Unveiling the Mourner: Who is the Woman at Artorias’ Grave?
The woman you encounter kneeling in sorrow at the grave of Knight Artorias is Lord’s Blade Ciaran, one of the Four Knights of Gwyn. More than just a fellow knight, Ciaran’s connection to Artorias runs deeper, hinting at a profound, perhaps even romantic, relationship. Her presence at his final resting place is a poignant testament to the cost of heroism and the enduring power of love and loss in the unforgiving world of Dark Souls. She seeks closure, a piece of the man she likely deeply cared for.
Ciaran: Gwyn’s Blade of Mercy
A Member of the Elite Four
Ciaran was one of Lord Gwyn’s Four Knights, a group renowned for their exceptional combat skills and unwavering loyalty. Unlike the brute force of Ornstein or the strategic ranged attacks of Gough, Ciaran specialized in swift, deadly strikes using her signature paired weapons, the Gold Tracer and the Dark Silver Tracer. These weapons reflect her role as an assassin and executioner, a ‘blade of mercy’ tasked with carrying out missions that required finesse and discretion.
More Than Just a Knight
While the game provides no explicit confirmation of a romantic relationship between Ciaran and Artorias, the implications are strong. Her grief at his grave, her desire for his soul, and the overall tone of her character strongly suggest a deep emotional bond. The way she cradles Artorias’ soul speaks volumes, implying a level of intimacy and emotional connection that transcends mere camaraderie. It is generally understood that Ciaran and Artorias were in love, and possibly even lovers.
The Significance of the Grave
A Place of Mourning and Remembrance
Artorias’ grave is located in the Royal Wood, accessible after defeating Artorias himself. Finding Ciaran there adds a layer of tragedy to an already somber location. It underscores the permanent consequences of the Abyss’s corruption and the heavy price paid by those who fought against it. The gravesite serves as a reminder of her loss and his valor.
The Choice: Soul or Blades?
Upon encountering Ciaran, you are presented with a difficult choice: to give her Artorias’ soul or refuse. If you choose to give her the soul, she will reward you with her dual Tracers. If you refuse, or attack her, you can obtain her Tracer weapons and her unique armor set by killing her. This moral dilemma highlights the themes of sacrifice, loss, and the player’s agency in shaping the narrative. The Tracers are the rewards for the sacrifice of giving her the only thing she wanted: some piece of the soul of the man she loved.
Deciphering Her Motives
Yearning for Closure
Ciaran’s desire for Artorias’ soul can be interpreted as a way for her to achieve closure. In the world of Dark Souls, souls are fragments of life force and memory. By possessing Artorias’ soul, Ciaran may be seeking to hold onto a part of him, to keep his memory alive, and to somehow find solace in her grief. It is not so different from the need of people today to hold onto the ashes of loved ones.
A Lasting Tribute
Her presence at the grave is a lasting tribute to Artorias’ sacrifice. She stands as a silent guardian, a protector of his memory, ensuring that his heroic deeds are not forgotten. Her unwavering devotion serves as a stark contrast to the fading glory of Lordran and the creeping despair that permeates the land. The themes of loss and sacrifice in Dark Souls can provide important context for learning, as they create powerful emotional connections that can be studied in a game-based environment. A deeper understanding of these complex themes can be found at the Games Learning Society website.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about Ciaran and her role in the Artorias storyline:
1. Does Ciaran love Artorias?
Yes, it is generally assumed that they were greatly interested in each other, and quite likely lovers. She appears afterwards to mourn for him over the site of his death, and wants his soul for the same reason that people want the ashes of their loved ones after they’re cremated.
2. Is it worth killing Ciaran?
There’s really no purpose to talk to her if you simply want her stuff. Killing her nets you the gold and silver tracers, and her armor to boot. If you’re not roleplaying or don’t have a heart (you evil person, you), there’s really no repercussions for killing her.
3. Was Knight Artorias a human?
Ornstein, Artorias, Ciaran, and Gough are likely not Human, or undead humans.
4. Why is Artorias so tall?
The ‘god’ giants, such as Ornstein, Gwyn, Ciaran, Artorias, and silver knights, are all normally 6-10 feet tall but grow as they absorb more souls. You see this directly when Ornstein absorbs Smough.
5. What happens if you don’t give Ciaran Artorias’ soul?
If you give her his soul you get both of her weapons without having to deal with her. On the other hand, killing her grants you both weapons for free and allows access to her armor set. Her armor is often considered aesthetically unappealing.
6. What to do after killing Artorias?
Return to the room in which you fought Artorias. You’ll find a small NPC named Ciaran. She’ll ask you for Artorias’ soul. If you say yes, she’ll give you two great dexterity weapons, the Gold Tracer and the Dark Silver Tracer.
7. What is Artorias’ wolf’s name?
Great Grey Wolf Sif is the wolf companion of Sir Artorias, the Abysswalker. After Artorias passed away, Sif became the guardian of Artorias’ grave in the Darkroot Garden.
8. Is Artorias left or right-handed?
The item description of the Majestic Greatsword (Artorias’ sword) in DSII says that all prominent users of the sword have been left-handed. When the sword is used in the left hand, it has a special moveset that is almost identical to Artorias’ moveset in Dark Souls.
9. Is Gael stronger than Artorias?
There is no way Artorias is stronger than the guy that consumed the dark soul. Artorias only has 3750 HP in NG, whereas Gael has 14,985.
10. Who is Gwyn’s daughter in DS1?
Gwynevere is the daughter of Lord Gwyn, making her the Princess of Sunlight. She appears as a giant woman draped in cloth, resting in her chamber. This Gwynevere is actually an illusion created by Dark Sun Gwyndolin. The real Gwynevere is currently not in Lordran, having married the flame god Flann.
11. Who broke Artorias’ arm?
During his battle with Manus, Father Of The Abyss, Artorias was defeated, and his left arm was broken. He also used his shield to protect Sif during the battle with Manus and the Abyss.
12. Can you take off Artorias’ ring in the Abyss?
You must equip the Covenant of Artorias in your ring slot. If you remove it, you will die immediately. Also, be sure to have as many healing items as possible.
13. Is Artorias the most powerful Knight?
Of Lord Gwyn’s four most trusted knights, Artorias was deemed the strongest in close combat, which the player can test for themselves in the Oolacile Township area in a memorable boss battle.
14. How did Sif get Artorias’ sword?
In the ensuing years, it continued to survive and grow to tremendous size to protect Artorias’ grave. Sif fights by grabbing Artorias’ sword from in front of the grave and holding it in its mouth.
15. Why did Artorias get corrupted?
He could not withstand the corruption of the abyss, so in desperation he protected his companion, the young wolf Sif, with his shield and became corrupted.
Ciaran’s story is a reminder that even in the bleakest of worlds, love, loyalty, and grief can endure. Her presence at Artorias’ grave is a powerful symbol of the human (or perhaps, not-so-human) condition and the enduring impact of sacrifice. Examining these themes allows us to study complex character interactions in a dynamic setting. To learn more about this, visit GamesLearningSociety.org .