Video Summary
Gravelord Nito wields a unique power over death that may even affect gods; this differs from the occult.
High Lord Wolnir and the kingdom of Carthus embody conquest and the drive to outlive others.
The Abyss Watchers were aware of their doom—their armor and Japanese text imply they foresaw their final moments.
Farron Swamp lycanthropes link to the Old Wolfblood and suggest beast transformations akin to Bloodborne.
Vinheim's aggressive sorcery clashed with the Way of White and hints at wider maritime campaigns (Varangians).
The occult is heretical magic used by pagan cultists and hostile to the gods, whereas Nito's power is an intrinsic dominion over death and the dead that can potentially affect deities themselves.
Vaati argues the game's lands are converging; the Abyss Watchers likely buried Carthus during their campaign, causally linking the kingdoms and hiding Carthus beneath Farron.
In Japanese the armor description implies the Abyss Watchers actually saw their final moments in the armor, meaning they were acutely aware of their abyss-soaked fate rather than merely resigned to it.
The Old Wolfblood may cause wolf-possession or beast transformations; 'Lycanthrope' and 'Hunters of the Possessed' suggest a dangerous, transformative side effect for those who partake of the blood.
Lothian rose from peasant to general fighting without a shield and later hunted dragons; his era's wars contributed to Forossa's destruction and its people becoming scattered sellswords.
"Nito's power isn't based on the occult, so if these cultists were interested in the power of Nito, it follows that Nito's power over death extends to the gods as well."
Gravelord Nito, a significant figure in Dark Souls, has received relatively little attention despite his immense influence over death.
The Effigy Shield, found in the catacombs, symbolizes his connection to death and the mysterious occult magic feared by the gods.
The occult is defined as a heretical dark magic used by those who are hostile to the divine.
Nito's ability to manipulate death could serve as a potent weapon against the gods, highlighting his importance in the lore.
His story portrays a powerful entity desiring peace, burdened by the weight of his own dominion over death.
"Wolnir and Carthus deserve their own video too, and they'll be featured really soon."
In stark contrast to Nito, High Lord Wolnir seeks to outlive all and become the last of the Dead, leading to a reign of conquest over numerous souls.
Wolnir expanded the vast kingdom of Carthus and is characterized by the ethos of "victory at any cost."
The geography of Dark Souls III illustrates the convergence of realms, suggesting that Carthus has been buried under the shadow of the Abyss Watchers, linking these kingdoms through their shared fate.
This convergence could indicate that the Abyss Watchers are directly responsible for Carthus's downfall and subsequent decay, connecting their narratives further.
"The Abyss Watchers actually saw their own final moments in the armor."
The Wolf Knight Set, originally worn by Artorias, carries a deeper significance, revealing the Abyss Watchers' awareness of their doomed fate as they battle the Abyss.
Unlike simple acknowledgments of destiny, their armor reflects their cognizance of the struggles against their abyss-soaked fate, amplifying the themes of determination and iron will.
The Followers of Farron, described as spirits or ghosts, reflect the grim reality that the Undead Legion has already approached their end, enhancing the dark atmosphere of this segment of the lore.
"Lycanthrope means wolf-possessed, and seeing as this is the Farron Swamp, it follows that being wolf-possessed would have something to do with the Wolf Blood."
Within the narrative, the creatures called Lycanthropes are tied to the Wolf Blood, suggesting a connection to the transformation into beasts, resembling themes found in Bloodborne.
The presence of the Hunters of the Possessed indicates a darker side to the swamp's inhabitants, hinting at their role in the larger ecosystem of Dark Souls III.
"It was for this reason that even the most common Way of White cleric found it necessary to cast some form of Magic Barrier."
Vinheim, home to aggressive and duplicitous sorcery, likely engaged in conflicts with clerics of the Way of White, resulting in the development of hostile magic.
This conflict denotes a significant chapter in Vinheim's history, aligning them with concepts of warfare and the need for sorcery, further contextualizing their martial ideology.
The Varangian Sword description hints at broader historical campaigns against pirates, suggesting a chaotic backdrop to the world-building of Dark Souls.
Mirrah emerges as a resilient nation, with powerful relics like the Holy Water and Geisteel driving Vendrick's interest, demonstrating the interconnectedness of lore and character motivations within this universe.
"Such was his determination that he always fought without a shield on the battlefield."
Shieldless Lothian is a legendary warrior from Forossa, who began life as a peasant before ascending to the rank of general. His bravery was epitomized by his choice to fight in battle without a shield, symbolizing his fearless nature and willingness to risk his life, which in turn inspired his men.
Lothian's story takes a turn when he mysteriously disappears, with one theory suggesting he grew weary of battling human foes and instead sought to slay legendary dragons. This shift in focus is supported by the fact that his axe is imbued with lightning, hinting at his extraordinary feats.
"After this, however, Forossa was destroyed by war, and its people scattered to a bunch of other lands as sellswords."
The aftermath of Lothian's exploits led to the downfall of Forossa, which became ravaged by war, resulting in its inhabitants becoming mercenaries in various other lands. This drastic change raises questions about Lothian's fate and the impact of his actions on his homeland.
It sparks a contemplation of the potential outcomes had Lothian not pursued the dragons, pointing to the idea that defeating such formidable creatures is no easy task and can have severe ramifications.
"It is said that the Lothric Knights, along with their flying dragons, once conquered everything that drifted."
The lore surrounding the Lothric Knights reveals that they, supported by their dragons, were a powerful force that conquered lands drawn into their vicinity. This is further emphasized by the specific terminology used in describing these conquests, paralleling with the concept of "convergence" found in other narratives related to nearby kingdoms.
This suggests a pivotal role for the Lothric Knights as defenders against the encroaching forces represented by converging lands, illustrating the complexity of territorial struggles in their world.
