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The Undead Curse vs. the Ashen Burden: Unraveling the Lore of Dark Souls

The Dark Souls universe is steeped in complex lore, often leaving players scratching their heads about the nature of its protagonists. A central point of confusion is the distinction between the Undead and the Ashen One. Simply put, the difference lies in their purpose and fate. The Undead, specifically the Chosen Undead from Dark Souls, are individuals afflicted with the Darksign, destined to either rekindle the First Flame or usher in the Age of Dark. The Ashen One, on the other hand, from Dark Souls 3, is an Unkindled, a failed Lord of Cinder who was resurrected to return the other Lords to their thrones and rekindle the flame. The Undead are candidates to link the fire; the Ashen One already failed at it.

Delving Deeper: Undead, Chosen Undead, and the Darksign

What does it mean to be Undead?

Being Undead in the Dark Souls world is a curse, marked by the Darksign. This mark prevents true death, instead causing individuals to resurrect repeatedly, gradually losing their sanity and becoming Hollow. The Darksign appears as a dark ring on the body and is a manifestation of the fading First Flame, the source of life and warmth in the world. As the flame weakens, more and more individuals become afflicted with the curse.

The Bait: The “Chosen Undead” Prophecy

The title “Chosen Undead” is largely a fabrication, a narrative propagated by figures like Frampt and the Way of White to manipulate Undead into undertaking the perilous pilgrimage to Lordran. The prophecy suggests that a specific Undead will emerge as the savior, destined to link the First Flame and perpetuate the Age of Fire. However, this is essentially a desperate measure to prolong the inevitable.

The Undead’s Options

The Chosen Undead has a choice: link the fire, sacrificing themselves to extend the Age of Fire, or abandon the flame, ushering in the Age of Dark, an era ruled by humanity. The game presents both as valid options, leaving the ultimate decision in the player’s hands.

The Ashen One: Failure and Second Chance

What is the Ashen One’s Burden?

The Ashen One is fundamentally different. They are individuals who, in the past, attempted to link the First Flame but failed miserably. Consumed by the flame, they were reduced to ash, becoming Unkindled. Unlike the Chosen Undead, they are not simply cursed; they carry the burden of a prior failure. Their purpose isn’t to choose whether to link the flame but to force others to do so.

The Awakening of the Unkindled

As the First Flame once again begins to fade in Dark Souls 3, the Ashen One is resurrected. The bell of awakening tolls, signaling the need for the Lords of Cinder – powerful beings who have previously linked the flame – to return to their thrones. When the Lords of Cinder refuse to return, the Ashen One is tasked with bringing them back, by force if necessary, to rekindle the flame and stave off the encroaching darkness.

More Than Just a Body: The Abilities of the Ashen One

The Ashen One possesses unique abilities stemming from their failed attempt to link the fire. They can absorb embers to gain increased power and health, becoming “embered.” This mechanic reflects their connection to the First Flame and their past experience with its immense power.

FAQs: Undead vs. Ashen One

Here are some of the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to clarify the distinction between the Undead and the Ashen One:

Is the Ashen One the same as the Chosen Undead? No. The Chosen Undead is a candidate to link the fire, potentially for the first time. The Ashen One already tried and failed.
Is the Ashen One stronger than the Chosen Undead? This is debatable. Lore-wise, the Ashen One defeats incredibly powerful beings, including Lords of Cinder and the Soul of Cinder, which embodies all previous linkers of the flame. However, gameplay strength depends on player skill and build.
Is the Ashen One undead? Yes, but with a crucial difference. They are undead who were specifically resurrected due to their past failure to link the flame.
Why is the Ashen One not hollow after death? The Ashen One doesn’t hollow in the traditional sense. The game mechanics allow for hollowing if the player chooses to embrace the Londor storyline, but their base state is not hollowed because their purpose overrides the typical curse progression.
Why are we called the Ashen One? Because the protagonist was burned to ash in a failed attempt to link the First Flame.
Did the Chosen Undead link the fire? It’s up to the player. The Chosen Undead’s fate is determined by the player’s choice at the end of Dark Souls. They can link the fire or usher in the Age of Dark.
Why did the Ashen One wake up? To gather the Lords of Cinder and force them to fulfill their duty of rekindling the First Flame.
Could the Chosen Undead beat the Dragonborn? This is a popular hypothetical matchup. Both are incredibly powerful, but the Dragonborn’s versatility with shouts and magic likely gives them an edge.
Is Soul of Cinder the Ashen One? No. The Soul of Cinder is an amalgamation of all the previous Lords of Cinder who linked the First Flame, including Gwyn and potentially the Chosen Undead (if the player chose to link the fire).
Is the Lord of Cinder the Chosen Undead? The Lords of Cinder are powerful individuals who have linked the fire in the past. If the Chosen Undead linked the fire in Dark Souls, they could potentially be considered part of the Soul of Cinder and, therefore, a Lord of Cinder.
How strong is the Ashen One compared to other Dark Souls protagonists? The Ashen One faces arguably the greatest challenges, overcoming numerous powerful Lords of Cinder and the embodiment of all previous flame-linkers. This suggests a high level of power and resilience.
What does the Ashen Curse look like? There is not an Ashen Curse. The term “Ashen One” describes a human who failed to rekindle the flame, hence why he/she was burned to ashes and had to be resurrected by the bell.
Can the Ashen One go hollow? Yes, the Ashen One can be hollowed by acquiring dark sigils from Londor dwellers. However, in normal circumstances, the Ashen One does not hollow after death.
How was the Ashen One born?The Ashen One was not born. The Ashen One failed to link the fire and burned in the attempt to link the flame.
Is the Nameless King Gwyn’s first born? The Nameless King’s identity remains somewhat ambiguous, but lore suggests the Nameless King is the lost firstborn son of Lord Gwyn.

Final Thoughts: Legacy and Interpretation

The distinction between the Undead and the Ashen One highlights the cyclical nature of the Dark Souls world, forever caught between the Age of Fire and the Age of Dark. The Chosen Undead represents the potential for choice, while the Ashen One embodies the consequences of failure. Both characters are integral to the Dark Souls mythos, exploring themes of sacrifice, duty, and the ultimately futile struggle against the inevitable fading of the flame.

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What is the difference between the undead and the Ashen One?