Old Blood: The Hidden Story of Yharnam's First Healing Church | Bloodborne Archaeology Ep. 2

Bloodborne's deep lore of the Old Blood and the Beast Scourge, uncovered in the archaeological remains of old Yharnam (Part II).
Gameplay footage/music credit: Bloodborne, FromSoftware.
References:
Charred Thermos
Music and audio samples:
Ring Around The Rosie [Slender Elementary Version], Cookie Creeper
Haunted Forest Sounds, Ghostly Murmurs, The Guild of Ambience
Bloodborne Ambient Music, Nico Lujan
Mercurial: Ambient Music for Bloodborne, Sound Phenomenon
Video samples:
The Great Plague (documentary), Timeline
1666: The Great Fire of London (documentary), Brian M
Vienna Pestsäule (plague column), Massimo Nalli
Anti-Mask Protesters Burn Face Masks in New York, NowThis News
Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing, KK Women's and Children's Hospital
Image attributions:
- Plague in an Ancient City, by Michael Sweerts,
- The people of Tournai bury victims of the Black Death. Pierart dou Tielt,
- Justinian mosaic, San Vitale,Steven Zucker
- Seventh Plague of Egypt, John Martin
- The spread of the plague-in-europe-1346, World History Encyclopedia
- Statue of the Madonna, St. Dominic and Thomas Aquinas. Agnija Fedukovičiūtė
- First successful Human Blood Transfusion, 1667. Matthias Gottfried Purmann, Grosser und Gantz
- Blundell's method of blood transfusion. Rare Books (accessed through Wellcome)
- Blood transfusion, 17th century. Blood transfusion (accessed through Wellcome)
- Hemophilia in Queen Victoria’s family: Useravablack.hrek; Caro1409 at German Wikipedia
- Prince Alexei on Horseback: C.E. de Hahn & Co. Tzarskoe Selo
- The diseases of infancy and childhood (1910)
- Man of Sorrows from Prague c1470. Prague Utraquist Church of Our Lady before Teyn
- The Crucifixion, Google Art Project
- Fruit of the vine and bread. John Snyder
- Christian martyrs of the world; the story of the advance of Christianity from Bible times to latest periods of persecution. John Foxe
- Angels collecting the most precious blood of Christ. Andreas Pavias
- History’s Seven Deadliest Plagues, Gavi
- Emergency hospital at Camp Funston, Kansas, 1918, otis historical Archives / National Museum of Health and Medicine
Contents of the Video
----------------------------------
00:00 Intro
01:28 The Plague and Yharnam (preface)
11:45 Bloodborne's Old Healing Church (Ch. 1)
21:05 The Old Blood (Ch. 2)
#bloodborne #bloodbornelore #Yharnam #tarnishedarchaeologist

[@recordingstudiotech]

Im loving how all the new lore hunters are going back to Bloodborne.

[@satyasyasatyasya5746]

Tis the stone you can always squeeze more blood from lol

[@chompythebeast]

@@satyasyasatyasya5746 A bloodstone, if you will

[@satyasyasatyasya5746]

@@chompythebeast I see what you did there. Insight, if you will.

[@chompythebeast]

@@satyasyasatyasya5746 Hook me up with some of those eyes, I need em for a thing I'm doing

[@lordnul1708]

Once you get into FromSoft lore, you eventually gotta do all games and franchises, especially when you hit a dry spell/burnout period on the game you start with.

[@vosstoofly1656]

this channel makes me appreciate fromsoft more and more for the attention to detail they put into their games, but then being able to catch them and match them to real life is crazy on it's own

[@timwin8194]

Is it just me but this game always calls you back? Even after years of not playing its the only game that randomly crosses my mind

[@KnjazNazrath]

Y'all need Planescape: Torment.

[@ladyfox6705]

You're not alone! Dark Souls and Bloodborne always call me back, every few months or so. There's something inherently comforting about these games to me.

[@lt_johnmcclane]

@@KnjazNazrathlol what

[@professorhawk9070]

It's such a good game. I go back and start a new run or run random chalices all the time. One of the best games ever made.

[@LucasBarbosa-qh5ke]

I always think about Bloodborne. It was the first Souls game that I played. My favorite thing about Bloodborne is how the health rally system affects PVP; it almost always makes me want to rip the invader apart as soon as he lands an attack on me. It's like watching two wild animals fight to the death. Dark Souls and Elden Ring don't make me feel like that.

[@Zlagie]

This channel is simply one of the best, bar-none. I learn so much more than just lore from these.

[@nickelbutt]

Seriously. Vaati, Smoughtown, even RedGrave, they are only “good” when compared to TA’s greatness. It’s no wonder everyone cites TA now.

[@chompythebeast]

@@nickelbutt And Sinclair Lore, so easily forgotten...

[@Zlagie]

@@nickelbutt compared to pretty much all other lore channels, TA pretty much brought it together full circle for me. By connecting these games to reality, culture, and history, I think he's paying a deeper tribute to these games than has ever been published before. There's a sense of realness to these worlds that I have rarely felt from other fantasy worlds, and I think it's because there's a general reverence and deep study of the world we never lived in. It all feels deeply human

[@hiroshima19]

you've never heard of Charred Thermos?

[@Zlagie]

@@hiroshima19 I haven't, do tell!

[@hollowlunerfang]

what a cliff hanger to end on. The vialblood immortality thing always seemed like it was brushed over in the game and the community even though it probably shouldn't have bee. Looking forward to the next one!

[@nickelbutt]

I think you missed something when talking about the old blood, and that’s mercury. Mercury, aka quicksilver, is heavily associated with Oedon. I was under the impression that the “Old Blood” had to do mercury poisoned blood. This particularly lines up when you bring up the history of mercury poisoning in Japan. You also draw extra Quicksilver bullets from your blood.

[@satyasyasatyasya5746]

Also Mercury was used in ancient china as an immortality pill. But since BB is based on scottish medicine, i wonder how or when Mercury might have been used there?

[@chompythebeast]

It might even be that "Paleblood" and the lighter-colored blood of the Pthumerians and Great Ones harken to the notion of quicksilver in the blood, though Paleblood is probably the most controversial topic from a lore perspective in a game full of controversial lore. It even seems to have greatly shifted its significance during BB's tumultuous and long development, to the point that Paleblood probably doesn't even have a single, distinct definition, though there are some who are deeply unsatisfied with such meta examinations of the game's text

[@natk8541]

Yeah he hasn't touched on Mercury and Rapid Poison and stuff like that yet. I hope he does, it's a rather big thing, especially if we're gonna start talking about our boy Oedon and his formless child Mergo.

[@satyasyasatyasya5746]

@@natk8541 Following the motif of great ones being literal body parts (a la Charred Thermos, Scottish dissection etc.), I take Oedon to be the voice itself - as Ebrietas is the throat/lungs, Moon Prescence is the heart/arteries etc.

[@natk8541]

@@satyasyasatyasya5746 Yeah sure but I'm not sure how that ties into mercury/quicksilver though or how literally we should take the charredthermos interpretation. I fell off his series right around that part. It got a little tiresome having him saying specific elements of the lore were specific real world figures. It's a fun thing to get into but I didn't need thermos to tell me the game was knee-deep in old medical practices. I find his videos a bit hard to tolerate. They're great but they don't do almost anything for lore exploration, they just provide good guides on the relevant knowledge and how it might have applied to the world building process. Thermos stuff is more "what's the inspiration? Here's the inspiration" and doesn't go further. TA goes "what's the inspiration for this? Probably this other thing? What does that mean for the game?". TA takes the ideas home and helps try to explain the game lore itself. CT just presents a really good book report on the themes of the game.

[@thewolfofthestars1847]

I would point out one thing to further your explanation of the figure at around 13:00 ; in the original Japanese text, the term used for the messengers is a homophone, and the words for "messenger" and "dead person" sound the same. So the intent very much was for the messengers to be the spirits of the dead, not some alien race.

[@ALushPair]

Smoke and incense are actually cleansing. The aldehydes in smoke inhibit microbial growth which is why smoking is used to preserve meats.

[@dasninjastix]

Bloodborne is just the gift that keeps on giving lol. I am loving this approach to its world, you folks are phenomenal at what you do!

[@LastProtagonist]

I think one thing worth considering in relation to the Old Blood is where its power comes from: the spirits of the dead. You mention how Messengers are intrinsically tied to the blood and are chthonic, which I agree with, but I think you overlook the connection between how Blood Dregs (which come from "the blood of echo fiends, that is to say, the blood of hunters") make the Vilebloods' blood vile and give rise to their ability to produce a child of blood. Whether there's a god above them is arguable, but at the very least the smallest "power unit" in Bloodborne is the Blood Echo, which is better understood as the leftover wishes and desires of the deceased according to its Japanese name. I'd go so far as to argue these Blood Echoes were first discovered by exsanguinating the hanged men found in the Chalice Dungeons with the Pthumerians reserving the "liquid" portion of the blood for their Blood Queen, who would then disseminate her more divine, yet profane blood down to her nobles and then populace at large. I think it makes more sense to work from a bottom-up approach here, but that's just my take on things. I enjoyed the comparisons you made between the bubonic plague and Yharnam.

[@Shezmen88]

I'm already beyond excited for the next episode. These deep dives are gold, thank you for the amazing work you put into these.

[@Dantprime]

It's cool to see you here Shez, I always enjoy the little details you put in your animation. And likewise! The details these videos bring up show what a deep lore a lot of fromsoft games have. I really enjoy how it all ties together.

[@hiddenshadow2105]

And just to add one last note: people outside of Europe (such as in Japan) had noticed the groteque implications of Communion long before Miyazaki was even born. So this jab to 'middle aged game developer' felt mean to me, because he probably got this notion by osmosis long before he even got into the game development.

[@saulgoneman]

I don't think its meant to be a "jab", though I agree its weird to assume Miyazaki only discovered a central part of Christianity in middle age.

[@CptSnuggles07]

Another thought: the Pthumerians used to have access to the physical bodies of Great Ones, and could get their healing blood straight from the source. When the Great Ones ascended, their bodies died, and eventually they would have been drained of all their blood. That must have been a rough time for Pthumerian society. I'd guess that's when they started killing their own people to harvest blood dregs, in hopes of setting up their Queen as a Madonna-type savior with a divine child.

[@shaunflinn1002]

RIP Charred Thermos' channel, most unique take on bloodborne!

[@shira_yone]

If not for this video mentioning Charred Thermos, I might've never found out how he deleted his channel and how there's an effort to archive his amazing videos.

[@Avenray19]

I hope that guy is okay. Those videos slapped.

[@Avenray19]

I hope that guy is okay. Those videos slapped.

[@FORDYI]

Something that i only just noticed which im sure has some symbolic merit...The majority of the statues that depict the inflicted all have some kind of shroud or hood over thier eyes, even when they are looking up. Likewise, many hunters and yarhnamites also have wraps to obsure their eyes. Of course, eyes play a huge part in bloodborne overall. But this practise in particular may be worth exploring in more detail.

[@Brognold]

Once again I'm completely blown away by your videos, I have absolutely no idea how you do it or how all of these details went unnoticed prior. Yet in 30 minutes you've nearly answered every unanswered question I had about the old blood. 👍

[@1liver966]

Keep talking about this game please I love your work I’d PayPal you ten million.

[@chompythebeast]

Something about the warning alerting us to graphic content of "miasma" tickles me lol. The Ancient Greeks and Victorians watching this are running for the hills from all the bad air Super excited, love that you're doing BB now, the *_best_* FROM game for this type of examination

[@hiddenshadow2105]

Why did you completely ignore the role of quicksilver and Oedon (who is drawn to or is quicksilver itself) in blood when we literally draw magic/arcana from it? It was quicksilver-corrupted blood that caused Ariana's pregnancy, it is why Annalise sends Vileblood after quicksilver-rich targets (other hunters) to collect the dregs specifically from them so she can conceive without the direct connection to Great Ones (when she refuses Ring of Betrothal which Yharnam wears in chalices).

[@Mameoth]

I can't remember which channel made a very compelling argument that the origin of the modern blood ministration is Laurence's mutated corpse, found by the scholars' graverobbers and dissected after he died in the Tomb of the Gods. This is partly based on translations from the japanese which imply the "medium" was Lawrence himself and partly from the clearly beastlike form of his skull, marking him as the first Vicar in the same way as Amelia.

[@professorhawk9070]

Wheres the next episode at? Deep in the chalice dungeons, there's another symbol, a crucifix-symbol on what seems like tombs arranged in a circle. It's the only place I've seen it. For me, it's one of the few mysteries still out there.

[@HydraRaptorCH]

I haven't been this excited about Bloodborne lore since reading Paleblood Hunt by Redgrave. I love your style and how you pull forward the real world basis for a lot of From's ideas. You're doing excellent work, man; keep it up!

[@chrismugavero7902]

It's not difficult to see the amount of work the Archaeologist puts into these videos. There's science, religion, history, fantasy, etc. They're wonderfully done. I know it's probably been said before, but whenever I see a new video from the TA in my feed, I know I'm in for some incredibly interesting, thought-provoking stuff. Thank you!

[@bigswordapostle7214]

The last video is probably my favorite youtube video of all time. I was profoundly touched by its narrative and originality.

[@Tridona]

Smough and TA now. Man, BB fans are eating GOOD

[@chompythebeast]

Don't forget the continued exploits of Sinclair Lore!

[@Tridona]

@@chompythebeast SinClair is pretty underrated

[@mitchellbutler2307]

Considering Pthumeru is the predecessor of Yharnam and lies directly beneath it I'm interested in how the two seem to have lost contact with each other. It's pretty clear that Laurence and his healing church "reintroduced" proper blood healing to Yharnam from outside, but how did that knowledge get lost in the first place? Good material for a future video.

[@GiraffeVortex]

Because the beastly scourge destroyed it. The cycle of discovering the healing blood below and the plague of beasthood destroying civilization has repeated time again to Loran and Isz, it's Yharnam's turn now

[@sinestesis]

Thats the same question thats crossing my mind. Its not something easy to forget, specially when its the epicenter of your culture. Maybes got something to do with the scourge of the beast.

[@RevanX77]

@@sinestesis Because they didn't lose contact. Yharnamites are modern Pthumerians, and Pthumerian culture evolved and changed over time into what it is today. You may as well ask why ancient Rome and Victorian England "lost contact" with each other - It's just the long tides of history and civilizational collapse/evolution.

[@daladams]

Man, this channel is criminally underrated. Absolutely mind blowing content. Thank you so much for making these videos man. They are great to listen to at work.

[@MissOtaku18]

Your new series on Bloodborne has inspired me to finally play the game. Thanks TA ❤️

[@WoodrowSkillson]

May the good blood guide your way

[@dyvog]

hey man I just wanted to say that I was recommended the channel a bit ago, starting to watch through all of them 1st to most recent, really like your content! Fromsoftware's work is so intensely layered and we haven't really seen anyone take the archaeological/art historical/sign + signification approach of analysis on them; all stuff I just love. honestly the last time I remember anyone even talking about architecture/history in this way was with the Assassins' Creed games, though really that came down to little more than some photogrammetry of real buildings. As a Seattle resident, Last of Us Part 2 also had some interesting architectural analysis, but again, it's far less in scope than a Fromsoftware game's design. Love the content , wanted to send some kudos along!

[@ShuToshio]

I've learnt so much in actual history and in game lore from this dude's videos than I ever would from all the others combined. No joke.

[@aeonmatter6976]

Yeah, same. My teacher is a good teacher, but the way she lectures us in a way that is so monotone. I can barely stay awake even when I really want to learn history.

[@maidenlessrunt]

Really excellent video, I'm surprised you didn't mention the Blood-Letting Beast found in Old Yharnam!

[@sonialuo9785]

The music/singing at the beginning of the video reminds of the folk song in that classic Japanese horror game Siren (屍人). I know it is not the same song, but the omnious atmospheres in both songs are really similar, very fitting for Bloodborene too! I never realised that before. Great choice of music and editing style. Look forward to more Bloodborne related videos from you.

[@jacobsouls]

RIP Charred Thermos... you will be remembered!

[@phantasmicnico7645]

On my first virgin playthrough as I type this. As always , killing it with the recognition of real life inspiration that guided Miyazaki during the development of this society. An incredible story parallel to our own species.

[@LordButtersI]

Fear the old blood.

[@sartavin]

Man, what I'd give to play this game again for a first time. Just watching these vids makes me want to fire up my NG+5 character and just roam around and look at stuff.

[@eluherrahaz1165]

Thank you for promoting Charred Thermos lore explanations. He's the closest so far in explain bloobborne. Btw im looking forward to see more bloodborne content of you.

[@MarbleOceans]

What a delightful depth of knowledge you have, and delivered so well too! Fantastic watch, can’t wait for more!

[@raximusrex3464]

Transplant from Smoughtown here! Your knowledge of art and history is amazing. Narration and diction are also better than the other lore people in my opinion. Can't wait to go through your backlog!

[@tarnishedarchaeologist]

Welcome aboard!

[@krispin2806]

I'm so glad you dove deeper into the actual religion that predates Lawrence's healing church. I can't tell you how many in game hours I spent just staring at the art on the walls, the statues, etc. What a great vid. My two favorite things, Bloodborne and Learning.

[@arnoldmerlot392]

I’m very glad that even after nearly 9 years, people are still exploring aspects of Bloodborne in new and interesting ways. Thanks to people like you, I feel like the community is going deeper and deeper, closer to the core soul of this true artistic masterpiece, maybe someday we’ll grasp the full spectrum of what Miyazaki tried to share through this game, and understand the pure meaning of behind this goergeous imagery

[@rennytothe4727]

This is amazing, i learned so much about history, culture and art just by these 2 videos alone. Please don’t ever stop making youtube,you make the best contents on this site.

[@ShupperDupper]

Lovely storytelling of both ours and Bloodborne's history. Worthy of a new playthrough every time you upload a video! The founding of Yharnam is often skimmed over to the most immediate past and present, I'm happy to see you dive further and further through the cracks of the past to where it all began. I hope to see what you perceive of as the *future* for Bloodborne as well.

[@BonhartofEbbing]

Nothing escapes the scrutinizing glare of an insightful gaze.

[@ozsun9736]

I've been on the edge of my seat ever since ep. 1 of this new series, can't wait to indulge in the eldritch truth again

[@chompythebeast]

Same, though it did lead me down a pipeline of watching tons of old Sinclair Lore vids. Sin and Sophie are amazing, and they're still at it, too!

[@kyleespinoza7201]

​@@chompythebeasta fellow snack cultist, nice

[@chompythebeast]

@@kyleespinoza7201 Just got back from Dignity City, attended a lecture with Ebrooitus as a matter of fact. Turned out it was about _The One_ Reborn, should have read the schedule better

[@ozsun9736]

@@chompythebeast yeah sinclair lore is a treasure trove of knowledge and fun people

[@joshseveck5040]

Thank you for making this series! I am a PC gamer, so I have yet to experience Bloodborne. I am obsessed with the aesthetic and theme though! I have wanted to learn more of its lore for a long time, but many of the channels that talk about the lore assume I've already played the game. Having a series that is so easy to understand has been amazing!

[@mitchellgertken4725]

I know I'm commenting on an older video but seriously, good Ser, you do such good work and help people learn about real-world history in tandem with some of our favorite games. Very well done, and a hearty thank you for what you do.

[@sartavin]

Great video as always. Really looking forward to seeing how you examine the structure of the city itself, from Old Yharnam to Cathedral Ward, which we got just a taste of here. I spent a considerable amount of time just roaming the game's levels and using the telescope to see in the distance where certain areas are and how they all connect together. That intricately layered approach is one of the factors that sets this game apart from From's other masterpieces.

[@CalebDekker]

You’ve got a great eye for detail. I’m so glad these popped into my recommended videos list.

[@damianblu]

Spent the last week watching everything on your channel. Excellent stuff!

[@deepwoodmotte4136]

I really enjoy the tremendous care and love, with which you treat BB lore. Stunning content.

[@onpatrolforthejuice]

One of the best and most enlightened lore vids. Between Redgrave's analysis and now these videos, after countless playthrough I finally feel like I have an understanding of the surface of this masterpiece.

[@erichowens85]

You teach me so much about the real world and human history informing these games

[@gatowololo5629]

Damn man, great videos. I love the historical context you bring into the lore. You're clearly a student of history. Respect 🙇‍♀️

[@CheckUnderYou]

Back-to-back bangers! Adding to all the lore we know in a way that doesn't infringe on everything else we've seen and learned over the years--that's hard to do, you guys make it look easy. Can't wait for the next video.

[@adawg3032]

I just recently found your channel, what a gem. The narration is really good, and I learn so much, thank you.

[@Eight-Bites]

I'm always so enamored with your intelligence, and just how articulate you are. Keep it up, you Sir truly are a scholar, and a gentleman.

[@jspencer5769]

Love the work! Great job tying in all the history that inspired it, can’t wait for more!

[@slipperydouglas8263]

Absolutely blown away by how in depth and brilliant these videos are and even more impressed by the genius of fromsoft to create all this from multiple historical sources and perspectives.

[@maurim9135]

Just watched the first part this morning, insane timing. Subbed

[@TheV1ctorGaming]

Stoked to see more Bloodborne, it really seems to be making a comeback. You're in the know, right?

[@chekeman]

Sinchronicity, something is gonna happen PC Bloodborne perhaps?

[@TheV1ctorGaming]

@@chekeman May the good blood guide Fromsoft's way

[@chompythebeast]

@@chekeman Apparently BB was made heavily leaning into the specific architecture of the PS4, probably an offer on Sony's part to not only create a great console-seller (it worked on me) but also to male porting it far more trouble than it's worth. It sounds like any port would take remake levels of effort, meaning a remake is probably more likely than a port, and we know what happened to the Demon's Souls remake, staying on PS5. Unfortunately I think FROM won't be releasing Bloodborne content again, though there may still be hope for a spiritual successor in the same way that Bloodborne started off as literally Demon's Souls 2 before becoming its own thing

[@dylanroemmele906]

@@chompythebeast I just want a Bloodborne type-game that's like Dark Souls to Demon souls. Anyways, there is a PC port, Sony is just holding off on releasing it for whatever their dumb corporate plans are.

[@trulytrue8008]

I feel the Soulsborne community is getting closer and closer to the Eldritch Truth of this transcendent game. It's taken years, but I'd expect nothing less. Keep it UP!

[@Motegii]

I absolutely adore these videos your Insight and depth into what might otherwise just be overlooked is astonishingly interesting ❤❤

[@MagnaMelius]

Your lore videos are on another level. Thank you for the good work !

[@giacomomontanari4985]

This channel is quickly becoming my favourite for From Soft games' lore

[@bbefb045]

You are killing it man !!! Thank you for you content !!

[@lorenfulghum2393]

That documentary that you took the plague recreations from was really good. I recognized it right away.

[@Gigamex2]

That was quite a bomb to drop on us at the end. Mesmerizing video. Nicely done.

[@jjcoola998]

Blown away by your bloodborne content, keep it up

[@dimosdimakopoulos3884]

Waking up to a brand new Tarnished Archaeologist, getting to explore Yharnam again, that magnificent place of pungent nightmares and thrilling adventures...Delicious!

[@Ancusohm]

I'm loving this series. I never realized there was so much hidden in the scenery!

[@ReneAensland]

I can't wait for your upcoming videos on Bloodborne! So good!

[@ooccttoo]

DAMN. This series is so goddamn good! Your exploration of the game really reveals how deep its lore can go, in the sense that a comparatively smaller game (compared to, say, Elden Ring) can convey so much worldbuilding and theme with fewer elements. I'm genuinely floored by the inferences and ideas surrounding the statues and icons of this game. There's a whole hidden story there which I had no idea existed. This divide between folk religion and mainstream gnosticism is especially fascinating and ties together a lot of the principles of scientific advancement and religious domination in Yharnam. The dominance of the religious upper class is absolute, to the point of warping all science, architecture, and culture around itself.

[@wpb5876]

TA has done it again with another phenomenal history/ lore video

[@HeatherHolt]

That opening. Wow. Could watch bb content here constantly. So good. 😊

[@alyseleem2692]

This was quite interesting , but as always, I am hungry for more! I don't precisely think the children have to be the source of the Blood through their mothers. I think it's much simpler than that; Blood is a vessel for what is known as "Blood Echoes ". It is a medium, as stated, for the spirit, and it, especially when found in quality, is the best medium there is. There are others, like the Quicksilver used in making Hunter ammunition, but they are all surpassed by and dependent on the Blood's capacity as a medium, as Quicksilver Bullets need to be "imbued with blood" to hold power against beasts. As such, what is occurring is simple; When a Great One conceives with a human, as seen with Arianna, they do so through the Blood. It is their presence within the Blood that empowers the blood of the recipient. Oedon, as often said, exists only in voice, but considers the oozing blood a medium of the highest grade. As such, the Old Blood need not be the Blood of the child. If the power of blood is defined by containing Blood Echoes, then all the Old Blood needs is the presence of a divine " echo". This is also why I think that Laurence became the literal source of blood healing in his time; indeed, the height of hubris and the cause of his eventual turn to Beasthood. I don't believe he removed much of the Madonna's iconography; he didn't remove Cainhurst sigils either. No; he simply did it inside his own dwellings and churches, where he can safely glorify his achievements without fear of reprisal from the public, who still remember their lady, even on their doors. He did find the Blood in the Chalice Dungeons, but as seen with the Blood Saints, the Blood requires vessels. Why is that? Because that is the only way to make it safe for general consumption and public use. A chain of donors; Gods to Pthumerians, Pthumerians to Laurence, Laurence to the Blood Saints, the Blood Saints to every Yharnamite lucky ( or unlucky) to recieve their treatment. As for what they were treating, I think the answer is clear enough; Ashen Blood. There is this strange notion in the fandom that the Church caused the Ashen Blood, but we can find Beast Patients in Loran as well as Old Yharnam. In other words, like the plague, it is an ancient, inexplicable, repeating disease. Indeed, I find it curious that Vilebloods have extremely poisonous blood, not counting Maria. It also gives another reason why they were in the Castle instead of in the city when it happened; they were hiding. From plague and rebellion. From the heaving, sick masses.... But then, the bridge was destroyed. And then, some people in funny hats and carrying big wheels appeared in the castle, out of nowhere. It's almost as if it were an inside job... "Once, a scholar betrayed his fellows at Byrgenwerth, and brought forbidden blood back with him to Cainhurst Castle. It was there that the first of the inhuman Vilebloods was born. " " Oh, I know, I know, you think now to betray me." What is a grand discovery, without the favour of the Crown? As for what Beasthood is, I believe it is quite clear: "Although the difference is subtle, Runesmith Caryll describes the "Beast" as a horrific and unwelcome instinct deep within the hearts of men, while "Clawmark" is an alluring invitation to accept this very nature." The Beast has always been within us all. It is part of us, and the great barrier to salvation and enlightenment, but also the key,for without it, our potential for Metamorphosis wouldn't be possible: "The discovery of blood made their dream of evolution a reality. Metamorphosis, and the excesses and deviation that followed, were only the beginning." All of this is a means to an end. All of it. Even the beasts; "After the repeated experiments in controlling the scourge of beasts, the gentle "Embrace" rune was discovered. When its implementation failed, the "Embrace" became a forbidden rune, but this knowledge became a foundation of the Healing Church." "Master Willem was right. Evolution without courage will be the doom of our race.." Sidenote: I don't believe the scholars of Byrgenwerth to be foreign. At least, not in current canon. The college itself is built on sacred ground( the entrance to the tombs) , which would hardly be allowed to foreigners. There's also the implication that the " traitor"( you know who) came from Cainhurst himself( "back with him"). That said, I do believe they have flipped the script. It appears Laurence was no longer content to worship divine children. After all, why would you do that if you could become one?

[@franciscoisaac87]

Right on the money. The video is good, but goes overboard with some connections, and fails to see others.

[@alyseleem2692]

@@franciscoisaac87 My thanks! I am humbled. I still eagerly await the next video. Perhaps, thus will be expanded upon.

[@franciscoisaac87]

​@@alyseleem2692the video is 9/10 but then goes and says that Laurence and the scholars are outsiders, when there's no evidence of that. Universities at some point started to be founded outside of the city center as it is the case with Byrgenwerth. The Yharnamites easily believed in Laurence due not only for having a cure, but also because he was one of the elite (to study in such great school of thought, he couldn't have been a commoner).

[@alyseleem2692]

@@franciscoisaac87 Indeed. That is why I believe he was likely from Cainhurst. With that said, his belief system is built on rebellion against the previous system( him, a man, at the top instead of a Queen Mother, the open sharing of blood to the public as opposed to the clannish culture of the Vilebloods, the focus on personal ascension instead of dependence on the salvation of a divine child, etc). That said, it is commonly noted cut content that Laurence was going to be a foreigner. But let's remember; it was cut for a reason.

[@alyseleem2692]

@@franciscoisaac87 As a sidenote, regarding the headless statue: I distinctly remember another statue in the Chalice Dungeons with a similar story. In it, the figure is always either veiled or headless. At first, I thought it might be decay, but I think it may have been a genuine motif, of sorts. Too many of the statues are consistently headless. Indeed, it reminded me of the Wet Nurse; though she does have a head( shape of her veil), it and most of her body is invisible. Could Laurence have been imitating this image by his removal of the statue's head in the Cathedral? Wings also seem to have been added.

[@JoshyP91]

I've loved Bloodborne since the moment it came out, but this makes me really appreciate it!

[@Jalmerk]

I always understood the opening cinematic as an allegory for your body resisting the beastly plague represented by the beast, and the messengers representing your white blood cells working to fight off the virus. That resistance being the reason for you being chosen to enter the dream.

[@SanicTheHidgehag]

Always looking forward to your uploads! 🤩

[@chavamara]

So happy to see someone finally talk about all the statues! I thought I was the only one curious about them!

[@mynameswouldntwork]

Thanks for doing Bloodborne. Love these videos.

[@rentzboss]

Astonishing series so far, keep it up!

[@soulandfresh]

Your videos are incredible man

[@whoisj]

I've never played Bloodborne, but this content is excellent and fascinating. Well done!

[@DrChocolite75]

Incredible analysis as usual

[@sopranophantomista]

What gems you've released on Bloodborne so far! I'm very excited to see what you script up next about the Executioners. I've recently gone back to Bloodborne to finally plat the game, only needing three more achievements, so this is a very good motivator to "keep up" with someone else who's also going through the story.

[@DaughterOfFrankenste]

I am absolutely overjoyed that y'all have decided to look back at Bloodborne with your Elden Ring following.

[@Infinite.Worldz]

I'm very much enjoying these bloodborne videos, thank you.

[@Vash141]

The fudgemuppet style outros are so nostalgic. I’m throughly enjoying this series on my favorite game.

[@sikandar001]

Excellent vid! I always kind of interpreted the beast curse from blood transfusion as a metaphor for like graft vs host disease

[@michaelcapobianco1011]

You’re connections to real life religious ideology and history makes you unmatched in the soulsborne community. KEEP IT UP!!

[@carl3038]

Love this channel!

[@kkertsna9204]

I need to know what goes on in Miyazaki's writing room as to how much research actually goes into these games' conceits. Love the channel and the content. Cant get enough!

[@Berliozboy]

I love that "miasma" is included in the content warning. bravo. bravo.

[@GruesomeGrin]

Please keep making Bloodborne videos!! This is excellent ❤

[@techdeth]

This video is unbelievable, just like your chanel in earnest. You have found your USP [unique selling point] as we talk about in business school. Lore deep dives, but based on their real world counterparts. The only way I might suggest an improvement is to incorporate more dynamics in your diction, or more humor interspersed ... but that's just what I think would work for channel growth. This is amazing, thank you 🤘😈💪

[@KitsuneShapeShifter]

Watching this while eating, amazing video so far!

[@bagofrandom]

Your analysis of the Madonna is some groundbreaking lore theory! nice work

[@magnuserror9305]

your one of the best lore channels period

[@connorc1536]

Awesome content! Keep it up bro.

[@Don_terrenos]

Amazing as always