Did Gwyn Create the Darksign? Unraveling the Mystery in Dark Souls
Yes, the evidence within the Dark Souls series heavily implies that Lord Gwyn, the Lord of Sunlight, created the Darksign. This isn’t explicitly stated in a single line of dialogue but is pieced together from various item descriptions, character interactions, and environmental storytelling across Dark Souls 1 and Dark Souls 3. This revelation paints a complex picture of Gwyn’s motives and the tragic consequences of his actions. Let’s delve into the lore and examine the supporting evidence for this pivotal piece of Dark Souls history.
The Darksign’s Origins: A Consequence of Fear
In Dark Souls 1, the Darksign appears as a mysterious brand on the bodies of the undead. It’s described as a curse, a sign that separates those touched by it from the natural order. Undead, marked by the Darksign, revive after death at bonfires, but they are also destined to eventually hollow, losing their minds and humanity.
The true origins of the Darksign remain an enigma throughout the first game, but later installments provide critical insight. Dark Souls 3 subtly reveals that the Darksign is directly connected to Gwyn’s attempt to prolong the Age of Fire, an age fueled by the First Flame. The game strongly suggests that the Undead Curse, and therefore the Darksign, is a direct consequence of Gwyn’s meddling with the natural order of the world. Gwyn, terrified of the encroaching Age of Dark and the potential of humanity wielding the Dark Soul, sought to control the fate of the world.
Gwyn’s Fear of the Dark and Humanity
The Scholar Aldia, in Dark Souls 2, articulates Gwyn’s fear of the Dark. He states that Gwyn trembled at the Dark and was afraid of humans, who were the inheritors of the Dark Soul. Gwyn’s desire to cling to the Age of Fire and his fear of a potential Dark Lord born among humans motivated his actions.
This fear led Gwyn to create the Darksign as a seal to contain the Darkness and prevent the rise of humanity’s power. The Darksign effectively brands humans, marking them as undead, and preventing their full potential from being realized. It’s a mechanism to suppress the Dark and maintain the cycle of the Age of Fire, a cycle that Gwyn sought to artificially prolong.
Evidence within the Lore
Several pieces of evidence further reinforce the theory that Gwyn created the Darksign:
- The Link between the First Flame and the Darksign: The Darksign’s emergence is directly correlated with the fading of the First Flame and Gwyn’s subsequent attempts to relight it. This connection strongly suggests a causal link between Gwyn’s actions and the appearance of the Darksign.
- The Ringed City and its Purpose: The Ringed City, granted to the Pygmy race by Gwyn, was used to keep the Dark Power in check. The Sigil placed on the weapons and armor of the Ringed Knights was likely designed to subdue them, much like the Darksign itself. This reinforces Gwyn’s obsession with controlling the Dark.
- The Nature of the Undead: The very nature of the undead, with their resurrection at bonfires and eventual hollowing, suggests an artificial construct rather than a natural phenomenon. The Darksign facilitates this process, acting as a binding agent for the curse.
Gwyn’s Legacy: A Legacy of Fear
Gwyn’s actions, driven by his fear of the Dark, inadvertently created the very conditions that he sought to prevent. He set in motion a cycle of undeath, sacrifice, and despair that permeates the entire Dark Souls universe. The Darksign, a symbol of the Undead Curse, is thus a monument to Gwyn’s flawed judgment and desperate attempt to control the inevitable.
While Gwyn is not a cartoonish villain, his actions position him as arguably the primary antagonist in the series, responsible for the suffering experienced by countless individuals. He embodies the dangers of clinging to the past and the consequences of trying to defy the natural order of the universe. His story serves as a cautionary tale about fear, ambition, and the tragic price of seeking immortality.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions related to Gwyn and the Darksign to provide further insight into the topic:
1. What exactly is the Darksign?
The Darksign is a mark or brand that appears on undead individuals in the Dark Souls universe. It is a sign of their cursed status, allowing them to revive after death but also subjecting them to the risk of hollowing. It’s directly tied to the Undead Curse.
2. Why do undead hollow?
Undead hollow because their souls are fading and their connection to humanity is waning. The Darksign prevents their souls from truly passing on, and this constant cycle of death and rebirth leads to a gradual loss of self.
3. What is the First Flame?
The First Flame is the source of power in the Dark Souls universe, providing light and warmth. It’s also what fuels the Age of Fire. Gwyn’s linking of the fire is what keeps the Age of Fire going, however, it’s slowly fading.
4. What is the Age of Dark?
The Age of Dark is the natural cycle following the Age of Fire. Gwyn feared the rise of the Dark and sought to prevent it. The Age of Dark is also known as the Age of Humanity.
5. Why did Gwyn link the fire?
Gwyn linked the fire out of fear. He was afraid of the Age of Dark and the rise of humans who bore the Dark Soul. He sacrificed his own soul to prolong the Age of Fire.
6. Was Gwyn evil?
Gwyn wasn’t inherently evil, but his actions, driven by fear and a desire to maintain control, had dire consequences. He represents a complex character motivated by flawed logic, and he could be argued to be the main antagonist, but he isn’t evil in the classical sense.
7. How did Gwyn become hollow?
Gwyn’s actions of linking the First Flame slowly hollowed him out. He used his own soul to keep the flames alive, a process that slowly drained him of his sanity and turned him into a shell of his former self.
8. What is Gwyn’s weakness?
Despite being the Lord of Sunlight, Gwyn is ironically weak to Fire Damage in Dark Souls 1, a slight testament to how his soul was being consumed.
9. Why is Gwyn’s boss music so melancholic?
The music during the Gwyn boss fight is melancholic to represent his tragic state. By the time players encounter him, he is a hollow shell of his former self, representing more of a mercy killing rather than a grand confrontation.
10. Who is the Nameless King?
The Nameless King is Gwyn’s firstborn son who was disowned due to his insubordination. He is a powerful optional boss in Dark Souls 3. He was stripped of his name and forgotten in history by his father.
11. Why did Gwyn flood New Londo?
Gwyn flooded New Londo to stop the Darkwraiths and the Four Kings, who were corrupted by the Dark. He perceived them as a threat to his rule.
12. What was Gwyn’s first sin?
Gwyn’s first sin refers to his initial act of claiming the First Flame, an act that disrupted the natural balance and ultimately led to the current state of the world in the games.
13. Is the Nameless King weak to fire or dark?
The Nameless King is weak to both Dark and Fire damage in Dark Souls 3.
14. Why is the Nameless King a skeleton?
The Nameless King’s appearance as a skeletal figure is likely meant to resemble an extreme form of Buddhist asceticism, where monks engage in self-mummification, reflecting his own form of penance or self-imposed isolation.
15. Does killing Gwyn end the game?
Yes, killing Gwyn in Dark Souls 1 does trigger the end of the game. You are then immediately put into New Game+ after the credits.
These FAQs, along with the main analysis, should offer a comprehensive understanding of Gwyn’s role in creating the Darksign and the broader implications for the Dark Souls universe. It showcases the game’s rich lore and the complex motivations of its characters.