Was Ornstein an Illusion in DS1?

The answer to the question Was Ornstein an illusion in DS1? is yes, the Ornstein you encounter in Dark Souls 1 is indeed an illusion created by Gwyndolin, while the real Ornstein had already left Anor Londo to hunt down the Nameless King. This illusion is a pivotal aspect of the Dark Souls lore, showcasing Gwyndolin’s mastery over illusions and his role in maintaining the facade of Gwynevere’s presence in Anor Londo.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

1. What are the sentinels in Dark Souls 1? The sentinels in Dark Souls 1 are illusions that can hurt players, characterized by their ability to evaporate and produce a distinct death sound, similar to Gwynevere’s illusion when it dissipates.
2. Is Gwyn an illusion? No, Gwyn is not an illusion; instead, he feeds Gwyndolin with his strength and magic to keep Gwynevere’s illusion alive, which persists even after Gwyndolin’s demise until Gwyn is defeated.
3. Why is Gwynevere so big? Gwynevere’s large size is a result of her being an illusion designed to appear godly, matching the scale of the giant sentinels, as the residents of Anor Londo, who are mostly giants, would not worship a deity of normal human size.

Character Backgrounds

4. Did the Nameless King train Ornstein? According to Dark Souls lore, Ornstein was the first knight trained by the Nameless King, and he later left Anor Londo in search of his former master.
5. Why did Ornstein go after the Nameless King? Ornstein pursued the Nameless King because the latter was considered a traitor, and as a dutiful knight, Ornstein saw it as his duty to find and defeat him, although he likely lost this battle.
6. Is the Nameless King a good guy? The Nameless King is not inherently good or evil; he is a complex character who betrayed his father, Gwyn, by siding with the Everlasting Dragons, making him a minor antagonist in the Dark Souls series.

Game Mechanics and Lore

7. Why is Ornstein so tall? The ‘god’ giants, including Ornstein and Gwyn, are normally 6-10 feet tall but can grow larger as they absorb more souls, a mechanic seen when Ornstein absorbs Smough.
8. Why is Gwyndolin associated with snakes? Gwyndolin’s use of snakes is likely a method of intimidation, leveraging his talent for illusions to create a formidable presence within his tomb.
9. What sin did Gwyn commit? Gwyn’s first sin was the linking of the First Flame, an act that allowed him to become a powerful lord but also led to the downfall of his kingdom.

Character Relationships

10. Is Solaire the son of Gwyn? Initially, fans speculated that Solaire might be Gwyn’s lost son, but this theory was later disproven, with the Nameless King being revealed as Gwyn’s firstborn son.
11. Is Solaire the Nameless King? No, Solaire is not the Nameless King but has been theorized by some fans to potentially be the Nameless King’s son, named Solaire as a play on Sol-Heir, or heir of the sun.
12. How many children did Gwyn have in Dark Souls? Gwyn had four children: the Nameless King, Gwynevere, Gwyndolin, and Filianore, each playing a significant role in the Dark Souls lore.

Game Impact and Consequences

13. What is the downside to killing Gwyndolin? Killing Gwyndolin results in the persistence of Gwynevere’s illusion and prevents the appearance of Dark Anor Londo when using the Darkmoon Seance Ring, also aggroing the Firekeeper.
14. Why did Aldrich eat Gwyndolin? Aldrich devoured Gwyndolin due to the latter’s trespass of channeling Faith for Sorcery, showcasing Aldrich’s role in punishing those who misuse sacred powers.
15. What does killing Gwyndolin do? Defeating Gwyndolin yields 40,000 souls and the Soul of Gwyndolin, which can be consumed for additional souls, sold, or used to craft unique items like the Darkmoon Bow or Tin Darkmoon Catalyst.