Vendrick's Siege of the Ringed City - Ringed City Lore

Did King Vendrick lay siege to the Ringed City centuries before the story of Dark Souls 3 took place? Let's find out.
Link to MadLuigi's video - How Dark Souls 3 Tells a Story (Lore):
• How Dark Souls 3 Tells...
Social Media:
Twitter - / gamingcheps
Facebook - www.facebook.c...
Twitch - / chepsgaming

[@ChepsGaming]

I have noted certain points repeat a lot throughout the comments, so I will try to answer the three of them by this pinned post. 1. How can you explain the Giant Tree in Firelink Shrine in DS3? Answer: If we take my theory that Vendrick invaded the Ringed City from across the sea, then that would mean that Lordran, and eventually Lothric, are in the same continent as the Ringed City, and as such just one lonely Giant Tree is not so difficult to explain. It might just have been one of the Giants that were left in the continent and did not invade Drangleic. 2. I don't think Filianore's power has to do anything with greenery or power over nature. Her power is control over time. Answer: Filianore's Spear Ornament: "The Spears of the Church watch over the Princess' slumber, and this serves as proof of their fulfillment of their duty. The embellished gold cloth is woven with a crest of young grass." Young Grass Dew: "A small, transparent stone that once graced the green young grass crest. This semi-precious gem honors a Spear of Church after a battle well-fought, and is said to slightly enhance their blessing of protection. (while held, this effect is constant). Slightly increases damage absorption and stamina regeneration." Talking about stamina regeneration. Green Blossom: "Green weed, shaped like a flower.Temporary boost to stamina recovery speed." Chloranty Ring +3, found right outside of Filianore's Church: "This old ring is named for its decorative green blossom, but its luster is long since faded. Raises stamina recovery speed." Ok, so, essentially most of the items relating to Filianore have to do with either grass or stamina recovery. Stamina recovery ALWAYS has to do with greenery. Additionally to this, you can see that all around Filianore there is greenery, whereas other of the places that have been ravaged by time tend to be drab and Grey. 3. You are reaching for straws here. There is nothing that really connects DS2 and DS3. Answer: There is one item description that started all of this theory, the Ruin Armor Set from DS3. First of all, this set is found below the first bonfire in the Ringed City, right before the first Judicator Giant. "Armor of the company of knights who were sent to the Ringed City on an old king's orders. The knights sought the dark soul, but were so soundly crushed, they had little choice but to swear themselves to the Judicator Giant. The ill-fated company was later immortalized in a dark fable, inspiring the aspect of certain golems in whom their name lived on." If this doesn't imply a connection, I don't know what does. I hope this comment helps.

[@Gsmooth84]

Do you think DS2 take place around the same time as DS3? The corpse of Laddersmith Gilligan would suggest it does. Or a year or two after DS2.

[@allendittmaier5406]

"Time is convoluted" Solaire of Astora

[@UnholyWrath3277]

Bro the earthen peak ruins is a place in ds3 that confirms ds2 areas existed in some way shape or form. People just need to let go of issues some internet troll has with ds2 play it and realise it's perfectly able to fit in the overall story. Plus it's actually a great game

[@Cryr213]

The Chloranty Ring Grass Symbol in DS is just a Symbol of Gwyn, the gods and/or the Smith of the Gods, since it is on eg Gwyns Armour and Smoughs Hammer….. has nothing to do with Power of Nature

[@dragonfangalexander]

People tend to discard DS2 from the whole storyline. Even pointing out Miyazaki not liking it. But tbh, DS2 lore, some stories aside, do a great task to show fundamentals of the story, and not only that, Scholar of the first sin told us years in advance... That it was all Gwyns fault, and that there was an option to the neverending cycles of dark and light, that the curse was posible to be healed (even if only one being). I won't deny it might be the weakest part of the trio, but has some very important things going on, that obviously Miyazaki didn't discard entirely, it might be the black sheep of the family, but is still a sheep of the family. "Beyond the scope of light, beyond the reach of Dark... ...what could possibly await us? And yet, we seek it, insatiably... Such is our fate."

[@ChepsGaming]

Some of the best written lines in all of the Souls series are in Dark Souls 2, as you have very adeptly showcased in your comment. Thank you for your input.

[@thechosenflutterbox]

Alexander Dragonfang actually back when ds2 scholar came out, I theorised that the first sin was when the witch of izalith tried to recreate the flame, thus creating demons. Aldia looked like a chaos being, and that event happened before gwyn's link so I figured that's what was the case

[@signoguns8501]

I agree. DS2 is a solid game. People seem to credit DS games to Miyazaki and Miyazaki alone. I've even seen some KZbinrs call the DS games "Miyazaki games" lol. Video games, more than any other medium, are a collaborative effort. To toss all of DS2's lore out simply because Miyazaki himself didn't write is absurd. There's lots of stuff that Miyazaki himself didn't write in DS1 and DS3, yet those games are considered canon. Miyazaki didn't do all the writing and design work on his own.

[@Vin-ql9bs]

FANTASTIC...finally a video that ties DS2 and DS3. As far as taking leaps with speculation...ahh that's the beauty of dark souls lore. WELL DONE SIR!

[@ChepsGaming]

Lazarus 2376 Thank You. I am glad the leaps did not put you off.

[@johntitor5543]

Lazarus 2376 Did you forget about Alva seeker of the spurned?

[@AgentofProvidence]

interesting video. I don't think DS2 lore should be tossed aside and considered non canon. Could the hollows we see turning into trees and the DS2 giants becoming trees imply some kind of similarity in origin?

[@ChepsGaming]

Agent Of Providence hmm, I had not thought of it that way. I will have to evaluate some things. thanks for the food for thought.

[@AgentofProvidence]

Cheps Gaming Thank you for the videos.

[@tomgatti7836]

Where are these hollows? I must've missed them

[@ChepsGaming]

He is talking about all of the hollows that are atop the high wall of lothric. They are essentially fused with trees.

[@peeweeherman9411]

Aren't Giants just humans overbloated with souls

[@Xx2177CookxX]

The interior of Filianore's Egg resembles the Transposing Kiln, which reveals the essence of the soul. Vendrick is said to have peered into the essence of the soul. Perhaps it is he who cracked the egg in the first place, and ultimately decided not to ignorantly ruin it completely, as our character did?

[@ChepsGaming]

Xx2177CookxX That is an interesting theory. However, given that his armies were obliterated by the Judicator Giants, I dont know if he could have reached Filianore, but who knows. Thank you for your comment.

[@RhizometricReality]

This is the kinda content i want to see

[@ChepsGaming]

I am glad you enjoyed, friend. There is more Dark Souls Lore to come.

[@TheGreatAndEpicMe]

I don't think even Miyazaki knows about this stuff

[@ChepsGaming]

You, my good sir, win the internets.

[@TheGreatAndEpicMe]

@@Crosshair76 Thanks man, waited 3 years for this, now my life is complete

[@boyssouls5689]

I used to think the Ruin Sentinels and Dragonriders were bad bosses, now I can't help but pity those that marched into that accursed city.

[@ChepsGaming]

I know, specially the Ruined Knights, who got completely subjugated by the Judicator Giants, only to be "remembered" by their sacrifice and immortalized into golems.

[@manmanboyboydudedudeguyguy2800]

Ruin sentinels is a good boss to be honest

[@cheefqueef6494]

Vendrick probably felt more the guilt after sending his remaining troops to their eternal imprisonment.

[@AqueleGamer]

I very much believe Fillianore's power is to stop the ringed city in time to make it appear as if nothing is happening and give no reason for the pygmy lords to think otherwise and take action. I do think, however, that the giants of drangleic are indeed consumed by the dark, it's seen in dark souls 3 that advanced stages of hollowing eventually turn the more ancient hollows into trees, much like ancient giants. Lord Aldia might also have reached the conclusion that he came to due to the events ocurring at the ringed city, especially seeing the ringed knights and their abyss-forged weapons proving man could survive the Abyss before Gwyn's curse, and chose to also fight against the Age of Dark due to the excess of abyss having very clear side effects in the non-ringed knight inhabitants being turned into flesh consuming locusts, and that's not even taking Oolacile into considrration. Great video, as always.

[@ChepsGaming]

Awesome insight. THank you for your kind words. I like the idea that the DS2 giants were located near the ringed city. It makes them make more sense in my head canon.

[@thechosenflutterbox]

Arrout don't forget, Giants are weak to dark damage

[@commanderpreacherlocust1439]

Arrout what you saying about my people bro

[@AqueleGamer]

Preacher locust They suck Fight me

[@commanderpreacherlocust1439]

Arrout we are the master bugs we shall hunt you along side the animal kingdom and WE WILL SUCCEED!!

[@peeweeherman9411]

I bet myisaki thought "oh shoot their was dark souls 2" then made the ring city

[@fritzorino]

I actually think that DS2 lore is more interesting than DS1/DS3 Lore come at me

[@ChepsGaming]

Fritz Jahn Two of my favorite characters in Dark Souls are Aldia and Vendrick. I was sad DS3 did not use more of the lore of DS2, but I take it where I can. 😉

[@tomgatti7836]

It is much richer and deeper

[@thechosenflutterbox]

It took the series in a direction I didn't like, I don't mind the whole cycles thing but I prefer how ds3 handled it. And by default ds1 lore is cooler because it sets the stage and is generally more grandiose, and it had a lot more to do with dragons

[@ChepsGaming]

The main thing that I did not like about DS2 is that it tried to make the Lore too personal. In DS1, you felt insignificant, and only through your actions were you able to affect anything in the world. In DS2, you go to Drangleic on a personal quest, and it gets turned into something bigger throughout the game. It rubbed me the wrong way in regards to the lore. Thanks for your comment.

[@ryandavid1277]

Fritz Jahn I'm with you! Especially the lore of the DLCs

[@thechosenflutterbox]

I always saw the Harald knight armor as a grotesque version of the slave knight armor

[@ChepsGaming]

Hmm, I had not thought of it like that.

[@TuxedoCatGaming]

I have to say, this some really good speculation, I am going through Dark Souls 2 Scholar of the First Sin, taking down the bosses for my own channel's boss let's play, and I Really was wondering how it tied in with the rest of the series, and this makes a lot of sense. You definitely earned a sub with this. Now the best question, you went a whole video talking about Giants, yet you forgot their father, we need answers on that lol.

[@ChepsGaming]

Thomas Wales The Legend Never Dies!

[@toolala3908]

I never really understood why people got so caught up over the giants being different. I always just assumed they were a completely different species and were just called giants because, well, they're giants. its the same thing with Dragons and Drakes in the series.

[@hecodheadsrus]

Dude your content deserves more attention!

[@ChepsGaming]

thecodheadsrus 101 thank you, man.

[@DarkBloodSouls]

Although I'm not very interested in DS2 lore this was a cool story. Honestly I think Miyazaki doesn't care for DS2 lore either so the connection you made is pretty wild yet it makes sense.

[@ChepsGaming]

DarkBlood Souls I agree. Lorewise DS2 tends to be thrown aside constantly. I enjoy a lot of the lore and characters from DS2, and I think it was a shame they didn't do more to bring it into the mix, but I also think it is the B Team's fault. They made the Story of DS2 to be too much of a personal one and too different from DS1, so it became just one more of the cycles of linking the fire. What a shame. Thanks for your comment.

[@heathenly_aesthetic7233]

Cheps Gaming The instant I saw the Ruin Knights in the Ringed City, I was wondering what they were doing there, rather than in Drangleic.

[@ChepsGaming]

LionKnight610 I know. Also the Ruin Knight armor description makes one go, hmm?

[@not_your_wife]

Hello Cheps. Nice theory, but I think you have overlooked two things: 1. All giants from DS2 (except Giant Lord) looks like they are hollowed. As if Vendrick stole crucial part of themselves with that powerful artifact (which makes sense since it can imbue lifeless objects with souls). I think they are exactly same species as giants from DS1 and DS3, they are just completly hollowed. 2. I think it would also explain why peaceful race such as giants would cross the see to wage a war. They did it not from vengeance, but for preservation of their own race. 3. Giant lord has completely different physique than other giants in DS2. He strongly resembles Yhorm (may he be his ancestor?). As if he was the last giant powerful enough to retain his true self. Also Last giant (which I believe is broken and hollowed Giant lord) has physique similar to any other giants from DS2. Looking forward to your feedback and your next theories. PS: I do not think it is necessarily bad that DS2 is just one more cycle. It shows us that any our action is futile in big picture despite of any amount of power we posses, but we refuse to admit it. It teaches us that to break cycle, we need to fully understand it. This is why i like DS2 story and I think this is the main reason why most of people didn´t like it- insignificance of player choice- just like in real world.

[@bigfrogs4207]

yeah i agree. not only is ds2 just another cycle, ds2 shows us that they all are. what you do in ds1? meaningless. what you do in ds3? meaningless. ds2s cycle is only different because you realize the futility of it, but even that doesnt matter because in the next cycle no one will even know what was done

[@baptistelasbats3952]

The theory is very interesting, it is true that the knights summoned by Argo really look like ruin sentinels, and it is undeniable that the price Vendrick stole to the Giants was a soul. Yet, we can't really say this soul was the Dark one, since Gwyn also had the power to create golems (look the iron golem, and the ones that defend Anor Londo and Oolacile), and that the Dark Soul can only be found at the end of the world, by gathering the souls of all the humans, which means that Vendrick can't have found it, it didn't exist as a unique soul when he leaved. Actually, it's more likely for the price to be Gwyn's soul itself, this item is lacking in DS2. Another thing is that the Ringed City, as Kiln of the First Flame, doesn't appear to be in the "natural" world, but more in another dimension like the painted worlds (just consider how the timeline makes no sense between the Dreg Heap and the desert of ashes where you fight Gaël, and how it looks like Filianore had been offered to the RC to keep them away from the world, since she immediately destroy the illusion when she discovers how her father had fooled her, which also explain the determination of the servants of the gods in the RC to keep her in her slumber). I insist on a point, this doesn't mean you are wrong from the base of your theory, which is supported by good arguments, just that it might be possible to clarify and improve it.

[@ChepsGaming]

Item description of the Ruin Knight set of DS3 " Armor of the company of knights who were sent to the Ringed City on an old king's orders. The knights sought the dark soul, but were so soundly crushed, they had little choice but to swear themselves to the Judicator Giant. The ill-fated company was later immortalized in a dark fable, inspiring the aspect of certain golems in whom their name lived on."

[@thechosenflutterbox]

baptiste lasbats gwyn's soul exists in ds2, it's in the old iron king in Ng+, you use it to get some weird lightning miracle and the dragonslayer greatbow

[@baptistelasbats3952]

No i don't think. It might be but it's far more likely for this soul to be the fragment he gave to the Four Kings, which also explains the items we can drop from it since it's a fragment of Gwyn's soul. In DS2 we can find the soul of the pale drake, which obviously refers to Seath. But well, Seath had no soul by his own, the only one he had was given to him by Gwyn, so if the fragment Gwyn gave to Seath became an independant and everlasting soul, then, the fragment he gave to the Four Kings too. And if you have a look on the souls of DS1 you find in DS2, you have the soul of Seath, of the Witch, of Nito and the special soul of the Old Iron King. This makes 4. In DS1 you have the soul of Seath, of the Four King, of Nito, of the Witch and of Gwyn. This makes 5, one of them is lacking in DS2, this is the great soul you find locked in Amana's Shrine (the drawing of its item description is the same you have for the ancient souls you drop on the big bosses in NG+), we could believe Gwyn's soul is actually the one of the Old Iron King and this one the one of the Four Kings, but given Vendrick's lore, it's far more likely for this soul to be Gwyn's one. If you want all the elements i've gathered for this theory, ask for it, that's quite long, i have no time to write them now.

[@robTCGZ]

I really like this theory. Especially the connection between Dragonriders and the Herald Legion. Really cool

[@KrypticVirus]

A really huge leap between games but somehow you made them all connect now im gong to watch the rest of your lore videos

[@ChepsGaming]

KrypticVirus thank you. hope you enjoy

[@KrypticVirus]

i already am

[@azaraath95]

May have only been speculation. Of anything noting but a stormtrooper shot in the dark, but you did your research, found what could be a connection, orchestrated it and executed perfectly. Praise the Lore my friend!

[@ChepsGaming]

Thank you for your kind words, my good sir.

[@SinclairLore]

I love this! Very well done!

[@ChepsGaming]

Sinclair Lore Thank you, milady.

[@dougallen4632]

You are the first person I've ever seen try and link DS2 to the main lore, AND I LOVED IT!! You did a wonderful job. I don't care how much speculation is there, I'm gonna take it as gospel because the only thing i didnt like about DS2 was it's lack of connection with the original lore. Bravo my friend. I hope to see more content like this!

[@ChepsGaming]

Thank you for your kind words. I only try to fill in the pieces of the puzzle, and this is where this puzzle took me. I hope you keep enjoying my content.

[@dougallen4632]

Cheps Gaming I am. I look forward to more. I hope you don't mind but i shared your link because I think you are on to something and of course, nobody else has done this. Brilliant work!

[@ChepsGaming]

Yeah, no prob, man. That actually helps me out. Thank you for the vote of confidence.

[@dougallen4632]

Cheps Gaming No problem. Going back to Demon Souls, the lore exploration and feeling of solitude in a world that would have once been beautiful is why I fell in love with this series. You are doing something no one else has, and I watch alot of lore content creators during my work commutes. It's great to see a fresh perspective connecting the dots.

[@SwitcherooU]

Very compelling stuff. I see a connection between the appearances of the Harald Legion knights' absent heads and the absent faces of the DS2 giants.

[@ChepsGaming]

SwitcherooU I never thought of that. I am glad you found my ramblings compelling 😆

[@sheilasomogyi6431]

great video filled in the gaps in my head thank you!

[@ChepsGaming]

Thank you, and I am glad the speculation did not put you off.

[@sheilasomogyi6431]

+Cheps Gaming subbed!

[@ChepsGaming]

Sheila Somogyi Thank you. Welcome aboard.

[@danielwheels9529]

Wow Great connections and great video

[@ChepsGaming]

Daniel Wheels Thank you. Im glad you liked it.

[@ThePsicopanchoTeam]

Ah! Finally a video relating dark souls 2 and 3. I always love when someone does this, tho it barely happens csuse aparently the popular thing is to hate on ds2...shame. Great video anyway i wish i could see more of these conections.

[@ChepsGaming]

Thank you for your kind words. While I do not enjoy the mechanics of Dark Souls 2 as much as the other 2, I think the hate and vitriol that gets piled unto it is a bit extreme. I think it became an edgy thing to call it trash and it grew from there. If you actually interact with a lot of the people that hold this idea, they have not even played the game, and in some cases, even if they did play it, they only played the beginning and never finished it. Either way, I like DS2 characters at least. Thanks for the comment.

[@captainguy117]

Proof that Vendrick attacked ringed city. Ruin armor looks almost exactly like Ruin sentinels armor.

[@ChepsGaming]

Not only that, but here is the item description of the ruin knight set in DS3: "Armor of the company of knights who were sent to the Ringed City on an old king's orders. The knights sought the dark soul, but were so soundly crushed, they had little choice but to swear themselves to the Judicator Giant. The ill-fated company was later immortalized in a dark fable, inspiring the aspect of certain golems in whom their name lived on."

[@captainguy117]

Cheps Gaming exactly

[@brandonjames2247]

I always thought the ds2 giants were some type of demon cross breed sense they throw fire and look stoneish but this video makes sense

[@ChepsGaming]

I am glad you thought so, a lot of people did not agree with your assessment. Thanks for the comment.

[@Wackyo]

Nice, interesting video. I never thought that Vendrick could have invaded the Ringed City, it is logical though.

[@christmasham4312]

I really enjoy your lore videos keep up the great work 😬

[@elliottkrumnow7563]

Love the video. Not enough people explore the links of 2 and the rest of the series.

[@silvertemplar8061]

Elliott Krumnow Playframe The channel spinoff from Extracredits and detailed I’m his lore play throughs

[@Blackbomber200]

Dark Souls II really had the best lore, its a shame that most of it gets completely ignored in Dark Souls III. Like Aldia and Vendrick and their attempts to put an end to the curse, after figuring out that rekindling the flame and letting the fire die out are the same path. I dont feel like Dark souls III explored that second path, there's the usurp the fire ending, but even that I feel isn't what Aldia would have wanted. Aldia wanted to separate humanity from the flame and break the cycle so the age of man could come, the usurper of fire ending just kinda feels like you're tying the flame to humanity once again which is what Gwyn did and why we're in this mess.

[@skipst101]

This is why I love DS lore, speculation is encouraged and no one really knows the truth. Mystery surround these dark souls and goddamn I love it to bits! Great video and I am definitely subscribing! DS2 is my faveorite dark souls so I really appreciate linking 2 and 3 together :)

[@ChepsGaming]

Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@captainguy117]

The giants had to have evolved or be some different kind from Ds2 because of the giant tree on top firelink showing they lived in the same land.

[@ChepsGaming]

That is what I believed, but the lore of the 3 games makes it different to really pinpoint it, you know?

[@nicolasgarcia1825]

The main issue I have with your theory, and I don't believe you addressed it, is that you are treating the Ringed City as near the home of the Giants the place across the sea that vendrick invaded. But before you get to the Ringed City you stop by a place called "Earthen Peck Ruins". That was a location in Drangleic.

[@ChepsGaming]

Nicolas Garcia That is addressed by the fact that ALL of the world is being compressed. Quoting the intro cinematic of DS3 "... where the TRANSITORY Lands of the Lords of Cinder converge". Transitory in this context means that they are not static, and are therefore moving. Hope that makes senae

[@alexcruz3043]

Nature giants would explain why they know pyromancy .

[@ChepsGaming]

I had not even thought about that. Thanks for the extra layer. :)

[@austinreale1848]

Great video, However, If the nature giants were originally denizens of the ringed city, wouldn't they already be corrupted by the dark soul? At this point, Nashandras influence would only be a small change in comparison to the power exuded by the pygmy lords. Also what would be what caused the evolutionary change between the nature, and adjudicator giants? So far I think giants can be split into 4 categories; Mortal Giants: Giants of the like found in ds1, most notably Yhorm, and Hawkeye Gough. These giants are made of flesh and blood, like the undead. they possess great strength, but are quite unintelligent. Because of their loyalty, and longevity, they made good servants to the gods, often acting as guardians or for physical labor. Despite their mostly friendly disposition, and servitude they were treated with extreme prejudice, often killed en masse due to the distrust breed by the populous. Nature Giants: Giants found in Ds2 most notably the giant lord. Seemingly made of stone and plant matter, these giants do not appear to contain the ability for any individual higher thought, other than what they seem to be "Programmed" for. Despite their pack mentality, they seem to have a wide variety of subspecies, varying greatly in size and shape. Even though they do not seem to be capable of independent thought, they seem to exhibit the characteristics of a hive mind, and when one sees you, others are aware of your location, even attacking through walls as you approach. To these giants, kinship and respect are very important. Adjudicator Giants: Giants found in Ds3 mostly in the DLC, most notably Father Ariandel, and Adjudicator Argo. Unlike the others, these giants are quite intelligent, capable of eloquent speech, and the use of miracles and spells unattainable to the undead. These giants are fiercely loyal, and will gladly sacrifice themselves for their cause if the need arises. Despite their emaciation and frailty, They are incredibly powerful, even capable of summoning entire armies of phantoms by themselves. Gods: Giants found in all Dark souls games, most notably Gwyn (before becoming a lord of cinder) and Ornstein (After absorbing Smoughs essence) Gods are beings so powerful, that their souls have twisted and transformed into lord souls. This can be achieved by absorbing and actualizing a lord soul (Gwyn, Nito, The bed of chaos, the four kings, Seath, old iron king, Freja, the rotten, lost sinner) or, by becoming so powerful by absorbing souls that your souls becomes twisted into a lord soul (Ornstein, Vendrick, Aldia, Nashandra, Smough, Velstadt, ect) Gods have abilities beyond that of any other living being, in some cases they have been able to create life, although mostly twisted and hostile, such as the chaos demons, or Aldias abominations. Despite the title of gods, however, it is possible for them to be killed. Most gods seem to be quite power hungry, and will build armies of followers around them to achieve their pursuits

[@ChepsGaming]

Austin Reale Great analysis. On the Nashandra bit, notice I dont say she influenced them, but more sensed the Dark Soul within them. The Nature Giants were indeed influenced by the Pygmy Lords because of where they resided. Thank you for the insightful analysis.

[@ChepsGaming]

Also, regarding the difference of the Judicator Giants and why they were not affected to the same degree; we have seen through Dark Souls evidence that the mental well being and fortitude play a big role in how one is affected by the powers of Dark, or hollowing. It is not a stretch to think that, since the Judicators are obviously quite smart, that they would not be influenced by the Darks Soul to the same extent as some brutish oafs. Further, the Judicator Giants have powerful magic, so that may also play a part in it.

[@austinreale1848]

Cheps Gaming there definitely seems to be a direct correlation between faith, intelligence, and the resistance to the degrading effects of the dark souls. The most intelligent and pious creatures seem to be able to keep their sanity despite being completely twisted by the soul. Good examples of this include the locusts, judicator Giants sulyvahn, and some God's, including the pygmy Lord's.

[@thechosenflutterbox]

Austin Reale that also makes sense considering that dark damage is affected by both faith and intelegence

[@Jackofblades2135]

Doesn't yhorm resemble the DS2 giants more tho?

[@fritzorino]

Can you further explain how the Dragonriders became the Harald Knights?

[@ChepsGaming]

Given that this is all drenched in speculation, it is difficult to come up with a GREAT answer. However, you can see definite similarities between the Dragonrider's armor and the Harald Legion's. However their weapons are different. I believe the Harald Legion might have been the ELITE squad from the Dragonriders, and therefore had access to a heavier arsenal than their juniors. Well, again this is all speculation. Thanks for your comment.

[@silvertemplar8061]

Let’s not forget that no matter what Vendrick thought at the time, he attacked the Giants. I mean who wouldn’t want to fight the other for vengeance.

[@groophalo4833]

At the start it says king vendricks siege of the the ringed city. Might be smart to correct

[@ChepsGaming]

That is what it is supposed to say. What do you mean by correct?

[@maxenfelter]

Perhaps Fillianore's power isn't necessarily over nature, but more just the ability to suppress man? That would explain why all the man-made structures and stairways and such don't seem to have aged at all but the more natural parts of the world like the greenery and the swamp have run rampant. Don't really know, but it's fun to speculate like this :) Especially if it helps make a theory or two that can reconcile all the disconnected lore bits between Ds2 and 3.

[@ChepsGaming]

The thing is, every item description and every element that is related to Filianore mentions either greenery, or stamina, which is related to greenery. The Young Grass Dew, Filianore's Spear Ornament, the overgrown greenery of her room, just everything points towards Filianore having a relationship and power over nature, well at least to me. Thanks for your comment.

[@Tengu125]

Alternatively, the giants living in the Hollow realm might be unrelated to the Lordran giants, instead being cousins of the Pygmies/Humans, a different evolutionary line born of the Dark Soul's influence on the primordial humanoids that diversified after finding the four souls within the First Flame, seeing as they have a literal hole for a face, similar to the hole that every Hollow (the true form of Humans) bears on their chest. The Giant Lord might even have been a representative for these giants among the Pygmy Lords, seeing as there are powerful giants living within the city, guarding important locations (such as the perimeter guard with his phantom archer legion and the one in the church) and rather than the chains and slave rags of the Lordran giants, they are dressed in robes and wielding well crafted weapons and magical artifacts.

[@Roockert]

This is some good speculation. I havent heard anyone else mentioning why the we se ruin knights in the ringed city which means drangleic has some type of connection to the ringed city. We also se the other normal dead giants which dont turn to trees which has to mean the other giants that does is special in some kind of way

[@TrumpCardMAGA]

The murk shits and stirs...

[@ChepsGaming]

+Dream The Endless you made me almost choke on my drink.

[@的是一个的是一个]

I also thought that too because the ruin knights enslaved by the judicator it was the 1st clue.. but what I loved the most is the Herald knights been originally a dragon raider knight from ds2 and lifted there by king vendrick they do actually look like a dragon raider I also loved the idea that the ringed city residents are giants but what I had like to know is what did vendrick stole from the giants? is it the dark souls? or something created by the giants .. anyway really great video man 👍👍

[@ChepsGaming]

的是一个 的是一个 well, please note I say the Giants were denizens of the forests AROUND the Ringed City, not the Ringed City itself. I am glad you enjoyed my theory, and thank you for your comment.

[@kelvinsantiago7061]

Remember the giants of DS 1 were basically a Subjugated slave race whileit seems that in dark souls 2 they rebelled and escaped to some land where they made a kingdom and King Vendrik invaded them, after the giants retaliated and defeated Vendrik the other kingdoms considered them a threat and waged war and subjugated them again.(this is my own theory).

[@DarthRinzler]

As soon as you said ruin knight were sent to the ringed city I already new there was a link to dark souls 2 and 3

[@osvaldoprado9906]

It's fun how you said "...he explains the significance of thecloranthy ring...+3" hehehe but excellent vid. Like*

[@ChepsGaming]

+Osvaldo Prado thank you.

[@eyanquayle4445]

I always enjoy watching videos talking about Dark Souls lore and yours was very well presented. I would like to know though why you believe Filianore has power over nature. I have not seen anything thus far that would lead me to believe that she does

[@ChepsGaming]

Take a look at the video I link in the description. Further, it is just the level of greenery present in the ringed city that is absent from any other area in the game. It just makes sense. Thank you for your comment.

[@eyanquayle4445]

Just watched it thank you. Makes a lot more sense now. Or at least as much as is possible in this series :)

[@cullysloy2705]

it makes "Dark souls sense". I agree.

[@CaptainSkylocke]

Why does everyone assume they are the same species of giant? They could be completely unrelated.

[@ChepsGaming]

Karshe Oberon I agree, yet the fact that fact makes the world of DS2 feel disconnected.

[@hugomiguel8293]

No one talks how the soul of a giant is designed?!? No one?!? Ok. That dark center filled with humanity.... Also, since the giants from DS1 and DS3 have masks, you don't know how their faces really are, for all we know, they can have the same faces from Ds2. Also, in the intro cutscene of ds3, Yhorm doesn't have a face, but only a dark hole...the face only shows when you battle him. Also, although I really like the lore presented in DS2, Myazaki tried to do fan service in presenting hints of it in DS3, but it's too disconnected to really make a serious connection, although there is a piece of dialog in DS2 that directly connects drangleic to lordran. It's not too farfetched, synce we have a map of drangleic in being a large kingdom directly connect to a ocean and lordran as a simple kingdom that can be situated in any place in the large kingdom of drangleic. But well, most of the lore is based on speculation since it's never really explained to us the temporal jumps. The only explanation we have in DS3 is that lothric is were all the lands of lords converge. Almost as the flame is pulling the time and espace into a single point (ence how anor londo still exists. And the design of the whole dreag heap.)heck, even in the ds2 DLC's doesn't explain if the locations exist in the same timeline you are or if you travelled back in time.

[@aromardu]

In the Dreg Heap, we encounter Murkmen, which also have their faces missing, like the Giants in DS2. They are the natural evolution of devotees of the Cathedral of the Deep, imho, and we get this connection between the Deep, the Dark and naturally, the closeness of the Dark Soul, which lies in a land not far from the Heap, at that point in time.

[@ChepsGaming]

I had not thought about the murkmen, but you are completely right. If one thinks in terms of symbolism, I think that losing oneself to any form of the dark makes you lose your identity and personality. Hey, even on Artorias' case, we do not get to see his face ever, who says there is even one behind the helmet. Thank you for your insight, friend.

[@Kurai_69420]

7:12 You can backstab the giants?!

[@ChepsGaming]

HAHAHA, not all of them, but yeah.

[@masternate2993]

Ok one more im sorry for interrupting ill make this one a 2fer so that way i can finish the vid 1st filianore her power is not of a nature esq style type thing but more of a time based power as touching her egg sends you to "the literal end of the world" not the end as in its the edges of the dark souls world but the end as in the dark souls world will not and can not exist beyond that point the end of time while the green around filianore i shall explain with 2nd the ringed city is in fact oolacial check it the top of the ringed city is i dunno somewhere but as you go deeper to the place where the first ringed knight is thats around the area where you meet elizabeth mushroom (though shes not there shes now in a cave near farrons keep) and the ring streets that is now covered by some type of abyss liquid is the area of oolacial were you meet uhh i cant member i think its were you meet the abyss walker but its been so long i cant member for sure any ways anyone who says they dont see the resemblance between oolacial and the ringed city are liars and should be tried for treason maby even beaten like its a perfect match but with that being said manus and the abyss never left the ringed city to get to oolacial as its one and the same just much deeper then midir's boss room well not that much deeper but a bit deeper lets say midir's cave is an excavated cave were you find sif pup Ok friends those were my last two comments sorry it was so long and even though it may sound like im against it im not against it i realy am intrested in hearing about vendrick and his war with the ringed city and if its at all possible i hope the vid ends with at least a specilation on what it is vendrick stole from the giants cause thats always bugged me that i never was able to find out

[@ChepsGaming]

Ok, this one will take a while, but everything relating to Filianore has to do with grass and greenery in some way. Filianore's Spear Ornament: "The Spears of the Church watch over the Princess' slumber, and this serves as proof of their fulfillment of their duty. The embellished gold cloth is woven with a crest of young grass." Young Grass Dew: "A small, transparent stone that once graced the green young grass crest. This semi-precious gem honors a Spear of Church after a battle well-fought, and is said to slightly enhance their blessing of protection. (while held, this effect is constant). Slightly increases damage absorption and stamina regeneration." Talking about stamina regeneration. Green Blossom: "Green weed, shaped like a flower.Temporary boost to stamina recovery speed." Chloranty Ring +3, found right outside of Filianore's Church: "This old ring is named for its decorative green blossom, but its luster is long since faded. Raises stamina recovery speed." Ok, so, essentially most of the items relating to Filianore have to do with either grass or stamina recovery. Stamina recovery ALWAYS has to do with greenery. Additionally to this, you can see that all around Filianore there is greenery, whereas other of the places that have been ravaged by time tend to be drab and Grey. Thank you for your comments.

[@desplanchesstevan1418]

I want.. But I don't like your links.. Probably too much speculation I guess. But there is still some interesting information, especially the ruin set that excite and bore me : They were send by Vendrick, that's a truth ''old king's order'' and Vendrick is refered as the Old King in the whole game. And that follows the idea of Want that Vendrick follows.. In DS3. In fact, Vendrick never had the Want, the greed in DK2, so I dunno why they decided to give this image of him in DS3 (from the shield of want). And, I also love how DK2 is reffered in DK3, though implicit ways, more than highly explicit like the links with DK1. An example is that I think Eleum Loyce has a huge link with the profaned capital or Irythill, and that's not directly statued.

[@ChepsGaming]

I can definitely respect that sir. Like I stated in the video, there was more speculation than usual in this video. I hope you at least enjoyed the presentation of some of these ideas, even if they were very out there. Thank you for your insightful comment.

[@juliandezeeuw4404]

I've always said Lordran and Lothric is the Land of Giants.

[@ChepsGaming]

Yeah, it always felt like that for me too.

[@willriseabove6858]

Actually the giant Lord is very different looking more like yorm, so the giants in dks2 could be just golems, which was why vendrick fought the giants he stole something from them, which allowed him to make golems and his castle. Also dark souls is convoluted in dks2 there was only one last giant which furthers the golems and why tbey were different, but in the dlc there are quite a few giants so either tlg was the last free giant away from the church or tribe, or in some way yorm was before him.

[@ChepsGaming]

He does look different, however you cannot see him having a face, like Yhorm, and when you see him as the last giant he is like all other giants from DS2. Like I said in the video, the damned giants are a problem to connect DS2 to both of the others. Thank you for your comment.

[@willriseabove6858]

Cheps Gaming hollow giants, maybe vendrick stole they're humanity which is why he is so freaking tall jk and yeah was a good theory tbh you could argue the giants look is based off limitations on the system, wouldn't see a reason to have a new race of giants with absolutely no explanation or reason.

[@ChepsGaming]

The problem that I have is the fact that DS1 and DS3 giants are almost identical, so it makes it harder to connect the dots.

[@ElHombreGato]

What about the giant tree on top of firelink. The one that drops Seed of a giant tree

[@ChepsGaming]

See pinned post.

[@tally9542]

Ok but are any of the Lordran giants seen without helmets on? Because they could easily have the cave in faces if not

[@DLYoung-bu5ui]

I never noticed the ruin knights in the Ringed City...of course, I forgot all about a lot in DS2... Kinda wish more of you Lore Hounds would try to find these connections. Most people who do these lore vids skip over DS2, and I am guessing there are more subtitles we all missed. Nice job.

[@ChepsGaming]

D.L. Young Thank you, man. I found an interestimg connection and people seemed to enjoy it. Thank you for your comment.

[@SentimentalSnakes]

The herald knights can't be dragon riders because they're wearing slave knight armor

[@ChepsGaming]

Hmm, I had not thought about that. There might be an extra layer to this story then, I might make another video relating to that.

[@sen4zen673]

Nice video...the first time I played the DLC I noticed the sword golem dudes look a lot like the giants from ds2. Perhaps they are the giants...perhaps the forest around as well?

[@Mestrinox]

Although ds2 lore is not directly connected with ds1 and ds3 lore, the connection you made mas pretty good indeed. I just see one little flaw with the harald knights and the dragon riders and its that the equipment is not the same, but still it could work since time is convoluted as Solaire well taught us back in ds1.

[@ChepsGaming]

I agree that the weapons are a bit different, however, that could just be due to the fact that the Harald Legion were the ELITE forces from the Dragonriders, well, atleast that is how I see it. Thank you for your comment.

[@justsomeone6166]

this is especulation but if the giants are one with nature are the hollows turned trees in dark souls 3 also one with nature ? If thats the case was there a kind of covenant or cult of people who actually were allied with giants?

[@NOGREATNAME]

This theory makes sense but I have one issue and that is the giant tree in ds3 how does that one come into play unless I'm miss remembering the look

[@ChepsGaming]

Some other people have brought up this point in the comment section. What I answered was that the fact that Vendrick invades from Drangleic into the Ringed City makes it so that the presence of that giant is not that big of a deal, as he could be just a remnant of the other Giants, as he is essentially within the same "continent". Thanks for commenting.

[@MikeHesk742]

I wonder if rather than talking about a divergent evolution of giants, maybe the DS2 giants are effectively the 'hollows' of their race? Incapable of speech, coherent thought, endlessly violent mindless aggressive. They look different from the other giants, but no more different than say a hollow does to a normal undead.

[@ChepsGaming]

That is what a lot of people have mentioned in the comment section. I think that this would also be consistent with the idea that these giants had something to do with the Dark Soul in some manner. Thank you for your comment.

[@masternate2993]

He did not tell me what vendrick stole

[@ChepsGaming]

I cannot know what he stole, however, I believe it is linked to the Dark Soul, or maybe even a portion of it, as we know that it has the capacity to imbue inanimate objects with some form of sentience, so it would explain the golems.

[@ISoloYouRelax]

There is no connection because the second game doesn't have anything to do with the first or third.

[@chinzie9889]

You mean Nashandra being a shard of manus? Or the fact that you find ruin sentinel armor in the ringed city that makes a direct reference to vendrick? Or how about the giant tree near firelink? Or maybe the fact that earthen peak, a dark souls 2 area, is stacked upon other kingdoms in the dreg heap in dark souls 3 implying a direct connection? Nah

[@SteakfulDead]

I love DS2 lore but you lost me at Harald Legion= Dragonriders.

[@LyllianaofMirrah]

i mean we can compare the legging piece of harald and see if it matches with dragonrider set or not

[@00Boogie]

I think it sounds plausible. Also, anyone who has a problem with lots of speculation probably ain't much of a Dark Souls fan :p

[@ChepsGaming]

There actually was a fair amount of people that disliked this level of speculation on the video. It doesn't bother me, and this is why I put that disclaimer there, but to some speculating to this degree is tantamount to heresy. Meh, to each his own. Thank you for your comment.

[@HandsomeGamerGuy]

@@ChepsGaming I mean. Just the Ruin/Sentinel Armor in Dark Souls 3 is enough of a link to share whatever thought you can come up with.

[@Jaypes1]

There is so need to think of the ds2 giants as some sort of divergent species of giant. They are simply their own race. They may have no common ancestor to other giant races. They are simply big humanoids, thus 'giant.'

[@BNG_Blind_Wolf]

Dark Souls 2 was not a bad game. I enjoyed all 3 of the Dark Souls games. I think I even enjoyed Dark Souls 2 DLC more then the Dark Souls 3 DLC's. Dark Soul 1 DLC was still epic though

[@ChepsGaming]

In terms of mechanics I like DS3 the best. Bloodborne was my first FromSoftware game, so I like the more fast paced combat, however, in terms of world design I like DS1. However, some of the best characters in the souls franchise are in DS2, so all 3 are near to my heart. Thanks for the comment.

[@ThePsicopanchoTeam]

But what about the tree giant that is outside the firelink shrine in ds3? How did he got there?

[@masternate2993]

I just started the vid but i feel you are uhhh how do i say this its hard for me to put words to whats in my head but easist way to explain would be ds1&3 only show slave giants while ds2 are soldier giants while if you compare the giant lord/last giant to yohrm the giant you see much they are the same (my theory is the giant lord is the one yohrm failed to protect as yohrms shield mentions witch in turn makes yohrm the new giant lord and the replacement now in charge of stopping the profane flame by thrn becoming the lord of cinder)

[@ChepsGaming]

The thing is, while they look very similar, Yhorm very clearly has a face, while the Giant Lord we cannot tell. In regards to slave and soldier giants, it very well could be, but it is difficult to connect. Though I guess not much more of a leap than what I presented in this video, lol

[@Wikstroem]

The reason the last giant is pissed of at you is because YOU were the one defeating him. I'm not saying you traveled back in time but it is still a memory of a giant who saw YOU kill the giant lord.

[@ChepsGaming]

+Robert Wikström Yes, a lot of people hzvr theorized there is some magic like Manus' at play. Just like Manus with the Chosen Undead, it is the bearer of the curse that defeats the Giang Lord in the past, precipitating the events of the present. Causality be damned! Thank you for your comment.

[@Agent_Funk]

I don't remember the exact dialogue or item description, but isn't it indicated that Nashandra and her sisters come from over the sea similar to the giants? For some reason I've gone this whole time remembering Nashandra as coming from the same place as the giants which is how she leads Vendrick there. That would make sense along with this theory if she's referring to the Ringed City.

[@ChepsGaming]

Well, I do not know if there is an item description or Dialogue that would definitely say that she came from across the sea. I do remember chancellor Wellager's dialogue make mention of her coming from a faraway land: "The King had a dear Queen, a woman of unparalleled beauty. Long ago, the Queen came to us, alone, from a faraway land. She warned our Lord of the looming threat across the seas…of the Giants. The King crossed the ocean… And defeated the Giants, with the Queen at his side." So I dont know how much that would play on your comment. Thank you for your comment and the food for thought.

[@foxprime4648]

If this could be the case, then the story on ds2 would have a lot More Sense,

[@ChepsGaming]

Well, I can only speculate, you know. Thanks for the comment

[@CaptainSkylocke]

A good video with lots of cool ideas, some things though just seemed really random. Like stating that the Harald Knights were the dragonriders. Is there any evidence for that or is it just you interpretation. I like to hear the more out there ideas though, even if I don't necessarily agree with them.

[@ChepsGaming]

Yeah, that was merely my interpretation of it and connecting the dots. A lot of people disagree with it and of course that is fine. I merely went where the theory took me at thd time. Thank you for your comment.

[@ringofsteel6319]

In my own option I think the Giants are tree Giants in darksouls2

[@ChepsGaming]

The ones in Dark Souls 2, ARE tree Giants, but are they related to the ones in Dark Souls 1 and Dark Souls 3? Thank you for your comment.

[@raime_likes_memes_too3624]

I think that nashdria is trying to reach the dark soul so she need to remove the giants first and maybe the giants in ds2 are there own spices because you see a giant tree outside of firelink

[@ChepsGaming]

Yes, you do see that Giant Tree, which is the one that provides the Seeds, however that is the only one, and all of the giants in DS3 seem to be more akin to the giants of DS1 than the ones from DS2. Yhorm is a good example, as he very clearly has a face and no hole. In regards to the Nashandra bit, I think that this is a very nice twist of my little theory. Thank you for your comment.

[@HardCoreTea]

you're forgetting a very important thing about trees, when they hollow, they literally hollow. try googling for "hollow tree" images. this alone makes me convinced Yhorm is a direct descendant of the Giant lord, and is the same species of giants. another thing i was pretty sure since DS1, those masked and chained giants are golems, constructs. while DS2 giants were living creatures, albeit as hollow as just about any other enemy in DS2.

[@HardCoreTea]

just to clarify to any other readers, Yhorm is not hollow, hence the face. he's ash now, which is unable to hollow unless forced with some crazy ass Londor vodoo.

[@ChepsGaming]

I have a question, what do you think of "I help anytime" or the Giant Blacksmith? I like the Yhorm theory, but I do not know if it convinces me yet.

[@HardCoreTea]

each was constructed/created with a single purpose. since they were constructed by much more skilled.. uh.. gods? back during Gwyn's reign, they show actual intelligence, unlike Vendrik, with his limited knowledge of ancient teachings, was able only to create basic construction machinery with whatever he stole. this just made me realize why a lot of giants in DS3 are in just sitting around or in deep sleep until the player disturbs them, their purpose is long gone. i mean even we puny humans can create advanced AI, a decade or two and we'll be able to create real AI, so this idea doesn't seem far fetched at all to me.

[@baptistelasbats3952]

Just, guys, do somebody know which MadLuigi's video Cheps Gaming is talking about? I don't find it.

[@ChepsGaming]

You can find a link on the description of my video. The title of his video is "How Dark Souls 3 Tells a Story (Lore):"

[@baptistelasbats3952]

thanks dude.

[@ChepsGaming]

baptiste lasbats no prob

[@jandeiification]

I love this other theory.

[@farshot2713]

are the 4 crowns wolnir destroyed the 4 crowns from dark souls 2?

[@ChepsGaming]

Some people have theorized that. If so, that would explain were Yhorm got the "Profaned Flame" from, as it would be a remnant of the ivory king's.

[@HandsomeGamerGuy]

@@ChepsGaming Then that would explain also why everyone got burned to death. It would be the Soul or atleast another fragment/Splitter of the old Chaos.

[@silvertemplar8061]

Wait for real!??? Vendrick besieged the Ringed City!????

[@smexis6980]

What about the giant in firelink shrine in DS3?

[@ChepsGaming]

As I mentioned in another comment, the fact that Vendrick invades from Drangleic into the Ringed City makes it so that the presence of that giant is not that big of a deal, as he could be just a remnant of the other Giants, as he is essentially within the same "continent". Thank you for your comment.

[@smexis6980]

Cheps Gaming 👌

[@charlesdemarest1171]

Wait, what about the ds2 tree giant outside fire link shrine?

[@ShirakiAkarin]

3* (?

[@charlesdemarest1171]

The ds2-esqe giant tree outside the ds3 firelink shrine.

[@somerandomyoutuber7202]

Ds2 isn’t cannon

[@ChepsGaming]

Ds2 is most certainly not a cylindrical implement of war used to ignite gunpowder and fire metallic balls at an enemy. It is however part of the oficial story.

[@shhsfootballjock]

Hardcore reaching here. Just baseless assumptions

[@chinzie9889]

You can ignore it all you want but its right in front of you. The games are directly related. If you find the ruin sentinel armor in the ringed city it makes direct reference to vendrick who sent them to invade.

[@sen4zen673]

Perhaps the player character from ds2 is in fact Vendrick?

[@ElHombreGato]

To far off, I should of listed to your warning! My mind burns in disagreement...

[@HandsomeGamerGuy]

Then just read the Ruin Sentinel Set again.

[@danielwheels9529]

Smelter demon has same face as giants

[@ChepsGaming]

+Daniel Wheels I think that is because hw counts as a golem. Golems in DS2 have no faces.

[@manmanboyboydudedudeguyguy2800]

Well the smelter demon was created by eygil and the iron king

[@KhepriX]

I wish I could have stopped watching the video, but the warning came at 1:29 and by then you already got my view...so kudos...that was smooth. As for the video, thats a long way to go to try to tie both games (by force) when DS2 and DS1/3 are not even related at all. DS2 = Adopted Souls child, it has the name of its family, but its not a legitimate child.

[@ChepsGaming]

I can only work with what the creators give me. Like I said, this had more speculation that I am used to making, but that is what that warning was there for. In regards to what brought this idea, it started in the item description of the Ruin Knight Set found in the Ringed City: "Armor of the company of knights who were sent to the Ringed City on an old king's orders. The knights sought the dark soul, but were so soundly crushed, they had little choice but to swear themselves to the Judicator Giant. The ill-fated company was later immortalized in a dark fable, inspiring the aspect of certain golems in whom their name lived on."

[@nelsonnoslen432]

Stop being a little bitch of the maneuver that only repeats the same bullshit, people like you cause disgust.

[@KhepriX]

Nelson Noslen what does that even mean?

[@nelsonnoslen432]

"muh DS2 is bad, it's not canon hur dur", the game has many factors that could refute you but you just go ahead with your blindness, repeating empty words.

[@nelsonnoslen432]

It's not just because the game was not developed by the fucking Myazaki that he's not Canon, it's still Souls.

[@WilfNelson1]

Yeah there are leaps and then just bad abduction. The giants from DS2 are seen at firelink shrine in DS3. They are just two different species of giant. The ringed city is not from across the sea. It is sealed away at the end of time, part of filanore's power over time not nature, and there is no visible sea to sail away from it. The giants were beaten in DS2 but no one has successfully invaded the ringed city. We see that ruin knights tried under the command of the burned ivory king but they were destroyed and subjugated. We see no evidence of drangleic knights in the ringed city. There is no evidence of giants like in DS2 in the ringed city. There is also no evidence of giant culture including their kinship and golem technology which is the staple of their civilisation. Filanore does not have power over nature, she has just been asleep for a very long time and the vines grew into her chamber. The reason they haven't swamped her is just art direction by the designers so you can see her. When you break the egg a huge burst of light appears and time changes, this is oolacile magic. Or since oolacile and the ringed city at one point exchanged citizens and likely knowledge, from halflight's set we know this, the manipulation of time and light is likely originally filanore's thing which the more elf like people of oolacile learnt about (look at dark souls design works for dusk's elf like appearance). The ringed city is also a named land anyway. It is the land of courland. The evidence for this comes from ludleth. Firstly ludleth is an exile from courland he straight tells us this. Ludleth is literally a small person or Pygmy, and the Japanese translation shows he uses that exact word to describe himself. He also has the same skin colour and build as the other lords. The transposing kiln comes from courland too and he knows how to use one. Filanore is holding a transposing kiln as seen in the design work arts again. Vaadi has a brilliant video explaining her connection to the egg, her dreaming and what her real power is. Overall I think you connected dots which already had set links. The easiest explanation for the giants looking different in DS2 is another team worked on it and it was their art style. Once you go with that the rest of the theories about Vendrick attacking a city you can only get to by going to the end of time, filanore altering the evolution of giants etc doesn't need to exist.

[@ChepsGaming]

- Ok, first, we see a SINGLE Giant Tree in the whole of DS3, which would be consistent with the notion that most of them were wiped out, and I am in fact stating in the video that they are 2 different species of giant, hence the divergent evolution. - We do not arrive to the Ringed City by magic, but by air, courtesy of the Batwing Demons, so, even though Filianore's Magic is at work, the notion that the whole city has been ALWAYS sealed away at the end of time is patently false, specially since we have the descriptions of both the Ruin Knight Set and the Harald set that show that the Ringed City was attempted to be invaded. Regarding the sea part, Vendrick would not have needed to disembark at the Ringed City, specially since I pointed out he probably arrived to it through the forests surrounding it. - The design of the Ivory Knights and the Ruin Knights, while similar, is not exactly the same, whereas the design of the Ruin Knight Set is EXACTLY the same as the Ruin Sentinels that served under King Vendrick in DS2. - Again, like I said in the video, the giants were not denizens of the Ringed City, but were attracted to the forests surrounding it. - Now on the Filianore situation. Answer: Filianore's Spear Ornament: "The Spears of the Church watch over the Princess' slumber, and this serves as proof of their fulfillment of their duty. The embellished gold cloth is woven with a crest of young grass." Young Grass Dew: "A small, transparent stone that once graced the green young grass crest. This semi-precious gem honors a Spear of Church after a battle well-fought, and is said to slightly enhance their blessing of protection. (while held, this effect is constant). Slightly increases damage absorption and stamina regeneration." Talking about stamina regeneration. Green Blossom: "Green weed, shaped like a flower.Temporary boost to stamina recovery speed." Chloranty Ring +3, found right outside of Filianore's Church: "This old ring is named for its decorative green blossom, but its luster is long since faded. Raises stamina recovery speed." Ok, so, essentially most of the items relating to Filianore have to do with either grass or stamina recovery. Stamina recovery items ALWAYS have to do with greenery. Additionally to this, you can see that all around Filianore there is greenery, whereas any other of the places that have been ravaged by time tend to be drab and Grey. And BTW saying Vaatividya said it is not a real argument. Vaati speculates, just like everybody else. - Regarding the connection with OOlacile, while we do know about it mostly due to Halflight, the links you are presenting take just a big a leap as the ones I posture in the video. - While we all know that the B Team designed DS2 and it was therefore quite different, there are definite links that one can follow and speculate, just like you did within your comment, and just like Vaati speculates in his videos. You just happen to dogmatically believe that these things you postulated are "set links", notion which I of course disagree with. Thanks for your comment.

[@TheVixalazio]

Unfortunately this story is plainly wishful thinking. DS2 had some good ideas but in the end the lore and the overall experience just felt bland, flat and without any strong direction. The atmosphere in that game as a whole was....kind of lacking, imo and as far as I know the majority of people felt the same way.

[@ChepsGaming]

THis video started in analyzing the item description of the Ruin Knight armor found in the Ringed City. "Armor of the company of knights who were sent to the Ringed City on an old king's orders.The knights sought the dark soul, but were so soundly crushed, they had little choice but to swear themselves to the Judicator Giant.The ill-fated company was later immortalized in a dark fable, inspiring the aspect of certain golems in whom their name lived on." Even if Miyazaki himself loathes the Lore of DS2 and hates everything about it, they decided to put this item and item description in the game very clearly linking DS2 and DS3. All I did is follow this trail and speculate around it. Thank you for your comment.

[@TheVixalazio]

Good video I am not trying to be negative. It's just that ds 2 really did not feel like a proper dark souls game at all, at least to me. It did not advance the story , it also tried to relate to ds1 but did it very poorly (mostly by just copying stuff without much thought) and in the end it was a just like....yeah whatever.

[@HandsomeGamerGuy]

@@TheVixalazio The game that copyed mostly stuff from ds1 without much thought was Dark Souls3...

[@Travice78]

For ppl who still negate bonds between Ds2/3, you find in the early game the FUCKIN SHIELD OF WANT, and guess what ? You can only upgrd it with scales… It should be a huge point.