Dark Souls 3 Lore: Curiosities of The Ringed City

Let's take a look at some curious findings in the Ringed City. Gael, Fillianore, Alva & Zullie, maybe even Velka?!
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[@TheAshenHollow]

Also to add to the story of Alva, Zullie, and Karla, I forgot to mention the Locus Preacher's dialogue: "One was a wayfaring knight, on an endless, forbidden search. Only the Abyss granted closure, if not reunion with his beloved. Fear not, the dark, my friend. And let the feast begin."

[@ThiagoCRocha-fh6lg]

The Ashen Hollow I guess you've seen it, but in case you didn't: the ajudicator can summon zullie that uses that dark edge spell (that I forgot the name of but you know what spell it is) and that description says that "a mother taught this spell to a daughter" or something. Karla has more reasons to be a child of Zullie with that.

[@OfficialChrissums]

Boah-noah i think the painter girl is the child that hatched out of fillianore's egg. Shes much more obviously a dragon, and shes clearly immensely powerful. I think fillianore WAS Gertrude, the handmaiden of lothric's queen (likely gwynevere after she fled anor londo) and she was impregnated by oceiros, gave birth to ocellote (the painter girl) who was hidden from the insane king by Fillianore (gertrude) inside the painted world, causing oceiros to imprison her, where she was visited by angels who brought her back to the ringed city. Im thinking she fled the ringed city with the help of gwynever right after her own flight from anor londo, as gwynevere wanted as much help as possible to get started rebuilding the kingdom of the gods, following gwyns sacrifice. Itd make sense that if gertrude was fleeing the pygmies (who i think were in on gwyn's plan to continue the age of fire by having her slumber, as the sable church is apparntly not a part of the ringed city, and the statues of gwyn everywhere) she would change her name to fillianore (the origin of the name being a hint for us to connect th4e dots) and pose as gwynevere's handmaiden. If the deal between gwyn and the pygmies was a secret she likely wouldnt know why they needed her there to protect the dark soul. Also if rosaria is gwynevere as some suspect, and shes a "mother of rebirth" this adds up. She changes gertrude's blond hair to black, changes her name to fillianore, and boom. got yourself a new identity as a handmaiden. Then the angels of the sable church come over (we know they work for the sable church since pilgrims turn into them) and say "hey trust us we are angels" and bring her back to the ringed city. Im curious why they would do that exactly, since it would likely be in the best interest of the sable church to leave her be but who knows. Maybe they needed her sleep to prolong things a bit until they actually found a dark lord to usurp the fire.

[@OfficialChrissums]

I think the idea that the angels were sent to retrieve fillianore/gertrude is credible, despite not knowing their motivations as to why because why the fuck else would the angels be sent to visit some random handmaiden in jail.

[@nawfalmisconi1287]

OfficialChrissums but Ocelote was a 'he', the king clearly stated it And I think there's 2 possibilities that he's invisible: 1- he's actually dead and the king is just insane 2- Percilla (from DS1, I know the spelling is wrong sry) was able to get invisible, and she's also a child of dragons, so he's just invisible, it'll explain the constant baby cries And when the kings goes more nuts (2nd phase), he slams his 'son' into the ground, maybe cos he's angry that he's weak or something

[@OfficialChrissums]

yeah its not perfect. Im chocking the whole thing up to symbolism and shit idk. I just want the painter girlk explained god damn it.

[@BigBossDP]

You and Velka need to get a room dude.

[@StriderFoxGaming]

I'll pay for it. My treat

[@SEMIA123]

You will never comfort Velka after she realizes that Gwyn played her. Embrace the pain, Ashen One.

[@XYZsolution]

Gwyn played with Velka's feelings after he had sex with her.

[@monroerobbins7551]

Damn why that actually kinda sad, tho, lol.

[@Niemandzockt]

Dark Edge, sold by Karla says: "A forbidden dark sorcery. Strikes with blade formed of humanity's darkness. Passed from mother to daughter, this blade was intended for both protection and as a means of taking one's own life. The young girl never swung it more than once."

[@Niemandzockt]

you could at least like it.... :(

[@soulgeargaming]

Nilus It's also worth mentioning that Zulie uses a stronger version of Dark Edge when summoned by the judicator giant in the abysal swamp. The reason why she can use it to create pillars of darkness is probably due to how much more time she had to master the spell, while Karla's only experience with it was as a child.

[@dylanvickers7953]

nice profile pic

[@soulgeargaming]

Atticus Lee Thanks

[@Sloster]

SoulGear Gaming Im pretty sure he was talking to Nilus lmao

[@papawhitebeard4648]

"...Great childbearing hips and thicker than a bowl of oatmeal." I think that goes in top 10 AH quotes of all time.

[@aresrivera9744]

That’s when I realized he likes velka a little too much

[@eliasbonafe9236]

Gwyndolin is said to be 'The Last Born', so this is the Gwyn's sons cronology: 1) Firstborn 2) Gwynevere 3) Filianore 4) Gwyndolin

[@joeschmo3622]

Princess Filianore, the youngest daughter of Lord Gwyn, was born in the midst of the waning of the First Flame. Renowned for her generosity, the princess complied with her father's will that she should be hidden within the Ringed City, Gwyn's concealed stronghold against the Dark, until the restoration of the First Flame. Promising her return, Gwyn placed Filianore under an enchanted slumber at the center of the city while placing in her care of the City's unspeakable confidence, the Dark Soul. Knowing his inevitable fate awaiting him in the Kiln of the First Flame, the Great Lord had hoped that the divine aura of Filianore would stem the growth of Dark originating from the Dark Soul and that she would later succeed him as the last true deity to remain at his side. Alas, it was not meant to be. The First Flame failed to perpetuate and the City was lost within the convolutions of World's End. It was not until the theft of her keepsake that Filianore would awaken by the impetus of an oblivious Undead, to whom she would dedicate the last of her fading power to pursue the one who violated the will of the the Great Lord.

[@darkdivergrandahl4913]

the part about Gael and Gwyn is much more beautiful than I previously thought. thanks

[@JoeKerr420]

You win a time share in Detroit - impossible! That place fell to the Abyss long ago....

[@zachsalg3106]

That's why he said to bring protection

[@EvilExcalibur]

Okay that bit about Gael...just beautiful. Thanks for bringing up Karla's ashes by the by. I'm not enough of a monster to off her, thus I missed out on a crucial bit of information towards figuring out what Alva was looking for

[@Krow132]

I just recently started watching your videos, and I see a lot of the big topics on reddit like everyone else, but the little things you focus on, and tie together coherently like the whole Alva, and Karla connection are actually astounding. Loving the content so far!

[@TheAshenHollow]

Thank you, friend! =)

[@Voxyld]

Loved the video, Karla being the daughter of Zullie (she sells the dark edge sorcery, used in a more powerful form by Zullie) makes so much sense, and you blew my mind when you pointed out the mirror effect between Gwyn and Gael. And yes, I think it's sad that no one except our character and the painter remember Gael :(

[@extremelycatty4040]

I almost feel like nobody notices the similarities gael has to artorias instead. He even throws a corpse at you. He's a proud knight, corrupted by something he sought out, similar to how artorias was corrupted by the dark. His fight is filled with lots of fancy tricks with his sword, too.

[@colenelvogel7001]

"Probable furry"

[@NiraSader]

you sound like you have a fucking crush on Velka

[@TheAshenHollow]

What?! Meeeeee... have a crush on Velka?! Huehuehue I think you have me mistaken for Velkafanboi69!

[@XYZsolution]

Velka is Sexy mate, did you see her statue in the Undead settlement and painted world?

[@twistedvtuber9894]

The Ashen Hollow are you sure about that?

[@nincsjonev]

The Gael theory is beautiful

[@fib900]

Where Gwen represents the faded order of the gods, Gael represents the forever unpredictable humanity

[@RedEyesSg]

great wrap up on Gael's lore jake!

[@keinname1896]

Zullie could be possibly traced to "zull" as the persian word for erring, losing one's way or being lost, which is a neat little detail.

[@tol9090]

Your theory about Gwyndolin switching with Filianore makes a lot of sense, and the one about Karla being Alva's daughter aswell

[@feralbunnydonut8495]

You think oolacile was so prominently displayed in the dlc was because it was supposed to have fallen to the Abyss? And did anybody else notice the statues of dark seeker frampt in the ringed city? He had a body arms and legs he was only missing wings could this be our imperfect dragon?

[@JotaDeeMeO]

Well... Knowing that Alva and Zullie are most likelly (If not pretty much) confirmed to be Karla's parents..That makes me happy for a little bit.. in this fck**** dark world.

[@XYZsolution]

Fillianore has black hair and Velka has black hair too. I like the theory how Velka is the wife to Gwyn.

[@viennaa1100]

so nobody see how Gael cry? Just listen to him when you fight him next time, first he attacks like a Beast something without Control after you Chip down his Healthbar to 80%? idk how much exactly. But then Second Phase of the fight begins, he got his Control back after you Cut him and he see the Dark Blood(soul) of Men, I think he was happy because his Duty was fulfilled and then again the Dark Soul get the Control over him, you Chip down Health and again next Phase is starting the Dark Soul of Men is spreading out of his Body EXCATLY THIS MOMENT he cry somehow. Like he lost Control over the Dark soul of Men and he see what he is doing but cant stop it, and everytime when the Dark Soul Spreads out, he cry and then goes again Beast mode like he is fighting himself inside too. Just listen to him.

[@Wicked061]

Huski Hoss deep

[@XYZsolution]

So Gael is crying because he is losing control of himself?

[@viennaa1100]

I think he just gets the control for a Second when he spreading out this Dark Souls and you can hear him cry. Maybe because of the Circumstances? Maybe because he got hope to the last moment when he realize he wont be the one who is bringing the Pigment, anyway somehow he seems happy at the begin of Second Phase because he knows now for sure he got the Dark Pigment and finally can rest, but the Dark Soul dont let him. Now in Second Phase he begins after a while to spread out this humanity (Dark Souls) idk how it is called, and at exact this moment you can hear him cry for a second and then he screams with another Agressive Voice maybe the voices changes because of the Dark Soul and the Fight in himself to get Control. Now finally he die, but i cant understand why he say to US players ''give me that thing your Dark soul'', we got a Dark Soul? I mean that crying is only a hint to see Gael is fighting himself and looses more control especially after he saw the Blood, reminds me of a Men who finally got his duty fulfilled and want to die but he cant because something is holding him. And in the fight he pulls everything out, after you hit him couple times he begins to cry and then scream and this Souls with Lightning coming out from him. Idk just came up to my mind when i saw Vids. and fighting him several times I asked myself why the heck is he crying then screaming and repeating that especially when this things come out of him.

[@XYZsolution]

Huski Hoss I mean we are human, we should have the dark soul/humanity inside of us.

[@viennaa1100]

Ye sure thats the thing that let me keep thinking, when we can give ourself to the flame, or ursurp the flame. So we got Humanity and Blood why not making the Pigment out of our blood?

[@boobiesandshit]

There are statues of Gwyndolin without his crown all over irithyl, in the church where you find the Pontiff and the Water reserve.

[@Heavy.O]

"you`ve won a time share in Detroit.... be sure to bring protection" 😂

[@anobash]

I assume Gael was one of the Slaves Knights of Gwyn who were thrown in the most bloody battles as some cannon fodder. He is also a huge reference to Guts. You know, Griffith once said that he respects those who are on a same stage as him and who are dreaming their own dreams. Gwyn is much like Griffith, they both linked one big bonfire of ambitions with many other men dedicating their lesser fires to it. Not willing to be commanded by Gwyn anymore, Gael searched for his own duty in this world and entered the painting and found a woman that he knew he wanted to help and support. Pretty similar to Guts and Casca's story at some point.. Gwyn and Gael are Griffith and Guts in the world of DS with Guts/Gael not seeking vengeance for his cruel fate but caring of the beloved ones. And in the end they seem to be equal to each other, possessing the most powerful souls - Light and Dark

[@jbark678]

Hopefully, Guts won't end up like Gael...

[@NiraSader]

interesting theory on Karla, Zullie and Alva, if Karla is truly related to two of my favorite characters from dark souls 2, it makes me love my favorite little dark witch even more

[@eddiecoleman2711]

I really like the idea of Carla being Zullie and Alva's daughter, it give a lot of light to a character that doesn't really get much.

[@fontunetheteller410]

Holy shmootz I always thought there was a connection between Karla and Zulie’s robes looking similar!

[@UltraChimera]

All I took from this video is the idea of a cliche 90's high school movie starring Freddie Prince jr. as Gwyn

[@slothhq1929]

gael and gwyn are the same yet complete opposites. Gwyn sacrificed himself to prevent the next age, (the age of dark) Gael sacrificed himself to bring apon the next age (next painting (painted with the dark soul)) Gwyn is the Great Lord Gael is just a Slave and yes, their names start with G, and both have white hair.

[@antares1079]

About Zullie and Karla, try reading Dark Edge's description. I think there's something more to the story

[@TheAtomAnt22]

I was thinking the same thing about Karla, and loving the Gael theory, i can't think of him as bad so i'm on board with that

[@dkkr7526]

9:18 that is the tankiest locust I have ever seen! Did that locust steal Midir's health bar!?

[@TheAshenHollow]

I think it's because I was using Dark spells. I'm sure they're pretty heavily resistant to that, haha.

[@Graff-z4x]

Wow. Thank you for clearing up Alva's presence and role. Thank you for pointing out Alva and Zullie's story wrap-up in the Ringed City; and especially, thank you for finally explaining who tf Karla is. It totally makes sense and a small part of me has retained humanity as a result. All I have to offer on this video is, of course, regarding Velka, and the fact that you didn't mention the presence of Painting(Church) Guardians in the Spears of the Church boss arena. That to me is the most poignant example of Velka protecting her daughter Filianore. Being that paintings are painted with blood, perhaps always with the blood of one who has been tainted by the Dark Soul, maybe this is the origin point for where they found the pigment to create the Painted World in the first place. May the flames guide thy way.

[@Darthsiroftardis]

amazing video, you blow the mind once again Ashen Hollow!

[@Opalance]

I'd been wondering why Gale guided you there all the way only to turn on you in the future. That indeed does make more sense than what little I had running through my mind on it.

[@halcyon62277]

Jake, thank you for these videos. I am not always convinced of your theories, and some I believe are a little far fetched or reaching..... but the correlation you make between Gael and Gwyn as polar opposites really struck a chord with me. As someone who was admittedly a little disappointed with this last DLC and with Gael as a final boss, you helped me find a new outlook on why this was the case. As you say in your video, it's quite poetic, and seeing it in this light, I can't help but feel a lot better at Gael being the end of the series. Thank you for, in some way, helping me find closure about this series that I'm in love with.

[@TextToSpeechYoda]

A note on Velka I thought was interesting, both the Purging Monument and her Statue allow you to revive Argo and do the whole Spears thing. The Monument itself is the godfather of all Purging stones, which we know come from Carim, which has other ties to Velka. It doesn't outright confirm or deny any of the myriad of theories about her, but it does make clear she has some kind of connection to the Ringed City which I thought was notable.

[@jaharned1]

Something I find very curious about the cathedral that you find Fillianore in is that the entry doors to the cathedral have statues of Gwyndolin on them, and the fact that "waking" Fillianore lifts a massive illusion, I can't help but think Gwyndolin himself had a large role in our journey through Lothric, just like in Dark Souls 1, because judging solely by how much each of the Lords of Cinder had changed after the opening, there's no telling how long it was before the bell tolled a second time to awaken the Ash. Gwyndolin likely went to the Ringed City during Irithyll's time, and possibly spun a world wide illusion, just like in Dark Souls 1, rooting it all in Fillianore, just like he did with Gwynevere, to hide the world's slow degradation, which is why after waking her we see she has perished, and the world is almost smothered in, what I assume is, ash. I believe that Gwyndolin is far more of a mastermind than we can tell easily, he is very old by Dark Souls 3, anywhere from thousands to billions of years, as he survived the near entirety of the Age of Fire, and is likely far more powerful and far wiser than he was in Dark Souls 1 (evidence of his wisdom, or at least acceptance, is that he discarded the Reversal Ring and hid it away, presumably coming to terms with what he is, and left his father's tomb and his city behind him, building a new city and hiding Anor Londo in mist). He also has more power over the world than any of his siblings and even his father, since he can create illusions so real that he is basically altering reality. He may even still be alive, as he has been shown to have faked his death before, in Dark Souls 1. He might've fed Aldrich a decoy, and gave Aldrich some of his power, but not all, because if Aldrich had all of Gwyndolin's power, he probably would be a lot more dangerous than we see. You could, at the same time, argue that the lore specifically said Gwyndolin was devoured, and Aldrich isn't that powerful because he hasn't fully absorbed Gwyndolin's power, or Gwyndolin had lost power from the illness (see Yorshka dialogue) that afflicted him, and maybe even spinning this massive illusion caused the illness in the first place. Regardless, if you really read into it, Gwyndolin is actually pretty damn manipulative, and has definitely had more of an impact than his siblings. Makes you wonder if Gwyn disowned him out of disgust, or, more interestingly, out of fear...

[@Voitan]

Velka's statue does the same thing that the Monument in the Ringed City does IIRC.

[@mand0rk]

You forgot to mention that you find Alva's armor set right outside Karla's cell.

[@abadyzbady]

Great video, especially that part about Gwyn and Gael, never saw it that way until I saw your video, but now that I think of it, I agree with you, it was Gael who lead use to the painted world and Ringed city, surely it was for the sake of burning the painted world to rebuild a new one, or this is my humble guess.

[@judzvii]

I love your contrast of Gael and Gwyn. The Lord of Gods vs the slave of humanity

[@nunull6427]

A child of sin and light, quite fitting considering the sin of altering time where you find her in the dlc.(Repair spell description, states that reversing the flow of time is no bueno at least)

[@a5hengaming]

I love the karla-alva-zullie theory!!!It gave me enough satisfaction to make be believe it!

[@ethanakins9689]

the whole Gwyn and Gael connection is something I noticed when I finally beat him, glad someone else noticed it haha

[@maxclifford937]

Also gael and arty (both succumb to the dark and rely on another to complete their mission, gael seems accepting of this where as your given the impression with arty he thought fighting the dark was kinda his thing)

[@tolso2]

My theory is that Gael was crazed by the time the fight starts. Once his second phase begins he realizes that he has the dark soul within himself and fights you to return to his lady in Ariandel. This would explain why he regains his composure for the second half of the fight. It also seems to imply with his descriptions that he trusted that even if the player wins against him that they would take the blood of the dark soul back in his stead.

[@themonolith253]

There is a really interesting theory that came up on reddit recently where it suggest that Gwyndolin was in fact the one who put Filianore to sleep and created that spell/illusion around her, created the Spears of the Church and the chapel. The interesting part though is that it all happened after Gwyn died.

[@HighwayGoGo6]

10:26 onwards just made me want to tear up

[@maxclifford937]

I love how gael just appeared in the dlcs and turns out to be one of the best characters in the series.

[@judegriffin1186]

To add on to your explanation for Alva being at the Dungeon for Karla, his armor, presumably on his corpse, is found just outside of her cell. Maybe he was outnumbered and killed by the jailors before he could get to her.

[@jaredbrady7874]

First off, I love the stuff you have done on Velka. She seems to me to be a major player in all this and yet remains a mystery. Any who, I like your story here but I would offer a few tweaks. I like to think that it was more of a situation where Gywn and Velka had always been lovers or what have you but the Lordran power structure was dependent on the marriage of Gywn and Gywnevere. I feel likes this makes sense in light of the fact that the souls series loves making opposites mesh together, so here you have the highest profile figure of both ages of fire and dark coming together and they produce Fillianore. Follow this a little further and it would stand to say that Fillianore would then be a pretty ultra-powerful being and this being the souls universe, there would be several political reasons to try and ship her to the end of the world into an endless slumber. So then Velka, having to choose between her lover and her child, chooses to accompany Fillianore and abandon Gywn. Gywn then strikes her a deal, stay in the ringed city to watch over their daughter while at the same time oppressing the power of the pygmys and one day he will come back for her. This day never comes. Velka is then left to brood at the end of the world (and possibly influenced by Kaath and perhaps the emergence of the abyss) to watch her only daughter slowly disintegrate in an endless sleep gets fed up with things and starts a rebellion -- the Sable Church. History then takes its course. This is just a quick summary of some stuff I was thinking and I have a lot more detail but I just thought I would throw this out there. Your videos are awesome and I appreciate the depths to which you will delve to further flush out the story. I think the story that is told and the way in which it is told is both the most unique and overall best part of the series. It makes a more personal connection, more along the lines of watching a long tv series or reading a book rather then your run of the mill RPG. Truly artistic.

[@dekisuba]

Love the new Gwyndolin theory

[@Gamejomar]

Gwyn helps the pigmy, Gael kills the pigmy. Parallel universes collide.

[@Ripmav]

Exact my thoughts about Gael and the dark Soul.

[@Sloster]

Gael !!! :'( I already guessed this, and I love his story. Hearing it from you, with that music just.... it hit me hard.

[@dioscaresparza]

Yeah, the theory about who's Karla really moved me :(

[@reallifeoctane9293]

what's the background music? It's beautiful.

[@WitchyBlueMoonlight]

I love the theory of Karla being Alva's daughter!

[@lordforlorn4225]

Great video man, keep up the great work

[@zachburns801]

I've been working on a theory for Midir and I'm not sure if it has merit. There is a sword lying on a table just above where you fight Midir, and that same sword is seen on a similar table in lothric castle, located near the bonfire after the dancer. I know you don't believe in coincidences happening in souls games. Lothric knights used to tame and fight with dragons as you speculated in a previous video about the Nameless King. Could Midir have been one of those dragons and gone "hollow", been infected by the Abyss, or something similar? It's been making me mad ever since I made the connection between the Lothric Knights and dragons

[@Aaronmillager]

New to the lore aspect of DS , but I've always had the idea in my head that Velka was the witch of izalth. Quelana only says"mother and sister were turned into deformed creatures" so what better form for punishment than an embodiment of her sin, forced to over see and punish those those. Aaaand now with you're idea, why Gwendolyn pledges himself to her , he want to get her favor for his role in another of her daughter's lost to something she can't control.

[@thetruth-ow8nh]

If there's ever a dark souls movie, I want you to write it. Another awesome video.

[@lordhelmchen3154]

Really good video! But one question: What is it that Filianore is holding in her hands and that gets cracked by the Ashen One? Is it an egg? And if it is, then from what creature (what is that black stuff in it)? And what does is do exactly? Is it keeping up an illusion that the player then destroys to reveal that the Ringed City was long gone (because the Ringed City seems strangely intact for a "end of the world- area" like the Dreg Heap (and the Soul of Cinder's bonfire)? Or do you travel in the future (or past?) or just to a different place?

[@XYZsolution]

It's also interesting how Gael uses lightning, what do you think?

[@Wicked061]

XYZsolution I know it's strange, he's also unusually proficient with it too

[@XYZsolution]

JRBninja06 I wonder what it means...

[@jond5830]

Your Alva/Karla theory certainly would explain why Alva's armor set is found in the location where it is.

[@keresheres4545]

the point about gwyndolin being hidden - take a look at the miracle scroll ( the background image for all miracles)

[@ItsJustMatt00]

Just a thought, would it not be possible Alva was searching for Zullie in the dungeons, mistaking Karla for her in whatever he had heard (for example, some juicy gossip that some dark witch had been captured but no actual name). That would explain why she's still locked up, he found Karla but after realising she wasn't the witch he was after just left her there. With the reference to her ashes, could it be that Karlais supposed be seen in contrast to Zullie? Both dark witches but while one is actively sought after the other has already been hunted and then captured.

[@guden0991]

the furtive pigmy, so easily locked away in a hidden city at the end of the world, found the dark soul.

[@ellebug2768]

The judicator giant also summons zullie to attack you or at least someone who's wearing black witch set using dark edge sorcery. the description of dark edge also say "A forbidden dark sorcery. Strikes with blade formed of humanity's darkness. Passed from mother to daughter, this blade was intended for both protection and as a means of taking one's own life. The young girl never swung it more than once." Perhaps this is another link of Zullie and Karla potentially being mother and daughter.

[@wecros3249]

Great video. Keep up the good work!

[@howdyhowdyhelga]

Gwyn and Velka actually sound awfully similar to the Norse mythology of Odin and Frigga/Freyja. Odin wooed Freyja under the guise of bringing peace to the Aesir and the Vanir, but his true intentions were to steal her knowledge. Once his true colours came through, Freyja broke off the marriage. Their child, Baldr, was cursed to be unable to feel pain (or really anything else.) He unconscious of the world around him - like he was *asleep.*

[@kamato7003]

Gwyn might have actually meant the promise he made Filianor. However, as the dark approached, Gwyn's fear of the fading light and thus the fall of his dynasty (and children) is what triggered him to sacrifice himself. If Gwyn were motivated to maintain the rule of light for the sake of his children, he might be the most heroic and noble of all dark souls' characters.

[@Cazuelle_AF]

I looked into the names of Gwyn and Gael because of your video and found the they can have the same meaning “white, fair, pure”. This is what was said: [gael] as a girls' name (also used more generally as boys' name Gael) is of French origin. The name may be short form of the Breton name Judicaël, meaning "generous leader", or a short form of Gwenaël (gwenn "white, fair, pure", and hael "generous").

[@thechristopherous789]

If you think about it Gale is potentially the most powerful persone we have ever seen in the series by the time we fight him. He has collected (as i like to think) all the souls in the world (this makes sense as anyone with a soul would naturally be drawn in over time due to the lands coverging). This means he has potentially the power of all the souls of the original lords.

[@furyberserk]

I think the ringed city was a place for humanity. It was like the abyss and created when humanity and the abyss were still there. As a result, the humans sided with the gods to fight the dragons, but were cursed with the ring of fire and the abyss consumed by Midir. The plate that says show your humanity means humanity only has access to the entryway, not even humans, and the black muck is likely humanity dried up if you must copy that to become a sprite. As such, there were a clear caste system here of humanity, ringed knights, misshapen guards, and then the gods at the tallest towers, such as Filianore and even Shira, who we can confirm is a child of dragons, yet fought against them with her lightning bow thus likely a child of Seeth, and placed in the ringed city because her existence is taboo. There aren't much sorcery in the ringed city at all, but I think there were those white birch trees, which would mean those trees likely only exist near humanity or the dark, so my assumption is that if you find one of those, that area is doomed like Oolacile. Filianore holds an egg similar to those of ds1 which gives humanity so she's likely only affecting humanities views of the world, assuming Shira knowing you awoke her is proof. She also likely the child of Velka if she is the furtive pygmy(though I'm finding evidence that she is not). Also if Ariandel is the person who created the painted world, I can assume that Ariandel is the mother of the painter girl and because of the eyes, likely the mother of Yorshka and/or Pricilla(if she wasn't a successful creation of Seeth's experiments stolen away) and maybe of Shira. I know how you guys love speculation. Question: To get to the ringed city, you need to go through a scrap of painting from Gael and use a bonfire in there to go to dreg heap. Is Dreg heap in the painted world or is it real? The time convoluted thing is annoying, but if it is in a painted world, then the world is convoluted and near all aspects pointless fun speculation.

[@leeroybrightman4598]

Also, Gael is the last living thing. At least that's how I've perceived it, as Gael is fought in a world totally choked and swallowed by grey ashes and ruined buildings. No matter what direction you look at the end, nothing remains whole. I'd say that Gwyn was a fight in an attempt to prolong the existence of all things, and that the fight with Gael was a fight to finally end all things. Gwyn was the first lord, and Gael is the last.

[@dialaskisel5929]

Ah, Gael. The story of a man who got lost on the way to Michaels to pick up painting supplies, so resorted to cannibalism instead... because... why not?

[@kalvinchester4068]

Also, the next painting that will be made with the Dark Soul, could that be reference to the next game?

[@fatalismus2023]

Devin Vaughn I kinda say it's the new start. The ypainter Girl is a half Dragon. Her Cold and very gentle place, she also said dark to, could very well be the Archtrees the fog all that, no light,all equal, Dragons seem to like that. I also belive that the next painting is the first one to be made with the Dark Soul, since I also think Gale has been getting Pigments for the Girl for a very, very long time. The Ringed City shows the end of the age of fire, it's gone, the Abyss comes after that. But what will happen to all the nie Soulless hollows? Well they're all Forlorn now and Forlorn souls will end up in the Painting. But that Painting is rotten, but hey, there is a new Painting with the name ASH (If you tell her you have no name) And if I remember right the actual cycle is: Age of Dragons, Age of Fire, Age of Man but after some time from the ASH a new flame will come. The new Painting stands in a burning World and outside that burning world is the Abyss. One day the new Painting will start to burn, it could be the new first flame, but the Painting will burn further and further until one day even that Painting will stop to burn and than, the Abyss from the Outside will slowly come. Except somone again decides to forcefully keep the Ash burning.

[@kalvinchester4068]

Huh, that's a very interesting thought. though I do kinda disagree with that. The rot in the painting is like the abyss of the outside world. And each time the painting rots, they burn all of it, including their home and painting, and make a new one. Each of the paintings were painted with blood, But with the Dark Soul, it might never rot again. Maybe when the abyss comes, everyone who is forlorn (but the sable church?) go into the painting. And one day, a champion of fire leaves the painting, to battle the darkness.

[@kevinlestrange3599]

Witch beatrice’s staff in ds3 is called the heretic’s staff, and her equipment identifies her as a witch who “learned her sorceries outside of vinheim” which does make her a heretic, the only real link between beatrice karla and zullie that i know of, is that they are all known as heretics, all wear purple/black, and the title “witch” seems to be in response to their dark sorceries (the exception again being beatrice, however she is said to have learned her magic in the abyss and since dark spells weren’t added until the dlc and she was a base game npc, so they may have intended for it, as screenshots for the dlc show it, but there is no actual in game evidence of her casting a proper hex)

[@theratking013]

How about the Egg Fillianore is resting on?Isnt that an already hatched Egg?Maybe where the Painter is "born" from?Afterall Gael appears for both DLCs.

[@sleepyprinny]

Evidence to back up that Gael still had his eye on the prize, even in the midst of his corruption: 1. Right before you fight him... He specifically says he wants your Dark Soul, for his Lady's painting. 2. The moment he realizes that he himself is the pigment... he steps up his game, changes his demeanor completely, and forces a 'suicide by cop' scenario bc... it's all he can do to keep his promise and see his wish for a better world fulfilled. Salvation for humanity. Me personally? I have *NEVER* thought that Gael sought the Dark Soul for power. It's so inconsistent with his characterization--as scant as it is--that the veey notion seems like a bad joke. If anything, Gael was everything Gwyn *NEVER* was. Gwyn was King of the Gods, Lord of Sunlight who warred for a new age only to be a fearful hypocrite who damned who humanity and his world by sacrificing EVERYTHING, including himself, to keep the First Flame going. Gael is an undead mook whose only role was immortal cannon fodder up until he hollowed... But, he didn't. Oh no. Old Gael survived cycle after agonizing cycle to one day meet the Painter, his Lady. What did he get out of that? A new and truly heroic resolve to grant mankind salvation even as the world literally falls apart. He asked for no one's help save for we Unkindled, and he only did that because there was no choice! But, unlike Gwyn who feared humanity and the Dark, perverted and broke that natural order by stagnating the flow of the cycle of Light and Dark... Gael willing embraced the Dark knowing full well it'd destroy him but heedless of that miserable end as it would, in the end, save mankind... or so he dearly hopes. Also, Gwyn set himself alight to forestall the Age of Dark. Gael sidestepped the issue bc it was already too late. Light or Dark, the world is doomed. The only option was to use the Dark Soul and create an entirely new world from scratch, free of the karma that Gwyn's fear and arrogance set in motion. Gael effectively sought to 'reset' the natural order, even if ut meant using a Painted World bc, after all, a world is still a world regardless of how it was created... and mankind as a whole, doesn't need to bear someone else's sins... not when that price was paid with the rest of the world's death for actions humanity never had any say in.

[@nawfalmisconi1287]

Carry....love that movie!

[@videopostrrr]

arent the statues on the front of the spear church(engraved in the doors) and in sulyvahns cathedral gwyndolin?

[@pepsyws3837]

Super Gael vs Gwyn Lord of Sunlight (not hollow cinder fuck) If they were to fight does that mean it would be fight of light and dark? Good vs Evil? Guts vs Griffith? More and more berserk stuff in this game

[@XYZsolution]

I think Super Gael could beat Gwyn.

[@pepsyws3837]

yes because fuck griffith (gwyn) hehe

[@alextierbach5160]

you re so right bro. its sad when i was young i liked dragonball, so if i made dark souls i would use a turtle and a crane trying to manipulate undead fighters to resurrect a devil from a rice cooker with the help of 7 powerful lord balls to either take his place in the cooker or leave the cooker and become the next devil MUAHAHA

[@darkheart407]

wow good job I love it

[@solemnsimulacrum]

fear not the dark my friend and let the feast begin

[@monroerobbins7551]

Aw man, Gael’s story is so sad! He’s not a dick, he’s doing what he can to save the world he cares about, and the child who cared about him, even giving him the familial title of uncle, may never know the sacrifice he made for her, and the painted world. It’s just… it’s bloody tragic.

[@nerzo4878]

I just noticed that firelink greatsword has same skill and very similar to ringed knight weapons .... is it possible it is a ringed knight weapon and that how they linked the flame to humanity ..... just a thought

[@GwynoftheMist]

So an interesting point about Gael and Gwyn's similarities; their names. They both have Celtic origin. Gwyn is literally Welsh for "white" while Gael's name is a word on its own, it describes a Gaelic person(i.e. a person of Gael origin). Both are Celtic naming conventions, no surprise there with everything else in the games. But what's REALLY interesting here is while both names are Celtic, Gaelic specifically includes Irish and Scottish people but Welsh is its own thing along with Breton and Cornish in the south(which I think is called Britonic? Can't remember). Whether this is purely coincidental wouldn't surprise me tbh but either way just a little fun observation.

[@GwynoftheMist]

Oh and I could go on a rant about all the Welsh influences in the games. All 3 have their own little chunks.

[@renanvasconcelos7303]

So i had some ideias. The sable church has no grudge lying since they tell anything to get orbecks ashes, meaning velka is very deceptive (for many miracles and crows and the overall feeling towards her). What if gwyndollin is not gwyns son but just velkas? I mean, she does go a long way for the player to usurp the flame. Gwyndolin pretending everything is fine with the gods using the illusions. Looks like the same as the ending of the ringed dlc ending. Filianore looks a lot like the tongueless fingers covenant girl,which to my belief is gwynevere, from her position to the ideia of craddling a possibility of change (filianore, the "egg of the world" from berserk mythos, and the tongueless girl, inner change). Furthermore, i believe like ashes of ariandel the whole thing of velka is to not kindle the flame and find someone to usurp it at all costs or let the whole thing fade to ashes. Too crazy? Any thoughts?

[@CringelordJen]

what is the song used when talking about Gael? I honestly found it lovely. Also, great video, hot damn

[@morafalparlecc6095]

Gael [gael] as a boys' name (also used less commonly as girls' name Gael) is of French origin. The French nameGaël may be a short form of the Bretonname Judicaël, meaning "generous leader". The name may also be a short form of Gwenaël (gwenn "white, fair, pure", and hael "generous"), the nameof a Breton saint.

[@davidrw67]

Where the woman was in the ringged city looked a bit like the opening of dark souls one when Gwyn was to link the first flame

[@ForeverHollowed]

Will you be making a Gael specific lore video?

[@TheAshenHollow]

+Austin Vidaurri Idk if it will be a lore video, since I covered some of it here. Or if it will be one of my "A Dark Souls Story" videos.

[@SrB_Shib]

This story is also heavily inspired by berserk. Since the witch in that anime really loves her hat cause it was passed by her master.

[@nytro-nick7660]

Good video. Learned a lot.

[@TheAshenHollow]

Thanks, friend! =)

[@zenopssmdk]

So what's with the bleeding snake outside the fountain in the first area of the dlc2, outside the church before the pillar falls down to meet lapp.

[@billymaidment3493]

That's one of those things that spouts from the hollows in Lothric and Ludex Gundyr

[@vanjaarsic1616]

Those are Pus of man from Lothric Castle and Consumed King Gardens.

[@TheKrensada]

I often wonder after playing the ringed city if the entire dark souls series is an allegory to Ovid's Metamorphosis.

[@PrimordialKrishna]

TheKrensada how so?

[@nunull6427]

Also, perhaps, Gael led us to him so he could kill -us- rather than visa versa. We did, after all, most likely destroy his world and his lady's world. Desperate for revenge, for "his lady's painting."