The Canonical Main Story of Dark Souls

[@TheAshenHollow]

If you enjoyed this video, be sure to check out Project: Dark Souls! It's a video where a ton of Content Creators in the Community and I came together to make a telling of the entire trilogy of Dark Souls! I think you'll love it! =D kzbin.info/www/bejne/jITWloyJd7qsd7c

[@nicholasepsilon3534]

DS2 is canon in a sense that it’s “canon” ending lends to the final boss of DS3 and why the boss looks and attacks the way it does.

[@Nelo_Wolf]

*The ashen one doesn't have a gender it can be him or her. I looked up if it is a girl so I can pick a female gender to play as and there's nothing on what gender it is. So I don't know where you got the term her from* @The Ashen Hollow

[@reecehudson5913]

What was your canonical source of information regarding the Black Knights failing to defeat the demons and retreating? Based on the relationship between the Demons and Gwyn (many are later in Gwyns service) it a fair assumption that Gwyn and the Black Knights were somewhat successful in repelling the demons of Izalith. I can't find a canonical source to suggest they were defeated. Thanks

[@Nelo_Wolf]

@@reecehudson5913 most think that the girl with the egg is the first fire keeper since her eyes are damaged like with all fire keepers and not Gwynevere. Since in lore she fell in love with flann. (Sorry for going off a tangent)

[@cynicalcitizen8315]

That fuckin piano score playing at 40 min is making me feel sad.

[@SuburbanTrash]

"And if Dark Souls has taught us anything, even when youre trying to help, everyone just wants to fucking kill you." Greatest summary of Darksouls

[@droversanity3682]

Greatest summary of any Souls Game. Anything will try to kill you

[@brandonbridges1507]

Every other game: lets make an established story that the player can understand Dark souls: i don't know what's happening and i love it

[@di4mgaming115]

FINAL FANTASY in a nutshell

[@kklejdi6752]

Not quite... Every other game is shoving the story down my throat with cutscenes while Dark Souls, in the 50+ hours it take to complete, has like what... ? 3 minutes of total cutscenes. If you want to learn the lore your read item descriptions.

[@shawns.12]

@@kklejdi6752 I mean, I get that’s a huge part of the souls series, but the game would be so much better if they had more interactable NPC’s and they put in any effort to flesh the story out. The lore in items is an amazing touch but shouldn’t be the primary source of info in the game that’s just stupid and lazy.

[@kklejdi6752]

@@shawns.12 I mean you clearly haven’t understood how the world is set. The reason we are told basically nothing about the world is because nobody knows. You are in a dark world, your purpose is to usher in a new age of fire yet the game itself tells you you’ll fail, because that’s how it’s always been with every other undead/unkindled. You, as the chosen one, must travel the world without any knowledge about it. The only thing you have is your sword to protect you at any moment and bonfires, that provide a sense of comfort amidst all the insanity you are trying to overcome. Having NPCs that shit out story would only be a negative thing for the game and it wouldn’t even make sense. How do the NPCs know so much about the world ? Are they previous lords of cinder ? Have they managed to link the first flame?

[@kklejdi6752]

The story can’t be “fleshed out” because there is no “story”. Between each linking of the fire, tens, hundreds or even thousands of years might pass till your awakening resulting in major historical moments being lost in time.

[@REDemon14]

So in summary: "Gwyn and the other gods feared the power that men drew from the Dark, so they placed a seal of fire on mankind and the Pygmies, things went down hill from there..."

[@Speed001]

Yep

[@simonmictheftmoniedafe1467]

Basically

[@RoachDoggJr106]

Dark souls lore: “it’s all Gwyns fault”

[@Ghost19_]

One of the shortest summary of the overall lore~ nailed it!

[@Ins4n1ty_]

@@Ghost19_ shortest still: Gwyn = Agent Orange.

[@jgo5707]

One interesting piece about the DLC, after you beat Manus if you go back to the mushroom merchant, she tells you that she will not share your story with anyone, that your story will go unwritten in history, since you do not come from that timeline. It makes sense that she would twist the story to paint Artorias as the hero.

[@TCPdizzy]

Holy fuck I never thought about that

[@erieriderschillingcorner1595]

@hidetakamiyazaki1825 I mean it would be strange if someone who nobody knew at all became a hero and just disappeared without a trace like they never existed. Using artorias as a hero who did something and died is easier because nobody will question it too much, guy's dead not like they can ask him.

[@jgo5707]

@@erieriderschillingcorner1595 he was also a hero of that time, his memory was preserved as a hero not as someone who fell to the abyss

[@kalieden5493]

thats actually so crazy that the chosen undead unknowingly also helped inspire the Abyss watchers

[@mysteryace10]

I'm not sure they had the dlc in mind when they released the game but with how you go back in time not really changing anything (except how sif reacts to you later in the game) but completing what artorius couldn't, and with Elizabeth saying she won't say anything about it; it was a retcon while not retconing done right using paradoxes. Back when they made such good games they made a dlc that can fit into the story seamlessly.

[@spacemotelmassacre]

I present to thee, Dark Souls’ answers Me: Are these boots black or brown? Dark Souls Lore: Maybe...

[@kyeran441]

We also would have accepted: “BWA HA HA HA HA!”

[@chasemccreery7522]

Lmfao

[@jaimebaselga4395]

Hahahah

[@MertOguz]

Dark Souls Lore : Only Gods knows, Indeed.

[@DA-to6gi]

This is why I could never enjoy it... Nothing seems to be concrete, everything is vague and there seems to be no hope for us to receave definite answers

[@tumbologist2557]

I like how he says "makes quick work" of the bosses but I'm here getting stuck on random dudes that aren't even bosses

[@mijkolsmith]

Feel free to consider the greatbow knights in anor londo a boss

[@tumbologist2557]

lol

[@sonfoku73]

The fucking bloodborne dogs are utter bullshit. They're too fast while you're too slow

[@busterkitty2790]

Git gud casul

[@CassieCatagon]

busterkitty 27 I agree

[@DanteKG.]

Nito - Soul of Death Izalith - Soul of Life Gwyn - Soul of Light Pygmy - Soul of Dark

[@deadmeme8973]

Holy shit

[@Middle6Age6Warr6]

@@deadmeme8973 MIND BLOWN

[@Tawper]

Vapoith - Soul of Dank

[@jdp101ak]

@@Tawper noice

[@tristankendrick2582]

Wow

[@seanchan4478]

I always assumed "chosen" meant nothing, as the prophecy was only meant to inspire any still sane undead

[@jareddembrun783]

Yep. It's a setup. There's no chosen undead.

[@the_seer_0421]

​​@@jareddembrun783those damn primordial serpents. They got us good.

[@HopeyDiamond]

probably inspired a lot of the insane hollows too xD

[@DietBajaBlast]

yes and the knight that dies at the beginning is Oscar, and originally he was going to play a major role in the story.

[@Sizdothyx]

And at the end you marry your Firekeeper Waifu and send your kids off to Harvard. The End.

[@abonfire88]

If only

[@lordreptilestormblade1749]

Technically based on choices made the Firekeeper is not the only surviving waifu, you can marry Karla or Irina.

[@grandbean9031]

In Dark souls 2 it's established that whether Dark or Light was chosen, it all resets anyway. The flame can never be completely snuffed out, but will always fade. The Dark will restlessly try to consume the light, but itself will never die as long as humanity exists. And there will always eventually be a "hero" to light flame once again.

[@MaidenlessScrub]

That’s why in DS3, the Ashen One and the Firekeeper didn’t just wait for the first flame to go out. They put the fire out themselves to make sure the thing was gone for good.

[@FreinzeFlame]

​@MaidenlessScrub well that is not true the fire keeper says the the flame will come back the flame can never be put out for good even with the fire keeper she only was able to make the flame fade away not completely snuff out the flame the flame will come back there will always be an age of fire or dark over and over again the only ending that truly gets rid of the flame is the usurpation of fire ending in this ending the chosen ash instead of powering the flame it fights for control over the flame and sense the chosen ash linked his soul with another person depending on witch gender your character was the npc you link your souls with will be a male or a female so sense the ashen one has 2 souls he has the power to control the flame basically using the flame for power and is absorbing the flame completely snuffing out the flame forever and giving the ashen one crazy powers and the ashen one becomes the lord of hallows

[@MaidenlessScrub]

@@FreinzeFlame the flame will one day come back to ignite a new age of fire, but the prolonged age of fire was put to rest for good

[@FreinzeFlame]

@@MaidenlessScrub yeah I know that I was just telling you that the flame came back it did not entirely get snuffed out

[@MaidenlessScrub]

@@FreinzeFlame no, the first flame is out. A new flame will appear some day, but the previous one is actually gone now.

[@alendsavage811]

Imagine reading this as a book 🥺

[@ricardopattinson9318]

That would be boring

[@slipperywhenwet_4689]

Alend Savage eww nerd

[@jaredsan9994]

@@ricardopattinson9318 how lame and generic are you clown

[@realhoneysuckle1927]

@Alend Savage that would be a very good book

[@dexter1143]

As long as it was done right it would be good. A lot of the more smaller details that really give it life is the environmental storytelling which, if done poorly could result in either boring moments in the story or skipping over it and it then lacking that charm. I think it would be really cool to see it though

[@Ogglaroth]

Fun fact: Artorias is actually left handed, but his left hand is broken and STILL puts up a good fight against the chosen undead.

[@southofheck]

Was it though? He broke his arm protecting Sif with his shield, but you don’t usually keep your Shield in your dominant hand.

[@lololol924]

Yeah the idea is that as hard as this boss was, in the back of your mind you are fighting him out of his prime....which is fkin crazy to think about. It's like barely managing to beat Goku but realizing he could have turned Super Saiyan at any time.

[@LinkLegend0]

@@southofheck yes it was, he is the guy on the cover and his sword is in his left hand before he enters the abyss.

[@Evan_Schaefering]

@@LinkLegend0 The cover of DS1 we have in the west was designed by Bandai Namco, not Fromsoft and so it can't be used as evidence. Besides, is that actually Artorias on the cover? He isn't wearing his armor.

[@LinkLegend0]

@@Evan_Schaefering read his sword description in ds2 and put his sword in your left hand in ds2 and compare the moveset to his moves in ds1. Also his geeatshield shield description is high magical defense and works great against manus' attacks also if you set your stamina same as his you can block manus' attacks all day with his great shield so its unlikely that his shield arm would break under attack. That is my evidence to my claim. The left hand movestet in ds2 is basically confirmation from fromsoft.

[@Tekel-Upharsin]

Just think how confusing Elden Ring's story is going to be since it is written by both Hidetaka Miyazaki (who wrote Dark Souls) and George RR Martin (author of A Song of Fire & Ice i.e. Game of Thrones).

[@azadalamiq]

game of thrones is the first book, song of ice and fire is the title of the series.

[@Tekel-Upharsin]

@@azadalamiq 👍

[@Leotheleprachaun]

@@azadalamiq hence, "i.e. Game of Thrones" for the people who haven't bothered reading the books, they'd not know.

[@mike-oxhard]

It's going to be chaotic and near impossible to understand, but still great.

[@thenerd173]

Uriah Light Two literal psychos lol. One is addicted to killing their own charcters while the other is addicted to killing their own players.

[@azazzelx]

Why is Gwyndolin the god of the moon? Because he's not a very good sun!

[@Messiah114]

Big UF

[@jimzimmer2048]

Linda Niemkiewicz what did Gwynn say I’m a shit boss who can be parried

[@kylekelley2778]

xD

[@faz1015]

That was good

[@cheekloins4126]

Amazing.

[@Junglehunter677]

Aldrich ate my waifu so I ended his laifu

[@emngaiden]

Husbando*

[@im_inside_your_home49]

wait waifu?

[@uberdozer7719]

i swear i saw this somewhere else too

[@lekhapratap1652]

Well he is a slime and kinda made him(Gwyndolin) into a slimy snake. That’s gucchi in my book.

[@RCKOOLKOOL]

LuL

[@jonathon9407]

The dark souls lore is akin to reading the Silmarillion, I’m really interested in learning more, but the more I read, or in this case watch, the more confused I become.

[@GlorifiedGremlin]

It's hard to keep up with everything too because there's so much lol even when you start to understand things you'll realize you forgot a name or place and it all falls apart

[@dabeastfromdaweast9788]

45:53 little fact, it's backwards in time. I forgot who thought to do this, but apparently if you avoid talking to the old hag in Firelink Shrine for the whole game, talk to her in the darkened Firelink Shrine, then have a conversation with her in normal one, she recognizes you. I forget the dialogue, but it's something along the lines of "oh well it has been quite some time hasn't it?" suggesting time has moved forward since you saw her, and that the dark Firelink Shrine is in the past.

[@rorsie]

In support of this theory, the coiled sword fragment can be explained due to Grundyr also being a champion, but he arrived too late to fulfill his duties. Out of anger or desperation, he attempted to lodge the sword into the bonfire, only to break it.

[@dabeastfromdaweast9788]

@@rorsie also Gundyr is in his prime in the Dark Firelink shrine fight, without any corruption from the pus of Mann. That's something you expect to get worse with time rather than better

[@SurrealRocket3]

@@rorsie If Gundyr broke the coiled sword when he attempted to insert it into the shrine, how did he end up with it in the start of the game? Did the Ashen One impale his dead body, in hopes to bring him to his duties once again, forcing him to be the contender for all Chosen Ones? Did the fire of the shrine cause the darkness to spread across his body as seen at the start of the game? Is the flame the cause of the undead despite being its only cure? In that case, it would prove that darkness is inevitable in every reality. Further emphasising the pointlessness of linking the flame. Or did the failure of lighting the shrine cause Gundyr's own core of humanity dwindle, to become corrupted by the darkness, just like Artorias did when he attempted to defeat Mannus?

[@RogueScythe]

@@SurrealRocket3 It's likely that Gundyr either impaled himself out of duty or whomever set him on that path did so in order to continue to give him purpose. The fire did cause the dark to spread all over his body as the fire is used to suppress the dark, but after being suppressed for so long it rebels far more violently than it did in the past, like the first Dark Souls. The pus of man (the thing you see pop out of him) is the violent retaliation of the dark sign that we've seen. He has the dark sign because he is human. The flame is not a cure to the undead so much as it is like painting a turd, it just covers the "problem." In actuality it's not a problem and a natural course for things to take and how the Dark Soul operates, fire is just messing with the natural order and creating a problem where there was none, depending on what side you're on. The cycle of fire and dark is the inevitability of all reality, which was established in the first game. When the fire goes out, dark takes over, then the fire comes back to life.

[@mikeyboy7719]

Interesting. Does anybody know why she’s there though?

[@BubbleShield570]

"Amazing chest ahead" "Thrusting but Hole" "Praise the sun!" That's all the lore you need kappa

[@ceilingfanenthusiast6041]

Try finger but hole

[@A7XDORKIS98]

Try tongue but hole

[@nickschuffels4341]

Horse butt hole

[@Leotheleprachaun]

Try rolling Try jumping

[@ZiziZaza2]

"Hug the tail"

[@bradwigger5785]

The unnamed knight of Astora at the beginning of the first game is oscar of astora

[@dragon___]

the game never told us that directly until you look at the game files, so he died nameless :(

[@MrBozo356]

Lance Aaron Roa bruh when I killed him in one of my playthroughs and he said “but why” I got some depresso expresso

[@GuitarGuy057]

@@MrBozo356 Espresso *

[@Rivr_Shen]

pain.

[@twocheezitz9182]

Oscar sounds familiar but I forgot who he was

[@stevenren4389]

I wonder if the Fire Keepers last words “Ashen one, hear my voice still?” Are meant in a ‘we, the ashen one, entered our slumber because the world had gone dark and she was not certain of our fate and had questioned us if we could still hear her. Like seeking confirmation that we had gone back to our slumber.’ Or was it meant as a hint to something more...was the Fire Keeper hinting that, with the un-kindling of the first flame and bonfire, she too was meant to cease to exist as the embodiment of the Fire, yet she still lived even after the flame no longer burned? Could she have become the herald of the next Age of Fire? Could the eyes she received from the shrine have shown her a slightly different future? Could the Keeper have seen, like she said, a world without fire. One of darkness and an act of betrayal, one which we thought to have been acted out with Gale. Yet spun in a different tale? What if she saw them bringing about an ‘end’ to the first flame, yet the only way to keep the cycle going was for her to usher in the next era. One which tiny flames danced in the distance. Could she have a part in the appearance of the ‘flame’ which housed the lord souls? Could she have taken the first flame into herself along with the Lord soul we acquired, and simply existed in the darkness until time reared it’s head again and the next age was ready for the age of Fire to be rekindled? Was it likewise a fire keeper of past which sent the First flame to Gwen and the others? Were the eyes found in the shrine, actually the eyes which have been passed down through the chosen fire keepers who have keep the cycle in continuation behind the scenes and show the true destiny of the Keepers of Fire?

[@lasagnapig630]

I think i’ll stick with it being a woman’s final request for company as the end draws near. after all, she did just totally defy the hopes and wills of the entire age which must feel pretty isolating

[@SurrealRocket3]

My mind is just blown away by this comment. I thought I was high, and then I read this.

[@shina6221]

It’s just making sure the ashen one didn’t betray her because that is what she saw but unless you get the secret ending you never betray her

[@trentsaladin6607]

Maybe they lived past the fading of the first flame due to having the darkness within them, serving as light in the darkness, quite possibly literally by being the cause of the flickers of flame for the next cycle

[@MrPF]

I think that she is simply making sure that the ashen one is still there alongside her Let's spend the rest of eternity with our waifu

[@jkmiah33]

"Hearest thou my voice still?" 😢 Beautiful

[@Idkmanlemmeedit]

Funny thing about that ending is that I was curious on my second run in ng+ if you held a torch or anything that produced light during the light fading if you'd still see it. What I found was that even the torch you held wouldn't produce any ambience and while it would burn all light would fade. The only thing that seemed to stay was my Tears of denial which could be seen but emitted no light

[@thahunt6299]

*L1*

[@vycrumusverum7849]

F

[@MarioRodriguez-jj1if]

What happens to our hero!!!

[@benjiusofficial]

"What? Still here? Hand it over, that thing. Your Dark Soul. For my lady's painting." 😥 Beautiful

[@gadbenezer9329]

Dark souls has one of those story's you like to re read because it's so intresting. I hope software future projects would have such an impact in story and in lore.

[@ethanpvt]

Well considering Miazaki and the creator of the Game of Thrones universe George R.R Martin are making a game together I think we're in luck

[@AL-lz6px]

@@ethanpvt Oh please be like the soulsborne games.

[@user-xp9jo2rv3q]

I wish there was one more game with the perfect story, game mechanics, character customization and the ability to fight bosses again.

[@valfar9999]

Elden Ring is coming and it's gonna be for sure one of the best game we'll ever seen

[@davidalexander9240]

I hope so. So may franchises are moving away from good story in favor of graphics

[@PeterMasalski93]

How to write a FromSoftware game story: Eons ago there was a __________________ , Who _______________________-. One day he ________________________ and _______________________ everyone. The _____________ of _________________ was __________________ and was lost. The ______________________ must ________________________ to save the ____________________ of the _________________. The _____________ will _______________ to be _______________ again. Use the following vocabulary: Nouns: Soul, blood, corrupt, one, infested, tears, death, ash + combine with suffix (less, ness or ful) Verbs: Light, Free, Undo, release, foresee, slay, vanquish, die Characters: one, being, master, knight, abomination, ruler

[@atahanakay]

I just finished my English homework for god sake

[@bahjont]

I know this is a joke, but Miyazaki said that when he was little, he didn't know english very well, so when he read stories or books, that was how he interpreted them, by guessing, analyzing and filling the blanks (words that he didn't know).. He wanted to create the same feeling and stimulate creativity for the players in those games.

[@Blurrybob]

This is good

[@Endeva09]

This looks great but forgive me, it doesn't seem to work, so for example if I were to say "Eons ago there was a KNIGHT, Who "

[@PeterMasalski93]

@@Endeva09 obviously, you need to conjugate your verbs... to release/ed/ed - try the past simple in the passive (was released)

[@rybaneightsix5085]

Ashen Hollow: i wanted to tell the story without the use of speculation Vaatividya: and I took that personally

[@peonpatty4737]

One does not simply “easily dispatch” anything in darksouls.

[@FlatBunny360]

Ever seen a speedrun?

[@allen1654]

Except Pinwheel

[@dieguy3080]

Except Yhorm. Why did he leave one of two weapons that can kill him completely accessible to anyone right near him??

[@Joe-hd2pm]

Chris Eubank I hate to say it but it’s in the lore.

[@ultimas20]

git gud

[@peterlane7128]

"Anyway, here's a picture of kaathe" *mirrors image left to right* ...well played, sir.

[@dillyrose1059]

ornstein & smough: lawfirm

[@BearOverseer]

Heh, meowz

[@guywithopinions6081]

Lmfaooo

[@grantcrunchtv5061]

Dude Im a law student, MAKE THAT HAPPEN

[@ChristianColvin]

S&O Law. Get what you deserve.

[@williamhenderson2661]

Lmao, underrated comment

[@marcelosampietro6424]

Imagine if Elder Ring’s world is the new painting of Airendel. Mind blowing.

[@raccoondeityking1147]

Marcelo Sampietro I thought that the painting was the location of bloodborne

[@brandondrake69]

@Greenlime, considering the painting is made of the blood of the dark soul, or born of blood you could say, I like to think that is where bloodborne takes place

[@marcelosampietro6424]

Brandon Dobson Brandon Dobson the painter said : “it will be a cold, dark and gentle place..” Bloodbourne’s world it’s a nightmare or a mad place. But you could be right. I like to think it is Elder Ring’s world because of the medieval setting. Bloodbourne’s is more a industrial 19 century london vibe.

[@colclark87]

Or you're a usurper of sorts (possibly a giant or demigod) sent by whatever descendants of Gwyn that are left to destroy the Dark Lord and the world of men to bring about the next Age of Fire.

[@belland_dog8235]

No, I really hope it doesn't have a connection at all. They need to move on from Dark Souls, explore new Horizons. Like they did with Sekiro.

[@williamcote4208]

27:00 actually, after you defeat Manus, Elizabeth tells you that, since you are human, history cannot credit you with the defeat of Manus and give the credit to Artorias.

[@hansonwinx7843]

So you canonically brutalized the silly nosy knows-it-all mushroom. This leads to all the mushrooms in the future having grudges on the Undead.

[@Cptsuccess]

I didn't care. He was a legendary warrior. He deserved it. He would have won if Sif didn't get hit.

[@williamcote4208]

@@hansonwinx7843 how do we brutalize her?

[@hansonwinx7843]

Equip great combustion and have it a go

[@copyninja8756]

@@Cptsuccess proof?

[@kriteshghildiyal5506]

RIP bestest doggo

[@GeneralGhandi]

When she starts limping... Damn you Gwyn!

[@danieleasterling5325]

Gwyns fault.

[@crawlingxeno]

This is somehow Gwyn's fault. Fuck you Gwyn.

[@DamienB2005]

Yeah, fuck you Gwyn!!

[@lordreptilestormblade1749]

@GeneralGhandi Sif is male

[@toneyaustin2386]

Next can you explain the complete Canonical story of the Bible?

[@ineptjedi3621]

No one can explain that nonsense.

[@PanSzawu]

Darth Tall would be cool if you had less fedora wearing atheist anime watchers try to shit on the best lore of all time because they read a Christopher Hitchens book once

[@juanquntos7123]

Just watch Jordan Peterson's Bible series.

[@twistedvtuber9894]

Lol. It's a 0 second video

[@rblyle382]

Mister Guy so what about the other 62 books of the Bible?

[@ImmortalPlayer42069]

Holy fuck man, that ending. I always loved this ending since it was (in my opinion) the most peaceful and fulfilling. But having it LITERALLY be the ending to the video, without anything else, was absolutely beautiful. Great video man

[@Schmacks]

Can I get a degree in philosophy for watching this?

[@BearOverseer]

Don't think u understand what philosophy is but sure if you study it at university

[@ngablstr]

Overseer Bear you missed the joke

[@cringe3032]

Overseer Bear r/woooosh

[@KaRmaTheSchemer]

Do not touch the likes

[@Schmacks]

KaЯma The Schemer fact

[@realbr1koo]

Its so interesting how one of the most complex story of videogaming history doesnt want to explain itself, instead hides in the darkness ready to be discovered. I think thats the real magic in Dark Souls, along side with the amazing gameplay of course.

[@ahtu4086]

Fancy words. I still am not fully aboard the lore even after watching countless lore videos. I guess it's partly because english is not my native language. But i don't mind not fully understanding it i think that is what makes it interesting.

[@ValosarX]

Ahtu I think the intent is that things have decayed and twisted so much that no one can tell what really happened and maybe everything happened and didn't happen as different worlds and time lines join and tear apart. It's like walking through the ruins of many colliding realities where all the artifacts are mixed together with no way to tell what came from where. It gives my a sense of forlorn dread. Luckily the game also gives me a sense of justified rage that overwhelms the dread and nilhilism and will probably drive my wife away from me.

[@fuckyoutubecomments7530]

It’s definitely a factor, the less you know about something the better

[@ManintheArmor]

It's much like trying to understand human history, or history in general. As time passes, details become scrambled. With the information long decayed, we're forced to piece it together and try to find connections.

[@walkingamongdarksouls5981]

That's exactly what they intended

[@themostdeadmeme1609]

TAH: "A fire cannot burn forever." Me: "Well obviously they never had Netherrack."

[@matthewthompson3830]

nice bro...

[@toothpasteman3400]

hey hold on YOU have never heard of chlorine trifluoride

[@coolbeans3752]

Bruh

[@mide8845]

You’re right, minecraft references are the most dead memes

[@netkat7486]

@@mide8845 Minecraft's alive and well my friend

[@dremndishot2695]

Thank you for making this, it’s weird how there’s not more videos going through the entire lore

[@theobscured_one]

Vaati would like a word lol

[@cheeseisgoodman425]

Considering it is stated that there were "chosen undead" before you, I'll assume that we are chosen to try.

[@spartttan]

Pretty much, theres multiple chosen undead, you're just the one everyone is hoping will be the one to complete the cycle or to end it

[@Syntherus]

I've always assumed that the "chosen undead" thing was just made up. That it was spread around as a rumor in hopes that one day someone capable enough would appear to accomplish what needed to be done. You're not chosen at all. You're just an insignificant ant that happened to be skilled enough. It would fit well with the game's themes.

[@Lilliathi]

There's corpses of other adventurers along the way that you loot souls and equipment from. I assume those were the other attempts. Some got pretty far.

[@hotshotroom964]

Lilliath rip one died in the kiln then

[@mindfreak078589]

The chosen undead is a prophecy right? If it's a prophecy then you would indeed be "chosen". Kinda like how Nostradamus and others have prophesied things to happen that have happened. You could interpret it as it being a lucky guess, as it being a true prophecy.

[@aperson9847]

the ds3 "end of the fire" ending is my favorite of the three. i love how the age of dark isn't actually this terrible calamity that the gods always feared it would be, that the ashen one and the fire keeper are still there after it begins. it's just the next phase of the world, finally, and there's a sense of rightness to it.

[@rafaellago172]

31:30 "(...) and EASILY dispatches the Four Kings" Hahhaha yeah, you got me there, buddy! *Walks into a corner and starts sobbing quietly*

[@dangredux2003]

@@geoffreygorgonzola248 fax

[@geoffreygorgonzola248]

@@dangredux2003 honestly on my first blind playthrough of it, second time fighting the boss I just put on Havel's set and used a greatsword, killed them in like 12 hits max

[@Icebreaker8100]

Get Havel's gear and wreak face

[@28fabianz1]

Bullshit. High poise makes them fruitcakes a joke. Try it. 2H your biggest UGS and dont bother blocking

[@purpleheart9160]

Just spam r1 and dont even dodge

[@pxaches8379]

"An undead knight of Astora drops a corpse" *Sad Oscar noises*

[@Naturalessence18]

I'm surprised you didn't talk about the painted world in DS1.

[@LemonWithASideOfLemons]

I dont think that has any place in the main story, as its compley optional

[@Emirrpapir]

@@LemonWithASideOfLemons If you dont think the painted world has any relation to the lore you gotta check yourself

[@LemonWithASideOfLemons]

@@EmirrpapirLook man I dont know the lore >,

[@arthurcamacho4096]

@@LemonWithASideOfLemons lol

[@Whipc1]

@@Emirrpapir *main story* idiot

[@frydaddy1535]

Dude, you should win an award for putting this together. Using only the facts you made an incredible video. I'm sure purests will find holes in it but us casuals appreciate it

[@shadowlife15]

The Lord of Hollows ending is still my vote for the true ending. The usurpation of fire ending you detail is the ending that gives the souls series its cyclical nature, (after you steal the fire in 3, the embers rise and the lords rise in 1, starting the cycle over again.) But in the Hollows ending, you eliminate the fire completely and dawn a new age where humanity truly rules over all, and the lords of cinder and the gods are all destroyed. Thus ending the series once and for all.

[@TheAshenHollow]

It is my preferred ending as well, but when trying to make a completely canonical video I had to go with the Usurpation. The official game guide references it as "The True Ending", and that was as close as a canonical affirmation I could find!

[@shadowlife15]

ya I agree it makes sense for a canon, the series was meant to be a cycle. But something about the finality of the Lord of Hollows fits imo. I guess because miyazaki is done with souls games idk.

[@StarboyXL9]

I'm guessing the Lord of Hollows ending results in the world becoming a barren, dark world with a materialist humanity ruling over the barren wastes? Because presumably the Fire ending results in an eventual New Age of Fire where the world enjoys brief prosperity until chaos, ruin, and darkness seek to overthrow it and almost do until the world is "reset" with this cycle going on and on until the world starts to break down on a fundamental level at which point the entire cycle of cycles must be reset again so that the world can begin anew. So while spiritualism in the DS universe results in a several brief periods of prosperity followed by a long dark age to reset everything, materialism results in a grimdark future in a dark, cold, and lonely universe but with humanity on top ruling the ashen heap with the potential for a new future? I think I got everything straight. That said, Dark Souls seems like the Warhammer 40k of fantasy, both in terms of grimdark and the philosophical messages it deals in.

[@Idkmanlemmeedit]

The true cycle is extinguishing the fire in which dark is what remains. The firekeeper even says "Flames will once again dance across the dark" or someshit like that meaning after the age of dark is over, light will come back.

[@lolisbetternthan4785]

I know im late, but that anime profile pic.. Where is it from?

[@josephvest3596]

Gail definitely speaks to you with familiarity, he literally asks "still here" after addressing you as well, "you"

[@liamjobark53]

I get the chills when i hear the firekeepers last words in the end

[@Rich_828]

God damnit, DS lore is so fucking juicy

[@gregorygimigliano]

Dst Rich8 thicc*

[@nexirall3431]

Could make up for a movie

[@bearlyhardley]

I always loved the idea that Kaathe and Frampt are a part of the same serpent, and they’re actually a multi-headed monster that manipulates the shit out of your character *edit - grammer

[@Battleguild]

A False Hydra A foul creature that sings a hymn of hope that enchants those that hears its song. But those who hark its call, only accomplish its own dark desires.

[@comradestylin]

Two fingers. Potentially from a larger hand...? Elden Ring. Lol

[@if7723]

​@@Battleguild A what, never heard of it. What do you mean our town is missing people?

[@ALGORITHMTICKLER]

*Buys Dark Souls, can‘t get past first boss*

[@ppang9]

Git gud

[@appleseed2933]

That's why you always pirate first, buy second. Btw, "git gud" is not a good argument

[@ppang9]

@@appleseed2933 i know, i was just joking

[@appleseed2933]

@[R E D A C T E D] valid, but "git gud" isn't the same summary

[@MoonlitWanderess]

I did it after an hour. Second boss I did after 3 re installs I quit at the undead settlement, GGS

[@nanubot1342]

I always leave your videos in the background while playing, studying, etc. Great job as always!

[@thirteenbanger7861]

Nanubot I played it in the bg while going to sleep lol

[@FarmerDingus]

Nanubot how the fuck do you focus

[@TheRunkinator]

Nanubot Yes. Currently working right now and this video is helping me relax and focus more. So awesome.

[@manki8706]

Imagine he'd study medicine and starts setting patients on fire to rekindle them because he's all out of estus.

[@FreeportAaron]

I practice guitar.

[@digitalhouse6969]

i always think about who built those big buildings and how they lived with thier families...

[@MopeyN]

Dey ded

[@jenni5104]

@@MopeyN Me too. Again

[@Sujad]

I think it was just created by Gwyn when after defeating the dragons, like with the snap of his fingers. Anor Londor is just too vast to be possible with a civilization at that level. But I also wonder what it would be like to have lived in Anor Londo after it was formed and before the end of fire happened. Did people live ordinary lives? Were there other cities? Where there settlements or anything else beyond the mountains?

[@digitalhouse6969]

@d it's just a weird feeling i get

[@loki350]

“And he easily...” “makes quick work of...” lol

[@michaelleroux6815]

Easily... ha... haha... HaHaHa... haHAHaHAHAhaHA... *dies*

[@zboy1152]

Easily haha *sobs*

[@marianopena7872]

The story of Sif and Artorias always hits me right in the feels

[@tanithalakai4538]

I've played Dark Souls a lot of times, and every one of them I've finished by bringing the age of humanity. Because why not? You get yourself a kingdom. You rule it. It's nice.

[@crablord8499]

“Fire cannot burn forever” Me: *cough* Eternal Flame *cough*

[@extinct8208]

Amaterasu!

[@benma1116]

Me: cough netherrack cough

[@niglet2895]

laughs in profaned flame

[@burnttoast26]

So in a nutshell: Gwyn saved everyone from dragons and then ruined everything.

[@FrogyFan]

ye

[@erikmilk93]

dragons werent doing anything though or were they? if they were then im sorry but i havent seen anything that said the dragons were harming anyone before the war that Gwyn started cuz he felt like it in other words he didnt save anyone he just fucked everyone right in their g-spot

[@vasoline5811]

@@erikmilk93 honestly same i really cant find anything about the dragons being problematic

[@WokeandProud]

More like committed genocide against the dragons established his rule as top god over the world which lasted for thousands of years then fucked everything up when he realized his godhood wouldn't last forever and his power would fade with the first flame.

[@chibicthulhu4382]

The best part about the Sif boss fight was that I for once managed to make a mage so strong that I killed them before the limping animation got to start. Rest In Peace puppo.

[@Leotheleprachaun]

I was watching a person play for their first time and it turns out Sif also has a falling over animation during the limping if she swings back and forth multiple times. I legit never seen it until i was watching the stream.

[@beaukennedy4618]

"You must first master the house of traps" I'm sure Gwyndolin can help you there ;)

[@Kurejy]

Beau Kennedy ffs I can’t get that out of my head now

[@MrsRoseSimple]

I didn't get what you meant for a moment. Now I do. Omg why lol

[@prodbybruno8917]

No no no

[@redacted144]

Ech0location I missed the joke, would you kindly explain?

[@prodbybruno8917]

explaining a joke is like dissecting a frog. you understand it better, but it dies in the progress.

[@Knights_of_the_Nine]

13:52 LOL that Silver Knight looks like he escaped from Runescape.

[@zodiac909]

I like how he made it sound SO EASY whenever he says "the chosen undead swiftly deals with _____"

[@itsjustgusluna6927]

No my man, Lothric never linked the fire, he was the neeeeew Lord he was suposed to do what the player did, reunite the lords absorb their power and link the fire but he refused so you took his powe and the power of the lords to link the fire

[@jeffreyhartmann511]

Dammit. Can't believe you got me with that. I should've known that was actually frampt.

[@TheAshenHollow]

And it's April Fool's today. Double whammy!

[@pierceperry4735]

@Tyrese Bibbs only a little late

[@mobiusone6994]

@@pierceperry4735 Only a little

[@Sciguy95]

@Tyrese Bibbs and they really got me when they said he got eaten, the end.

[@nicolascoello8469]

So basically, if i choose the dark lord ending in Dark Souls 1, there's no Dark Souls 3

[@sakbromely]

Not exactly, others can still link the flame. It hasn't gone out at the end of 1, you just walked away. If another under kills you and links the flame before it goes out then ds3 happens. The other possibility is explained in ds2 which pretty much says it doesn't matter what you choose because even of the flame goes out the embers will spark, keeping the flame alive and the cycle continuing on forever. This would also better explains all the kingdoms that have risen up and been destroyed referenced in ds3. Either way eventually you get to the ds3 point.

[@jtillman8251]

I initially understood it to imply you actually had done the Dark Lord ending, as you rise the ashen one, someone who failed to link the flame (or in actuality refused to.) I saw it as something of a punishment or a delayed prophecy coming true. Like you didn't fulfill your fate the first time so you have to do it again. It also helps explains why you kick so much ass in DS3. If you're literally the Dark Lord reborn it makes sense you ultimately curb stomp the Lords of Cinder and bring on the age of dark for reals this time. It was weird to me that the guy making the video assumed it wasn't the same character.

[@billygoatguy3960]

@@jtillman8251 Because assuming that is true would be speculation, and this video concerns canonical lore. He could've mentioned it but it's not essential to the story.

[@jtillman8251]

Seems ambiguous enough to me that the idea of either being interpretation being "canonical" is pretty debatable. All I can say is that what I posted above was the impression I got from the content presented by the game itself, and it hadn't initially occurred to me that others read it as definitively otherwise before viewing this video and reading the above comment. I get that my take's not necessarily the consensus view though.

[@brendanbabin6315]

@@jtillman8251 If one "fails" to link the fire, the cycle breaks, and no lords would follow. The shrine houses the lord souls of those who "succeeded". Ashen Ones are not Chosen Undead. They are two separate purposes of the myth. The Chosen Undead rose to be fodder for Gwyn's perpetuating flame. The Ashen One wakes to secure the fire when those expected to link it do not. If the Ashen One was a linker, he would be like the other Lords of Cinder. A being enthroned. If the Ashen Ones are failed linkers, bringers of the Dark Age, they would not be Ash, implying they were in proximity to the fire in some way. It's also worth noting that compared to the other games, the flame has faded so far that it requires more than one soul to relight the flame. Five in the case of DS3. They are all Lords of Cinder after all. Cinders imply a meager, pitiful source of fire. It would need many to make a whole flame.

[@Pie_Smacker]

I'd say dark souls 2 has some large relevance to 3, at least. The whole thing with the crowns and never going hollow is what happened with one of the endings in Dark Souls 3

[@Lucky13Ravens]

I posted it elsewhere but the daughters of the Abyss hold importance in 3. Yuria being the most present. Velka representing the 4th.

[@adolfgaming1761]

John Dark Soul is the main protagonist of the hit game Dark Souls, known for his famous one liners such as: “Every Dark has it’s Soul”

[@raysworld349]

Jake i just wanna say thanks bro it means alot to me and im sure your community that you put all this effort into making this hour long video. Seriously man thats awesome thank you!

[@Racingboom]

9:26 *I H A V E B E E N* *B A M B O O Z L E D*

[@taistelusammakko5088]

*H E C K*

[@im_inside_your_home49]

*FRICK*

[@freshlymemed5680]

Gwendolyn's illusions are far trickier

[@freshlymemed5680]

Chicken stripes U.S.A im not talking about Gwynevere, i already popped her. Im talking about Gwyndolyn, girl or boy, whatever.illusion it is i simply cant resist

[@im_inside_your_home49]

Freshly Memed oh yeah i got confused

[@uhhyuto7465]

In ds2 we discover a temporary "cure" to the undead curse. Which was the crown.

[@joshyman4524]

Apparently that's not important to the canonical story

[@CommandereON]

Having heard your speculative mythos, I was mostly overwhelmed by the memories. I can’t believe I finished this game. So many obstacles and I rolled myself to the end.

[@satansify.]

when the man so cringy but the content is so good

[@TheAshenHollow]

Calm down, Satan. ;)

[@satansify.]

but still its good

[@Moocelini]

yeah the jokes definitely fell flat, sry ashen just being honest

[@Brother-Martell]

Satansify bro is that wave 1 breeze?

[@Gyledresch]

So really what you are telling me is that when i beat DS1 the right way (Extinguishing the flame instead) i saved the entire world from ever ending up like DS3? Yay for me, i saved the world, first game that ever made me actually see that.

[@spicymoist2889]

yeah for a sec i thought i fucked up lol

[@cansnake]

Nicholas Stangel nah, if you don't link the flame some other twat does. You just get to be the dark lord for a while until Vendrick or Solaire links the fire

[@barkobunga2276]

In what is understood to be relatively canon lore (because wtf is canon in DKS), you just get assassinated by servants of the False Gods and then some other bloke is then convinced to link it.

[@AnimalAce]

@@barkobunga2276 So the next person who links it....do they have to kill and go through everything the first chosen did? Or does the new one get to just walk in there with no worries?

[@JuaniAlva]

@@AnimalAce good question my friend🤔🤔

[@justinyoface911]

“I’m not as efficient in bird law as Charlie.” I like you

[@trentsaladin6607]

Teacher: Okay class, today's work is going to be writing a two page essay on the term 'burning passion' Miyazaki: can it be longer than two pages? Teacher: Sure, why not. Miyazaki: *dark souls noises intensify*

[@rollonbaby8574]

Clicked the video, realised it was 58 minutes long. Well then, time to get some Popcorn!

[@chrischow93]

Lol. Love how you keep saying "Easily defeats". Do you know how many times i died!?!?!?!?@?!?!?

[@thesun5275]

In the immortal words of every dark souls player *ahem* git gud

[@deafstevywondr3949]

Git gud

[@medzoPuh]

git gud casual

[@donniethezombie4495]

Aside from being skillful obviously, if you have an infinite amount of retries anything can be easy.

[@Dracossaint]

Ahem as a noob I will say that upon to thee, Got Gud

[@advancedcasual9730]

Great video as always, Vaatividya. But, what happened to your accent?

[@vosik4717]

Advanced Casual it’s him it is someone else

[@stefanodegioia1598]

Advanced Casual Lol good one

[@Marcoffs83]

he wishes lol.

[@merlinsiervo]

the shade?

[@gluefood781]

Lmao

[@Minimax04]

The Kaathe and Frampt joke took me right out of immersion for this after a seriously solid start.

[@SuuriKissa]

"DS2 is not a part if the narrative of DS1" The Four Queens were literally the spawn of Manus, but go off, I guess.

[@TheAshenHollow]

Being related doesn't make it necessary to tell the main story presented in Dark Souls.

[@SuuriKissa]

@@TheAshenHollow Honestly, in the video you tell the story of Manus, of who he was, how he came to be that monster and how he was put down, so, not mentioning his post-morten fate seems just...jarring.

[@Elfo_Scuro]

Nashandra 💜

[@ScapeVEVO]

Vitor Hugo Diniz Oliveira but does the spawn of Manus thing go anywhere past DS2’s story? Even Kaathe is still in DS3 going around tryna get people to become the Dark Lord with his shenanigans in Londor

[@brendanbabin6315]

@@ScapeVEVO Where?

[@NeroCM]

Mist. Darkness. Arch-trees. Everlasting dragons. Long ago, the world existed in harmony, but everything changed when the fire appeared.

[@willisjimenez1920]

Unslaadahsil everything changed when the fire nation attacked until the avatar was found again

[@primalaspid5273]

Woosh

[@monroerobbins7551]

I just called the main character ‘Pal’, since I didn’t know what else to call them.

[@mr.plaguedoc9284]

Bearer of the dark sigil, our Pal.

[@SlickDangler10]

Seen your comment on a bloodborne lore video and then looked up dark souls 3 lore and found that you have a channel and videos. Live the content, you have a new sub for life my friend!

[@gregspencer7287]

“The Catalina Wine Mixer of Undeads” genuinely made me lol

[@artinallforms5718]

I got all emotional at the end man. Such a vast tapestry of ideas and in depth storytelling. You did a superb job of understanding it and relaying it for us mere mortals.

[@SCOOBYGD]

Are you going to tell the story chronically with your speculation and theories?

[@TheAshenHollow]

Hmm, that's interesting! It's possible!!!

[@ThatGuy-iv2xq]

The Ashen Hollow no ever talks about the huge trees. in all 3 games. you can find trees carved into stone statues in the castles

[@hisholiness4537]

+That Guy They're called Archtrees. They've been around since the age of dragons.

[@Thatnormalted]

The ending of DS3 will forever bring chills down my entire body

[@SizzleCorndog]

I really want to play a D&D game that is set in something like dark souls where everything is super vague and ancient

[@reubenfromow4854]

Ethan Kahrl it would probably be super easy to do. The majority of DS enemies were taking from D&D anyway, so making it that kind of world would be an almost 1-1 transition!

[@ladyjuno2456]

@@reubenfromow4854 there is a dark souls dnd campaign already if I remember correctly (either that or a dark souls game based off of dnd)

[@axiomapostate6704]

The occasional bursts of laughter and unneeded, shoehorned-in vuglar jokes mar an otherwise very nice watch.

[@reaper411b]

Agreed

[@dylang9494]

I didn’t even watch the video such proper grammar in a comment is to be commended. 😂

[@johnvillanueva6158]

I was going to make a similar critque when I decided to scroll through the comments. Thank you!

[@hurricanev6]

I thought it made it more enjoyable and less monotonous. If you want someone who gives you lore and nothing else, might I suggest Vaatividya? He makes quite good, more serious vids that might be what you want.

[@NamelessKing1597]

17:00 It's a crow, ravens have a hooked beak tip.

[@nuclearsaturn3834]

I'm writing about the dark souls lore for a writing piece in school, this helped a lot thanks man.

[@eddgelord4864]

how did it go?

[@thecornisoutforblood7982]

I must know. How did you do?

[@nuclearsaturn3834]

@@thecornisoutforblood7982 96🙏

[@elinicoritale6384]

We still want to know.

[@omegacroc2928]

@@elinicoritale6384 see the above comment

[@miiguliexe1787]

Not me tryna fall asleep here and being fully woken up by laughter not even 10mins in🥲

[@vicenteramirez754]

Thank you so much for creating this great structured video of the Dark Souls timeline, it's truly convoluted.

[@erickgabrielmarciano1924]

RIP Sif, the Great Grey Wolf No other video game doggo will ever come close to being the Bestest Doggo there is.

[@sfxd4]

16:36 bro “Are you the strongest because you're Gojo Satoru? Or are you Gojo Satoru because you're the strongest?”

[@chael3149]

Truly a Lobotomy Kaisen

[@mafflewan4583]

This video made me realize I'm a huge worldbuilding slut xd Great vid

[@matosz23]

You and me both. I want to play more games like this. These and metroidvania's world designs are my favorites.

[@BearOverseer]

How dirty r u

[@korvos4317]

@@BearOverseer Weirdo

[@bolch88bb8]

From software: ahhhh the KZbiners love this lore shit huh? Ok take the 3 endings and Make 3 more games. Each stemming from each ending. Video game populatuon: never the same again Beautiful

[@markgundy536]

I loved the story, not gonna lie kind a hard to follow at some points. Like why not just let the fire fade? The world is so messed up, it doesn’t seem like there’s a point to keeping it alive. I don’t know. Love the game, but more importantly loved your jokes!

[@TheAshenHollow]

It's an ambiguous story, for sure. They didn't let the fire fade because of Gwyn. Think of Gwyn as a modern day politician, very manipulative and convincing to get what they want. He essentially brainwashed the world! Thanks! Gotta love the super terrible dad jokes! ;)

[@evy2205]

I think that's what dark souls 2 shows, even if choosen undead had let fire fade, another one would have come to link the fire. Linking or not it was all pointless before ashen one came.

[@noah5510]

Thank you for making this!

[@czennojones6877]

Only 2 ads? You go man, most 15 min videos have 3 or 4

[@bobsvegana9896]

Czenno Jones fucking ads lol

[@caeronseabourne7567]

Download adblocker!

[@XadePsyconic]

Ads?? What are those??

[@philbertmcphilbs4514]

This is why Darksouls is the best trilogy of all time.

[@ineptjedi3621]

Erick Marcelo: Some of my favorite stories are longer than a trilogy.

[@suparycejq3403]

Philbert McPhilbs ONE of the best trilogies.

[@StrickenWithFear]

Philbert McPhilbs I don't know about all that though. In terms of lore it's about equal with the original silent hill trilogy.

[@RunEscaqe3]

witcher would be good if the game was actually decent...

[@MysticZefer]

@Doom Slayer You haven't played Witcher 1 and 2 trash ass games. As much as I hate DS1 and think it's garbage Witcher 1 is unplayable trash.

[@tristankendrick2582]

Damn have a sub just for putting the effort out to make this. I started and gave up a quarter of the way in.