Ireland

[@LifeHatersChannel]

Thank you, i was waiting for your lore videos, they are amazing :D

[@SilverMont]

Thanks! Glad you like 'em.

[@shroommush4034]

There is actually some cut dialogue from Straid. He talks about him and the king killing the Dragon, and he sas that the king was called Alvis. Also, in the Sunken King DLC there's goig to be some lore about a Dragon called 'Nim' who was slain by a 'tiny hero'. Also, has it been confirmed that Drangleic stands in the same place that Olaphis did? People seem to assume that Olaphis is one of the fallen kingdoms prior to Drangleic because Straid was in a previous kingdom when he was petrified. However, Straid was a 'travelling sorceror' so he could have travelled from Olaphis to the kingdom before Drangleic, and was petrified there.

[@ArcanalJudgment]

Maybe the ancient dragon he helped kill is the one that we get the dragon soul from in ng+. How that would tie into the story im not sure. But i did have another theory that the body of that dragon was eventually found and used to create the ancient dragon we fight at the end of the game.

[@UncannyXander]

I live like a bus ride away from Straid. It's on the coast of NI and as expected there are no amazing Wizards living there.

[@SilverMont]

You should rectify that!

[@UncannyXander]

Silver Mont Grow a goatee, grab a staff and wrek havoc.

[@lpsweet17525]

The Uncanny One make his armor and staff out of something do his voice and just be screaming "Magic Words" at people and get it on footage!

[@TheIrishsheep123]

I want to move to that town!

[@GothicXlightning]

Guts........ :))

[@mephystogaming423]

If straid is so old, the ancient dragon was probably not ancient in his time. So the one the description speaks about could be another one

[@ethenoliva2782]

I think that the king of Olaphis might be the Ivory King because in the first episode of the DLC, you have the Sunken King ( Which has to be the king of Heide) Then you have the Iron king and finally you have this mysterious Ivory King whom we know nothing about. Could it be that in the 3rd episode of the DLC you traverse through the crumbling ruins of Olaphis? What do you think Silver Mont?

[@Colucciex]

I really enjoy watching your video's. I like your accent, its calming to listen too lol. Anyway, keep up the good work!

[@SilverMont]

Thanks! I'll try my best.

[@MarztheStoic]

He sounds like an evil morgan freeman XD

[@SilverMont]

Huh, that's a new one

[@slothful2039]

Except a decent amount younger lol

[@ladyfox6705]

I just played DS2 for the first time & really enjoyed it! I recognised the wonderful Peter Marinker's voice acting immediately. He's amazing! I also know him well as potty-mouthed spy Thaler from The Witcher 3, amongst many, many other fabulous roles. Also recognised Navlaan as the same actor as Hawkwood in DS3 & Griggs in DS1 (Blake Ritson.)

[@SilverMont]

It's always fun to hear Peter Marinker huh? Back in like 2007 I wanted to make like an RPG sort of thing with him voicing the main character. Not seriously obviously as I know nothing about making games, but is fun to daydream right?

[@ladyfox6705]

@@SilverMont I also constantly daydream - they are free after all! 😊

[@PlayasGuidePod]

I think something will happen that has a link to velsdalt in the old ivroy king. for he was in the last 2 dlc, ivory king haveing to do with Alida. or it might be olaphis:)

[@lilmoe1998]

Straid is a synonym for wander like the sheep straid from the path this reminded me of straid I hope this helped

[@nathanganesan9581]

It can't have been the Old Iron King. He was the king of Venn. I'm guessing that Olaphis came before the kingdoms of Venn and Alken, because it's my opinion that Venn and Alken came right before Drangleic.

[@JamesLovesGames118]

Uh. I would assume his name points to the word ‘strayed’, as in ‘strayed from the path’, to wander away.

[@gaminhard6923]

I find it interesting that so many spells refer to Straid as the great mage of ancient Olaphis but when you look at his armor set it states that he was actually invited to Olaphis for his wisdom and was eventually led into a dreadful trap. Where did Straid hail from before he came to Olaphis and when he says "My Kingdom was by no means the first" to fall and rise again is he referring to Olaphis or perhaps another kingdom before Olaphis? So many great mysteries surrounding Straid. I really hope they expand his lore in the DLCs

[@SilverMont]

Could be he originated in Olaphis and then traveled about (causing mischief of a sorts) and then was invited back to to Olaphis after a period of time.

[@pooopile]

Olpahis was probably the name of Drangleic etc when Straid was living in his normal time

[@MrDaniho]

Love your videos ! And like you he's one of my best characters in Dark Souls 2. Waiting for some more lore videos! :)

[@SilverMont]

Thanks! And yeah, Straid is awesome. I hope to have another lore video up this month.

[@MrDaniho]

Silver Mont i can't wait ! :P Maybe some spoiler about next lore video ?:D

[@despawningenemy420]

Cursed one.. Weak you may be but I Straid will teach you my spells. That dialogue drove me insane and made me spend 10k hours to build several of the most ridiculous pyro hex / sorcery combo pvp characters..

[@Etidorhpa]

Straid is easily my favourite charcter in any Souls game, though Frampt was not my favourite serpent... Kaathe all the way. Maybe the king of Olaphis was the Ivory King? :D

[@WFoong98]

Common, the VA was King Allant(I forgot how to spell), that guy is definitely cool in some evil fashion. I hope we can fight some ML butterfly since it's shown there're snow :L

[@jesterface0521]

I believe that Straid is the Pyromancer Salamance in Dark Souls mentioned by the Witch of Izalith at the swamp who was her student. She says that he made quite a name for himself and his skin is dark. Maybe he was cursed like the Black Knights were when theu fought the war against the demons. I know its very hard to relate these things but it would ve cool if he learned and made his own pyro spells then moved to Oolacile/Olaphis to help the king there fight a dragon like Kalameet. But yeah a lot of what ifs. :)

[@SilverMont]

JesterFace05 Does she mention that his skin is dark? I don't remember that.

[@jesterface0521]

I guess its just me shooting stuff out you know like verbal diarrhea... and see if we can make sense of it all. Anyways thanx for responding and I love your work. :)

[@jesterface0521]

Also I would recommend looking at Epicnamebro Pyromancy lore video. The dudes name is Salaman but yeah that character Salaman always interested me and thats why I wanted it to be Straid going to Oolacile and training there on his magics. His skin isn't mentioned but its not black but gray like a Dark Elves. I wonder if it was the constant use of powerful souls or his power in sorcery and pyromancy that made his skin dark. I hope he isn't left alone as a character and we get to see more of his story. My made up story is what I think would've been cool not necessarily the truth.

[@SilverMont]

JesterFace05 Ye, I think I've watched all of ENB's lore videos, although it was a long time ago. He is obviously one of my inspirations for making videos and in general.

[@jesterface0521]

But anyway thanx again. I wish ENB could write back too but I can only imagine how busy that bro is.

[@Connorcj1]

I agree, he would have thrashed Logan in a battle. It's interesting Logan required the knowledge of the Duke's Archives to create crystal soul magic; yet once in possession of the Paledrake soul, Straid can create both crystal soul spear and the Moonlight Greatsword. In Dark Souls 1, boss weapons worked by crafting a soul into a powerful weapon that was somewhat recognisable to the soul. I doubt it's a lore point, probably just a poor game mechanic change, but in DkS2 it is interesting two beings in the entire continent have the ability to simply mold the souls of others into weapons or magics.

[@LDCSMB]

Love these Lore videos!!

[@Leif_Nobody]

I think Straid having killed the Ancient Dragon or not isn't a huge deal either way: that accomplishment would only be just another in a long line of conquest. He is clearly the Merlin/Elminister of his age. His story being explained better would be fantastic content for a DLC, although I doubt he'll be featured. I appreciate your efforts to bring the use of the iconography of Gandalf to the origins of the wandering wizard troupe in Odin.

[@SilverMont]

I'd play "Dark Souls II: STRAID IN HELL!" Trapped in time. Surrounded by feeble cursed ones. Low on dusk herbs.

[@DJXTRIX]

What are your stats for your sorcerer/pyromancy build???? Btw awesome video you got a sub!!!!!

[@SilverMont]

Xlethal_nuggetX For the sorcerer build I think it was 60 int/60 attunement, although I'm terrible at remembering specifics like that, especially for something I didn't use much haha

[@SilentSpeak]

SilverMont, would you mind doing a weapon showcase for scythe of want or a weapon compressing of that and bonescythe? I'm planning to do the dlc play through as a grim reaper and can't decide between the two scythes

[@SilverMont]

I'd say go with Scythe of Want! But, up to you.

[@SilentSpeak]

Already did thank you :)

[@jalva50]

Maybe the king he was close to was king Jeremiah because he has been imprisoned for a very long time. Jeremiah was also exiled for a unknown reason but I believe he and the sorcerer wanted to learn pyromancy from the dragons but was exiled due to his experiments and forms of practice which would explain jeramiahs great knowledge of pyromancy as well as the sorcerers knowledge of spells which include pyromancy!. This would explain where king Jeremiah originated from and why he was exiled.

[@Northwite]

It could be that the Ancient Dragon they are talking about is an incarnation of Seath pre-Duke's Dear Freja but post-Dark Souls 1 and that Straid and his King defeated that dragon and not the one at the Dragon's Shrine. Plus, Straid sells hexes so he can use them and they require faith so it's likely he can use miracles but doesn't want to.

[@SilverMont]

Would defeating an incarnation of Seath allow them to "taste omniscience" or whatever, though? I suppose it might give them access to some powerful magic, using the bequeathed Lord Soul that Seath has.

[@Northwite]

Silver Mont Seath is probably the most powerful dragon of the Souls series. He dedicated his life to magic and knowledge and in DS2 they consider him to be the source of all sorcery. Seath's soul, like Gwyn's, Nito's, and the Witch of Izalith's, are immortal and continue to influence the land for centuries whereas we haven't yet been introduced to a dragon (outside of Seath) whose soul is immortal and does the same. Since Omniscience is "The capacity to know everything", that characteristic I believe applies more to Seath than it does the Ancient Dragon at the Dragon Shrine. But all of this hinges on the question of was there an Ancient Dragon before the one we see at Dragon's Shrine. Because multiple sources hint at the fact that that dragon is in fact a fake dragon created by Aldia, which means it's only as old as Drangleic itself considering Vendrick created the kingdom of Drangleic and Aldia is Vendrick's brother. There is no indication that there was a dragon before the one at the Dragon's Shrine, but there is a lot of information about Seath, his madness and thirst to know everything in his search to discover how to create Scales of Immortality. What I also find interesting is that there are 2 characters in the game that possess qualities specific to Seath. Those being the Lord of Brightstone Cove, who went mad in his own search for knowledge, and Aldia who performed all manner of experiments designed to try and either find an end to the curse, or to become immortal and immune to it.

[@SilverMont]

I still think Seath is kind of a dweeb.

[@Northwite]

Silver Mont So do I. I don't know why Dark Souls 2 tries to make him seem more than he was. In Dark Souls 1 he wasn't anything special really.

[@shroommush4034]

I think your a bit confused about the 'reincarnation' thing. The Lords (Gwyn, Nito, WoI, Seath) were not reincarnated; their souls were just found by other beings. Since Seath was the last Dragon, it would be impossible for a Dragon to find his soul. Therefore, none of Seath's later forms could be Dragons, as there are no Dragons left.

[@Farscryer0]

11:03 Odin = Woten The day, Wednesday, is derived from this name. Woten's Day = Wednesday.

[@highlightermarca-texto3281]

I don't think we should put any stock into DS2 cut content, considering the development hell this game went through. The original story was completely different.

[@stratosms.6494]

hey maybe you should try to make a lore video about smelter demon or iron keep in general because there are some item descriptions that show that the demon is more powerfull than he seems also i feel like theres an ancient greece refference with all the bulls and fire there was that one torture looks like a challenge

[@stratosms.6494]

also there seems to be a huge connection with earthen peak and huntsman corpse this could fill a huge gap in the drangleic history the bosses also seem to to have some connection if you can make a 12 min video about one character then you could make a mini series with these

[@i5uckAt3verything]

It would be easier to read if you used punctuation.

[@stratosms.6494]

yeah sorry i wrote it fast , but i think the point goes through

[@stratosms.6494]

WalrusMastah thanks buddy yours is awesome too

[@i5uckAt3verything]

Hunter ofstuff I'm pretty sure he was talking about my name

[@RoboSquirtle]

You butchered the Irish word Silver, Sráid is pronounced Sh-raw-ij. But i wouldnt expect anyone who doesnt speak irish to get it right! :D so glad the lore videos are back!

[@SilverMont]

Language is tuff.

[@KaNoMikoProductions]

For a couple of moments I think you said he had butchered the word "Silver".

[@SilverMont]

***** I did. "Siver" Mont.

[@KaNoMikoProductions]

Silver Mont What's "Siver"?

[@SilverMont]

***** In my Let's Play of DaS1, I meant to name my character "Silver Mont" but typed Siver Mont and didn't realise until I get to Firelink Shrine.

[@kwasymottok686]

what about the ancient dragon of ash lake could it be talking about that one because who knows how long the dragon lived after the ending of dark souls 1

[@ChAkEnEx]

Great video! I believe that the Ivory king (DLC) is the king of Oolaphis, not the Iron King, but i do believe that the Iron king invited Straid to Venn (iron keep) or Alken (from No man´s wharf to the Lost Bastille) as we know that the iron king was a man that brought a lot of foreing shit like the Alonne Knights and so, so as Straid said that the Ancient witch of fire (Quelana and maybe the lost sinner) led her daughters (prince of Venn and her sisters) against the old ones (iron king and and ivory king (only speculation, but i believe that the Ivory kingdom is in the top of the mountains of Tseldora, and the duke in Brighstone, is the Duke of the Ivory King, because all duke need a king)), maybe he turned against the old ones aside the ancient witch of fire and her daughters, so after the old ones won the war against the witch of fire, the iron king and maybe the ivory king, locked down everyone who was a thread in Alken, but Straid had to be petrified because of his magic, but why did the witch of fire turned against not only to the iron king, but also possibly to her husband and father of her daughters? (and maybe that is why the love of the prince of Venn and the princess of Alken are forbidden), well i believe we do have to wait for the DLC, but i believe it is related to relight the first flame and Chaos. What lore vid will you do next?

[@SilverMont]

Hmm... I've been feeling pretty spiritual, so maybe I'll try and focus on the power of faith and miracles, in my next vid.

[@ChAkEnEx]

Silver Mont Vereor Nox

[@actualsnow]

Is it possible that Navlaan's evil alter ego is a memory of Straid, conjured using a beautiful and cursed spell? If so, does Navlaan's evil dialogue match the attitude and character of Straid?

[@SilverMont]

Hmm... I don't think that's the case, but you never know! I think Navlaan's alter ego was born from his own personality, perhaps? I've not checked up on Navlaan much, but I'll have to make a lore video on him in a bit.

[@kingshlitdylers7260]

Lordran turns to olaphis which turns to drangleic. Olaphis is the only of the "numerous kingdoms" came and gone. Very rewarding kinda fun fact. Took quite a while to figure out tho considering what were told of straid,the king of olaphis and the imprisonment of the undead I assume olaphis is actually the kingdom that became lordran. As lordran is established by the end of the dragons.Maybe these conflicting theories are the reason we are only told of this kingdom out of so many past. DSprequel?

[@SilverMont]

Young Dylers Olaphis certainly came after Lordran, I think. Gwyn established it, and that was the "first" kingdom, although not specifically human. Even Straid lived so long after the event that he didn't know much about it.

[@MithDragoness]

There is a dead ancient dragon in the spider bosses chamber assumably is the one who he and the King of olaphis had killed

[@redsagehorrorwitz6453]

Not really. Look at it this way; the dragon memory was in a land filled with grey skies and remnants of arch trees. That means that it was a memory from a dragon that fell during the Lords vs Dragon war.

[@MithDragoness]

thats possible but that happened far from where the dragons body is located so i still think my theory is more likely

[@jamesjewell-tait4865]

You get the staff of wisdom (same staff he wields) from the dragon shrine and it's hidden so maybe the dragon was revived by someone and the staff hidden as a precaution? I'm no expert but to me it makes sense

[@SilverMont]

James Jewell-Tait Weirdly enough, they moved the staff, in Scholar of the First Sin!

[@caturiges]

Hey alex, it is just me, or these undead citizens doesn't cause petrify damage when they explode anymore? That was patched out? Great vídeo!

[@TheElshagan]

Only the ones with a "dusty/glowing" core cause petrify when they explode. Their body has like a glowing dusty part with the same color as the petrifying breath of the basilisk

[@SilverMont]

As Januk said, I think it's only the specific versions of them that cause petrify. Likewise, there's some that do high acid damage (the ones in the Aerie)

[@TroopperFoFo]

Straid is a neat character. I wonder what we will see in the dlc.

[@868edgar]

The barrel is obviously Straid's ultimate creation

[@fredderf2411]

Feeble cursed one!!

[@Jarrod0067]

Straid was likely a pardoner who passed off his duties. You find his staff with the judgment set at the dragon shrine

[@SilverMont]

Jarrod0067 Yeah, it's a little odd that his staff was found there.

[@MjAuRdXo]

After playing through DS3, I would guess Straid has something to do with Velka, Londor, or New Londo. Perhaps that's where Olaphis really is? Velka might have a relation to Kaath though, as well. So... Hmmm...

[@IceBen4444]

Feeble cursed one!

[@psycoturdle1272]

I'm thinking that the upcoming dlc has plenty of kings that could have had a connection with Straid at one point or another. Maybe he slew the ancient dragon with one of them.

[@SilverMont]

I sure hope Alvis shows up! Or hell, just more Straid would be nice.

[@psycoturdle1272]

probably gonna be one of the 3 kings, hope it's like a giant memory and we could get more info from the source by time travel.

[@SilverMont]

Psyco Turdle It would be really cool if one of the DLCs takes place in Olaphis and we can summon Straid against a boss or something!

[@psycoturdle1272]

Plot twist: you are the king of olaphis and you summon Straid to fight the dragon!

[@MaereJaneMan]

Hmmm... instead of street or road... how about Path? As in the path that leads to our fate? Interesting...

[@zechsmarquis]

Could 'Olaphis' have once been 'Oolacile'? If it was. Oolacile's sorceries were gentle, but straid's spells were Offensive, Straid may have been locked away because of his apostasy, being a direct defiance of Oolacile's principles. He may have even encountered 'Manus' in some form or another. but who know?

[@SilverMont]

I think the names being similar is PROBABLY just a coincidence

[@ayakayuzhen700]

Something else that I forgot to point out - Navlaan doesn't ask of you to attack Straid because either he expects the poor man to be still stuck as a petrified statue, or maybe that Straid is just Aldia and Navlaan, having once served under him, sees no reason to attack (or earn the ire) of his old Master. Straid was petrified as he was about to escape his cell - who put him there first, could it be Vendrick? I'm aware that most game descriptions state that Aldia was locked away inside his manor and vanished someday, but it might just be misleading information spread around to hide the fact that the King had petrified his own brother, or well, "sworn brother-in-arms". I don't think that Vendrick and Aldia were ever stated to be brother in bloods, and that might be some info that's taken for granted. Straid is known to have developed a lot of magic. He is very knowledgeable, just like one would expect a figure like Aldia to be. Having defeated the Ancient Dragon, perhaps that this is what drove him to do even more research to try and recreate Dragons. His ability to make fearsome weapons and spells out of souls would further lead into making a point that this man knows exactly how to manipulate the essence of the Soul... This is of course, just speculation and linking together a lot of "if"s. Ultimately, Navlaan and Straid might've been a single storyline broken into two separate NPCs and ultimately have nothing to do with each other.

[@SilverMont]

Well, Straid professes to have no knowledge of Drangleic - he's been petrified in the Bastille since before Drangleic even existed. Which should preclude him from being Aldia. And Navlaan probably just didn't know about him, although who knows what would've happened? Both are amongst the most powerful sorcerers of their generation. (Personally, I think Straid would whoop 'em, even if he's not all that strong if you attack him)

[@GothicXlightning]

LOOVE!!! Straid so damn much brother thank you for making this, love the thumb nail illustration

[@SilverMont]

lu belmont dragoth Me too! Straid's my fave.

[@GothicXlightning]

Silver Mont yeah man 1 thing I love about Dark souls 2 is that they truly added many great interesting new characters Straid is WITH NO DOUBT among them that character has everything right is like a dark gothic version of Gandalf

[@c0n33r]

My theory is that Straid got alot of knowledge like Logan but didn't go mad because he's that awesome.

[@maria_remedios]

*FEEBLE CURSED ONE*

[@agentbuckwall2806]

Couldn't we say that Logan is at least equally as powerful? Looking at the description of Soul Spear in the first game, "A symbol of Logan's strength, the soul spear is referenced repeatedly in the legends, and is said to be on par with Lord Gwyn's lightning." I say this mainly because of, " ...is said to be on par with Lord Gwyn's lightning."

[@SilverMont]

Matt Kenney "Is said to be" haha. Still, from a gameplay perspective, Soul Spear and Lightning Spear are close enough I suppose. And in the end, Logan hollowed from his own pursuits, whereas Straid has yet to.

[@agentbuckwall2806]

I didn't think that Logan went hollow in the Archives; I though he just went insane. I've only fully been through the game once (and that was a while ago), but isn't he fully human when you fight him? I could be wrong, though.

[@titolovely8237]

Mabe big hat logan succeeded in his search through seath's library after all? after all, big hat logan is found locked away by seath. upon freeing logan, you find him in seath's library, obviously having gone insane, but madness is closely related to genius, and who's to say he didnt accomplish his mission after seath's defeat by the chosen undead? similarities between them do add up. both are extremely powerful mages whose life's goal is knowledge. they both seem to be able to create spells. they both are extremely powerful but are trapped and need saving. straid is exceptionally old, and seems to have little qualms about having been trapped for so long. we arent told from whence he came, but it's safe to assume he came from a past era where he was regarded as extremely powerful but had a weakness, he was easily trapped. who does that sound like? another interesting fact is that both npc's sell "crystal soul spear" spell. this spell was found in the regal archives (dark souls 1 description). seems to me logan may have succeeded, but at what price? perhaps he had to give up a part of himself to gain the knowledge he sought? perhaps he gave up his sanity, or even lost what made him logan, creating an entirely new alter ego known as straid.

[@TevorTheThird]

Maybe I'm missing something obvious but does anyone know who or what is implied to have petrified Straid and the other NPC's and beasts? I kept expecting to come across some crazy boss that turns people to stone but it never happened. 200+ hours in the game and I've never seen an enemy that turns things to stone. Maybe I'm just lucky. I know Basilisks did a similar thing in DS1 if they killed players but that doesn't happen anymore, you just get cursed and lose max HP in this game, also those statues were super fragile and notably distinct from a statue that needs a Branch to cure. They're also present in DS2 anyhow, though again I don't know how as you can't die by curse to my knowledge.

[@SilverMont]

TevorTheThird I would assume that the basilisks still can turn things to stone

[@TevorTheThird]

I suppose that's the most logical conclusion. It's a shame though since it seems kind of un-Dark Souls for us to have to make that logical leap despite the fact it doesn't directly demonstrate it in game. It "made sense" in DS1 because there was a direct cause and effect at play you could witness by getting cursed by a Basilisk. Having to assume this is the case because it happened before, despite being different now mechanically in game, seems very videogamey if you catch my drift, which to it's credit the series usually avoids. What about Straid and friends however? Is that too assumed to be the work of Basilisks? It also seems odd to make the assumption that because they can turn people into statues one way that they can also turn people into statues, durable, movable, long lasting statues, another way as well. I wish Straid mentioned how he was turned to stone...

[@nesurame]

Straid is definitely strange. On one hand, he's referred to as an evil (at least malicious if not evil) sorcerer, On the other hand, after he wakes up, he is mildly friendly towards the player. "here, I'll make items/spells from your souls for you" instead of just killing you on the spot for them, or giving you non-unique commodities for them. IDK if he's necessarily a bad guy, maybe he's more interested in seeing the limits of power instead of being the most powerful, otherwise why would he give the player unique spells and weapons made from the souls of bosses instead of just giving us items in trade for the souls?

[@SilverMont]

+nesurame Oh, I don't think he's evil. He just became so powerful that people were suspicious of him and trapped him. Conceited and arrogant, but I think he's a fairly well-meaning person!

[@TheCamsterX]

That faith chick on top of the tower after you kill the dragon rider is the strongest npc you won't believe how many times i died to her

[@SilverMont]

Gameplay wise? Yeah, she's ridiculously powerful.

[@jadengrattan3225]

Man, the Dragon's Dogma spoilers would've cut so close if I didn't already assume that he didn't kill any dragons

[@SilverMont]

+Jaden Grattan Yeah, I figured it was safe at this point to give spoilers for like a 2+ year old game. I didn't know they'd be bringing out the game on PC!

[@jadengrattan3225]

Yeah, it's fine. I'm mainly just playing it through while I wait for Dark Souls 3 anyway.

[@bluerose5071]

Straid is awesome!

[@EverTM]

Straid is very close to "Strayed", which is the default name of your first Core design in Armored Core: For Answer, another title From produced.

[@SilverMont]

Ever TM Does this mean we'll get to pilot a giant Straid mech in Dark Souls III? I hope so.

[@EverTM]

Silver Mont A man can dream, can't he? lol

[@DoubleG2x]

yaaaaaaaay, more lore! and about the biggest badass on dark souls 2. yaaaay

[@boxobanter3278]

Well the word for street is correct, but "sráid" is pronounced "shroyed". Thanks for the great video :)

[@kimashitawa8113]

Maybe he has something in connection with the Drakeblood knights... Cuz "dragons" and "omniscience".

[@jakebaldwin3726]

Perhaps he meerly used the soul to access memories of it's past. All of the souls in dark souls/ds2 are important because they have power aquired by age. They'd certainly have memories that perhaps he can tansverse with the ashen heart. He could just use those memories to find the spells.