The Painted World of Uncle Gael ▶ Dark Souls 3 Lore

Slave Knight Gael was the driving force behind creating the truest haven for mankind. Watch this video to find out more!
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[@Blandy8521]

I find it interesting that Gael and Patches have existed since Dark Souls 1

[@capperbuns]

And patches looks identical to ds1 the guy never gets old

[@chrisj403]

You're forgetting Andre, he's also there

[@Blandy8521]

@@chrisj403 yeah I forgot about him. I think I left the message in front of him saying to backstab him

[@bobjim245]

@@chrisj403 not at the end of the world

[@worldlinezero4783]

The only truly evil thing in Dark Souls is the dogs.

[@Patches_Gaming]

Stupid teleporting dogs.

[@kyzoc.4785]

Patches Gaming xdddd what a name

[@maddogsgaming7567]

or like.... aldrich

[@Patches_Gaming]

@@maddogsgaming7567: Aldrich's phantoms for being dumb? Or the actual Aldrich, because a teleporting dog is op.

[@worldlinezero4783]

@@maddogsgaming7567 he just hongry

[@Kanuui-]

This is one of the many reasons why I love dark souls. It is free of good and evil. I am tired of the whole good vs evil shtick in real life, so it's great that lovely stories like these can alleviate my frustration.

[@lynackhilou4865]

While I agree with you on this , I don't think the problem is necessarily the conflict between good and evil , it's more like the generally terrible writing and the simplicity that most media tackles this subject with that ruins it , especially when it's mostly : main character good , antagonist super vilain because why not ( as for real life , again people have terrible arguments/understanding of this very subject and it come across more about justifying their actions and beliefs rather than a genuine attempt at understanding )

[@rrinnlonginus]

Sounds like Star Wars after Disney

[@Kanuui-]

@@lynackhilou4865 That's also a problem but there are master pieces that tackle the subject in a great manner. The whole good vs evil thing is for me personally a problem because I desire to find/or create my own path in life. But since everything seems always the same no matter where I look, that's why it is a problem for me. Though, yes, the hypocrisy of those that always try to justify their own selfishness, is always a tiring matter. But that is just how children are I suppose.

[@Justa_Ghost]

There is no good or evil only survival

[@guy7912]

Gael is Zerolenny after having a spice overdose

[@mudoken1557]

"I'm a pretty princess"

[@aX0n777]

God, I really like Gael... for me Gael represents all of the themes that draw me to the ds lore. as soon as the curse of undeath falls upon man, most people just turn hollow sooner or later and that's just one cycle, not Gael though, he was the most pathetic being, a cannon fodder soldier fighting in the name of a false god that didn't give a shit about humanity, the slave knight armor states "They grew decrepit, their skin charred black and their bones twisted. Eventually they went outright mad, but were never relieved from duty" but despite of that fate, Gael went on, he never gave up or hollowed, he always had hope for a better world and he eventually reached that goal, but he kept his humanity for all of the cycles with unwavering determination. though in the end he still went mad but not after settling the gears in motion to achieve the goal of a better world, a world he isn't a part of, in the end his name will be forgotten and replaced by the person who delivered the pigment (you) and the painting shall be named after you. and that's another theme of the souls lore, no matter what great things you do in the end people will forget your name and the glory is going to go to someone else (like Artorias' story) despite Gael's sacrifice and all the pain he went through across the ages, he is just a nameless slave knight, a nobody, forgotten by time, he wasn't even mentioned until the dlcs of the final game, yet he is the reason humanity will live free from the lord and the flame, in a very gentle place, this pathetic little nobody changed everything, he broke the cycle... so poetic for a series like dark souls. Gael is the best of souls lore and its themes personified, and he just happened to be one of the best bosses in the series, two nobodies fighting at the end of the world and time, such a great send off to the series.

[@romana3564]

Couldn't have said it any better, it's so poetic, it's a perfect ending to a perfect series. ❤️

[@Dudewithnoface1]

This was so perfectly said and I could not agree more. TO GAEL! 🍻

[@guywithametalramhead399]

I feel like Gael knew he would fail in some way. So he lead us to finish his quest as he would fail and we’d prevail

[@royalenigma434]

The blood of the dark souls description says he knew he knew that he would fail. Or atleast knew that he wouldnt be the one to succeede which ended up peing the ashen one.

[@guywithametalramhead399]

@@royalenigma434 :)

[@nineleafclover1477]

I've always wondered why Gael brings us in, leads us on, and then we fight him at the end. That's a cool idea! What a tragic story for old Gael.

[@Ennahdee]

I know someone with an auntie called Gayle

[@heatheroutre]

Does she also pray to velka?

[@Ennahdee]

@@heatheroutre Like there's no tomorrow

[@Ennahdee]

@UCFY06toL5yDN8eTCLbxYp9A It's Praise

[@texpendable]

Gael's transformation into the "host" of the Dark Soul, your epic battle to end it all, and the spectacle of being at the true end of time, it's all an amazing way to end off the series. At first I was a little disappointed in it, being that Gael had no mentions in the other games, and it almost seemed like it was just a way to give some closure to players. But when you think about it, it's poetic; Gael's journey to make a world free of fire, free of the endless cycle, is what ultimately corrupted him and it is now the Ashen One's job to fulfill his duty. His sacrifice to create the painter's pigment and the state of a world on the cusp of its destruction make a perfect ending to the trilogy.

[@romana3564]

This exactly! Just wished after giving her the blood of the dark soul, credits would roll, but the silence as nothing happens brings me to tears every time

[@puroboludeo1]

I find that a world painted out of blood, in which there is no flame cycle, could easily be the world of Bloodborne. At least it has to have crossed Miyazaki's mind. Maybe the first inhabitants of that world were the Great Ones, who created the Pthumerians, and thousands of years later, the Hunter joined the Hunt. Edit: what if when the Great Ones ascended (and left Ebrietas behind), what they actually did was leave the painting?

[@eliasbonafe9236]

We can link those universe for fun but Lore-wise there is no real connection

[@puroboludeo1]

@@eliasbonafe9236 the Lore can be anything we want tbh. I do think Miyazaki intended that we at least consider linking the universes for our head canon.

[@weirdwolly409]

i choose to believe that the world painted by aria using the dark soul as her pigment is the world we currently live in today in the real world. That way uncle gael died so i could have a home. Thanks uncle Gael, your an uncle to us all :))))

[@crispinmcsticks]

Lady Friede seems like the personification of that one proverb: “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”

[@ericrheaps]

I have been a lurker for a while now, but I interacted with Jake on a stream once. I was drawn by the lore, but this video seemed more like the journey of Jake. This is why I watch you, man. This nailed it.

[@TheAshenHollow]

I appreciate that dude, means a lot! =D

[@sleepyprinny]

I can sympathize with Friede... her actions are pretty 'human', if we're talking about a burnt out trauma victim... but, yeah... her actions are not okay when they literally damn the world. In that context, Gael's goals are much more n9ble since he was willing to sacrifice himself so that humanity can have a future and keep his promise to his Lady.

[@guy123]

Sorry for the late @, but is there any particular reason you wrote out 'n9ble' with a 9?

[@averytherockgod9822]

“There isn’t a good or evil in Dark Souls.” *Pontiff Sullyvahn has entered the chat*

[@qwormuli77]

Even Pontiff Sulyvahn has his good points. If going on only what we know Aldrich would be closer to pure evil (thoughtless hedonism on the backs of other people).

[@averytherockgod9822]

Qwormuli, Pontif tho betrayed Gwyndolin and all the Blades of Darkmoon, Aldrich tho very evil didn’t rlly betray anyone, he still was kindish to the Church of the Deep and hasn’t betrayed them while Pontif betrayed his whole covenant along with his master and betrayal based solely off of the thirst for power is one of the purest forms of evil.

[@b_a_nned]

@@averytherockgod9822 i dont think it counts as betrayal if Sulyvahn was never loyal to the covenant to begin with

[@ProffessorYellow]

Just pointing out, that anybody of any note always be praying to Velka, I fear the day Velka dlc boss launches

[@biomegamechdude]

Love that after all this time there is still lore u and vahti have yet to delve into directly XD

[@MrDalisclock]

Ashen does a painted world video. Me: cool. I want to see this.Vaati has been quiet lately. Ashen: Velka! Me: I don't know what I expected, really.

[@TheAshenHollow]

I hope you're not this dramatic in real life.

[@MrDalisclock]

@@TheAshenHollow just observing how often things get connected to Velka.

[@DarranKern]

@@MrDalisclock literally Gael is literally praying to a literal, actual statue of Velka, you failure

[@AshenCasey]

Dark Souls has been like a second world, or more like an escape from reality for most of us. It's such a pleasure to see Lore videos coming in 2021 too. Thanks a million times for this Ashen Hollow.

[@dougp5044]

Finally Gael the most important character in the whole series. I actually think he is more important than the player character. Think about it he has been around since the Lords while we as player's are different each game. I believe we are just buying time for Gael to find his purpose and complete it. Remember you don't hollow if you have a purpose to complete.

[@aX0n777]

Gael is literally the protagonist of the series

[@moon42421]

This brought a little light to my eye that a new dark souls game could exist within the new painted world and it begin an entirely new story and set of cycles

[@MrDalisclock]

You could easily theorize the new painting leads to Bloodbourne, if you want.

[@aX0n777]

no more cycles! that would make Gael's quest pointless... I really love ds3 for its finality, you see the final moments of this world and while ds lore is flexible enough to create a ds4, I believe ds3 is one hell of a way to end the story of the franchise.

[@Lula_mulimus]

The only truly evil character we find in dark souls is sulyvahn

[@Markcus003]

@Black Cat Rapture yeah i forget him to add in my comment.

[@AnvilJeff]

I feel Aldritch is a monstrosity set loose upon the world. But Sullyvahn was the monster who set him free.

[@skipperg4436]

By blood she is painting the painted world of Bloodborn =)

[@georgelamitre2416]

While playing Ds3 Gael felt very close to the player. Guiding our way into the ringed city with summon signs wherever necessary. But the character himself was so obsessed with his duty that had to endup being killed by the person who he guided. Funny thing is that Gael had to travel to the end of time and world to collect a pigment for the painted world of the past. Or does that world exists despite the outside world ?

[@zaktheghost3289]

I cant wait for Dark Souls 4 and seeing the new painting.

[@kamprouristheoharis8458]

Watch out or you may go hollow waiting

[@austingole4861]

I know this is probably never going to be true, but what if elden ring takes place in the new painted world, we see someone in one of the artworks wielding a cooled sword after all

[@donb7519]

i hope not im sick of the cross universe theories

[@austingole4861]

@@donb7519 yeah, they are a bit of a stretch most of the time

[@HanzoHatt]

It would be nice if there was a ending about everything ending and just having the dragons take back over.

[@theisjepsen22]

Yeah, we see the dragons wait in archdragon peak, out of the way for everyone and everything. They could wait for the end of fire to create a new age of ancients with the nameless king and king of storms leading them. But in the end, we find them and kill them.

[@royalecrafts6252]

@@theisjepsen22 poor dragons, they deserve more for sure

[@Vladek16]

Gael has one of the best stories of dark souls. He has been there from the beginning of time and until the end of the world yet he did not lost his hope for something better. Too bad the dark painting ended up beeing bloodborn. I guess humanity always make news mistakes x)

[@wizardspices]

Oooooo baby an Ashen Hollow Video!

[@CadillacCastle]

This is one of the most interesting lore videos I've seen in quite some time. Great job.

[@Graff-z4x]

Lovely video, thank you once again for your work Mr. Hollow. You state that the slave knights existed since the dawn of the Ringed City. but I would argue they go even further back, to Lloyd's Way of White.For the longest time I wanted to argue Gael was perhaps one of the first to be drawn into the painting. But we did not encounter him in DS1, nor did we encounter him in any variation outside the painting in DS2 (unless you consider the aesthetic similarities between Gael and The Forlorn i.e. Aldia's experiment, which holds strong to me considering Gael's unique transient qualities. Either way Gael may have been many places and seen many things we've yet to encounter... like easter egg rabbit-holes lol Anyway, I also wanted to illustrate Friede's quality of vanity. I totally agree, for the most part, good and evil are highly subjective for miyazaki, as they are irl. Most "bad" characters are actually suffering due to their circumstance. Miyazaki is also a big fan of portraying development. I don't think the painted lady was trapped away immediately. If you look at all the paintings done of Friede, it appears that friede was something of a "wicked" step-mother of sorts. Making her paint vain pictures of her over and over like a bad instagram full of selfies. Only, at some point, the painter started depicting Friede covered in flames. Not only seen as an act of defiance, but also likely prophetic; I believe this is what made Friede lock her away "for good".

[@RigalicReign]

The painted world has made me think of several possibilities that I don't think I'll ever get answered. First of all on the topic of the painting it makes me curious whether or not the rot or by extension the fire within the painting can spread to the outside world. The reason I bring up the idea of the fire spreading to the outside world is based on the FireKeepers ending or she said the flame will always reignite and because of that it leads me to believe that the painting could possibly have the flame come out of it to restart the age of fire. Likewise why I can't think of anything the rot has done personally to the outside world doesn't mean you can't possibly link it to something else. This is just food for thought and I hope speech to text got that perfectly down for me.

[@TechNinjaSigma]

I agree, for Gwyn it's the Dark, for Friede it's Fire, but both are consumed by the same vice; Fear

[@b_a_nned]

2:39 *Pontiff Sulvahn and Aldrich want to know your location*

[@dhrogontorres214]

Dark souls Lore ? Yes daddy, please.

[@Rumo_Notna]

Why would one even think there is 'good' and 'bad' in darksouls

[@CFootprints]

Dogs.

[@TheStrayHALOMAN]

Dark Souls 4 should be in the Painted World of Blood, and instead of the cycle being a linking of the fire it would be a painting of the canvas.

[@Markcus003]

im pretty sure there wouldn't have DS4 because alot of fans are stupid because when ds2 release they became angry because its not ds1 continuation which alot of sequels do so fromsoft release ds3 and then still angry because its a recycled of ds1 for fuck sake what do you people want?

[@EchoBravo]

Personally I like the idea that the Bloodborne world is the painted world of the blood of the dark soul. there is a lot of things that connect decently well.

[@qwormuli77]

@@Markcus003 There was a contact for three dark souls games for Fromsoft from Bando, so that contract has been fulfilled. It's pretty unlikely for them to make a straight sequel any time soon(Miyazaki has said so himself), but it's not completely off the table.

[@TheStrayHALOMAN]

@@Markcus003 I just want the gameplay of DS1 with the mana from Demons Souls and DS3. Dark souls 3 is too fast and ends up being R1 to win... or just bring the Darkwraiths back in full glory and I'll love the game unconditionally... poise too... needs DS1 poise.

[@Markcus003]

@@qwormuli77 yeah true and alot of from soft fans said that they are good at doing first games and not sequels

[@ImaGenius40]

It may make more sense that Gael would be praying to Caitha, since that cathedral used to belong to the way of the white. Also considering he has the way of white corona miracle.

[@TheAshenHollow]

He's very clearly praying to the mother of the forlorn, which has everything to do with Velka.

[@ImaGenius40]

@@TheAshenHollow considering Velka’s seeming affiliation with the painted world(s), I will concede. However, I personally still believe Gael’s involvement with the way of the white is what led him to the cathedral.

[@core-nix1885]

They're basically the same. The Cleansing Chapel had a bishop of Velka (á la Oswald/Cromwell) in cut content. Also, Forlorn is a NPC in DS2, 'born of Aldia's sinful infatuation' - hinting at Velka. Literally 'Four-lorn', since the Japanese words for four and death are the same (see also Aldia's Foregarden).

[@trufreedom]

Praise the lore!

[@RevPerdueJosh]

Wait so..........I’m the Dark Soul?

[@MrDalisclock]

The dark soul was the friends we made along the way.

[@mike20pr]

And this new painted world would end up being BloodBorne

[@lukecrawford7051]

That’s my fannon too.

[@MrDalisclock]

"Thats not canon!" "Shut up, it's fan Canon!"

[@hoppinpepper8043]

It's like velvet....LOVE IT!

[@goldtoothslair3052]

When you put it that way yeah it's kind of hard to tell who's good who's evil and you really can't just look at it as plain black and white. For me I despise the Gods for their constant lies their deceit in destroying the order of how things were supposed to go. For somebody else they could see that the gods were probably right to continue in age of flame because it brought happiness to a lot of races. And even I like I said though I despise the gods I also despise the very people that lurk in the dark for they only want to bring in the dark so they can erase everything that has happened. There's no middle ground where I can have my dark ending without these dark lurkers coming in and trying to tell me how the rule a dark ending.

[@Battleguild]

What are the Crystals of Dark Souls? They have an affinity with Sorceries, greatly amplify weaponry at the cost of durability, and eat away at the will of their users. What exactly is the Primordial Crystal, and why didn't it effect the dragons but did affect Seath? Was it because of his Lord Soul Shard? Lifegems are the crystallization of souls, if that also applied to the Primordial Crystal, would that make the P.C. the equivalent of the First Flame? Or the insane amount of souls required to grow something as massive as the Crystal Cave?

[@qwormuli77]

The crystal's immortality effect didn't help the other dragons, as they already were immortal due to their scales (lol double immortality). Seath lacked the scales of immortality, which is why he needed the crystal. It's a pretty large bit of iffy writing without actual logic, to me. Probably no further meaning besides McGuffinry.

[@leemp8352]

Brilliant as ever

[@ns7495]

Im not so sure gael sacrificed himself to make a new world, not willingly atleast. I mean put yourself in his shoes; you fight countles millenia in a world in which there can be no peace. Upon learning of a possibility for a world where there would be no cycle of ages and its inhabitants could therefore build a lasting civilisation unburdend by an artifical fight for survival, a world in which its possible for a victim like gael to find peace that he cant in this world. After getting unlikly help from a stranger path to his previously impossible task dream his becomes a small hope. Hope that is ultimatly crushed, when the thing he needs turns out to be unreachable. In that moment for a man whit a singular need troughout his millenias old torment of an existance, would break not make a sacrifice for the good of others. Reacting violently, to this final insult from a world that simply cant let him escape. When gael sees the ashen one he sees someone whit the blood of the dark souls coursing as liquid trough their veins. At that point regardless of the fact that we are his ally, he attacks for its all on the line for gael. Had he won he would have reached his peaceful place and for the first time in his life laid down his sword knowing his war had endead. Some say gael is a reflection of us as players, i actually think his the opposite. Hes the one person whos come to realize that the world of dark souls has nothing to offer but endless war and does all in his power to escape. By contrast we the players are the only ones who chooce to be there embracing that strugle and delve ever deeper into worlds challenges. Even if gael had escapes i have my doubts wheter an inhuman lifetime of war would have been possible to let go of, might be essence of what makes that world so dark was inearthed too deeply into gaels psychy. Killing him might have been a mercy compared to realizing there was never any escape for him.

[@eliasbonafe9236]

Velka is 100% the Mother of the Forlorn. Which leads that she is the Mother who is cited by Aria (Don't worry, I haven't forgotten Mother).

[@qwormuli77]

Aria? Do you mean the painter woman? She also says it with a comma before "mother", meaning that she isn't talking about forgetting about this mother, but signifying this *to* the said mother.

[@core-nix1885]

Yeah, the Caitha/Velka statues have the same White Rose symbol that you can see on the painter's stained-glass window. The White Rose is the symbol of Yorkshire which makes me think Yorshka is the Painter's twin.

[@rachelmurphy4190]

Nothing like burning alive to give a ash PTSD >< she needs a sun bro 😎 \[T]/

[@CoffeeFresh_]

I have never played through dark souls 3. I know I probably should.

[@Weeblicker]

Do it

[@thomaspereira1545]

Do it now

[@maddogsgaming7567]

JUST..... D O I T

[@Markcus003]

correct me if im wrong but im pretty sure pontiff sullyvan is black(bad) compare to most characters in dark soul which is grey.

[@dvash468]

What happened to your patreon Ashen Hollow?

[@TheAshenHollow]

I opted for the Join button on my channel instead! =]

[@danielwheels9529]

Love the content

[@flygawnebardoflight]

time for crab.

[@christmasham4312]

I loved this 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@ax4-ssin396]

AWESOME lore!!!!

[@meetasheep]

what would happen if gael would have won?

[@qwormuli77]

The world would probably have stayed in the gray entropy, or started another cycle of some kind. Remember, you were only a visitor in that time to get something unavailable in yours(the again whole dark soul).

[@Aceshot-uu7yx]

So is it possible that the painting is actually demon souls then blood borne

[@core-nix1885]

Gael is a metaphor for the Gaelic people just like how Gwyn is a metaphor for white people.

[@aX0n777]

hol' up! I agree...

[@core-nix1885]

@@aX0n777 I don't know if you're being facetious but I'll explain anyway; Dark Souls has many references to Oswald Spengler's Decline of the West. Some include Oswald the Pardoner, a focus on civilisational form expressions (Greco-Roman style Statues, Magian Mosque/Cathedral, Western/Faustian Gothic Cathedral, Mesoamerican/Sumerian Ziggurat), the sunset staff and set (decline = Untergang, sunset = Sonnenuntergang), the shrine of Winter (Spengler uses a seasonal model for culture/civilisation development), the refined gem (a literal and metaphorical pseudomorphosis; resembles a heavy gem growing in a sharp gem; represents Lothric culture as having roots in Farron and Carthus). Essentially it's a fable about the fall of Western Civilisation.

[@aX0n777]

@@core-nix1885 nah dude that's actually really interesting, I unironically agree with you. I've always seen Gwyn as a criticism for racism but never really went too deep into it. did you develop that view of the lore by yourself or did you read/watch about it? I'm actually interested in learning more about this

[@wewerethesetup2590]

A

[@aX0n777]

B

[@draconexists]

Ello First comment :)

[@TheAshenHollow]

Ayyyeeeee!!

[@redking9738]

very nice